Ch. 21

Katelyn noticed a change in Randy the moment they arrived at the arena. His handsome smile was replaced with a very serious expression. When he glanced at her as they walked through the halls, his eyes were emotionless. As people passed saying hi to him, he would just acknowledge them with a nod. He kept his distance from her and barely said a word till they reached his locker room.

"I want to drop off my stuff then we will go see Chris," he said pushing the door open.

"Are you ok?" she asked as the door shut.

"Yeah, why?"

"You just are so different here," she softly said as he stared at her still no emotion on his face.

"Its work can't trust anyone here. Never know who will get the bright idea to piss me off or backstab me. I always have to be on guard. You have to get used to me being like this here," he kept his distance from her.

"Hmmm I'm wondering something," Katy said giving him a curious look.

"Wondering what?" he asked dropping his bag. She smiled going towards him capturing his hands in hers. She put his hands on her waist wrapping her arms around his neck still seeing the cold distance in his eyes. She slowly pulled him into a kiss holding tight when he stiffened and tried to pull back. She kissed him again smiling when she felt him wrap his arms around her deepening their kiss. He softly sighed against her lips kissing her passionately. She broke the kiss looking up into his eyes seeing the familiar happy glimmer as a sexy smile crossed his lips.

"I wondered if I could bring out the Randy I've been getting to know," she whispered caressing his face. "Looks like I did," she smiled kissing him again.

"Only you will ever get to see this side of me," he held her tighter.

"That works for me can be our secret that underneath the tough cocky surface is a very sweet caring guy."

"Our secret sweetheart," he gave her a big smile kissing her lightly. "Let's go see Chris then you can bring this side out again once we are back at the hotel." She nodded ok kissing him again before slowly letting him go. When they stepped out into the hall, he was back to not showing a shred of emotion. Katelyn smiled lightly bumping him as they rounded a corner.

"Behave or later you'll regret it," he said winking at her and giving her a small smile.

"Oh really?" she laughed.

"Keep it up smart ass and when we get back to the hotel you'll find out how much of a meanie I can be," he smirked as they neared Chris's locker room.

"Now I'm curious to find out," she said making him shake his head as she knocked on the door.

"Come in!" Chris called out. "Hey, it's so good to see you," he embraced Katelyn as soon as she entered. "Are you ok? Has Wade been bothering you?"

"I'm fine. Wade has been harassing my voice mail," she broke free from Chris sitting down.

"I know you're mad about being here. We will talk in a few," Chris turned his attention to Randy. The two men stared at one another for a few moments before Chris extended his hand. "Thank you for everything," Chris said as Randy shook his hand. "May I talk to you in the hall for a few minutes?"

"Sure," Randy said glancing over at Katelyn seeing the worry in her eyes. "I'll talk to you later Katelyn."

"Ok thank you," Katelyn softly said trying to hide how much she didn't want Randy to go.

"I'll be right back," Chris said opening the door. The moment the two men stepped into the hallway Katelyn went to door pressing her ear against it not able to hear anything.

"Thank you again. How in the hell did you get her to come here?" Chris asked.

"I just reminded her how worried you would be if she didn't come."

"Next time I need help with her stubbornness I'll be calling you," Chris grinned. "I know we have had our issues in the past. I really do appreciate what you have done. Is there something going on between you and Katy?"

"We are friends," Randy quickly answered.

"Nothing more?" Chris stared at him.

"Nope."

"Well ok. Thanks again. Stop by tonight after the show and I'll pay you back for all her travel expenses," Chris said putting his hand on the door making it slightly open. Katelyn rushed back to her seat.

"No problem, see you later," Randy went to walk away.

"Randy, wait a minute," Chris stopped him shutting the door again. "Just to let you know if there was something more going on between you two I wouldn't have an issue. I saw the way she looked at you at the restaurant a blind man could see the sparks between you two."

"There is …," Randy tried to talk and Chris put his hand up stopping him.

"Stop you don't need to say anything. I want my sister to be happy and finally find a guy who is going to treat her right. All I'm trying to say is if you're that guy I'm cool with it. Ok?"

