Chapter 25
Glad you liked the last chapter : ) It was a crucial development in the Josh/Cody story..
..But now we are back over in Florida at NXT for the other stories! To tie up all the sub plots it's going to be a revolving door kinda story now, with different ones taking centre stage. The penultimate chapter has already been drafted as well because it's one I really want to get right so it's had a head start.
We start with one of my personal favourite of the pairings….Cake. I freaking love them. Thanks Kyle ;)
In a house in suburban Tampa, it was a rainy January afternoon.
On the bed upstairs, not long returned from a heavy training session, two young men were enjoying their free time as only a fairly new couple should.
Gym kit was strewn all over the bedroom floor.
Corey Graves was laying on his back, still in just his boxer shorts, while the larger figure of his younger lover Jake Carter was laying atop him, tenderly kissing him whilst his broad hands gently caressed his inked abs.
Corey and Jake were still in the honeymoon period of their relationship, even though they had passed the 3 month mark as an official couple now, and the sex was still as white hot as that first night. And Corey's personality had almost dramatically changed, especially since Christmas. He was no longer monosyllabic and cold, especially towards Jake. He was still snarky and sassy on his Twitter, but that was beside the point. And anyway Jake always thought his man had a wicked sense of humour. Jake didn't even mind that Corey was going to be pushed into NXT's main event scene while he floundered further down the card. Corey was getting very popular already – mainly from his indie days as Stirling James Keenan, as well as his alternative appearance and talent in the ring. Jake especially liked Corey's new haircut. So much that he was planning on getting his cut in a similar way.
"You're a naughty boy Matty," he was purring, pausing to cradle Corey's stubbled face in his hands.
"You know you wouldn't have me any other way Jesse," grinned back Corey.
Jake's stomach always did a backflip when Corey used his real name. The only person apart from his own family allowed to call him that. Just like he was the only one allowed to call Corey 'Matty'. And because Corey went weak at the knees whenever Jake called him that. Both boys were hopelessly smitten with one another.
"But making out with me in front of Bill De Mott," Jake smirked, "You're lucky he didn't make us wrestle naked!"
"I wouldn't have minded," shrugged Corey.
"Yeah I know YOU wouldn't, saviour of misbehaviour," chuckled Jake, "And…flirting with a repairman? Really?"
"Hey, I like a guy in a uniform," Corey said, "Told you that you had lots to learn about the real me."
As time had gone on, and Corey had gotten more and more used to being in a relationship with man, his true personality had really began to grow. And he had always been attracted to men in uniforms. Or men in overalls. Working men. But none of those men were as all-round hot as his boyfriend. Jake looked (and dressed) like a model. Corey would even go as far to say Jake was way out his league. Partly why he'd behaved like such a douchebag to him for so long. Sometimes when he was alone with his thoughts…Corey would go over and over his previous behaviour towards Jake and absolutely detest himself for it. He felt that Jake had forgiven him too easily. He sometimes wished Jake would hate him.
"Yeah I know," Jake said, "But getting the mail in just a towel? Really Matty? "
"Your mailman's hot, whats a boy to do?" grinned Corey.
Jake spanked Corey on the ass playfully.
Corey did like being spanked.
"More Jesse.." Corey said, a mischievous smirk now lifting his features.
"Bad boy," Jake smirked back, and spanked the boxer-clad bottom once more.
He slowly began to remove the offending garment so he could get to his prize beneath. Just last week Corey had defuzzed his entire lower half so he was now completely smooth. Around the same time he'd had the new haircut. He now looked like a complete twink apart from the ink. And Jake approved. Just like the first time he and Corey had sex since the older man got his latest tattoo. Jake liked it. A lot. A subtle 'JW' on Corey's left ass cheek. Marking him. Marking his as JAKE'S. And Jake's forever. Jake just hoped that once Corey got called up to the main roster, he wouldn't be left in the dust. Corey did get fangirl squeals whenever he made his entrance nowadays….
But now…Jake was more interested in the hot, slim twink beneath him (well as twinkish as a 28 year old could be)…moaning his name as his cool fingers gently caressed inside those perfect thighs.
"Jesse…." Whimpered Corey. Jake was SO good with his hands. One touch could have Corey a writhing mess.
"What Matty?" asked Jake, continuing to touch and tease.
"Please….." moaned Corey.
Jake's fingers slowly and tantalisingly travelled upwards, touching Corey's ballsac before resting on his ultra-sensitive perineal area. This had pleased Jake a lot when he found out just how much being touched here drove the oh-so-manly (yeah, right) Corey fucking WILD. Jake moved his finger down and began to tease the tight opening of Corey's ass...
"Please…" moaned Corey again.
Jake inserted his finger into the tight heat, relishing the wanton mews of pleasure already leaving Corey's mouth. Recently he'd found himself pleasuring Corey like this more and more…initially he'd been the submissive one…but lately..
"Want me to fuck you?" Jake asked, kissing Corey to try and silence those mews.
Corey nodded with need.
Jake slipped his briefs off and crawled over to the bedside table for the almost-empty bottle of lubricant. Since they'd been an official couple, they'd trusted each other to go bare. Corey crawled behind the larger man and his hot, eager mouth was engulfing Jake's cock before the younger man had even uncapped the lube.
"Someone's very keen," he grinned, letting out a sharp moan. Corey was amazing at head, especially for one inexperienced in the art of sex with men. And…had no gag reflex. As Jake found out Christmas morning…
"Watching you train in those rugby shorts," Corey said, removing Jake from his mouth, his pert, smooth bottom winking in the bedroom light, looking so mischievous the way he was laying on his stomach on the bed right now, his slim, tattooed legs kicked up, and his eyes sparkling. He was so adorable. Jake never thought he'd think of Corey as 'adorable'…EVER.
And he had worn his short rugby shorts to give Corey something to look at in training today. And had copped relentless teasing from that munchkin Josh and the care bear Oliver for it all morning. They were just jealous!
Jake uncapped the lube and began to slick his cock up. Corey rolled over instantly, his legs raised, assuming the position. He'd been on bottom pretty much every time they'd had sex this past fortnight. And he fucking loved it. In fact, he definitely preferred it to being top. Maybe because he associated being a top with how he used to treat Jake…or maybe because he was the smaller of the two…either way…he couldn't get enough. He was insatiable. Poor Jake hadn't been sleeping much, put it that way.
That lube bottle was new last week and already almost used up. Naughty boys.
Corey placed a pillow under his ass as Jake knelt in front of him, moaning with need as those two fingers once more entered him, scissoring and prepping him for entry.
Jake slowly lined up, placing those inked, now-smooth legs onto his shoulders before pushing at Corey's hole…the older man whining as the familiar sharp pain cut through his lower half. The pain was always worth it..
Jake pushed in more and more…eyes transfixed on Corey's handsome chiselled face as his eyes rolled back and his mouth fell open…as he felt Jake's pubic bone pressed against his ass cheeks…Jake now sheathed all the way inside him.
"Oh…Jesse…." Whimpered Corey, "More…please."
Jake couldn't not obey his partner…the way he would moan Jake's real name in sex…enough to turn any man gay.
He began to move in an out…Corey's inked arms reaching up and around his neck, pulling him closer, moans constantly leaving his lips.
Corey was in heaven…this felt SO damn good….it was never enough…he missed Jake when they were apart…oh yes…just there…please…
"THERE!" he cried, making Jake jump.
"Like that Matty? Yeah?" Jake purred, kissing Corey softly before continuing to fuck the pert ass.
