Chapter 21: Lean On Me
A week later Punk was back in Chicago and he enlisted Colt to help him pack up some things to make room for April.
"I still can't believe this" Colt said to him as he put some things in a box "You invited a woman to live with you"
"She's not just another woman man" Punk said as he threw more clothes into a box "She's the one" he said to him
"Seriously?" Colt asked
"Do you not like her or something?" Punk asked looking over to his best friend
"I like April a lot and I'm happy for you" Colt said honestly "I just have known you for a long time and have never seen you this way over a woman before"
"She's amazing" Punk smiled "We had a great New Years actually"
"Oh yea?" Colt asked "What did you two do?"
"We uh made up" Punk shrugged "All night long as a matter of fact"
"You seem to really be enjoying the physical aspect of your relationship with her" Colt remarked subtly
"She's the best I've ever had" Punk confirmed casually
"No way" Colt laughed
"Why are you laughing?" Punk asked him
"She was virgin a few months ago" Colt pointed out "She barely ever kissed a man before and now you're telling me she's the best sex you've ever had?"
"Hands down" Punk said to him honestly "She's wild"
"No way" Colt said to him
"Yes way" Punk confirmed "I mean I don't know where it came from but I'm loving it"
"Maybe someone has taught her a thing or two" Colt teased but Punk just glared at him "I'm just messing with you"
"Seriously though New Years was the best fifteen minutes of my life and I can't believe I even lasted that long" Punk confided
"I need to find a virgin girl" Colt said to himself
"It has nothing to do with that we just click" Punk said to him
"Well I can see why you want her in your bed every night" Colt smirked "So what else did you two do in Tampa?"
"I was only there for the night I had an appearance on the 2nd" Punk said to him "But I did beat up Jason"
"The trainer?" Colt asked "Not that I blame you but why?"
"April bumped into him and he coaxed her into his gym and talked her into working out with him" Punk said to him
"That animal" Colt mocked
"First of all he almost twisted her arm right off of her body" Punk said to him "And he did something else"
"What?" Colt asked him
"She won't tell me but I know she kneed him in the balls to get away from him" Punk said to him
"No shit" Colt said "Good for her and hey at least with her here you won't have to worry about her running into him"
"It's not even about that" Punk admitted "I just feel better when she's around"
"Well I'm happy for you" Colt said genuinely "It's about time you found someone who makes you happy but why are you acting as if you're the one moving?"
"I don't wear half of this shit" Punk said to him "I'll give it away and that'll make room for her stuff"
"When is this move happening?" Colt asked
"A few weeks" Punk said to him "She still has to work NXT for a little bit longer but once that's done she'll be here"
"A woman in the ultimate bachelor pad" Colt said shaking his head "My how the times have changed"
Monday rolled around and everyone was back to work. April had found out they wanted her in her first match. She'd be teaming with Dolph to take on Natalya and The Great Khali.
"How are you feeling?" Nick asked her
"Good" April said to him but she was very nervous "Look about last week-"
"Forget it" Nick said to her "I was having a shitty week and took it out on you and honestly your relationship with Punk isn't my business"
"It's not" April agreed "And he really doesn't have a problem with you"
"It's done April" Nick assured "Let's just have a good match tonight"
"Alright" April said to him "Is there anything special you want to do?"
"Tonight is your night" Nick reminded her "This is your first match on Raw so I want you to go find Natalya and talk over your move set"
"Ok I will" April said to him "I am happy I'm not going to be out there alone"
"You'll do great" Nick assured her
April skipped off in search of the veteran of the Division, a woman she hadn't really gotten to know and had only seen her pass by her with Beth.
"Hi" April said catching Nattie in the Diva's locker room. She was talking with Beth but she wasn't going to let that stop her.
"We don't need any coffee but thanks" Beth smiled sweetly. April bit back the urge to respond to the rude comment.
"I'm here to talk to Natalya about our match" April said looking at Nattie
"Who did you piss off?" Beth asked Nattie seriously
"So do you want to go over some things?" April asked her
"You're going to follow Nattie's lead" Beth informed her "When she hits you fall and once you're in the sharpshooter I suggest you tap quickly"
"That about sums it up" Nattie agreed. It looked like she wanted to say more to April maybe actually go over the match but Beth wasn't going to give her that opportunity.
"Well I've been working on a few things-" April started but she was cut off
"You're not a wrestler" Beth said to her "You're a waitress that Punk saw as a challenge"
"What is that supposed to mean?" April asked her
"We all know honey" Beth said standing up "Punk saw the fact that you were a virgin as a challenge. There's nothing more to it than that. He'll get bored soon and he'll move on, maybe to the hotdog girl upstairs"
"You have no idea what you're talking about" April defended
"Don't I?" Beth asked her "I was with Punk for a while too sweetie and I don't blame you for sticking around. I'm sure you gave it right up to him and he makes you scream in ways you probably never imagined"
"I don't have to listen to this" April said turning around but Beth grabbed her arm, the same arm James twisted.
