p style="text-align: center;" data-p-id="3cbb56a16a8f401841754729d10472e5"em-/embr /emMark's POV/embr /em-/em/p
p style="text-align: center;" data-p-id="db51d97974d0b98c660676d2405a02ed"I watched from my isolated seat in catering as Kat fluttered into the room. I mean, the girl practically bounced. She was usually pretty happy-go-lucky, but this was another level. She had a glow about her. Then again, she always did. That's what pulled everyone toward her. She smiled even wider when she saw me. Her smile was the best I'd ever seen. She could light up a room with it./p
p data-p-id="1b52d314d12ec4f7f8dcd0f1061f66cc"Her hair flopped in front of her face as she hopped into the chair across from me. She brushed it back with her hand, gently tucking it behind her ear. She grinned expectantly at me./p
p data-p-id="ae7758af678fafb9563031d15ecbb2b6""Hey there, Princess," I joked. The people in the back called her the "Billion-dollar Princess" behind her back, so it had become a bit of an inside thing between us. "You're bubbly today."/p
p data-p-id="426e30ec1292291fe5e4c9f184d68a60"Her smile didn't fade one bit. "I just had the best time!" she gushed. I'm not sure why, but Kat considered me her best friend. I don't know what drew her to me; I'd always been a bit of a lone wolf. She'd tell me everything... even if I didn't want to know./p
p data-p-id="808cbdf06f873c8e4934cc6306bc310d""Well?" I prodded. If I was going to hear about this fantastical time, I wanted to get on with it./p
p data-p-id="959485009ec2ee49543817208114621b"She opened her mouth to speak, but she was interrupted by a man I knew as Kevin Nash. He towered over her tiny figure, a hand on the back of her chair, almost protectively./p
p data-p-id="a1b49d0e70af79988169400444fb05a5""Hey, Kat." He looked at her questioningly. As in, "What are you doing talking to this guy?"/p
p data-p-id="3071cc9634fa924daa264e3680f4a0af""I'm fine, Kev. I'm just talking to my friend Mark. I'll be over in a minute," she told him. He nodded and walked over to the rest of his rowdy group./p
p data-p-id="8c9086a6c46afe7095b6945c68ae1926"She went to speak again, but this time I was the one to interrupt. "Kev? Since when are you close with Kevin Nash?"/p
p data-p-id="e0d7520b665433f01a0250ca03dd381b"She blushed a little, her smile receding. I guess I came across harsher than I thought./p
p data-p-id="18e947ca2d8a49d2f9128a06294233a6""I rode with him. Well, with the Kliq-"/p
p data-p-id="5bad00e50ec5528ebc0969430644e785""You did emwhat/em?!" I shouted. People turned to look at us, including the people in question, who were already watching us from across the room. I took a deep breath and quieted my tone. "I told you to stay away from them."/p
p data-p-id="bfb6ecb3d551008c84ab2454dfa58587"Kat got defensive quickly. "They're not what you said. They've been super nice to me-"/p
p data-p-id="7a5fe11731eb010924046c9d46ea8b25""Those hooligans are partying womanizers. They're using you," I explained, as calmly as I could manage. As much as Kat considered me her friend, I considered her mine. I didn't want anything to happen to her./p
p data-p-id="e6bdae63df1647e6730aee8307566e04""Says who? You don't even know them!" Her smile was all the way gone now, replaced with an angry expression, as if I'd insulted her family./p
p data-p-id="66531f3efdbbefe70ba75f52267e5398""I've heard-"/p
p data-p-id="079849c2f88ac77187378760d68353a6""You of all people should know not to listen to rumors!" she exclaimed. I'd hurt her. I had always been the one to explain to her that rumors couldn't hurt her, and now here I was defending them./p
p data-p-id="0a9dd55d4a227db337544e8e5abbd6dc"I didn't care. I knew in my bones those guys were trouble. "Katherine, listen to me. Those guys-"/p
p data-p-id="dcfefceb17af73285118ee99ff684ea7"Kat stood, no longer interested in what I had to say. "I don't care. They're my friends. emI thought you were too/em."/p
p data-p-id="6a3e042af3380ab3e971c275ec9845a9"There it was. The straw that broke the camel's back./p
p data-p-id="423bd3776394ab73915ac9324d7bf5d7"I watched silently as she stormed off to her new friends. I didn't just lose the battle; I lost emher/em./p
p data-p-id="ba8cf869e7125505c45e565d478bf4fe"She wasn't coming back./p
p data-p-id="8a7ab20ec0ab3262ce329c7dcb399a4e"***/p
p data-p-id="d81bdcfae21ecf44f8519bd1fe2073ed"strongKat's POV/strong/p
p data-p-id="d30d918b13b98814895f0c114f798f62"I couldn't believe Mark. He was supposed to be my friend. Friends trust each other, and he didn't trust me with the Kliq. I couldn't believe that he, of all people, could give in to rumors so quickly. I thought about the first time I met him./p
p data-p-id="651cc830c1d758f212433b21c7589fb1"emI was crying, hidden behind some boxes in the back. /ememI'd/emem just heard someone talk about me. They mocked me. They called me "entitled", "spoiled", /ememand/emem "the Billion-dollar Princess". I was crushed. I /ememcouldn't/emem comprehend why /emempeople/emem would talk behind /ememmy/emem back like that. /ememI'd/emem never been anything but kind /emembackstage/emem. But /ememI/emem was different, my dad had money, so they thought things of me. I hated it. I hated the money, the reputation, all of it. It /ememwas/emem stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid. /em/p
