From Grieving to Love
Chapter 1
When they pulled up to the house the first day, Machelle was in shock. This house seemed so, much bigger than the one she just sold. It had ten bedrooms, a huge kitchen with three ovens. It was definitely a cooks dream kitchen.
Dean and Roman had told her that not only they stayed here but, others at WWE stayed with Jamie a lot when they were in town. It saved them on rent and Jamie liked the company. He was friends with most of the stars he worked with.
They had been in Tampa for a month now. Dean and Roman were happy that the nightmares, Machelle was having were gone. Thanks to the guys and their support and the therapist she was seeing.
Roman had gone to almost all of her sessions.
She was going to rehab three days a week for her shoulder. She wasn't cleared to drive yet. So, her physio was scheduled when either Dean or Roman were home to drive.
She had just got the cast off her arm. She was so glad since it was getting so, itchy she couldn't stand it anymore. Dean had caught her once with a wire coat hanger with a piece of cotton on the end trying to scratch it and handed her some chop sticks and a thin cloth. Saying the hanger would scratch her.
Roman laughed and helped one time when the chop sticks and the cloth got stuck in the cast.
Dean and Roman were waiting for Machelle to finish rehab one day. Dean was sitting on a chair, looking at a magazine.
Roman was standing at the window looking into the gym, where Machelle was. Dean got up out of the chair, then turned and looked at Roman.
"For crying out loud." Dean said shoving Roman's shoulder. "Why don't you just ask her out?"
"What are you talking about?" Roman said looking at Dean now.
"Well it's kind of obvious you like her." Dean said. "You have been staring at her since we got here 10 minutes ago. You know I think Jamie would approve if you did. If that's what you are worried about."
"No, No that's not what I'm worried about." Roman said, looking back towards Machelle. "I don't even know, if she feels the same way."
"What you want me to ask her for you? I will if you want. I'm good at playing match maker you know." Dean said with a smile, rubbing his hands together. "I think she feels the same. I mean you take her to rehab and the therapist, you guys cuddle up together when we watch TV and crap like that. It's really kind of cute, if you ask me."
"You do the same thing there buster. Just remember I have proof." Roman said showing Dean his phone. "And I can ask her myself, we aren't in grade school. I'm just waiting for the right time that's all."
Dean was about to say something when Machelle walked out of the gym, finished with her rehab for the day.
"Did I interrupt something?" Machelle asked looking at both men.
"Nah, I was just telling Roman about a movie I auditioned for. If I get, it I mean." Dean said. "So, you guys ready for lunch I'm starving?"
"Of course you are." Roman and Machelle said in unison rolling their eyes.
Machelle grabbed her bag and followed them to the car.
After a quick lunch at Subway, Roman dropped Machelle and Dean off at home. He had an appointment to go to at the Performance Centre.
Machelle had gotten her things from a storage locker, shipped to Jamie's and wanted to unpack and get rid of some things. It was all in the garage and they couldn't fit both cars in. Even though, it fit four cars.
Dean said that he would help but, of course he also wanted to get some information he could tell Roman.
He grabbed a box off the shelf in the garage and opened it.
"So, why did Jamie always say you couldn't drink Tequila?" Dean said trying to break the silence.
Machelle looked at Dean in a weird way. Dean now was kind of regretting asking, it was a look he didn't know.
"What did Jamie tell you?" Machelle said.
"He never told us why but, he just said something about a song." Dean said.
"Oh my god, he talked about me that much?" Machelle asked, looking Dean in the eye.
"We told you the answer to that but, yeah. So, what's the song?" Dean said now very curious.
Machelle looked at Dean with a smirk on her face.
"I swear if he was alive, I would kill him right now. One freaking night, and I have to hear it for the rest of my life." Machelle said looking down at her shoes.
Then looked at Dean again with a full smile on her face.
"Tequila makes her clothes fall off." Machelle said, starting to laugh as soon as Dean heard the song. Then being serious she added. "I swear if you tell anyone the freaking song or anything I am about to tell you, I will kick your ass."
Dean put his hands up, as Machelle pretended she was going to hit him.
"Oh come on, I have to tell Roman." Dean said.
"Fine only him that's it but, if he says anything your ass is on the line." Machelle said. "It was embarrassing enough and I have never had it straight, since it happened."
"Where were you?" Dean asked still laughing.
"Mexico. So, it's not like I knew anyone there. It was my birthday weekend, Jamie had come with my sister and I. I blame my sister and him for all that happened that night." Machelle said. "I am usually the one who doesn't drink. Jamie got us shots, the first couple went down really harsh but, well you know what happens with tequila it hits you when your not expecting it."
Machelle paused and then started again.
"I don't really remember the rest of the night, except bits and pieces. I was dancing with Jamie and something about tables and a pole." Machelle laughed. "The next day they laughed at me when I wouldn't come out of my room, because I was sick most of that day. I was mortified when I did. Don't even ask me about what happened because, I will never tell and don't ask to meet my sister either."
