A/N: Thank you all for the love for Part One. So yeah, I know I originally stated this was going to be a two shot and I had every intention to keep my word. But so many ideas are flowing right now that I just saw fit to add one more part to it. So there will be a Part Three. (OH YEAH! *Macho Man voice*) Also for those that may be confused by me using real names as opposed to ring names, Joe=Roman, Josh=Jey Uso, Jonathan=Jimmy Uso, and Jon=Dean Ambrose (BAE!) But once again, thank you all for the support. Enjoy Part Two.
"I swear you drag me to places I never want to go against my will."
Londyn huffed as she followed Camille through the crowded area, dodging young kids and their parents as she struggled to keep up with her best friend. Camille chuckled and waved her friend off.
"You told me we could do anything I wanted when you got to town Lala. This is what I wanted to do."
"This is what you wanted to do?" Londyn gestured to the chaotic scene swirling around them as she started walking by her best friend's side. "You wanted to come to a wrestling show? Since when do you even like wrestling?"
"I think they're great athletes."
"Girl only thing you were concerned about with athletes is making out with them after school."
Londyn's reply made the woman trailing behind them giggle quietly. Camille turned around on her heel, pursing her lips together as her brown eyes fell onto the young blonde with them. "Don't laugh at her ass Avery. Don't condone such behavior."
"Seeing as how I'm her boss, she's required to laugh at every joke I make whether its lame or not," Londyn told her friend with a triumphant smile.
Camille scoffed and turned back around, her focus returning to finding their section. Londyn quieted down and followed her, a scowl remaining in tact on her face. It had been eleven long years since the last time she stepped foot back in Pensacola and Camille was doing her best to make up for lost time. Londyn had did a great job avoiding her hometown as if it harbored the bubonic plague and used every excuse in the book she could muster to explain why she never had time to return home. Exams were too hectic. She had been offered an opportunity to study abroad that she couldn't pass up. Life as a personal stylist was too demanding and didn't provide her with the chance to take off and come home. For a while her excuses worked too. Yet this time Camille and her parents just had to guilt trip her into coming back for her parents' wedding anniversary. Londyn couldn't quite understand why her parents wanted to celebrate the occasion in Pensacola as opposed to coming to visit their only daughter at her lavish residence in Los Angeles but yet here she was.
So much had changed since the last time she was in Pensacola. Sure the surrounding buildings looked the same but she wasn't the same person. It was as if Londyn Peterson had transformed from the feisty, nerdy girl she once was to a chic, extravagant woman who didn't take anybody's shit laying down. Her original plan to attend medical school was abandoned one faithful day when she was forced into helping a student organization put together a fashion show. The organization didn't have anybody to style outfits for the models and were desperate enough to let Londyn handle the task. By no means did she think she was a professional but after Camille tortured her for years by watching fashion reality shows and Gossip Girl while also dressing her up like a Barbie doll a few times, Londyn felt like she could manage.
Needless to say, Londyn did more than just manage. The outfits she put together were a big hit amongst everybody that attended the show and before she knew it, a few girls on campus that also did some amateur modeling work started to hire her to style their own photo shoots. At first, she just did it as a hobby. But it quickly transformed into a career when she realized she actually liked styling people. Londyn had always been bossy so ordering people to wear what she knew would look great on them wasn't hard for her to do. After a few years, Londyn was still enjoying her career, grateful she didn't become a doctor like she originally planned. She was making damn good money and got to travel the world. What else could she ask for?
"Finally!" Camille squealed, jolting Londyn out of her thoughts.
Londyn glanced up to see that they finally found their seats. She groaned again as she looked at her ticket and saw she was the lucky one to be given the aisle seat. Not only did she not want to be at a wrestling show but now she had to deal with constantly standing anytime one of the drunk wrestling nerds or little crumb snatchers had to go to the bathroom.
"We could've went to a very nice restaurant you know," Londyn said to Camille while she leaned over Avery's lap. "I would've let you slap some makeup on me and we could've had unlimited glasses of Sangria. It's not too late. We could still go."
"Oh no girlfriend. We're staying here and you're going to enjoy it!"
