March 4th, 2020 (Flashback), Grand Hyatt, Tampa, Florida
Morning
I started to open my eyes thanks to the sound of my damn phone alarm; 7:00 on the dot in the morning. As expected, my head was killing me from drinking last night and this alarm was not helping me at all. I turned to find my phone still in my jeans on the floor. I reached down to kill the alarm quickly and just relax.
"Fucking hangovers." I whispered to myself. Maybe I should have stuck with the damn sangria.
I sat up and took a moment to take on my surroundings. I was still in the hotel, but while similar-looking, I know I wasn't in my room. I can see my whole outfit from last night thrown all over the place. I took a peek under the blankets...and yep; I was butt-ass naked. Everything was coming back to me.
"Rebecca…" I softly spoke. I looked around and there was no sight of her. I remember what happened at the party and after so damn clearly. Was it all a dream? Did I really tell her I love her? Did she really tell me she loved me? I wanted to lay my head back on the pillow to be deeper in thought; but then…
"I thought I heard you! Good morning!" That lovely Irish voice… I turned to see the angel herself walk up to me in only a shirt and shorts holding two cups of coffee and was complete with such a beaming smile. I don't remember the last time I've seen her smile so brightly. It was all real… I wasn't dreaming at all...and it made me smile in return.
"Morning, beautiful. One for me?"
"Yep! I read that coffee can help you out if you're hungover. I still have a headache but thanks to this, it's nowhere as bad as when I woke up." She said as she handed me a cup
"I'm sold! Thank you." I sat up to start drinking the caffeine-filled drink. Rebecca was a coffee connoisseur so I trusted her with the good stuff. "Hmm, that's good! Now...I remember things from last night but I need a little recollection just to be sure."
"Ask away!"
"Ok, obviously from our headaches, we got drunk and really messed up."
"Haha! Yep, and It was really bad!" I'm glad she found this amusing...but it was probably now my favorite drinking time with her.
"I remember...I confessed my feelings for you...and you did to me...right?" How could I not remember that? I could think about it all over again but I noticed Rebecca's hand approaching me and turned my face towards her. She leaned forward to kiss me right on the lips. I naturally kissed right back.
"You tell me."
"Ooh, yeah." That brought a giggle out of her and out of me too. I was certainly a fan of that reassurance. "So...one more thing to clear up here…" I said as I teased her with the blanket covering my naked self. Becky couldn't help but laugh more.
"Um...yeah. We did...and no worries! You had a condom on." That brought a shit ton of relief out of me. At 41 years of age, I better be responsible and wrap it up. "I have to say, I am stunned by how much of a cuddler you are."
"Oh? Not many get to see that side of me so lucky you." I joked as I took another sip of coffee as Becky giggled in response. "Hopefully I didn't smother you to death."
"Not at all actually! When I woke up, we were like...hugging each other pretty closely, arms around each other. It was...really nice. You're pretty cute when you're asleep." Her words made me turn red like a tomato. I usually don't blush that easy...but leave it to Becky to bring that side of me out.
"Well...glad I can share that side of me with the woman I love." I started to be my goofy self again as I grabbed and kissed her hand. I heard her giggle but I looked up to see the face didn't match it anymore. "Something I said?"
"Oh no! It's not that at all. Well...maybe a little." Something was wrong...and sadly...I think I know what it is. Becky put down her cup and turned to face me fully. "Joey...please do not get me wrong. I love you...and we...certainly had an amazing night. But…what we just did...was wrong. We betrayed Colby. I cheated on him." Another thing I remember last night was Colby trusting me to look after Becky...and boy, did I ever. I do feel guilty about betraying his trust, but it was a decision I selfishly and knowingly made. But I should have expected Becky to not be so thrilled about this. She did cheat on the dude. Even though she does love me, I know Colby still has a place in her heart...and this wasn't how she would have wanted this to happen with us.
"I'm gonna be honest...I don't know what to say right now. This is a really tough situation. I do love you too, I will absolutely cherish our night together...but you're right. We both betrayed him. I'm sorry, Bex."
"Why are you sorry to me?" She asked, donning her adorable confused look on her face.
"Because as much as we could blame alcohol on this, we're here because of me. I couldn't hold back my feelings for you anymore and here I am now naked in your hotel bed." Despite trying not to be a jackass in this situation, that prompted a small giggle out of the gorgeous redhead.
