Back To Where We Started
Frowning at being shoved for the second time, Vivian followed the man in front of her. There was a buzz in the air, the atmosphere thick with excitement. They passed another group of kids all wearing various t-shirts to support their favourite wrestler. The heat from the lights suspended over the ring hit Vivian as once again she took a look around the arena. The place was filling up quick.
"These are our seats." Vivian didn't hesitate to sit down but she was knocked by the brute next to her. Again.
"Watch it." Vivian snapped and he grinned and slung his arm across her shoulder, ruffling her hair with his hand. "Stop it! I have to look perfect for-"
"For this mystery man?"
"Eat your hotdog." Vivian grumbled, annoyed that her brother had somehow swindled her extra ticket to the show.
"Aren't you going to put your new shirt on?" Will asked before taking a bite of hotdog, washing down with a gulp of beer. He was a pro at attending football games and there was no doubt he'd fit right in here. Everyone was rowdy, chants filling up the arena at random moments. She'd never experienced anything like it in her life.
"Later." She wanted to fit in, to look like a wrestling fan. She'd bought Stephens shirt whilst her brother got food. If she put it on then he'd know and she wanted to suspend the suffering of any questioning for as long as possible.
Will managed to elbow her again. He was a big guy having played football and ice hockey growing up and being squished next to him for the next three hours wasn't going to be the evening she had imagined.
They were seated close to the giant screen and ramp, the tiered seats giving them a good view of the action in the ring. Will had already complained that they didn't have front row seats and she didn't dare tell him she'd rejected Stephens offer of those. Out of nowhere, Will stood up, joining in with the yeschants that coursed around the crowd, much to the delight of the kids next to them.
"You're like a big kid!" Vivian tugged on his football shirt, afraid that he would spill his beer on her, "sit down!"
"Lighten up, Viv." Will slumped down again but still the grin on his face hadn't gone. "You'll never enjoy the show at this rate."
He reached for the bag that was nestled on her lap and quickly she snatched it away. "I'll put it on when I'm ready."
"Did it come with a smile?"
"Shut up." Vivian was anxious and that made her uneasy, unable to focus. She wanted to let go and enjoy herself but in the back of her mind she knew she'd be seeing Stephen after the show. Just thinking about it made butterflies explode in her stomach. The last thing she needed was her brother catching on and annoying her about it.
After waiting another thirty minutes, Vivian was finally relieved when the show started. She didn't really have a clue who was who, so she joined in with the boos and cheers. The ladder matches she'd had to endure left her on the edge of her seat, amazed at the athleticism the wrestlers showed. About an hour into the show, she'd slipped the new t-shirt on over her white camisole. She fit in now, the shirt going nicely with her cut off jean shorts and flat shiny gold sandals - though she had yet to figure out what a broguekick hooligan was. Pulling her phone from her across body messenger bag, she snapped a picture before shoving it back, not wanting to miss anything. She'd been smiling and calm for most of the show; that was until images of Stephen flashed up on the screen, along with his ring name Sheamus. She recognised the music from what she had seen on TV. Hearing the cheers around her, Vivian opened her mouth to join in but nothing would come out. She clamped her mouth shut, mesmerised as Stephen charged down to the ring but not before beating his chest three times though.
"That's the guy, right?" Vivian felt Will shake her shoulder and she glanced at him for the briefest of moments before turning back to Stephen who'd made it into the ring. His belt was secured around his waist, glistening under the white and green lights that flashed around the arena.
"Yeah." Managing to breathe out those words was a small miracle. Stephen circled the ring, pointing to a few of his fans who had signs. Different music was now blasting from the sound system and another man was coming out. Long hair was tied into a ponytail, skin glistening with what looked to be baby oil. Wanting to know who he was she took a quick look to the screen, seeing the name Drew McIntyre. She wasn't sure if she'd seen him when she'd watched the past few weeks on TV, to be honest, she'd been immersed in just watching Stephen and not much else.
The ref had taken Stephens belt off him and Vivian had already returned to her seat, perching on the edge.
"Someone's got it bad." Vivian turned to Will with a scowl on her face which he just ignored.
"What?"
"Look at you, I've never seen you so tense."
"You've never seen me at work." Vivian smiled, glancing to the ring to see Drew bouncing off the mat.