Londyn exhaled and shifted in her seat nervously as she felt her best friend's eyes wander over her attire. She was dressed in a pair of acid washed skinny jeans, a sleeveless and sheer sunshine yellow blouse, and a pair of cognac colored 5 inch peep toe booties. Gone were the days where the former tutor threatened to gouge Camille's eyeballs out the sockets if she even looked her way with a pair of heels in her hand and Londyn's best friend was pleasantly surprised to see such a transformation take place.
"Girl those shoes are too cute. Need to hook your dear old friend up with some of your connects."
"That's what I did when I got you the purse for your birthday that's not even on the market yet," Londyn replied. "And this is how you repay me."
"It can't be that bad Londyn. It could even be fun," Avery said, speaking for the first time since they arrived at the arena.
Londyn turned to look at her assistant and rose her eyebrow. "Don't tell me you're a wrestling fan too." She used air quotes when she said the term wrestling fan.
"No, but my brothers used to watch it all the time when we were little. My nephews watch it now and it doesn't seem so bad. It's like a soap opera just with oily and wet men rolling around on a mat in their underwear. What's not to like about that?"
"Exactly!" Camille exclaimed, patting Avery on the shoulder in agreement. "You act like I took you to a Monster Truck show. Girl, calm down."
"Camille, I know you. You think you're slick but you're not. I know exactly why we're here."
An amused smirk spread across Camille's face. "And that would be?"
"Didn't you tell me Josh wrestles for this company now? You dragged me along so you could see your on again and off again boyfriend roll around on the mat with another greased up man?"
Camille's eyes widened and she gasped mockingly, placing her hand over her mouth. "Oh my God! You've figured out my secret! How shall I survive now?!"
Londyn tossed a sideways glance in her direction as Avery laughed at Camille's melodramatic response. "Why the fuck are we friends again?"
"Because I'm the only one that can deal with you and your unbearable cynicism. We've been friends for 21 years Lala. Can't get rid of me!"
"Well lucky me."
"Anyway Josh did invite me and gave me three tickets. I didn't want to be rude so here we are."
"After everything he's done to you, rudeness should be natural."
"Lala-"
Londyn held up her hands. "I'm just saying. You deserve better."
"I'm not having this conversation with you right now. I'm here to have fun not argue with you about my relationship with Josh. So please try your best to refrain from calling him every bitch in the book," Camille pleaded with her friend as the lights dimmed, effectively ending their conversation.
"How long has he been like this?"
One set of eyes glanced at the clock on the far wall. "15 minutes."
"Is he okay?"
"He'll be fine. First show as a main eventer back in his hometown. Just a slight case of the jitters."
"You sure? He doesn't look too-"
"I'm fine."
Four set of eyes snapped up and watched as the raven haired Samoan man stopped pacing. He twisted his neck from side to side and cracked his knuckles, the sound of the roaring crowd echoing throughout the corridor. The noise increased his adrenaline and nerves all at once and he felt like he was going to burst outside of his body. But he had to keep his composure and focus on the job at hand.
"Uce, it's okay to admit if you're nervous," Josh told his cousin as he stepped closer to the man. "We won't crack jokes if you are."
"Speak for yourself!" Joe's old stable mate and close friend Jon added, a devious grin on his face. "Make sure you don't trip on any barricades out there man."
Jonathan chuckled before his wife, Trinity, slapped him hard on the chest, quickly quieting him. Joe smirked and shook his head.
"I'm not nervous," he claimed. He sighed as everybody looked at him disbelievingly. "Ok I'm slightly nervous. But I'll be okay. I've performed in front of bigger crowds than this."
"Yeah but this is your hometown. Family is in attendance, people that knew you before Roman Reigns was created are here-"
"You're not helping Jon." Trinity cut her eyes at the messy haired man.
"All I'm saying is that it's understandable if you're nervous. Hell I'm the same way every time we're in my hometown. But you're going to be fuckin great so get over that shit."
A lazy grin appeared on Joe's face and he nodded. The conversation came to a halt as a production assistant approached the five of them and informed Trinity it was time to make her way to the gorilla position. Once the assistant and Trinity left, Joe hopped onto an equipment trunk and took a sip from his bottle of water.
