"Orton"

" look…stunning"

"Thanks, I guess. How did you know my restaurant?"

"Connections"

"Paul told you, I could kill…."

"Yeah, don't kill him. I was bound to find out. How's the crew?"

"They are good".

"I got something in the car for D".

"He'll love it as always. I know you didn't hunt me down to give Derek a gift".

His nerves were beyond shot. Lesnar warned him, if he fucked up anything to do with Addy, he'd fuck him up on and off screen with no remorse. Randy didn't care, it was seeing her face to face with made his nervous. No different than the first date they shared. Nervous, but this excited feeling in his stomach. Her attitude and form fitting dress didn't help matters, just made his hand clammy and not his usual self. He wanted a cigarette.

Yet he quit two years ago.

"Listen, I want to talk".

"Ok. I'm tired. Follow me back to the house, and no funny shit or I'll hurt you".

"Fair enough".

The two made it to their vehicles.

'The fuck did I just do'.

Her phone went off to Siouxsie and the Banshees 'Spellbound' at 12:15 as usual.

'Last shift then two weeks' vacation from this place'.

Now, it wasn't to say she hated her job, but she forgot what weekends were like. Fixing herself, she went back into the building to start the closing chores. Tired but excited, only one job to focus on, and then family time. Catching up on blogging and going on auditions. She grinned at the plans as she made her way back behind the bar. Tips looked nice as always, as she looked at her leftover credit cards to do a head count. Three, but the last threw her for a loop.

'No. That's a joke'.

If this was true, she had to get a picture and autograph for Derek. Her son would kill her if she didn't.

"It's real. I worked hard for the black card, Ms. Bernstein or is it Adelyn", he spoke and sipping his beer.

"Ms. Bernstein is when the school calls me, Adelyn is fine. Holy shit. My kids love you. I love you…..I mean I'm a long time fan of wrestling", she leaned on the counter.

He chuckled at her stammering and rosy cheeks. It made her human for him.

"That's cool. Nice work on the flair tricks".

"Oh thanks. Plenty of bruises and knots came with the practice".

"Tell me, why would you work here? Of all places?"

"Believe it or not, they are family friendly".

"I understand. I have a little one too", he added showing her his pictures of Kyra.

"Aww she's too cute. You realize family first then".

"Exactly".

"Wait, how did you know….?"

"Facebook. Profile Page".

"Oh, so you stalk prey in real life too?", she winked.

He grinned at her witty response. Wanting to try one of her drinks, he looked over the menu she created. She began to wipe down bottles and such as watch he read over the menu.

"Let me try your Strawberry Banana Martini".

"Sure. One of my favorites".

Getting a frosted glass, she began to toss the bottles around to mix the cocktail. He watched her moments closely, and was mesmerized by her figure and skill. Finishing, she presented him with the drink, and he clapped afterwards.

"Thank you, thank you. Only here on the weekends, except these next two weeks".

"Tastes real smooth too. May I ask about Derek or is that a touchy subject?"

"One condition".

"Shoot".

"Autograph and picture for him".

"I'll throw in tickets".

"Seriously?"

"Wouldn't have said it if I wasn't".

"I'm not giving you head".

He damn near choked on the cocktail. She laughed almost in tears.

"Woman, you are way too outspoken for your own good".

"Have to be, I heard stories about wrestlers, and we are in L.A. where nothing is for free. We got a deal?"

"Yeah, so what's the story with Derek?"

She explained Derek's disease, limitations, and strides. Adelyn was always prepared and got used to answering questions about Derek. Education debunked myths, so she carried pictures to explain things, and made sure she stayed informed on his disease.

"That's him graduating with his Associates in Culinary Arts. The boy loves food".

He was amazed at the young man. So much to go through, and how he was leading a semi normal life with her and his other siblings help.

"Where's your husband?", he asked hoping she said he was gone.

"Ex. Married and doing his thing in Vegas".

"Ah. Gotcha".

"Yeah, just the four of us".

"So….I'm a little rusty at this. Wanna grab lunch tomorrow, since you are on vacation and all?"

"Um….Well I have a lot on my plate…."

"Listen. I don't care. I want to get to know you. Three kids don't scare me".

"I meant, I have a busy day tomorrow. Lunch at my place would work though".

He rubbed his head in embarrassment. She grinned and closed out his tab. She handed him his card and receipt.

"Rule one. Stop being so nervous or cautious. I may be a single mom, with a lot to deal with, but don't be so nervous and self-conscious. Lack of confidence is a turn off".

She winked and walked away to serve her other customers. She grinned back at him once before continuing her order, then that's he noticed her body up close. That would be his kryptonite. Her curves were all in the right places for him, and her ass was just a size he was even more intrigued by.

'Just Damn'.

They arrived at her home. Though her business/office was in Los Angeles, she lived far away from the glitz and glam of the city. In the hills of Ventura County. She liked her regular life with her crew, and now that they were older, wanted to keep it that way. She wanted all four of them to stay humble. They walked in and he looked around. It was different than the Addy he remembered. Five years passed, and things happened. They were different people in different ways. In the corner, she had her trophy case. Two Emmys, a Tony, and a space for an Oscar. She still had the autographed messaged belt he gave her.

'To my women's champ, and soon to be the best actress I know. –Randy'

"Have a seat. I'm going to change".

