Author: Rebellecherry
Title: Hello Heartache
Summary: The ink just has dried on John's divorce papers and he can no longer deny the secret that he's hidden his entire life. His best friend Nikki pushes him closer to CM Punk an equal in the company a sometimes adversary, always an attractive distraction and he just might be the best heartache John has ever had.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything! I don't know these people, and I am in no way affiliated with this NYSE traded company. I am not saying that this has or will ever happen this is just an artistic release. And expression.
Chapter 5
The Jetset Life Is Gonna Kill You
Monday found Punk in busy airport sunglasses over his eyes a beanie pulled down over his head he couldn't be more anonymous as he tried, but traveling with Nikki and John got him a lot of unwanted attention. Nikki was taking pictures with fans and John was signing autographs, while Punk tried to hide behind the luggage carousel. He'd been running off little sleep, trying to puzzle out his feelings. He'd been on a roller coaster since last week his encounter with John.
He couldn't deny that things didn't feel finished with Vince, but he couldn't change the fact that his attraction to John had blossomed into something more. Then there was the whole mess with Randy which he'd yet to tell Vince about. All three men would be in the in the equation tonight, he knew he had to talk to Vince about the whole thing. Then there was the whole business about where he was going to stay, he was supposed to stay at his friend Colby's place and hang out with some of the NXT stars.
John wanted him to stay with him and Nikki at the hotel and Vince wanted him to come to his condo. He still had a quite of thinking to do and he was more confused than ever. He decided to get a rental and go from there. He sent a text to Vince to let him know that he'd arrived safely, and was awaiting a response. It was after he'd gotten a rental, he discovered that Vince had sent a car for him. John and Nikki were finally able to break free of their fans.
"Look I got a rental," Punk told John, "then I found out that Vince sent a car for me. You two can take the rental, I'll see you at the show."
"Any plans on what you're doing after RAW?" John asked hopefully.
Punk shrugged, "I'll let you know as soon as I decide."
"You know he's got himself a boo now," Nikki reminded him, "he's going to be spending a lot less time with us John. Our little Punky Pal is growing up."
Punk rolled his eyes at Nikki's quip, "So here are the keys to the rental. You should really thank me I stood in that line for thirty minutes."
"It's still quite a long line," John observed; "Thank you for waiting in line, I hope you have a nice time tonight and I'll see you at the arena."
"You're welcome," Punk said his eyes locked on John's and there it was again that heat he couldn't ignore, sweeping down his body to pool in his groin he dropped the keys in John's hand their fingers brushing as a result.
John had been having that effect on him, just little looks set him off. He wondered if John felt like this when they locked eyes. And help him if they were to touch if they simply grazed each other in passing, it was hot like a lightening strike. Punk was being so careful, but how do you not my eye contact with a friend, how do you not accidentally brush up against a co-worker on occasion? And with a job like there's they couldn't afford things to get out of hand in the ring. Punk needed to get himself together, it had all just happened so fast, all at once. He hadn't anytime to prepare for it all.
Punk walked out front, spotting a waiting limo, the driver was already outside. He pulled off his sunglasses and shook his head this was a bit too much, here he was in basketball shorts sneakers and a hoodie looking like he'd just finished hobo training and his boyfriend had sent him a limo.
"Phillip Brooks?" the driver questioned.
"That's me," he said.
The driver nodded and opened the door for him and collected his luggage, he climbed into the limo with a sigh. The driver shut the door, and for the first time he noticed Vince sitting across from him.
"I thought you were going to be in meetings all day," Punk whispered shutting the privacy glass and moving across to the seat that Vince was occupying.
"I wanted to surprise you," he said, "I took a little break to receive you and show you around the condo and them we can get a bite to eat you can ride with me back to the arena if you wanted or you can stick around at the condo or you could go to the hotel and find your friends, it'll still be early."
Punk nodded.
"How are you? Did you have a good flight?" Vince asked putting his arm around Punk and pulling him close.
"I'm fine," Punk said, "it was okay, I didn't get much sleep last night I tried to sleep on the plane but I couldn't. How are you today?"
"I'm great especially now that you're here," Vince said, "Are you having trouble with your insomnia again Phillip?"
He nodded, enjoying the feel of Vince absently stroking his bare knee as he rested his head on the man's shoulder.
"I think what you need most this afternoon is a nap," Vince said, "I'll show you around we'll get something to eat and then I'll help you take a little nap."
"I'll never get up in time for the show," Punk said woefully.
"I'll make sure you get up on time," Vince smirked, "We have about nine hours till show time. Thanks to that early flight in you got."
"Mmmm," he whispered.
It didn't take long to reach the condo. The driver was opening the door for them. Punk reluctantly left his boyfriend's comfortable embrace and got out. He was about to get his things from the driver but Vince took a hold of his hand.
"You have lots to see," Vince said.
"I have to get my stuff," Punk said.
"He'll bring it to the foyer, and Alejandro and Cristina will bring it up to the master bedroom," Vince assured him.
"I don't want to have them go through extra trouble for me," Punk whispered.
Vince kissed him despite the fact that they were still outside, he'd never been so bold in the daytime with Punk.
"You're sweet, they go through extra trouble for me," Vince said, "they are being paid quite well to do what they do. I'm here so rarely they're probably jumping at the chance to do something other than keep up the property."