So much had changed for Joe within the past eleven years. Football ended up not working out for him and he decided to follow in his father's footsteps and enter the wrestling business. It turned out being one of the best decisions of his life and he absolutely loved what he did. He loved traveling the world and performing for an arena full of fans, having them scream his name. But tonight was extra special. He was back in Pensacola, the town he grew up in, headlining the house show. He had to make sure his performance was simply outstanding.
Joe came back to reality when he felt somebody take a seat next to him on the equipment trunk. He looked up and tilted his head in Jon's direction before his eyes drifted towards Josh and Jonathan. A puzzled expression appeared on his face when he saw them standing off to the side whispering amongst themselves. He knew that scene from anywhere and automatically determined the two were up to something. They had been acting weird all day, constantly checking their cell phones and whispering so he couldn't hear them. But both denied anything was going on when Joe asked them about it.
"What the hell are you two gossiping about over there?"
Joe's deep voice stopped Josh and Jonathan's hushed conversation, both of their heads snapping up, a guilty gleam in their eye. Joe's expression hardened as he folded his arms, his eyebrows dropping to the bridge of his nose.
"Nothing," Josh and Jonathan said in unison.
"You two are horrible liars," Jon quipped with a chuckle, drinking from his own water bottle as he leaned back against the wall.
"Either you two tell me what you're whispering about or I beat it out of you. Your choice."
Jonathan rolled his eyes as he held up his hands. "Uce, why you have to be so violent? We're family!"
When Joe didn't back down, Josh exhaled and nodded his head. "Fine I'll tell you. I was just telling him how I invited Camille tonight."
Joe's body stiffened slightly at the mention of Josh's bubbly ex girlfriend. It had been years since he seen her. But not as long as he had seen or heard about her best friend. Londyn.
Memories of the girl he once was enamored with back in high school swarmed his brain. How they would always bicker with one another to the amusement of their friends. The long study sessions that Joe truly didn't need but endured just to be closer to her. The final party of the year when he finally felt her lips on his.
Joe shook the thoughts from his mind. That was damn near a lifetime ago. Hell, Londyn was probably married with kids and forgotten all about him. There was no need to drudge up the past.
"Camille? I haven't seen her since high school man," Joe said after a few minutes of silence.
"Yeah we've been on and off again for a few years. Hard to maintain a relationship when I'm always on the road," Josh explained. "But I try to see her whenever I come back home."
"Can't believe she still puts up with your ass after all this time." Jonathan snickered making his brother narrow his eyes at him. "I'm just saying. You've put her through a lot of shit these past few years. Shocked she hasn't dropped you yet."
"I'm her high school sweetheart. No matter how hard one tries, they'll never truly get over their high school sweetheart," Josh remarked. He glimpsed at Joe out the corner of his eye and watched the older man stare blankly ahead of him while he nibbled the corner of his lip thoughtfully. A tiny smirk appeared on Josh's face.
"Anyway I invited her out with us afterwards. A few of us going to a few bars. Jon you down?"
"Since when have I turned down an invite to go to a local bar?" Jon asked with a cheeky grin earning him a chuckle from Joe.
"What about you Uce?"
Joe eyed the clock on the opposite wall before sliding off the equipment trunk. He pushed his ponytail off his neck and squared his shoulders before nodding. "I really don't have a choice now do I?"
"Hell no!" The twins exclaimed at once, grinning widely.
Joe rolled his eyes and grabbed his bottle of water. "Fine. I'll see you three later," he tossed over his shoulder before walking away to mentally prepare himself for his match.
"Ooooohhhh! Roman Reigns!" Avery squealed excitedly as she jumped to her feet with the rest of the fans around her when the bass heavy music blared through the speakers.
Londyn released a disinterested sigh as she checked emails on her phone. To say she wasn't having a good time would be the understatement of the century. While Avery and Camille bonded during the show, both women transforming into full fledged wrestling fans right before her eyes, Londyn took the opportunity to catch up on some work instead as she counted the hours until she would be able to leave the show.
"Girl stand up!" Camille urged.
"Why?"
"Because everybody else is!"
"Camille you should know I don't give a damn what everybody else does."
