1Chapter Seven: "Three Little Words"
Trish's eyes flickered open to be greeted by the early morning glow, the soft colors reflecting off of the surroundings in her hotel room. She stared into the deep shadows, her eyes burning with exhaustion at the lack of sleep she'd received over the last few days. It wasn't as if she expected anything other than that but she at least wanted to fade away from her haunting reality. She hated her life, everything about her existence seemed unfair..how could she stand to stay awake for even one minute? Trish forced herself to sit up, the ache in her chest becoming more evident at this sudden movement. She'd requested the next three days off from work but even this mini vacation wasn't enough to help her with this disaster of a relationship with a certain someone. Just the thought of Dave made Trish want to sob. But she refused to do such a thing, not over a man..but was he just a man to her? No, he'd never been just someone to her..he'd always been something more. But falling for him was a mistake that she wished would somehow disappear. Trish knew that she was going absolutely crazy in the silence and lonesomeness of her home. But going back to work was out of the question..how could she face Dave after their last encounter? Not that she didn't yearn to feel his lips on hers once again, she just found it hard to image the tension that would hang over them like a plague. Trish grabbed at her messy hair in frustration at the racing thoughts that were flooding her mind. She needed to escape..but how? How could she just forget Dave when he had such a hold on her?
xxxxx
Torrie Wilson limped through the empty streets of New York, taking one of her usual late night walks. She spent the last thirty minutes in complete silence, just searching through her mind and her thoughts. When wasn't she attempting to find out her own feelings? So much was happening in her life..well, it wasn't a lot really. But it sure seemed like it. Strange things had been happening between herself and John..it all started when she saw him in the park a few weeks ago and ever since then..things were just getting unusual. Torrie had never even really talked with him after the affair with Randy became public. John was never one to forgive easily, he had always held onto things. So, why now was he pursuing her? Or was it all in her head? Torrie knew she couldn't possibly pretend that she didn't enjoy feeling cared about whenever he came to her aid..she sure as hell didn't feel like anything but shit whenever Randy was around. The blonde flipped her hair as she hobbled along, the pain in her knee slowly but surely becoming less of a hindrance. Just as she began to turn the corner, something stopped her. She felt eyes burning into her back. Torrie knew who it was and for some reason, she felt the urge to run.
"What're you doing out here?" she asked, turning around to face John Cena. He stuffed his hands in the overly large pockets of his baggy jeans as he shrugged slowly to her.
"Taking a walk, attempting to clear my mind." Torrie saw the frown etched on his usually handsome face. His eyes weren't as bright, instead they were clouded with worry.
"What have you got to worry about?" Torrie didn't want to sound harsh but the tone of her voice wasn't exactly inviting. John took a step closer, his eyes never once leaving the ground.
"I'd like to ask you the same question..you're always walking around, like you got nothin' to be happy about."
"And this concerns you, why? Last time I checked, you were still calling me a slut about all the stuff with Randy," she spat, an unusual tremble in her voice. "And now all of a sudden, you seem to care for some unknown reason." Torrie shook her head softly at the man before her who now was staring at her in a strange light.
"I'm tryin' to make up for it all..you know..I got nothin' else," John stated, turning to lean his back against the wall that stood behind him.
"Oh please, aren't you with Stacy now? That's the last I heard around here." A soft chuckle emerged from John's pursed lips, the mention of the woman who plagued his mind bringing a bitter smile onto his face.
"You listen to backstage gossip? Since when, Torrie? But no..I'm not with Stacy..never was. I tried..but.."
"John..when the hell were you ever one to just openly talk about your personal feelings with anyone, let alone me?" Torrie asked, her hazel eyes filled with wonder at this strange behavior.
"I wasn't really goin' into detail..just stating the truth." John turned his icy eyes over to the dumbfounded diva, a slight smile on his face. They watched each other for a moment, both waiting for the other to make another attempt at a conversation. But when only silence followed, Torrie began to get nervous.