"I would never ask what happened but, maybe I can meet your sister someday and she will just tell me." Dean said laughing, moving his eye brows up and down. "I have been there done that. Tequila will do that to you every time. Besides what you do in Mexico stays in Mexico. So, when we have a show in Mexico you want to come with us?"
"We will see but, no Tequila." Machelle laughed. "Well at least not shots."
Dean laughed and got up on a ladder and handed Machelle another box. Roman had just pulled into the drive way and was walking towards the garage.
"Just in time to help with the some of the boxes, Ro." Dean said.
Roman came into the garage and grabbed the box, Machelle had in her hands. Roman sat it down on another box, then he took the lid off.
"Oh that one, goes in the house." Machelle said seeing picture frames.
"You didn't even take anything out." Dean said. "Why?"
"These are photos Jamie sent me when he was on the road. I'm guessing with you guys and other superstars." Machelle said as she took one out of the box to show them.
It was a picture of Dean, Seth, Roman and Jamie.
"I remember this, we were in Toronto." Dean said smiling. He grabbed another picture from the box. "This one was in New Jersey, for our first Wrestlemania together as a group."
"I know, I was there. Well I didn't meet you guys you were to busy that night but, I was at the show." Machelle said.
"What? Jamie never said you were there. He went out with us the next night but, left after a couple hours." Dean said.
"I remember, he said he had a 'Dinner Date' and we all teased him." Roman added.
"Yeah, he was supposed to came to my place to have dinner that night." Machelle said, looking briefly at the floor.
Dean and Roman both had seen her face start to drain of colour and heard 'was supposed to part' but, ignored it.
"Holy you got the one of Andre signed." Roman said as he looked through the box of photos.
"Roman could get these two signed for you if you want?" Dean said as he held up the photos of The Rock and Rikishi.
"As a matter of fact they will be at the show tomorrow, why don't you come and meet them? They don't bite you know, unless-." Roman started.
Then trailed off as he could see Machelle's face was white as a ghost, and she was shaking her head no.
Then he remembered that Jamie had told them at the BBQ that she was having trouble trusting new people but, never said why.
"Don't worry I will get them signed." Roman said as he took the photos from Dean.
"So, what happened to you? I mean you don't have to tell us, I'm just being curious and maybe Roman and I can help." Dean said looking at Roman who nodded.
Dean held up a picture of a guy.
"Who is this guy?" Dean asked. "Your boyfriend?"
"No, my dance partner Cole. No he was Never my boyfriend." Machelle said quickly. "We were National Champions and travelled all over. He got into a car accident and got hurt really bad and started using Oxycontin and other drugs to get through our tour. We took six months, off for him to go to rehab to get clean. I thought he was good but, I was wrong. He was hanging with three friends a lot and drinking. The night Jamie -"
Machelle had tears falling down her cheeks. She took a deep breath and started again.
"Sorry I'm sure Jamie told you that I get weird, meeting new people. I never used to. As a matter of fact, I was the opposite." Machelle said, taking a breath out. "I trusted everyone. If you asked me to do something I would do it. Even if I had a full plate of things to do or had plans. Jamie always said it would get me in trouble and it did."
Machelle paused and took a deep breath.
"Oh I'm not saying that they would do anything, it's a trust thing but, I'm working on it."
"Sorry I didn't mean to make you cry." Dean said. Now he felt bad.
"It's okay, you didn't know. I was never one to cry either or be a drama queen." Machelle said using a napkin Roman handed her to wipe the tears.
"It all started two weeks before Wrestlemania. Cole introduced me to some of his friends one night. They seemed like nice guys." Machelle said. "We went to some night club and danced the night away. Hung out watching movies and stuff like that."
Machelle took a deep breath.
"The night after Wrestlemania I invited Cole, his three friends and Jamie to dinner and things didn't go as planned. Jamie was late getting there but, had called. Cole and his friends were drunk and probably on drugs, when they all arrived at my place. Cole had passed out almost as soon as he got there. His friends pushed me to my room. I fell on my bed, one of his friends started stripping me of my clothes and tried to rape me. When I resisted they all beat me up." Machelle said as tears started running down her cheeks again. "When Jamie got there, he came bursting through the front door hearing me screaming. Cole's friends ran out to the living room and grabbed Cole and left. Jamie came into my bedroom looking for me. He called the cops and an ambulance seeing me bloody and almost naked."
She sat down on the concrete floor of the garage with her face in her hands.
"I spent two weeks in the hospital. When I got out Jamie had moved most of my things to his guest house, and some went to storage." Machelle said. "If it wasn't for Jamie coming to my apartment that night I probably wouldn't be here with you guys."
Dean, had his mouth open. Roman just looked straight ahead, and was shaking his head.