"Yeah! Oh yeah!" moaned Corey, voice going higher in pitch.
His skin was on fire…everything Jake did to him just set him alight…every time they had sex it was the best ever. Especially since he'd been bottom all the time lately…he'd waited way too long to feel this good…feel this right…
Jake raised one of his hands and brought it hard down onto the ivory white ass cheek…Corey cried out…the pain was just making this even fucking better…more please Jake…more.
Corey was now mewling, whimpering and moaning constantly, not caring how loud he was getting…they were in a detached house, he could express his feelings how he pleased and this was fucking off the scale…he couldn't put into words how Jake made him feel…he was close…he could feel it inside him…his legs were tingling…his abdomen aching from within..
Jake was close as well…Corey made such a hot bottom boy…and knowing that he was screwing one of the most popular and over stars of tomorrow just made the experience even more exciting to him….the girls might squeal over Corey but it was he, Jake, who could MAKE Corey squeal. And Corey often did..
"Yes...! Oh YEAH! YES!" panted Corey, so fucking close….so FUCKING CLOSE…
Corey always came unaided when he bottomed…which turned Jake on EVEN MORE…
"Cum for me Matty…let it go…..c'mon…" purred Jake, spanking Corey once more, continued to fuck him at this perfect speed...not too slow…not too quick…
He leaned down to clasp Corey's hands in his own, so Corey definitely wouldn't touch himself.
Corey was now moaning non-stop. Crying out. Whimpering. Mewling. He was going to…oh he was going to…he couldn't stop it…willing it upward…willing his zenith forwards…bit more Jakey…bit more…he was there…oh fuck he was there…
A loud scream left Corey's throat as he exploded.
Rope after slippery rope blasted all over the intricate design around his navel and all up his pecs, some even hitting the pillow surrounding his now sweat-beaded head. It never seemed tyo stop….he hadn't cum like this in YEARS…his body convulsing wildly as he rode his orgasm out…finally…he was slowing…he was done..he was done.
Jake couldn't hold on much longer…he continued to hold Corey in this position as he fucked deeper and deeper…determined to come inside his man.
Oh shit…he could feel it too…seeing Corey totally lose it like that…enough to drive him at full force over the edge…oh fuck…
Jake cried out loudly as he drove hard inside his older partner one final time…spraying his insides blanc and a tsunami of pleasure washing over his body and mind…his soul…this was the best they'd had together so far…oh my….and it wasn't even a special occasion.
"I love you Jesse…so…so much.." gasped Corey, totally covered in sweat and his epic release, holding Jake close to him as Jake recovered from his orgasm as well, still inside him.
"I love you too Matty…fuck...that was incredible…" panted Jake, clinging to his boy for dear life, Corey's legs falling awkwardly by his sides.
Corey mewed pitifully and Jake knew that meant he wanted a kiss.
He duly obeyed him and passionately kissed him, stroking Corey's cheek tenderly, looking into the older man's eyes, which shone with emotion and love right back at him. Jake slowly removed himself from Corey before laying beside him, cuddling him and planting another rkiss on his lips.
"Cant feel my legs.." Corey murmured, enjoying how Jake's thick arms fit so perfectly around his toned, slim muscled back.
"Not surprised, thought you were gonna pass out on me," grinned Jake.
"You're amazing Jesse…so amazing...that was amazing," Corey said, not really connecting brain and mouth right now…too content to care.
Jake just held his partner as he recovered from that thorough seeing-to he'd had.
"Jesse.." Corey murmured after about fifteen silent, content minutes just cuddling, "Jesse.."
"What's the matter?" asked Jake, almost dozing off.
"Next time we're off…can we…can we go visit your dad?" Corey asked, his slim fingers idly drawing patterns on Jake's chest.
"If you want to, and listen to him bore us to death about life on the road in the Nineties," Jake grinned, "Or tell us one more what an asshole HBK was during his pill popping days."
He noticed that lately, this was one thing Corey would always ask him. Over Christmas Corey had asked Jake if they could spend some time with Jake's family but due to their commitments down here they wouldn't have had time.
"Be serious Jesse, it means something to me," Corey said, suddenly glaring at him, "You know I don't really talk to my parents anymore."
"I know baby," Jake said, "You never said why though."
Corey sighed, his eyes focusing on his hand, still idly tracing shapes on his lover's chest.
"Dad's a homophobic ass," he said finally, after much though, "And your dad's always been so nice to me. Especially since we came out to him."
"Again, your idea," Jake said, ruffling Corey's slightly sweaty, still-gelled quiff, his fingiers resting on the shaved back and sides, "I told Dad I was gay the morning after we finally got together…and he's cool with it. As is my brother. Dad said at least he doesn't have to worry about me getting women pregnant on the road."
"I know Jesse, but you have such a good relationship with him, I envy that," confessed Corey, "I supposed I should talk to you a bit more about mine…my parents didn't like gay people at all. My brother's OK with all that but he doesn't know I am….I do say you're my first Jesse. I basically lost my virginity to you. Well…my real one. I had to sleep with girls on the indies and when I was at college to keep my parents happy. That's why I don't often go back to Pittsburgh."
"Queer As Folk was set there," Jake said, "It has a gay scene."
"I know," Corey said, "But my friends back home would have found out. I wanted to go to gay bars and stuff…but couldn't risk being outed. Never thought I'd have to wait until I was 27 to finally see what its like to be with a guy."
"And you never told me…" Jake sighed, feeling a little angry but at the same time, desperately sorry for his boyfriend right now. Bless him. Poor Corey. That was so sad.
"How could I?" Corey snapped, "That;s why I behaved like such a cunt to you. I had to hide that I was a total virgin. I tried going to bars when I moved down here when I got signed, but my ink put lots off, I got told I'd be good looking if I lasered it off."
"Fucking scene queens, just ignore them, shallow pricks," Jake said, "Oh Matty…baby…come here.."
He hugged Corey tight..and heard a sniff into his shoulder. Oh bless his little heart. This boy had more layers to him than a shallot. All this because he couldn't be who he wanted to be.
"Wrestling was my release," Corey went on, "And then when you signed….you were the hottest, most handsome guy I'd ever seen in my life…I couldn't believe it when they told me we were going to be a tag team. Now was my chance."
"But you couldn have just asked me out and I'd have said yes, punk guys have always been my weakness," Jake said, "Most of my ex boyfriends, not ex fucks have been alternative, rocker, punk or emo sort of guys."
Corey always felt a little sick when Jake talked about his past.
And Jake knew he'd put his foot in it when Corey's body went rigid.
"Sorry Matty…thoughtless comment," he said, "But why did you treat me like a fucking private hooker?"
"Only way I thought I could get you…I didn't think guys did relationships," Corey said, "I hate myself for how I treated you. When you fucked me that first night….I almost cried…it was so…perfect. But I wanted you to hurt me. Make me feel like how I made you feel."
"So that restaurant we went out to when we first got together officially," Jake said.
"Was my first date with a guy. Aged 28," Corey said, "I'm a fucking sad case aren't I?"
"No you're not," Jake said soothingly "Matty, some guys don't come out until their 40s cos of oppressive families and stuff, you're not alone baby. And you know my family like you. Even if yours are assholes, mine aren't. Even if Dad's an embarrassment at Thanksgiving dinner."
"Jesse…" Corey said, now really nuzzling into Jake and making himself comfortable, "I wish I could tell you properly how much you mean to me…..how happy you make me."
"You do every day," Jake said, nuzzling the top of Corey's head, "And every time we have sex. Can see it in your eyes."
