Note: In the immortal words of Kevin Hart, "It's about to go down!" :)
Eleven :: Thief in the Night
The older he got, the more Randy appreciated time with his parents. Especially when they could be alone. His father's advice, his mothers opinion; he relished both as he said goodbye to the wildness of his twenties and settled into the relative maturity of his thirties. As he sat watching his mother finish her dessert, he smiled at the thought. Randy Orton, mature. He had once doubted it would ever happen.
"So tell me about Sarah."
Randy chuckled, meeting his father's gaze across the table. It was a miracle his mother had lasted through the entire meal without starting the questions. Father and son shared a look of understanding before Randy looked to his mother. "Well... She works with Make-A-Wish..."
"I know that already." Elaine Orton took a sip of her coffee. "You told us that weeks ago."
"What do you want to know?"
"How old is she? What's her family like? Did she go to college?"
"Honey, ease up," Bob sighed.
"I don't mind, Dad." Randy settled back in his seat, tossing his napkin onto his plate. "She's twenty-six I think. She went to William & Mary. As for her family..." Randy snorted. "Old money snobs. Her dad's okay, I guess. He didn't really talk much. But her mom? A snooty bitch."
"You've met them already?" One of Elaine's eyebrows rose in surprise. "How long have you two been dating?"
"We haven't really had a chance to date," he explained. "She works full-time and I'm on the road, so… But yeah, I met them. I spent the weekend at her place. I've known her about a month."
"I see."
Here it comes, he thought with a sigh, pushing away his wine. He glanced to his father in hopes he would intervene. But of course he wouldn't. Hadn't he just said he didn't mind? "We're getting serious, Mom."
"Just how serious?" she asked, placing her fork down.
"I've fallen pretty hard." He smiled as he thought of the way she'd given herself to him the night before. "So has she."
"But you've only known her a month."
The tone of her voice made it sound like he'd proposed marriage after knowing Sarah for just a day. "I know. But I can't explain it. She… She makes me want to change. She's made me want to calm down." He smiled again. "I want to be a better man and its because of Sarah."
"You're already a good man – Don't give me that look," she warned when his jaw began to slacken. "And doesn't she have a little boy? Are you ready for that responsibility?"
"No, no, you've got it wrong. He's not her kid. She takes care of him from time to time. He's one of the kids from Make-A-Wish. His parents died and his grandparents take care of him. But they're in bad shape too, and… She helps out." Once again Randy looked to his father for help. When none came, he met his mother's eyes. "She's a good woman, Mom. She's not some ring rat looking to land a wrestler. She's not bitchy, she's not conniving, she's—"
"That's all well and good, Son," Bob interrupted. Randy released a soft breath of relief, but the relief flew away at his father's next words. "It just seems like you're moving too fast. You said yourself you've only seen her in person a few times since meeting her. You haven't even gone out on a real date with her yet, have you?" When Randy regretfully shook his head, Bob sighed. "And you said on the phone the other day that you're in love with her? It's going a little too fast."
"You act like I said I was going to marry her tomorrow," Randy groaned. "For the past six or seven years all I've heard from you is 'you need to find a nice girl and settle down, Son.' And now that I've finally found someone I can see myself settling down with, you're not supportive. Thanks a lot."
"We didn't mean for you to just grab up the first woman that caught your eye." This from his mother.
"You're both stupid if you think that's the issue here." Motioning for the waiter, he requested the check before gulping down the rest of his wine. "What, you think she's after money? Because her family's got more money under their sofa cushions than I do in the bank. She isn't looking for the spotlight, either. She's probably the first decent woman I've met in ten years. Maybe things are going a little fast. But if I sit around arguing with you about whether or not I should pursue this relationship, someone else is going to come along and snatch her away."
"I have two things to say, Son," Bob informed after a moment's silence stretched between them. "First: We should trust your judgment, and I'll be supportive. Second: When do we get to meet her?"
Sarah waited until Michael and Randy had left for breakfast before digging out her phone. She had claimed a headache, certain she wouldn't be able to sit through the meal without cracking. It had been bad enough the night before. Falling asleep in Randy's arms was supposed to be everything warm and delightful. Instead, she had felt like the world's largest heel, thoughts straying from the way Randy held her so tenderly to the kiss from John.
No, not from him. She had kissed him back. And she'd enjoyed it. The realization had been like a punch in the gut. She couldn't help feeling as though she'd cheated on Randy, though she still had no clue what their relationship status was.
Now desperate for another woman's input, she called the only person in the world she would trust with this snafu.