"I know what you guys are going to ask next. Why did I go to WWE headquarters if I was so afraid of people?" Machelle said. "I wouldn't have if it wasn't for Jamie's lawyer calling me the night before. He convinced me to go, saying that you two were going to be there. If I hadn't of met you guys at the BBQ I wouldn't have gone. Jamie was the only one I trusted."
Machelle took another deep breath.
"Before the BBQ Jamie and I talked. I was freaking out because, he was having people over I didn't know." Machelle said kind of laughing "Of course he never told me who was coming either. He said he trusted you guys with his life and that I should to. That's why I went."
Dean walked over to Machelle feeling bad he made her cry. He knelt down and gave her a hug. Roman sat beside her looking at Dean, glad to see he was showing some feelings.
"Sorry, he did mention you had anxieties but, never said why or how bad they were." Dean said. He paused to clear his throat. "We were wondering why you stuck to your self at the BBQ at first and where the bruises came from. I'm guessing you had just gotten out of the hospital. That also explains why we didn't see Jamie for two weeks."
Dean looked at Machelle for a second trying to think of how to ask his next question. Hoping it wouldn't come out wrong.
"Is that why you only came to one of the shows when we were coming here? Roman and I thought we needed showers and that's why you stayed at the hotel with El Torrito." Dean said hoping to calm her down and to at least see a smile.
"No, well you did stink but, that wasn't the only reason." Machelle said laughing. Then added in her best Dean voice "Well enough of this mushy crap, let's go eat I'm starving. I'll tell you the rest over some food."
Dean and Roman laughed at the way she copied, what Dean always said.
Roman helped her up off the floor and Dean grabbed the garbage bag they had filled and put it in the can. They folded the boxes and piled them up in a corner. Roman drove the car in the garage. Then they all walked into the house.
Once in the house Dean called the local pizza place and ordered.
They sat down at the dining room table. Dean and Roman had grabbed some paper plates and napkins and put them on the table.
"The night Jamie came over is the last night I saw Cole. I heard he over dosed. His friends are in jail for raping another girl." Machelle said. She cleared her throat. "I tried to go back to dancing after it all happened and I healed but, it just wasn't the same. I just wasn't into it anymore."
"I'm glad you trusted us to tell us what happened." Roman said.
"Where were you when Jamie got kill-" Dean trailed off, as Roman was giving him the stink eye.
"It's okay Roman, It's a good question." Machelle said putting her hand on Roman's arm.
"I was in New York, getting my other things out of storage. Jamie was supposed to come with me but, he wasn't feeling good that day. I'm guessing it was because, of the chemo, now that I think back. He sent his friends Jordan and Rick to help me. Who I knew, Jamie insisted we take El Torrito with us." Machelle said. "Jamie never told me he was having, problems with Jeremy. Jamie talked about him but, I never met him. Although, if he would of told me he was having problems I would of never gone that day. I have felt bad ever since that night."
"Hey, like the detective told Vince, there would of never been a good time to leave. Jeremy was desperate." Dean said looking at Machelle. "It could of been worse, Jeremy would of killed both of you, and would of got his hands on the shares. You stopped him, from his plan."
"I guess your right." Machelle said feeling a little better.
She finished just as the pizza guy had come and rang the doorbell El Torrito started to bark. Dean got up and patted him on the head, as he went to the door. Roman gave Machelle a hug. They sat down at the table and ate their pizza.
After they were finished eating. The trio went out back, Dean and Roman decided to throw a football around. Dean had a plan.
Dean and Machelle walked out of the house with El Torrito following. While Roman went and grabbed the football, out of the garage.
"I bet you, I can throw farther than you." Dean said with a smirk while they waited.
"You do know my shoulder, is still not up to par." Machelle said she knew Dean was up to something.
Dean nodded.
"Do I get practice throws, and if so, How many?" Machelle said. "The most important question is, What's the bet?"
Dean thought for a second.
"Yes, I know it's still sore. You can have three practice throws." Dean said looking at Roman coming out of the garage. "Dinner with Roman is the bet."
"Hey, this is between you and Machelle. I have nothing to do with this." Roman said with his hands up.
"I can't believe you got Roman involved." Machelle said with a smile. "Sorry Roman, I can't back down from a bet. Dean your on."
Dean smiled, knowing Machelle fell into his trap.
They all followed El Torrito down the path towards the beach.
Dean let Machelle go first but, she had to redo her throw as El Torrito went after the ball.
Roman and Machelle both laughed as Dean chased El Torrito half way up the beach, trying to get the ball from him.
"Are you okay with this?" Machelle said as she turned to Roman.
"I'm good. The question is are you?" Roman said. "You know he's got a plan right?"
Machelle nodded and was going to say something when Dean came back. El Torrito in tow, on his leash this time.
With Roman holding the big dog. They started again.
Machelle in the end won the bet. Dean down played his throws.
Dean smiled to himself, knowing he had helped Roman and Machelle get together and his plan had worked.