Bobby leaned on AJ as they walked out of the row. He felt a little embarrassed about drinking so many beers, but on the other hand, a few more minutes with AJ was worth it. He curled his arm around AJ's neck as they walked up the steps together and leaned in a bit. Neither of them said a word until they got out into the parking lot.

"Where's your car Bobby?"

"Section C. It's a gray sedan..."

As they walked on, Bobby stumbled slightly again. AJ gripped him a little harder and his hand slipped down onto Bobby's hip. He pulled his hand up and onto Bobby's bare skin, and Bobby let out a small gasp.

"Whoa, you alright?" asked AJ, quickly moving his hand back over Bobby's clothes.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I can't believe I'm this tipsy over four beers. You would think I wasn't a wrestler!" Bobby said, adding on a fake laugh. Inside he was cursing himself for making any noise, for being a damn fool, and for a couple other things that he would laugh at later when he sobered up.

"Um, okay." AJ side eyed him a little, but whatever avenue the conversation would have taken was cut off by Bobby sighting and frantically pointing to the car. "Right there? K, gotcha." They walked - or in Bobby's case, lurched - to the car and managed to get in and buckled with a minimum of fuss. Bobby leaned his head against the car window as AJ started the car.

"Mind if I turn on the radio?" asked Bobby.

"Yes, actually I do mind, you listen to some of the worst music I have ever heard," said AJ. Silence. "Nah, I'm just playing, put on whatever you like. Not loud though, I don't really know where I'm going."

"You know what? Never mind then. It's not far anyway."

"Suit yourself brother," AJ said, sticking out his tongue.

It didn't take long for them to get to the hotel. By then Bobby was feeling a little less happy and a little more embarrassed and nervous. He tried to head AJ off at the pass by offering to get out at the front door, but AJ gave him a funny look.

"Did they spike your last beer or something? You've been all funny since the end of the game. If I didn't know better I would have you tested for roofies right now."

"Who would do that to themselves?"

"Isn't that what you Canadians do in your spare time?"

"You're walking a FINE LINE here. Just for that, if I throw up tonight, I'm aiming right at you."

"You think I'm afraid of a little vomit? I got kids Bobby. Vomit is like water to me. I get out there like the dog and just shake it off."

"Oh man. I laugh because I know you have."

"No doubt."

"All right, AJ. I gotta get upstairs."

"Okay, let's go."

Once in the hotel room Bobby took his shirt off without even thinking about it. Behind him, AJ blinked and nervously rubbed a hand over his forehead. Bobby, meanwhile, took his shoes off, laid on the bed, and put his hands behind his head. AJ sat on the other side of the bed. Cautiously. Almost perching.

Neither of them said anything for two straight minutes.

"Bobby," AJ finally said, "you sleeping? Can I leave?"

"Nope, just thinking about things. A lot of things. Sometimes it feels like I have so much on my mind that it's gonna explode. Things just weighing on me and making me wonder if I could have done things differently."

"Maybe you should come to church with me. Come down and unburden yourself of a couple of things. I know you have a lot on your mind, like how you got Reaction cancelled."

All the spit in Bobby's mouth dried up. "...how the hell do you know about that? Bischoff said he wasn't gonna talk to you!"

"He told me that he didn't want to but the executives insisted."

"Oh God. So what...what did he tell you? What happened?"

"He told me the executives complained about the way people were acting on top of it being too expensive. And then suddenly, you started treating me funny. Before you used to hang out with me and be cool. All of a sudden you wouldn't even stand next to me, you'd get weird on the phone, and when I'd talk to you, you'd get this look on your face like all shifty eyed. You made me get paranoid as forever for a while. And then I talked to James, and he was like, well Bobby is just being stupid right now, but I'll talk to him and then call you up-"

"I knew that night was a setup!"

"No, no, no, not a setup. I just wanted to know if you were okay and if it was something I did. I've known you for a long time, Bobby, and I don't want anything to come between us."

AJ reached over and massaged Bobby's shoulder, and then gently stroked his thumb along Bobby's collarbone. "You're a good guy," AJ whispered. "I don't want you to feel awkward or bad about anything."

Bobby reached up and covered AJ's hand with his own, and then, making the leap he'd always wanted to in his heart, entwined his fingers in AJ's. They sat together for a little while, just enjoying each other's touch and the slight roughness of each other's fingers. A small sun started shining in Bobby's chest and he almost couldn't breathe with the heat of it...

And suddenly, AJ let go. He stood up. "I'm sorry. This is too much for me right now. I don't even know if this is right...I mean I like you but...I can't right now. I just..." He looked at Bobby and saw the hurt and confusion reflected in his face. "I need to think about things. Don't...I mean...I'm sorry if I hurt you tonight..."

Bobby couldn't say a word. Everything he wanted to say was locked up tight inside him. For one minute, one stinking fucking minute, he'd got to let go of that iron control and be himself and now what? Was this worth it?

They looked at each other longingly, but AJ dropped his eyes quickly. "I'll text you when I get home," he muttered, and slipped out the door.

Bobby rolled over in bed and closed his eyes, trying to will himself to sleep instantly. Please go to sleep. Please. I just want to forget today. Please.