"Hello, you've reached Nicole. I'm sorry I can't talk to you right now, because you're supposed to be getting your fill of sun and fun in beautiful Miami."
"It's too early to sun and fun," Sarah informed. She gathered the clothing she had worn the day before, intent on packing them away. Catching a whiff of John's cologne, however, she lifted her shirt to her face. She bit down on her bottom lip.
"John," she whispered, holding her breath when Michael shifted against her. The lips over hers shifted, sending everything else into oblivion. She knew it was wrong, but was powerless to stop.
"Nic... I screwed up."
"Hold on a second. I just woke up and need some coffee before I can help you out."
Sarah murmured an acquiescence, waiting patiently as the sounds of dishes clattering and cabinets banging sounded over the line. When she heard a ragged sigh of appreciation she knew Nicole had taken the first sip of her beloved coffee.
"Alright, girl. Spill."
"Well, Randy and I are... We've gotten serious." Fingering the shirt in her hand, she caught another whiff of cologne.
"I'm not sorry," he breathed, hand resting on the back of her neck. "I'm sick of fighting this." His fingers slid into her hair, guiding her closer. She didn't resist when his lips claimed hers again.
"How serious?" Nicole asked, breaking her from the memory. There was a pause, then her friend gasped. "Are you saying you've... Oh, Sarah! Honey! I'm so happy for you! How was it? Was he gentle? Did he take care of you? Details, woman."
Sarah smiled, grateful the woman understood her enough to know what she meant without needing the actual words. "It was wonderful," she murmured, closing her eyes.
"I'm going to need more than that."
"It was in the shower and no, he wasn't gentle. He was rough and demanding and..." Sarah sighed, the memory of their first lovemaking pushing John from her mind for a moment. "He took very good care of me."
"Oh my god. The shower? Wait, don't you have little Michael with you?" Nicole slurped her coffee. "Holy shit, woman, you are a freak."
"He was asleep, I couldn't fathom doing it with him right in the next bed." Sarah groaned, dropping the shirt as she flopped across the bed.
"That makes sense. So, how have you screwed up?"
"Well, John came over to watch movies with Michael last night." She stared up at the ceiling, recalling the way he had comforted her when she'd turned into a blubbering fool at the end of Monsters, Inc. The way he had held her throughout Cars. The way her heart had fluttered when he'd turned to her...
She didn't complain when he gently shifted Michael out of her lap. His lips never let hers and when her arm was free he was there, dragging her close. The rational part of her brain told her that if she denied him he would stop, but it was overtaken by her reckless side, which encouraged her to hold onto him. Her name was a soft whisper, a silent plea that she let him have this moment.
"Earth to Sarah," Nicole called in her ear.
Startled, she pressed a hand over her mouth. Unbidden tears collected in her eyes. "He kissed me. He kissed me and I liked it and I didn't push him away. God, I made out with the man while Randy was having dinner with his parents." She was babbling now but didn't care. "I mean, I like him. I really like him. He's such a decent, sweet guy that it's impossible not to fall in love with him."
"You're falling in love with him?" Nicole's tone was gentle."
"No, no, not like that. It's... It's like you and your coffee. You take that first sip knowing how bad it is for you but you can't stop. You can't just push it away because it's so good. That's how it is for me with John. Especially last night. I knew it was wrong, but it felt so right."
"Okay."
Sarah knew Nicole's usual modus operandi was to make her figure out the problem on her own. She was there only as an open ear. Groaning, she sat up, tucking her knees to her chest. "I love Randy."
"Oh, honey."
"But John... He's broken. He has so much going on in his life and what started as me just being there for him has turned into..."
"Into what?" Nicole's question was gentle.
"Tell me you don't feel this, Sarah, and I'll stay away." It was a tense whisper, broken by quick, breath-stealing kisses. When she didn't speak, he pulled back slightly, eyes meeting hers. "Sarah."
"I feel it," she breathed.
"I don't know," Sarah whispered.
"Have you told Randy?"
"No," she sighed. "I don't know how I would even start that conversation."
"It's easy. Just tell him what happened. He loves you, right? He'll understand. Or he'll at least pretend to."
"I don't want him to pretend. I don't want anything between us to be fake, Nicole. If he's pissed, I want him to tell me. If he's sad, I want to know. I've dealt with fake emotions and fake people all my life. I don't want that with anyone that I love."
"Then you need to tell him. Because if you don't, you'll be lying by omission. And what if John tells him before you do? Then it'll be like you're trying to hide it. So take your little buns to him and tell him point blank."
"But how do I tell him?"
