"Do you think maybe you're reading into this a little bit?" Sasha was laying, across Becky's plush arm chair, flipping through an anime.
"Maybe, but now he knows how to get under my skin." Becky sprawled out on the couch, a heavy hard covered book underneath her. "You shoulda seen his face when he asked if I was jealous."
"Like a vindictive 'fuck you' look or like a smoldering 'drop your panties' look?"
"Smoldering."
Sasha laughed and looked over to her. "That's fun at least."
Becky laughed, "I've been tryin' not to think about it. Him and…fun."
"How's that working?"
"It's fine, there are plenty o' other guys out there for fun."
"Bex,"
"What?"
"C'mon, this was never jut about fun to you."
"Alright, I liked seein' him, but y'know, it wasn't serious."
"Oh stop. You've been in lo-"
"Sasha," she said sharply. "Stop."
"I'm just trying to-"
"It doesn't matter. It's over."
"Whatever. But that make up sex is gonna be damn good, I'm telling you that."
"There's not gonna be make up sex."
"Alright." Sasha looked back to her book.
"Definitely not if he keeps chasin' Bayley now that he knows how it bothers me."
"If you're worried about it why don't you just tell her to stay away?"
"Aw I can' do that."
"Yeah, you can, and I think you should."
"I'll think about it. Okay?"
"Okay."
"Don't say anything to her about it."
"Why would I do that?" she demanded.
"Because you think you're helping?"
"Oh shut up."
"Alright."
"You want another cup?" Becky nodded to the empty mug next on the table.
"Yes please," she handed it over.
Becky took the two mugs to the kitchen and made fresh.
"What about Sami?" Sasha called after her.
"What about 'im?"
"Are you and him…"
"Nah it was just a slip."
"A good slip?"
"A great slip," she returned with two steaming mugs and handed one to Sasha.
"You're smirking."
"Yeah well," she pressed the mug to her lips and winked.
"What?"
"I don' kiss and tell."
"That's bs."
"Okay," she giggled, "I don' kiss and tell, details. Can we talk about something else?"
"Yeah of course. You teaming with Bayley again for the live show next week?"
"That's what Sara said last but, y'know."
"Good," Sasha smiled, "maybe eventually they'll turn you and let you hang out with me."
"Honestly anythin' would be helpful at this point."
"Don't give up. It took forever for me, but I got there."
"What do they have ya doin'?"
"Alexa,"
"Nice, that'll be good."
"Mhmm." Sasha sipped on her coffee. "She's getting good."
"See, she has a character,"
"Hang in there, I promise."
Becky sighed.
"So impress them this week. Maybe they'll let you drop the Lucky Charms gimmick."
"Maybe."
XXX
Monday morning, Finn was warming up on the bike when he caught a glimpse of her in the mirror. He turned his head.
"Hey Bayley!"
"Oh hey Finn," she smiled, walking up to him. "Thanks, by the way, for Saturday. In case I hadn't said it before."
"Yeah I don't really remember you sayin' anythin'," he grinned at her as she laughed. "Join me?"
"Uh, yeah, sure." She took the bike next to him, warming up with a moderate pace.
"We can do it again, by the way," he said, flashing a smile at her. "If you ever need anythin'. It was fun."
"Oh, yeah, it was." She blushed again and his grin widened. "And it was really helpful."
"I'm here to serve."
She laughed again, looking down at the monitor of her bike.
"And y'know, I'm lookin' forward to Thursday. Figured we'd, y'know, hang out with everyone again."
"Oh yeah, definitely."
"Good, 'cause I had a really good night the last time. You lads have been so accepting so quick," he turned at looked her in the eye. "I really, really appreciate it, Bayley."
"Yeah, 'course. You're family now, get used to it."
"I think I can do that."
He smiled and looked back to the mirror. After a moment she looked up again and he caught her eye in the mirror. It made her blush, looking away shyly. Finn grinned, but it faded when his glance flickered off of her, and found the redhead in mirror, in the set of elliptical machines behind them. Her eyes were narrowed on him, jealousy across her face. He held her gaze for a second, feeling half guilty. The other half just wanted her to want him. Not Sami. Him. The thought made him feel like a jerk, but it wasn't like he was gonna sleep with the girl. What was a bit of flirting?
It continued for the next few days. He smiled at Bayley when their eyes met from across the room. At lunch he made sure to say hello and make some jokes. She laughed and tipped her head. They got along well, the two of them, had the same interests and sense of humor. He couldn't help thinking to himself that they might've been great friends. Maybe they still could, if he just stopped the bullshit. But he couldn't, he was just hurt. Hurt by Becky and hating how much he missed her.
Wednesday rolled around and the place was a buzz. Some of them would be on their way to Jacksonville, Florida tomorrow for a tour show. Becky and Sasha were in the locker room chatting when Bayley came in.
"Heyo," she said cheerfully.
