Every Beat of My Heart

Chapter 1

Work was a nightmare.

Amber was twenty-six years old, working as a waitress at a high-end restaurant. Seeing as the main customers were rich people who had no concept of time and expected their food to be done the second they ordered it, she was understandably worn out.

It was both mentally and physically taxing. And to make matters worse, the pay didn't really match up to the countless hours she worked.

Ohio may have been a soul-sucking wasteland, but at least she had a better job there. She thought that maybe she made a huge mistake moving to Indiana.

She strolled into her favorite bar, shoulders slouched as she dragged her weary body inside. It came as a surprise when they all yelled while looking at the TV, so she jumped, causing another regular named Tom to laugh from behind her. "You act like this isn't normal for you," he said, snaking his arm around her shoulders.

"Not this loud. What are they even watching anyway?" she asked, straining her voice over the loud roar.

He nodded towards the TV, as she sat down on a barstool. "Survivor Series. It's a triple threat with CM Punk versus Ryback versus John Cena, and a lot of people put money on it. I think Punk's gonna win, 'cause Ryback and John are just so… shitty. I guess I'm biased since I don't like them, but Punk—"

"Tom," she whined as she turned away from the TV. "You know I don't like or care about wrestling," she reminded him. She never explained to him why, and she didn't think she would, simply because it wasn't his business.

He rolled his eyes and sat next to her. "Lemme buy you a drink." He slammed his hand down on the counter to gain the bartender's attention.

Tom was a very attractive man who was perfectly sculpted with dark hair and brown eyes. He talked way too much for her liking, though. He also liked to touch her more than he should, but he never took it too far. However, she tolerated it because he was the only one who talked to her frequently. Plus, when he wasn't being annoying, he was actually good company.

He slid a Heineken over to her and continued watching wrestling. Alcohol felt like the best thing in the world, but she knew she couldn't get drunk, even though she really wanted to; hangovers were a bitch to deal with, and she had no one to help her through it. Plus, she had to drive.

Being in Indiana was so lonely, but she could never get enough money to go back to Ohio. And even though things seemed brighter there, she didn't think she'd want to go back. There were too many bad things associated with it, and it would take even more time to be able to live there comfortably.

Another loud cheer broke her out of her thoughts, causing her head to snap up at the TV to see what all the fuss was about. Then her heart stopped.

Jon.

Although, this Jon was different. Not necessarily physically, but he still looked different, and she couldn't put her finger on it.

As he ran around the ring, she paid careful attention to him. His all black ensemble, and that turtleneck; he still managed to look painfully attractive. Even if they were no longer together, it didn't mean that it was wrong to think about him that way. Plus, she didn't think they would ever meet again. At least she hoped they didn't

"This is so fucking awesome. I saw what these guys did in NXT, and they're all fuckin' amazing," Tom said as he smiled up at the TV. "Your eyes are glued; you like wrestling now?"

She quickly shook her head, then turned around. "Tell me when it's over," she said as she took a sip of her beer.

She sat there for what felt like hours, watching as everyone cheered and jeered. They were so full of emotion, but they were also incredibly drunk, which didn't really make a good combination. Just as long as they weren't touching her, she'd be fine.

Everything died down a bit, and people started buying their last drink and leaving. She figured it was over, so she turned back around, Tom still gawking at the TV, even though nothing was on. "That was fuckin' amazing!" he squealed.

"I guess I missed out, then," she sighed. "When are you going home?" she asked. Tom lived in the same area as her, and she liked having someone following her to make sure nothing happened. God forbid something did happen; if Tom wasn't there, no one would know.

"I don't know. Maybe around two," he shrugged. "You need another drink? You finished that Heineken a while ago."

"No, I need to be sober enough to drive. Thanks, though. You're a good friend, Tom," she said as she swirled her finger on the mouth of the empty beer bottle.

"Are you sure you're not already drunk?" he asked with a chuckle as he played with her hair. "What are you doing in Indiana, Amber? You don't—"

"We went through this Tom," she interrupted. "It's none of your business why I'm here. If I want to leave, and if I can leave, then I will." Tom didn't think she fit in with the Indiana lifestyle, which he insisted was a compliment. Regardless of his intention, she knew it was true. Indiana really wasn't for her, but she already began making a life there.

They sat down there until around quarter to two, just talking. The bar was almost completely empty, until a group of tall, muscular men barreled in, all of them laughing and drawing attention to themselves, which of course was only her, Tom, and another man, who didn't even particularly care.

Then Amber's eyes caught his, only for her to immediately turn her face back, hoping he didn't notice.

