A/N: Wow, I can't tell you how awesome you guys are. Thanks so much for all the comments and love. I honestly didn't expect this. You guys' comments really make my day! Enjoy~

Chapter 13

"My body hurts, but I don't care 'cuz I'm in the city of Rhythm and Blues, baby," Dean sang aloud.

A week had passed since the whole El Paso debacle, and things had returned to normal. Well, almost normal. Dean had been sleeping alone in hotels since that night. After Roman's words, he still couldn't bring himself to room with the guy. A few times, he'd roomed with Seth when he really didn't want to be alone. But Seth wasn't like Roman. He easily got annoyed at Dean's attempts to keep him up late, talking or watching movies, or whatever.

Not like Dean could help he had trouble sleeping sometimes.

But despite all that, he and Roman fell back into their usual routine. It was good times again.

They'd just finished a live show at the FedEx Forum in downtown Memphis, and now they were headed to a bar.

Roman was driving again, the smooth operator of the trio. Dean sat beside him in the passenger seat, while Seth sat in the back.

"Memphis fans are buck wild," Roman commented with a smile.

"They're not quite as crazy as the Chicago fans, but if I had to have a top five, they'd be in it," Seth added.

Dean continued singing, "Home of Elvis and the best barbecue in America."

Roman laughed at him. "And soul food."

"Southern hospitality," Seth added with a mock Southern accent.

At a red light, Roman nudged Dean.

Dean faced him. "What was that for?"

"Nothing." Roman shook his head. "You're a nut."

"What kind of nut? Because Dean Ambrose can't be just any kind of nut. I might be partial to walnuts, but I hate pine nuts."

Seth laughed. "Dean Ambrose, the walnut. Sounds retarded."

"Seth Rollins, the soybean, the lamest of them all."

Seth scoffed. "A soybean isn't a nut." He pulled out his phone to look it up.

"Go ahead and Google it, or whatever it's called. A soybean is definitely a nut."

Roman shook his head. "I swear being around you two is like raising teenagers."

Dean grinned at him. "Ro, you'd be an almond."

Roman made a left turn at Siri's command, his eyes glued to the road. "Why almond?"

"Because..." Dean paused as he tried to think of the best way to describe it. "Like an almond, you can be bitter or sweet, but either way you're good for me." Dean licked his lips as Roman glanced his way, his expression serious. Maybe it came out weird? It probably confused the hell out of him, but it made perfect sense to Dean.

Seth broke the silence in the car. "Aww, Dean, you sap." He laughed. "Get it? Tree sap?"

"Yep, Seth, we got it," Roman replied. He turned away to focus on the road.

Dean sank down into his seat, inwardly cursing himself for making strange nonsensical comments. Again. Roman would probably suspect something. He faced the window when he felt Roman's strong hand on his knee.

Dean looked down at it before staring at Roman's face for some kind of expression. He didn't move, let alone breathe. The heat from Roman's palm radiated through his leg, as if the jeans he wore wasn't even there.

Roman briefly smiled at him. "Almond. I kind of like it."

Dean didn't know what to say. He cleared his throat and angled his face in Seth's direction. "You look it up yet?"

"Yes," Seth grumbled, refusing to meet his gaze.

Dean gave him a lopsided smile. "And I'm right, aren't I?"

Seth huffed. "Screw you, Dean. I'm not a damn soybean, either."

Dean couldn't help laughing at that. "We're in the city of Rhythm and Blues, baby!"

They arrived at the Madison Hotel a few minutes later. After parking, the three of them walked inside together, cracking jokes and talking about wrestling. Roman threw his arm around Dean's shoulder. His body was warm from the fleece-lined coat he wore, and his hair tickled Dean's face.

Dean needed a drink. Fast.

It wasn't long before they were given menus and seated. A blonde woman wearing too much makeup approached them. "I'm Tiffany, and I'll be serving you tonight. What can I get for y'all?"

Roman peered up from the menu. "What's in the Eye of the Tiger?"

"Blue curacao, vanilla vodka, spiced rum, and ginger ale."

"That actually sounds good. I'll take it."

Seth sneered at him. "I thought you were the DD?"

"Oh, I am. One drink won't impair me."

Tiffany grinned at Roman. "You a Tigers fan?"

"No, ma'am. I don't get a lot of time to watch sports."