Vince took them around the side of the house, it was a Spanish style home surrounded by a huge wrought iron gate that towered nearly as high as the house itself. The driveway was made of intricate Spanish stone, the grass was neatly kept and not brown for January. It was pretty warm day in Florida despite the fact that it was in fact January and Punk had time to drink in the details instead of shivering in his shorts.
They followed the stone pathway around the side of the home, there were generous palm trees and a curved pool, the bottom of which was painted blue to give it an oceanic appeal. The high gate in the back was wooden, and Punk was already picturing himself back here in the summer wearing nothing but a smile, he'd have a real tan all over for once. There was a hammock connected to two of the palms that looked particularly comfortable.
"Are you already thinking about how naked I'll have you out here in the summer?" Vince whispered his gruff voice sending chills down Punk's spine.
"You could have me naked out here right now," Punk said.
"It'll be too cold right now," Vince said, "And I thought we were taking it slow."
"I know," Punk said sheepishly, as he was led onto the back patio.
"I have an outdoor barbeque here and a pizza oven," Vince said pointing it out.
"And a bar," Punk observed.
"I'll have you some Pepsi here in the summer," Vince said with a grin.
"Good to know," Punk said allowing himself to be lead into the house through the sliding glass patio doors.
The walls were canary yellow, and the counter top tiles were festively yellow and green with little birds painted on some of them. Punk was distracted by the cook who was preparing some sort of delicious lunch for them. He had stopped walking and so did Vince.
"This is a beautiful home," Punk whispered looking at the big table, spotting the same green and yellow design with the birds.
"We have lots to see," Vince led him to a little room off from the kitchen, it had a lot of windows and over looked the pool.
It had a plush sofa, and the sunlight streamed through every inch of it, there were a lot of hanging plants, it was like a mini jungle though it was clearly a sun nook. Punk was planning to get a comic book and curl up on the couch and read in this very room later.
Vince kissed him roughly, "What are you thinking?"
"This would be a good place to read comic books," Punk said.
Vince pulled him close their bodies flush, "I could think of a lot of things I'd like to do in this room, with you. But if you want to read comics in here that's all good."
"I would be open to doing other things with you in here," Punk grinned moving his hips slowly against Vince's.
Vince responded by kissing him again, one of those slow claiming kisses. He pulled off reluctantly sucking on Punk's lip ring.
"Trying to distract me before the tour is finished? You'll never know your way around and I'll have to leave after we have an early lunch," Vince told him.
Punk nodded and followed Vince back through the kitchen and into a small living room there was a TV and a couple of couches, nothing like the grandeur of the McMahon house in Connecticut. The next room was a study, everything was dark oak except the computer chair bookshelves towered dominating the little room it was very business in there. Their next stop was a downstairs bathroom with a shower. Then there was a big dining room that led into the other side of the kitchen, finally they'd finished the downstairs and the stair case was in front of them.
Vince showed Punk various guest rooms, and a small gym, a couple of the upstairs bathrooms before he was led into the master bedroom where his luggage was already waiting. The big California king looked quite inviting, the deep burgundy down comforter, and dark furnishings gave the room a gothic appeal.
"Did you want to shower or change?" Vince asked.
"I'm good," he said, "I'm a little hungry."
"Lunch should be ready now," Vince said as they headed back downstairs.
They ate in the kitchen soup and sandwiches, and Punk was even more sleepy. He felt quite relaxed with Vince and he hadn't thought of anyone else since he'd come here.
"Are you sleepy?" Vince asked.
"A little," Punk said, "though I don't think could fall asleep right now. I could use a little help."
The last few weeks with John and Nikki he'd been sleeping very well on the road, he liked to cuddle when he slept sometimes just knowing another person was there made it better for Punk and he was able to turn off his mind and go to sleep. The last two nights was a different story. He'd stayed awake thinking about what he was going to do.
"What's been keeping you awake?" Vince asked.
Punk met his eyes but continued to bite his bottom lip.
"You don't have to hide anything from me," Vince said, "is this about Randy?"
"He knows about us," Punk blurted, "You know my journal, I always have it with me or it's in my bag in my locker room he saw me writing in it one afternoon and then he hunted it up while I was in the ring with John. He read it and started blackmailing me for sex, I would only go down on him. I don't know what in the hell I'm going to do."
"You don't have to do anything babe," Vince said with a smile, "I know about everything that goes on backstage, I only allowed that to go on for a time. When I discovered it wasn't something you wanted I asked Orton to step off. If he bothers you again let me know."
Punk nodded.
Vince kissed him, "Let's get you upstairs. We'll see if you don't sleep better just by getting that out."
They made their way back up to the master bedroom. Vince helped Punk out of his light jacket and tee shirt. Then came his loose shorts Vince chuckled when he discovered Punk was going commando again.
"Not that I don't love the easy access," Vince said, "do you ever wear underwear?"
"Well, lately I have been wearing my boxers to bed," Punk said, "As you know Nikki and I have been co-sleeping."
"With John," Vince pointed out.
"Yes," Punk said, "Does it bother you?"
"What if I told you I still sleep in the same bed as Linda?" Vince asked, "Even thought I don't."
"I'd still be fucking pissed," Punk said, "it'll stop, Nikki was in the middle last night though."
Vince nodded, "Well, that's how I feel. John and Nikki are both so beautiful, the thought of you sharing a bed with them no matter how platonic makes me feel like that."
"Compromise?" Punk said a small half smile lifting the corner of his mouth.
Vince put his hands on Punk's bare hips and gazed into his eyes, "I'm listening."
