Randy woke up earlier than usual to go downstairs to the hotel gym to try the protein powder Adam had given him the night before. He was sipping on the shake he'd made as he walked in the gym. Hunter was doing reps with a pair of free weights as he entered.
"I didn't know you were staying here." Hunter stated, casually.
Randy ignored him and got started on the treadmill.
"How have you and Ryon been doing?" He questioned, overlooking Randy's bad manners.
He was still as nonchalant as possible. Randy was getting pissed though, and to think he was actually in a good mood this morning for once. He couldn't stand Hunter but was determined to make the best of a bad situation.
"Earth to Orton?" Hunter called, putting the weights back in their place.
"I hear you. I don't want to speak to you, so just continue whatever it was that you were doing." Randy said, downing the last of his shake.
"I was just trying to make polite conversation." Hunter said defensively.
Randy rolled his eyes, "There's nothing polite about you. It's all an act or a game or whatever keeps you amused nowadays."
Hunter laughed under his breath, "When did you get all high and mighty? I was just trying to talk to you." He reiterated.
"Whatever. Ryon and I are fine not that you really care."
Hunter smiled, "See that wasn't hard. So did you leave her all by herself?"
That did it. Randy was furious now.
"Shut the hell up about her. I didn't leave her alone, I left her with John. I already warned you that she is none of your concern so fucking drop it." Randy shouted, surprised by his sudden outburst and mood swing.
He didn't even really feel like he was in a bad mood.
"You need to chill Orton. That attitude is going to bite you in the ass one day." Hunter replied, "And either you're really fucking stupid or just completely naïve about leaving Ryon with Cena. He can't keep his shit in his pants to save his life."
Randy jumped off the treadmill and pushed Hunter into the wall using his forearm to choke him.
"Stay out of my business." Randy ordered, holding him against the wall while staring in his eyes.
He silently dared Hunter to say or do the wrong thing.
"What the hell is going on?" Adam asked, coming into the gym.
Randy brushed past him obviously angry.
"What happened?" Adam asked again after Randy was down the hall.
"Just testing the waters. The 'protein powder' definitely did its job, and this is only the first time he's used it." Hunter laughed.
"Yeah, and I have to deal with him not you." He reminded Hunter.
"You're doing well so far and I've already made good on my end." Hunter said going to get on the abandoned treadmill.
Adam could not deny that. He had already come to the conclusion that he had made the right decision to align himself with Hunter.
"Just remember, he will be highly volatile from now on especially if he starts doubling up on that shit. Don't do anything that will put you in his line of fire or you will be sorry. Obviously don't tease him about Ryon either." Hunter laughed.
Adam nodded, "Great, this should be fun. I'm going to go and check on him and I'll call you later with an update."
He took of down the hall hoping to catch up to Randy in the lobby where there were lots of witnesses.
"Are you alright?" Adam wondered warily.
Randy was taking quick short breaths. He nodded.
"What did he say? I mean, I know the two you have history and all but…" Adam hesitated when the elevator doors opened up.
He wasn't sure if it was safe or not for him to be in an enclosed space with Randy at the moment. He fought the urge to stay in the lobby and stepped on. Randy literally punched the button to his floor.
"Get the next one." He glowered at a man that was trying to board as well.
The man called Randy a name, but he could have have cared less. He was far too angry to even try to make sense of the man's words.
"I should go back down there and finish this shit. I would never have to see his smug ass face anymore or hear Ryon's name come out of his mouth again. I could be done with him" Randy fumed.
"That's exactly what he wants though. He wants to get you all stirred up and do something stupid to lose your job. This isn't about you or Ryon, he's protecting the only thing he truly loves and that's his job." Adam said.
Randy stood mute beside him clenching and unclenching his fists. He didn't want to be talked down even though he knew it was what he needed to hear. The elevator dinged when it reached the floor he was staying on.
"Come on. Go call Ryon; she always makes you feel better. Don't give him the satisfaction of knowing he got to you." Adam urged.
Randy disregarded Adam's comments but did head straight for his room. He got inside and sat on the edge of the bed. He had never felt this way before. It felt like he had taken a hit of something. Like he was watching himself from outside of his body. A part of him was logical and wanted to think through various courses of action before acting them out. The other part was a violent red swirl in his minds eye. To hell with consequences and right or wrong, that part of him wanted to be unleashed. That part of him was an incoherent mess of fury that scared and excited him. Hunter had pushed his buttons and he had lost control, but what if he used it to his advantage? He would be running circles around Adam in no time again. He was definitely glad that Adam had let him in on the secret powder. All he had to do was keep a close eye on his temper, and he knew he would become better than he'd ever been. He picked up his phone and hit the speed dial button to his house.
"Hello?" John answered.
"Cena, how's it going?" Randy greeted.
"Fine. She's not up yet, I'm in the process of making her breakfast." John answered assuming automatically that he wanted to talk to Ryon.
The red swirl surged forward as Randy fought not to lash out at his friend.
"Oh, well what does she have planned for today?" Randy questioned, concentrating on every word as he spoke it.
"I convinced her to only let the painters come today. She's pretty stubborn at times, but she came around after I promised to take her to that fondue place she loves so much."
Randy took a deep breath to calm himself, "Yeah, she does love that place. That was pretty smart on your part to bribe her. Just get her to call me when she wakes up okay?"
"Sure. I'll let her know." John said before hanging up.
Randy threw his phone into the bed hard enough to snap the battery from the back. He knew John was only doing what he had asked, to take the very best care of the most important thing in his life, but it still irked him that he couldn't be there himself. He flopped down on the bed; maybe a quick nap would make him feel better.
John eased up the stairs to Ryon's room. He listened for a moment to see if she was awake yet. He positioned the tray so he cold hold it in one hand and softly knocked on the door. No response.
"Ryon?" he called out.
Still no response. He opened the door enough to peek inside. She was still asleep on an incline of fluffy pillows. The dreary gray light from outside barely illuminated the rich and powder blue room. He tip toed to the beside table and sat the tray down. He stood to his full height to finally look at her. Her hair was fanned out around her head in a pale golden halo. She was on her back facing him, her full lips parted as she breathed. One hand was resting beside her head curled delicately against her face. The barely there nightgown was making it hard for him to keep his composure. The thin white straps and open neck enhanced her caramel colored skin even more. He had the sudden urge to reach out and touch her to see if she felt as wonderful as she looked. He fought the temptation and struggled to say her name.
"Ryon." He whispered, touching her hand.
Her long dark eyelashes fluttered open. She seemed taken aback at first by his presence.
"What's wrong?" she asked sitting up.
"N-Nothing. I have a surprise for you young lady." He stammered lifting the tray onto her lap.
She covered her mouth in shock, "John, you didn't have to do this. I should be fixing you breakfast."
He shrugged, "I didn't want you to upset anymore, so I figured we would start today off on the right foot."
She scrunched her hair up and smiled at him.
"You're so sweet. I hope this isn't all for me because there is no way I'll be able to finish it all." She said.
He stared at her not knowing what to do. She scooted over and patted the space next to her. He wavered only a second before crawling in the bed with her. She had turned on the TV and was flipping through the channels finally settling on and episode of Looney Tunes. He cocked an eyebrow at her
"We're starting the day off right, right? I like to watch cartoons in the morning." She stated, sipping on her apple juice.
John smirked at her.
"What?" she asked.
He picked up a piece of bacon, "Nothing. I didn't think you could get any cuter that's all."
She leaned over and playfully bumped his shoulder with hers.
He's pretty cute too, don't you think? lol. Let me know what you think hotties!!