"Oh, I see. Well even if you aren't a Tigers fan, people still like this drink." Tiffany glimpsed between Seth and Dean. "Are y'all ready to order too?"

Seth gave the waitress a flirty smile. "What do you recommend?"

Tiffany didn't even hesitate. "Oh the Big Red, for sure. It's kinda like a bourbon Manhattan, with apple whisky, spiced bourbon, and a little cranberry juice. It's delicious."

"Sold," Seth exclaimed with a grin.

"I want a Hotty Toddy," Dean said in a sing-song voice.

Tiffany smiled. "Coming up. I'll be back with your drinks."

After she left, Dean drummed his fingers on the table and glanced around the bar. It had a cool vibe, with a patio overlooking downtown, and weird, New Age-esque paintings on the walls. Low jazz music played from a speaker throughout the bar.

Roman leafed through the menu. "I'm starving, guys. You think the steak here is any good?"

"I think you'll eat it anyway," Dean joked.

"Yeah, right. You know I don't play about my food. Least of all, my steaks."

Dean grinned. "I know, big guy."

Tiffany returned with a tray of their cocktails and a basket of fried shrimp.

Roman eyeballed the seafood. "We didn't order this."

"Compliments of the house. They're shrimp beignets, and they are fried in funnel cake batter. Perfect drinking snack, if you ask me. Y'all enjoy. I'll be back to take your food orders momentarily."

They thanked her as she left. Seth shook his head. "You know in my experience, women don't give you free food for no reason. I don't know, it could be poisoned."

Roman lifted a fat, fried shrimp up by the tail. He held it to Dean's lips, a faux scared look on his mug. "You try it first."

Dean gave him an incredulous look. "Why me?"

"Because you're a tough son of a bitch who would kick poison's ass," Seth answered.

Roman shrugged. "What he said."

Dean didn't bother glancing at the thing being dangled in front of his mouth. He locked eyes with Roman, wondering if his friend realized what he was about to do. How intimate it was. Maybe in other cultures, it was okay for guy friends to feed each other, but they were Americans. Stuff like that wasn't done without some kind of special meaning behind it. And it was almost always met with ridicule.

Seth wouldn't hesitate to ridicule the shit out of them.

Dean took the entire shrimp into his mouth, his gaze never wavering from Roman's as he did so. Roman didn't look away, either. Instead, he smiled, and it wasn't a mocking smile either. Dean felt uneasy.

"Is it good?" Roman asked.

Dean nodded. He took a swallow of his drink and frowned. "This tastes like that Red Hot candy, but in liquid form. You guys know what I'm talking about?"

"Let me try." Without even waiting for permission, Roman slid Dean's drink over and sipped from his straw.

Dean arched a brow, even though his stomach was doing cartwheels. It wasn't the first time they'd drunk off of one another, but holy shit...

Something weird was going on with Roman today.

"It does kinda taste like it." Roman took another sip. "A hint of tea." Sip. "Lots of honey and lemon." Sip. "It's warm." Sip. "I'm pretty sure it's Jack Daniels."

Dean snatched his Hotty Toddy back from him. "Don't drink it all."

Roman gave him that innocent smile as he sipped from his own clear-blue drink. "Who me?"

Dean shook his head in feigned exasperation. This was going to be a long night.

It was Jack Daniels.

Tiffany had told them after they'd bugged her to come over and explain. It was Jack Daniels' "Tennessee Fire" to be exact.

Dean slumped into his seat. He didn't know how long they'd been at the bar, but he'd shot past sober about a half-hour ago. All of them had.

Seth, the lightweight, was groaning and complaining about his stomach pains. Roman finished off the last of his steak frites with a satisfied moan. Dean watched the way the fork slid out of Roman's mouth, slow and sensuously. He shifted in his seat as his cock hardened at the tempting sight.

Roman smiled at him, obviously catching him staring. "What? I got something on my face?"

Dean leaned forward. "Yeah, you got a little something right here." As Roman leaned closer, Dean flicked him on his nose. He burst into laughter at the bewildered expression on his friend's face.

Roman pulled him into a headlock, burying him in his natural scent of spicy musk mingled with his favorite Old Spice. Damn, he smelled good. Dean wouldn't mind being wrapped around that every night.

Dean pushed his body weight forward and into Roman. Though Roman tried to keep them upright, it didn't work in his current state. They fell onto the floor in a tangled heap. Roman chuffed as Dean landed on top of him.

