Part XXV: Case of the ex
Even though AJ was receiving no punishment from the company over the photos the story was still the most discussed thing on the Internet so Vince felt sending the two home after Raw was for the best. He also gave them strict instructions to lay low and remain off of social media for the time being. AJ was also receiving all kinds of offers from Playboy, Maxim and even some porn companies which of course rubbed her the wrong way but she didn't want to mention it to Phil who was trying his best to let it go. With the next few days off the last thing Punk wanted was to hide away in the house with AJ so he had some ideas was hoping she would go for it.
"Wow you made it back" Punk smirked from the kitchen as AJ walked in the back door with Nacho.
"Funny" AJ bit back slightly bitter over Punk's joke "I didn't go far and Nacho has great sense of direction"
"You should bring him on your runs than" Punk offered sipping his coffee and reading the sports section of the paper
"Is this pick on AJ day?" AJ asked as she detached Nacho's leash
"It's always pick on AJ day" Punk bit back playfully
"So you never told me how you got the keys to the cuffs" AJ asked pouring herself a glass of juice
"What?" Punk asked looking up
"The cuffs Dean pulled out, how did you get the key? Better yet how did you know to hide them in the back of your boots?" AJ asked
"Before the match Seth gave me the key" Punk admitted surprising AJ "Dean gave the key to hold for safe keeping and passed it off to me beforehand. He told me what Dean was planning on doing"
"Wow" AJ said surprised "Why did he do that?"
"He didn't want to be part of going 'rogue' so to speak" Punk shrugged "Came to me and Hunter right before we went on so we re-wrote the ending without Dean's knowledge and by the way you did a great job playing along you didn't miss a beat"
"I try" AJ smirked proudly "So do you went to rent some movies or tonight? Or go to dinner or something? I know there's a game but when Vince told us to keep a low profile I don't think he meant us hanging out at a ballgame"
"First of all if I wanted to go to a ballgame we would go" Punk told her "But I had a different idea. Do you remember my friend Cliff?"
"Sure" she said sipping her juice
"He's having a party tonight and I'd like you to come with me" Punk said to her "It's a private party so there won't be anyone to bother you and they're all good people"
"You want me to meet all of your friends?" AJ teased
"Yes" Punk said firmly "What do you say?"
"I'll go" She smiled
"Good." Punk replied happily
"So what do I wear to a shindig at Cliff's?" AJ questioned "Is it fancy?"
"If I didn't love you so much I would tell you it was fancy and to wear a dress so you could stick out like a sore thumb but I won't do that to you because I don't think you'd appreciate my joke" Punk said to her as she glared his way letting it know she would not appreciate being 'punk'd' so the speak "Nothing Cliff does is fancy. Jeans and a t-shirt will suffice"
"Ok" AJ said finishing off her juice "Let's go take a shower"
"Ok" Punk smiled putting down the newspaper
"Wasn't talking to you" AJ said bitterly then looked down to her dog "I was talking to him"
"What? No" Punk said annoyed "No, no, no"
"Nacho likes the water" AJ informed him folding her arms
"The dog sleeps in my room, he sleeps in my bed not only that but he sleeps on my side and now he's going to use my shower?" Punk asked then shook his head "I'm drawing the line and it ends there"
"We'll use the guest bath than" AJ told him simply
"Not the point" Punk said as AJ just ignored him and headed up the stairs with Nacho chasing behind "AJ!" he shouted but she just pretended she couldn't hear him
Later that day Colt stopped by before the party since Punk was going to be the designated driver (like usual). AJ was upstairs still getting ready while him and Colt watched the game.
