Chapt. 21

That afternoon Nic drove Claire to the arena and walked her in, helping her to find her office. She was trying to act like the night before and her phone conversation earlier today had been no big deal and that she was just fine. He knew her far too well for that act. He knew that he was just being that over protective friend, but he didn't want to see her hurt by yet another encounter with Stephen. If she was faced with another encounter, well then he wanted to be there to intervene. Unfortunately he had to get to work, leaving her alone.

"Do you need anything before I go? Are you hungry, thirsty, anything?"

"I'm fine Nic, I promise. Thank you for being here for me today though. It means so very much knowing I can lean on you in my weakest moments."

He sighed, but smiled. "Of course, kiddo. I guess that I had better go on. They want me to tape some backstage spots and cut some promos. I'll catch up to you later tonight okay?"

Claire nodded and returned his smile just as her cell phone rang. "Work calls," she joked, without looking at her phone. She watched as her friend walked out of the door.

Once the door was closed she looked down at her phone and smiled broadly seeing Joe's name on her caller ID. "Hi there, you."

"You certainly sound better than our last conversation. Feeling better?"

"Mhmm, I am, thanks. How are you?"

"Wonderful actually. Pumped up about our big debut and all."

His voice sounds so clear, so close, Claire thought. "I'm excited for you to Joe."

"Thank you. I owe you for seeing something in me, in us really, for thinking outside of the box."

Claire's office door creaked open, just a crack. "Joe, hang on for one second okay?" She covered the mouthpiece of the phone with her hand and called out, "I'm on a call, one moment please."

She heard Joe then, "Oh? Well who is he? He poked his smiling face in the door, locking his eyes on her. "Hey darling."

Claire let her cell phone fall to the desk with a light thud. A smile took over her face and she was sure when she spoke it was coming out in a childlike squeal. "Joe! What are you doing here?"

He closed the space between the two of them and took her into his arms, pulling her as close as possible. He leaned down and let his lips greet hers, kissing her smoothly. He pulled back and looked down on her. "They want us to all start getting used to the travel and such so they requested that we start to come out for shows. We have to hang backstage and all still, but it's still pretty damn cool. Plus, there is a pretty fantastic added perk."

Raising an eyebrow up at him, Claire said, "Oh? What just what is that perk?"

"Seeing your beautiful face." He grinned, kissing the tip of her nose. "Come with me to catering? I'm starving!"

Claire nodded and grabbed her cell phone as she followed him out of the door and into the hallway. As they rounded the corner to the hallway that led to catering, Claire saw Nic cutting a promo. She slowed to a stop, watching him work. He always amazed her with his talent and his ability with words. He was beyond good at what he did, even if some of the higher ups in the company didn't see it. She smiled at him and winked when he caught her eyes and then she turned and continued on to catering.

The show was over and Claire was packing up her things when Joe found his way back into her office. "You ready to head out beautiful?"

"I am yes. The bed at the hotel sounds so good right now. Exhaustion has hit me, and it hit hard tonight."

They stepped into the hallway and Claire heard Nic's voice. "Hey, Claire, hold up."

She turned and smiled broadly at him. "Hey Nicky. This is Joe, and Joe, this is my best friend ever Nic."

The two men shook hands and Claire noticed Nic eyeing Joe, quietly sizing him up. "Good to meet you. Claire has told me a lot about you."

Joe smiled, "All good I hope. She's talked highly of you as well."

More idle small talk was exchanged and then Nic turned and looked at Claire. "I uh, I guess you don't need a ride then huh?"

"No, I'm okay Nic, thank you. I'll see you soon though." Claire flashed him a bright smile as her hand slipped into Joe's.

Nic smiled back at her, but it wasn't reaching his eyes. "Okay then, I love you."

"I love you too Nic."

As she and Joe drove to the hotel he looked her way out of the corner of his eyes. "You two seem really close."

Claire nodded, "We are. Extremely close." She was thinking about Nic heavily. Something just wasn't right with him she thought. He'd almost seemed defeated, broken even, and that was just not her friend. He was a strong man who didn't let things get to him. She was worried about him and made a note to text him the next day to find out what was going on.

ONE MONTH LATER—BATTLEGROUND PAY-PER-VIEW

Dallas, Texas.

