Chapter two: The Day After

I hadn't slept very well, as I had been savouring every moment that I could from last night. Not to mention I was more than a little bit worried about how I was going to react seeing Cody again. I decided to act cool, but wondered if I could pull that off. A knock on the door made me jump. My heart hammered in my throat. Surely it wouldn't be Cody?

And of course it wasn't. It was my friend Sarah who came to see if I was ready for breakfast.

"I hate men!" I said letting her in.

"I take it didn't go well with Cody last night?" She asked curious.

I sighed. "A little bit too well to be honest."

"Oh no, you didn't?" Sarah exclaimed. "You go girl!"

I stared at her with a dark look.

"Please tell me you aren't in love with him. That is about the worst thing that could happen." She put an arm around my shoulder.

"I don't know… I don't want to… I just want to play it cool. No! I just want to be cool about it! But you know how he is; he is just so damn cute. And we really get along…" I sighed.

"And I take it he is really good in bed too?" Sarah giggled. "We have all been there girl, falling for the wrong guy."

"He is not wrong, he is just Cody." I was a little bit irritated now. "And I don't think I've fallen for him, I just don't know how to go from here. And you know how much I hate not knowing what is going to happen."

"Easy Julia, no need to bite my head off." Sarah stood up.

"Come on. Get dressed and try to look as hot as possible." She searched my suitcase and threw some clothes on the bed. "Wear this. It will annoy him senseless and you look really good in it."

"My Randy Orton t-shirt? I didn't know you had it in you," I said admirably, "too bad there aren't any decent Miz t-shirts, That would be fun". I said grinning while getting dressed.

"A little bit of flirting with Mike or Jack would be even better," Sarah was really getting in to it no, "Jack was asking about you yesterday."

"Yeah right," I smirked, "Jack is more into supermodels and playgirls. The only reason he even tries is because I turned him down last year. And Mr. All American can't stand a girl who isn't in to him."

Sarah laughed. "Still it can't hurt to flirt a little... it isn't like you're planning anything serious. And you two do get along, when he forgets about his attitude. And you like Mike."

I did. Although a lot of other people found Mike an annoying smart-ass, I kind of liked that about him, I thought he was really cute, too. Too bad he lived in LA, the other side of the country. Talk about complicated. By the way, I didn't really want to get serious with any wrestler.

I smiled. "We have a tough job, don't we? Working with some of the hottest guys in the US. For some reason the normal guys just don't compare anymore." I looked at myself in the mirror admiring how I looked in my short jeans skirt, black knee high boots and Randy Orton t-shirt. "Yeah, this will do. Let's go have breakfast."

The breakfast room was already busy with the WWE crew and some amazed hotel guests staring at the Divas and superstars. I immediately noticed Cody sitting with Ted and Randy. He winked at me, smiling. I raised my hand, turning around when I felt two arms wrapping around my waist.

"Hey Julia, glad that you're back. I knew you wouldn't like Smackdown. It just doesn't have ME." That's Mike all right.

"Hey Mike, you're right. Smackdown was just too quiet after having to be around you. I couldn't get used to the peace. Although Chris Jericho really comes close to being as annoying as you are." I hugged him, smiling. It was good to be back. After that I was greeted by a lot of the crew and I almost forgot about Cody.

I ate my breakfast deliberately sitting with my back to him, happily chatting with Sarah, Mike and Evan. The latter, I noticed, looked like he was a little too interested in my female friend. I nudged her, asking her what was going on between them.

She looked at me blankly. "Nothing as far as I'm concerned. He is cute though. By the way, Cody has been staring at you the whole time."

I felt butterflies in my stomach. "Don't" I angrily told myself, or so I had thought.

"Hearing voices now, Julia? I have to let you in on a secret, don't talk back, it will only encourage them." I startled from the voice of Randy behind me. "Ah. Good to see that you're still a fan." He looked at my shirt approvingly.

"Why are you never wearing a Legacy shirt?" Cody appeared beside him. "You will look even hotter then. I know you dig us."

I smirked. "Dream on Cody. I am a Randy Orton groupie. Everyone knows that." I stood up to hug Ted DiBiase who just approached on crutches. "We have to go now. We have a lot of work to do. See you later."

I walked away with Julia, smiling broadly at Cody, who looked bewildered. I had the control now, that was sure. I wondered what I was going to do though, now that I did have it.

Just before the show that night I got a text message from Cody. "I really enjoyed last night. Thought you did, too? But if you want to forget about it just say so and I won't bother you again. Cody x."

Hmm, maybe I had been too hard on him. Still, I waited ten minutes before sending him a text back. "Last night was great! You are allowed to bother me again ;) Julia x."

Less than a minute later my phone beeped again "Good, I will :) See you tonight after the show. We're all going for a drink. Come too? Please?"

I laughed. He was on his best behaviour now. This might get interesting. I text him back telling him that I would come.