"I had a thought," Corey said, "You don't have to like it but it's something I want to do…."
"What baby?" asked Jake.
"I'd like to come out…officially," Corey said, "I've never been happier than I've been these past few months…I love you enough to get this (he indicated the 'JW' tattoo)…but…I want to…tell everyone. Even if it cans my push or gets me fired."
"What are you saying Matty?" asked Jake.
"I'm saying, I'd like to announce you as my partner…on Twitter or something," Corey said, after thinking it over for a couple of minutes, "Or make a statement. We're in a relationship on Facebook after all."
Jake was completely floored.
This was not what he was expecting. OK he was coping with his Hall of Famer father knowing about he and Corey as a couple, but would wrestling fans really be as accepting? Wrestling was still very much an alpha male sport, even in their job of 'sports entertainment'. A lot of hardcore old fashioned types made up the fanbase, especially with the PG rating on mainline WWE shows. It was one thing to be out to co workers as long as they were careful with what they said on their monitored Twitter accounts, but Corey was asking something big. He'd get 'faggot' chants at NXT shows…he'd get hate on Twitter. Had he really thought it through? Jake loved Corey very much, he knew that. And would do anything to make him happy, especially after hearing Corey talk about his background just now. But he'd have to seriously think about that one.
He kissed Corey on his forehead and held him close…feeling the older, smaller man slowly fall asleep in his arms.
In another house two blocks away, Jack Korpela was busy planning the next step in his revenge against that bullying little bitch still thinking he was his best friend. So far, almost two months between the Rohypnol incident, Josh had still not suspected a thing about Jack, and had resigned himself to the fact that he'd just made a hideous drunken mistake and vowed to watch how much he drunk next time he went out to Pulse. Of course Jack had played his part to perfection, acting the concerned friend, and even cooked up, if he said so himself, a pretty convincing sorry act when confronted by a furious Dusty Rhodes after the botch fest of a match the week after the incident. Josh eventually had forgiven Jack enough for it and things were just perfect.
Jack was only just getting started. Sometimes he forgot he was supposed to be faking it when he and Josh hung out, but then Josh would say the C word (Cody) and that would snap Jack right back to reality. In a way, Josh getting dateraped was Cody's fault. If Cody hadn't bullied Jack mercilessly back in 2007 and 2008 then Jack wouldn't have to hurt Josh to get back at him. Perfectly justifiable in Jack's eyes.
Jack wasn't really bothered about trying to grow as an in ring competitor now if he was honest. Right now, he was just going to make sure that while he was still holding an NXT contract, he would make damn sure Josh never ever got back with Paedo Tache.
"Hey Jack?" came Josh's still-annoying to him high-pitched voice from upstairs. Well not so annoying when it was making slutty sounds while Jack fucked his ass in November but anyway..
"Uh..yeah?" Jack called back.
"You seen my ring shorts? Can't find ANY!" Josh shouted back, sounding pretty frustrated.
"OH…uh…they're in the wash…they won't be dry in time," Jack replied, sniggering. He'd stolen them and deliberately put them on a late wash so Josh would have nothing to wear in yet another losing effort against Corey Graves at the taped show tonight.
Josh let out a high pitched growl of frustration. He was NOT wrestling in fucking gym shorts or sweatpants tonight. Needs must. He dialled a number.
"Oh hey munchkin," came a young English accent, "Can't wait to see me tonight?"
"Not that Paige," Josh said, "Listen…I need a favour…..your spare wrestling gear…I need to..kinda need to borrow your shorts. All I can find are my kneepads, my brace, and my old black boots…Jack's decided to launder all my shit at once."
"I will not have barbies wearing my clothes," teased Paige, "But OK, you can wear my old ones when I was just Saraya. You can't seriously fit those surely? At least one of the guys is as slim as you!"
"Fraid not, curse of being a shortie," Josh said, "Thank you so much…life saver…I'll rescue my black infinity belt so they're not obviously yours."
"Damn right, you're way too much of a diva to be seen in my precious gear," Paige teased, "See you later boyo."
"Laters."
Josh hung up. Least that petty crisis was sorted. But why did Jack take his ring gear? He knew it was SO insignificant but he knew they had a show tonight.
He zipped up his sports bag and padded down the stairs.
"Luckily Paige has got a spare set," he said, "Next time, tell me when you're putting my stuff on to wash."
"Big deal, it's just ring gear," Jack shrugged, "Plus the crotch stank on all of them."
"Had lots of matches!" retorted Josh, blushing.
"You know, Josh you could take better care of yourself," Jack went on, "All your clothes reek of BO. Do you not use a good deodorant. Corey's complained about having to face you cos your pits reek. Why do you think I went hard on you in our last match. Josh I'm saying this as your friend. Personal hygiene in matches goes a long way."
Josh was scarlet from head to toe. He was already paranoid enough about his appearance and always made sure he was well presented for EVERY damn match he had, especially televised ones. He wore more makeup than most of the fucking Divas on taping nights! He didn't like it but he felt as one of the oldest in the locker room he had to set an example. And he didn't realise he didn't wear enough deodorant. And that wasn't like Corey. Surely he;d have said it to Josh's face?
While Josh rushed upstairs to snatch every scented grooming product he owned, Jack stood cackling to himself. Now to demolish his self esteem to smithereens. Just like he and Cody did to him five years before. How does it feel now Mathews? Jack knew that he was totally bullshitting but he knew that would REALLY get to Josh.
And to deliver the really cutting blow?
He tapped a text
To: Fishface
Had to wash ur ex friends ring shorts. Fuck do his balls stink, boy has worst hygiene ever.
Jack laughed to himself. Oh this was so much fun. He'd already made Josh feel bad at Christmas by making a low fat dinner and telling Josh he needed to stay in shape as a veteran. And yeah he had saved Cody as 'Fishface'. Why give that moustached bully any respect? He didn't deserve any from Jack.
His phone buzzed.
From: Fishface
Leave me the fuck alone u trout-faced, jug-eared mutt.
Jack shook his head. Trust him to go back to the personal insults. All Rhodes knew.
Two blocks away, Jake was spooning a still-sleeping Corey. A nap had been just what he needed after the hardgoing training this morning but they had a show to get to. Well that and the amazing sex earlier. It was amazing how much Corey had changed in so little time since they got together as an official couple rather than sordid fuck buddies. (and Jake would use that term very loosely). He was almost unrecognizable as the arrogant, smug and standoffish douchebag that Jake was first bewitched by. And what pleased Jake the most was how their friends (well, Josh, Paige, Oliver and Jack) seemed to have accepted Corey as part of their clique. Corey still had his more manly buddies in the likes of Kassius et al, as well as Seth Rollins and Punk on the main roster, but he preferred to spend most of his time with Jake.
Corey knew that he had to come clean about his past to Jake, and how he had to repress his sexuality back home and on the indies, hooking up with slutty girls he couldn't stand just to keep up appearances. Only member of his family who potentially wouldn't disown him was his younger brother, who also did time in FCW under the name Buddy Scotcher. But he hadn't talked to Buddy in ages and certainly not since he'd got with Jake. He was feeling more accepted and comfortable right now than he'd ever done in his life. And he even liked that Jake allowed him to flirt with hot uniformed guys who caught his eye. None of them were in Jake's league but Corey did like a man in coveralls or a uniform. Just last week an old lady on Jake's block had to call the fire brigade out to rescue her cat, and Corey had decided to mow the front lawn shirtless at exactly the same time the fire truck showed up…Jake watching this whole hilarious montage from the living room while he did some weights. In fact Jake had sneakily taken pictures and uploaded to Instagram…
Jake could tell Corey was dreaming…he had a small smile on his face as he slept.
