Chapter 27:
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.
Six months later
Being out on his own had been a hard adjustment for Seth but after a month of hard saving, he was able to put down a deposit for a one bedroom apartment that wasn't too expensive for him to rent by himself. He'd kept the second job though, saving all of his money and buying nothing but essentials so that he could buy out Roman's half of the shop. And then the shop would finally be his.
The shop had been booming as of late, the store was constantly filled with interested shoppers and it wasn't even the peak trading time. Every dollar that he could get to realize his dream was definitely worth it. It helped that he was a staff member short after Phil had just come in one day and quit right there on the spot, barely two months after he'd moved into his new apartment.
His and Phil's friendship never quite got back to where it was after Phil had walked in on him and Dean on the side of the pool. Very quickly, their friendship seemed to fade into oblivion. Phil would constantly bait him into arguments and barely a week after he'd moved out of Roman's house, they'd been only on professional speaking terms. If that. Phil had gone cold towards him ever since that day, professing how shit a person he was for doing that to Roman.
He'd found out shortly after Phil had unceremoniously quit that there was a reason for his behaviour.
"Maybe you should calm down with the shots Sami." Seth said carefully as he watched his friend down yet another shot. He took a sip of his beer as he glanced around the bar. It was pretty packed and the live band that was playing tonight had just started. Overall, the place had a pretty relaxed feel to it. He wished he'd been out with Sami more.
"Hey man, we're both single, young men. We can drink as much as we damn well want to!" Sami grinned, clinking his shot glass against Seth's beer bottle before he downed the alcohol inside the glass.
"Well. You can. I've got to be at work at 7am tomorrow morning." Seth laughed lightly, taking another sip from his bottle.
"You should hire someone else so you don't have to work every damn day." Sami countered, giving him a serious stare. As serious a stare as he could in his intoxicated state.
"There's no point really." Seth answered before he realized what he'd said.
Sami gave him an odd look. "What do you mean?"
"Uh, well, I'm going to buy out Roman's half of store and then yeah." Seth vaguely explained. He didn't want to give too much away.
"I miss it being the three of us at the store." Sami changed the conversation abruptly. "I wish things didn't have to end the way that they did. Especially with Roman."
Seth's brow creased. "What do you mean?"
Sami's eyes widened immediately. "Oh fuck. I wasn't meant to say anything."
"Well you've already started so you can't stop now." Seth pointed out.
"Phil and Roman, well, they're kinda dating." Sami blurted out. He wished he hadn't though after he saw the look on Seth's face. The look of absolute hurt and betrayal. "That's why Phil wanted to leave so things wouldn't get awkward between you two."
"Well he fucked that right up." Seth murmured, draining the last of his bottle. He glanced at his watch. He supposed now was a good time to leave. "Look, I'm gonna get going. I have to be up early. Thanks for tonight Sami."
"I'm sorry you had to find out about them this way." Sami gave him an apologetic look.
Seth faked a smile. "It's fine." He said quietly before he left the bar and went back to his empty, lonely apartment.
Seth couldn't say that he was surprised exactly when he'd found out about Roman and Phil dating. The way that Phil always seemed to jump into defending his ex-boyfriend should have been the biggest indicator but Seth had always just pretended he didn't hear something or didn't see something incriminating against his alleged best friend. He guessed that this was the universe's way of dishing out yet more karma.
He glanced around the store that he was standing in, Sami absorbed by a customer and there was still a few more people around. While they were still happy browsing, he decided to slip away and into the office for just a brief moment. He grabbed his phone and instantly checked his internet banking account. He was sure that he had enough money in his savings account now to buy out Roman's half of the store, he just needed to be sure.
A genuine smile grew on his face for the first time in what felt like forever when he saw that he did finally have his half ready. He took a deep breath, sliding his phone into his pocket as well as his wallet. He needed to get this sorted as soon as he possibly could. He walked back out onto the sales floor and immediately locked his gaze on where Sami was standing. The customer that he was helping was gone now so he made his way over to where his only team member was.
