Disclaimer: My name is not Vince McMahon; therefore I do not own anything pertaining to the WWE. This includes Randy Orton and all other superstars, unfortunately. But if he would like to give himself to me, I would gladly accept.
Chapter 10
"Should we be worried?"
"I don't know. I mean we just met her, maybe she's fine."
"I don't know. She's looks pretty bad."
These were the voices that Jordan was awoken by the next morning. She had purposefully turned her alarm off when it had rang at eight and simply rolled over and went back to bed. She vaguely made out Stacy's voice telling someone, most likely Chris, that she looked bad. Not that she could blame the young, blond woman; she more than likely did. After she had finally managed to get her emotions under control, she hadn't even bothered to dry off. She simply threw on her pajamas and laid down on her bed, only to stare at the ceiling for most of the night. That was one of her biggest idiosyncrasies. Once something was plaguing her mind, she just couldn't focus on anything else.
"You know she didn't even try to wake me up to jog, and you know how much she likes to wake me up," Chris stated with a frown.
"Maybe something happened last night," Stacy added. "Should we wake her up? It's almost noon."
"No need, I'm awake," Jordan said before pushing her covers back and slowly standing up.
"Are you okay, J? You don't look so good," Stacy said with concern.
Jordan made her way over to a mirror that was centered on an opposite wall from her. She stood in front of it and slowly took in her haggard appearance. Her normal soft and straight brunette hair was haphazardly sticking up and curling in different directions and the remains of last night's mascara had made its way down her tired looking face. Quite frankly she looked like death had warmed over.
With a sigh she ran her hand through her hair before replying, "Yeah, I'm fine. It was just a long night."
"Did everything go alright with Randy? You two looked pretty cozy when we left," Chris asked with a smirk.
Jordan contemplated for a moment whether or not to tell them what had happened or not. She decided that it was best not to give them a reason to distrust her, so with a long sigh she recapped the night's events to them.
"So he kissed you?" Stacy asked with half shock and half excitement.
"Yeah, he did," Jordan said smiling softly for a moment.
"And then what happened?" Stacy asked.
"I don't know. I just kind of freaked. We talked and just decided to be friends, I guess," Jordan said with a look of uncertainty.
"What?" Stacy asked with confusion. "I don't get it. You and Randy practically ooze with attraction and sexual tension," Stacy said with a laugh. "What's the problem?"
"I don't know," Jordan said as sat and crossed her legs on the bed. "There is just a lot of stuff that I've ignored from my past. There are things that I should have just gotten over along time ago, but I just couldn't."
Stacy looked down at the woman and saw how genuinely upset she was. So many different emotions played over her face.
"Do you want to talk about? I know we haven't known each other that long, but I want you to know you can trust me with anything," Stacy said with a friendly look of concern in her eyes.
Jordan smiled at her before replying, "Thank, Stace, but I just don't think I'm ready to talk about any of it yet."
"We're not the ones you should be telling anyway," Chris said finally adding his two-cents into the conversation. "Do you like Randy, J? I mean really like him enough to put yourself out there enough to tell him something that you don't really feel entirely comfortable with?"
"I don't know," she replied softly before adverting hers eyes to the ground. "I mean, I just met him and didn't even like him at first on top of that. But there's something there you know? Some kind of attraction that I can't explain, but it's there. And I know from what he said last night that he feels it too."
"Yeah, I know what you mean," Chris replied as his soft gaze met Stacy's. The two shared a secret smile before Chris continued. "Well what you need to do is decide whether or not it's worth it to put yourself out there. And if it's not, then you two go on as friends and everything is fine. But if it is than it might just be what everyone is constantly searching for."
"And what's that," Jordan inquired before finally meeting his eyes.
"Love," he stated simply.
Jordan knew that every word he had just said was true and that fact that he had known her for such a small period, but still felt comfortable enough to talk to her like this touched her more than she could ever express.
"You're right," she replied.
"Well, of course I am," he said as he tried to lighten the mood. Without another word, Jordan stood up and went over to Chris an enveloped him in a hug. Stacy looked on with shining eyes before getting up and hugging them both.
"Aww, you guys are going to make me cry," Stacy said. All three laughed before Chris and Stacy asked Jordan if she wanted to go eat with them so they could talk more.
