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"So how was your date last night?" asks my friend Dean as we are in the locker room getting ready for our day of training.
"It was pretty good," I say with a smile. "I had a nice time."
"Did you get laid?" asks Dean.
"No," I answer. "Jordyn isn't like that."
"That's what you think," scoffs Roman. I know Roman is not a fan of Jordyn. He doesn't like her very much which I always found odd and strange considering he helped her out a couple of years ago with her son. I never understood how he couldn't stand her when his wife Tayla hung out with her so much.
"What does that mean?" I ask as I take my shirt off. "I think Jordyn is a wonderful girl. I think she's great."
"You have no idea who you're trying to get involved with. Jordyn is not who you think she is. I promised Tay I wouldn't say anything but just be careful who you're trying to stick it to," he warns. "I am sure you could find better than Jordyn."
"Why do you have to say it like that? Do you even know Jordyn?"
"I have known Jordyn since she was probably 5 years old," he says. "Her family is friends with my family. I have known their family for years. I dated her sister not too long ago before I met Tay."
"That's awkward," I say. "Just because you knew her when she was 5 doesn't mean you know her now."
"I know her a lot better than you think I do, Seth. I just think you should be careful when it comes to Jordyn. She's got a past and it isn't a good one. I think you should just back away and leave her alone. I don't think dating her or having a relationship with her is a good idea besides do you know who her father is?"
"Batista," I answer. "She told me last night. I never would have guessed. She looks NOTHING like him."
"Because she looks like her mom," says Roman. "I don't care how estranged Jordyn and her dad are, Jordyn dating a wrestler or someone becoming a wrestler isn't going to sit well with him. Just ask Cody Rhodes. He went through a lot just to date her sister Chelsea and to marry her. If you think you can get him to be okay with you dating her more power to you but I don't think dating her is a good idea. You're going places she is going to bring you down. Trust me. I know."
"Says the man that was caught kissing her in his kitchen by his wife," Dean chimes in. "Roman, let the boy alone. If he wants to date Jordyn why does it matter to you so much? Is it disturbing your life? If he dates her is it going to affect you in any way?"
"Not really," he says, "but Seth is a friend and I'm looking out for him. I don't want to see him get hurt by Jordyn. She destroys people and ruins everything in her path."
"I think I can find things out for myself, Roman and if it matters that much to you, you should know that she pretty much turned me down last night. She doesn't know if she wants more with me or not and she isn't sure she wants to date a wrestler. So you might actually get your wish, Roman. I'm sure that makes you happy."
"Of course it doesn't make me happy but at least you don't have to be worried about being hurt."
"It's like you two are talking about two different people," says Dean. "Roman thinks she's the devil and you think she is some saint. Is it possible she was a different person back when she was younger when Roman knew her and she is a different person today? People can change."
"Change or not," says Roman. "Seth shouldn't get involved with Jordyn it isn't a good idea but if he wants to be hurt by all means."
"Let him make his own choices," says Dean. "You never know Jordyn could be the one. I mean after all Seth is already best friends with her son. He is in good with her son so what is she going to do go out and date someone else, tell Seth that he doesn't belong in her son's life?"
"That's exactly what she could do, she destroys people. Jordyn cares about no one but herself," he says. "Trust me I know," he says as my cell phone rings. I smile as I see it is Jordyn on the phone. I am hoping that she changed her mind about dating more and possibly giving a relationship a try.
I quickly answer the phone brushing Roman off, "Hey," I say with a smile.
"Hey," she answers as I can hear the smile in her voice. "I have two things first I want to say I had a really good time last night. I really enjoyed myself thank-you."
"You're welcome," I say with a smile. "Just let me know when you want to do it again. I am available whenever you want to go out again."
"I'll think about it," she says making me smile. There is hope there at least I hope there is hope there. "What time are you done training today?"
"I will probably be done about 3 or so, what's up? Don't you have class today?"
"Yeah, I'm sitting in between classes right now. I just needed to ask you something. I have class until 12 and I got a call from the restaurant they want to see if I can come in to work tonight. Someone called off and my nana works tonight so I don't have anyone to watch Jonah. I really want to go to work because Jonah's 3rd birthday is coming up in a couple months and I'm trying to earn money to buy presents and have a party with him. Do you think you would be able to babysit him for me tonight? I am only working until 8 through the dinner time rush. It would really mean a lot to me if you could help me out tonight."