"As, uh, nice as this is, I've got to get back to my..room. Uh, see you around." Torrie smiled meekly at John before she departed from the scene, leaving the man behind, to linger in the silence of the night. What the hell was going on? She couldn't stop asking herself this question as she quickly limped back towards the hotel, the familiar feeling of emptiness creeping into her chest.
xxxxx
Dave Batista sat face down against the table, one hand wrapped around a cold beer, the other buried in his hair. It was a humorous sight to Stacy Keibler, who sat watching him from across the room. He'd been like this all night and it was beginning to worry the leggy blonde. Dave usually wore a look of semi-happiness but over the last three days, he looked purely depressed. Stacy blinked rapidly as she stared around the room for any sign of his buddies, only to realize that they were practically the only two in the bar. She let out a deep sigh as she pushed up from the table, finally deciding that she should check up on him.
"Bonding with the table, Big Man?" Stacy asked, smirking down at his limp figure.
"Very funny, Stace," Dave said flatly, finally raising his head so he could glare at her.
"Jesus, you look terrible!" Stacy gasped, leaning forward as she studied his face. He usually looked clean shaven and his eyes were always filled with light but now..now he looked..empty. "What happened?"
"Nothing! I just..I'm not feeling well," Dave took a deep breath as he finished off his beer. He turned back to Stacy, who sat in awe as she watched him.
"You're a bad liar, you do know that right?" Dave blinked rapidly as he studied her features, his mouth agape to protest. But nothing seemed to come out..he knew she was right. What was the use in lying when you couldn't hide the torture on your face?
"Lying's not one of my strong points," he smiled. Stacy leaned closer and looked at him darkly, a growing look of both concern and wonder on her beautiful face. If she moved even an inch closer, he could feel her breath on his cheeks. Dave turned to look around the bar, a little surprised at her sudden closeness.
"Dave..is something the matter?" Stacy asked sharply, not wishing to avoid the question that was sparked inside her. She'd seen Dave Batista on his worst days but never had he looked so strange. His dark chocolate eyes were like stone and that was the thing that concerned her the most.
"I..it's not something that I really want to discuss, Stace," he whispered, reaching out to take her hand in his. He stared down at her delicate fingers as he traced small circles on the soft skin, almost mesmerized by the pattern he was making. Stacy remained silent as she watched him stare blankly, her lips pursed into a thin line.
"I may be able to help," she shrugged, adding a smile when he looked up at her.
"No..I don't think so. Just let it go, please." Stacy unwillingly nodded at Dave, a little annoyed that she was still left to question his sudden state. But he wasn't one to accept much nosiness. All she'd end up doing was driving him away and Stacy knew she couldn't afford to lose his friendship. Silence seemed to wash over Dave like a plague, the tension between the two not helping the blondes nervous state. She figured when he got quiet like this that it was time to excuse herself but before she could, Dave suddenly asked her a surprising question. "Do you ever feel lost, Stacy? Like, you're walking through a dark tunnel and there's no light to guide you?" The leggy diva blinked furiously as the grip on her brittle hand tightened, still stunned at what she'd heard from Dave.
"Um..." she mumbled, her lips trembling softly as she thought of Randy and the growing desperation deep within her. "..well, yeah..who hasn't felt lost? But, what can you possibly mean? You've got a wife, children, a great place to go home to!" Another ill silence followed and Stacy soon regretted her words, as she was now on the receiving end of a malicious stare. It was like she'd slapped Dave hard across the face..but she didn't know what she'd done. The situation was beginning to become uncomfortable and now would be a good time to leave.
"Don't mention my family right now, Stace..you wouldn't get it..just, please." Stacy chewed down on her bottom lip as she nodded quickly in apology. Whatever was going on inside of Dave Batista would remain a mystery and quite frankly, whatever it was..it was not something that Stacy could easily let go..and she found herself adding another thing to worry about onto her list.
