Touching down in Florida had gotten me into a chill-pill kind of vibe for some reason. I was loving the sun and I kind of felt it sent some Popeye-energy right through my veins. It's definitely one of my favorite places to be. But that's probably because I had these vivid and precious memories about some of my series of first-ever's that had all taken place here.
For instance, I had tried to drive for the very first time on the roads of Tampa, with my not-so-excellent teacher D-Bry. This was also where I'd had that rarest and only chance to go to a bar with the two guys when our trainer, Silvio Pop (sounds like a name for a famous and wealthy music producer) had wanted to show us 'how to get down in Orlando'. Cody had been okay and game on with taking shots. But D-Bry and I had ridiculously looked like a bunch of creeps lost in space sitting and trying to order some drinks over the counter. Thankfully, Silvio had jumped in and ordered for us, saying, "Dees eez goowd, ye shood treey, eez goowd, eez goowd" in that distinct and strong Middle Eastern accent.
D-Bry and I had looked at each other with an anxious and funny expression before trying the drinks, which Silvio had told us were Margaritas (weren't they usually drunk on the beach?). So he'd begun to slowly drink it, and I'd also tried to sip my Margarita like a senorita. About 4 sips in, that was when Danielson and I'd decided that liquors weren't for us. At least I could have a bit of fun on the dance floor and be Michael Jackson for a while, one of the many fields in which Cody, up to this day, still tries to compete with me. I can definitely moonwalk better than him.
Indeed, there'd been so many precious memories. But I think on top of 'em all, there's that moment I'd first seen Jon, beyond TV and YouTube, when he'd been still down in the developmental house. I actually was smiling at the mere thought. And yeah, that's pretty much why Florida's got a special place in my heart.
As I was unpacking in my hotel room, I received a text message from Travis asking me when I'd be back home. I composed a reply, saying, "In two days. Please take care of our brother while I'm still away. You, BJ, and Nick help one another. I'll see you guys soon."
Kneeling beside my suitcase, I sighed, dropping my phone on the bed. I still didn't know what to expect when I finally got home to see Miguel and know the entire story of what'd happened. It made my head spin just thinking about the situation. Also, I still hadn't told Jon about this yet. I sighed heavily, literally staring at the carpeted floor for long seconds. I couldn't stop thinking about things that worried me. And I knew I should stop thinking about them. I needed to find my focus and do great at work. For crying out loud, I'd be on NXT tonight
I really needed to have a good rest first. I climbed up the bed and sprawled all over it, desperately kicking my shoes off. My cheek was squished against the cottony soft pillows when my phone buzzed again. Travis' name came up and I immediately felt disappointed before I could open his message. I read it anyway: 'Please be here soon. We need you.' I didn't have to reply. Didn't want to. It stressed me out. I set it on the nightstand and buried my face back in the pillows again.
I heard my door open and I knew right then that it was Jon, remembering that I'd given him the duplicate card key to my room. I excitedly shot my head up and rolled over on my back, grinning even before I could meet his gaze. Smiling, he went over to do a frog splash on me on the bed. "Jon!" I squealed and laughed, wriggling my limbs. His body was pinning my stomach and legs down to the bed.
His body was as good as a blanket and comforter. "You're so warm," I said, running a hand across his back. "Are you fertile?" I joked, giggling.
He shot his head up, lifting his weight off me a little bit, and looked at me warningly and raising his brow. "How about you?" he spoke in his deep, raspy voice. "You fertile? You want to do something about it?"
My eyes widening and my mouth opening into a semi-laughing form, I lightly pushed his face away. "Shut... up! Don't do anything crazy."
"Well you can't really do anything now," he said playfully, getting up and shifting his position to fully pin me down.
I put my hands against his chest. "Jonathan," I warned, smiling a bit nervously.
He rolled his eyes. "As if."
My expression changed. "So what are you saying?" I raised a brow.
"I mean, well... as if that would happen now."
I chewed the inside of my cheek. "Oh," I simply muttered, getting what he meant. Yeah, definitely not now. Hashtag-chaste-until-marriage, people. (I could hear Cody and D-Bry booing in my head).
He gently pulled my hands off his chest, looking down at me with his wonderful, always calming blue eyes. "I just haven't had a kiss yet."
He dipped his head lower and laid a soft peck on my lips, lingering for long seconds. When we pulled away, we were both smiling. He got off of me and lounged on his side right next to me, his hand holding his head and his other hand stroking my cheek.
"What's wrong?" he asked suddenly.
Was I too readable? I hadn't said or done anything.
I smiled, tight-lipped. "Migs. He uhh, made some trouble."
He knit his brow. "What happened?"
I let out a heavy sigh. "He got his girlfriend pregnant."
Slight surprise registered into his face. "Really?"
