A/N: I'm sorry for the late update. I've been completely wrapped up in my slash. The other problem is that I'm starting to fall out of love with this fic, that I have no idea what to do with it and the lack of reviews isn't helping either. It's been two months since I've written something for this thing, I've still got one chap done after this one and after that... I hope I can motivate myself to continue it. I don't think I need to tell you that reviews will help with that.

Chapter 25: Like a rollercoaster

Cody

I was really nervous about our date. Disneyland had seemed like such a good idea, but now I thought an entire day together would be too much, too fast. Dinner and a movie might be unoriginal, but it would have been a lot easier. Not to mention that I didn't feel like being chased by fans the entire day. I hoped sunglasses and a baseball cap would be enough to give us some privacy. I felt like a freaking teenager the way I hesitated in front of her door, so I pulled myself together and knocked.

I didn't have to wait long for Julia to open it up. She looked stunning. I couldn't stop myself from checking her out in a rather obvious way. She wore dark grey shorts which showed a lot of leg and a tank top in the exact same shade of electric blue as her eyes that clung to her body. I loved it how she could look that gorgeous, even when she was dressed casual.

"Hey," I said while kissing her cheek. "I shouldn't have worried about being harassed by fans today. No-one will notice me next to you."

She blushed and looked at me from under her eyelashes. She looked so cute, that I had to stop myself from kissing her. I still didn't want to rush things, but that would ask for a lot of self-control.

"So are you ready to go?"

Julia nodded. "I just have to get my bag." She went to get a backpack.

"What the hell are you bringing along?" I asked curiously. "I told you I would take care of everything. Please don't tell me you think I expect you to carry a heavy bag the entire day."

She just handed me her bag to check it, raising her eyebrow. "You're a man and I've never met one who is practical in things like this."

I grinned. "Don't underestimate me, girl. Don't forget that I'm on the road most of my life. I know how to pack for a trip." I emptied her bag, spreading everything on her bed. I looked at her stuff for a while, then handed her her sunglasses. "I have everything else; it's all in the car." I smirked when she look impressed.

She looked even more impressed when she saw my rental car. I had managed to talk the rental company into giving me a beautiful convertible instead of the usual crap. She walked around it tracing her fingers over the car. I could imagine how her fingers would feel on my skin and I had to restrain myself again.

"Will you let me drive it, Cody? I love fast cars."

How could I say no to that bright smile, so I tossed her the keys. I would never have believed that her smile could get even brighter, but it did. Julia jumped in the car, quickly braiding her long red hair so it wouldn't get in the way and immediately started the engine.

"Come on Codes, let's go. I hope you can read a map," she said with another huge smile.

Ten minutes later it was my turn to be impressed. She was an amazing driver. She beat Ted or Randy at this, that's for sure. I was happy to let her drive the entire way. I could see how much she loved it.

It gave me the chance to relax and to admire the view. By view, I obviously meant the beautiful girl sitting next to me. I softly sang along with the radio. She looked at me, tossed me another bright smile and told me to turn up the volume. Soon we both sang along at the top of our voices. The fact that neither of us could hold a tune didn't ruin the fun.

Julia

The rest of the day went just as great. We had loads of fun and for the first time in a long time we really talked. I liked the Cody I saw today. I had seen both his sensitive side and the cocky, almost arrogant side of him, but never at the same time. Now it was like the two sides of him had melted together forming a funny, charming, caring guy, with a confidence that made him stand out in a crowd. I felt at ease with him now. I couldn't believe a guy like this could be in love with me.

Although we didn't talk about our feelings for each other today, he still showed me how he felt about me almost the entire time. He touched me a lot; his hand on the small of my back, an arm around my waist, holding my hand when he noticed I was scared on one of the roller coasters.

We had a run in with some fans, but nothing really annoying. He was kind to all of them, convincing them to take a picture of us as a trade for his autograph or a picture with him. The first time someone recognized him he looked a little uncomfortable afterwards, asking me if I minded but I didn't, he was who he was and I loved him for that. Anyway, if we were going to be together I had to get used to it... I had always managed to accept it when I hung out with Mike or Jack.

The day went by too fast. Before we knew it, it was time to go back. I asked Cody to drive back since I was so tired. I fell asleep on the way back. He woke me up with a soft kiss on my lips when we had arrived at the arena. I felt a little embarrassed for sleeping the entire journey. I told him I was sorry.

"No need to be sorry. You looked real cute. I think I can spend all day watching you sleep. And it's obvious that you're exhausted. Didn't you sleep well last night?" He sounded worried.

I tossed him a weak smile. "No, I hardly slept. I was nervous about today and…" I didn't know how to continue. I was afraid to ruin an amazing day, but I had decided to tell him everything before I saw Randy again.

Of course Cody noticed something was wrong. He pulled me into his arms. "Hey? What's the matter, Julie? You can tell me anything."

For a moment I leant against his chest, I loved being this close to him. I really hoped that this wouldn't be the last time I was in his arms. Although Cody and I were on the right path, we were still far from being stable... and this… this might ruin everything. I could think of so many ways how this might turn out bad. If he didn't want to hear me out, if he didn't believe me that I had no real feelings for Randy, if he found out about my earlier infatuation with Randy, if he would just give up on us, because it was too hard. My stomach ached from the stress. I swallowed the lump in my throat and willed my tears away.

Now I pulled back to meet his eyes. "I don't really know how to tell you. I don't want to make too much of it. It hasn't got anything to do with us really, but I can't keep this from you."

He looked a little curious, but I could feel him tense up. I trembled from my nerves. I felt stupid for bringing it up. I should have waited for Ted to talk to Randy. But there was no going back now.

