Post by “The Better Man” Warren Kidd on Aug 20, 2024 1:26:24 GMT
In the early hours of the morning after one of the most vicious beatings of his life at Sacrifice, Warren Kidd’s phone pinged again. Mimi Simpson, who had insisted on keeping a close, personal overnight vigil on the battered and bruised World Champion, shifted in the chair at his bedside. It had been one of the most uncomfortable nights of her life, but it was absolutely worth it to show Warren that she genuinely cared about him as a person, and certainly more than his soon to be ex-husband ever did.
Luckily, Rosa had determined that Warren had avoided sustaining a concussion, so Warren could sleep in relative peace. The erratic drift in and out of sleep for both of them throughout the night had been frequently interrupted by one of them smiling as the other dozed off. As Mimi watched Warren sleep, her heart fluttered, he was so cute, so fragile, and so tragically misunderstood in her estimation. But she understood him, she understood him better than anybody else, and if he gave her a chance, he’d soon see that too.
Mimi reached over and picked up Warren’s phone. The lock screen was a wall of push notifications, mostly from Dean Harper, feigning concern. Apparently he’d been down to the IWF Medical Services Unit with Damien, and they’d been informed by Dr Chen that Warren had left AMA, and now Damien was crying about how it was all his fault and asking why Warren always left, and why Warren hated them.
What a sleaze ball, Mimi thought, using little Damien to try and get Warren back - over her dead body. She wanted to reply but any attempt to unlock Warren’s phone requested a six digit passcode, and she didn’t know him nearly well enough to even hazard a guess at what it might be.
The latest message was a concession on Dean’s part that he didn’t have to see them if he didn’t want, but to please just message him back so he could let Damien know Warren was safe. For Damien’s sake, Mimi leant forward and considered the gentlest way to wake him. She opted for gently caressing his cheek whilst whispering to him.
“Warren, I know you’re tired, baby. But Dean keeps asking for you,” Mimi said. “Damien’s really worried about you. You should tell them you’re okay, at least.”
Warren’s eyes fluttered open as soon as he heard Damien’s name. He sat up slowly and rubbed some crust out of his eyes. He then took his phone off Mimi, with a soft smile. He scanned through the notifications before unlocking and replying to Dean’s last message.
You: I’m safe.
The reply was instant.
Sweetness: Thank you. Damien made a card for you, he wants to drop it off.
Warren really needed to change the cutesy nickname he’d saved Dean under, he thought as he texted Dean that he was in his hotel room right now if Damien wanted to stop by. Warren had nothing but love for Damien, he never blamed the kid for his father’s actions at all.
Sweetness: Okay. Let me get him ready. See you in fifteen. Thank you.
Warren smiled at the thought of seeing Damien, Damien always made him feel better. Mimi tried to read Warren’s smile, and determine what exactly it meant. Warren flashed a different smile at Mimi, “Damien made me a card, and wants to see me, I told him he could. He’ll be here soon.”
“Aww, that’s so sweet,” Mimi smiled back. “Will Dawn be bringing him?”
“No, Dean himself.”
Of course, Mimi thought. First Rosa stuck her giant Amazonian nose in Mimi’s business, trying to charm Warren with her innocent little friend act, now Dean, the snake was trying to use Damien to crawl back into his husband’s bed. It wasn’t happening, not on her watch. Warren had been hurt enough.
“I can stay if you’d like,” Mimi offered, innocently.
“You sure? I wouldn’t want to put you out, if you got stuff to do, I get it.”
“Nah, we good baby,” Mimi insisted. “Need you healthy for Legacy, don’t we?”
“Yeah, we do,” Warren said. “Thanks. For everything, again.”
“Don’t mention it, sugar,” Mimi smiled. “I got you.”
Warren sat up a little straighter and winced, he was topless and covered in welts and bruises, but Mimi looked beyond all that and still felt her cheeks flush as she got an eyeful of his perfectly sculpted pecs. His frame was smaller than most of his colleagues, but incredibly well formed. Far too good for an asshole like Dean Harper.
“Suppose I should get dressed,” Warren sighed. “Even though it hurts to even breathe right now.”
