Chapter 63:
"So what you're saying is that you don't trust me?" Haley's voice hitched as she tried to get a rein in on her composure.
"No, that's not what I'm saying. I do trust you, Haley." Dave seemed to backpedal after hearing her voice break. "I do not, however, trust him! Orton is a manipulative viper, and I'm worried."
"There's nothing to worry about." She said for the umpteenth time. "Randy is just my friend, Dave. He's here to check up on me, not hit on me."
"Bullshit Haley, if you can't see what he's up to, then you're blind! Randy has admitted to being in love with you! He didn't just say that for shits 'n' giggles. He said it because he's coming after you. He wants you to be with him." Dave argued. "And when Orton wants something, he pursues it relentlessly. You know this, Haley; you've seen him go after the WWE title. Nothing else matters other than getting what he wants. He's coming after you, Haley, and that, I have a problem with."
"I'm not some prize to be won!" Haley protested. "I'm a person, who has their own feelings and makes their own choices. I chose you, Dave, over everyone else out there. Randy doesn't matter."
"Yes, he does, Haley. Deep down, you know he does, because while you won't admit it out loud, there's a connection between the two of you that's deeper than friendship." Dave immediately went on before she could cut him off. "I'm not saying you're cheating on me, Haley, I know you're not. But, you do have some sort of feelings for him; otherwise you wouldn't have forgiven him for last year. And knowing that, you can't expect me to be comfortable with him up there with you, while I'm thousands of miles away."
"Dave, there is nothing going on between myself and Randy. I'm with you, all the way." Haley argued firmly.
"Haley, I know that! It's…" He growled in frustration. "Ugh, nevermind, you just don't get it, and I've got to get to my interview."
"But Dave!" She objected, before he cut in.
"No, I've got to get to my interview. And arguing about this anymore is fruitless." He said through grit teeth. "I'll call you later."
Defeated, she sighed. "All right. Promise?"
"Yeah." He replied curtly. "I've got to go now, Haley."
"Okay, I love you." She said as a last ditch effort to dissolve the tension between them.
"Yeah, you too. Bye." Dave muttered before hanging up on her.
Haley sat in the car for a few moments longer, staring at her cell phone sadly. She and Dave had never really fought before. Sure, they'd had little arguments over where to eat, or what movie to watch, but they'd never fought like this.
Meanwhile, Dave shoved his cell phone into the pocket of his slacks before howling in anger. Taking several deep breathes, he fought to clear his mind and bring himself back under control. There was a healthy dose of fear mixed in with his anger over Randy's continuing involvement with Haley. His girlfriend would never admit it, but she did have some sort of feelings for the Legend Killer, and if they were honest, there was a chance Randy could win Haley over depending on how deep her feelings ran.
"Whoa!" Rey Mysterio said in surprise when Dave stormed out his locker room. "Dave homes, you all right?"
"I'm fine." Dave grunted. "I've got an interview in twenty minutes."
Rey eyed him skeptically. "I don't think so, Esse. You look you're about to hunt someone down and kill them. Who pissed you off?"
Dave shot Rey an aggravated look. "I'll give you one guess."
"Um…" Rey thought it over for a moment. "Did you have a run in with Chris Jericho this morning or something?"
"No." Dave shook his head in disgust. "Fortunately I have not seen Jericho all day, which is good, because then I'd really be ripping right now."
"Uh…did Eve do something? I notice she's not around at the moment." Rey shrugged, unsure just how would get his friend this fired up.
"It's the only good thing she's done since she became my valet…disappear." Dave rolled his eyes. "She get on my nerves hitting on me, after she's responsible for Haley not being here! But no, it's not Eve either."
Rey nodded. "Oh, I hate to say it then, Esse, but is it Haley who has you this angry? Did you two have a fight or something?"
"No. I mean, we fought, but it's not really her I'm angry with. It's the man who's trying to take her away from me." Dave practically snarled. "I'm going to break him in half."
"Oh!" Rey's eyes widened as it finally dawned on him. "Damn, Randy got this fired up when he's not even here? What did he do?"
"He's not here because he's in Boston." Dave explained with pure exasperation. "And he's in Boston to try and win over my girlfriend. And let's face it, Rey, he has a legitimate shot in doing so!"
Rey was forced to agree with the statement, unfortunately. "I'm sorry, Hommes. I can't really relate to what you're going through, exactly, but I know that Haley loves you, and even though she might feel something for Orton too, I can't honestly seeing her leaving you for him."
"I hope you're right, Rey." Dave growled. "I hope to God that you're right.
Haley entered her house to the sound of laughter coming from her kitchen. Heading in that direction, she was pleased to find Randy and Dwayne drinking a beer and joking around with one another.
"Oh please, Jabroni, I was doing that stuff before you finally gave up playing My Pretty Pony." Dwayne retorted good-naturedly. "You were a Candy-ass then and you're a Candy-ass now."
Randy snorted in amusement. "Right, and you're past your prime, trying to use your glory days to climb back to the top. I'm the Legend Killer, I eat guys like you for breakfast."
"Geez!" Haley interrupted entering the kitchen. "I'm not sure I can fit in here with both of your egos." She forced a smile on her face as she opened the refrigerator to grab a can of Coke for herself.
She should have known that Randy and Dwayne would know better. Both men were attuned to her feelings no matter how she tried to pretend otherwise. Dwayne immediately frowned at the forced cheerfulness, while Randy eyed her in concern.
"Haley Baby, wipe that fake smile off your face and tell me what's wrong?" Dwayne demanded, crossing his arms over his chest and giving her a no-arguments glare.
Haley sighed, cracking the top of the can open. "It's nothing, Dwayne. Dave and I are just having…a disagreement of sorts." She said before taking a sip.
Randy remained silent, but a pleased gleam flashed through his eyes before his expression became sympathetic once again.
Dwayne snorted. "Want the Rock to kick his candy-ass?"
Haley shook her head and chuckled lightly. "No. We'll work it out, I'm sure. He's gone to do an interview, but he said he'd call me later. I'm sure we'll be fine by tomorrow morning."
"All right." Dwayne nodded, satisfied with her answer for the moment. "If you're sure…but if you change your mind, my offer still stands."
"I know, Dwayne." Haley smiled again and looked between the two men. "So, have we come up with a plan yet?"
"Nope." Randy's deep voice answered her this time. "We were waiting on you, Sweetie."
"Well, I'm here now." She grinned at the two of them. "So let's get to work."
A/N: Uh oh trouble in paradise for Baley. Meanwhile, Haley, Randy and Dwayne are working on Rock's comeback.
Up next, Candice drops in for a surprise visit…with sparks flying…between her…and Dwayne?
Shout-outs! Active Gal, FrequentlyDazzled619, BSPunk, OryonUK, dreamin'BIG, BeautifulTragedyxxx, Asher02, Ctar, Jewelgirl04, Esca Madeline, Lilio, Nic-002001, ThatGirl54, I luv Jeff Hardy Edge Randy (You're fine, don't worry about it, it's all good), Purerandomosity, RKO-kid 099