"Sure," I say with a smile. "I'll watch Jonah for you. I promised him I would be over to play with him this afternoon anyway. I'll just watch him until you get home. Do I need to pick him up from daycare or anything?"
"He's spending the day with Tay so if you could pick him up from Tay's house around 3ish that would be great. He's probably going to need to eat dinner and take a bath tonight. I usually put him in bed by 7:30 or 8. You'll know when he is ready for bed," she says. "He gets grumpy."
"Okay," I say. "I'll train, shower and then head over to Tay's house. Is there anything in particular I should feed him or doesn't it matter?"
"I was planning on chicken nuggets and French fries for him, they're in the freezer. Ask Tay for the spare key to the house. I should have one made for you that way if this comes up again you won't have to borrow Tay's key."
"Okay," I say.
"Thank-you, you're a life saver," she says. "Well, I have to go. I will talk to you later. Once again thank-you, bye."
"Bye," I say before we hang up the phone.
"So why are you going to my house?" asks Roman with a smile.
"To pick up Jonah I am babysitting tonight for Jordyn because she got called into work."
"Uh huh," he says. "She has you wrapped around her finger. Just be careful and don't get too attached to Jonah in case she does find someone else to be with and they want to be a dad to her son. Be careful with her, Seth."
"Does it make you feel better that I am being careful? Is that what you want to hear?"
"I just don't want to see you get hurt," he says. "Okay?"
"Okay," I say as we head out into the gym to start training. I just don't understand why it matters to Roman so much who I date and who I choose to sleep with. He's married and has his own life to worry about mine shouldn't even be a concern of his.
As soon as I finish my training for the day I grab a quick shower and leave the gym to go to Roman's house to pick up Jonah from Tayla and to get the key to Jordyn's house. "Seth," says Tayla with surprise as she answers the door. "What are you doing here?"
"Didn't Jordyn call you? She went to work so I'm babysitting Jonah for her tonight. She told me to pick him up and to get the spare key from you."
"No, she didn't call me at all. I was expecting her about 3 hours ago. I thought that maybe she was studying before she picked him up. I always tell her to take a couple hours to do some studying and work on some assignments before she picks him up. I think her studies are important."
"Me too," I say with a smile, "but no she got called into work."
"Okay, come in, I'll get Jonah for you," she says, "and I'll find the key."
"Thank-you," I say stepping inside their home. I will never understand how Roman and Tayla have such a beautiful home. Roman and I have the same job, we make the same money yet I'm living in a one bedroom apartment and he's living in a 5 bedroom house in a gated community.
"SETH!" yells Jonah as he comes running to me a few minutes later. I scoop him up in my arms. "Are we going to play cars?" he asks.
"Yes, we're going to have dinner, you're going to take a bath then we're going to play cars before you go to bed how does that sound? Do you like that idea?"
"Yes," he said with a smile. I enjoy my time with Jonah even though I'm not obligated to be a father figure to him I choose to be. I feel like Jordyn can use all the help she can get. "Where Mama?" he asks.
"She's working, Buddy she will be home later it is you and me tonight. We're going to have fun okay?"
"Okay," he nods as Tayla hands me his Cars bag.
"Jonah had a good day. He took a two hour nap this afternoon, had grilled cheese for lunch and he used the potty every time he had to go he had no accidents. He was a good boy today."
"Awesome job, Buddy," I say high-fiving him. "Thanks, Tay."
"You're welcome," she says before handing me the key. "Bye, Jonah, I'll see you in a couple days okay?"
"Okay," he says with a smile as he reaches out to hug her. "Bye Aunt Tay Tay," he says with a big smile.
"Bye, Jonah," she smiles before kissing his cheek. "Have a goodnight," she says before opening the door for me. I grab his car seat from the front porch and make my way to the car. I put his seat in as he holds onto my leg before I pick him up and buckle him in. I make sure he is secure before I shut the door and get into the driver's seat to drive him home.
