Joey leaned against the wall enjoying a Diet Coke talking to her sister, Layla. The RAW house show the night before the live televised Monday night broadcast was just winding down. Joey had already had a match against Eve Torres and won as Michael McGillicutty and Husky Harris had accompanied her to the ring on behalf of Nexus. Later on in the evening she had returned the favor to her male counterparts. Now with the show wrapping up, it was time for everyone to gather their belongings, pack up the rental cars and start heading out to the next city. With the new storyline, Joey had been spending most of her time on the road with Joe, PJ, Stu, David, Heath, and Windham. Layla had been doing most of her work on Smackdown anyway. The times when they were working RAW brand shows together, they flew from Miami to the city where the show was and basically traveled separately after that. Missing their sister time, the two women had prepared to drive to the next destination alone, just the two of them.
"Joey, I have been looking all over for you."
She smiled and turned around when she saw who it was.
"Heath. Hey. What's up?"
The red head grinned.
"Hey Laylam" he acknowledged the other woman. "Joey, you riding with us tonight?"
"Nah," she shook her head. "Gonna drive with my Sissy but I'll text you in the morning so we can all get together at the gym. Sound good?"
"Sounds good but I almost forgot. Steph is looking for you."
"Stephanie?" Joey asked confused. "McMahon?"
"The one and only."
"I didn't even know she was here but okay. Thanks."
She said her goodbyes to him before turning to Layla.
"Everything okay, Joe?"
Joey nodded.
"I guess so. Look, I'm gonna go see what she wants. I'll meet up with you at the car in like 20 minutes. My stuff is already packed up."
Layla agreed as Joey made her way to where she knew where the brasses had set up shop in the arena. After asking security, she was directed to a large office where the WWE's Vice President of Creative Development and Operations had been housed for most of the show. Joey knocked twice and waited to be invited in.
"Who is it?" came the question on the other side of the door.
"Joey El."
"Come in, please."
Joey recognized Stephanie's voice. She did not sound happy. Joey took a deep breath before opening the door. Stephanie sat behind a desk, terse look on her face, hands interlocked. Joey walked towards the seat directly in front of her but stopped and gasped when she saw that Stu was already there.
"Hi. Um, what, what is this all about?" Joey nervously stammered.
"Have a seat," Stephanie directed her.
Joey took a seat next to Stu who refused to meet her curious gaze.
"I…"
"Save it," Stephanie stopped her. "I am sure you are wondering what this is about and I assure you I did call this meeting for an important purpose. I have already spoken to Stu and now I would like to address my same concerns with you, Joey."
Joey cleared her throat.
"What concerns?"
"As a manager here and in any business, communication is probably the single most important aspect of the relationship between supervisor and subordinate. Would you not agree?"
"Yeah. I guess…"
"Paul tells me all the time at home that sometimes I don't do a good job of communicating my true feelings, what I am trying to say. If that is the case, I would like to give you, both of you the benefit of the doubt."
"I don't get it," Joey answered.
"In my two meetings with you regarding your personal relationship with Mr. Bennett here, was I not clear? I mean, was there any misunderstanding?"
"No, I…"
"Because I am starting to feel like there was. Let me get straight to the point. Yesterday, I received unfortunate news. I received an anonymous tip that you two rekindled your romantic relationship. Is that true?"
Joey sat stunned. It was so out of the blue. A million thoughts raced through her mind. How had they been found out? When? Who had told?
"I…I mean, no, of course that isn't true."
She had been unsure of what to say. Obviously Stephanie had interrogated Stu first. Joey had had no idea what he had said. If he had broken down and confessed, it would make her out to be a liar. If he had denied it as well, they were good. It was their word against someone else's, a someone who didn't even have the guts to reveal their identity when they came forward. But the problem was, she hadn't known what he had said and what she should say. But judging by the huge breath he had exhaled and the look of sheer relief etched across his face when she said no, Joey knew she had done the right thing. It may not have been the honest thing but it was the one thing needed to save both their asses.
"It's funny, he said the same thing," Stephanie smirked, pointing over to Stu. "Why don't believe either of you?"
"I…"
"Just stop it, Joey. Really. Save it. I am angry right now, damned angry. Now you two are popular Superstars who have generated a lot of interest and profit for this company but you both have to answer to a higher power and in that case it is me whether you like it or not. When I give a direct order, I do not like to be ignored. Do you know what else I don't like? I really, really don't like being lied to and that is exactly what I think is happening here in this situation."
Stu finally spoke up.
"Stephanie, I already told you. Whatever you heard was a misunderstanding or a lie of some sort. I speak for Johana when I say that we both heard you loud and clear the last time."
"Stu…"
"With all due respect ma'am, the indisrection that occurred bewtween Ms. El and myself was a grave mistake, one I have sincerely regretted making. It was a long time ago and I have since learned and corrected the error of my ways. I love my wife and have been working on being a faithful and dutiful mate. As for Johana here, she is a lovely and talented woman and I have immensely enjoyed working with her in the new storyline but I assure you, it is nothing more than that…work. We are business partners and casual acquaintances and that is where it ends. Isn't that correct, Johana?"
