I'm sorry that this has taken a while. But things have lightened up a bit now so I should be able to update more often. I really can't thank you enough for all your reviews. I know I gave you guys a bit of a shock with the ending of the last chapter but…I'm evil like that! I hope you enjoy this chapter because I had a really good time writing it.
Chapter 19 : Memories, Arguments and that Damn Smirk.
She paused trying to read his expression but couldn't, he was guarding himself better than she had ever seen. "I don't know."
"Well I do. I want you to know how I feel."
"Ok. How do you feel Randy?"
He smiled, glad she asked, "When I look at you, when I stand this close to you, when I think back on the last few months, on everything going on in my life I realise…that I…I…" he faltered, unsure if he could actually do it before his resolve strengthened.
He brought a hand up to her face and traced her cheek bone, "right here, right now," his eyes hardened, "I can honestly tell you that I really, really hate you!"
He watched as her eyes widened and her jaw slacked. They kept eye contact for a moment before she turned her head to the side her eyes closing as what felt like the longest silence ever continued.
She had almost laughed when she first heard the words but, as she scoped the look in his eyes she knew… what he was saying was for real. Now she didn't know what to say.
Finally forcing her gaze back to his she swallowed, "You…you hate me?"
The look that she held had him unable to speak. Choosing instead to nod he watched her blink a few times before she nodded as well and tried to process the information – just as he did. Then without warning the memory of a day five years ago came crashing in on him.
FLASHBACK
Sighing, he studied the building in front of him. There was nothing extraordinary about it; it looked a little banged up actually. But this was the place that was going to change him. It was going to teach him how to do what he wanted to do. Teach him how to wrestle, in the hopes of following in the footsteps of his father and his grandfather. Also, his mother was pretty vocal on hoping that this was what was going to make him grow up. She hadn't quite gotten over the AWOL incident yet.
Twenty minutes, countless forms and a bundle of nerves later he stood waiting for Dr Tom in the reception area and looked at old photographs that littered the walls.
"I'm telling you," a deep voice bragged to the people near him as he walked to where Randy was standing, "you should have heard that bitches southern accent when she was screaming for me."
"Screaming for mercy maybe," Randy muttered to himself as he looked the man over, the guy definitely could do with cutting back on the cookies.
However Randy's comment was spoken louder than he realised and the guy turned to look at him.
Mike, as Randy soon found out his name was, looked at him for a second before turning to the guy next to him, "Who the fucks the rookie?" When the other man shrugged he addressed his question to Randy. "Who are you?"
"Randy Orton."
"Orton?"
"Yeah. Randy Orton."
"So you're the wrestler's son then? We heard some idiot, riding daddy's coat tails was coming, and here you are."
Randy frowned at him but said nothing.
"Well, I'm Mike and just between you and me, you better not cross me punk."
He stared hard and muttered to himself again as the little group walked away, "Glad to meet you to. Fucking idiot."
"Who got on your bad side?" Tom Pritchard said coming from behind him.
"Oh er," he hesitated, that was not the best start imaginable to his day but there was nothing he could do about it. "It's no big deal. Just some guy saying something about me, 'riding daddy's coattails'."
"Sorry kid, I shoulda warned you, word got 'round that a next generation guy was coming and, well, some didn't take too kindly to it."
He nodded but couldn't help but hope that not everyone was that bad here.
His hope wasn't holding too much water for his first morning, after getting a briefing from Tom he was put with a group for basic warm-ups and Mike, who apparently had a big mouth and had told everyone who he was, was in his group.
Determined not to snap on his first day he kept quiet when the guy that Randy guessed to be 27 kept running his mouth.
The centre was big, there were a lot of people there training up but Randy felt like the only guy in the room when he went to catering. Trying hard to keep his head down he ignored a few shouted out comments about his family and sat alone at a table.
His ignorance was going well until a girl came up to his table, two guys following behind her. She looked at him for a moment before turning around and saying, "John, some guys at our usual spot."
Randy sat silently while the guy, that the British sounding girl had called John, came up and stared at him.
"Do we know him?"
"Er," Randy said, not wanting any more drama, "I'm done any way, I'll just go."
"Wait," John said quickly, "I haven't seen you before, you new?"
"Yeah it's my first day."
"What's your name?" the other guy asked.
He inwardly sighed and braced himself for a snarky comment, the type he'd been getting all day, "Randy Orton."