"I'll room with them for the house shows and we'll travel together," Punk explained, "We'll get a double room, and Nikki will sleep with me some nights and some she'll sleep with John. On the nights we film I'll be with you, if you'll have me."
"I think I can deal with that," Vince said, "so long as you're always honest."
"I wouldn't have gotten involved with you if I wanted anyone else," Punk said looking at Vince through his lashes.
Vince pulled him close, and Punk was reminded of how naked he was and how fully clothed Vince was and how most of their transactions were like this. He wondered why, even though he felt vulnerable and exhilarated and he felt sexy when he would normally feel insecure.
Vince's hands left their neutral position on his hips, "I think I can agree with that, if you'll come out with me tonight. We'll go dancing."
"I know how to dance, not the kind of dancing you're expecting though," Punk said poking out his lower lip.
"I'll teach you," Vince said, "did you want invite your friends to come along, it's a salsa club that'll be pretty empty besides the bartender and the band. We can make a night of it make it feel like a real date."
"Since you went to so much trouble," Punk smirked, he knew for sure Nikki would be down and John would tag along and make things awkward but no more awkward than dancing alone with Vince at an empty nightclub he'd rented out it would be worse than the pottery class that they'd taken together.
Vince kissed him softly pulling off slowly, "I want you to lie down. I'll give you something to look forward to tonight."
Punk climbed in the bed deciding to tease a bit he knew Vince wanted him on his back but instead he got on his hands and knees and looked over his shoulder at the man making sure his ass was poking out, "Like this?"
Vince groaned, "I'm well aware that you have a great ass. I could write songs about it, but you know I actually wanted you on your back. I was going to get you off and help you get to sleep."
Punk turned to find Vince removing his clothes he'd gotten the reaction he wanted.
"Now, I'm going to fuck you hard and make you scream," Vince said, "that is what you've been pushing for baby? Taking it slow isn't going fast enough for me either."
Vince joined him on the bed with a condom and lube and Punk practically dived in his lap kissing him feeling those firm shoulders under his hands their erections brushing together making him moan into the kiss. Vince smoothed his hands down Punk's sides, before moving around to cup his ass. Punk broke the kiss and rolled off him so he was lying on his back watching expectantly.
"Ready to behave?" Vince asked.
Punk nodded watching the older man roll on the condom and coat it with the lubricant, he applied some liberally to his fingers and settled himself between Punk's legs. One slick hand winding itself around Punk's leaking erection and the fingers of the other hand were teasing his entrance. Punk pulled him into a kiss, as a wet finger entered him, he arched up into Vince's fist which was stroking him.
One finger then two were scissoring inside him stretching him brushing against his prostate making him break the kiss to cry out. He had missed this, too much.
"I'm ready," he gasped.
"Just one more," Vince said, "I don't want hurt you."
Punk nodded, "I'm going to…"
"It's okay baby, let yourself go," Vince told him, before all three of his fingers brushed Punk's spot.
White hot pleasure washed over him, his cock pulsed then emptied and Vince stroked him through his orgasm. He cried out nearly folding in half when he came, it took him forever to get his wits about him, Vince had settled between his legs and was stroking his thighs watching him with a smile.
"Ready?" he asked the older man.
"More than you know," Vince said, "why haven't we filmed ourselves having sex?"
"Because someone always finds those sex tapes," Punk said dryly, "There's always some scandal. I can see the title already, One Night in Punk."
"I think the world could benefit from knowing how beautiful you are when you cum," Vince pointed out, "Besides I want more than one night in you."
Punk blushed, despite the crass statement the sincerity in Vince's voice did something to him. He pulled Punk's thighs up and entered him slowly, driving to the hilt in one stroke. He stilled gasping.
"Better than I remember," Vince whispered, "We have an STD screening tonight. Once the results come back I'm so getting rid of these condoms."
Punk only moaned in response, because Vince had pulled nearly all the way out and was slamming back in making sure he hit his prostate dead on. A few more strokes his still pulsing cock started to stiffen once more from it's trapped position between their stomachs, Vince had Punk's legs all the way up and was slamming into him.
"I'm close baby," Vince breathed in Punk's ear his hand slipping between their bodies to grasp Punk's cock.
He thumbed the head and stroked him in time to the fast thrusts driving Punk over the edge again and he followed suit when Punk tensed around him.
"We're amazing together," Vince said kissing Punk's neck, "you won't believe how much I've missed you."
Punk could only nod in agreement he wasn't sure he could form words. He was so relaxed, his thoughts so far from what had plagued him the last few days. Vince held him close for a few moments as sleep threatened to take him completely he felt safe and wanted something he hadn't felt in a great long while. He allowed Vince to help get him cleaned up and under the covers before he allowed sleep to claim him.
John was annoyed, Punk had chosen to go be with Vince yet again, he checked into the hotel with Nikki opting for a double room. He'd put his stuff away and went hunting for the hotel's gym.
"We just got here Johnny where you going?" Nikki asked from where she was draped out over one of the double beds reading texts from her boyfriend.
"Going to work out for a bit," John said, "I can't sit here and think about what they are probably doing."
"They're probably having lunch," Nikki said nonchalantly.
"He's having Punk for lunch," John said, "if I had Punk at my place I'd be doing the same thing. It's my own stupid fault we're not together."
