Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the WWE or its superstars.
RAW- 2 weeks before Wrestlemania
Zack and I opened the show. His music hit and we walked down the ramp arm and arm. He slid into the ring and parted the ropes for me to enter. Zack then turned and grabbed a microphone. Once the crowd's cheers calmed he began.
"Weeks ago, I got attacked by an 'unknown assailant'. I think we all know this assailant is Dolph Ziggler. It's pretty obvious, he knew he needed to injure me in order to keep me out of Elimination Chamber. He snaked his way into getting a title shot. Ziggler, you are nothing but a coward. You and I both know that I deserve a title shot and you are going to give it to me."
Dolph's music hit and he walked down to the ring, a smug smile adorned his face as usual. The crowd gave him a pretty split reaction.
"You deserve a title shot? I thought number one contenders 'deserved' a title shot. So why should I give you a title shot when I don't have to? I'm Dolph Ziggler! I'm perfection. I deserved this belt more than you ever did. You just can't handle being such a failure."
John Laurinitis came out to the ring to a chorus of boos from the audience.
"Now guys we need to settle this like adults. First of all Zack, I need to remind you that you are not entitled to a title shot. You are not the number one contender. But, I am Mr. Excitement and I want to give the fans what they want to see! I think they would love to have the United States Championship defended at Wrestlemania. So I want to do what I can to make that happen. So Dolph, is there anything that would make you willing to give Mr. Ryder here a title shot at Wrestlemania?"
Dolph stood there for a minute thinking. Then, a devious smile crossed his face. He leaned over and whispered something into John Laurinitis' ear. He nodded.
"There is a stipulation that Mr. Ziggler would be willing to do and that I would definitely allow…"
"Well what is it?" Zack asked eagerly.
"Why don't you tell him Dolph," he said with a sinister grin.
"Well, I shouldn't be the only person with something at stake. If I'm putting something special to me on the line, so should you. So if you win Zack, you win the United States Championship. If I win, I get the United States Championship AND I get the exclusive managerial services of your gorgeous wife Kelsey." My jaw dropped and he winked at me flirtatiously.
"Deal!" Zack said quickly. I gave him a death glare before punching him in the arm hard.
"What the hell Zack! You didn't even hesitate? You are willing to bargain me away to him?" Zack only shrugged.
"I plan on winning so that wont matter, Kels!" He said confidently.
"Are you okay with this agreement Mrs. Ryder?" John asked.
"I guess so," I said dismissively. I immediately left the ring, I was fuming all the way up the ramp.
"I guess it's official. Winner receives the championship and Kelsey Ryder's services."
Back behind the curtain. I sat waiting for Dolph. I was glad that Dolph hadn't brought up Zack and I's conversation again and we were able to still be normal around one another. We just pushed it under the rug. It was perfect because I was still jumbled up about it. He finally came through the curtain with a broad smile.
"How excited are you to be going to Wrestlemania!"
"I am very excited, it is an amazing privilege. It's too bad I don't get my own match!"
"There is always next year. But this year you get an even better gig, being involved in the United States Championship match!"
"Yeah as a part of a wager. So essentially I'm the match stipulation. I just have to stand there and look pretty at ringside."
"You are good at that! What's so wrong about it?"
"I'm being traded like property!" I said laughing.
"Don't be ridiculous, you aren't being traded. I prefer to think of it more like you are being offered to me!" He said with a wink. I shot him a look.
"I am not an offering!"
"Okay fine, you are more like a prize. A trophy basically, a beautiful trophy. But on the bright side, you're the best prize ever!" He said laughing.
"Nice save there, Dolph. It is sweet of you to say though."
"I am a sweet guy… and highly attractive."
"Not to mention so modest," I said teasingly. He messed up my hair playfully with his hand.
"Especially modest."
"Luckily for you, I put up with you and do you crazy awesome favors."
"You are right, I am lucky to have you…speaking of favors, are you ready to fly out for the wedding in a few days?"
"Yeah, I even have my dress bought and everything."
"Wow, you actually had an outfit picked out in advance? Usually you are scrambling at the last minute like a crazy person."
