Baron and I got cleaned up and changed and headed to a burger joint. As promised, he let me order whatever I wanted on the menu. We grabbed our food and drinks and sat at a table across from each other. "Thanks again for lunch," I said, smiling as I munched on a fry. "Don't mention it. It's always nice to relax after a good workout," he said, sipping on his soda. "Yeah. It's even better when you have company too." He gave a nod before stealing my fry. "No touching my food unless you're sharing," I threatened, grabbing his wrist and pulled it towards me, eating half of the fry. "See? I just shared so I deserve another one," he declared. "Sure. Go ahead," I giggled as we split the fries, "you know, we should make this a routine." He raised an eyebrow. "What kind of routine?" "We work out together and then we have lunch together. It'll help us bond and it'll give us time to go over ideas for the storyline," I explain. "That's cool with me. Do you mind if it continues even after the storyline is over?" I smiled and shook my head. "Not at all. I have fun hanging out with you, Baron. You're a good friend in my book." The smile on his face dropped a little before he raised his cup. "To good company," he said, making me laugh as we toast to a new start.
Over the course of three weeks, we got into the routine of working out and having lunch together. We've been working hard to build up our feuds before it ultimately leads up to our big mix tag match. Nattie and I were going back and forth winning and losing matches while Baron and Dolph traded wins and losses. Nattie and I even started showing up at ringside during their matches, causing distractions before starting to brawl. The fans were loving every minute of it, demanding the tag match, but Shane and Daniel wasn't ready to pull the trigger just yet.
Today was the same thing as usual. Baron and I worked out and were now enjoying lunch. We've grown pretty close as the weeks went by, Baron no longer shy or stuttering when he talks to me. Over time, I started to realize that my feelings for Baron became apparent. I started to develop feelings for him the longer we started talking and hanging out together. I was chatting away when my phone chimed and I looked at it, opening the new message from Xavier. "Apparently, after the show tonight, everyone's meeting at the hotel bar to unwind," I said, typing out a reply. "Are you going to go," he asked me. "Yeah. Why not? It'll be fun," I said, shrugging my shoulders, "are you going?" He thought for a moment before shrugging. "Sure. Since you're going, I'll go too." I smiled at the thought. "Do you want to hang out when we get there," I asked, a small hopeful smile on my face. "Yeah. That'll be fun. I'm sure AJ will probably be all over the place as usual," he chuckled. "Yeah, probably. That's why I rather hang out with you," I said, eating my last fry. "Are you saying that I'm cooler than AJ," he teased. "I plead the fifth." "I'll take that as a yes," he chuckled as I rolled my eyes.
After lunch, we went our separate ways to get ready for the show. Tonight, Baron was scheduled for another squash match while I continued my feud with Nattie. This time, she picked up a win, using the ropes as leverage when she pinned me. I returned backstage and was doing an interview with Renee when Dolph showed up and started flirting with me. Soon, Baron showed up, talking about how talented I was and how I was out of Dolph's league. Before I could say anything, Nattie tried to sneak attack me which turned into a brawl between us until Baron and Dolph pulled us apart. Dolph declared that this wasn't the end before he and Nattie left, thus ending our segment. "Good job," I giggled, fixing my hair as Baron kept his arms around me, "um you can let go now." "Oh right. Sorry," he said, rubbing his neck, "this is going to be interesting."
Later on in the show, it was finally announced that Baron and I would take on Dolph and Nattie in a mix tag team match next week. The fans were already talking about the match online. I smiled and commented on posts online as I got dressed after my shower. "I'm so jealous of you," Becky said, smiling, "you and Nattie tearing it up in a mix tag? This is going to be great!" "I know! I'm so excited! Are you going to the get together tonight?" "Of course. Do you need a ride back to the hotel?" "No. I rode with Baron so I'll be with him." "Ooh. You two have been extra close lately. Are you two a thing yet," Naomi asked, Becky smirking at me. "No! We're just friends," I giggled. "Oh come on. Everyone knows that you two like each other," Becky said. "Guys, come on. We're just really good friends. I like him, but I don't know if it would work if we became something more," I admitted. "Oh please. You two would work out just fine. I think you'll look cute together," Naomi said, Becky nodding in agreement. "Maybe one day, but not anytime soon. It might come off as bad timing with the storyline. I already have fans thinking that we're dating or I'm dating Dolph." "Well maybe it's time that you make one come true," Naomi said. "Why are you pushing this so hard," I giggled. "I'm Team Baron & Ashley, that's why!" Becky and I laugh, shaking our heads. "Well, maybe your dream will come true eventually," I shrugged, grabbing my bags, "I'll see you later on." "Say hey to your man for me," Naomi teased. "Stop that," I laughed as I left the locker room.
