After a lot of talking and some mind-blowing sex, Jake fell asleep so I slipped on some shorts and a tank and went upstairs to find John and sure enough, he was out by the pool drinking a beer. I grab a beer from the fridge and walked outside where he is.
"Care if I join you?" I ask and he nods but doesn't say anything to me. I sit in the chair next to him and take a big sip from my beer before looking at him. "Your pissed huh?" I ask and he nods once again.
"That's an understatement," he says looking over the pool. "How could you forgive him, Charlie?" He asks finally looking at me.
"John I've known him for many years close to ten. We were teens when we first met we were friends first, I love him John I know he has put me through some terrible shit in our relationship but that wasn't necessarily him. He was on that shit John every time he has ever said anything to hurt me or the one time he laid a hand on me other than tonight he was on that stuff. If he's not on that shit John he's perfect to me, he's sweet gentle and so so loving. I love that man more than anything John." I say and he nods.
"Then help him into rehab or something, I can't in my right mind let you marry him knowing there is the slightest chance he will hurt you," John says.
"John that is not your choice if I marry him or not but rehab is not a bad idea if he will agree to get help," I say and John nods.
"I love you as my sister and I want to help protect you, Charlie." I smile at him.
"I love you too John you're my big brother I know we just met but you and the others are my family," I say and he smiles at me. This is what I wanted when I found my birth family.
The next morning once Jake woke we talk for a while and he agreed to go to a rehab center and even wanted to go today. So before my workout, John and I took him to the best rehab center here in Tampa.
"Don't forget to call me when you get the chance I want to know how you're doing," I tell him and he nods.
"I won't love but listen when I get out of here I still want to marry you but until then…" he says and stops.
"Are you wanting to break up with me until you get out of here?" I ask tears stinging my eyes.
"Well yes, love I am. I want to make myself clean for you. If I'm not clean and I relapse we will not get married until I am." He says and I nod not wanting to agree but knowing this is probably the only way to get him clean.
"I don't like this but okay," I say and he pulls me into his arms.
"I love you," he says before kissing me deeply and heading inside, he doesn't even turn his head to look at me as he does. I watch until he's gone then get back into the car wiping my tears, I am going to miss him.
"This is what's best for him Charlie," John says as he drives to the gym.
"I know but that doesn't make it any easier," I say looking out the window. Once we get to the gym I pour myself into my work out trying not to think of Jake. I don't know how long this rehab is going to take but I hope it's not too long.
A month later I am standing in the middle of the NXT ring with ten other wanna-be Divas. I haven't heard from Jake at all like he said I would but I know he is getting better and better so I try not to think about it.
"Ladies welcome!" Stephanie McMahon says in her normal booming voice, quieting all the chatter, as she stands before us at the other end of the ring. "As I am sure you all know I am Stephanie McMahon and today you will be trying out for one spot on the newly opened spot on Monday Night Raw." She says and we all gasp, say what? "That's right ladies a spot recently opened up on Raw so we figured if you're good enough to make it here you're good enough for Monday night raw." Damn this is a dream come true. "Now you ten ladies have been split into five groups of two. You will each have your chance to fight and the winner of each match will go on to the next round. Four of the winners will be paired once more and after that I know there will be three left standing so those three will go head to head in a three-way match and the winner of that match will go head to head against our very own Nikki Bella." She says as the huge-ass screen behind her fills up with brackets. "The first two of you to go first will be Bradford and Hawkins, let's go ladies." She says and everyone clears the ring but me and one other girl who is actually about my size. Once the bell rings we go at it like our lives depend on it and she damn near got me but I kicked out. I managed to get my breath enough to get up and I stole a move, the RKO, to knock her out for just long enough to get the pin and win the match. I roll out of the ring wore slam out and take a drink of water that was offered to me but I have no idea who then I look up and see Nikki Bella standing beside me.
"Now that is the way to kick ass." She says and I have to laugh.
"You should know I kicked yours last week," I say quietly and she laughs.
"Yea true, I'm still getting over that one." She says as they announce the next match.
"So you're going against the winner huh?" I ask.
"Yes I am they told me to go kind of easy on the winner but if it's you that is not going to happen." She says and I laugh.
"We'll you got only a taste to what is to come if we go head to head. I have to win this and that's nothing against you." I say and she nods.
"I totally understand I want you to kick my ass but I'm not going to just lay down and take it, remember that." She says and I nod.
"I wouldn't want you to," I say and before I know it I'm called up for the next match that I also win. That one was a little harder because I was worn out but I managed to pull through and gain a spot in the three-way which is next. To say I am tired is an understatement but as we all three get in the ring Stephanie climbs in to make an announcement.
"Okay ladies this one is for all the winnings, one of you will be our next diva. The match against Nikki is only to make sure you don't need more training before heading off to the main roaster so beating her you'll be in losing you will have six more months of training then maybe you'll be on the roaster." She says and we all three nods wore out but ready. "One more thing, we've invited some of the superstars and divas to watch just to give you guys that added push to do your best, send them in!" She says then in walks Beth Phenix, Nikki Bella who has been here the whole time, Kelly Kelly, and two superstars, John who I shoot death stares at, and the viper himself Randy Orton. I damn near faint, I had no idea he would be here.
"So as you see these will be the coworkers of one of you lucky ladies, the winner will be placed in a storyline with Randy and John here so make sure you do your best ladies. You have ten minutes to drink water and prepare for this all-out brawl." Stephanie says before leaving the ring. Us three remaining girls leave the ring and I go to my bag, pissed John didn't tell me he was going here. I sit and drink some water swearing I feel eyes on me. Just as I go to start looking for the eyes watching me my phone rings. I pull it from my bag and see a Tampa number I don't recognize but answer in hopes it is Jake.
