“Mom ain’t gonna like this.” Jey commented, but he took a long drag from it all the same, allowing the sweet smoke to fill his lungs. 

“Mom ain’t gotta know.” Jimmy replied, a teasing note in his voice before he snatched the blunt from his brother’s hand. “Besides, she in there cookin’ something. She won’t be back out for a while.” 

Jey hummed noncommittally, watching as Jimmy exhaled some smoke of his own. He considered asking about his sponsor’s thoughts on weed use while in the AA program, then decided against it. Jimmy seemed to be in a good mood for the first time in months and he knew bringing up his sobriety would only irritate him. And the day was too beautiful to ruin. 

Jey leaned back and closed his eyes instead, feeling the warmth of the sun on his face. “Where’s Roman?” 

Jimmy exhaled more smoke, his legs swirling restlessly in the clear water. “Who knows. Taking another call, maybe? That fool don’t know how to relax.” 

“You’d think WWE would collapse if he took even one afternoon off.” Jey laughed, motioning for Jimmy to pass the blunt back to him. “God forbid he actually rest for once.” 

“I do rest.” 

Roman’s booming voice caused both twins to turn around, startled by his sudden presence. Roman’s mouth quirked into a smile. “But I also don’t ignore phone calls from our boss.” 

Jimmy waved his hand. “I think he’d survive if you sent him to voicemail. Thought we agreed to chill today, uce?” 

“I am chill.” Roman’s voice was almost defensive, rolling up his pant legs before settling on the edge of the pool beside Jey. He grimaced as he dipped his legs into the cold water, waving away the blunt that Jey offered him. 

“But Mania is only two weeks away. I can’t be ignoring calls. Not now.” 

Jey shrugged, taking another hit before passing the blunt back to his brother. “Yeah, I know whatchu mean. If I check my phone right now, I probably got a million missed calls.” 

“Aye, but that’s because you they future World Heavyweight Champion.” Jimmy said with a grin, nudging his twin’s arm. “WWE might actually fall apart without you.” 

Jey rolled his eyes. “Uh huh, sure. Tell that to my adoring Internet fans.” He hadn’t meant for the words to come out so bitter and he wasn’t surprised when both Roman and Jimmy turned to stare at him. 

“Come on, uce. I told you to quit looking at that shit.” Jimmy was frowning now. “Ain’t nothing good gonna come outta seeing all that.” 

“Yeah, I know.” Jey muttered, unable to look either of them in the eye. 

Roman’s shoulder brushed his in silent reassurance, his gaze at his cousin kind. “Jimmy’s right. Those aren’t real fans. They’re just trolls. Losers who don’t even buy tickets. Your real fans are in the crowd every week. You know that.” 

This wasn’t the first time they’d talked about this and Jey couldn’t help but feel like he was being lectured. He’d spent too long as the youngest in their trio, always at the receiving end of one lecture or another, whether from one of them or their parents. Feeling ganged up and getting defensive was pretty much instinctual at this point. 

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” Jey snatched the blunt from Jimmy’s hand, taking another long drag to force himself to relax. “We ain’t gotta go over it all again.” 

Jimmy and Roman both wisely stayed silent. The afternoon was too beautiful to argue and they both knew it was a sensitive subject. Besides, they’d all agreed to take the afternoon off before flying to Chicago for their next show. With Wrestlemania coming up, this was probably the last break they’d get for a while. 

“You still talking to that girl?” Roman asked, deciding to change the subject. “You know, that pretty one in NXT?” 

Jey scowled. “Nah, we was just fucking around. You know she too young for me, uce.” 

Roman raised his hands, as if he were surrendering. “Hey, I was just asking. Didn’t know if maybe you’d caught feelings or something.” 

“For a 26-year-old?” Jey kicked the water. “No, thanks. I got enough problems as it is.” 

Jimmy chuckled, taking what remained of the blunt from his brother’s fingers before flicking it off to the side. “I hear that. Though she was pretty. Definitely too pretty for yo ugly ass.” 

Jey glared at him. “We got the same face, dumbass.” 

“Last I checked we was fraternal twins. Not identical. Which is why I’ve aged better than you.” 

“Aged better than me? You fucking wish. You got more grey in your beard than I do!” 

“Please. Ladies love the grey. You just jealous.” 

