Hello Heartache

by Rebellecherry

With the ink barely dried on his divorce papers and he can no longer deny the secret that he's hidden his entire life. John Cena finds himself growing close to CM Punk an equal in the company a sometimes adversary and always an attractive distraction and he just might be the best heartache John has ever had.

9. Party People

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.

Super nervous about this one, but here goes.

Party People

Mania Week was hectic, Punk was debating asking Vince to see about getting him a clone, but that would lead to bad things he was sure. He'd never done so much press before in his life but he loved meeting the fans even the ones who were smug and insipid and made snide remarks.

He caught Vince passing by when he was in an interview. He mouthed help me and watched and Vince resisted the urge to laugh he gave a shrug and continued on his way. Things had gone well after the Chamber and Punk felt he was no close to making a decision but he knew the arrangement couldn't go on much longer. He was beyond sexually frustrated, and going on the competing dates with his men left little time for sleep, lucky he was a certified insomniac. Then there was Randy they'd been spending time together, sometimes having deep meaningful conversations sometimes in utter silence as they read together two polarizingly different works of fiction. He had to admit it was nice hanging out with Randy and they put on some decent matches together during their rivalry.

Punk had guessed nearly everyone in the locker room when it came to Randy's secret crush.

"Won't you just tell me?" Punk asked on the third night of Wrestlemania week when they were in the hotel room Punk and Nikki shared while the latter was gone out on the town with Scott.

"Tell you what?" Randy asked looking up for his book from where he lie sprawled out on the floor.

"Who is this person you're so wild about?" Punk asked.

"I told you, you don't know him…" Randy said.

"You've been saying that for month give me his initials then," Punk said.

"Not telling," Randy said.

"I'll get it out of you one way or another," Punk vowed, "and when you least expect it."

"I don't think you can handle the truth," Randy said.

"Don't you A Few Good Men me," Punk said raising back up on his knees.

"What are you gonna do about it?" Randy asked sitting up and suddenly he had a lap full of Punk who was trying his best to tickle the truth out of him.

Randy had little to no reaction to being tickled, in fact he managed to reverse their positions and start in on tickling Punk.

"Your boys are getting pretty frustrated, which one do you choose?" Randy asked.

Punk yelped in response and pushed his hips against Randy's which was a particularly bad idea as it brought their groins in full contact, and to make matters worse Punk was wearing next to nothing and Randy was clad in only pair of pajama pants.

Punk could feel himself start to get turned on despite the fact that he was being tickled to the point where he couldn't breathe he was laughing so hard and he tried to squirm away. But Randy held firm their hips colliding again and Punk couldn't stop the moan of pleasure that was bubbling out of his throat. Another twist of his hips and little more friction just where he wanted it. Randy had by now stopped his tickle onslaught and was staring right at Punk who couldn't break the gaze if he tried. He locked his legs around Randy's hips and ground against him again this time the little moan of pleasure was louder and more unabashed.

He could feel Randy's erection against his and see the shock in the man's blue eyes. Punk knew that he should stop this now, he and Randy were friends now and he shouldn't fuck this up.

"Punk," Randy's voice pulled him back to reality, "I think we should stop. You're sexy and enticing in so many ways…but I think I need your friendship more than you need a meaningless fuck."

Punk pulled away and Randy rolled off him. They sat in silence for a long time.

"I'm fucking everything up," Punk said.

"You're not," Randy assured him.

"I am…" Punk said unable to stop the sobs stuck in his throat.

"Fucking hell, don't cry," Randy said.

"I threw myself at you," Punk reminded him, "knowing you're in love with someone else. Knowing that I have two some ones of my own."

Randy pulled him close, "I'm shit at consoling people, and being in my arms is what started all this shit in the first place but I can't see you miserable."

Being held by Randy Punk felt something he hadn't felt in some time. He felt safe there was no pressure to choose, and he was so overwhelmed he let himself break down. He was so frustrated so emotionally drained.

"You can let it all out," Randy soothed him rubbing soft circles on his back.

Punk was finally all cried out and deeply embarrassed for everything he'd done and he felt so worn out he could hardly hold his eyes open he couldn't stay awake if he wanted too.

The soothing feeling of hands carding through his hair woke him and he wasn't sure how long he'd been out. He was aware that he was in bed, he could hear the low buzz of the TV playing. He could feel the warmth of skin against his, and he felt safe and it was something that was so nice about that. He tried to remember the last thing that had happened. He remembered blatantly throwing himself at Randy, being an emotional wreck and then crying himself to sleep in Randy's arms.

"You're okay," Randy whispered, "I've got you."

"I'm such a crybaby," Punk whispered his head still on Randy's chest.

"You're not," Randy said, "You're one of the strongest people I know. But everybody breaks down it's human nature, and you've been through more than most."

"I'm sorry for being so high maintenance," Punk said looking up through his lashes.

"You help me when I need it," Randy said, "you've been saving me weekly for a couple months now. It feels pretty good to return the favor. You don't have to be sorry for anything especially not when it comes to you and me."

The door opened and neither of them had time to move before Scott and Nikki were in the room.

"Holy-" Scott started staring at the two men cuddling in the bed.

"-Punk?" Nikki asked.

"This awkward," Randy said still holding on to Punk.

"Please guys don't stop on our account," Scott said, "I beg you to continue."

Punk sighed, "Guys I can explain, it's innocent."

"About as innocent as Britney Spears first music video," Nikki said before regarding her boyfriend, "I've got to give to you that was pretty hot."

"See…" Scott said.

"What?" Randy said.

"Please, don't listen to a word they say," Punk said.

"Explain if you must," Scott said, "if this matches a prompt it's gonna be you and me Nicole in public venue. Bow chicka bow wow."

"Ooh, what about at Mania? The roar of the crowd can be quite the aphrodisiac," Nikki said her attention completely on Scott.

"Someone is likely to see at Mania," Scott reminded her, "There are like a million more stage techs and low card superstars buzzing around hoping to be granted a last minute match. I might even show up in my gear."

"We could make our match a mixed tag match with Bryan and Brie," Scott suggested.

Punk decided to finally move out of Randy's arms, already missing the comfort he'd felt.

"That would be totally awesome!" Nikki squeaked, "Vince would totally let us do it if Punk asked real nicely."

"And if he did the thing where he looked up through his lashes," Scott said, "we'd probably get matching Lambos."

"I don't do that," Punk said.

"You do," Randy said laughed, "you just did it like five minutes ago."

"It's so adorable," Nikki cooed.

"What about the lip ring thing he does?" Scott asked.

"We all know that's a tactic to get whoever is angry at him to think about his mouth and forget what they were mad about," Nikki said.

"Guys! Should I just leave?" Punk asked.

"No," Nikki said, "you could have put a sock on the door I would have understood. No, I wouldn't have, what in the hell are you doing? As hot as it is in theory, but come on really? You and Randy?"

"It was an accident totally my fault," Punk said, "I was tickling him trying to get the truth. He'd just told me I couldn't handle the truth, and I was totally gonna prove I could and then it got a little sexy. There was hips and friction. It's been a really long time since I've gotten laid. And hell I've been so busy I can't remember the last time I've even gotten myself off. Then I started crying and he was comforting me and I fell asleep."

"What?" Nikki asked, "You didn't bang?"

"No," Randy said.

"You two lay in bed and cuddled? No sex involved?" Scott asked.

"Nope," Punk said.

"I think I should go now," Randy said getting out of bed and slipping on his shoes.

Punk watched him biting his lip ring wanting to ask him to stay but not finding the words.

"You're damn right, get to stepping," Nikki said marching Randy out.

Scott joined Punk in the bed, he and Nikki were wearing their matching shirts that evening, her with a pair of short jean shorts and him with black jeans that were pretty fitted for his friends usual style he had a feeling Nikki had picked his pants too.

"Okay, Punkers, it's time for us to have a little chat," Scott said, "as much as I'd personally like to see you with Randy, in fact you don't know how much I'd like that. This isn't the way to go about it, you'll be back to that place of guilt and regret if you would have followed through with it. You have not only one but two boyfriends this time. Sleeping with Randy would accomplish absolutely nothing right now, it might ruin your friendship with him and cause you to lose what you have with John and Vince."

"I wasn't going to sleep with him," Punk said, "it was my body's reaction to his body."

"That's not a good thing," Nikki said.

"He's hot? I don't see how it's a bad thing but we're just friends barely friends at that," Punk said.

"I see how it could be a bad thing," Nikki said, "You have to wrestle him in a few days on the grandest stage wearing a lot less than you wore tonight. What happens if some of those feelings bleed over into the match?"

"Randy and I are professionals," Punk said, "I think we can handle fighting in ring arousal, I mean come on. Haven't you seen any of my matches with John the UST could kill a horse."

"Yeah a smutty fanfic reading horse," Nikki said, "Not sure what you're going to do about this one."

Punk stood up, "I'm going to go talk to Vince."

"You know what's going to happen when you go up there," Nikki told him.

"I don't," Punk replied.

"Some sort of sexual act is going to take place, and you know it," Scott said, "and we'll be back at square one. I really want you to be happy, but are you sure this is it?"

"I love Vince," Punk said.

"You love John too," Nikki pointed out, "and clearly there's something between you and Randy."

Punk sighed, "There's nothing between me and Randy. He's hot, I'm horny, it could have happened to anyone."

"Seriously?" Scott said, "are you going to feed me that line of crap, because I don't buy it. I know you probably better than you know your damn self."

Punk shot him a glare pulled on a pair of jeans, he was already wearing one of Scott's promotional tee shirts and slipped on some sneakers he put on a hoodie.

"Where are you going?" Scott asked.

"I'm going up to Vince's room," Punk said grabbing Nikki's purple blanket and stalking to the door, "I'm not asking for permission, you two can act like my parents as much as you want but you can't stop me."

"If we were your parents, we'd give you a bare bottomed spanking!" Nikki shouted after him.

They were actually staying at the same hotel for once, Vince was up in the penthouse, he had tried his best to ply Punk to come up the night before.

