I AM SO SORRY THIS IS LATE OMF I HAVE BEEN SO BUSY. i am writting like crazy to make the chapters longer and i will post so much more frequently. Hope you are all still with me!
ch.4
Ali saw Dean looking around the hotel room. She mentally noted that he almost had a permanent smirk on his face, and damn it she found it very appealing.
"Well, I am gonna start on the food, grilled cheese and peanut butter. Trust me it's good" Ali smiled at Dean as he followed her into the kitchen.
"Oh I know, only way to have grilled cheese! I will do the slicing ya can butter up the bread" Ali nodded and got started. She could remember the last time she made them, and it was for Joe.
She shook her head. No, not tonight. She would not think of him while with Dean. She went over to the fridge, grabbing the cheese-weighing the pros and cons of Dean. He was funny, smart, and attractive. She still had yet to find a con.
"So Aria, peanut butter is where?" Dean stood there, with two cabinets open, scratching the back of his neck.
"Right behind you" laughing as Dean turned around and started smearing the delicious goop on the bread.
Ali finished slicing the cheese and started crisscrossing it. Then an idea came to mind as she watched Dean from the corner of her eyes. He was leaning against the counter, watching her. The smirk plastered on his face, and it was contagious. She picked up the cheese and flung it sideways, hitting Dean smack in the face.
"Oh hell no." Dean dug the spoon into the peanut butter and flung it towards Ali, landing nicely between her collar bones.
"You. Are so done Dean." Ali laughed as she grabbed a random cup of water and splashed Dean.
Dean broke out laughing before he put the sandwiches on the frying pan. "Ya know Aria, Ya are different then I thought."
"Good or bad?" Ali twirled her thumbs.
"Most definitely good. I was worried ya were too involved in ya job, or something else.." With that said, Dean focused on the grilling, flipping them over.
"I am, I mean I was. But I'm getting away from that soon, well hopefully. New beginnings right?" Ali opened her cupboard and grabbed two plates and glasses. Holding up the can of coke, looking for Deans approval.
"New beginnings eh? And cokes good." Dean smiled slightly, not a smirk or note of sass. A genuine smile.
Ali grabbed her bottle of rum and Dean raised an eyebrow, chuckling. "Ya read my mind sweetheart."
"Glad you agree, one or two shots?" Pouring two into her own glass, looking at dean as he raised two fingers. "Two it is then"
They sat down on the couch, eating their food and watching a Forever Strong on Netflix. Ali grabbed Deans plate, stacking it with hers and placing it on the table. Grabbing the half full glass of rum and coke, she leaned back into the comfort of Deans body.
"You know Dean, you aren't as soft as I thought you were." Ali looked up at a smirking Dean, her tongue sticking out.
"Well now that is just hurtful!" Chuckling he grabbed her glass, placing both his and hers on the table. "Ya are gonna hafta pay for that now"
Ali looked up at Dean, searching his face for an answer. Her eyes flicking from his lips to his eyes, slightly biting her lip. Dean seemed to get the message and leaned in. His mouth came crashing down on hers, shifting his body to be on top of her-propping himself up on his elbow.
Ali let the surge of adrenaline course through her. Feeling his strong arms wrapped around her, she felt safe. Ali let herself go, all fears were now gone. She broke the kiss with Dean, she could barely breath. "Bedroom."
"Are ya sure?" Dean hesitated but his eyes told all.
"I am fully serious, let's go" She stood up, taking Deans hand and leading him to her room.
"Before we do this Aria. I want ya to know I don't want this to be a-a one time thing." Ali smiled at Dean and just nodded her head. Pushing him down on the bed, following.
The next morning Ali woke to now familiar strong arms wrapped around her. She stayed still and thought out the night. Did she move to fast? Was it a mistake? No, she thought. Most definitely not a mistake. Besides didn't he himself say he didn't want it to be a onetime thing? But did that mean that he wanted only sex or…
Dean sat up, taking Ali with him. "Ya are a morning thinker? I can feel those brain waves emanating off of ya! Now, we are getting breaky! Get dress m'dear I know a great place to take you." With that he got up, pulled his boxers and jeans on. "I'll be back in five minutes, kind of needing clean clothes at this present moment. Meet me in the hallway, ya have fifteen minutes."