"Orton," the girl murmured. The two guys shared a look and nodded at each other. "Cowboy's son?"
"Yeah," he said quietly, "my dad was Cowboy Bob."
She eyed him with interest and the two guys spoke quietly. He sat, with her green eyes on him and felt even more uncomfortable than he had all day with the strange way she was looking at him.
"Smirk," she said eventually.
"Huh?" He asked.
"Smirk. We've been hearing rumours this past week about someone's son, I guess that's you, and pretty much everyone's already got you pegged as an arrogant, no-talent idiot."
John and the other guy who Randy found himself very intimidated by sat down at the table but continued to look up at the girl.
"So?" he asked confused.
"So," she explained, "I'm looking at you now and you look like you're about to cry, you keep with that attitude and the people here will eat you alive. You're gonna need to perfect a smirk if you wanna keep from getting you arse handed to you."
"She's right," John said.
"Uh, ok." He smirked but even that appeared uncomfortable.
"No, that won't work," she said shaking her head. "Oh I got it," she leaned over the table and he noticed briefly that her cleavage was right in his face before she started whispering in his ear.
His jaw dropped at what she had said and he suddenly felt as though the room had gotten 100 degrees hotter. He tried to speak but no sound came out.
"Oh for Gods sake, Orton, picture it."
"Oh believe me I am."
"Ok so I've done it and then walked away, leaving you satisfied – without even telling you my name. How do you feel?"
Suddenly he felt a smirk tugging his lips, the smirk that would melt female fans a few years down the line. The girl smiled, satisfied with her work and nodded, "I'm a genius," she said sitting down.
"You're a tease more like." The large man said smiling fondly, clearly having an inkling on what she had whispered. "Sorry kid, I haven't introduced myself, "I'm Dave Bautista, this joke here," he said pointing to John who protested with "Hey!", "is John Cena. And this little vixen here," he gestured to the woman but she interrupted him.
"I'm Jenni Sage. Oh, and that smirks really sexy."
"Thanks," he said shyly, some of his nervousness disappearing since they seemed to be being nice.
Jenni giggled, "He's blushing." She nodded, "Yeah, I like you."
END FLASHBACK
She broke eye contact with him and stepped around him. Lowering herself into her seat she swallowed again and took a moment to collect her composure.
Taking a deep breath and forcing her voice to stay flat she spoke, "Mind if I ask why?"
He turned at the tone in her voice and his eyes flared at the expressionless way she spoke. Does this girl have any feelings? He didn't answer her question but instead asked on of his own. "Do you care?"
Her eyes snapped back to him and the voice that was emotionless moments ago was suddenly incredulous. "Care? You asking me if I… I don't know Randy. The bloke, who I've been calling my best friend for years, hates me. Why would I care about that?"
He sank down in the chair opposite her and sighed. This was definitely not how he saw today, and this conversation going. Then again, he had no plans to say he hated her until the words were already on his lips.
Not knowing what else to say he said something he had been reluctant to admit, "Becky hates me."
She laughed at that but was careful not to make eye contact again. "Wow," she said almost cheerfully, "You Orton's really are giving out the love these days aren't you?"
"She hates me because of you!"
She laughed loudly at that as well. Picking up the bottle of alcohol on the table she poured a large measure into her glass and slid the bottle over to him.
"I've gotta tell ya, Randy, I can't wait to hear how you justify that one."
His frown became more pronounced as he took the bottle. He hated the way she was acting, did she not care that minutes ago he told her he hated her?
Taking a sip from his glass he sighed, "She thinks you're a better sister than I am a brother."
"She told you this did she?"
"Yeah, she told me this morning."
"Oh good," she smiled.
"What?" he asked, eyebrows raised, "what the hells good about it?"
"It's good that she's awake. You didn't answer my question when I asked you if Becky was ok, but… now, I know she's awake. I can stop worrying."
"Worrying?" He scoffed, "Feeling guilty more like. After all, if you hadn't fucked up spectacularly she wouldn't be in hospital, would she?"
He smirked when she stayed quiet. He wasn't quite sure what game they were playing with each other but her going silent indicated that, at this moment, he was winning.
"Back to you being a terrible brother."
So much for winning. "I am not a terrible brother." He spoke slowly and said every word sharply. Not sure if he was trying to convince her, or himself.
