Spending the night on Dana's couch hadn't been part of AJ's weekly plan until last minute. When she woke up the morning after she came to Dana seeking forgiveness, her back hurt, her neck felt stiff, and the side of her face had a red mark from the armrest since she wasn't given a pillow the night before. Despite all of her mild complaints, it was the best night of sleep AJ had in a very long time.

AJ sat up, slowly taking in the inside of Dana's apartment. She panicked for a moment in her post-sleep haze after she forgot where she was after having a dream she couldn't recall but knew it filled her with terror. She smiled, tiredly but happily, at the framed picture hanging on the wall behind the TV of her and Dana riding together in Dana's car; AJ was being a goof and throwing up poorly-done gang signs while Dana looked as heavenly as ever with her million-dollar smile.

"Hey, hon," AJ peered over her shoulder at the bleach-blonde goddess softly speaking in her direction. AJ forgot how beautiful Dana looked in the morning, her haired disheveled and tangled with the most adorable sleepy look in her eyes.

"Hi," AJ muttered, her voice low and raspy from slumber. She scooted over to let Dana sit, then closed the gap and leaned her head on Dana's shoulder.

It wasn't like things used to be, but at least Dana wasn't angry with AJ anymore. During her walk, after Seth told her to leave his apartment, AJ feared the worst would happen when she came to Dana's. In hindsight, she should've known that Dana was too sweet of a soul to turn her away in her time of need.

"How are you feeling?" Dana asked, pressing a soft kiss to AJ's ebony locks.

"Less stabby," AJ admitted with a shrug. "A little hungry. Thirsty. Could use a dicking from someone who isn't in a relationship or using me to cheat. Same old shit, I guess."

"I won't need to get gas before we hunt someone down?" Dana asked.

AJ tutted her tongue. "No. Not right now, anyway. I'll figure out a way to deal with this shit."

"You usually do. It almost always involves bodily harm though."

AJ chuckled. "Well, yeah. Grievous bodily harm is kinda my thing, sugar ti- I mean, Dana."

"You can still call me 'sugar tits', babe," Dana said with a wink.

AJ sat up on her knees. "Speaking of dicking..."

Dana playfully rolled her eyes. "You aren't allowed to be mad at me for seeing someone."

AJ shook her head. "I'm not. I'm just curious about the walking mountain that cooked me the best spaghetti and meatballs I've ever had."

"His name's Brian. He's a powerlifter," Dana explained, a notable shine in her eyes. "We met at the gym. He took me out for drinks. And no, before you ask, we aren't 'fucking each other's brains out' every two minutes."

AJ narrowed her eyes. "Hmmm... I call bullshit. I mean, I couldn't resist you for more than five minutes. I don't believe he can either."

"He's very respectful of me, AJ," Dana said. "You'd be happy if you saw how he treats me when my ex isn't sleeping on our couch."

AJ's eyes grew. "Oh, he knows about your dabble in HLA?"

Dana giggled. "Yes, honey. I had to tell him who you are and why you were freaking out. I didn't go into detail or anything like that. I just said you were my ex-girlfriend and we're still very close and you come to me when you have a bad day."

AJ shrugged. "Well, technically, I used to cum on you when I had a shitty day..."

Dana rolled her eyes to the ceiling. "Oh, sweet goodness..."

"What? I haven't said anything sexually promiscuous to you in forever!" AJ lightly shoved her ex, then pecked Dana on the cheek just like two friends would after having a special moment.

Dana took AJ's hands in hers. "I am glad you came by. I missed you a lot," she admitted, looking AJ in the eyes as she spoke. "I hate that it had to be because of the dumb shit Seth does, but thank you for coming here instead of doing something that you might regret later."

"Like Seth?" AJ chuckled.

Dana attempted an uneasy smile, but AJ saw right through it. Ever since AJ came back from rehab, Dana did act differently towards AJ's self-deprecating jokes that mentioned her hurting herself or others. It was only humor, obviously, and AJ reminded Dana of that many times. But the fact that AJ's family had a history of self-harm, Dana was now a little more sensitive when it came to those types of jokes.