xxxxx
If she could, somehow, Trish would cut the tension with a knife and make it disappear. The growing agony of watching him across the room was sending waves a nausea throughout her entire body, all the way to her trembling knees. She was watching him..and he was watching her, neither missing a move that the other made. Dave's deep eyes soaked in every inch of her of scantily dressed body, the hunger in his stare almost too much to
handle. He scanned her breasts, the tempting flesh revealed by the tank top that was hanging low on her chest, then made his way down the curves of her waist, all the way down to her legs. Trish felt naked against his prying eyes..but she didn't dare look away. Neither had said a word..they were the only two left lingering in the deserted hallway. Half of her wished that someone would come and relieve her of this but the other half screamed at her for not running into his arms. How badly it felt to stare at him and realize that she could not have what her body so desperately craved. She might as well slice her wrist and leave herself to bleed to death..it would not matter, for both would eventually kill her. Dave's face shone of raw emotion, for he was never one to mask his feelings very well. Trish managed to choke back the rising sob in her throat, meekly swallowing the knot that had formed in her throat.
"Hi.." she squeaked, the hot tears no longer wishing to be held back. Dave caught their shine in the dim light and took a step closer..and he didn't stop until he was in front of her. The warning bell inside his head was ringing like crazy..if he stayed another moment, he'd lose control.
"Hey.." Silence followed his delicate whisper. Trish was beginning to hate the deadly pounding of her heart and the icy wave that was now running down her spine. She moved closer to him and took in his husky scent, the simple smell bringing more tears to her eyes. Her mind was screaming that she should run..and she would've if her legs weren't glued to the spot at which she stood.
"H-How are you?" Trish didn't dare raise her head, for the streams of tears were kissing her flushed cheeks. Just the presence of him was enough poison to kill her.
"I've seen better days."
"Me too," she replied, no longer wishing to conceal her tears. Dave's face melted into sorrow as he studied her face..he wanted so much to take her into his arms at this very moment and make her pain his own. Trish stared at him solemnly, the trembling in her lips unstoppable as she watched him move closer.
"Wh..what happened the other night?" he asked softly, reaching out to cup her pale cheek against his hot palm, watching with hunger as she nuzzled into his touch automatically. Dave caught sight of his wedding band in the light..but he didn't stop caressing Trish's cool face with his fingertips, the feel of her skin setting him on fire.
"I don't know..maybe it was a mistake," she whispered. Dave reached down to cup the back of her neck, still studying her gorgeous features in the light.
"No..it wasn't..but it was wrong."
"Why? Why was it wrong?" Trish snapped, a sudden fire shining in her eyes.
"You know why, Trish! We can't do this, we can't live a lie!" Dave shouted. She watched as his lips quivered in both anger and sorrow. "Could you do that?"
"I don't know anymore.." Trish squeezed her eyes tightly shut, blocking out the sight of his face..maybe soon the pain would fade away. But when she felt him pull her closer, her defenses shattered into a million pieces. "I thought you couldn't do this." Dave said nothing as his eyes flickered from her eyes to her lips, the intensity of his gaze letting Trish know that he wanted her..wanted her with such a hunger that even his wife couldn't keep him
from taking her. They ever so slowly, and at the same time, leaned into each others lips and met gently. Dave's tender movement sent shivers through her chest as Trish leaned further into him, carefully prying his lips open with her tongue. He let her in and with no waste of time, he made sure to discover every inch and crevice of her mouth. Soft moans of approval were rising in Trish's throat and he found the noise compelling him to go further. Dave's strong hands ripped through her hair as he desperately moved to dip his tongue behind her ear, nipping hard against the skin to mark her his own. She gasped aloud, reaching to dig into his shoulder with her nails. Trish's eyes rolled back in her head as she moved her leg up to wrap it around him, to bring him closer to her. Dave stopped abruptly and pushed her away from him, his face with both pleasure and guilt, his eyes darkening as he watched her tremble before him.
"I..can't do this. God damn it, why do we allow this to happen?" Trish stared at him with heavy eyes, still attempting to catch her breath..she couldn't hide the fact that she was disappointed that they hadn't gone further. She said nothing as she watched him without once blinking, following him as he paced before her. "Trish..we can't be together anymore..just, we have to get this straight before I can trust myself to be alone with you." To hear anymore of this request would simply kill her but she couldn't stop the pain that was now shining in her doe brown eyes.