"Yes you do" Beth informed her and now Nattie looked very uneasy "You think you're not a little tramp because no one would touch you for 24 years? Being linked to Punk right now makes you the biggest whore in this company"
"It's enough Beth" Nattie said standing up
"Get off of me" April demanded jerking her arm away from her
"You're a phony bitch" Beth spat eyeing April with disgust "You're not going to make it here and trust me when Punk moves on because believe me honey he will you'll be back to busting tables and I personally can't wait for that to happen"
"Maybe things with Phil didn't last because you weren't woman enough for him" April suggested to her and Nattie's eyes widened. She respected the young woman for standing up for herself
"You hear that Nattie?" Beth snorted "He's Phil to her"
"Yea I call him a lot of things Punk, Phil, boyfriend, lover and his newest name is roommate" April replied smugly
"Phillip would never leave Chicago" Beth remarked with a smile "So whatever he told you is bullshit"
"He's not leaving Chicago. He invited me to live with him at his place" April remarked proudly
"Oh so he feels bad that you're basically homeless" Beth shot back "Look enjoy all of this while you can waitress, because you know what they say about leopards and their spots"
"What's that supposed to mean?" April asked
"Let's just leave it alone" Nattie chimed in but both ignored her
"He's cheater" Beth said to her bluntly "He's a man- a real man and that means he needs constant attention both physically and emotionally and you're just a kid you'll never be able to keep up. I mean think back to all of the time you two have spent apart when he was at games was Michele Beadle there? Because they have a casually fling going on or maybe he was hanging out at a UFC event and lord knows he loves those strong take charge women something he's probably lacking from you"
"It's enough!" Nattie yelled out
"You're not welcome in this locker room" Beth said to her "You have no respect for me so why don't you go back to your boyfriends locker room you know unless it's locked and in that case he's 'occupied'"
"I don't need to be in this locker room" April said to her then stormed out
"Too far Beth" Nattie said walking to follow April
"She's a newbie she needs to learn her place" Beth said to her "Let her run off and cry about it"
"You don't have to be so cruel" Nattie sighed
"Whose side are you even on?" Beth asked her
"Punk is my friend too" Nattie reminded her then left the locker room
April was in the loading area with her bag slung over her shoulder and quickly looked around to make sure no one spotted her. She ducked behind some crates and tugged off her shirt and grabbed her cut up one she was going to wear. She then tugged down her jeans and when she went to reach for her shorts someone grabbed her wrist. She let out a scream because she didn't see the person coming.
"What are you doing?" Punk asked her then peeked over the crate "Are you not wearing pants?" he asked stunned
"Pass me my shorts" she said holding her hand out and Punk passed them over to her. Punk stood in front of the crate while she changed and looked around to make sure no one was watching. "Finished" She said tossing her shorts into her bag
"Why are you getting changed here?" Punk asked "You do realize that people walk by here and they have phones with cameras?"
"I just wanted some privacy" April said to him as she zipped up her bag
"You wanted privacy to get changed so decided to do it in the loading area? Why not used the locker room?" Punk asked "Or mine?"
"Because those aren't private" April said to him
"What's going on?" Punk sighed knowing she was angry
"I'm just getting the newbie treatment" April said to him "Nothing I can't handle" she shrugged
"Well next time come to my locker room before you decide to strip out here" Punk insisted
"We talked about that" April reminded him and Punk rolled his eyes
"Right" Punk muttered "So what did they do?"
"Are you going to run in there and defend me?" April asked
"Nope" Punk said to her "We have a deal. What you say to me about this place stays between us"
"It was really just Beth" April said to him "She's a real bitch" she informed him "How did you date her for so long?"
"It wasn't that long" Punk groaned "What did she say?"
"Does everyone back here know that I was virgin by the way?" April asked surprising him
"Is that what she said?" Punk asked
"She's obsessed with my sex life" April said to him "I know talking about it so openly when we got together at the performance center wasn't that great of an idea but I didn't think it would be the talk of the locker room"
"It's nobody's fucking business" Punk said to her "Just ignore it"
"Is that what you would do?" April asked him
"No" Punk admitted "But you're not me"
"She is so hateful" April said as she adjusted her clothing "I mean what is wrong with her?"
"I don't think we have enough time tonight for me to even touch that subject" Punk teased
"By the way I told her we were going to be living together" April informed him "I know you wanted to keep it private but she pushed me too far"
"That's fine" Punk said to her "I wanted to keep quiet for you, I don't give a shit who knows"
"Hey sorry" Nattie smiled walking over to the two "April are you hiding behind the crates?"
"I'm changing" April defended
"I was wondering if you wanted to go over the match tonight?" Nattie asked "You know without Beth's input- unless you're busy" she said glancing over towards Punk
"No I'm off to go sign about thousand photos for them to sell" Punk said to them "I'll see you after the show"
"Bye" April said smiling towards him and he gave her a wink before he left her with Nattie
"She's a little jealous" Nattie said to her "I'm not going to defend her but she's still not over the sting of her relationship with Punk"
"It's fine" April said to her "It wasn't you"
"I get it" Nattie said to her "More than you know"
"What do you mean?" April asked
"I've only been with one man" Nattie confided "TJ has been the only man and you know what? I don't regret it for a minute."
