Ravyn and Breezango wait in the ring as Dolph and Zack make their way down the ramp accompanied by JJ. The crowd is hot for them, cheering like mad. JJ slides into the ring first and comes face to face with Ravyn. Ravyn slaps a ticket against her friend's chest as Dolph and Zack move in next to her. Tyler and Dango step up to Ravyn's side as JJ glances at her ticket.
"Harboring a fugitive?" JJ stifles a giggle. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Yeah, a fashion fugitive!" Dango booms.
"We take fashion violations very seriously around here!" Ravyn's hands move to her hips sassily.
Zack throws his hands in the air in disbelief. Tyler take this movement as a threat and immediately attacks him. The girls roll out of the ring as Tyler and Zack lock up. Zack fights back with a boot to Tyler's midsection. As the guys battle in the ring JJ cheers her boys on from the outside. Fed up with her friend's incessant positivity Ravyn marches around the apron and slaps another ticket against her chest. JJ looks down and peels the paper from her fingers. She reads it and then tears it up in Ravyn's face. Ravyn lunges for her, upset at the blatant disregard of her authority. The two girls grab and punch at each other but are quickly broken up by Tyler and Dolph. While the four of them are on the outside Zack manages to roll up a distracted Dango for the win. Ravyn and Tyler help Dango to the back while JJ and Dolph celebrate in the ring with Zack.
A few hours later JJ knocks on Ravyn's hotel room door. Ravyn steps out into the hallway dressed in a low cut leather trimmed corset top and a short black skirt. Knee high black leather boots with silver accents adorn her feet. Her black and teal hair curled into loose spirals cascade around her shoulders. JJ grins, admiring her friend's unique style.
"No AJ tonight?" JJ asks.
"Nope," Ravyn explains as they head down to the lobby to meet up with the boys. "He's got a press conference tonight for the Japan tour next week. He said if he gets out early he'll think about coming out. I don't think we're quite ready to be hanging out in public like that though."
JJ shrugs, "Fair enough. Sucks that he has to stay up late just to work though."
Ravyn nods, "It does. But we're going to be on our way to Japan this time next week. So it's probably important for him to do the media thing."
"You're right," JJ sighs. "I can't wait for you guys to be comfortable coming out with us."
"Girl," Ravyn snorts. "I don't even think he's told anyone about us. I've told you and Tyler, that's it. I doubt he's said anything to anyone."
The girls meet up with Tyler and Dolph in the lobby. The four of them climb into their awaiting Uber. The driver takes them down to Bourbon Street and drops them off. They pick up some drinks at one of the street side bars and begin to bar hop through the French Quarter. They dip into a few different clubs before finally settling in at one where Ravyn looks the most at home. The club is full of people dressed in rich dark colors and lots of black makeup. They lay claim to a booth in the corner and start people watching. The drinks flow and the conversation stays light and fun. The four friends laugh amongst themselves as the club seems to vibrate around them.
"I think this is the first place we've ever gone where I'm not the one who stands out," Ravyn snickers.
Tyler smirks, "I'm just glad I wore black tonight."
"I'm going to grab another round," Ravyn tells them as she slips out of the booth.
She weaves her way through the crowd of black vinyl and leather clad people. The packed club seems to be alive with energy. She squeezes between a group of people to get up next to the bar and order a drink for herself. The bartender walks away to prepare her beverage of choice, leaving her waiting at the end of the bar.
A finger gently caresses her bare left shoulder. "This is new," her blood runs cold when she hears Corey's voice and she freezes under his touch. "Did you really cover up my tattoo?" His finger tip traces the head of an exquisite raven along her shoulder blade covering where he had once given her an elaborate headstone tattoo.
She turns around slowly, trying to keep as much distance between them as possible, "Made it easier to not be reminded of you every time I looked in the mirror."
"Ouch," for a brief second he almost seems hurt by her snarky comment. "Let me buy your drink."
She shakes her head, but he manages to signal the bartender before she can pay. "What do you want Corey?" Frustration rising in her voice.
"I just want to talk," his smile, coupled with the alcohol somehow convinces her that talking with him isn't the worst idea ever. She takes her drink and, against her better judgement, follows him to a high top table along the dark wall of the club. They stand on opposite sides of the small table, she wraps her hand around the base of her pint glass and just looks at him. "I've missed you," his devilish good looks in the dim lighting catch her off guard.