"What if you had gotten together with Punk?" Nikki asked, "And Vince came around and asked Punk for a second chance? He'd say yes to find out if there was anything left, that would leave you in the same place. I thought you'd just wait in the wings for Vince to fuck things up with Punk like he usually does, and sweep him off his feet. Just stop thinking about what they're doing, you need to be thinking of things to put yourself on Punk's radar. You shot down all my suggestions so you come up with some. It's exhausting being the brains of this operation."
John rolled his eyes, "Well, put your shoes on. I can't stay in here any longer. I keep thinking about the two of them in bed together and it's driving me insane."
Nikki got up sliding her phone into the pocket of her tight jeans, and slipped on her boots, she adjusted her hair in the mirror and grabbed her light jacket and sunglasses.
"Ready!" she said flashing him a big grin.
Lunch was fine, Nikki was more than a distraction for John she was his best friend. She knew what to say and do to cheer him up. They made their way back to the hotel going their separate ways once inside. She was going back up to their room and he was heading to the hotel's gym.
He found Justin Gabriel better known as Paul Lloyd on the treadmill. He gave the man a quiet hello and took up residence on the weight bench. He was surprised when the man stopped what he was doing to spot him.
"Can't have the face of the WWE getting mangled in a bench pressing accident," Paul gave him a slight smile from above him.
John returned the smile he hadn't spent much time with the man since the Nexus days, the man could do some high flying moves. John pumped out three sets without resting in between, Paul grabbed a hold of the bar and wouldn't let him pull it off the cradle. John looked up at the man somewhat exasperated until he met kind brown eyes.
"You're going to rest or you'll hurt yourself," the man said his South African accent made the words sound more refined than they really were, "and you're going to tell me what's bothering you."
"Nothing's bothering me," John said grudgingly.
"I know a lie when I hear one, especially from someone who is usually the most honest guy I've known," the South African said.
"I don't want to talk about it," John said.
"I know we're not the best of friends, but you can talk to me," Paul said, "I've been told I'm a good listener."
"Thanks man, it's nice of you to offer," John said, "I'll think about it."
He couldn't exactly talk about this with Nikki, because Nikki had a vested interest in both himself and Punk and she would do her best to stay neutral not to mention she would offer some unsolicited advice that would get him into trouble. But telling the man would mean that he'd have to lay his secrets out for another person to see and he wondered if he could do it.
"Why don't we hang out tonight after the show's over?" Paul asked.
"That sounds nice," John said.
"Want to do another set?" the South African asked.
"Yeah," John said.
"You gonna take it easy this time?"
"Yes," John said.
"Alright," the man let go of the bar and stood back to spot John.
They finished the last set and went their separate ways to relax and shower before the show, John found Nikki in their room reading a comic book sprawled out over her bed with loud rock music playing. Across from her on the bed was Punk which was not at all what John was expecting but if Punk was here in the room with Nikki he wasn't at Vince's condo having sex.
"Hey John boy," Punk greeted turning pages in his comic sounding chipper and looking pretty well rested for once.
Nikki who had been giving her comic rapt attention since he'd come in, finally sat up on her knees on the bed excitement coloring her features, "I know you wanted to tell him, but I can't help it!"
"Calm down Nikki, you can tell him," Punk said.
"We're going dancing tonight," Nikki said, "Vince commandeered a salsa club for his date night with Punk and asked him to invite friends for the club atmosphere."
"Yep, so consider yourself invited," Punk said barely looking up from what he was reading, "It's off Market Street in downtown Orlando."
"This is so exciting," Nikki said, "I'm going to wear the red one shoulder dress and I dare Brianna to wear hers."
"Could you wear panties tonight?" Punk said, "Kofi is likely going to be your dance partner, and when he throws you around I'd rather not see your lady parts."
"That goes double for me," John said holding up two fingers.
"My lady parts are a thing of beauty and sight to behold," Nikki said, "everyone thinks so."
Punk met John's eyes and started cracking up.
"Why does everyone have to see it?" Punk said, "you should save that for a someone special, like a nice Jewish boy we all know. He wouldn't want you going around flashing your vag to Jerry the King."
"King is coming?" Nikki asked horrified, "I might not wanna come because it's soo not gonna be a cool party if he's there. Busting out eighties moves a step away from a broken hip trying to fuck the younger Divas on the roster.
"I told you, you can invite whoever you want," Punk said, "I was told to invite friends, you two and Kofi were the only ones I cared to give a personal invite too. I'm supposed to just show up wear something hot and have fun. We can leave the cool list to you."
"Lemme see your phone Punky Pal," Nikki said.
Punk tossed her the phone just as John was sitting down on the double bed on the other side of the room.
"You don't mind me hanging out here?" Punk asked the question directed at John because Nikki was busy typing away on his phone, "I did kind of ditch you two at the airport."
"We're cool," John said.
"Vince left early to go back to work, and it's still about three hours till show time," Punk wavered a bit.
"It's okay," John assured him.
"I don't want it to be weird between us," Punk said before he went to chewing on his lip ring.
"I just need to get used to the fact that you're dating someone and you won't be available to spend as much time with me as I've gotten used to," John said.
"Who knew you could string together such a politically correct pansy ass reply?" Nikki said.
"What?" John asked.
"I'm just calling them like I see them John," Nikki said, "Remember nothing ventured nothing gained if the angry squats and bench presses you just did didn't make you feel any better maybe telling the truth will."
John blew out a breath Punk had moved so he was sitting up right on the other bed staring at him.
"Now I'm gonna take this out into the hall," she said, "Gonna personally invite Nattie to our party tonight."
