Chapter 4
Cody stared down at Austin, glad he had caught her before she cracked her head like an egg on the cement floor. "What the hell?"
Randy shoved John away, unable to do anything except stare down at her, eyes wide.
What the HELL was SHE doing here?
John took Austin from Cody, frowning as he gently shook her. "Aus, baby?" He murmured, caressing her face.
Ted swallowed hard as he watched the emotions play over Randy's face, going to get her a wet washcloth and handed it to John, hoping that woke her up. "What the hell happened?" He whispered to Cody.
"I have no idea..."
A soft groan escaped Austin's lips as she felt the cool cloth against her forehead, slowly opening her eyes, and tried to clear her vision. "John?" She whispered, smiling when he kissed her, trying to clear her fuzzy brain.
"Yeah baby, it's John. Who else?" He smiled; relieved to see she was alright, sort of. "What made you faint, Aus?" He asked softly, completely unaware Randy was currently having an issue. "Why don't we take you to see the medic?"
All Randy could do was blink at her, blue eyes wide.
Ted and Cody were just confused as hell.
"I fainted?" Austin's eyes widened as she slowly sat up on his lap, raking a hand through her hair and slowly looked over her shoulder, staring at the reasoning for it. Randy Orton. 'This is not happening.' She thought, tears filling her eyes and took a few deep breaths to slow her racing heart so she didn't go into shock and faint again. "I think it was all the excitement." She finally said, turning her gaze back to meet John's, cracking a hesitant smile. "I'll do whatever you want, but I'm fine."
John was confused, wondering what she meant by excitement. Meeting three men as opposed to the Undertaker, who he KNEW had scared her, even if Mark was a giant teddy bear -not that he would ever tell that to the man's face- caused her to faint? "Maybe..." He said doubtfully.
"Really, I'm fine John." She felt him slowly lift her off of his lap, planting her on her feet. To prove to him she was fine, Austin twirled around in a circle, a smile on her face. "See? I'm fine sweetie." She slowly turned to face Randy and squared her shoulders, those mystic blue eyes piercing her soul, extending her hand. "Hello Randy, I'm Austin. It's finally nice to meet you." There was no way John could find out she knew Randy, EVER, not even after the wedding. Again, there were just some things her fiancé didn't need to know about.
Given that the former love of his life was now planning on marrying his best friend, Randy saw no reason to disrupt John's happy little world. Gathering she felt the same way because there was no flicker of recognition in her eyes, Randy nodded. "Nice to meet you too." He said softly, taking her hand and gently squeezed.
"I TOLD you she wasn't a blowup doll."
A shock ran up her arm as soon as their hands met and Austin slowly shook it with that same smile before releasing it, wondering if he did recognize her. It wouldn't matter if he did or not, having a feeling he did, and turned back to face John, immediately taking his hand in hers. "So this is the Best Man I've heard so much about?" Austin grinned when John nodded, a beautiful ring sparkling under the lighting above on her left ring finger. 'What the hell is Kiersten going to think?' She thought, knowing the woman knew Randy back from when they were younger. This was one big mess and Austin was going to try very hard to keep it from blowing up.
"I hope it was all good." Randy said, trying to keep neutral, knowing this was going to be a pain in his ass. He made a mental note to call his wife tonight and tell her how much he loved her.
"Nah, none of it was. Randy is a pain in the ass who likes to seduce other men's wives."
"Okay, so I kissed Stephanie; SHE'S the one who wrote the damn script."
Austin giggled softly, though a million questions were zipping through her mind. Was he happy? Did he finally have that family life he always wanted, something she couldn't give him when they were younger? How did he get in the wrestling business? He seemed happy, which was the only question she wanted an answer too, keeping that smile on her face. Though on the inside, Austin felt like dying, her happy little world slowly crumbling around her.
"And I hope she's having a good chuckle over it because we're playing the duck and dodge game." Ted growled, dropping down in a chair, and leaned back.
"Ignore him; he's having a bad day."
"He's having a bad life. You know, Rando, you should get Sammy to come on the road with us so we could go out." John suggested with a grin, kissing the side of Austin's head. "Sammy is his wife by the way, baby."