"No thanks, guys. I want to get some things straightened out before tonight since I'm going to watch the show and won't be helping Eric. I'll grab something later," Jordan replied.
"Okay. Try to relax, J. Everything will work out," Stacy said with a smile before closing the door. Jordan knew that they were both exactly right. She would have to make a decision some time, because it really wasn't fair to drag Randy along if there wasn't a chance of anything happening. She also knew that she couldn't make that decision now. There was still so much that both of them needed to know about each other before jumping in to any kind of relationship. 'No matter how good it feels,' she thought to herself.
Jordan looked at herself in the mirror and decided that another shower was probably needed before she could face anyone in public. After that she quickly changed into a pair jeans and a shirt and decided that she had better catch up on some paperwork and phone calls before it was time to leave for the show. She settled into the desk that was in the far corner of her room and spent most of the rest of the afternoon booking shows and laying out some design plans for the upcoming pay-per-view. By the time she managed to look at the clock again it was already five o'clock and she had to be at the arena at five forty-five. She quickly stacked up the papers and notes she needed and set them in her briefcase before looking for something to wear. Knowing that she had little time to choose, she decided on a simple pair of black pants and an emerald green silk top that she especially loved. She gathered her things before finally shutting off her lights and heading to the arena were RAW would be held that night.
----
At the same time that Jordan was heading to the arena, a man dressed in black pants and a blue button down shirt was pacing anxiously around his locker room. Every since Randy had arrived earlier, his mind had been entirely focused on the encounter with Jordan the night before. He knew it was stupid to dwell on the matter any further. She had made it perfectly clear that she just wanted to be friends. 'Friends.' Now there was a word that Randy especially hated at the moment. He knew that he should just forget about the whole thing and give her the space that she obviously needed, but his pride and his ego reared their ugly head just as they always did. Randy always got what he wanted. And right now he wanted Jordan and we would be damned if he just gave up that easily. With that final thought he exited his locker room to go prepare for the promo that he had to shoot.
---
The first thing that Jordan did once she arrived at the arena was head straight to Eric's office to drop off the paperwork that she had managed to catch up on. Right as she opened the door an over zealous Eric could be seen running back and forth, obviously trying to find something, while on the phone. Jordan eyes widen as he finally threw the phone down and plopped down on a nearby couch with a long sigh.
"Umm, Eric," Jordan said with caution, "I, uh, I brought those venue contracts with me if you want to look them over."
"Yeah, that's fine. Just set them on my desk," He said while rubbing his eyes.
Jordan could tell that he was more stressed than usual so she asked, "Is there anything else you need me to do? The show doesn't start for an hour and half."
"No, I gave you the night off. Take it and run," he replied.
"Seriously, I don't mind at all. This is what you're paying me for," she joked.
He smiled at that before saying, "Very true. Alright, I need you to go over see a couple of promos before the show. Shouldn't be much to do, but feel free give a little direction if needed"
"No problem," Jordan said before taking the notes he was handing her.
"Thanks," he replied before setting off on yet another task. She quickly set off to find the designated promo area, hoping that that her job would be quick and she wouldn't have to miss any of the show. She found the promo area in little time and was surprised to see Adam lounging in a nearby chair with a paper that she naturally assumed contained his lines. She walked up closer just as he stood up and Jordan noticed for the first time that he was well, hot. His face was masked in concentration and his body was clad in loose blue jeans and a white t-shirt with a leather jacket. Jordan was always a fan of guys in leather so she noted his appearance with appreciation. He turned slightly and saw her standing there and greeted her with a smile and a small wave.
"Hey," Jordan said as she approached.
"Hi, Jordan, what's up?" The wrestler known as Edge asked her.
"I get to oversee the promos for awhile before the show starts."
"That's cool. Did Eric at least get you decent seats?" he asked with a laugh.
"Oh yeah, front row center, baby," Jordan said with a huge smile.
"That's awesome, who you taking?" Adam asked.
"Well, I was going to find someone my age from the crew to go, but everyone seems extremely busy. Plus I haven't had a chance to get to know them very well yet, so I'll probably go alone."
"Hey Copeland, you're up," someone called from behind. Jordan turned to see Tyler, the cameraman she had met her first night looking at them. He flashed her grin before turning back to his equipment.