AJ dragged her thumb over Dana's palm. "Nothing like that. Ever. I promise. I'd miss waking up and looking at the pictures you used to send me. And no, I'm never deleting them."

Dana nodded, fully believing AJ. "I know, sweetie. Which is why I'll never ask you to erase them. I can't let you get over me completely."

"As if that's possible," AJ quipped.

Both girls shared a laugh. It really did feel like old times, minus the strong push into sex that oftentimes happened during their conversations. A part of AJ's brain did wonder if she could get Dana off without Brian hearing from the other room, but that same part told her that Dana's vocal outbursts would give everything away. Of course, AJ wasn't even going to consider doing that. After being on the receiving end of cheating several times, she couldn't imagine putting someone else through the same thing.

"What are you going to do about Seth?" Dana asked.

AJ lightly shook her head. "I don't know. I don't even know if I'm in love with him anymore. I'm more worried he really thinks I hurt him. Like... Ok, I know I fucked up. I shouldn't have touched him at the lakehouse. I shouldn't have. Period. I just... he knew it was me, Dana. He said so himself. I don't know if he's telling Toni a different story, but he said he knew. Besides, can't guys tell the difference between two girls?"

"Maybe not when they're drunk?" Dana figured.

AJ sighed. "We had sex so many times when we were fucked up. There's no way he didn't know."

Dana thought over her response for a few seconds before speaking finally. "Do you think you'll move past it? Like, do you think you can not have Seth in your life? Because from what it sounds like he won't be with Toni around."

AJ repeated the question in her head a few times. She nodded slowly, stopped, then shook her head and sighed. "I think so. This is the same thing that happened with Lexi. I'll have to learn to get over it and move on. The problem with that is Seth was my distraction from Alexa. I don't have someone I can just screw until I get over whatever the hell is wrong with me."

"What about Punk?" Dana asked.

AJ nodded. "I was thinking about that. I FaceTime him every once in a while. He's sweet and, like, my favorite rockstar and sings my favorite songs. I just don't want the next guy I'm with to have all of this bullshit to deal with."

Dana furrowed her brow worryingly. "Are you thinking about going back to rehab?"

AJ chuckled dryly. "God no. I miss the people I made friends with, but that place sucked. I wasn't allowed to snack, or take food to my room. The bathroom didn't lock, we had cameras in our rooms. I can't imagine the 'forearm workout' the guards got when Abadon got comfy with me."

"Maybe try therapy?" Dana suggested.

"Ha!" AJ cackled, then lowered her voice when she remembered Brian was still asleep. "Sorry. No, I haven't thought about that. The therapist I had in high school gave off creepy vibes. I just... need a fucking hobby or something."

"You wanna work out with me?" Dana offered. "I do kickboxing twice a week. It helps get out some of the aggression."

AJ started to smile. "Turn my body into a dangerous weapon? That sounds deliciously irresponsible."

"Ok. I can bring you with me tomorrow," Dana promised. "That way, if Punk gets handsy on tour with you, you can break his nose with your knees."

AJ started to giggle at the thought but pictured a certain boy with a blonde streak in his hair in place of her favorite musician.

Dana's boyfriend, Brian, came out of the bedroom. He said goodbye to Dana with a kiss on her lips and a quick hug. AJ was a little surprised when he offered her a massive fist to bump, but she did and flashed him a genuine smile.

"Wait, he's chill with you being alone with your ex?" AJ asked.

Dana nodded. "Of course. He trusts me."

"So... is he, like, breaking your back with his jackhammer every night?" AJ asked.

Dana laughed once. "I'm not telling you a thing, AJ."

AJ shrugged off her small defeat, then cuddled close to Dana again. Dana pecked her ex on the forehead, whispered a sweet compliment, then clicked on the TV.

In the back of her mind, AJ was thinking over how she was going to handle her future without Seth. It was going to be a struggle at first because that's how it went with Alexa, but hopefully, her reunion with Dana would make the transition easier.