"Oh yeah…" he moaned in his sleep, "Take me UPS guy…"
That did it. Jake had to run out the room before he collapsed into hysterical laughter. Oh Corey. Typical. Brains in his ass as always these days.
Jake tapped a text to Josh.
To: Spiky
OMG…Matty's having wet dreams about UPS guys…do I wake him up before he embarrasses himself? :O x
Josh replied almost instantly.
From: Spiky
ROLFMAO! He's so adorable….does he know weve got a match at tapings tonight? Xx
Jake was now giggling to himself. He had better go wake his boy (even though he, Jake, was the younger of the two) before Corey ended up having a little…spillage.
"Matty…wake up.." he whispered, shaking the slim, tattooed body.
Corey moaned some more, still asleep
"Yeah..oh yeah…be rough with me UPS guy.." he moaned.
Jake suppressed a howl of laughter…he decided this was the only way…he picked his phone up and went onto YouTube…searched…and typed 'Corey Graves entrance', turning the volume up to full blast.
The pounding punk rock theme blasted from the small speaker on the phone, startling Jake. Corey stirred and then sat up, dishevelled and looking totally confused.
"Whatthehell?" he grizzled, rubbing his eyes..looking totally adorable to Jake.
"Sorry baby…" Jake said, chuckling to himself, "Needs must…you were talking in your sleep."
Corey blushed bright red…his cock was hard after that wonderful erotic dream…which consisted of him signing for a package from a hot UPS guy who looked like Jake…Yeah so what…he liked a man in uniform!
"Oh and what was I saying?" he challenged, not liking the teasing smirk on his man's face.
"Be rough with me UPS guy," Jake said, howling with laughter, "Oh Matty….you're so cute….I had to take action before you got too excited."
"I'm 28 not 15!" spat Corey.
"Doesn't matter….you were humping the air!" chuckled Jake, "So what did UPS guy look like?"
"Like you," Corey mumbled, "Buy a uniform Jesse….."
"Why?" Jake chortled.
"Cos you'd make a hot fireman…cop….delivery boy…."
"C'mon….come get dressed you horny little minx," Jake said, picking the smaller Corey clean up and carrying him easily into the bathroom. Corey was 209 but Jake could bench 300. And plus he liked picking Corey up…because of the exact reason right now…Corey nuzzling into his chest and making adorable, most-unlike-his-ring-persona mewing sounds. Corey was a big softie whenever it came to his beloved Jake. No fan must ever see this. And he was trying to make up for his previous asshole behaviour in any way possible. His bad-boyness still lingered in his appearance and his preference to take it rough in bed though.
The weather had cleared up by the time the little gang of superstars and diva all met up at Full Sail arena that afternoon to rehearse and prepare for the taped shows.
Josh was a little miffed when Jack didn't even stop to say hi to Paige who was waiting outside and just strutted straight in, mumbling about meeting with the trainers. When in reality he was meeting up with NXT's new commentator…Brad Maddox.
But anyway.
"Whats with him?" asked Jake, who was holding hands with a bashful-looking Corey.
"I have no idea," Josh sighed, "I'm mad at him anyway. Threw all my ring gear in the wash when he knew we had tapings tonight."
He shot a look at Corey, remembering what Jack had said early about the Saviour Of Misbehaviour complaining about his apparent BO.
Jake spotted this too and gave Josh a glower.
"Whats your problem?" he snapped.
"In future," Josh said, scowling at Corey, "I get you're several leagues above me wrestling wise Corey, but if you've got a problem with me…tell me to my face."
"I haven't," Corey said, scowling and squaring up, "You know that shrimpy."
"Hey hey.." Paige said…standing between the two men.
"Stay out of it Paige," snarled Corey, "Come on then porcupine, what have I been saying?"
"Complaining about facing me in matches…because of my BO," Josh said, "Nice. I thought you were a friend Graves. Just as two faced as the others."
"Hey hey…hang on…when was I supposed to have said that?" demanded Corey. Josh didn't have BO as far as he was aware…in fact the guy wore so much bodyspray and cologne at shows there was no way…and Corey had had enough matches with him to testify to that.
"Jack told me…" Josh said, face bright red, "Does everyone else think I stink then?"
"No!" Jake and Paige put in.
"What brought this on?" asked Jake.
Josh was looking distinctly paranoid.
"Jack….I dunno…lately he's been really weird," confessed Josh, "Just little things…like the other day he told me that I need to watch my calorie intake..!"
"Huh?" Jake said, "Did he really? Nice."
"He's been funny with me ever since Mike came to stay," Josh said, "I don't like living there at the moment. Either Striker gets his ass down here pronto or I'm moving out."
"He's not seeing Striker," Jake said, "Layla told me."
"Yeah." Put in Paige, "He doesn't know we know. He doesn't even talk to me much these days…especially since your party weirdly."
"Joshy," Jake said, "If you want to move out of there, you can crash in my spare room…it's full of old DVDs and shit but if you wanna get out of there…"
"Can I? Can I really?" asked Josh, "Jake…thank you. I don't want to intrude on you and Corey…"
"It's OK," Corey put in, "Sorry…I didn't mean to snap. Broken sleep this morning.."
Jake got a huge grin on his face.
"Jesse don't you dare," Corey said, turning beet red.
"Why? Afraid they'll laugh?" teased Jake, "You'll never guess what he was dreaming of?"
"Surprise us," Paige smirked.
"Well…" Jake grinned, "I got out the shower, and he was fast asleep on the bed..moaning 'be rough with me UPS guy.."
"Well you did tell me in that text…" smirked Josh.
"Oh yeah," Jake smirked, "This one just loves a man in uniform. You'll see just how much when you move in. I'm not allowed to get mail. Put it that way."
"Aww c'mon," Corey said, cheeks pink, "Who doesn't love a hot guy in uniform?"
"I used to think you were such a bad boy and so manly," complained Paige, "Now you're a big fairy!"
"Oh but I am a bad boy," smirked Corey, "In the bedroom. Or if there's a hot delivery guy nearby."
Josh grinned. At least hanging out with Jake made him forgoet about how unhappy he was at Jack's at the moment.
Jake caught his smaller, elder friend's grin.
"Anyone would think Corey's the bottom these days," Josh said.
Jake pouted comically.
"How could you tell?" he snarked.
Josh was awaiting his cue for the match, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of Brad Maddox up in the commentary booth. He hated that guy so much.
And he felt a bit silly in these tiny black shiny shorts of Paige's, clumsily held up by the one ring belt with the Infinity logo he could find. He was also sporting his weightlifting gloves to complete his look…in fact when he saw himself in the mirror he recalled an ECW match from 2008 where Layla teamed with Victoria to take on Michelle and Kelly and wore a black attire just like this, except for the silver kneebrace. So at least he was keeping to his costume theme. Even though he had kneepads and black boots on he felt more exposed. Never mind this was a one off. Hopefully. He tightened his brace and awaited his cue.
He could hear Corey's them still blasting from the speakers out in the arena as his opponent finished his entrance, the usual squees of NXT fangirls sounding whenever Corey went out there these days.
