Vanessa is mine….

The latest Jay-Z album blared through John's IPOD as he lifted weights at the gym. The gym had become John's therapy over the years. Anytime he was stressed out, he hit the weight room to let out some of his frustration. Lately, he had been more frustrated than he cared to admit. The situation with Vanessa was growing more complicated than he had imagined. He knew, deep down, that her heart wanted Dave and he was ok with that. But what started out as a sexual arrangement had blossomed into something much more complicated. They spent their nights talking for hours on end about everything from work to future dreams. The line between sex and relationship was becoming very thin and John couldn't distinguish what side they were on.

At a house show two days ago, John was stopped by former Diva Search contestant Maria and was asked if he wanted to go out on a date. He was unsure for two reasons. First being that Maria was not exactly his type and second, he didn't know where he stood with Vanessa. He hated to admit it but he found his feelings growing fast and hard for the young writer. He didn't want to tell her for fear that his feelings would not be reciprocated. Plus John didn't want to pressure Vanessa into anything.

John opened his eyes to find blue eyes staring down at him. He placed the bar back on its holder and took the earphones out.

"I know I'm sexy Orton, but you don't have to stare."

"Ha ha motherfucker. Trust me when I say, I don't want you."

John took a drink from his bottle as he and Randy sat down on the bench nearby.

"What are you doing here besides working my damn nerves?"

"Doing some workouts for my shoulder."

"How's it been holding up?"

Randy shrugged. He didn't like to talk about his weaknesses and the injury that still plagued him to this day was definitely a sore subject.

"Some days are better than others. It's been acting up lately and I need to heal it up before Mania. Enough about me, I came over here to ask you what the hell is going on in that head of yours?"

John sighed. Randy was never the type to beat around the bush. "What are you talking about Orton?"

"I'm talking about Maria asking you out and you telling her that you have to get back to her. John, she's exactly what you need right now. She's young, dumb and full of cum. What more can you ask for?"

John looked at Randy. Didn't Randy get that he wanted more than just some fuck?

"Dude, let me ask you a question."

"Shoot." Randy leaned back to stretch out his legs.

"You know how we used to roll, right? Different chicks every night, not caring to know their names? When did that change for you? How did Trish become the one to make you settle down and not want to be out in the street doing that shit anymore?"

Randy sat back and thought for awhile. He never really put much thought into him and Trish. The two of them just clicked.

"She was everything I had in the streets but more. She can be one of the guys and she's sweet and all that good shit. But most importantly, she's a good fuck and she knows it. I spent all my life looking for that sexual partner that can match me all the way and I found it in her. Hey, it might not be the most romantic thing, but it's the truth. Don't tell me that you are starting to fall for Ness?"

The guilty look on John's face said it all. "Fuck, dude, why? I mean, don't get me wrong, Ness is great, but this spells trouble. I told you to be careful and now look at you."

John rolled his eyes. "Don't you think your overreacting just a tad bit?"

"Fuck no. If you and Ness start dating after what Ness told Dave last week, it is going to cause shit, start a rift and…"

"Whoa, back up. What did Ness tell Dave last week?"

Randy paused and looked at John. The look on his face showed that John had no idea what happened. Truth be told, the only reason why Randy knew was because he and Paul were talking about it. Randy should have known better than to open his mouth, but it was a little late for that now.

"You know what, it doesn't even matter."

"The fuck it doesn't. Orton, what happened?" The fire in John's eyes told Randy that he better start talking and fast.

"Dave wanted to talk to Ness about what was going on with them and Ness ended up telling Dave how she felt about him in so many words. According to Paul, she left him sitting at the table before he could even say anything."

John leaned back and closed his eyes. He knew he wouldn't be able to compete with Dave. Whether or not they were ever together was no longer point. John wasn't sure if Vanessa ever wanted to let go of that dream. He finally opened his eyes and looked over at Randy.

"I care about her. I don't want to but I do."

"But…"

"Dave's one of my closet friends and if there is one part of him that wants Vanessa, then I'm going to lose because that's where she wants to be. Do you know how fucking horrible it will be to watch one of my best friends kissing the same girl that used to be in my bed?"

Randy and John sat in silence, neither sure exactly what to say. All of a sudden an idea popped into Randy's mind.

"I have a plan."

John was scared to ask. "What?"

"Go back to Ness's hotel room and tell her about Maria. Ask her what she thinks."

"How is this going to help shit?"

"Because if she gets mad or jealous about you going out with her, then you know that her feelings for you are more than just sex. But if she says go ahead and you see that it doesn't bother her at all, then…"

"Then I will know where I stand and I'm gonna have to learn to let her go." John stood up and headed towards the door; expecting the worst but hoping for the best.

Vanessa walked off the elevator and headed toward her room. She saw John leaning against the door frame, deep in thought. She walked up to him and gently nudged him.

"It's not a good idea for you to be hanging outside my door. People might get suspicious." Vanessa was just joking around, but the look on John's face was anything but a joke.

"Sorry, I left the key at the gym."

"It's ok. You feeling alright?"

"Actually I was wondering if maybe we could talk about something." Vanessa knew by the look in his eyes that this was going to be a serious talk. Without saying anything, she quickly nodded and opened the door, leading them both inside.

Neither one of them saw Dave standing at the end of the hallway.