Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the WWE or its superstars.
You Know It 2
Chapter 9
Surprisingly, the autograph signing went rather smoothly. Cody and I managed to pass off as sober individuals. Nobody could tell that we'd spent our afternoon boozing and riding mechanical bulls. It was a slightly odd day sitting between Cody and Dolph at the sighting. We all played nice but I could tell that some of Dolph's necessities were just a tad bit forced.
Once Dolph and I returned to our hotel room, I silently slipped into comfy clothes. I sat down on my side of the bed. Dolph pretty much did the same. I sat in nervous anticipation of what would happen when Dolph brought up today. Instead of bringing it up, he turned on the television and began flipping through the channels. Once he found something he sound suitable, he restlessly began moving about as if he couldn't get comfortable. I sighed. I just couldn't take it anymore.
"Let's just get this over with…" I said softly. He stopped and turned to look at me.
"What are we 'getting over with', Kels?" he asked innocently.
"You are obviously still mad about this afternoon. Instead of walking on eggshells around each other and then exploding because of some small thing, I think it would be best to clear this up now."
"You are probably right. I guess I'll start….I wasn't happy with how today went, Blondie."
"I know, I feel awful about that," I said sadly.
"I just cannot believe you did that! I thought you were working all day and come to find out, you were getting bombed in a bar!" He said upset.
"It was completely irresponsible of me but that wasn't how it was supposed to go! Or how I thought it would go," I insisted.
"Do you know how badly this whole thing could have been? You and Cody put your jobs in jeopardy."
"Spare me the lecture. I know it was a dumb decision. Nothing happened so we are fine. We weren't falling down drunk or vomiting. Just had a buzz going."
"You guys were too 'buzzed' to drive. Look, this time nothing happened. But who is to say this won't happen again? I can't always be on call to be your taxi service. You got lucky this time, Kelsey. I just don't want to watch you throw away your job for a 'friend'," he said concerned.
"That wasn't my intention but things kind of got away from me…"
"So he put a gun to your head to get you there?" he spat.
"Well no…"
"Did he make you drink?"
"No, he didn't but-"
"But what? You didn't have to go out and you certainly didn't have to drink enough alcohol to reek like a brewery. You made those choices, Kelsey," he said scolding me.
"I was hungry, he was hungry. We had time to kill before the signing and he asked if I wanted to grab a bite to eat. We were having fun and getting to know each other, Dolph. It wouldn't kill you to get to know him too."
"Oh, I know guys like him. He lays on the charm and the wit quite well. He's trying to weasel on in so that we carry him to the top. Plus he's trying to sleep with you. I don't know how you can't see that. It's clear as day!" he said seriously. I burst into laughter.
"I think you are being paranoid. He's never done one thing that has been overtly flirtatious. Cody's different that he seems on the outside. Just give him a damn chance! You've been a little cold towards him from the start," I pointed out to him.
"I just don't trust the guy. I can't help it. Don't get me wrong, he's a great worker in the ring, but I just don't trust his motives. I certainly don't trust him with you."
"Well that isn't your decision to make! Creative and Vince control who we work with. And I'm a big girl and I make my own choices. I'm choosing to spend time with him outside of work. I'm choosing to be his friend. I don't understand why that is such a big deal!"
"It's not I just…ugh! This whole thing just pisses me off," he spat.
"What part are you really mad at? Are you made at the drunkenness or are you mad I spent the afternoon with Cody?" I shot back, venom in my voice. He looked at me as if I'd smacked him across the face. "I thought so. Don't you trust me?"
"Of course I trust you….I just don't trust him. I told you that already," Dolph argued.
"It takes two people to mess around. Obviously a part of you doesn't trust me…"
"That's not true…I just-"
"You just what? Do you really think I'd cheat?" I shouted.
"No, absolutely not!"
"Then what's the problem?" I said getting out of bed.
"I don't know," he said with a shrug.
"You don't know?" I asked angrily. He shook his head no. "Why don't you let me know when you figure it out!" I shouted as I slipped on a pair of shoes.
"Where are you going?"
"Out. Don't wait up." I slid on a sweatshirt and left the room.
I walked down the hall heated. I hadn't really thought about where the hell I was going to go when I'd set foot out of the room. I thought about texting Natalya but I knew she had plans with Tyson. I didn't want to interrupt their night. Instead, I headed to Zack's room. He always seemed to know how to cheer me up. I knocked softly on the door. After a few seconds, the door opened.
"Kelsey?" he said a little confused.
"The one and only!" I joked. "Can I come in?"
"Yeah, of course," Zack said gesturing me in. I walked in and plopped on his bed.
"So what's up?" I asked casually.