'Nasty Girl' began to play and Josh padded out onto the stage, taking a more heelish pose as he appeared before strutting with as much sass and swag as he could muster down the ramp. He kept his face dour and all-business as he walked around to the right hand side to climb onto the apron, staring from one side of the crowd to the other before sitting on the ropes…and pulling his braced leg right back over his head in Layla's old-style ECW entrance…and yes he could do the split pose too, he'd been training hard enough recently to get more flexibility in his slim legs. He kicked his leg up as he made his way into the ring, jumping on the spot as he stood opposite Corey, awaiting the bell.
Josh had to admit that Jake's boyfriend was looking extremely good these days. And how TIGHT were his skinny jeans? Corey was definitely a changed guy from the moody emoish former indie wrestler Josh had met all those months ago in August. He'd never associated with Corey at FCW. And Josh was still thinking about what Jake was saying. He might take Jake up on that ASAP.
Corey surprised Josh by extending his hand. Josh shook it. Corey was working as an aggressive face now so Josh, also being a face, had to show sportsmanship. But he'd told Corey to not go soft on him in the ring.
The bell rang.
They locked up and Corey got the upper hand but Josh managed to fight back, breaking the hold and springing back to his feet. Corey ran at him and Josh hit him with an arm drag.
The inked man sprung back up and Josh hit him with another.
Josh padded backstage. He knew he was down to lose but Corey had made him look a million bucks out there tonight, selling every move he did almost Dolph Ziggler level, and even allowed him to get a very near fall with the Infinity pin. Josh also found Corey to be one of the best sellers of the Layout, making the neckbreaker look like it'd murdered him. Corey had only used his 13 Step hold once, every other match they'd had, he'd always stolen the win via roll-up. And he'd done so tonight.
Jake was backstage with Corey of course.
"Awesome match Spiky," he said, "And actually, that gear looks good."
"Quit it," Josh said, "Corey…I did mean it when I said go hard on me…I'm just an oldtimer filling my days, you're a star of the future."
"So? You're Jesse's best friend," Corey said, "And hardly an oldtimer…you're only just 4 years older than me."
"And 6 older than Jake," Josh said, blushing,
"Least you can dance," Jake grinned, "Unlike me. If you want, you can come crash at ours tonight, if you cant face shrimpy."
Corey was nuzzling into Jake's neck.
"I'll come over after dinner," Josh said, "I think someone wants you all to himself first."
"Back up Matty," Jake said, "You can wait a couple more hours can't you?"
Corey gave Jake a woefully-inept puppy-dog-eyes face.
"You fail at life," teased Jake.
"Least I can dance," Corey shot back, "And Josh…Layla's ECW entrance? Please….watch and learn boy."
The slim tattooed submission specialist leaned against an empty chair and then pulled his skinny jean-clad leg right back over his head with the greatest of ease.
"That boy is most definitely a bottom," smirked Josh, "How you adjusting to life as a top then Jakey?"
"Tolerating it," pouted Jake, "He's so fucking insatiable….remember when I bought that king size bottle of lube two weeks ago…"
"No way has it all gone?"
"Yup," smirked Corey, "You better hurry up and get laid again old man."
"MAtty…." Sighed Jake, "Tactless."
"Oh…right…sorry," Corey said, "I don't get why you don't just call him…his damn father is one of our trainers and is the general manager for TV! He could swing it for you."
Josh looked very downcast.
"He's offered," he said, "But I said no. According to Lay, he knows about what happened at my party."
"Something about that doesn't quite add up," Jake was saying, "You said you reckon it was that musclehead who was grinding you just before we left, but yet Oli swears blind he didn't see anyone leave when he went out for a morning run."
Kassius Ohno ambled over at that point, awaiting his match.
"All the years I've know you Keenan," he smirked at Corey, "I did not know you could bend like that."
"Lots to learn about me, Hero," Corey smirked, "I'm very flexible…."
Jake just facepalmed, face burning. Josh just laughed. Corey was a mischievous little minx of late backstage, flirting with many of their coworkers (playfully obviously)
"I'm fine thanks dude," Kassius said.
"I can be whatever you want me to be," Corey went on, and he bent over, "Sure you don't want a piece of this?"
"Behave!" barked Jake.
Kassius just howled with laughter.
"Need to tighten his leash," he smirked, "This one looks like he plays up. What happened to the tough, grumpy Stirling off the indies?"
"He's dead," grinned Corey, "And you love it really."
"Come on trouble," Jake said, "Let's go change…Joshy..come with us, we can sneak your ring clothes from Jack's."
"Something up?" asked Kassius curiously, "Korpela's been a real grumpy asshole lately. And botching."
"Don't ask," Josh sighed, "Catch you laters."
"Laters dudes," Kassius said, "And Carter, keep an eye on your man."
"Not letting him out my sight," Jake huffed, cheeks still pink as Corey hummed innocently to himself.
"Love you Jesse," Corey grinned, planting a fat smooch on Jake's lips.
"Love you too Matty," Jake replied, a sappy smile on his very handsome face, "Even more when you behave."
"What? Just playing," shrugged Corey.
"I know baby," Jake said, "I don't mind really…just being yourself."
The boys made their way back to the locker room to change, and after making their excuses to their fellow superstars for their early leaving, they wandered out of the arena, where to their surprise, the black clad, youthful, ivory figure of Paige was waiting. Josh still couldn't believe a girl 12 years his junior was one of his closest friends here. But she possessed perhaps the most ring experience of all the Divas here and even on the main roster.
"Thought you'd be in the locker room," remarked Jake as they approached her.
"Don't have a match and mum just phoned," she said, "By the way, I just saw something worthy of gossip."
"Oh. Tell us," Jake smirked.
"Oliver and Adrian were looking very cosy," she said.
"How cosy?" asked Josh.
"Well…Adrian was just talking in his Hairy Biker voice, and Oliver was bright red and acting like a giggly Barbie," Paige replied, "He was lucky Jack wasn't about."
"Korpela needs to butt out of Oli's personal life," Jake said, "I used to think it was kinda cute how he acted as Oli's guardian but now it just seems a bit creepy. The guy's about ym age…he doesn't need a chaperone."
"Sure you don't want to spy on them?" grinned Paige, "Just to watch him act like a cute kid asking a girl on his first date?"
At that moment a FedEx van pulled up and a delivery man hopped out, opening the rear door to retrieve a parcel from the back.
Corey's eyes were instantly on this young handsome courier.
"This world won't stop taunting me will it?" he sighed wistfully.
"What you on about now?" asked Josh.
"Hot delivery guys…" Corey said, practically swooning.
"Jakey's hot, why do you need to chase them?" Josh asked.
Jake rolled his eyes.
"Don't even go there," he huffed, pouting and folding his arms like a stroppy child as he realises Josh and Paige were laughing at him.
"Jakey's not a man in uniform," grinned Corey, "Sorry Jesse." He kissed Jake soppily on the lips but the younger, larger man still pouted comically.
"Have to admit, FedEx is a fittie," Paige remarked.
"Wish you were a delivery boy," Corey sighed to Jake, "Cop….fireman…someone stop me."
"Big hairy fannies," Paige said almost on cue.
"Blue waffles," Josh piped up.
"Blurgh….you filthy mouthed little shit," complained Jake.
Corey was now full-on checking out the hapless delivery driver as he sorted through packages in the back of the open van.
"Babe," he said to Jake, "Change jobs so you can wear a uniform like that…"
"Might as well," scoffed Jake, "Not like I'm on TV regularly is it."
The driver bent over at that point to retrieve his hand held signing-for-parcels device.
"Dat ass," Corey gushed, "Something to grab hold on to….when he.."
The others howled with laughter.