“You don’t have to,” Mimi encouraged, “Ain’t like it’s a formal meeting with Verona or anything.”
“Thank God for that,” Warren chuckled, and then immediately winced in regret. “I don’t think I could handle that right now.”
“Whatever makes you comfortable. Here.” Mimi grabbed the complimentary hotel bathrobe and offered it to him, “This should be good enough.”
There was a knock on the hotel room door. At least Dean wouldn’t get a look at how good Warren looked again, he’d lost his chance. Mimi helped Warren put the robe on, Dean could wait, she had her priorities. She fluffed Warren’s pillow behind his back and made sure he was settled before she answered the door, with her arms folded across her chest, clearly unimpressed and wanting this visit over as soon as possible.
Damien stared at Mimi with big eyes, “…Is Da — Warren here?”
“Sure thing, sugar come on.” Mimi led Damien to the bedroom, ignoring Dean entirely. Damien didn’t take her hand, that was okay. She’d work on him, she could be a good Auntie , she was sure of it.
Damien rushed to Warren’s side and hugged him, “I got you presents. Daddy helped me wrap them.” He handed a gift bag over and a handmade card.
It hurt to be hugged but Warren pushed through it with a deliberate breath, “Thanks, kiddo,” Warren smiled.
“You’re welcome.” Damien smiled brightly.
“Damien, we should let Warren rest and you need to get some sleep.” Dean yawned from the doorway. “You were up all night, remember?”
“But-“
“Warren needs rest. You promised to be quick.” Dean wasn’t even bothered enough to be in the room, but Mimi shot him a disapproving glare anyway.
Damien pouted and reluctantly let go of Warren.
“He can stay here a while if he wants,” Warren offered.
“You have company anyway,” Dean said. “Wouldn’t want him to get in your way.”
The bathrobe, the smiles, Dean knew the signs, Warren was not only moving on, he had already moved on. Just like a Kane, they collected divorces. He didn’t even have the decency to fuck one of the home wreckers who caused their issues anyway. A new slut added to the roster. And Dean couldn’t even commit to more than the safe flirting with Rob Diamond.
“Mimi doesn’t mind, right?” Warren smiled at her. “She’s looked after Damien before.”
“Has she?” Warren knew Dean well enough to read into that tone, “How fun. He needs to sleep. And to get a balanced breakfast plus he has therapy in the afternoon. Come on Damien.”
Damien pouted but hugged Warren one more time, “Can I see Warren after therapy?”
“After therapy if he’s up for company, yes.”
“Of course you can,” Warren whispered rubbing Damien’s back, “You can hang with me anytime you want, okay? I love you. That will never change.”
Dean let out a laugh, a not so subtle indication he doubted Warren meant that. Damien hugged Warren before letting go and going to Dean, waving goodbye before Dean took him out of the room and shut the door.
“That wasn’t too much for you?” Mimi asked.
“I’m used to Dean being a bratty bitch who doesn’t believe me,” Warren shrugged.
“I can tell you love that kid.” Mimi sat on the bed next to him. “I know that kid loves you.”
“I know. It took me a hell of a long time to accept that,” Warren admitted, regretfully. “I should have done right by that boy years ago,” Warren sighed and seemed to consciously stop himself from trauma dumping on Mimi. She wasn’t here for that.
“Hey.” Mimi took his hand in hers, “I’m here for you. If you need to vent it out, baby, I’m not gonna judge you for that.”
“I don’t want to depress you with my shit,” he said softly. “It’s okay, I’m fine, really.”
“I’m here for whatever you need, Warren. You don’t need to carry this alone.” Mimi leaned forward and kissed him, not directly on the mouth but not quite on the cheek.
She could tell by how wide Warren’s eyes got as he tried to process what had just happened she’d absolutely caught him off guard. His mouth hung open for a moment, no words came as they just gazed at each other, Warren cleared his throat “Mimi, I —“
A sharp knock on the hotel room door swallowed the rest of Warren’s confused whisper.
“Do you want me to get that?” Mimi asked.