"Please be honest with me," Punk said once Nikki had left the room, "I don't want our friendship to change no matter who either of us decides to date."
"It's hard," John said, "knowing that you go home to him, that he had you before I even knew you. That there's so much history between you that I can't even get close to you because he's swooping back in sweeping you off your feet, renting out clubs so he can take you and your friends dancing? Seriously Punk I didn't think things like that turned you on."
"He's taking me out to do normal things," Punk said, "And the fact that he's including my friends makes me feel special, not like I'm some mistress."
"But you are," John said being honest for the first time about how he really felt about the situation with Vince, "You are the side piece in the equation, but you don't have to be."
"He's not going to divorce his wife," Punk said, "There is nothing between them and as far as I'm concerned their marriage died years ago. They haven't had sex in nine years."
"I'll buy that," John said, "Vince is super gay, and he's gotten to old to bother faking it with the wife, so he picks up a new boy toy. Which would be you."
"You told me you'd respect the fact that I was with someone," Punk said sounding hurt.
"I do respect the fact that you're with someone," John said closing his fists because he ached to touch the man across the room, "the fact that I'm not kissing you so hard you can't breathe right now, is about as much respect as you'll get because kissing you is all I think about, you asked me for the truth."
"I did," Punk said gazing down at the floor.
"I don't want things to be weird between us either," John said, "I've got to get used to it. It was easier, before…you know…now it's all complicated."
"Why is it that I went for months nary any interest from man, woman, or insect and then all this happens at the same time?" Punk asked aloud.
"Oh, I was definitely interested but too much of a chicken shit to do anything," John said, "A part of me wishes I would have said something then, and another part of me wishes I could play it cool like I could then. But I can't pretend Punk. I remember that I've had you and I don't want anyone else."
"John…" Punk said.
"I gotta shower," John told him, "I'll be out in a few."
Punk lie back on Nikki's bed, the conversation with John was too intense, Nikki had bailed after initiating it. Typical Nikki pull the pin throw the grenade and bail before the room gets blown to pieces. This time though the causalities were Punk's confidence in his relationship with Vince. The nagging doubts were still there. The more Vince did to drown them out they always returned. Punk hated that he was a side piece, and it didn't matter that they couldn't be open with their relationship, the fact that he was still married to her hurt Punk.
He hated that John had caused these feelings to have a resurgence within him, and it was his own fault he'd asked John for honesty. What in the hell did he do that for? Now he'd be back to sleepless nights and begging his boyfriend to getting him off so he could use the post-coital bliss to shut his restless mind off. Had he made the right decision? While with John he couldn't exactly be open with either, they couldn't show up at the Teen Choice Awards holding hands, or walk a red carpet together could they? But it was more accepted than being with Vince.
Then crept in his defiant streak, who really gave a fuck who he was dating? He always struggled to keep that part of his life private. Except for a few pictures of a bar outing with Maria there wasn't any visual proof of his dating life on the internet. He'd been spotted jogging with Amy when they were together she was actually less inclined to PDA than he was which was saying a whole hell of lot. He and Vince were together and that was all that should matter to him, and anyone who didn't like it well they could go to hell. So what if Vince was married he didn't love his wife he'd put forty something years into his marriage built a business with the woman, they were older he didn't want the scandal of divorce he didn't want to hurt the woman who'd helped him all those years.
Then another nagging thought crept into his mind, Vince was probably protecting his assets. Vince was pretty cocksure in the early days, he probably never had Linda sign a pre-nuptial agreement. Vince divorcing her and leaving her for a male employee in his company, she'd walk out of that courtroom with everything Vince had and Punk would probably be fired the next day and they'd both be over at TNA he'd be wrestling someone like Hogan hoping he didn't break the man's hip delivering a suplex and Vince would be General manager of whatever failing show they had on Tuesday.
Punk nibbled his lip, he wanted to be wrong about it and he wasn't going to get to be bottom of it, because who fucking asks his boyfriend if he has a prenuptial agreement with his estranged wife? It was going to eat away at him. He should have stayed at Vince's reading comics in the sun nook safe inside his world of action heroes.
He knew that breaking up with Vince never solved anything he still wanted him. What was the point in leaving him, he would always want Vince until he resolved in his head that it wouldn't work anymore. And it worked it just didn't have a future. Did he want a future? Did he want forever with one person? A forever with Vince?
He had to remember to take deep breaths, he was starting to hyperventilate. Nikki had come back into the room, and was checking on him he couldn't hear anything she was saying to him. She shook him by the shoulders, and then everything came back into focus.
"What in the hell Punk?" Nikki asked, "I thought I was gonna have to call 911. I'm not leaving you alone with John if this is what happens to you."
"This is too hard Nikki," Punk said, "I thought I had it figured out that my choice was made but I just don't know."
"I'm sorry honey, I pushed you into some of those choices," Nikki said, "Wanna go for a walk? It'll help clear your head."
Punk nodded, and Nikki pulled him up off the bed, she wrapped a comforting arm around his waist and they left the room. They walked aimlessly around the hotel spending some time on the upper level deck looking down at the people who bustled around floors below.
"Do you think that the reason Vince and Linda are still married is because he never bothered to get prenuptial agreement before they were married?" Punk asked his friend.
"Why are you suddenly so bothered by Vince's marital status?" Nikki said, "it's not like the two of you could get married legally anywhere other than a few states."
"You don't think it's going to work either?" Punk said.