Camille placed her hands on her hips and glared at her friend. Knowing she wasn't going to drop the subject, Londyn huffed and stood to her feet. She folded her arms and glanced in the direction everybody else was looking in observing as a man dressed in a black vest and black cargo pants appeared at the top of the steps, his wet hair concealing his face. The crowd roared to life while Avery clamored at how sexy he was whereas Londyn's thoughts were consumed with everything she had to get done before her flight the next day.
However, the moment the man pushed his hair off his face, the personal stylist felt her heart stop beating.
Is that Joe?
The question repeatedly appeared in her mind as the man started walking down the steps. No, it couldn't be Joe. His hair wasn't that long and last she heard he was playing football. The man walking towards the ring now possessed an intricate tattoo on his right arm and the right amount of bulging muscles. Londyn turned around to ask Camille but stopped once she saw the sneaky grin appear on her lips.
It is Joe.
Londyn felt her chest tighten nervously as she watched Joe, who now went by Roman Reigns apparently, descend the staircase, getting close to passing her. Eleven years. It had been eleven years since she seen him. Eleven long ass years later and he still had the unique ability to make her heart rate accelerate and her palms to sweat despite her best effort to remain calm and collected on the outside.
'What to do? What to do?' Londyn thought frantically while she weighed the different options in her head. Before she could make a move, she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand. She glanced up to see Joe walking past her, his gaze settled on the ring and not on her. His jaw was clenched and it was clear that he was in complete character. Maybe he wouldn't notice her. Maybe she could get out undetected and hail a cab back to her parents' house.
"JOE!"
Londyn's eyes widened at the sound of Camille's voice screeching behind her, intentionally drawing attention to the three of them. Before she could duck, Joe turned, his grey orbs landing directly on Londyn's face. Londyn watched as his expression slowly crumbled, unintentionally breaking character when he realized who was standing a few inches away from him. The way the two of them stared at one another it was as if the entire chaotic scene around them didn't exist and it was just them in that exact moment. Before either could speak, a fan on the opposite side of Joe slapped him heartily on his back, breaking their moment.
Londyn watched as Joe shook his head, the water from his hair lightly slapping her in the face as he continued his path to the ring. She felt her knees buckle suddenly and she fell into her seat, gripping the armrest.
"Londyn, are you okay?" Avery asked her boss, a worried expression etched onto her face. She sat down next to her and grabbed her hand squeezing it softly.
"I...I don't know," Londyn mumbled quietly.
"You two muthafuckas got some explaining to do!"
Josh cringed as the door bounced off the wall, a very irate Joe stalking into the locker room. He flashed his brother a worried look as they both stood up to face their older cousin.
"Hey Uce what's going on?"
"Don't bullshit me Josh! I knew you two were up to something but couldn't put my finger on it and now I know what it is! What is she doing here?"
"Maybe she wanted to check out the show."
Joe turned to face Jonathan, his grey eyes narrowing. "Because you're my blood I'm going to pretend you didn't say that dumb shit. Now did you two invite Londyn?"
"No, we didn't. We haven't seen her in years man."
"Well did you two know Camille was going to bring her?"
Josh and Jonathan shared an apprehensive stare with one another. "Possibly."
"And you two couldn't warn me?!" Joe roared, throwing his hands in the air dramatically.
"What was warning you gonna do Uce? Were you gonna say you couldn't perform tonight because the chick you had a crush on in high school was going to be here tonight? What's the big fuckin deal?"
"I wouldn't have been caught off guard. I could've been better prepared to handle the situation."
"By doing what exactly? What would you have done if we told you Lala was possibly coming to the show? Become more stressed than you already were?"
Joe exhaled as he raked a hand through his black locks and plopped down on the wooden bench. He knew the twins were right. Even if he did know that Londyn was going to be at the show, it really wouldn't have done any good. He just hated how shocked he was to see her. He hadn't seen her in over a decade and yet the moment his eyes settled on her while he walked to the ring, it was as if nothing had changed. He felt like he was back in high school, doing everything he could to impress her as the nerves rattled inside of him. Years and a brief reunion later, Londyn Peterson still turned him into a nervous, bumbling mess.
"You're right," Joe said after a few seconds of silence. "It's just weird seeing her. Haven't heard much about her lately."
"The only people she still keeps in contact with here are her parents and Camille. Besides that she's completely moved on from her life here according to Camille," Josh explained, taking a seat next to his cousin. "Hell Camille mentioned she may drag Lala here with her but she wasn't sure if Lala was going to actually come to town or not. Apparently this is the first time she's been back since she left for college."