"Do you love him?"
Vivian couldn't help but scoff. Love? "We went on..." Vivian stopped to count the dates they'd been on. She wasn't too sure what actually counted at a date between them, they'd had run ins here and there. Will didn't need to know any details. "A few dates and that's all."
"So you don't' like him? That's cool, I just want to know what to tell dad when I see him."
"I do like him!" Vivian blurted out and she wanted to smack the grin off his face. "You won't be telling him anything, Will!"
Will held his hands up then gestured to the ring and the match still going on. "I'm not promising anything."
Vivian turned back to the ring, intent on ignoring anything else her brother had to say. Stephen was flat on his back in the middle of the ring, motionless as Drew flew off the ring post, his elbow connecting with Stephens head.
"Shouldn't he be moving by now?" Vivian asked Will, gripping onto his arm, nails bruising his skin. "Why isn't he getting up already? Do you think he's hurt?"
"I think you're crazy." Will pulled her hand from his arm, "he has to make it look like it hurt, Viv."
"Oh yeah, I guess you're right."
"This guy has you acting like an idiot, I feel like the smart sibling for once."
Will had no idea how right he was. She was a smart, respectable, successful lawyer. But as soon as Stephen was in her eyesight she lost all rational thoughts. Vivian patted Will on the shoulder, a sarcastic smile pulling at her lips, "Enjoy it while it lasts."
Will didn't reply, his eyes were on the action in the ring and he grimaced. Whipping around to see what she had missed, her eyes landed on Stephen with his body half way through the ropes, arms clasping onto the ring post. This was going to be a long torturous match, but she knew she'd be cheering for Stephen.
"Where are we going?" Will asked making Vivian roll her eyes. She had no clue, she was just following the security man that said he would take her to Stephen. She'd had to show him ID and the passes Stephen had left her, but after that he had been just lovely.
Will tugged on her arm but Vivian shrugged him off. "I don't know!" The security guy looked over his shoulder at her and she smiled sweetly. There was so much hustle and bustle backstage that she knew if she took her eyes off the security guy they'd no doubt get lost.
Then she saw him. Topless and wearing only a pair of shorts. He still had his wrestling boots and kneepads on as well as the red tape wrapped around his wrists. He noticed her, eyes locking with hers and he smiled. Her heart fluttered and she had the insatiable urge to throw her arms around Stephen and kiss him. Then she remembered where she was and who was next to her. The security guy muttered something to Stephen but eventually he left.
"Hi Stephen." Vivian finally spoke up. She felt her brother close beside her and she prayed that he would behave.
"Vivian." Stephen only looked at her for a moment before glancing at the man beside her. She hadn't told him who she was bringing, mainly because she hadn't decided until the last minute; that was until Will insisted on coming.
Will took this perfect opportunity to once again sling his arm across her shoulders and tug her into his side. He held his hand out to Stephen, "Nice to meet you, I'm Will. Thanks for the tickets."
Stephen glanced down at the hand waiting for him then looked across to Vivian - she saw the flicker of jealousy behind his eyes. Eventually as the uncomfortable silence trickled on, Stephen took Will's hand into his own and gave it a tight squeeze instead of a shake.
"Wow." Will laughed and tugged his hand back, "you're a strong guy."
"Did yeh enjoy the show?" Stephen looked at Vivian and she smiled.
"It was great!" Will started, "your match, man. When you hit Drew with that backbreaker, that was awesome!"
"Congratulations on keeping the title." Vivian managed to get a few words in as she lovingly rammed her elbow into Will's ribs making him grunt.
"Thanks." Stephen took another look at Will, scanning him from head to toe. Vivian didn't know whether to laugh or scream. Every muscle in her body was tense, stressed at how this meeting would go.
"As fun as this has been, I have to go." Will kissed Vivian on her forehead and clapped Stephen on the shoulder as he walked past him towards the security guy that had just left them, "make sure my sister gets home safe."
Vivian was going to kill him.
Before he left he shouted, "have a good time, Viv." a huge grin had been on his face all night - he knew how to make her life hell.
"Yer brother?" Stephen spluttered, a frown still on his face. "Yeh couldn't have told me that before yeh came?"
"Why? Is there a problem?"
