Hey, here's another chapter of Moth to a Flame, I only own Shay and I apologize for any spelling/grammar errors. So this chapter is a bit... happier, I guess, perhaps lighter-toned, but yeah. Than you to everyone who had reviewed and tuned in so far, you are all amazing and I love your feedback, so please leave me some. :) I have a new story up, Say Goodbye, so if you want to check that out, go right ahead.
Please read, review, and
With love. to infinity and beyond,
Kiwi
"I'm actually feeling a lot better," Shay stated with a smile on her face, having the confidence to relay what was in fact true. She had been feeling better, better than she had in a while and finally felt like things may have been looking up. Jay's smile widened before slightly faltering as he leaned forward, an eyebrow rising.
"Feeling better as in you're sleeping? Or feeling better as in you're ready to be in the ring?" At this she reclined slightly in her seat and crossed one leg over the other.
"As in I'm getting more sleep. I'm not ready for the ring. I'm actually working on that with AJ." She straightened up slightly and Jay patted her knee.
"That's great," he was genuine, not biting or sarcastic with obvious undertones of knowing she could be better. "Tuna."
"Ah, I see that's not going to get old anytime soon," she replied with a chortle, standing and brushing off her jeans. "I-I just... still have nightmares and I've tried everything. Herbal remedies, relaxation techniques, nothing works, Jay."
"Well, you're at least a third of the way there," he shrugged and she dragged her hand through her hair, letting the locks fall loosely around her face. He knew though, knowing here, that that wasn't good enough. She wanted to be better, and he had a feeling that he knew why. Jay knew, or at least had a decent hunch, that her desire to be better was two-sided. She wanted it for her because she wanted to be the healthier woman he remembered. She wanted it for him because he made her feel like she used to. He made her want to, not fix her flaws, but see them in different lights. Jaycould see it in her eyes, the person she used to be, and it was refreshing. And, he could see the person she used to be, and the person she longed to be, every time a certain redhead caught her eye.
"Yeah," she murmured, "a third is better than nothing."
He bit his lip, his hands gesturing as if that would make his point any clearer. "Have you ever thought about going back? Maybe that would help." Shay shrugged in reply, having actually thought about it before, but never acted on it. She had always been too afraid, too doubtful that it would bring her peace, and so she had never went back to that little stretch of road. Shay cleared her throat and gave a small smile.
"I need to go, Jay. Stephen's driving me to my meeting with Vince." She was halfway out his hotel room door when she stopped and turned back to him. "I have, though.," she stated, slightly shifting her weight. "Thought about going back."
"Shay," Jay started, and her eyebrows rose, "you seem to be in a good mood today."
"Eh, today feels like it's gonna be a good day. Just one of those feelings, you know?" Shay assured him, smiling and waving as she closed the door behind her. Meeting Stephen by his car, she slid into the passenger seat. "Morning."
"Mornin'," he greeted with a nod. "Sorry I left this morning. Alberto wanted to go over a few things for Money in the Bank. And I didn't want to wake you, yeh seemed to be sleepin' pretty well."
"I know, it's like AJ workout sessions are miracles," Shay laughed as he pulled into the street. "Or maybe it's just timing, you know?" She couldn't quite place it, but the morning started off with her feeling really good, with the sun shining and the faint chirping of a bird. "H-Have you ever just gotten up and felt so freaking fantastic you couldn't really explain it?"
He chuckled, glancing down at her before nodding. "Yeah, I guess. It's a bit out of the blue, not sayin' there has to be a reason for your good mood."
Shay shrugged, "I was just thinking, the other day after we were talking, that the past is the past. That if I keep...dwelling like I do, I'll just wind up scared, and alone, and h-hurt. Not saying that I'm completely alright now. I guess I'm just... chippy today."
"Beats not talkin'," he gave her a half-smile, pulling into the parking spot. She tried to fight how natural this felt, versus the uncomfortable silence that hung between them a few days ago. This felt right... and it kind of scared her. Being this comfortable around someone, some man, and not wanting to high-tail it to the moon. They had finally gotten back on the same page, and she was glad. It was a huge misunderstanding, even if she did feel kind of to blame for it, her mind instantly jumping to a conclusion. Regardless, they were talking again, back into the same, steady pace as before.