"I want it to," she explained, "for your sake, you're heavily invested in this, how many years have you been with Vince?"
"On and off for about five years," Punk explained.
Nikki nodded, "I think Vince is doing the best he can to do right by you. What if he decides he wants something different, he did the same with Linda."
"He couldn't be with who he wanted at that time, he got married and had children it was what his father wanted," Punk told her, "he built something with her, and I understand what he's saying when says he'll tear it apart of if he left."
"Is love mutually exclusive to legal monogamy in your mind?" Nikki asked.
"I don't know," Punk said, "that's what's hard."
"Do you think if he told you he was in love with you would it be enough?" Nikki asked.
"I used to think it would be," Punk told her.
"Why don't you think that now?"
"Because I never thought I could get him to fall in love with me," Punk said, "and now I think he is, and you know me once I start getting my way I'll just want more, and more. I always have to want what I can't have. As long as I thought he'd never get close to falling for me, the more I wanted it and now that I've got him where I want him I'm not sure that's what I want."
"Are you listening to yourself?" she asked, "c'mon on Punk be realistic, nothing is ever perfect unless we're talking about your ass… you either want to be with Vince or you don't the more you psychoanalyze it the more confused and miserable you're going to be. And I want to see you happy okay? We're not talking about forever here, because who knows what's going to happen next month."
Punk let out a giant sigh of relief, he wasn't too good at living in the moment unless he was in the ring, he was always focused on what would happened next if there was another height of unattainable elevation that someone said he'd never make it to. He couldn't live in the moment as a child because if he had nothing would have ever gotten done, too many people in his household were living in the moment, and he was sure his father thought it was still 1987.
"Look down there," Nikki said Punk did as she asked and looked down at the people on the ground floor outside enjoying the day, "all those people laughing and talking, enjoying the day. Why can't you do that? You have a boyfriend who I think you're in love with. And you're here trying to make sure things aren't awkward with you and John but things are going to be awkward with John. He's in love with you and you chose someone else, it's not the end of the world it happens. You two needed to have a conversation about that. I facilitated that but I didn't think he was going to say whatever he did that put you into this indecisive mindset."
"As a result I'm going to have a talk with John Boy, he shouldn't have made you feel badly about your relationship with Vince," Nikki said, "he didn't see the way Vince was with you in Chicago compared to the way he was in the hallway. Whatever you talked about with him in his office really got him to change his approach. And I like it. So long as he's not sneaking around with you hiding it even from us. You deserve to be able to flaunt your relationship a little. Haters gonna hate, that's what they do. And John is just a little jealous. Usually it's cute on him but today he's being a real shit."
"He's right," Punk said, "he reminded me of what I'll never be with Vince."
"Why do you care about that?" Nikki asked.
"Would you care if Scott had a wife somewhere?" Punk countered.
"If they hadn't had sex in nine years? I wouldn't give a damn about that bitch," Nikki said, "but I would use every trick up my sleeve to make sure he got rid of her."
Punk was listening, he was sure he didn't want to get married, and right now it wasn't possible for him to be legally married to man in Chicago. Why was it bothering him that Vince was still married? Maybe because the outside world regarded him that way, because all the media talked about was what terrific husband he was and though he could have strayed and left his wife for good he had not. Which wasn't the case at all, the two of them were merely roommates making use of the ornate and lavish home that they'd built together, both of them too obstinate to retreat from it.
"What should I do?"
"Stop over thinking things," Nikki said circling around him so she was standing in front of him, "the way I see it, you're with Vince and if that's what you want and he's giving you want you need from him the rest is just extras."
"Did you want to get married someday?" Punk asked Nikki.
"I thought about the day what I'm going wear, and who I'm going to be with," she said, "but then I think about all the shit that happened with my parents, and I realize agreeing to one perfect day and having years of misery to follow it isn't a good idea."
"It's fucked up that someone else's marriage is wreaking havoc with us," Punk sighed.
Nikki nodded, "It's hard to even think about that, I haven't seen or talked to my dad in years. Nor do I want to. He tried to play me and Brie against our mother and when that didn't work he didn't have any use for us. It's bullshit. You should know better than anyone else, marriage is just something some people do for show. And I feel like that's what Vince's marriage was and still is for show. You have a chance to have something real with him. If you want it."
Punk nodded and they made their way back around to the room John and Nikki were sharing. She gave him back his phone.
"It's been buzzing in my pocket for the past ten," Nikki said, "some one is desperate to talk to you."
Punk looked at his phone, he had ten texts and six missed calls. Two were from Vince, four from John.
He called Vince back and Nikki grinned before pulling out her keycard, "Johnny and I need to have to discussion while you talk to your honey."
"I came back to wake you up and I find out you're long gone," Vince said once he answered the phone.
"I got a couple hours sleep," Punk said, "I'm not really good at sleeping alone though you did do a good job putting me to sleep. You should have stuck around to make sure I stayed that way, but I know you have work."
"Where are you?"
"At the hotel with John and Nikki," Punk asked.
"Did you ask them if they wanted to tag along tonight?" Vince asked.
"Yes," Punk said, "Nikki even did me the favor of asking Colby and Joe if they wanted to come along too. Of course they'll bring their roommate."
"Did you ask Kofi?" Vince asked.
"He said he would come though he was a little leery about us being back together," Punk said.
"I know this whole earning your trust means I gotta get your friends to trust me too," Vince said, "But I'd do anything to get you back."
