Author's Note :: Not sure if this will catch on but I'd like to get a feel for what kind of songs (if any) that makes you think of or that you're happening to listen to while reading this story. Music is so important when I write and I've had a couple songs on repeat while writing and thinking of ideas. So at the end of each chapter, I'm thinking of listing a play list (which I'll probably start a couple chapters in) and I'd like to add to it using your suggestions! I think this would be a pretty cool thing to do :) Lemme know! And enjoy and leave comments, suggestions, whatever! (L)
P.S, Smut will come in later chapters but it will be tastefully done. I do not own anything but my character Madison Reed.
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"You want me to do what?"
"Look, I'm only asking you because you're more than just a physical therapist, Madi. You have a great connection with anyone you come in contact with... And I'm hoping that rubs off on him."
"So, let me get this straight... You want me to fly to Birmingham, tonight, stay with Finn while he has surgery and basically lug myself to a house you're renting for him while he stays down there? You want me to live with him for the next four months?"
"Exactly."
The green eyed, twenty seven year old brunette by the name of Madison Reed sat in front of her outright delusional boss, mouth hung open in shock as she attempted to process the insane request over again.
Hunter had made one hell of a proposition in lieu of his most prized Superstar, Finn Balor; help care for the recovering man in his time of need.
He confided in Madison, suggesting ways to combat Finn's depression. The injury the night before had happened in such a flash, yet Finn's emotional state of mind seem to follow just as quick and it was bad. Concern filled Hunter, especially when Finn decided he wasn't going home to Florida until he was one hundred percent healed. It was like Finn needed to prove something in Birmingham, having gone such a long, long while without any serious injury in his career.
"Hunter, you can't be serious," Madison carefully laughed but it was all but humorous to Hunter. It was anything but...
"I am serious, Madi... He's like a son to me. If I could do it, I would but it's entirely impossible at the moment. Finn's going to need someone he can trust and confide in and I think that person is you. I know it is."
She was completely against Hunter's flattering yet again, insane compliment. "Me?"
"Yes... This injury has taken a lot out of him emotionally and it just happened last night. Just think... He was supposed to be on top of the world, having been crowned the first ever Universal Champ in front of his whole family... In front of the whole world. It crushed him knowing he wouldn't be able to hold the title for very long after that nasty bump happened."
"Hunter, I'm not qualified to be some kind of life coach or therapist... Far from it," Madison reminded him amongst Finn's dismay.
"But you're well liked around here," he pointed out, "You're personable and comfortable to be around. That's why I can trust you in making sure Finn's time away from the company and home will be an easy adjustment... Plus, he'll have a personal physical therapist at hand at all times."
Again, the compliments weren't even the slightest bit comforting. "But... Four months?"
"It won't be four months entirely in Birmingham, I can assure you that. Finn will still travel for promotional stuff and interviews here and there, all across the globe. So think of it as a paid vacation as you follow him around."
No matter how Hunter put it, the offer was still questionable. "Well... How does Finn feel about it? He's always been so quiet and keeps to himself around the Performance Centre... Surely he isn't jumping over the moon about this proposition, Hunter."
"Don't worry about it... Finn knows this is something I would like for him to do considering the circumstances... He knows I'll go to great lengths to keep talent safe and well taken care of."
"So this isn't something you'll reconsider, is it?" Madison asked.
Hunter wouldn't even dream of it. "Not at all... And I'm really hoping it's something you consider. I know what it means to you to help people, both mentally and physically. Sami's told me personally."
Madison sighed. It was a completely different scenario with her and Sami, when he was injured. The two were actually friends who interacted with one another and hung out before the injury, opposed to her and Finn. The two had only exchanged a friendly "Hi" and "How're you today?" a couple times. She knew nothing of Finn personally which again questioned how she could live with a complete stranger for four months.
"Finn's so quiet. Sometimes that could be a good thing... Sometimes it isn't. He could really benefit from this whole thing," Hunter reminded her again of what good could come out of the unconventional arrangement.
"But what will I get out of it?" Madison dare challenge, but wondering how it would affect her. Surely dropping whatever she had going on in Florida, outside of WWE, to help out her boss and wrestler in such a tremendous way was indeed an extreme measure.
"A significant pay raise," Hunter blatantly said, as he figured every single detail out before even approaching Madison, "Along with your rent and utilities covered for as long as you're away from home... Plus everything will be taken care of in Birmingham, housing, expenses, whatever they may be... As well as all of your travel."