Ali waited till she heard her door click before she bolted out of bed and into the bathroom. She looked at herself in the mirror and oh god did she look just hysterical. Her hair was oddly fine, but pieces stuck out, as to be expected. Yet it was the goofy grin on her face that got her. Yea, she was happy. She washed her face and did her hair into a bun, fixing makeup and finally being happy with her look, went to get dressed.
"Fucking eh. I just got ready butt ass naked. Go me. Wait a minute, I just got laid. Awwweee yaaaaa!" Composing herself she quickly threw on her clothes and walked out of her room. Conveniently Dean was standing there smirking.
"What?" Ali questioned as she looked at Dean.
"Walls, thinner than I thought. Wonder who all heard us last night." Dean chuckled as Ali went bright red. "What time is your interview at today?"
"Uhh, eight I think?" Ali grabbed her phone, mentally groaning at all the texts and went on searching for Vince's text to see the exact time. "Yup eight, dinner interview."
"Well that's convenient, my contract signing I mentioned last night, it's also at eight. Maybe I could pick ya up afterwards?" Dean leaned against the door frame, motioning for her to exit the premises first.
"That sounds like a plan Stan. I'll text you afterwards." Ali walked out of the door and down the hall to the elevator.
They both stepped through the metal doors and Dean pressed the lobby button. Feeling the vibration of her phone another time, Ali checked her phone.
*Twin 1; Yo Alililili*
*Twin2; Hey babe;) call me*
*Twin2; That was Jimmy, he says u r ignoring him. Answer him, im going gad damn crazy*
*Dwayney poo; Hey doll, Joe is at the arena to check out RAW this week, if you are still coming over lemme know;D*
*Tamtam; Girl we have lots to talk about.. concerning boys and toys! Call me later*
*Twin1; Answer me, im needy*
Ali laughed at her phone and typed away, letting Tamina and the twins shed call them later and telling Dwayne that she would still be going to RAW.
"Everything is just peachy I presume" Dean led himself and Ali out of the elevator and towards the lobby doors.
"Yea, just some friends from back home." Ali smiled and walked out the door. "Where to?"
"Just follow me" Dean walked away, grabbing her hand.
Dean led her to an old coffee shop that smelled of roasted coffee and sweet tea. Ali felt comforted by the smell, sitting at a table by the window with Dean. She looked over the single page menu, deciding on mushroom spinach omelette with raspberry iced tea. Dean looked at the old woman waitress who didn't need to write down there order and asked if he wanted his usual and he nodded.
"Come here much eh?" Ali laughed and watched Dean.
"Ya see darlin', this here is my cousins town and I used to come here every summer as a kid."
"I can trust that" Ali stuck her tongue out, both chuckling as the old woman brought their drinks.
After breakfast the pair split up to do their own things, and once Ali turned the corner she dialed Taminas number.
"Hello, this is Tamina"
"Hey tamtam, told you I'd call. Now spill your boy secrets and I'll spill mine"
"Is this a 'I will show you mine if you show me yours' type of thing?"
"Yes, yes in fact it is. Spill"
"Alright, well sweetheart. Since my time in the WWE I have met a nice boy off the camera and an asshole on the camera."
"Whoa girl. The miz right?"
"what? Howd you- you know what never mind. Sometimes its best not to ask"
"It's the way you look at him on tv sweetcheeks, and how he sneaks looks at you."
"It's that noticeable? Shit man, do you think Dwayne and the Usos know? Nobody but you knows right now, cause you know, storyline shit."
"Yea to me, not them, they're kind of…stupid in that sense."
"Thank god, now you show me yours Al."
"This guy, Dean. Well we slept together last night. He's totally hot, and a wrestler. He has a contract signing tonight-hopefully wwe. I mean how cool would it be for that to happen. Anyways yea we had dinner at my place, just left breakfast with him and we are going out for dinner-more like drinks-after my meeting with Vince."
"Damn girl, we all thought you lost your touch after Joe"
"We don't mention that dreadful time ever" Ali couldn't hold back the laugh, then remembered her friend basically insulted her. "Hey wait, of course I still got it-just this time I let him stay the night and take me out"
"Whatever you say. The boys all wish to speak to you- which one you want first? Ow hey okay you decide!"
"Alililililili!"
"Hey Jimmy bear. Must you really do that though.. I mean come on."
