Hurt:
to cause emotional pain or anguish

injure, harm, pain, ache, damage

Jade watched from afar as he twirled the women around the dance floor. She found it humorous that he was even there. They were both so far away from the spotlight of the stage, but no matter how hard they tried, neither of them could ever truly escape it.
She had thought that coming here, to the middle of nowhere, in a no name town, to the local watering hole, would offer her some sense of normality; but it was the same as anywhere she went. Men falling over one another to get closer to her, people whispering as she walked by.
She found a stool at the bar and sat down. She watched as he thanked the women for the dance and took a seat on the opposite side of the bar. She ordered a drink and had one sent to him. She couldn't help but laughed at the look on his face when he followed the bartenders finger to see her. His shock turned into laughter as he got up and walked around the bar, taking the seat next to her. She smiled as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into him. Even with the cigarette smoke filling the air, he smelled amazing.

"What are you doing here?" He asked.

"I was passing through. What about you?"

"It's close to home. I used to come here a lot." He smiled, taking a drink.
"You wanna dance?" He asked holding out his hand. She downed her drink and took his hand.
Several drinks and hours later, they left the bar. His arm wrapped tightly around her waist.
"Hey, you wanna come back to my place? I have enough room, you can crash for the night."

"Sure." She agreed. They were far from strangers. They had spent time together in ROH, and had come up through NXT at the same time.


"Out here." He called to her from the balcony, as she walked out of his bathroom.

"Wow. It's beautiful out here." She smiled looking over the city. He reached over and took her hand in his, pulling her to him.

"The only beautiful thing I see out here is you." He grinned, brushing a stray hair from her face. He let the back side of his fingers trace her face, lifting her jaw to meet his height.
His lips pressed to hers. He was moving with her, without even parting his lips from hers.
He guided her to his bedroom, laying on top of her on the bed, deepening their kiss. As he reached down and unbuttoned her pants, she couldn't tell if it was the drinks, the want, or the need, but she didn't think once to stop him. She had always found him attractive. But because of their friendship, she never once acted on her feelings. As she let the desire take over, the night became a blur of moans and passion.
Jade couldn't help but smile as she woke up in his arms. As she stirred, he pulled her to him, kissing her. When she started to get up, he held on to her.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"I have an interview today." She yawned.
"I have a five-hour drive ahead of me, and just about that long to get there. Can I use your shower?"

"Only if I can join you." He grinned.

The next day Jade was already at the arena when he arrived. All she got from him was a simple smile, then later, at the end of the night, her face crumbled and the hurt set in, as she saw him kissing another women. She turned to leave, only to run into Randy Orton.

"Is that douche why you've been turning me down?"

"I've turned you down because you're married, or did you forget that?" Jaden huffed, as she turned to walk away.

"It's never mattered to me before." He chuckled, following her down the hall.
"Jade, stop and hear me out." He had to reach out and grab her arm to make her stop.
"Jaden, look, I'm not saying I'll leave my wife for you, shit, I'm not even asking you to be my girlfriend."

"Then what are you asking?"

"It's no secret that you're hot. I find you physically attractive. The road gets lonely, and to be honest, I like sex. No strings, no feelings. Just sex." He said.
"I've been putting the moves on you for months, it's obvious now why you've said no. You have feelings for Rollins, but it would appear he wants someone else. I want you, Jade. Come back to my room with me. Just give me one night. See how things go. How we work together." He said, as she let him take her hand and lead her out of the arena.


Those days replayed in her head a lot. It was over a year ago, and not once had Seth mentioned their night together. Then all of the rumors started, and she knew Seth had heard them. Nearly everyone in the company had heard them.
Now here she was sitting in her car, outside the arena, about to have to face the rumors head on. She had no choice. After a couple weeks off, she had to return to work. She took a deep breath and finally got out of her car, not knowing she was heading to a raging storm, a storm she may not be able to withstand.