"Hey Sami, I just gotta go to the bank and call Roman. Are you gonna be right here for thirty minutes?" Seth asked, the excited grin on his face unable to be contained.
"You finally have enough money to buy out his half, don't you?" Sami couldn't stop his grin either.
"Yeah I do." Seth grinned back. "I'll bring you back lunch."
Sami waved him off with a large smile as Seth made his way out of the shop. The most nerve wracking thing would be calling Roman to ask him to do it. He had no doubt that Roman would allow him to buy the other half of the store. At least that's what he hoped. He pulled his phone out of his pocket, unlocked the screen and scrolled through his phone until he settled on the contact for Roman's work number.
He held the phone up to his ear as he heard the phone ringing. It only rang four times before it was answered by a very polite, young girl. "Good afternoon McMahon's Pensacola, Ashley speaking. How can I help you?"
"Hi, can I speak to Roman Reigns please?" Seth's heart was hammering in his chest.
"Can I just ask whose calling please?" Ashley asked through the phone.
"Uh, yeah. It's Seth." He answered nervously.
"Just hold the line one moment please." Ashley's voice was the last thing he heard before he was inundated with hold music.
It felt like an age that he was on hold until he heard the familiar voice on the other end of the line, the deep voice causing his stomach to tie in knots. "Roman Reigns speaking."
"Hi Roman, it's Seth." Seth started off. The tension from their phone call was so thick and so uncomfortable.
Roman let out a heavy breath. "Hi."
"I, um, was just ringing because I wanted to talk to you about buying out your half of our shop." Seth started. "I've been saving and I have enough to do that."
"Seth." Roman said shortly. "This isn't an over the phone conversation. This is a sit down meeting that we need to have."
Seth let out a deflated breath. "When are you free to discuss this?"
"I'm free tonight actually as luck would have it." Roman answered. "Meet me at 7 at Viper's and bring your copy of the deed to the shop."
"Do I need to bring you the money?" Seth asked.
"No. Not yet." Roman answered shortly. "I'll see you tonight."
Seth didn't even get a chance to say his goodbye before the line cut out. He let out a heavy breath. Tonight would be the first time he'd be seeing Roman since the Samoan man kicked him out of what used to be their house on December the first. It made him feel physically ill with the knowledge that Phil was probably spending every spare minute at Roman's house in the bed that he slept in for six years.
He tried to shake that feeling as he continued walking down the street, picking up a burger, chips and a drink each for him and Sami from the burger stand that was run by a cute Scottish guy named Drew. He made his way back to the store, trying to remain optimistic but struggling. He didn't like the way that Roman had been so short with him, as if he was questioning Seth's intentions.
He made his way back into his shop, surprised to see that no one was in there. He flipped the sign on the door to 'back in 30 mins' and locked the glass door. "I'm back!" Seth called out, Sami popping up from in the corner with a confused look on his face.
"You're back early." Sami remarked.
"I'll tell you back here in the office." Seth responded, leading the way to where his office was.
He stepped into the small office and sat down on his plush, leather chair. He placed the brown paper bag on the desk and watched as Sami sat on the chair opposite him. He placed the two bottles of water on the desk before he ripped the brown paper bag open, revealing the two burgers and two packets of chips. "This one is yours. Double beef." He handed the thicker burger to Sami who gratuitously accepted.
"You know me too well." Sami grinned. "So what happened?"
Seth let out a heavy sigh. "Roman said we have to have a sit down meeting about me buying out his half of the shop. I thought he'd be glad to get rid of anything to do with me."
Sami shrugged. "He probably just wants it done right. He's doing it to protect himself."
"I'm meeting him tonight anyway." Seth responded.
"Are you nervous?" Sami asked curiously, grabbing several chips and shoving them into his mouth.