He made his way up to Vince's room. Vince answered the door clad in his pajama pants, he was wearing his reading glasses, Punk could assume he was looking over some files for work.

"Phillip," Vince smiled, "what do I owe the pleasure? Have you decided to take me up on my offer?"

Punk tried to smile as Vince let him inside.

"Want to come in the bedroom?" Vince led him through the penthouse suite and into the bedroom.

Punk spotted his second journal on the bed.

"I should give you back this one," Vince said hand him the first one back.

"You read it all?"

"Yes," Vince grinned, "I know all about your first time and now I feel privileged to tell you mine."

"Really," Punk said excitedly before remembered why he was here, "I have something to tell you first."

"I know that you and John have been doing the same then we've been doing the groping the kisses down to your waistband," Vince said, "we're closing in on decision time."

"It's not that…" Punk blushed, "I knew he'd tell you."

"What is it love?" Vince asked as Punk sat down on the foot of the bed.

"I'm so sexually frustrated right now," Punk said, "I can't remember the time I've even gotten myself off. It was house shows here and then a Raw in there too. I've either been booked in the ring or on dates. Then I've been spending a bit of time with Randy."

"You told me," Vince said tensing at the mention of Randy, "I don't like where this is going. Did he hurt you?"

"NO!" Punk said, "Randy's been nice, we've been palling around a bit and then there was this tickling thing tonight and we were rolling on the floor. All over each other bodies fused together, and I got hard and quick I started moaning and pushing my hips against his a little more. All he did was look at me shocked. Then I got all emotional. Fortunately, Scott and Nikki came back from their date."

Vince was laughing, "My poor darling. You must be about to explode. I'll take care of you all you have to do is make me your choice."

Punk pouted, "It's not funny Vince. It was Randy of all people. We might be cool now but let's not forget all the things we've said and done to each other."

"I think you're okay," Vince said, "Randy was shocked and he was actually being considerate of you. Because he probably could have taken advantage right then even span of time before Nikki and Scott arrived back. You know he's attracted to you and obviously you find something about him attractive."

"You're not mad?" Punk bit his lip ring.

"I would be if I knew you had feelings for Randy," Vince said, "We don't need to make this is into a quintet otherwise it'll turn into one of those of Love Shows they had on VH1 remember those? What ever happened to them you don't see them anymore? And I was hoping to be a contestant on Punk of Love."

"They got canned," Punk said, "there was thing a murder suicide with a contestant and woman he married."

"Really?" Vince said, "I was so counting on being a contestant on Punk of Love."

Punk laughed, "I'm glad I came here tonight."

"Me too," Vince said, "you look tired."

"I had a little nap before I came here," Punk smirked before biting his lip ring.

"Doesn't mean you couldn't use another," Vince said, "Come lay with me."

Punk did as he was told kicking off his shoes and taking off his hoodie before joining Vince in the bed.

He tried not to focus on the fact that he was lying in his boyfriend's arms not feeling half as comfortable and safe as he did with Randy. He tried not to think of Randy and what he was starting to feel for him. Thoughts swirled in his head as he tried to feign sleep while Vince read his journal. Pretty soon he drifted off. When he woke again he was alone. Glancing at the beside alarm clock he realized it was well after eight.

"Love, it's time to rise and shine," Vince said walking into the room dressed impeccably in a suit.

Punk rolled over and rubbed his eyes, "I can't believe I slept all night."

"Feel better baby?"

Punk nodded, "I should go. I'll see you later right?"

"Yep, we'll do lunch," Vince said.

Punk gathered his things the purple blanket and his first journal and headed back to his room. He ran into a familiar face in the hallway.

"I thought I'd be the only doing a walk of shame," a rumpled Jon Good had stepped into the hallway out of penthouse suite that was clearly not his.

"I was with Vince, and I sadly report to both of us that nothing shameful happened last night," Punk said.

"Really?" Jon said.

"Yes, really," Punk said.

"I'd think that you'd see more action with two boyfriends and that whole thing you got going with Randy," Jon said.

"Randy and I are just friends," Punk defended as they stepped into the elevator.

"Friends who stare into each other's eyes and have secret whispered conversations," Jon said, "People that I thought hated each other laughing at each other's jokes."

"We have good ring chemistry and we've bonded," Punk said coming up with another miserable excuse.

Jon smiled, "You might have everyone else fooled but not me."

"So where were you coming from?"

"If you must know," Jon said excitedly, "I ran into DeWayne and we made good friends and he invited me to his room to get to know each other a little better."

"You're kidding me," Punk said.

"Nope," Jon smirked leaning against the elevator wall, "he's a generous lover too. I'm a little sore but I took everything he gave me."

"I didn't know he was…"

"Me either until he started talking to me at the hotel bar," Jon said, "it's a shame you're attached, he mentioned you. We could have all had fun."

"Mentioned me how?" Punk said.

"We were talking about the guys on the roster, and the thing with you and Vince came up," Jon said, "he didn't even know you swung that way or he might have tried his luck with you. Let's face it you can work a pair of tiny trunks, and during your World Champ reigns we couldn't even see your trunks when you wore one night I swore up and down you weren't wearing anything under it and parading around an arena."

"I'm pretty sure I looked ridiculous," Punk said.

"You were sexy, and you know it," Jon said, "people were appreciating it. I'm just saying."

"Thanks for the honorable mention," Punk said, "and be careful with him. You don't want to get attached because he's never around."

"It was what it was," Jon shrugged, "he's in for the week. If he's down to fuck so I am I, it's been forever since I've been fucked like that. Some of us don't have two boyfriends to take out our frustrations with."

"I'm not fucking them," Punk said, "it's endless dates and I'm so frustrated."

"Had I known that I would have definitely sent you a text," Jon said.

Punk blushed, "Thanks for the compliment and for the offer."

Jon reached out and grabbed his arm, "Punk…"

"Yeah?" he glanced at his friend.

"Nothing…" Jon bit his lip and looked away, Punk left him in the elevator more confused about things than ever.

Jon had made it clear when they met that he'd be down for sex with him, but Punk kept things on a friendship level. Eventually Jon stopped his teasing come on's and this was the first time he'd bothered to proposition Punk in months. He wouldn't have meaningless sex with anyone and Jon wasn't the relationship type. He felt like Jon had something to tell him, the man was typically forthcoming even with information Punk didn't want. He recalled a time visiting developmental to commentate on a big match, and Jon walking up and telling him when they were alone that his chest hair and beard looked creepy.

Punk made his way back to the room finally entering the hotel room he was sharing with Nikki and Scott to find them in their workout clothes sitting on the neatly made bed watching the door almost if they were expecting him.

"Well, well, look what the cat dragged in," Scott said.

"That was a good album by the way," Nikki said and Scott poked her and the she shook her head her expression going back to stern, "You're right, no Poison album references."

Scott nodded.

"Just where were you last night young man?" Nikki asked.

"I was at Vince's," Punk said sliding off his sneakers.

"Hmm…" Scott said.

Nikki stood and observed Punk she took his chin and tilted his head to either side, "No visible marks."

"Vince is old hat at this he's a lot better at hiding his hickies than John," Scott reminded Nikki.

Nikki shrugged.

"Nothing happened last night," Punk said, "we slept, there wasn't even any kissing. It was nice."

"You do know that in going there, you were inviting trouble?" Nikki asked.

"You act like I've got no self control," Punk said.

The incredulous looks on his friends faces made Punk freeze, "You really do think I have no self control."

"You have amazing self control," Scott said, "but not when it comes to stuff like this. You're at your breaking point. It's time to choose, this can't go on for much longer. You have to know that."

"I know," Punk said.

"Go on grab a shower and get dressed," Nikki said.

"We'll deal with this over pancakes," Scott said, "we'll do things the way we do them at baseball season."

"Really?"

"Fantasy boyfriend draft picks," Nikki said excitedly, "I haven't done this since high school. Me and Brie always did it so we didn't have to fight over boys, which was kind of ironic because we don't even like the same type of guys. Well there was that one time she stole my boyfriend."

"I must hear more about this," Punk said rifling through his suitcase and finding a tee shirt and some tight jeans.

"There's really not much to tell, I met a guy I liked," Nikki explained, "We went to prom together. We all hung out after and the next day he called and said, he liked Brie better."

"That sucks," Punk said.

"You're lots more fun than Brie she talked to me about kale yesterday, what in the hell is kale?" Scott asked.

"I don't even know," Nikki said, "but if you leave me for Brie, I'll start dating Punk."

"I'll have to date Bryan too if I dated Brie, so that's not gonna happen," Scott said.

"Why don't we both date Punk?" Nikki asked.

"He's dating most of the roster anyway, and nobody is really putting out so I don't see why we couldn't," Scott said.

"Don't I get a say in this?" Punk asked, "besides I'm only dating two guys."

"Well, it's now three and a half guys because you and Randy haven't acknowledged what you're doing is dating, and one girl," Scott said.

Punk shook his head laid out his blazer to take to the arena with him maybe no one would notice how tight the jeans were. The WWE universe would have something to say for sure. But then he remembered what he wore to the ring and decided that it wouldn't matter what he wore the fans would like it if he showed up in his ring gear sans under trunks.

"Why are there 200 channels and there's never anything good to watch?" Nikki asked.

"It's one of those ancient mysteries," Scott said.

Punk made short work of showering and dressing. Nikki was lounging on the bed looking bored and Scott was staring at her. He definitely needed to talk to his friend. He needed to man up when it came to Nikki. Punk knew that he and Nikki were similar creatures and if she wasn't getting any she was getting antsy. But she didn't have a choice hanging over her and a definite end to one relationship, she had everything to look forward to and so did Scott and Punk didn't understand why the two weren't boning all the time. They'd waited a lot longer than the acceptable amount of time before sleeping together, there was vested interest they had conversations that only made sense to showered and dressed in record time. Scott had changed into jeans and tee shirt, while Nikki was still wearing her workout clothes flipping through channels on TV.

"Are you ready to go?" Nikki asked patting her toned stomach, "I'm wasting away here."

The movement was not lost on Scott.

"I'm ready hold your horses," Punk said sitting down to put on socks and shoes.