"Whatsup Bay?" Sasha smiled at her, "You excited for tomorrow?"
"As long as I got my Becky Friend Forever," she grinned and nudged Becky who laughed, "We can take them."
"Yeah it'll be fun," Becky nodded.
"Careful Bayley, I'm a steal her from you one day," Sasha warned.
"Nah she'd never leave me, right Bex?"
"We'll have to wait an' see I suppose."
"Hey, I actually was hoping I could talk to you about something," she sat down on the bench next to Becky.
Becky's eyes flickered from Bayley, up to Sasha. "Uh, sure. What is it?"
"You've known Finn a long time,"
"Yeah?"
"What's he like, really? Not the Finn with a smile on his face and the sweet compliments. Who is he deep down? Is he a good guy?"
"He's…he's y'know, complicated like all the rest of us. He's got a big heart and a bit of a jealous streak. He's used to getting what he wants if he works at it hard enough. Doesn't respond well when that doesn't happen. If he wants something, he usually makes it happen. W-why?"
"He's been, uh, kind of flirtatious lately." She blushed. "I'm not getting my hopes up but, I figure if he's planning on making a move he'll probably do it tomorrow."
Becky forced a laugh, "It's always the tours."
"Right? And he's sweet, he's funny, he's-"
"Extremely good looking," Sasha interjected.
Bayley laughed and blushed, "yeah, okay, he's pretty good looking. I just wanna know he's what he seems. You would know better than anyone."
"Yeah…no, he's alright," she said quietly. "Like I said, he's complicated."
"Well I think," Sasha interjected again, "he fancies himself a bit of a playboy."
Becky looked up her and shook her head.
"Bex, didn't you say he used to mess around a lot, back in Bray?"
"He hid it well, there were rumors but, I don' know what really happened."
"Like you said," Sasha crossed her arms. "He's used to getting what he wants."
XXX
Early the next morning it was still dark when they loaded up the charter bus. Sasha handed Becky her duffle back and she shoved in the overhead, wordlessly. She sat down in the aisle seat and started to put in her ear buds. Sasha leaned over and spoke in a hushed tone.
"Are you mad?"
Becky glared at her.
"Okay so you're mad."
"Ya promised you wouldn't get involved."
"I promised I wouldn't tell her you and him were together."
"D'ya really wanna win this on a technicality?"
"I just thought she should know about his history."
"Oh a 21 year old boy liked to hook up, ring the papers."
"He's flirting with her to get to you, don't you think she's gonna be hurt?"
"It's not my business. If he wants to be with her instead…"
"You know she would've stayed away if you just told her to."
"I'm not tellin' anybody what to do, alright? I don't need the drama."
"Okay, okay."
When they arrived in Jacksonville, Finn jolted awake from the nap he'd forced himself to take while they were on the road.
"You alright there?" Matt asked from across the back seat.
He yawned and nodded, "fine."
Throughout the bus, people were starting to stir, gathering their things. Bayley and Carmella sat a couple rows ahead of him, and she ducked her head out from under the overhead compartment.
"Here," he said, bolting up to meet them so he could hand her duffle bag to her.
"Thanks," she said, laughing, "it really wasn't that high."
He shrugged, "just tryin' to be helpful."
"Alright, just as long as you know that I could've done it myself," she tipped her head and laughed. "But thanks."
"Hey loverboy," Carmella interrupted, clacking on some gum. "Wanna get mine too while ya at it?"
"O' 'course," he flashed Bayley another smile, and pulled down Carmella's as well.
They made their way out to the venue, a local college's arena, to set up for the show. In the locker room, he talked with the guys until Enzo and Cas waved goodbye. They had a match on the show to discuss with the writers. It left him and Sami alone. There was an awkward silence for a moment.
"Hey um, I don't mean to stick my nose in," Sami said with a sigh.
"Uh huh."
"But did I see you making eyes at Bayley the other day?"
Finn shrugged, "maybe, so what?"
"So you and Becky? Just over?"
"Why?" he asked, half exhausted of the conversation already, "Ya want permission to go after her?"
"I told you, it was one night. It's not going anywhere."
"Well ya welcome to,"
"Right, because you don't care. You know that's what cost you her in the first place, right?"
"What're you talkin' 'bout?"
"You said you didn't care if she fucked me and that's why she walked away from you that night."
"That's not exactly-"
"That's exactly what she said happened."
"Well she didn' tell ya the full story!"
"So you didn't tell her you didn't care?"
"I didn' mean it like that. I meant she was free to do as she pleased. That's not why she dumped me."
"That seems pretty dump-worthy."
"Maybe, but that's not what happened. I told her that I didn' like her feelin' like she had to keep doin' things to make me love her, she said she wasn' concerned with that. She said she didn' need me, and she wasn' afraid to walk away. An' then she did."
He sat down in a huff, looking up at Sami who was sighing deeply.