I nodded. "I... have to be home for a while," I said slowly.
He pursed his lips, his eyes looking from side to side and then looked down. "How long?"
I rolled to my side so I was facing him completely. "Not sure. I'll stay there until my brothers can handle everything by themselves again."
He closed his eyes, putting on an exaggerated pained expression. "That seems really long…when's your flight?"
"In two days."
After thinking for a few more moments, he licked his lips. "Do you want me to come with you?" he asked, putting a gentle grip on my arm, his eyes quickly full of concern.
I was taken aback. I never expected him to ask me this. Did I want him to? I mean, yes I wanted him to come with me. But... "But you can't leave work right now," I said, knowing full-well that there was a lot in store for him in the company right now.
I watched him and he seemed to contemplate over that fact, licking his lips a couple times. "But if you want me to come with you, you know I will."
"You can't leave, Jon. You have a lot - "
"But do you want me to come with you?" he pressed.
Yes. Come with me please. I want you to come with me. I will be ultimately stressed when I get home and I need someone to comfort me to the level I know only you can bring.
"You should stay…you can't miss a lot right now." I swallowed a big lump down my throat and held my tongue after saying that. Of course I would still look after his career. I couldn't bring myself to have to drag him into something he wasn't involved in just because I needed him.
He looked down, and I could see what I wasn't so sure the slightest bit of disappointment on his face. "All right." I didn't know what he was thinking. Was he mad about my choice? Was he okay with it?
I tried not to worry about it anymore. I lay my head back down and held my face. "Oh my goodness," I muttered, thinking about what I'd see when I got home.
"Please don't worry about it for now," he said suddenly. "I mean, try to relax and worry about it when you get there." I felt him lie completely down next to me. "You need to get ready for tonight."
He was right. NXT tonight, baby! "Yeah. I might need some rest." I stretched my arms. "I'm excited," I said, smiling with my eyes closed.
There was a five-second silence.
"So how was today?" he suddenly asked.
A bit confused, I paused for a while to think. "Um... today...? Well, nothing extraordinary yet. Let's wait till the show starts."
"Yeah?"
I opened my eyes back to look at him. "Yeah," I said. "Why?"
"How was earlier?" He was staring at the ceiling.
My mouth opened and stayed like that for a few moments. "Earlier?" I finally spoke. "Um, oh - " I turned to face him, finally remembering some stories to tell - "It was great. The NXT dudes are fun."
He seemed to think for seconds. And his eyes were still on the ceiling. "They cool?"
"Yeah," I said simply, smiling a bit. "Baylee's my new crazy sister." But something was amiss. I felt it. "Why?" I asked again.
He slightly turned his head to look at me, and looked away again shortly after. "Nothing. How's Kenta? Is he still funny?" Jon asked, and for some reason felt like he was beating around the bush.
I giggled, suddenly picturing out Kenta's face in my head. "Oh yeah, effortless. Almost as entertaining as Santino."
He chuckled, putting an arm over his eyes. "Love that dude." Okay, maybe he just really wanted to ask about his good buddy Kenta.
"I know right? He's such a genuine person," I commented. "And I never expected Sami Zayn to be that funny. He was our standup comedian! Him and Barrett, actually," I narrated enthusiastically, and that's when I realized my voice was slightly pitched up.
Not taking his arm off his eyes, he chuckled again, a bit louder this time. "You can't, not laugh when Barrett's delivering a joke."
"Agreed," I said. "And then I almost thought Matt never talks, but when he starts to say something, you're in for a good laugh!"
He slightly moved his arm away to look at me, knitting his brow. "Matt?"
I nodded with a grin, as if I hadn't said anything foreign to him. "Oh!" I suddenly snapped back, remembering things. "Graves. Corey Graves."
When he didn't reply immediately and just continued staring at me blankly, I assumed he was letting me explain further as this was how he'd usually been when we talked about something. So I continued. "His real name's Matthew Polinsky, so they call him Ma – "
"Oh. So does he like to be called Matt?" he abruptly cut me off.
I chewed the inside of my cheek. "Not... really. Why?"
He completely moved his arm away. "Nothing. I just noticed how you called everybody but him by their ring names. You two must be close." He talked so fast in this steady, emotionless, low voice, his face stoic. I wasn't sure what to think. "You two have known each other for a long time?"
"No!" I uncontrollably exclaimed. "It's my first time to meet the guy," I replied perfunctorily, shrugging. I continued to look at him waiting for a reaction, until his face said something like, 'Oh is that so? Okay.'
All of a sudden, he sat up. "I see," he said in such a tone that indicated he wasn't buying what I'd just told him. I didn't know what mode he'd just switched onto this time, my lunatic boyfriend. I didn't get why he was on whatever mood this was, either. He pulled out his phone and started randomly fiddling with it. "So your friend's gotta carry your bag?"