Arguing against Hunter's request would be difficult now. Madison hated to be that person, but if finances were taken care of, both in Birmingham and back home, then what would be holding her back? She could suck it up, go on and live a new strange lifestyle for a couple months...
17 weeks, 121 days to be exact.
"And can I back out if say anything happens between Finn and I? Like some big argument? Some big blow up? Anything?"
Hunter shot her a strange look, struggling to take her seriously. "Finn caught in an argument?"
"Well, you never know... Anything can happen, right?"
He chuckled, this time reaching for his brief case. "Yeah, but I'm more concerned about the two of you falling in love than finding yourselves in the middle of some silly
argument, Madison," he truthfully admitted, pulling out a large stack of documents. Madison's eyes were immediately glued to the papers in question, the realization that the huge stack was intended for her and Finn to sign.
"I need to sign stuff?" She asked as the papers were placed in front of her on Hunter's desk. She flipped through a couple pages as Hunter explained.
"Nothing too extreme. I wanted to make this as professional as possible. I'm actually quite surprised I was able to put this together given the time..."
"What's this all say?"
"It states that you've agreed to this living arrangement by choice. It also states that neither one of you will reveal the circumstances as I would like Finn's and your privacy as is... Private."
Madison nodded, grabbing for the pen she was handed. She hesitated before she was shown the dotted line, hovering above the "print name here." A deep breath filling her lungs was all she needed before she drew an M, forcing her eyes open as she completed her name.
Madison Reed it read.
Hunter pointed to the next line, the flick of her pen signing her name in fancy swirls. Below was Finn's designated signing area- blank until his meeting with Hunter.
"Finn will be arriving to the arena shortly. As soon as he gets here and if he's considered this arrangement as you have, I'll have you two fly out on a private jet as soon as his opening segment for tonight's RAW is through," Hunter informed, swiping the half signed "contract" from the table. It was a done deal, no turning back as he slipped it back into his briefcase.
"Wow... That quick?" Madison whispered, mentally scrambling. She was currently in Brooklyn, New York... A hell of a long way from her little apartment in Tampa, Florida. Whatever she had in her suitcases was to last her only a couple more days till she was supposed to arrive home.
"What am I supposed to do about clothes and anything else?" She asked, "Everything I have is back in Florida."
But Hunter seemed to have everything thought out and under control. "Steph arranged for her stylist to stock your room in Birmingham, if you were willing to accept. We already took that step. But again, if you need anything it'll all be covered."
"Hunter..."
"It's the least I can do, Madison... I owe you," Hunter reassured, "You're doing me a great deal and I'm very appreciative especially with this whole thing being last minute. But more importantly, I know Finn will be even more appreciative than me."
Madison sighed in defeat, as she stared into the abyss that was the wall behind Hunter. "Okay... Okay."
He looked over the papers and Madison was again left to wander in her own mind, her conscious hollering.
What had she actually agreed to? Was she absolutely insane? Did she actually think she could go through with the 17 week long proposition no matter what kind of money was involved?
All she could do was put on a brave face as it was too late to back out. Not like she could, leaving Hunter hanging... She had to go through with everything she agreed to as it was a legally binding contract she locked herself into. Although, it didn't stop her mind from wandering.
Could she successfully live with Finn Balor, under extremely, unheard of and completely odd circumstances? It would be challenging nonetheless but the burning question still remained.
Would any good come out of living with a complete stranger adjusting to his new life outside the ring?
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Sitting backstage in front of a monitor as Finn stood in the middle of the ring felt just as depressing as it looked. How Madison sat through Finn's disheartening entrance, she'd never know. Here was a man who was supposed to be on top of the world, rightfully celebrating his victory to the top of the ladder in WWE... Yet succumbed to an accidental injury ready to eat away at the next four months of his life. But he held onto his title with such pride that it literally broke her heart knowing in exactly ten minutes time it would be taken from his hands completely.
"Man, this has gotta be hard for him," Madison heard a voice say from behind. Peeking round were two of Finn's best friends, Karl and Luke. The taller of the two nodded, both of their arms folded across their chests as they stared at the TV screen as so many others that piled around Madison.
They all watched as Finn began to explain that he was injured, the matter an obvious tough reality as the Universal Title embellished his shoulder beautifully. It was painful to see the hurt in his eyes as he began to give thanks but heartwarming to hear the crowd shout their appreciation for Finn.
"He's going away for awhile, I heard," the shorter one, Karl, whispered to Luke who shared the news he'd heard surrounding Finn's mysterious relocation. "Some kind of rehab retreat in Birmingham, I think. He's leaving right after he goes through that curtain."