"We knew your temperamental ass was going to snap when you found out and we didn't want that to happen before your match," Jonathan added.
Joe glanced up when he felt his cousin place a hand on his shoulder, forcing a small smile on his face. It didn't make any sense to continue being mad at the twins for something that already happened. He didn't want to sulk about it the rest of his time in Pensacola before he hit the road again the next day and wanted to enjoy his last night in his hometown.
Pushing his anger aside, Joe stood to his feet and removed the vest he wore as part of his ring attire. "I'm going to take a shower and I'll see you two at the bar," he told Josh and Jonathan.
The twins nodded in acknowledgment while they watched Joe exit the locker room. Once the door closed, Jonathan turned to face Josh.
"Well that wasn't so bad."
Josh chuckled and shook his head. "I told you not to worry so much. Did you see how worked up he got when he saw her in the crowd? Clearly there are some left over feelings between the two of them. The way I see it, we're doing them a favor."
Jonathan ran a hand over his face and exhaled. "I just hope this plan you and Camille created doesn't get us speared at the next family gathering."
"I've never seen her like this before."
"She's just shell shocked at the moment."
Hazel hued eyes glistened with concern. "Like she hasn't said anything since Roman Reigns came out. I mean yeah she was quiet the entire time but this time it's different."
"She's fine Avery."
"Like she became eerily quiet. Like she's plotting to murder somebody quiet."
"She wouldn't hurt a fly."
"Don't worry Avery. If I kill anybody it's going to be my so called best friend Camille."
Camille and Avery whirled around and came face to face with Londyn who exited the women's bathroom. Avery nibbled her bottom lip nervously while Camille rolled her eyes, seemingly unfazed by the threat.
"Oh girl you're so melodramatic."
"Melodramatic Camille? You blindsided me!"
"I look at it as I surprised you. Surprises are good."
"You dragged me here soo I could see him wrestle? That's why you insisted on me taking the aisle seat so we could come face to face for a few fleeting seconds? Why do you insist on putting me and Joe in awkward situations? This is not high school!"
"Wait, who is Joe?" Avery asked, completely confused about what the best friends were arguing about.
"That's Roman Reigns real name. We went to high school with him and him and Lala had a brief fling."
"We did not!" Londyn exclaimed, stomping her foot to emphasize her point. "We kissed once because of a stupid dare created by you. After that I went my way and he went his. End of story."
"Well if that's all there is to the story, why are you so upset that I didn't tell you we would see Joe wrestling tonight?" Camille folded her arms and raised her eyebrow, a smug expression on her face.
Avery turned to Londyn waiting for her answer. The stylist exhaled sharply and pinched the bridge of her nose with her index finger and thumb, inhaling deeply to calm her nerves. He only stood in front of her for less than 10 seconds and she could still smell him as if his scent was lingering on her clothes. The cologne he wore was subtle, not over powering, but still made a lasting impression, just like the aroma that permeated everything he came in contact with years ago: his clothing, his football uniform, his sheets...
Londyn's eyes snapped open. Avery and Camille were still staring at her, waiting for her response. She cleared her throat nervously. "I'm upset because you continuously put me in these situations to see me squirm because you can't accept the fact that there was nothing between me and Joe. Let it go."
Camille and Londyn stared at each other, neither woman opting to divert their gaze. Avery looked at both of them, silently hoping a fight wouldn't break out between the two childhood friends in public. Camille suddenly nodded her head and smiled, tossing her arm over Londyn's shoulders.
"Ok I'll stop playing matchmaker if you make me two promises."
Londyn rolled her eyes. "What?"
"One, you come out with us tonight and have fun. Josh text me and invited us to the bar that a few wrestlers will be at. And yes Joe will be there."
"Camil-"
"And two, when we go, you promise to be on your best behavior regarding Josh. No cussing him out, telling him he ain't shit yada yada. Actually be cordial to him."
