Chapter 11 (Stay)
Reilly-
After going down to see Paul, I was forced to run back to my locker room. I had to change and quick. The story-line change hadn't gone exactly the way John would have liked, but it made sense. To have me all of a sudden be involved with John would be confusing so Paul decided to work in a way to incorporate all the rookies. I would go out to the ring before John's match with each rookie, conceptually to "scout" the rookies as far as who I would eventually come out to the ring with every night but in the end, it wouldn't be a rookie I would choose, but John. He hated the idea of having to wait even longer to be seen together but I tried to make him see that working up to the end would in turn, be better for everyone involved, including the two of us. And having the little secret that no one else would know made our relationship all the more fun.
I was glad Kelly was in the locker room when I entered, I was going to need help getting changed. Paul wanted me to look business-woman like, as if I was truly out there scouting potential clients. Kel rummaged through the rack of clothes while I redid my hair, pulling it out of the ponytail and running the straightener through it. Once I finished I spun around in my chair to see what Kelly had picked out and smiled a little devilishly at what was hanging on the wall. Maybe I'd have more fun with this "manager' schtick than I thought.
I slipped into the outfit and upon exiting the bathroom, that same devilish smile crept across Kelly's face. Giving myself the once over in the mirror, I was pleasantly surprised with what I saw... [polyvore] and hugged Kelly tightly before exiting the room. I was supposed to head out to the ring before either John or Jesse and didn't want John seeing me until he made his way out for the match.
Once I heard my music, I made my way out to the ring and perched myself in a chair next to Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole. The music changed and I looked up to see Jesse making his way down the ramp, a gigantic smile plastered on his face, his eyes locked with mine. I shook my head and looked away, refusing to let him get to me. The fact that I had to act like I actually cared anything about this man, let alone how well he wrestled, made me sick but I pushed the nausea away, intent on focusing on the end result. He walked toward me, winking before stopping next to me, waiting for John's entrance. I kept my hands clasped together in my lap, hiding the shaking I couldn't control.
My head snapped toward the ramp as those familiar first chords of John's entrance music came blaring across the speakers and the entire arena erupted in cheers. A small smile escaped my lips as he slid into the ring, the crowd going nuts as usual. He glanced over at me and I shivered inwardly as I watched his eyes widen at the outfit Kelly had picked out. He shook his head and turned away and I knew he was struggling to keep the emotion in. I'd have to apologize to him later but now wasn't the time. The time-keeper rang the bell and I snapped out of my thoughts, immediately focused on the match before me.
I watched as John started out strong, wearing Jesse down immediately, and yet, it took everything in me to look as unemotional as possible when John would take a hit. It was killing me, watching the man I love taking hits from the man I loathed more than John could and would handle himself only made things slightly easier to swallow. My heart stopped as John picked Jesse up to do his trademark AA and Jesse countered, slipping out of John's hold and throwing him across the ring and through the ropes. John tumbled hard to the floor, and I instinctively stood from the chair, trying to play it off as though I was trying to see what was going on. Jesse took the long way around, walking past me on his way to John and I heard him speak as he passed, "Get used to seeing him there, Reilly...", a smile still plastered to his face. He was getting a sick sort of enjoyment knowing inside I was torn apart having to watch him go after John time and time again.
I put my hands on my hips and watched as Jesse reached where John had fallen out of the ring and John snapped up and threw him shoulder first into the steel ring post. He picked him up, tossing him effortlessly back into the ring before taking a minute to regain his composure and walking the floor around the ring to where I was. John stopped inches in front of me, and I backed up a few steps, playing my part as well as I could.
"These young guys can't give you what I can." He told me, his eyes sparkling with mischief. There was a hidden meaning behind his words, and I didn't miss it.
"We'll see about that." I responded, crossing my arms in front of my chest. "Don't you have a match to attend to?" I shooed him away, not missing the low growl that escaped John's lips before he slid himself back into the ring.
Five minutes later, John again had Jesse on his shoulders but this time got the AA executed and my heart was flip-flopping as the referee counted out the 3-count. I wasn't supposed to hang around after the match but instead exit before anyone could make a guess as to who I was leaning toward so I stood, clapping my hands almost nonchalantly before making my way toward the ramp. I glanced up at the jumbo-tron as I exited, catching the image of John, leaning on the ropes, watching me leave with an expert confused look plastered to his face.
Making my way to the locker room I decided to play a little evil, knowing I was going to hear it from John for torturing him with the outfit anyway, and decided to head back to the hotel before John knew I was gone. I also didn't want to be anywhere in the back where I might run into Jesse so I grabbed my bag and booked it to my rental before John caught me.
Once I reached my car, I sat in the driver seat, the realization of what I had just watched washed over me and I closed my eyes and rested my head back against the sickening fact that somehow, Jesse still managed to get what he wanted, even if he hadn't won, was almost too much for me. I knew he was back in the locker room grinning to himself because he had gotten to me, victory or not. Sighing, I shook my head, knowing if I told John what was going on then Jesse would truly be getting what he so desperately seemed to want.
