Her eyes fluttered open just as he started to speak.
"Carlito!" She opened her eyes as he sat her gently down on the floor.
"Yes it is I your knight and shining armor. Are you ok? That was some whipping you took!"
She laughed. "Yeah I'm cool. Pun intended."
"That's cool."
They shared a mutual laugh as they headed toward the locker rooms. "So I guess we're becoming a tag team now?"
Carlito shook his head. "From what I understand Carlito has a thing for you. So I guess we are going to be a couple."
She couldn't help but laugh at the way he referred to himself in third person even though he was obviously out of character. "Well, Melony's not sure how this is going to come across to the fans but whatever. As long as I'm stuck with you and not someone else."
"Gee, Carlito is flattered."
She shook her head, laughing softly. "Sorry, I meant that in a most positive way. I guess I'm just a little homesick."
"You haven't even left yet! SmackDown has a great crew. You'll see." He offered a smile and patted her reassuringly on the back.
"Thanks Carly." She started to turn the corridor leading to the women's locker room when a crazy thought entered her head. "Hey, a few of us are heading out for drinks. You want to come along?"
He seemed to ponder it for a moment before a grin came across his lips. "That sounds cool."
"Great. Meet me by the exit in about forty-five minutes."
Carlito nodded before heading in the opposite direction. Melony couldn't be sure but she almost felt like she was flirting with another man. And it felt damn good.
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Melony and Carlito decided that he would follow her to the hotel they were staying at, drop off his car, and just ride with her. They arrived minutes later at the hot spot known as Headquarters.
"I might need to give these to you." Mel said as she tossed him the keys to her rental. "I have a habit of losing keys."
He caught them and shoved them in his pocket. "I'll keep your keys but that's where I draw the line. I won't keep your lipstick, hairbrush or any other unmentionables."
She shot him a warning look. "So what is the tradition on the blue side?"
"We usually hit up a dance club and go out to eat breakfast afterwards."
"Sounds like fun."
Carlito pulled out his wallet and laid down a bill to pay the cover charge for them both. "It usually is."
"Thanks." She smiled up at him as he gave her a look of confusion.
"For what?"
"For paying my way."
Carlito shrugged. "It's what a gentleman does."
"Well let the lady buy you a drink." She hooked her arm through his as they walked to the bar.
They ordered their drinks and settled into conversation when Mel spotted Lita across the club. Mel waved her arm in the air and Lita made her way over.
"Hey you!" Lita through an arm around her best friend as she balanced a drink in the other.
"How much have you had Li?"
"Not nearly enough!" The redhead shouted before turning her attention to Carlito. "Hey Carly, long time no see!"
He nodded his head. "Not since New Year's Eve huh?"
Lita laughed. "Yeah that's right!"
Melony shook her head knowing it must have been one of the infamous Hardy parties.
"Wait a minute." Lita glanced between the two. "Are you here⦠together?"
Melony laughed. "Yeah, why is that a problem?"
Lita's mood instantly changed. "Uh, no. Of course not." She stuttered. "I, uh. Well, how about a bottle of champagne to mourn your move?"
"That sounds good." Carlito said before he turned to get the bartender's attention.
Mel used the distraction to talk to Lita. "What's going on?"
"Nothing."
"Lita!"
Li rolled her eyes and hesitated before pulling Mel off the barstool. "You do realize Shelton is here don't you?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "So." Mel chewed her bottom lip. Her face gave the expression that she could care less but Lita read her tough exterior.
"Ok Mel. But you know if you can play he can too."
Mel reached for her drink. "Whatever Li. He can do whatever he wants just like I can."
Carlito approached the two women with a bottle of champagne and three glasses in his hands. "Ok, I want to give a toast." He poured the glasses full before raising his own. "To Raw's loss and our gain! I want to welcome the newest addition to SmackDown!"
The three clanked glasses and downed the contents before Mel pulled Carlito onto the dance floor.
"You know I don't want to be the problem here." Carlito said into her ear as she grinded seductively on him.
"What are you talking about?" Mel asked as she took a swig of her beer.
"I know you and Shelton are going through some stuff."
Mel polished off the beer and turned to him wrapping an arm around his neck. "Shelton wants a divorce and that's what he's getting. I want to have a good time tonight and make a name for myself on SmackDown. And hopefully that's what I get." She pinched his cheek playfully before walking off the floor leaving him gaping after her.
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"Oh man! Did you just see that shit?" Jericho asked Tyson who could only shake his head.
"Fuck! If Shelton sees Mel with him I can only imagine." Tyson downed his drink and set his empty glass on the table.
Jericho glanced around looking for Shelton who had left them to go to the restroom. "Think we can get him out of here without him seeing her?"
Tyson laughed. "Not likely."
Before they could devise a plan, Shelton joined them at their table. "Looks like we need another round."
And before either Jericho or Tyson could protest, Shelton took off towards the bar.
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