Looking back, it would've been fair to say that by midweek, Dean Ambrose was having maybe the most challenging week of his entire life. Spring practice had been "non-contact" up to that point, but that didn't mean there weren't quite a few collisions between the cohort of anxious young men looking to make a strong impression on new head coach Corey Graves.
Dean himself had nothing to worry about where that was concerned. His starting position at middle linebacker was secure. His two closest friends on the team couldn't say the same. A team moving from 1AA to 1A was required to increase its roster size from 60 to 85, and Stamford University was meeting that particular challenge head-on. In addition to the high school recruits coming in the upcoming fall, there was a small horde of early enrollees from high school, junior college transfers, and walk-ons all vying for a spot on the Titan gameday roster list.
The biggest competitor where Roman Reigns' defensive tackle spot was concerned was Joe Seanoa. Dubbed "Samoa Joe" by his new prospective teammates, Seanoa had made the cross-country journey from Northern California, where he'd graduated from a two-year school in the hopes of winning a scholarship offer from a big-time, prestigious program. He'd gotten it, and was impressing his coaching staff daily with his work ethic and businesslike approach to football.
Seth Rollins was also in a weird spot. All winter, the intrepid speedster had heard from his coaches that they were going to figure out ways to get the ball in his hands. Rollins had earned an opportunity with his play the previous season and had played well, but he appeared to be a man with no position at the moment. Coach Graves had pulled him aside and asked him about his experience playing quarterback in high school, but that had been several weeks prior, before Eric Young had come to SU as a "Graduate transfer."
It had only been in the last year or so that "graduate transfers" were even allowed, and some coaches were still upset that it had been voted into existence in the first place. A graduate transfer is a young man who'd completed his undergraduate degree before completing his football eligibility being allowed to transfer to another school to begin his masters degree without losing the standard year of playing time under the old transfer rules. Young had graduated with honors from Vanderbilt and was looking to improve his NFL draft stock by increasing his playing time at Stamford, where the graduation of Randy Orton had left a gigantic void at the quarterback position.
And in fairness, Eric Young was extremely talented. Despite his somewhat diminutive stature, Young could make every throw needed to be an elite college quarterback. He was also an adept runner and highly elusive to would-be tacklers. He wasn't without his flaws, however. With his advanced grasp of football came an inexplicably high level of eccentricity that his teammates at Vanderbilt had found somewhat off-putting. His first day at practice with his new team, he'd jogged out onto the field, conducted the huddle, and set up under center before realizing he'd left his helmet on the bench. Embarrassed, the young man jogged off the field to jeers of derision from the other participants, silently strapped his protective headpiece on, and thrown a seventy-yard touchdown strike to Xavier Woods on his very first play as a Stamford Titan. In just a few days of practice, Young had established himself as the man to beat for the starting job at quarterback, and all involved were intrigued by his potential for growth as the spring went on.
Seth's stiffest competition at his natural position, wide receiver, came in the unexpected form of BPO pledge brother and walk-on Zack Ryder. Ryder, who'd quit football in favor of cross country in high school due to a coaching situation the young man found untenable, had re-discovered his hereditary knack for success on the gridiron. On his very first practice rep, he'd caught a quick pass from one of the automatic throwing machines and avoided two defenders before sprinting down the sidelines, impressing everyone around. He lacked the top-end sprinting speed that most elite pass catchers possessed, but he had great hands and an inherent habit for finding an open field to run to. Seth and Zack were doing their best to be friends these days, but Rollins would've been lying if he denied his mild jealousy over the attention Ryder was getting.
The new Titans weren't limited to just Seanoa, Young and Ryder. On the contrary, close to twenty new bodies were mixed in with returning Titans, and the other fifteen more they'd be getting in the fall would push them close to the 85 scholarship goal.
There was star athlete Cedric Alexander, a man who'd graduated from high school in North Carolina a full semester early so he could join his new teammates. Cedric could make plays at running back and wide receiver, and he would probably join Rollins as a kick returner. There was Trevor "Ricochet" Mann, a gifted safety who'd earned his nickname at Sonoma Junior College, where he'd dole out big hits to larger players before bouncing up to make more contact with someone else. A teammate mused that he bounced and careened from player to player like a "ricochet," and the name stuck. Coach Graves' mind whizzed at the matchup problems he could create.
Akam and Rezar Ellering were two interesting cases. They'd been adopted by Paul Ellering, an SU alum, at an early age. When asked what country they were from, the two boys usually shrugged and changed the subject. While not biologically related, the two boys were so close in age and appearance that their high school coaches had referred to them simply as "the twins." They'd each played guard in high school, rendering the center that lined up between them the safest man on the football field. Simply put, they were road graders, and no one on the SU coaching staff thought it'd be very long at all before the two early entry freshmen would be pushing for playing time.
Finally, there were the handful of athletes Stamford found at junior colleges who'd gotten their start with European prep leagues. A fairly recent innovation in the world of talent identification and acquisition in college football, these young men were identified by mid-level coaches who'd spent time in America, playing and coaching the sport. Coach Graves had a connection with one of them, an Englishman he'd roomed with one year named Oliver Grey, and as a result there was a certain type of pipeline developing to the under-tapped talent source of western Europe.
There was defensive end Drew McIntyre. He'd left his home outside Glasgow, Scotland to try out for an elite club team in Brighton. He'd made the squad on the condition that he gain twenty pounds. He had, and his lethality had grown exponentially. Killian Dain had come to Stamford from the same club, and his physical dominance translated well no matter which side of the Atlantic he occupied. Alexander Wolfe was another who'd crossed the pond, but he'd done so from Germany, where American football was somewhat popular. He provided depth on the defensive line, and Dean found his empty eyes unnerving.
There were a half dozen or so other new arrivals to the Titan program, and Dean had tried to get to know most of them. His stream of consciousness was interrupted by the shrill whine of coach Grave's whistle.
"Circle up. Take a knee," came the new head coach's unwavering command. "We got a lot of shit to talk about."
His enthusiastic football team did as they'd been told. Ambrose found himself in the front row, just in front of Roman. Zack and Seth quickly came to rest on either side of him.
"Men," Coach Graves began, scanning the faces of his troops. "We have a lot to talk about. First of all, as you all know, as part of our move up to division 1A we applied to the NCAA to waive the normal two year mandatory independence period and asked to be allowed to join a conference immediately. Because the NCAA is apparently run by nothing but a bunch of gaping assholes, that request was denied. So for the next two years we'll be an independent team. We will be eligible for bowl games. We will also be having to put together our own schedule. So far I can tell you we'll be opening the year in South Bend against Notre Dame. I can also tell you we will be travelling to Hawaii the second week in October."
"We're going to Hawaii?" Luke Harper blurted out.
"And isn't that the week before fall break?" Tyler Breeze followed.
Dean began putting the pieces together in his head. If they were travelling to play Hawaii before having a week off of school, the potential for a once in a lifetime vacation was now staring him straight in the face.
"It is," Coach Graves replied, a wry smile on his face. "Those assholes at the NCAA allow you to schedule an extra home game if you go to Hawaii. Apparently it's so difficult to get teams to travel to play there that they have to incentivize it. Lucky for all of us, there was only one hole in their home schedule." The crowd around Graves snickered, knowing what the coach was implying.
"Quiet, quiet," Graves asserted loudly over the growing chatter. "So right now we've got Notre Dame, Hawaii, and Cincinnati all on the road. This morning we got a call from Boston College. They've agreed to play us here. We need to schedule eight more games before September. Not an easy task. The bulk of the programs with available dates are power programs who've had cancellations from teams who don't want to get blown out. Schools like Clemson, LSU, Ohio State, and Alabama. We won't play all of them, but make no mistake, gentlemen; this upcoming season will introduce you to adversity like nothing you've undergone in your entire life. Are there any questions?"