"Watch and learn," he said with a wink before walking over with a confident stride. Jordan watched him nail his interview in one take and she had to admit she was impressed. She also had to admit that he was a bit of an enigma to her. One minute he seemed shy and almost vulnerable and the next completely charismatic and confident. He wrapped up the interview for saying a quick good-bye to Tyler and walk directly back over to her.
"Okay, I am impressed," Jordan replied as he sat down.
"Why, thank you. Trust me though; there was time when I used to fumble all over my lines. It wasn't pretty," Adam said with a huge grin. His face softened for a moment before he spoke again. "Hey, I have to go, but..okay I feel stupid for asking, but do you want to get a drink or something after the show?"
Jordan hesitated for a moment before answering, "I don't know. I'm not really you know, dating right now," she replied honestly.
"Oh are you seeing someone?" Adam asked as his face dropped. He knew that Jordan and Orton had been getting close, but he liked her and had decided to take a shot.
"No, I'm not. That's kind of the point. I'm not looking for a relationship right now."
His spirits seemed to lift as he replied, "Well it doesn't have to be a date. I just want to get to know you," Adam said with a look of sheer honesty and sincerity.
She looked at his warm and open smile before her face finally broke into a matching smile. "No strings attached?"
"Absolutely."
"Okay then, I'd love to. I'm curious to know more about the mysterious Edge," she said with a smile.
"Great, I'll meet you here at eleven-thirty, is that cool?"
"Yeah I'll see you later," she replied as she watched him walk off. She shook her head as she watched him walk off before turning and heading over to where Tyler was currently adjusting a tall light stand.
"Hello stranger, long time, no see," Jordan said a she walked over.
"Well, well, if it isn't Miss Jordan. I was beginning to wonder when I was going to see you around," Tyler replied.
"Here I am. And I see you are working hard," she said looking around at all his equipment.
"Yeah," he laughed. "A lot of work, but fun work."
"Cool," she said as an idea struck her. "Hey, do have any more promos to shoot tonight?"
'Couldn't hurt to get to know who I'm working with,' Jordan thought to herself.
"Uh, one more I think, why?"
"Well, how would you like to join me front row for the show tonight?"
"Are you kidding? I would love it! We hardly ever get the chance to see the show, much less live," Tyler replied enthusiastically.
"Good, so who is the last interview?" Jordan asked while moving closer to read the clipboard in his hand.
"Hope I'm not interrupting anything," a voice replied from behind the two huddled forms.
Jordan turned to see Randy standing in his wrestling tights and an RKO t-shirt with his arm crossed and the ever present smirk upon his face. He watched as she rolled her eyes and laughed quietly under his breath. 'She's even cute annoyed' he thought to himself. He continued to watch as she turned back around and say something else to Tyler before she finally turned back to him.
"So, I guess you're next, huh?" she said walking up to him.
"I guess so. I thought you had the day off," Randy replied looking at his watch. "show starts in an hour, what are you doing still running around back here?"
"Eric was about to combust with all the work he had to do, so I told him I would run promos before the show started."
"Well aren't you just a diligent little worker?" Randy said with a cheeky smile.
"I try," she replied dryly. "So why don't we get started. I assume you know what you are doing more then I do, so…" Jordan remarked as waved her hand towards the promo backdrop.
The pair walked back towards the backdrop and Jordan watched as Tyler set the scene and Randy got into character. To Jordan it was amazing to see the change that came over Randy's entire demeanor. Everything from his posture to the passionate look in his eyes became completely lit up when he was performing. And as much as she hated to admit it, his passion for wrestling and performing was a huge part of her attraction to him. To her seeing someone so enthralled with something was incredibly beautiful. He was beautiful to her.
At the same moment, Randy looked up to see Jordan looking directly at him, but he could see that her head was a million miles away. There was a distant and bittersweet look masking her face. He watched as Tyler walked over and quietly said something that made her snap out of her reverie and made her entire face light up. 'I should be the one making her smile,' Randy thought bitterly. He rolled his shoulders a couple of times and decided that if she didn't want to be with him, then right before a show was not the time to fixate on the situation. Tonight he would go out, like he always did, and have a good without her. But for now he had a promo to do.
"Do you two think that we could get this over with?" Randy asked with an agitated look crossing his face.
