Recruitment

"Its a way to prove that we're not just rookies that can be tossed aside like they did during NXT, its a way for all of us to stand together as a group." Justin said.

Heath looks down at his drink; he wants so badly to believe in what Justin is saying, but he's not sure he can take it, if he just gets dropped again. Heath has always been a guy who can take his lumps, drink a beer and toast tomorrow; he's always been able to let hurts roll off his back.

But this thing with Christian, with the fans, with being so casually discarded and having nobody give a damn... he's not sure he can do it again.

"And what about when you guys don't need me anymore, huh? What if ..." He swallows hard, not able to meet Justin's eyes. The next words out of Heath's mouth are something he's never allowed himself to think, let alone say out loud. "What if I'm not good enough?"

"Heath you are good enough, your more that good enough." Justin said softly as he looked Heath straight in the eyes.

"Am I, Justin? I came in fourth, middle of the pack, not enough to stand out. I couldn't even make it to the damn finale. What does that tell you, man?" Heath has always been a guy who's had tremendous confidence in himself, but right now, he's not feeling it. "Why are you doing this Nexus thing?"

"Because i need to prove to myself that their wrong, that just because i'm smaller doesn't mean that i'm not as good." Justin answered looking away "That they just can't..."

Heath signals the waiter for two more drinks. "Can't what?" Heath hesitates a moment, resting his hand on top of Justin's.

"T-They...." Justin swallowed hard, he couldn't say it.

"Hey, it's all right." There are hundreds of ways the wrestling business can hurt a man, chew him up and spit him out; he doesn't need the details. "You don't have to talk about it, if you don't want to. Wanna head up to my room for a bit?"

Justin just nodded "Yeah sure."

"You sure you're okay?" Heath has always been protective of his friends and he's surprised to realize that in spite of everything that's happened tonight, he still considers Justin his friend. "Hungry?" He asks softly.

"Yeah i'm fine really." Justin answered softly "Maybe i should just go..."

"If you want to, I won't stop you," Heath murmurs, tucking his hair behind his ears. "When did everything get so messed up, Justin?" He asks. "NXT started out so fun, sure it was kinda dumb, but it was a good time. Then they started changing the rules on us and everything went crazy and Christian--" He cuts himself off. "What the hell happened?"

Justin sighed and answered "I don't know Heath, just don't know."

Considering how pissed he'd been not that long ago, how he'd been ready to toss Justin out of his life and tell him to go fuck himself and this Nexus thing, Heath is a little surprised at what he does next. He reaches out, hugging Justin tightly.

Justin was surprised by this, he had thought that Heath hated him now.

He pulls away, running his hands through his hair. "I wish you would have talked to me about this Nexus thing. When you.. when you brought it up as soon as we finished, I figured that's all you wanted me for."

"I'm sorry i didn't mean for it to happen like that, i...." Justin said softly.

"I mean," Heath swallows hard. "I liked it, don't get me wrong; it was amazing. I just think we... that we're kinda doing things a little backward, you know?"

Justin nodded as he answered "Yeah. So what happens now?"

"Hell if I know, man, I'm just winging it," Heath chuckles. "Wanna grab a late dinner?"

Justin chuckled softly and nodded "Sounds good."

Heath really doesn't feel like getting dressed up again and going out. "Wanna order something from the hotel?" He asks idly, stepping off the elevator when the doors open on their floor.

Justin nodded "Yeah sure." he answered as he followed him.

Heath leads them back to his room. He sits on the couch, looking over at him.

Justin felt nervous as he sat on the couch as well.