Dean couldn't stop himself. Even as he felt Seth Rollins' elbow impact his ribs, Ambrose's right arm shot into the air. Coach Graves rolled his eyes as he saw this, being fully aware of Ambrose's penchant for bullshit.
Graves sighed deeply before responding. "I know I'm gonna regret this, but what, Ambrose?"
Dean grinned. "Well, since we're already playing in Hawaii, and we're independents, I was thinking that we should put together the greatest away game schedule in the history of college football. We could play UNLV at Las Vegas, Tulane in New Orleans, University of Central Florida is like thirty minutes from Disney World. We could be the first college football team to get shitfaced in all four time zones." He paused as laughter rippled all around him. "Sir."
"Ambrose?" Graves asked after a moment.
"Yeah coach," Dean called in response.
"Shut the fuck up." The frazzled first-year coach was dying of laughter on the inside, but he knew there was nothing good that could come from reinforcing this behavior from his star defender, but it was funny, and not the worst idea Corey had ever heard.
"If you came to Stamford and became even more of a degenerate on my watch, i'd feel even worse than I already do about just having you on the team at all. We play the three games we have and the next nine teams that say 'yes.' It's that simple. But by the fall, we'll be close to eighty five on scholarship. That'll help us significantly. I gotta tell you, all of you," he continued, taking a more informal tone, "that I'm proud of how quickly you're picking up the new offense and the changes on defense. We're gonna move forward with Eric starting at quarterback. We have some guys coming this fall that might push him for playing time, but he's the guy. The rest of you can see where you stand when we release the first depth chart tomorrow." Graves took a deep exhale. "Is there anything else?" He added, glancing around at his assistants. When none of them spoke up, Coach Graves instructed Luke Harper to "break down," meaning lead that day's final chant. As the Titans jogged off the field, Dean checked "practice" off his mental checklist, before noting that the tasks remaining were formidable enough.
Since the day they came back from Spring Break, Sasha and Becky's relationship had hit an all-time low; Even lower than the days before Sasha came to terms with how she felt.
It was only a few days since the vacation ended but the roommates were basically back to total strangers. Sasha hadn't spoken to Becky at all since their explosive end. Becky just didn't have the energy to try anymore with Sasha.
Anytime Sasha came home from class and Becky was there, she'd march to her room, shut the door, and refuse to come out until dinner. Even then, Sasha would take whatever Becky made or ordered in and eat in her room. Becky just decided to let Sasha work out her anger in her own time.
Wednesday morning was thankfully a less stressful day. Becky laid in bed, staring at the ceiling, while she listened to Sasha go about her morning routine. The light shuffling of her ex's feet brought a little sense of sadness to Becky's heart. At right about this time, had they still been together, Sasha's footsteps would approach Becky's door and fall silent as she gradually creaked the door open. Then Sasha would kiss Becky goodbye and be on her way. That was not going to happen for obvious reasons. Still, when Sasha shuffled past Becky's door, the Irishwoman half expected Sasha to let herself in.
Becky's phone buzzed. If her break-up with Sasha wasn't a big enough hassle, but the constant text messages from both Billie and Peyton was driving her to a whole new level of crazy.
During a workout with the rest of the team for spring practice, Peyton asked Becky about Sasha. Becky made the mistake of telling Peyton that she was newly single. Peyton, like she had once before, launched into "matchmaker" mode and made it her civic duty to find a new girlfriend for her teammate. Becky just smiled and nodded along like everything was fine and the shrill squeals of her Aussie teammate wasn't slowly driving her insane.
What about Carmella? I'm sure she'd say yes to a date!
Becky shuddered at that thought. Anybody who had slept with Coach Ziggler was a definite no.
I think she's straight, Peyton…
Ugh! Ok! What about Natalya? You never went out with her?
Becky raised her eyebrows. Dating wasn't on her schedule for the foreseeable future. However, Becky overheard Sasha tell someone over the phone that she was going to "get a little" to help get over Becky. Whether or not Sasha actually did that wasn't perfectly clear. Becky wondered if having a date with someone was a good first step. But would it make her look bad to have a date only a few days after a break-up?
Becky stared at the text exchange between herself and Peyton. She sighed, then backed out and opened a new chat.
Hey, Natalya, it's Becky…
Sasha wasn't happy. There was no other way to put it. Breaking up with Becky set her in the deepest depth of sadness she'd been in her entire life. But that's the way things had to be… at least, that's what Sasha thought.
A few hours ago, Sasha purposefully said over the phone that she wanted to get lucky later just to see if Becky would react. She didn't and Sasha somehow felt worse for even thinking it was a good idea to get Becky to talk to her.
Sasha was talking to Chad Gable when she made that comment. Now he wasn't leaving her alone all day. Sasha didn't think he was a bad guy or even a terrible lover. He was just… fine. Sasha just wanted Becky, but that could have also been the broken heart talking too.
Ur body is fucking amazing Sasha. We should totally hook up l8tr
Sasha rolled her eyes. Typical fuck boy compliments that he thought would get her into bed with him. True it had twice before, but that was only to piss Becky off.
"Mission accomplished, idiot," Sasha muttered bitterly to herself, quickly deleting an unwanted dick pic.
Becky's bedroom door opened. Sasha nearly fell from her stool by the counter. Becky flashed Sasha a tight-lipped smile and ducked into the bathroom.
"At least that's something," Sasha figured, sighing heavily. Her arm twitched when the thought of rifling her phone across the room at the wall crossed her mind as another text came in.
Plz, Sasha? I'm so fucking-
"Jesus fucking Christ," Sasha muttered, closing her phone without the intent to ever finish that sentence.
Aside from football players trying to get in her pants, Sasha had to attend a ZBZ party later that she did not want to go to. Becky was going to be there, which caused misery for obvious reasons, plus Charlotte was giving her weird vibes lately. Becky and Charlotte were awfully friendly during the last few days of Spring Break. Sasha also thought she was just making up scenarios in her head to make her feel better about everything.
Her phone buzzed again and Sasha heavily dropped her head against the countertop. Becky re-emerged from the bathroom and saw Sasha face down on the kitchen island. Sasha looked up to catch a quick line of eye contact, but the redhead was already closing her door by then.
"Fuck…" Sasha mumbled, sighing again and turning off her ringer when another text came in.
The ladies of Zeta Beta Zeta were elated. For weeks, they'd been waiting for a response from the school's PanHellenic council, a governing body that dealt with fraternity and sorority issues. Trish had made the incredibly savvy strategic move of applying for early charter privileges, which would allow the ladies of ZBZ to participate in "Greek Week" and the rest of the semester's festivities. Ordinarily, this would've been a mere formality, but Candice Michelle had attempted to block this move, using her considerable influence with the PanHellenic executive board.
The hearing had taken place earlier that day. Trish, as well as Beth Phoenix, who was the current student ZBZ needed to be a representative, stood before the nine-member panel and explained why they deserved to skirt regulations and be allowed to become a chartered Sorority ahead of schedule. Beth spoke eloquently, if a bit shyly, pointing out that ZBZ already had a house and over twenty members, without having a pledge class yet. In Greek circles, these were actually two not-insignificant accomplishments, and so, despite the vociferous protests of Nikki Bella, the PanHellenic member from DXA, and Candice Michelle, who was there to argue against granting this unorthodox yet harmless proposal, the exception was granted. ZBZ was officially "open for business."
Immediately upon leaving the student services building, her spirits soaring with victory, Trish Stratus began shooting off one text after another. The basic gist was the plans to throw an impromptu party at the now official ZBZ house. Despite having several members away in Hartford at the women's basketball tournament, there were more than enough ZBZ's on campus to run the needed errands and make the necessary preparations for an epic weeknight rager.