My ears quickly perked up, my eyes and mouth wide open. I sat bolt upright, facing him, even when he wasn't looking at me. "Do we have a problem here?" I asked, utter confusion creeping into my tone. Was he really thinking about that this whole time? Matt helping me with my bag several hours ago at the airport?
"What? No. Just asking." He talked so fast he was like rapping. His face was stoic. And he was still on his phone. "So?"
"Jon. Why are you - "
"Just asking." There was a bit more volume to his voice. And his eyes were still on his phone. "Is that his job, or did you ask him to, or is he - "
I snatched the phone from his hands. "Jon." I tried to get him to look at me. He did.
I could see him being a little surprised by what I did, but he kept a calm, neutral expression. "What?"
I kept a serious face. "What are you just… talking about?" I let out a nervous chuckle.
His eyeballs were strolling all around the area like a pinball. "What? I'm asking you a question."
I dropped his phone behind me and covered my mouth, unable to take how ridiculous it was getting. "Jon..." I actually laughed. "Can you even hear yourself right now? The questions you're asking?"
He licked his lips and looked away. "Yes. So why aren't you answering me?"
For real?! My face was a completely puzzled look directed at him even when he couldn't see it. I laughed again, and then took a breath. "Okay," I said calmly. "He was trying to help me. Satisfied?"
He scratched at his prickly-looking beard, eyes still glued to some blank space in front of him. "So you asked for his help."
I rolled my eyes. "Um, no. He offered to help me, because he probably saw me looking like a tiny idiot who couldn't hold her phone properly because of the big bags she had to carry. 'Cause I was talking to you on the phone, remember?"
Then he smiled a smile that you could only see from an arrogant Dean Ambrose cutting a promo. "So I was the reason he was carrying your bags?"
This was where it was all getting unbearable. What was he trying to point out, really? Getting some male version of PMS over Corey Graves helping me carry my bag?
"Will you stop being impossible?" My mouth just spewed out. He shot me a look.
"How am I being - " he looked away. "Forget it. You should rest. Give me my phone." He leaned closer and reached out but I so quickly grabbed his phone, hiding it behind my back.
"No," I said firmly. "Let's talk about this."
Now he was the one to roll his eyes. "Please. You know I can get it from you so easily. So just hand it to me."
"What's the problem?" I asked seriously, not breaking eye contact and keeping his phone behind me. It'd been quite a long time since I'd last seen Jon act this way. The look he'd given Matt earlier when he'd carried my bag, and now asking me about it and sounding really ridiculous, the mood he was in and the expression on his face now that we were talking about Matt - it all made sense now that I could piece them one by one. The last time he'd ever gone crazy like this was back when Nick (DZ) and I had been super close during a storyline (which eventually led to him punching Nick square in the jaw due to the fact that he'd thought we'd kissed for real on cam). I was thinking...
I think he's jealous.
"What's the problem?" I repeated, putting more emphasis, but this time getting rid of the seriousness to ease up the vibe in the room a little bit.
"Jill, there's nothing - " he scratched his head a bit furiously, frustration on his face - "there's no problem. None at all," he talked low, but sounded annoyed.
"Of course there is." He opened his mouth to protest, but I cut him off. "You wouldn't whine about him carrying my bag if there wasn't any problem here."
"I'm not freaking whining!" he snapped.
"Okay, maybe not necessarily whining. But you clearly have a problem with it," I insisted, staying calm and trying to suppress my smile.
"Why the hell are you laughing?"
Oh my goodness. "I'm not laughing, Jon." Really? "Just tell me what your problem is."
"I told you, I don't have any freaking problem with it, let it go." He was starting to get more frustrated, I could tell by the way he motioned his hands.
"Will you please tell me why you're so pissed that he carried my bag?" I pressed.
His mouth fell open in shock. "Did I ever say I was pissed about it?" He was turning red. "I don't even care if he carries your bag later again, you can even let him drive you to the next city if you want – I don't care!" He tried to get up from the bed but I pulled his arm to face me.
"Are you jealous?"
He stared at me for seconds, flushing. "Are you kidding me? Of course not!" He tried to pull away from my grip but I held it firmly with both my hands this time.
"Are you jealous?" I repeated slowly, this time smiling at him.
"You're crazy." He actually glared at me.
"Jon," I said sweetly, trying to pull him closer. "Come on… tell me. You don't have to be mad and all - "
"Fine! Fine!" – he broke his arm away from my hands – "I'm jealous! I'm jealous of that punk! Satisfied? You heard what you wanted to hear all right now let's not talk about it or I'll sleep right now!" He finished his rap-slash-rant, plopped down on the bed and slid his head straight under the pillow.