Londyn smacked her lips and eyed Camille warily. She really wasn't in the mood to go out that night since she had to mentally prepare herself to fly to Miami the next day for an important job. However, a tiny part of her clamored for a night on the town. It had been too long since she let her hair down and if that's all it took to get Camille off her back then she couldn't pass it up. "And if I agree to these two things you'll give up this matchmaking mission you've had for since high school?" Londyn questioned. Camille nodded her head in response. "Fine."
Camille clapped her hands happily as Avery released the breath she was holding. The celebration was temporarily paused as an older man approached the three of them, slipping his phone into his pocket. Londyn observed the man, catching a glimpse of the WWE polo shirt he was wearing.
"Camille Santiaga?"
Camille turned to face the man, smiling politely. "That's me."
"You three ladies can follow me."
Londyn clamped her hand onto Camille's wrist before her friend could walk away. "I'm not about to be walking with no strange man now."
Camille giggled and looped her arm with Londyn's before looping her other arm with Avery, dragging the two with her. "Girl chill. That's a road agent. He's just taking us backstage. Gotta ride with Josh to the bar since we took a taxi here," she explained.
Londyn nodded her head and groaned, hanging her head while Camille dragged her and Avery in the direction of the backstage area. She just had a small inkling her friend wasn't going to drop the task of trying to hook her and Joe up so easily.
She was going to need several of shots of liquor to get through the night.
"You cool?"
Joe glanced to his side and saw Jon standing next to him, handing him a bottle of beer. He happily grabbed the bottle from his hand and took a large gulp to calm his nerves. He felt his feet follow Jon towards the bar area, his eyes darting around the establishment. The moment he stepped into the bar, his palms started to sweat. Sure it was the middle of July in Florida and he was in an overly crowded bar but he knew that wasn't the reason behind his increased body temperature. He hadn't seen Londyn since the moment at the show earlier, but he just felt her presence. He knew it was just a matter of time before two came face to face with each other.
"Uce!"
Joe was snapped from his thoughts at the sound of Josh's voice. He smiled as he approached his cousin, observing the arm that was wrapped around the waist of the woman he hadn't seen in quite some time.
"What's going on guys?" Joe greeted. He slightly stumbled backwards as Camille launched herself into his arms, hugging him.
"Joe! Long time, no see. How are you?"
"I'm fine. Although you startled the shit outta me when you yelled my name at the show."
Camille shrugged her shoulders. She returned back to her previous position in Josh's arms and took a sip of her drink. "I'm sure that wasn't the craziest thing a woman has said or did to get your attention handsome."
Joe chuckled and shook his head, thinking about past encounters with female fans and ring rats that were indeed crazier. "This is Jon. Jon this is Camille. We went to high school together."
Jon tilted his head in greeting before turning his attention to the bartender to order another drink. A few minutes passed as he talked with Josh and Camille, still no sign of Londyn. Realization slowly crept into his mind that there may be a chance that she wouldn't show up. What if she decided to leave directly afterwards, completely overwhelmed with seeing him again? Or what if she had someplace else to be that was more exciting and important than coming to some local Pensacola bar? Like spending the night with her husband and child? The thought both relieved him and saddened him. There was no doubt in Joe's mind that when he and Londyn did see each other face to face, the encounter would be awkward. However, he was looking forward to the possibility.
As Joe took another large gulp of his second bottle of beer, he felt the hairs on his arm prick his skin, his breathing becoming labored once he heard a familiar voice.
"Camille remind me to hurt you for bringing me to a bar that only has one damn stall," Londyn complained. "Took us forever to even-"
Londyn trailed off as Joe turned around and faced her. His gaze traveled over her body, taking in the bright yellow sheer blouse that complimented her cocoa brown skin along with the tight jeans that hugged her curves. She was dressed completely different than the Londyn he once knew but some things remained the same such as the messy ponytail her hair was gathered into and the black rimmed glasses that framed her face. Despite the change, Londyn was still as beautiful as he remembered.
"Some things never change."
Joe snapped out of his haze at the sound of Josh's voice. He turned to see Josh and Camille watching the interaction between the two with smirks on their faces. Inwardly rolling his eyes, Joe directed his attention back to Londyn and cleared his throat.
"Londyn."
"Joe."