The first recipient of a message was BPO president Christian Cage. He glanced at his chirping phone with a knowing smirk, thrilled that his girlfriend had gotten good news.
Seth's perception since returning home from Mexico was unsurprisingly blurred by the smiling face of AJ Lee. Even when his loving girlfriend tried to grab his attention, Seth couldn't get Cabo out of his head.
Seated at the edge of his bed, Seth stared off into space with his heavy mind keeping his full attention. Zelina, covering herself with Seth's comforter, propped herself on her elbows. Her boyfriend's lack of focus since Monday morning started to worry her. Zelina figured it was jet lag or exhaustion at first, but that would've been settled by now.
Seth shook his head slowly. It was in his intention to tell Zelina about what he did with AJ while in another country. But much like most of the important things in Seth's life, he procrastinated and ended up waiting so long that it felt like things would be unfixable at this point.
Seth felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You dehydrated, lover boy?" He heard AJ's voice whisper.
Seth's head whipped around. Zelina's confused grin met his gaze. "W-what?" He asked, blinking once and focusing on the small Latina.
"I said, 'That was amazing,'" Zelina stated with a giggle. "Are you ok, hombre? You seem distracted."
Seth shrugged. "Still trying to get used to having to go to class again. A week in Mexico really fucked me up."
"Like you fucked me up, right?" AJ hissed in his head, drawing out a kiss on his neck.
Seth turned again, expecting the sinister-sexual smirk of his Spring Break lover, but his high school girlfriend sat there instead. Seth sighed heavily and brought his lover into his arms.
"You ok, Seth?" Zelina asked worryingly.
"I'm just… really tired," Seth insisted, more so to himself and not his girlfriend.
Zelina pecked Seth's cheek. "Lay down and relax, ok? I have to get back to the restaurant soon anyway. We'll hang out more tomorrow."
Seth nodded his head and laid back. Zelina slowly kissed his lips and let her hands fall below his waistline. The internally struggling young man watched Zelina kiss her way lower on his anatomy. Seth's member twitched when, for a split second as Zelina winked at him, he saw AJ's baby browns staring a hole in his face and her perfect red lips caress him. Seth drew in a shaky breath and tangled his fingers through Zelina's dark hair and quickly thought of her instead of his Spring Break "companion."
The Zeta Beta Zeta house, now officially open for business, was as full of youthful exuberance as one would expect the site of an impromptu keg party would be. Even the handful of girls who were away across the state at the conference basketball tournament had ventured to their new domicile to participate. Their original plan was to sneak off after their early semifinal game, but Ember Moon had insisted they ask Coach Moore. As annoyed as Charlotte and Nia initially were, their irritation turned to a pleasant surprise when the stern basketball coach allowed them to visit the rest of their ZBZ cohort, though she did make them promise to stay sober, to be back at the hotel by eleven pm, and to not lose focus. The conference final game wouldn't be played until almost eight pm the following night, so there was really no reason to rush back to the team's accommodations.
And so, as the sunset over Stamford, between forty and sixty college students of both genders crowded into the sprawling great room of what was now officially one of the most elegant
Greek houses on the campus of Stamford University.
Dean Ambrose shuffled in with about twenty of his teammates. Worn out from practice, but showered and anxious to see his fiancee, Ambrose strode slowly into the foyer. His gait stilled completely as the delightfully cheerful voice of his beloved pierced his train of thought. At the same moment, a blur of crimson and blonde came into view as he felt Alexa's body impact against his in a loving, enthusiastic tackle.
"Hi baby!" Alexa cooed loudly before planting a kiss on the side of Dean's mouth.
"Hey yourself, babydoll," Dean graveled in response. Alexa lifted her gaze up to Dean's, the bright smile never leaving her face.
"I feel like I haven't seen you since we got back, baby." Alexa purred, pressing the side of her face to Dean's chest. And she wasn't completely wrong. The pair had spent every night together, as had become custom, but the amount of time they'd spent together as a couple, be it in public or private, was as scarce this week as it had been since they started dating.
"Yeah, it's been a busy week," Dean half mumbled, sliding his arms snugly down to the hips of his paramour. "And it's only half over." While he spoke, Dean attempted to catch a glimpse of the inky black irises of Alexa's steel-blue eyes, searching for any sign of narcotic influence. Alexa, quickly catching on, rolled her eyes in annoyance, but drew closer to her man.
"No molly today, babe, I promise. Just my 'scrippy'. Now kiss me."
Dean smiled as a wave of relief washed over him. With every day that passed, Dean's worry for his wife to be grew more intense. Especially since he'd barely seen her since they'd been back. For the moment, however, he decided to take the breathtaking blonde at her word. As he dipped his head low to plant another kiss on his betrothed love, he felt her soft giggle against his cheek.
Alexa sighed happily, sliding her arms back around Dean's neck and parting his lips with her soft, probing tongue. After a minute or so, the two broke their favorite greeting though neither really wanted to.
"Did you hear?" Alexa began, her heart fluttering with excitement as she rested her tiny palms on Dean's chest. "We're doing formal together! Officially! ZBZ and BPO!"
"Really?" Dean responded, mostly due to how elated Alexa seemed. If you'd told Dean in September that the smoke show cheerleader he'd knocked up would've ended up the likely future president of a sorority that didn't even exist yet, he would've probably told you it didn't sound any less likely than any of the other aspects of the scenario you'd just presented him with. He also wouldn't have thought it very likely.
"Yes. And…" Even as she spoke, Dean could tell Alexa had a lot on her mind.
"And what, baby girl?" Dean asked, genuinely curious as to what was on Alexa's mind.
"Well, we're going to Foxwoods, which is really nice, and with everything that's happened…"
Alexa's voice trailed off, a trace hint of sadness seeping through her jovial tone.
"Go ahead, babydoll," Dean urged gently.
Alexa pecked Dean on the lips, a gesture meant to be comforting. "Well, guys are starting to ask girls to formal, and they're all going 'all out.' Christian got Trish two dozen roses, Alex Riley rented a tux just to wear to ask Kaitlyn, Bobby took Beth to the 'rare books' section of the Stamford library…"
That last one confused Dean. "What? How is that romantic?"
Alexa shrugged. "Beth loved it. Apparently it's really hard to get on the list to get to visit down there. There are some handwritten poems Emily Dickinson wrote, a first edition Emily Bronte with a pristine autograph. Lots of other things. Beth loves books. She's gonna be an English teacher." Seeing the puzzlement on Dean's face, Alexa got her train of thought back on track. "Guys are going all out because they care. And it just feels like…"
"Like what, babydoll?" Dean inquired, taking Alexa's hands in his. The glint of sadness in Alexa's eyes was instantly recognizable to him, and he hated that look more than anything, even when he was reasonably sure he was about to learn of something he'd done to upset his future wife.
"It feels like we've started to take each other for granted. Like, both of us. I haven't done anything nice for you that didn't involve sex in like, months, and I can't remember the last time we went out just because we were excited to be together."
Dean pondered this for a moment, slowly realizing that Alexa was absolutely right. "Yeah. I mean, the sex has been 'next level' the last few weeks-"
Alexa cut him off with a feathered palm along Dean's jawline. "It really has, baby, and I don't want to stop that. Like at all. We just have to start making time to do other things together too. I know this week is fucking brutal. Like, I'm gonna be here helping set things up here for our first meetings and the school walkthrough to make sure everything in the house is up to code." Alexa's voice grew strained as the enormity of the tasks before her began to fully dawn on her. She had a LOT to do.
"Damn," Dean muttered. "And I thought I was busy."