"You shouldn't be sorry for opening your heart to me. It was easily something that could've happened at any time; drunk or not. But remember, I confessed to you too. I kissed you back and...yeah, we got busy in bed. Haha!" A decent humor attempt by the redhead, I'd give it an A for effort. "I chose to go through with this...and when the time comes, I'll deal with the consequences."
"On that, we sadly agree." I know I'll do the same for sure when my time comes. My guilt now was starting to extend from just Colby to Becky as well. You'd never think of her as a cheater and she'd never want to be seen as one either. Now it has happened...and my heart couldn't break for her more as this was clearly eating her alive right now.
"I hope you understand then that...nothing more can come of this." I only nodded in agreement speechless. I totally understood this decision...but damn, did it sting. "Of course, this WILL stay between us." Becky sternly ordered.
"Hand to god and scout's honor, it will remain just that."
"Good...wait, you were in the scouts?"
"Oh no, I just always wanted to say that."
"You dope!" Well...that felt nice to get some laughs and smiles back in here.
*Phone ringing*
Becky and I were startled out of our moment with her phone going off. She picked it up to check the caller ID. Her eyes were quickly lit up.
"Oh shit! Colby!" That sole mention of his name at this very time made me quick to jump out of bed but Becky was quicker to motion me to stay quiet. She answered and had the phone on speaker so we both can hear. "Hey, you! I was wondering where you've been."
"Hey babe. I'm so sorry to disappear on you last night. Jon and Joe know how to party and I got dragged along!"
"Ha! Sounds like you boys had fun overall!" Here I am putting my pants on quietly, listening to these two talk it up. God, I hate feeling like a third wheel. "Are you still with them?"
"Nope. I let them sleep it off and wanted to head back to you. I'm in the hotel cafeteria right now getting breakfast for us." Becky and I shot each other an "oh shit" look and she motioned me to speed up getting my things together and so I did. "You fine with the usual?"
"That would be terrific! Thank you! I'll see you in a bit then."
"Alright! See ya, babe." Finally, I was about fully clothed and finally, that call ended. I thought they were gonna keep going on and on.
"I'm going to hate saying this but…"
"I know, I know." I interrupted. "I gotta go." I finally put my sneakers on and made my way to the door. I checked the hallway to see it was still clear, prompting a chuckle from Becky.
"I'll call you after breakfast." She said.
"Gotcha!" Before I could leave…I turned around to face Becky and pulled her in for the only kiss. If this is the last chance I get to do this, I'm making it a good one.
"What was that for?" A smiling fully red in the face Rebecca asked.
"I couldn't resist. See ya." Finally, I was ready to step out...
"Hey." ...but she wouldn't let me go so quickly. "Love you." When Becky said that, it made my body warm-up.
"Love you too." She beamed that bright smile of hers as she closed her door and I was now free to make my way to mine.
I quickly dashed into my room and locked the door behind me. I think I'm in the clear...for now. I took a seat on my bed and wanted to quickly be at ease again...but I couldn't stop thinking about Becky's last words there. She said it before...but this time...was real. Her outright saying she loves me...with that stunning smile, I knew she meant it.
*Phone ringing*
"Fucking cell phones…" I got knocked out of my little lovesick episode thanks to me receiving my own phone call. That's the second time today I get startled by calls. I picked it up and seeing it was Big E, I felt comfortable answering quickly. "E! What's good, dude?"
"The big ass papa bear finally wakes up from hibernation! What happened man?!"
"What do you mean, big man?"
"What I mean is I knocked on your damn door for a hot minute to roll with us to breakfast and you didn't answer at all!" Ahh shit...that explains that. He must have tried to wake me up when I was still in Becky's room. "How bad did you get messed up? Haha!"
"Ahh damn it. I'm sorry, dude. I got messed up BAD! Haha! Are you still down in the cafeteria?"
"Yes sir! I'm with Woods, Kofi, Jon, and Josh and we're all about to dig in!"
"Do me a favor and save me a seat. I'll be down in a flash."
"You got it, man! Just don't be surprised if there are no more pancakes. Haha!"
"Appreciate it!. Thanks, man." How could you not love Big E?
I got my ass in full gear and already had my clothes on from last night. I brushed my hair into a more neat and orderly style and sprayed myself up. Usually, I wouldn't give a shit but since I'm in the public eye, I should look presentable and not like I just jumped out of bed. Especially when said bed wasn't even my own.