"You take longer to get dressed than a bitch," Nikki said.

Punk had considered himself pretty low maintenance but he didn't even afford himself a little time to deal with his sex drive to at least kept some of the desire at bay. He had to sit in a booth for hours doing a meet and greet then there was this charity relay race thing then Vince had something planned for the roster. Punk was planning something himself for Scott and Nikki so they could finally seal the deal, if he wasn't getting laid they sure as hell needed too. He felt guilty for having them baby-sit him all the time. He'd bunk with Kofi or Randy if need be for the rest of the week.

They were having breakfast when Nikki pulled out of her huge purse a dry erase board and marker. In her concise handwriting she wrote two and then three names across the top and drew lines under them.

"Where in the hell did you get that?" Punk asked.

"She stole it from a sandwich shop we went to," Scott said proudly.

"We're going to write down what you like about each guy," Nikki said.

"Why is Randy on there?" Punk asked.

"Don't act like you don't know," Nikki said.

"There is something there, whether you admit it or not," Scott pointed out.

"You guys are just seeing something because you want to see it," Punk said.

"Well, he seemed to get you pretty turned on last night," Nikki said shooting a look at Punk.

"It could have happened to anyone," Punk shrugged it off.

Nikki wrote under the Randy column, makes Punk hot.

"Nikki!" Punk squeaked.

"So, it's true," she said.

"What about Vince?" Scott carefully steered things in the right direction.

"He's sexy, commanding, generous, he's fighting to hold onto me, and not to mention he's really kinky," Punk said.

"But you did mention it," Scott said, "you know I might not be able to live this down."

"I heard we were doing karaoke tomorrow night," Nikki said, "you'll have a harder time doing the song we're doing."

"Say it isn't so," Scott said, "Please don't let it be anything from a Disney Movie."

"Nope," Nikki grinned.

"At least you've afforded me my dignity," Scott said, "If I'm going to die from embarrassment up there at least it'll be with my dignity."

Nikki laughed at her boyfriend, "Okay what about John."

"I think John is exceptionally sweet, and he's good to me," Punk said, "he's beautiful, and he's very nice, he treats everyone like they're his friend whether they've earned it or not."

Nikki wrote quickly.

"Okay, now we're on to Randy," Scott said.

"I'm still figuring out who he is," Punk said, "and he's not even involved in this, Randy and I are just friends. I like hanging out with him it keeps us both from doing things we'll regret."

"You like spending time with him and learning more about him," Nikki said writing in the Randy column.

"Now Scott for the cross examination," Nikki slid the board and marker to Scott.

"What are some things you don't like about Vince?" Scott asked.

"I'm never sure I can really trust him, because of our relationship last time around," Punk revealed, "I'm scared that because whenever I really think about I can't see him for how sweet his being now, I just see him as the man who broke my heart repeatedly."

Scott nodded and wrote something down on the board.

"What are some things you don't like about John?" Scott asked once he'd gotten down what he wanted to write.

"I don't like that sometimes he swallows me whole," Punk said.

Nikki let out a chortle and Scott almost choked on the sip of orange juice he was trying to have.

"Not like that!" Punk said, "Sometimes things get really intense really fast between us and it feels so good I

I have with him."

Scott nodded and started writing on the dry erase board again.

"Are you saying that things are too sexual between you and John?"

"He doesn't know me I mean not really," Punk said, "I've got to open up to him let him know who I really am, then there will be more between us."

Punk stood grabbed his bag and made to leave.

"Where the fuck are you going?" Scott asked.

"I'm going to go do that right now," Punk said, "I'm going to catch up with John."

"Wait," Nikki said around a mouthful of pancakes, she took off her red scarf and put around Punk's neck and ruffled his hair which he'd spent too much time getting neat.

"Nikki!"

"You look hot," Nikki said, "go, do what you need to do."

Punk gave her a look before sprinting out of the restaurant.

---

John was running late, he prided himself on being punctual for events but the night before he'd spent too much time hanging out with some of the younger guys on the roster. Paul was still not speaking to him which made the evening out just a little bit awkward and John started slamming shots. He'd woken up with a not so pleasant hangover. He'd scrambled to shower and dress to make it to the site just a few minutes late, he was sure no one would notice.

He opened the door to let himself out of the hotel room, when he found Punk there preparing to knock. The shock on the other man's face and the slow smile that replaced it. He looked amazing, so sexy his tight jeans grey blazer and red scarf his hair adorably mussed. John really couldn't help himself, they hadn't spent any time together in a few days.

"Hey," Punk said and everything he was about to say was swallowed up by the kiss John planted on him pulling him inside the hotel room.

Punk kissed him back intently, even wrapping his legs around John. They found their way to the bed, kissing and groping until Punk pulled back.

"I came here to talk and catch a ride," Punk whispered giggling as John's kisses lingered at his throat.

"Right, we are supposed to be somewhere right about now," John mumbled against Punk's skin.

"And we left the door open," Punk pointed out.

"I think the people could stand to learn a few things," John said simply.

"I think that Vince would kill us if this got out," Punk said, "Answer me one question, first do I look ridiculous? I feel ridiculous. I let Nikki accessorize me, I got out of there before she could add one of those fedoras. Do I look like a hipster?"

John got out of the bed and extended a hand to Punk and pulled him up, "I think you look great… so sexy."

"Really?" Punk said.

"Didn't you notice by the way I manhandled you before you could get two words out," John said, "Let's go before we end up breaking the rules."

"Yeah, there is a reason why I came here," Punk said, "I know that we've been connecting physically, and that's all well and good. But I haven't opened up emotionally as much as you have and I want us to have that connection too."

"Okay," John said frowning, he hadn't pushed for information abut Punk's past, maybe he should have instead of just mauling him every time they were alone.

John led them to the elevator.

"I mean I'm not really good at this whole thing," Punk said stepping into the elevator.

"I think you're pretty good at talking about yourself," John said, "I know what pretend you're cutting a promo."

"Fuck you," Punk nudged him, "here I am trying to be deep and romantic and you make fun of me."

"The shy and retiring flower that you are," John said pressing the buttons once the door closed.

"Damn right and don't you forget it," Punk said.

"What's your favorite song?"

"That's subject change from week to week like the weather," Punk said.

"What about your favorite food?"

"I like cakes, why do you think my thighs look like this?" Punk replied, "Every time I have some time off I spend it with Betty Crocker in my kitchen baking things. I like it when Scott and Nikki come over to take some of the baked sin off my hands."

"Your thighs look amazing," John said, "I'm going to write a thank you letter to General Mills, for the part that they've played in this whole adventure."

"Are you interested in me based on just how I look?" Punk asked suddenly, "I mean is the physical all we have between us?"

John laughed, "You've got to be kidding me, but then again, I don't think you would say that disingenuously."

"I wouldn't," Punk said, "I'm serious, I mean what we have is great, but I'm not sure it's more than just physical chemistry."

"Well, if you think that then I must be going about this all wrong," John said, "I've been too laid back I've been scared that I was going to freak you out or smother you by wanting to have those kinds of conversations. I figured you'd open up when you were ready that chasing you would overwhelm you and make you run back to what's familiar, back to Vince. But I guess I've been playing it so emotionally laid back that you don't even think I'm interested in a real relationship with you."

"You were afraid that you'd scare me?"

"I've never felt like this before," John said.

"But you don't really know me because I haven't opened up and shown you who I am," Punk said.

"You think that I don't know you?" John said, "you're the person who made me believe again. I know more about you than you think."

"Really?"

"I've been the one who was looking when you thought no one was," John pointed out, "I've seen you at your worst and I've seen you riding the high from your best. I have been your personal cheering section for two years. Does it matter that I don't know your mother's maiden name or what your favorite color is?"

Punk shook his head apparently suddenly gone mute at John's confession.

"I know that if you sit idle for two long you get restless and you always have to shake your right foot," John said, "I know that you get cranky if you go without caffeine for too long I know that you pretend you're not into the whole romance scene but you like it when I hold your hand."

John slipped his hand in Punk's just as the elevator came to a stop and was forced to let go when the doors opened. Once they got inside the rental John took his hand again.

"So tell me all the things I don't know," John said, "let me see who you really are and if it matches up with the man I think I know."

---

"You're late," Vince said as Punk made his way to his booth.

"Only about fifteen minutes or so," Punk said half of the Superstars were yet to arrive there was a rash of traffic, he'd spotted Nikki and Brie heading into their booth Nikki apparently with her fondness for changing in traffic was no longer wearing her work out clothes but a dress that matched Brie's.

"Can somebody cover up this hickey!" Vince barked and one of the makeup girls scrambled over.

Punk shut his eyes and let the woman work on him and adjusted the scarf.

"I can't remember if I left that or if it was from time spent with John," Vince whispered before walking away.

Time passed quickly, too quickly for Punk's liking before too long it was evening, their long day was over. He was riding back to the hotel to change for dinner with John and then the thing Vince was having at the hotel bar.

"What are you thinking about?" John asked when Punk's attention was focused out the window at the night sky.

"I was thinking about the time when I was ten, and I got left behind on the trip we took to the Grand Canyon," Punk smirked, "I ended up riding back to the hotel with a truck driver. The man is still my friend to this day. I leave him tickets whenever he wants them."

"How'd that happen?" John asked.

"My dad got drunk at the hotel bar, my mom was pissed," Punk revealed, "she wanted us to take pictures at this place in front of this skyline or whatever. They started arguing my brother got in the car and I kind of walked away waiting for it to blow over, when I got back they were gone."

"They didn't notice you were gone?"

"Nope, I slipped back into the hotel room unnoticed they were still arguing," Punk said, "it's was in that moment I realized that other people couldn't help me, but I couldn't trust anyone to take care of me. That's when I started to build my walls. That's when I became this person that would cut himself off from situations that he knew could hurt him."

"Is that why you don't give people a chance to know you?" John said, "is that why you hide from me?"

"Maybe," Punk bit his lip ring, "it hurts less when you find out that people don't give a damn when they don't know you."

