Chapter 23

"I'm not stupid. I've seen the way you look at her, and it makes me sick. Back off, she's mine." Joe said as I pushed his chest, he nudged me and I nearly fell backwards. Jon caught me just in time and put his arm around me, Joe cursed under his breath and walked away. I buried my head on Jon's chest as he pulled me close, I didn't want to cry but I felt like I needed to.

"It's alright, I have a spare shirt in the locker room." Jon said as I burst out crying, the look of anger in Joe's eyes scared me and it brought back painful memories. I don't know why, but today was an extremely emotional day for me. I pulled myself together and wiped my tears away, I hated when people saw how vulnerable I was, but it's not something you can disguise when you have experienced the things I have been through.

"I'll be ok, you should get ready for your match." I said, and he looked at his watch and nodded. He hugged me before running to the locker room. I took several deep breaths before heading to the locker room to change into my attire. It feels like I haven't worn this in forever, and it was starting to feel loose on my body. Weird. After I laced my boots, I took out my hair band and washed off my smudged makeup.

I had to walk past the guys as i needed to get my hair and makeup done to look presentable, Joe looked calmer but he was in his Roman Reigns mode so that made sense. But, his behaviour lately has been different and I really want to know why. Jon winked at me and Colby waved at me, I really wasn't in the mood for pleasantries so I just ignored the gestures.

"No bruises this time.. I'm glad." The makeup artist said as she applied bronzer to my now visible cheekbones. I nodded and smiled at her. I think the last time I saw her was after the encounter with Josh in the hotel lobby; I shuddered thinking about the aftermath of that night.

I looked in the mirror and I looked different, I noticed my weight loss and it scared me.. Usually it was really difficult for me to lose weight and I haven't even been doing anything productive. The stylist straightened my hair and it fell to my waist, my makeup was glowing and I just felt different. I thanked the stylists for their work and headed to the curtains, the guys had just finished their match and they look pissed. I avoided talking to them, and waited to Alicia and Emma because I was supposed to be ringside for their match. I felt burning eyes on me and I wanted to look but I didn't, I didn't want to start crying and cussing because this is a professional workplace and I don't want to risk losing my job, no matter how I important the issue was.

I walked out with Alicia when her music blasted through the speakers of the arena, and the thrill coursed through my veins. It felt like a sugar rush, being in front of thousands of people who are cheering for you. A little girl caught my attention when she held up a painting of me, I went over to her and kissed both of her cheeks and hugged her. Things like that mean a lot to someone like me. I have serious baby fever right now too, so that doesn't help.

I watched Alicia in the ring and her move set has improved, it was obvious that she was training harder and it was definitely showing. I needed to start training again, as soon as possible. Plus, it always takes my mind off of the negative energy that surrounds my life. When the match was over, I held up Alicia's hand in victory as she won the match and she hugged me, afterwards she stole some guys popcorn and I couldn't stop laughing at her. When we got backstage, she wandered off with her 'mystery man' and she looked genuinely happy.

I didn't feel like changing out of my attire because I liked how different it felt on me, as long as I don't lose too much weight, then I'm fine. I went into catering to get some water, and I saw Cameron and Joe sitting at a separate table from Jon and Colby, I shook away my sudden anger and went to sit with Jon and Colby. I've already expressed all of my emotions to Joe and I didn't want to do that anymore, I don't want to be an open book like he's made me into. That needs to stop, if he wants to know what's going on with me, he's gonna have to force it out of me.

"You look different.." Jon said looking at my hair, then my face. I shrugged as I saw Joe from the corner of my eye, I saw him leaving with her. Whatever. I'm not even gonna think anything of it until he gives me an explanation.

"You're staying with me tonight." Jon said as I packed my stuff into the rental car, I didn't even argue. I just wanted to be anywhere away from Joe.

"This is a classic." Jon said as we sat in bed watching Pulp Fiction, one of my favourite movies. About an hour later, Jon started to get touchy and that was the limit. I know me and Joe are going through something difficult, but I love him and I would never disrespect him by cheating on him.

"You're making it really difficult to be your friend right now." He said in a low voice that made me blush. I sat up in the bed and crossed my arms across my chest and looked down at him, the last time we were in bed together, something happened because I wasn't thinking straight and it can't happen again.

"I'm gonna go, I don't wanna make things weird again." I said, grabbing my bag and walking to the door.

"I'm not giving up on you, princess." He said, and I left the room as quick as I could. I unlocked me and Joe's room and I heard noises. I really hoped I wasn't going to walk in and see him with another woman, I would be crushed.

I turned the light on, and braced myself for anything but what I saw broke my heart. I saw Joe sitting at the edge of the bed, crying. In that moment, he looked so vulnerable and hurt that I had no choice but to walk over to him. I sat on the bed next to him and he pulled me onto his lap, I wiped the tears from his eyes and he kissed me.

"Joe, talk to me." I said and he looked like he was about to cry, I hugged him tight until he pulled me back.

"My mother.. She doesn't talk to me anymore and our family is breaking apart. I feel like I'm losing you and I can't lose the two people who mean the most to me." He said and I wrapped my arms around him, I hated seeing him like this. Usually I was the one who cried and expressed my emotions, but I've never seen him like this and it seemed foreign to me.

"I love you, Joe. That won't change. You're one of the strongest people I know, and I know you will get through this." I said, and he cupped my face and kissed me.

"I can never lose you, you mean a lot to me. Even before.." He trailed off mid sentence and his eyes widened as if he said something I wasn't supposed to hear.

"Before what?" I said, and he looked down. I guess he meant that he cared about me before he told me he loved me. At least I think so..

"Just before... this big step we took. I love you." He said, and I looked at him with curiosity. There was something else going on and I was going to find out. I nodded and unwrapped his arms from me, I know that he is hiding something from me and it worried me. I got into bed and fell asleep straight away, I'm going to be distant because I know Joe isn't telling me something. I also feel torn because I was supposed to be mad at Joe, but he was making it difficult.. and Jon was making me feel.. weird.

I woke up early because I wanted to work out before something bothered me today. I skipped breakfast because I just didn't feel hungry anymore which is unusual for me. I ignored the pangs in my stomach, and headed to the gym that was located on the first floor. My breath hitched when I saw Layla doing squats in the weights area, I averted my gaze and went on the treadmill. I ran until I felt light headed, and I jumped when Layla put her arm around me.

"We're good, yeah?" She said smiling at me, I nodded and she quickly hugged me before going onto the elliptical machine.

As I was making my way up to my room, I touched my forehead and it was burning hot. I felt like I was about to pass out and my stomach was burning, I clutched my stomach as the pain got worse. My eyesight was going, but I saw a figure at the end of the hallway before everything went black.

What's wrong with Cat, and it seems like Joe and Jon's rivalry has only just begun.. Thanks for reading. Sorry for the late update.. I've started college and it's hectic. I'll try my best to update for you, thanks for the support.