"Will you two stop embarrassing me?" Seth groaned.

They ignored him.

Roman stretched his arms out and went lax. "All right, I give up. Now get off, you're heavy."

Dean stared into those steel-colored eyes. Even though they were in a bar, he forgot everything around them. All he saw was Roman. All he felt was Roman's hard, chiseled body beneath him. All he wanted to do was take Roman right then and there. Dean wanted to claim him, and his body was more than ready to. "You sure you want me to get up?"

Roman frowned. "What kind of question is that?" He tried to push Dean off him, but Dean used the strength advantage he had to keep the bigger man pinned down.

Dean smirked. "I don't know, Ro, but you look really cozy down there."

"What if I said I was?"

Dean opened his mouth to respond, but nothing came out. His throat had gone dry like the Sahara. Meanwhile, Roman's eyelids were half-mast. He licked his lips and watched Dean with an expression Dean could only guess was his imagination playing tricks on him.

Roman looked at him like he wanted him too. It was totally, completely impossible.

Dean coughed. Cleared his throat. "Ro." His voice was husky.

Roman broke out into laughter. "Come on, I'm kidding. You should see the look on your face right now." He punched Dean's shoulder. "I got you good."

"I don't know where y'all are from, but there is no horse playing here. Not in my bar." Tiffany.

Dean shot to his feet. He didn't even bother helping Roman up. Tiffany was staring holes into them. Dean gave her a sheepish smile. "Sorry 'bout that."

"Yeah, sorry," Roman added.

They took their seats. Seth shook his head at both of them. "At least wait until we're back at the hotel before you get it on—"

Dean kicked him beneath the table.

"Ow! What the hell?"

Roman threw a wadded up napkin at him. "Shut up, Seth."

Tiffany rolled her eyes, but couldn't help smiling at their antics. "Can I get y'all some dessert?"

"Could we get a few beers?" Dean needed to be really drunk if he wanted to function normally again. Stupid as it was, he'd kinda gotten his hopes up in that moment, thinking Roman actually had feelings for him, too.

What a letdown.

Tiffany raised a brow. "You don't think you're drunk enough?"

"Not nearly."

"You know I can refuse to serve alcohol to customers I think is drunk enough."

Roman patted Dean's thigh. Dean closed his eyes and breathed. He swore he was gonna lose his mind if Roman touched him again. "Can we get a round of coffee?" Roman interceded.

"Sure thing, hon."

Dean made a face. He didn't want coffee right now, but he'd go along with it. "Can you make mine an espresso?"

Tiffany nodded. "He's the difficult one of the group, isn't he?"

Seth glared at Dean. "You have no idea."

"Love you too, Sethie."

Tiffany left them alone again. Dean swayed softly to the R & B song playing in the background. He had no clue who it was, but it was nice.

"Guys, there's something I gotta tell you."

Dean and Roman glanced at Seth, though Dean didn't stop swaying.

"I kinda have a thing for someone."

Dean perked at that. Roman's eyes widened. "Really? Who? Do we know her?"

"You mean to tell me that Seth Rollins actually wants to go monogamous with someone?" Dean asked with a grin.

"Ha ha, you're not funny." Seth sighed. "It's Sasha."

Roman arched a brow. "Sasha. As in, Sasha Banks?"

"Yeah. Sasha Banks. The Boss."

Dean and Roman gazed at each other, both giving nods of approval. "I can see the appeal," Dean said. "She seems really cool."

"Yeah, she really does." Seth's eyes glossed over as if he were lost in thoughts of the fiery redhead. "I should ask her out, right? I mean, that's what you guys would do, right?"

Dean didn't say anything. Couldn't. He still hadn't told Roman how he felt, so he wasn't qualified to answer.

Roman pointed at Seth. "You should do whatever your little heart desires, Seth."

Dean laughed at the playfulness in his tone.

"Hey. Can I buy you a drink?"

The three of them turned at the sound of a husky, feminine voice to face a beautiful African-American woman standing beside their table. She was pretty tall and definitely leggy in a short, red dress, nude pantyhose, and spiked heels. The woman was beautiful, slim, with long brown hair worn in a curly coif down her back. Her hazel eyes were locked on Roman.

Of course.

Roman checked her out, drinking her all in. From the look on his face, he was impressed. She was Roman's type, for sure.