"I'm sorry that happened to you," John said, "It doesn't mean that they don't love you. They were wrapped up in their own shit you were a kid and you shouldn't have gotten lost in the shuffle, but you can't hold on to that forever."

"Don't you know what it says about me though?"

"It says nothing about you," John pointed out, "and it says everything about them. I'm not your family, you can let me in and let me see the real you. I don't think there is anything about you that is forgettable."

"You only say that because you've gone to bed with me," Punk replied.

"Is that what this is about?" John said, "you think that I want you only for that?"

"You're a nice guy," Punk said, "I'm an asshole at best, an asshole that happens to be good in bed."

"I don't think you're an asshole," John said, "I think that's another wall you've put up to keep people away."

"I…" Punk started.

"I liked that you opened up a bit tonight," John said, "told me that story from your childhood. It lets me know I'm getting there bit by bit."

Punk smiled.

"What are you in the mood to eat?" John asked curling his fingers around Punk's.

"I'm undecided," Punk said ignoring his protesting stomach he'd only eaten a little at breakfast, and he'd had lunch with Vince and they were talking about Mania and Punk was so excited he barely even ate anything, "We'll get whatever you want."

"Okay," John said, "I'm in the mood for steak."

Steak sounded really good, but Punk knew he had to be careful, this busy week would be full of indulgences and he needed to maintain some control.

The restaurant was fancy, and they probably should have made reservations, there was quite the line.

"I'm gonna go to the restroom," Punk said, "Sweet talk the hostess and get us a good table."

He returned to find John gone, he was hoping that it wasn't a repeat of what happened when he was ten. But there was John striding up. He led Punk through the restaurant to a table where sat Randy and his estranged wife Samantha. Punk knew she was out for the week shooting Randy's DVD and carrying on with their sham of a marriage for just a little while longer. They'd been told to hold off on divorce proceedings until after the DVD's release she was more than willing to do that because it meant more alimony money and more plastic surgery.

Punk couldn't help that he hated the woman a little, though Randy never spoke badly about her and he really had no reason to they'd never even spoken. In fact they'd never talked about her much at all, just in relation to his addiction, Randy had mentioned that she'd tried hard to stop him from using and he'd talked about the time he'd OD'd and that thankfully she'd been there and got him to the hospital. Maybe he hated the idea of her.

"So how are you enjoying Mania week?" John asked Sam.

"Seeing a bunch of buff guys all oiled up is like a dream come true for me," Sam said with a wink, "and for you too John boy."

John blushed and then sputtered.

"Randy told me," Sam said, "your secret is safe with me. I had my suspicions for a while anyway."

"Was I that obvious?"

"You were practically salivating after Punk though it seemed nearly everyone was doing the same thing," Randy pointed out.

"So you're the famous Punk," Sam said, "I've heard a lot about you."

"None of its true," Punk said.

"I didn't think modesty was one of your virtues," Sam said, "I do thank you for looking out for Randy when he needed it."

"You're welcome," Punk said feeling all kinds of awkward.

A waitress came by to take their order, then reappeared with drinks before anyone attempted further conversation.

"So are you two like on a date?" Sam asked.

"Kind of," Punk responded.

"Didn't I see you out with Vince for lunch?" she asked.

"Sam, I told you…" Randy sighed.

"I didn't believe you," she said, "the legends must hold true, you've managed to ensnare the boss and the face of the company. You must be quite the charmer, and let's not forget that apparently you're some sort of locker room sex god."

Punk rolled his eyes, "Most of that is completely false, tell me some things you've heard."

"I heard you had sex with Calloway," Randy said, "I told her that one."

Punk laughed, "Who told you that one?"

"I'm pretty sure it was one of the girls Layla I think and she heard it from one of the guys," Randy said.

"That's not true," Punk said, "I did end up making out with him. And of course he told Michelle, and it probably got out of hand there. Anyone else?"

"I heard you used to fuck Kofi," Randy said, "you two shared a single room a lot. I didn't believe it."

"Kofi and I are friends," Punk said, "we have platonically shared a bed before. I assure you nothing above a PG rating has happened between us."

"What about the girls?" Sam said, "the last time I was here for any amount of time. The story was you were cheating on Beth with Barbie."

"Not true," Punk said, "don't get me wrong I've had sex with both women. But until a few months ago I prided myself on not being a cheater. Speaking of cheaters, I went down on your husband, twice. Granted it was through blackmail but it still happened."

"I know," Sam said, "he told me. He shouldn't have done that."

"You hooked up with Randy?" John said, Punk had nearly forgotten he was there.

"Months ago, the last time was when you found me in that supply room," Punk said meeting John's eyes.

"That's why you were so upset," John said a muscle tensing in his jaw as he turned his eyes back to Randy.

"I'm an asshole, I said I was sorry," Randy said sounding almost sheepish.

"You blackmailed him for blow jobs," John blurted, "and just what in the hell did he have over you that you were so afraid of getting out?

"He knew I'd been seeing Vince," Punk said, "he stole my journal and read it. And the thing about Calloway was in my journal. Not to mention my time spent with Kofi."

"I thought maybe it went further than that," Randy shrugged, "though, given all the things you wrote about doing with Vince I don't see why you wouldn't write about them in that way too."

"I'm curious," Sam said, "Randy never told me about this journal. Did you write everything you did when you were alone with Vince?"

Punk blushed it probably read like a trashy drug store paperback in some places. He thought he'd gotten over the mortification of Randy reading and now he realized Vince was reading the journals.

"Are we going to really do this right now?" Randy asked Sam.

"Color me intrigued," Sam said, "Punk seems to be an astonishing creature, who brings with him droves of men and women who are desperate to go to bed with him."

Punk blushed, "I'm not a slut."

"I don't think you're a slut," Sam smiled, "you can't help it that people just flock to you. The way you fill out those tiny trunks does help though."

Punk blushed.

Sam was back to looking at her menu, "I want to get something fattening."

"Careful honey," Randy said, "you'll grow as big as a whale and I'll divorce you."

"Well, in that case I'll get two of everything," she winked.

Punk shook his head, he didn't understand the two of them at all.

Wrestlemania morning

Consciousness came like thunder, Punk blinked his eyes open. Sunlight was streaming in through the blinds, he groaned and rolled over and ended up rolling onto another body. He blinked open his eyes again to find Randy watching him.

"If this is how a hangover feels then I am never drinking again," Punk said, "consider this a failed experiment in alcoholism."

"Only you had a virgin drinks," Randy whispered ruffling Punk's hair.

"What? Well why do I feel like shit?" Punk asked, "and why did I do all that stupid shit last night? My face hurts."

"It was a successful experiment into a theory of my own," Randy said, "a person can convince their subconscious to believe anything. You thought I was giving you alcohol so you behaved like you were drunk."

"Everything is a blur," Punk whispered.

"Want some coffee?" Randy said, "I made a Starbucks run while you were out."

"Yeah," Punk said pulling away and sitting up, "so that means that I can't blame the things I said to you on the alcohol?"

"Punk…" Randy said, "Do we really need to talk about this?"

"I threw myself at you," Punk said softly, "twice."

Randy sighed.

"I kissed you," Punk said, "and you kissed me back. We kind of made out. We have to talk about that."

"We don't have time to for a discussion like this," Randy said, "It's the big day. We get to wrestle on the grandest stage of them all."

"It's not like we're in the main event," Punk said glumly.

"Please, we'll be better than the main event," Randy said, "watching the Mike wrestle is like watching paint dry. And John is not even going to bother stepping up his game. I know he's your boyfriend but he's gotten complacent as fuck, if we steal the show tonight it'll be his fault."

Punk chuckled, "We need to talk though."

"Fine," Randy said, "I was drunk."

"You weren't," Punk pointed out, "you agreed to only drink as much as I did after those two drinks I said I was done and you stopped too. Two drinks wouldn't have put you out like that, you're like a professional drunk they would have only wetted your appetite. Could you be honest with me for once?"

"If you want honest," Randy said getting out of bed he was wearing his jeans and little else Punk took a moment to admire the man's physique, "I'll give you honest, and you might not talk to me again. It wasn't the drinks that wetted my appetite it was the kisses, I want more of you Punk. More than ever wanted from anyone. I'm not just talking about sex. Remember when I said I'd fallen in love with someone. That someone is you."

Punk was staring at the man in stunned silence.

"I know that taking your journal and reading it was wrong, but I couldn't help it," Randy revealed, "you were just so guarded and I was desperate to know you and after I read it I wanted to have you. I thought that if we had sex just once, it'd be okay and I'd think about it when it got b \ad and I'd be okay even if I didn't have you."

"I know you deserve better and I'm sorry, I shouldn't have blackmailed you. I thought that what we had then was going to be enough for me but it consumed me." Randy said, "Then you started talking to me and we started hanging out and I saw that there was so much more to you than I ever thought and I knew that a guy like you could never want me."

"I'm gonna go, I should go," Randy said once he was finished he brushed a stray tear from his face and started looking for his shirt and shoes.

"Randy it's your room," Punk whispered, "you don't have to go."

"I've lied to you about how I felt for months," Randy said, "I've lay beside you the last two nights wanting so much more. You've let me hold you thinking I was your friend and I…"

"You are my friend," Punk pointed out, "if you weren't you would have tried something a long time ago. I've thrown myself at you twice and you stopped things form going too far."

"I'm in love with you," Randy pointed out, "I can't hurt you again. I don't want to see you look at me like you did the night in the arena after you blew me. You looked at me like you hated me."

"I hated what you were doing to me," Punk pointed out, "I'm straight edge, don't you know what that means? I'm not promiscuous I don't have sex with someone I don't have a connection or a longstanding relationship with."

"I'm sorry," Randy sighed.

"That's something I thought I'd never hear you say," Punk sighed more confused than ever.

There was something here with Randy and he wasn't quite sure what it was. It was more than friendship, he could admit that to himself, but he wasn't ready to tell anyone else yet. But the proof was in the pudding last night he'd thought he'd put his straight edge pledge on the line and consumed alcohol. He'd done it for Randy in an attempt to get him to stop drinking. He'd told Randy he was in love with him and he'd kissed him last night.

"I need a drink," Randy sighed.

