Disclaimer: I do not own anything other than the other OC characters in this story. I cannot claim that I own any WWE Superstars, events, locations, or the WWE itself. I'm entirely too poor and unlucky for that to be the case – believe me, ask my student loan payments.

I'm writing for my own enjoyment, as well as that of my readers. Please review this piece, and let me know if there are suggestions, ideas, or just your thoughts. I appreciate the feedback.

CHAPTER 2

Tessa had excused herself before anyone could continue the interrogation, and gone directly back to the bar for a refill. She ordered, and leaned over onto her elbows, which rested on the bar top. This was absolutely one hundred percent worse than she had envisioned. There was no reason to be here, and this had just become hell on Earth for her. Out of everything that had to happen, this was where she was placed. Tessa let her mind wander back.

There she was, standing before her final batter on the field. It was her last game, and she was the deciding factor in whether or not everyone would hail her team as Cinderella or failure. Surprisingly enough, the entire school it seemed had turned out to see whether she rose to the occasion or not. She found a few friendly faces amongst those who were there to see a possible blown opportunity. Tessa pulled the glove up to her as she nodded off the first few signs, and decided on her pitch. Pulling her foot across the rubber, she started her routine and let the ball fly from her hand; it quickly flew past the batter as the umpire pulled his hands back quickly and barked, "Strike Three!" before the batter dropped her head down. There was a mighty cheer from Tessa's team and the students who were there to witness the events. She threw her hands up in the air, waiving at Jeff as he flew around the corner to the entrance to the field, clamoring to scoop her up and thrust her in the air above the others. She looked around while people exited the field and bleachers, finding that there was a small contingent of people left, talking amongst themselves.

Tessa had finally hugged everyone on the field, garnering congratulations from everyone and assuring those of her team that they would be ready for the next round. She made her way to the dugout, which was deserted, and gathered her things into her bat bag.

"Good game. Looks like someone has been working on her inside placement." Tessa turned around and saw him standing there, leaning on the fence separating them. John had held her attention since Freshman year, and so far she had simply chosen to admire him with her mouth closed. Sure, she could talk to him, but it was usually limited to classroom assignments, which would mean he would ask her how to do something, or sports, in that he would make fun of her location and she would remark about how football didn't require much accuracy. He had always seemed very friendly, but his permanent sidekick had a strong dislike for Tessa in all forms. Friends tried to convince her that it was because she felt threatened, but Tessa's self-esteem wasn't high enough to let her absorb this theory.

"Well, at least one team at this school should do well, don't you think?" Tessa beamed back at John, tossing her bag over her shoulder as she walked out of the dugout and over to where he stood.

"Ouch." John clutched his hands over his youthful chest, and staggered back. "So you're gonna be back at work tomorrow morning bright and early aren't you?" Tessa nodded as they started back toward the school building.

"You know how it is for a scholarship athlete. Coach Candrea doesn't give free rides, and I've got big cleats to fill."

John stopped, and grabbed Tessa's arm lightly, causing her to turn to him. He had begun to look down at his feet, and when he brought his gaze back up, Tessa looked directly into eyes that swept her breath from her chest. John still held her upper arm, his hands twitching against the firm muscles that she had built while pitching so many years.

"Hmm, been working out?"

"John, I really don't have time to discuss my training regimen. What's on your mind?"

He took a step back and let Tessa's arm drop from his grasp. "Right, uhm, well," he took a deep breath, rubbing the back of his neck and his eyes never straying from their hold on her own. "I think there is going to be some kind of get together tonight, and I wondered if you would like to come. You know, have a couple beers, socialize – we all know you're allergic to it, but thought it might be nice if you came." He exhaled as Tessa stared at him without words.

Usually, her routine would see her seated next to Jeff and their few friends, watching tv and joking with each other. Sometimes, Jeff could talk her into watching wrestling with him without comments, and it was now becoming more frequent now that Tessa had discovered her love of all things hot men being shirtless. This would definitely be a different way to spend a lovely evening.

"Tessa? You okay?" John's words bolted her back to attention. She nodded slightly. Just as she was about to answer John, they were joined by a few other unwelcome guests.

"John, what are you're doing back here? I've been looking everywhere for you." Amelia tossed her blonde hair over her shoulder, while several of her cheerleading buddies crowded around behind her. "C'mon, John, we have to go home and get ready. Why did you even stop back here anyways?"

John looked annoyed at having been interrupted, but his eyes searched Tessa's face for any kind of reaction. "What do you think?"

Tessa surveyed the new arrivals and John's face, which looked so warm and inviting. The two were polar opposites. "I don't know."

"Don't know what? Just what the hell is going on?" Amelia's hands went directly to her hips, waiting for a response.

"I told her about the party, and thought it might be nice if she stopped by to hang out." John pinched the bridge of his nose in preparation for what was about to come.

"Why would you ever do that? Like we really want to hang out with her? I mean, come on. What is she going to do, sell us on the finer points of polyester pants?" Amelia gestured to Tessa's uniform.

Tessa darted her eyes away before they could see the hurt that amassed in her face. She drew a couple deep breaths, and turned back to face John. His smile had faded slightly.

"I probably shouldn't. I mean, it's a lost training opportunity. There is a lot riding on this arm, and I'm sure Arizona won't like it if I show up unprepared." Tessa managed a very mild smile. "Thank you though, but you all should go. Lots to be done I'm sure." John turned to Amelia, who looked quite smug, and nodded.

