Your best friend's girl should be off-limits.

However, John Cena didn't see it that way. He's always had a thing for Randy's girl and although he rarely acted on it, his interest was there, and it was growing. He made no effort to let anyone know of his desire, but that was okay. Randy didn't need to know John had a little crush on his best friend. If John was interested in his wife, that'd be a different story. But he was interested in Alyssa, the only girl Randy's known since preschool.

Alyssa was oblivious to all this as well. Her and John were good friends, but she never did anything to suggest she saw him as something more. In fact, she never really seemed interested in having a relationship with anyone.

This fact prompted John to start a conversation with Randy as they were getting ready for another Monday night Raw. "I feel like Alyssa never had a boyfriend in all this time I've known her."

Randy chuckled. "Because she hasn't. Not since high-school, at least."

John raised his eyebrows. "That was over ten years ago. Don't you think she deserves a man-"

Randy abruptly cut him off. "Eh, yeah. I'm sure she'd be a great girlfriend, but she doesn't need a douche bag around."

In his head, Randy was the epitome of the only man needed in her life. That self-claimed mentality formed him into this overprotective figure that, somehow, went unnoticed amongst everyone else. The many times he suggested Alyssa's date was no good aroused no one's suspicion. He'd subtly controlled her love life so well, it was hard to measure if Alyssa was simply letting him. It was obvious she was in no rush to find her prince charming, and Randy definitely had his way with that.

John, being Randy's other best friend, knew a bit about these tactics. He'd heard Randy brag about the few men he'd gotten rid of, but it never phased him. That is, until he realized he may be Alyssa's next suitor.

It'd been in his interest to finally do something about the way he felt, but he knew it was crucial to hide it from Randy for as long as possible. Alyssa was worth a lot, and he didn't want his chances ruined before they even began.

He kept that in mind as he continued his conversation with Randy. "Well, how is Alyssa supposed to know who's a douche bag and who's not if she never gives anyone a try?"

Randy's signature smirk suddenly appeared on his face. "That's simple, John. She'll know because I'll tell her the difference."

"But you think everyone's a douche bag when it comes to Alyssa."

Randy shrugged. "And she agrees."

John absently chewed on his bottom lip. He's right, Alyssa has always agreed. Do these two best friends think alike or was Randy just impeccable at convincing and manipulating? Either way, John was determined to woo Alyssa whether Randy liked it or not.

Dinner the next day proved to John it would be a hard task. Around the table sat Randy and his wife Sam, across from John and Alyssa. This group was typical. It was Randy's seven year-old concoction of his favorite people. To others, it was like a double date unbeknownst to all members.

This night was a special night. John was more aware of Alyssa. Her long chestnut hair looked silkier than usual, her smile looked brighter than usual, her hazel eyes twinkled more than usual. But this was nothing really out of the usual. He'd concluded time and time again that Alyssa grew more beautiful after every time he saw her. He was so caught up in these thoughts that he missed an important part of the table's conversation.

"…give it a shot. I think he'd be really good for you Alyssa," Sam mentioned.

John nearly gave his neck a cramp when he turned to look at Alyssa. How on earth did this come about? To his relief, she didn't look too excited.

"Sam, is this another one of those criminals you work with?" Randy spat.

John, knowing all to well this may be the last time Randy's in his favor, cleared his throat.

"Like I'd set up Al with a criminal," Sam replied. She leaned into the table a little more, directing all her attention on Alyssa. "He's a decent guy who shares the same values as you."

Peeking over at her, John anxiously shifted into his seat.

Sam continued. "I believe in this guy so much, I went ahead and invited him to drinks with us later tonight."

"What?" the other three said in unison.

"What's the problem?" Sam asked innocently, looking from one person to the next.

"Why would you invite a random guy to hang out with us?" Randy questioned.

"He's not a random guy," Sam defended. "There's nothing wrong with inviting someone new right?"

Silence.

"Alyssa, if you want me to uninvite him, I will, but otherwise, I think it'd be a great idea for you two to mingle."

Alyssa took her drink and shrugged. Out of the three, she was the most at ease about Sam's proposition, Randy being the least. "The uninviting wont be necessary. It's fine, I mean…it's not like I'm being arranged to marry the guy."

She shot Randy a charming look and smiled. "Don't worry, dad. I know you're just worried, but I think I can manage making a new friend."

Vocally absent from most of the conversation, John cleared his throat again. He looked at Alyssa who appeared to be busy thinking of this new guy she was going to meet. Trying to ignore the pinching in his chest, he plastered a smile on his face and downed the rest of his beer.

This was going to be a long night.

That statement felt just as true a couple hours later. This new guy had been in their booth for fifteen minutes, but John could've sworn a whole hour had passed by. Everyone was coupled up. Everyone but him. Just like dinner, he'd spoken very minimally, but again, no one seemed to notice. Or so he thought.

He was in the middle of downing his second bottle when he felt a hand on his arm. He turned slightly and was met by Alyssa's face.

"Why are you so quiet?" she asked him.

Not knowing how to answer, John turned the attention to her. "How's your date going?"

"I'm not really feelin' the guy," she shrugs.

John suddenly let go of the bottle he'd been clinging onto all night. "What do you wanna do then?"

