Chapter 9 Goodbye For Now
"You could have gone out with the guys," Mandy says as they enter Riley's hotel room. "I go out with the guys all the time. Hell we are all about to go to Japan we will hang out every day on that tour. Tonight I want to be with you," Riley says pulling her into an embrace and kissing her neck. "I just don't want to cause trouble," Mandy says. "Mandy its fine. Besides we got to spend no time together last night. And you have to get back on the road. As for the guys after the crap Page and Cody said. I could use a break… and don't blame yourself," Riley says already seeing she is about to do that. "So what do you have planned Mr. Morgan?" She asks. "What ever you want. Ladies choice," Riley says.
"Maybe we could just watch a movie?" Mandy asks. "Sure thing," Riley says grabbing his lap top and turning on Netflix. "That one," Mandy says pointing to a title. Riley rolls his eyes. "What happened to ladies choice?" She asks. "I was kind of hoping the lady would pick something worth watching," Riley says. "This is an American classic with two of the all time greats," Mandy says. "It's a romantic comedy. Staring Sandra Bullock," Riley says. "Its either that or Harry Potter," Mandy warns. "Okay lets what kind of trouble Sandy finds herself in," Riley says starting the movie.
She was far more interested in the movie than he was. Still there her being next to him on the bed wasn't the worst way to spend a night. As he leaned in on him he couldn't help but smell the sent of her shampoo. His hand felt the soft warm skin on her bare arms. At some point she took his hand and started rubbing little circles into his palm. He kissed her neck. "Riley... I want to watch the movie," She objected but something about her tone told him to press on. "Why watch about romance when you have some right now," He says. "I don't know this guy is a pretty good looking hunk on screen," She taunts.
"Oh really this guy? You think he's better looking than me," He taunts turning her to face him. "Well I mean look at those muscles you are more of a cardio machine," Mandy says. "Given my ability to leave a woman breathless I have to be," Riley dares before kissing her. She breaks away. "I do have to admit I love this scruff on your face gives you that edge pretty boy doesn't," She says stroking his chin. "I love you lips they are so soft..." he kisses her again. "And full." At this point the movie is forgotten about. Riley awkwardly reaches over and closes his lap top and moves it to the floor. They kiss again it growing more heated. One one point she presses into his body and he reacts still felling his rib. She stops worried. "I'm fine. Just a bit tender," He says.
"Poor baby," She says before another kiss this time she tugs at his shirt and he removes it. He helps take her top off. Mandy takes a second to look at him. She's seen him shirtless every time her wrestles but the little details are now shown. The tattoo of a knife he has on his right shoulder and the handles appears to look like cloth. A scar around his rib cage. Riley admires her as well. Her skin is flawless just the right healthy bit of tanned skin. How her hair shinned a bit. She shoves him down and climbs on top careful not to touch his injury. Part of Riley wants to ask if she's sure. But the heated look she is giving him tells him she's beyond sure. He leans up to kiss her as both there hands drift to his belt.
The Next Day
The sun peaked through the curtains as Riley threw his arm over his face to block it out just a bit longer. Mandy stirred next to him. He pulled her in closer. She was awake though and began kissing his chest waking him up fully. "Good morning," She greets smiling. "Morning," He says after kissing her again. "Is there anyway to hit the pause button and just stay in bed a bit longer," She says. He looks over at the clock. "I can't pause it but we can stay in bed in a bit longer," he says. She lays her head on his chest. "How long is this tour?" She asks. Riley thought for a second already knowing but now dreading it. "A month. New Japan wants me to work some smaller shows. Than we have those dates in Australia and New Zealand than back to Japan. What about you?" He asks. "Just the usual WWE grind. Shows all over the US, some time in Canada. And of course we don't go over seas for that tour of Japan until you aren't there and we leave before you come back," She says.
It was part of what had led to last night. They were facing a separation. They would call and text and use e-mail and everything else. But this would be there last chance to be in the same place. The growing pull between them finally became to much to deny last night. "Do you have to make your flight?" She asks knowing he does. "If I want any chance of getting home and doing stuff I need to get done before I leave yes. What about you get fired from the WWE I can pull some strings get you into Women of Honor," He says. "I will think about it when it's New Japan let me be the Bullet Queen," She says.
"I could try Cody's been getting Brandi booked for the bigger shows and there is Peta," Riley says talking the girl that would accompany Yujirio to the ring as part of his Tokyo Pimp gimmick. "Maybe I will get sent to Japan to do promo work," She says knowing she won't be. "Maybe I will get hurt again," Riley jokes. "You better not. I felt bad for seeing you walk around on those crutches," Mandy says. "And yet you let me show my finisher. Even though I was taking a huge risk," He reminds her. She had done the jumping STO at house shows but was saving it until it looked perfect for TV. It would not be her Finisher BG and Stephanie both liked the face buster to much. But she thought it would be a great move to do for some real drama. "I want to debut it at the right time," Mandy says.
"Debut it when you win the belt," Riley says. "I'm not even feuding for the belt," Mandy says. "Only a matter of time. I mean you are feuding with Charlotte she trips and falls into title wins," Riley says. "She does seems to have it all the time," Mandy jokes. They lay in silence. "You know I was thinking before you go to Japan I should give you a list of my favorite places. Not tourist places. These spots you only know if you are over there all the time," Riley says. "I would love that," Mandy says.