"Remember the rule," Punk pointed out, "if I drink you can drink and last night was a one time only deal."

"I don't think I can handle drunk Punk again," Randy grinned.

"Shut up," Punk blushed.

A knock sounded at the door and Randy went over and opened it, standing outside were Nikki and Sam arguing.

"I'm telling you nothing happened," Sam said, "not enough noise was being made."

"But they were all over each other last night," Nikki said, "and something was up with Punk he was very not himself, no inhibitions for once make for a very interesting evening."

"I'm telling you they didn't do anything I've been in the adjoining suite the whole time," Sam said, "I know what it's like when Randy gets a guy off. And let's face it your friend looks like a screamer, and Randy likes it loud I would have heard something if it had happened."

"Punk knows how to handle himself when it comes to stuff like that," Nikki said, "I'm sure he's practiced getting off undetected."

Punk laughed, he really hadn't.

"Apparently, he's never had anyone go down on him the right way," Sam argued.

"Wait…there's a right way? I think my technique is pretty solid," Nikki pouted out.

"Randy taught me some things," Sam said vaguely.

"Really now?" Nikki said, "I expected him to be the type to give head just to get it."

"You'd be surprised," Sam smirked,

"Are you two done?" Randy asked.

"I resend earlier statements about your wife!" Punk said, "she's cool."

Nikki breezed past him into the room. She was wearing the silk robe with the cherries on it that Punk had gotten her to accompany the matching lingerie. Sam came in and shut the door.

"What are you wearing?" Randy and Sam asked at the same time.

"Decidedly a lot more than most our ring gear," Nikki pointed out.

"True," Randy admitted.

"Did you get some last night?" she asked.

"No," Punk whispered, "but I hope you did."

"I did," Nikki grinned from ear to ear, "I put on the smoking hot lingerie you purchased and Scotty was putty in my hands. "

"Good," Punk said, "so something good did come out of last night's craziness."

"He was only here slumming it with me for the past two nights so you can get some," Randy said.

"Don't say it like that," Punk said, "I like hanging out with you. And yes, it was so you and Scott could stop being so damn parental all the time and start getting it in like a normal couple."

Nikki smirked, "I just needed to know you were okay, you were weird last night. And the thing you did in the bathroom…um…yeah…that was pretty nice. I wondered if you were drunk and Scott damn near took my head off for even asking."

Punk glanced at Randy, "I thought I was drunk. Randy made me some drinks before you all got there, they were virgin. I still haven't figured out why I bought the whole thing thinking they were alcoholic."

"Melted black licorice and half a teaspoon of cough syrup," Randy explained, "I used to bar tend after things went south for me in USMC, someone who'd been drinking all night I'd serve that on the last three rounds keep them at an even level so maybe they could get home."

"I told Randy he could only drink if I was drinking," he said, "I cut myself off after two drinks. He'd made a promise, and I got what I wanted."

"I can't believe you'd do such a thing," Nikki said, "you'd put your straight edge pledge on the line."

"I would do it for anyone I cared about," Punk told her, "I'd shoot up if had to stop one you from shooting up you should know that Nikki."

"Are you sure?" Nikki asked.

"Am I sure of what?" Punk asked climbing out of bed thankful that he was still wearing his jeans because it wouldn't have worked if he were naked, "Sure that Randy is worth that kind of sacrifice, you mean?"

"That any of us are worth that sacrifice," Nikki said.

"You know you guys are my family," Punk said, "I'd walk through fire for any of you. And some times I have. I wish I'd been able to help my dad when I was a kid. He finally got sober, but we all had to go through things we shouldn't have before he reached that point and I don't want things to be that way for any of you."

"Damn," Nikki whispered, "I hope that when you need me, I'm willing to do everything I can to help you. You're a damn good friend."

Nikki gave him a quick hug and left with Sam. Punk was surprised she didn't take the coffee.

"We still have more talking to do," Punk pointed out.

Randy was just watching him, "Every time I think you can't do anything to make me fall harder for you something else happens and you show me something else. I don't know if I can keep being friends with you. Especially after last night, I was gonna cut and run after Mania."

"And what? Binge drink? Fuck Nemeth? Get suspended for bullshit? Relapse? You don't get to run from me Randy Orton," Punk told him stepping into his personal space.

"I'm not worth saving," Randy said.

"I know you are," Punk said, "and maybe you forgot about what I said last night. I said that loved you and I meant it."

"But it doesn't change a damn thing you know what I am," Randy said, "I can't be a contender for your heart and you know it I'm too screwed up. I don't know why you said it, why can't we just blame it on the alcohol and go on with our lives."

"I meant what I said Randy," Punk said, "I don't know what it means but I can't take it back. I was surprised when you told me I was the one you loved. There is so much going on I can't even process it. Why didn't you tell me before?"

"You have two men competing for your affections daily," Randy said, "and they're better men than me. Why in the hell would you even consider me I don't have it together, I can't even get divorced until they say I can. They own my ass and Sam too."

"That doesn't matter to me," Punk whispered crossing the small space between them, "our friendship is special, I don't want to analyze it or over think it anymore. But you have to know that I think you're worth it, I believe in you."

"I love you so much Punk," Randy said, "but I can't…"

"I'm not pushing for us to be anything," Punk said, "I just… never thought I'd be here."

"Here with me," Randy pointed out.

"I have this choice to make and it's gotten harder," Punk whispered, "I just don't wanna be wrong about this."

"I don't care who you choose," Randy said, "you won't lose me, I'm here as long as you want me around."

"Promise?" Punk asked stepping even closer hypnotized yet again by Randy's blue eyes.

"I promise," he said, "Nothing more than friends right now. You've got too much going on."

"You're probably right," Punk pointed out, "doesn't change the fact that I still…"

"You what?"

"I want to show you that you're worth it to me," Punk said.

"Don't…" Randy whispered, "you don't want me."

"I think it goes a little bit differently," Punk pointed out, "did you not listen to a word I sang last night at the karaoke challenge."

"I want you," Randy whispered, "I want you so bad sometimes it hurts. But we can't…it wouldn't be right and it wouldn't be enough. I want you in a forever kind of way. But I don't think it's gonna be forever, I'm not a forever kind of guy."

Punk couldn't help the feelings that were swirling in his stomach, he had feelings for Randy and they'd grown pretty deep.

"I burn for you too," Punk said, "and you're right about one thing, it wouldn't be right. But I think you could be a forever kind of guy, with the right person."

"I'm going to hurt you Punk," Randy said, "that is the one certainty in all this."

"You're not going to hurt me," Punk told him with conviction, "I have thought of other possibilities."

"Like what?"

"I've thought about those possibilities before last night," Punk whispered licking his lips, "at least the sexual stuff."

"Did you think about it when you were all moany in the bathroom last night?" Randy asked, "did you think about me fucking that sweet ass of yours?"

"Yes," Punk said feeling just as breathless as he sounded Randy's hands clutched at Punk's hips, "do you think about that too?"

Punk was hopelessly turned on he was a breath away from Randy.

"I think I'm gonna go shower now," Punk whispered.

"Think about me when you play with yourself," Randy said, "I'm gonna think about you. I always think about you."

"Randy," Punk said blushing in earnest, cock harder than before and he hadn't thought that possible.

"Lovely," Randy said, "such a sweet piece of forbidden fruit."

"Don't you want to take a bite?"

"Go shower," Randy said, "jerk off. I'll be right here, taking care of myself. Thinking of you."

"You're going to kill me," Punk said.

Randy gave him a quick embrace his breath lingering in Punk's ear, "Go."

Punk did as he was told stripped down and got in the big bathtub rather than the shower, he was crazy about the nice suites they'd gotten.

While he waited for the tub to fill up his fingers skimmed over his hard nipples playing with the taut nubs and the sliver rings in them. He ached for release, before the orgasm he'd had last night he'd been so busy he couldn't remember the last time he'd brought himself off. Once it was filled to his specifications he got in, his fingers quickly found their way between his spread legs he teased his entrance before he eased a wet finger inside himself, moaning at the sensation there hadn't been time for that last night it'd been a quick one no time for anything but the wet slide of his hand against his length.

To say he was a man with the attention of so many, he was receiving so little attention where he wanted it. He had to stifle a gasp when he brushed against his prostate his nipples and cock becoming even harder. He was so turned on by this point slow strokes of his cock, timed with the his fingers entering him.

"Randy," he panted speeding up the cadence a bit thinking about Randy's lips against his and the cadence of their hips when they danced last night he wished his fingers would get a little deeper, and that he'd planned for this type of play Nikki had provided him with an arsenal of equipment built to satisfy that particular need.

"Yes," Punk whispers turned to shouts upon hearing the increase of Randy's groans through the half open door.

Their chorus of moans accompanied each other as they both reached their nearly simultaneous climaxes. Both of them getting louder with encouragement from the other. When Punk exited the bathroom some considerable time later, he couldn't meet Randy's eyes right away, he was too embarrassed, but if sex with Randy was that hot with a wall separating the two he couldn't imagine the fire that being with him would cause.

Thankfully, the sexual tension died down and they put on a stellar match and Punk accepted congratulatory kisses after the match from both his boyfriends. Not that he minded that much he hated that they ambushed him in front of Randy. He didn't want to hurt Randy and he knew the man had gone through a lot because of him. Hiding their mutual attraction and the feelings that had accumulated between them was burden Punk hated. He wish he knew who he should pick but with the addition of Randy he was more confused than ever.

Randy pulled him into a hug after Vince had been called away and John went to go see the trainer before his match.

"You were great out there," Randy said.

"I'm sorry," Punk said, "I know this isn't easy."

"I saw you be with them before you knew how I felt what's the diff now?" Randy said.

"I don't know, it feels weird," Punk said.

Randy didn't let go of the hug after the normal time for a friendly hug had passed and Punk really didn't want him to, he was and sweaty and his stomach trembled with want.

"Did it feel weird because you screamed my name when you fucked yourself this morning? Instead of theirs?" Randy whispered before pulling away, "I'll never forget that or how shy you looked after."

Punk gulped.