"Yes I must, now good luck at the interview thing tonight and be careful. Don't wear anything that may make you eye candy and a ringside bitch k?"
"What if I was the Usos' eye candy?" Ali giggled and sat on the park bench she saw.
"That... well Tamina already is, awkward as fuck by the way seeing your cousin all sexualized like that."
"I understand sweet cheeks; I'll see what I can do. I haven't trained in a ring in a while though."
"Doesn't matter, anyways Jey wants to say a few words"
"Alright-"
"Alright to what?! I didn't say nothin' yet!"
"Jey… loud and oblivious as ever, I miss you boys and the rambunctious things you guys did."
"We miss you to Al. Or shall I call you, Aria?"
"Shut up. That was done so I couldn't be followed and you know it."
"Yea yea I know, anyways we all want to go to dinner tomorrow night, you know, if Dean isn't occupying your time" Ali swore she could hear his smirk through the phone.
"Wow, no secrets with you boys, yea I can go tomorrow night, I'd be happy to see all of you"
"Good, cause I'd kidnap you if you didn't! Dwayne wants a word with you, apparently one we can't hear so imma hand you over to him, love ya and talk to you later"
"Bye Jey can't wait to see you all tomorrow!"
"Hey darlin', one sec. You know I can see all of your feet shadows under the door! Let me move onto the balcony girl."
"Don't keep me waiting Dwayney poo." Ali chuckled at the low growl response she got from the other end of the phone.
"Alright. Well as you know he will be at the actual arena this weekend with me and I know you wanted to come check out the place. So what I was thinking was we could say you're my personal trainer now as well as the football teams and am helping me with The Peoples Elbow!"
"It's so sad that you thought all that through, but if tonight goes well then I will have a reason to be there more than him and travel with you."
"What you mean? You gonna be a diva? Oh hell yes you can be my manager! Can't you just picture it!"
"Yea no.. I may be hired as a personal trainer until I start training again and possibly become a diva. But I'd rather not. I love training, you should know that."
"I know I know. Can't blame a man for at least trying right? Anyways, what would you like to do? I can tell Joe no?"
"No I'd rather you not. I'm getting a tour from the big man himself; I'll meet you after and during the show though."
"Alright. Just so you know, he's asked about you."
"Dwayne, I don't want to know."
"Ali please. I'm surprised that you have evaded him realizing for so long. What did you even do to make him not realize?"
"My boobs finally appeared I got a nose job, I dress nice, dye my hair all funky fun and actually wear make-up properly. I look quite different. I also fixed my teeth and lost a lot of weight. Don't tell the others I want to see if they recognize me too."
"I won't. I will say I'm sad you changed yourself so much to hide yourself from one man."
"It's not just one man rocky. It's-never mind. Anyways, tell the others that I will meet them at Mongolian grill at 7:30 okay?"
"Yea sounds good, can't wait to see you tomorrow Al."
"You too Dwayney poo, love you all. Bye" Ali clicked off the phone and went back to being her Aria persona.
She headed back to her hotel room to grab her work things and go to the stadium. On the walk back, she listened to her heels click against the concrete. She remembered back when she used to wear only converse and jeans. No dresses, no girly things or colours. Hair always up, a simple tank top or graphic tee and her black zip up hoodie on the rare chilly days. She wished things could still be so simple. She hated having to go outside of her comfort zone. Granted she always felt nice and the looks from other guys was nice, she missed the comfort of not caring.
Once she was back into her room she decided, she changed out of her clothes and put on her yoga pants and a lululemon top. She went through her closet until she found her old lowcut converse and threw them on.
Looking in the mirror she grabbed her hair and threw it up into a messy bun. She smiled into the mirror, satisfied. She looked somewhat like herself again. Ali was comfortable and more happy.
Ali looked at the time; it was ten o'clock, time for her to head for work. She took one more glance into the mirror and headed out the door.
She got into her car and drove to work. Once she got to the stadium she felt a little nervous. Albeit now she actually looked like a personal trainer, she wondered if all the people would take her as seriously. She noticed that when she dressed up, people tended to take her more seriously-so would that change anything now?
Ali worked up her courage and stepped out of the car, going into the trunk to grab her gym and work bag. Shutting the trunk she looked over and saw one of the football players and he didn't notice her yet.
