Chapter 4
They arrived about twenty minutes later at her apartment complex, which didn't look too bad. She did make decent money so it wasn't a lowdown shack. It was clean for the most part. Layne almost felt embarrassed as she stepped out, seeing Reed had fallen asleep, and carried her upstairs with a smile with Randy behind her.
"It's a little messy." She whispered before unlocking the door and opening it, turning to face the blue eyed hunk with a smile. "Make yourself at home." She said quietly before going to put Reed down, knowing her little girl was exhausted. She tucked her in and kissed her forehead, just watching her. "I love you, my Little Star." She murmured before walking out, closing the door quietly behind her, and pressed her forehead against the door.
Randy's cool blue eyes scanned the rooms in front of him, it was normal. Cool. He missed normal. Hotel rooms were becoming normal and that wasn't good. He set his bag down by the door, closing it behind him and stretched, his hands brushing the ceiling, smiling when Layne walked back out.
"You want to pack or sleep?"
She had to learn how to breathe again and smirked when he touched her ceiling, shaking her head and chuckled. "You can sleep if you want, but I'm going to try to get as much packing done as I can. I have a feeling we won't be back here after my father is through with me." She sighed heavily, fingering a strand of her hair and frowned, knowing she would have to get that changed. "Would you mind if I changed my hair color before we left?" Black with blue streaks, it wasn't her thing and she honestly missed her golden chestnut locks.
"Oh no, do what you got too. We don't have to leave until probably noon." Randy said thoughtfully, scratching his stomach under his shirt, revealing a hint of his well defined abs. "What do you want to take?" He asked after a minute. He would have recommended just what she absolutely couldn't live without, but considering she was taking her daughter on the road, she might want to take some things to ward off homesickness.
Layne had gotten a glimpse of his body earlier when he walked out of the bathroom and it was delicious. She had to focus and started thinking about what she used to bring on the road when she was little when her father was a full-time active wrestler. "Clothes, movies, just little things so that way it's not difficult to travel. We can always purchase things as we go along." This was awkward as Layne walked past him and toward her bedroom, seeing he'd followed and bent down as she dragged some luggage out. "I'm going to try to pack light..." She trailed off and turned to stare back at him. "Are you absolutely sure you want me to be your new valet?"
"Yeah." Randy said, staring down at her thoughtfully before looking around her bedroom, trying not to be impolite, but at the same time, nice change of scenery "Legacy needs something new, this storyline we're doing with me being a sociopath isn't going to last much longer." He studied her appraisingly. "You'll do great. Nervous?"
"Sort of, but I'm also familiar with the business and I'm used to performing in front of crowds…" She trailed off, clearing her throat and pulling open her closet, beginning to take jeans out and placed them on the bed.
Layne watched as Randy sat on the bed and smiled while folding her things, placing them in the luggage carriers, knowing he was doing all of this for Cody. If she was just some stranger off the side of the road, he wouldn't be bending over backwards. That much she was certain and grateful for.
Randy sighed when his phone rang. "Your brother." He said, answering it. "Man, do you mind? We're in the middle of a heated moment here." He greeted, smirking when Cody instantly started bellowing at him, trying not to laugh. Oh this was too funny. Talk about getting some payback for all the pranks Cody had played on him. "Shit, hold on, I gotta find that condom Teddy gave me."
If there was one thing Layne loved, it was playing a prank on her brother. She pressed her finger to Randy's lips and took the phone, knowing she could pull this off without a hitch. "Hey Cody...oh Randy..." She winked at him over her shoulder with an evil grin on her face. "Cody, would you stop being overprotective...Ohhh damn...Cody, I gotta let you go honey. He's..." She let out a low moan before snapping his cell phone shut and both of them started laughing their asses off.
Randy hadn't stopped laughing when his cell rang again. Cody was going to blow the damn thing up. Pressing a finger to his lips, he flipped the lid open.
"Fuck yes, Lay, right there baby. Ride me, honey, yeah..."
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?"
"Getting laid...oh fuck..." He hung up again, turning the phone off. "He doesn't know where you live, right?"
