"I've got about four minutes, so you better make it quick." Renee was seemingly in a hurry, although she did not explain why. There were signs such as her putting stuff in her handbag while taking out other things like her lipstick. She went to the mirror to apply it, then crossed the whole distance of the room again to get her jacket, lying over a chair. She looked around looking for something else, and by this she made it clear that whatever the other person wanted was secondary to her.

But right after she changed her shoes – she clearly reconsidered the casual style and instead of comfortable flats she decided for open-toe platform heels that went with her dark green summer dress, she stopped and looked at him. All that busy appearance suddenly disappeared. She sighed, looking at the person in front of her. "You just want the answer, don't you?" They both stood there in silence, interrupted only by the sound of radio playing in the background. "I'm sorry, I won't change my mind." To show she truly was sorry, she stroke his shoulder and even gave him a soft kiss on the right cheek. "We both know it wouldn't be a good idea."

"When did this become you or him?"

Renee's subsequent smile was a peaceful one. "It's not about that, Seth. You know that I don't have any problem being with Dean in one room. We're good, we really are, but . . . it's the situation."

"My birthday?"

Suddenly it seemed that Renee has forgotten she was supposed to leave. But she couldn't go without doing something about that sad face. She needed to fix Seth's mindset; he couldn't think this was because of him. Therefore, she said, explaining, "There'll be alcohol. When we get drunk . . ." She shook her head, smiling. "It's dangerous." After staring at the clock for a brief moment, she looked again at Seth. "Besides, I'll bring Nate and Dean . . ."

"He won't bring anyone. And you, too, can come alone. Come on, Renee, it'll be just a big party where I'm in the center of the attention," he added humorously. "What are you afraid of?"

"I can't do that to Nate. If he knows Dean's there . . ."

"So it is about Dean, after all."

"No."

"Then it's about you choosing Nate over me."

"No," she refused again, vigorously shaking her head.

Renee did not know what to say. Essentially, Seth was right; she was prioritizing her boyfriend over her friend's birthday party. But it was for the best. Attending the party would mean risk for her and suspicion for her boyfriend. And even if Dean, after getting drunk, were not to hit on her, she would probably witness Dean's trying his charm on somebody else. Renee wasn't sure she would be okay with that, despite the fact she was happily dating someone else.

"I really gotta go now," she said, and went to get her handbag. "Don't worry, Seth," she added, "you'll get your present even if I don't come."

"Still I wish you did."

Renee apologetically looked at him before turning around and leaving. Seth followed her shortly; he wouldn't spend more time in the empty room. But as he wasn't satisfied with the situation, he kept trying to find a solution. He was going to find Dean to see if he was less stubborn and could act nicely so that Renee would not have a problem attending, and along with her her boyfriend Nate, but before he found Dean, Seth encountered Roman. Unlike Seth, Roman, whose birthday was just three days before Seth's, wasn't having a big party, although he decided to throw something more private, a celebration with family and a couple of friends, and Seth knew that Roman asked Renee to come as well, and she again refused. Roman did not appear a party enthusiast these days, that's why the small informal gathering. In fact, he wasn't very keen on attending Seth's party either, but under public pressure he gave in.

When Seth noticed Roman, he was showing something on his phone to Randy Orton, and both were in very good mood. For that reason, since Seth's mood was so different from theirs, Seth decided not to interrupt, and although both guys knew of his presence, Seth kept on walking until he disappeared from their view.

Seth remembered his 28th birthday party which took place a year ago. That time seemed so distant and so different. Everybody was so much happier and things were less complicated. At least it seemed so. The Shield still existed, and all three guys were closer than now. Sure, their respective careers were better than they imagined a year ago, but there were things he missed. Their personal lives were different now too. Roman is now married, trying to spend as much time at home as he can, often saying no to either Seth's or Dean's suggestions to do something together. Dean was with Renee, and both were happy. Now Renee is with Nate, and although everything was going great, as far as Seth knew, he could see that she wasn't as happy as she was with Dean. Seth refused to believe he was just making this up, according to him, Renee still missed Dean, as much as he missed her. And Dean . . . well, Seth wasn't really sure what was happening in his life, but it couldn't be any better than it was a year ago. Last year, it was probably around this time when Seth found out about Cassie. How stupid he was to think she was a danger to Dean and Renee's relationship. The real threat was Dean himself, as proved later. Seth smiled when he realized that the situation, the issue with Cassie, was not all that different now. Except now it was him who was hiding a secret. A secret that was already weakening his friendship with Roman, and Seth didn't even want to think what affect it will have on his friendship with Dean when he finds out. But Seth was doing everything to avoid that. Cassie would not come to his birthday party, although the primary reason was the distance and her failure to get time off work. Well, in conclusion, things changed, and they weren't necessarily better now.

