The Plot

Anna Stone: “We did it!”

She jumps on top of Chuck, wrapping her arms around his neck. He catches her, smirking. She kisses his cheek.

Anna Stone: “Thank you.”

Chuck laughs.

Chuck Matthews: “For beating up your ex? Anytime.”

Anna Stone: “Think he’s mad?”

Chuck Matthews: “I don’t see why he shouldn’t be.”

Anna smiles, and drops down, standing in front of Chuck. He stares at her a moment. He knew why they did what they did. She had no feelings for him. On-screen, their relationship appeared carnal, at best. They were playing up the whole “love angle” thing, making Chuck look like a slimeball who had stolen Brandon’s wife...but so long as Anna was happy to watch Chuck take Brandon down, Chuck was happy to oblige. When the cameras turned off, and nobody was looking, though…they were right back to the way they were. There was no real relationship going on. It was an act, and Chuck was the star of the performance. The thing of it was, Anna needed someone to get under Brandon’s skin, to make him regret cheating with Ashley. She needed someone she could stage a relationship with, who could play the part well, and who could easily take the heat from the fans for doing it…and Chuck fit the bill perfectly. Granted, there was some truth to what they implied. The two of them had slept together on a couple of occasions, and Chuck liked to think Anna was slowly getting attached to him. Thry were friends, at least. The plan was brilliant, really. There was only one problem:

Chuck had completely fallen for the girl.

She was sweet. She was smart. She definitely had her wild side, that was for sure…but she was in control. Organized chaos. Something about that was extremely attractive.

Anna Stone: “You’re okay, right?”

Chuck stretches his arms, and starts walking down the hall towards the arena doors. Anna follows, walking beside him.

Chuck Matthews: “I feel fine. Why wouldn’t I?”

Anna Stone: “I mean with this whole thing. I know this isn’t your fault, and it’s not fair to drag you into it. Those people hate you because they think you did something you didn’t do. I just wanted to make sure you were holding up okay.”

Chuck laughs.

Chuck Matthews: “Because I get booed a little? Come on, I’m not made of glass. I can handle it.”

Anna Stone: “I’m sorry I dragged you into it. You really are a good friend.”

Chuck smiles. It wasn’t often someone referred to him as a friend, let alone a good one. There was something refreshing about it. But at the same time…it was a bittersweet victory. Chuck was disappointed, though about what, he couldn’t say. Perhaps it was because he didn’t want to settle as a friend. With Anna…he wanted something more.

Anna Stone: “Are you sure you’re okay? You just look sorta down.”

Chuck looks at her. He could tell her right now if he wanted. Tell her it wasn’t an act anymore, that he loved her…but how would she react? They were friends…a rarity in Chuck’s life. Was he really prepared to risk that? And for what?

Chuck Matthews: “I’m fine.”

Anna Stone: “Chuck, you can trust me.”

Chuck frowns. He opens his mouth to speak, but no words come out. He shakes his head.

Chuck Matthews: “It’s nothing.”

The reach the doors. Chuck adjusts his gym bag on his shoulder, and turns towards the door.

Anna Stone: “Hey…Chuck?”

Chuck stops, and turns to her.

Anna Stone: “Can you stay with me tonight? It’s been a rough few days, and I’d really love the company.”

Chuck nods.

Chuck Matthews: “Of course.”

Anna’s face breaks out into a smile.

Chuck Matthews: “But I need to be up and moving early tomorrow morning…so I probably won’t be there when you wake up.”

Anna’s smile vanishes.

Anna Stone: “Where are you going?”

Chuck Matthews: “Chicago. I need to pick up a few things from my office.”

Anna Stone: “Could I come with you?”

Chuck is a bit surprised. Anna seemed to enjoy Chuck’s company…but she had never been so adamant about spending time with him.

Chuck Matthews: “Sure, if you really want to. But I mean…I’m just picking up a few things. I don’t plan on staying long.”

Anna Stone: “You don’t want me to go.”

She sounds disappointed, and the tone of her voice stings Chuck to the bone.

Chuck Matthews: “I never said that!”

He looks at her, and cautiously holds open his arm. She smiles and runs to him, wrapping his arm around herself.

Chuck Matthews: “I’d love if you came with me.”

Anna smiles even wider, and they head out to the car.


Anna Stone: “Do you want anything?”

Chuck looks over at Anna, who walks around the kitchen area of the hotel room, pouring herself a drink. Chuck shakes his head.