Warren nodded. A frustrated Mimi did her best to keep it together, ready to slug Dean for coming back just when she was so close. She tensed her fist. “Just leave him…” Mimi opened the door to find Shea O’Hara standing there, all done up in black leather jacket, short skirt and fishnets. She was supposed to still be in Northern Ireland, the little bitch. The word “alone” left Mimi’s lips as barely a strangled whisper.
Shea smiled at Mimi and then Warren.
“Surprise!”
“Shea!” A brighter, new light returned to Warren’s whole face. Shea marched past Mimi and hugged her longtime best friend gingerly. “When the hell did you get back? How’s your Dad?”
“Oh you know he’s a tough old bastard,” Shea smiled. “He’s not the only one I know, apparently. How are you? I saw the beating, that’ll teach you to practically declare your love for a happily married woman just before you fight her husband,” Shea teased.
“I’m fine and I didn’t declare my love for anybody,” Warren protested.
“Hey, I wouldn’t blame you if you did,” Shea said. “V is quite the smoke show, like.”
“Takes one to know one, I guess,” Warren teased back.
“Oh stop it, you’ll make me blush,” Shea laughed.
“Red always did look good on you.”
Mimi now knew exactly what Dean had been so insecure about for most of his marriage to Warren. There was definitely much more flirting than she expected. Mimi busied herself, taking her time to fetch him some more water, leaving them alone.
“So how are you feeling? I mean emotionally, like?” Shea asked. “Finally divorcing the prick. Good for you on finally getting the balls to leave him for good. I always wondered what it would take to wake you up to that rat bastard, now I know.”
“Yeah,” Warren said, “I know the men in my family aren’t exactly known for their principles. But I have my boundaries. I never agreed with it when Spike would lay out women just because he could either. I’m trying to be a better man than that. It’s what Mom would have wanted.”
“I know,” Shea whispered. “If your Mom could see the kinda man you’ve become, she’d be so damned proud of you. Just like I am.”
“You really think so?” Warren asked, bleary eyed, clearly Shea had struck a deep nerve with what she had just said.
“No, I don’t think,” Shea shook her head. “I know she would be. It takes a real man to recognise a toxic cycle and it takes real courage to break that cycle. To save yourself anymore hurt and pain, especially when there’s a kid involved. You did the very thing your Mom was always too afraid to do. You were strong enough to recognise a bad marriage, and you were strong enough to set a firm boundary. A boundary Dean never respected, despite you clearly asking. You were strong enough to stick by your beliefs and didn’t let fear override your sense of right and wrong. You are already a much better man than you give yourself credit for.” Shea took her hand in his and squeezed gently as she gazed into his eyes. “I see that, I’ve always seen that, and I always will, even if nobody else does.”
Warren’s fingers trembled as he reached up to tuck some of Shea’s hair behind her ear, eyes locked. “Thank you, for saying all that. For always believing in me when nobody else would. I don’t know how I can ever repay you for always having my back all these years.”
Shea opened her mouth to respond, but yet another knock interrupted them, Shea cleared her throat and broke eye contact. “Somebody’s popular today, want me to get that?”
“Please,” Warren said softly.
Shea got up just as Mimi returned with the bottled water, handing it to Warren. He thanked her just as Shea opened the door to the last person Warren ever expected to see in his doorway, Vivienne Daniels.
“…I can come back later if he’s busy.”
“No,” Shea cleared her throat with a slight cough. “I was just leaving. You coming Mimi?” Shea offered, sensing this could get really awkward in a hurry and giving Mimi a way out if she wanted it. “Go easy on him, V,” Shea pleaded. “Please, he’s been through enough, like.”
Mimi hesitated, “Do you want me to leave?” She at least didn’t feel conflicted about Vivienne trying anything. She was happily married to that Australian ape.
Vivienne shrugged at Shea’s request, “That depends on what Warren wants.”
“You both should stay,” Warren said , unscrewing his water bottle top. “I might need witnesses, just so Cyrus doesn’t get the wrong idea again.”
“I can stay if Vivienne is happy to say whatever she came to say in front of us all,” Shea said.
Vivienne crossed her arms, already less happy than when she arrived, “You want an audience, fine by me.”