The task of finding Dean seemed unbelievably difficult. Seth was able to find all the people he had no interest in, but Dean's position was a mystery. Still, Seth knew Dean was supposed to be in the building. When he asked other people about him, some told him they had seen him just a couple of minutes ago, but they had no idea where he could be now.

"Hey! Kane!" Seth shouted to get his attention. Now Kane turned around to see who was calling him, and he didn't look very pleased with the result. "Have you seen Ambrose?" asked Seth. The only response he got was shaking of Kane's head before he turned away again.

Soon enough Seth realized he probably wouldn't find Dean, unless Dean wanted to find him. Then he heard somebody calling his name. "Seth?" Seth turned around to see Lana. "I saw Dean leaving the building about five minutes ago."

"Oh. You know where he went?"

"No idea. But he was accompanied by some woman."

"You know who?" asked Seth.

"I couldn't really see her all that well."

"Ok. Thanks, anyway." Before leaving, Seth asked her, "You're coming to my birthday party?"

"Sorry, I can't."

Seth nodded. Everything was falling apart. Not that he wanted Lana to be there all that much, but without Renee there, with Roman only attending because it would be strange if he didn't, with all the other people who already had declined Seth's invitation, it would suck.

On his way back, he encountered Roman. He was alone this time. The two guys looked at each other, but didn't say anything. Only later Roman shouted, "You have a minute?"

It was clear that Seth wasn't busy; his walking was slow and lacked that enthusiasm that would accompany any kind of duty or anticipated activity.

Seth returned to Roman and waited for him to say what he had on his mind.

Roman sighed first. Then he said to Seth, "I don't think I'll come to you party. You know, you gotta understand this, I want to spend those few days off with my family. I decided to cancel that celebration of my birthday and do instead a little family gathering."

"I see." Seth couldn't look more depressed. It was only getting worse. He wondered how much more bad news he could take.

"But you have fun, okay?" Roman patted Seth's shoulder, but it wasn't a cordial act, just something automatic he did without making it look personal. Roman truly did not seem to care all that much. "Oh, and Dean won't probably come either." That Seth did not understand, but Roman was about to explain. "He really wants to celebrate my birthday with me, and, you see, since those two events are colliding –"

"I thought that was a family gathering," Seth cited.

"Dean is like a family to me."

That was a stab in the back. By saying that, Roman was virtually saying that he did not consider Seth a part of his family. Dean remained his brother, Seth lost that privilege. First on screen when he separated from The Shield, and now in private life when Seth told Roman he was dating an enemy.

"Is it because of Cassie?"

"No. But I guess it works for the best. Just imagine what would happen if Dean saw her there."

"She's not coming, don't worry." But that was not the point. "But what I mean is, ever since you found out I'm seeing her, you don't talk to me." Seth sighed. "But I don't get it. I haven't betrayed you."

"But you betrayed my brother, and I can't ignore that."

Those words hurt him. He lost Roman and soon enough he would lose Dean as well. But he had to get over it. Seth had to pretend everything was fine. Losing confidence and looking weak was unacceptable.

The only good news was that maybe now that Dean would not come, Renee could. Of course only in case that her not wanting to come because of Dean's presence was not an excuse. But maybe Seth was getting paranoid, now thinking that nobody cared. The only thought that crossed his mind was that he could as well just cancel the whole thing. He was alone in the ring and now in the backstage too. The only difference was that those few people who pretended interest on screen had no obligation to do so when the cameras were off.