Happy Monday!

Tuesday, June 10: WWE Friday Night SmackDown taping - Green Bay, WI; Resch Center

(1 hour before show time)

Miz's POV

Sitting in the middle of the locker room, I'm stretching and making sure my body isn't tense. I'm mentally preparing myself for the show tonight. I have a match against Bad News Barrett; it all works out like this: I pull a surprise roll-up pin victory versus the champion and partner it with a promo with Renee backstage saying how I'm coming for the Intercontinental Championship. This is going to be the first of the build up towards Battleground. I'm not sure, but I heard that Paige has her own segment before our match. Something with Barrett about representing the UK. I hope she'll be okay with working with him. But most importantly, Wade better forget everything he said about us. It's only business, let's keep it that way. Or else, I'll knock the personal right out of his mouth.

The door opens and Nick walks in, in full Ziggler gear. He makes his way over. I take out the headphones out from my ears.

"Hey man, how've you been?" He asks.

I stand to meet him face to face. It's good to know that the confrontation with Maryse hasn't been exploited around. "Been better, but I'll take what I have."

"So...you and Maryse. You and Paige. I mean, I don't wanna poke at any personal buttons but—"

"It's fine, Nick. But with Maryse..." I shake my head as a signal.

His face picks up the gesture, "Oh. Sorry to hear that, Mike. And how'd Paige take it?"

"She was there. She helped me get through it." (I mean, she is there.)

"You guys for real? Like, together?"

I nod.

"Wow man, I thought this was just a secret fling. I had no idea you actually felt something for her, enough to break your marriage."

"You're just laying it on thick, man, aren't you?" I chuckle at his straightforwardness, "There's something there no one sees. It's not like I regret being with Paige."

"Hey, it's completely you Mike. I'm nobody to judge. If I knew what you felt like, I'm sure I'd say the same. I just wanna make sure you're good. You are one of my best friends after all," he pats my shoulder.

"Thanks, Ziggler. And I'm okay, awesome even. I told you I knew what I was doing. Things are looking up so that's where I'm looking too."

We leave the topic at that and continue to talk about the show aspect. Now that he's heard it from the source, I'm glad I have another person to trust with this information.

Paige's POV

I stand in the middle of a hall, with a camera crew in front of me. They're ready to film the backstage segment with Barrett and I. For it, I'm supposed to be walking to the ring for my match then Bad News comes over and starts his promo. One of the guys gives me a signal and I begin trudging across the concrete floor.

I look past the camera in concentration. Barrett pops up to my left as I stop in my tracks.

He's in Bad News persona, "Paige! Just the girl I've been wanting to meet. I'm afraid —this time—I've got some good news. You see, the UK is steadily taking over the WWE. Me with my Intercontinental Championship and you with the Divas title. Good news—we're going to be the biggest names in this company very soon! Good luck in your match tonight." He adjusts the title on his waist accordingly.

I nod in agreement, "Thanks, Barrett. Good luck in yours." Against my man.

He walks past me and I continue the pace to the ring. The off-camera signal from the same guy flicks and the crew takes the equipment from my face. I get complimented then head to Gorilla for my match against Nikki Bella. What a coincidence.

(Post match)

I make my through the black curtain. The match was short but most of it was a set-up for a feud with the Bellas. Brie was ringside as Nikki and I squared off. A good 7 minutes in after she threw me out of the ring and gave me one hell of a beat down, Brie tried to pull her sister off as the count was almost to 10. I managed to slide in at 9.9 as she started with the relentless kicks in one corner. The ref pushed her back then I caught her in a roll-up pin for the win. It was executed fairly but it could have been better. As always with these Total Divas.

The air conditioned breeze hits my skin as I cool off at a refreshment table. I set my title on the wood.

Suddenly, a strangely familiar arm drapes over my shoulders. I wince in question. It's too hasty to be Miz. "Awesome job out there, kid." Barrett says as his loud voice fills my right ear. The way that entire sentence comes out gives me chills like you won't believe. A bag of uneasiness drops in the pit of my stomach. It just became uncomfortable, yet again.

I say nothing in response.

"C'mon, Paige. Where's the love for good ole' Wade Barrett? It's like you don't know me!"

I take a gulp of water, pretending he's not there. Hopefully, this makes him go away.

"How about our NXT days, huh? Remember them? You know, I've always liked watching you—"

"HEY."

Barrett finally drops his arm. We turn to the yell as I see my savior. Miz makes his way over, dressed in grey gear. His face reads of fury towards Wade, I smile a little. I grab my title and rest it on the same shoulder to give me some sort of cleaner feeling.

"I'm afraid I've got some bad news, Barrett. She doesn't like you trying to get at her. Actually, I don't like you trying to get at her." Miz wraps his arm behind, around my waist. He grips my body close. I release a sigh of relief at his touch.

Barrett throws his arms up in surrender, "Alright, alright. Wouldn't wanna make a scene here, Miz." He begins backing up. Before he leaves, he throws a smug smirk and a wink my way. I roll my eyes.

"You okay?" Miz asks once we're left to ourselves. He moves himself to the front of me.

"Yeah, just nauseous." My stomach calms down as I take another sip of water.

"That won't happen again, and that's about how far he's gonna get."

Miz's jealousy makes me feel more secure, and turned on all at once. I shake the idea from my head in humor.

"Anyways, good job out there babe." I almost forgot he switched 'kid' with 'babe', which definitely takes away the guilt from when Barrett called me kid.

"Thanks. I tried to make it better but it did its job, I guess."

"You made the entire match better, trust me. No one was focused on the Bellas."

I smile in the kind words. He's such a supporter. In the corner of my vision, I come into contact with Nikki's glance as the Bella twins pass swiftly, heading towards the Divas locker room. A sour taste on that girl, I swear.

My attention returns to Miz as he's waiting for something from me.

"Well, have fun out there winning against Wade."

"I will. I'll even give him a little message as a reply for what he said to you." He winks and smirks, which is much better than the one I received before.

Miz grabs my jaw and leans in for a kiss. I have no problem in letting him do so as I tilt my head upwards. Every time our lips come into contact, it feels better than the last.

We say our "love you's" and part ways after that. His match is up next and I'll settle for watching it on a screen. My steps rush to the Divas locker room, then almost immediately halt at the thought of the hyenas waiting on the other side of the door. I let out another troubled sigh and enter the fray...

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