"I understand…good luck with the training then." He turned to stroll away, and the group fell in line behind him. Amelia caught up, and ran her hands along his muscular shoulders as they made their way to the parking lot. John glanced back as he got into his car, catching Tessa's face. She hadn't moved from her place on the field. He raised his hand slightly to wave and she returned the favor with a nod.

Tessa was ripped back by the offering of her drink by the bar tender. She nodded thank you as she laid her money on the counter. She heard a small whoosh of air come past her before she heard his voice.

"Beer, please." John leaned against the bar next to her. "Listen, I'm sorry for her, she's a little on the bitter side. Seems that people who peak when they are young aren't very happy adults."

"Imagine. I'm thinking that I should be going. This really isn't my scene." Tessa took a slow pull from her drink as John grabbed his beer and paid. "This more for people who believe that high school was the best times of their life."

"Not all of us feel that way, you know; agree with Amelia. I think what you do is pretty spectacular, way more important that me." John leaned back and took a swill from the bottle.

Tessa lowered her hackles slightly, and smiled at the kind eyes that had her attention currently. "What do you do, John? You look like it might be illegal or security related." John smiled back. Tessa's heart melted.

"You are completely wrong. I went to school, played some football, and figured out that I probably wouldn't make a career of it. Moved out to California, did some building, and decided I would wrestle."

Tessa tilted her head slightly as he grinned at her. "Wrestle? Like Olympics?"

"Well, not quite like that. It's a bit more, ehem, commercial." John smirked sideways.

"Commercial? Well…oh, OH!" Tessa's eyes grew larger as the realization hit her.

John shook his head. "Yup, I work for the WWE. I'm a professional wrestler. I do shows and win belts, and lace up for arenas full of fans. It's intoxicating, and I love it."

Tessa tried to judge whether he was lying to her. He seemed to be genuine about it. John motioned for them to return to the table, and upon their arrival back, Amelia had left them for a conversation with one of her former cronies. Jeff confirmed John's story, and the three of them enjoyed the rest of a pleasant dinner together.

As the dessert dishes were cleared by the catering staff, the music began to play again. People began to get up and mill around, finding former friends and speaking about great times they shared in school. Tessa stuck close to her table and her distractions.

An hour flew by, and Jeff was the first to make the call. "I might have to go ahead and leave. You going with me, or will you be okay?" Jeff leaned in to ask Tessa. She smiled at Jeff and patted his hand softly.

"I'm going to leave here in a second. Please tell the Miss that I'm terribly sorry I didn't get to meet her."

"I don't want to leave you unless you're really okay. You sure?"

"Jeff, I'm going to be fine in the five minutes from when you leave now until I do, too." Tessa gave him a tight hug which he returned. "Thank you though. Lunch tomorrow maybe?"

"Hit me up. Night then, Tessa. Mr. Cena, good evening. Please make sure she's okay until she leaves." John shook Jeff's hand and nodded sternly. Jeff turned and disappeared through the doors of the gym, and he was gone. Tessa turned her attention back to John's friendly face.

"So, I'm sorry if you've been kept away from talking to anyone. I don't want to monopolize anyone's time from anyone else."

"Nah," John smirked slightly. "I didn't really expect to talk to a lot of people anyways. I'm sure that they really want to talk to me as much as they want the celebrity. And don't get me started on the girls."

Tessa couldn't help but laugh at his last statement. "Okay, whatever you say. I think I am going to head out though. There are dance competitions and cheer moves being thrown over there." A crowd of people were cheering as hands were being thrown in the air in the middle of the group. "John, it was a pleasure, but I'm off." John stood and helped Tessa pull out her chair as she stood up on those unsteady heels. "Thank you, that's very nice of you."

"May I walk you out? Make sure you get to your car okay." John offered his arm out to Tessa, who lightly hooked her hand around his massive bicep, which twitched as her fingers grazed against it.

"Thank you again, I suppose." John walked with her through the doorway, out of the building, and into the parking lot. Tessa pulled the keys to her car from her purse as they approached it, and pushed the keyless entry. John opened her door, leaning against it as she slid into the driver's seat softly.

"So no big after party planned, huh?" He leaned his head down on his hands, taking in her stunning eyes and radiant smile as her cheeks grew hot.

"I'm just going to head home and have a glass of wine I think. Sit out on the porch." Tessa was a mix of confusion, glee, and adrenaline. She had always hoped John would focus on her, but she had availed herself a long time ago that the likelihood of it happening was slim to none. He had spent most of the night talking with her; it was like some alternate universe.

"Enjoy your evening then, it was wonderful to see you again, Tessa." John smiled warmly as he closed the car door. He watched her push the key into the ignition and listed to the car quietly come to life. Before she could shift the vehicle into drive, John knocked softly on the window. Tessa hit the switch, lowering the glass between them. "Can I ask you for a favor?"

Tessa looked up into his crystal eyes. "Um, sure?" What could John ever need from her? Her mind began to wonder.

"Amelia drove me here, and I don't have much desire to ride back with her. Or to be around her at all, really, but that's beside the point; could I hitch a ride with you, maybe join you for that glass of wine?" Tessa thought about this situation – when would she ever have this opportunity to spend a quiet night out on the porch talking to John, the single person she pined over the entirety of her four years trapped in that hell that was high school? Before any part of her mind could tell her it was a bad idea, she had nodded yes, and John was climbing into the passenger side of the car.