"What is taking her so long?" Colt asked with a sigh
"I don't know" Punk muttered relaxing on the couch
"She's not really a girl" Colt said to him
"Trust me she's all woman" Punk assured his friend causing Colt to roll his eyes
"Not what I meant" Colt said quickly
"She just wants to look nice so everyone will like her" Punk shrugged
"They'll love her" Colt said to him
"You don't have to convince me of that, it's her" He said gesturing his head to the stairs
"So she didn't get into any trouble at work, right?" Colt asked "I know how serious the wholesome McMahon's take things like this" he said with some bitterness in his voice
"No and I must say she handled herself great" Punk remarked proudly "She told off Vince"
"No way" Colt laughed "I can't picture it"
"Not only did she tell him off but she did it without raising her voice or losing her cool" Punk noted "I don't know how to tell people off that way and not only did she leave him speechless but I'm pretty sure he felt guilty. It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen" he grinned thinking back how turned on he was in that moment
"Sounds like you found your soul mate" Colt chuckled "I hope you left the arena before you jumped her bones"
"What?" Punk asked looking over to Colt
"You have this weird thing with authority- always have and now you're dating a woman who told off one of the most powerful men in the sports industry? You probably jumped all over her" Colt said knowing his friend that well and it shouldn't have surprised Punk
"It was very…arousing" Punk admitted fondly "We made it back to the bus"
"I hope she doesn't tell anyone off at the party" Colt said seriously "You know how some of Cliff's friends are and we'll be in his house"
"I hope she does" Punk said seriously "I'm waiting for her to do it again"
"Waiting for me to do what?" AJ asked surprising both guys on the couch
"It took you that long to pick that out?" Colt asked referring to her jeans and band t-shirt
"This?" AJ asked with a laugh "It took me five minutes to get ready but I started a game while I was up there and didn't want to stop. It's still on pause by the way"
"Defiantly your soul mate" Colt smirked to Punk as they both stood up
"We'll play when we come back" Punk promised
"I want to play, you can watch" AJ informed him "I have a good score and no offense I don't need you to bring it down" Colt let out a loud laugh because he could tell AJ was a hundred percent serious and Punk looked like he wanted to respond but opted against it.
"Let's just go" Punk said to them
Arriving at the party they were running a little late but Cliff's place was already packed with people. A few of the people immediately went up to Punk and hugged him and Colt and a lot of them recognized AJ but for the most part everyone seemed cool. AJ did notice Maria was there and she was hanging around in the corner with a few people.
"She's in a dress" AJ whispered into Punk's ear nodding towards the corner where Maria was sipping on a drink
"I swear I had no idea she's be here" Punk promised but AJ just gave him a reassuring smile
"I know and it's fine" AJ said and that's when Cliff made his way over
"Hey man" Cliff said hugging Punk
"Hey" Punk said "You know AJ, right?"
"AJ and I go way back" Cliff laughed pulling her into a hug as Punk eyed them "You grew like two inches since I last saw you"
"I don't know about that" AJ giggled
"I didn't realize you two knew each other" Punk said to them wondering what the connection was
"AJ used to come to all of mine and Trent's shows" Cliff told him and that's when it clicked. Cliff and Trent we're very close, AJ dated Trent…of course he would know AJ. "But that was before she hit the big time"
"I'm the same girl" AJ promised with a smile
"I'm sure you are. But uh- just a heads up Trent is here just so you're not surprised" Cliff whispered but AJ just nodded
"I also noticed Maria is here" Punk said to him "Didn't give me the heads up"
"Didn't invite her" Cliff told him "Didn't even know she was here until she already had a drink in her hand. Rich or Steven bought her along thought it would be rude to ask her to leave"
"Of course wouldn't want to be rude" Punk mocked
"We can all socialize in the same place" AJ said to both of them "We're all adults"
"I know you and I are" Punk said to AJ "Maria…not so sure about"
"We'll keep our distance than" AJ promised pulling on Punk's shirt and pulling him into a kiss "Let's just try to have fun" she suggested and he just nodded glaring briefly over to Maria then taking AJ by the hand and leading her to the other side of the house
A couple of hours into the party Punk and were having a good time. They chatted up with a lot of Punk's friends and AJ felt she was getting to see this new fun side of Punk that she wasn't familiar with and she was really enjoying it. Thankfully Maria had kept her distance and all of Punk's friends were respectful and none of them mentioned her leaked photos, which she was grateful for.
"Give me a minute Colt is waving me over" Punk whispered into her ear. She was sitting on a bar stool and he was leaning next to her
"I think I can manage for a few minutes" AJ said sipping on her water Punk headed off across the room over to Colt and a few other people.
"I've been waiting to have a word with you" Trent said coming up on the other side of AJ
"I've been here all night" AJ remarked with a fake smile "How are you Trent?" she asked politely
"I'm good" he said to her with a nervous laugh "You look fantastic by the way"
"Thanks" she replied sipping on her water
"Look AJ I can see you and Punk have become really close" Trent started off "But those pictures…"
"You saw the pictures?" AJ asked
"Everyone saw them" he said in a whisper "I couldn't believe it when I saw them pop up"
"Me either" AJ said with a smirk
"That's not like you" Trent said with a frown
"You think I posted those pictures?" AJ asked with a laugh
"Who did AJ?" Trent asked seriously
"None of your business" AJ bit back "You're not part of my life anymore and don't look at those pictures"
"It's not like it's nothing I've never seen before" Trent reminded "But that's not the point I don't find them enjoyable I find it sad. You're hanging around the wrong people obviously…or dating the wrong person"
"Phil had nothing to do with those pictures" AJ informed him
"Ok so who posted them?" Trent asked "Can I do anything to help?"