Chuck Matthews: “Nah, I’m good. Thanks though.”

He’s sitting on the sofa in front of a fireplace. Anna was staying at…an interesting place, to say the least. It was less of a hotel as much as it was a little home away from home. The place had this “mountain man” sort of theme going. All the rooms were actually mini-houses of their own, designed like old-style log cabins, organized around a large trailer in the center of it all, where administrative stuff took place. It was like a hotel in every aspect except that theirs was a two-story home, and they didn’t have to deal with the noisy neighbors on the floor above or below. They were completely isolated from the other tenants. Anna circles the counter, and sits down on the couch with a glass of wine. She scoots next to Chuck, curling up next to him, and gazing into the fire.

Chuck Matthews: “You know, only alcoholics drink alone.”

Anna Stone: “Oh, hush. Besides, you’re here, so I’m not alone.”

Chuck Matthews: “Ah, it makes perfect sense now. Invite me home with you so you can drink to your heart’s content without being criticized for it!”

Anna Stone: “Yeah, that’s not working too well, is it?”

Chuck laughs, and puts his arm around her. She smiles, and moves closer to him.

Anna Stone: “Tell me a story, Chuck.”

Chuck Matthews: “A story?”

Anna takes another sip of her drink, then sets it on the table beside her. She closes her eyes, and rests her hand on Chuck’s chest.

Anna Stone: “Yeah…come on, Mr. Smartest Man in Wrestling. Can’t come up with a story to tell?”

Chuck laughs.

Chuck Matthews: “Aright, challenge accepted. What kind of story?”

Anna smiles sleepily, and kisses his cheek.

Anna Stone: “Tell me about how we got together.”

Chuck Matthews: “You know that story.”

Anna shrugs.

Anna Stone: “I want to hear you tell it. Please?”

Chuck takes a deep breath.

Chuck Matthews: “Sure, why not? So…I guess it started what…way back in April.”

Anna Stone: “Was it really that long?”

Chuck Matthews: “Well…I figured I’d start from the beginning…”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 24, 2011
Battle Grounds V
Vancouver, Canada

Chuck sits at the announcers table, next to Anna. In the ring, Corey Casey, Tim Patrick, and Sean Libby rush to the ring as Connor O’Shannon lifts Brandon Macdonald to his feet. Connor tosses him towards Corey.

Anna Stone: “And here comes the beat down.”

Chuck Matthews: “This is so ironic it’s killing me.”

Anna Stone: “Why?”

Chuck Matthews: “Because, if this were the RHG doing this to someone, you’d be like a freakin’ cheerleader! But because it’s your husband getting beaten down, you’re suddenly morally outraged!”

Corey lifts Brandon in a suplex, and holds him there for a moment before leaping up and driving Brandon head-first into the mat.

Anna Stone: “Ugh.”

Chuck Matthews: “Now THAT’S a Purifier!”

Tim and Sean lift Brandon up. Sean throws him to the ropes. Brandon rebounds off and Sean lifts him in the air. Tim grabs Brandon by the neck on the way down, driving his skull into the mat once more.

Anna Stone: “UGH!”

Chuck Matthews: “What a devastating tag team maneuver by Sean O’Rourke and Tim Patrick!”

Corey drops down as Vincent Van Rose digs beneath the ring and pulls out three cans of spray paint.

Anna Stone: “What is VVR doing with those cans of spray paint?”

Chuck Matthews: “I know where this is going.”

Vinnie tosses the cans to Tim and Connor, holding onto the last one himself. Corey walks to the timekeeper table and snatches the IWF Title.

Anna Stone: “THAT’S NOT YOURS ANYMORE CASEY!”

Chuck cringes as Anna screams into the headset.

Chuck Matthews: “Your husband is lying almost certainly unconscious in the middle of the ring. Meanwhile you are instigating a fight with a deranged lunatic. Probably not the best idea…”

Vinnie, Connor, and Tim lean down and spray the paint across Brandon’s back. Corey slides into the ring, holding the IWF Belt high. The Irishmen surround Brandon, holding their hands in the air. The cameraman moves closer to Brandon’s body. Chuck leans back in his chair, listening to his headset.

Rick Christian: “Nicely done, you two. I’ll let you know when we’re off.”

Chuck leans back in his chair, watching the Irish Insurgency Army celebrate their victory. After a moment, he hears Rick once more.