"Yesterday I had a drink with Randy. He was acting really strange and I think he told me he has feelings for me. I'm not really sure. He wasn't really clear, he just hinted at things," I spoke soft now, blushing. It all sounded so stupid and immature now.

Cody looked confused, his eyes guarded. "You're telling me you think Randy's in love with you? And he told you? That fucking bastard! What the hell does he want from you?" His mood had switched from confusion to intense anger and I was glad it wasn't pointed at me. "And what about you, do you have feelings for him?" His eyes bored into mine, trying to get out the truth. He let me go now, taking a step backwards to get some distance between us.

"No, Cody, I don't, I swear. Maybe I shouldn't have told you, but I didn't want to lie to you and I didn't want you to hear it from someone else."

"Who else knows?" He snapped at me and I cringed now that all his anger was directed towards me.

"Just Ted, he saw us last night and he thought there was something going on. I think it might have looked more than it was. Randy held me and I was so amazed by what he said that I couldn't break eye contact or push him away. So I talked to Ted, because I didn't want him to tell you something that wasn't true. But nothing happened between me and Randy, I swear, it just looked more than it was," I was babbling now trying to explain everything at once. I heard my own words and hoped he wouldn't take them the wrong way. I was explaining myself as if I had done something wrong, as if I was trying to lie my way out of this.

Cody turned away from me and he looked down to the floor. He was silent for quite a while. I tried to figure out what to say, what I could do to make him see that this didn't really have anything to do with him and me, that Randy's feelings shouldn't affect anything between us.

"You really feel nothing for him?" he spoke softly, his voice small and insecure and so, so sad, "You don't want him instead of me? Am I your second choice, because Randy is married?"

I couldn't stand to hear how much I hurt him again. I started to think that it might be better for him if I would just disappear from his life. I didn't care that this was not my fault. Cody had been right; I had too much power over him, everything I did affected him so much. So little was needed for him to go from being happy to being broken again.

But that was also true the other way around and there was no escaping this. The way we loved each other was too strong, too powerful, and I didn't know how much more drama between us I would be able to take. But I couldn't live without him, that was a fact. I just hoped it wouldn't end in us not being able to live with each other either.

It looked like Cody's plan to take it slow and have fun again wasn't working out. It might have, if Randy had kept his fucking mouth shut. If he had only acted like the friend I had thought he was, if he would've just kept acting like my brother. Big brothers I could handle, I had loads of them.

I had to make this right; I had to make Cody listen to me, to believe me, to realize I wasn't the one who hurt him now. I took a step towards him again and put my hands on his upper arms. His face slowly turned towards me, but he still didn't meet my eyes. He was crying. Now I was sure we were over. He had decided that it had been enough and he would end it right now. I couldn't stop the tears that started to fall from my eyes too.

"Cody… please listen to me Codes…" He focused his eyes on me now. "You're my only choice. You have been from the moment I met you. Randy is just a friend, at least I thought he was. I don't want him, Cody. Even if he had told me he'd leave Samantha for me, it would not matter. I would still choose you over him, over everyone. I don't even have to think about that."

It was my time to look away now. I waited for the blow, waited for him to say that it didn't matter anymore, that this wouldn't work out. But Cody just hugged me tight, clinging me to him.

"I was so afraid that you would tell me that you wanted him. I was so afraid that you would tell me that you didn't know who to choose."

"I thought you would end things now, no matter what I want. I don't know how we are going to make this work. It's like a freaking roller coaster."

He shook his head resolutely. "I will not allow Randy or anyone else to mess this up. If we can't make it through something like this, we can't make it through anything. And if Orton thinks I will just hand you over to him, he's wrong. You don't have to be afraid July, I don't intend to give up this easy. I don't intend to give up at all."

We were silent for a while, holding each other close. Then he spoke again, "It's good that you told me, thank you for that." He kissed me on the top of my head then rested his head there. I could feel his breath flowing through my hair.

"But I hope you don't mind if I kick Randy's ass," he spoke between clenched teeth, "I can't believe he has tried to come between us."

I just shook my head. "You can do whatever you want."

He slowly released me from his grip. His hands traveled from my back to my face and he played with my hair for a moment. Love blazed from his eyes, the pain in them completely gone. I closed my eyes, savoring the feeling his touch gave me. Suddenly his lips covered mine, for a kiss that was so incredibly soft and tender, it blew my mind away. My eyes flew open for a moment then closed again as this kiss deepened. He laid all his love for me in this kiss and I gave him the same thing back. Everything else disappeared. It could not have been more than minutes, but it felt like hours before we let go again. We were both grinning like idiots. It seemed incredible that just a moment ago I had been sure we were over. Now I felt safe and secure again and truly happy. Roller coaster was a perfect description, but this feeling, this kiss, had just made it all worth it. Not just today, but everything that had happened between us before.

We leaned in to kiss again, but just before our lips met, he pulled back and kissed my forehead instead. I looked at him bewildered. He raised an eyebrow at me and he shook his head.

"One more kiss, and we can forget about taking it slow. I never expected it to be so difficult." He smiled his crooked smile, his eyes filled with love and desire. "You're way too tempting for your own good. No wonder every man in sight falls for you. I shouldn't really blame them."

He checked his watch. "Damn, I need to run. My match is up in half an hour. Will you meet me for a drink afterwards?"

I nodded. "I'll come and find you at your locker room after the show. I don't have to work tonight and I hope I can be in the crowd, if there are some seats left. Give them hell for me!"

He winked. "I'll win this one for you Julia, though I can't really remember if I'm actually supposed to win tonight." He kissed my cheek. "And do me one favor. Please stay away from Randy for now. I still have to figure out what I'm going to do with him."