"That boy is a bottom…" sang Josh. The viral re-make by three drag queens of Alicia Keys' Girl Is On Fire had been a shared joke amongst the little NXT friendship group.
"Get me out of here before I fucking jizz in my pants over this guy..." Corey complained.
"How do you cope getting your post delivered, Jake?" Paige giggled, as the FedEx guy went back to his van, whistling.
"He doesn't, I just flirt with the mail man," Corey grinned.
"He does," Jake put in, "Always answers in his undies or just a towel. I'm not allowed to get mail. Joshy has that to look forward to. Rule number one buddy, do not answer the door for the mailman."
The FedEx guy walked past them with a large cardboard box at the point, and to the hilarity of the others, he brushed accidentally right against Corey whose face turned bright pink.
"Sorry bud," the Fedex guy said as he walked into the University.
"Hold me, I'm gonna faint!" Corey said, fanning himself.
"I used to think you were so cool, and such a bad boy," teased Paige, tossing back her raven locks, giggling.
"But he is a bad boy," grinned Josh, "When it comes to men in uniform."
"Oh yeah," smirked Corey, looking pleased with himself.
"And coveralls," Jake said, "Aww man, you guys should have seen him when I had to take the Altima hire car to be fixed."
"Shouldn't have let me out of the car!" pouted Corey, "Mind you, I wanna get in that van right now, with that delivery guy."
"Slapper!" Paige said.
"Dare you," Josh smirked.
"JOSHY!" Jake complained, blushing, "Don't encourage him."
"Why not," Corey said, "I love a challenge."
And with that he padded over to the van…casually peeling his denim ring jacket off so he was bare chested as he did so.
"No wonder he's called the Saviour Of Misbehaviour," Josh said. This was taking his mind off Cody and Jack's unusually snotty behaviour perfectly. And it would sound like fun crashing at Jake and Corey's place. A more relaxed atmosphere where it was OK to leave the odd beer can out or your boxers on the bedroom floor over night.
"Oh yes," Jake said, "But if he even sets foot in that van I'm putting my foot down."
At that point Jack emerged, also in his wrestling gear, and the conversation immediately went quiet.
"Josh you botched your barrel roll pin again," he said, "Dusty isn't happy with you."
"Looked fine from where I was," Paige said, raising her eyebrows.
"Corey never said anything," Josh protested.
"Anyway," Jack huffed, "I'm not happy with Oli. He and fuckin Adrian…he won't leave the guy alone. Has he forgotten he's got a man?"
"Dude, why are you still acting like his chaperone, guy's 26, well almost, same age as me!" Jake said.
"He's innocent!" Jack protested, "Josh…wait for me until my match is over."
"Sure," lied Josh.
As soon as Jack went back inside, Jake grabbed Josh and they wandered over to where Corey was stood flirting outrageously with the blushing FedEx guy.
"Come on Matty, we better be going," he said, tapping Corey on the shoulder, trying to act like a broski rather than a boyfriend. Not that it seemed to make a difference, this poor delivery guy was now scarlet in the face and smiling politely at Corey.
"OK….next time you need to slip a big package in a tight mailbox, know where to find me," Corey said, "Until then."
He took a bit of paper out of his ring jacket, along with a pink gel pen, and scrawled his number on it, signing it "Matty xx" with a big heart, before handing it to the delivery guy with a cheeky smile and a wink. Jake shot an apologetic look to the poor man before ushering his mischievous beau away. Much as he loved this 'new' Corey, sometimes he wished the monosyllabic jerk of old would return - in comparison he seemed a lot less work!
Josh was howling with laughter at this whole exchange.
"'Slip a big package into a tight mailbox?'" scoffed Jake, "Matty, we need to have a talk about good pickup lines."
"Jesse's just jealous because he's too pussy to flirt with hot guys," smirked Corey, "Those navy work pants…showed everything. Nice bulge on him."
"Oh jesus Jake, just take him home and roger him through the mattress so he can't sit for a whole week!" Paige chimed in.
"So Josh," Jake said, steering the subject away from Corey's rampant libido, "Thought about my offer, bud?"
"Yeah," Josh said, "I'll take it."
"Awesome, we get off now, you can grab your stuff before he gets back and load the car," Jake said, "By the way, you didn't botch. He was just talking out of his ass."
"He just needs to replace that stick he's got jammed up it with a dick," smirked Corey, "Might loosen him up a bit…if you pardon the expression ."
Collective facepalms all round. Josh was forcibly reminded of Cody in his big-mouthed, big-kid days.
"Anyway," Corey said, "On a serious note. If you'd botched Josh, I would have told you. You don't give yourself enough credit...you're a good chain wrestler. I can trust you at all times when I'm in the ring with you."
Josh glowed at the compliment. He thought Corey was one of the most talented on the NXT roster so that was a big thing for him.
Once they were in Corey's smart Lexus, they quickly drove to Jack's home and Josh darted in like a whippet. Luckily, all his ring shorts, kickpads, and armbands were drying on a clothes horse in the utility room. He ran upstairs, grabbed his case and stuffed them inside along with as much of his clothes as he dared. He had enjoyed living with his former announcer colleague to begin with. But he was glad to be moving out. Jack just wasn't the guy he used to be. Josh had barely been here 7 months but he definitely thought Jack had changed. Since before Christmas. Oh well, no time to worry about shit like that down in developmental. Once he was sure all his paraphernalia was packed up, Josh sped down the stairs and back outside, Corey helping him lug the bags and sticking them in the trunk of the Lexus.
Josh had been to Jake's house before but it was weird moving in…almost like he was 'escaping' his old place. It was a typical young guy's house. Messy, beer in the fridge…the odd empty can on the coffee table, posters on the walls etc.
"Make yourself at home buddy," Jake said, "Long as you chip us a few bucks towards utilities, and don't get the mail." He finished with a grin.
"Mailman wouldn't be interested in a twink," Corey said, flumping his slender form on the sofa.
"Takes one to know one," Josh sassed, sitting in the arm chair, "Wait a sec…in our match, was that an Andrew Christian waistband I saw?"
"Problem?" Corey grinned, flicking the TV on, "Jesse…come..sit."
He stood up so Jake could sit on the sofa, and as soon as Jake did so, Corey made himself comfortable.
Josh watched this little display. They were such a cute couple. Hard to believe just a few months ago they had that emotional showdown backstage after Corey had been such a shit to Jake. Josh didn't feel like he was playing gooseberry at all. Jake had offered him a room here, so his presence couldn't be that unwelcome.
"By the way Josh," Corey said, "You might have to share our closet. The spare room commode isn't big enough to hold your clothes AND your massive underwear collection."
"Ignore him," grinned Jake, "He's spent more on underwear in the past 7 weeks than I have in my whole life. It's like having a teen son who's just come out."
"You try hiding in the closet until you're in your late twenties!" hit back Corey.
Josh looked confused.
"I'll er..go get some beers," Jake said, quickly getting up and vanishing into the kitchen.
"Did I say something?" asked Josh to Corey.
"No…Jesse did," he sighed, "Josh…you're his best friend..and any friend of Jesse is one of mine. Just got some stuff to talk about. If you're gonna be living with us…"
"Not forever," Josh said, "I'm not a scab…I just needed to get out of Bree Van De Kamp's home."
Corey chuckled.
"I've been wanting to say that for months," he said, "But that would mean admitting I used to watch Desperate Housewives."
"He watches Mob Wives so take no notice of him," Jake said, returning with three bottles of beer, "What were you saying?"