"You have me," Punk told him, "I love that you're including my friends in this, it makes it feel real. Not like something I'm hiding."
"No more hiding baby," Vince said, "I'll see you in a bit?"
"I'll come to your office when I get there," Punk said.
"Good boy," Vince said.
Punk spotted Kofi coming out of a room down the hall, and Kofi came walking over grinning, "You know you asked me earlier if I'd go to the club with you guys and I said yes, you didn't need to text me again, you know."
"It wasn't me," Punk said, "I gave my phone to Nikki so she could invite whoever she wanted."
Punk looked at his phone for the first time since Nikki had texted out the invites, "Well apparently she invited all my contacts."
"I was just feeling real special because I got two invites," Kofi said, "now all I feel is lame."
"It's going to be even worse tonight," Punk said scrolling through and finding that Nikki had inadvertently invited Randy Orton as well, "she invited Orton too."
"Vince will probably order his teeth to be kicked in if he so much as looks at you funny," Kofi said, "And John will be just jealous enough to do it, should make for an entertaining evening."
"For everyone who's not me," Punk said.
"You need a ride to the arena?" Kofi asked looking back for his roommate, "Stephen and I were going to get a taxi."
"Yeah, let me tell Nikki I'm going ahead," Punk said knocking on the door to John and Nikki's room.
Nikki pulled it open, she was red faced and John was staring at a the far wall a tale tale sign that they'd had a real argument, and Punk felt bad because he knew it was about him.
"Hey, I'm gonna go ahead to the arena with Kofi and Stephen," Punk said quickly, "be sure you bring a change of clothes because we're going to the club right after."
"We'll see you there," Nikki said.
Punk gave her a questioning look and she gave him a small smile, he left the room taking his bag with him and she shut the door just as Stephen was walking out into the hallway with his stuff.
"How's it goin'?" Stephen asked with a smirk, "is this a joke?"
Stephen pulled out his phone and showed the text message of the hastily typed invite that Nikki had sent to all his contacts, she had misspelled party in her haste, he winced realizing everyone would think it was him who'd made the error. Nikki had given him great advice today, so he could take credit for her little typo.
"Nope," Punk said, "tonight downtown just off Market Street, the salsa club."
"You're going to be dancing?" Kofi asked.
"To salsa music?" Stephen echoed.
"Yes," Punk said indignantly, "it's my boyfriend's idea of a date night, and I'm told normal couples go dancing. Since we couldn't exactly go do that with people we didn't know he rented it out and said I could invite who I wanted."
"It's weird dining and dancing alone with an old rich guy isn't it?" Kofi said grinning.
Punk glared at him.
"You have a boyfriend?" Stephen said with a smirk, "how come I'm the last to know these things? I thought we were friends Punk."
"It's pretty recent," he shrugged as they walked out to the waiting taxi, "we just started seeing each other again in the past week."
"You gonna tell him who it is? Or are you going to give me the ultimate pleasure of watching his eyes bug out when he sees the two of you together?" Kofi said.
Punk laughed and shook his head, "Kofi…"
"What? A guy has got to have his fun," Kofi said.
The ride to the arena was filled with Stephen's story about how he'd met a nine year old fan who was battling leukemia a few weeks ago when they visited a children's hospital.
Upon arriving at the arena they all headed for the locker room, Punk got dressed in record time, he'd chosen the black and white gear for the night. Kofi was still slowing around setting his gear out.
"You know the show doesn't start for another hour right?" Kofi asked.
"Yes," Punk said, "I need to get stretched out."
"There are so many snide comments I could make with that phrase," Kofi said.
"Snide comments are my thing," Punk said, "keep it up Kofi and I'll show up next week wearing dreads. See how you like it when I steal your look."
Punk left a smirking Kofi and a texting Stephen behind and headed to Vince's office. He wasn't looking where he was going he was checking his phone hoping to find a text from Nikki, and he ended up colliding with a hard body.
"Excuse you," Punk said still not looking up, he'd been keeping to the right of the hallway so much so that his shoulder touched the wall as he walked and he felt he had right to be snarky as he was over as far as he could get in the hallway.
"Fancy running into you," the distinct drawl of Randy Orton sounded from in front of him, "You've spent all this time playing hard to get and now you're practically knocking me down."
"I'm not just playing Randal," Punk finally looked up, "I am hard to get."
"I will have you one way or another," Randy vowed, "whether the old fool likes it or not. I doubt he can fuck you hard without his hips breaking."
"Your crass statement just lets me know how jealous you are," Punk said, "Green is not a good color on you Randal. If you'll excuse me, I need to see my boyfriend."
"We both know you're not getting what you need," Randy said, "you'll come to me in time. Maybe tonight you might even save me a dance."
"What?" Punk asked.
"You sent me a text inviting me to the salsa club on Market Street," Randy said.
Punk rolled his eyes, he was going to kill Nikki. Well maybe not, he might yell, or give her a stern tickling.
"Yes," Punk said, "feel free to bring a date."
"Are you available?" Randy asked.
Punk groaned and sidestepped the man continuing his journey to Vince's office.
"If you want me to make you jealous I will," Randy called down the hallway.
Punk shook his head and ventured down another series of hallways until he found what he was looking for. He knocked and the door was thrown open by Hunter and Hunter scowled.
"I didn't want to believe it when Steph told me," Hunter remarked.
"What's it to you anyway?" Punk asked his first instinct was to go on the defensive.
