Chapter 26: Place Your Bets
Punk woke up the next morning after having a peaceful night sleep for a change. He even woke up with a small smile still on his face. He wasn't sure if it was from the engagement or the way he and AJ celebrated all night along, regardless she was the reason for his happiness in some shape or fashion. He reached over to his new fiancée and found her side of the bed empty and frowned. He was hoping to wake up and the same way he fell asleep the previous night. He felt her side of the bed and it was cold so he reached over to grab his shorts and head down stairs.
Once he reached the kitchen he smelt something cooking and it wasn't good. He scrunched his nose as he entered the kitchen. Once he fully stepped into the kitchen AJ's back was to him and smiled faintly seeing all the smoke and watching her trying to wave it around the room.
"Crap" she muttered "Crap, crap, crap!"
"Having some problems dear?" Punk teased causing AJ to look over to him
"I tried to cook breakfast" she pouted and he saw some flour on her face causing him to smile even more- she was a mess but she was his mess.
"And what happened?" Punk smirked walking over to her
"I had pancakes on and I turned around for one second and I guess the flame was too high and it burnt them and everything started to smoke and I tried to use the juicer to make fresh juice but I couldn't get it on-" she rambled "Are you sure you want to marry a woman who can't even cook you breakfast?"
"Good point" Punk said seriously tapping his chin giving it some thought "Nah I think I'll keep you around" he smirked kissing her cheek "Good morning"
"It would have been" she muttered "I seriously almost burnt down your kitchen"
"Our kitchen" Punk corrected "And almost doesn't count so don't worry about it" he said walking over to the pan she was using and saw it was burnt "We needed new pans anyway"
"I wanted this morning to be perfect for you" AJ frowned
"Here let me see" he said taking her left and checking her ring "Yup it's pretty perfect. Now I know last night did in fact happen and it wasn't just a wonderful semi-erotic dream" he then eyed her from head to toe "And you look absolutely great in my shirts"
"You think I should just go out and wrestle like this Monday?" she teased
"Um the only one you're going to be wrestling dressed like that is me" Punk told her as he wrapped his arms around her waist and tugged her against him
"Fine" She agreed reaching up to kiss him lightly "I really don't want to go to work today" she admitted "I'd rather stay home with you and celebrate all day"
"All day?" Punk questioned seriously
"All day" she repeated slowly with a grin
"Let's call in sick" Punk suggested causing her to laugh
"I don't think it works like that" AJ smirked
"I don't really care" Punk told her honestly
"We have to go to work and I want to show off this ring to everyone actually" AJ told him pulling away from him "Unless you want to keep this quiet?"
"Why would I want that?" Punk asked
"You're a private guy" AJ shrugged
"I am but people will find out eventually and I like the idea of you having that ring on. It will let everyone know you're spoken for" Punk told her seriously causing her to giggle
"Oh is that how this works? It's a replant of all men?" AJ said looking at the ring "It's like a power ring!"
"It should be a replant" Punk said to her
"What are you going to wear so people know you're spoken for?" AJ challenged folding her arms and he simply held up his wrist showing off his new tattoo with her lips on it. "Fair" she smirked "I still have to pack someone distracted me last night…."
"I'd love to distract you more" Punk told her seriously
"That's ok. I'm going to go pack up and you can start cleaning the kitchen I'll be down to help" AJ said to him
"You make the mess and I clean?" Punk questioned "Is that how marriage works?"
"Yea I think that's how it works" AJ said seriously then gave him a crazy smile before running up the stairs
"She's crazy" he muttered with a grin before turning to see the full mess she left for him in the kitchen.
Punk and AJ arrived for the first house show of the week together and quickly headed to his locker room. She wasn't working tonight and wouldn't be working until Monday so it would be just him getting ready and warming up. He threw on one of his t-shirts and glanced over to her and saw her playing with her ring on the couch.