"Yeah, thanks. I'll see you later," Randy said quickly walking away. He wasn't sure how to react to Chris's blessing to pursue Katelyn. He returned to his locker room picking up his phone planning to text Katelyn when he saw she had already messaged him. "I hope Chris was nice to you and if he wasn't let me know I'll kick his ass," Randy read the message out loud smiling. "Everything went fine. I'll explain later. I'll text you when I have some down time we can meet up," Randy replied to her. He took a deep breathe sitting down on the bench. He looked around thinking about how he had sat billion of times in different locker rooms all over the world by himself and he never felt alone till now. "What is wrong with me?" he shook his head not believing he was already missing Katelyn. He smiled thinking of the way she made him feel and the way she made him laugh with her silliness. His cell phone going off with a text message broke his thoughts. He read the message from Katelyn and felt warmth in his soul that she only made him feel as he read it again.

"I hope that time is soon. I want to know what happened. Also I want to see you. I have gotten very used to spending time with you Mr. Orton. I miss you," he reread it again not able to stop smile. He started to respond back to her then stopped erasing the message. He started again then shook his head putting the phone down. He quickly changed into his workout clothes and stared at his phone for a few minutes.

"Damn it what am I afraid of," he picked up his phone typing out his response. He read it over a few times before pushing send. He felt a new urgency to hurry up and get things done so he could see Katelyn.

Katelyn was finishing her conversation with Chris about Wade and how she had no intention to ever bother with Wade again. Chris excused himself for a minute to go double check Randy was right about Wade not being at the shows. Katelyn immediately took out her phone smiling when she saw Randy had responded.

"Spending time with you is quickly becoming my new favorite addiction. I'll have to come see you soon wouldn't want to end up in withdraw. I miss you too Katy," she beamed with happiness reading his message.

"What has got you so happy?" Chris asked coming back into room.

"Nothing, what did you find out?"

"Wade isn't here. I even took a walk around to make sure he isn't," Chris grabbed a chair sitting down across from her. "So what made you smile?"

"It was just a message no big deal."

"I haven't seen you that happy in ages. Was it a message from Randy?" he cautiously asked seeing her tense up. "Katy, I don't have a problem with him."

"It sure sounded like you did from things you said before," she looked up at him.

"He can be a jerk when he wants to be here at work. I've seen him with his family and he isn't cocky towards them. I have a hunch he cares about you," Chris said seeing her eyes light up. "I saw you two had something at the restaurant that's why I was ok with him taking care of you. I don't have an issue with you being with Randy."

"Even though I was just with Wade?" she asked used to him lecturing her.

"I have no right to give you shit about jumping into a relationship. I never told you this but Kelly and I got together hours after I ended my last relationship. We just knew it was meant to be. If I would have sulked about my relationship breaking up I might have missed out on marrying my true love," Chris said happily smiling. "I don't want to drag out this conversation. I told Randy and I'm going to tell you now if you two are more than friends that's cool with me."

"Did I ever tell you that you're the best?" Katelyn smiled hugging him.

"Yes you have but I enjoy hearing it."

"Just to let you know I do like Randy so you being ok with him means the world to me. You are the only family I have," she said as tears came to her eyes.

"Dad liked Randy," Chris said taking her by surprise.

"Huh?"

"Dad talked to Randy a few times. He always said Randy was a good kid didn't understand why everyone talked bad about him."

"He is a good guy," Katelyn said not able to stop smiling.

"I just want you to be happy. I have to go pickup Kelly. Do you want to come with me?"

"I rather stay here. If that's ok?"

"Sure, you're safe here no Wade and Randy is around," Chris winked at her.

"Can you do me a favor and not tell Kelly about Randy?"

"My lips are sealed. You can tell her when you're ready. I'll see you in a bit," Chris kissed her forehead leaving her alone in his locker room. Katelyn sent Randy a text letting him know she was alone. She started going through her work email when the door opening drew attention. She was about to look up when a familiar cologne filled the air. She closed her eyes hoping she was wrong.

"Katelyn, my love I have been looking everywhere for you," Wade's voice made her stomach sour as she opened her eyes seeing him leaning against the door blocking her only way out.