Jenni noticeably rolled her eyes at that. "Okay, you're not a terrible brother. You're a fantastic brother," she said sarcastically. "A patron Saint of Brotherhood if you will, but, oh dear best friend of mine, you're not with her now. Are you?"
"I had to talk to you. Besides, me and Becky had a fight."
"I'm shocked," she stated, the sarcasm still strong.
"If you must know, the fight was about you."
"About me?"
"Yeah, a fight about you." He looked up at the ceiling as if looking towards the heavens, "Surprise, surprise. My little sister's in the hospital but somehow, my best friend is still the centre of my universe. Funnily enough," he said looking back at her, "You're the reason she was in there in the first place. It was your fault."
She tossed back the rest of her drink and swallowed thickly as he stared at her mercilessly. "I'm flattered," she said eventually. He raised an eyebrow and she continued, "I'm all you're thinking about while you're baby sisters in the hospital. Oh I'm sorry Randy you were saying something about being a good brother."
Clenching his jaw he said, "I'm glad I'm flattering you."
"Oh good," she said cheerfully, "I'm flattered and you're glad. Isn't this visit working out nicely?"
"It's great."
"Get out," she said suddenly, catching him off guard.
"What?" he spluttered.
"I said get out."
"Why?"
"Why?" she mocked, "Randy, don't act stupid, it's really not attractive. You came here and told me you hate me. In light of that babe, your open offer to drop by is no longer working, get out."
"No," he said forcefully, "I'm not going anywhere. I want to talk to you."
"Well I want you to get out."
"Tough! The only way you're getting me out of here right now is by force and frankly Jenni," he smirked again, "I'm a hell of a lot stronger than you."
"Yes you are," she admitted and seemed to resign herself to him being there before asking cattily, "that reminds me, you been taking steroids again?"
He glared at her, "I dunno babe, but since we're near the subject I wanted to ask you, your tits are looking a bit bigger these days, did you get 'em done again?"
"No I did not!"
"No?" He said faking surprise before hitting the subject that women world wide hate, "Oh I guess you must have just gained weight then."
"You son of a –,"
Her insult was cut off by Randy's phone emitting its ring tone. Digging through his pocket he heard Jenni grumbling some choice words and looked up to smirk at her before dropping his eyes back to the screen.
Sam
Uh oh.
His heart began racing a mile a minute and he quickly looked back to Jennifer, worried that she might have seen it then start getting suspicious. But it was ridiculous; she was on the other side of the table and couldn't possibly see the name on display.
"Are you gonna answer that bloody thing?" she snapped annoyed.
He thought for a second before shaking his head and placing the phone down on the table, happy to antagonise her a little more.
Too much though, because before he could make any move to stop her she had reached over and picked it up from in front of him.
Staring at the display her jaw dropped a little and she looked directly into the eyes of the man before her but he looked away, a guilty expression stretching across his handsome face. Then the ringing stopped.
Flipping the lid down to answer the call she held the phone to her ear, not saying anything, just listening.
"Randy? Are you there? It's me baby. Are you there? I've been trying to get hold of you all day. I wanted to tell you what an amazing night I had last night, and we both know you enjoyed it," Sam paused as she laughed, "Randy, why aren't you saying anything?"
Jenni cut the call off and placed the phone back on the table. She stared at him and waited patiently for him to speak. Finally, after an uncomfortable minute that seemed much longer than it actually was, he did.
"What did she say?"
She stood up from the table. "Oh Randy," she said imitating the voice of his ex fiancé surprisingly well. "I'm so amazing, you're so amazing. Last night was oh so amazing."
"I didn't –"
"Why aren't you saying anything Randy?" she said continuing in her imitation. "Why Randy, why? Just because I'm a possessive and needy little bitch that you wasted a ridiculous amount of time with? Is that why Randy?"
"I never meant for you to –"
"Are you a selfish wanker Randy?" She carried on, "Are you so pathetic and self-serving that when your sister was in the hospital you were more concerned about getting your useless arse laid?"
"Jenni, I can explain if you just –"
"And are you so desperate that you would screw around with-"
"With who?" He burst angrily, standing up also. "With the woman I was gonna marry until you fucked it all up?"
"Me? How the hell did I fuck up your engagement to that whiny little bitch?"
"Whiny little bitch? It's all coming out now isn't it, babe?"