“Man, if you don’t-”

“I thought we agreed to chill today.” Roman interrupted, trying to resist the urge to laugh. He was used to the twin’s bickering. “Especially since we got that early ass call in Chicago tomorrow.” 

“Don’t remind me.” Jimmy groaned. “I got a match with Melo tomorrow.” 

Roman raised an eyebrow. “Thought you liked working with Melo?” 

“I like him because he’s safe. But that cocky attitude…” Jimmy shook his head. “It makes me wanna put hands on that motherfucker.” 

Jey chuckled. “These rookies are a different breed, man. Ain’t like how it was when we was coming up.” 

The three of them continued to chat, falling back into an easy rhythm. It had been a long time since they’d spent any real time together. Ever since the Bloodline story ended, they’d all gone their separate ways, only able to see each other on holidays or whenever their storylines crossed. It was nice for the original trio to be back together. It felt like how it did back in the old days: the three of them sitting on the edge of the pool talking, Rikishi eventually calling them back in for dinner. It was nice. It was needed. 

Their parents seemed to agree, spending most of the dinner chattering about how happy they were to have the three of them back together. It was strange to be without any of their other siblings, the house unusually empty now that everyone had grown up and moved away. They knew it had taken a toll on their parents, who were used to the bustle and chatter of eight children. 

“It’s just so good to see you back together again,” their mother gushed, reaching out to squeeze Jimmy’s hand. “When are you going to get the Bloodline story going again? Everyone misses seeing the family together.” 

Roman smiled. “Maybe soon. Jey’s gotta win that Heavyweight Championship first.” 

“Well, we ain’t gotta worry about that,” Rikishi replied, his eyes shining with pride as he looked at his younger son. “It’s only a few weeks away. And we already know he’s got this in the bag.” 

Jey seemed embarrassed, quickly taking a sip of his drink to avoid all the eyes that were suddenly trained on him. “Come on, Dad. It ain’t a set in stone thing.” 

Rikishi looked like he was going to say more, but their mother quickly stood, effectively ending any potential arguments. “Oh! I forgot! All three of you got something in the mail. I set it on the counter over here.” 

She quickly retrieved the letters, passing them out to each of them. The boys took them with confused expressions, their eyes scanning the unfamiliar handwriting on the front. 

Roman raised an eyebrow, glancing over at Rikishi. “Don’t think I’ve ever used your address for mail, Pops.” 

Rikishi shrugged. “It didn’t look like spam which is why we didn’t throw them away. It’s postmarked from Greece.” 

Jimmy gave his mother a suspicious look, holding up his envelope. “Why does mine already look open?” 

Their mother looked sheepish. “Well, it’s been sitting on the counter for ages! And they just looked so mysterious! I had to know what was in them.” 

“Mama! You not supposed to open other people’s mail.” 

She waved her hands dismissively. “Oh, please. I’m your mother.” 

Nobody could argue with her on that. Instead, the three of them opened their letters, each of them containing a wedding invitation: 

An RSVP card was also attached, along with some instructions on how to make reservations at the hotel. But it was the handwritten at the bottom of each card that had all three of them surprised. 

I wanted to invite you to my daughter’s wedding as a chance to reconnect. I know it’s been a long time, but I want to see you. Please come. I’ll be waiting. Love, Danielle

Jey’s heart immediately stuttered at the sight, nearly dropping the paper in surprise. He felt his cheeks heating up, re-reading the handwritten message over and over again to make sure he wasn’t hallucinating. He didn’t dare look up to meet anyone else’s gaze, though he knew Roman and Jimmy were staring at him. 

Of course, their mother was oblivious. “Joshua, isn’t that the nice girl you dated in high school?” 

Jey swallowed, his mind already racing a million miles an hour. Was this some kind of joke? The last time they’d spoken, Dani had made it clear she never wanted to see him again. 

“Oh, I remember her.” Rikishi was saying. “Her family used to live down the street. You took her to prom, didn’t you?” 

Jey knew everyone was looking at him, waiting for some kind of response. He quickly straightened his spine, forcing himself to smile. 

“Yeah, I did. Haven’t talked to her in a minute though.” 

Jimmy’s face was strangely blank. “Yeah, I haven’t either. Didn’t know she had a kid.” 

Their mother turned to Roman. “Joe, you remember her too, don’t you? You used to always go along to chaperone their dates. She was a pretty thing, wasn’t she?” 

Roman crossed his arms over his chest, frowning. “Yeah. Yeah, she was.” His voice sounded more tense than usual. 