"Lookin good...and feeling good. Let's go, big man." Nothing wrong with hyping myself up from time to time.
I finally left my hotel room and made way for the elevator. My swagger was coming back in full force. Yeah, I look and smell good, to be honest...my ego was overflowing due to my night with Rebecca. The conflict was very real still when it comes to Colby...but the woman I've been in love with for years admitted to feeling the same about me and we...well you know. So how can I not be over the moon?!
"Well...my day can't get any weirder, right?" I think out loud to myself as I hit the elevator button to call it. Luckily, it was on my level already and the doors finally open.
"Hey hey, big man!" Unluckily...it was already occupied by…
"Rollins!" I was genuinely surprised and caught off guard by this encounter. I didn't believe I'd run into him THIS soon. "You look well for someone that got trashed last night."
"Haha! Believe me, I feel worse than I look. You're looking alright I must say albeit...a little jumpy." Shit...he picked up on that. Come on, Joey. Think of something…
"Heh...yeah. I cleaned up but I'm still feeling it from last night. Like holy shit!" That prompted a laugh outta Rollins. Ok, so far so good.
"Ha! Well, there was no way Rebecca was gonna let you keep drinking that sangria, huh? Jon told me how they were giving you shit about that." I admit...that prompted a chuckle out of me.
"Heh. Of course, he did, the dick. Yeah, she knows the good stuff alright! Good old Jack Daniels kicked my ass!" This prompted another laugh out of Rollins...his annoying ass laugh… "Let me get out of your way. E wanted me to roll with him to breakfast but I'm late and I'm hungry as hell."
"Sounds good, man. I brought up some food for my lady. I should get it to her before she kicks my ass for being late."
"And probably kick my ass for making you late. Catch ya later, dude." We waved to each other and I was FINALLY able to close the elevator and just breathe. It went fine for a quick chat...but considering recent events, I felt...SO...freaking...uncomfortable. How I was able to keep myself somewhat cool and in the clear just now...I have NO idea.
Rebecca
I was leaning back on my hotel door smiling like a lovesick goof on a whole other world right now. Telling Joey I love him and hearing it right back so naturally; it made me feel so elated. I'm still very much aware of how wrong this was...but I wanted this as much as he did for so long. The fact that it came true albeit in a morally wrong circumstance...it felt so right.
"Ok, straight to work, Bex." I had to knock myself out of my little spell and clean up the room quickly. I usually make my bed after waking up but I DID NOT want any clues left around for Colby to think someone was here. I found another key card for the room in the process. Colby must have left his here when we first checked in, as I know I have mine in my bag.
*KNOCK KNOCK*
"Babe? It's me. I got breakfast!"
"Jeez…" Speak of the devil. Freaking Colby… made me jump there real good. I finished making the bed and ran open the door for him and here he is smirking with the food bag in hand. "Hey! Thank you!" I took the food and went straight to the table to dig in. "You left your key card here, ya know?"
"Ahh, I was hoping it was here. I couldn't find it on me when I woke up this morning. I thought I lost it when I got messed up." He said as he fell onto the bed I just made…
"Ha! Still feeling it, huh?" I asked while munching on some toast. So far so good here...
"Somewhat, yeah! Haha! I said the same thing when I ran into Joey in the hall." I froze up as I was about to take another sip of coffee. "Oh really? Glad he's still alive! I thought I killed him last night!" I made the best attempt I could at keeping up the fun...but deep down, I was starting to freak out. I was hoping they wouldn't run into each other so soon.
"From what he said, it sounded like you were trying to! Got him off the sangria and hooked him up nicely! Haha!" Colby's words actually prompted a giggle out of me. Remembering how amazing last night was...and it sounded like Joey was able to play it cool himself. I do believe however he had to be freaking out inside like I am.
"Exactly! I even said to him, there was no way I was letting him drink that weak shit."
"Well, ya know what they say about ya. The Man always gets what he wants."
"You damn right!" It's always nice to share a laugh like this with Colby but this time...I didn't want to think about my infidelity at the moment. My brain was totally scrambled about it...and the sole blame falls on me in my eyes. I understood this already...as well as the fact that I know one day, the consequences of my actions WILL come back to haunt me. I said I would be ready for that day. But I'm starting to wonder, will I be ready...or am I bullshitting myself? I guess...time will tell, huh?