Disappearing to the upper level, he looked around at the different pictures in her living room. She had her playful family photos of her and kids hanging up. There were different pictures of different co stars in relaxed settings, and her snapshots of her wins on different nights. She hang her degrees up proudly with Derek and Maddie's. Three Associate degrees, two Bachelor's, one Masters, and One PhD between the three of them. Bianca's medals rounded out the shrine of her gymnast competitions and Girl Scout activities.

One main thing he noticed: No man, no ring. This may work.

"Just us. Derek is out on a group date with his girlfriend, Maddie comes home from Japan tomorrow. Pip is with friends", Addy said sitting down on the couch in a hoodie and leggings.

"Good to know".

A deafing silence came over the two. Addy wanted to know what the hell he wanted at this point. She wasn't mad at him anymore, but he sitting here right now wasn't something she was happy about. Randy thought if he pulled a Hail Mary, she would fall for it, and go back to what they had.

"Alright listen. I rehearsed this too many times before coming and finding you. Shit. Now, I don't even know what to say to you now I'm in front of you".

At this point his leg jittered and he pulled out gum to chew to calm his nerves. Right back to the first time he met her.

"Uh huh. Well spill it. It's been almost five years since we split. Why now?"

It was a legit question. After the messy split, and crying, they went their own ways. It was hard for her to be around 'his' environment for a while, but she kept in touch with friends. She went about her way to keep her goals and career intact. He was happy…..for a while. He realized he made a huge mistake, listening to others, and not doing what he truly wanted. He wanted to prove that to her, but maybe it was too late, and she was tired of waiting on him. She always put everyone first before herself. This man in front of her was the perfect example of that. She didn't care anymore. Addy figured it was great closure. At first, but now, she wondered if was a good idea.

"I love you and miss us".

"You were married Orton. You told me you were leaving, but not only did you not leave, you stayed, and flaunted it in my face. That put me in a dark place, and risked my kids and career? I'm supposed to forget that?"

"I'm so sorry".

"That's supposed to make it go away? I mean what the fuck did you think was going to happen? I was going to wait around until you figured that out. Whatever, it's done now. Why should I believe you now?"

"Because I'm done. I fucked up royal, and I see that now. It was a mistake, and I'm begging for forgiveness and a second chance".

She stared at him in shock.

"As if opening up didn't happen, right? Better yet, as if the four years didn't happen".

"No. Those four years were some of the best years of my life. I love you and you love me. I love the crew like they are my own, just like you love Kyra. I'm really so sorry for it all falling out the way it did. I want us back".

She moved away from him and began to pace. If this was five years ago, she would be ecstatic. Time passed, and the four of them healed from the mess. They moved on and things changed. She was a different person. Not the naïve woman he met before. She was careful, and more thoughtful of her kids feelings when it came to having people in her life. More importantly, she moved on. Only people knew, besides the crew and their families, were Paul and Brock.

Addy met him one night they were town for a house show. Brock wasn't a fan at first, and Paul was skeptical, but he won them over with the crew. That was almost a year ago. Gazing out her window, she grinned at the thought of him and the time they shared already. She thought that would be her and Randy at one point, but it didn't work. Never thought it would happen again, let alone with another wrestler. They took things slowly, and built things up to where they were at this moment. All he wanted was for her to be happy and free. Hopefully with him.

Randy looked at her deep in thought. He phone lit up with an email, and his feelings were crushed. He saw the picture of her and him grinning at each other, hugging. His face sunk, and he just stared at the floor. He couldn't believe the rumors were true.

"I heard the whispers, but wasn't sure if it was true. I thought you two were friends".

"It's been almost a year, but yeah. He loves me the way I always wanted from you. When I realized life moves on, and you were an asshole, that's when life turned around for me. I mean, what did you think I was going to say?"

"Wow. That's harsh even for you. Doesn't change how I feel, and I know you still love me in there. We shared things he can't compare, and you know that. I'm going to leave before you get too mad and began to scream at me. Think about us. What we should have had".

He stood up and walked over to her, looking at her. She looked up at him just confused and furious. He searched her eyes, wondering what she was thinking, what she was feeling. He inched closer, and she didn't move. She was paralyzed in his stare. She knew this was a dangerous zone for the both of them. Leaning in slowly, he kissed her slowly, and she gave in. It hit her like a ton of bricks, and all the feelings, both good and bad came back with a vengeance".

"Text me later".

"No".

"You will, or you wouldn't have let me kiss you".

He left her standing there in a daze, thinking. That familiar daze she forgot about. That daze of waiting to see him again. It was a train ride she didn't want to be back on. She heard the door shut, and the history and hurt came back. She just finally broke down and just cried. She looked at the phone, at that picture in Hawaii. They had a blast going with both of their loved ones. She was happy with life, and now here he comes to try and destroy it. She sat holding the phone, looking at the picture. To everyone else they were an upcoming power couple, but to her, it was Joey and her against the world.

The door opened, and Derek walked in. She cleaned the tears up quickly.

"Mom, I'm back. Hey! What's wrong?"

"Hey buddy, I'm ok".

"It's Joey. You really like him. Just like I like Amanda".

"Yeah", she grinned.

"I'm tired".

"Ok, go to bed. I'm going out ok. Call me if you need anything ok?"

"Mom, I'm a man, I'll be ok".

She grinned, grabbing her keys, cell and wallet. She needed to see Joe right now.