"If I knew you'd be paying more attention to the ring than to me I would have gotten you a smaller one" Punk teased
"You could have given me a gumball machine ring and I'd still wear it proud" AJ informed him
"Great all that money later and you tell me this now?" Punk mocked seriously causing her to grin
"Is my poor baby feeling neglected?" AJ teased in a soothing voice
"Yes!" Punk said to her desperately. As she was sitting on the couch she lifted her finger and waved him over and he happily walked over to her and took a seat next to her
"Hi" she smiled towards him cupping his face
"Hi there" he smirked as he pulled her into a kiss.
"I don't know what it is about this ring that just makes me want you so much" AJ muttered before climbing onto his lap
"I think you had a hard time keeping your hands off of me long before the ring" Punk pointed out innocently
"I think you're the one who has the hard time" AJ smirked rolling her hips into him causing him to groan
"Babe I have to be out in half an hour so you have two options" Punk informed her "First is you finish this so I don't go out there with a third leg or you're going to have to remove yourself from me"
"I'm just giving you the attention you were asking for" AJ replied innocently
"You're teasing me" Punk smirked at her "You're the devil and I know it"
"And yet you still asked me to marry you" She replied "What does that say about you?"
"Touché" he smirked as she leaned in kissed him "Oh good you're taking option one" he muttered as she pulled away and kissed his cheek all the way over to his ear as she rolled her hips yet again against his
"I like option one" she smiled against him
"You have it backwards" Paul Heyman said entering the room "First comes marriage then comes the baby" he informed them seriously
"Shit" Punk groaned throwing his head against the couch
"Sorry guys but I wanted to congratulate you in person" Paul smiled. AJ went to get off of Punk but he held her in place
"You can't get up" he informed her moving his eyes down to his bulge and since he was already in his wrestling tights he really didn't want Paul to see this
"Thanks Paul" AJ said turning her head to look towards Paul
"Yea thanks Paul" Punk said forcing a smile "I'll see you out there"
"I was hoping I could give you both a hug" Paul smirked innocently
"Now that AJ and I are officially engaged she's not going to be hugging anyone that I don't trust will try to sniff her hair" Punk informed him "And trust me you really don't want to hug me right now"
"We've discussed the lock right?" Paul frowned looking over to Punk as AJ hid her laughter by burying her face into his neck
"Yea, yea we did just like we've discussed knocking" Punk shot at him
"Fair enough" Paul smiled "I'll see you out there Punk I hope you get yourself situated because I don't think they're going to let you wrestle with AJ attached to you like that even though I'd pay to see it"
"Jesus Paul really?" Punk asked disgusted while AJ continued to laugh into his neck
"I'm kidding and I'll even lock the door on my way out" Paul promised then left the locker room
"I think the moment is gone" AJ said pulling her face away to look at him
"Yea nothing will kill a boner faster than Paul Heyman" Punk agreed as AJ got off of him
"You're mean" AJ smirked
"Do you even hear the disgusting things he says?" Punk asked seriously "And I'm the mean one"
"He's just teasing you and you know it" AJ smirked "Because I know if anyone else said anything sexual about me you would rip them apart"
"Limb from limb" Punk added in a very serious voice
During Punk's match AJ headed into catering and watched the monitor from back there. She was a table away from where the other girls were sitting and could hear everything they were whispering about.
"…I mean come on look at that ring" Natalya whispered glancing over to AJ "It's a little over the top, no?"
"Totally over the top" Nikki agreed "How much do you want to bet this is just to help their story?"