“Go on then,” Mimi said, the most fed up with all the interruptions. She wanted Warren alone again so they could get back to whatever Warren was about to say before Shea showed up, unexpectedly. Mimi had been the one looking after Warren for weeks now, not his supposed best friends or whoever they were to him these days.
“I’m not leaving my husband. I understand you wanting to protect me, and as a friend I appreciate that. But you were always just a friend to me. I’m sorry if I ever mislead you into believing we could be more than that. I just never felt that way about you, I hope you can understand that.”
“Don’t tell me you came here just to tell me what I already knew,” Warren took a hearty swig from his water bottle. “We were good friends once, and maybe I thought about us being more than that a couple of times, but that’s all it ever was, a thought. A silly little crush, I never entertained it as a serious option, certainly not after you told me how you felt about Cyrus,” Warren hissed slightly as he winced. “And as of last night, I now know exactly how he feels about you too. Message received loud and fucking clear. I’ve got no interest in poaching his territory. I swear.” Warren reflexively crossed his heart, an old ingrained habit from his days as a good Catholic boy.
The sign of the cross was a remnant of an almost completely shattered faith that he still fell back on when he truly meant what he said or was really sorry for something he did.
“Okay. Thank you.” Vivienne took another deep breath, “After what Ciara did to me. How she lied and betrayed me… I don’t like being lied to. I was hurt you lied to me and kept the secret of what Dean did to Rowan from me. You left him after he came for me and I’m proud of you for that, I guess.”
“I’m sorry,” Warren said, “As God is my witness, I never intended to hurt you. Please forgive me. If you can’t, I understand, just know I never intended for any of it to go down like it did. Dean went way beyond what we agreed, took more collateral with him than I anticipated.”
“Okay. I accept your apology.”
“Thank you.” Warren blinked back tears. “Do you think we can still be friends, or would that be too awkward for you and Cyrus?”
“I think we’ll play it by ear. I don’t know. I’d like to…but I don't know.”
“Okay,” Warren knew not to push his luck, he couldn’t fix everything overnight, no matter how much he wished he could. “Thanks for stopping by anyway, all of you, it means more than you know.”
Shea instinctively hugged him first, “Look after yourself, if you need anything, just call.” Shea pecked him on the cheek gently. She headed towards Vivienne and the door, assuming they’d leave together. Vivienne simply left with a formal wave, before following Shea out of the room, leaving Warren and Mimi alone together, once more.
Luckily, Rosa had determined that Warren had avoided sustaining a concussion, so Warren could sleep in relative peace. The erratic drift in and out of sleep for both of them throughout the night had been frequently interrupted by one of them smiling as the other dozed off. As Mimi watched Warren sleep, her heart fluttered, he was so cute, so fragile, and so tragically misunderstood in her estimation. But she understood him, she understood him better than anybody else, and if he gave her a chance, he’d soon see that too.
Mimi reached over and picked up Warren’s phone. The lock screen was a wall of push notifications, mostly from Dean Harper, feigning concern. Apparently he’d been down to the IWF Medical Services Unit with Damien, and they’d been informed by Dr Chen that Warren had left AMA, and now Damien was crying about how it was all his fault and asking why Warren always left, and why Warren hated them.
What a sleaze ball, Mimi thought, using little Damien to try and get Warren back - over her dead body. She wanted to reply but any attempt to unlock Warren’s phone requested a six digit passcode, and she didn’t know him nearly well enough to even hazard a guess at what it might be.
The latest message was a concession on Dean’s part that he didn’t have to see them if he didn’t want, but to please just message him back so he could let Damien know Warren was safe. For Damien’s sake, Mimi leant forward and considered the gentlest way to wake him. She opted for gently caressing his cheek whilst whispering to him.
“Warren, I know you’re tired, baby. But Dean keeps asking for you,” Mimi said. “Damien’s really worried about you. You should tell them you’re okay, at least.”
Warren’s eyes fluttered open as soon as he heard Damien’s name. He sat up slowly and rubbed some crust out of his eyes. He then took his phone off Mimi, with a soft smile. He scanned through the notifications before unlocking and replying to Dean’s last message.
You: I’m safe.
The reply was instant.
Sweetness: Thank you. Damien made a card for you, he wants to drop it off.
