Chapter 4

Drew takes a seat on the folding chair and takes a deep breath. It's night two of his tryout up on the main roster. The nerves had subsided until he stepped foot into the arena. The moment he crossed the threshold he had gotten nervous. Pulling out his phone, he stares at the screen, not surprised to find a new text message from the one person he hadn't wanted to talk to.

"Go away," Drew mutters.

"But I just got here," Oakley whines.

Drew looks up to see Oakley and John standing there. "Not you, Sunshine," Drew says. He watches John as he sets his bag down before taking a seat. "How was your dinner last night?"

John rolls his eyes when Oakley makes a face. "It wasn't that bad," he says.

"Not good?" Drew asks.

"Not really. Service was horrid and the food was not what we were expecting. It wasn't the worst I've had, especially considering I tend to burn food when I cook, but it wasn't very good."

Drew can't help but laugh softly at John's statement about burning food. "So you can't cook?"

"Depends on what I'm cooking."

Drew looks at his phone when it buzzes in his hand. "This is what I get," he mutters. "I can't seem to win when it comes to this. People never leave me alone. You'd think they'd get the hint." Running a hand through his hair, Drew lets out a soft sight. "I'm sorry."

"No problem."

"Drew," Oakley says. "Will you go to dinner with us tonight?"

Drew looks at her. "Well," he starts, "that depends."

"Huh?" Oakley stares at Drew, confused at the statement.

"Do I get to chose where we go?"

"Daddy always chooses."

"Daddy doesn't always choose," John intervenes. "Daddy has the final say so, because daughter always wants to go the I-Hop."

Oakley giggles. "I like I-Hop."

"So do I, but not nine times a week."

Drew grins as he listens to John and Oakley. As he watches John smile, his stomach tightens. It's a feeling he hasn't felt in a long time and honestly can't believe he's feeling it now.

"You're welcome to come with us," John says. "I told you that last night. Can't promise we'll be very exciting. Well, she will, I may not."

"I might do that. I know I'll be headed out to grab something to eat anyway."

"Then join us." John shakes his head as he opens his bag. He can't believe how desperate he just sounded. But he won't lie to himself and say he doesn't want Drew to join them for dinner.

"Yeah, okay." Drew grins. "I will."

"Good."

Drew reaches back to put his hair in a low ponytail. He's not completely sure how to take John's persistence that he gives. It could be just to be nice to the new guy, but who would honestly do that? Most of the time, it is those who have been here for a while end up picking on the news kids. Drew had been here before, but for a very short time and it was different then. He hadn't really made an impact on anything, so no one felt the need to do anything. Now is different, at least Drew hopes.

******

John zips his bag after he shoves his things back in. Glancing over, he sees Drew doing the same. He still doesn't know what it is about Drew that makes his stomach continue to flutter. Other than the fact that he's gorgeous, John doesn't know much about Drew. So how does seeing Drew have this effect on him?

"Daddy," Oakley whines pulling John out of his thoughts.

"What?" John asks. "Why are you whining?"

"I'm hungry."

"So you whine? We're going to be leaving soon, Princess."

"But Daddy…"

"Stop whining. Whining isn't going to make us leave any faster." John sits down and pulls his shoes on. Leaning down, he ties the laces quickly. "Where is your book?"

"In your bag."

"Okay." Looking over at Drew, John checks to see if the man is ready. He knows he can't hold Oakley off too much longer. "If you're almost ready, I'm going to head out."

"Go ahead," Drew replies. "I will meet you over there. It's right down the road, right?"

"Yes. About two or three blocks."

Drew nods. "I'll be right behind you."

"All right. We'll meet you there then. Let's go Princess." John takes one last glance at Drew before they walk out.

John and Oakley stand just inside the restaurant door as they wait for not only Drew to arrive, but a table as well. John hadn't expected it to be this busy tonight, but really shouldn't be surprised. The show is over so he imagines many fans from the crowd have made their way here.

"Hi, Drew," Oakley says suddenly.

John looks over to see Drew walking over. He takes a deep breath and has to force himself to look away. "We're next," he says. "They said it should be within the next ten minutes or so."

Drew nods. "No problem," he replies. He smiles down at Oakley. "You look like you're ready to fall asleep."

Oakley giggles and shakes her head no. "I'm hungry."

"Only hungry? I don't believe that."

Once they are seated and have their food ordered, John knows they're going to have to talk. He can't let this go in complete silence.

"So, are you having fun yet?" John asks Drew breaking the silence.

"It's only the second night," Drew answers. "But so far so good. Ask me at the end of the two weeks, though."

John chuckles before taking a sip of his pop. "Don't think about the end result right now. Worry about the night in the ring. If you think about whether or not you'll be called up, you'll end up stressing yourself out and never making it to the end of the two weeks."

