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PLEASE READ & REVIEW....MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
CHAPTER 12: Grain Of Salt
"Goodnight Ms. Austin," called an employee on his way to take down the ring.
Nodding she continued on her way to the parking lot to locate her vehicle for the night. Getting in, she went to start the ignition, her cell phone rang.
Grumbling I picked it up. "Who is this and what do you want?"
Immediately a deep laughter was her answer. "So that's how you answer your phone now, babe?"
"Oh I didn't know it was you. Sorry Randy."
On the other end Randy could be seen frowning. "You okay?"
I don't know am I?
"Yeah, just 'The Bisch' made me stay afterwards to discuss some promotional stuff and to give me a pat on the back so to speak for my work done tonight."
"Awe, poor baby," he playfully teased, "Why don't you come on up to my room and let me make you feel better?"
"I can't because I'm still at the arena. But I'll get there even faster if you let me hang up this phone."
Nicole waited for his response but she never got one because Randy said a rushed 'goodbye' and hung up the phone. Sighing she listened as the engine roared to life and quickly drove off into the night.
"Finally," she muttered, walking down the hall to Randy's room. Knocking on the door I waited for him to give me permission to enter before stepping into the room and closing door behind me.
"You did great tonight baby," Randy whispered in a breathy voice, sending shivers up and down my spine...which he took notice of. "Oh you like that?"
I nodded as he placed light butterfly kisses all over my arms and neck. He chuckled and kept suit to where we soon found ourselves on his bed, breathing heavily in anticipation.
I let him get as far as attempting to lift the hem of my baby-tee before taking hold of his hand to stop him. Damn, my conscious.
He took one look at my face and sighed removing his body weight off of me. Looking at his face I felt slightly bad, but none the less, I' was still glad I stopped it from going an further than this.
"What's wrong, Nikki?"
"R-Randy I'm sorry about this. I know we've been together for a few weeks now and all, but I'm just not ready to take that step in our relationship yet."
Randy was quiet for a few moments before he spoke again, "No I'm sorry Nicole. I'm sorry for almost putting you...no, us in a situation neither of us is ready for yet."
This time it my Nicole's turn to be quiet for she was taking time to think over Randy's words. "What are you saying, Randy?"
"What do you think I'm saying, Nicole?"
"That you want to break up because neither of us is ready for a physical aspect usually involved in relationships," I quietly answered.
Almost as soon as the words left my mouth, did Randy plant a breath-taking kiss on me, leaving me speechless. "Does it look like I want to break up with you? I mean, where would you get an idea like that?"
"From you,"
"Do you really believe I'd let go of the best thing in my life right now, because she wouldn't go along with what I started?"
When he got no response he sighed. "Baby, I'd never dump you just because you aren't ready for something like that involving our relationship. If anything I'm glad that you stopped it from going any further, because I doubt we're ready to take a big step like that right now."
She looked up with unshed tears in her eyes. "You mean you aren't mad at me?"
"Mad at you? Never," He uttered enveloping Nicole in a hug. "I'm actually glad to see you have enough gusto in you to voice yourself in a firm way to me."
She laughed at Randy's comment. "Does that mean I can tell you off if say...you become conceited and you won't get mad."
"Of course babe. You can tell the Legend Killer anything that you want. So any complaints?"
Raising an eyebrow, "Well now that I think about it. What is this whole business with referring to yourself in third person form, with so much gusto that you even surpass Chris Irvine in that department?"
"Please, RKO does not refer to himself in third person."
"Really, because you just did. Not only did you refer to yourself in third person but you also referred to yourself in the second person form too," I pointed out, smirking at his annoyed facial expression.
"You must think you're really smart, don't you?" Snickering she nodded at his question. "Yeah well you won't be feeling that way for long. Just you watch, I'll one up you one of these days and it'll be when you least expect it, too."
"Whatever cowboy," I muttered checking the time, "Listen I'm going to head down to the hotel's cafe. I promised a few of my friends that we'd have dinner together."
Nicole stood up and put on her jacket preparing to leave to meet her friends when Randy walked up behind her and began to lightly knead his fingertips into her skin. So much that her knees almost buckled. Massages were always one of her weaknesses, especially when it involved a guy that she had feelings for.