Only this time, something felt different. She thought it might have something to do with the fact that when she looked at him, saw his eyes or the curve of his smile, she saw somebody she could see in her future; somebody she hoped would be in her future. Somebody she wouldn't mind being affiliated with, somebody she had feelings for.
And that was something she never thought would happen again. To be honest, it was a little scary. She chortled, thinking to herself that Jay already knew, and he had known for weeks.
"Somethin' funny?"
"Oh, uh... Jay really just knows me more than he should." Shay replied, "So, here we are."
"Yep."
"And I'll see you right after, right?" Stephen nodded, offering her a good luck wish as she got out of the car. He had a signing to get to, her a meeting, and as she walked through the halls to get to the makeshift office, her heartbeat started to quicken. She was worried, a little bit frightened at what he might have to say to her. Shay opened the door and slid in upon his approval and took the seat he offered. "Mr. McMahon."
"Ms. Hart, it's a pleasure to see you. You're looking well." He gave a slight nod, folding his hands together over his desk. She murmured a small thanks, pulling a smile to her face. "Now, how are you?"
"I'm doing better," she confided, affirming that she wasn't exactly 100% just yet, and that she was well aware of the matter of time. She wasn't injured, she should've been wrestling.
"Well, I like you, Shay. You've been with this company for twelve years now, and I think it's time for you to get a bigger storyline." She was confused, she was mostly in tag teams, or a valet, barely ever getting anything alone. She started off as an interviewer, simply enough, and valeted for Jericho and Christian, a few others here and there, but she had never gotten a lengthy solo run. Whether she was face or heel depended on who she was put with at that time. Hell, she hadn't been a primary face or heel, ever, and despite the fact that she had a decade under her belt, she didn't think this would happen. "Something separate, something solo."
"S-Solo?" Her eyebrow rose, and she relaxed in her chair. "V-Vince, I'm hardly-"
"Used? Yes, but you stuck through it all, didn't you. Surely you remember the Smackdown Kissing Booth." Yes, she did, and she'd rather forget having to run away from The Boogeyman. Marty was fine, the worms however, were not. Shay cringed and Vince chuckled. "Anyway, you'll be given the opportunity, once you've proven you're worth it. They love you with Stephen, but it's time you've turned heel. The details aren't worked out yet, but I think you're the best choice. You're my preferred choice."
"So... I'm possibly turning heel, if I can get myself together?" She processed what he was saying, and tapped her finger against her chin. He had a possible new twist for her, a possibility for being by herself in the ring. It was a possibility, it wasn't set in stone, and it was up to her. The 'yes' was catching on her tongue. Of course she wanted to, why wouldn't she? A valet and a partner for so long, it was time for a change. Vince nodded.
"It'll take us a while to align everything, so.. a month and a half. In a month and a half, about the end of August, you'll be returning to the ring in a match, and for the next couple of tapings, if you're looking good, you'll be set up and everything will fall into place." Shay couldn't help but smile, and she nodded. It wasn't a lot of time, but she wanted this. She wanted to be better anyway, this was merely more incentive. "So, are you interested?"
"I-I, um... of course," she wasn't entirely sure if she could pull off what he wanted, but she would try. "W-Why me, though? With all due respect, and I'm not challenging your decision. Just...curious."
"Because you're one of the only people no one remembers being heel, you've been in the background, and it's about time I started putting you to actual use." He stated, a gentle smile actually coming to his lips, fairly odd. "Just pull it together."
"Yes, sir." They shook hands, and he dismissed her. All the way down the hall, her smile wouldn't falter. It wasn't being handed to her, not exactly. She'd have to work for it, and work hard. She made a note to call Adam about it later, but, as for right now, she was on her way to see Stephen.
/
Shay pushed the door open with a broad smile on her face. Stephen followed, starting to wonder exactly why she was so absorbed in trying to get him to 'broaden his flavor palette', as she had described.
"I still can't believe you've been in the States for, what... five years now, and you have only ever had vanilla ice cream?"
"There is nothing wrong with vanilla," he protested, and she turned to face him. "Nothing."
"I never said there was, I just said it was kind of boring. When I get vanilla, I usually put caramel and chocolate and all sorts of extras," she shrugged, pushing him to stand in line. He didn't move and he cocked his head to the side with a smirk.
"Problem?"
"I hate you," she stated, moving to stand in front of him.