"I wouldn't be surprised" Natalya said with a laugh "Punk is a method actor"
"So is she apparently" Nikki said to her "She was all over John during their dinner"
"Are you kidding me?" Natalya asked stunned "Even though I shouldn't be so surprised she was all over Punk when he was Beth"
"It's true!" Nikki confirmed "She even invited him back to her hotel room after dinner I mean come on" she snorted "He has me waiting for him-"
"That's a lie" AJ said standing up and walking over to the table
"We weren't talking to you AJ" Natalya informed her with a smile
"No but you were talking about me and it's all crap" AJ spat
"Is it AJ?" Nikki pouted in a mocking manner
"It is!" AJ yelled "Stop spreading rumors about me"
"Oh please AJ we're not the ones starting them" Nikki laughed
"Your dating history speaks for itself" Natalya told her smugly "I mean you dated your trainer probably so you wouldn't have to pay for wrestling school, you dated Christian who paid for everything else and now you're with Punk so you don't have to pay your dues here"
"I've worked my ass of to get here" AJ defended turning red
"No sweetie giving ass doesn't count" Nikki laughed
"How dare you! You don't even know me!" AJ yelled pointing at Nikki
"We know enough about you" Nikki defended standing up to get in her face "And while we're finally speaking keep your hands away from my man"
"Oh honey I want nothing do with your man you can keep him" AJ mocked "And I never wanted anything to do with him."
"Right" Nikki smirked "Because you weren't thinking nailing him would get you a killer storyline?"
"Well it hasn't worked for you" AJ shot back at her smugly earning a hard slap from Nikki across the face. AJ held her cheek and turned to look at Nikki trying to contain some of her anger.
"What the hell is this?" Michael Hayes asked annoyed as he approached the women
"AJ jumped all over me" Nikki defended quickly "I'd hate to have to call John and tell him what goes on here when you're in charge for the night"
"That's not true" AJ defended to Michael
"What are you even doing here AJ?" Michael asked rolling his eyes "You don't belong here"
"That's what we were saying" Nikki said taking a seat
"I'm here with Punk" AJ said to him
"Just because you're banging the champion doesn't mean you get a free pass to be disrespectful to our talents here" Michael informed her causing her eyes to widen
"Excuse me?" AJ asked stunned
"If Punk wants you here to help him 'warm up' or such that's fine" Michael said innocently "Just try to stay in his locker room if you can't play nicely with others"
"They started it!" AJ shouted pointing at them
"Please AJ I'm not running a playground here" Michael mocked "And if you ever disrespect another member of this roster again I'll see to it that not only won't you get on TV ever again but you'll wish you were backing cutting up t-shirt"
"She wasn't that good at it anyway" Nikki chimed in. AJ glared over to Nikki
"AJ this isn't new to you. You've worked here before" Michael reminded her "And you're going to be treated as a new member of this roster whether you or your boyfriend, lover, fiancé whatever the hell he is to you this week likes it or not"
"You can't talk to me like this" AJ said firmly standing her ground surprising both women sitting their "You're not my boss and you have zero power"
"AJ I'm running this show tonight" Michael reminded her "And if you ever step out of line like that with me again the only time you're going to be on TV is when the news is relaying the coverage of Christian Scott, am I making myself clear to you Ms. Mendez?"
"Crystal" AJ remarked bitterly
"Run off now before I report you for insubordination" Michael threatened
The entire ride back to the hotel AJ was quiet. She glared out the window as Punk drove.
"What's going on babe?" Punk asked her
"Nothing" she shrugged as she watched the streetlights pass
"You've been awfully quiet" Punk noted "Did someone upset you or something?" he asked her
"No" she said quickly and he smirked. So that is what happened
"Ok" Punk said slowly "You can talk to me about anything"
"I have nothing to talk about" AJ informed him "I'm just tired"
"Are you excited for Monday still?" Punk asked
"Yea super excited" she remarked quietly
"People backstage love to talk AJ" Punk told her "You know this already because you've worked back there but now you're getting a big push and people are going to be jealous of it and now with our engagement people are really going to talk. Don't let it get to you" she didn't respond and he knew he hit the nail on the head "All that matters is that you go out there and give it your all."
"It's fine Phil" AJ said to him "I've been through worse" she reminded him
"Yea I know" Punk agreed "I just hate seeing you bought down like this"
"It's fine really" AJ assured him "Like I said I'm just tired"
Once they got back to the hotel room Punk was watching TV laying in bed when there was a harsh knock at his door. He stood up and saw Paul Heyman through the peephole and let him in.