Once we get to Jordyn's house I let Jonah go play in his room while I go into the kitchen to get dinner started for him while I go through his bag to pull everything out. I put his pajamas in his bedroom hamper, put his blanket on his bed and wash out his sippy cups while dinner is in the oven. When dinner is ready I put Jonah into his highchair, give him cut up chicken nuggets and a couple of French fries and a cup of Almond milk. I make myself a sandwich before I put the leftover food away in the fridge and clean up our mess from dinner. I take Jonah upstairs to his bathroom and draw him a bath. I sit and watch him as he plays with his bath toys in the tub after I wash his thick brown curly hair.
"So what pajamas do you want to wear tonight, Buddy?" I ask as I lay out two options for him. He has to choose between Cars and Ninja Turtles.
"Ninja turtle," he says pointing to the pajamas. I dry him off, put a pull up on him and get him dressed in his pajamas before putting his clothes into the hamper. "We play cars now?" he asks.
"Yes," I say with a smile as I get down on his bedroom floor with him as he gets out his cars and his car track. I help him put it together and he hands me the red car taking his green car for himself. Green is his favorite color so I am not surprised. I never really thought about having kids in my life and never planned to be a father figure to one but Jonah is just a really cute kid and his personality is so loveable. I couldn't help but to get attached to him. His mom is also one of the most beautiful women I have ever met and he is the spitting image of his mom with her curly brown hair, beautiful dark brown eyes that resemble the shape of deer eyes. "Did you have a good day today?" I ask him as we run the cars through the track.
"Yes," he answers. "You have a good day?"
"It was good but you know the best part of my day?"
"What?" he asks looking at me with his dark brown eyes.
"Playing cars with you," I say with a smile.
"Me too," he says with a smile as he crashes his car into mine and laughs making me smile.
"What kind of birthday party are you having? Do you know yet?"
"Ninja turtle," he says.
"That's cool, Buddy. I'm going to be there for your party. How old are you going to be?"
"Free," he says holding up three fingers.
"That's right!"
"Vroom, Vroom," he says driving his car around the track as I drive through the other way causing our cars to crash in the middle. We both laugh as we do it again and again. He's easily amused and his laugh is contagious. I think about what Roman and Dean were saying. If Jordyn were to find another man I would have to give up my time with Jonah for him. I would hate that. It would be weird not having Jonah in my life, he is like a son to me and there is nothing I wouldn't do for him or Jordyn.
A couple hours later we are putting his toys away because it is time for him to go to bed. I take him into the bathroom and help him brush his teeth before I carry him into his room. I put him into his bed and tuck him in. I pull a book off the bookshelf to read to him. I smile as I see I'll Love You Forever on the stand next to his bed. My mom used to read that story to me every night when I was Jonah's age. I imagine that Jordyn does the same for him. Before I can start to read the book I picked Jonah grabs the book and hands it to me. "Love you Forever," he demanded.
"Okay, Buddy," I say with a smile as I place the other book in its place. I open the book and begin to read it to him. His brown eyes looking up at me as I read to him and his tiny white teeth showing through his smile before he falls asleep halfway through the book. I finish the book before placing it on the nightstand. I stand up from his bed handing him his blanket and his favorite stuffed bear before I kiss his cheek. "Goodnight, Buddy."
"Goodnight, Seth," he surprises me. "Me wuv you," he says.
I smile and say, "I love you too. Goodnight," I say before turning on his nightlight and turning off the light in his bedroom. I watch him cuddle up with his blanket and snuggle deep under the covers before I head downstairs to the kitchen to wash the dishes in the sink while I wait for Jordyn to come home.
I'm sitting in the living room as I hear Jordyn come in the front door. "I'm home, sorry I am late. It was a lot busier than I thought," she says as she comes into the living dressed in her waitress uniform.
"It's fine," I say as she takes a seat next to me on the couch.
"Long night?" I ask.
"You could say that," she says letting out a deep breath. "My feet are killing me," she says. "I'm ready for bed but I have a test coming up that I need to study for."
"You can study tomorrow, you should get some rest tonight," I say as she takes her shoes off. "You look exhausted."
"I am," she says as she rests her legs on my lap. I start to rub her feet, massaging them for her since she said they hurt. "That feels so good," she says with a smile. "Thank-you."