"Kid needs it... Especially after the last twenty four hours."
"Any word about how long he'll be gone? He never said."
"No idea... He got messed up pretty bad," Luke said, sadness in his voice.
Nerves set in as Finn stared into the camera, his icy cool blues making her skin crawl. Madison shivered as he continued to speak, goosebumps permanently implanted all over her body like he was speaking directly at her... Like she was the only person in the room.
"But rest assured, that when I am healthy and when I am fit and when I am ready I will be back and this title is the first thing I'm coming for!" Finn declared. Mick reluctantly uncrowned The Champ, but for one last time rose Finn's hand in the air to the adoring crowd. As Finn's music played during his exit, he was met with an interruption by none other than Seth Rollins. It was a pure heel moment as Seth smiled wickedly in triumph, having dethroned The Demon King after all. The exchange between them sure sparked the right kind of heat among the fans like it was intended, leaving Finn to walk away from life as he knew it.
A commercial appeared on the screen and Madison took the opportunity to sneak away as she was to meet Hunter in his office with Finn before they headed out. As she made her way down the hall, the ball of nerves that was her stomach tightened with every step she took. Closer and closer, her palms began to sweat and her heart skipped miles. Could she run and never look back? Chickening out for real like she wanted to for the last couple hours now?
Absolutely not.
Only the sound of her luggage rolling and heels clattering against the ground as she walked could be heard right until a familiar and comforting voice spoke.
"Hey Madi."
"Oh, hey," she played as friendly and calmly as she could. She wasn't supposed to draw any attention to the fact that she was accompanying Finn to Birmingham. But that didn't stop the frightened look all over face, like she was trying to spot anyone else who might see her approaching Hunter's office.
"Don't worry... I'm the only one that knows about you and Finn," Sami whispered. Madison's green eyes widened in shook. Sami knew? How the hell did Sami know? And why did he have to say it like that? 'You and Finn...'
"Finn told a few people that he was staying in Birmingham after his surgery. When Enzo asked what the hell he was gonna do with himself all alone, Finn told him a physio would be joining him... He never mentioned your name specifically but for me, all signs pointed to you," Sami explained his master Sherlock Holmes skills.
Madison couldn't help but chuckle, but the nervous flutter flapped away again as Sami continued to speak.
"I just wanted to say goodbye before you left... Four months is way too long without you hanging around Florida. How will I go on?"
"Oh, you'll manage... You can talk Enzo and Cass' ears off on your two days off a week instead," Madison giggled, smiling as Sami chuckled himself, "But it is going to feel like a lifetime... Birmingham... Never been."
"Well it'll be good for Finn... And I'm happy it's none other than Madison Reed looking after my best friend."
"Hey, Sami... What's Finn like anyways?" Madison decided to ask since Sami was Finn's friend and all. He could provide her with some insight, a little bit of a heads up to settle some of her nerves she hoped.
Sami shrugged as he tried to come up with something. There wasn't much to Finn and it wasn't like it was a bad thing. He was jus a simple being... "I don't know," he began, still racking his mind, "He's just like me I guess... But just super, super quiet."
Madison laughed, standing still as did Sami. "So how's he just like you, then?"
"I don't know, I thought it'd be easier than this to explain a being like Finn," Sami admitted with a laugh, "He's not hard to get along with, if that's what you wanna hear. He likes to keep to himself mostly... You know, the kinda person that prefers staying in rather than immersing himself into society... Kinda like you, hermit."
"Jeee, thanks," Madison said, rolling her eyes, "Anything else I should know about? Or anything I should avoid?"
Sami shrugged. "Nah... Like I said, he's pretty easy going. He might work you to the bone rather than it being the other way around... He's very determined and hard working, especially now. He'll do anything to get what he wants."
Madison nodded, the newly found information as scarce as ever but settling. At least she knew he wasn't some crazy guy who ran amuck twenty four seven . He was easy going and laid back which was more than she could ask for. "Okay... Well thanks Sam," she said, pulling her friend in for a hug before she dragged herself and her luggage to Hunter's office.
"Remember... I'm just a text away," was the last Madison heard Sami say before the door opened just as she was about to knock, startling her.
Hunter chuckled, stepping to the side, allowing her through. "Speak of the devil," he said, showing her in.
Finn was already there, his arm hung in a sling like before. He stood up from his chair, his free hand held out to shake Madison's. "Hi," he greeted, "I'm Finn Balor."