The smile disappeared from Jordan's as she saw a tint of anger in Randy's normally care-free eyes.
"Sure, I'll just stand over here and try to look like I'm supervising," Jordan joked. All she received was a terse nod from Randy before he looked to Tyler for his cue.
"Whenever you're ready man," Tyler stated as he focused his camera.
Jordan noticed the glare that Randy directed at the other man, but it was quickly masked with his infamous cocky grin as he settled into character and quickly wrapped up his promo.
"That was amazing Randy, you were phenomenal," Jordan said with a huge smile when he finished.
"It was just a promo," he stated as he reached for a nearby water bottle.
"Yeah, but still," Jordan said as she tried to judge his stand-offish behavior. "Well, we have to get to our seats," She replied as she glanced at her watch. "I'll see you later, right?"
"Yeah, maybe," Randy replied without even glancing her way. Jordan watched as he walked away with a dumbfounded look on her face. What had she done? He had seemed fine last night even after their talk, so why was he so quick to write her off? Her thoughts were soon interrupted as Tyler came up behind her.
"So are you ready? I am so excited for this. Not only will I be watching the show live for the first time, but I have a beautiful girl watching with me, how awesome is this?" Tyler said.
Jordan smiled slightly at him and tried her to push all thoughts of Randy out of her mind, no matter how challenging of a feat it was. "Ready when you are."
Jordan and Tyler quickly made their way to the security station, where Eric had told Jordan to go to get escorted to their seats. When they arrived Jordan was met by a familiar face.
"Well hello stranger. I see you're getting around her with a little more ease now, Miss Jordan" replied Jackson.
Jordan quickly recognized him as the security guard she had met the first day and smiled brightly. "Well I'm trying. Eric told me to come here to get escorted to our seats."
"Going to watch the show up close and personal, huh? I took my kids last month, they had a blast," Jackson replied as he pointed the way. Once they arrived in the actual arena, Jordan was shocked at how loud it all was. She had watched wrestling on TV as a kid, but she never remembered how loud and energetic it all was.
"Here we are, you two enjoy yourselves know, you hear?" Jackson replied with a warm grin before exiting back they way they came.
"Wow, this is amazing," Tyler replied with awe.
"Yeah I know. I've seen the stadium empty, but not like this." She replied.
The two made idle chat until the lights in the house went down and the screaming arose again. Jordan watched the show with intrigue and excitement the entire time. She especially like seeing Chris and Jay wrestling each other and the wink that Chris directed her way that all the girls around her giddily thought was directed at them. She just jokingly pointed at herself and mouthed "Who me?" The moment she had been waiting for all night arrived shortly thereafter, though. Despite how he had treated her before, Jordan felt her pulse race as Randy music hit and thousands of fans around her screamed and clapped. From the first moment she saw him walk out onto the stage ramp, Jordan was enthralled. Jordan knew that the chance of him actually hearing anything she said was very slim, but true to her word she yelled 'Randy is hot!' as loud as she possibly could. She saw him glance over at her and watched as a smile small crossed his face for a split second, before he casually and confidently climbed into the ring .Jordan spent the rest of the show entranced. Never had she experienced anything as electrically charged. She and Tyler made there way backstage after the show had ended and exchanged brief good-byes before Jordan saw Trish out of the corner of her eye. She made her way over to the woman as she was downing a bottle of water.
"You were so good tonight," Jordan told Trish as she turned around.
"Hey girl, I didn't see you," Trish replied. "What are you up to now? Want to come out with me and Jay? I'm pretty sure Dave and Amy are coming too. Oh and before I forget, Chris told me to ask if he could stay in your room tonight, because Dave and Amy are apparently going to watch movies, if you know what I mean," Trish said with quotation marks and a goofy grin.
"No, that's okay I've got plans, but tell Chris that it's fine, but his butt is on the floor for waking me today," Jordan replied with a small smile, ignoring the fact that she wakes Chris up on a regular basis.
"Oh, some one has a date with the Legend Killer, huh?" Trish teased. Her next sentence was cut short as Adam came up behind Jordan as tenderly touched her arm.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'll see you later, T," Jordan replied with a look that said 'don't ask now.'
"Yes, I'll talk to you later," Trish replied with a look before heading to her dressing room.