"You're welcome," I smile.
"How was he?"
"Great. He ate all of his dinner, took a nice bubble bath and even let me wash his hair. Then we played cars until it was time for him to go to bed. He was asleep before I finished the book. He even went pee in the potty before he went to sleep so he should wake up dry."
"Good," she says with relief. "I think he finally gets the bathroom concept. It took me months to potty train him I'm glad he has finally figured it out. Hopefully no more diapers they're expensive."
"He's doing pretty good with it," I say as I continue to massage her feet. Everything feels so normal and comfortable like it always does when I'm hanging out with Jordyn. "I'm proud of him."
"Me too," she says. "He is going to be three soon. I want him potty trained before preschool starts in September."
"I think he will be ready," I say with a smile. "And he is really smart too."
"Thank God for that," she responds. "Thank-you for watching him tonight, I really appreciate it. Are you going to come to his party?"
"I wouldn't miss it," I answer. "He said he is going to have a ninja turtle party."
"That's what he wants so I'm going to have a ninja turtle party for him. It won't be a big party probably just a couple of his friends from daycare, Tay and Roman, you, Dean and my brother Ben and his wife. Nothing too big," she says.
"If you need any help let me know. I'll help you out," I offer.
"Thanks," she says, "you don't have to do that though."
"No I want to let me help you out."
"Okay if there is anything I can think of I'll let you know."
"Thanks," I say. "It's getting late. I should probably go. You have school in the morning and you're tired."
"All right," she says as she takes her legs off my lap and stands up with me to walk me to the front door. "Thank-you once again for helping me out, I really appreciate it."
"Any time you need me to help you out Jordyn just let me know. I don't mind watching Jonah for you. He's a good kid and we have fun together."
"All right," she says with a smile as we reach the door. "Thank-you for being so involved in his life. He really likes you, Seth and I love the two of you together. There should be more guys like you out there."
"I'm one of a kind," I say with a smile.
"You most certainly are. I was thinking if you're not busy on Saturday that maybe after your show you and I can go hang out just you and I. I'll see if Tay will babysit Jonah on Saturday night and if she is do you want to hang out?"
"On a date like last night?" I ask.
"On a date like last night," she smiles. "So do you?"
"Yeah of course," I answer. "I'd like that a lot. Are you going to come to the show on Saturday night?"
"I wouldn't miss it," she says with a smile. "Goodnight, Seth. I'll call you tomorrow."
"Goodnight, Jordyn," I say with a smile as we stand at the door looking at each other for a minute or two. Her dark brown eyes sparkling in the light overhead and the smile on her face makes her even more beautiful. I take my chances and lean down pressing my lips against hers. I expect her to pull away but she doesn't. She brings her arms up around my neck as I wrap my arm around her waist resting my hand on the small of her back pulling her closer to me as she parts her lips inviting my tongue into her mouth. I slide my tongue into her mouth, kissing her softly and deep, thrusting my tongue against hers. One of her hands cup my cheek as I kiss her and I run my fingers through her curly brown hair, kissing her passionately and deep wanting and needing more. I stop myself and pull away breathlessly as she is left catching her breath. She bites her lip shyly. "I should probably go."
"Um, yeah," she says with a small shy smile. "Maybe you should," she says biting her lip.
"Goodnight," I say as I turn to leave.
"Good..wait..," she says with a smile as I turn around. "Fuck this," she says before she kisses me again, making out with me before she breaks our kiss. "Goodnight, Seth," she says with a smile.
"Goodnight," I smile back at her before I give her a quick kiss on the cheek before I make my way out the door shutting it behind me. I do a small happy dance to my car. If that wasn't a sign of hope for us I don't know what is. It was very unexpected to say the least.
*A/N: What do you think of Seth's relationship with Jordyn's son? Is he too attached to him? Do you think that he is setting himself up to be hurt in the future by spending so much time with him? Why do you think Roman is so against Seth dating Jordyn? Do you think it is his business? Will Jordyn ever confront Roman for his feelings about her and her past? What do you think of Jordyn's friendship with Seth, do you think they are too comfortable together? What about their kiss before Seth left for the night? Is that a sign of hope or will Jordyn say it is something else? Please review and thank-you for reading.