That answered her question and, for some reason, Austin's heart plummeted to the pit of her stomach, though she hid it well. "That sounds like a lot of fun." She replied softly, leaning against John, and inhaled his scent. She was happy; he was happy; that's all that mattered. Randy had moved on, which was a good thing. That's what she wanted and she was genuinely happy for him. "I hate cutting this visit short, but we do have work to do and you have to call your cousin and Carol for the fittings next week." Austin giggled when he groaned and kissed his cheek softly. "I'll make it up to you on the honeymoon." She promised, winking.
All Randy could do was watch the pair, taking note how happy they appeared to be. So she had finally found a man she could settle down with…a man who wasn't him. "Yeah, it does sound fun."
"Damn space cadet, took you awhile." John snorted, his attention firmly fastened on his fiancée. "How bout we go practice the personal part of that job?"
"Jonathan Felix-Anthony Cena!" Her cheeks were flaming again as she smacked him in the chest, causing him to chuckle and scowled, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "How about not and say we did?" Austin shot back, not believing he just asked that in front of Randy of all people! If he only knew the history between these two that spanned FOUR years... "This job requires more than sex; there is ACTUAL work involved."
Ted and Cody were snickering at the way John lowered his head, those puppy dog eyes coming out.
"Later on, but I do have to get your schedule up to speed amongst other things."
"How about you empty it so we can stay in bed all day and I'll do that thing you like and-" John smirked when she clamped a hand over his mouth.
Given that he had a relationship with this woman nine years ago, Randy wasn't finding this as amusing as his friends were, trying not to show it. "Damn John, leave the poor girl alone, can't you see you're making her blush?" He finally said, trying to inject some humor into his tone.
"Enough." She ordered in a grave voice, seeing him nod, and kissed him quickly before lacing their fingers together. "Sorry about that, you guys. John just doesn't know when to stop." Austin shot him a playful glare, rolling her eyes when he stuck his tongue out at her. "Don't make me put a clothespin on it again, Johnny."
"Johnny?" Ted rasped, Cody and him leaning against each other while cracking up. "We're going to get something to drink. Randy, the usual?"
Cody nodded when Randy acknowledged them, both men telling Austin it was nice meeting her before walking out.
"Come on, Randy probably has a lot to do before the show starts and I have to get used to this job. I know you're not organized at home so I can't imagine what your work schedule must be like."
"Like shit." John agreed cheerfully, frowning. "Hold up a minute, baby. I don't get to chill with my homie much anymore." He held out a hand for Randy, the two men exchanging a brotherly hug. "Call Sam, we'll all go do something…WITHOUT your boys."
"Sure." Randy said evenly, smiling at Austin. "It was a pleasure meeting you." He took her hand again, pressing a kiss to the top of it.
"Get your hands outta my Kool-Aid!"
The look in her eyes told Randy plainly she knew exactly who he was as Austin flashed another heart stopping smile, nodding. "You too, Randy." Her voice was soft as her hand slowly slid out of his; Austin had to get out of there, feeling the tears already building in her eyes. "Why don't you stay here with Randy, sweetie? That way I can get some work done without you bugging me?" Austin winked and kissed him softly on the lips. "I'll see you in a few." She whispered before walking out the locker room, bolting down the hallway toward John's. She needed just a few minutes alone, already feeling tears sliding down her cheeks.
"She wants me." John laughed after she left, dropping down onto the bench. "She's awesome, man, simply awesome."
Randy smiled, dropping down to lace up his boots. As soon as his head was lowered, the smile instantly vanished. He was married and had to remind himself of that fact. Austin left HIM because she wasn't ready to settle down. So she was now, why should it bother him? Of course, settling down with his best friend had to be some cosmic joke on him.
"I can see that." He replied softly. "How'd you meet her?" Randy shouldn't ask this. He should just show up for the wedding and go back to pretending that Austin had never existed in his world, but he couldn't stop himself.
"We met at a club." John smirked, remembering that moment; it was the beginning of the rest of his life. "I told you all this. You didn't believe me though, now did ya?" If Austin was a blowup doll as he had been teased about for so long, then he was going to marry a damn blowup doll.