"I'm at war with myself every second," Randy told him, "I'm doing what I can to keep this friendship neutral because another man pawing at you is the last thing you need."

Randy pulled away.

"What I do I need?" Punk asked.

"A good meal and a shower," Randy said, "you're a little ripe and I could feel your stomach growling when you hugged me."

"It was not," Punk said defensively crossing his arms over his middle.

"Go shower," Randy said, "we can grab something at catering, because lord knows you won't eat anything in front of those boyfriends of yours."

"Shut up," Punk said following Randy to the locker room.

"Separate showers," Randy whispered, "I don't trust myself alone with a naked you even if it's in a roomful of people."

"Alright," Punk said gathering his things and heading to the single shower away from the room with many shower heads.

They finished around the same time, Randy was standing wearing a pair of his low slung designer jeans shoes and no shirt looking all kinds of sexy, as he talked to Sam. The room was pretty much deserted and if Sam was anything like Nikki it wouldn't have mattered if it was densely populated with male superstars.

"You did good, Sweet Caroline," Sam said acknowledging Punk's presence.

"What?"

"Ignore her please," Randy said.

"Back when my boy here used to pine for you so bad he used to play Neil Diamond songs," Sam explained, "still does actually, nowadays it's Sweet Caroline since you two were friends. Before it was all Solitary Man and Song Sung Blue. Though he did good with that song last night. Which I'm sure was all about you."

"Seriously, Sam, did you have to do that?"

"Yes, I did," Sam said, "if you let this man and his delicious ass walk out of your life without a fight, then you're crazier than I thought."

"He's got enough assholes fighting over him," Randy said, "he doesn't need one more."

"Damn you've got it worse than I thought," Sam said, "thinking of Punk before your dick. I'm so proud of you you've come a long way."

"Can you give me my shirt so we can go get some food or do you wanna humiliate me more?" Randy asked Sam who grudgingly handed him an Affliction tee.

Punk pulled on shoes and socks, and was ready to go long before Mr. and Mrs. Orton finished their stare down and the three of them headed to catering. It was stiller than Punk had ever seen it, there were only a few production guys and one ref sitting at a lone table Punk knew everyone was huddled around gorilla waiting for the match between Hunter and the Undertaker.

Sam plopped down at the table, "Fix me something to eat man."

"What?" Randy asked.

"Fix. Me. Something. To. Eat," Sam said slowly, "and feed your boy too."

"Fine what do you two demanding people want?" Randy asked heading to the food station.

"Water is fine," Punk said.

"Please, I so heard your stomach growling in the locker room. We'll have the grilled turkey burgers, with all the trimmings on the side," Sam said, "I need a bunch of mustard packets too."

Randy mumbled something but he surely started loading up three plates.

"He's already housebroken," Sam whispered, "he'll do whatever you tell him. You just gotta tell him what you want. He's eager to please, so eager to please just like a big happy puppy. Pet him real good and he'll lick your hand, or some other appendage."

Punk blushed.

"You gotta loosen up some Sweet Caroline," Sam grinned widely, "here I thought you were this mouthy bad ass firecracker, but right now you're just some blushing boy who is trying to hide his feelings."

"Am I that obvious?" Punk asked, "I honestly don't know what I'm feeling. I don't know if I'll ever sort through all of it."

"Why are you doing this to yourself then?" Sam asked.

"I care about all of them, even Randy," Punk whispered, "and what happens if I choose the wrong person?"

"Are you going to let that trap you into loosing all three of them because of indecision?" Sam asked.

"What if I'm not enough?" Punk said, "I wasn't enough for my parents, I'm not enough to make it to the top of this company without banging the boss."

"That's not true," Sam said, "you and Randy were amazing tonight."

Randy returned to the table with three towering plates of food.

"Didn't know what you liked so I got everything," Randy told Punk.

"Wow, thank you, that's a lot of food," Punk said.

"You'd better eat half at the least," Randy said.

Punk did as he was told, giving into how hungry he really was.

"Do you like have an eating disorder?" Sam asked.

"No," Punk said curling his lip.

"How come you barely eat?" Randy asked, "I'm worried about you."

"Jeez, you're just as bad as Cabana and Nikki," Punk muttered.

"Where are your mommy and daddy anyways?" Randy asked laughing.

"Shut up," Punk said.

"I saw them go into a broom closet," she said, "probably for some grown up time, both of them were dressed to compete though one doesn't work here and the other doesn't have a match on the card."

"I so didn't need to know that," Punk said.

"You've unleashed terror up on the earth getting them together you do know that right?" Randy said.

"People probably say the same thing about us," Punk pointed out.

"They say a lot worse about us," Randy said glancing over at the men at the other table who were staring at them, "they're saying I'm only after one thing."

"I don't give a damn what they say," Punk said, "they don't know you like I do."

"They know me for what I am," Randy said.

"You're not that guy," Punk told him.

"I want you to see me for who I am," Randy said.

"I do," Punk said.

"Wow, this just got really intense," Sam said, "do the two of you really not see what's right in front of you?"

---

John knew he didn't give his best in the match with Mike, and despite his annoyance o-meter going up because of DeWayne's involvement, he didn't know when he became this person who phoned in matches. But he was too sore to be bothered, he was gonna have a hot shower and see Punk. He wanted slow kisses in front of a fire place to feel that firm soft ass under his hands. He needed to hold him. To really put in the time that they needed, he felt like time was running out and he was desperate for whatever time he could grab with him.

He showered and dressed out after his match eager to find Punk. And find him he did in a crowd of people standing beside Randy laughing and looking so amazing. He'd not figured out when the two of them became thick as thieves but last night was too much they were hanging all over each other singing songs they were nearly as bad as Punk was with Colton any time John could have spent with Punk the night before went to Randy, Colton, Nikki and Vince. If he didn't know better he would say that Punk had gotten pretty drunk last night.

Tonight he decided it was going to be different. He walked right up to the crowd and practically pushed the two Matt's out to the way.

"Hi boyfriend," John said offering Punk a dimpled smile and reaching out a hand to him.

"John!" Punk said allowing himself to be pulled into an embrace, "I am so sorry about last night. I wasn't myself."

"It's okay, baby," John said brushing his lips against Punk's pulse point, "I'm a little jealous you gave everyone in the room a serenade but me."

"Just tell me what you want hear and I'll sing it for you," Punk whispered.

"I like the way you moan for me best when I'm deep inside you," John told him in a whispered tone, "I'm ready for you to do that again."

Punk trembled against him and pulled away not meeting his eyes.

"What are you doing tonight?" John asked, "You could be hanging out with me."

"Actually, I'm hanging out with Scott tonight," Punk said, "he's leaving tomorrow right after RAW. We haven't spent any time alone together in a while and I really need my best friend tonight. After that I have the next two days off, what about you? We could stay the one more night you, me Nikki, Randy and Sam."

"Randy and Sam?" John asked.

"Yeah, we could do something fun like go to a museum or something," Punk suggested

John was a bit taken aback he wanted to do something just the two of them.

"Looks like it's you and me tonight Johnny," Nikki said, "we haven't had our BFF time in a while."

"Not since you went and got yourself a boyfriend," John said.

"You too," Nikki nudged him, "so what are we doing?"

"Let's go to get some Chinese and pile up in my room watching Univision," John suggested, "you can translate the Spanish soaps I like."

---

Once the post Mania celebratory huddle was over, and Punk had talked to Vince for a bit who seemed to be swamped with work and had an early flight it was back to the hotel with Scott with takeout in hand, Scott wanted to get some soul food from this little café before it closed and Punk saw the peach cobbler and had to have some since he couldn't talk the kindly elderly owner out of her Madea's prized recipe he'd have to puzzle out the recipe for the sugary death on his own.

"We have much to talk about," Scott said, "was it my imagination or did you get drunk last night?"

"I'm sorry," Punk winced, "the lap dance was totally inappropriate. And oh hell what I did to Nikki."

"It was downright indecent," Scott said, "I'm not supposed to pop wood for my best friend. You're the only one I'd let do that to my girl. You do know that right?"

"I'm sorry," Punk said.

"A blind man can see how sexy you are," Scott said, "but I never expected to react like that."

"I wasn't really drunk," Punk said, "I thought I was, Randy played a joke on me one that was really sweet now that I think about it. He served me virgin drinks before the party got started. My subconscious seemed to think I was drunk."

"That makes no sense," Scott shook his head.

"Do you have any other explanation for the lap dance I gave you?"

"It was pretty hot," Scott said, "Nikki would so be down for threesome if you'd be into it."

"She's told me too many times," Punk chuckled, "other than our inappropriate lap dance, something else happened."

"Like?"

"I think I'm in love with Randy," Punk said.

"I fucking knew it!" Scott exclaimed dumping the contents of his takeout bag on the small table in the hotel room.

"He just took such good care of me," Punk said, "tricked me though I'm so getting him back for that. I was going to give up my lifestyle for him, I thought I was drinking real alcohol he could only have as much as I had. I was gonna do two drinks and then be done."

"You've got Randy so wrapped around your finger it's pathetic," Scott said, "I think he loves you back. Please don't give me this shit about how he's got someone."

"He told me this morning," Punk revealed, "that I was that someone. Sometimes when I'm with him…everything is so still, so perfect. There's no noise in my head no dizzying pressure to choose, I feel needed. We kissed last night too, I threw myself at him again, my most pathetic attempts at seduction yet. Then we had this tension soaked conversation about our mutual feelings and desires. It got pretty hot and heavy."

"Tell me everything! Did you seal the deal? Is Randy's dick as big as the legend says it is?" Scott said stopping the pursuit of his food to clutch onto Punk's shoulders.

"He's hung," Punk said, "but that's a total side note."

"I never got to see him naked while I was still working for WWE," he said, "not for lack of trying but I'd always just miss him getting dressed. That penis is like the Big Foot of locker room legend I can't believe you saw and failed to mention it."

"It didn't happen this weekend," Punk said, "and the story doesn't paint me or Randy in such a great light."

"You're both dicks so what?" Scott said, "I knew that going in. You coulda told me about the dick Punk!"

