The Devil You Know

[Chris Callum]

THE DEVIL YOU KNOW

---

October 10, 2016
Berkeley, California

"It's more important than pride, Alexis. You know better than anyone that Chris and I don't jump into a place that we can't control. Power is everything. I've preached this for years -"

Chris lifted his hand in Aspen's direction, silencing her, while keeping his blue eyes focused on Alexis across the table. He'd heard Aspen's platitudes before - and so had Alexis. There was no need to go through it again, he thought. If Alexis was interested in the alliance, she would agree without hesitation. 

"You look jittery Alexis. Is something on your mind?"

tbcb; Alexis Terry

[Alexis Terry]

She looked down at the solid brown table that alone in the corner; a single candle lit all three's face. She ran her right hand through the brown strands of her hair. She listened intently as Aspen pleaded her case. The three of us. The power. Control. It was all things she heard before. She was no stranger to Aspen Chaud and her "plans". She didn't mind aligning with the devil she knew so well. Mutual gain was always something Alexis was fine with. Using people to get to where she wanted to be was something Alexis had been doing for years. 

It was Chris Callum that was the problem. It was that stupid, shit eating grin. It was that look of spurious grin that worried her. She hated him. 

"Yes, Chris, there is something on my mind."

She leaned forward and rested her elbows on the table as she pointed to Aspen. 

"How? How can you do this again? We don't need him. We can do this all on our own."

tbcb; chris callum

[Chris Callum]

Chris looked back at Alexis with a small smile. He glanced at Aspen who had sank her head. The history between he and Alexis was well documented at this point. She was the one who broke his jaw and stole the Deep South Championship from him. Better men, he thought, would have forgiven her by now, but there was something about her that kept him from giving her the satisfaction. Alexis Terry had struggled to hold her own every time Aspen Chaud cut her off. She was a legend of this business, but past her prime. He knew it. Aspen knew it. Most of all, Alexis knew it. That's why she kept running back to the tit, begging to be fed - begging for the opportunity to be feared again. The drug addict would never give up. 

"Alexis. Chris is the priority, as always."

Terry scoffed at the comment. Chris leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. He spoke through a grin.

"When are you going to give it up, Alexis? If you were a star, you wouldn't run to us every chance you get. You were fading in Galveston and you were dead in Monarchy. Aspen, why do keep digging up this bitch's grave?"

Aspen's head snapped around towards Chris.

"This woman pushed me to limits I never knew I had. And beyond that, without her, we wouldn't be where we are today. I don't expect you two to like each other, but I expect you two to realize the power we wield together."

Chris shook his head.

"It's big world. We can find someone better. You don't owe Alexis anything. What she did for us... she did it because she knew she needed us Aspen."

[Alexis Terry]

Before Aspen can reply to the comment made by Chris, Alexis almost jumped from her seat. She leaned across the table and stared into the eyes of her heated nemesis.

“How fuckin’ dare you - you fuckin’ scum. I don’t need you. I don’t need anybody. I’ve proven I can do this by myself. While you’ve been sitting on your fuckin’ sofa at home I’ve been up and down the road doing what I do. Did Aspen land me my deal with MLC? Huh? No. I did - “

Aspen raised her voice and her hand. 

“Alexis, this isn’t about your pathetic attempt at an MMA career…”

Alexis turned her attention to Aspen now.

“No, it’s not but I’ve been fine without you and if this cocksucker is going to keep running his mouth about me I’m going to have to knock his teeth out again. How about you tell him you called me, huh? I didn’t call. I didn’t come begging for handouts. I was fine.”

She breathed. She let the oxygen fill her lungs and she exhaled. She slid back into her seat and crossed her arms. Her eyes drifted from the two and the setting around them. Looking in the distance she began to express her frustration. 

“If we do this - we’re equals.”

tbcb; chris callum

[Chris Callum]

Equals? They had never been equals. By the time Chris Callum became a major player, Alexis Terry had long since faded from the main event scene. She was always the back up plan and he was always the star. Aspen had hit the nail on the head when she brought up Alexis' career revival in MLC. The bitch was delusional. Her body was already broken down from years of injuries and drug abuse, and now she wanted to sink her teeth into MMA. She was delusional. He stood and, at the same time, his phone began to buzz in his pocket. After a quick glance at the screen, he turned to Aspen.

"I need to take this. If she isn't in wholeheartedly by the time I come back dump her back in the gutter where you found her."

With that, he exited the room leaving Alexis and Aspen behind.

"What the hell is that about?"

"I don't know. Whoever it is, they talk a lot. But it doesn't really matter Alexis. Just drop the games, please. You and I both know that we are together. Just because you won't be my focus doesn't mean I can't help you. That doesn't mean Chris can't help you. Look - we picked RSW over a lot of different places because we are confident that we can gain a foothold in all of this chaos. There's enough room for the two of you. If there wasn't, I wouldn't have called."

[Alexis Terry]

The audacity of Callum leaving the conversation infuriated Alexis to the core but Aspen side stepping her demand upset her even more. She could talk all she wanted about how “Chris would help her” but she knew better. Alexis would be treated as a second hand citizen. She would be the body thrown to the wolves to protect the career of Callum. She promised herself and she promised her daughter,Laken, that things would change. Alexis Terry would climb the podium again and Aspen was going to help her do so. 

“Aspen, we go back. I owe you my career. You helped me become a star but don’t think for a second that you are just going to use me as a pawn. We did that. We went down that path and all three of us failed. You’re right, we can take this place over. We can gain control. But we’re not going to do it at my dispense. I’ll help you Aspen. I’ll form the alliance. But you have to make me a promise. When push comes to shove - It’s not Chris Callum who gets the first Championship shot. It’s me.”

tbcb; chris callum 

[Chris Callum]

Aspen couldn't help but roll her eyes at the comment. She was expecting this, but some part of her thought that this time it would be different. Alexis Terry was egocentric, but she wasn't stupid. Maybe she was. 

"Alexis, take a breath."

She placed her hands on Alexis' shoulders and watched as her long time friend breathed in the cool air. 

"Whatever happens here, we are going to win together, do you understand?"

Alexis shook her head.

"That is not -"

Aspen cut her off quickly.

"Everything will be like it was before. I promise."

After a moment, Chris entered the scene again. He slid his phone into his pocket, clasped his hands, and turned towards Aspen with a smile.

"Did we get it sorted?"

Terry moved in close, making sure Callum could hear as she whispered.

"If you disrespect me again, I'll ruin you when you least expect it."

She took her things and left immediately. Callum pursed his lips.

"Right. Good luck with that Alexis."

The screen faded to black.