After that I focussed on the show, making sure that everyone knew their lines. I loved seeing the way the script worked out. It's amazing when the public reacts like as we planned. Right now, Cody was being booed for talking trash to Evan Bourne, which increased when he went after him with a chair.

I crossed my fingers that they would receive the rescue by Jack Swagger the way I hoped. And yes. The public booed Jack when he came to the stage, expecting him to help Cody. When he hit Cody with a running clothesline the public cheered. After the finishing gut wrench powerbomb the people actually chanted his name. It went exactly as planned.

I sighed. That meant that an entire storyline had to be written and it had to be ready this week. And I had to make sure that Jack didn't mess it up by letting his attitude get the better of him. That could definitely prove to be the biggest problem.

We went out with most of the crew later on that night. The next show was only a two hour drive which meant we could sleep late the next day. For the very least it meant no six o'clock flights. The atmosphere was great.

I chatted with Mike and some of the camera crew. All this time I had eye contact with Cody, who sat with Randy and Ted. They looked annoyed being cornered by some fans. Sarah was flirting with Evan, before leaving him to go to the dance floor with me.

This meant I got away from Mike (he never danced) who was coming on to me a little too strong. The last thing I needed were two guys to worry about. I was having a lot of fun with Sarah, while still maintaining eye contact with Cody.

Eventually, he stood up and began walking directly towards me, but halfway he was cornered by fans again, this time by two really hot looking women. It looked like he forgot all about me the moment they started dancing before him. This really annoyed me. "If you think I will be second choice to some stupid trashy groupies, you're wrong mister." I murmured.

I left the dance floor, when Evan approached Sarah and quickly got all her attention. I sat with Ted and Randy, soon being joined by Mike.

"Hey Ted. What the hell did you do with your ankle?" I asked.

"Fell down the stairs." He grinned, looking a little ashamed. "Strange thing isn't it. Never been injured before while a substantial part of my job consists of being thrown to the floor, but I can't even get down a stairway." We all laughed. "What is going on with you and Cody by the way? He's been acting really weird today."

"Dunno." I shrugged. "Nothing right now, since he seems to be hung up on those girls." I tried to hide my disappointment, but didn't seem to do such a great job.

I saw Randy glare at Cody. "He'd better not hurt you."

I smiled at him feeling grateful. "Good to know you still have my back".

He smiled at me, visibly relaxing. "You know, I'd do anything for my favourite fan."

I felt tense and kind of sad, but Mike came into use now with some new drinks, before filling us in on his wild tales. He kept more distance, having heard my conversation with Ted and Randy. I was glad about that. I really liked Mike, but could not handle him right now.

I didn't want to use him to make Cody jealous as well. At least, not without asking him. Cody and Mike never really got along, so he'd probably be happy to help me out. I was laughing at the jokes that Mike and Randy were telling, still occasionally turning to glare at Cody.

When we were ready to leave, I saw Cody try to kiss one of the girls but she rejected him, walking away with what seemed to be a boyfriend. The other girl had disappeared some time ago trying her luck with Jack. By the looks of that, he at least would get lucky tonight. I chuckled, happy how that turned out.

I got my coat when I was grabbed from behind by a really drunken Cody, who tried to kiss my neck. "Can't leave without me baby. I want you."

I tried to push him away. "Fuck off Cody, you're drunk."

He glared at me. "Playing hard to get now, are you? You weren't that difficult last night. I know you want me too."

I felt tears in my eyes now. I forgot that Cody was a mean drunk. "If you think I am going to be second choice to some eighteen year old girls who just rejected you, you are wrong. I am not going to be used like that. So I'll tell you one more time, FUCK OFF!"

He looked really angry and for one moment I was afraid he was going to hit me.

At that moment Randy appeared. "You heard her Cody. Leave Julia alone!" Randy looked really mad. If you've ever seen him on the show, you know that look. He looked really intimidating towering over Cody, but I was still afraid that Cody was going to spring either him or me.

Ted appeared too, trying to calm Cody down. "Let her go Cody, you know you are going to regret this tomorrow." Cody was still holding my wrist, but he let it go slowly. Ted always had a calming influence on him.

Randy put his arm around my shoulder leading me away. I was really crying now. "Come on girl, calm down, you know he didn't mean that. His inner jerk comes out when he's drunk." He hugged me tight. "I will kill him for you tomorrow if you want."

I looked in his eyes, wiping my tears away. "Why not right now? It might make me feel better."

"Because," a grin broke across his face. "He will not remember it properly when I do that tonight. Imagine being RKO'd while you're hung-over."

I laughed despite myself. "Oh Randy, why do you have to be married, you're like my prince charming."

He chuckled. "Funny choice in men you have, girl. Most people regard me like I'm a psychopath, I've never been the knight in shining armour before. Maybe I should let you turn me face. You seem to think I can pull it off."

I looked shocked. "Never, Randy. That would be a crime against humanity. The people need someone to hate. It would be like turning John Cena heel. Ugh that would turn out bad." We both laughed now.

I felt a slightly happier after my talk with Randy, but that didn't stop me from crying myself to sleep that night.