“Oh, this is just wonderful! You three have to go! It’ll be like a little high school reunion.” 

None of them said anything, though Jey didn’t miss the way Jimmy’s eyes kept flickering over to him. He was, no doubt, remembering how badly their breakup had been that summer after graduation. That was the last time he’d ever seen Dani. He remembered her dark eyes filled with tears, her pretty face a mask of hurt. He remembered with a pang of guilt the awful things he’d said to her. The way he’d pushed her aside. It made him sick to think about it. 

“Weren’t you three talking about needing a vacation some time this summer?” Rikishi asked. “Greece would be beautiful that time of year. Jon, I know you always said you wanted to go back.” 

“Yeah, but…” Jimmy floundered, still looking over at his younger twin. “I mean, it’s been a long time. How can we be sure she even remembers us?” 

Their mother gave him an incredulous look. “Why else would she invite you? And look at that little handwritten note she put at the bottom. She really wants to see you!” 

Jimmy sighed. “Ain’t it illegal to read someone else’s mail?” 

“Jonathan.” Their mother’s tone was warning. “I’m being serious. You three have been working too hard. And you never get to see each other anymore! This is just perfect. And besides, this might be good for your brother.” 

All eyes were on Jey again. 

“Whatchu mean?” Jey asked, hating how defensive his voice sounded. He cleared his throat. “I mean, why would it be good for me?” 

His mother smiled. “Maybe this is a second chance. You’re single. Maybe she’s single too.” 

“Mama!” Jimmy’s tone was chastising. “She has a kid. And even if she was single, the kid’s dad is probably gonna be there.” 

Their mother waved her hand. “It’s not like that means anything. And why else would she write such a nice little note on his invitation?” 

“She wrote a note on ours too.” Roman pointed out, holding up his card for the table to see. “I don’t think it means that.” 

“Well, it could!” Their mother let out a huff. “It just feels like fate. An old high school relationship reaches back out to you after twenty years? That has to mean something! Tell them, honey.” She motioned to Rikishi who just shrugged. 

“Maybe. I’m just thinking of your careers. I’ve told you a million times that if you don’t take any time for yourselves you’re going to get burned out. And what happens to burned out wrestlers?” 

“They get injured. Yes, Pops, we know.” Jimmy quickly tried to squash any potential lecture their father was already gearing up for. They’d heard enough to last a lifetime. “But, I mean, Greece? That’s pretty far to go meet with someone we haven’t seen in twenty years.” 

Roman was quick to agree. “Yes and that would take a lot of planning. We have commitments. Shows to attend. Storylines to continue. We can’t just up and leave.” 

Rikishi scoffed. “Please. You can do whatever you want. You’re the biggest draw at that damn company. Besides, it’s only for a week. It’s not like you’re missing SummerSlam.” 

“Yeah, well not all of us are as lucky as the Tribal Chief,” Jimmy shot Roman an accusatory look. “Some of us have to show up to work or else we’ll get fired.” 

“You’re being ridiculous,” their mother said. “Joe would never let that happen. Dwayne would never let that happen. You don’t have anything to worry about.” 

Jey had been staying silent for most of the conversation, his eyes still staring at the note at the bottom of the card. It had been so long he couldn’t remember what her handwriting looked like. Why would she want him there? Hell, why did she want all three of them there? They hadn’t seen her in years. And their breakup had been…painful, to say the least. 

You’re really going to throw this relationship away after everything we’ve been through? Dani’s voice had been strained, clearly fighting back tears. I thought you loved me. 

Her words still cut deep, even all these years later. He had loved her. More than he’d ever loved anyone. And he hadn’t loved anyone else since. 

“Uce?” Jimmy was nudging his shoulder, his face concerned. “You good?” 

Jey put down the paper, passing a hand over his face. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m good. Just…thinking.” 

“Well, listen. I’ll take care of everything,” their mother said, already plucking the RSVP cards from their hands. “I’ll write her back and tell her you’re coming. I’ll even get the flights together. It’ll be fun! You have to promise to send me pictures.” 

Jey was surprised that he didn’t feel compelled to argue with her. Every logical thought in his brain told him that this was a bad idea. Dani wouldn’t want to see him. She had every right to hate him. He’d done her wrong. And he’d spent the past twenty years regretting it. 

