Chapter 12:
At the Hotel
"Hey Sweetie." Chris Benoit greeted Soraya with a smile as she returned to the hotel room. "You had a good day today."
"We both did." Soraya giggled. "I have to admit, it was so cute the way you went out and teamed up with Eugene last minute. I've never seen him so excited, well barring last week when the Rock came out and defended him."
"Yeah well, I don't agree with Coach and Cade picking on him." He shook his head in disgust. "They got William Regal pulled from the match so they could double team him. The boy's here because he loves the business, who cares if he has a mental handicap? He's not hurting anyone."
"I totally agree." Soraya lowered herself onto her bed and sighed. "It was a good day, but a long one."
"And to think you had a coffee date before the show?" Benoit teased, mischief dancing in his eyes.
Her eyes widened. "How did you know about that?"
"Because Maven was talking about it in the locker room." Benoit shot her a curious glance. "Why didn't you tell me in the first place?"
"I'm not really sure." She ran a hand through her blonde hair. "I mean, it wasn't a big deal, at least not to me. I hardly know the guy and I figured this would be a nice way to get to. He's really sweet and kind of funny given half the chance."
"I like the kid." Benoit agreed. "He's got character and the talent to go far in this business. He's making his mark already. My question is, do you think he's right for you?"
"After the whole Mark and Shamrock thing, I don't know if any guy will ever be right for me again." She shook her head. "I like Maven, but I need to get to know him more before I make that decision."
"Well, you know I'll support you in whatever you chose to do." He seemed satisfied with her answer. "Just remember, there will be others who won't be as thrilled with you dating him."
"What do you mean?" She frowned quizzically. "Who would have a problem with me dating Maven? He seems to get a long with everyone."
He chuckled. "It has nothing to do with the fact that it's Maven and everything to do with you."
"Now I'm really confused." She muttered.
The hotel bar
"Pour me another, Skippy." Chris Jericho mumbled to himself unintelligibly. He was a man with a wounded heart. What's the best remedy for a wounded heart…getting good and drunk.
"Someone's taking a ride on the bitterness train." A new voice commented cheerfully, its owner taking a seat on the bar stool to Jericho's right.
"Drink up or shut up, Michaels." Jericho snapped in irritation.
"Easy Junior." Shawn Michaels signaled the bartender for a second of whatever the blonde Canadian was drinking. "Now I know you're having lady troubles."
"Shouldn't you be preparing for your match against Triple H at Bad Blood? After all, you've got Hell in a Cell in your future." Jericho griped, not at all pleased with his companion for the evening.
"And you've got a life of envy in yours if you don't buck up and tell Soraya how you feel." HBK threw back the shot like a pro.
"How do you know it's Soraya?" Jericho shot the living legend an annoyed glance.
"Junior, everyone in the locker room, barring Soraya herself and maybe a couple others, like Maven for example, know how you feel about her." Shawn shook his head. "She's been burned enough in the past to not look for what's right in front of her face. If you don't tell her how you feel, she'll never see you."
"How would you know?" Jericho practically snarled.
"Been there and missed that opportunity before." Shawn shrugged, seemingly unbothered by the younger man's attitude. "Talk to her Chris, before someone else does."
With that being said, Shawn Michaels rose from the bar stool and left Chris Jericho to brood over his own thoughts. There were plenty of times when Shawn found himself on opposing sides of Chris Jericho, but it didn't take away from the respect he held for him as an athlete and most of the time, as a person.
Meanwhile, Jericho let the Heartbreak Kid's words of wisdom sink in. He couldn't remember a time where he hadn't wanted Soraya as more than a friend. He had never confessed his feelings because Shamrock and the Undertaker have always been in his way. Now they weren't and the only thing holding him back was fear.
Hunter and Ric's Hotel Room
"Maven?!" Randy Orton exclaimed incredulously. "She's going out with Maven?"
"That's what I heard." Ric nodded. "They had their first coffee date this morning. Looks like you're going to have to step it up, Big Dave and nip this thing in the bud, woo!"
"I still don't understand why Dave's doing this." Randy shook his head. "I'm with a new girl every night. Dave has one girl every other week."
"That's because I'm not a male slut." Batista rolled his eyes.
"I'm not a slut, I'm the Lady Thriller." Randy puffed out his chest. "Not that I really want to, but I could take Soraya's attention off Maven in a heartbeat."
"Except for the fact that she dislikes you because you're a no good jackass to her." Batista retorted. "I happen to like her and the feeling is mutual. Maven's not a threat to me."
"No." Hunter spoke for the first time throughout the argument. He had appeared to be deep in thought. "Maven won't be much of a threat, but Chris Jericho will."
"Jericho?" Batista looked over at him questioningly.
"Jericho's been in love with her since he came to this company. He won't waste his chance for someone like Maven and Soraya cares about him, maybe even feels for him too." Hunter looked up at Dave fiercely. "You've got to beat him to her heart, Dave."
"I still say I turn on the charm and put her in a puddle at my feet just like every other girl." Randy argued.
"Shut up, Randy." Hunter barked. "You've ruined whatever chance you could have had with her by being an idiot. Dave's my best shot."
"I flirted with her earlier tonight." Dave informed them. "She flirted right back, and in front of Maven too. I'll step it up tomorrow."
"You better, because if she falls for Chris Jericho, using her against Benoit will be useless. They'll be a real team again and then Evolution might be fucked." Hunter shook his head in disgust. "They were able to overthrow me and Stone Cold Steve Austin years ago. I won't underestimate them again. We have to step in now."
"I will." Dave assured him.
"Good." Hunter sat back, satisfied for the moment.