Chapter 4: Nice Meeting You, Sort of

Maddie bit nervously at her fingernail. "I don't think this is such a good idea…"

Rey glanced at her out of the corner of his eye as he pulled up to the apartment complex. "I promise you, it'll be fine…" The look on her face told him she wasn't convinced. He pulled his car into an empty parking spot, put it into park and turned the ignition off. She was staring at her lap again and it was becoming very awkward. He wasn't sure what to say to her, or if it would even do any good.

"I love you, you know that? I wish I could stay. I'd tell Vince I needed more time off if I could, but I've already reached my maximum number of vacation days for the next month. I'd be in pretty fucking deep. If you still aren't doing well after a couple of days I'll fly you out there and you can join me on the road."

He reached over and grabbed her hand in his, and gently rubbed her palm with his thumb. Then suddenly she wrapped her arms around him and gave him the warmest hug she'd given him in a while. "Thank you…"

He smiled at her, "For what?"

"For everything."

They got out of the vehicle, and Rey popped the trunk open. He reached for her bag but she snatched it up quickly and forced a smile, "I'm not helpless." And she wasn't. She didn't want to be babied, she didn't want another father… the one she had was too much at times. She didn't want anyone to feel sorry for her either. She just wanted someone she could talk to.

Talk… that's something Matt and I were never any good at. That's probably one of the many reasons our relationship was so unhealthy. And then there was the alcohol and the drugs…

Rey rang John's apartment, and after about a minute or two they were buzzed in. The elevator ride to the second floor seemed to last hours, though it was only seconds. They reached what Maddie guessed was John's apartment, and Rey knocked on the door.

Seconds later they heard a loud thud from inside, followed by multiple curses, and then the door finally swung open. John gestured behind him as he spoke, "Sorry, I was trying to clean up a bit."

Rey chuckled, "Hey man, what's up?" They shared one of those 'manly' hugs where two men sort of bump shoulders and pat each other's back with a fist. It was a man's way of avoiding full male-on-male contact and groping. Most importantly, it wouldn't damage their pride.

Thank god, he seems to be in a better mood than he was earlier. Rey pulled away and turned to his friend, "Maddie, this is my buddy John. John, this is one of my very best friends, Maddie."

She took in the sight of the man before her. He was big, compared to her at least. Not overweight, not big-boned, but a whole lot of muscle.John stepped forward and held out his hand. She studied him for a moment, and then shook his hand.

Something about him seems so familiar… She released his hand and looked up at him again. And then, it hit her.

"Who knew Eddie had this many friends… especially after learning that Bob was imaginary…" Trish teased as she sat talking with Maddie, Eddie, and Adam. Eddie shot her a look, "Mami! So what are you saying? I was 12 years old!" Maddie, who was in the middle of sipping at her soda, started choking, "You told me you were 5!"

His surprise birthday party was packed with over one hundred people: family, friends, wrestlers, and other people that worked with him showed up. "Aw, Eddie, you know I'm kidding," Trish smiled at him, "Though it is rather amusing that there are about twice as many girls here as there are guys."

"What can I say?" He wrapped an arm around both Trish and Maddie, as he was sitting in between them, "The ladies love me." Maddie giggled and reached for her purse that she had set on the floor beside her just as someone came sauntering over. Not having seen her, he tripped over her purse, lost his footing, and his beer spilt all over her. It took several seconds for Maddie to react. It took him about twice as long. "Holy shit, I didn't see you… sorry… you shouldn't keep your shit on the floor." He shrugged; he looked horrified, but his apology was lousy, nonetheless.

Everyone nearby stopped talking and stared. Eddie broke the silence when he threw his head back and laughed, "Holy shit, you're gonna smell so bad!" Trish smacked him upside the head. "Ow! What?" He looked at her, oblivious to how his words might affect her. Maddie could feel the anger rising inside of her and her eyes flashed a dark blue color as she glared at him.

Maddie snapped herself back to the reality, trying to shake the thoughts from her mind. "You?"

"Me?" John's face was practically screaming confusion. It was one of those moments when you'd run into a stranger, and they would say hello or wave as if they knew you, but you couldn't put your finger on who they were. Instead, you'd act friendly when in reality you felt like the biggest jerk ever.Then a horrible thought hit him. Please don't let her be a one night stand, because Rey will have my ass.

"You know, you ruined my shirt, and it took me a few showers to fully get the smell of beer off me." She crossed her arms in front of her chest.

John stared at her blankly for a moment, and then realization hit him, "Oh shit. You."

"Me."

"Well maybe you should watch where the fuck you're walking!" She fumed. She knew it was an accident, but she didn't like the fact that he was incapable of a sincere apology.

"God dammit, I'll get you some napkins, okay??" He stomped off. "Chica, you can see through your shirt!" Eddie had leaned over and cupped his hand over his mouth as if he was trying to whisper to her, but the words came out loudly anyway. Trish elbowed him, "Eddie, for Christ sake, this is why you had imaginary friends when you were 12!" John returned with a handful of napkins, which he threw at her, "Happy?"

He leaned against the doorframe uncomfortably, "Well, that was a few years ago. People change. Sorry."

She snorted, "That's funny, because I distinctly remember you acting nonchalant about the whole thing then too."

"Is everything cool? Do you two know each other?" Rey looked back and forth between the two of them.

"… Yeah, everything's fine." She wasn't about to start arguing with him in front of Rey. He had done a lot for her already. Maybe it was best to just let it go.

John, on the other hand, still couldn't push the image of her wet, nearly transparent t-shirt from his mind. "Yeah, um, it's nice to meet you…" John stifled a laugh and held the door open wider for her.

"Mhmm…" She set her bag down and hugged Rey, "thanks again." He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"So you'll be okay?"

She nodded, "I'll be okay."