"I'm fucking terrified." Seth answered. "I haven't seen him in six months. I have no idea how tonight will go."
Sami merely smiled at him. "You'll be fine."
At exactly five minutes to seven, Seth was sitting in his car parked across the road from Viper's. Not only would he have to deal with Roman, he'd also have to deal with one of Roman's friends, shooting horrible glares at him. He glanced out of his rear view mirror, hoping that Roman's familiar Mercedes would come past behind him. There was still a spare spot next to him and he almost hoped that Roman would take that spot.
His hands clasped around the plastic sleeve that contained all of his relevant business documents that he'd need for tonight. He knew he shouldn't be nearly this nervous but he couldn't help it. He took a deep breath and finally, reluctantly got out of the car and crossed the road, deciding to wait outside of the restaurant rather than be a giant creep and sit inside of his car.
As soon as he crossed the road, he saw Roman's black Mercedes drive along the road, pulling into the spot that was right next to Seth's car. His heart was hammering in his chest as he watched Roman get out of the driver's side door, a plastic folder in his hand as he crossed the road. Their eyes locked as Roman reached the other side of the road. He felt his heart pounding in his chest as Roman closed the gap between them. The Samoan man looked just as handsome as he ever did.
"Are you ready to go in?" Roman asked politely. His smile was forced and it was obvious.
Seth merely nodded and followed his ex-boyfriend inside of the restaurant. He instantly felt awkward when he saw Randy standing behind the desk at the front. The older man's grey, cold eyes locked with Roman's and narrowed.
"Well, well, well. Look what we have here." Randy remarked. "You've got some fucking nerve coming here Reigns."
"I'm giving you business so you should be pleased." Roman countered back.
"You'll be pleased when I sit you right up the back." Randy snapped.
"Look, Randy. I came here to do business. I didn't come here to start a fight." Roman responded. The last thing he wanted to do was cause a scene. Maybe it was a mistake coming here.
Randy looked past Roman and saw Seth standing there. A smirk grew on his lips. "It's kinda funny how he ruined your life and you ruined my life." He remarked. He grabbed two menus from his table and started leading them back towards their table. He came to a stop in front of the table that couldn't have been further up the back. He placed the menus down on the table. "Any drinks to start?"
"Two beers, thanks." Roman said sharply.
"Beth will be back soon to take your orders." Randy snapped before he turned away from their table.
"What did he mean when he said that you ruined his life?" Seth asked curiously.
"It's not really any of your business, Seth." Roman said sharply. He read over the menu, trying to decide on what he wanted.
"Sorry." Seth murmured. "It's just Sami said you were dating Phil so that's why I was curious."
Roman gave him an odd look. "I'm not dating Phil. We only slept together once."
Seth merely nodded. He wasn't sure how to react exactly. It kinda hurt knowing that his ex-boyfriend had slept with who was supposed to be his best friend. He could only imagine the hurt that Roman went through when he did almost the same thing when they were still dating.
Roman let out a sigh. He supposed he could clear the air with Seth about his love life. "Randy and John broke up and Randy thinks it's my fault."
"Is it?" Seth just blurted out.
"No. Of course not." Roman answered quickly. A little too quickly. "John and I kissed once when we were drunk off our faces but there's nothing between us. Not yet."
"Do you want there to be?" Seth asked curiously.
"I don't feel comfortable having this conversation with you Seth." Roman answered bluntly. He glanced up and saw the hurt in Seth's brown orbs. "Look, I'm sorry. It's just weird talking to you about this stuff, okay?"
"Yeah, I understand." Seth nodded. "I haven't dated anyone since we broke up."
Roman nodded, a little unsure of what to say. He was very thankful when at that very moment, their waitress appeared to take their orders. Once she had left and placed their drinks down there was when Roman took a deep breath. "Alright. We need to talk about you buying out my half of the shop."
Seth nodded again. "Okay. Where do you want to start?"
"Well, firstly I want to know why." Roman started. "I want to know why you want to buy out my half."