"Just saying I won't be under your feet forever," Josh replied, sipping his, "But I had to get out of Jack's. "
"Or Bree Van De Kamp," put in Corey.
"You know..I never wanted to say it but he is Bree," Jake said, chuckling, "The perfect house, the cookies."
"I think it's an act," Corey said, "Something's weird about that guy. I know he was cool to you Jesse and stuff but I never really got Korpela. He only started acting super gay and calling everyone boo when Josh got re-signed."
"He never was like that," Josh said, "When he was a commentator, he was a fairly regular guy. Quiet. Very quiet. Had a few buds amongst the low-carders but.."
"Buddy…correct me if I'm way off," Jake said, "But something';s telling me there's more history between you guys than meets the eye."
Josh blushed.
"What do you wanna know?" he said, "The fact that Cody and I used to bully him? Or the fact that we've banged before."
"What? Pull the other one porcupine," drawled Corey.
"I thought so!" Jake said, "When? Not recently…surely?"
"No," Josh said, "Before he even got a developmental contract. It was when I was dating Mikey. We invited him out for drinks cos we felt bad he was elaving…yeah Cody and I had guilty consciences from years ago; and to cut the middle man out, Mikey and I took him back to our hotel room. I fucked him. And then fucked Mikey in front of him."
"YOU TOPPED?" Jake said in mock amazement.
"Now that I'd like to see," Corey said, "A twink with a lipstick on his ass cheek actually TOPS?"
"I was versatile for the right guy," pouted Josh, "Off the point. But yeah. Jack and I haven't spoken about that really."
"Maybe he's got the hots for you," Jake said, "Masking it by being a douche to you. Guys are like that."
Corey shuffled and his ears turned bright pink.
"Yeah," Josh said, "It's what I tell myself when I think about Cody…he HATED Jack. Still does probably. Lay told me so."
"Backtracking a moment," Jake said, "You said you..used to bully Jack? Never would have guessed. When was this?"
"Years ago," Josh said, "Like around 2008 or so. When Cody was a rookie. It seems so stupid talking about it now but me and him…we used to think we were the shit. They used to call us the queen bees and we were to be honest. We even had this thing called a Slam Book."
"And let me guess," Corey said, "Like the Mean Girls burn book only it had wrestlers, road agents and crew in it?"
"Got it in one," Josh said, laughing a little, "I still have it. Well my mom does. I gave it to her as like something to look back in 20 years time when I'm an old guy. It was our way of dealing with the petty bullshit and politics that go on backstage. We were so lucky it didn't fall into the wrong hands…if Taker or JBL found it…fuck knows what they'd have done in court about it."
"And with Cody being Dusty;s kid as well…ouch," Jake said, "I'd like to read it though."
"Off the point again," Josh said, "So yeah. We had loads of Jack in there. We had four pages on Ken Doane AKA Dick-stra. Fuck he was a prick."
"Still is, if those shoot interviews are anything to go by," Corey said, "How bad did you used to bully Jack?"
"Well," Josh said, "It was at Heat one time…."
Flashback: Early 2008. Sunday Night Heat taping.
Out the back of the arena, two young men were stood having a cigarette. They had rolled into the arena not half an hour ago, but the taller and younger of the pair, a pretty raven-haired rookie, had already changed into his trunks, pads and boots.
"You couldn't get into your trunks fast enough Coddles..." the smaller man, a spiky-haired, pretty brunette ressed in a suit, remarked.
"Heard Dave may be here," the younger man said, flexing his biceps idly, "Why have the rest when he could have the best?"
"Maybe he doesnt like his fucks to wear bright green and yellow," Josh smirked.
He had to laugh. Cody had been chasing Dave Batista for ages now, deliberately choosing to wander around the locker room in very little whenever the Animal was in there, and flirted ridiculously at every opportunity. Batista always seemed oblivious or would banter right back. But was clearly not into guys. Not that it hindered Cody. The young second-generation wrestler was eager and confident. He could get any guy he wanted – his pretty-boy good looks, his charming smile, his slim, toned body. His dance moves. Cody won't be beaten yet.
Josh had tried to get Cody to give up trying to "turn" the obviously straight Batista for a while. But Cody wouldn't have it., Stubborn as a mule. Only more fabulous. And bitchier.
"Unless he's into that shit," Cody said shrugging.
"Why would The Animal be at Heat?" Josh asked, "Unless he's IN heat and just wants to sniff out some divas or ring rats."
Oh quit it Josh. Cody had made a plan which he hoped would stun his cute but lacking-in-common-sense bestie.
"Because I stole Cena's phone earlier, and told Dave to meet him here," he said proudly.
The devious little minx. Josh had to admit, Cody was good. He usually could always get his men no matter how tough they seemed to get into bed, young Cody would find a way to get his leg over. And succeed.
"And there's no dirt on Cena on it?" Josh scoffed, raising his eyebrows. The cellphone of the company face and no dirt? Pull the other one!
"Just a couple of nude candids I found on there," Cody said, "That big ass must be fucked daily."
"By whom?" scoffed Josh, stamping his cigarette out and lighting another almost straight away, "Cena does not bottom! A big hulk like him?"
"Funny you should say that," Cody smirked, "I found the name 'Randal' with a heart next to it, with more nudes."
"Cena and Orton? You're making that up!" Josh said, giggling. He turned at the sound of footfalls approaching, and spotted Jack Korpela walking shyly towards them; "Oh no...needy ESPN reject at six o clock!"
Cody turned to look in the direction Josh was looking and he frowned. "Ew. Who invited talentless hacks to this event?"
"Sssh!" Josh hissed, "He's coming over."
"Act like it doesn't exist," Cody said snootily.
Jack saw Cody give him a disdainful look. Great. Was Josh ever alone without that little prick of a second-generation rookie with him? To think Jack used to look up to the Rhodes clan. How did a charismatic legend like Dusty sire such a little bitch?
"Excuse me..Josh?" Jack said nervously, trying to avoid even looking at the yellow and green-clad Cody.
"Ahem," Cody spat, "I am alive. Not an apparition."
"Josh," Jack went on, trying his hardest to ignore Cody, "Er..sorry...they...want me..and Coach to call Heat tonight. Not you."
He looked at the floor. He knew he'd get an absolute mouthful for this. Like it was HIS fault they didn't want Josh calling Heat.
"Oh snap. No they didn't."
Cody's voice cut right through Jack. His blue eyes were fixing the young announcer with pure contempt.
"From the road agents," Jack said quietly, "Sorry Josh. You got the night off."
"FUCKS SAKE!" Josh said, now really pissed off, "Why make me a Heat commentator if I never get to do it!"
"It's ok baby," Cody said, "Got this little trout faced, jug eared mutt doing it instead. Always meant to be heard, not seen."
Even Josh was taken aback by the pure venom in Cody's voice at that remark. Jack just went beet-red. His eyes were watering. Fucking…why him?
"Oh look," Cody sneered, "He's blushing because he thinks it's a compliment, aww... no."
He stood right in Jack's personal space and glowered at the poor boy.
"Listen," he barked, "You're going to tell them that something came up and that you can't do it now. So they'll ask Joshy to fill in."
He was folding his muscled arms and his jaw was set. His eyes flashed with menace. Jack just wanted the ground to open up and swallow him. Cody was never this nasty whenever top carders, bosses or his dad was around. A bully of the highest order. And Jack knew he was powerless to tell anyone about it.
"I c-cant!" he stammered, eyes watering with humiliation.