"An' then, she went, and she slept with you, and she told me about it when I tried to apologize."
"To prove she didn't need you," he said quietly.
"Look I'm not sayin' I'm on some moral high ground here. But don' put this whole thing on me 'cause that is not fair."
XXX
When the show wrapped up around 11, Enzo already had the address of a food truck for their celebration. They were promised disco fries and Heinekens. As they made their way down a long downtown street, Sami grabbed Becky's arm.
"Hey," he said in a low voice, "we need to talk."
"Can't this wait?" she asked, watching as their friends turned down a side street.
"It really can't Bex,"
"Okay, hold on,"
She followed the rest of them down to the food truck and found Bayley and Sasha sitting across the street at a park's picnic table. Handing Sasha some cash she gave Sasha her order and said she'd be back in a moment. Sami was behind her again, pulling her by the arm.
"One second," she said to Sasha.
Bayley sent her a grin and an eyebrow raise. Her and Sasha giggled to each other as he pulled her behind a tree many feet away. But that's not what he was after, she knew it, and even if he weren't for the anger in his eyes, that wasn't Sami's style.
"Hi?" she said, nervously.
"Why did you and Finn break up?"
"What?"
"Why did you and Finn break up," he repeated himself, his eyes fixed on her.
"I, uh, we had a bad fight. About me not tellin' him that we had a history. I told ya that."
"I know you did. And that's the story huh? The whole story, Becky?"
"It's complicated. We both said hurtful things we didn' mean. What's it to you?"
"Because Finn says you left some stuff out, some pretty important stuff."
"Would ya like the play-by-play? Jeez."
"Did you tell him you didn't need him?"
She sighed. "Yes."
"And then you slept with me?"
"Would that have changed your decision, knowin' that?"
"Is that what happened, Bex?" His voice was raising now. "You rubbed it in his face?"
"No! Sami, no, I was bein' honest with him," she was shouting too.
He stepped closer to her, "so be honest with me. Did you do it to prove to yourself that you don't need Finn, or to prove it to him?"
"I-" she started but she was cut off, realizing Bayley was standing right behind Sami, holding Becky's order.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt, we heard shouting and I…"
"It's fine, I think Sami's said what he needs to," she slinked out from behind Sami, and took the plate and bottle from her. "Thanks."
"Wait, Bex," she followed Becky, "did I just hear-"
"I don' wanna talk about this Bay."
"Did he say Finn?"
"Bayley, don't worry about it. Do whatever ya want, I won't stop ya."
Bayley looked annoyed, but fell silent once they got within earshot of the group..
"Hey," Sasha said, looking from one to the other. "You good?"
"Yeah, everything's fine."
Bayley didn't mention it all through their late night, but she avoided Finn's gaze. When the night was said and done, Becky collapsed onto her bed in the hotel, ready for sleep. That wasn't in the cards for her, though, as a knock came at the door. Sasha answered it.
"Hey Bayley,"
"Hey, Bex in?"
"Yeah, I guess I'll be down in the longue if you need me," Sasha glanced back at Becky before grabbing her bag and closing the door behind her.
"Hey, what's up?" Becky, pulled herself up to lean against the pillows as Bayley sat on the edge of her bed.
"I really wanna talk to you about Finn."
"Okay," she shrugged, "go on,"
"Were you with him?"
"Yeah, I was, but it's over."
"Recently?"
"Uh, two weeks ago."
"What?"
"It's not a big deal, if you wanna-"
"Bex I don't wanna be used to make another girl jealous. Is that what's happening here?"
"I-" Becky sighed, "yeah, I think it is. That's probably why he hasn' taken it further than flirtin'."
"I asked you about him, you should've told me."
"Would ya have believed me?"
"What are you talking about? Of course I would've believed you."
"Or you would've thought that I was just tryin' to keep him for myself."
"I wouldn't have thought that." She laughed, shaking her head. "It wasn't like I was in love him, I just wanted to see where it would go."
"Yeah well that makes one of us."
"What?"
"What?"
"You mean…"
"No, I was kiddin'. Look, Bay, honestly? I wanted so badly to be with him when I was jus' a kid and he was that older trainer. An' the only thing worse than not bein' with him is feelin' like I'm that kid again. The kid who needs him. I'm not gonna be that girl, ever again."
"And you thought telling me to stay away from him would make you that girl?"
"Wouldn' it?"
"No, Bex, you're my girl. I trust you, definitely more than I trust him."
"He's not that bad, he's just bein' selfish. Ask him to explain himself, he'll see he's wrong an' apologize."
Bayley laughed, "you can't even help but believe in him, can you?"
"I'm jus' sayin', I'm not in a place to judge."
"You know, it's okay if you still want him. I'm not going anywhere with him after this, sister."
She shook her head "I…"
"Honestly. Do you?"
Becky bit her lip, feeling her eyes start to fill. "I think I might always want him."