"We both are," Alexa reassured her man. "And I'm not mad at you. I'd just kinda like formal to feel...normal."
Dean's brow furrowed. He didn't really understand what Alexa meant. The pocket-sized bombshell picked up on this almost instantly.
"You remember when we went out for dinner when we first started dating and it would be like we had butterflies every single time?"
Dean smiled softly and nodded. "Those were good times. I still think about the first time we went to Blackjack Mulligan's. All I could think about was how gorgeous you are and how lucky I was."
Alexa fought against tearing up. In spite of what she thought was best, the tiny blonde loved hard and fell quickly. In this case, it had been for an unkempt freshman who'd had the audacity to pilfer her beer at a fraternity party and then ram his tongue down her throat as he fled his pursuers.
Alexa slid her hands from his, then lightly ran her arms around his waist. There was a lot left unsaid between the two. The minuscule vixen still couldn't get a read on how Dean actually felt about the events of Spring Break. That week had certainly been a rollercoaster of emotions, and Alexa hoped she was wrong about the emotional distance she thought she felt between her and her beloved. She drew a deep breath.
"Babe," she began, hoping to reassure her man, "I love you so, so much. And I don't know why all this is coming up now, in the front walkway of a sorority house. I just need this formal to feel like a big deal."
Dean nodded grimly. With everything that had happened since they'd lost their baby girl, they'd lost focus on much of what had made their relationship so great.
"I get it," Dean acquiesced. He sighed deeply, then gazed deep into Alexa's eyes again. "So, you want me to make a big deal of asking you to formal?"
Alexa pondered this a moment, then crinkled her nose and shook her head in the negative.
"No. I won't make you do that. Let's just make formal really special, okay? Like, I'm gonna get a new dress and shoes and get my hair done really nice. Do you mind wearing a tux?"
Dean shrugged. "I'm guessing it really doesn't matter much if I mind or not."
Alexa laughed that angelic giggle that made Dean so happy on the inside. "You are one hundred percent correct. But," she continued, her voice taking on a much flirtier tone, "I won't make you pay for my dress and shoes. I talked to my mom earlier and they're gonna take care of all that. She said she's 'just so happy I'm getting to do normal college things instead of cowering in my dorm room.'"
Dean nodded his agreement. "I agree. Okay, we'll plan on making formal magical. I will not fight you on anything. We can make it as elaborate as you want."
Alexa nodded. "And we can start talking about our wedding again?"
Dean grinned, although there was a hint of sadness in his face. "Yeah. Sorry I haven't been mentioning it. It just reminds me of why we were gonna get married…"
He trailed off. Alexa wasn't sure, but she thought she could see the faintest hint of a tear glistening in his eye. Her heart immediately melted upon the realization of how Dean still felt such crushing sadness at the thought of losing his unborn child.
"I understand, baby, I do. And we don't need to be in such a huge hurry to get married." She stopped, before lifting Dean's hand to her lips, planting a tender kiss on the back. "But I do love you, more than anything in the world, and I still want to spend every day with you until I die."
Dean snickered wryly. "It'll only be until I die. You're definitely gonna outlive me."
Alexa laughed even harder this time. "I don't doubt it. At all." She rose up to her tiptoes and kissed her man, softly and passionately, her heart full of joy. That conversation had gone much better than she thought it had any right to. Dean was in one of his more agreeable moods, and it made their potentially difficult talk much easier.
"Okay," she continued, "I'm glad we talked about that. Now," she continued, tugging at Dean's hand, signaling that she wanted him to follow her, "let's get you a cold beer. Then we're gonna dance, okay? I like dancing with you and we never get to anymore."
Dean snickered. "That sounds good."
Alexa grinned a sweet smile that turned naughty. "And then I want to show you the room I'm gonna move into in the fall."
Dean didn't immediately catch her meaning. "Lex, I've seen your room like five times."
Alexa rolled her eyes. To be fair, Dean WAS tired. "No. I mean, I want to 'show you my room'."
Now Dean was up to speed. "Ah. Well, I'm pretty tired, so you're gonna have to do most of the work."
Alexa giggled playfully as the pair reached the nearest beer keg. "Why should tonight be any different?"
The two lovers laughed, each relieved that they'd gotten a chance to discuss feelings. Little did they know that what had just transpired would be the least drama-filled part of their evening.
The ZBZ sorority house was honestly the last place Becky wanted to be, but she knew it was a good first step in getting over Sasha.
In fact, being surrounded by gorgeous women with the beer and liquor flowing like wine on a Sunday helped bring the heartbroken Irishwoman's spirits up. The first thing she did, much like the first party of the year only a few months prior, was accept a few shots of burning goodness from a fellow freshman dressed like the monopoly guy. Becky thanked the girl with a smile and staggered into the living room to hopefully try to enjoy the rest of the night.
Becky's state of intoxication and wanted desire to forget her troubles almost made her neglect to acknowledge her date. Natalya was keeping up with Becky and being extra flirty. The blonde must've thought her chances of getting lucky were increased with how much booze Becky was putting back. In any other case, Becky would blush and play the "bashful dork" card every time Nattie groped her ass or traced her fingertips on the inside of her leg, but Becky's head wasn't into it.
"How's your drink?" Nattie asked over the music, leaning closer into Becky's person and once again giving her a quick squeeze on the ass.
Becky, holding her head to keep it from hitting the countertop, smiled drunkenly and snickered under her breath.
"I'm 'avin' a great fookin' time, Nattie." She slurred her words and slightly swayed in place. Her head felt weightless but like it weighed a ton at the same time. She was drunk off her rocker, Becky knew that very well, and she couldn't care any less.
Just at that moment, Becky noticed a head of purple hair making its way through the crowd gathered in the kitchen. Sasha hadn't noticed Becky yet, and in a way Becky was thankful for that. Behind Sasha was a dark-skinned boy Becky hadn't noticed before. She wouldn't have noticed him regardless, but the two were holding hands while Sasha guided the boy through the house.
Becky felt a lump in her throat tighten. Sasha looked gorgeous. She wore a loose-fitting sleeveless black tee with the college's logo on it. Her blue jeans hugged her shapely ass and made her legs look all the more muscular. Plus, it seemed Sasha touched up on her hair because it looked as though her purple locks were glimmering under the party lights.
And then Becky noticed Sasha's sparkling lip gloss: Dark red with a hint of glitter. Becky loved that shade and could practically taste the strawberry from her vantage point. Those lips, either pressed against hers or between her legs, were always going to be one of Becky's favorite things about Sasha's anatomy.
Becky's focus on Sasha's attire for the evening left her unaware to what Natalya was up to. The blonde wrestler was inching her hand further up the inside of Becky's leg. A mix of the booze and Sasha looking like an absolute goddess and Nattie's light touching made Becky a mess between her legs.
A breathy moan escaped Becky's lips as Natalya felt her gently between the legs. Becky quickly covered her mouth and hid her face to steer any suspicion away from her if anyone heard. No one said anything, but Becky kept herself hidden.
"Wow, Becky. I'm flattered," Natalya cooed with seduction laced words. She leaned closer into Becky's person again and whispered in her ear. "How about we find a room and I help you out a little?"
Becky sprang back to life. She gave Natalya a tight-lipped smile. "Let's go dance." She suggested, wanting to steer the conversation away from a possible hook up.
Natalya expressed disappointment but kept a smile on her face. "Sure. Let's go." She spoke, keeping the same upbeat tone in her voice.
Becky took Nattie by the hand. She glanced into the crowd again and saw her ex-lover staring at her from across the room.
Becky, feeling her stomach drop, leaned into Nattie's ear. "Behave yourself and I might let you fuck me."