Randy honestly had never been more happy to see the back of John's head. When his best friend had finally vacated, he threw a towel at the wall. It didn't make him feel any better so he threw a bottle of water, watching the lid burst off and water go everywhere. Now that did, a little. John was his best friend; he should be happy for the guy. So what if he happened to be marrying Randy's old high school sweetheart? They were happy, that's all that...oh, who the fuck was he kidding?
As soon as Austin was outside of the arena, not even going to John's dressing room, she dropped to her knees in a dark corner and let the tears flow down her face. Her back pressed against the building, drawing her knees up, and buried her face in them. How could this be happening? How could Randy Orton, out of EVERYONE, be John's choice for his Best Man? How could Austin walk down that aisle and marry John with Randy standing RIGHT there, who used to be the love of her life?
'I'm fucked.' She thought, feeling the familiar pain within her erupt that she hadn't felt in nine long years.
Austin met Randy Orton in St. Louis, where her parents originally lived, right down the street from the Orton's. Bob and Elena. Tears flowed down her cheeks as she remembered first meeting Randy. It was at the Orton's famous Halloween bash they had every year and she was a vampiress while he refused to dress up. They were sixteen at the time, both juniors in high school. They clicked right off the bat, went to their Junior and Senior proms together, and just enjoyed each other's company.
When Randy went to military school, she wrote to him, though the trouble brewed when he was put in military prison for eight months. They hadn't been able to barely speak and everything crumbled after that. When he got back, he demanded that she settle down with him, but Austin had too many dreams to pursue; her wind he called it. It carried her to wherever and that's the road she took, not regretting it. Austin was happy, or so she thought.
Now she was more confused and torn than ever. Hell, why should she be? Randy was now married and probably had that family he wanted from her with his wife, not really caring. Wiping her tears away, Austin finally stood up and headed back inside, knowing she would just have to get through the wedding. Then she could be happy with John forever.
Randy would be long forgotten...she hoped.
Austin went back to John's dressing room, looking over his schedule and typing on her laptop when he walked in, beaming up at him; no indication showing she'd cried her heart out while he was with Randy. She couldn't let it get to her, this was her fiancé and she was marrying him in October. She was settling down with him; she loved John and that's what Austin had to keep reminding herself until after the wedding. Then she would never have to deal with Randy Orton again except the occasional get together.
"Hey sweetie, you have two signings tomorrow, but after that I'll make sure it's more organized."
"Okay baby, I trust you." John said, walking over to kiss the top of her head, knowing he had to get around. He would have preferred to worship her, but...work beckoned. "I love you, Austin." He murmured, bending down to whisper it in her ear. Sighing, he scooped up his bag and headed for the bathroom. "I'm glad you're here." He added, halting to look back at her thoughtfully.
Her green eyes sparkled back at him as she set her laptop to the side and stood up, walking over, wrapping her arms around his neck, kissing him softly. "I love you too, John, and I'm glad I'm here with you." Austin assured him, cupping his face with her hand, knowing he was still feeling hesitant about bringing her with him on the road. He had nothing to worry about, but she would assure him as long as it took to sink in. "I'm not going anywhere sweetie." She murmured before kissing him again, this time more passionate, and pulled back. "Go on now; go take a shower while I work."
"Okay, but if I come out and find out you eloped with someone else, my heart will be broken." He teased, swatting her backside before heading into the bathroom. Moments later he was in the shower, wondering WHY he hadn't dragged her in here with him. Austin, naked, under the sprays…John groaned loudly. "Aww fuck..." He sighed resignedly, turning the sprays cold, letting them cool his raging body down.
Austin shook her head, not able to wipe the smile off of her face; that was until she thought about Randy. God what he probably thought of her! She's the one who hadn't wanted to settle down, but that was nine years ago! A lot changed in that long time frame. Pushing him firmly in the back of her mind, Austin looked down at her ring and admired it, moving her finger so it sparkled, before going back to typing. She was completely redoing John's schedule, knowing it would be a lot easier on him.