"Well," Cody said dismissively, "I guess that everybody needs to hear that you fell onto Cena's lap. With your ass."
"Wh-why do you hate me so much?" Jack asked.
"Oh sweetie," sighed Cody, "I hate everybody who's below us."
"Yeah," put in Josh, scowling and folding his arms, "WE hate them."
"I c-can't say no to the bosses!" Jack gasped.
"Wanna bet?" Cody drawled, raising his eyebrow.
"You're not even on Heat!" Jack hit back, "Why do you c-care?"
"I have a can of spray paint in my bag," Cody deadpanned, in a tone that suggested nothing Jack had to say was of any importance, "If you don't want this to end like the Trish and Christy Hemme segment I suggest you walk away and quit. Or just don't show up tonight."
"S-Sorry Josh," Jack said, now shaking, avoiding Cody's glare as best as he could, "I'm just giving a message."
And with that, the still scarlet-faced Jack scuttled away, practically sprinting for the hills. Josh and Cody fell about laughing rather nastily.
"Babe you made him shit his tighty whities!" Josh was saying.
"He wastes my time with his existence," Cody said dismissively, "As do Massaro, K2, Dykstra, London, Kendrick. Need I say more?"
"No," agreed Josh, "He's just another two bit, irrelevant guy who'll fizzle out in a few years."
No sooner as Jack had left them alone; two more figures approached, a girl with long black hair, and her ridiculously-toned and handsome boyfriend, his long hair tied neatly up in a bun. Melina and John Morrison. Melina might have been one of the best female wrestlers employed, but her self-entitled attitude hadn't earned her many friends backstage. And John was mocked by many superstars (especially Cody and Josh) for being 'pussywhipped' and doing whatever she asked of him.
"Oh no," Josh said as he clocked John and Melina, "We picked the worst place."
"Why?" demanded Cody, "Let's watch Jomo get pussywhipped. Korpela's ruined my day, I need some entertainment."
"John!" barked Melina, "My bags please!"
Without so much as a word, John picked her bags up and began to carry them towards the entrance nearby.
"And fit the collar, and the leash..." Josh said under his breath as they watched this display.
"Wonder if Mercury had to deal with that too," remarked Cody.
"Probably."
As she clocked the backstage interviewer and young rookie stood close by, Melina paused and shot them both a pretty filthy look. She had no time for those little queens. Made up for their lack of talent by acting like high school cheerleaders.
"Get off your high horse bitch," snarled Cody, "Your boyf is hot, you are not."
"Ssssh!" hissed Josh, "She'll hear."
And hear them she did.
"Mathews!" Melina snapped, glowering at them both, "Open the door for me!"
Cody was not going to have anyone speak to his bestie like that. Oh no bitch.
"Err, he's not your slave," he spat, "And John isn't either."
"Yes Melina," Josh said meekly, and he padded right over and opened the door for her. He couldn't help himself. He didn't want to end up in wrestler's court again. Once was enough (for being caught on his back with Orlando Jordan up his ass in 2004).
Cody was not impressed.
"You better slam the door in her face." He snarled at Josh.
Josh nodded and let the door go just a bit too early, trapping the flowing skirt of Melina's summer dress in it. She was not amused.
"Hey!" she cried out, "My dress! You could have torn it!"
"Watch it commentary boy," spat John Morrison, "Oh I forgot. Pointless boy. Cos you're never on TV and still you show up. Sad."
"Johnny," Cody said, flashing his charming smile at the Shaman Of Sexy, "If you want to unwind, and don't get whipped, come hang out with us. We like you, don't make us hate you.'
"Sorry what was that?" smirked John, "Couldn't hear it under all the lisping."
Melina laughed nastily.
"And you just got spittle on my dress."
"Wish we could have an intergender, bitch." Cody snarled, getting right in her face.
Melina simply shook her head and flounced away, snapping her fingers at John who obediently followed her inside.
"Feel sorry for him," Cody said, "If she wasn't around he'd be nicer, and probably hang out with us."
"I think he's just a poser," Josh replied, "OK hot abs and flash moves...but...really? He's got zero personality. Hate to say it but big fat Miz carries him."
"I just think he's misunderstood. Don't judge a book by it's cover."
"Korpela might be misunderstood..."
"That's different. Korpela's not got somebody making them do everything."
"You've changed your tune...oh fuck Korpela's coming back!" Josh huffed.
"Josh, I tried asking if we could swap back," Jack said, being careful to avoid Cody's piercing stare once again, "They said no."
"Watch this," Cody whispered in Josh's ear and stood right in front of Jack, a smirk on his pretty face.
"Urm. You're in our presence, you must kneel before us because we're so much more awesome than you in so many ways," he said, folding his muscled arms, "Go on. Kneel. Then we'll listen."
Jack, face burning once more, had no choice but to sink to his knees. Locker room etiquette. Cody may be still fairly new to WWE but he was an in-ring competitor unlike Jack.
"They said Josh and I can't swap," he murmured, wishing he could just die right now.
"Oh sorry," sneered Cody, "Still can't hear you. Hands and knees. Not just kneeling."
"Coddles…!" Josh said, laughing anyway. Cody had never been this vicious, not even to Kenny Dykstra.
"YOU'RE A FUCKING BITCH!" Jack exploded, having had just about enough, springing to his feet, "Dunno why you think you're so special! You're hardly Orton and YOU don't even get on TV unless its to get humiliated by someone better than you!"
"And you're on TV on Sundays," Cody said, completely unabashed by Jack's raised voice, "As a voice over man."
"I get on TV more then HE does," spat Jack, pointing to Josh.
"Wow," Jake said, as Josh finished recalling that incident.
"Wow indeed," Corey said, "You and Rhodes really did pick on him. Weirdly, can see why he might hate you."
"I'm not proud of it!" Josh said, "I just had beef with him cos they kept replacing me with him on Heat back then. Cody just liked picking on him."
"You didn't exactly stand up for him dude," Jake said.
"Probably scared Cody might turn on him," Corey said, "Am I right?"
"Yup," Josh admitted, "And cos I had a crush on Cody right from the off…so I'd do anything he asked me."
"Reckon he knew that?" Jake asked, "And that's why he got you roped in with that burn book stuff."
"Slam book was my idea," Josh said quietly, "Guess you guys think I'm an asshole now huh."
"Surprised," Jake said, "But I can see why you made that book. Dad's told me all about what it can be like backstage. And he had to contend with HBK in his pill-popping, Kliq, general asshole days. And plus Dysktra always sounded like a complete and utter douchebag. And Melina. Lots of heat on her."
"Anyway, it's in the past…you were always cool to Jack, you even paid him rent when he said no," Corey put in, "We're not gonna hold stuff from 5 years ago against you. Nothing to do with us. He wants to bear high-school grudges, it's his problem. Not yours."
"Certainly explains why Rhodes was such an uptight prick when he came to visit," Jake said.
"Oh yeah," Josh said, "He HATES me being friends with Jack…"
"Probably thinks you betrayed him," Jake said, "Dude. Chill. Have another beer."
So this was mostly some lighthearted comedy with Cake, but also furthering the fallout from November. We can now really see why Jack bears a grudge. And why Cody was so pissed off about Josh hanging out with him. Josh has escaped for now cos he clearly senses Jack is out for revenge. And still doesn't know Jack dateraped him : (.
Next chapter will be the lovely queen Bradley and his love for Briggles ; ) And also, Oliver sounds like he's gone off Briley as well….so maybe it's curtains for those two….
Hope you liked it and sorry it took forever to put up!
xxx