"You got the parking pass that I sent to you, right?"

"Yes Claire, I've got it," Sadie laughed. Claire had already asked her three times this week about the parking pass.

"Alright then, when you get to the arena drive around the side of the building and you'll see where the trucks and buses are parked. Just pull in there and you can park. There's gonna be people to guide you to the door but if you text me I'll come out and meet you. Ah, I am so damn glad that you're coming! I have missed you like crazy."

It had been far too long since Claire had gotten to see her friend and to spend any kind of time with her. The fact that the pay-per-view had landed itself in Texas was a perfect excuse for them to get together. Claire could barely contain her excitement, between seeing Sadie and then Joe and the guys debuting tonight the excitement levels were completely through the roof.

Hanging up the phone Claire sat down and shifted papers on her desk. Before she could get started on anything Joe popped his head into her office.

"Hey pretty mama, can I come in?"

"Of course silly, come on in." Claire's face had lit up in a huge smile at the sound of his voice. She was quite taken with the big Samoan, she couldn't lie. They had been spending more and more time together these last few weeks and she liked him. She really liked the man. He had proven himself to be a total gentleman, patient and understanding, and always putting her first. Yes, she liked the man a lot.

"So, I wanted to talk to you, well ask you about something actually."

She nodded, her belly clenching, her nerves tingling. "Go ahead then."

"Well, this last week I've been thinking a lot about the time we've spent together lately and how much I have enjoyed it, how much I've enjoyed being near you. Getting to know you has been amazing and I like who I know." He smiled at her and reached out to take her hand. "Like I said, I've been thinking and today is one of the greatest days of my life. I feel like I've made it in my career finally and like I'm making my family proud. There is only one thing that I can imagine that would be able to make this day any better than it is now."

"And what is that Joe?"

"I'd love to be able to take us to the next level, to make us officially US, to be able to say that you are my girl and that I have you."

She looked up at him, meeting his eyes and feeling lighter than air. She was certain she was a good foot off of the floor and that the only thing that was anchoring her to the space was his hand, holding hers. Her smile was taking up the whole space of her face as she held his eyes. "I would love that Joe. I would absolutely adore that."

He said nothing, only smiled as he closed the space between his lips and hers. His lips brushed hers so lightly, so feather soft, but she wanted more from their kiss. She wound her arms around his neck, on her tiptoes, and pulled him closer to her, deepening the kiss. As his tongue responded to hers she sighed against his lips, smiling all the while.

Joe broke the kiss and smiled down on her once again. "Thank you, so much, for everything that you bring into my life. I hate it, but I have to run right now, got to go work out our entrance spots with the guys. I can't wait to see you soon though."

"I'll see you," Claire said, unable to wipe the smile away. "I'll be out there cheering and yelling for you guys, me and Sadie. Go on, you have work to do mister." Claire placed a kiss to the hollow spot at the base of his neck and felt him shiver. Somehow that was enough to turn her on. She shook her head and cleared her mind from thoughts of his bare chest beneath her hands, and her lips, and she walked back to her desk to finish up her work.

An hour later she was done with the night's work and was tidying up her space, ready to head out the door to look for Nic. She was eager to tell him about her and Joe. She had always shared the big things in her life with Nic, he was truly her best friend, and this was one of those big things.

She caught up to him in catering, he was forever eating it seemed and yet he stayed trim and toned and fit. Claire couldn't figure it out. She would swear under oath that he ate more than he worked out. To be fair, he actually wasn't eating right then, but she was sure if he hadn't lately then he would be soon.

"Well hello kiddo," he said walking up to her as she took her first steps into the room. "Look at that smile, see I knew you loved my face."

Claire laughed at him and said, "I do love you, tons Nicky. I have news though. Joe asked me to be official. I said yes." She watched his face, he never let his smile falter and yet his face changed. A change so subtle that no one else would have noticed it at all, but she knew him all too well. His smile had left his eyes and he didn't look nearly as happy as Claire felt. No, there was something under the surface, just barely under it, that let her know that his happy act was just that, an act.

"Nic, is there something wrong?"

"Huh? Oh, no Claire, nothing, just thinking about my match tonight is all I guess."