"I don't know who did it" AJ said looking at her drink "And no but thank you"
"AJ" Trent sighed "You're in over your head. I knew once you moved up to the main roster people would take advantage of you. You need someone to have your back and look out for you"
"Plenty of people have my back and I can take care of myself" AJ informed
"Could have fooled me" Trent said to her "Your mother called me AJ"
"You still talk to my mother?" AJ asked stunned
"She still sends me a Christmas card every year" Trent shrugged with a smirk "She's worried sick about you. You avoided all of her questions about the pictures and she didn't even know you moved in with your boyfriend until she called you about those photos"
"I've been busy" AJ defended lightly "And stop talking to her she's my mother"
"She wouldn't have to call me if you would call her" Trent countered
"I'm fine" AJ told him "You can text her that later if you'd like" she remarked sarcastically
"How could you not know who did this?" Trent asked getting back on the photo topic "You're not the type to let a guy do that to you I'd think you'd remember"
"What do you even care?" AJ asked starting to get annoyed
"I care AJ" Trent said with a frown "People think I posted those pictures"
"Oh I get it" AJ laughed "You just want to be off the hook"
"No I want to punch whoever did it in the face" Trent said to her
"That's ok I don't need you to defend my honor" She remarked with an eye-roll
"I'm worried about you and want to help you" Trent argued
"Hello" Punk smiled coming up on the other side of AJ and smiling at Trent
"Punk" Trent said extending his hand but Punk just grinned at his hand and looked back to meet his girlfriend's ex-boyfriends eyes. "Good to see you again"
"Thanks" Punk replied still smiling. Trent could tell that Punk wasn't interested in speaking to him so he just gracefully bowed out
"Good to see you again AJ" Trent said placing his hand on her then walking away
"He's harmless" AJ told Punk
"Yea I'm sure he is" Punk said to her "What did he want?"
"He wanted to know who posted the photo's because he's being accused of doing it" AJ told him "I feel bad. I don't want him to take the blame on something like this"
"AJ the dirt sheets have named at least ten different people who could have posted the photos" Punk said to her "He just wanted to know because he was curious"
"I suppose so" AJ said to him
Another hour later AJ was waiting for the bathroom upstairs when the door opened and Maria stepped out.
"AJ" Maria said standing tall and AJ knew this wasn't going to end well
"Yes" AJ said to her folding her arms
"I hope you're happy" Maria said coldly "I didn't get a contract offer from WWE"
"And that's my fault?" AJ questioned
"Hell yea it is AJ" Maria said placing her hand on her hips "Stephanie didn't mention any names but she did say that a few of the woman had complained about me and I know it was you"
"Maybe some of the woman who complained were the ones you bashed on the Internet" AJ suggested "I don't run to upper management when I have problem"
"No you just run behind your boyfriend" Maria shot back "By the way your boyfriend has been everyone's boyfriend so that's nothing to brag about either"
"Wow you really are stupid" AJ couldn't help but smirk
"What are you even doing here AJ?" Maria questioned "You don't belong here with these people they're not your type"
"I was invited" AJ said coldly
"No I was invited you're just Phil's flavor of the month that's tagging along" Maria said as she started to raise her voice
"Phil ever move you into his house?" AJ asked with a smug smile "Didn't think so"
"It won't last AJ" Maria informed him "Those pictures that leaked online were disgusting"
"Says the woman who posed for playboy" AJ remarked with a laugh
"My photo's were tasteful you liked like a strung out hooker" Maria's insult caused AJ's face to turn red and now she was getting annoyed "He prefers his women to be classy"
"I guess that's why it never worked for you two" AJ smirked
"Say what you want about me but I never gave it all away like that you should be ashamed and you might not realize it but everyone at this party is talking about it. No one thinks you're good enough for him and no one can understand or see what he sees in you" Maria told her "As a matter of fact do him the favor and just leave so he can actually enjoy himself and hang out with his friends instead of baby-sitting you the entire night!"
"You better shut your mouth before I shut it for you" AJ threatened
"Ladies!" Colt smiled as headed down the hall "We were-"
"I'd love to see you try little girl" Maria said getting her face trying to intimidate her
"Let's just take a step back-" Colt started again but stopped when AJ shoved Maria so hard she stumbled into a table that had a lamp on it
"I'm not afraid of you" AJ informed the red head
"Glad we got that out of our systems" Colt said with a nervous laugh "AJ, Phil was just-" he stopped when Maria tugged on AJ's arm and used her free hand to slap her hard across the face "Crap" Colt muttered as he watched as AJ placed her fingers over her lip and stared down at her own hand. Colt almost shivered because she sporting that very scary, crazy face that made her famous "Stop you two" he warned but AJ lunged at Maria and before Colt knew the two were wrestling on the ground. "Stop!" Colt shouted trying to grab one but they were too fast and strong. He headed over to the top the stairs and walked down a few and scanned the room for Punk "Phil!" he shouted over the loud noise of the party. Punk heard the call and saw Colt anxiously waving him up the stairs.
