"I am so happy you are here," Peyton looked over at Tracy. "I would be bored."
"Nice place," Tracy sat up from her pool chair. The pool was full of people. "Love to know what they pull in on a week like this," Tracy looked around, she was sure the place was sold out with Wrestlemania being in town.
"Do you ever stop working," Peyton joked.
"I am real estate," Tracy turned looking over her glasses, "no."
Roman was gone all morning and they decided to go to the pool. Tracy was enjoying the time. She had stopped asking Peyton to come visit. Even though they live close their visit seemed far apart. Tracy almost never visited Peyton at home. It was uncomfortable when Roman was there. And even when he wasn't home he was still there. Calling texting all the time.
"What time do you have to be ready for tonight," Tracy asked.
"Around five," Peyton answered. They both watched as a group of woman came to the pool.
"Oh lord wives club," Tracy groaned. They were the wives of several of the wrestlers. They were in a big group, they were always together for any big event.
They were everything Roman didn't allow and couldn't stand. They let the world know who they married. And people flocked to them, they were a key inside their favorite wrestlers life. In a sense they became famous for being married.
"Tracy," Peyton slapped at her.
"Oh come on," Tracy tossed her hand up. "I want to run up and be like oh my god are you married to," Tracy put her hand to her face. Peyton laughed.
"They are just happily married," Peyton shrugged. Peyton knew almost none of the woman, beside a quick hello. She wasn't invited to their girls night out when they all where on the road, or to sit with them at events. Most where second wives, new girlfriends. There seemed to be some distinction between the groups. Peyton had been with Roman long before his wrestling career.
Peyton felt left out on some ways. But she did the right thing always sending a wedding gift or baby gift. "Alright who is the new one," Tracy tossed her head.
"Seth's new girlfriend, well not new," Peyton answered. Tracy laughed, "jealous," Peyton joked.
A few years back Tracy and Seth were a little more than friends. Tracy never wanted a relationship, just having fun. In the end Seth wanted more, which surprised Tracy. They went separate ways. "He is not half bad in bed," Tracy said.
"I don't want to hear this," Tracy groaned.
"It just the other time I had to spend with him," Tracy laid back, "God he is needy." Both laughed. "Ok, you are having a drink."
"Tracy it is eleven am," Peyton laughed.
"One drink," Tracy got up, pulling her cover up over her.
….
"Two bloody mary's," Tracy leaned on the bar.
"Bottled water," the man's voice made Tracy turn her head. He was tall, taller than most. His arms cover on tattoos. It had to be him. The guy Peyton had talked about. Since Roman Peyton had not mentioned another man. Not till she got stuck in an elevator with Baron. Tracy looked him over. In some ways he was Roman's opposite.
"So you are the man who made my friends eye wonder," Tracy said. Baron looked down at her.
"I'm sorry," he asked.
"You are Baron," Tracy stood tall, "I am Peyton's friend Tracy," she extended her hand.
"Oh," still confused Baron shook her hand.
"She told me about the elevator and your dog," Tracy clarified.
"We have had some advantages," Baron laughed.
"So, Roman hasn't scared you off," Tracy leaned her back against the bar.
"Well," Baron wasn't sure how to answer.
"I am sure you have met his minions," Tracy looked toward were Peyton was still sitting. Not seeming to notice who she was talking to. "Otherwise known as his twin cousins."
"Yeah we met," Baron took the water and placed his money down. "So what was that about Peyton's eyes wondering," Baron twisted the cap off taken a drink.
"Let's just say your name has come up more than once," Tracy nodded.
"How long have you two been friends," Baron asked.
"Since we were twelve," Tracy answered, "I am the last. The rest gave up. No, not me." Baron noticed her voice turned sad.
"Cause of him," Baron asked.
"Yeah," Tracy turned back to the bar, taking her drinks.
"Here," Baron reached in his pocket laying down some money.
"Thanks," Tracy smiled.
"You seem pretty straight forward," Baron looked around, "does he."
"No," Tracy knew the question before he asked it, "not that I have seen. He doesn't need to." Tracy stirred her drink. "You have a dog right?"
"Yeah," Baron shook his head.
"You ever use an electric fence," Tracy asked.
"No," Baron said.
"Well, you have told him not to go places, scolded him if he did." Baron listened, "Roman is her electric fence," Tracy took a drink, "he doesn't need to hit her, she has just learned." Baron looked down, everything he thought was true. "I better get back, it was nice to meet you. And thanks for the drinks." Baron nodded and smiled. He watched her walk back to Peyton. Baron turned before she could see him.
…..
Baron finished buttoning his jacket. There would be a bus taking them to tonight ceremony. Baron had played his conversation with Tracy over and over. No one beside her seemed alarmed, most acted as if nothing was wrong.
Baron had just moved up to the main roster, and that was a challenge. He loved wrestling but it was a different world than anything he had been in before. He was still new and accusing a top star of being abusive toward his wife. Wasn't going to go over well.
Baron had been wrestling with the thoughts in his head all day. If what he thought was true, to do nothing was wrong. But what if he was using this for his advantage. He couldn't lie and say he wasn't attached to Peyton. But she was marriages and had made that fact very clear.
He just needed a night not to think about it. He knew they would be there, but it was big enough they wouldn't ran into each other.
…..
Peyton stood next to Roman while he was interviewed. Everyone was filing in. It was a fun night and a little relaxing before their big event tomorrow. Roman finished his interview stepping away with Peyton.