"Not a whole lot honestly. Just worked out a little actually. Gotta get ready for tomorrow!"
"I hear ya. Today was quite a day of preparation."
"Oh, you had a media day right?"
"Yeah, radio shows, a morning news show, a signing for a few hours this afternoon. Lots of stuff. It makes for a tiring day," I said with a chuckle.
"I bet….you seem a little off right now…" he observed, eyeing me carefully.
"Do I?"
"Yeah. Don't play coy with me, missy! I know something is up! You might as well spill now!"
"Really?"
"Yeah, or I'll bring it up again and again and again and ag-"
"Oh my god! I get it please stop!" I said with a hearty giggle. "I'll tell you!"
"Great! What happened?"
"Got into a fight with Dolph…"
"How bad, Kels?" he asked seriously.
"I don't know…kinda bad," I admitted.
"What was it about exactly?"
"Weeeeellllll…Cody and I had our media stops together all day. We had some time to kill before our signing so he asked if I wanted to grab lunch. I was starving so we went to this place and drank a little. And rode this mechanical bull and somehow we ended up a little too buzzed to drive by the time we needed to be at the signing…."
"So you called a cab?"
"No. I probably should have. Instead, I called Dolph. He showed up furious and bearing coffee to sober the two of us up. He's been pissed ever since," I said a little defeated.
"Jesus Kelsey! Horrible decision making!" He scolded. I winced.
"I know. We were just having fun and time slipped away from us a little bit. I was just being responsible by calling him to get us so neither of us got a DUI or anything."
"You know that isn't why he's mad. Picking you up isn't even close to being the problem."
"You think I don't know that? But seriously, neither of us intended to drink that much but when you are talking and having fun, you don't feel the buzz until it smacks you in the back of the head!" I said trying to defend myself.
"Hey, I know that feeling well. I'm not judging you. While the drinking before work thing was an awful, awful idea, that isn't the real problem here. Dolph doesn't mind having a drink or two. Hell, the two of you down tequila like water together," Zack said with a laugh.
"Very true. I was hoping it wasn't going to come down to the Cody thing. He really is a nice guy. I just don't understand why this is such a frickin issue with him! Why does it bother him so damn much?!" I said frustrated.
"I've worked with Cody and I agree, he's a totally cool guy. But I can see where Dolph could be a bit nervous."
"You can?" He nodded.
"Yeah. Think about it, you and I were really close friends before getting together and getting married and all that jazz. You and Dolph were really close friends before dating each other. See the similarities there?"
"I guess so but I'm with him. You and I weren't a thing when him and I started. I'm not a cheater!"
"I know you aren't. So does he."
"Still! I have guy friends! Why does Cody bother him specifically?"
"You spend most of your time with Dolph, Natalya, Beth, and I. Obviously Nattie and Beth are women and therefore not a threat of any kind."
"And you?"
"Well I married your crazy ass but we are happily divorced. So I'm not a threat either."
"I talk with guys at work and go for drinks all the time!"
"Yeah but usually Dolph or I am with you. It's group stuff. You hang out with Cody one on one. That could be the difference for him," Zack suggested.
"You might be right but I should have the right to have friends of the opposite sex. I should be able to hang out with those friends without it being a big deal."
"I think it'll end up being fine. It just seems like an issue because it's a recent occurrence. The boys will get to know each other and It'll work itself out," he assured me.
"God, I hope so."
"He isn't stupid, he knows he has a good thing and doesn't want to ruin it. Trust me, he loves you very much and doesn't want to lose you, especially over some guy."
"You know, I don't think you were nearly this insightful when we were married!" I joked.
"Of course I was! I just didn't seem so damn insightful when we were yelling at each other! Now that I'm not the one you get in fights with, I look like a genius!" he mused.
"Good point."
"I know right. Now that that is out of the way, wanna watch Super Troopers?" He asked with a big grin.
"Like that is a question! I absolutely would love to watch it!"
"Good, we were going to anyway!" he said with a fake air of cockiness.
"Well, I'm glad we can agree then," I shot back. We both laughed and settled in to watch the movie.
Sometimes, Zack is just what the doctor ordered. He had become a lifeline for me. He knew me really well and so he often understood where I was coming from. At the same time, he was a guy and friends with Dolph so he could help me understand him as well. He'd become an unofficial relationship counselor for the two of us. Just another unconventional dynamic in our lives. But somehow it all worked out for us.
I just want to thank you for being patient and such amazing readers. I hope you guys all are enjoying the story so far! I hope you guys all keep on reading to see what happens to Dolph, Kelsey, and Zack. Leave me comments and messages with any questions, comments, ideas, etc.