Eventually they had to get up. They ordered room service and had a quite breakfast. Finally the time came that Mandy had to get back to Orlando and Riley had to make it to the air port. He walked her to the car. They kiss one last time before she gets in and drives off. Riley watches her go. He turns on his heel and heads back to give his room the once over making sure he didn't leave anything behind. As he finishes packing there is knock on the door. He opens it to Nick and Matt.
"Hey guys what's up?" Riley asks. "Nothing much just wanted to see if you were ready to head to the airport," Nick says. "Yeah we are all packed up," Matt says. "I'm just finishing up than I gotta check out," Riley says. "Mandy head off?" Matt asks. "Yeah." "Look man I don't want to start a fight. But what is going on with you two? And remember it's Nick asking you this," Nick says. "Yeah man. Its just we were there when… we want you to be happy," Matt says. "For a long time nothing was going on. Like she said we didn't meet until that show I took Dale and his kids to. We just kept meeting up randomly. Exchanged some texts and calls," Riley says. "And when did you guys start seeing each other?" Matt asks. "Orlando she was doing a signing at convention I went to. She asked if I wanted to have dinner," Riley.
"So that was the time you skipped out on us," Nick says. "And than I kissed her," Riley admits "WHAT?" Both brother yell at the same time. "You made the first move? Dude you can be the shyest guy in the world," Matt says. "I still hear it from my wife for him delaying calling that girl she tired to set him up with last year," Nick says. "Anyway… We've been trying to meet up when we can," Riley says. "That explains Chicago," Nick says to Matt. "Chicago? Wait you guys knew?" Riley asks. "We might have seen you two together," Nick says. "Is that why you were acting so strange a few weeks ago?" Riley asks. "Maybe," Nick admits. "Okay Nick acting like a moron aside. How serious are you two?" Matt asks. Riley thinks about last night and hides his smile. "Its getting pretty serious. I mean guys I know we aren't going to see each other for weeks. And it hurts," Riley says. "Have you told her about Laura?" Nick asks.
Smackdown Taping days later
"Look I'm sorry I didn't realize it would be a big deal," Adam Cole says. Mandy ignored him. It hadn't shocked her that he had found out about Riley and her. She knew he was friends with so many guys in ROH and New Japan. What bothered her was he shared it on Twitter. "Mandy come on I meant it as a joke," Adam says. His jokes had been go on Twitter and post "Don't judge us I love them both." Adding in a photo of him kissing her and an old photo of him giving Riley the kiss of death from an Indy show. Than when some fans had asked if this confirming the Riley and Mandy rumors he posted "Oh yeah they have been dating for a while now."
"Mandy I'm sorry. I found that old photo of Riley after I heard about you two. I now see how stupid it was," Adam pleads. "Adam there is a difference between telling friends and the whole world," Mandy says. "Again I'm sorry," Cole says. Gallows and Anderson walk by. "Oh hey Mandy tell Riley we said hi and he out kicked his coverage," Gallows says. "It could be worse… okay it's getting worse," Adam says as Paige walks over to the table they are at. "Oh this is the last thing I need," Mandy says. "Again I am so sorry," Adam says. "Hey Adam you are looking very buff. And Mandy you are glowing the classic look of love," Paige jokes. "Hello Paige," Mandy says. Paige pulls over a chair. "I knew it," Paige says. "Paige I really don't want to talk about my personal life," Mandy says.
"Oh I understand… So Adam how big is Riley down there?" Paige says. Mandy gives her an annoyed look. "What you ever seen those videos? All they do is make jokes about the size of themselves and other men," Paige says. "I need to go call Roderick," Adam says getting up. "Oh come on I'm just joking around. I'm happy for you actually," Paige says. "Thank you. Look Paige Riley and I just recently got together. And we are taking it slow," Mandy says. "Hey I remind you about me and Alberto so I have no room to judge," Paige says. "I appreciate it," Mandy says as she gets back to eating. "Oh hi Shinsuke," Paige says. "Don't bring him around," He says to Mandy before walking off. "What the hell?" Mandy says out loud. Paige just shrugs her shoulders.
After a while one of the agents comes to her and says BG needs to see Mandy. She gets up and heads to his office. "You needed to see me?" she asks. "Oh yeah come on in Mandy," He says grimly. She takes a seat. "Mandy I want you know you aren't in trouble. But the company has some concerns. This story with you and Adam has gotten a great response. But what really puts anything in this business over the top is you commitment to it," BG says. "Okay," Mandy says confused. "People think kayfab died. It really hasn't. Just be don't make it so clear you and Adam are just a story," he says. Mandy was stunned. He wasn't saying it but he was implying they didn't like her and Riley's relationship was public.
"BG I've been pushing this every where," Mandy says. "No every where," He says showing her a photo backstage at the ROH show walking out with Riley. "We just need people to believe you are Cole are a thing. Just be aware," he says. "Yes sir," Mandy says as she gets up to leave very shaken.
