It had been a couple of weird days, both good and bad, but mostly just weird for Roman. It had felt so good having her around like he used to picture it to be but she had distanced herself from him, bringing up Sasha more times than he had cared to hear his own girlfriend's name, constantly egging him on about calling or texting her. She made damn sure he never forgot he was in a relationship.

"Here we are," his voice sounded flat.

Back on the road, back to normality, back where he didn't want to be right now. He held it within, suffering in silence, put on his best smile as he once again walked into a hotel and up to a front desk to get two room keys instead of just one.

"So as usual we're going out tonight. It's a tradition on the first night back on the road," he said.
"I think I'm gonna pass," she said.
"No!" He raised his voice.

She frowned at him but he closed in on her so fast and took her in his arms, hugging the life out of her as if he was trying to make up for all the hugs she had dodged the last couple of days.

"You don't get to say no," he said.
"Roman, I..." She started.
"No, you don't get to say anything right now. You've been pulling away from me and I won't allow you to," he said.
"I just feel it's better this way," she said.
"Why? What's so wrong with us reconnecting and building up a friendship?" He asked.
"You know why," she said lowly.

His phone buzzed and he growled irritated as he pulled it out. He didn't need to say it was Sasha. She could see it on his face. His girlfriend had arrived and wanted to know their room number.

"I'll see you later," he gave her a firm look. "And that's a fucking order."

She found her best set of puppy eyes, bashing her eyelashes like crazy at Seth, while Sasha's lips slowly curled up into a little smile. A real smile this time. Apparently Sage had just sold the game good with all her flirting while they had been out for pizza that night. She realized she had sold it way too well when she saw the look on Roman's face too. It actually looked like he bought it too. And that's when she realized that it might be for the better. Not that she wanted Seth and she wasn't gonna use him in a game against Roman but if he could somehow see she was moving on as well, he would have an easier time letting her go.

"So how does this thing actually go?" Sasha asked.
"Huh?" Sage looked back at the other woman.
"With Seth and Dean being in the same room and you spending the nights there," Sasha said.

Roman frowned at the unspoken allegation that came along with that question.

"I'm waiting for them to allow me to join in," Dean grinned.
"Never gonna happen," Seth went along.
"Truth be told, they're either very quiet or they're not doing it when we're on the road. It's so quiet that it's almost like they're not even in the same room," Dean winked.

Once again Roman frowned but it was aimed at Dean this time. Too close to the truth. Luckily Sasha didn't catch on at all.

"That sounds boring. No sex? I can't imagine that," she grabbed on to Roman's arm. "This one here is too good."

She smirked over the table, aiming that sleazy and smug smirk directly at Sage. Seth leaned in to kiss Sage's cheek, stealing her attention as he moved his lips to her ear to whisper lowly.

"Just the bitch marking her territory again. Let her piss. It's all she's good at," he whispered.

Sage let out a loud laugh and quickly clamped her hand over her mouth but it was too late.

"What's going on?" Roman asked.
"Nothing," she laughed again. "Just Seth being Seth."
"Is he whispering dirty things in your ear? Is that how you get off around me?" Dean snickered.
"You know it," Seth grinned at Dean.

Two hours later they were all back in their hotel rooms. Roman couldn't find any rest after having sex with Sasha. She was already dozing off though.

"I'm just gonna go call my mom. I'll be right back," he said.
"Sure, bae," she mumbled.

He put on a pair of workout shorts and moved out in the hallway. A small part of him believed while crossing the floor in their room that he actually was gonna call but that part died the second he closed the door behind him. He went straight to the elevator and found himself knowing on Sage's door a couple of minutes later. She opened the door, looking like she had been crying at some point with her eyes and face red and her hair a mess.

"Are you okay?" He stepped inside her room without being invited.
"I'm fine. What do you want? It's late," she said.
"I'm not actually sure," he confessed.
"Couldn't you have waited till the morning where you might have it figured out then?" She asked.

He ran his fingers through his hair and took a step closer. He had to know. He couldn't find peace unless he knew.

"Is there something going on between you and Seth? Are you falling for him?" He asked.
"Where is this coming from?" She crossed her arms.
"He whispered something to you at the pizzeria and you seem infatuated by him," he said.
"Would it be a problem?" She asked.
"I don't like it. I don't want it," he answered truthfully.

He took another step forward but she took one backwards, not willing to let him further into her space.

"What did you do before you came here?" She asked.
"I'm not sure I follow," he said.
"Look at you!" She pointed a hand towards him. "You're still all sweaty and your hair is a mess and you're half naked. You just fucked Sasha and then came here."

He didn't say anything. He just stared at her.

"You're not even gonna deny it?" She asked.
"I've never lied to you. I'm not about to start now," he answered.

She sighed and let her arms drop.

