Chapter 2:

Rating: M

Disclaimer: I do not know any of the workers of the WWE personally nor am I affiliated with them in any way. This story is a work of fiction and I make no profit whatsoever from it.

Seth was running late when he finally got home to where he knew Roman was waiting for him. He felt bad as he raced right through the house to grab a quick shower before they went out for dinner with one of Roman's old friends. He'd barely been able to say hello to his boyfriend while he tried to get ready for their night out. He missed the sad look that was in Roman's eye as he rushed past him and upstairs to where their bedroom was. Before he made it to the shower in their ensuite bathroom, he pulled out a black slim fit suit with a black, long sleeved button up shirt. He wasn't even sure what the dress code was for dinner tonight but he figured he could always lose the jacket if he was too overdressed.

He walked back down the stairs no more than fifteen minutes later, satisfied with how he looked in his favourite suit. He walked into the living room that was right at the front of their house where he could hear the television playing. He stepped through the open door and smiled when he saw Roman. Roman looked up the instant he stepped into the room and closed the gap between them.

Roman was a very handsome man. He was tall, maybe a few inches taller than Seth. He was a very proud Samoan with defined, masculine features that perfectly complimented his caramel coloured skin. Seth often joked that Roman had to have been carved from stone by the angels because he so ridiculously good looking. He had piercing grey eyes that were so observant and always revealed how the man was feeling even if wouldn't say it out loud. He also had a goatee that framed his mouth perfectly and he had long, black hair that was usually pulled back into a low ponytail. Seth's eyes raked over Roman's body shamelessly. The Samoan man was dressed in a black suit jacket and pants with a baby blue button up dress shirt. Even though he was covered up, it was obvious that Roman had a strong, muscular body underneath the garments of clothing.

"How was work today baby?" Roman smiled before leaning forward and pressing a soft kiss to his slightly shorter boyfriend's lips. His hands instantly went to Seth's hips, resting there like they were meant to be.

"It wasn't too bad. The last customer spent a decent amount of money which is always good." Seth grinned up at his boyfriend. His heart lurched uncomfortably in his chest, all thoughts of his last customer Dean making him feel admittedly a little guilty. Even though he hadn't played into any of the other man's suggestions, he didn't exactly tell him to stop. He knew he could never do something that would hurt Roman. "How was your day at work?"

"Slow and I'm very glad it's over." Roman answered with a tone of finality. He glanced over at the clock on the wall near the television. "We should probably get going or we're going to be late."

"Where are we meeting your friend at?" Seth asked as he felt Roman pull away from him to turn off the television.

"I booked us at Randy's new restaurant 'Viper's'." Roman answered as they walked out of the door of their two story home.

"Lucky I wore my expensive suit then." Seth joked. "I can't believe a dude as prissy as that used to work in Hardware supplies."

Roman merely laughed. "He's a lot more masculine than what people give him credit for. Also I think John balances them out when it comes to being manly." He paused, his lips curling into a cheeky grin. He couldn't resist this jibe. "Kinda like you and me."

Seth playfully shoved his boyfriend while mocking being offended. "Hey! I'm plenty manly!"

"Of course you are." Roman laughed. He turned his attention back to where their cars were. There was three cars in their driveway. The white sedan was Seth's while the two black cars were Roman's. One was a black sedan that Roman used every day for work while the other was a black, two-seat Mercedes. It was Roman's pride and joy. He walked over to the most expensive car, clicking the button on his keys to unlock it.

"Ooh! We're taking the Mercedes!" Seth said excitedly as he walked around to the passenger side of the expensive car. "Who is this friend of yours anyway? He must be pretty special if you're driving the Mercedes."

Roman shot his boyfriend a strange look as he opened his own door up and slid into the driver's seat. "He's just an old friend."