p data-p-id="cde2e1e1c47ee3795cd3c193bd359bfe"emI looked up and found someone crouched in front of me. /ememI'd/emem seen /ememhim before/emem, but /ememI'd/emem always been too /ememscared/emem to talk /ememto/emem him. I knew him as the Undertaker, but Dad called him Mark. He was a dark, imposing figure, and /ememI/emem was kind of terrified just having him sit in front of me./em/p
p data-p-id="5437e11a0ec8db0e721ccb7f9737adff"em"/ememWhat are/em emyou/emem doing back here?" he asked. His /ememvoice/emem was soft and kind, not what /ememyou'd/emem expect./em/p
p data-p-id="b93f73d6cc0f55882abf7cc93841bb05"emI sniffed. "They say mean things about me. /ememI've/emem never even met them." I /ememdon't/emem know how he heard me; /ememI/emem was as quiet as a mouse./em/p
p data-p-id="62893ad38dfc91d5f71feee415bf4504"em"/ememThey're/emem just jealous."/em/p
p data-p-id="ee3bf7c9ed309d1e9e86e2dcc4b80ab4"em"Really?"/em/p
p data-p-id="da20c74026159a1a474da8b4d2cbf56f"emHe nodded. Then he tilted his head to the side. "What did they call /ememyou/emem?"/em/p
p data-p-id="17dbab08ea9ea8502f9a5a5b212fa959"em"The Billion-dollar Princess" /ememI/emem mocked, huffing./em/p
p data-p-id="db0f942d13c11b97b1660425424beb69"emA low chuckle came from deep within him. "/ememThat's/emem no insult. /ememThey're/emem admitting /ememyou're/em embetter/emem than them."/em/p
p data-p-id="63695517a84ced500f225e73cb1478ef"emI stared /ememup/emem at him in wonder, realizing that he was right. /em/p
p data-p-id="d9b9821936684a6bdb0084fa94670a4f"emHe stood and held a hand out to me. "Now, /ememlet's/emem get you out back out there. Shall we, /emPrincessem?" He smiled kindly at me./em/p
p data-p-id="fc4e595c5e0975f6f0a6ded5052a605b"emI smiled back and took his hand./em/p
p data-p-id="e85d62e7ffb94e13b821cea580b66412"I sauntered heatedly back over to Kev and the others. They stared at me, and I realized they'd heard the whole thing. I sighed and hid my face in my hands. I was so tired of everyone staring at me. I'd been embarrassed far too often lately./p
p data-p-id="6982cf1ebfef71e12acc4e9188f702e4"I soon felt Shawn's arms around me. emOh no/em, he thought I was crying. I didn't move to let him know otherwise. His touch was warm and comforting, and I didn't want it to leave./p
p data-p-id="f7cec1d8fcc89f218d7c3196855931d5"He did, however, back away after a minute, as if he felt awkward. I looked up at the guys with a sigh. "I'm fine, guys. Really." I gave them a supportive smile./p
p data-p-id="71d0ab5a76fee679bde66edc232dba8e"I wasn't really-I'd just lost my best friend. Somehow it felt different than I expected. I was already over it. I had the Kliq now, and they were all the friends I needed./p
p data-p-id="66f5bb4c16beb0dd21896047ccdb8d9d"***/p
p data-p-id="73cdbf50797e2b4ee080339e3e24621a"I took a deep breath as I stood in front of Dad's office door. I knew I needed to get this over with. I knocked, and his familiar rough voice told me to come on in./p
p data-p-id="d16af3f4cd3d4a29b7f334163488c405"He looked surprised to see me. I sat in the chair in front of him, unsure what to say./p
p data-p-id="e5957e5ce014de3f6d5d0ae400464b74""Katherine," he greeted stiffly./p
p data-p-id="4600611ffd1af62f1f4676d5921fcee5"I avoided his gaze. "Dad."/p
p data-p-id="ce02a503e13514eaeaeb001844a5d857""So I've talked with your mother," he told me. I mentally cringed; this didn't sound good. "And she thinks I've been to hard on you."/p
p data-p-id="128a090696ce4543f41ca682361ff9e2""Wh-what?"/p
p data-p-id="3071b37093a326f73bc4d4c315b506ce""We think you should be free to make your own decisions. You're an adult now, Katherine. I can't stop you from doing anything you want to do." He looked pained. "But I don't like it. And I just want you to know that you will emnot/em be crawling back to me when he breaks your heart. This is your choice; you'll have to face the consequences," he finished./p
p data-p-id="9f7ed9234f47b81ced96e90a518ea998""You mean emif/em." Why was that the only thing I could focus on?/p
p data-p-id="0f3b0446fd0dcc1b44399bfa888f68d8""No, I mean emwhen/em," he said firmly./p
p data-p-id="339808004b35b9660fb6e0eb1521ebae"I didn't know what to say. "Um... thanks?"/p
p data-p-id="ca05fe916c92bae051329686cc85f8ec"He had already moved on to the pile of papers on his desk. I excused myself from the room to go get ready./p
p data-p-id="0c5a71622661d38ff693f0b49da236ba"***/p
p data-p-id="64602971e6dcad91811e01184b731974"Shawn grabbed my hand as I walked over to him. I knew that we were in an on-screen romance, but the gesture still seemed very sweet to me. It made me question myself, however./p
p data-p-id="432daeb6b4e764e40755e98812517791""A-are we a thing?" I asked in a quiet voice. I genuinely wanted to know. I mean, I hoped we were, everyone certainly seemed to think we were, but... I had absolutely no clue. He was leading me in all different directions./p
p data-p-id="4b390521934ba23eda899b3df142059c"Shawn smirked down at me. "Do you want us to be?"/p
p data-p-id="1321ca9af1ec15cf7191a36f4e555b6c"I breathed in shortly. "Maybe I do."/p
p data-p-id="355e0c73c7176b40a0c048820848c999""Then how about after tonight, you and me go out?"/p
p data-p-id="894d1bc71db4c8576f7742d7c868c1a6"My heart stopped. Not literally, of course. But dang close. "What about the guys?"/p
p data-p-id="0405dc2a2dee8b65a09dcae146fd269f""We'll drop them off at the hotel. They'll be fine," he said./p