"Sure yeh do, that's why yer here with me, in an ice cream parlor. Do you treat all the men you hate with such...delicacies?" His eyebrow rose and he smiled as she tried to mirror the expression. Shrugging again, she joined the small line and he stood behind her, hands in his pockets, and waiting for her response.
"Only the attractive ones. Like I was saying, vanilla is good sometimes. Sometimes you need something else. Like cookie dough, or Rocky Road..." She named off a few more.
"Yeah, but yeh ruin it when yeh put all those toppings on. Yeh gotta enjoy the simpler things, Shay. There's not always a need for somethin' huge, or fantastic. Sure, we have different flavors in Ireland, I've always preferred vanilla. It's great back home, it's great here." He informed, his hand lightly resting on his shoulder. "How about this, yeh get your favorite flavor, I'll get mine, and I'll try whatever flavors yeh want me to." Shay smiled, agreeing to this .
"Well," she groaned slightly, "I see your point with the whole vanilla life metaphor, so... alright." Shay smiled, nearly pressing her face up to the glass window as she pointed to all the flavors. Some he made faces at, because they sounded truly disgusting, while others he nodded at for amusement. He enjoyed seeing her like this, so carefree and open. She ordered, strawberry, and he realized he probably should've known that all along. Of course she would like strawberry ice cream, just like she favored strawberries, and the strawberry flavor. She always tasted like strawberries. When she told him to take a seat, and that she would be back, he followed her orders and sat patiently while she chatted with the teen behind the counter.
When she rejoined him, she had the dish of strawberry in one hand, and a small, paper plate with tiny little spoons on it, each full of a dollop of flavor. Naturally, he knew of several flavors, he wasn't an idiot, or ignorant. He just chose to not taste them. "I'm gonna get fat," he mumbled, glancing between his dish and the plate. Shay rolled her eyes.
"You'll burn it off at the gym tomorrow morning." She took a seat across from him, inching the plate forward a little more. "And if I show you something better than vanilla?"
"I'll answer anythin' yeh ask." Her grin worried him, but he couldn't go back on his word, so he went along with it. Trying each of the four she had laid out, he only found one to be pretty decent. They weren't bad, although he did cringe a little at the mint chocolate chip, still, he preferred vanilla. She slumped back, shaking her head with a defeated sigh before turning her attention to her own ice cream. "Sorry," he smiled with a shrug, "vanilla always wins." Deciding to take a walk, they discarded the plate and took to the outside, walking closely beside each other.
"You know, I usually order a cone, but I think I'll make an exception today," Shay smiled, dipping her spoon back into her dish of strawberry ice cream. His eyebrow rose, a smirk spread across his lips and he leaned in slightly.
"Makin' exceptions fer me, eh? Might as well jus' jump the shark an' get married. There's a neat little chapel jus' up the roa—," he was cut off as she shoved a spoonful of ice cream into his mouth. As she retracted the spoon, his eyebrows rose again. "Thanks for the warnin'."
"Any time," she looked satisfied this time, her shoulder brushing against his arm, "How do you feel about that one?"
It reminded him of her and he licked his lip as he turned to face her. He paused, thinking for a moment on how to respond, and how to phrase it in a way that didn't overstep a boundary. So, he shrugged, he smiled, and he said that it was delicious. He liked the taste, the little explosion of a sweet, sharp flavor, and he wondered if it tasted the same on her lips. "Shay," he began and she nodding, confirming he had her attention, "can I ask a few questions?"
"Only if you answer some of mine." He nodded; that was fair, and he had to bite back the first question that came to his mind. He wouldn't ask that one yet, not yet, because it probably wasn't the right time. So, his mind flew to the next.
"Can I ask yeh what the best thing about Canada is?"
Shay chuckled, tucking hair behind her ear as she gestured to herself. "I am obviously the best thing about Canada." He shook his head with a smile. "But seriously, it's pretty. Uh, hockey, maple syrup, pretty much everything we're known for. M-My favorite thing is the climate. Sure, it's cold as hell sometimes, but there's nothing like curling up on the sofa in an afghan, soaking in the warmth of the covers and the fireplace. Maybe someone's arms, or, if you're like me, your cat."
"Jericho, right? Your cat's name is Jericho." He remembered her mentioning it before, and she seemed amused at his attention to detail.