Still, it didn’t change how he felt. His heart was still racing, his chest suddenly tight with emotions he thought he’d buried years ago. Perhaps he was a sentimental fool, but he desperately wanted to believe the words she’d written on the page. 

I know it’s been a long time, but I want to see you.

Did she really? After all these years? After everything that went down? It seemed too good to be true. 

Jey felt another brush against his shoulder and he looked over to meet Roman’s eyes. 

“I’ll back your play, uce. Whatever you want.” He said. His face seemed carefully blank, like he didn’t want to burst Jey’s bubble. “I can talk to Hunter and sort it out. You and Jimmy ain’t gotta worry. Do you wanna go?” 

Jey stared at the writing again. 

Please come. I’ll be waiting.

“Yeah,” Jey’s voice was hoarse, an emotion he was too scared to name stuck in his throat. “Yeah, I do.” 

Jimmy shut the bathroom door behind him with more force than necessary, struggling to control his breathing. He’d already been on edge all night, their father doing nothing to help the situation. 

“You found a new apartment yet?” Rikishi had asked when they were alone in the kitchen. “Or you still living in that shithole in North Hill?” 

Jimmy had struggled to control his anger, keeping his voice low so the others wouldn’t hear from the dining room. “It’s just temporary, Pops. Just until I find another place.” 

“And you been going to those AA meetings? Talking to your sponsor?” 

“Will you just leave it, Dad?” 

Ever since the divorce, Rikishi hadn’t given him a single moment’s peace. In his eyes, his oldest son, a boy he used to call his pride and joy, was a failure. He’d tarnished the family reputation with his DUIs and disorderly conduct charges. He’d set a bad example to his younger siblings. He’d all but destroyed his career, or whatever career he had left as a nearly geriatric wrestler. He’d wrecked his marriage and was now completely and utterly alone.

And Rikishi never let him forget it. 

I stuck with your mother through thick and thin. We made it work. A real man stays by his woman and never gives up. What’s your excuse? 

Rikishi’s words had never left his mind. What was his excuse? That they just couldn’t make it work? That they’d fallen out of love years ago and were just looking for a reason to end it all? That she got tired of his shitty excuses and refusal to clean up his act? 

Jimmy leaned against the bathroom door, passing a hand over his tired face. This was why he hated coming home. He couldn’t stand to see the disappointed look on his father’s face every time he looked at him, the passive-aggressive comments when his mother was around and the fiery lectures when she wasn’t. 

Maybe it wouldn’t be so painful if Rikishi wasn’t right. The truth was Jimmy had screwed it all up. He was supposed to be the oldest. Supposed to set a good example for his younger siblings and uphold their illustrious family name. Instead, he’d all but destroyed his reputation, his career, and his marriage. He was a failure. In every sense of the word. 

He stared at the letter in his hand, his eyes tracing the loopy handwriting at the bottom. 

I know it’s been a long time, but I want to see you.

Yet another failure. Except this one was meant to be buried. 

What the hell was Dani thinking by inviting him? They had both sworn to never speak of that night again. What they’d done was meant to be a secret. Jey wasn’t supposed to know. Jey could never know. 

Jimmy remembered that night all too well. He’d found her heartbroken and alone, sitting at the special spot on the beach that was only supposed to be for her and Jey. He couldn’t believe his twin had been stupid enough to let her go. And when she told him what Jey had said to her, he’d been angry. Jey had done more than broken her heart. He’d completely devastated her. 

He’d loved Dani too, in his own way, but she’d always been Jey’s girl. And when he’d found her crushed by his twin’s betrayal, he felt responsible. Jey had done this to her. His brother. His twin. And it was his job to clean up his brother’s messes. 

Jimmy hadn’t intended to sleep with her. It had just sort of happened. He’d only wanted to make her happy. To do something to dry the tears from her pretty face and see her smile again. To help her forget about Jey and his cruel words. He hadn’t meant to betray his twin and sleep with the only girl he’d ever loved. He’d just…gone too far. 

But that was the story of his life wasn’t it? He always took it too far. And he was always wrong. 

Even though her and Jey weren’t together, she was still Jey’s girl. She had always been Jey’s girl. Which is why they’d promised to never speak of it again. 

Jimmy felt his heart stutter in his chest as he re-read her note. Why would she want to see him? He could understand if she wanted to see Jey. She’d loved him. But she’d never loved Jimmy. She’d only slept with him because she was sad and lonely and probably because he reminded her of Jey. 