Meanwhile, Randy was enjoying himself a little too much. He liked what he did to Nicole. Like how the slightest little touch made her body jump in exhilaration. How he always seemed to leave her feeling breathless and he was sure Nicole liked all of the things he did to her.
But he also liked what Nicole did to him. Nicole's eyes and smile were always sparkling and dazzling whether she be happy or sad, or angry and confused. Her hair was so silky and straight, with hair as rich and dark as night itself. She was so naturally beautiful and complex that he couldn't help but not touch her every second.
Hell his not being able to take her right there and then in the hallway was difficult, but he knew it was for the best. If they were to tell all of her loved ones about their relationship, surely none of them, if not most of them wouldn't be so readily accepting of this new found relationship and rightly so.
Everyone who is close to Nicole thinks that Evolution is slime and seeing as he was a member of Evolution...that would consider him slime too. Sometimes it plagues him on how people assume just because you play an asshole on television that you are an asshole in real life too. It was a typical case of hypocrisy in the WWE. Because they hate him for who he is, one would only assume that he would also hate them back. But he didn't because unlike them, he actually judges someone based on their personality and character traits. Too bad most people couldn't be that way.
If they would just take the time to get to know him, surely they'd be in for a surprise, because they'd be getting to see the 'real' Randy Orton. The same man that Nicole gets to see. The same man that's beginning to fall in love with Nicole.
That's all that consumed his thoughts now was Nicole. If he's not with her, he's thinking about being with her or the next time they'd be sharing a stolen kiss together. Funny, how almost a year ago, he was the typical playboy. Running around with the ring-rats and partying almost every night. If someone was to tell him he was going to do a complete 180 in a matter of weeks, he wouldn't have believed him. But it did happen and he couldn't have been any happier about it.
Nicole was one of the best things he had going for him right now and he was going to try his damndest to keep this relationship together. If not for him, then for Nicole, because she'd more than proved that she deserved some happiness in her life. Lord knows of all the things he's heard Hunter say about her and Shawn.
To him Nicole was a lethal drug. Lethal in that she was hazardous to his health, namely his heart. But none of it mattered because she was his beautiful drug and he was most definitely hooked on her.
Randy didn't know exactly how long he was thinking, but Nikki's telling whomever that is on the other end of the line that she couldn't make it tonight had brought him out of his dazed stupor.
"So I take it, you're staying here with me tonight then?"
"That's right, I'm all yours for the night...and morning too." She spoke slinging her arms around his neck and broad shoulders. "That is of course whether or not you want me to?
Randy smiled. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
It was eight o'clock when Nikki woke up. Looking to her left she saw that Randy was still sleeping, and looking adorable doing so too. Chuckling to herself to she got up and took a shower, changing into her clothes for the day--a fitted baby-blue tee shirt...with matching track pants and some white and blue Converses.
By the time she was done getting dressed, Randy was already up and waiting at the door of the bathroom for her to come out. With a quick kiss, he was in, out and fully dressed within a half hour and as usual they left...Randy leaving ten minutes after Nicole, in case anyone was to see them together.
Walking into the hotel cafe, I almost instantaneously spotted my favorite group of Canadians as well as the rest of our friends. I made my way over to them, only stopping to order an orange juice and a bagel with cream cheese, before taking my seat with them.
"Morning all," I greeted, a little overly cheerful for 9 o'clock in the morning. Plus it was a far cry from my usual morning self...which was sort of bitchy and cranky. I guess that's why they were all staring at me like I had grown two heads.
"Okay, who are you and what have you done with Nicole?"
I stuck my tongue out at Chris's lame attempt of a joke and smiled. "Nothing happened to me silly, except a good night's sleep. Amazing what going to sleep does to you, huh?"
"Uh huh, yeah sure. So what happened to you last night? Trish told me you phoned to say you couldn't make it for dinner last night? What gives?"
"Nothing gives Chris. I just got caught up with something at the moment and it was more vital that I stay there than come for dinner," I lied, looking him almost straight in the eye, while noticing Randy walking in and over to Evolution's table.
Chris just stared at me in confusion, which was soon replaced by a look of annoyance and anger.