"You're the one who cheated on me," she reminds him bluntly.
His eyes fall to the table, "I shouldn't have done that." It's not an apology, just a statement. He reaches out to brush his hand over hers. She tenses under the touch of his thumb on her flesh. "How's your shoulder healing up?" He changes the subject.
She takes a cautious sip from her drink, "It's getting better. Meeting with Doc again next week."
He smiles, reminding her of why she fell for him in the first place, "We should go out some time."
"Not happening," she snorts as she crashes back to reality.
"Come on," he attempts to coerce her with another gentle caress of his hand on hers. "It'll be like old times."
"It being like old times is exactly what I'm trying to avoid," she says sternly. "Besides, I've got a boyfriend."
"Who?" Corey half laughs. "Breeze? He's nothing compared to me." She rolls her eyes, not even justifying his comment with a response. The hand that had been so tender just moments before now grips her wrist harshly. She's paralyzed with fear as she looks up to meet Corey's icy gaze. "I'm going to remind you exactly what you're missing." He begins to step around the table but she dodges him. His grip on her wrist tightens painfully. He sneers at her attempt to avoid him. "Don't bother," he chuckles maliciously.
"Let go Corey," she wrenches her arm and manages to slip from his harsh grip. She turns to flee from him but is met with the strong chest of Baron Corbin.
"Hey baby, leaving so soon?" He cackles wickedly. He steps towards her and even in her tipsy state she understands that this is a threatening advancement. She ducks past him and doesn't look back. Even when she hears him call out to her, "But the fun is just getting started. We've got a room right down the street!"
The hairs on the back of her neck stand up amongst a freezing cold sweat as she hurries back to her friends. She struggles to fight off a panic attack as she weaves back through the crowd of people. JJ spots her first as she nears the table.
"Oh shit, is everything ok?" The redhead knows immediately that something is off.
Ravyn nods unconvincingly, "I'm gonna head back to the hotel. I'm not feeling well."
The three of them shoot her knowing looks. They can tell something is wrong, but they don't want to pry. "Let me take you back to the hotel," Tyler insists.
They bid a quick goodbye to JJ and Dolph as they leave the club. Luckily there are plenty of cabs awaiting fares. Tyler ushers her into the backseat of one before moving around to the drivers side and climbing in next to her. He gives the driver the name of their hotel and in moments they're on the way. Ravyn looks over at him. Without exchanging words he can see her distress. He reaches out and takes her hand. She gives it a squeeze, thankful to have one of her best friends by her side. They don't speak the entire cab ride. When they reach the hotel Ravyn hands the driver a wad of cash and slinks from the backseat. She heads inside with Tyler close behind her. Once they're in the safety of the elevator he pulls her into a tight hug.
"I'm not going to ask what's wrong," he pauses. "Because I know you'll tell me when you're ready."
She nods and whispers an almost silent, "Thank you."
He walks her to her door, making sure she's safely inside before returning to his own room. She can see AJ's sleeping form tucked under the covers in the pale glow of the TV. As stealthily as possible she sheds her clothes and crawls between the covers on the bed next to him. She snuggles herself up against his warm body, resting her head on his gently rising and falling chest. Just being close to him helps her start to calm down. Before long she's asleep.
"Babe... Babe wake up," AJ gently shakes her shoulders. Ravyn jerks awake gasping for air with ragged breaths. Her eyes dash around the room trying to make sense of what's going on. "You were thrashing. Like you were fighting a bear or something," his face a mixture of concern and exhaustion. "You okay?"
She nods, "Bad dream." He watches her in the dim light of the hotel room. Her heart beating almost out of her chest, breath staggered as she struggles to compose herself. "I'm sorry."
"Come here," he pulls her body close to him' her back up against his chest. His muscular arms wrap around her protectively. He nuzzles his face into her hair and breathes deeply. "You're safe here with me," he mumbles as he starts to drift back to sleep.
Her hands creep down his arms to wrap her fingers up with his. Within minutes he's asleep and holding her close to his person. She lays in his arms trying desperately to fall back asleep, but every time she closes her eyes Corey's face is there waiting for her. Sleep is the last thing on her mind as her thoughts race with the happenings of the evening. Sleep finally takes her a few hours later.