They had a quick dinner, before the actual show started. Roman pulled Peyton's chair out. As she turned she noticed Baron sitting at the table next to them. Her heart raced, he seemed to be everywhere. "You guys both look amazing," Naomi smiled.
"Thank you," Peyton smiled, she tried not to fidget. She heard Baron's voice and the table laugh. She wanted to turn around but knew better.
Everyone eat and talked. Peyton sat quite most the evening. She smiled nodded when expected. She had picked at her dinner. "What wrong," Roman asked her.
"Nothing," she shook her head. He glanced over his shoulder. Peyton had not been the only one to see Baron. Roman didn't like him. Not just for the fact he had caught him more than once eyeing up his wife. He didn't like guys like him. They didn't listen couldn't follow rules, always had something to prove.
"You hardly eat," Roman looked at her plate.
"Just not hungry," Peyton looked toward him. She knew that look, he suspected something. He gave a nod. "Naomi is right you look amazing," Roman leaned into her, his voice was low. "I could just see all the eyes on you when we came in." His tone made her nervous.
"You did a good job with the dress," Peyton hoped that was the right response.
"Yeah I did," he laced his fingers in hers looking down at her wedding band. Roman watched as Baron and Cory came back to their table. Peyton noticed Roman and Baron's eyes locking.
"Hey Peyton," Naomi voices made her jump.
"Come to the bathroom with me," Naomi stood. Peyton looked at Roman, he let her hand go. She stood following Naomi.
…..
"You ok," Naomi asked watching Peyton in the mirror.
"Just tired," Peyton answered.
"Long week for everyone," Naomi smiled, "rest of the family will be here tomorrow." Peyton tried to smile. Roman's mother, father, sisters and brother would all be here. "And your friend is here."
"Yeah, it will be nice," Peyton lean on the counter.
"Peyton," Naomi took a deep breathe, "I know," Peyton felt her mouth go dry. Naomi's tone had changed. "We all don't share Roman's moms view. I think you are a great wife to him. I guess he is just her baby and." Peyton blinked, it was the first time anyone told her that.
"Thank you," she swallowed. Naomi rubbed her shoulder.
"We better get back."
Peyton walked behind Naomi before they reached the room they came from, Peyton felt someone grab her arm. "Hey, we match," Peyton was forced to stop. Baron looked down at her, she could smell alcohol on his breath, "same color." She noticed his jacket was the same color as her dress. He looked handsome, she was right he did clean up well.
"Baron," Peyton pulled her arm away.
"I know," Baron lifted her chin, she stared up at him for what seemed forever. She felt like she couldn't breath, for a second she forgot where she was. It felt like his eyes were looking right into her. Like he could see all the things she couldn't, wouldn't say. "Have a wonderful night, Mrs. Reigns."
Peyton felt like she was stumbling back to her seat. Naomi had gone ahead of her. She didn't see Roman moving toward her, but she felt him pull her into a dark corner. "He put his hands on you," Roman had her pinned to the wall. "Does he not know who's wife you are," Peyton couldn't move they were far enough away they couldn't see them. "You think I don't know everywhere you go, know everyone you talk too," he spoke through gritted teeth. "He do something for you," Peyton felt Roman's hand ran up her leg. She couldn't move her arms, his body was push against her.
"Roman," was all she could whimper out.
"He get you all wet," his hand ran between her legs, "he what brought you to my hotel room? All worked up, like some bitch in heat." Peyton sobbed, his words hurt. It scared her it seemed he had figured out all her thoughts.
Roman let her go, and pull himself off of her. Peyton caught her breathe. He stood staring at her. "Get yourself together, and do not embrace me out there." Peyton stepped off the wall. She patted her face, and straightened her hair. On shaky legs she walked back to the table.
….
Peyton tried to play attention through the speeches. She smiled when a camera rolled by, clapped when she was supposed to. In reality she didn't hear one word. She knew Roman wasn't done with her. She stood as the night ended, Roman looped her arm. They made their way to the bus that would take them to the hotel. Everyone looked tired and it was quite, Peyton didn't look at anyone. She prayed no one would speak to them.
Roman closed their door, Peyton sat on the bed taking her shoes off. Maybe he would give her the silent treatment. Peyton stood, Roman stepped in front if her. His suit jacket was off, and he was taking his cufflinks off. His face read nothing but anger. She saw his hand move up, but didn't feel it make contact. She did feel her back fly into the dresser. "You pull this shit tonight, the day before my biggest match." He pulled her off the dresser. Peyton landed face down bent over the bed. She tried to pull herself up. Roman's pushed her back down. "I trust you," she felt her dress moved up and her legs being kicked apart. She grabbed the bed cover, she heard herself scream. She fall forward again feeling Roman thrust into her. "You are my fucking wife." She turned her head to the side, holding on the the covers. She wanted to cover her ears, not hear him breathing that way, or the grunts he made. She turned her face burying it in the bed. "You are mine," with one last thrust Roman fall forward stopping himself with his hand. Peyton kept her face in the bed.
Roman pulled himself up, still trying to caught his breath. Peyton heard him step away. Once she heard the bathroom door shut. She cried, sliding off the bed leading in a heap. She didn't want to get makeup on the cover. Roman had yelled, had his rules,but he had never forced himself on her. She got to her feet, wincing at the pain her back. She grabbed the dresser trying to steady herself. She saw herself in the mirror. She wiped her eyes, pushed her hair back, "you need to fix this," Peyton's realized she didn't even recognize her own voice.