Layne finally stopped laughing and shook her head, finally regaining the use of her voice without giggling. "No, he doesn't and he doesn't know my cell number either." When she seen Randy breathe a sigh of relief, Layne laughed softly before beginning her packing again. She couldn't help feeling turned on by what Randy did and shook herself mentally while he watched her with those electric blue eyes of his. 'He's going to learn that I am the big sister and he's the little brother, not the other way around.' She thought with a smirk, not believing how this night turned out.
"Must be interesting, little brother playing the older sibling role. But then again, you're the only girl so I guess it's to be expected." Randy said, pushing himself off the bed, and looked down at her. "Just tell me what you want me to do and I'll do it."
"I want you to sit your cute ass down and watch me pack." She grinned at him with a wink, seeing his eyebrow arch, and shrugged nonchalantly. "If you're hell bent on helping, here..." She paused, handing him a bag, and pointed toward her DVD collection that was in the corner. "Fill that bag with whatever you see fit. They're all my favorites along with Reed's."
Most of her daughter's DVDs were, unfortunately, wrestling that she'd caved into buying, even after banning her from watching it. She made sure Cody wasn't in any of them, Dustin or her father though beforehand, not wanting to chance anything. Layne finished packing her jeans away before starting on the shirts.
Randy was more then amused by the fact that Layne owned several wrestling DVDs, especially considering she had seemed so against her daughter watching it. Not saying a word, he just packed them, noting none of the matches featured Cody and arched an eyebrow. Still, he bit his tongue.
"What next, sweets?"
"Sweets?" Layne looked amused, glancing around, not minding that term of endearment and finished packing her garments along with the toiletries. It took two hours before she was all packed along with her daughter, though she had a feeling Reed would be picky and want to pack her own things. Groaning inwardly, Layne finally went to take a quick shower before coming out in a black nightgown that went to her knees, stopping Randy before he walked out of her room. She shut the door and pointed to the bed. "I owe you big time for what you're doing and I'm not letting you sleep on the couch. My bed is big enough, now don't argue." Her voice was quiet as she pulled the comforter back before crawling in and snuggled against her pillow, yawning. "Randy seriously, get in the bed and if you even think about going toward that door, I'll put an arm bar on you."
"I'd like to see you try." Randy rumbled, amusement dripping from his tone. When she crawled out of bed with a long suffering sigh and made the attempt, he gently grabbed her wrist and twisted so it was behind her back, not hurting her. He just held her still, feeling her chest jutting against him, his eyes fastening with hers. "Want to know how to get out of this?" He asked, his voice coming out low and husky.
Her free hand was pressed against his shoulder, feeling his strength, and his voice was sending a chill rippling down her spine. Raising a slow eyebrow, Layne maintained the smirk on her face, even though her heart was thundering against her chest. "How?" She asked, sapphire never leaving electric blue, his eyes glowing in the darkness of her room since she'd shut the lamp off. The shadows of the trees outside her window along with the moonlight being the only glow at the moment.
"If I told you, you'd get free and I rather like you in this position." Randy admitted, his head slowly lowering to meet hers.
"Mom?"
"And that's another way to break the hold." He whispered, snorting softly, and let her go.
Layne sighed gently and smiled at him before pointing to the bed, walking out of her bedroom and closing the door behind her. "What are you doing up?" She asked softly, crossing her arms in front of her chest, seeing her daughter was very sleepy as she rubbed her eyes tiredly. "Come on; time to get back to bed. We have a very busy day ahead of us tomorrow."
"Where's Randy?" Reed yawned, trying to stay awake. "Or was I dreaming again?" She smiled sleepily, allowing her mother to guide her into her bedroom.
"No you're not dreaming, what happened really did, and Randy is helping me pack. Now back to sleep." She kissed her daughter's forehead, seeing the happy, content smile on Reed's face, and pressed her forehead against hers momentarily before stroking her hair. "I love you my Little Star." She whispered before turning the light out, closing the door behind her, and went back to her bedroom.
Randy was sitting on the foot of the bed, staring at the wall. Cody's sister, off limits. Off limits. Damn it, so much for loyalty amongst friends. He was going to have to sleep on the couch or risk seducing her.
His head snapped up when she walked back in, offering a smile she probably couldn't see except for maybe the flash of his white teeth. "Everything all right?" He asked, watching as she neared the bed, inwardly groaning.