"You learned to knock" Punk smirked "Of course you interrupted nothing this time"
"Figures you two wouldn't be going at it like rabbits since there's actually a bed here" Paul mocked "Where's AJ?"
"She's in the shower" Punk informed him "Why?"
"I want to talk to her about what happened" Paul told him "I hate that little worm Hayes and I want to give her some pointers about how to handle him. How dare he disrespect one of my people?" he ranted "He knows I bought AJ up and that's why he's being so harsh to her! He couldn't pick talent out to save his life so he has to bring down mine!"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Punk asked confused
"She didn't tell you?" Paul asked Punk surprised
"Who didn't tell him what?" AJ asked stepping out of the bathroom
"What happened with Hayes tonight?" Punk asked her
"Oh it wasn't a big deal" AJ said brushing it off
"Yes it was, everyone is talking about it" Paul informed her
"Great" AJ muttered
"AJ what the hell happened?" He demanded again
"It's not a big deal" AJ told them again
"AJ you're new to the politics a bit" Paul started off with a smile "Because you're connected to Punk and myself Michael Hayes is going to target you because he simply doesn't like us." He told her "It has nothing to do with your job performance and he has no power"
"I think running to you or Phil will just get me into more trouble" AJ said to them
"You're not in trouble" Punk told her "And I want to know what happened so either you tell me now or I'll find Hayes myself and ask him"
"Nikki and Nattie were talking about me" AJ started off knowing he'd never give this up unless she told him "Nikki started saying how I made a move on John when we went to dinner and all this other crap so I confronted her about it and we got into an argument next thing I knew she slapped me across the face"
"She hit you?" Punk asked shocked "Where does she even get the nerve?" he asked annoyed
"John Cena" Paul muttered to Punk who nodded in agreement
"Anyway Hayes came over then and sided with them" AJ told him
"What did he say to you AJ?" Punk asked folding his arms
"A bunch of stuff but he told me I didn't belong there tonight, to try to stay in your locker room if you really wanted me around to 'warm you up' before matches-" AJ told them
"He actually said that?" Paul asked
"Yea and then he told me if I got out of line with him or anyone else again the only time I'd be on TV is when they're replaying Christian's news stories" she told them
"He actually said that to you?" Punk asked with a laugh but his face told a different story- he was pissed
"Don't worry about AJ that asshole has zero power" Paul assured her
"I'm not worried about it I was just embarrassed" AJ said to them "He did it in front of everyone in catering while Nikki and Nattie gloated"
"It's crossing a line" Paul informed the two of them "How dare he go after you knowing neither of us were around. He's been dying to throw is weight around with her. I'm going to call him right now-"
"I'll take care of it" Punk said cutting him off
"Or I can take care of it" AJ suggested "Because this is my job and I have to learn how to stick up for myself"
"He only did it because of Punk" Paul reminded her "He never would have approached you like that if you weren't with him"
"Like I said I'll handle it tomorrow night" Punk told him "Thanks for dropping by Paul"
"Can't I say something to him? Or can I at least be there when you speak to him?" Paul asked hopefully. He hated Hayes and knew Punk would tear him apart.
