Chapter Four

Joshua had already texted Jan than about Darren arriving early. Once Jonathan got home, he cleaned up a bit and got everything ready for the get together with the twins later. From what Joshua texted him, Darren sounded every bit of the asshole he expected him to be. Tyler seemed cool and would be easy to get along with at least. Joshua also mentioned how uneasy Roya was around him and that made Jonathan want to suplex him the minute he walked through the door. But he would be cool and not do anything unnecessary for now. Soon the Bellas arrived first and brought party favors.

"Oh wonderful, more piss water," Jonathan commented as he put a bottle of wine that Nikki brought in the fridge, "Ro will love this."

"You wine hater,"Nikki stated as she hopped up on a stool, "But speaking of Ro, I must say that she is just as pretty and awesome as you described her."

"She's definitely something." Jonathan smiled

"Sure is." she said as she gave him a mischievous smirk

"What?" he asked

"Oh nothing," she replied as she popped one of the wine bottles open

"Stop that." Jonathan said as he knew what she was getting at

"Stop what?" Nikki asked playfully

"That! You're trying to start something and we have already had this discussion." he replied as he poured himself a drink

"Yes, I know and I won't dig too deep into anything. It's just that since now I have met her, I can see why you..."

"Yo, we're home." Joshua announced as he opened the door. Thank you Jesus, Jonathan thought as he was not in the mood to have this conversation with Nikki. He knew she didn't know how to quit when she felt she was right about something. Sure he had told her he liked Roya more than a friend but he didn't know what to do about it. And Nikki felt he should be honest and make a move. But that was easier said than done.

"Welcome home." Jonathan greeted as he watched them walk in; behind Joshua was who he presumed to be Tyler and followed by him was Darren and Roya holding hands. The sight alone was enough for Jonathan to down his drink quickly. His stomach started to turn. As if on cue, Darren narrowed his eyes at him as if summing him up. Jonathan flashed a look his way as if saying, the fuck you looking at? But he quickly smiled and returned to just being cool.

"Nice to see you again Roya and pleasure to meet your boo and best friend." Brie commented

Darren smiled and shook the twins hands before walking up to Jonathan. With yet another attempt to show strength, Darren put his hand out for Jonathan. Jonathan was not impressed whatsoever with Darren's grip.

"Got quite the grip there friend," Darren stated

"It's what happens when you bodyslam people for a living." Jonathan smirked

Roya nervously smiled as she knew Jonathan well enough to know he was being sarcastic with Darren because he didn't like him. This night was slowly heading down the toilet. As if sensing her uneasiness, Nikki stood up and started loudly chatting with Tyler

"So Roya tells me you are a Bella fan as well." Nikki smiled, Tyler didn't know what to do with himself as he was still in disbelief that the Bellas were in front of him.

"Fan is not the correct word." Tyler gushed as he hugged her

"I was snooping around your Instagram after I followed Roya and came across some amazing pictures. All of your designs and art work are amazing. You are so talented. I had to follow you hun." she admitted

Tyler nearly fell but composed himself, "Thank you so much." he smiled

"I must say that I was very impressed with the Bella costumes for Halloween." Brie commented as she took a sip of her wine, "You two looked amazing."

"Bella costumes? What Bella costumes?" Joshua asked as Roya started to panic, she deliberately never posted the night on her Instagram because she didn't want the twins to see it. Plus it wasn't exactly the best night of her life.

"You didn't see the video?" Nikki asked, "Then you missed all of this pretty little lady's moves.

"Please,...it wasn't that great." Roya commented with a nervous laugh

"Don't be shy, I think it was amazing." Nikki said

"Now I want to see the video." Joshua stated

"Already on it." Jonathan said as he was looking through Tyler's Instagram and found the video in question. Roya's heart was racing. It was the bravest and stupidest thing she had ever done, "Oh shit." Joshua eagerly walked over and joined his brother in looking at the video. Roya and Tyler were dressed as Nikki and Brie. She had on a long brown wig, black booty shorts, a red fearless crop top, knee high red socks and white sneakers. They were at a party and did the Bella entrance. Joshua had to fight the temptation of biting his lip. Roya looked sexy as hell. When she did the hip roll and showed a peek of her cheeks, blood immediately rushed from one head to the other. Jonathan was lucky to have a glass to his mouth as he used it to hide him biting his lip. Good lawd, he thought as he could feel his pants tighten.

"I know I look flawless." Tyler commented, "And Ro looked like a snack,"

"She looked okay." Darren interrupted, "It was last year so she was still in the process of getting rid of her stomach. Work in progress."

"Okay? Check that body out; I wish I had those cheeks." Nikki stated, "Ass for days."

"Um hello boyfriend, your girlfriend is hot." Brie commented

Before Darren could say anything, Roya interrupted, "Hey how about we leave Roya's darkest moment for another party? Yeah?" she really didn't feel like having this discussion right now. Nikki and Brie could feel that she was embarrassed so they didn't want to press the issue. The twins were too busy replaying the video to pay attention to any conversations going on.

"So... who's ready for shots ?" Tyler asked as Jonathan finally looked away from his phone

"Shots?" Jonathan's ears perked up

"I could use a few right about now." Roya stated as Jonathan looked at her, he was so focused on the video that he had only caught bits of the conversation.