Warren really needed to change the cutesy nickname he’d saved Dean under, he thought as he texted Dean that he was in his hotel room right now if Damien wanted to stop by. Warren had nothing but love for Damien, he never blamed the kid for his father’s actions at all.
Sweetness: Okay. Let me get him ready. See you in fifteen. Thank you.
Warren smiled at the thought of seeing Damien, Damien always made him feel better. Mimi tried to read Warren’s smile, and determine what exactly it meant. Warren flashed a different smile at Mimi, “Damien made me a card, and wants to see me, I told him he could. He’ll be here soon.”
“Aww, that’s so sweet,” Mimi smiled back. “Will Dawn be bringing him?”
“No, Dean himself.”
Of course, Mimi thought. First Rosa stuck her giant Amazonian nose in Mimi’s business, trying to charm Warren with her innocent little friend act, now Dean, the snake was trying to use Damien to crawl back into his husband’s bed. It wasn’t happening, not on her watch. Warren had been hurt enough.
“I can stay if you’d like,” Mimi offered, innocently.
“You sure? I wouldn’t want to put you out, if you got stuff to do, I get it.”
“Nah, we good baby,” Mimi insisted. “Need you healthy for Legacy, don’t we?”
“Yeah, we do,” Warren said. “Thanks. For everything, again.”
“Don’t mention it, sugar,” Mimi smiled. “I got you.”
Warren sat up a little straighter and winced, he was topless and covered in welts and bruises, but Mimi looked beyond all that and still felt her cheeks flush as she got an eyeful of his perfectly sculpted pecs. His frame was smaller than most of his colleagues, but incredibly well formed. Far too good for an asshole like Dean Harper.
“Suppose I should get dressed,” Warren sighed. “Even though it hurts to even breathe right now.”
“You don’t have to,” Mimi encouraged, “Ain’t like it’s a formal meeting with Verona or anything.”
“Thank God for that,” Warren chuckled, and then immediately winced in regret. “I don’t think I could handle that right now.”
“Whatever makes you comfortable. Here.” Mimi grabbed the complimentary hotel bathrobe and offered it to him, “This should be good enough.”
There was a knock on the hotel room door. At least Dean wouldn’t get a look at how good Warren looked again, he’d lost his chance. Mimi helped Warren put the robe on, Dean could wait, she had her priorities. She fluffed Warren’s pillow behind his back and made sure he was settled before she answered the door, with her arms folded across her chest, clearly unimpressed and wanting this visit over as soon as possible.
Damien stared at Mimi with big eyes, “…Is Da — Warren here?”
“Sure thing, sugar come on.” Mimi led Damien to the bedroom, ignoring Dean entirely. Damien didn’t take her hand, that was okay. She’d work on him, she could be a good Auntie , she was sure of it.
Damien rushed to Warren’s side and hugged him, “I got you presents. Daddy helped me wrap them.” He handed a gift bag over and a handmade card.
It hurt to be hugged but Warren pushed through it with a deliberate breath, “Thanks, kiddo,” Warren smiled.
“You’re welcome.” Damien smiled brightly.
“Damien, we should let Warren rest and you need to get some sleep.” Dean yawned from the doorway. “You were up all night, remember?”
“But-“
“Warren needs rest. You promised to be quick.” Dean wasn’t even bothered enough to be in the room, but Mimi shot him a disapproving glare anyway.
Damien pouted and reluctantly let go of Warren.
“He can stay here a while if he wants,” Warren offered.
“You have company anyway,” Dean said. “Wouldn’t want him to get in your way.”
The bathrobe, the smiles, Dean knew the signs, Warren was not only moving on, he had already moved on. Just like a Kane, they collected divorces. He didn’t even have the decency to fuck one of the home wreckers who caused their issues anyway. A new slut added to the roster. And Dean couldn’t even commit to more than the safe flirting with Rob Diamond.
“Mimi doesn’t mind, right?” Warren smiled at her. “She’s looked after Damien before.”
“Has she?” Warren knew Dean well enough to read into that tone, “How fun. He needs to sleep. And to get a balanced breakfast plus he has therapy in the afternoon. Come on Damien.”