Seth didn't say a word as Roman started up the car and the pair drove out of their driveway. He could tell Roman was nervous about tonight but he had no idea why and he knew his Samoan boyfriend probably wouldn't tell him either. Roman had a tendency to keep everything bottled up and brood rather than actually say it out loud. Seth didn't ever push for it either. It was usually better to not stir the beast inside on most occasions.

The rest of the short car ride to their destination was silent between them with only the sound of the radio playing some random pop song in the background. Seth was glad and a little bit relieved when Roman finally pulled the car up right out the front of the brand new restaurant that was right on the beach. As soon as Roman turned off the ignition, Seth all but jumped out of the car and inhaled the salty sea air from the beach that was literally across the road. There was something about the smell of the ocean that always soothed him.

Roman stepped out of his car and walked over to where Seth was still standing. He locked his expensive car, sliding the keys into the pocket of his dress pants before grabbing a hold of Seth's hand. He felt all his nervous energy from tonight disappear as their fingers slid together and they were joined as one. He glanced to his right and locked eyes with the man who held his heart, a smile instantly lighting up his face as they walked up to the restaurant.

There was a bit of a line to actually get into the restaurant but once they reached the front of the line, they were greeted by Roman's old friend and former co-worker Randy. The tall man beamed once he saw that it was them and embraced both of them before leading them through the table to one of the premiere tables right at the back of the restaurant. Randy was also a handsome man. He had a shaved head, a very sharp, defined face with piercing grey eyes. He could often be callous with his remarks about people and that was why his previous career with Roman didn't quite work out. He had toned arms that were covered completely in various tattoos. The rest of his body was toned but not too muscular.

"So this is where you'll be seated tonight." Randy grinned, pulling out the chairs for a table that was right in the back but had a wonderful view of the beach. "Are you still waiting on someone?"

"Yeah we are." Roman said with a polite smile. He could feel his nervous energy rebuilding once more the closer that they got to when his old college friend would be arriving.

"Do you want any drinks while you're waiting?" Randy asked. "On the house of course."

Roman chuckled lightly. "If it's on the house then of course. We'll take two beers."

Randy laughed. "I'll bring them back soon."

"What did the store end up on today?" Roman asked quietly. He had his attention completely focused on his boyfriend while they waited. He had invested almost 75% of the initial funding into building that store which hadn't ever bothered him. He'd give Seth everything that he possibly could to make the younger man happy.

"We ended up on $7500. I was hoping to hit $8000 but it was better than what it usually is for a Tuesday." Seth said with a slight smile. "It probably pales in comparison to whatever you pulled in though."

Roman chuckled lightly. He was the Store Manager of the largest Hardware store in the state of Florida. The store belonged to a chain of stores called McMahon's that were across the whole country. On top of managing that, he was also in charge of running the distribution centre in Florida that sent out all of the stock that each store in the whole state received. It was a stressful job but he'd been doing it for a few years now that he was almost used to it. Plus the pay was great. It made it significantly easier to own his house and the Mercedes he'd been lusting after for years with a higher paycheck.

He shrugged. "We didn't do that great today."

Seth opened his mouth to respond but immediately closed it when he looked across the restaurant and saw that his customer from earlier today, Dean, was walking across the small area. His heat was racing as well as his mind. He was seriously hoping against hope that he wasn't Roman's old friend from college. He would have felt incredibly guilty about what had happened barely hours before. His stomach sank when he watched Dean stroll right over to their table. He tried to drop his gaze from the other man, avoid him if he possibly could.

Roman wasn't paying attention to his boyfriend's antics, instead feeling his heart start to race and his stomach start to churn as his old college friend approached their table. He stood up once Dean was close enough to their table and grinned at the other man. "Dean Ambrose. How the hell are you?!"

Dean grinned right back and hugged his old friend in a tight, manly hug. "Roman. It's been too long my old friend. How are you doing?"

"I'm great." Roman beamed right back. "This is my boyfriend Seth."