"You okay?" he mouthed at Roya as she nodded

"Let me take a look at the bar and see what I can whip up for us." Tyler commented as he walked over to Jonathan, "Excuse me Mr. Uso, would you mind?"

"I could never say no to someone else being bartender." Jonathan happily stepped aside and let Tyler look over what they had.

"Looks like Christmas has come early." Tyler stated as he pulled out a bottle of Rumchata, Fireball whiskey and Vanilla Crown Royal.

"What is all this for?" Nikki asked

"Party favorite of mine, I call it Christmas in your mouth." he replied as he made a shot and offered her to try. Nikki drank it and smiled

"Oh wow, that is great." she said

"Tasty and deadly...just like me." Tyler commented as he proceeded to make a round for them. Soon everyone was drinking except Joshua as he still had a few days before he could drink. Joshua and Jonathan were happy that Roya and the twins were hitting it off. Even Tyler was was making quick friends with them. The only killjoy in the room was Darren. He was sitting alone on a couch drinking a beer. Joshua glanced at him and wondered what the hell Roya saw in him. He seemed boring and annoying within the few hours he was around him. Plus he vaguely heard his remarks about Roya's Instagram video. To Joshua, Roya was perfect just the way that she was. It would be one thing to be concerned about her health but to bluntly say her body needs work in a vain way, is just rude. Glancing over at Jonathan, he saw him giving Darren the death glare. Tapping him on the shoulder, Jonathan sighed and proceeded to pick up another drink. Roya was talking to Nikki as Tyler was chatting up with Brie.

"I just want to say again that you are every bit of awesome as the guys described you." Nikki stated

"That means a lot. I'm sure that they have probably shared an embarrassing story or two though." Roya laughed

"Nothing too embarrassing," Nikki smiled as she glanced in Darren's direction, "Boyfriend not social?"

Roya sighed, this was how he always was. He stayed to himself and was on his phone for most of the time. Chances were he was noting all the things he would want to talk about with her later.

"He's shy." Roya commented as she downed her drink, "I'll be back." She walked over and sat down on the couch next to him. He quickly put his phone away and smiled.

"You okay?" Roya asked

"Yeah," he started,"...just not my kind of crowd. You know me, I'm fine with a beer and night alone."

"Well you can do that any night, how often do you get to unwind with friends and WWE wrestlers." she commented

"They're not exactly the Rock or Austin. Plus these are your friends not mine." he stated as Roya was insulted he would say that about them.

"Don't be a dick! Yes these are my friends, but they are also cool people" she said annoyed

"Look you probably had too many drinks as always and you're not acting rationally. I say when you're done with your drink we heard back to the hotel and call it a night."

"Why are you being like this? Instead of being happy to be around friends, you're being mean to them and rude." Roya commented

"Roya,….."

"No. If you want to leave then go. I'm not ready to leave." she stood up and walked away from him. As she was walking past the table, Joshua reached his hand out for her,

"Ro, you okay?" he asked

"I just need some air." she lied then walked away from him. He knew better than to believe that. Watching as she headed to the backyard, he turned to see Jonathan about to walk up to Darren.

"I'm going to powerbomb his ass." Jonathan commented

"Another time man, come on." Joshua stated as he and Jonathan made their way outside to check on Roya. She was sitting in front of the fire pit with her head down. The twins walked up and took a seat on either side of her.

"You want us to suplex him?" Jonathan asked

"As much as it would make me happy right now, the sober me would rather you not." she replied

"Care to let us in on what happened?" Joshua asked

"….We have these stupid fights sometimes; he can be such a dick when he doesn't get his way and when he feels like I'm ruining my life. Him and my mom are pretty much the best of friends in that department." Roya sighed

Jonathan glanced at Joshua and they both knew how much of a pain her mom could be. She meant well, but since Roya was a kid all did was try to make sure she never made the same mistakes that she did and by doing so she tried to take control of her life. Roya's dad abandoned them after he cheated on her numerous times. She never wanted Roya to experience any of that and made her focus on school and work.

"Does Darren really make you happy?" Jonathan asked

"...in many ways yes; he shows he cares for me in different ways. I admit there are probably things about myself that need to change for the better and perhaps he is the one who can help me with that." she replied. That wasn't the answer the twins were hoping for; they didn't like Darren and as much as they were trying to give him a chance, they felt Roya could do better.

"Sounds like you're forcing yourself to believe that." Joshua stated, Roya turned her head towards him and let his words sink in. What if he was right, what if I was lying to myself? What if Tyler was right, I was with Darren not for me but because he was safe and it made my mom happy? she thought

"Roya," the three turned to see Darren approaching them, "I'm headed to my hotel, I have a house to check out tomorrow. You staying here or coming?"his question seemed to make the hair on the back of her neck stand. Joshua and Jonathan watched her closely, if she said the word they would personally escort Darren out the door. Reluctantly they could only watch as she stood up,

"I'll see you guys tomorrow." Roya stated as she hugged them both then walked towards Darren. Jonathan was about to say something but Joshua grabbed his arm. Chill, he mouthed.

Jonathan sighed as all he could think about was getting Roya out of this situation. But Joshua was right, it wasn't his place. At least until Roya made up her mind and gave the okay to put him in his place. Which unknown to him, was going to happen sooner than he thought.