Cody's sister, off limits. Future co-worker, definitely off limits. Damn she was beautiful though.
"Yeah, she just wanted to make sure what happened tonight really did. Asked where you were." She smiled, seeing even through the darkness how Randy's eyes glittered. "She gets attached very easily." One of her daughter's downfalls unfortunately, but there was nothing Layne could do about that as she climbed back in bed and pulled the comforter over her, smiling when Randy lay back as well to join her. "Thanks again for everything, Randy." Her voice was softer as her eyes slowly drifted shut. "By the way, if I wake up and catch you on that couch, you'll be sorry."
So much for THAT plan. Randy just grunted, rolling his eyes. "Fine, you win this round." He rumbled, folding his hands under his head, lying on top of the comforter.
He was comfortable in his shorts and shirt, kicking off his shoes. This was interesting. He closed his eyes, very aware of the woman lying next to him, and inwardly sighed. Why did everything have to be so hard?
"I always win." She giggled softly when he growled and pressed a hand against his arm, letting him know everything was fine. She was out like a light in moments, for the first time in years, sleeping peacefully.
~!~
The following morning, Layne was up before Randy and left him a small note, letting him know she went to get her hair done and asked him to call Cody over along with Ted. The note also said to help himself to anything he desired and that she would be back soon. Reed was still sleeping and Layne hoped he didn't mind watching her for a few hours while she went to her favorite boutique to get her hair done. Three hours later, she walked out with long golden chestnut curls that rested against her middle back and Layne felt like herself for the first time in ages. She then called Scott and informed him she was quitting.
Randy was woken up by Reed bouncing on the bed, groggily opening his eyes, and raised his head. "Where's your mom, munchkin?" He asked voice gruff with sleep.
"I don't know. Hungry? I am, let's make some food."
What the hell? He stood up, finding the note and read it, rubbing the back of his neck and nodded. "Okay."
"My mom probably went to get her hair done before we leave." Reed said matter-of-factly as she went around the kitchen, moving the chair everywhere she went to get ingredients, tapping her chin in thought. "Pancakes sound good? Randy?" Reed giggled as he just stared at her with wide eyes, causing her to roll her own in response. "Uncle Cody should be here soon along with Teddy Bear right?"
"Teddy Bear?" Randy snorted, shaking his head and opened the fridge, searching until he found orange juice, pulled it out, watching as Reed procured two glasses and filled them both. "Yeah, let me call them. And no making pancakes without me either, munchkin, understood?"
"Yes Randy." She replied with a giggle, shaking her head, and retrieved some pots and pans from the bottom cupboard.
"What?" Ted groaned as he put the cell phone to his ear, his eyes opening a little wider when he heard Randy's instructions, nodding. "Cody was pissed, dude. Did you really fuck her?" He laughed, shaking his head as Randy explained to him what both he and Layne did, snickering. "Evil, she'll make the perfect addition to Legacy. We'll be there in a few." He wrote down the address and hung up to go take a quick shower.
"Okay, pancakes." Randy looked down at the pots and pans Reed had gotten out, arching an eyebrow. "We only need a skillet, munchkin; we're not cooking up a buffet." He teased, putting back the pots and pans they didn't need, setting aside a skillet and looked at her, arching an eyebrow. "So...you got a box of mix or something?"
"I was going to make OTHER things with it, but that's fine too." She shrugged nonchalantly and handed him the pancake mix with a grin. She couldn't believe her second favorite wrestler was standing before her, though he would probably end up being number one before long. "Uncle Cody and Teddy Bear!" She squealed, rushing over when the door opened, Randy having left it unlocked for them and jumped into his arms. "We're making pancakes!"
Ted immediately recoiled. "Teddy Bear?" He smacked Cody upside the head when he started laughing. "NOT funny, dude."
"That's damn hilarious, bro." He kissed his niece's cheek before setting her down. "Where's your mom?"
"Out."
"Out? And she left you with Randy?" Cody arched an eyebrow, carrying her into the kitchen and began snickering when he seen Randy reading a box of pancake mix. The snickers turned into full fledged laughter when Randy opened the box, shook it, and the white mix exploded into his face.
Ted had already whipped out his cell phone and was snapping away.
"Man, not even funny."