Rick Christian: “Alright, we’re off. Well done.”

Chuck takes off his headset, and runs his hands through his hair.

Chuck Matthews: “You’ve survived another week.”

He doesn’t know why he bothers talking to Anna. It almost always results in some indifferent “Humph” or some snide remark about how repulsive he is. Tonight, Anna says nothing. She stares at Brandon, lying in the ring. Chuck looks at Brandon, then back to Anna.

Chuck Matthews: “He’ll be fine.”

Anna says nothing, simply staring straight ahead. Her eyes seem almost glazed over.

Chuck Matthews: “You okay?”

Anna looks at Chuck.

Anna Stone: “Shut up.”

Her voice cracks as she speaks. She begins stacking the papers on her desk, shoving them hastily into her purse.

Chuck Matthews: “I’m serious. Everything alright?”

Anna pauses, and glances at Chuck.

Anna Stone: “As if you care?”

Chuck leans back in his seat.

Chuck Matthews: “Maybe I do.”

Anna makes a “hmph” noise.

Anna Stone: “Please. You only care about yourself.”

Chuck Matthews: “What makes you say that? Did Brandon tell you?”

Anna looks at Brandon, still in the ring, then snaps her attention back to Chuck. She suddenly doesn’t look upset, but angry.

Anna Stone: “What do you want, anyway?”

Chuck raises his hands in defense.

Chuck Matthews: “You’re the one who seems like she’s got a bug up her ass. I just thought you might want to talk about it.”

Anna opens her mouth and closes it several times.

Anna Stone: “Not with you.”

She grabs her purse and walks around the table, stopping at the apron to wait for Brandon.

Present Day


Anna Stone: “I was not that mean to you!”

Chuck Matthews: “You were too.”

Anna Stone: “Really?”

Chuck laughs.

Chuck Matthews: “You wanted absolutely nothing to do with me, remember?”

Anna Stone: “In the beginning, I didn’t.…But in my defense, I had never heard anything but bad stuff about you.”

Chuck Matthews: “You didn’t even want to give me a chance.”

Anna Stone: “Is that so? Because I happen to remember that night a little differently.”

Chuck Matthews: “Oh?”

Anna Stone: “I seem to remember it going more like this…”



April 24, 2011
Battle Grounds V
Vancouver, Canada

Rick Christian: “And we’re off. Nice work, you too.”

Anna sighs deeply, and starts stacking up her papers, putting them in her purse. She glances up at Brandon, staring at him sadly. Beside her, Chuck takes off his headset and tosses it casually on the table before leaning back in his chair, stretching out. Anna stares at Brandon, who hasn’t moved yet in the ring.

Chuck Matthews: “Something wrong?”

Anna looks over at Chuck. Instead of the usual arrogant smirk on his face, he seems serious, and looks genuinely concerned.

Anna Stone: “What do you care?”

Chuck Matthews: “You just seem down. Thought maybe you wanted to talk about it.”

Anna Stone: “Since when did you and I become such great friends? Since when do we even talk about anything, ever?”

Chuck shrugs.

Chuck Matthews: “First time for everything, isn’t there?”

Anna stares at Chuck intently, trying to find any trace of him lying. She apparently finds none.

Anna Stone: “It’s personal stuff. You wouldn’t understand.”

Chuck Matthews: “I’m sure I would. I have a life outside IWF, you know.”

Anna frowns at him.

Anna Stone: “If you really must know, it’s about Brandon. We’re just going through some tough times, I think.”

Chuck Matthews: “Care to elaborate?”

Anna stares at Chuck again, saying nothing. Without warning, she begins shoving papers quickly into her purse and walking off.

Anna Stone: “Nothing with you.”


Anna Stone: “That’s what happened.”

Chuck Matthews: “Bullshit!”

Anna Stone: “Can prove it wrong?

Chuck Matthews: “Can you prove me wrong?

Anna thinks about it for a moment.

Anna Stone: “Shut up.”

She kisses his cheek.

Anna Stone: “Whatever, that doesn’t matter anyway. Tell me the interesting part.”

Chuck Matthews: “The interesting part?”

Anna Stone: “May 15, 2011.”

Chuck Matthews: “Wow, you would remember the exact date.”

Anna Stone: “I’m a woman. We remember all the important stuff like that.”

Chuck smirks, and thinks back.