p data-p-id="8ce8364e136a028e44abdef243d4cda8""Uh-" I was going to say yes. I mean, I think that's what I was going say-but I was cut off by our cue. Shawn squeezed my hand before leading me out into the arena./p
p data-p-id="8024cbdfaf661073c6120e22fa19e75a"If my heart wasn't beating like crazy before, it was now./p
p data-p-id="99ff9ddc7c2b929618345b5bdbe0810d"***/p
p data-p-id="4b35064bf9d16283a01ebfcebe049cfb"The guys grabbed their bags from the rental van and walked into the hotel, blowing teasing kisses at Shawn and I. They'd been talking about our date non-stop since we left the arena. I rolled my eyes at them and climbed into the front passenger seat. I heard Scott laugh as Shawn flipped him off./p
p data-p-id="64c233c2f00ed2d4922a6a4c23376ebb"He drove us to a little diner in town, similar to the one we had been to with the rest of the group. This one had more of a metal theme, where the other had been wooden. I found it fascinating, the different places you could see while you were on the road./p
p data-p-id="9c14e8acd2bc4bb527f1daceb1cf93db"We were sat at a booth. The place was kind of busy that night for some reason. I tried to flatten down my hair, but it was no use. I hadn't had a chance to blow dry it, so it was kind of wild. The waitress's wrist jingled with bracelets as she handed us our menus./p
p data-p-id="7dacceaee5b8c2b325700c17cec5e17e"After we ordered, I turned to Shawn. "So what's your story?"/p
p data-p-id="283e4501ef51625c7ce86004e15f273c"He raised an eyebrow. "Me?"/p
p data-p-id="7877b4fb4eca894014802b80b7a9b5b9"I nodded. "I know like nothing about you. Except that you're the best wrestler we have. And your friends are like your family."/p
p data-p-id="aa70d05012f1a498860745afb3d0981c"He grinned at the mention of his friends. "Well when you travel with someone 300 days out of the year, you become pretty close. But as for me, I'm a Texas boy at heart, I dropped out of college, and this business is my life." He shrugged. "That's pretty much it."/p
p data-p-id="cb08da22cb970ac0b91cf2a9549cfad4""I dropped out of college, too," I told him./p
p data-p-id="c4319553693b1e8a16a65595fd4ddd23"He didn't believe me. "Oh, come on. I bet you went to Harvard on your dad's money."/p
p data-p-id="b7fff540332a9428863ac18d69ab75b1"I fiddled with my straw. My status was always a sore spot for me. "Yale, actually. And I got in because of my intelligence," I declared./p
p data-p-id="35642a4811a08b96a1f1ce8714e09227"He balked. "Why'd you drop out?"/p
p data-p-id="f32818b0b8e1f6c517f2cc76312b803f""Why did you?" I returned the question./p
p data-p-id="d8317e3fd144635e9d2539b05d24b371""Wasn't for me. It wasn't what I wanted to do with my life," he answered./p
p data-p-id="08e31809155cf2cb36185debde363114"I smiled sadly at him. "Same for me. Dad hasn't changed much; he never wanted me to be a wrestler. He suggested I try another career. So I went to Yale. Majored in history-what I wanted-and minored in law... what Dad wanted."/p
p data-p-id="cd6dad2d518180adf53d2861626dadc8""You're into history?"/p
p data-p-id="75c9c70ac2ee3d29687187cccd37c8c7"I nodded enthusiastically. "I love it. History is so interesting. Did you know the two highest IQ scores ever were women?"/p
p data-p-id="9ed880dd6a2edb1b3dd27d86d231767d"He smiled at me. "I didn't. But it's not that surprising. Especially knowing the men I know," he joked./p
p data-p-id="7f1cb61fa44af722c565e4c8ed7f25bf"I chuckled. The waitress came back with our food. We thanked her and she jingled away./p
p data-p-id="00ff8946a3e0be4d7b1ab581971cbec8""So... you and your dad seem to... clash." Shawn looked at me./p
p data-p-id="ceb9061ca5600f4c5677cec4517daba9"I sighed. "We used to be really close." I smiled, remembering those times. "But Dad's too busy for us anymore." My smile faded and I pushed my food around on my plate./p
p data-p-id="a95fb4783a74bd4c5956eabdf86b4aa1""I'm sorry."/p
p data-p-id="59733b858b9fc7167d925cf64c54bb00"I shook my head. "It's okay. It's not your fault. He just thinks I'm still a little girl."/p
p data-p-id="812401221e096b834f8fd84e46c0e12c""I don't think so." I looked up at him. He smiled warmly. "You seem like a pretty great woman to me."/p
p data-p-id="89eae62a3b0d528ebd49fcbabc7e4291""Thanks," I muttered. I bit my lip and tried looking anywhere but at him. He was so sweet, but I wasn't used to that kind of flattery. No one ever looked at me the way he was gazing at me now./p
p data-p-id="14d231f78139512a861ee7e72efb5fd4""So you want to be a wrestler." He was trying to keep conversation since I wasn't much help. I couldn't help being petrified every time he looked at me with those piercing blue eyes./p
p data-p-id="2120fa538ca96361dbe6f9090ee09c09""Yeah," I replied with a relieved smile. I ate a fry from my plate. "More than anything."/p
p data-p-id="22b49fb35ec1fb275ca7135f1513b7dd"He smirked at me. "Maybe I can show you a few things."/p
p data-p-id="2fc8db377cdcb0f655fef2059b2e359a""Really?" I asked, a bit too excitedly. He chuckled in amusement as my eyes lit up./p
p data-p-id="e11aca1ff33025aa314d67f6da74ecdb""Really," he assured me. "I know what it's like to be on the outside looking in. It sucks."/p
p data-p-id="785f236587b7d618b22a003e661d8263"I beamed at him. "You know, you're not as bad as they say."/p
p data-p-id="fd25d9a884413a134cdaa9b6f4cc6a51"He raised an eyebrow, chuckling. "And what do they say?"/p
p data-p-id="dced0f0a5517362b57eb3f7aaa2d7e77""Well, Scott said-"/p