Natalya pulled Becky in for a sloppy, too much tongue kiss on the lips. Becky pretended to be over the moon about kissing this girl. As they broke apart, a devilish grin crossed Nattie's face but Becky threw her ex a dirty look. Sasha rolled her eyes and moved further into the crowd.
"Does that ruin or help my chances?" Nattie asked with a grin.
Becky only heard half of what Natalya had even said. "Uh, we'll see," she spat out, figuring that was a good enough answer to whatever the hell Nattie said.
Natalya took Becky by the hand again and guided her into the main room for some dancing. Hopefully there would be more booze to help the night get done quicker, Becky thought with a sigh and a shake of her head.
Sneaking in his high school girlfriend into the ZBZ house wasn't actually that hard. Alexa caught Seth right away, but the boy made up a story about Zelina wanting to rush the new sorority the following year after she graduates high school. Alexa, smiling brightly at the sounds of that, agreed to let Zelina stay as long as Seth kept a close eye on her.
Seth did just that. Keeping his attention close on his girlfriend was the easiest thing he could do. Especially since he couldn't keep his hands to himself for longer than a few seconds.
"See?" Seth asked, catching his breath and laying beside his woman. "Aren't these sheets soft as hell?"
Zelina smiled to herself and shimmied her skirt up over her bottom. "Yes. This was a fun way to prove your point, mi amore."
Seth fixed his belt and sat up. "Don't tell Nia we were in here. She'd skin me alive."
Seth shared a sweet kiss with his beloved. He really was happy to bring Zelina along to a party. Mostly because he wanted to show the tiny minx around to his buddies but to also help him steer clear of any trouble that came in a skirt. More specifically, the woman who he kept seeing each time Zelina was with him.
AJ's lips feathered over Seth's neck. "You slipped up the 'exit only' chute a few times, kid."
Seth's head snapped to the side. "What?"
Zelina grinned. "I said, 'I love you, Seth.'"
Seth breathed a chuckle. "Sorry. My head's been all foggy since coming home. I'm so freaking exhausted."
"Well, when you pin me against the wall and rail me like a metal spike," AJ chirped with a laugh.
Seth blinked. AJ's apparition once again melted away and in her place came the smiling face of Zelina. Zelina cuddled Seth and pecked him under the chin. Seth secured an arm around Zelina's shoulders and tried to relax.
The physical incarnation of the troublemaking AJ Lee was indeed in the same house as the three people she shared physical intimacy with during Spring Break. However, she wasn't very keen on talking to Seth, and Dean was all over Alexa like he was trying to keep an eye on her during the festivities.
AJ wasn't really paying attention to much. Her blood-alcohol levels were venturing towards "get help immediately" territory. Plus the ecstasy pills she took upon arrival were making the forced social outing a little more tolerable. Social anxiety be damned, AJ was going to try and have a good time without her best friend. Though AJ was feeling lucky and thought she could try to talk Alexa into following her to a vacant bedroom. Then again, Dean would probably flip and nobody needed that to happen again.
As AJ's vision blurred for a second, she noticed a set of long legs and blonde hair making its way to her.
"Can I sit here?" Charlotte asked, pointing at the open spot beside AJ on the sofa.
AJ blinked. "On my face?"
Charlotte rolled her eyes and sat beside AJ. "Are you having fun, AJ?"
AJ shrugged. "Better than being miserable in my shitty basement apartment."
"That makes one of us then," Charlotte sipped at her fruity cocktail and shook her head. "I feel like everyone's staring at me. I really didn't want to come, but apparently it's required."
"Because of your booby video?" AJ snickered. "They're just tits, Charlotte. Big, beautiful, bouncy tits. No shame in showing them off once in a while."
"Ok, but you don't have yours all over the internet."
AJ rolled her head on her shoulders to face Charlotte. "Do you want to see mine?"
Charlotte grinned. "Thanks, but I'm good."
AJ shrugged. "Suit yourself," her eyes lazily scanned over Flair's body. "You kinda remind me of my ex. Do you mind if I go down on you and pretend you're Dana?"
Charlotte laughed for the first time that night. "I appreciate the offer. But I'm straight. I'm pretty sure I told you that in Cabo."
"Oh, when I caught you dirty dancing with the chick from Brave? Dick, vajajay, doesn't matter to me. If they cute, I shoot my shot." AJ asked.
Charlotte's cheeks started tinting red. She turned away to hide it but AJ noticed. Despite wanting to get to the bottom of that, AJ chose not to say anything that would probably hurt Charlotte's feelings.
"No big strong Samoan?" AJ asked.
Charlotte shook her head slowly. "We've… sorta broken up."
"That sucks penguin dicks. I'm sorry, dude," AJ slid closer to Charlotte and set her head on her shoulder. "I hate being heartbroken. Especially if it's someone I really really liked."
"Yeah, well it was bound to happen sooner or later," Charlotte scanned the room full of college students. Amongst the sea of beer and shitty pop music, Charlotte found her redheaded friend dancing with a blonde woman. Becky's arms loosely hung from Nattie's neck while the other woman had both hands secured to Becky's ass. They stood close enough to practically hear each other's thoughts.
Charlotte looked away and blushed again, this time her cheeks burning a deep crimson. AJ herself spotted Alexa and Dean chatting with each other. Dean said something funny and Alexa threw her head back to bellow a loud belly laugh. AJ rolled her eyes and sunk further into the couch and deeper into her self disdain.
"I don't like being not in-love," AJ complained loudly. "I want someone who loves me equally, if not a smidge more, as I love them. Hell, I'll fuck someone if they told me they've been stalking me for the last three years."
"I thought I would feel better without a boyfriend," Charlotte admitted. "Now I just feel like shit."
"Boys are stupid anyway. They break your heart for the sake of breaking your heart," AJ stared a hole through the back of Dean's head. "They'll steal your best friend, tell you to keep your hands to yourself, then act like it's you with the problem," AJ exhaled sharply as bitter tears filled her eyes. "I'd be everything that girl deserves," she hissed under her breath. "Fuck. This is such bullshit."
AJ slammed the rest of her drink then got up to refill her cup. Charlotte started to fade into her own thoughts, but then Becky whispered something to Natalya and the pair split with Becky making her way through the kitchen and out to the back patio, leaving Natalya behind.
Becky inhaled a deep breath of the fresh, crisp air in the backyard. She needed a moment to cool off after drinking so quickly and being close to Natalya.
"Having fun?" Becky checked over her shoulder to find Charlotte addressing her.
Becky nodded. "Yeah, just needed some air. It's hot as hell in that livin' room."
Charlotte leaned against the back railing beside Becky. "How's Nattie?" She asked with a cheeky smile.
Becky grinned. "Very very eager to get me into bed. She's nice, but… let's say, assertive?"
"Not exactly the kind of girl to bring home to mom and dad?"
Becky shook her head. "No. She's just…"
Charlotte leaned her head against Becky's shoulder. "Still getting over the ex? I get it. I'm tempted to let one of these frat boys dick me down later."
Becky threw her head back in laughter. Charlotte stood up straight and chuckled.
"Well, I better get back before Miss 'Grab Me Arse' gets antsy," Becky paused. "Do you think I'm a bad person for what happened with Sasha?"
Charlotte shook her head. "Of course not. You were on a break. Period."
Becky nodded. "Thanks, Char," she lifted herself up on her toes and pecked Charlotte on the cheek. "Maybe I'll see you before I let ol' Nattie into me undies."
Charlotte snickered under her breath. "Don't put out if she doesn't buy dessert."
Becky flashed a grin as she slipped back into the ZBZ house. Charlotte lightly touched the spot on her cheek that Becky kissed and smiled to herself.
