an. I don't know why but, this is the story that begged to be updated. I have already started the update for BTR but, I am stuck. I think Adam just wanted to be written about. Also, still contemplating the side pairings (yes, there will be side pairings… at least one for Seth & Bayley…) but, they will be minor. This story will just be a lighthearted go with the flow story. Not my usual speed but, i am trying something new.
disclaimer. I am in no way affiliated with the WWE.
All of Me | Chapter One
When love is not madness it is not love.
― Pedro Calderon de la Barca
Allison slung her duffel bag over her shoulder and grabbed the handle of her leopard print rolling suitcase. She had just exited the women's locker room when a strong hand clasped her shoulder, causing her to jump.
"Hey Allie, you ready?"
She glanced into the familiar brown eyes of the Undisputed Era's Kyle O'Reilly.
She sucked in a deep breath in an attempt to calm her frazzled nerves and nodded.
"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you." He smiled knowingly and nodded toward the door. "Adam just went to get the car and Roddy and Bobby are outside."
"Thanks for waiting for me then." Allie gave a weak smile as the duo began to walk toward the exit.
"No problem. You shouldn't be walking by yourself alone this late anyway." He said as they turned the corner and neared the exit door. "Not that you can't take care of yourself…." He added quickly, "It's just there are some real messed up people and all."
Allie laughed, "It's okay. I appreciate your concern. We all know I am absolutely not able to take care of myself. I am not ashamed of it."
Kyle rolled his eyes in an exaggerated manner. "You are too capable of taking care of yourself. You just get a bit nervous, Allie. It's no big deal." He said as he held the door open for her.
She gave him a grateful smile and stepped out into the warm night air. It might have been October but, in Florida it was still comfortably warm, even at night.
A black SUV was already waiting by the doors when they stepped outside. As they approached, the rear passenger side door flew open. Roderick sat in the back, smiling enthusiastically.
"Hurry up slow pokes. We have been waiting ages." He hollered.
Allie shook her head in mock disgust and made sure to slow down her pace. She heard Adam's familiar laugh from the front seat and couldn't help but smile.
Kyle opened the hatch to the back of the SUV and they threw their luggage in. She walked around and jumped in the backseat while he closed the hatch. She slid over to the middle, seated next to Roderick, so Kyle could slide in and close the passenger door.
"Finally! If you moved any slower it would be Christmas Allie!" Roderick whined.
"If you keep bugging me I'll tell Adam I forgot something in the locker room and I have to go back and get it." She retorted in a hushed tone.
She knew Adam heard from the smirk he gave her when he glanced in the rear view mirror.
-x-x-x-
She made sure she was planted safely between Kyle and Adam in the booth at the bar. She enjoyed the music but, it was far too loud for her liking and she hated the way everyone glanced at her as they walked by.
She accepted the glass of soda that Bobby handed her from the collection of glasses he carried over from the bar. She wasn't much of a drinker and had opted for a plain soda. Adam had also ordered a plain soda since he was driving home.
She drug her lip between her teeth as she glanced at her best friend, who was talking animatedly with Roderick about the upcoming tapings. How was she going to tell him about going to the main roster? She knew she needed to tell him soon. She would be leaving in just three days.
She sucked in a deep breath that caught Kyle's attention. "You alright?" He whispered, being extra careful not to draw the attention of the others.
"Fine, promise. I was just thinking." She patted his arm gently, earning a slight smile and more comforted look from her friend. She grabbed her small handbag, that was tucked in between her and Adam, and pulled out her cellphone. She clicked on the second name in the very short list of discussions.
Hey, bro.. I hope you are missing me..
She hit the send button and took a sip of her soda. It only took a few seconds for her phone to buzz on her lap.
Of course I am, how could I not miss my baby sister.
She shook her head at the term baby and quickly began to type her reply.
Well you won't have to worry about it anymore you will be seeing me very soon.
What do you mean? Do you have some time off, are you coming to visit?
No. No, I am not coming back to Iowa. … I am coming up to the main roster.
You got your call up! That is amazing.
Yea… so I was wondering if you could pick me up at the airport .
I will be there. How did Cole take it?
I haven't told him yet. I am going to later tonight.
How are YOU talking it?
Not so well, if I am being honest.
You will do fine. You are ready for this. Besides, I will be there to help you out.
Don't you have enough to worry about without taking care of me too?
Last time I checked that is what brothers do.
"Who you talking to so intently?" Adam asked.
Allie looked up from her phone. Bobby and Roderick where now talking with Kyle, leaving Adam without someone to talk to. "I was just checking in with Seth."
"How is he?"
"Same ol'; Same ol'"
Adam nodded in understanding. He took a sip of his drink and watched her intently for a moment, then shook his slightly before taking another swig from the glass. He then sat the glass down and ran his finger along the end of his napkin.
It was obvious he was thinking about something.
"You okay, Adam?" She inched a bit closer to her friend, tossing her handbag to her other side between herself and Kyle.