p data-p-id="04cf49fdea135d4873be50aa69363fb5""I'm going to have to stop you right there," he joked. We laughed./p
p data-p-id="9a067810629c37e7b03993ed7d1f4027""And Kev said..."/p
p data-p-id="0b65361a9d8f32fecc54c0ff36e99ed6""Oh, and I bet Paul said something."/p
p data-p-id="4a4adcc6f534b1971f4bd2de6110aefa""Yep, and Kid-"/p
p data-p-id="acf1988eb60a767a1ffdd497791d3f1e""Kid?! That one's a surprise," he teased./p
p data-p-id="d414b1acb0c299e1075ed6cbb2c59413"I giggled. "You might need some friends that don't talk about you."/p
p data-p-id="a10b5cac322e6501311effbe1be9f18f""Well, you don't seem like the type to talk." He grinned./p
p data-p-id="2cb929b7b97bd97796abf7fc67361733"That shocked me. I don't know why, it was just so unexpected. He was flirting with me. I guess it should have been expected, we were on a date, for God's sake. My first. That must've been it... I was overly nervous./p
p data-p-id="5e27429782ed8c9b5a43b1c2ebd8fc77""I'm not," I promised, after a while./p
p data-p-id="2aae681d52cc02123651c6111fe14ce1"He smiled at me. "Good."/p
p data-p-id="cd7ff695437021f3904c45af35aa938e"***/p
p data-p-id="61ddc33afd84a842a2dae10a3a387156"Shawn and I walked down the hall together towards our rooms. Shawn had a room with the guys already, and mine was across the hall./p
p data-p-id="e91def4f8b8e961f4a093dbfe240408d""Alright, so first thing you should learn about wrestling is-" Shawn grabbed my waist and lifted me into the air. "-never let down your guard!"/p
p data-p-id="a948682d625872567adb49ba5ab0dcbe"I squealed and squirmed. "Let me down!" I exclaimed. It was no use, he was much stronger than I was./p
p data-p-id="05cf8b0d0977566cbf94efe26bf02c4b"He put me down but startled relentlessly tickling my sides. I was extremely ticklish, so I was a complete mess, laughing like crazy and collapsing on the ground./p
p data-p-id="342ba67a5f13edc539956cb60727d5fc""Your opponent will always play on your weaknesses," he joked./p
p data-p-id="dae50a0b28f132dd9692d28243f2c649"He laid over me to pin me. I tried kicking out, but I couldn't manage it. He got the three count. He smiled at me in victory and a mischievous look grew across his face. Before I could even think "emOh no/em", he dropped, shoving his entire body weight on top of me. I squealed as the wind got knocked out of me./p
p data-p-id="80efc5a042057d32d1d69ad9cbcb0e55"He was heavier than he looked. I couldn't move; he had me pinned to the floor. "Shawn!" I yelled, "Get off of me!" I shouted playfully. I tried pushing him off but it didn't work. I felt his chest move as he laughed at my feeble attempts. "Get up! I can't breathe!" I giggled./p
p data-p-id="c7402919d9bca7fd154247f1287a1882"The door beside us opened and Kev stepped out into the light of the hallway, glaring down at us. He cleared his throat./p
p data-p-id="22bce41392d6b1dfe85ea7c96d1aa9f1"Shawn scrambled to get off me and help me up. I flattened down my clothes and hair nervously. Kev stared at us the whole time./p
p data-p-id="436cd99aa0f0dbf1edd1505e25c23d2f""Uh, goodnight, Kev, Shawn," I said quickly, hurrying into my room./p
p data-p-id="cb58bba6532e9fee48831707628975ef"I shut the door behind me and started giggling. It was fun, getting caught. Kev looked at us like a parent catching their kid coming home at the latest hour of the night. I'd never been in the position of the misbehaving child. I'd always been straight-laced. But that... was thrilling./p
p data-p-id="e292509ea70981a3323a136eb19fb8d4"I couldn't wipe the smile from my face if I tried./p
p style="text-align: center;" data-p-id="59111005a99ff8c6fad2ddba3ce391e2"em-/embr /emShawn's POV /embr /em-/em/p
p data-p-id="ca78e25c0c71fbb722e939b94c1a94ed"I tried to ignore Kev's prying eyes. He was trying to figure me out./p
p data-p-id="d64ad325680542165877e6ef13fb161f""What the hell was that?" he asked, following me into our room. He shut the door forcefully./p
p data-p-id="863f30ef79403e810a4c7a1b541103f7""We were playing around, Kev." I shrugged. "It's not a big deal."/p
p data-p-id="a7984ef00e497e0b950bdf6ade5c61ff""That's not what it looked like to me."/p
p data-p-id="3b7e9d0630dbd87a1a275e1207e63f97""Maybe you need your eyes checked," I suggested./p
p data-p-id="e83b672cfdd3044f22000423ca6f6771"He shoved me. That set me off. I shoved him back. "What the hell?!" I shouted./p
p data-p-id="242250ab457a523c88a45854773c0b07"He pointed toward the door. "That girl across the way is the best thing that has ever happened to you. And there is no way in hell I'm letting you drag her into this shit-hole!" He yelled. He chucked a half-empty pill bottle at my chest. I caught it, but the hit stung. "How many have you had emtoday/em, Shawn?!" He asked. I looked away. I didn't need this./p
p data-p-id="2bfa33b4ac39f185af6bd37915606c76""You know what? I think I'll get my own room tonight!" I shot back. Paul looked between us in shock as I shoved past him./p
p data-p-id="90d04a7ce24687ce2535132384ad8363""Why don't you go see if Kat has room in her bed?!" Kev shouted./p
p data-p-id="ec5540f243e476493be7376a18538159""Maybe I will!" I slammed the door behind me./p
p data-p-id="07aafc2d3a741ce743c6888c198e6374"I stared down at the bottle in my hand. I didn't have a problem. Kev was just being dramatic. Sometimes I needed a few pain pills to get me through the day. That didn't mean I needed help. He was off his rocker./p
p data-p-id="6906ef998d8a1549f349a6a1086aef0c"I clenched my hand around the bottle and stormed down to the lobby to get a new room./p