"Yeah, his name's Jericho. Uh, Chris got him for me for my birthday about... six, seven years ago. He's a grumpy kitty," she trailed off, stopping herself from going on a ramble. "He just about hates everyone else."
Stephen smiled slightly, looking at the woman standing next to him and trying to compare her to the woman he knew before. They were the almost the same, just little differences that made all the difference. She smiled more now than she used to, eyes seemed brighter, smile seemed more sincere, the image of things being pulled together. He wasn't sure if she had entirely let go of her past, accepted it, or if this was just a really good act. It could've been an act, he had seen pictures of her in the past, where her smile didn't reach her eyes and she was beneath Adam and Jay's shoulders, crutches tucked neatly under her arms. Anybody could smile and say they were fine. He wondered what things would've been like had she never fell for John, and had he actually spoken to her.
John's mistake, he was glad for it, as awful as that sounded. He was glad she gave up on the man, that she had moved on. Suddenly, she was speaking again. "Vince gave me a month and a half."
"For?" He could guess what that meant, but she was already continuing.
"To get back in the ring," she supplied the comment, "and I have a goal."
"And that is?" He asked. They had tossed their empty plastic dishes into a nearby recycling bin and had started on their way back to the car.
"To be better than I was. I-I was pretty good, not to toot my own horn, or anything, before things started going downhill. Yeah, I always was a little klutzy, and I guess it got worse with time, but my performance started going downhill. It got worse with every injury I got, with all the time I wasn't practicing, or when I was sidelined for some stupid reason. Then I sat out for two years after a car accident and a bad trip down the stairs. C'mon, out of my twelve years in this damn company, how much of it was sidelined? I haven't been in a match since March, because I let it get to me."
"Which was completely okay," he added. "You needed time off, Shay. To sort things out, and yeh have time to get yourself to where you want to be. What if I sorted out a workout team for yeh?" He was half-joking, not really expecting her to say yes.
"Workout team? Sure, because I need a pep squad of big, sweaty men putting me into chokeholds." Shay rolled her eyes as a small smile formed on her lips. "Th-thanks, though." Shay was silent for a moment. "Is that all you wanted to ask me? What my favorite thing about Canada was?"
"Eh," he shrugged, "I had a couple more, but we got sidetracked. So, anythin' yeh want to just tell me?" They had reached his car, which was soon joined by another with AJ, Beth, and Nattie all seated inside. The girls were her ride, intent on having a 'girl night'. The mere thought was slightly frightening to her. He had walked her to AJ's car, and she had one hand on the open windowsill, the other by her side.
She thought about telling him about the prospect of a new storyline, but decided against it. She wouldn't mention it until she had more of an idea of what was happening. "AJ, Nattie, Beth, and I are having a, quote on quote, 'sleepover'." AJ's idea, not hers, but the brunette had a way of dragging Shay into things. Besides, the two were friends, and as AJ put it, 'should start doing things friends do'.
He smirked, amusement painting his face as he leaned in towards her. "Am I invited?"
Shay sucked in a breath, realizing how close he was to her. She touched his chin, her head tipping to the side as she studied his face. Resting a hand on his shoulder, she smiled. "Sorry, no boys allowed."
"That's good, 'cuz, I'm a man." She heard AJ's giggle, and fought the urge to roll her eyes.
"Then we'll be painting our nails, and doing each other's hair, and then, we'll watch chick-flicks and swoon over Channing Tatum," she counted off, noting his apprehensive look with a smile.
"On second thought...I'm good," He winked at Shay, "It's good though, some female interaction." He reached around her, his hand grazing against her side as he took a hold of the door handle behind her. A small, red convertible; AJ was in the driver's seat, with Nattie and Beth in the back. Opening the door, he held it there for a moment until she slid into her seat. Shutting it, he cleared his throat with a crooked grin on his face. "Now ladies, don't yeh get into too much trouble, an' make sure she comes home safe tomorrow, alrigh?" He joked, poking her in the shoulder with a laugh.
"Oh, we'll keep her safe, Stephen." AJ called, nudging Shay with her shoulder. "Just going to be getting into girly stuff, we won't harm a hair on her pretty little head, right girls?"
"Affirmative, she couldn't be safer." Beth nodded, very seriously until she broke down into a grin. "Chill out, man." Shay shot him one last 'help me' look before AJ revved the engine.
"See yeh tomorrow, Shay." He stated, waving as she did too. And, as they drove away, he could hear Nattie say, 'why aren't they together yet?'