"Fine." He replied, a little too quickly for her liking.
"Did I do something wrong?" She inquired. She hadn't been trying to bother him but, there was always the off hand possibility that she had offended him by being on her phone… "I can talk to Seth later..I didn't mean to be rude."
She inched backward when he chuckled unexpectedly. She eyed him with a mixture of curiosity and concern when he turned his gaze back toward her.
"You didn't do anything wrong Allie. Quite the contrary. You think we can go outside and talk for a minute?"
She dug her nails into the palm of her hand as her heart rate picked up. It's just Adam. It's just Adam. She repeated to herself.
But, for once it wasn't the idea of a one on one social interaction that had her reeling. It was the fact that she had something important to tell him too.
She nodded her head and grabbed her purse as Adam slid out of the booth. She followed suit, making sure that the pleated skirt of her Nightmare Before Christmas dress didn't ride up as she slid over the leather.
He grabbed her hand and helped her up. She glanced at the boys as she followed Adam to the door. They all were watching them with knowing looks and she couldn't help but wonder if Hunter told them about her call up already and Adam was upset she didn't tell him right away.
They crossed the bar and he held the front door open for her as they stepped outside. The night sky was clear and the stars twinkled high above the city lights.
He let the door close behind them and shoved his hands into the pocket of his jeans.
"Adam, honestly, I need to talk to you about something too…"
He held up a hand and she quickly fell silent.
"I don't mean to be rude to you Allie but, I need to say this now. I am having a moment where I am okay with being selfish and if I don't go ahead with it now I don't know when I will work up the bravado again."
"What are you talking about? The last thing you are is selfish."
"No, this is selfish but, I can't help it."
"Okay, Adam. I can wait."
He sighed and nodded, "Allie. I know that social things… interactions... like this" He gestured between them with his hand, "I know that is hard for you... "
"Not with you, Adam. I thought you knew that…. I... "
"No, I know that. We are friends and you are comfortable around me and that is why this is so selfish. I finally got you this comfortable around me and now I am going to say this and it's probably not fair to you…. No, it's definitely not fair to you…. But, Allie… I absolutely adore you."
Allie froze. Certainly he couldn't mean what she thought he meant. He must mean as a friend. What else could he mean?
But why would he be so worried about telling her that?
She glanced at him. He stood in front of her, watching her intently. He was trying to be calm but, his eyes game him away.
She closed her eyes as her heart began to race again, pounding so fast it felt like it was trying to bust through her chest. She took a deep breath, hoping to settle herself before she fell over the edge. She clenched her fists tightly to keep her hands from shaking. No, no, no you can't do this. You have to stay calm, you have to stay calm."
His hands were on her shoulders in an instant. She opened her eyes and found herself staring it his. "Allie, it's okay if you don't feel the same way. It doesn't change anything. I promise." His tone was soft and soothing. "Just relax. It's okay, everything is okay."
If she didn't feel the same way? How could she possibly be anything but head over heels for him? He was quite literally her knight in shining armor.
It was just the mere thought of him actually reciprocating those feelings had been unimaginable to her. Who was going to like her? The socially awkward loser who could barely string a sentence together without her brother or best friend around.
Not her best friend, more than her best friend.
She took a deep breath, and then another. Slowly, she unclenched her fists and with shaking hands she grabbed both of his and squeezed them gently. She wanted nothing more than to look into his eyes when she spoke to him but, instead she found her gaze going right through hm, her eyes locked on a particularly beautiful tree across the street. "How could I not feel the same way. I think it is pretty obvious you are the most important person in my life." She managed.
She gasped as he pulled his hands away and quickly snaked his arms around her waist… pulling her into a tight embrace. She relaxed in his arms and smiled as she, too wrapped her arms around him.
"Thank you for putting up with me even though I get stupid and pathetic."
"You are anything but stupid and pathetic." He said as he released her from his grip and smiled. "You are amazing."
She felt her cheeks grow hot as she mumbled her gratitude.
He grabbed one of her hands and was about to reach for the door when he stopped.
"Allie, you had something you wanted to tell me." He reminded her.
She frowned, "Dammit. I almost forgot. This sucks."
"What sucks? Is everything okay?"
"No, Adam.. I am getting called up to the main roster on Monday. That is why Hunter wanted to talk to me."
Allie pulled her hand away and cursed under her breath as tears of frustration pricked her eyes. Damn her and her inability to control her emotions.
Adam sighed, "Hey it's okay. don't get upset. This doesn't change anything."
"It does though. I was so upset when I found out because i didn't know what I was going to do without my best friend… and now you… we…"
"It's going to be just fine. Being apart a few days a week isn't going to change how I feel about you.. And if you need me I am just a text, phone call or facetime away.. When you come home on your days off we can spend as much time together as you want. It will be great..." He smiled sweetly and brushed a stray tear away from her cheek with his thumb. "This doesn't change anything okay?"
She sighed and nodded. "Okay."