Spending time at BPO was always going to benefit Dean during his rehabilitation process. He didn't need to do much but sit around drinking beer, watching TV, or shoot the shit with whichever brother happened to be there with him. During the day, when most of the members were in class, wasn't as eventful as later on but at least Dean had Bayley to keep him company when one brother needed to leave for whatever reason.

For now, it was only Dean in the living room with his injured leg propped up in front of him. Bayley was surfing the web on her phone, reading parenting guides, and watching videos about mothers explaining what to expect during the pregnancy. The TV was on with a movie, but Dean was texting back and forth with Alexa, who was over at P.T. Barnum's.

Dean's eyebrow cocked at the sight of Bayley peeling a banana and putting half of it in her mouth before she bit it off to chew. That may have not been as off-putting as it looked if she didn't close her eyes and keep her lips snuggly wrapped around the treat, but she did and Dean felt a little odd on the inside.

"Bay?" Dean asked, grabbing the hugger's attention. "You and Zack doing good?"

Bayley nodded happily. "Super-duper good. He's been really busy with school the last few days, but he texts me all the time and cooks supper all the time."

Dean nodded slowly. "Right. How's, ya know, 'happy time'?"

Bayley lost her smile. She shrugged. "It's ok. Zack's tired from school and football, so sometimes we just cuddle. Which is fine! I just have hormones leaking out of my ears!"

"I get that; Lex was the same way," Dean chuckled awkwardly, trying not to picture Bayley when she was sexually frustrated away from her friends. "Maybe I can tell Seth and Ro to slap Zack around a little at practice so he can give you a little extra attention."

Bayley giggled. "Don't do that, silly! I need my Zackary at a hundred percent!"

Dean shrugged his shoulders. "Suit yourself, sweetheart."

The doorbell rang. Bayley offered to answer but Dean insisted he could go. Bayley still helped Dean to his feet and double-checked that both crutches were under his arms securely. Dean hobbled over to the front entrance, carefully opening the door so it didn't hit his bum leg.

A young man in a maroon, three-piece suit stood on the front doorstep with a clipboard. If his neatly trimmed haircut didn't scream "douche", then his plaid scarf wrote it in the sky. Dean didn't normally judge people before talking to them, but he pictured himself drop-kicking this guy from the porch if he had the function of both legs.

The man cleared his throat. "Good morning, sir-"

"I don't need saving," Dean cut in. "And I'm not supposed to buy girl scout cookies."

The man chuckled. "Fun. Actually, my name is Maxwell Jacob Friedman. I'm here on behalf of the Dean of Student Affairs. I'm here to inspect your home and see if it meets Mr. Laurinaitis' standard."

Dean chuckled. "Ok, man. Did Alpha Kappa set you up to this? Dude, I'll double whatever they're paying you to go away."

"Actually..." Max pulled out his wallet, thumbed through the contents, then produced a student ID card. "It says right here who I am. Maxwell Jacob Friedman, Assitant Dean of Student Affairs."

Dean read the credentials. He nodded his head as he read along, already knowing this guy was going to be a pain in his ass. "Cool. Junior and already Assitant to the Dean-"

"Assitant Dean!"

"Right. Whatever..." Max took a step forward, but Dean stuck a crutch in his way. "I didn't say you could come in. I don't know you and I already think you're kind of a dick."

A shit-eating grin spread across Max's face. "Interesting you should say that. Mr. Laurinaitis made it specifically clear to me to mention that failure to let me do my job will result in an infraction upon your organization and count as a 'strike' for this semester. As Assitant Dean-"

"To the Dean..."

Max sighed sharply, then rebounded with a grin. "I am allowed to hand out these strikes. So, if you'll please..."

Dean knew the smarter decision was to play ball and let this asshole do whatever he needed to do so they didn't get Student Affairs breathing down their neck more than they already were. Then again, the part of Dean that helped him survive this long, begged him to punch Max square in the face and tell him to hit the road. Sadly, and probably because Bayley was standing off a few feet away cradling her belly, Dean stepped aside and let the other man in the house.

