Chapt. 14

Ten minutes after Jon had left her office the door swung wide open, banging against the wall, causing her to jump. In the instant that the door slammed open she had a flashback to her days of hell, something that hadn't happened in two long years. All she could see in her mind was Logan slamming into the house, she could smell the alcohol on his breath, and see the hate in his eyes. She shook her head to try to clear her mind, blinking away the memories that she never wanted to relive.

"I'm sorry, is there something that I can help you with?"

He sat down across from her at the desk and cockily crossed his feet on the desk. His arms crossed nonchalantly across his chest and an arrogant smile found his face. "Seth Rollins, apparently you wanted to see me, which I have to admit, doesn't shock me in the least. There's a line of people wanting me and my time."

Immediately she didn't like him. He had an entitled air about him, this attitude that oozed a pompous jerk persona. He reminded her far too much of her ex-husband and at this moment she really just wanted him out of her office. She pulled out a file detailing the concept she had worked up for the three man faction and slid it to him. "This is a working concept that would take you and two others up to the main roster. It is entirely contingent on it being the three of you together, no single rise up. Take a look and let me know what you're thoughts are." Claire turned to her computer and tried to look busy even though he had her so uneasy and on edge that's she couldn't begin to concentrate.

He held the file in his hand and without even opening it up he smirked and scoffed all at once. "So wait, my move to a main roster spot has to be shared with two other jokers who probably aren't nearly as deserving as I am for that move up? What a bunch of horse shit!"

"Mr. Rollins, I assume that's how you want to be referred to, the original call up wasn't for you at all to be frank. It was I who thought that you could be a part of something big and tossed your name into the mix. So, read over that file in your hands and tell me your thoughts. Again, you move up with the other two or you're welcome to put in some more time here and watch others go on." She was surprised at how steady her voice came across given how shaken she felt. She didn't like this guy at all, he set her on edge and caused her nervous to fray.

He heaved a deep breath and opened the file. He read in silence for a moment. "These two jokes! Are you…" he cut off his words when she cut her eyes to him. He rolled his eyes at her and clenched his teeth as he continued to read. When he finished with the file he threw it on her desk and it almost slid off of the other side. "If this is what it takes to go up, fine. But watch me blow those two outta the water. I'll be the stand out of the whole group, mark my words." He stood, pushing the chair back roughly and stomping right out of her office.

Claire released a breath she hadn't realized that she was holding and pushed her chair back, crossing the room to close her door. She needed a minute or two to collect herself and get passed the emotions that had been stirred up. She wasn't sure if she was angrier with herself for allowing it to happen or at Rollins for stirring it up. Sitting at her desk she crossed her arms and rested her forehead on them. Those days were far behind her and she knew so she needed to get her act together. A minute passed and she raised her head and composed an email to Steve.

"I have spoken to all three individuals about the proposed concept and they are all on board to set this into motion. I hope that you will entrust me with this and allow me to start the ball rolling here in Orlando, test the waters here before pulling it up to the main roster. I'll wait for your reply before I set up a meeting to go over this storyline with the three participants to start rehearsing."

She shut down her computer, thankful to be done for the day, and began to pack up her bags. She was hungry and was ready to grab lunch before her ride back home to Tampa. Her eyes caught the flowers that Joe had sent to her that morning and she made a mental note to grab them before leaving out for the day. As she slipped her purse on her shoulder and headed to the door she took a moment to stop and gently touch one of the perfectly fragile petals. She smiled to herself, blushed even, and wondered if she would see him before leaving.

Claire was settled at a table with her grilled chicken salad and eating contentedly alone in the performance center's café. There was noise, mindless chatter going on all around her and she let the world go on while she sat with her thoughts. She was dreading the drive home. She needed to come to decision on her living situation soon, the miles were piling up on her car right along with the gas bill.

A large strong hand landed on her shoulder and she jumped, a bit of fear grabbing hold of her thanks to the feelings stirred earlier. She must have gasped because the big man was quickly taking a seat beside her and she was greeted with those chocolate eyes that she'd thought of more often than she was comfortable with.

"I didn't mean to scare you, are you okay? You're insanely pale." His voice was deep, low and soft, and full of concern for her.