I drove back to the hotel, intent on forgetting Jesse and what had transpired in the ring for the rest of the night. Reaching my room, I left the door unlocked knowing if I didn't John would be pounding at it eventually. I set my Ipod on its portable speaker and turned it up just enough to not be annoying to anyone in adjacent rooms before busying myself emptying my gym bag.
Half an hour later, I exited the bathroom and ran face first into John's chest. Surprised, I glanced up and saw the complete and utter seriousness crossing his usually pool blue eyes. He said nothing, just took me by both arms, pulled me right up against him and pressed his lips to mine. I could feel the emotion pour out through John's kiss, a sense of what felt like desperation coming out this time. His hands slipped down my arms, taking hold of my wrists and pinning them to my sides as he backed me up against the now closed bathroom door. I twisted my arms as he kissed me, testing him, trying to free myself just for the fun of it. I wanted to see just how far he would let me push him tonight. I knew we hadn't been together long and we were a long way from being ready to go too far with each other but I wasn't against having SOME fun with him, especially with the state he seemed to be in.
I got my answer when John growled against my lips, his hands taking my wrists and pinning them above my head against the door. Something in his kiss let me know I had gotten to him tonight and I couldn't help it as a smile curled the corners of my mouth, causing John to pull away only a matter of inches. His breathing was heavy, erratic and he seemed to struggle to find the words for what he was feeling. I just stared at him, my smile widening as I again tried to free my wrists from his grasp.
"You...I mean, we...Damn it!" John growled as he dropped his lips to mine again. I struggled to keep myself from melting into him, wanting to see just how far I could get him to go. His lips searched mine, questioning, testing as he kept my arms pinned to the door. I focused on the kiss, not wanting him to pay attention to the fact that I was softly twisting my wrists in his grip, trying to find a way out. John's hands were so large, he held both of my wrists in one hand and could still completely close it. I managed to find where his fingers met the palm of his hand and timed myself, kissing him back enough to distract him while at the same time slipping my wrists quickly through his hand.
I was out and across the room before he realized what happened, giggling as I plopped myself down in the middle of one of the two beds.I still had the skirt on so I carefully tucked my legs up under me, gazing at John stood in front of the bathroom door for a minute, staring at it and muttering to himself before pounding his fist lightly against it and turning to face me.
"I can't even begin..." John started. He ran a hand through his short hair, his other on his hip as he struggled to find the words to explain what he was feeling. He took a few steps toward the bed, stopping just feet in front of me, his eyes locked tightly with mine. I said nothing, just stared back at him, willing him to say what was in his head. "If I told you what I wanted to do you'd think I was insane."
"Say it." I whispered, knowing full well he heard me. I wasn't sure what had gotten into me but all I wanted was for him to stay with me, whether it was in two beds or one.
John's eyes widened when he heard me, shaking his head roughly back and forth. "You don't really want to know Reilly."
" I said, say it." I replied simply, never breaking eye contact.
He took a long look at me as if wondering if I was actually serious before crossing the space between us in two huge steps. In an instant I was pulled from my seated position as he slid his hands underneath me and scooped me swiftly into his arms. His eyes bore into mine as he stood there in the middle of my hotel room, my legs wrapped around his waist, my hands linked gently around his neck before he whispered, " I'm not asking for everything Reilly..I just don't know if I can leave.."
My lips cut him off, kissing him with everything I had in me, needing him to know I felt the same way. I pulled away, my eyes closed, and my breath heavy before whispering, "stay with me." I was scared to open my eyes, afraid of getting rejected by such an outright request. Slowly my eyes slid open to find John staring at me as if making sure he had heard me right. I looked right into his eyes and repeated myself, "Please...stay with me."
"I don't want everything Reilly, believe me. But everything tonight, the way you look, the way only I knew you were really out at that ring for me...God, I can't get over how amazing it felt. It took all I had in me to focus on the match and not scoop you up in my arms and carry you back to the locker room with me. I just don't want to let you go tonight. I want to spend the whole night with my arms wrapped around you...I just want to be with you." John's words were hushed, pointed and sincere.
"I'm not asking for everything either, we're not ready for that...but I do want you...I want you right here, with me. " I emphasized my words, squeezing my arms around him just slightly. I felt one of his hands slip from under my legs and run through my hair as he smiled, gazing intently at me as if he couldn't get enough. John kissed me again and I felt all of the confusion leave him through his kiss. In it's place was the simple need, the desire we had to be as close to each other as possible.
"I need to get a bag..." John mumbled against my mouth.
"Hurry up." I sighed, slipping from his arms. My feet had barely hit the floor before John was slipping out the door.I smiled and shook my head, grabbing what I had taken from John's locker room and heading to the bathroom to change.
I didn't notice that John had left the door propped slightly open...