Max looked around the front foyer. He seemed somewhat impressed, nodding as he took in the front room. "It's nice. Very roomy and cozy. Just like a frat house should be..." He caught sight of Bayley. "Oh, is this your house girl? Mascot? What is it?"

Dean choked back a scream. "Uh, that's Bayley. She's a good friend of mine."

Max held out his hand toward Bayley. "Maxwell Jacob Friedman, pleasure's all mine, Bayley..." His eyes fell to the girl's outstretched stomach. "Well, I'd ask you to lunch but it appears someone beat me to it."

"What?" Asked Bayley, who was nervously looking to Dean for support.

"You wanna hurry up, Max?" Dean said irritably, but calmly.

"Maxwell, thank you," Max corrected before entering the kitchen. Dean reluctantly followed him. He made a gunshot gesture at his head for Bayley, who giggled silently.

Max walked through the kitchen, checking things off his clipboard. He rummaged through cupboards and looked through drawers probably trying to find something wrong to report back to Laurinaitis about. He kept muttering to himself, sometimes shaking his head, as he took notes or checked something off.

"Do you have any alcohol on the premises?" Max asked, jotting down more notes.

"Dunno," Dean lied.

Max raised his brow. "You don't know?" He asked, clearly not believing what Dean was saying.

Dean shrugged, matching Max's grin from earlier with an equally smart-ass-like grin. "I have no idea. Alcohol isn't allowed on the premises during daytime hours, right?"

Max made a note on his clipboard. "Mmmhmm... well, lucky for you, if you are telling the truth, you've managed to pass my inspection. The living room could use a dusting and your lack of nutritional value in the pantry is extremely disturbing, but..."

Max trailed off as Luke Harper, none-the-wiser to what was transpiring in the kitchen, walked through with a beer in his hand. The telling look on Max's face told Dean that he was probably in trouble for lying.

"Well, that was interesting," Max said. "That looked to me like a beer."

"It's a Pepsi..." Dean lied.

"Looked like a beer."

"It was a Pepsi."

"It said 'Bud Light' on it."

"It's a Pepsi."

Max frowned. "Well, lucky for you, soda brands won't get a strike against you. But since I'm in a good mood this morning, I'm going to let Beta Pi Omega off with a warning. Fortunately and unfortunately, this is the first warning I've had to give today. Consider yourself lucky, Mr.?"

"Downer. Debbie Downer," Dean replied without missing a beat.

Max smirked, like an asshole, and started for the door. "Wonderful. Well, Mr. Downer, I will be checking up again later in the week. I've heard things about an upcoming party this week? Hopefully, you stay under capacity limits and make extra sure that no one is participating in any recreational drug use. God help you if someone is underage drinking. It's not just against policy - it's a crime, Mr. Downer."

Dean waved one crutch towards the door. "That's nice. I'm sure I'll be just as thrilled to see you there."

Max flashed one more smirk before stepping out of the house.

Dean, rolling his eyes to the ceiling, sighed so heavily that he thought he felt a lung collapse. He looked to Bayley for her take.

"What a dick!" Bayley commented, cradling her belly in her arms.

"Swear," Dean said, hobbling back into the living room. "You owe BPO a dollar."

In a rare occurrence, at least these days with who he was seeing, Roman Reigns found himself alone walking across campus. Usually, Tessa would be attached to his hip and talking his ear off about wanting him or what their future plans were together. It was a nice change of pace for once, especially now that he was free to have his thoughts to himself without having to respond to anyone.

Nitro Coffee seemed oddly appealing at the moment, almost like it was calling to Roman. He wasn't much of a coffee drinker and already had some food before his morning workout, but he recalled having a breakfast burrito from the establishment that nearly rivaled the Mexican delicacies he tried in Cabo San Lucas.

"I have some time," Roman concluded after checking his phone for the time. Besides, even if he didn't have spare time, his stomach was starting to rumble so chances were he was going to eat anyway.