Turning in my chair, I looked up to find Shawn Michaels, once again staring at me, waiting for someone to acknowledge his presence.
"What do you want Shawn?" came Chris's voice.
"Well it's not to talk to you, if that's what you're thinking," came Shawn's reply, his eyes never leaving mine. "Nikki, can I have a moment of your time please?"
I grinned, "You just did. Now piss off, before I declare it open season on your ass." Still grinning, I turned around and listened as Shawn did his best to plead with me. Seeing that pleading wasn't working on me, he decided blackmail would have to do.
"Okay fine you can either come and listen to what I have to say, or I can always tell them about this little piece of information that they're sure to find interesting."
My mouth about dropped open in shock, but luckily it didn't. Gritting my teeth I stood up from my seat, wordlessly following him out into the hallway, avoiding my friends confused expressions. However, Randy's expression did not go unnoticed by me. I gave him an imperceptible nod, and he nodded back in the same manner.
Leaning against the wall in a hallway, I waited for Shawn to say whatever it was he wanted to say, so that way I could go back to my breakfast and friends. "Okay so what's this all about Shawn?"
He took a moment to think before finally speaking. "What's going on with you and Orton?"
"None of your business. What's it to you anyway?"
I watched as Shawn's jaw clenched. "Look all I'm saying is that you should stay away from Randy, before you get hurt."
"You mean like how you hurt me?" Shawn visibly tensed at that notion. "I know what your problem really is. You just can't stand the fact that I'm able to move on from you. Remember when I told you that I refuse to be like all those other girls you screwed?" He nodded. "Yeah well I mean it. Now if you'll excuse I think I'll be going now, thank you very much."
I left leaving Shawn standing there with his mouth open in shock. I think that was the moment where Shawn just lost it, because one minute I'm walking down the hall and the next thing I know, Shawn has me pinned up against the wall, with his right hand around my throat...tightly I might add.
"Shawn let go of me," I wheezed out, as his grip only tightened on me. But he took no notice of my plea holding me in this uncomfortable position.
"No, you know what I've had enough of your attitude Nicole. Now you listen and you listen good. You will dump Randy for me, if you know what's good for you. Otherwise, I'd hate to have to tell everyone about your relationship with him. Understand me?"
My eyes hardened in anger, but I nodded none the less. "Good." He spat before letting me go and walking off. I stood there in the hallway for a good five minutes seething in anger. I couldn't believe that Shawn would use brute force to threaten me into going back out with him. He must of really snapped his cap if he thought that I was just going to give in to his demand like that.
"He really has snapped his cap. Damn it, I'm Nicole Haze Austin. What happened to the Nicole that doesn't take no shit from anyone? Where'd she go," I asked speaking to no one in particular. She's still here; you just have to let her out. Show no mercy.
"Yeah, but what if I jeopardize my relationship with Randy by doing this. Think of how much shit he's going to endure because of the information Shawn has over us?"
Well that's a risk you're just going to have to take. Sooner or later you're both going to have to come clean about your relationship with one another any way. Besides you'd be jeopardizing your relationship with Randy by dumping him for Shawn, not to mention causing both of you heartache for no reason and do you really want to do that? No, you don't do you? So go show him who the real boss is around here.
"Yeah, show him who's boss. If he think I'm going to let him just win, then he has another thing coming," I growled out, stalking my way down the hall way and into the cafeteria. Walking in I spotted Randy who in turn saw me. Quickly he made his way over to me, and began asking me questions right off the bat.
"Shawn didn't want anything, other than trying to threaten me into dumping you for him," I answered turning so we were both facing the window.
Randy nodded, but then his eyes immediately went to my neck. I watched as his eyes went over every red mark and fingerprint around of my neck. Feeling around my neck I also noticed that the swelling and bruising had already begun. I heard Randy harshly whisper Shawn's name.
"Did Shawn do that to you?" I nodded, which was all it took for Randy, because next thing I know he had grabbed Shawn and thrown him up against the wall, trying to strangle him.
"What are your hand prints doing wrapped around my....Nikki's neck?"
Shawn smirked. "I take it she didn't take heed to my warning then?"