"Oh come on Randy, apparently you hate me and I gotta say…I'm really not liking you too much right now so, if nothing else, let's be honest with each other. For once."
"If that's what you want."
"You didn't answer my question, how did I fuck up your engagement?"
"It's not important," he dismissed.
"Yes it is. I wanna know how I ruined your engagement."
"Well I don't wanna tell you!"
"Tough! You're gonna tell me and you're gonna tell me now!"
"Yeah because it's always about you isn't it?"
"You're the one who makes it about me!"
"I can't help it!"
"What the hell do you mean you can't help it?"
"Because it's always there! Every damn minute of every damn day! What do you think this is all about, Jenni? I can't stop it and I hate that I can't!" He exclaimed on the verge of being hysterical. "It doesn't matter what I'm doing I can't get it out of my head!"
"Can't get what out of your head?"
"All the damn time!"
"Are you ever gonna answer one of my questions?" When he said nothing she span around and began to walk out of the room.
"Where are you going?"
She ignored him and continued heading towards the front door.
"Jenni?" He called and she ignored him again. To stop her he grabbed hold of her arm tightly and spun her back around. Pushing her against the wall, he flinched as he heard her head snap back and hit it but all other emotion was over-riding and guilt he felt right now.
"Where the hell are you going?"
"Outside," she said sharply, trying to get her arm free. Not that she could, he had it tightly enclosed but to be sure she couldn't get away he took hold of her other arm as well and leaned into her completely trapping her between him and the wall.
"Why are you going out all of a sudden?"
"Because you're shouting about stuff that doesn't make sense and it's giving me a headache." She panted angrily, her chest rising and falling against his. "Let go, you're hurting my arm."
He loosened his grip slightly but not enough for her to be able to get away.
"Fine," he huffed, "You want something that makes sense? You want me to make things clear? Ok. I fucked Sam."
"I gathered that!"
"Would you let me finish?" She went quiet so he continued, but spoke much softer than before. "I did something stupid, but it's all connected. Last night, what happened with Sam, it was because of you."
"You're blaming me for-"
"Jenni, let me finish. We had a fight yesterday and then when Becky woke up me an her had a fight about you and I just got so…" he let out a ragged breath, "oh God I dunno I was, messed up I guess. I ran into her at the park, I didn't seek her out or anything if that's what you think. Well, we got talking and one thing led to another…you know how it goes. Then, later on, I was lying in the bed and I felt sick, I couldn't believe I had done it again."
"Done what again?" Jenni asked hesitantly.
"Used her," he said simply. When she frowned he elaborated, "Used her to stop thinking. I did it last night and I did towards the end of our relationship, even longer than that, maybe."
"Stop thinking? Stop thinking about what?"
"About you," he said so softly that if they weren't standing so close she wouldn't have heard him.
Silence followed his words and he looked directly in her eyes. She was confused, that was obvious. She truly didn't understand what he meant. He opened his mouth to speak the words but in that instant his voice seemed to leave him.
He saw that she was about to speak but much like him, she seemed unable to as well.
Not knowing what else to do he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. He began to pull away but stopped, he could smell the bath that he had interrupted all over her skin. He leaned back down and kissed her softly again. He lingered for a second before he lowered a kiss to her jaw line. Lightly kissing all over it. Moving down to her neck he peppered kissed along her shoulder, across her collarbone and to her other shoulder.
Hearing a whimper from her he pulled back and again looked her in the eye. There were a hundred unanswered questions in them but there was something else, something he hadn't ever seen from her before. He stopped all contemplating as their lips hit each other. He wasn't sure whether he had closed the gap or whether she had but right now he couldn't care less.
The gentleness he had shown to her quickly disappeared as an animalistic passion coursed through both of them and as they kissed wildly they pulled at each others clothes.
They moved from the hall, bumping and crashing into anything and everything but she didn't seem aware of any damage to her possessions as his hands moved up and down her body, pulling her closer to him than she had ever been as she finally discarded his final piece of clothing.
Somewhere in the middle of the trashing of her apartment she huskily murmured into his ear, "Is this your way of showing me how much you hate me?"
"No, babe," he said with a huskiness that rivalled her own and a smirk, reminiscent of their first meeting, "it's me showing you how much I love you."
They finally did it! What do you think? Are you happy about the way it went down? Are you not happy? I'd love for you to tell me! But I must warn you, the drama is just getting started!
Love Ya! DollFace!