The two awkwardly stood there, trying to determine what to say to the other. I missed you seemed too sappy. Hey, how's it going seemed too casual. None of the greetings that appeared in Joe's mind seemed to be good enough to say to Londyn. How was one supposed to greet the girl that you constantly daydreamed about for two whole years? Maybe Josh was right and some things never did change because after all this time of not seeing Londyn, she still had the ability to make him speechless.
"I'm Jon."
Londyn and Joe's awkward staring match was interrupted as Jon leaned across Joe, sticking out his hand which the woman accepted. Releasing a sigh of relief, Joe turned to face his former stable mate, flashing him a grateful smirk.
"Londyn. And this is Avery."
The blonde woman that stood next to Londyn stuck her hand out to shake Joe's. Before he could grasp it, Jon swooped in and grabbed her hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing her knuckles, a devious glint in his eyes. "Nice to meet you Avery."
Joe shook his head as Avery blushed and giggled, quickly falling under Jon's hypnotic spell.
"Well I don't know about y'all but I need some drinks in my system," Camille declared, interrupting the silence. She turned to face the bartender. "Lala what you want girl?"
"Tequila. Lots and lots of tequila," Londyn responded, slightly brushing past Joe to join Camille at the bar.
Josh subtly elbowed him in the side and gestured towards his former crush with his head, urging his cousin to make a move. Instead Joe stood by silently, watching the bartender sit the tequila shots in front of Camille and Londyn. While the two best friends downed the double shots with ease, memories of a time when Londyn wasn't an expert at consuming liquor suddenly appeared.
"Tooooooonnnniiiiggggghhhhhttttttt IIIIII'LLLLLL BEEEEEEEEEEEE YOOOOUUUURRRRR NNNNNAAAWWWWTTTYYY GGGGUUURRRLLLLL I'MMMMMMM CAAAAALLLLLLLIIIIINNNNNGGGG AAAAALLLLL MMMMYYYYY GIIIIRRRLLLS!"
Joe's brow furrowed in confusion as he approached the owner of the off key singing voice that was standing on his front steps while they continued to press his doorbell erratically. He wiped the sleep out of his eyes and flipped on the light so he could see where he was walking before swinging the door open.
"Londyn?"
"Hiiiiiii Jossseeefff!" Londyn hiccuped loudly and stumbled forward.
Joe's arms quickly caught the tutor, the scent of liquor emanating from her body and making his eyes water. Luckily his parents weren't home from their night out yet to see the usually responsible young girl under the influence.
"Have you been drinking?"
"Aaannnndddd heeeerreee I thooouuggghhhtt yooouuu weeeerrreee juuuussstttt a duuummmbbb joooocccckkk," Londyn slurred before bursting into a fit of giggles.
"Where's Camille?" Joe looked around his front yard for Camille's black Toyota.
Londyn shrugged her shoulders.
"Well how did you get here? You didn't drive did you?" A look of panic crossed Joe's face.
"OOOOFFFFFF coooooouuurrrssseee noooootttt siiilllyyyy. I waaaaalllkkkkeeeedddd! Noooooooowwwwww leeeeemmmmmeeeee iiiiiiinnnnnnn!"
Joe exhaled softly and ran a hand through his hair. It had been weeks since he last seen Londyn in the shed at the end of the school year party, before she ran away. He was convinced that she regretted the kiss and was resigned to the fact that he would never see her again before he left for college. Yet here she was standing in his yard, drunk off her ass.
"Why are you here?"
"Beeeecccaaauuussseeee."
"Because why?"
"Becauuuuuussseee IIIIIIII wwwwaaaannnnttteeeeddddd toooooooo."
"Why?"
Londyn rolled her eyes. She parted her lips to respond before quickly turning away from Joe, her body lurching forward. He watched with disgust as she vomited on his mother's freshly trimmed rose bush. Joe pulled her hair away from her face as she continued to heave violently, her body bent over. Once Londyn finished, she groaned in pain.
"Jooooooeeeee I doooooonnnnnn'ttttttt fffffeeeeeeelllllll ssssssooo ggggggooooddd," she told him before hiccuping again.
Joe sighed and wrapped his arm around Londyn's upper body. He helped her inside his house, kicking the door closed. There was no way he could leave her alone now.
"Uce!"
Joe blinked his eyes rapidly, ending his trip down memory lane. Jon, Josh, and Jonathan stared him confusingly.