Strolling by Sigma Nu before her attendance at ZBZ's party was supposed to be part of Sasha's own plan of getting over that Irish girl. But, apparently, she picked the nicest gentleman out of everyone at the fraternity house.
Xavier Woods, had this been a time Sasha was looking for the perfect boyfriend, would be checking off all the right boxes on the list. He got Sasha her drinks for her, held the door open, kept his hands at a respectable spot on her body; It pissed Sasha off more than it made her happy.
Sasha wore something she was sure would get her into bed with anyone. It worked on Becky, very clearly, but all Xavier said was, "Wow, you look incredible."
Sasha stood alongside the back wall with her fourth Jack and Coke in her hand. Xavier was chatting with his buddies, E and Kofi, who Sasha was thinking would've been a better choice for a date.
The frustration hung in the air and gave off an aura that made Xavier give his date a worried glance. Across the room, Becky parted ways with her date and headed for the back. What Sasha didn't particularly like was how quickly Charlotte got off the couch to follow the Irishwoman. Sasha chewed on her tongue and sipped her drink.
"You wanna dance?" Xavier leaned over to ask Sasha, trying to ease the apparent tension.
"You don't have to ask me to dance, Woods," Sasha said back, trying not to make a scene. "You should just pull me out in front of everyone and dry hump me."
Xavier chuckled nervously. "Do you… want me to?"
Sasha threw her free hand in the air. "Why else would I not wear a bra and ask you to this stupid fucking party?"
"I don't know. E was saying you had a crush on me. Then you showed up, like, a minute later. I didn't want to mess up my chances by taking advantage of you."
Sasha sighed. "Why do you have to be so nice?"
Xavier placed a soft hand on the small of Sasha's back. "I'm sorry, ok? I can, uh, violate you if you want. I just don't really know how to do that."
Sasha shook her head. "Becky would."
"Becky?"
"My ex."
"Whoa, you dated a chick?"
E suddenly pushed his way into the conversation. "Oh, what's this?"
"E!" Xavier exclaimed, giving his buddy a dirty look. "Don't be that dude. Seriously."
E nodded his head and mumbled "sorry" under his breath. Kofi slapped his colossal friend on the back and led him back to the kitchen.
Sasha followed the departing boys with her eyes until a head of fire and desire came into her line of sight. Becky, a fresh bottle of beer in her hand, walked straight past Sasha and returned to Natalya's side.
Xavier followed Sasha's gaze to Becky. "I'm just supposed to be a rebound? Is that why you showed up all of a sudden?"
"I'm sorry, Woods," Sasha muttered.
"It's cool. No big deal," Xavier took Sasha's drink from her. "Just gonna take this. You got that 'shank a bitch' look in your eye."
Becky and Natalya started back towards the kitchen. This time, Sasha stepped in front of her ex.
"Hey," Becky said with a drunken smile. "I was just headed to the kitchen. Do you need another-"
"What the fuck are you doing?" Sasha snapped.
Becky switched her gaze to Xavier, back to Sasha, then shrugged. "Getting Nattie a drink."
"Oh, she's Nattie now? Last time she was just a reject on our couch."
Natalya stepped forward. "Look, Sasha, I don't want any trouble. I'm just trying to show Becky a good time after you two broke up."
Sasha crossed her arms. "Ask her why we broke up."
"She told me. You guys were on a break."
"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!"
Most of the room's attention was now on the three women, mainly the one yelling. Xavier smiled nervously and sipped quietly at his drink.
Becky sighed. "Look, we should act like adults. I don't want any trouble."
"You're gonna fucking get trouble!" Sasha barked, her fists clenching at her side.
"Sasha, please," Natalya said. "We're all just trying to have a good time-"
"Oh, don't give me that shit," Sasha switched her anger to the blonde. "Being peacekeeper won't get you in her pants."
"Would ass-kicker work better?" Natalya shot back.
"You gettin' this?" E leaned over to ask Kofi as the smaller of the two raised his phone to record the situation.
"Sasha," Becky pulled her date back by the hand. "Stop. It's over. You should be happy we're broken up."
"Well, I'm not!" Sasha yelled.
"I am."
"And why's that?"
Becky chuckled dryly. "Wouldn't want to be with a girl that got 'Chinese Finger Trapped' by two boys on the football team."
Xavier's brow lifted. "Damn, Sasha. You got 'finger trapped'?"
"What the hell does that even mean?" Sasha demanded.
Xavier lifted his hands. "Well, you know those toys that get your fingers stuck together? Well, you're the toy. And instead of fingers… it's… dicks..." He trailed off and backed away when Sasha threw him a death glare.
"It's called being 'skewered' on our side of the tracks!" Sami yelled from across the room. Xavier gave him a thumbs up.
Next to him, Kevin Owens gazed at a panel of imaginary game show judges. Raising a hand to his ear, mimicking the presence of an in-ear monitor, the rotund BPO couldn't help himself.
"Judges? Yes, I'm being told we also would've accepted 'spit-roasted' and 'devil's three-way.'"
"Devil's three-way?" Zayn shouted back inquisitively.
Owens lifted his free hand, making the "heavy metal (too sweet)" gesture. "Yeah. Two dudes."
Everyone in earshot exploded in laughter.
Sasha shook her head. "You're unbelievable," she spat at Becky, then stormed out of the room.
As Sasha stomped away, she nearly ran into Dean and Alexa. The tiny blonde watched Sasha march away, one eyebrow lifting in question.
"Everything ok?" Alexa asked.
Natalya looked to Becky for an answer. Becky nodded. "Just a dumb argument. We were about to leave anyway. I got class in the morning," Becky leaned into Natalya's ear. "Walk me home?"
Natalya agreed and followed Becky out of the house. Charlotte returned to the living room just as Becky started to leave. The two shared a look and a tight-lipped smile, then Becky and Natalya left the ZBZ house.
"Should I be worried?" Alexa asked Xavier.
Xavier shook his head. "Little too much to drink. She'll be ok. Oh shit. Is that Paige?"
Xavier walked off. Alexa looked up at her fiance and shrugged. Dean mimicked her bodily function and sipped at his beer.
The only two people from ZBZ and BPO that hadn't made an appearance yet were Zack Ryder and Bayley Martinez. Bayley had to report to the hotel before eleven pm or she'd possibly lose playing time in her conference basketball game tomorrow. Bayley was nervous but she was determined to make it far into the playoffs. The only reason they decided to be fashionably late and or not attend the gathering at all was Bayley's call.
"You sure you won't get in trouble?" Zack called from the bathroom. "I'm supposed to be there. The upperclassmen were talking about it and I'd hate to disappoint them."
Bayley sat cross-legged in the middle of their bed. "Yeah, but I won't get to see you know until tomorrow night. This way we can hang out before I have to go."
"Alright, if you say so," Zack said. "Is anything else bothering you? You seem real… eager to be together since we got back from Cabo."
Bayley shrugged. "Do I need a reason to want you, Zack? It's almost nine, so you gotta hurry up in there!"
Zack sighed. "Do I really have to wear this?"
Bayley giggled excitedly. "Yes! That's what I want!"
A moment later, Zack emerged from the bathroom and shuffled into the bedroom in his cross country uniform. Bayley's face lit up and she giggled excitedly. Zack rolled his eyes before getting into bed with his beloved.
The loud music and extremely hot temperatures inside the ZBZ house had been too much for Roman Reigns. Seeing Charlotte hadn't been easy either. There was a part of his consciousness every single day that screamed constantly for him to beg Charlotte to reconsider. That he would be happy being whatever she needed from him. No more, no less. But the part of Roman that respected himself reminded him that he'd already said words to that same effect during the lake vacation. That almost since the day they'd met, this dance had been going in one form or fashion.
