Ch.7
Ali was sitting at the bar, a cosmo in hand. She didn't really drink it, the beverage was really there as something to hold or swirl around. The bartender brought her a shot of something, bringing the drink to her lips, she tilted her head back and let the liquid warm her throat. Looking at the red drink she still held, almost starring it down, she brought that to her mouth and downed it. Raising her hand to signal the bar keep to bring her more-she wanted to forget this shit and be drunk for when she had to meet up with the guys.
The buzzing phone on the bar table went unnoticed, but after it stopped Dwayne sat in the stool beside Ali. He ordered some type of beer and another cosmo for her-everyone knew it was her favorite. They both sat there in somewhat comfort, drinking their drinks. Ali was happy just to have someone to sit with, so she didn't just stir in her thoughts and mope around.
"So how is everything?" Dwayne knew it was a risky question, but if something was important, it usually had some risk to it right?
"Fucked up. I mean this guy asks for my drawing, an eerie familiar guy. Then Joe tells me he knows it's me. Even had the fucking balls to ask why I didn't tell him! I mean if he knew then why didn't he say anything? It just hurts you know." Taking a breath and looking into Dwaynes eyes she continued, "Now I have to somehow be in a story line in it and who knows how that's gonna work. Plus! I have to meet them for drinks here in like, an hour. SO no letting me get too wasted but you know drunk enough not to have much of a care." Finishing her little rant she looked away from the burly man next to her and into the drink in front of her.
"Story lines are easier than you think. Besides you have the rest of us here. My suggestion is to try to be friends with him. And you don't have to meet them you know. Last thing, you may know the creepy guy from work or something like that and liked your art work." Dwayne took a long sip from his beer, waiting for an answer.
"True, and true. I'm going to go, cause I like Colby and Jon-you know?" Ali and Dwayne both took a swig of their drink.
The rest of the time they sent together was less tense. Having small talk and playing small drinking games; like tic-tac-drink. She told the bartender that she was meeting more people after Dwayne left and paid off her tab-the bartender opened up another tab for her and gave her a glass of water.
Dwayne left shortly after, leaving Ali to sober up as much as she could before the others arrived. She felt slightly nervous and excited. She didn't understand the excitement but it was still there.
"Hey Cole?" Ali flagged down the bartender, she made a point of remembering his name, for she thought he was nice and he deserved it.
"What can I help you with?" He smiled at her, taking out a white cloth and started to wipe down the bar-earning a good laugh and dramatic effect.
"I'm meeting some guys here, and was wondering if we could take a booth over there? If so I'll go sit over there now."
"Yea go straight ahead, I'll let Casey know."
"Oh they will come to the bar first, one has blonde and black hair, one has short blonde hair and the other has dark brown. They're all really buff and tall." Noticing how creepy the last part sounded, she felt the heat rise up her neck.
"Colby, Jon and Joe?" Cole smiled at Ali's shocked expression and laughed. "Yea I'll let them know." With that Ali took off to the both and sat down. She looked over at Cole talking to another guy and he came over to her.
"I'm Casey; I'll come over and get your order when the guys arrive, unless you want to get a head start?"
"Uhm yea sure, I'll get a rum and coke please, preferably spiced rum." Casey nodded and walked off. Ali couldn't help but stare at him; he had his arms fully tattooed and multiple ear piercings, even the select few facial. She found it attractive but the style didn't quite suit him, stealing one last look at him she even noticed that his hair was dyed black, which meant his eyebrows were too. She laughed a bit to herself, stopping when a drink was placed in front of her. A dyed eyebrow cocked at her, before turning and walking away.
It wasn't too long before Colby plopped down right next to her, Jon and Joe sitting across from them. For as oblivious and silly she thought Colby, she gave him props when he noticed the tension between her and Joe.
"Dudes we need drinks, it's like the air is so thick I can't breathe!" Not subtle at all, Ali thought but maybe it would go unnoticed by the others.
Colby flagged down Casey and waited for him to come over. "Dude, nice tats, can we get a round of shots here and uhhh whatever she got for herself, and I want a rum and coke!" Colby's energy made Ali laugh a bit under her breath.
"Actually Casey can I get a rum and coke too? Cole knows to spice it up." Ali got an odd look from the others but she ignored it.
"Ya know, just bring four rum and cokes, and the shots dude." Jon gave a cocky smile and Casey walked off.
"You guys think he doesn't suit that style right? I can't be the only one!" Colby looked at all of us, his gaze finally landing on Ali.
"I agree Colbs; you notice he dyes his eyebrows right? But honestly, no gossiping about our nice waiter." Ali stuck her tongue out at Colby and job. Colby even tried to grab it.
"Gross no! I don't know who you've touched with that hand!" Ali playfully batted Colbys hand away from her. She also received chuckles from the men across the table.
"Only on my own junk, I am sure you don't care about that, seeing as you've been with men before right?" Colby teased.
"Of course I have! Multiple men in fact, but yours-not to sure I want that sweet cheeks." Ali didn't dare stick her tongue out this time.
"You'll want it one day, mark my words. One down two to go!" Ali flinched a bit, because it was really two down, but she was surely not going to bring that up.
"I don't think so bro." Ali noted the weird look Joe was giving Colby, and she sensed something was going to go down.
"What do you mean one down?" Joe gave a lop sided smile and looked only at Colby, and Ali looked at Joe, seeing him sending a glare Colbys way, but he didn't care.
"Dude, Joe and Ali fucked a night or so before the meeting dinner thing we had. Then she trampled over his heart and they had a tuff, dunno if they made up or not."
Joes face showed no emotion but amusement and Ali just sipped her drink awkwardly.
It seemed like Casey took his dear sweet time to bring their drinks, so Ali went up to the bar and Cole gave her a funny look. "Can I-I help you?" His face looked a little strained.
"Yea, um we never got our drinks? You okay?"
"Shit, yea I'll get on that, I gave them to Casey though, and just fine, stubbed my toe that's all."
Ali sat at the bar and waited, when Cole presented the drinks on a tray she grabbed it and went back to the table. The conversation the boys had was light and hearty, no tension or nothing. She felt bad because she knew she was the one to cause it.
Placing the drinks on the table, she went back to the bar and plopped the tray back on the bar. Looking back at the table, she met Joe's eyes. Giving a small smile she walked back, before sitting she downed her rum and coke.
"Shit girl, don't get too drunk on us." Jon looked at her with a tight smile.
"Shots anyone?" Colby picked up his glass and handed Ali hers as she sat down.
They all looked at one another and came to a mutual understanding that it was a race. Ali had practice and knew Joe was fast with shots, but didn't know about the other two. They said go in unison and slammed their drinks on the table.
Ali and Joe tied for first, Colby's smile brightened as he realized he wasn't last and Joe got up to buy the next round.
It went on and on for quite some time and Ali decided that from now on they would drink water as to not get too shittered. With some debate the boys agreed and they sat there for a good half hour talking.
"I need to go pay my damn tab. Then I am off to bed! Night boys" Ali stood and they muttered then followed.
Paying off their bills they walked outside, Colby and Jon flagged down a cab together and went their separate ways.
"Need a cab?" Joe looked at Ali.
"No actually I am at this hotel, I can wait here till you get a cab though?" Ali answered, pushing down the awkward feeling for she believed if you thought it was awkward then you made it so.
"I am at this hotel too; Dwayne and I are rooming together actually." They both walked towards the hotel doors.
"Oh god that cannot be fun, I mean doesn't he bring girls over?" Ali laughed, remembering when she interrupted.
"Sometimes, I usually leave, go to the park or one of the boys' houses, what room you in?"
"Uh three something, I'm with the twins." She looked up at Joe; she missed talking to him but didn't know how.
"Those two are great, glad they took you in." Joe opened the doors, waiting for her to go through without looking at her.
"The boys are out with Tamina and Mike until late…I'm not suggesting anything raunchy, I just-um would like to talk?" Ali stopped at the elevator and looked up at Joe. "Joe look at me…"
"There will be a time to talk, but not when we have both been drinking." It made sense to Ali but she still wanted to talk. Instead of speaking or requesting he look at her again, she stepped into the elevator. As the doors closed she watched Joe walk down the hall to his room.
The elevator ride was longer than need be. She had mostly sobered up and by the time she got into the room, all she wanted was to be in bed. Slipping into pajamas she pulled back the covers and let go into a dream;
She stood on a cliff, her red dress flowing behind her in a soft breeze. Strong hands grabbed her waist, they felt soft and warm through the thin fabric. A scruffy chin rested against her shoulder, and no matter how much she wanted to turn and look at the man-she couldn't. She felt hair that wasn't her own tickle her face and the next thing she knew, she was being pick up-slowly her captor walked towards the cliff side. She clawed and kicked but to no avail. No matter how much skin she ripped from those binding arm or how many times she kicked, he didn't falter. She looked down and almost screams, but it caught in her throat. Then she felt nothing but air, fluttering her eyes open she looked up in terror, her captor threw her off the cliff. Even looking up at him now, she just saw a big blur of flesh and fabric. Ali felt as though she was falling forever, never hitting the ground. Until she landed on something soft, not daring to open eyes she hadn't realized she shut. She felt those strong hands again, but this time she also felt arms snake around her, cradling her shaking body. She dared then to open her eyes, deer brown eyes looked back into her grey tinted blue eyes. She tasted salty tears on her dry lips. She wanted to hide, but from what? When she looked around, she saw that Joe was sitting on the ground, cradling her in his lap. She felt her heart flutter as his head dipped down to hers.
Just before his lips touched hers, she woke up to cold water.
"What in the actual fuck?!" Ali screamed, looking straight into The Usos eyes.
"You wouldn't wake up otherwise!" Jey flew his hands up in defense; in that moment Ali realized he threw the water.
"Fine but I am so not sleeping on a wet bed. What time is it?" Ali groaned looking for her phone.
"Well past going back to sleep girl" Tamina walked out of the bathroom and threw Ali a face cloth and her bags. "Time to hit the road, dump your shit on the bus but you gotta ride to the next arena with 'The Shield', hey don't give me that look, Vince's orders not mine." Ali glowered at her friends and got up; she didn't think she'd have a bad hangover.
"Uhm, Al? What did you dream of?" Jimmy asked, receiving odd looks from the others.
Ali thought but couldn't quite remember. "Falling." With that said she walked off to the bathroom to get somewhat ready. "You guys clean the room up. I am in desperate need of a shower."
"Why? The boys gave you one didn't they?" Dwayne walked into the room with Joe and Mike.
"Brave souls" Joe muttered and the rest nodded in agreement. Ali went off to have her shower.
While Ali got ready, the Samoa kids talked about being on the road, and the do's and don'ts of WWE. Joe typed away on his phone to Colby and Jon, letting them know that he was getting Ali and other things. Tamina sat with Mike on the now put away hide-a-bed, the twins wrestled around and Dwayne sat there smiling and the boys.
Ali wasn't much longer getting ready, and when she was out there was only Jey and Joe left.
"Where did they all go?" Ali asked as she grabbed as many bags as she could, Jey and Joe got the remaining few.
"Down to the bus and check out of the rooms." Jey responded. "Damn girl you got a lot of shit…"
"Everything I wanted to keep Twin two." Joe gave Ali a slight smile and they walked on in silence.
Once they reached the bus, they put most of Ali's bags into the baggage compartment. She kept her purse and a bag of things in case something happened, including her gym/work bag.
"Ready to go? Colby has shotgun and Jon is driving." Joe sheepishly smiled, letting Ali realize they'd be in the back together.