He turned to her and those threatneing blue eyes shot her a warning glare that could have broken through glass.
"That's right. Stu is tellingthe truth, Stephanie," Joey finally spoke.
She was trying to make it sound convincing but it was more than that. She knew that they both had to deny their continued affair but it more than unnerved her that her beloved had basically sat right beside her and been a little too convincing. He had denoucned his feelings for her and even worse, proclaimed love for his wife. Joey was beside herself. She was distraught, disgusted and angry. When the two were finally alone, she made a mental note to tear him a new one. Rarely did she stand up to him or berate him but this time he had plain gone too far.
"Well as nice as it is to see that you two have your story straight, I still don't believe either one of you."
"Stephanie, people talk and gossip around here," Joey tried meekly. "We can't stop that and all this crap about Stu and me being back together is just that, stupid gossip."
Stephanie was unphased.
"What did I tell you two would happen if you rekindled your relationship again? Stu?"
"Suspension without pay or termination."
"That's right. And did you think I was kidding around? Joey?"
"No ma'am," she hung her head.
"I'll be honest with you both. I haven't been this mad in a long time. I would like nothing more than to fire both your asses on the spot but unfortunately, I can't do that right now. Truthfully I wanted to let you go tonight but my father vetoed that decision because we have no proof and also this new female member to Nexus is really going over with the fans. My hands are tied. All I have is an anonymous phone tip and zero concrete proof but let me tell you something, I smell a rat here. I am on to you two and I am fully confident that you are both foolish and arrogant enough to think that you are both smarter than everyone else and can continue your seedy affair without being caught. Well, that's not going to happen. I am going to sit back, let you walk out of this office with enough rope to hang ourselves and I know you will. I will be watching you like a hawk. Trust me, there will be eyes and ears everywhere. I will catch you and when I do, you both will be fired on the spot and personally banned permanently from the WWE."
"Stephanie…"
"Nothing more. I don't want to hear it now. Get out. Both of you."
Without further word, they left headed in separate directions. Joey grabbed her bags and met Layla as promised at the rental car. The sisters loaded up and then got on the road with Layla driving as a shaken Joey stared absently out the window.
"Do you want to tell me what happened in there?" Layla asked after about an hour or so of silence.
"Nothing."
"Joe…"
Joey rolled her eyes.
"Fine. You're only gonna find out anyway," she grumbled. "Somebody, some anonymous coward called Stephanie and claimed that Stu and I were back together."
Layla groaned.
"Oh no, Joey. I don't know if I'm more upset about the call or what the call was about. Please tell me, no promise me that it isn't true."
Joey loved her sister and hated lying to her but in a sitution like this, honesty was simply not an option.
"Of course it isn't true. I already told you, Lay. It's just a stupid rumor and some idiot is trying to cause trouble, that's all."
"Any idea who it is?"
"No."
"But why would someone…"
"Gosh, Lay, I don't know, okay?" Joey got defensive.
"Don't get an attitude with me. This is the mess you created, Joe, you and Stu."
"What mess?"
"I told you not to get involved with a married man in the first place. I told you it, he was bad news. Ever since Stu Bennett came to the WWE, that dreadful man has been nothing but trouble and a negative influence on you."
"Dammitt, Layla…"
"He is going to cost you everything, all your dreams, everything you worked so hard for."
"No he isn't and stop talking about him like you know him."
"And you're defending him, why? Joey, please. I am begging you…leave that guy alone."
"For the billionth time, I already have."
"No, I mean totally. Don't even communicate with him outside the storyline and if at all possible try to get out of it as soon as you can."
"Okay, this Nexus story is the best thing to happen to my career and of course there will be times when Stu and I have to talk. And we will too so everybody else needs to quit being selfish and just mind their own business."
"Joe…"
"Shut up, Lay. I mean it. When it comes down to it, you're just jealous."
Layla looked shocked and hurt for a moment.
"Excuse me? You really think that?"
"No, I know that," Joey spat.
"You selfish,entitled, immature little spoiled brat, you. I am not jealous. I love you, Joey and I am proud of you. I want good things to happen in your career but honestly, if you don't wisen up, there will be nothing left to be jealous of because Stephanie is going to fire your ass."
"And you'd love that, wouldn't you? You'd rub it in my face and say I told you so."
"Joey, you are seriously out of control right now."
"And you're seriously being a bitch."
"What?"
"That's it. Pull over at a gas station at the next exit and let me out. The guys are behind me, I'll have them pick me up and don't worry, it's just Heath and David riding together."
"Joey…"
"I'm serious."
"Fine," Layla threw up her hands in exasperation. "If that's what you want, my pleasure."
Layla drove one mile to the next well lit, busy gas station and dropped her sister off who had already texted Heath and told him where to come get her. Watching her sister leave, Joey was consumed with anger. She was angry with Layla and with Stephanie and even with Stu. She was also angry with Mr. or Ms. Anonymous. The nerve of people! How dare they? Why couldn't everyone just leave them, her alone? And why did love have to be so damned complicated? Standing in a dirty parking lot in the middle of the night angry and sulking, Joey El had never felt so alone in all her young life.