The memories from the lake house washed over him. There were fond ones, like hooking up with Charlotte outside or seeing her in her bikini for the first time at the water park, and the day they spent in Roman's bedroom "making up" after their first big dustup. But looking back on it now, there were warning signs even then that their torrid love affair was heading toward this ending.
The fight in the parking lot, and the conversations that led up to it, echoed in Roman's deepest recesses. He kicked himself mentally for not seeing the signs that Charlotte didn't want the same things in life that he himself did.
And so he sat, perched on the rail of the wraparound porch, one leg atop the railing and his back rested firmly against the house. He sipped at a red solo cup filled with whatever light beer Trish had procured on short notice for this particular festivity, generally irritated with his life at that moment.
"Hey Roman," a sweet voice began, almost cautiously, knocking Roman from his perpetual loop of self-pity. Glancing over to his side, he saw the smiling face of Ronda Rousey, holding several cups of varying sizes in her hands. "I brought you a refill."
Roman smiled. "Even when we're not at Roadies you take care of me."
Ronda's electric smile grew even wider. "Only you, though." She traded one of the full Solos for Roman's almost completely empty one. She placed her own drinks down on one of the chairs set out, before moving closer with two much smaller receptacles. "Brought you a shot, too. Thought it might cheer you up."
"What makes you think I need cheering up, Ronnie?" Roman inquired, though he knew exactly why it was Ronda thought he needed cheering up. It was no surprise to him that his glum disposition had sent the message throughout the gathering that the big Samoan was in no mood to socialize.
Ronda snickered. "Roman. Your RBF is worse than Nikki Bella's."
This notion was what finally got Roman to grin. He even allowed for a genuine laugh.
"There's that smile," Ronda observed brightly.
"Don't tell anyone," Roman rumbled. "I'm supposed to be the brooding one."
"The brooding one?" Ronda repeated.
"Yeah," Roman replied matter of factly. "Dean's the asshole, Seth is the philosopher, and I'm the brooding muscle. That's how it's been since we all started hanging out."
"Athos, Porthos, and Aramis," Ronda mused to herself.
"Huh?" Roman followed, completely missing Ronda's point.
Ronda waved a hand dismissively. "Nothing. The Three Musketeers. Their names were Athos, Porthos, and Aramis."
Roman nodded, even though he still wasn't following. Ronda continued, seeing that Roman still didn't get her.
"I'm a world lit major. I'm taking a French Lit class right now. I'm having to do character analyses on all three of the Musketeers."
"Which one am I," Roman asked lightheartedly, taking a long swig of the fresh lager Ronda had brought him.
The leggy blonde narrowed her eyes, pondering what he'd asked her. "Porthos," she finally offered. She inched closer to Roman, still holding the disposable shot glasses in one hand. "He was the strongest, and biggest, but he was also jovial, while the other two were moody and introspective."
Roman let out an extended snicker. "I used to be jovial."
Ronda tilted her head to one side. "Really?"
Roman nodded, tilting the red cup back again. "Yeah. In high school. I was pudgy and had a scraggly neckbeard. Being funny was how I kept people off my back." He paused, the memories coming back to him all at once. "At least until spring semester sophomore year when I grew like eight inches between January and June."
Ronda's eyebrows raised in shock. "Really?"
Roman nodded, a wistful look in his eye. "Yeah. Dean and Seth were both lean, angular athletes. I looked like every Samoan stereotype ever."
Ronda's infectious grin overtook her face again as she reached an arm out to lightly rub Roman's bicep in a comforting gesture. "I'm sure it wasn't that bad." Roman did his best to pretend not to notice that Ronda was touching him more regularly now. She extended one of the tiny plastic cups toward the giant Samoan. "Do a shot with me, Roman. I brought this for you."
The big Samoan scoffed. "It was exactly that bad, but this liquor will help quite a bit. What is this?" He inquired, hoping his face didn't betray how repulsed he was by the sickly-strong aroma emanating from the shot glass.
"It's called a 'Mind Eraser,'" Ronda returned slyly. "It's mostly vodka and coffee liqueur. Alexa was mixing them up. Apparently she's a coffee addict?"
Roman smiled and gave a quick nod. "One of my very first conversations with her was in the line for the coffee kiosk on the quad. It was right after I met her." Roman stopped there, not thinking Ronda particularly needed to hear about the eyeful of Alexa's nude body he'd gotten the fateful morning when he and Dean had gone to wake the then anonymous blonde.
"It smells like death and diesel fuel," Roman rumbled sardonically.
Ronda's smile remained, but her eyes narrowed playfully at Roman. "So you don't want to do this shot with me?" She gave a big, exaggerated pout of her lower lip, and inched closer to her crush, hoping she gave off an air of playful flirting rather than desperation.
"I'm not sure I want to do THIS shot with anyone, but, I guess I'm on the rebound, right?" Roman shrugged his shoulders and let his arms ripple once. "Now's the time to do stupid shit." He raised the tiny cup toward Ronda. "What are we drinking to?"
Ronda pondered this for a moment. She'd thought out much of what she anticipated this conversation being, but she hadn't considered Roman giving her a chance to suggest in any way openly that she liked him. Still, this presented a unique opportunity.
"Let's drink to new beginnings," Ronda opined. "You have a chance to start all over as far as a relationship goes. I really think you're gonna be better off without Charlotte stressing you out all the time."
Roman snickered again, before slowly nodding in agreement. "I'll sure as shit drink to that." He raised the shot glass toward Ronda, who lightly tapped her own cup to his. The two young folks threw back the murky liquid in perfect synchronization, with Roman letting out several coughs and Ronda allowing a quiet laugh after.
"Now I just need a date for formal," Roman mused under his breath. He hadn't exactly meant for Ronda to hear him say that, but it didn't necessarily bother him that she'd apparently heard it, either.
"Me too," Ronda interjected, as softly as she could while still being heard.
"No one's snatched you up yet?" Roman countered, legitimately surprised that none of his BPO brothers had displayed the good sense to snatch Ronda up for their spring formal.
"I mean, some guy named Chad asked me at Roadie's the other night, but he was super drunk, and that guy Baron mentioned wanting to ask me a few minutes ago, but he didn't ask me. Besides, I don't really want to go with just anyone."
Roman nodded again, more forcefully this time. "I get it. Just thinking of watching Dean and Alexa be all-" Roman stopped speaking, but pushed his hands together forcefully over and over again, nonverbally trying to explain what he was thinking. "I don't know… gay for each other? It makes me feel like I'll be missing out if I don't have a date."
"I'd hate for you to miss out on dressing up and looking good for your pledge brothers," Ronda said with a chuckle that she hoped would further send the hint to the oblivious boy.
Roman scratched his chin as he looked down at Ronda. Her hazel eyes stared back at him with the corner of her mouth lifted into a tiny smirk. Roman furrowed his brow, not really picking up on what Ronda was suggesting. Then Rousey rolled her eyes and elbowed Roman in the side.
"Dude, seriously?" Ronda joked. "I'm single and dateless… you need to get over a shitty ex…"
Roman smirked himself. "Ronda Rousey, are you asking me to ask you to formal?"
Ronda shrugged. "Wouldn't be the worst date I've ever had. Probably wouldn't be the best either for you."
"I haven't actually been on a lot of dates in my life," Roman quickly added up the number of times he and Charlotte had actually been in public together that wasn't at a football game or Roadie's: not a lot, from his ballpark estimate. "So, who knows, you might be the best I've ever had."
Ronda was thankful her cheeks were already a little red thanks to the alcohol she'd been drinking because Roman's offhand compliment made her blush. Not that anyone would notice how much it made her smile on the inside.
"I probably could be," Ronda decided to flirt back, regardless if Roman knew what he did or not. "You never know unless you try."