"That's actually really sweet" April admitted
"We're getting married too" Nattie said holding up her engagement ring
"Congratulations" April said kindly
"I just want you know that I get it" Nattie said to her "And I'm not judging you and if you need a friend or advice I'm here"
"Thank you I actually really appreciate it" April said to her
"So what do you say? Want to make your match one to not forget?" Nattie asked her
"Yes" April said happily
April's first match was everything she ever wanted. She didn't win but she put on a quit a show if she did say so herself. Nattie took a lot of good hits for her and helped April seem credible giving their size difference but April's favorite of the match? When Nattie locked her in the sharpshooter and bent all the way back so she was touching the mat herself. April had assured Nattie that was flexible enough to pull it off and sure enough she was. Even the ref seemed alarmed thinking April was going to snap in half.
April was already on the bus waiting for Punk. She was coming off of an incredibly high of having her first official televised match. As soon as Punk stepped onto the bus her incredibly happy mood was gone and only because he looked like he was in terrible pain.
"Phil?" She asked standing up from her seat and helping him to the couch
"Yea I'm fine" Punk grunted
"You don't seem fine" she frowned "What happened? Is it your knee?"
"Yea" Punk said to her
"I'll get you some ice" April said running to the back and grabbing an icepack. She took a seat next to him and placed it on his knee for him. "You need to have your knee looked at"
"It's fine" Punk said to her
"It's not" April frowned "It's double the size it should be normally"
"It's just water" Punk assured her "I couldn't even get in the shower after the match I was afraid I'd fall on my face"
"What can I do?" April asked
"Just hang out here with me" Punk said to her
"I can help you in the shower" April offered and he just offered her a faint smile "I mean it! I can hold you up"
"That's sweet of you to offer but I can take care of myself" Punk said to her "I saw your match how's your back?"
"It's fine" April said to him
"You were ok with her doing that?" Punk asked curiously
"Yea it was my idea actually" April smiled "I'm pretty flexible"
"Oh don't I know it" Punk smirked knowingly
"Come on let me help you" April begged "You don't want to sit here in your own filth all night"
"I don't and I won't" Punk said to her "I just need an hour or so for the swelling to go down"
"You should be in my bed sleeping in an hour or so" April said to him "Come on there's nothing wrong with accepting some help"
"Alright" Punk sighed giving in. He really did just want a hot shower and go to sleep.
April turned on the water first making it as hot as possible without burning his skin then helped him out of his clothes. There was nothing sexual about it, it was all about her taking her care of him. No one had ever cared for him this way. Punk was holding onto the bathroom wall and watched as April pulled her clothes off then helped him into the shower.
"Just hold onto me" April said as Punk rested his hands on her shoulders. His forehead was resting against hers as the water poured down them, the pain was evident on his face and it killed April. "I'll wash you just-"
"No just give me a minute" Punk mustered as he held onto her and let the hot water hit him.
"I hate seeing you like this" April admitted sadly. He didn't even respond because he was in so much pain. April moved his hands off of her so he was holding onto the shower wall and grabbed a loofa and put soap on it. She ran it gently over his back and let the hot water wash it off. She cleaned his entire body for him and he didn't move a muscle.
"Is it any better?" she asked and he just nodded lightly. He pushed himself off the wall and looked down at his girlfriend who cared so much for him.
"I love you" he said to her and she just gave him a small smile.
"I know" She said softly then turned off the water.
She helped him step out of the shower and wrapped a towel around herself and then grabbed another one to dry him off. She made sure he was clean and dry before helping him slip into some boxers. April then pulled down the bed sheets and helped him into the bed and pulled the covers up over him.
"Do you need ice for your knee?" she asked
"No I just need you" Punk said to her pulling down the blankets on her side of the bed.
"I'm just going to dry off" April said kissing the top of his head "I'll be right back" she assured him.
He watched as she pulled her towel off and dried herself then threw her hair up in a messy bun and put on one of his t-shirts and a pair of her sweats. She was the most beautiful like that he thought to himself. He watched as she carefully got into the bed so she wouldn't hurt him further.
"I'm not broken" Punk smirked noting how far April was from him in the bed. "Come lay with me"
"I don't want to hurt you" April said to him
"You won't" He smirked "Como on" He nodded and she crawled a little closer to him and rested her head against his chest.
"Is this ok?" she asked unsurely
"Better than ok" Punk smiled and kissed the top of her head "Thank you for taking care of me"
"I hate seeing you in so much pain" April confided "I just want to help"
"And you did" Punk said to her. She has no idea how much she really did help him.
"I love you too" April said and he just smiled at her finally saying it back to him after he told her in the shower
"I know" he said using her own words. He was in way too much pain to fall asleep but she eventually fell asleep and he loved the way her breathing was in sync with his. He could stay like this forever with her. He knew at this very moment he was going to marry this woman.