But of course, Tom just couldn't keep his mouth shut. "Amber, look!" he said excitedly as he tapped her shoulder. "It's those guys that interrupted the match! Damn, I should've known; they were only a town over. Amber, Amber. Listen to me!"

"I don't give a shit, Tom," she stated bluntly, trying her hardest to avoid his eyes. "I'm gonna sit in my car for a while," she sighed. "I just need some time to think or whatever… I'll be back." Without hesitation, she got up from the bar stool and power walked to the door.

She stood outside for a while, taking in the fresh air a bit before making her way towards her car. She didn't go inside; just leaned against it with her back facing the bar. It didn't really scare her to be outside late at night as much as it did when she was younger, since Jon used to make her stroll around with him whenever he got restless, no matter what the time was. Plus, Tom was easily accessible.

Thoughts of what they used to be flooded her mind. They were never perfect, but she really did think they would last. Of course, it was probably just her young, naïve mind playing tricks on her. Or maybe it was the fact that Jon really was good for the most part, just until he messed up.

Maybe she could've handled it differently, but that was five years ago. There was nothing she could do now, and it shouldn't even be a thought, since they didn't even see or speak to each other at all after the break up. But for some reason, she never really stopped thinking about him. Not to the extent that she was currently, but miniscule thoughts that would pass by occasionally.

"You live here now?"

Her heart raced the minute his deep voice pierced through her thoughts. Her voice suddenly left her as she turned around to respond to him. Even if she had her voice, she didn't even know what to say to him other than a simple 'yes.'

"What? Surprised to see me?"

She nodded slowly, then turned back around, folding her arms across her chest. "I see you finally made it," she said, suddenly gaining enough confidence to speak. "Congratulations. I hope you got over your problem, though."

He hummed, then nodded, even though he knew she couldn't see him. "WWE doesn't allow that. Also, I got rid of it long before I got in WWE. If you stuck around, maybe you would've known that."

She could sense bitterness in his voice, but she knew it was only because of the way everything went down. She turned around and tried to look him in the eyes, but looked past him once she realized how much her heart sped up. "What's done is done. I sure as hell didn't see it coming, so I just… reacted. You'd do the same if you were in my shoes."

He sighed then walked over to her. "When's the last time you went back to Cincinnati?"

Their arms were barely touching, but it was enough to send electricity running through her body. He still had the same effect on here after all these years, and she thought she was pathetic for allowing it to happen. "I haven't gone back at all," she replied.

"So you just left your mom, Cindy, and everyone else, just because you wanted to forget about me?" he asked as a smirk spread across his lips.

"Don't flatter yourself, Jon. I left because I associate Cincinnati with negativity. Not just with you… other things too. And I'm not gonna get into detail with that because it's none of your business."

He nodded slowly, then smiled at her. "I'm heading to Dayton. That's like an hour away from Cincinnati, so I can take you there if you got time."

"As much I'd love to go back, I don't have the money. I mean, you'd be taking me there, but you're not taking me back. I'm gonna have to pass on that kind offer," she said as she stared straight ahead.

He took a deep breath and nodded. "I know things didn't exactly work out, but I wanna keep in contact with you. That's if you want to, though." He slid his phone out of his pocket and unlocked it. "If you think it's because I wanna be with you again, you're wrong. I don't want a relationship with you, and I don't think you want a relationship with me. Am I right?"

She nodded. "So what are your intentions?"

"Closure? I don't know, honestly. It's just that we never transitioned smoothly. It was just… one day you were there, then the next day you were gone, and I never saw or heard from you again until today. It was like you disappeared, and I never got to watch you grow from a distance like I planned to, if that makes sense." He shrugged then shoved his phone in her hand. "I think I'm gonna have to go soon, so make it quick."

She quickly tapped her phone number in, then gave him back. "Nice turtleneck, Jon. Sad to see that you changed into regular street clothes," she commented.

He laughed then shook his head as he stepped closer to her, his entire body facing her. Her face got heated when she realized there was barley any distance between them, but her feet refused to move. As he brushed his fingers through her hair, he lightly placed his lips against her cheek. "I'm going by Dean these day, Amber."

"I, uh… okay, I guess," she replied, finally scooting away from him.

He remained where he was, but continued staring at her intently, not even saying a word. It made her slightly uncomfortable, so she kept shifting her weight on each leg constantly, waiting for something – anything – to get rid of the awkwardness.

"Ambrose, we're leaving!"

Jon looked over his shoulder, then back at Amber. "Looks like I gotta go. I'll see you again."