"Yeah?"
"Did you hear a word I just said?" Josh asked.
Joe rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, shaking his head again. The three men snickered at Joe, amused at his sudden bout of shyness around Londyn.
"Can't believe you still become tongue tied around Lala after all these years Uce." Jonathan chuckled some more, slapping Joe on the back.
Joe ignored the teasing from his cousins and Jon as his charcoal colored orbs landed on Londyn through the crowd. He observed as she stood stoically on the dance floor while Avery and Camille tried to urge her to dance to the song the deejay was playing. After some prodding, the woman started to sway her hips to the song, rolling her eyes at Camille while she tried to hide the smirk creeping onto her lips.
Tearing his eyes away from Londyn, Joe turned around to face the bar and the trio of men that knowingly watched him. He casually ran a hand over his ponytail. "I'm not tongue tied."
"You're not tongue tied?" Jon's eyes bulged at the statement before he shook his head. "You stared at her for a good two minutes not saying anything. That's not the Joe I know. You always have this ability to talk to chicks and have them melting at your damn feet in a matter of seconds."
"I was just shocked to see her. It's been eleven damn years since the last time I saw her. Kinda took me by surprise."
"Riiiiiigggghhhtttt," Jon drawled the word out, not believing anything Joe was saying. "What's the deal between you two anyway?"
"Nothing. I had a crush on her in high school. We kissed during a game of Truth of Dare. That's it, that's all."
Jonathan groaned and shook his head, standing up while he grabbed his drink from the bar top. He placed a hand on Joe's shoulder. "Look man, I'm just going to be real with you. You're fuckin lying."
"I'm not-"
"Yes you are. And you're doing a horrible job at it might I add," Jon added, earning him a middle finger from Joe making Josh laugh again. "I think there is something more that you're not revealing."
Joe groaned loudly. "There's nothing else. Why can't you three drop it?"
"Well if there's nothing else, why are you and Londyn acting so weird around each other? Just admit that there are still some feelings deep down inside for Londyn that never truly left. You let her get away once. Now here's another opportunity for you to have her again. Don't let her slip through your fingers again, or else you're gonna regret it," Josh advised him.
Jonathan squeezed Joe's shoulder before brushing past him, walking towards his wife Trinity as Jon and Josh walked towards the group of ladies on the dance floor. Joe stared blankly ahead before his eyes traveled towards Londyn once again, the words of advice he received a few seconds ago echoing in his mind.
Londyn exhaled softly as her back rested against the concrete wall outside the bar, the sticky humid weather not doing much of nothing to cool her down. She spent the past few hours dancing to every song the deejay played with Camille, her best friend not allowing her to sit to breathe one time. The only reason she was allowed to go outside to get a breath of fresh air was because Camille was now too busy dancing with Josh, giving the stylist a chance to sneak away. However, Londyn was perfectly content with dancing all night long in five inch heels if it meant she wouldn't have to endure Camille's constant nagging and urging for her to make a move on Joe.
Joe. The moment the man's name entered her mind, a noticeable shiver ran down the length of Londyn's spine. She would have to be completely blind not to see how fine of a man he turned into over the years. The long black hair that could make any woman jealous, the chiseled facial features, the muscular frame. Joe was cute back in the day but he was downright handsome now. No wonder Avery squealed like a maniac behind her when he walked to the ring earlier.
Londyn mentally scolded herself for the awkward exchange between the two of them earlier in front of everybody. She was never one to be at a loss of words before but being that close to him while his intoxicating aroma invaded her nostrils once again, memories that she did her best to hide in her psyche sprouted out of nowhere. Londyn knew Camille dragging her to the dance floor was just a tactic on her end to remove her from the awkward encounter with Joe and she was definitely grateful to her friend. She had spent less than 20 minutes around Joe and yet she was losing her composure whenever he appeared.
Londyn's eyes eased closed as she tried to steady her heartbeat, the sound of the door to the bar opening echoing in her ears. Loud music filtered onto the street before disappearing again. She inhaled again and her body immediately stiffened. She cracked one eye open, coming face to face with a pair of intense grey eyes.
"We have to talk."
A/N: Ah, the slow burn between these two. Will they just hurry up and stop playing games?! R&R :-)