As Jordan finished her conversation with Trish, Randy came around the corner and watched Jordan speak. He couldn't help, but admire the casual way that a smile would cross her lips or the way she used her hand as she talked. With a deep sigh he decided to but his pride aside and just ask her to go out with him as nothing more than friends, no matter how hard that it would be. As he rounded the corner he saw Adam come up and look at her with a glance that was all too familiar to him as he touched her arm. Jealously reared its ugly head as he watched the pair walk of towards the back exit of the arena. 'Forget this,' he said spitefully as he turned around. 'If she wants to be with him, she can,' he thought as he headed out to hopefully drink away his thoughts and more importantly his feelings.
---
"How did you find this place?" Jordan asked as she casually sipped her drink.
"Once you've been on the road as long as I have, you just remember where certain things are in certain towns," Adam answered with a lazy grin on his face. "So tell me about yourself Miss Jordan, I am dying of curiosity."
"Like what? Social security number, blood type, got to be more specific," Jordan joked.
"Nothing quite so drastic. How about school. Did you go to college?"
"Yes, I went to Yale actually. I studied psychiatry for four years before deciding that I need to try something different. That's how I ended up here, actually.
"Wow, intelligent and beautiful," he said with a flirtatious look. "I bet the guys at Yale were all over you, huh?"
Adam watched Jordan's face as an almost frightened and uncertain look crossed over.
"Hey, I was just kidding," Adam replied cautiously as he leaned forward.
"No, it's okay. My past relationships aren't usually something I talk about. Kind of a soar subject," she replied. 'But you have to tell someone some time,' she told herself. 'You are letting this crap run your life.'
"Hey, that's okay. I'm here if you want to talk, though," he replied with a friendly and honest smile.
'Just do it,' Jordan told herself. 'You will feel so much better once you do. They all told you that you would.' Just not here and not with Adam. Despite how much she really did like Adam, she knew that he was not the person she needed to be with when she went back to a place she swore she would never go back to.
"Adam, I really like you and I really wish that I could tell you everything you want to know, but I just can't right now. I really want to be your friend, though."
"I completely understand, J. I just want you to know that you have a friend if you need one," Adam replied as he pushed all romantic feelings for her aside.
"Thanks," she said genuinely.
"So go," he replied.
"What?" she asked a little shocked.
"I may just be a wrestler and all, but I'm not stupid," Adam said with a small laugh. "I can tell you want to be with him, so go."
"Adam, I never meant to make you feel stupid," Jordan replied honestly.
"I know. But I can tell you need someone to talk to right now and it's not me. But I'll be here if you ever do need me," Adam replied with a smile.
"Why are you so nice to me?" Jordan asked.
"Character flaw," Adam replied with a laugh.
Jordan laughed with him before standing up. "You're an amazing guy, I hope you know that."
"Yeah, yeah. I'll see you around, J."
"Bye, Adam," Jordan waved as she exited the small bar and made her way out to hail a taxi. As she climbed in and told the driver their hotel name, she couldn't help, but wonder what in the world she was doing. She had held the secrets to her past so close to her for a reason and now all of a sudden she was going to disclose it all to a guy she had known for a week. 'Why?' she asked herself. But deep down inside she knew why, because it felt right. For the first time in her life she was making a decision, not because her parents told her to or because it was expected, but because her heart has telling her to. As the taxi pulled to stop and she paid the driver before getting out, she couldn't help but allow a smile to reach her lips. She felt freer than she had in a long time. It was that feeling of freedom that carried her all the way up to Randy's room. But with her hand poised to knock, she felt tears sting her eyes as she realized the full ramifications of telling Randy. What if he turned his back on her? Or saw her as damaged? As a tear slipped down her face, she remembered the look that Randy had the moment before he kissed her the night before and knew that he would never make her feel that low. She took a deep breath and knocked loudly and hoped that she wasn't waking him. A minute later he answered without his shirt and his hair in haphazard spikes. She noticed that he had on the same dress pants from earlier and could smell the particular smell of tequila on his breath, so she knew he must have came right in and fallen asleep after some heavy drinking. He looked agitated for a moment before his eyes cleared and he saw Jordan and the tears behind her eyes. He quietly stepped out and pulled the door slightly behind him before taking her hand gently and forgetting his anger from earlier.