Vivian was sure Stephens lips curled into a snarl - surely he hadn't been that bothered. He reached for her, hand circling around her wrist. "Yeh wearing me shirt. Ah knew yeh liked wearing me clothes." Stephen mumbled as his hand clasped the back of her neck.
Stephen was doing so many things at once she found it hard to catch her breath. He leant down and pulled her up to him at the same time, capturing her lips in a soft but possessive kiss. His arms wrapped around her, moulding her to his body as he parted her lips with his tongue.
Aware that they were in the middle of a corridor, people passing them, Vivian pulled away. That was the last thing she'd expected him to do. Vivian scrambled for something to say, figuring she wouldn't be able to stay much longer she said, "I know you're busy, so I won't keep you."
Stephen let her go from his hold. "It's fine."
"No really."
"Ah was hoping yeh could help me actually." Vivian tried to keep her eyes on Stephens, though his bare chest was calling out to be looked at. She thought about running her hands down his chest again. Just one touch.
"With what?" Vivian crossed her arms over her chest, making sure she didn't do anything stupid.
"Ah hurt me shoulder."
"I'm a lawyer not a doctor."
"Please? Ah'd just need yeh to hold some ice on it, ah can't reach." Vivian was sure Stephen was about to pout. She didn't want to intervene, do anything that she wasn't supposed to, but she did want to stay with Stephen a little bit longer.
"Alright, I just don't want to get into trouble."
"Yeh won', lass. Come wit' me." Stephen took hold of her hand and she followed him as he moved down a corridor. Her eyes were glued to his bare back, watching the muscles bunch and move with each Stephen he took. She noticed the red welts he'd suffered during the match, tempted to kiss them better.
The room he brought her to was empty, but there was a small table with energy drinks, water and snacks. There were a few chairs set up facing a monitor, other than that the room lacked any sort of comforts.
"Here, take this and hold it here." Stephen handed her an ice pack and patted his left shoulder.
"Is this our second date?" Vivian grinned but took the ice pack from Stephen. "Sit down."
Stephen did as she said, slumping onto one of the metal folding chairs. She pushed the ice pack against his shoulder, making him hiss and flinch. He was hurt. She pulled it away, unable to put him in anymore pain.
He looked over his shoulder, "why yeh stop? Ah thought yeh liked playing nurse."
"I don't want to hurt you." Ironic considering she'd really wanted to hurt him after what he'd done.
"Yeh no hurting me. Ah'm used to having to do this."
Surprised, Vivian said, "Is it worth it, for what you do? I mean what if you break your neck or something? Like those guys in that ladder match! They're crazy."
Vivian expected him to say something like you're the crazy one. Instead he turned in his chair, clasped onto her waist with his big hands and pulled her onto his lap. The ice pack went skidding along the floor as she braced her hands on his shoulders. "Stephe-"
He kissed her again. This time it was slow and passionate, fuelled with desire. Both of his arms slipped around her, and she closed her eyes. She knew she should stop him, before they got carried away.
"Alright mate." Vivian leapt from Stephens lap at the unknown English male voice booming into the room. "Didn't mean to interrupt."
Vivian looked at the tall man, a mop of unruly black hair sat messily on his head as if he'd just showered, but his nose – the most crooked she'd ever seen – stole all of her attention. He must have sensed her checking him out because he frowned. He was tall and big, but not as big as Stephen.
"It's fine, I was just leaving."
"Vivian, yeh don' have to go." Stephen was up from his seat, hand gently curling around her wrist.
"Ahh so you're Vivian. Nice to finally put a face to the name." Shocked, Vivian just stood there and stared.
"Leave it, Stu."
"You told him about me?" Whether that was good or bad she wasn't too sure.
"I hope he apologised before you agreed to come here."
"Apologised for what?" Vivian narrowed her eyes and when a knowing smirk tugged at the man's lips, she was utterly speechless. Suddenly she felt like a fool again, embarrassment hitting her like a ton of bricks. Of course Stephen had told his friends what he'd done. Was she one of many? Did Stephen always do this? She glanced down at the shirt she was wearing and then back up at Stu – she didn't like the way he was looking at her. It was as if he'd seen this all before.
A/N – Thank you Blackhat, boston246, shakeitsalome, housebabe1, ThatGirl54 and prettybaby69 for the lovely reviews. You're all pretty darn amazing :) Lou x