Dean's eyes lit up as he looked down at the table to see the very pretty shop assistant from barely a few hours before sitting there looking almost a little embarrassed. He thought it might be better to pretend he didn't know the younger man. "Nice to meet you Seth. I'm Roman's old friend from college. Dean Ambrose." He outstretched his hand for the younger man to shake. He felt the same spark of attraction shoot through their hands as they touched once more.

Roman watched as Dean took the last spare seat at the small table. "It's a relatively new place here and the food is great."

Dean nodded as he picked up one of the menu's, blue eyes scanning over the food. He ignored the price list as usual. He never had to worry about things like that. He placed the menu back down. "So how did you two meet?"

"We actually met at a clothing shop down on the beach that one of my Uncles owns. It's called 'Ucey Juicy'." Roman started to explain. "I went in there to see one of cousins and there was Seth. We hit it off right away and five years later we're still together." He laughed. "It's actually kinda funny that we met at a clothing store and now we're in business together for a Men's clothing store. It's called 'S&R'. You should definitely check it out sometime."

"Oh, I definitely will." Dean responded. He glanced over at Seth who he could see was trying so hard not to blush. It gave him this strange sort of satisfaction that no one else had ever made him feel before. "Do you enjoy working there Seth?"

"Yeah, it's great." Seth answered bluntly. He glanced over at Roman who was giving him a strange look. "So, uh, Roman said you guys met in college. Did you do Business Management too?"

"Yes I did." Dean answered quickly. "Roman and I met on the first day of college and actually became roommates pretty soon after. We were both always the top two in the whole class every single time." He glanced at Seth who looked mildly interested. "I was always number one if you were wondering."

"Barely." Roman pointed out.

"Still the best." Dean winked at him.

"Are you a Store Manager like Roman is?" Seth asked curiously.

"Well." Dean started. "I was. When I moved back home after College, I got a job instantly working at McMahon's in Cincinatti. I started off as some lowly Department Manager and within a year, I was the Store Manager of the biggest McMahon's in Ohio. I got moved around stores a lot until three years ago I was promoted to State Manager of McMahon's in Ohio. About a month ago, I got the news that I was being promoted to State Manager in Florida and that's where we are up to now."

"Wait. So you're Roman's boss?" Seth asked.

"Yes. I'm Roman's boss." Dean answered. "Stephanie McMahon thinks I'm a great asset to the company so hopefully I won't be here too long before the next promotion."

"You just got here and you're already looking to leave?" Seth asked sharply. He found it a little rude that Dean was so keen to get out of the job that he knew Roman desperately wanted.

"You always have to look ahead in life Seth." Dean pointed out. "Because you never know what's around the corner. I have the mentality that you have to take every opportunity that's given to you because every single thing you walk past gives you a chance to make your life better. I wouldn't be the youngest State Manager at twenty-five if I didn't think that way. I'm twenty-eight now and I can say that I'm on the track to where I want to be in life. I can also say that my dream to climb the ladder of this company is going to happen and I'll reach where I want to in this life."

"I've already reached where I want to be in life and I'm only twenty-seven." Seth countered. "So I win."

Dean chuckled. He didn't realize that there was a feisty side to Seth. "There's always something more, even someone else who can take you to your next step in life. Don't ever forget that."

Seth focused his attention on the menu in front of him. He knew what Dean was implying. Dean's intentions were made clear when they were in the shop, just the two of them. Even without directly saying it, he could tell that Dean wanted him. He couldn't deny that there was a flicker of a chance that made him consider it when he was in the change room with the other man. He finally looked back up and found that Dean's blue eyes were locked onto him intently. "Maybe we're just too different."

Dean laughed again before focusing his attention on Roman. "This one has got some fight in him."

Roman laughed awkwardly. He felt more than a little embarrassed. Dean was his boss and Seth was almost challenging the way that he felt. He tried not to let it show on his face. "So are you still with Nikki?" He missed the confused look on Seth's face.