Madison smiled, leaving her luggage by the door. She stood in front of Finn, placing her hand in his. "Madison Reed... It's nice to officially meet you."
He smiled something sweet and those eyes were icy cool. "Likewise, Miss Reed," he said, slyly.
Finn sat back down in his seat, Madison occupying the chair beside his. From the corner of his eye, he was staring at the young woman until Hunter cleared his throat, about to explain the paper on his desk.
"Finn and I were just going over a few things since the new schedules were posted," He informed, handing the freshly printed paper for Madison to review.
In front of her she scanned all of the upcoming events scheduled quite awhile after his surgery, from podcast interviews to Wizard Con- Finn was one busy individual recovering post surgery. "I just wanted you to see this so you'd know what you're in for before you two are off."
"Yeah... Perfect," Madison said, carefully folding the schedule and tucking it away in the pocket of her cardigan. It was enough of a distraction from the disconnectedness going on in her head. Everything that had spanned the last half hour; between the man she watched on screen and the stupid butterflies fluttering since he introduced himself, she couldn't shake the school girl feels. What was wrong with her? She wasn't a sixteen year old version of herself again...
"So... We ready?" Hunter asked the two sitting opposite him. Finn nodded first, followed by Madison. There was no backing out now, not ever.
Hunter led the them down the hall, our the back of the arena to a car waiting just for the three of them. "Ladies first," Finn offered as he opened the door for Madison and she wished he hadn't. It was just another act of gentlemanliness she'd mentally add to on going the list inside her head.
"Thank you," she said, slipping into the back as Hunter filled the trunk with luggage. Finn scooted beside her of course, as Hunter took the front seat.
The drive to the airport was exceptionally quick, but a quiet one. It wasn't awkward, but rather a somber ordeal. Nobody really knew what to say so silence was best.
The car stopped in front of WWE's private jet, in the hanger. Madison swung her door open, stepping out from the car. The cool breeze that swept across her face surprisingly calmed the nervous woman as she sucked in a few deep breaths. 'Okay... You're doing this... It's happening... But Finn seems nice... What were you so worried about?' The little voice inside Madison's head chit chattered.
Hunter had already unloaded the trunk once Madison joined Finn on the other side of the car. A bit of a smile worked at his lips as her eyes failed her- catching a glimpse of him.
"Your flight should take no longer than two hours," Hunter informed as he dug into his suit pocket, "Here's the keys to the house and instructions on how to get there. When you land, there will be a car waiting for you two. After that, it's yours for the next couple months."
Finn nodded as Madison was handed the keys and piece of paper. "Thanks."
"If you two need anything at all, and I mean anything, don't hesitate to call me. You know where I'm at."
"Thank you, Hunter," Finn said, his accent like music to Madison ears, "For this opportunity. It means a lot."
"No problem," Hunter said, shaking Finn's hand, "No problem at all."
"And you," he turned his attention to Madison, his finger pointed her way, "Take care of him... And take care of yourself."
"I will, Hunter," Madison nodded, helping Finn with his bags.
The two of them boarded the plane, a final wave exchanged before the door was closed by the flight attendant. Finn sat himself at the back with Madison following closely. "Thank you," Finn said as she set down his bag.
"You're welcome."
Their eyes connected a lot longer than anticipated, Madison clearing her throat to save her from staring any longer. "Um... If you need anything, just let me know," she advised. Finn nodded, a small smile playing at his lips.
"Will do.. Thanks again."
That accent made Madison's heart skip every single beat. To save her any embarrassment, like a crimson blush sweeping across her cheeks, she turned on her heel. She sat a few seats in front of his, choosing the window seat. She could finally breathe freely, her nerves settling slowly.
'You need to live with him for the next six months... You can't lose your mind every time he opens his mouth to speak,' her conscious reminded.
She could barely make it through a conversation with the guy... He was just so damn alluring... Yet, she knew absolutely nothing about him. She never had the opportunity to hold a conversation with him or see him outside of work, like Sami. How could he have such an effect so quickly?
Throwing her head back, she closed her eyes as the sound of the engine started. Maybe a bit of sleep would calm her mind and the crazy thoughts that came with over obsessing over the man and the little bit he spoke over the course of the thirty minutes she'd been in his presence.
"God," Madison mouthed to herself, squeezing her eyes shut.
Two hours to go... To the next four months of Madison and Finn's unconventional life together, with the added bonus of strange emotions Madison had now been cursed with; infatuation for Finn Balor.