"For God's sake, Sarah, you're a grown woman. Surely you know how to admit something? Tell him that John kissed you and that you kissed him back." Nicole paused. "It was only kissing, right?"
"Right..." Sarah trailed, biting her lip.
"Tongue?"
"Yes," she muttered.
"Hands on your shoulders?"
"My neck and my hair."
"Oh, he's good."
"I know," Sarah sighed.
"So is it just sexual? Because I'm sure Randy can sex John right out of your mind."
"No. It's... I don't know. He's like this sad little puppy sitting in the rain that you just want to take into your arms and cuddle and keep warm. And you want to make sure that he never feels alone again." Sarah frowned at the comparison. "Well, no, not quite that pitiful."
"When I'm with you, I actually feel alive again."
"Then it's just empathy. You feel sorry for him because he's alone and depressed."
"Yes, but that's not all there is." Sighing, she crawled off the bed and resumed gathering her dirty clothes to put away. "He's the polar opposite of Randy. How can I be attracted to two men that are so different, Nicole?"
"There must be things about each of them that attract you. So let's get down to the bare facts. You've fallen for Randy because he's sexy. He's dark, he's got that dangerous edge. He goes after what he wants and to hell with the consequences. Hold on, I need more coffee." There was a clatter, then the sound of a spoon rattling against china. "I've got you on speaker. Now, where were we?"
"Why I'm attracted to two different men," Sarah sighed.
"Right, right. You've fallen for John because he's a sweetheart. I mean, the guy spends his days off with kids and doing charity work. He's got a heart as big as his ass. And like you said, he's that sad little puppy that needs comfort. I don't know as much as you do, but I could tell the times he's come into the office that he's hurting. Of course, I haven't met Randy face-to-face, maybe he's a broken, hurting man too."
"He's not. I don't think he is." She wet her lips as she caught another whiff of John's cologne. Cramming the clothing into her laundry bag, she cinched it shut, intent on cleaning it before the day was through. Randy's face came to mind and she felt a pang in her heart. "He would be if someone broke his heart, though. He comes across as this bad-ass guy that no one can hurt, but... I'm sure he can be. He's just as vulnerable as I am."
"Then you need to tell him about last night. Because if he finds out another way..."
"Okay, okay, I'll tell him."
"Good. Go do it now. I need more coffee."
"I'll call you later."
Ending the call, she tossed her phone to the bed and groaned. She was not looking forward to what she was about to do.
"We need to talk."
Randy looked up in surprise at the statement. Usually when he heard those words, it meant trouble on the horizon. One look at Sarah's face told him that something was definitely wrong. The way she chewed on her lip gave it away. What had happened since he'd taken Michael down for breakfast earlier? When they'd returned and he'd invited them up to his suite to hang out she'd agreed without hesitation. She had even agreed to spend the day with him. Not that he had anything to do but a few phone-in interviews before getting ready for the Hall of Fame ceremony…
"Sure," he said, pushing himself from his feet. "Keep watching the movie, little man," he murmured to Michael. Relinquishing the remote, he didn't complain when the boy increased the volume. Mind scrambling to blah blah blah
"I made out with John last night."
"You what?"
She gulped so loudly he could hear the gurgle. "I… He kissed me and I kissed him back."
"First you say 'made out' now you say 'kiss.' Which was it?" he asked, forcing himself to lean against the dresser. He needed the distance between them. He brace his hands on either side of him, eyes never leaving her face.
"A combination of both, I suppose," she whispered.
"I don't believe this," he hissed. He tried his best to control his temper but found it rising. Dragging one hand down his face, he took a deep breath. "So what, you're not happy with me? You decided he had something better to offer than me?"
"It's not like we had sex, Randy. It was just a kiss or two. Well, a little more than that, but—"
"But what? You made out with my best friend and you expect me to just be okay with it? Hell, why don't you just go lock lips with the whole fucking roster and give me a real blast?"
"Can you please not shout?" she requested, her even tone only causing his anger to rise further. "I'm trying to be mature about this. It was wrong, horribly wrong. And I'm sorry." She paused and saw her shoulders rise and fall with a deep breath. "I don't expect you to be okay with it. If the situation was reversed—"
"Whoa, let me stop you right there. The situation could never be reversed. Because I thought, hey, you're the only woman I've been able to see myself settling down with, why not be faithful? And this is what I get in return."
"So you've never been faithful?" she asked.
"Don't turn this into a 'how many times has Randy cheated' chat," he warned.
"Oh, so I've cheated? Please explain how a kiss—"
"Making out, Sarah. You said it was making out."
"Please explain how making out," she corrected, eyes narrowing, "is cheating."