She regarded him through squinted eyes but in the she had to shrug it off. When her cell phone chirped a text notification he used it as an excuse to escape her. Looking at her phone, reluctant to take her eyes off Nic's retreating back, she saw that Sadie was at the arena. Claire let out a small squeal, drawing looks from those close to her. She smiled, waved, and took off out of the catering room to go find her friend.

Five minutes later, Claire was out in the bright Texas sun, and the scorching July heat. She immediately regretted not grabbing her sunglasses before heading outside as she shielded her eyes with her hand. She scanned the parking lot, searching for her friend, excited to finally be seeing her after a long year and a half. She missed her one true female friend, and today, waiting to see her, brought that fact to light.

Just then she spotted Sadie, her wild mane of tight spiral curls glinting a golden bronze in the sunlight, walking across the parking lot. When Sadie saw Claire they both began to run, eager to get to the other.

"Claire! I am so damn glad to see you," Sadie said, throwing her arms around her friend, hugging her tightly. Sadie was blinking back tears of joy when she pulled away. "Damn it all I have missed you, so very much."

Brushing at her eyes, Claire laughed. "I know that feeling all too well. I miss having you in Florida so much. Come on in, we can talk and catch up in the nice cold air conditioning." Claire led Sadie inside and to her the catering room. It was all but empty now so they wouldn't have anyone around to interrupt them. After they had both fixed a plate of food they sat down and Claire smiled. "Have I mentioned how damn good it is seeing you?"

Laughing, Sadie shook her head. "I know that thought though so it's just fine. So, tell me how things are going. Has Matt gone over seas yet?"

"He actually left out today, this morning early. I'm excited for him. I think it's a wonderful opportunity for him, and maybe he can get things in order and back to some of these major US promotions."

Sadie nodded her understanding. "How has he been doing with that anyway?"

Claire shrugged her shoulders. "Good, no slip ups since the failed work test so that is a positive." She paused and took a sip of her water. "Oh! So, guess what?"

"What?"

"Joe asked me to make us official this afternoon." Claire's grin was back on her face, full on ear to ear.

"Ahhh that's awesome!" Sadie let out the squeal that Claire had fought to hold in. "You did say yes I'm assuming, right?"

Claire gave her friend that look that said she had to be joking. "Duh!"

Nic walked in just then, his eyes finding the two of them. "Sadie! Claire has been off the wall with excitement about seeing you. It's been far too long beautiful," he said, leaning down and hugging her before taking the open chair between her and Claire. Picking up Claire's fork, he stabbed a mound of green beans and stuffed them in his mouth. He used the fork to point, mumbling with his mouth full, "Those are absolutely and completely phenomenal."

"And they are mine you ass," Claire said laughing. Just then Joe walked in and she waved him over. She introduced him to Sadie, all smiles and teenage awe on her face. She was so focused on Joe that she didn't notice the change of Nic's expression.

Sadie, however, saw and read it loud and clear. "Hey Claire, why don't you two go steal some time. I'll keep Nic here company."

Looking from Joe to her friend Claire shrugged her shoulders. "Well, okay, but I will be back." Allowing her hand to get lost in Joe's, she followed him out of catering, leaving her two best friends behind.

Nic began to stand up and Sadie reached out for his hand to stop him. "Negative mister. Sit. Talk. Since when are you in love with Claire?"

His eyes shot up and locked firmly on hers. She thought that there was fear in his baby blues, fear mixed with a pain that came from watching the one you love, loving someone else. "I don't know what you are talking about Sadie."

"Oh? I think you do Nic. Thing is you're afraid to admit it. It might actually breathe life into the thought that is already fully alive. Just know that you can talk to me."

Lowering himself back into the chair, he ran his hands through his hair. "Look, how can I explain to you what I don't even get myself?"

"Love isn't required to have an explanation Nic, and when it does have one, well it's typically not real anyway."

Shaking his head he stood. "We're friends, hat it Sadie. Just ask her. I'll never be boyfriend material in her eyes. It's that shitty spot known as friend zoned."

Sadie watched as he walked away, rejected and aching and her heart felt for his. She saw perfectly he and Claire could fit together. They had a natural relationship, a chemistry that would surely be explosive in all of the best ways if they mixed it properly. Plus, they'd be crazy cute together, but she wanted her friend happy and if for right now Joe was that happy then so be it.