"You're in denial, Dave! Why can't you just accept the fact that you WANT this!" Her harsh tone made his face harden. She'd struck a cord deep within Dave, one that he had wanted to hide. He opened his mouth to argue but nothing came out..he was at a loss for words. Trish couldn't stand the anguish on his face..she just had to be near him..she knew she could make his pain go away. She took a step closer towards Dave, only to be harshly rejected as he turned his back to her, sending a bittersweet glance in her direction before he disappeared from her sight. She stared after him in disbelief before she broke down into heart broken sobs, not once caring if anybody heard her sorrow.
xxxxx
Stacy paced the abandoned parking lot nervously, still at a loss as to why Randy had requested her presence. She was supposed to hate him but yet anytime he called upon her, she was there without a second thought. Her long legs felt like weights under her, for she had been lacking sleep since her latest discovery..how could he still be with Torrie after all this time?
"Stacy! I wasn't expecting to see you here." She whipped around at the sound of Randy's voice behind her. She should've known that he was coming at the shiver that ran down her spine like ice cold water.
"Yeah well, be quick about whatever the hell you want to talk about. It can't be important, right?" Randy shifted on his heel as he studied her intently, not a trace of a smile on his face.
"No, it's not a life or death situation..but I haven't been able to think straight since you told me that you discovered my dirty little secret.." he trailed off into silence at the glare that was sent in his direction.
"You think it's bothers me?" Stacy snorted, smirking in spite of the pain in her chest. "I could give a shit less who you're fucking!" She knew deep inside that this was far from the truth but to let Randy know this..well, that would give him even more control over her.
"Really? I was under the impression that it bothered you..since all you seem to do is mope around," he said casually. Stacy laughed bitterly, raising an accusing finger.
"Oh, please! Don't make me puke..why the hell would I mope over you?" she raised an eyebrow at him. "Get it through your head that I do not care about you!" Randy chuckled softly as he bowed his head to hide the humor on his face. Watching her desperately try and hide the truth was extremely funny to him.
"Well, let me test that theory," he whispered, taking a swift step forward. Stacy blinked in confusion but before she had the chance to question him, Randy had leaned down to take her lips captive. His ever so gentle movement sent shivers down her spine..and she found herself reacting to his kiss. Randy softly forced her mouth open to insert his tongue, not the least bit surprised when she allowed him access. "I'd say that by the way you're reacting to me, you still care, Stace." Guilt washed over her as she listened to his words. How could she let herself give into him after all he'd done? Stacy shoved with all her might on his hard chest, feeling sick as she studied the amused smirk that had crossed his lips.
"Oh, good one! Catch me off guard and then try and seduce me..how typical of you, Orton!" Stacy trembled as she attempted to play it off as best she could..but it was hard when Randy knew her so well. "You are a no good prick! I swear to God if you even touch me again, I'll fucking kill you." Randy tossed his back and laughed aloud, this irritating Stacy beyond console.
"Stacy, Jesus, stop pretending.."
"I am not pretending!" she screamed, tightening her fists as if she were ready to swing at Randy with all her might. Her head was spinning in both embarrassment and rage and if she didn't get away from him soon, something terrible would happen. Stacy gathered up her purse and tossed her jacket over her shoulder. She took one more look at Randy, who was now silent and watching her in the way that made her feel as if she were naked. "Don't look at me like that.."
"Like what?" he whispered, pushing up from the car he was leaning on to get closer to her. Stacy backed away and stared at him with cold eyes, her breathing rapid and forced as she studied him.
"Like you used to..before we'd make love..don't..do that, Randy.." Stacy held back the tears that were threatening to spill down onto her cheeks. She would not cry in front of him. Silence hung over Randy as he continued to watch her, now aware that she was about to break down and sob.
"What happened to us?" he whispered again.
"Don't play stupid, you know that answer." Stacy no longer wished to be in his presence. She didn't care if she was half way around the world..just anywhere but near him. "I don't want to have his conversation." She turned on her heel, ready to leave, only to stop when she heard the three words from Randy she'd been dying to hear, the words that would haunt her all through the night.
"I miss you."