"I don't know," Alyssa pouted. "I don't wanna give the boy mixed signals."

"I think I could help with that," John smiled. He didn't wait another second to swing his arm around her shoulders. She reciprocated by resting her head comfortably on the curve of his neck.

Randy caught this intimate interaction and at first, had a questioning look. Then he realized it was John's way of helping him get the new guy away from Alyssa. Little did he know, it doubled as John's way of getting even closer.

"Thank you," she said to him.

John replied by tightening his grip on her.

The new guy got a glimpse of this as well and suddenly, the atmosphere began to shift. Awkward tension was building, but with alcohol's presence, things were going to be just fine.

The same could not be said for the following night. This time, it was just Randy, John, and Alyssa sharing a bottle of Henny in a hotel room. Randy ended up drinking a majority it. It was no secret to any of them, despite the calmness of the night before, that Randy and Sam were having issues. He took it out on the alcohol and by the second hour, John and Alyssa were struggling to keep him manageable. He was angry, bitter, and hurt all at the same time.

He was a mess.

John didn't realize how much of a mess Randy was until he returned from the bathroom and caught him trying to kiss Alyssa. They were in the corner of the room with Randy's hands secure on her forearms.

"Randyyyyy! Stop!" she fused, pushing him back. "You're drunk!"

"I don't caaaaaaaareeee, I don't care about fucking Sam." He shoved himself onto his best friend a little more, pushing John to physically intervene.

"Randy, get off!" John hooked his arm across Randy's chest to pull him off, but the drunk man reciprocated with a punch. Whatever it was he was aiming for, his fist swung full force into air.

"What the fuck was that?" John kept a good distance between the two of them, trying his best not to take the punch personally.

"You're the one that said she deserved a man." Randy pointed at John, then at himself. "He's right here."

"Nah, look at you man, you're drunk!" John's voice bled with anger.

Inebriated Randy said nothing else and walked limply towards the bed. The other two watched his heavy mass fall right onto the mattress.

"I'ma just sleep," he mumbled.

John then directed his attention to Alyssa and asked if she was okay. She meekly nodded and said, "I just need some fresh air in the balcony."

He watched her open the sliding door before taking a seat on a chair stationed in front of the bed. Placing both elbows on his knees, he ran his hands through his hair and sighed. His line of vision fell to Randy who appeared to be fast asleep. Despite his heavy breathing, it was the most comfortable he's looked all night. Sensing Randy was going to be fine, John decided to check up on Alyssa.

"Hey, you sure you're okay?" he asked as he slid the door closed behind him.

Not taking her eyes away from the view of the city, she nodded. "Yeah, I am. It's just hard seeing him like that. He's a wreck."

John let out a shaky breath. "No kidding."

"I love them both to death, but their relationship hasn't been healthy for awhile. They're okay, then they're not. They're okay, then they're not."

"They pretend to be okay."

"And they ignore the problem."

The two stood in silence for a few seconds, allowing their emotions to sink in.

Alyssa turned to look at John, desperate to change the mood. "But hey, Randy mentioned something earlier- something about you saying I deserved a man?"

Nervous, John chuckled. "Oh…yeah…I…uh…I…we…talked about you…this one day."

Alyssa narrowed her eyes playfully. "Oh yeah?"

John nodded slowly, but didn't say anything. He thanked God it was night time. It helped camouflage his rosy cheeks, but he still couldn't look at her.

"Wanna tell me what was said?"

He shrugged. "Just that you deserved someone good in your life."

She raised her eyebrows. "You said that, or he said that?"

"I said that."

She nodded. "That's what I thought. And why would you?"

Feeling his shoulders relax a little, he leaned his face towards hers. "Because it'd be a waste if you didn't share yourself with someone else."

"Why so?"

"Do you know how lucky he'd be to have you?"

Smiling, Alyssa turned the question on him. "So why are you single?"

"Simple. My career makes it difficult."

"That's bullshit. Difficulty shouldn't stop you."

"You're right," John nodded with a grin on his face. "So what's stopping you?"

"I just haven't had luck."

"You haven't been looking."

"Well, I don't needa look. They can look for me."

John hung onto her words for awhile. He looked at her, much deeper than he's ever looked at her, much deeper than he's ever looked at anyone.

He then said, "Oh, I'm looking at you, alright."

She didn't say anything, but the way she looked at him said it all. Their eyes were their best form of communication.

The two continued to stand in silence, lips still formed into smiles. The connection between them, what's always been there but was always ignored, could not be denied now.

Seeing her shiver, John fought through his crazy palpitations and said, "You seem cold, do you wanna go inside?"

Shaking her head with a smile still on her face, she replied, "No, I wanna stay here."

"That's fine, but you cant keep shivering like that."

"So what now?" she teased.

He didn't hesitate to offer his arm to her, which she wrapped herself in comfortably. He took a whiff of her hair and swore this moment justified his existence.

Resting his lip on her temple, he asked, "What are you doing tomorrow?"

"I don't know, yet."

"Spend it with me."

"Okay," she said sweetly, looking up at him.

And suddenly, the whole world that once felt flawed seemed perfect now.

Yes, I am back and have so much in store for this new story. Question is, what do ya'll think? Kindly leave a review in the box below, and I'd greatly appreciate it! (: