Chapter 7

Nearly a month after her fight with Jackie, Lexi enjoyed the feeling of finally being back inside the ring. Even if it was only a sparring exercise with Kaitlyn, she'd take whatever she'd get. "So how are things going with you and Roman?" Kaitlyn bounced off the rope, grabbed Lexi by the arm and flipped her.

Lexi hit the mat with a thud, and waiting a moment for the sting to pass before countering the move. "Slow and steady. He's determined to prove to me that this weird attraction we have is more than the sum of its parts." She release, Kaitlyn, took a step back and reset.

"And you don't believe him?" Kaitlyn moved in, pulled Lexi into a headlock.

Lexi countered and shoved Kaitlyn toward the ropes. "I don't know. He's trying really hard, but..." She pulled up, leaned forward and rested her hands on her thighs.

"You're afraid," Kaitlyn offered.

Lexi nodded. "I know it's stupid and completely unfair to him, but once bitten, twice shy, you know?"

Kaitlyn leaned back against the rope. "I know, but I'd hate for you to let a good one slip through your hands because of something that happened years ago."

Lexi smirked. "Well, if you take the opinions of those in the locker room, they'll tell you that maybe Roman isn't such a catch."

Kaitlyn frowned. "Why?"

"According to Roman, management instructed them to keep their distance from the rest of the roster in order to help boost this 'Shield' storyline." She air quoted the word. "You know, make everyone just a little more nervous than normal because the guys aren't hanging out like everyone else."

"That sounds like something creative would do."

Lexi nodded. "Yeah, well, so far Randy, Sheamus, Miz and Daniel have all voiced their concern about me getting mixed up with Roman. I want to tell them that it's all just an act, but so far you're the only one who knows." She pointed a finger at her friend. "So you can't tell anyone otherwise Hunter will have my head on a platter."

"So you're stuck in the middle? " Kaitlyn shook her head and grinned. "I'm sorry. I know it's not funny for you, but the absurdity of the situation is amusing."

"Tell me about it. I'm just waiting for somebody to call my father and tell him that I've completely lost my mind."

"Have you talked to your dad about Roman yet?"

Lexi shook her head "Not yet. I didn't figure there was any point in telling him about Roman until I was sure something truly existed between us."

"Considering what you're telling me it might be in your best interest to tell him before somebody else does."

"Yeah," Lexi considered her friend's warning. "You're probably right, but I don't want to concern him."

"Don't you think he'll be more concerned if he hears about Roman from somebody who doesn't have all the information?" Kaitlyn reached over the rope and grabbed the towel hanging on the ring post. "Your dad is bad ass, Lexi. I certainly wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of his ire."

"Lexi?" a male voice came from behind her. Lexi spun on her heel to find her closest friend in the world Chris Jericho standing just a few feet away. "Chris!" She slid beneath the ropes and bounded toward him, throwing herself into his arms.

Laughing he twirled her in a circle and planted a kiss on her forehead before setting her on her feet. "You look good, sprite."

"Thanks. You too. Now what are you doing here?" she asked. "You weren't due back until the royal rumble."

"I'm not back to wrestle, but Fozzy's tour is done and after I got calls from Randy, John and Daniel about you, I thought it might be best to check things out for myself."

"Calls? They called you about me?" Lexi glanced up at Kaitlyn who remained inside the ring. "See what I mean. I wonder who's managed to call my father?" She turned back to Chris. "So you're here because you're worried about me too?"

Chris rocked back on his heels. "Pretty much."

"We need to talk." She gave Kaitlyn a wave. "Chris and I are going to go have a little talk. I'll catch you later."

Kaitlyn laughed. "Good luck."

Ten minutes later she across from Chris sat at a corner table in catering and toyed with the lip of her coffee cup. "I wish people would learn to mind their own business."

"They're just worried about you. I don't know anything about this Roman character, except from what I see on the TV and from that perspective he looks like a psychotic monster. The guys tell me he and his buddies act the same way on and off camera. Which why they're worried about you."

"Roman is not a psychotic monster. If anything he is sweet and caring person with a quiet nature." She leaned forward across the table. "And did it ever occur to you or anyone else that maybe it's some sort of act?"

Chris mocked her action. "Did I ever occur to you that after what happened last time your friends are only trying to look out for you?"

She pulled back and sank into the chair. "I know what I'm doing, Chris."

"Do you, really, Lexi? If I remember correctly, you said those same words to me when I warned you about dating Edge."

"I was a lot younger and infatuated with him," she argued. "I fell hard and fast and I thought he felt the same way about me."

"And in the end, he ripped your heart out and damn near cost you your life," Chris added.

"Thank you for that wonderful reminder." She folded her arms across her chest. "By the way, you were the only one who warned me about Edge. Everyone else thought we made a great couple."

"Which is exactly why they're so concerned this time. They never imagined Edge could be such a scoundrel."

The last thing she wanted was to talk about her ex or what happened. "Look, this situation couldn't be more different. Roman continually tells me how much he likes me and wants to build something with me. Plus we're taking things nice and slow. He understands I've been hurt and he's proving himself to me."

"Well he needs to prove himself to your friends, because he's revealed very little to them, and they're all worried that you're headed for heartbreak."