Roman chuckled. "Then I guess it's a date."
"That's how you're going to ask me?" Ronda questioned with a smile. "Drunk at a sorority party after I pressured you into it?"
Roman looked around the room. He fetched a bouquet of flowers from a vase, that he accidentally sent crashing to the floor, and brought them back to Ronda.
Roman straightened himself and cleared his throat. "Ronda Cornelius Rousey, would you so humbly agree to be my date to the formal? It would bring me great pleasure and even greater honor."
Ronda accepted the flowers with a laugh. "My middle name is 'Jean', doofus," she punched Roman in the shoulder a little bit harder than she usually would. "But, yes, I'll be your date... since you have no other option."
"I'd pick you over Charlotte any day,'' Roman leaned close to Ronda's ear. "She's not as awesome as you are."
Ronda produced a laugh she hadn't heard herself make before. She punched Roman's shoulder for the third time, then quickly pecked the boy on his lips. Ronda took a second to sip from her cup before she even realized what she just did.
Ronda's cup slipped from her fingers. "Oh fuck, Roman!" She exclaimed, covering her mouth with both hands in disbelief.
Roman just stood there with an awestruck sense of surprise on his face. The young man blinked and tried shaking the cobwebs from his head.
"Ronda, I…"
Rousey took off like a bat out of hell and tore across the house and out the door. Roman tried calling after her to no avail. He thought about chasing after her but a sudden barrage of BPO brothers surrounded him and offered him more alcoholic beverages before he could get the chance.
Becky laid in bed, hands resting behind her head while she stared up at the ceiling. The episode with Sasha at the party brought the attention of a lot of people; their friends especially. Everyone probably thought she was a troublemaking home wrecker or something like that. Natalya didn't think so at least. Then again, she'd been trying to get with Becky since October.
Becky felt the bed around her shift. Natalya picked her head up from between Becky's legs.
"Anything?" The blonde asked.
Becky shrugged. "Look, you're great. But…"
Natalya sat up. "It's cool," Natalya re-tied her hair. "You wanna just give it another minute? Sometimes I can't get anywhere when I'm drunk."
"I wish I was drunk," Becky thought with a frown. "Yeah, Nattie," Becky covered herself with the bottom of her shirt and sat up. "I'm sorry. It's really not you."
Natalya rubbed her hand over Becky's knee. "I'm gonna grab some water quick. You just stay here and keep being sexy."
Becky dropped her head in her hands. Why did she have to be so hung up on Sasha that even an attractive woman like Natalya couldn't help relieve some stress?
Becky's phone lit up with a notification. Checking Natalya's whereabouts, Becky saw it was a text from Charlotte.
Soooooooo…?
Becky chuckled under her breath.
What?
Well, you're texting me so not much can be happening.
She's taking a water break ;)
Atta girl! Good for you!
The next thing to come from Charlotte was a selfie of her with a few other ZBZ sisters cleaning the house with what little wiggle room they had with the party still going on. Charlotte was expressing grand disappointment, which made Becky laugh. Of course, Charlotte's low cut tee that teased a bit of cleavage made Becky feel a little warmer in her core. Then again, that could just be the alcohol talking.
"Hey," Nattie returned back into the room. "Uh, do you wanna keep going?"
Becky sighed. "Nattie, I'll be honest with you. I'm not really ready for a relationship right now. Kinda like how you were a few months ago. I'm just…"
Natalya smiled. "You don't need to feel bad, Becky. I get it."
"Really?"
"Yeah," Natalya crawled back onto the bed. "You don't have to stress anything. We're just having some fun."
Becky and Natalya shared a kiss. Nattie's hand ventured below Becky's waist and made the orange-haired woman chuckle.
Becky pulled away. "Can I ask you something?"
Natalya nodded. "Sure. What's up?"
"Can I call you 'boss'?"
Nattie smirked. "That a kind of 'sub' thing? Do you like to be told what to do?"
Becky nodded. "I do. I really do."
"Ok," Nattie pecked Becky's neck. "The Boss says this," she caressed Becky's womanhood. "Belongs to me. Do you have a problem with that?"
Becky shook her head. "No, ma'am."
Becky layed on her back. Natalya kissed Becky roughly to the lips and tugged her bottom lip with her teeth.
"Lay there and like it," Natalya giggled.
"Yes, boss," Becky practically begged.
Natalya kissed her way lower on Becky. Finally, a breathy moan escaped Becky's throat and she smiled to herself.
It was about one in the morning. Alexa woke up a little thirsty. Her buzz from a night of drinking was still present in her consciousness, but she didn't let herself get too drunk.
Alexa pecked her fiance on the chin. Dean was fast asleep after going several rounds of vigorous love making with the tiny blonde. Alexa's personal bedroom in house ZBZ was strictly off limits, regardless of who was desperate to get their rocks off.
Alexa threw on a pair of running shorts and Dean's 'SU Football' t-shirt. She tiptoed out of the room and made her way back downstairs. The freshmen were cleaning up some of the mess around the house; They all agreed to get it done early and sleep in the morning after. Some people still lingered around the home. Alexa smiled to herself when she saw a few people using the fire pit in the backyard.
A cool glass of high quality H20 quenched Alexa's thirst. She considered taking a hit of Molly to further relax herself, but she also knew that doing so would cause her to wake Dean from his deep slumber so she could continue their favorite bedroom activity.
Alexa sat on a barstool with her cup. A few ZBZ girls and a few frat boys were playing cards at the dining room table. Other than that, and the people having a fire, not a lot remained from the formal.
"Hi!" AJ Lee suddenly sprang into the kitchen, scaring Alexa a bit.
Alexa gave her best friend a tight lipped smile. "Hey."
AJ hopped onto the stool beside Alexa. "Baby daddy all tuckered out?"
Alexa nodded. "Yep. He's asleep."
AJ nodded her head slowly, starting to drum on her thighs with her hands. "Soooo, you wanna have some happy pills and make out?"
Alexa rolled her eyes. "AJ, what did I tell you before we left Cabo?"
AJ snickered. "You told me a lot of things in Cabo. My favorite was, 'fuck, AJ, you're gonna make me cum again!'"
Alexa shook her head. "We're not doing that anymore. Saturday was the last day. I haven't had any Molly since Monday anyway. I don't want to use it unless I absolutely need it."
AJ stuck out her lip. "Does that mean no kisses? What about when I put the pill on my tongue and you slip me some tongue."
Alexa crossed her arms. "I'm marrying the love of my life. I can't fuck around with you."
AJ furrowed her brow. "Since when are you little miss priss?"
"AJ, I am not into girls. I don't care how much you want me to be. What we did during Spring Break was what every girl does in college. I never got the chance to experiment. That's all it was. You and I will never end up together like me and Dean will. He's my forever."
AJ scoffed. "You were literally cumming on my face a few days ago. Now you're acting like a cunt?"
Alexa narrowed her eyes. "Don't you dare call me names because you aren't getting your way."
AJ shook her head. "Great. Just cut me out of your life. Just like everyone else."
"You can still be my friend, AJ. Just nothing else."
AJ shrugged. "Can I at least have one more kiss?"
Alexa rolled her eyes. "Fine. But it has to be quick and no tongue," AJ leaned in but Alexa held a hand against her chest. "No. Tongue. I'm only doing this because I don't want to lose you completely. But nothing ever again after this."
AJ nodded. "Sure sure."
Alexa kept her lips sealed tight and quickly pecked AJ on the lips. The brunette almost started to whine, but she thanked her lucky stars she got that little bit of affection at all.
Alexa finished her cup of water and called it a night. AJ sighed heavily, wondering why Alexa was giving her the cold shoulder, and sauntered outside to join the people by the bonfire.