"You sound like you know what that's like."

"I do. Went through it several years ago."

"So you struggled with the change?"

"I wish I could tell you no, but yes. If Adam hadn't been with me, I probably would have never made it."

"You got lucky then being in a tag team then." Drew sighs as soon as he says it. "That came out wrong."

John grins. "I know what you mean. And I won't deny that Adam did hold the team up in the beginning. I struggled. I will never deny that. I hid it, but I won't deny it."

"You must have hid it well."

John nods. "All you have to remember is you're here for a reason. If you're being sent out here for house shows before they decide, you have an advantage."

"Did you struggle when you changed from Nitro to Morrison?"

"Not really. I had already been up here and I wasn't changing a whole lot. Listen, I wouldn't worry. I've seen you out there. You piss the crowd off more than I ever could, I think. So you have that. You're good. Just remember not to let some of the things they say get to you. Or if you do, don't let them see it. Interaction is key, yes. But when they start getting too personal, let it go until you're away from them."

"Daddy, do you have a pencil?" Oakley asks. "I want to do this."

John looks over to see Oakley pointing at her menu to the maze. "I don't, Princess. I'm sorry."

Oakley looks up at John. "But you always do."

"I don't this time, Oakley." John rests his arm on the back of the booth behind Oakley as he watches her roll her eyes. "Hey, I told you to knock it off with the eye roll. It's not polite."

"I don't care."

John leans down closer to Oakley. "I do, and you better start. Mama and I have taught you better than that."

"I want to do this."

"I know you do, Oakley. We'll take it with us so you can."

"But I want to do it now."

"Oakley, you can't always get what you want, especially right away. You will get to do the games but you have to wait."

"Fine."

John sits back up then and looks across the table at Drew. "Sorry," he says.

"No need to apologize," Drew replies

John simply nods. What else can he say in regards to the conversations? There is nothing more to say. He's apologized and that's the end of it.

"You should come to our house," Oakley says suddenly. "I think Daddy would like that. He needs friends over."

John looks at Oakley, surprised at the comment. He can hear Drew laugh softly. He's not sure if Drew's laughing at him or the situation.

"He's lonely," Oakley continues. "I think me being with Mama a lot makes him sad. You could make him happy."

"Your mother must be telling you these things," John mutters.

John's thankful when the food finally arrives. They eat in silence, something John's even more grateful for. He's not sure he could have handled much talk through their meal.

John stands outside the women's restroom as he waits for Oakley to emerge. He sees Drew step out of the men's room and can't help but watch as the younger man pulls his hair into a low ponytail.

"Thank you for letting me join you," Drew says.

John nods. "You're welcome. Thanks for joining us. And I'm sorry about her. Sometimes, I swear Faith tells her about all of this stuff."

Drew grins. "No need to apologize. Little kids say a lot of crazy things. My niece informed my ex some things that I would have never ever mentioned."

"So you know what it's like."

"I do. In the end, it's all worth it with them, right?"

"Definitely. I know I couldn't live without Oakley."

"Then there you go. The crazy questions and statements are just a bump." Drew hits John's stomach lightly with the back of his hand. "Has she asked you about your sex life?"

John stares at Drew in disbelief. "No."

"Then you're doing good."

"Your niece asked you about your sex life?"

"Oh, yeah." Drew grins and shrugs. "She's ten and definitely not afraid to ask the deep questions."

"I don't know if I'll ever be ready for those questions. Can I ask what you told her?" John sighs and shakes his head. "I'm sorry, that was stupid to ask."

Drew laughs softly. "I told her that she's ten and shouldn't be asking questions like that. I also told her even if she was old enough to ask questions like that it's none of her business."

"In other words, it's that bad?"

"Yes."

"Welcome to the club." John shakes his head. Before either of them can say anything else, Oakley walks out. "Are you ready?"

"Yes," Oakley answers as she rubs her eyes.

"Someone's tired." Leaning down, John lifts Oakley up. "You can sleep on the plane, okay?"

"Yes."

John looks at Drew when they walk outside. "Let me give you my number," he says. "I'm not going to be at the next two shows. But if you need to talk or anything, just give me a call. Call me for anything."

After exchanging numbers and saying their goodbyes, John makes his way over to his rental car. He gets Oakley settled into the backseat before he looks behind him where he sees Drew pulling out of a parking space not far from him. Deep down he hopes Drew will call him, even if it's just to tell him how the night went. He wants to hear the deep voice already and they'd just left each other.

Sighing, John climbs in behind the wheel. How could he even be thinking about Drew like this? It's a feeling he hasn't had in so long, so why now?