May 15, 2011
Battle Grounds VIII
San Jose, California

Chuck and Anna sit behind the announcer’s table, watching on the big screen as Nick Ridicule runs to the parking lot. He slams the door to the arena and sticks an iron bar between the handles to wedge it shut. He begins smashing cars with a hammer.

Anna Stone: “Good thing Brandon and I didn’t drive here.”

Chuck Matthews: “Nick, I swear to God if you touch my car..”

Corey gets up in the ring, grabbing a microphone. He wipes blood from his eyes. Through his headset, Chuck hears Rick’s voice.

Rick Christian: “Five bucks says he slams Nick.”

Corey Casey: “Nick Ridicule…”

Nick turns around as Corey’s voice booms over the speaker.

Rick Christian: “Told you.”

Corey Casey: “I….I was going to take this time to challenge Brandon to a match at Isolation for my IWF Championship…but then, you had to come and ruin everything. I hate you, Nick Ridicule. You were supposed to stay away. We came here to leave you behind. We came here to start anew…without you.”

Corey wipes blood from his eyes. Chuck yawns and stretches back in his seat, pretending to sleep. He winks at Anna, who, to his surprise, is forced to stifle a giggle.

Corey Casey: “Nick Ridicule, I fucking hate you. I hate you more than anything in the entire world. You ruined everything Nick! Again! Fuck you, Nick. Next weekend, Isolation. It’s going to be me against you. One on one…inside the Isolation Dome!”

Anna Stone: “Is he serious?”

Chuck Matthews: “Corey may have let his anger get the best of him there.”

Corey drops the microphone and collapses in the ring. Chuck looks up at the screen, where Nick smirks, then takes out a picture of Corey and burns it.

Anna Stone: “Deep meaning there with that picture burning.”

Chuck Matthews: “Does Nick intend to end Corey Casey at Isolation?”

The parking lot doors burst open, and IWF competitors burst through. Nick turns and runs. A limo pulls up, and Brenton Cyrus opens the door, allowing Nick inside before the vehicle peels out of the parking lot.

Chuck Matthews: “How convenient.”

Rick Christian: “We don’t need your personal judgments, Chuck.”

Chuck shakes his head. It was difficult to do commentary without Rick buzzing in his ear the whole night.

Anna Stone: “Hey, it’s Brenton.”

Chuck Matthews: “This is like deja-vu all over again!”

The lights begin to flicker in the arena. When they come on, Corey’s body is missing from the ring. A booming voice echoes through the arena.

Voice: “So it was written…So it shall come to pass.”

Chuck shakes his head, throwing his headset on the table. He stretches out, yawning loudly.

Anna Stone: “Tired?”

Chuck stops immediately, and turns to Anna. She’s stacking her papers, as she usually did after the shows, and is stuffing them neatly into her purse. Chuck looks over his shoulders, and around Anna, before staring at her. A small smile plays across her face for a moment.

Chuck Matthews: “Did I hear that right? Are you actually talking to me?”

Anna Stone: “It was a simple question. Don’t look too far into it.”

Chuck Matthews: “Yeah, a bit. How are you?”

Anna Stone: “I didn’t say this was a conversation.”

Chuck shakes his head.

Chuck Matthews: “Whatever.”

He leans back in his chair.

Anna Stone: “I was kidding.”

Chuck nods.

Chuck Matthews: “Alright.”

There’s a long silence.

Anna Stone: “I was actually wondering if we could talk for a bit.”

Chuck Matthews: “…you’re kidding.”

Anna looks at him.

Anna Stone: “Do I look like I’m kidding? Please, Chuck?”

Chuck Matthews: “Man, you must be pretty fucking desperate if you’re coming to me with your problems.”

Anna Stone: “Yes. I am. Are you going to help me or not?”

Chuck Matthews: “Yeah, sure, what do you want to talk to me about?”

Anna shakes her head.

Anna Stone: “Not here. Um…”

She looks around, and grabs a sheet of paper and a pen from the table, and scribbles a note on it.

Anna Stone: “That’s my number. Can we meet at my hotel, maybe?”

Chuck Matthews: “That’s a little risqué, don’t you think?”

Anna frowns.

Anna Macdonald: “Don’t flatter yourself, Chuck.”

Chuck smirks, but nods.

Chuck Matthews: “Alright. I’ll meet you there…Your husband won’t find it suspicious?”