"Jordan, sweetie, what happened? Did someone hurt you? Was it Adam? I swear I severely hurt him if he did anything to you," he said as anger blazed in his eyes.
"No, I'm fine. How did you know I was with Adam?" Jordan asked as she wiped her eyes.
"I saw you two earlier," Randy replied bitterly remembering what had started the whole night.
"Don't get all macho on me, Randy, we are just friends," Jordan replied with an agitated sigh.
"Just friends, huh. Like you and I are just friends, Jordan?" he asked.
"You know that's different, Randy," Jordan replied exhaustedly as she rubbed her temple. The whole night had been emotionally tiring for her and all she wanted was for Randy to listen to her.
"Oh really, and how do I know it's different? You send me all the signals and looks like you have feelings for me, but then you turn me down. How am I supposed to know it's different?"
"Please, just listen to me and I will explain everything I swear. Can we go inside and talk, please? I swear everything will make sense. I just need you to listen."
Randy looked at her face and knew she was telling the truth so he conceded with her. "I'll listen to whatever you want to tell me, J. Let's just go to your room, okay?"
"I told Chris that he could crash in there earlier, because Dave and Amy were going to be in Chris and Dave's room. Wonder what's going on in there," Jordan said with a laugh as she tried to control her emotions. "Let's just talk in your room, we're already here."
Randy opened his mouth to protest, but before he could get a word out, a tiny blond appeared from behind the door with only a bra and a tiny skirt on.
"When are you coming back, baby?" the blond flirtatiously asked as she ran a hand over Randy's chest. Jordan saw a panicked look cross Randy's eyes before her heart skipped a beat. She was too late. It had only been one day and she was already too late.
Randy watched as all emotion drained from Jordan's eyes. He could literally see her shutting down in front of him.
"Jordan, I swear this is nothing. I just saw you and Adam together and I got pissed off, I was so mad and jealous and then I got drunk and…" Randy voiced trailed off as Jordan voice interrupted his.
"It's okay, Randy. I turned you down and you found someone else. That's what happens, right?" Jordan replied with no emotion in her voice, just a bitter smile crossing her face.
"Yeah, they move on to someone better," the blond woman replied with distain before Randy turned his seething eyes on to her.
"Go back inside and get dressed," he told her forcefully. She put a pouty look on her face before replying "Well it's true," and returning to the room.
"Jordan, I am so sorry," Randy replied as genuine regret filled his blue eyes.
"It's okay. You don't owe me anything. I had a chance and I blew it. That's life, right?" Jordan said with a bitter laugh.
"This isn't your fault, J. I was jealous and stupid and drunk. I didn't want her. I wanted you, please know that. Just talk to me, please."
"There's nothing to say, Randy. I don't blame you, okay. I just really have to go," Jordan said before turning and ignoring the pleas of Randy to stop. She kept walking and following the turns of the hotel floor, before finally coming to a stop in front a familiar door. She knocked hastily as she fought back tears.
"I'm coming, I'm coming. If that's you Chris, I will kill you," Stacy said before opening the door and seeing the hurt look on Jordan's face. "God, J, what happened?"
"He was with another girl," Jordan managed to get out as tears streamed down her face.
"Who was? Randy?" Stacy asked with concern written on her face.
"And it's my fault. He told me how he felt and I turned him down because of something that happened years ago, years ago Stacy," Jordan replied.
"It's okay sweetie, just come calm down, okay. Trish is in here, too. Do you want me to wake her so we can talk?" Stacy asked her distraught friend.
"No, I just need to calm down. Do you have a pillow? I can just lie on the floor. Chris is in my room," Jordan managed to get out as she wiped the tears from her face.
"No, take my bed. I'll just push Trish over. With the way she sleeps she won't even notice," Stacy replied still concerned, but willing to let her friends sleep, so they could talk in the morning.
"Okay, I swear I'll tell you everything tomorrow. Thanks for being such an amazing friend, Stace."
"It's okay; just don't think about him okay?" Stacy said.
Better said than done, Jordan thought as she cried herself to sleep for the second night in a row.
A/N: I know I'm killing you guys with the long breaks in between chapters, but my computer is finally fixed so hopefully no more extremely long waiting periods. Hope you guys still enjoy!
Kat