"Don't worry, I'm good for it," she added.

Dean thought he was going to be sick. Blatant lust oozed from her voice.

Roman smiled. "Sorry, doll. I'm done drinking for tonight."

"Really? That's too bad."

Dean smiled inwardly. Good. Roman wasn't interested. So she could go on her merry way, and they could have their coffees in peace.

"But, we could still talk, if that's okay."

Dean gawked at Roman. Roman, who was studiously ignoring him while he ogled her.

The woman's face lit up. "That's definitely okay. I'm Shonda, by the way."

"Nice to meet you, Shonda. I'm Roman. These are my brothers, Dean and Seth."

Shonda smiled at them all. "Hi, guys. I hope you don't mind me kidnapping Roman for a little while. Don't worry, I'll take good care of him."

Dean snorted. "You do know kidnapping's a crime in all fifty states, don't you?"

Everyone looked at him. Shonda appeared to be trying to guess whether he was serious or not. Roman laughed first, breaking the tension. "Don't mind Dean. He's got a weird sense of humor."

"Oh. Okay. Anyway, I'm over here. Come on."

As Roman took her hand and walked off, Dean stared after them, trying his hardest to suppress the emotions threatening to creep out of him. Namely jealousy.

Tiffany returned then with their coffees and his espresso. "Where'd the other one go?"

Seth grinned like the Cheshire cat. "Over there with the hottie in red."

Dean rolled his eyes. He put the cup to his lips and drank. The bitter drink burned his tongue, but he didn't care. He peered in the direction Shonda had taken Roman to. They were sitting together, laughing, in animated conversation. Even drunk, Roman was charming. Outgoing. More daring.

Dean wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He didn't know why he was jealous. Roman had already told him he wasn't into guys. And he didn't know about Dean's feelings, either. He didn't know that walking off with that chick was hurting him.

"Seth, you got any cash on you?"

Seth frowned. "Yeah. Why?"

"I'm gonna catch a cab back to the hotel."

Back at the hotel, Dean couldn't sleep.

His mind kept racing with thoughts of Roman and Shonda. Earlier, Seth had text him that Roman had left the bar with Shonda. He'd been proud that Roman was gonna get laid after all this time.

Dean's stomach had churned. He'd rushed to the bathroom to throw up. Too much alcohol or his emotions? He didn't know. Didn't care.

It was too dark and too quiet, only the hum of the unit blowing warm air keeping him company. He didn't like this.

Reaching for his cellphone on the nightstand, Dean dialed up Seth. Maybe they could watch movies together or something until Dean fell asleep. There was no answer.

Dean huffed. He dialed Cesaro, another friend and training buddy of theirs. Dean had met Cesaro on the indie scene where they'd beaten the living hell out of each other. They'd been good friends since. Dean waited after the third ring. Fourth ring. No answer.

He pulled at his hair in frustration. His only other option was Roman, and no way in hell was he going there. If Roman didn't pick up his phone either, that would only make things worse.

Unable to take being alone anymore, Dean hopped out of bed and left the room. Seth's hotel room was just across the hall from his. He walked over and knocked on the door. "Seth, you in there? It's Dean. Open up." Nothing. Not even a peep. The door was locked and the lights were out.

Dean moved next door to Roman's. His heart pounded. Instead of knocking, Dean put his ear to the door and listened. Nothing here either. Lights out. Quiet. A part of Dean was relieved that Roman hadn't brought the chick back to his hotel room. But he also realized it meant Roman could be with her at her place.

Dean moved along. He boarded the elevator and without even thinking about it, he pushed the button for the lobby. As the metal box went down, Dean pressed the back of his head against the cold wall. He really didn't want to do this, but he needed something to take his mind off of his feelings and the pangs in his chest.

The doors slid open and Dean stepped out. The lobby was mostly empty at this time of night. Only a tired looking man stood behind the front desk, thumbing through a magazine. Dean approached him. The young man glanced up, and his cheeks instantly turned red. He put away the magazine, but not before Dean caught a glance of the front cover. A muscled man in boxers and the big words "OUT" above his head.

"Can I help you, sir?"

"Yeah." Dean hesitated. He only hoped he wasn't making a huge mistake. "Could you ring up Randy Orton's room for me? I'm a friend."

A/N: Oh no... what's gonna happen when Dean meets up with Randy again? Find out on the next episode (chapter)! lol!