"I thought you'd want to get rid of me as soon as you possibly could." Seth answered honestly. "But I want it to be all mine. I've worked hard to save up to own it."
Roman regarded him for a moment. "You're leaving Florida, aren't you? Or at least planning to."
"What makes you think that?" Seth balked at him.
"Because you told me when we first started dating that you only stayed in Florida for me." Roman answered. "And what do you have now? You've got no family here and not many friends. There is no point you staying here so cut the crap and tell me the truth."
"Alright. I'm planning to move to California within the next year and start my life over." Seth snapped. "Are you fucking happy?"
Roman shrugged. "At least I know the truth."
"Can I buy out your half or not?" Seth asked shortly.
"Technically I own seventy-five percent." Roman pointed out. He grabbed his bottle of beer and took a long sip.
"Why are you being so painful?" Seth snapped. "I'm trying to move on with my life and you're blocking me. Why?" His tone was growing more vicious with each word. "I worked seven fucking days a week to save for this and you can't stop being a fucking cunt for two seconds and give me a break."
"No. I can't." Roman answered simply. "Because that is my money that I put into this shop and I'm not just walking away without it. I worked hard for my money too." He paused for a moment. "And if you're going to start calling me a cunt, I'll show you what a true cunt does."
"Fine." Seth snapped. "So if I give you the seventy-five percent that you own, will you sign it over so that it's all mine?"
"Yes." Roman answered curtly just in time for when their main meals arrived. He politely thanked the waitress before she left their table.
Seth had just picked up his knife and fork, ready to dig into his steak when something caught his eye across the room. He felt his heart race in his chest, his eyes landing on a very familiar person. He swallowed down the lump that was growing in his throat.
It was Dean.
He hadn't seen the older man since he had stormed out on him. He hadn't even heard from him. He felt his stomach clench uncomfortably when he saw that Nikki was there with him. He couldn't help but let his eyes drop towards her very obvious stomach. It was much larger than he ever remembered seeing it.
"Oh fuck no." He'd accidentally said out loud. He tried to pretend he didn't say anything, burying his face into his food that he'd suddenly lost all interest in.
Roman turned his gaze and looked over to where Seth had been looking, his grey orbs landing on where Dean and Nikki were standing. He couldn't help the large grin that grew on his lips. "Oh, didn't you know? Nikki's seven months pregnant with twins."
Seth merely nodded, his lips tightly pursed into a straight line. "I'll get you the money between now and the next three months."
"Thanks." Roman said very insincerely.
Seth didn't notice the blue eyes that were watching his tense scene with his ex-boyfriend. He was too focused on the man across from him that he couldn't feel the probing gaze.
Seth was burnt out. There was no around it. He was literally exhausted on his feet. The past few weeks had been hard on him, both physically and mentally. He never thought in a thousand years that he would ever have Roman speak to him in the manner that he did but it wasn't as if he didn't deserve it. He knew he deserved every single ounce of hatred, every single horrible word that got thrown his way. This was his own fucked up mess that he now had to lie in.
He was a million miles away when he heard the door open, the bell above it jingling, signaling that there was even someone else in the store. The shop was quiet today. So quiet that he was able to send Sami home early. He was folding one of his many tables that were stacked high with t-shirts, barely paying attention to his surroundings until finally he glanced up towards the door.
He felt his stomach clench uncomfortably, his heart skip a beat. His brown eyes locked with very familiar blue orbs. He didn't realize that those orbs could even make him feel that way. He didn't want to feel that way for this man anymore. He'd been himself around this man more than anyone. He'd put everything out on the line only to find out that it was never worth it. Dean had never wanted to be with him and he felt pathetic beyond belief to even think for one second that he did. It was embarrassing that he'd thrown it all away for one man who never cared back.
His brown orbs narrowed. "You're not welcome here."
Dean let out a heavy breath. "I know."