Punk laughed and looked at his crazy friend, "Sometimes I swear that you and Nikki are made for each other. You both have such an unhealthy interest in my sex life."

"Anyway, carry on," Scott said opening up a container of fried chicken he made a vague gesture inviting Punk to enjoy the deep fried goodness with him.

Punk swiped a leg and picked at it, "I'm so scared. Who do I chose Scott? Do I chose John who loves me so unabashedly but I can't seem to open up to him? Do I chose Vince who wants to give me everything in the world except true monogamy? Or do I chose Randy the man who says openly that he loves me but he'll only hurt me? What do I do Scott? I can't keep this up. These endless dates the no sex thing. I want all of them so much."

"So you're coping to the Randy thing?" Scott asked.

"Yes," Punk said, "that man is fine, I can't deny how attracted I am to him. I was undeniably horny and I've thrown myself at him twice. I ended up fucking myself silly in the bathtub with him on the other side of the wall working his own impressive length over. I've never wanted anything more."

"Shut up," Scott said, "I knew you were starting to get that look."

"What look?" Punk asked.

"The look you always get when you're into someone," Scott said, "don't get innocent on me we go way back remember, and I know you're not."

Punk smirked, "I am not playing innocent, Nikki said that a while back. Didn't know I had a look."

"If we were playing poker that would totally be a tell," Scott said, "you're an open book when it comes to your feelings I can look at your face and tell what you're feeling."

"You think so?" Punk asked.

"You blush," Scott said.

"I don't blush," Punk defended, "it's gotta be the lighting."

"You get this far away look its almost soft and romantic," Scott said, "I saw it before, when Vince surprised you in Chicago but with less fear and trepidation."

"Really?" Punk asked, "If you and Nikki noticed this I'm sure someone else has."

"Someone like John maybe?" Scott asked, "I seriously doubt it. He's either all over you and proclaiming his love for you or watching you from far away looking like he's seconds away from mounting you. Vince is too busy putting himself over with you to notice anything, renting out nightclubs and buying you fancy things to notice."

"I don't know what to do about either of them," Punk sighed, "sorting through my feelings means I'm going to have to choose, and I have been carefully avoiding it. Thinking that if we stay in limbo like this I won't have to choose."

"How do you feel about them?" Scott asked, "I want to know what's tying you to those two relationships?"

"With Vince it's all this history, and he knows me," Punk said, "I lent him my journals to read."

"That's a big step Punkers," Scott said simply.

"But I'm kind of keeping it close to the vest when it comes to him," Punk said, "he hurt me once and he could very well do it again, its not something I wanna relive. I am never sure if I'm good enough. I've burnt every bridge but this one it seems."

"It's understandable you'd be afraid to get close to Vince again," Scott said, "Not to mention the scene last night with Linda."

Punk looked down, "I was decidedly not thinking about that."

"I'm sorry Punkers, you didn't deserve that," Scott said, "what about things with John?"

"I can't seem to get to the next level with John," Punk said.

"You didn't have a problem getting to the next level with him that night at the club," Scott said.

"I'm able to get to that level with anyone," Punk said dryly, "We haven't been connecting. Well I haven't been connecting. He's opened up to me a lot. Taken me to some really personal places I met his parents, for crying out loud."

"I just haven't let him in," Punk said, "I'm terrified he's going to see the real me and run for the hills."

"He won't," Scott said, "I think he'll fall for you even more."

"I'm just not good with letting people in," Punk shrugged, "and the bad thing about not connecting with John emotionally, he hasn't noticed that I haven't connected. That I haven't talked too much about myself and it hurts a little."

"I'm sorry, but I'm not sure if he's that sharp," Scott said.

"He can be pretty insightful, just not when it comes to me," Punk said, "and who wants a boyfriend that might as well be an alien because you'd need a rocket ship to connect with me."

"You're not an alien," Scott said, "you're decidedly more human then you show people. You've got to let them get past the bluster and see the real you."

"And with Randy it's different, it's easy, we talk, I've told him things that I haven't even told Vince," Punk revealed, "There's no pressure there, he's not trying to get me to choose anyone. He knows all my secrets, and I know his, he read my journal so he already knows I'm an asshole."

"So is he," Scott said, "why is it so easy with Randy as opposed to the others?"

"Because there is no possibility of me and Randy," Punk said simply, "he admits that he's not the right guy for me and it doesn't matter how much he wants me or I want him, we know it'll end badly and I can't do that again, I'm lucky I still even have Vince and John in my life after all I've done."

"All you've done?" Scott chuckled, "you fell for two different men. You didn't commit a crime, you just have the biggest heart I've ever seen in action."

Punk smirked, "There's something else I found out, Vince and Linda got married without a prenup. She barged into his suite the other night while we were having dinner in his room started getting all kinds of crazy. He told her he wanted out, she said he'd have nothing left. He told her he was going to make her life a living hell if she didn't give me the respect I deserved. Then she was gone, he told her not to come back. Then we hashed out plans for Easter. He wants it at the big house, and I don't care because it'll be my first dinner party."

"Seriously?"

"Come on don't you remember those holiday dinners we had on the run in between shows at this dive and that dive? They beat out every holiday dinner I've ever had with my parents. I just want that, you know."

"That's gonna be a hell of a job you know," Scott said.

"I want everyone to come, especially you and Nikki," Punk said.

"We're not being your kitchen buddies we nearly took out the whole hotel making grilled cheese that time," Scott said.

"You did it with an iron," Punk reminded him, "and Vince had to do some groveling at the hotel, and I had to tell off the fire department."

"The chief asked us if we were Jerry's kids," Scott laughed, "I think that means he thought we had developmental problems."

"They probably were taking about King. Promise me that if things really get serious with you and Nikki you'll hire a cleaning lady and a cook, because otherwise you two will be sunk," Punk said.

"We were planning on moving in with you and that's how it's going to be," Scott winked and dug into his chicken and mac and cheese, "that way you can see Nikki's boobs whenever you want and keep the house tidy."

Punk smiled at his friend.

"So what the hell happened last night?" Scott asked.

Twenty four hours earlier

All the speeches were done and it was time for dinner, Punk was pretty happy, he'd sat with Randy and Sam listening to their hilarious commentary, and now it was time for dinner, and he was going to get to sit with Vince out of all the gala events they'd been to and all the ways he'd been fucked before after and during he'd never got to sit at the table with Vince, but there was a little, little place card with his name on it he was tucked carefully between Stephanie and Vince. Which meant that they conversation would go all through dinner she was going to pick his brain about who needed to go over and who didn't.

"Are you having fun Phillip?" Vince asked holding tight to Punk's hand ignoring a few looks they got from old timers, but the cameras were off and Vince was the boss and he didn't seem to care what anyone thought.

"Are you Phillip?" Hunter and Stephanie joined the conversation, Stephanie rolled her eyes at her husband, things had been weird with them lately Vince had reported.

"I am," Punk said as Vince pulled out the chair for him and he tried not to glare at the laughing man while Hunter did the same thing for Stephanie under the woman's stern gaze.

"I bet you are having fun," another voice joined the conversation, "since you stole everything from me you little slut."

Punk was more than a little shocked that Linda was standing behind them wearing a glittery ensemble, and a ton of real fur.

"Mom?" Stephanie asked looking all kinds of embarrassed.

"And you sit here like there's nothing wrong with it," Linda said.

"What in the hell are you doing?" Vince got up from his chair, "I will not have you barging in here uninvited making a scene."

"My invitation was implicit after all I do own a percentage of the company throwing the event," she said coolly, "even though you behave like I don't exist. I still have one up on you Vince. I have not nor will I ever care about how you deal with your… desires in private, but to bring this scruffy little mongrel to an event like this…parading him around like he's… something special. Introducing him to shareholders as your boyfriend."

"He is my boyfriend, and he is special," Vince said, "I don't care what you think or anyone else I've kept the love of my life a secret for far too long, just so I could avoid this kind of stupidity. You'll either behave yourself and be civilized or you'll leave."

"You know what I'll leave," Punk said standing and making to leave, "its me who doesn't belong here."

"You belong with me," Vince told him.

Punk blinked back tears.

"You think you've got yourself a prize don't you boy?" she asked, "That he's gonna make everything better, but I know Vince better than most he makes things worse. How old are you anyway? You must be at least thirty, there's probably some twenty year old boy he's fucking behind your back. Younger, tighter, and different still for all he claims to love you there's always someone else something new on his horizon. You can believe me or not kid, I lived it. I am living it right now."

Punk looked at Vince who seemed to be deflated all of a sudden but he didn't have time to think on it because Linda socked him with a big right hand.

"You're nothing," she said as he held a hand to his cheek staggered by the blow, "but an opportunistic whore who gets ahead by getting on his back. That's what everyone here thinks when they see you two together, they know everything you've done in this company is a lie that the only reason you're here is because you're fucking the boss."

"Are you okay?" Vince asked inspecting the damage Linda had inflicted, "none of that is true, baby. She's a bitter bitch."

Stephanie was looking horrified she stood from the table and stepped closer to her mother, "I can't believe you'd do this …you just hit him."

"He deserves a lot worse," Linda said.

"It's assault and there are hundreds of witnesses," Stephanie said, "what's happened to you?"

"My husband has run off with a boy that's younger than you," Linda said.

"I didn't think you cared," Stephanie said, "you've had your affairs too, I don't think you've ever had a tennis instructor you didn't like to fuck. What about the man who lives in the penthouse with you? You're doing the same things!"

"I wasn't flaunting it like he is," she said.

"Flaunting it?" Stephanie asked, "he's hidden who he was his whole life, and now he's in love and he just wants to be open about it. When they first started seeing each other dad sat me down and told me everything about the marriage about the business about how terrified he was about starting things with Phil because he'd found everything he'd imagined for himself in one person."

Punk met Vince's eyes then.

"I think what they have is great," Stephanie said, "you've known something was missing from your marriage for many years, I can't believe you've shown up here now playing the jilted wife, I thought you had so much more class than that."

"How would you feel if this was you standing here twenty years from now?" Linda asked Stephanie, "if Hunter had the gall to bring someone else to an event like this while you were still married to him?"