"Hello?" I answer hoping to hear his voice.
"Miss Bradford?" I hear a lady ask.
"This is she," I say.
"Oh great I finally reached you, we have been trying to get in touch with you for a week now about Mr. Jake Patterson." She says and I take a deep breath.
"Is he okay? He was supposed to contact me and never did." I say, worried about him.
"Well, ma'am we don't really know. He checked himself out two weeks ago. We gave him a week in hopes he would return but seeing as he didn't we have been trying to find you to see if you have talked to him. You're listed as his contact person." She says and I feel tears filling my eyes. Did he leave without telling me?
"No I have not talked to him in over a month," I say trying to keep my composure. I look up as a tear falls and John sees this coming up to me. He sits beside me and that gains lots of stares from everyone but at this point, I do not care.
"Oh well if you hear from him please call us and tell us we are worried, he was doing so well then just left." She says.
"Ok, I will thank you for letting me know," I say and hang up before collapsing into tears, my head in my hands. John pulls me into his arms as I sob, he left with no word to me, how could he? John holds me close as I manage to regain some composure and look at him.
"What's going on Charlie?" He asks.
"Jake…he left rehab, checked himself out, and left. He's been gone for two weeks, John. They have no idea where he went, I haven't heard from him either." I say doing my best not to lose it again.
"Everything okay here?" Stephanie asks walking up to us. John stands up and pulls her to the side so he can get away from prying ears but I hear every word. The first thing he says to her is that I am his sister. I want to kill him.
"Her fiancé was in rehab but has disappeared, she just got the call," John explains to her.
"Can she continue?" She asks and I quickly stand and look at them.
"Yes ma'am I can continue I am fine." I lie through my teeth but I am way too damn close to quit now.
"Okay then let's do this." She says and I nod, I can do this. "And don't worry you being his sister won't change a thing about your future in this company, I see tons of potential in you." She says to me as walks past me, I smile hoping that is true.
The longest match of my life is finally over. I collapse to the mat in a sweaty panting heap after my hand is raised in victory. I did it I am the next Diva. I roll to my back as John and Stephanie come into the ring after the others are taken out. I sit up as John hands me some water and sip slowly trying but failing to feel my limbs again.
"Congratulations Charlotte Bradford you are the next WWE Diva," Stephanie says to me and I smile happily. "Now don't worry about the match with Nikki that will be your debut match in two weeks." She says as I stand, whoa what?
"Do what?" I ask and she nods.
"That was the plan all along we just weren't going to say anything to you guys of course but in two weeks from today, you will make your debut on Monday night raw. But in the meantime be prepared for a whirlwind because you will be training and sitting with designers." She says and shakes my hands. I smile happily as John and the other superstars climb into the ring with me. They all congratulate me.
"Who would have thought John had a sister?" I hear Kelley say and I look at John ready to kill him.
"What they asked what was going on? I couldn't tell them we were dating because um no," he says and they all laugh and that's when I hear it, this deep rumble of a laugh I freeze, randy is behind me. I slowly turn and face him and we are face to face. His tall 6'5 frame hovers over my 6' frame and I look into his deep blue eyes not able to find any words.
"Congratulations Charlotte," He says extending his hand to me and shaking it I can't breathe, I swear I thought I would pass out and I have no idea why. I have always thought he was good-looking I mean what woman wouldn't but why am I reacting this way to him?
"T-thank you." I manage to stammer out and he smirks at me and once again I freeze, what I wouldn't give to have that mouth on me. Whoa, hold up chick, down girl. I try to stop those thoughts as we stare at one another but we are both knocked from our gaze when Stephanie reenters the ring.
"Okay Charlotte, oh I'm glad you two met you will be paired in a mixed-tag team and the writers are having a field day putting the viper in a romantic storyline again for the first time in years." She says and Randy shoots this look at her that I can't place but he looks pissed.
"A romantic storyline?" Randy asks and she nods.
"That won't be a problem will it Mr. Orton?" She asks raising a brow and he looks back at me before answering her "no ma'am."
"Great now Charlotte if you will follow me we will sign the paperwork and get you sat down with the designers to design your ring gear." She tells me then starts to leave. I shoot randy a quick wink before following her, John right behind me.
"What the hell was that between you and Randy?" John asks me quietly as we walk down a hall.
"I have no idea but I am hoping to find out sooner rather than later," I say hoping like hell to get to know him on more than on a professional level.
"No," John says and stops and his tone makes me stop and look at him.
"No? John, I'm not yours to control, I'm your sister yes but yours to control um I don't think so," I say and he looks at me, nothing but anger on his face.
"Randy isn't good for you Charlie, he's a player a big one. I have known Randy since the day we both got here Charlie and I can tell you first hand he doesn't have the best track record with women." He says and I look at him.
"John I think I can handle him," I say referring to Jake.
"Charlie please for me don't." He says and I look at him.
"John I'm a big girl but for you as my brother, I will forget about him for now. I can't promise you what the future will hold." I say and walk off before he can say a word. I can handle myself and if I want to get a little piece of the viper I should be able to. I know I have to think about Jake but I honestly can't help but wonder if he is really the person I want the rest of my life. Does he love me like I love him? Do I really love him as much as I think I do? Maybe this is the reason I was so hesitant about saying yes to him when he proposed. Do I love him as much as I think I do?