p style="text-align: center;" data-p-id="db51d97974d0b98c660676d2405a02ed"I watched from my isolated seat in catering as Kat fluttered into the room. I mean, the girl practically bounced. She was usually pretty happy-go-lucky, but this was another level. She had a glow about her. Then again, she always did. That's what pulled everyone toward her. She smiled even wider when she saw me. Her smile was the best I'd ever seen. She could light up a room with it./p
p data-p-id="1b52d314d12ec4f7f8dcd0f1061f66cc"Her hair flopped in front of her face as she hopped into the chair across from me. She brushed it back with her hand, gently tucking it behind her ear. She grinned expectantly at me./p
p data-p-id="ae7758af678fafb9563031d15ecbb2b6""Hey there, Princess," I joked. The people in the back called her the "Billion-dollar Princess" behind her back, so it had become a bit of an inside thing between us. "You're bubbly today."/p
p data-p-id="426e30ec1292291fe5e4c9f184d68a60"Her smile didn't fade one bit. "I just had the best time!" she gushed. I'm not sure why, but Kat considered me her best friend. I don't know what drew her to me; I'd always been a bit of a lone wolf. She'd tell me everything... even if I didn't want to know./p
p data-p-id="808cbdf06f873c8e4934cc6306bc310d""Well?" I prodded. If I was going to hear about this fantastical time, I wanted to get on with it./p
p data-p-id="959485009ec2ee49543817208114621b"She opened her mouth to speak, but she was interrupted by a man I knew as Kevin Nash. He towered over her tiny figure, a hand on the back of her chair, almost protectively./p
p data-p-id="a1b49d0e70af79988169400444fb05a5""Hey, Kat." He looked at her questioningly. As in, "What are you doing talking to this guy?"/p
p data-p-id="3071cc9634fa924daa264e3680f4a0af""I'm fine, Kev. I'm just talking to my friend Mark. I'll be over in a minute," she told him. He nodded and walked over to the rest of his rowdy group./p
p data-p-id="8c9086a6c46afe7095b6945c68ae1926"She went to speak again, but this time I was the one to interrupt. "Kev? Since when are you close with Kevin Nash?"/p
p data-p-id="e0d7520b665433f01a0250ca03dd381b"She blushed a little, her smile receding. I guess I came across harsher than I thought./p
p data-p-id="18e947ca2d8a49d2f9128a06294233a6""I rode with him. Well, with the Kliq-"/p
p data-p-id="5bad00e50ec5528ebc0969430644e785""You did emwhat/em?!" I shouted. People turned to look at us, including the people in question, who were already watching us from across the room. I took a deep breath and quieted my tone. "I told you to stay away from them."/p
p data-p-id="bfb6ecb3d551008c84ab2454dfa58587"Kat got defensive quickly. "They're not what you said. They've been super nice to me-"/p
p data-p-id="7a5fe11731eb010924046c9d46ea8b25""Those hooligans are partying womanizers. They're using you," I explained, as calmly as I could manage. As much as Kat considered me her friend, I considered her mine. I didn't want anything to happen to her./p
p data-p-id="e6bdae63df1647e6730aee8307566e04""Says who? You don't even know them!" Her smile was all the way gone now, replaced with an angry expression, as if I'd insulted her family./p
p data-p-id="66531f3efdbbefe70ba75f52267e5398""I've heard-"/p
p data-p-id="079849c2f88ac77187378760d68353a6""You of all people should know not to listen to rumors!" she exclaimed. I'd hurt her. I had always been the one to explain to her that rumors couldn't hurt her, and now here I was defending them./p
p data-p-id="0a9dd55d4a227db337544e8e5abbd6dc"I didn't care. I knew in my bones those guys were trouble. "Katherine, listen to me. Those guys-"/p
p data-p-id="dcfefceb17af73285118ee99ff684ea7"Kat stood, no longer interested in what I had to say. "I don't care. They're my friends. emI thought you were too/em."/p
p data-p-id="6a3e042af3380ab3e971c275ec9845a9"There it was. The straw that broke the camel's back./p
p data-p-id="423bd3776394ab73915ac9324d7bf5d7"I watched silently as she stormed off to her new friends. I didn't just lose the battle; I lost emher/em./p
p data-p-id="ba8cf869e7125505c45e565d478bf4fe"She wasn't coming back./p
p data-p-id="8a7ab20ec0ab3262ce329c7dcb399a4e"***/p
p data-p-id="d81bdcfae21ecf44f8519bd1fe2073ed"strongKat's POV/strong/p
p data-p-id="d30d918b13b98814895f0c114f798f62"I couldn't believe Mark. He was supposed to be my friend. Friends trust each other, and he didn't trust me with the Kliq. I couldn't believe that he, of all people, could give in to rumors so quickly. I thought about the first time I met him./p
p data-p-id="651cc830c1d758f212433b21c7589fb1"emI was crying, hidden behind some boxes in the back. /ememI'd/emem just heard someone talk about me. They mocked me. They called me "entitled", "spoiled", /ememand/emem "the Billion-dollar Princess". I was crushed. I /ememcouldn't/emem comprehend why /emempeople/emem would talk behind /ememmy/emem back like that. /ememI'd/emem never been anything but kind /emembackstage/emem. But /ememI/emem was different, my dad had money, so they thought things of me. I hated it. I hated the money, the reputation, all of it. It /ememwas/emem stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid. /em/p
