Chapter 21

Channeling all his rage Roman charged into the ring, aimed low and speared Chris Jericho, nearly breaking him in half. He rolled out the other side before the ref caught him, giving Dean the opportunity to pin the wrestling rock star for the win. Special Ops blared through the speakers, but Roman was far from feeling like celebrating. All he really wanted to do was get his hands around Seth's throat and squeeze until the younger man explained exactly what happened to Beth.

Without looking back Roman hopped the barrier and headed through the crowd. The sooner he disappeared into the bowels of the building the better. Otherwise he might do something they'd all regret. He shoved past the security guard, through the employee's only door.

"Roman." Seth's voice echoed off the concrete walls.

"Not now, Seth." He kept walking despite hearing approaching footsteps. His fingers curled into fists. Didn't his friend realize he needed some time to cool off?

"Yes, now." Seth grabbed him by the shoulder, yanking Roman to a stop.

A feral growl tore from Roman as he snared Seth and slammed him against the wall. "You wanted now, you got it," he snarled as he pressed a hand to Seth's throat. "Start talking and I better damn well like your explanation or you're a dead man."

Much to his surprise, Seth did even try to fight back. In fact his gaze looked almost remorseful as he hung his head. "Her bruises are my fault, but it's not from what you think," Seth replied. "You know me Ro. You know I'd never intentionally harm any woman, especially one that I love."

His words hit Roman like tiny little verbal bombs, exploding on impact and diffusing his rage. Seth loved Beth? His grip loosened on Seth's throat. "Explain." he said as he took a full step back, regaining some control despite the anger still coursing through his veins.

Seth sighed and raked a hand through his two-tone hair. "The bruises on her wrists are from me. I..." he paused, then shrugged. "I got a little aggressive in the shower with her."

Dean smirked and Roman looked over his shoulder at his other partner, hitting him with a look that said he wasn't amused. The grin on Dean's face faded and he held up a hand. "Sorry."

Roman turned back to Seth and was somewhat surprised by the realization that he wasn't in the least bit jealous of Seth's sexual romp with Beth. His anger stemmed entirely from his concern for her well-being. "Continue," he prompted.

"Okay." Seth nodded. "So the bruises on her wrists are my doing, but all the rest-"

"All the rest?" Roman nearly shouted as Seth's words began to sink in. "Just how many injuries does she have?"

Seth closed his eyes and let out a heavy sigh. "If you'd shut the hell up long enough to let me talk, I'll explain."

Roman cocked his head to the side and grumbled a "Fine," beneath his breath.

"So you know that ravine deep in the woods behind my parents' house?"

Roman tried to picture the area Seth spoke of. "The place where there is a steep drop into a creek bed at the bottom?"

Seth nodded. "That's the place." He sighed, the sound leading Roman to believe the weight of the world sat on his friend's shoulders. "We went for a walk. She lost her balance and fell down the embankment."

Roman's body jerked as Seth's words took root. "Fuck."

Seth nodded. "Tell me about it. All I could do was stand there and watch as she tumbled down the side, kicking up dirt and leaves as she went. She smacked into a tree at one point." He visibly shuddered. "Fucking scared the piss out of me. For a few brief terrifying seconds I actually thought I'd lost her too."

"Good God," Dean said as Roman wrestled with the image of Beth tumbling down that embankment. He'd been there with Seth and knew how steep it really was.

"You want to kick my ass for letting her get hurt, go ahead." Seth held his arms out in invitation. "I deserve it. I knew better than to take her into the woods with a bad ankle. So yeah, beat the piss out of me for not taking better care of her, but I swear to you Ro...On Bobby's grave...I would never do anything to intentionally hurt her."

Roman scrubbed a hand over his goatee as the remainder of his anger dissipated. "I'm not gonna kick your ass. It was an accident." He looked over at Seth and smirked. "Besides, it looks to me like you're doing a good job of kicking your own ass over this."

"So we all good now?" Dean asked.

Roman nodded as he looked at Seth. "Yeah, I'm good. I'm sorry I thought the worst."

"It's okay." Seth gave him a knuckle touch. "I would have done the same thing in your place."

"Good." Dean nodded. "Now if you two drama queens can get your shit together I think it might be time for you to actually give some thought to the woman you were fighting about."

Seth's eyes widened. "Beth. When we left her in the locker room you were ready to kick my ass."

"She's probably worried sick." Roman motioned to him. "Let's go settle her fears."

The three of them jogged through the halls to their locker room. Roman shoved open the door. "Beth!" He raced inside only to slow as he realized the room was empty.

Seth stopped behind him. "Where is she?"

"Um?" Dean pointed to the empty spot where her makeup station had been. "Her makeup kit is gone."

Seth's attention zipped around the room. "So is her suitcase."

Roman's eyes widened. "What in the hell did we do?"

Seth raced for his bag and pulled out his phone. "I'll try calling-" His words died as he stared at his phone.

The look on Seth's face told Roman something was very wrong. "What is it?"

"She texted me." He held up his phone. "She's gone."

Roman frowned at his words even as his brain refused to accept what he'd heard. "What do you mean gone?"

"I mean she's gone." He chucked his phone at Roman. "Read it."

Roman caught the phone mid-air and immediately began reading. I'm sorry to do this to you, but I've left and I'm not coming back. I won't be the reason for The Shield's demise. I won't be what destroys your friendship. I'm so sorry. I love you both so much, and I didn't want to go, but in my heart I know this is for the best. I hope you'll each find it in your hearts to forgive me...Beth.

Seth sank to the bench. "I can't believe she's just gone. After everything we shared."

Dean leaned back against the lockers. "Can I ask a stupid question?"

"What?' Roman replied as he hung his head.

"Did either of you actually discuss this sharing arrangement with Beth?"

Roman exchanged glances with Seth before looking at Dean. "Not yet, why?"

"Okay so follow me here," Dean said as he held his hands out. "You seduce her into bed, right?"

Roman nodded.

"Right," Dean continued. "They you send her away with Seth and he seduces her into bed, right?"

"Yeah, so?" Seth shrugged. "What's your point?"

"My point is..." Dean pushed off the lockers. "You both slept with her, but she doesn't know that you each know about the other."

Roman knit his brow. "I'm not following."

Dean rolled his eyes. "Of course you're not, because you and our ferret faced friend over here are both a couple of lunk heads."

"How about you drop the insults and get to the point," Seth grumbled.

"My point," Dean stressed the word. "Is that neither of you clued Beth in on your little plan. She's a sweet and sensitive girl who witnessed you two about to go to blows. Combine that with what I'd bet money, is a massive amount of guilt on her part and you've both just driven your girl away because you tried to get one over on her instead of talking to her."

Roman groaned as he dropped to the bench and banged his head on the lockers. "We're idiots."

"I won't disagree with that statement," Dean replied then his phone began to ring. He glanced at the screen and his face lit with happiness. "Hey, babe," he answered. "What's up?"

Roman glanced at Seth who sat leaning against the lockers with his head back and his eyes closed. "We fucked up."

Seth nodded, but didn't open his eyes. "I know and what hurts more is that we might not get the chance to make things right."

"Actually," Dean interrupted as he hung up his call. "You just might get that chance after all."