"I guess I decided to try something new and be prepared for once."
"Way to go!"
"Well you are a guy, you just throw on a suit or a tux and you are good to go to events like these. Women have so much more to consider like the dress, jewelry, undergarments, shoes, hair, and makeup. It's so not fair!"
"You are just jealous that I can do so little and look this good!"
"Oh, Bullshit!" I said giggling.
"So… what color is the dress you're wearing?"
"To the wedding? Red. Why?"
"I needed to know so I could know what tie to wear. Nothing says couple like coordinated outfits. I want everybody to know that you are my lovely date." We both let our faces be overtaken by grins.
"Do you honestly think your family will fall for this?"
"I don't see why not, my parents did."
"Touché sir. We are quite a convincing pair."
"Acting like a couple kind of comes naturally for us I think."
Biggest understatement ever.
Once back in my hotel room, I got a visit from Natalya.
"Hey Kelsey."
"Hey Nattie. How are you?"
"Great but obviously not as good as you!"
"How do you figure?" I said smiling.
"You are stuck in the middle of two really hot guys and at Wrestlemania at that!" She said nearly squealing.
"I know it is so surreal! I'm just glad I got included on the card. By the way, I heard you made the card as well! Congratulations!"
"Thank you! I'm very excited….What's in the garment bag?" She asked nosily.
"Well, if you must know, it is my new dress."
"For the Hall of Fame ceremony?"
"Nope, for Dolph's cousin's wedding this weekend."
"Oh my goodness. You are going as his date?" She chirped excitedly.
"Technically, yes. His family still thinks we are an item and so we are continuing our little charade."
"You and I both know there is hardly any charade, woman! But I digress. Can I see the dress?"
"Of course!" She happily jumped off the bed and over to the bag. She peaked inside.
"Oh my god!"
"What?"
"It's a fuck me dress!"
"It is not. It's a Kelsey wants to look hot dress."
"Whatever you say! This dress is definitely going to get some results."
"I'm not trying to sleep with Dolph!"
"Okay…but it wouldn't be the worst thing!" I threw a pillow at her.
"You might as well wear a Team Dolph Shirt! You really want the two of us together."
"It's a no brainer."
"Well Zack has totally thrown me for a loop lately."
"What's going on? He seems to be playing into the couple thing on camera more than usual."
"Yeah well, I already told you about the hospital conversation and the hallway screaming match when Dolph was in my bed…"
"Yess…."
"Well, at our interview shoot last week Zack threw a fit on me. He was pissed because I invited Dolph to watch the interview. He was kind of pissy so I excused us so we could talk it out quick. Basically he lays it all out on the line. He thinks it's not to late for us and that we really could make it work again."
"Holy crap! That is so ballsy! I knew he wanted to get back with you but damn! What did you tell him?"
"Well I said it's a little late. It is too late isn't it?"
"That is one thing I can't really tell you. You have to know whether something feels right."
"Four years ago, I would have been jumping for joy. When it happened, it just threw me for a loop. I mean, he was the love of my life, and he still is my husband. It's hard to just turn my back on somebody who I have so much history with."
"It's a completely understandable feeling to have Kelsey. I think you really have some soul searching to do. You really need to be honest with yourself about how you feel about Zack…and Dolph for that matter."
"I know, you are so right."
"Of course I am, that's why you always talk to me about these things."
"What would I do without your wisdom?"
"You'd be lost. Obviously."
We talked and laughed for a few more hours. After she left, I couldn't help but dwell on our conversation. I knew she was right, I needed to figure out where my head was at. It was just a difficult thing to do when both men have played such important roles in my life. It didn't help that our awkward situation was drawing parallels with our onscreen storylines. Luckily, Wrestlemania seemed to be the crescendo for this rivalry. The dynamics between the three of us were getting messy and everybody backstage could tell. This hadn't transferred to on camera as we have all managed to keep it professional. I couldn't help but wonder who they were going to have win the match at Wrestlemania but either way, things were going to change. I had to figure out what I wanted and fast.
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