p data-p-id="cde2e1e1c47ee3795cd3c193bd359bfe"emI looked up and found someone crouched in front of me. /ememI'd/emem seen /ememhim before/emem, but /ememI'd/emem always been too /ememscared/emem to talk /ememto/emem him. I knew him as the Undertaker, but Dad called him Mark. He was a dark, imposing figure, and /ememI/emem was kind of terrified just having him sit in front of me./em/p
p data-p-id="5437e11a0ec8db0e721ccb7f9737adff"em"/ememWhat are/em emyou/emem doing back here?" he asked. His /ememvoice/emem was soft and kind, not what /ememyou'd/emem expect./em/p
p data-p-id="b93f73d6cc0f55882abf7cc93841bb05"emI sniffed. "They say mean things about me. /ememI've/emem never even met them." I /ememdon't/emem know how he heard me; /ememI/emem was as quiet as a mouse./em/p
p data-p-id="62893ad38dfc91d5f71feee415bf4504"em"/ememThey're/emem just jealous."/em/p
p data-p-id="ee3bf7c9ed309d1e9e86e2dcc4b80ab4"em"Really?"/em/p
p data-p-id="da20c74026159a1a474da8b4d2cbf56f"emHe nodded. Then he tilted his head to the side. "What did they call /ememyou/emem?"/em/p
p data-p-id="17dbab08ea9ea8502f9a5a5b212fa959"em"The Billion-dollar Princess" /ememI/emem mocked, huffing./em/p
p data-p-id="db0f942d13c11b97b1660425424beb69"emA low chuckle came from deep within him. "/ememThat's/emem no insult. /ememThey're/emem admitting /ememyou're/em embetter/emem than them."/em/p
p data-p-id="63695517a84ced500f225e73cb1478ef"emI stared /ememup/emem at him in wonder, realizing that he was right. /em/p
p data-p-id="d9b9821936684a6bdb0084fa94670a4f"emHe stood and held a hand out to me. "Now, /ememlet's/emem get you out back out there. Shall we, /emPrincessem?" He smiled kindly at me./em/p
p data-p-id="fc4e595c5e0975f6f0a6ded5052a605b"emI smiled back and took his hand./em/p
p data-p-id="e85d62e7ffb94e13b821cea580b66412"I sauntered heatedly back over to Kev and the others. They stared at me, and I realized they'd heard the whole thing. I sighed and hid my face in my hands. I was so tired of everyone staring at me. I'd been embarrassed far too often lately./p
p data-p-id="6982cf1ebfef71e12acc4e9188f702e4"I soon felt Shawn's arms around me. emOh no/em, he thought I was crying. I didn't move to let him know otherwise. His touch was warm and comforting, and I didn't want it to leave./p
p data-p-id="f7cec1d8fcc89f218d7c3196855931d5"He did, however, back away after a minute, as if he felt awkward. I looked up at the guys with a sigh. "I'm fine, guys. Really." I gave them a supportive smile./p
p data-p-id="71d0ab5a76fee679bde66edc232dba8e"I wasn't really-I'd just lost my best friend. Somehow it felt different than I expected. I was already over it. I had the Kliq now, and they were all the friends I needed./p
p data-p-id="66f5bb4c16beb0dd21896047ccdb8d9d"***/p
p data-p-id="73cdbf50797e2b4ee080339e3e24621a"I took a deep breath as I stood in front of Dad's office door. I knew I needed to get this over with. I knocked, and his familiar rough voice told me to come on in./p
p data-p-id="d16af3f4cd3d4a29b7f334163488c405"He looked surprised to see me. I sat in the chair in front of him, unsure what to say./p
p data-p-id="e5957e5ce014de3f6d5d0ae400464b74""Katherine," he greeted stiffly./p
p data-p-id="4600611ffd1af62f1f4676d5921fcee5"I avoided his gaze. "Dad."/p
p data-p-id="ce02a503e13514eaeaeb001844a5d857""So I've talked with your mother," he told me. I mentally cringed; this didn't sound good. "And she thinks I've been to hard on you."/p
p data-p-id="128a090696ce4543f41ca682361ff9e2""Wh-what?"/p
p data-p-id="3071b37093a326f73bc4d4c315b506ce""We think you should be free to make your own decisions. You're an adult now, Katherine. I can't stop you from doing anything you want to do." He looked pained. "But I don't like it. And I just want you to know that you will emnot/em be crawling back to me when he breaks your heart. This is your choice; you'll have to face the consequences," he finished./p
p data-p-id="9f7ed9234f47b81ced96e90a518ea998""You mean emif/em." Why was that the only thing I could focus on?/p
p data-p-id="0f3b0446fd0dcc1b44399bfa888f68d8""No, I mean emwhen/em," he said firmly./p
p data-p-id="339808004b35b9660fb6e0eb1521ebae"I didn't know what to say. "Um... thanks?"/p
p data-p-id="ca05fe916c92bae051329686cc85f8ec"He had already moved on to the pile of papers on his desk. I excused myself from the room to go get ready./p
p data-p-id="0c5a71622661d38ff693f0b49da236ba"***/p
p data-p-id="64602971e6dcad91811e01184b731974"Shawn grabbed my hand as I walked over to him. I knew that we were in an on-screen romance, but the gesture still seemed very sweet to me. It made me question myself, however./p
p data-p-id="432daeb6b4e764e40755e98812517791""A-are we a thing?" I asked in a quiet voice. I genuinely wanted to know. I mean, I hoped we were, everyone certainly seemed to think we were, but... I had absolutely no clue. He was leading me in all different directions./p
p data-p-id="4b390521934ba23eda899b3df142059c"Shawn smirked down at me. "Do you want us to be?"/p
p data-p-id="1321ca9af1ec15cf7191a36f4e555b6c"I breathed in shortly. "Maybe I do."/p
p data-p-id="355e0c73c7176b40a0c048820848c999""Then how about after tonight, you and me go out?"/p
p data-p-id="894d1bc71db4c8576f7742d7c868c1a6"My heart stopped. Not literally, of course. But dang close. "What about the guys?"/p
p data-p-id="0405dc2a2dee8b65a09dcae146fd269f""We'll drop them off at the hotel. They'll be fine," he said./p
p data-p-id="8ce8364e136a028e44abdef243d4cda8""Uh-" I was going to say yes. I mean, I think that's what I was going say-but I was cut off by our cue. Shawn squeezed my hand before leading me out into the arena./p