"I'll admit I've never been the faithful one in my relationships, okay? But I've tried so damned hard to grow up. I listened to and took advice and put those days behind me. I decided what they hell, why not wait until I found someone I wanted to settle down with. That's why I haven't dated anyone lately." He shifted on his feet, cursing her innate ability to draw the truth from him. He had never kept his heart on his sleeve until her. "If I made out with Nicole you'd be pissed and say I was cheating. You didn't push him away. So that tells me you've got feelings for him."
"What I feel for him doesn't begin to compare to what I feel for you. I've slept with you, Randy. I gave you my virginity. Do you really think I'd go whoring around with the next guy that showed affection to me?"
"What am I supposed to think, Sarah? How am I supposed to know you won't end up sleeping with him? What do you want me to do?"
"You could start with being pissed at him, not just me," she muttered. She probably never meant for him to hear the words, but they cut through the air like a knife.
Pushing from the dresser, he drew in a deep breath. "I'm beyond pissed. At both of you. But this whole calm, cool and collected deal? It's not helping. You're acting like it's not a big deal and that bothers me."
"Of course it's a big deal. I'm confused," she murmured. "I don't know what to do. I'm not experienced with this kind of thing. Tell me what to do, Randy."
Was she asking for advice on how to deal with having cheated on him? The absurdity would have made him laugh if he wasn't so mad. Looking away from her composed expression, he focused on the window overlooking Miami. He knew that the small balcony had a great view of the hotel's pool, which he'd hoped to enjoy with her and Michael at some point during the day. "Just be honest with me. I want to know what's going through your mind. Do you like him? Do you love him?"
"I like him." The words were a punch in his gut. And she continued. Still calm, still cool, still collected. "But it's not in that I-want-to-fall-in-love-with-him way. I don't love him. I love…" She paused, drawing in a deep breath and he saw the tears in her eyes. "You want to know what's going through my mind? The fact that I don't know what any of this means. And the fact that you can't look at me probably means you hate me—"
"I don't hate you. I'm hurt," he whispered. "I wasn't expecting this."
"I'm sorry, Randy. If I could take it back, I'd—" she cut off and he knew from the way she went quiet so suddenly what the truth was.
"You wouldn't," he finished. Feeling his fingers curl into tight fists, he turned to the door. "I need to go. I gotta clear my head."
"Do you want me to leave?"
"As upset as I am with you right now, no," he answered, hating the way his shoulders slumped. The panic in her voice almost made him turn back. He was so close to going to her and taking her in his arms. He already knew the words he would say to comfort her. But he reached for the doorknob, steeling himself. He had to think. "I'll be back later."
If she spoke again, he didn't hear it. He opened the door, feet carrying him across the living room of the suite and out into the all. Somehow he managed to tell Michael that he'd be back soon. Once in the hallway, door closed firmly behind him, he allowed the breath to leave his lungs with a shudder.
When he started to walk he had no particular destination in mind. He knew he couldn't go far; he'd left his wallet in the room. He thought of going to Cody's room to vent his anger, but a movement at the end of the hall diverted him.
John Cena had been his best friend for so long they were like brothers. At times they bickered like an old married couple, but John was the one person not related to him that he could always turn to. But how could he be expected to turn to him now?
He was heading in Randy's direction, and when he saw him his steps slowed. They both stopped on either side of the elevator. John wet his lips. "I was just on my way to see you."
Randy narrowed his eyes, not trusting himself to speak. He was certain that if he opened his mouth he would say things he'd never be able to take back.
John sighed. "About Sarah. Last night…" He winced when Randy glared at him. "I'm guessing you already know." He adjusted his cap, looking more uncomfortable than Randy had ever witnessed him being. "Let me have it."
"Let you have what?" Randy gritted. "My girlfriend's mouth again? Oh, wait, you already took it without asking."
"To be honest, you haven't really gone around saying what your relationship with her is," John sighed. "A few days ago you were all geared up because her virginity was a challenge, remember?"
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Randy muttered. "A few days ago I didn't realize I was falling in love with her."
"Did you come to that conclusion before or after you had sex with her?"
"You must really want to get punched in the face," Randy warned, closing the space between them. "For your information, I knew it before we got intimate. You'd know that if you took your head out of your own ass long enough to look around."
"Oh so now I'm not a good friend?" John scoffed, tilting his head back so he could meet Randy's eyes. "I was the one that told you she was good for you."
"Which is all shit now considering I just found out you practically dry-humped her last night!"
"Why are you so pissed? 'You should have tried to hook up with her,' remember?"