"Then why the fuck are you in my shop?" Seth's tone was vicious.
"I had to come in and see you one last time." Dean's voice was nervous, a little shaky and almost unrecognizable.
"Why did you even bother?" Seth snapped. "You've got your dream life with your perfect wife. The thought of me shouldn't even cross your mind."
"But it still does." Dean responded quietly.
Seth threw the t-shirt he was folding onto the ground. "You have some fucking nerve to come in here. I threw myself at you and you still turned me down."
"Look Seth. This isn't how I ever wanted this to happen between us." Dean started.
"I don't give a fuck what you ever wanted." Seth snapped. "Because what you wanted and what I wanted were two totally different things."
Dean didn't say anything for a moment. He was a little hesitant to even speak right now and he was never scared to jump right in to any sort of conversation. He knew deep down that his feelings for Seth were true and he also knew that he would never feel that way about anyone else ever again. But he was stuck. He couldn't get over that hump in his life that stopped him from pushing past what everyone else thought of him and going down the road of what made him happy. He'd made those choices though and he'd never get them back. He'd never get a second chance. He didn't deserve one.
He took a deep breath. "I'm leaving Seth."
Seth gave him an odd look. "What do you mean you're leaving?"
"I'm leaving Florida. I got promoted to run all the West Coast stores." Dean answered. "I have to move to California and now Roman gets my old job. The job he should have always had."
Seth shook his head. "Why are you telling me?"
Dean took a deep breath. "I wanted to see you one last time. You deserved a goodbye."
Seth felt his jaw tighten, the muscles in his arms bulge. He'd never been so angry before. "I deserved more than that and you damn well know it."
Dean's blue orbs were locked in an intense stare off. He'd never seen the brown orbs so unfriendly, so unwelcoming towards him. "I'm sorry I couldn't give you what you wanted."
"Stop fucking lying Dean." Seth snapped. "You could have given it to me but you're a goddamn coward!" His voice was growing louder with each word he spoke. "I cheated on my fucking boyfriend for a chance with you and this is how you repay me?!"
Dean didn't say a single word.
"You and I could have been something great." Seth continued. "I gave up the perfect man for you and for what? We had some pretty fucking great sex but that was it. I literally lost everything from doing what I did with you."
Dean took a deep breath. "I can't-"
"Don't even fucking start." Seth cut in. "I felt something for you that was deeper than how I felt for Roman and it was all for nothing. You lured me into what I thought was something good, something honest and genuine only to have it thrown back into my face." He paused for a moment. "You're a heartless fucking asshole who never deserved me in the first place." He took in a deep breath. He didn't know if it was the anger or if it was the fact that the man he loved more than Roman was standing there telling him he was leaving. "Now. Get the fuck out of my shop and don't you ever fucking come back."
Seth turned around, unable to look at Dean for any longer. The first sprout of tears rolled down his cheek, the salty liquid stinging at his brown orbs. This was all too damn much for him. He needed to lock the door for an hour or two and let out the pent up exhaustion, the emotions that had been brewing inside of him for months now.
Dean heard the first sob echo through the deathly quiet shop and he could honestly say it broke his heart. Everything that Seth was yelling at him resonated in a spot inside of him that he had forgotten existed. It hit home in his heart that everything Seth wanted was everything that he too wanted. He swallowed down the lump that was right in the middle of his throat. This was what heartbreak felt like and he never wanted to feel this again.
He turned on his heel and walked towards the glass door. His footsteps sounded loud in the quiet shop. He grabbed the door handle, turning back to where Seth was standing, his form stiff. He turned the handle and let out the heaviest of sighs. "I love you Seth." He murmured before closing the glass door behind him and walking away.
TBC
A/N: so last chapter...but there's still an Epilogue! And Dean finally said the words but Seth didn't hear him..oh dear. Always look forward to reading what you guys all think. Thank you all for reading and reviewing! GatesVengeance x
Oh and happy Valentine's Day!