"Nope, but I neither did you which is why you've earned what's going to happen to you next," he angrily spat, before tearing in to him like a man on speed. Nicole watched as Randy's punches increased in speed and hardness.
No one was able to get Randy off of Shawn either. Not Evolution, or Eric or my father or any of my friends. I knew I should stop him before he killed him which is why I did what I did next, jumping in between the two.
"Randy come on, you've done enough to him," I spoke, gently pushing him away from Shawn. He tried to protest but I paid him no attention.
"Touch her again or any woman like that I'll personally be there to kick the shit of you once again," he threatened, holding on to his throbbing pain filled hand. Turning to me, he watched as I began to wrap his hand up with an ace bandage that one of the cooks had given me.
"Are you okay, Nikki?"
Nicole chuckled at his question, "I think I should be asking you that?" Then after finishing wrapping his hand he stepped back. "So how's your hand feel now?"
"Much better thank you. But you never answered my question. Are you okay?"
But before she had a chance to answer them, Shawn was back up on his feet again, and heading for them with a pissed off look on his face. "You know what, Nicole, you should have just done what I told you to do. But seeing as you didn't and instead got Orton to pound on me-"
Nicole interrupted. "For the record, that was all Randall here. I didn't send him to do anything."
"-don't be mad at what I do next," he continued on un phased, only pausing to turn to face every one so he could gauge their reactions. "Everyone, Randy attacked me because I threatened Nicole."
"I can understand that, but what does Randy have to do with it besides orchestrating the fight between you two," Chris asked, trying to make eye contact with me.
"Randy's connection to Nicole is simple. She is his girlfriend." I listened as everyone gasped at Shawn's statement. Suddenly Chris came up to me and grabbed my hand, forcing me to look at him.
"Please tell me that what Shawn's saying isn't the truth? That it's all a lie that he made up to get to us?"
I looked down and stepped away from Chris and into Randy's strong arms, burying my head on his shoulder as Randy leaned down to briefly plant one on my hair. That was all they needed before they all began shouting at me.
"Nikki, how could you betray us like that? I thought we were all friends here?"
"I'm sorry you guys. But what do you want me to do here? Stop being with Randy? Because if that's what you're asking me to do, then Chris you can go to hell."
"Look that's not it at all. It's just we don't understand how you could get into a relationship with someone who associates with Evolution?" Adam spoke in an eerily calm voice. "I mean come on, you deserve better than this. Randy's the epitome of pond scum on the bottom of my shoe. I'd rather of seen you back with Michaels than with Orton."
"Hey, I suggest you don't make any predetermined assumptions about me, before you even take the time to get to know me. Okay Blondie?" Then turning to Evolution who of yet had nothing to say, he focused his gaze on his friends.
"What about you guys, huh? You have anything you want to say? Then go ahead, though I'm warning you, say anything bad to or about Nicole and I'll be on you within 2 seconds flat."
Hunter came forward. "I just want to know one thing. How long has this been going on?"
"Coming up on a month now. Why you got something smart to say about it?"
"Whoa, calm down Killer. Does she make you happy?" Randy nodded at his question. "Okay well then I think I speak for all of us--us being Dave, Ric and myself-- when I say congratulations and Nicole welcome to our close knit family."
I looked at Randy. "What do you think? Should we accept?" Randy nodded, so I walked over to Hunter and shook his hand. "Thanks Hunter. It's nice to be welcomed."
Then I turned to my friends. "And as for you guys, since none of you are good enough friends to support me and offer me guidance, all I have to say is..thank you for nothing. Until you learn to accept Randy and me as a couple, consider us ex-best friends."
And with one last look, I grabbed Randy's hand and walked out of the hotel cafe, followed closely by Evolution..who coincidently we rode with to the next city in their limo. All through the ride, Randy and I took advantage of our now publicly known relationship, by kissing, and generally just being close to one another, while Hunter, Ric and Dave secretly watched us out of the corners of their eyes.
But as nice as it was to finally be able to do couple-y things with one another, part of me still wished at least one of my so called "best-friends"--such as Trish or Amy or even Matt-- would've stuck up for me. No matter now I've seen their true colors and now I know to take almost everything they say with a grain of salt.