"Oh, so it's my fault? I should have told you point-blank not to touch her? This is such bullshit," he hissed. "Fine. You want me to tell you she's mine? How about this?" There was no need to suppress his anger anymore. Pushing at John's chest to catch him off guard, he swung out with a clenched fist.
The satisfying sound of fist meeting jaw was punctuated by the ding of the elevator as the doors slid open. Randy wasn't distracted, though, ducking to avoid the retaliating punch sent his way by John. Stepping back, he blocked the next and brought back his fist. Hoping to slam it into John's face, he growled in frustration when a sudden force held him back.
"Easy there, fella."
His entire body trembled with rage when John smirked at him. Wrenching free of the Irishman's grasp, he surged forward. A round of blistering curses fell from his mouth when Dolph Ziggler jumped between he and John, blocking him. "Get out of the way," he growled, pushing at the man to get him out of the way. Instead of flying away as he would have in the ring, however, the other man remained firm, hands coming up to catch Randy's shoulders.
"Calm down," he advised.
Randy's breathing was rapid as he felt another pair of hands on him, holding him back. Seeing John a few feet away, hand on his jaw, he spat, "This ain't over, Cena."
He allowed the two men to lead him away, jerking one arm free so he could shake his aching knuckles. Stephen guided him down the hall towards his room and he cursed inwardly. He wasn't quite ready to face Sarah. Not yet.
"I need to get outta here," he informed, seeing the door to the staircase. Wrenching free, he held his hands up before either man would think he was about to bolt towards John again.
The blonde man nodded, taking a few steps back before turning to head down the hall. Randy's eyes followed him and narrowed when the man went to speak with John.
"You alright?" Stephen asked.
"No, I'm not. I just found out… Never mind," he muttered. The Irishman wouldn't understand. And Randy knew he wasn't ready to announce what had happened. He heard a door open behind him and sighed. The entire roster was suddenly coming out of the woodwork. Glancing over his shoulder, he cursed under his breath when he saw Sarah and Michael coming from his suite.
"Ah, lady troubles."
"You could say that." Randy wriggled his fingers as he looked down. He heard Michael's excited chatter, then Sarah's gentle voice as they approached. Rubbing his knuckles with his other hand, he slowly raised his head. His gaze met hers and her steps faltered.
"Mr. Cena!" Michael called, tugging free of Sarah's grasp and trotting down the hall. His excited chatter continued, but Randy paid no attention to it, continuing to stare into Sarah's eyes.
"Miss Pitt," Stephen greeted with a quick smile.
"Hello," she murmured. Her gaze dropped to Randy's hand before sweeping down the hall to John.
"Whoa, what happened to your face?" Michael cried.
Randy winced when Sarah's eyes narrowed. She knew, even without being told, what he had done. "I gotta go," he mumbled, flinging open the door and rushing into the stairwell. He was running away, he was aware. He didn't know what else to do.
"She's my best friend, Randy. How could you? I thought you loved me."
"It's not like I woke up this morning and tried to think of a way to fuck up our relationship. It just happened."
"Oh. It just happened. Your tongue just happened to fall into her mouth? Your hands just happened to land on her ass? Oh, wait, let me guess. She tripped and you caught her with your mouth, right?"
The bitter laugh made him finally look at her. And when he saw her packing, he was surprised that he felt no emotion. No anger. No sadness. There was only a tinge of relief… "So you're leaving?"
"Wow, you're brilliant. Yes, I'm leaving. If you want me, you know where to find me."
He watched her finish her packing, not saying a word until she was halfway out the door. "You ever think maybe she wanted it? If she didn't, she wouldn't have kissed me back."
She turned to face him. "Did you ever think that you shouldn't have given her the opportunity to begin with? God, I thought we were actually building something here. But you're still the asshole that thinks only of himself. All those times I took you back, I thought you were changing. Instead, you keep running from me. You're nothing but an overgrown frat boy, Randy. I hope one day you meet someone that breaks your heart as badly as you've broken mine."
He couldn't offer an argument. Every word she said was true and he knew it. So he stayed silent, hoping she would finish what she had to say and leave. Just leave, he though.
"You keep running, Randy," she whispered. "It's all you're good at."
A/N: Well butter my butt and call me a biscuit! An update! This one was really hard for me to write, I have no idea why. A special shout-out to Amber (peeps8705) for all her help with this chapter. I love you, gurl! And thank you to all my lovely reviewers – CenaRKO1986, Blackhat, charmedbyortonbarrett, Bingobaby, and the always wonderful xj0j0x. I love you all!