"We'll see" Punk said walking Paul out of the room and closing the door
"I don't need you to fight my battles for me" AJ told him "You've done it enough"
"I know the people back here AJ and I know why he said what he said and I'll handle it" Punk told her "I'm the champion and whether you work there or not it doesn't give him a free pass to be disrespectful to the woman I plan on marrying"
"He doesn't care if you're 'banging' me" she said using air quotes "His words not mine"
"Of course they were" Punk muttered
"You know I never tried anything with John right?" AJ asked
"Yes AJ" Punk said to her honestly "His girlfriend is jealous of you not only getting a push but getting to work an angle with him. I know how people think backstage and I also know what's bullshit and what's not"
"If you really push this thing with Hayes though-" AJ started then stopped "Never mind"
"Tell me" He encouraged
"He said I'd end up cutting up t-shirts again or worse" AJ said to him and Punk just bit on his lower lip and smirked
"He's a piece of shit AJ" Punk told her seriously "With no real power and certainly doesn't have the clout to speak to you that way and he knows it"
"He was running the show tonight" AJ reminded him and he let out a laugh
"No he wasn't" Punk said still laughing "He is such- I don't even want to discuss anymore because like I said I'll talk to him tomorrow about it. But next time an executive or any other employee back there tries to push you around or threaten you in any way shape or form I want you tell me"
"I didn't think it was a big deal" AJ admitted "I shouldn't have engaged with them I thought I was in the wrong"
"You were defending yourself and you also kept your hands to yourself" Punk said to her "He just wanted to make himself feel like a man but he made a huge mistake because I'm not going to let anyone use you to hype themselves like that"
The next night Punk was anxious to find Hayes. He left AJ in his locker room and searched the halls for him and found him ironically in catering. He was glad to see so many of the superstars backstage so he could give Hayes a taste of his own medicine- embarrassing him the way he did to AJ the previous night.
"Hayes!" Punk shouted causing the man to turn around slowly
"Something on your mind Punk?" Hayes asked annoyed holding a cup of coffee and Punk quickly slapped it out of hand "Really Punk?" he mocked
"Where do you get the balls to speak to AJ like that?" Punk demanded
"I knew this was coming" Michael snorted a laugh
"You think it's funny?" he asked squinting his eyes at the man "You think I'm going to let you disrespect her?"
"I'm sure you're going by just her side of the story" Michael said to him "She started a fight back here and it was-"
"That's bullshit and you know it!" Punk shouted "You hate me and know you can't touch me so you attack AJ? You're a special kind of asshole aren't you?"
"I was doing my job" Michael spat at him
"You were being a bully!" Punk yelled back
"I was being the boss!" Hayes yelled back
"You're not a boss!" Punk shouted back "You're a lackey, a nobody and you never will be a somebody. You're at the bottom of the barrel and AJ is to new to know that but I'm not. And if it was so professional why didn't you pull her aside? Why did you disrespect her in front of everyone and I really want to know what you were thinking when you mentioned she was 'banging' me?"
"Is she not?" Hayes questioned with a grin and with that Punk took a step forward towards the man
"Chill out Punk" Paul Heyman insisted walking over to them and placing his hand on Punk's chest "He's not worth the fine or suspension"
"Don't claim to be a professional then talk about her sex life" Punk said to him "It's not your business- or anyone of your business for that matter!" he shouted looking around at all the people looking at him
"Punk makes a valid point" Paul said to Hayes calmly "It could be considered sexual harassment"
"You know all about that don't you Hayes?" Punk mocked "You have a few complaints from females in your official file already don't you?"
"Don't make something out of this that isn't there" Hayes warned
"Oh kind of like what you did last night?" Punk mocked "I want you to apologize to AJ and then I want you to steer clear of her" he warned "Because whether you like it or not she is with me and I believe me I have a hell of a lot more power back here then you do"
"You're overreacting" Hayes said to him "But fine I'll apologize to her"
"If I ever hear anything like this again you and I are going to have a huge problem and try to remember the last man I had run in with over AJ ended up in a hospital bed for a week" Punk threatened "Am I make myself clear?" he questioned purposely quoting Hayes himself from last night
"Sure" Michael responded bitterly as he watched Punk storm out of catering glaring towards Nikki and Nattie on the way out. Michael turned and saw Paul was still standing there with a huge smile
"Wow that was embarrassing" Paul smirked to Hayes "Good thing you showed him who was boss around here"
Punk entered his locker room and saw AJ lying on the couch. As soon as he entered the room she placed her phone down and looked over to him.