Was he being shy? 'Cause I couldn't hold back my giggles!
I pressed my lips together, not wanting to laugh at how funny and adorable this had become. I slowly crawled closer to him. I touched his back. "Jon..."
"I don't wanna hear it!" He pressed the pillow harder to his ears, his voice muffled and angry – and it was all adorable.
I tried, and failed to hold back a giggle as it came out loud and perhaps annoying. "Okay, all right." I scooted closer and lay down next to him, draping my arm over the middle of his back, my chin resting on his shoulder. "Please don't sleep yet," I said in his pillow-covered ear.
He didn't say anything.
I began stroking his back gently. "Matt was just being nice..." I felt him jerk, and thought he was going to say something, but he didn't. I continued rubbing his back. "He really just wanted to help me with the bags."
Still no answer.
"Come on," I pleaded and lay back down, resting my chin back on his shoulder. "Why are you jealous? You don't have to be. He's got nothing on you!" I giggled. "Don't you know that you've got the cutest eyes? The sexiest voice? And the best facial hair?" I added when he still didn't reply, thinking of cheesier things I could say to him. "You absolutely have more fangirls than him!"
He finally moved, taking off the pillow and pushing himself up to look at me. "Are you toying with me?" he asked, looking all red.
"Nooooo," I said softly, covering my mouth to keep myself from giggling some more. He dunked his face into the pillow like he didn't want to look and talk to me. "Hey!" I shook him. "Come on, now! Jon!" When he didn't show any sign that he was going to talk to me, I began tickling his neck with my fingers. "Come on…come on…" The littlest jerky movements his body did was clearly indicating that my tickle attach was taking effect, but he was clearly fighting it.
When he seemed to stay strong against my tickles, I did something crazier and briskly nuzzled the back of his neck with my nose.
"Jill! Stop!" He finally shot his head up to look at me. He was red and annoyed and looking very kissable. I giggled like a five-year old.
"Okay, sorry. But please don't sleep. I have something to say to you."
The irritated expression on his face wouldn't erase that quick, but after thinking for seconds he finally rolled over completely on his back, deciding to listen to me.
"Okay," I said and laid a hand on his chest. "I'm sorry for laughing, if you might've been thinking that I'm playing." He just kept this I'm-not-talking-to-you-until-5th-period look that most gradeschool kids did. "Graves seems to be a cool, harmless guy. You don't have to be jealous."
He looked away, not losing the irritated look. "I just don't like how comfortable he gets around you. He's just…so…comfortable around you."
I shrugged. "That seems to be his natural approach to everyone!" I offered a convincing smile, but he wasn't looking at me.
He was still looking to his right. "And what's 'the big tweet'?" He wrinkled his nose. Wow, he had actually heard that? I was surprised to know he'd been paying attention to everything Matt did!
I knew for a fact that 'the big tweet' Matt had mentioned was about the selfie we took on the bus. But I also believed there was not any kind of malice there, it was something to troll the fans and something to contribute to his rivalry with Tyler Breeze. I wasn't going to lie, but I didn't have to tell him that it was a selfie of us, did I?
"He was talking about his pipebomb-to-be thing…" I think I just lied… a little? Whatever, I just tried to sugarcoat it! He didn't say anything and his face was still a little hard. I leaned closer and grabbed his face in my hands, gently pulling it to face me.
I smiled warmly. "Don't be jealous. He just really wanted to help me." My thumbs began doing circles around his cheeks. This time, I could clearly see his features soften. And when the side of his lips twitched and it eventually led to a soft smile, I grinned. "Don't be jealous, okay?"
He nodded. "Okay," he replied, touching one of my hands on his face. He leaned in and kissed me softly. "On one condition."
I narrowed my eyes. "What?"
This naughty smile stretched on his lips and a sexy dimple showed up. "You will let me kiss you for a minute."
"Okay, but you can't do anything – "
He pulled my face in and literally showered me with kisses to the point of taking away all the air I could breathe.
He tried not to be naughty, although there were particular times in that whole minute when his other hand wanted to wander a little bit. He didn't want to freak me out, so he made sure not to go any further.
At least he still followed the condition – he literally kissed me no more or less than one minute.
A/N: Hello everyone! My fabulous readers! ^_^
Jelly Jonathan is back! Your thoughts?
And I'm still wondering what your answers would be to my question during last chapters author's note - What do you guys think of the entry of a certain Savior of Misbehavior, Corey Graves a.k.a. Matt Polinsky?
A threat? Someone to watch out for? What?
Comments, violent reactions, predictions, suggestions, expectations - Please write them all on the reviews page as I miss reading your beautiful, always helpful words! And also, did Jill annoy you during the last chapter like how she annoyed my friend? Why or why not?
I'll see you in the next chapter guys! All my love to you! :)