She nodded silently, her hand gripping her shirt at the neck. She could feel her pulse calming again, her breathing was back to normal almost instantly. "It's okay, I'm fine, yes. Um, I should uh, well I should thank you for those beautiful flowers this morning."

He smiled that smile of his, the one that made it hard to think and breathe. "You're more than welcome. I tried to find some that would reflect your beauty. It was so much harder than I thought." She giggled a bit, like a school girl, and he could feel his stomach clench in appreciation of her. "So do you mind some company?"

"No, no not at all."

He took a sip of his drink and leaned back in his chair. "Jon thinks you're like, I don't know, Einstein or something with this storyline you got all worked up. He's totally on board."

She laughed thinking of Jon. She'd liked him. He was raw, but he was real. She appreciated that in a person. She saw some of her in Jon in fact. That rough past that could have broken them, the now that hands the past a middle finger and big fuck you, I made it out alive. Yes, they were more similar than anyone would realize. "I liked him, however Rollins, well… I don't know. He's on board but I feel like it's only because it pulls him up. He seems far too egotistical for where he is right now in his career. He rubbed me all wrong. I don't like him at all but, work is work."

Before Joe could respond, Jon plopped himself down in the other chair at the table. "This big jackass causing you issues Little Bit? I can take him out, real easy like."

Joe and Claire both laughed out loud. "No, no Jon, he's perfectly fine actually." She blushed when she glanced up at the Samoan and he winked at her. They sat in an easy conversation for a good half hour before Claire stood with her empty plate. "I'd better get going. I have quite a drive ahead of me and I want to beat the traffic."

Jon smiled at her and waved. "Nice talk today Miss Claire, I think we're onto something here ya know. You drive safe. See you when we see you." He was tossing malt balls in the air, catching one after another in his mouth, not a care in the world. He reminded her of an innocent little kid, his sandy, light brown curls and big old blue eyes shining. She could see how some girls would be taken with him, but he just wasn't her kinda guy, but he would definitely be someone's kind.

Joe stood with her and stretched. "I'll walk you to your office, that is, if you don't mind of course." She shook her head no and he walked by her side, his hand naturally falling to her lower back as he did.

"Come on in," she said as they got to her office. "Close the door while I gather my things."

He did as she has said and then propped against the closed door. "So, your text… you'd be willing to go out with me again? Maybe make it an official date?"

He watched as she took her full and soft lower lip between her teeth, smiling. Her nose wrinkled up and his heart skipped a beat. "I um, well, yeah. I think I'd like that Joe."

He smiled. "I'll call you this week if that's okay, set something up." He waited til she appeared ready to go and walked to her. "I've been thinking about something since last night."

She could smell his cologne, the cinnamon of the gum he was chewing. As big as he was she was far from uncomfortable with him this close. She liked it, felt safe actually. "What's been on your mind?"

His big hands lifted, one resting at her lower back, gently pulling her closer to him. The other rested under her chin, tilting her head up to him. He leaned in slowly, giving her time to process the impending kiss, and to stop it from happening if she so desired. "This," his voice was barely a whisper as his lips grazed hers, soft at first. He brushed her lips a second time, the touch firmer this time. He felt her push herself closer to him and wondered if the kisses they shared had stayed on her mind as they had his.

Claire felt lighter than air when his lips brushed against hers. She felt like there was not a worry in her world and in that moment there wasn't. Her hands found his arms and she gripped his shoulders as she leaned into him. She was okay with his lips on hers, and she was surprised at this realization. She felt him smile against her lips before pulling away, and she let her lips smile to.

"Here, I'll carry your bags, walk you to your car. Can I message you later?"

She nodded her head yes, "I'd like to hear from you, yes." She walked with him to her car and smiled yet again when he opened her door for her, waiting on her to crank the car and roll her window down before he closed it. "Thank you Joe, you're quite the gentleman. It's been nice getting to know you the last two days."

"The pleasure has been all mine darling. Drive safe okay? Maybe text me when you get home, ya know, I mean, just so I know you made it okay?"

She was biting her lip again as she looked up at him, struck by how easy he was to be near, how easy it was to like him. "I will. I'll see you Joe." She was smiling as she drove away, watching him in her rear view as he watched her drive away. Yes, she would be back to Orlando soon, she thought, smiling still.