p data-p-id="8024cbdfaf661073c6120e22fa19e75a"If my heart wasn't beating like crazy before, it was now./p
p data-p-id="99ff9ddc7c2b929618345b5bdbe0810d"***/p
p data-p-id="4b35064bf9d16283a01ebfcebe049cfb"The guys grabbed their bags from the rental van and walked into the hotel, blowing teasing kisses at Shawn and I. They'd been talking about our date non-stop since we left the arena. I rolled my eyes at them and climbed into the front passenger seat. I heard Scott laugh as Shawn flipped him off./p
p data-p-id="64c233c2f00ed2d4922a6a4c23376ebb"He drove us to a little diner in town, similar to the one we had been to with the rest of the group. This one had more of a metal theme, where the other had been wooden. I found it fascinating, the different places you could see while you were on the road./p
p data-p-id="9c14e8acd2bc4bb527f1daceb1cf93db"We were sat at a booth. The place was kind of busy that night for some reason. I tried to flatten down my hair, but it was no use. I hadn't had a chance to blow dry it, so it was kind of wild. The waitress's wrist jingled with bracelets as she handed us our menus./p
p data-p-id="7dacceaee5b8c2b325700c17cec5e17e"After we ordered, I turned to Shawn. "So what's your story?"/p
p data-p-id="283e4501ef51625c7ce86004e15f273c"He raised an eyebrow. "Me?"/p
p data-p-id="7877b4fb4eca894014802b80b7a9b5b9"I nodded. "I know like nothing about you. Except that you're the best wrestler we have. And your friends are like your family."/p
p data-p-id="aa70d05012f1a498860745afb3d0981c"He grinned at the mention of his friends. "Well when you travel with someone 300 days out of the year, you become pretty close. But as for me, I'm a Texas boy at heart, I dropped out of college, and this business is my life." He shrugged. "That's pretty much it."/p
p data-p-id="cb08da22cb970ac0b91cf2a9549cfad4""I dropped out of college, too," I told him./p
p data-p-id="c4319553693b1e8a16a65595fd4ddd23"He didn't believe me. "Oh, come on. I bet you went to Harvard on your dad's money."/p
p data-p-id="b7fff540332a9428863ac18d69ab75b1"I fiddled with my straw. My status was always a sore spot for me. "Yale, actually. And I got in because of my intelligence," I declared./p
p data-p-id="35642a4811a08b96a1f1ce8714e09227"He balked. "Why'd you drop out?"/p
p data-p-id="f32818b0b8e1f6c517f2cc76312b803f""Why did you?" I returned the question./p
p data-p-id="d8317e3fd144635e9d2539b05d24b371""Wasn't for me. It wasn't what I wanted to do with my life," he answered./p
p data-p-id="08e31809155cf2cb36185debde363114"I smiled sadly at him. "Same for me. Dad hasn't changed much; he never wanted me to be a wrestler. He suggested I try another career. So I went to Yale. Majored in history-what I wanted-and minored in law... what Dad wanted."/p
p data-p-id="cd6dad2d518180adf53d2861626dadc8""You're into history?"/p
p data-p-id="75c9c70ac2ee3d29687187cccd37c8c7"I nodded enthusiastically. "I love it. History is so interesting. Did you know the two highest IQ scores ever were women?"/p
p data-p-id="9ed880dd6a2edb1b3dd27d86d231767d"He smiled at me. "I didn't. But it's not that surprising. Especially knowing the men I know," he joked./p
p data-p-id="7f1cb61fa44af722c565e4c8ed7f25bf"I chuckled. The waitress came back with our food. We thanked her and she jingled away./p
p data-p-id="00ff8946a3e0be4d7b1ab581971cbec8""So... you and your dad seem to... clash." Shawn looked at me./p
p data-p-id="ceb9061ca5600f4c5677cec4517daba9"I sighed. "We used to be really close." I smiled, remembering those times. "But Dad's too busy for us anymore." My smile faded and I pushed my food around on my plate./p
p data-p-id="a95fb4783a74bd4c5956eabdf86b4aa1""I'm sorry."/p
p data-p-id="59733b858b9fc7167d925cf64c54bb00"I shook my head. "It's okay. It's not your fault. He just thinks I'm still a little girl."/p
p data-p-id="812401221e096b834f8fd84e46c0e12c""I don't think so." I looked up at him. He smiled warmly. "You seem like a pretty great woman to me."/p
p data-p-id="89eae62a3b0d528ebd49fcbabc7e4291""Thanks," I muttered. I bit my lip and tried looking anywhere but at him. He was so sweet, but I wasn't used to that kind of flattery. No one ever looked at me the way he was gazing at me now./p
p data-p-id="14d231f78139512a861ee7e72efb5fd4""So you want to be a wrestler." He was trying to keep conversation since I wasn't much help. I couldn't help being petrified every time he looked at me with those piercing blue eyes./p
p data-p-id="2120fa538ca96361dbe6f9090ee09c09""Yeah," I replied with a relieved smile. I ate a fry from my plate. "More than anything."/p
p data-p-id="22b49fb35ec1fb275ca7135f1513b7dd"He smirked at me. "Maybe I can show you a few things."/p
p data-p-id="2fc8db377cdcb0f655fef2059b2e359a""Really?" I asked, a bit too excitedly. He chuckled in amusement as my eyes lit up./p
p data-p-id="e11aca1ff33025aa314d67f6da74ecdb""Really," he assured me. "I know what it's like to be on the outside looking in. It sucks."/p
p data-p-id="785f236587b7d618b22a003e661d8263"I beamed at him. "You know, you're not as bad as they say."/p
p data-p-id="fd25d9a884413a134cdaa9b6f4cc6a51"He raised an eyebrow, chuckling. "And what do they say?"/p
p data-p-id="dced0f0a5517362b57eb3f7aaa2d7e77""Well, Scott said-"/p
p data-p-id="04cf49fdea135d4873be50aa69363fb5""I'm going to have to stop you right there," he joked. We laughed./p