"There's nothing going on between Seth and I. You asked us to act like we're in love so we're acting. For you, Roman. So you can keep your precious little girlfriend happy. Don't start accusing us for something you want us to actually pretend," she said.
"What did he whisper to you then?" He asked.
"If you wanna know, ask him," she answered.
"Really?" He asked annoyed.
"I'm not about to break his trust just because you have some issues with your confidence," she answered.

He nodded and left it at that. She was right. He was the one asking for this from them and he was the one suddenly having a problem with it. It wasn't fair to neither of them. He trusted both of them. They would never go against him.

"I'm sorry. You're right," he said.
"Can I go to bed now?" She asked.
"There is something else. Sasha wants to go home with me again after RAW," he answered.
"So?" She asked.
"So what do I do with you?" He gave her a little smile.
"I suvived eight years without you. I'm sure I can handle myself for a couple of days," she said.

Those words hurt them both. She hadn't meant to just put it out there again but once again they were reminded about the eight years that had gone by without them being in each other's lives.

"Shit, I'm sorry, Roman," she said.

He shook his head, not wanting to get into that conversation again at that late hour.

"I'm calling the hotel we're starting at when we hit the road again. You won't mind a mini vacation there, will you?" He tried sounding uplifting.
"You don't have to..." She started.
"Consider it done," he cut her off.

He took a step forward and pulled her into a hug before she could sidestep him again.

"Promise you'll be there when I get back," he said.
"Where else would I go?" She asked.
"I don't know but I don't want you to go anywhere else," he sounded broken. "Please, be there."
"I'll be there," she said.
"Promise?" He asked.
"Yeah, I promise. I'll be there," she answered.
"Promise to never leave me again?" He asked.
"Roman, I said I'll be there. Now will you let me sleep, please?" She moved out of his arms.

She looked down to avoid his hurting eyes. She could promise to be there next week but she couldn't promise to be there forever. He didn't ask again. He took his hurt and pain with him as he left her room. He didn't go straight to his own room though. He went to Seth and Dean's room, knowing they both would still be up. Seth opened the door and the look in Roman's eyes alone was enough for him to step to the side and let him in without a word.

"I just need to hear it from you too," Roman sighed. "Are you falling for Sage?"
"What? No!" Seth looked at him with wide eyes.
"Sorry, my mind is a mess these days," Roman said.
"I can see why," Seth said.
"We can all see why," Dean joined in.
"I feel so fucking lost," Roman choked back the tears. "What did you whisper to her at the pizzeria? You had her laughing for real. I've missed hearing that laugh."
"I just told her my opinion about Sasha," Seth answered. "And you already know where I stand when it comes to her."

Roman sat down on Seth's bed and Seth followed immetiately while putting an arm over Roman's shoulders.

"You know I, well both me and Dean, keep it hidden around her and also around you because if you're happy, who are we do ruin that? But are you happy, Roman?" He asked.
"I don't know. I'm not sure," Roman took a deep breath. "I don't think anyone over the years has been able to make me feel like Sage does... did."

He hoped they hadn't caught his slip up. If they did, they didn't call him out on it.

"Sage's a cool chick. We really like her. She's not judgemental or anything," Dean said.
"I know," Roman said.
"You need to think about it and you need to do it fast. You can't keep shipping her from hotel room to hotel room, expecting her to live a life both with you and without you," Seth said.
"I just want everyone to get along somehow," Roman mumbled.
"It's not about getting along and you fucking well know it," Seth raised his voice. "We're with you no matter what you choose. Sage, Sasha, someone else, hell, turn gay for all we care. We're your friends. But as your friends we also need to kick your ass from time to time in order to make you see straight."

Roman knew they were right. He just couldn't deal with it and therefore he let the next few days play out without getting into it. It wasn't until they were ready to go home that he realized he was about to set her free. She would have to travel to the next city alone. She didn't have a phone. She had his credit card and he could only hope she would actually be at the hotel once he got there. He had to trust she would keep her promise and not leave.

He didn't get much sleep the first night back home. Next to him in bed was Sasha, the woman he was supposed to love and be happy with, yet all he felt that night was fear. Fear he might have seen Sage for the last time. He gave up on sleeping and got out of bed early while Sasha slept for several more hours. She joined him in the kitchen when he was already way into coffee pot number 3.

"Bae, I wanna go to Seaworld today," she said.
"Didn't you watch those documentaries?" He asked.
"No, I don't care. I wanna go to Seaworld," she said.
"We're not going to Seaworld," he mumbled.
"I'm gonna shower and get ready and then we can make a day out of it," she said.
"We're not going to Seaworld," he found his normal tone again.
"Yes, we are," she said.
"We're not going to fucking Seaworld!" He yelled. "You wanna go? Fine, just fucking go! But it's gonna be without me!"

He stared at her, anger clearly floating in his eyes, before stomping out of the kitchen.

"Bae, where are you going?" She asked desperately.
"Out for a run!" He growled.