Nitro was about as busy as it usually was. Roman stood in line, reading the menu like he wasn't about to order the "kitchen sink burrito" like every other time he decided to come here; The flour tortilla could hardly contain the eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns, and heart-stopping amounts of cheese and salsa.

Roman looked around the room for a place to sit. He found a few empty spots near the windows and a few open areas by the bar. His eyes caught a head of dark-blue hair standing a few people away from him.

"Sasha?" Roman asked, offering a small smile when she turned around.

"Hey, Ro," she greeted with a smile. "I didn't take you for a coffee drinker."

Roman shrugged. "Not really, but I'm hungry."

"What are you getting?" Sasha asked.

"The 'kitchen sink' burrito and probably a water."

When it was Sasha's turn to order, she gave her usual but added on Roman's order. Roman tried to protest, but Sasha paid for it anyway.

"You really didn't have to do that," Roman said. "But thank you."

"Call it payback for the couple of times BPO paid off ZBZ's bar tab," Sasha said.

Roman chuckled. "I'll buy you a few beers next time then. I haven't been to Roadie's in forever."

"Ah. New girlfriend not the social type?" Sasha asked.

Roman shrugged. "Tessa gets along with everyone. She just never wants to drink unless we're at a BPO party."

"Hmm, weird," Sasha commented.

"What about you? Are you and Woods still hanging out?"

Sasha sighed. "I don't know anymore. I was hoping we could be more serious, but I keep catching him with other girls..."

"Oh shit."

"Yeah, no kidding," Sasha sighed and rolled her eyes. "It doesn't matter. I told him I was over it. So who knows?"

Roman nodded. "Sounds like you need that beer now."

Sasha chuckled once. "I need a whole brewery after this fucking week."

"It's Monday..." Roman pointed out.

"Tell me about it," Sasha hissed, baiting a chuckle from her friend.

The cafe worker handed Roman and Sasha their orders. Sasha led the way to her usual high table near the back. Roman instinctively pulled out Sasha's chair for her, which she found a little surprising since nobody had done that for her since Becky or if they were trying to sleep with her like Woods used to.

"So what else is going on that has you on edge?" Roman asked, digging into his food.

Sasha lightly shook her head. "A lot of stuff. I don't really want to bother you with it."

"No bother. I know it feels better to talk about it than let it sit," Roman said.

Sasha smiled softly. "Thanks, Ro. It's just a bunch of stuff with Woods. We aren't supposed to be exclusive, but I thought we could be since we always used to hang out. Now he never texts me unless I say something and he never wants to do anything besides hooking up. And now my dad is worried because he might get kicked out of our church."

"What happened with the church?" Roman asked.

Sasha sighed. "I... hooked up with a girl in my church group. Her mom found out and wants our family removed. Father Meltzer took my dad's side when he said it never happened, but a lot of people are pissed."

"I didn't know that shit still happened," Roman volleyed. "I thought people were more accepting these days."

"I thought so too..." Sasha sighed.

Roman tried to find the right words to say. It was a little awkward since he was on good terms with Woods and didn't know the first thing about "batting for the other team", but he knew reassuring words were better than silence and the sounds of people eating.

"Woods is kind of a dick," Roman said.

Sasha chuckled, nearly inhaling a sip of her coffee. "I know! Freaking jerk sleeps with me a few times and suddenly forgets to call me. I should've known better. Frat boys are assholes. No offense."

"No, you're right. Especially the ones that play football. Just the scum of the Earth," Roman quipped, smiling when Sasha started to giggle.

"Exactly what I was thinking," she sarcastically shot back with a wink.

Alexa hurried out of work as soon as she could to swing by BPO and pick up her future husband. Today was Dean's first day in physical therapy following his ACL surgery and Alexa didn't want him to be late. She nearly blew a gasket when AJ begged her to swing by Duggan Hall and pick her up on the way, but Alexa relented and let AJ tag along.

"Nice and easy, Mr. Ambrose..."