Baron was already standing near the exit as I walked up. I ran up and hopped onto his back, Baron immediately knowing who I was. "Ready to go," he chuckled, grabbing his bags. "Yep. Let's go," I said as he carried me out of the arena towards the car, "I'm so ready to unwind. I could use a drink or two." "You and me both. I'm just ready to relax and hang out." I hopped off his back as he unlocked the doors and tossed my bags in the back seat before getting in the passenger seat. The moon was out and the stars were bright as he got in the driver seat and started the car. "So everyone is meeting up at the bar," Baron asked and I nodded. "Yeah. That's why everyone was told to book a room at this hotel because of the bar downstairs," I giggled, looking at my phone as I texted Becky. She was still telling me that tonight should be the night to tell Baron how I feel, but I didn't know if it would be appropriate or not. "I just hope we can avoid a certain someone," he mumbled. "You're telling me. I'm so not in the mood for his bullshit," I sighed as we pulled up in the parking lot. "Well, hopefully, we'll have a decent little night." I nodded as he parked and we got out, walking inside. "I'm sure that we will."
We made it inside and went straight to the bar. A majority of the roster was already there, drinking and dancing. I pointed out an empty table and lead him to it. A waiter walked over and took our orders. "Seems like a lot of people showed up tonight," I said, waving at Becky and Naomi. "Yeah. AJ is over there with Xavier and the others," he pointed out as the waiter brought over our drinks. "To a fun night," I said, clinking our glasses and took a sip. We chatted while listening to the music, enjoying our time together. Soon enough, Dolph walked over and touched my arm. "Hey, Ashley. Want to dance," he asked, not waiting for me to answer and pulled me to my feet, pulling me away from the table and lead me to the dance floor. Baron balled up his fists and stood up, following us.
"I don't want to dance," I said as Dolph smiled at me. "I just wanted to get you alone. I just wanted to tell you that I've been enjoying working with you these past few weeks and I can't wait for next week." "Me either," I said as Baron walked up. "She's hanging out with me so how about you leave her alone," he said, glaring at Dolph. "Back off. I'm just talking to her," Dolph scoffed, shoving Baron away before pulling me towards him. "I suggest you take your hands off her and keep them to yourself before I break them off." Everyone was watching as Baron and Dolph squared up to each other. "Guys, stop it! Everyone is watching," I said, standing between them. "She's right. You should leave," Dolph smirked. "The only one who should leave is you," Baron spat, standing his ground. Dolph chuckled and shoved Baron again, pushing him into a waiter who was carrying mugs of beer.
The tray went flying in the air and all of the beer was dumped on me. The music stopped as all eyes were on me. I was soaked from head to toe in beer. "Ash..." I turned towards Dolph, glaring at him. "Ashley, I'm-" "Are you fucking kidding me?! Why would you act so childish, both of you," I yelled, looking between the two men before turning back to Dolph. "Listen to me," I said, taking a step towards him as tears started forming in my eyes, the anger taking over and before I could think, I blurted out my honest feelings in front of everyone. "I do not like you like that. I will never like you like that. We will never be anything more than coworkers, understand? You just embarrassed me in front of everyone, including Baron, the guy that I actually like, the man that I have feelings for." Tears rolled down my cheeks as I grabbed a mug full of beer and poured it on him. "I hate your fucking guts," I said, pushing past him as I left the bar. AJ walked up, shaking his head. "Way to go, Dolph. Got anymore bright ideas," AJ sighed as he looked at Baron, "anyone home?" Baron blinked, looking away from where Ashley just ran to. "She just..." "How about you go talk to her? She could really use someone right now," AJ said. "She probably hates me now," he sighed. "Never. She hates Dolph. Trust me. Just go to her." Baron took a deep breath before leaving the bar to chase after her.
I hurried to my room and shut the door. I couldn't believe that that just happened and in front of everyone. I wiped my eyes before stripping off my soaked clothes and headed to the bathroom. I got into the hot shower, washing away the gross beer, scrubbing my skin and hair. I just wanted to get clean and go to bed, forgetting about tonight. I got out of the shower and dried off before throwing a robe on. I blew dry my hair and brushed my teeth, wiping my mouth when I heard a knock. I sighed as I left the bathroom and tossed my soaked clothes into a plastic bag before walking to the door. I tied my robe tight before cracking the door, looking up at the one man I wasn't expecting. "Can we talk," Baron asked, a small smile on his face.