Anna Stone: “Doubt it. He’s been too busy lately. Probably won’t even know I’m not there…”

Two Hours Later…

Chuck sits at the café in the lobby of Anna’s hotel. He sits in a corner, booth, sipping a cup of coffee. He has a good view of the doorway, but he’s hidden from most patrons in the restaurant. He spots Anna walk in from the lobby outside. She stops by the host, who points towards the corner, where Chuck sits. Anna walks over, and spots Chuck. She takes a seat across the table from him. Chuck stares at her for a moment. They’re silent.

Chuck Matthews: “Coffee?”

He motions to a pot sitting in the middle of the table. Anna shakes her head.

Anna Stone: “No…thanks.”

Chuck Matthews: “So…”

Anna Stone: “I never thought I’d be talking to you, of all people.”

Chuck Matthews: “The feeling is mutual.”

More silence.

Chuck Matthews: “How are you?”

Anna takes a deep breath.

Anna Stone: “I’ve been better.”

Chuck Matthews: “Clearly, or you wouldn’t be talking to me.”

Anna Stone: “You’re a relationship guy, aren’t you? What would you do to save a failing marriage?”

Chuck Matthews: “I thought you and Brandon were absolutely peachy?”

Anna Stone: “It’s hypothetical.”

Chuck smirks.

Chuck Matthews: “I’m sure…in any case, I’m not a relationship guy. I’m a sex guy. As such, that would be my solution. Sex.”

Anna Stone: “I would never cheat on him.”

Chuck Matthews: “That’s not what I said.”

Anna Stone: “Your solution is to just sleep with him constantly so he doesn’t ever leave?”

Chuck Matthews: “Hey, if you have the looks for it, why not show off now and then? It’s sure to keep him interested.”

Anna laughs.

Anna Stone: “Was that a compliment, buried in that deeply disturbing advice?”

Chuck takes another sip of coffee.

Chuck Matthews: “Call it what you like.”

Anna is silent for a moment. She stares at Chuck, and for the first time, he stares her, full in the eyes. She had very pretty eyes.

Chuck Matthews: “It wasn’t hypothetical, was it?”

Anna looks away from Chuck. Her eyes are watering a bit. She quickly wipes away the forming tears.

Anna Stone: “I don’t know what’s happening.”

Chuck Matthews: “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Anna shakes her head.

Chuck Matthews: “What’s going on?”

Anna Stone: “He’s never around anymore. When he is, he just seems distant, and he’s started getting back into his drug problem again…But then he’ll disappear for hours at a time, sometimes won’t come home until the next day…”

Chuck Matthews: “And…”

Anna looks at Chuck.

Anna Stone: “I think…I think he’s cheating on me.”

Chuck sits back in his seat.

Chuck Matthews: “That’s sort of a serious accusation, Anna. If all you have is that he’s not around, you don’t have much of a case.”

Anna Stone: “His clothes smell like perfume sometimes.”

Chuck Matthews: “Yeah, so do mine. Do you know how many women I’m around all goddamn day? It rubs off.”

Anna Stone: “He has a lock on his phone now, and I can’t see anything on it anymore.”

Chuck Matthews: “Circumstantial.”

Anna Stone: “He doesn’t wait for me after Battle Grounds shows anymore.”

Chuck Matthews: “…okay.”

Anna Stone: “Whenever I confront him about it, he gives me that ridiculous serious look of his that makes me think I’m crazy.”

Chuck Matthews: “Alright.”

Anna Stone: “You don’t believe me, do you?”

Chuck Matthews: “I do…I just don’t know what to tell you.”

Anna Stone: “I figured if anyone could help me, you’d be the person.”

Chuck Matthews: “I already told you. I’m not really a relationship guy.”

Anna Stone: “So what would you do if someone cheated on you with another guy?”

Chuck Matthews: “I don’t think I’d do anything. The way I see it, it’s all a game. If you can’t keep hold of your partner, and she runs off to some other guy, clearly he had something you didn’t, and he was the better man. You lost. You can either let it go and find someone else, or you can do something about it, and try to prove to her that you really are the alpha male.”

Anna Stone: “Interesting.”

Chuck drinks more coffee.

Chuck Matthews: “That being said…if you’re right, and he’s cheating on you, I would tell you to either let it go and accept that some other girl beat you…or figure out who it is, and get him back.”

Anna slumps in her seat, looking downtrodden.

Anna Stone: “I don’t particularly like either of those options.”

Chuck Matthews: “Because?”