Dean held tightly to the railings he was guiding himself on. His knuckles turned white while he slowly bent his knee to test its strength. For maybe the first time in almost a year, it didn't hurt like hell to bend his leg. He was still a long way from being fully recovered, but this was a huge step in his recovery.

Alexa watched on with tears in her eyes. Sure, it was guaranteed that Dean was going to walk again, but to see him force himself to move his knee after he'd been depressed for the last few weeks filled Alexa's heart with love and pride.

AJ was watching too, but her mind was elsewhere. Before she left Dana's that morning, the two had another deep conversation about AJ's feelings and what she wanted to do about her current situation regarding her enrollment with SU. She still lived on campus but her rent no longer pulled from her scholarship. Selling erotic paintings was doing the job for now, but she knew that something had to change soon or she'd be out of a place to live.

"He's so focused..." Alexa narrated with a giggle, seeing the determined look in her fiance's eyes.

AJ sat beside her best friend with her arms crossed against her chest, already starting to grow bored. "Five bucks says he shits himself."

Alexa lightly slapped her friend on the shoulder. "Dude, don't... ten says he doesn't."

"Deal."

AJ and Alexa watched Dean take small steps around the room with the doctor standing close to his side in case his knee gave out or he fell. Dean was struggling a little, but he was taking short strides like it was causing him no pain.

"I am glad you asked to come, AJ," Alexa told her friend. "I feel like I haven't seen you a lot since we went to the Poconos."

AJ shrugged. "Yeah, well, I had to see what you were wearing after teaching and I can say I'm definitely hot for teacher."

Alexa pulled a little on the bottom of her pencil skirt. AJ chuckled to herself and shook her head.

"How's Dana?" Alexa asked.

"She's good. She's dating this meat mountain named Brian now. But he makes great spaghetti and meatballs," AJ said.

"Good. I'm glad you two are friends again. I was worried you guys were done with each other." Alexa turned her focus solely to AJ when Dean paused to get some water and talk with the specialist. "Why was she mad at you again?"

AJ hadn't told anyone but Dana that she wasn't a student at SU. Thankfully, Dana hadn't said a word to anyone (except maybe Brian) since they left the lakehouse. Of course, if Alexa knew she was not a student at SU, that may cause a rift in their relationship that AJ couldn't afford at the moment. She just prayed Coach McCool didn't check grades or anything until after the season ended so she could still cheer during football games.

AJ blurted out the first thing she thought of that didn't involve school. "I hooked up with someone I shouldn't have at the lakehouse."

Alexa furrowed her brow. "Who? Dana? I thought she was your..." She started to trail off when AJ looked away. "AJ..."

"He was ok with it before you go off," AJ hissed, sulking in her seat. "It doesn't matter, ok? I'm not dealing with his shit anymore. I'm leaving to tour with Punk in a few weeks and I'll be too busy getting railed by him to worry about Seth's bullshit."

Alexa sighed. "Does Toni know?"

AJ nodded. "She thinks... that Seth didn't give consent. But Seth told me he knew it was me. It was dark, and I kinda just crawled into bed with him, but every guy knows the difference between two girls when they're sucking their cocks."

"AJ, that doesn't make it ok," Alexa explained, trying to keep AJ's temper low. "Seth's with Toni. Why would you do that?"

AJ shook her head. "Because I thought he'd choose to be with me. It doesn't matter, ok? Just forget I said anything."

Alexa sighed. "AJ I don't know what to do with you sometimes."

AJ threw Alexa a glare. "Ok, ow. I know I fucked up, but I've never given up on you, jerk."

"I'm not giving up on you, honey. I just can't keep supporting you when you want to do stuff like this." Alexa explained.

AJ shook her head but she knew Alexa was right. She was just making herself look bad by allowing herself to fall for things like Seth. She still felt that part of her was in the right for what she did, which may or may not be true or fair, but she also knew she fucked up.

"Do you still love me?" AJ asked.

Alexa kissed AJ's temple. "Of course. You're stuck with me forever, babe."

AJ smiled softly. "Good."