"Yea, how big is the back seat then? Cause I love leg room." Ali laughed a bit and shifted her bags to the other shoulder.
"Pretty good, and you don't need leg room considering, you know how short you are" Joe laughed and stuck his hand out to Ali. "Give me the bags" it was more a demand then anything so Ali handed them over and rolled out her shoulder.
"Thanks, and excuse you! But yea true enough, I put my feet up on the seat anyways" They both laughed and arrived at the car.
"I called shotgun bitches." Colby hopped into the passenger seat and dug out his headphones from his pocket.
"I'm driving, what took ya guys so long anyways?" Jon opened the trunk and shoved Ali's bags into a free space.
"Princess had to shower off a hangover" Ali punched Joes shoulder and when he wasn't looking she shook her hand, biting her lip and mouthing ow. It didn't go unnoticed by Jon and he laughed at her expense. When Joe turned around, Ali stopped and smiled an innocent smile.
"Let's get this show on the road!" Dean hollered as he shut the trunk and got into the massive SUV's driver seat.
Ali walked to the backseat on the driver's side, she knew Joe liked sitting passenger side and she was just fine with that as she liked sitting behind the driver. She buckled up her seatbelt, placing the shoulder strap behind her and leaned against the door. She laughed at Colbys glare when she didn't wear her seatbelt or sit properly. She propped her feet on the middle seat and pulled out her book.
"Oh no you are entertaining me, Colbs took my headphones and Jon doesn't do shit when he drives." Joe took her book and shoved it into the seat pocket of Colbys chair.
"I don't do nothin'! Bullshit dude, I drive, that's not nothin'!" Ali and Joe laughed.
"Fine, what you got planned then sweet cheeks?" Ali cocked an eyebrow at Joe.
"My sweet cheeks plan that we do normal care ride things!" Joe got really excited then looked out the window. "Double eights!" He shouted then tapped Ali's leg and punched Colby.
"Ow what the fuck!" Colby ripped an ear bud out of his ear and turned to Joe and Ali, glaring.
Ali leaned over and whispered "Double eights bitch" And punched Colby in the arm.
Joe laughed and said "Licence plate game."
Colby nodded and the three of them kept their eyes peeled on the road. The game kept them busy for a good 45 minutes, and Ali swore that, albeit they hit lightly, the repetitive smacks would leave a mark.
"Triple A's!" Ali screamed and hit both Joe and Colby twice, shaking her wrist out after. "I'm so not used to punching people anymore…"
"Weak! But it's okay Ar, we'll straighten you up!" Colby laughed. Ali chewed on her lip; these guys called her a different name. She knew she would have to tell them sometime and obviously the McMahons- but more importantly Jon and Colby. She really did like the boys and didn't want to hold up some stupid charade, she felt like they could be trusted.
"Actually um… my name isn't Aria." Ali looked from Jon who tightened his grip on the steering wheel, to Colby who looked at her with quite a puzzled expression. Last she looked at Joe, who looked at the men in the front seat.
"Wait. What are ya talking about?" Jon didn't take his eyes off the road but she could still feel the glare.
"It's like how you told me your name was Dean, but legally I am Aria- it's a long story I will share at a later date. Otherwise I would like you to call me Ali, but only outside the WWE. Vince said my character name would be Aria."
"I see." Was all Jon said, his knuckles gaining colour as he lightened up on the steering wheel.
"So? Who cares, it's just a name." Colby smiled at her then started to repeat the name over and over. "Ok got it! Ali. I like it, suits you."
Ali smiled; she looked over at Joe, who just warmly smiled at her. She felt slightly odd- I mean Colby was right, it's just a name.
The rest of the car ride was filled with small talk. It took them another half hour to get to the hotel and Ali felt relieved to get out and stretch her legs. The others wasted no time and grabbed their bags, Jon even handed Ali hers. Once they got into the hotel, they all checked in and Ali texted Tamina to let her know they were rooming together. Ali smiled slightly, this won't be too bad after all.