Anna Stone: “Because…because I love him…but I don’t. I don’t know. I feel like…I still love him, deep down…but if he cheated on me, how could I forgive him? And I mean…I don’t even know who he’s seeing. She might not be the one at fault. Why should I make an enemy of someone who I don’t even know? Maybe you’re right. Maybe I’m just not good enough.”

Chuck Matthews: “I never said that. I said she beat you. You’re a beautiful woman, Anna. If he threw that away, he has only himself to blame. If you want him back, prove that you’re the better woman.”

Anna Stone: “…or…”

Chuck raises an eyebrow. Anna stares at Chuck, thoughtfully.

Chuck Matthews: “Or?”

Anna Stone: “I make him jealous. I show him exactly why he should have stayed with me…and when he realizes his mistake, I turn him down.”

Chuck Matthews: “The revenge card? That’s awfully cold. And here I thought you were a little virgin schoolgirl from Toronto.”

Anna Stone: “Please. I can be a real bitch when I want to be.”

Chuck Matthews: “So what exactly are you going to do, can I ask?”

Anna folds her hands, and rests her chin on her fingers, staring at the table for a bit.

Anna Stone: “I show him and his little bitch who’s boss.”

Chuck laughs.

Chuck Matthews: “Tough talk from such a pretty little thing like you.”

Anna Stone: “Wel, I’m not going to do it alone! Actually…”

She stares at Chuck for a moment.

Anna Stone: “You could help me.”

Chuck Matthews: “And why would I do that?”

Anna Stone: “Because it’s dirty, and it’s cheap, and crude, and revolting, and basically everything that you are.”

Chuck Matthews: “Oh, thanks.”

Anna laughs.

Anna Stone: “Seriously. You would be perfect.”

Chuck leans forward.

Chuck Matthews: “What exactly are you proposing?”

Anna leans closer, speaking in a hushed voice.

Anna Stone: “We fake a relationship.”

Chuck Matthews: “Get back at your cheating husband…by pretending to cheat yourself?”

Anna Stone: “Exactly. You’re the sex guy, right? Imagine if his wife is sleeping with a guy who’s notoriously promiscuous. If he sees the two of us together, he’ll flip.”

Chuck Matthews: “And when he tries to get you back, and try and save you from me…”

Anna Stone: “I expose him, show his bitch that he still loves me. Ruin their little fling, and then leave him to deal with her alone.”

Chuck smirks.

Chuck Matthews: “You’re right, that is dirty and revolting.”

Anna Stone: “So you’ll do it?”

Chuck Matthews: “What exactly would you have me do?”

Anna Stone: “It’s a fake relationship. We pretend we’re an item. We make sure to really play it up for the crowd, really get Brandon’s blood boiling. Just do what you do best. Be lewd and sexy.”

Chuck grins.

Chuck Matthews: “My specialty.”

Anna stares at Chuck for a moment. Without warning, she grabs the back of his head and pulls him close to her, kissing him. Chuck goes along with it, and the two make out at the table for a moment before she finally pulls away.

Anna Stone: “I think we could pull this off.”

Chuck stares at her, and his smile grows wider.

Chuck Matthews: “Couple?”

Anna smiles, and kisses him again.

Anna Stone: “Couple.”


Chuck looks at Anna, still cuddled up next to him.

Chuck Matthews: “That’s not really working out too well, is it?”

Anna Stone: “My plan? I thought it did.”

Chuck Matthews: “I don’t think he was that angry. And he ended up getting engaged to Ashley, instead of getting in a fight with her. Not to mention, we’re not exactly a fake couple anymore, are we?”

Anna Stone: “Maybe we are, and we’re just in character twenty-four hours a day?”

Chuck Matthews: “Oh, I suppose that’s possible too. But that’s retarded, and who the fuck would want to do that?”

Anna laughs.

Anna Stone: “I do like you, Chuck. Brandon didn’t hate Ashley like I hoped…but my plan helped me get to know you better. The real you, not that douchebag everyone makes you out to be. It wasn’t what I expected to happen…but it was worth it, I think.”

Chuck’s heart skips a beat. He kisses the top of Anna’s head. She lets out a sigh of contentment, and closes her eyes, her head rising and falling with Chuck’s chest.

Chuck Matthews: “I think I love you, Anna.”

He had finally said it. Out loud. To her. All the fighting within his mind, the debating, the fear of what would happen if he said it…and he finally did.

But she was already asleep.