p data-p-id="9a067810629c37e7b03993ed7d1f4027""And Kev said..."/p
p data-p-id="0b65361a9d8f32fecc54c0ff36e99ed6""Oh, and I bet Paul said something."/p
p data-p-id="4a4adcc6f534b1971f4bd2de6110aefa""Yep, and Kid-"/p
p data-p-id="acf1988eb60a767a1ffdd497791d3f1e""Kid?! That one's a surprise," he teased./p
p data-p-id="d414b1acb0c299e1075ed6cbb2c59413"I giggled. "You might need some friends that don't talk about you."/p
p data-p-id="a10b5cac322e6501311effbe1be9f18f""Well, you don't seem like the type to talk." He grinned./p
p data-p-id="2cb929b7b97bd97796abf7fc67361733"That shocked me. I don't know why, it was just so unexpected. He was flirting with me. I guess it should have been expected, we were on a date, for God's sake. My first. That must've been it... I was overly nervous./p
p data-p-id="5e27429782ed8c9b5a43b1c2ebd8fc77""I'm not," I promised, after a while./p
p data-p-id="2aae681d52cc02123651c6111fe14ce1"He smiled at me. "Good."/p
p data-p-id="cd7ff695437021f3904c45af35aa938e"***/p
p data-p-id="61ddc33afd84a842a2dae10a3a387156"Shawn and I walked down the hall together towards our rooms. Shawn had a room with the guys already, and mine was across the hall./p
p data-p-id="e91def4f8b8e961f4a093dbfe240408d""Alright, so first thing you should learn about wrestling is-" Shawn grabbed my waist and lifted me into the air. "-never let down your guard!"/p
p data-p-id="a948682d625872567adb49ba5ab0dcbe"I squealed and squirmed. "Let me down!" I exclaimed. It was no use, he was much stronger than I was./p
p data-p-id="05cf8b0d0977566cbf94efe26bf02c4b"He put me down but startled relentlessly tickling my sides. I was extremely ticklish, so I was a complete mess, laughing like crazy and collapsing on the ground./p
p data-p-id="342ba67a5f13edc539956cb60727d5fc""Your opponent will always play on your weaknesses," he joked./p
p data-p-id="dae50a0b28f132dd9692d28243f2c649"He laid over me to pin me. I tried kicking out, but I couldn't manage it. He got the three count. He smiled at me in victory and a mischievous look grew across his face. Before I could even think "emOh no/em", he dropped, shoving his entire body weight on top of me. I squealed as the wind got knocked out of me./p
p data-p-id="80efc5a042057d32d1d69ad9cbcb0e55"He was heavier than he looked. I couldn't move; he had me pinned to the floor. "Shawn!" I yelled, "Get off of me!" I shouted playfully. I tried pushing him off but it didn't work. I felt his chest move as he laughed at my feeble attempts. "Get up! I can't breathe!" I giggled./p
p data-p-id="c7402919d9bca7fd154247f1287a1882"The door beside us opened and Kev stepped out into the light of the hallway, glaring down at us. He cleared his throat./p
p data-p-id="22bce41392d6b1dfe85ea7c96d1aa9f1"Shawn scrambled to get off me and help me up. I flattened down my clothes and hair nervously. Kev stared at us the whole time./p
p data-p-id="436cd99aa0f0dbf1edd1505e25c23d2f""Uh, goodnight, Kev, Shawn," I said quickly, hurrying into my room./p
p data-p-id="cb58bba6532e9fee48831707628975ef"I shut the door behind me and started giggling. It was fun, getting caught. Kev looked at us like a parent catching their kid coming home at the latest hour of the night. I'd never been in the position of the misbehaving child. I'd always been straight-laced. But that... was thrilling./p
p data-p-id="e292509ea70981a3323a136eb19fb8d4"I couldn't wipe the smile from my face if I tried./p
p style="text-align: center;" data-p-id="59111005a99ff8c6fad2ddba3ce391e2"em-/embr /emShawn's POV /embr /em-/em/p
p data-p-id="ca78e25c0c71fbb722e939b94c1a94ed"I tried to ignore Kev's prying eyes. He was trying to figure me out./p
p data-p-id="d64ad325680542165877e6ef13fb161f""What the hell was that?" he asked, following me into our room. He shut the door forcefully./p
p data-p-id="863f30ef79403e810a4c7a1b541103f7""We were playing around, Kev." I shrugged. "It's not a big deal."/p
p data-p-id="a7984ef00e497e0b950bdf6ade5c61ff""That's not what it looked like to me."/p
p data-p-id="3b7e9d0630dbd87a1a275e1207e63f97""Maybe you need your eyes checked," I suggested./p
p data-p-id="e83b672cfdd3044f22000423ca6f6771"He shoved me. That set me off. I shoved him back. "What the hell?!" I shouted./p
p data-p-id="242250ab457a523c88a45854773c0b07"He pointed toward the door. "That girl across the way is the best thing that has ever happened to you. And there is no way in hell I'm letting you drag her into this shit-hole!" He yelled. He chucked a half-empty pill bottle at my chest. I caught it, but the hit stung. "How many have you had emtoday/em, Shawn?!" He asked. I looked away. I didn't need this./p
p data-p-id="2bfa33b4ac39f185af6bd37915606c76""You know what? I think I'll get my own room tonight!" I shot back. Paul looked between us in shock as I shoved past him./p
p data-p-id="90d04a7ce24687ce2535132384ad8363""Why don't you go see if Kat has room in her bed?!" Kev shouted./p
p data-p-id="ec5540f243e476493be7376a18538159""Maybe I will!" I slammed the door behind me./p
p data-p-id="07aafc2d3a741ce743c6888c198e6374"I stared down at the bottle in my hand. I didn't have a problem. Kev was just being dramatic. Sometimes I needed a few pain pills to get me through the day. That didn't mean I needed help. He was off his rocker./p
p data-p-id="6906ef998d8a1549f349a6a1086aef0c"I clenched my hand around the bottle and stormed down to the lobby to get a new room./p