"Well, I was gonna say Vince seems happier than he's been in a while now that you're back doing whatever you do to him," Hunter said, "But do I really got to witness it at a salsa club on Market?"
"Did you get the text too?" Punk asked, "Nikki sent a mass text from my phone."
"Yes, but not before Vince invited me and Steph personally," Hunter said, "Normally we wouldn't but she claims I haven't taken her dancing since our wedding. So I've got to pull out some moves. Thanks a lot Punk for being such a high maintenance boyfriend."
"I was just looking for you," a hand landed on Punk's shoulder turning him around.
Vince was standing there he pulled Punk close and Hunter chose that moment to make a great escape. They ventured further into the room and Vince shut the door and started kissing Punk. He wound himself around the older man effectively turning his mind off. It didn't matter if Vince was still married, he made Punk feel something and it was nice.
"You're tense," the man observed.
"I had a run in with Randy," Punk said, "I kind of a accidentally invited him to come tonight, but don't worry I think he's gonna bring a date."
"He'd better be moving on," Vince said.
"No such luck he's Randy," Punk said.
"Your match isn't until eight. Do I take your appearance here in your ring gear for you planning on spending time with me back here while I meet with Stephanie to strategize for Sunday Night?" Vince said.
"Yes," Punk said.
"You actually want to see what I do?"
"Now that I'm actually allowed to see what you do?" Punk countered, they'd been so clandestine before it was pathetic.
"Why don't you come be my assistant when you take your vacation next month," Vince said, "I'd love to see you in a cute little outfit getting coffee filing papers and fucking you on top of my desk."
"Are you sure I'd let you get any work done?" Punk countered, "the way I see I could crawl under your desk and have a lot of fun distracting you. Which is what I'd planned to do tonight I was going to hide under your desk and not make my presence known until you sat down. I was going go down on you while you talked with Steph about plans for tomorrow."
"Steph and Vickie," Vince corrected.
"You never said Vickie was going to be here?" Punk said, "she's okay I guess but her voice is so grating, I don't know if I can stay in the mood if she's going to be around."
"Understandable," Vince said with a chuckle, "I got something for you. It just arrived a little while ago. I sent someone out to collect it. I want you to tell me what you think of it."
Vince took a rectangular box off the table, it was a the kind of box a bracelet or a necklace came in. Punk's heart rate sped up, he didn't know how this was going to go over at all. He wasn't some chick getting excited about jewelry, he would have preferred for Vince make a charitable donation or something or buy him some rare comics or something, than for him to buy him some jewelry.
Vince opened the box Punk peered inside at the diamond studded leather collar, it was pretty and he would be inclined to wear it when he were alone with Vince, there would be too many questions to wear it in public. He was aware of Vince's desire to possess every bit of him, though the older man had never been in to the BDSM scene but he was very into the idea of owning Punk. Something that gave Punk mixed emotions, it was as close as he'd come to any kind of commitment with them but he was never the type that did well with being caged in.
"I'd like you to wear it tonight," Vince said, "when we go out after the show. Will you?"
"Yes, of course, it's really nice Vince," Punk said.
"I'm serious about this you know," he said.
"So this is like a promise ring or something?"
"I guess you can say that," Vince said, "I'd just like to see you wearing this and nothing else, the thought of you wearing diamonds and leather and nothing else is sexy as hell."
"How much?" Punk sputtered.
"Not telling." Vince said, "You're worth every penny and more…"
"I can't…"
"You can and you will," Vince said, "You have more presents waiting for you outside."
"What?" Punk said.
"C'mon," Vince said.
"But I just got here," he pouted, "wanna kiss you some more before Vickie and Steph get here."
Vince took his hand and led him out of the room to the maze of the backstage part of the arena, outside there was a luxury tour bus every bit as nice as the one John owned and only used when there was great distance between venues and little time to arrive.
"You bought me a bus?" Punk asked incredulously.
"Yeah, you can get your buddies together and travel with them," Vince said.
"John already has a bus," Punk said.
"You have other friends besides John," Vince said, "Kofi, Stephen and April would love to hit the road with you in this. You'll have a driver at your disposal 24/7."
"Vince," Punk sighed turning to face his lover, "what's your game here?"
"What?"
"If it bothers you that I travel to shows with Nikki and John talk to me about it," Punk said, "if you weren't cool with the suggestion I made to compromise, you could have said so. You didn't have to go out and do all this. You've never tried to buy my affections before why have you started now?"
"If you think I'm trying to buy your affections you're sorely mistaken," Vince said, "I know this doesn't impress you. And if you were that kind of man I would have bought you a country by now if that's what it took to win your heart. I did this before we talked about John and Nikki and I still am a little jealous about you spending all your time with them. Especially with John who is more interested in you than ever seen him interested in anyone."
"So," Punk said, "I'm with you. I've never seen you jealous before Vince, I must say I'm impressed that I could make you that way and a little annoyed that you dealt with it by buying me things. I was hoping for a manly showdown in defense of my honor."
"Phillip," Vince warned, "You know I'd try to fight it out with every bit of competition in a mile's radius if it meant that I'd get to keep you."
"I know," he said, "but you need to know I'm here. No more gifts, just you."
Vince pulled out his phone.
"What are you doing?" Punk asked.
"Cancelling the jet," Vince said seriously.
Thanks to all those who reviewed, I've been working super hard on this chapter. It was way long and I had to split it up, as for the second part it'll be up sooner or later.