"What?" Punk asked as he reached the top of the stairs but Colt just pointed to the two women fighting and Punk raced right over and reached for AJ "A little help Colt!" Punk shouted and Colt nodded and tried to grab a hold of Maria
"I will kill you bitch!" Maria shouted
"Oh!" Colt shouted as he pulled Maria down the hall "Not nice Maria"
"I'm going to-" AJ tried to get out of Punk's grasp but he held onto her tighter and pulled her into an empty bedroom
"What was that?" Punk demanded
"I'm sorry but she just-" AJ started but she was still fuming mad "-what she said! Ugh!"
"I told you not to listen to her" Punk said annoyed "This is what she wants AJ"
"She was so hateful" AJ said to him "Are you embarrassed by me?"
"Is that what she said?" Punk asked "You're better than this AJ, you're smarter than this too"
"I'm not perfect Phil" AJ said annoyed "I can walk away a lot but I can only take so much, she's a mean, bitter, angry…"
"…jealous" He added "Don't forget jealous"
"She scratched my face" AJ said rubbing her right cheek "She doesn't even fight right she fights like a little girl"
"Well she has the mind set of a little girl" Punk smirked looking at AJ's cheek "Come on" he said grabbing her hand and leading her into a connecting bathroom
"There's a bathroom in here?" AJ asked looking around the small bathroom I could have avoided this entire thing"
"Now you know for next time" Punk said as he tapped the counter so AJ would sit on it. He opened the medicine cabinet and pulled out alcohol and a q-tip
"There won't be a next time" AJ told him as she watched Punk pour some of the liquid on the q-tip
"Why? Because Maria said you didn't belong?" Punk asked
"You heard that?" AJ asked
"No it's just what she says whenever I have someone new around" Punk said as he applied the q-tip to AJ's small cut and she let out a hiss "Sorry" he muttered "But I told you before you can't take anything she says personally"
"I stooped down to her level" AJ said as she realized Maria was just egging her on and she stupidly fell right into it "I'm sorry"
"Don't be sorry" Punk said "I don't care you slapped her around I care that you have a scratch on your face now and I care that you actually believed whatever crap she spewed"
"You don't think all those people are talking about it?" AJ asked as Punk finished cleaning the scratch but not bandaging it
"No" Punk said to her "I don't think they are and if they were I still wouldn't care. The only thing I think anyone is talking about is how hot you are"
"I don't think they're saying that" AJ said resting her head against the mirror in the bathroom
"No one is saying anything" Punk smiled "No one cares the only one that cares is you"
"You're right" AJ said to him "No one has said anything I just don't want you to embarrassed that's all"
"Trust me darling you don't embarrass me in the slightest" Punk said kissing her lips as he his hands rested on her thighs
"No" she said pulling away very slowly from the case
"No what?" Punk asked innocently
"Not here, not in your friends bathroom" AJ said shaking her head "Not happening"
"Does your mind always go straight into the gutter every time I kiss you?" Punk asked offended "Sometimes I just want to kiss you it doesn't have to lead to anything"
"Oh you think I don't know the difference?" AJ asked arching a brow and Punk couldn't help but laugh
"I have no idea what you're talking about" Punk said still laughing
"Your hands slowly traveling down there" she said motioning her eyes to hands "Your kisses are so much slower and sensual and the most important trait is your heart" she said placing her hand over his chest "It races like crazy" she whispered
"Ok you caught me" Punk agreed leaning in and kissing her again when she tried to move her hand Punk placed his over hers and kept it over his heart "How fast is it going?"
"Really fast" she said pulling away from slightly, her lips were already swollen "But it's still not going to happen here" she said lightly pushing him away and hoping off of the counter
"Cliff wouldn't mind" Punk assured her as he placed his hand over hers as she started to turn the doorknob "He's done it at my place more times than I can count"
"Ew and no. This isn't a competition" AJ told him as she felt his breath on her neck
"You can even be loud" Punk whispered into her leaning into her back further, pressing her against the door more "Let Trent know that I'm the best in the world"
"Always a competition" AJ smirked and slowly turned around. She kissed his lips again and pulled away leaning her head against the door "Still not happening" she smirked opening the door and leaving a frustrated Punk in the bathroom
"Mean" Punk muttered before following her out