Damien pouted but hugged Warren one more time, “Can I see Warren after therapy?”
“After therapy if he’s up for company, yes.”
“Of course you can,” Warren whispered rubbing Damien’s back, “You can hang with me anytime you want, okay? I love you. That will never change.”
Dean let out a laugh, a not so subtle indication he doubted Warren meant that. Damien hugged Warren before letting go and going to Dean, waving goodbye before Dean took him out of the room and shut the door.
“That wasn’t too much for you?” Mimi asked.
“I’m used to Dean being a bratty bitch who doesn’t believe me,” Warren shrugged.
“I can tell you love that kid.” Mimi sat on the bed next to him. “I know that kid loves you.”
“I know. It took me a hell of a long time to accept that,” Warren admitted, regretfully. “I should have done right by that boy years ago,” Warren sighed and seemed to consciously stop himself from trauma dumping on Mimi. She wasn’t here for that.
“Hey.” Mimi took his hand in hers, “I’m here for you. If you need to vent it out, baby, I’m not gonna judge you for that.”
“I don’t want to depress you with my shit,” he said softly. “It’s okay, I’m fine, really.”
“I’m here for whatever you need, Warren. You don’t need to carry this alone.” Mimi leaned forward and kissed him, not directly on the mouth but not quite on the cheek.
She could tell by how wide Warren’s eyes got as he tried to process what had just happened she’d absolutely caught him off guard. His mouth hung open for a moment, no words came as they just gazed at each other, Warren cleared his throat “Mimi, I —“
A sharp knock on the hotel room door swallowed the rest of Warren’s confused whisper.
“Do you want me to get that?” Mimi asked.
Warren nodded. A frustrated Mimi did her best to keep it together, ready to slug Dean for coming back just when she was so close. She tensed her fist. “Just leave him…” Mimi opened the door to find Shea O’Hara standing there, all done up in black leather jacket, short skirt and fishnets. She was supposed to still be in Northern Ireland, the little bitch. The word “alone” left Mimi’s lips as barely a strangled whisper.
Shea smiled at Mimi and then Warren.
“Surprise!”
“Shea!” A brighter, new light returned to Warren’s whole face. Shea marched past Mimi and hugged her longtime best friend gingerly. “When the hell did you get back? How’s your Dad?”
“Oh you know he’s a tough old bastard,” Shea smiled. “He’s not the only one I know, apparently. How are you? I saw the beating, that’ll teach you to practically declare your love for a happily married woman just before you fight her husband,” Shea teased.
“I’m fine and I didn’t declare my love for anybody,” Warren protested.
“Hey, I wouldn’t blame you if you did,” Shea said. “V is quite the smoke show, like.”
“Takes one to know one, I guess,” Warren teased back.
“Oh stop it, you’ll make me blush,” Shea laughed.
“Red always did look good on you.”
Mimi now knew exactly what Dean had been so insecure about for most of his marriage to Warren. There was definitely much more flirting than she expected. Mimi busied herself, taking her time to fetch him some more water, leaving them alone.
“So how are you feeling? I mean emotionally, like?” Shea asked. “Finally divorcing the prick. Good for you on finally getting the balls to leave him for good. I always wondered what it would take to wake you up to that rat bastard, now I know.”
“Yeah,” Warren said, “I know the men in my family aren’t exactly known for their principles. But I have my boundaries. I never agreed with it when Spike would lay out women just because he could either. I’m trying to be a better man than that. It’s what Mom would have wanted.”
“I know,” Shea whispered. “If your Mom could see the kinda man you’ve become, she’d be so damned proud of you. Just like I am.”
“You really think so?” Warren asked, bleary eyed, clearly Shea had struck a deep nerve with what she had just said.
“No, I don’t think,” Shea shook her head. “I know she would be. It takes a real man to recognise a toxic cycle and it takes real courage to break that cycle. To save yourself anymore hurt and pain, especially when there’s a kid involved. You did the very thing your Mom was always too afraid to do. You were strong enough to recognise a bad marriage, and you were strong enough to set a firm boundary. A boundary Dean never respected, despite you clearly asking. You were strong enough to stick by your beliefs and didn’t let fear override your sense of right and wrong. You are already a much better man than you give yourself credit for.” Shea took her hand in his and squeezed gently as she gazed into his eyes. “I see that, I’ve always seen that, and I always will, even if nobody else does.”
