Hey guys sorry for the delay in posting been pretty busy and I wasn't happy with my first attempt at writing this chapter. Enjoy ;) - C
Chapter Thirty-Two - The New Bethany
"Wakey, wakey eggs and bakey." Scott called out from the kitchen,
"I'm coming down now." I called back; I pulled on my white silk tank, light wash denim jeans and white Dune Gilda Raffia Flatform Sandals. I ran a brush through my now blonde hair and made sure my long bob style was perfect. I walked out my room and down the stairs to the large living and kitchen area and took a seat at the kitchen counter,
"How'd you sleep?" Scott asked, he dished up the eggs and bacon on the plate in front of me,
"Average. So what's the special occasion?" I asked as I picked up a knife and fork and began to dig into the food,
"No reason." He took the seat next to me and covered his eggs and bacon with ketchup,
"We have been living here for weeks and you haven't even touched a fry pan." Scott chuckled and shrugged,
"Just thought I would give it a go."
"You did good, maybe you should cook more often."
"This is a once in a lifetime occurrence," He cracked his neck, he always did it when he was nervous,
"What's the problem?" I asked curiously,
"No problem, just wondering whether it would be cool to have a little house party tonight."
"Of course, do you want me to disappear for a few hours?"
"Not at all. Did you know the WWE is touring Japan this week?"
"No I didn't." I lied; I saw it on Twitter and ignored it hoping that I wouldn't run into anyone at the New Japan dojo but I had organized to go shopping with Lay and have dinner with Ry. "I'm assuming the touring roster is coming here tonight then."
"Is that cool with you? I didn't know if it was going to be awkward."
"It shouldn't be awkward." It was going to be awkward. I wasn't entirely sure how my sudden exit from the company was explained especially because WWE managed to keep the Internet sites quiet. "Do I need to pick up anything?" I asked diverging from the subject,
"Everything is ready to go. Just turn up and look like you want to be here."
"I will try my best."
"For me you will." I finished my plate and put it in the sink,
"I've got to go to the dojo Scott, I'll see you tonight." I kissed him on the top of the head and grabbed my Nike Varsity Girl gym bag and white Ralph Lauren tote bag.
"Bye-bye!" he called out from behind our front door.
"What's going on?" I whispered, the dojo entrance hall was crowded wrestlers from New Japan had their noses pressed up to the glass that separated the dojo/gym to the hallway leading to the locker room and offices.
"Look for yourself." Harry Smith pulled me up to the glass; I could see two people wrestling in the ring.
"New guy?" I asked, he was wearing a long sleeved Underamour top, workout shorts and boots.
"You seriously don't know who that is?" I definitely knew who that was and I immediately felt sick.
"Fuck."
"I know right. He looks good. He has really been integrating more Japanese style rather then the American stuff Vince wants. Did you see his match with Dolph at No Way Out in December?"
"No I haven't watched it for a while."
"Since you left?"
"Yeah."
"Bummer. It's pretty good at the moment." The two men exited the ring and were heading out to meet the awaiting wrestlers, "Looks like Yamamoto is going to introduce us to him. You guys worked close before you left and had that 'Oh My God' moment at Wrestlemania. You…" I nodded, I was on the verge of a panic attack, I pushed my way through the crowd while my vision started to blur I managed to make it to the toilet to throw up. So much for Scott's cooking effort.
I took a few minutes to calm myself down and get changed into my gear. I looked at myself in the mirror. My hair was shorter and blonde and my body was tanner and harder from the intense training. I got into my black Nike short shorts and electric blue workout bra. I pumped my self up before exiting the locker room; I stuck my head out of the door to make sure the coast was clear, when I snuck out to the main gym area making sure to keep my head low.
"What was that all about?" Harry asked, he took my bag from my hand and placed it next to his,
"I had to pee, like really bad." I muttered unintelligently,
"Well when you gotta go you gotta go." He chuckled, I peaked past Harry to see him talking to some of the newer wrestlers, and they were looking at him like his was a god.
"So, I was wondering whether you were going to Scott's party tonight?" He ruffled his hair and leaned against the shelves holding the bags,
"Yeah I do live with him." I focused my attention to tying the laces on my boots,
"Oh yeah," he chuckled again, "So I guess I will be seeing you tonight then." This conversation was taking an awkward turn.
"Most likely." Luckily Yamamoto called us into a line before it got anymore awkward.
"As all of you are aware we have a guest." Yamamoto's thick accent always made me smile, he had really helped me develop a unique style and gave me a chance to wrestle against the cruiserweights, "He will be helping out today as we are one person down." Fuck, fucking, fuck. I cursed in my head.
"I'm sure you all know him as CM Punk but today he is Phil." Yamamoto moved back and leaned against the apron. Phil reentered the gym,
"Hey guys thanks for letting me train with you today, hopefully I can keep up." Phil smiled and walked down the line to greet each wrestler individually,
"Were you and Phil close when you worked with each other last year at WrestleMania?" Harry whispered,
I nodded I didn't want to say anymore, "Didn't he talk about you in a promo once?"
"Yeah, it felt good that some important actually wanted me to stay." Phil shook Harry's hand and exchanged pleasantries while I knelt down to re-lace my boots for what seemed like the fourth time, I saw Harry leave to go to the treadmill and glanced through my hair to see Phil's feet in front of me,
"So you're going by J.J now?" he extended his hand as I got up, keeping my head down as I took his hand. It was so warm and comforting just like I remember. I raised my head, "Bethany Jane Jenkins, I get it now." New Japan had given me a new name to wrestle under since Sydney was licensed by the WWE, I was still the same character but the name was part of mine and it felt a little bit more special, especially since I had been to Sydney three times in my life, once for WWE another time for a holiday when I was six and then because I couldn't get a direct flight from LA to Melbourne.
"Hello Phil." I smiled weakly; he hadn't changed much at all. His hair was cut shorter and he had more stubble then he use to, I let go of his hand and put mine on my hips.
"The way Scott talked about you I thought I would never see you in the ring again." He flicked the bottom of it and smiled,
"Things change."
"They sure do." Yamamoto came over and placed a hand on our shoulders,
"I'm glad you too are getting re-acquainted, it makes deciding on the partners for sparring much easier. You two shall work together." He gave a wide smile and left to talk to Harry,
"But I thought I was working with Chris…" I trailed off knowing he couldn't hear me, I rolled my eyes and sat on the ground to begin my stretches while Phil joined me,
"So how are you really?"
"I'm happy."
"Is that seriously all your going to say? I think you owe me more then that."
"I'm being serious I'm the happiest I've been for a very long time."
"How long?"
"You don't want the answer to that question." I wanted to be mean so I was pushing him away, the closer I was to him I wanted him to hold me like he use to but I know it will not be happening again. I could see that my snarky comment hurt him, I knew Phil well enough that I had broken his usual confident demeanour when he shifted his eyes ahead of me and took a gulp of air, it was his only tell. "Look Phil, this gym is my life now and I'm not putting my job on the line because your here today so can we just get on with our workout?" I didn't wait for an answer I just walked for leaving him stilted in the middle of the gym.