-John-
I had to keep myself from literally running down the hall to my room, barely acknowledging the rookie I had had a match with only an hour before as I passed him. I had been terrified to tell Reilly I wanted to stay and then...she was the one that asked me...I couldn't get over how much I needed this woman. Her look, her smell...her kiss...everything about her was utterly intoxicating and I was overcome with the realization that at least for tonight, I didn't have to let her go.
I reached my room and cursed under my breath when I had to spend a few extra minutes figuring out what I had done with my duffel bag. I found it tossed in the bottom of the closet and threw a random jersey and pair of shorts into it, grabbed some stuff from the bathroom and left as quickly as I had entered. I was probably gone for a maximum of ten minutes but I just felt the need to get back to Reilly as soon as possible.
Reaching the door to her room, it was cracked open wider than I thought I had left it but I thought nothing of it as I put my hand on the door to push it open. Hearing voices inside, I stopped short, my hand left where it was as I leaned my ear toward the opening, unsure if I was hearing things.
"I said get out.." Reilly's voice was hushed, her voice venomous, something I had never heard from her before.
"You know he just got lucky tonight Reilly. It won't happen again." A man's voice this time, one I didn't recognize.
"I don't give a damn. John could kick your ass without having to try now leave us the hell alone. I'm not scared of you anymore, you're not in control of me. You can do whatever the hell you want, it won't change a damn thing." I stood there, hand on the door, frozen where I. I didn't want to rush in, not knowing what was going on.
"Get your hands off of me." I heard Reilly hiss. I could tell she was trying not to yell, trying not to draw attention to whoever may be walking by outside.
A chill ran through me as I heard a slapping sound but the resulting gasp that I could tell came from Reilly was the final straw. I threw the door opened, livid at the idea that ANYONE would put their hands on my Reilly.
"What the hell is going on in here?!" I shouted. I almost tripped over my feet, I stopped so short, frozen again by what I saw in front of me. Reilly, cradling her face and curled up in a ball on the end of the couch, cowering back into the cushions as far as she could go, with that rookie...the same rookie I had had a match against...the same rookie I had passed in the hallway, ignoring him as he was headed...here...He was standing over her, his hand still raised, frozen in surprise when I had burst into the room.
A low growl escaped my throat and I immediately lunged after him wanting him as far away from Reilly as possible. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?" I was on him in a split-second, my arms slipping through his, twisting them behind his head so he couldn't get at me. I locked my hands together and twisted, causing him to cry out slightly before biting his tongue...he was lucky I wasn't pounding his fucking head in.
"John don't!" Reilly exclaimed, moving off the couch and taking a step toward me. She didn't move her hand from her cheek and I twisted the asshole's arm just a little tighter for laying a finger on her.
"Reilly what the hell is going on? Did he touch you?" I questioned
"Your little girlfriend hasn't told you anything has she Johnny boy?" The weasel in my arms spat, a smirk crossing his face.
"Jesse, shut up before I let him punch your teeth down your damn throat!" Reilly exclaimed. She walked around us, behind me where he couldn't get to her and laid her hand on my shoulder. "John let him go. I'll explain everything I promise. Just let him go before you do something you'll regret. He's not worth it."
"Reilly damn it, you didn't answer my question...did he touch you?" I managed to get the words out through gritted teeth, ready to kill the sorry excuse of a man I currently had locked in my grasp.
"Wow..Reilly finally found someone else to fight her battles for her." The dirtbag in my hands spoke again and I lost it. I threw him across the room, sending him crashing into the wall closest to the door. I moved to go after him but Reilly stepped in front of me, her hand gently on my chest. She had taken her hand from her face and I could clearly see the hand sized print swelling on her cheek.
"Reilly, don't..." I started. I touched her face gingerly, grimacing as she flinched when my hand reached her swollen cheek.
"John, not like this..please. I'll explain everything I swear." Her voice was hushed, defeated. I sighed and backed away, the last thing I wanted to do was anger her. I clenched my fists at my sides as she turned back toward Jesse. She walked toward him and I instinctively took a step after her, wanting to protect her. He was just getting to his feet when she reached him and I couldn't help but smile as she hauled off and smacked him across the face with everything her tiny frame had in it. He hissed in pain and took a step out the open door before turning back to us.
"This isn't over, you can be sure of that." He threatened, looking me square in the eyes.
" Believe me, I guarantee you this is FAR from over." I warned, wrapping my arm protectively around Reilly's shoulders as she backed up towards me.
Jesse looked from me to Reilly for just a minute before turning and storming down the hallway. Once he was gone, I crossed over to the door, slamming it shut and throwing the deadbolt. I stood there for a minute, staring at the closed door, trying to collect myself. I was so pissed that I had just let him leave but something in Reilly's eyes told me there was more I didn't know. Frustrated, I pounded my fist against the door before taking a deep breath and turning back to Reilly.
What I saw when I turned around was like a knife through my heart. My precious Reilly had crumpled into a heap on the floor, clutching her cheek, the tears streaming freely down her face. Sighing, I immediately crossed back to her and scooped her into my arms.
This was not the way I had planned on this night going...