Warren’s fingers trembled as he reached up to tuck some of Shea’s hair behind her ear, eyes locked. “Thank you, for saying all that. For always believing in me when nobody else would. I don’t know how I can ever repay you for always having my back all these years.”
Shea opened her mouth to respond, but yet another knock interrupted them, Shea cleared her throat and broke eye contact. “Somebody’s popular today, want me to get that?”
“Please,” Warren said softly.
Shea got up just as Mimi returned with the bottled water, handing it to Warren. He thanked her just as Shea opened the door to the last person Warren ever expected to see in his doorway, Vivienne Daniels.
“…I can come back later if he’s busy.”
“No,” Shea cleared her throat with a slight cough. “I was just leaving. You coming Mimi?” Shea offered, sensing this could get really awkward in a hurry and giving Mimi a way out if she wanted it. “Go easy on him, V,” Shea pleaded. “Please, he’s been through enough, like.”
Mimi hesitated, “Do you want me to leave?” She at least didn’t feel conflicted about Vivienne trying anything. She was happily married to that Australian ape.
Vivienne shrugged at Shea’s request, “That depends on what Warren wants.”
“You both should stay,” Warren said , unscrewing his water bottle top. “I might need witnesses, just so Cyrus doesn’t get the wrong idea again.”
“I can stay if Vivienne is happy to say whatever she came to say in front of us all,” Shea said.
Vivienne crossed her arms, already less happy than when she arrived, “You want an audience, fine by me.”
“Go on then,” Mimi said, the most fed up with all the interruptions. She wanted Warren alone again so they could get back to whatever Warren was about to say before Shea showed up, unexpectedly. Mimi had been the one looking after Warren for weeks now, not his supposed best friends or whoever they were to him these days.
“I’m not leaving my husband. I understand you wanting to protect me, and as a friend I appreciate that. But you were always just a friend to me. I’m sorry if I ever mislead you into believing we could be more than that. I just never felt that way about you, I hope you can understand that.”
“Don’t tell me you came here just to tell me what I already knew,” Warren took a hearty swig from his water bottle. “We were good friends once, and maybe I thought about us being more than that a couple of times, but that’s all it ever was, a thought. A silly little crush, I never entertained it as a serious option, certainly not after you told me how you felt about Cyrus,” Warren hissed slightly as he winced. “And as of last night, I now know exactly how he feels about you too. Message received loud and fucking clear. I’ve got no interest in poaching his territory. I swear.” Warren reflexively crossed his heart, an old ingrained habit from his days as a good Catholic boy.
The sign of the cross was a remnant of an almost completely shattered faith that he still fell back on when he truly meant what he said or was really sorry for something he did.
“Okay. Thank you.” Vivienne took another deep breath, “After what Ciara did to me. How she lied and betrayed me… I don’t like being lied to. I was hurt you lied to me and kept the secret of what Dean did to Rowan from me. You left him after he came for me and I’m proud of you for that, I guess.”
“I’m sorry,” Warren said, “As God is my witness, I never intended to hurt you. Please forgive me. If you can’t, I understand, just know I never intended for any of it to go down like it did. Dean went way beyond what we agreed, took more collateral with him than I anticipated.”
“Okay. I accept your apology.”
“Thank you.” Warren blinked back tears. “Do you think we can still be friends, or would that be too awkward for you and Cyrus?”
“I think we’ll play it by ear. I don’t know. I’d like to…but I don't know.”
“Okay,” Warren knew not to push his luck, he couldn’t fix everything overnight, no matter how much he wished he could. “Thanks for stopping by anyway, all of you, it means more than you know.”
Shea instinctively hugged him first, “Look after yourself, if you need anything, just call.” Shea pecked him on the cheek gently. She headed towards Vivienne and the door, assuming they’d leave together. Vivienne simply left with a formal wave, before following Shea out of the room, leaving Warren and Mimi alone together, once more.
Well howdy there pardner.