"Well now isn't that an interesting story." Dean laughed shortly before rolling his eyes almost dramatically.

"Whose Nikki?" Seth asked curiously. He tried to ignore the flicker of jealousy that rushed through him.

"Nikki is a girl that I dated her all through college and we got married the year after we graduated. It was going great until she started to ask for things. First she wanted a new house which I bought her along with everything else under the sun." Dean paused for a moment. "Everything fine until she started to ask for kids. That's where I draw the line. To cut a long story short, we separated about eighteen months ago and she moved back to California with her twin sister. The divorce should be finalized soon hopefully. I gave her pretty much everything to make it go quicker."

"I'm sorry to hear that man." Roman said apologetically.

"I wasn't exactly the model Husband anyway." Dean shrugged. "I married her to cover up my sexuality, thinking that maybe if I married her, I would fall in love with her and not want men. I was wrong. I lost count of the number of times I cheated on her with other dudes. I'm sure she knew by the end of it though."

"I always wondered why you dated her. I could pick that you were gay the second I met you." Roman said with a light laugh, trying to lighten the mood.

"Thanks man. I wish you would have given me your insight earlier." Dean laughed. He turned to Roman and looked at him seriously. "What I've just said is between us, okay?"

"Of course Dean. I wouldn't tell anyone anyway." Roman reassured him.

"Good." Dean said with a smile.

Randy returned at that moment with three beers instead of the two. He remarked that he'd seen their third guest walk over and had brought over another complimentary drink which Dean gladly accepted. He took their orders and reassured them that they wouldn't take too long to get to the table. After Randy had left, Roman excused himself to go to the toilet leaving just Dean and Seth alone at the table.

"I'm guessing you didn't tell him that you met me already at the shop?" Dean asked, his blue eyes staring straight into Seth's chocolate orbs.

"I didn't think I'd ever see you again or that you'd be Roman's old friend from college." Seth answered honestly.

"It can be our secret then, yes?" Dean's lips curled into a smile.

"Roman's my boyfriend." Seth said bluntly.

One of Dean's eyebrows cocked up at that statement. "You didn't listen to what I just said, did you?" Seth just looked at him blankly. "There's always someone who can take you to that next step in life Seth. Remember that."

"Roman is my life." Seth shot back, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Dean didn't even bother responding. It was only a matter of time before he knew Seth would see that what he was offering and jump ship. He reached for his beer and drained half the bottle, a satisfied smirk on his lips as he did so.

Roman was annoyed as they drove the short drive back to their home. Once he'd returned from his trip to the bathroom, he found the mood between Dean and Seth to be ice cold. Seth didn't even try to talk to Dean the rest of the night, barely interjecting one word. It frustrated the hell out of him. All he had wanted to do was for his old friend and new boss to meet his boyfriend and for them to get along.

"You could have been a bit nicer Seth." Roman pointed out as he pulled up at a red light.

"Well, he's kinda a jerk." Seth shot back.

"Seth. C'mon." Roman started. "He's my boss and one of my oldest friends. I want the two of you to get along because now he lives here in Pensacola, we're going to be seeing him a lot more."

Seth groaned. "I didn't like the way he talked down to you Roman. Like he was better than you." He tried to cover up his own uncomfortable feelings with pulling at the obvious.

"He is better than me." Roman responded, ignoring the sharp gasp that left his boyfriend's lips. "He's the State Manager and I'm just a Store Manager. He was always better than me. That's why he's where he is and I'm where I am."

"Roman, I don't like hearing you say that sort of thing." Seth said quietly. He hadn't expected Roman to push back like that.

Roman sighed. "Just promise me that you'll get to know him a little better? Please? For me?"

Seth sighed. "For you."

TBC

A/N: so Dean is Roman's old friend and his new boss. Well. Lets see how this goes. Thanks to everyone for reading and reviewing (absolutely overwhelmed by the number of reviews for the first chapter! :)) GatesVengeance x