Bayley knew that her husband loved her unconditionally, without any doubt, and would most certainly do anything she asked. That's just how Zack was and Bayley adored him for that.

The pregnant hugger stood in the bathroom adjacent to her bedroom. She looked herself over in the mirror, wondering if what she had planned would work out in her favor.

"Hey, stud," Bayley cooed, smirking slightly and biting her bottom lip. She scrunched her face and shook her head. Sexy talk was still a bit taboo for her and even the more tamer things made her skin crawl. "Hey, is that a banana in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"

Bayley sighed. She threw on her lacey tank top, the one she wore in Boston for Zack during their first getaway together. It didn't fit over her belly as it should, so she pulled it up and let it expose her belly while still covering her breasts. As for the boyshorts she used to wear to entice her husband... they were still out of the question. Instead, she opted for a simple pair of panties that weren't black like her top but were a shade of purple dark enough to look similar.

Bayley made doe eyes in the mirror. "Fuck me, baby. I need your cock..." She almost dry heaved. Whatever happened to the sweet little girl that her mama raised with the sideways ponytail and the world record for most slices of pizza eaten in one sitting? Evidently, she fell in love, got pregnant, got married, and now wished her babies would hurry up and grow so she could satisfy her husband again.

Zack would never deny her if she asked. There was some mild hesitancy at the beginning when Bayley started to show, but Dr. Sinclair expressed that everything she feared was normal and nothing could happen to Michael and Minerva during sex if they were careful. But what nobody prepared Bayley for was the self-doubt she'd experience whenever Zack came home after a long day and didn't want to have sex with her. Bayley understood that his schedule was rough, but she couldn't help but wonder what was happening when she wasn't around.

Was Zack looking at other girls? Was Zack trying to flirt with cheerleaders when she didn't go to practice? Maybe Zack's "study groups" were just sweaty, gross orgies he attended since his wife was bloated, pregnant, and unattractive.

Bayley shook her head. Zack would never in a million years cheat on her. He was simply tired and needed sleep when he came back from class and practice. Nothing else was happening and nothing would ever happen.

"Babe?" Zack called out.

"In here!" Bayley chirped, smiling brightly. Zack apparently came home from practice a little early today, which was fantastic news to his wife.

Bayley heard Zack grunt, as well as the box spring squeak. Bayley giggled to herself, picturing Zack's reaction to what she was wearing. Hopefully, he wasn't too tired to enjoy himself.

Bayley stepped out of the bathroom, a hopeful grin on her lips. Zack was laying in bed, his arm draped over his face. He was beaten up and exhausted, not even noticing Bayley sneak up to the bed and stand over him.

"How was practice?" Bayley asked, shifting her head to her other shoulder.

"Ow..." Zack muttered, baiting a tiny giggle from his wife.

Bayley felt herself craving the thick outline in Zack's gym shorts, but she mentally told herself to hold off for a few more moments. "Are you going to cook supper again? Or I can order UberEats or something if you're tired."

Zack sat up. "No, it's f..."

Bayley's heart melted. The awestruck look on Zack's face told her that everything was falling into place just like she hoped it would.

"Hi!" She cooed, holding her hands behind her back shyly.

"Hey..." Zack muttered with a smirk. "It's been that long?"

"Precisely one hundred twenty-seven hours, twelve minutes, and thirty-nine seconds since the last time we made love."

Zack chuckled. "I'm sorry, babe. School sucks and I'm still getting used to working out before class and then getting my ass kicked in the afternoon."

"Swear!" Bayley giggled.

Zack checked his phone. "Ok. It's currently five-oh-nine. I have to go to a BPO meeting in a few minutes. How about I pick up some food on my way home and then we can spend some time together?"

Bayley's face lit up. "Promise?"

Zack nodded. "Yep. Promise."

Bayley threw her arms around her husband's neck. Zack kissed his baby a few times on the lips, even sneaking a quick feel of her ass. Bayley gasped in surprise and lightly pushed Zack back. Zack chuckled and got up for his meeting, but made sure to kiss his wife and declare his love for her before taking off.