Yeah, he wondered, the thought re-entering his mind.
Why weren't they?
/
"I knew it!" AJ repeated her mantra, pointing her finger at Shay before skipping around her again. "I knew it. You thought I wouldn't notice it, but I did." AJ smirked with confidence, crossing her arms over her chest as she leaned in next to the blonde's face. "Tell him."
"No," she repeated for the third time since mentioning the fact that she wanted there to be something between her and Stephen. AJ frowned.
"Why not? It's 2012, you can ask a guy out."
"B-Because I'm just not going to." She stated, tucking her legs beneath her as she sat on the small couch in AJ's hotel room. Nattie shrugged from where she sat painting her toenails.
"Leave her alone about it, AJ. It's going to happen sooner or later. I mean, did you see the way he was looking at you, Shay? It's like no one else was there." She finished, capping the bottle before tossing it to the waiting Beth. "And you two were walking so close..." Nattie trailed off. "Uh, about the other day with Vi—"
"Don't worry about it, Nat," Shay shrugged. "I took care of it. Moving on, I'm not going to tell him any time soon."
"Honey, are you scared?" Beth asked, tilting her head back to look at the other blonde. Shay nodded, murmuring a small yeah.
"It's... been a while, guys. I just.. never thought I'd feel that way again. A-and it's not that I'm afraid he'll hurt me, or that he'll hit me or tear me down," she could feel the tears starting to prick her eyes. "I'm afraid that it'll be too good to be true, I'm afraid that it won't last because it never does. I know that now is different than all the other times, but I'm just afraid that I'm not meant for that beautiful romance, and love, and all the sweetness of looking into someone's eyes and seeing your soulmate." She felt AJ come to sit next to her, and the reassuring arm around her back followed by a head on her shoulder. Beth and Nattie joined in, tightly putting an arm or two where they could manage. "I'm kind of scared that, if it does happen, that it won't last. That I'll do something, or something will happen, and I will be on the same train as before." Shay sucked in a breath, wiping the tear from her eye as she tried to wrestle herself out of the group hug the other three had surrounded her in. They joked around, drawing a smile from the blonde.
"He is one nice hunk of white chocolate, and good girls don't let chocolate go to waste." AJ announced.
"Especially not when it loves your company," Beth added.
"Or if it has a nice accent." Nattie chimed, resting her chin on Shay's head. "Just face it, you have yourself a six-foot, what... six, two-hundred-sixty-seven pound bar of white chocolate that wants you to come home safely tomorrow. I will personally attack you if you let that melt." She ruffled her cousin's hair.
"Melting might be a good thing," AJ wagged her eyebrows and Shay felt her face flush scarlet. Still, Shay couldn't contain her laugh as AJ tried to balance popcorn on her nose. It was funny in the way they said it, in swooning, overly dramatic fashion.
"You guys are great..and kinda terrible," Shay laughed, continuing to wipe a stray tear from her face. "I, uh, really needed that, guys." She laughed again.
"Any time, Hart." Beth shouldered her, and she nudged back trying to pry herself from their arms. "Now go, grab a movie. This chick-flick movie marathon starts now."
"Seriously, though, you two would be damn cute. And you both deserve each other." AJ stated, satisfied and she ignored the slight eye-roll Shay cast her before taking her spot in front of the TV. "Well," she gestured to the spots around her, "let's get to the romantic comedies." Shay sat down beside AJ, who smiled softly. "Sorry if I...uh, crossed a line."
"It's fine," Shay smiled. "Don't worry about it." She had gotten it off her chest, and it was there in the open. She wasn't afraid of him, he was close to her, far too close for her to push him away. Besides, the attempts to keep him out thus far had been unsuccessful. He kept getting through her walls, and gradually, he gave her a glimpse of what was behind his. Around him, she felt truly happy, in all the ways they described in those petty romance movies. Heartbeat quickening, shortness of breath, an incessant smile.
She turned her attention to the movie ahead, and she laughed during one of the humorous parts, and poked fun at the leads. She found she had much more in common with these three than she had thought, that maybe she wasn't entirely different, and that they could get along well. Friends, people who seemed to enjoy her company without making her feel like an oddity, a, dare she say it, crush, and the slightest feeling that she had found a place she truly belonged; Shay smiled, things were finally looking up.