A little excited for the day, she walked on to the doors. Walking through the corridors to get to her office, she noticed that none of the actual players noticed or talked to her, but the staff all did. Even the owner of the team was here that day and he stopped to second glance at her before engaging in a conversation.
"Aria dear, you look different, but it's nice, what I mean to say that you look nice today"
"It's understandable sir, just thought I would dress more like a sports trainer than I have lately, sometimes running around in heels isn't all that affective." Ali laughed
"Yes I quite agree. Well I have to go deal with the team, some things have come up. Good day Aria."
"Bye sir." Ali kept walking, she felt good now that she knew somebody approved of the change and walked into her office.
"Aria we have a situation, Brad is threatening to quit If he doesn't get a promotion." Duke, one of Arias assistance scrambled around the trainers area, he was one of the more up tight people.
"Calm down, where is he?" Duke pointed Ali into the direction of Brads office.
Ali stormed over to Brads office, she didn't like undeserving people like Brad who thought they deserved everything. At this moment she wished she did wear her more office clothes to seem more intimidating.
"Brad, a word." Ali looked at the other trainer in the office and glared until they left the room and closed the door. "Now I am head of the trainers department here and if you have a complaint you come to me. Clear?"
"Yea no not clear. I have been working here much longer than you have Aria, and since you've been in charge nobody has gotten a promotion or raise. I deserve one." Brads smugness made Ali's blood boil.
"No, you don't. Your success record is pitiful; you are lazy with your work and reports and have no love for the job. There are no promotions to give, simply because there aren't any. I do not appreciate employees who think they deserve everything but do nothing to earn it. Next time you have a problem, come talk to me. Now are we clear?" Ali huffed out an annoyed breath waiting for Brad to reply.
"Yea fine. But on other words you look more like a trainer now, maybe people will take you seriously, well more seriously."
"I'm going to ignore that last part." Ali walked out the door, making eye contact with the rest of the trainers and walked back to her office. She nearly jumped when she saw Joe sitting on her desk.
"Hey Joe, what can I help you with?" Ali shifted uncomfortably under Joes quizzical gaze.
"Yea umm, my knee. Kinda bugging me again." Joe pointed at his perfectly fine looking knee and gave her his lopsided smile.
"Okay let me check it." Ali leaned over to check out the knee, poking and prodding it. "Now want to tell me the real reason you came to my office Anoa'i?" Ali continued examining the knee to keep herself busy, going a little above and below the knee too to kill extra time.
"Oh right, well everybody was talking about how different you looked today and I had to see it for myself. You actually dress like an old friend of mine, it's nice to see." Ali could feel Joe tense a little so she shifted from examining to a little massage behind the knee. Remembering how much he loved that particular spot to be massaged she almost pulled back quickly, muttering an excuse about how she was just checking it from behind now.
"An old friend hey? Well I'm glad to be a surrogate for that" Ali giggled a little. She tried to not be around Joe too much or talk a lot as so he wouldn't recognize her voice.
"Yea, it's one of the things I really appreciated about her, she didn't give a fuck whether or not if she dressed to the norm of the people. It was always about what she wanted to wear and how comfortable she was. It was refreshing from all the other girls I'd be around"
"Other girls?" Ali almost jumped out of her skin, she didn't know he had other girls. She reminded herself to calm down. "So I am just taking a guess here but this girl seemed to be like, a bro right?"
"Yea, she was a good friend, I won't lie I had feelings for her but it took me awhile to figure out what those were."
"So that's where the other girls came into play?" Ali could feel the happiness that he admits he did have feelings for her in the past, but the hurt that there were others.
"Well not exactly. The other girls didn't, as you say came into play, until later years when I didn't talk to her anymore. When her and I were together it was just her. Otherwise my cousins would've kicked my ass. That's actually how I met her. She was friends with my cousins then I met her and we became close. She thought otherwise sometimes but yea."
Ali sat in a chair, feeling she was done with the examination. "Well it's none of my business but, why did you stop talking to this girl if she was so special?"
"Because I left, I got a career in football and like I said I didn't realize how special she was until I no longer had her."
"I see, well all I can say is there is absolutely nothing wrong with your knee and I clear you to play or practice." Ali stood up and walked Joe to the door.
"Thanks Aria." Joe walked out and Ali closed the door behind him. This was going to be a long day ahead.