On the car ride back to Bradshaw's the tension between the girls was palpable. Felicity looked over at Krystina; the girl was wearing her hair down and while wearing a knit hat with one of her WWE line of t-shirts with long, baggy cargo pants. Her mouth was pressed into a hard line. Felicity sighed feeling really guilty for getting under her best friend's skin,
"Tina, I'm sorry I didn't mean to push the Bradshaw question on you so hard." The other woman's features softened as she accepted her friend's apology,
"No, I shouldn't have acted the way I did. I just…" She sighed, "I really do like Bradshaw. I always did since I was a kid. I mean he was a big name back in the day and he took me under his wing. The only way I didn't get in trouble and got into the company because of my dad. But Bradshaw and Farooq took me in and honed my shitty ass skills further than my old man did. He's my mentor and a friend. Felicity, I really doubt that he would see me anything other than the nineteen year old kid he trained all those years ago…"
"Tina, I think you'd be surprised. He-" They pulled into the parking lot of the hotel. Krystina turned to look at her cutting her off,
"Look. I'm not about to force anything to happen. I don't want ruin a great friendship and cause tension. If things happen, great if not. I'll get over it and it's as if everything as it should be. Please don't mention anything to anyone, things will just get awkward. Pinky promise?" The young woman held out her right pinky finger. Felicity looked down at her friend's finger and then back up at her,
"Pinky promise." She locked her left pinky with her friend's pinky and smiled at each other. They both got out of the car and grabbed the packs of beer and the cigars and went up the stairs. When they got to Bradshaw's apartment they knocked on the door. Bradshaw opened the door and rubbed his hands together when he saw that what the girls were bringing,
"All right! Now it's a party. Farooq, look they bought the good beer too!" He took the packs from each of the girls and put them on the floor. Without thinking he bent down and kissed Krystina on the cheek. Like a deer in headlights, Krystina froze in place and silently prayed that she wouldn't blush,
"Well this is my favorite brand…" Everyone's attention was diverted when Felicity saw that Dave was there,
"Baby!" She ran and jumped into his lap. He laughed,
"Hello Gorgeous." He kissed her on the lips and Krystina couldn't help but smile at them. She was happy that her best friend had someone who loved her. She felt someone's eyes on her and she turned to see that Bradshaw looking at her. Feeling the tension, she stuck her tongue out at him and laughed causing him to laugh as well. They all sat around the table and they started cracking open beer cans. Krystina held up her beer and everyone followed suit,
"May we continue kicking ass in all we do. And if life drifts us apart may we remember the good times always." Dave chimed,
"Hear, Hear!" They all clicked their beers together and began dealing the cards.
Hours went by as the five friends consumed beers and played poker. The women joined in on everything except the smoking of cigars. They were all laughing and enjoying each other's company until the wee hours of the morning. When the time to go came it turned out that Bradshaw had beaten them by winning the most games out of any of them. Everyone helped clean up and slowly everyone started to leave bidding each other goodbyes and promises to see them later. The only ones left in the hotel room were Bradshaw and Krystina each feeling the effects of the alcohol they had consumed. Feeling tipsy Krystina asked,
"Can I spend the night? I'm in no condition to drive." Bradshaw nodded walking to her,
"You could always sleep with me in the bed." He chuckled. Krystina walked up to him looking up into his eyes. The man had a good six inches on her but she knew that he wouldn't hurt her,
"As tempting as that sounds sir, I don't think so. I've got to keep my dignity." She turned to walk away but Bradshaw grabbed her arm, "Don't mess…with…me…" Bradshaw unexpectedly fell forward. Out of reflex, Krystina caught Bradshaw using all of her strength to not let him fall to the floor,
"Oh shit John! Wake up, I can't hold you!" She looked around and found the bed room a few feet away. She wasn't going to leave him on the floor. Using the remainder of her strength she dragged him to the bedroom placed him on the bed. She took off his shoes and shirt. Her eyes landed on his jeans. She would have to take them off because there was no way he would be comfortable in the jeans. She went for the belt and jeans buttons but hesitated. She undid the buttons and pulled the jeans off of him. She folded the clothes neatly and put them on the side for now. Bradshaw stirred only to move up the bed and lay on his back. The effects of the alcohol seem to only worsen as time went by and with the monumental effort she made with bringing an unconscious two hundred and ninety pound Bradshaw to bed. She threw herself on the bed before she too passed out from too much alcohol.
Bradshaw opened his eyes as the sunlight streaked into the room. A headache immediately greeted him as he rubbed his temples. Realization suddenly hit him hard. He checked under the covers and saw that he was only in his boxers. He heard soft breathing next to him and nearly died of a heart attack. There was Krystina sleeping peacefully next to him. Part of him was happy because he always wanted to be this close to her, but the other part was scared shitless of what would happen when she wakes up and what would happen if her father, HIS friend, found out about this. He relaxed a little bit to watch her. Her features were relaxed as she slept peacefully. Her black and pink hair was in her face so he tucked it behind her ear. She involuntarily smirked at the contact. Her eyes slowly fluttered opened and she looked up at him
"Good morning sunshine!" she sleepily whispered. He chuckled,
"Good morning yourself." She giggled,
"That was quite a night we had last night." He frowned,
"Tina, I'm sorry if…" She stopped him,
"John John, relax nothing happened. We were talking when you grabbed my arm and then you passed out from the alcohol. So I made you more comfortable and put you to bed." Chuckling once more, Bradshaw envisioned her dragging him to the bed.
"Thank you, Tina." Boldly she leaned over and kissed his cheek,
"You're very welcome." She sleepily smirked, "But you owe me." He laughed,
"I guess I do. Tell you what. One of these days I will take you to your favorite place to eat." She got out of bed, and Bradshaw couldn't help but admire her shapely legs. She pulled up her pants and turned to him,
"I'll hold you to that deal. Do you mind if I use your shower?" He chortled,
"Only if I get to watch you; you know for research purposes." She laughed. This was Bradshaw's way of barefaced flirting she knew very well. Two could play at that game. She smiled seductively, catching Bradshaw off guard,
"If you play your cards right…" She turned to leave but in two strides Bradshaw caught up with her,
"Don't push me, woman. I'm trying to be a gentleman." He growled in obvious arousal. She ran her finger down his chest and the areas she touched twitched,
"Sometimes you've got to cross that line, to get what you want." He looked deep into her eyes,
"I don't know if I want to cross that line. I don't think I can stop myself if I wanted to."
"Then don't…" She stepped towards him, "Stop." In one motion she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.