Jimmy reached out to trace her name at the bottom of the note. Danielle. He hadn’t seen a picture of her in years but he could still remember every inch of her pretty face. Did she really want to see him? But why? 

He remembered the look on Jey’s face when he’d read her note at the table. He’d looked shocked, his cheeks turning red. He’d seemed embarrassed, scared, and distraught all at the same time, but Jimmy had seen something else there too: hope. 

Jey still cared about her, even all these years later. Jey wanted to believe that the words in the letter were true. That she wanted to see him. That he would get a chance to apologize for the wrong he’d done to her. Jimmy knew his twin too well. 

Jimmy began to realize that he wasn’t going to be able to talk himself out of this one. He couldn’t let his twin go to Greece alone. And Jey would want him there. Jey would need him there. It would look weird if he said no, even though he’d tried to protest the best he could at the dinner table. 

Jimmy stared at the letter in his hand. Dani hadn’t just written to Jey. She’d written to him too. Did that mean she wanted to see him? Had she missed him? Did she really want to reconnect? 

Jimmy folded up the letter and put it in his jacket pocket, right next to his AA chip. He wanted to believe her words so badly. 

I want to see you.

And Jimmy wouldn’t admit it, but he wanted to see her too. 

They’d said their goodbyes shortly after dinner. It was clear that Jey had a lot on his mind, his answers clipped and his gaze absent. He hadn’t taken the letter out of his hand, folding and unfolding the paper to keep reading the note there.

Meanwhile, Jimmy had nearly sprinted out the front door, no doubt anxious to get away from his father’s scrutiny. Roman knew that Rikishi had been hard on him since the divorce and wasn’t surprised by this. It was a miracle Jimmy had even showed up at his parent’s house today at all. 

They all agreed to meet back up in Chicago, each of them on different flights and schedules. Which was fine by Roman. As much as he loved his cousins, he wasn’t eager to discuss the letters they’d received over dinner. He was still too shocked, too confused to know what to say. 

He kept his grip tight on the steering wheel as he drove to the airport, his gaze unblinking on the road ahead. 

Dani had invited him to Greece. To her daughter’s wedding. And she’d handwritten a note, specifically to him, wanting to reconnect. 

Reconnect? 

They hadn’t seen each other in nearly twenty years. He didn’t want to think about their last night together, the memory still locked away deep within the recesses of his heart. He’d promised himself that he wouldn’t think about her again. What they’d done that night had been wrong. He’d let her get too close, allowing her to penetrate the strong, composed facade he tried to project to the world. And he’d always regretted it. 

It wasn’t because he didn’t care about her. Far from it. He’d always cared about her, ever since kindergarten. She’d been the first friend he’d made. 

But that’s all they’d ever been. Friends. He’d never had the courage to ask her out, no matter how much he wanted to. His hesitance had given Jey the opportunity to swoop in and steal her heart. And he only had himself to blame. 

He had no intention of doing anything with Dani after Jey broke up with her. When he’d gone over to her house, it had been to check on her. Nothing more. He hadn’t made the first move. But he hadn’t stopped it either. 

Roman’s knuckles were blanched from how hard he was gripping the steering wheel. He didn’t want to think about this. He didn’t want to remember. 

Please come. I’ll be waiting.

Roman remembered the words in her letter. There was once a time when he would have been overjoyed to hear them. But that was a long time ago. He’d been a different man then. 

Was this a bad idea? Originally he had agreed to go for Jey. Roman knew he needed closure after the horrible breakup they had. And maybe Mama was right. Maybe Dani would be single and Jey would get another chance to mend things with her. Roman knew he still carried a torch for her, even all these years later. And Roman wanted to be supportive. 

Because that’s who he was now. He was supportive. He was kind. He was understanding. He didn’t fall in love with his cousin’s girl. He didn’t sleep with his cousin’s girl behind his back. He didn’t hurt the people he loved and make excuses for it. 

Roman made up his mind. 

He was going to do this for Jey. He was going to go to Greece and be supportive. He was going to put his own feelings to the side and be the good older cousin that he was supposed to be. Besides, he didn’t have any feelings about this. Dani was just someone he knew from school. She meant nothing to him. He didn’t care about her. He didn’t love her. 

He didn’t. 

next: chapter 2: i've been waiting for you

previous: prologue: i have a dream