"So how did that go?" AJ asked him
"Just the way I though it would" Punk informed her
"You kept your cool right?" AJ asked
"Baby I'm always cool" Punk remarked causing her to roll her eyes and giggle "We had a very quiet and professional conversation and I think I got my point across"
"I bet" she smirked
"He realized he was wrong" Punk shrugged simply "He'll be apologizing to you soon as a matter of fact"
"Oh really" AJ smirked "He can keep his apology I don't need it"
"Trust me you need it" Punk informed her firmly
"So I was thinking tonight we could hit the gym after the show" AJ said to him
"After?" Punk asked with a frown
"Yea I really need to work out a little bit more before tomorrow" AJ told him
"AJ you're going to kill yourself" Punk said to her "Trust me you're in shape and you're going to kick ass tomorrow"
"It's my first Raw match ever!" She said to him with wide eyes
"You'll be great" Punk said brushing off her worries
"I need to be better than great" AJ told him and he couldn't help but smirk at him "I need to be the best"
"Ok" he said with a faint smile "Whatever you want"
"Oh and I was thinking we shouldn't have sex until after my match" she told him causing him to jerk his head over to her
"What?" he asked her horrified
"It's one night" AJ pointed out
"We didn't have sex last night!" Punk reminded her
"Because you were all upset" AJ smirked "Your mind was filled with thoughts of Michael Hayes"
"Ugh" Punk groaned "Please when we're having a discussion about sex don't mention his name"
"I'm just saying" AJ said to him with a laugh "Anyway I think we'll survive for a night"
"Ok yea I agree" Punk remarked "I just don't think you'll be able to resist me for that long"
"I went six months" AJ reminded him "Six long months with not only not you but anyone for that matter I think I'll be fine"
"That is really good to know actually" Punk told her seriously "But I still don't think you'll be able to keep your hands to yourself. You've gotten to used to me"
"Oh please" AJ snorted "I can go longer than Monday night"
"Oh honey" he laughed "No you can't"
"Care to bet on it?" AJ questioned
"Sure" Punk said to her simply "What's your bet?"
"I bet you'll crack first" AJ said to him "And when I win this bet I want a massage"
"Done deal" Punk said smiling "You think I'll be suffering touching you?"
"You are a pervert" AJ smirked "If you would have let me finish I want a foot massage. One every night for the next month"
"Fine" Punk shrugged "And when I win this bet you're going to dance for me"
"Ok" she laughed "I can actually dance a little so you're lucky"
"Oh no you didn't let me finish" Punk told her slowly "I want a striptease dance. Including the outfit, music, lighting, chair and stripping" he told her
"Fine" she said to him "I'm not worried though because I'm going to win"
"No I'm going to win and I'm not going to touch you in anyway until you're dancing for me so I suggest you shop or pick something up"
"Do strippers even where anything?" she asked him
"Good point" Punk agreed "Get creative" he said simply
"I won't have to worry about that but ok. Shake on it?" she asked sitting up extending her petite hand to him. He walked over to her and shook her hand. He ran his thumb slowly over her hand. "You're going to have to do better than that"
"Oh you have no idea what I have up my sleeve" Punk told her smugly "We can still kiss right?"
"Yes that's ok" she said to him "But no hands" she warned "They stay in appropriate places at all times or you automatically lose"
"I don't lose" Punk smirked backing away from her "Just remember sweetheart I'm a man and I have no problem taking care of myself" he reminded her
"Ew Phil" she mumbled
"You my prudish future wife don't let anyone touch you there but me, including yourself" Punk said to her "I have an outlet and you don't"
"I'll be fine" she shot at him realizing he was right
"Ok" he smiled "I'm going to get changed now are you ok to sit there and watch or are you going to jump all over me?"
"Wow you think highly of yourself" AJ laughed picking up her phone and began to play a game on it
"This is a dangerous little game AJ" Punk smirked pulling off his shirt "I hope you're prepared"
"Please" she muttered glancing at him from the corner of her eye and saw he was now completely naked
"Giving in already?" he asked seriously causing her to snicker before rolling over so her back was to him. "Oh and try to pick a song" he said to her seriously "Music really sets the entire mood"
"I'm not losing!" she yelled and just heard him laugh "Jerk" she muttered
"I heard that" he said to her with a laugh
A/N: who will win? #teamaj or #teampunk ?