"I mean if I knew that was what he wanted, I'd hope I'd have the class to walk away and let him have what he wanted instead of rushing in here like this was some big shock," Stephanie said, "they've been together for years. Dad always hid it and he came close to losing Phil because of it. Did you know they didn't speak for a whole year?"

"I would like it if they didn't speak for a whole decade," Linda said, "Don't you know how embarrassing this is for me?"

"It's pretty embarrassing for me how you've barged in here and acted an ass," Stephanie said.

"I'll leave," Linda said, "but the little bitch goes first."

"I'm out," Punk whispered feeling the formation of the bruise on his face.

"Phil wait," Stephanie called out to him but once he was clear of the tables and the prying eyes he ran.

Once he was outside he didn't know what to do with himself.

"Punk!" Randy called sounding completely breathless.

"You saw?"

"Yeah, wanna get out of here?" Randy asked.

"You should stay enjoy dinner," Punk whispered wiping tears, "you're not the whore got chased away from the table."

"They got my meal card wrong, they're bringing me quail instead of chicken," Randy said, "I don't even know what a quail is, and I really don't want to see another McMahon family Smackdown Hunter is probably is waving servers over asking for the check right about now."

Punk smiled slightly, Randy was a good friend.

"There's that smile," Randy said, "let's go."

Randy drove them back to the hotel, the traffic was ridiculous there was some kind of concert that night and a small time basketball game, along with Ceremony and the streets were crowded they'd only gotten stuck for ten minutes but Punk knew it would be a hell of a lot worse after the dinner. They went their separate ways to change for the night at the bar, Punk sadly hung up and packed away his nice Armani he'd felt that he'd looked good in it, he'd cleaned up his facial hair and combed his hair and he'd really tried not to look like a scruffy boy he'd tried to look like he belonged beside Vince. He didn't belong beside Vince because Vince had already picked someone to stand by his side.

Punk packed his stuff, making the decision that he was going to stay with Randy for a while so that Scott and Nikki could finally have some alone time. He put a neatly wrapped package on the bed for Nikki along with a note. If he didn't find happiness tonight someone else would.

When he opened the door to go out Randy was standing there he smiled when he saw his friend.

"I came to help you with your stuff," Randy said, "you said something about crashing with me. To give mommy and daddy alone time. I'm surprised they didn't rush up and kick Linda's ass for talking to you like that."

"Nikki and Brie both got assigned Ric Flair he's probably wandering around telling them and the boys some old wrestling stories they weren't at their table I looked," Punk said, "John is dealing with Irvine who was all the way over at the open bar, none of them saw, I just want this to be good night for them. I'm not gonna tell them so you won't right?"

"They're your friends they should know when someone hurts you," Randy said, "I wanted to punch the old bat myself. I lied about the quail, I woulda ate it. I just didn't want you to be alone right now. If you need to cry or you need someone to listen I'm here."

Punk dropped his stuff and Randy shut the door and pulled him close.

"You didn't deserve that," Randy whispered his lips brushing against the back of Punk's neck making him shiver.

"I'm a whore," Punk whispered.

"You're not," Randy told him, "you're so much more than most people will ever get to see, least of all that old bitch."

"I ruined her marriage," Punk whispered fighting back tears.

"It was wrecked when it started out," Randy said, "Vince was gay long before he met you, you're just the one who made him stop wanting to hide out in the closet. Don't you know how special that makes you?"

"I'm not special," Punk whispered.

"Why do you have half the roster panting after you then? Or the boss putting leather and diamonds around your neck?" Randy demanded, "You can cry if you need to but we're having fun tonight. I wish you could see yourself how I see you, then you'd never let anything anyone says get to you."

"It was so public," Punk said, "nobody is ever gonna forget that. And she hit me…"

"She was out of line," Randy said, "it was probably the pills that she takes, and she drinks like a fish, she was probably completely spaced, she tripped like five times getting to your table and her shoes didn't even match."

"Really?" Punk said.

"I'm serious," Randy said, "the bitch was on something. I consider myself an expert because I've spent the vast majority of my life on something."

"Not anymore right?" Punk looked up at his friend through wet lashes.

"Nope," Randy said, "a conscious effort from here on in."

"I'll be right there with you," Punk said, "you won't be alone in this. You're so sweet for looking after me after all this drama tonight."

"It's no problem," Randy said, "Now go wash your face and I'm gonna bring your stuff down to my room then we'll go down to the bar."

Punk did as he was told, he made it down just after Randy who was already behind the bar.

"What do you know about bar tending?" Punk asked sitting across from Randy on a vacant bar stool.

Randy was behind the counter inspecting the expensive looking bottles.

"Well, aside from the fact that I have consumed a lot of liquor," Randy winked, "I have my liquor license I am a certified bartender and thusly I have appointed myself as such."

"And here I thought you were just doing this to get out of singing," Punk smirked leaning across the counter, "but seriously, are you sure you're going to be okay. I thought you were doing the sober thing. That you were doing the sober thing with me."

Randy sucked in a deep breath and looked away, "It would be a good test for me to see how strong I am."

Punk reached out across the counter and covered Randy's hand with his, "I know you're strong, but this is just torturing yourself."

Randy looked down at their hands and then back up at Punk and he smiled, "Being behind this bar isn't torture compared to everything else."

"I'll be the first to agree that unrequited love sucks," Punk says, "but you gotta tell him how you feel."

"So says the man who has got two men hanging all over him at all times?" Randy laughed, "telling him won't change anything, it won't change me, for that matter or the fact that he has and deserves better than me."

Punk felt guilty that he did feel relieved that Randy had no intention of telling his mystery man how he felt. He liked having Randy to himself, as selfish as it may have been he still liked having him around. Things were easy with Randy conversations could be intense but he never found it hard to say what he was feeling and he never felt judged by what he said after he said it.

"I can't help but to think you tending bar is a bad idea," Punk said, "you know I worry."

"Uh oh, that's not a good thing for my sponsor to say," Randy grinned.

"Sponsor?"

"Yeah, I was gonna find a better way to ask you than this, but I thought what the hell," Randy said, "you've been the one keeping me sober lately."

"You want me to be your sponsor?" Punk asked, "I'm not qualified, I haven't been where you are. I'm just a sanctimonious straight edge bastard."

"Maybe that's what I want in a sponsor," Randy said, "besides I don't think you're sanctimonious."

"That's what you called me the last time we were all out," Punk said.

"Forever ago," Randy reminded him, "I don't see you that way anymore."

"You keep saying that," Punk said, "How do you see me?"

Randy smirked, "I might need some liquid courage to answer that one."

"Come on it can't be that bad," Punk said, "We've spoken more in the past five days than we have in the past five years, and it's actually been amicable conversations."

"It wasn't going to be bad," Randy pulled his hand away and ducked his head, "I'd still need some liquid courage."

"You remember our deal don't you," Punk said, "if you drink, I drink, those are the rules."

"And you were so shocked I picked you as my sponsor," Randy laughed.

"I'm serious," Punk said, "you want liquid courage I'll have some too."

"What? No…just no," Randy said, "your pledge is beautiful, and it works for you; I'm not worth you giving up all that."

"I think you are worth it, so deal with it," Punk said, "you just don't want to deal with me when I get all drunk and crazy."

Well, given the fact we skipped out on dinner and I only saw you eat a piece of celery when I glared at you this afternoon at lunch," Randy said, "it won't take much for you to be done in given that you've got no prior tolerance. You're going to be a hot mess after a few drinks."

"You calling me a lightweight?" Punk said tilting his head to look at Randy who was leaning over the bar, "I'll have you know that I come from a long line of drinkers."

"That's another reason why you shouldn't do this," Randy said, "I know it's not something you're proud of. And I hope it's not something you fear."

"I'm not afraid Randy," Punk said, "I'm not like them it won't be a problem for me. I know I won't like it, you need to believe that you're worth it."

"You think so?"

"In for a penny in for a pound my friend," Punk told him.

Punk could see Randy was warring with himself and the alcoholism the struggle was written all over his face. And as much as Punk hated himself for it he knew when he made the deal he was going to have to drink at some point to prove what he needed to prove to Randy, he hated that he didn't believe in him as much as he claimed to but he believed that if he showed Randy that he was worth it then his friend would somehow find the strength to leave his addictions behind.

He knew they were getting somewhere, Randy actually respected his beliefs enough to be at war with himself over causing Punk to make good on his promise and wanting that taste of alcohol.

"I shouldn't," Randy said, "I don't think this will ever go away, me wanting to drink and use."

"Well, if you do then I'm doing it with you," Punk grinned, "I'll be right back, I'm gonna hit the head and check up on April she got put with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash."

Randy nodded, "You should. She was already so scared and those assholes were drunk when they got to dinner."

Punk sighed walking away from the bar, he'd found the rookie Diva bawling her eyes out earlier when Stephanie had assigned her to spend the evening with the two men. She'd thought it was required for the female talent to put out for the legends she'd listened to Nikki and Victoria go on about how they'd had fun at earlier Hall of Fame ceremonies with the legends they'd been partnered with. Punk felt bad for her, and told her that it wasn't mandatory that blow jobs and naked scissor kicks were not required she didn't have to do anything she didn't want. Celeste had been just as upset but was off punching concrete and he'd sent Randy to deal with a situation, and at least Celeste had gotten Hogan who was bringing his daughter Brooke along.

He felt for the girls most of them only got a grope in passing though unless they were down to put out. He never had to deal with that the most he'd gotten was a grope on the ass from Mae Young who apparently approved and told him it was nice in the leering way she had. The Million Dollar man had tried to proposition him by slipping a few hundred down his suit pants.

April had been shaky but she was good and wondering why he'd skipped out on dinner. He told her it was complicated and he'd explain later.

He found Randy sipping a drink when he returned, "I thought you'd be taking care of little sister longer than that."

"Gimme," Punk said reaching for the glass but Randy kept it away, "you drink I drink."

"Punk, you don't wanna do this," Randy said.

"Seriously, make me one," Punk said his phone ringing and it was Vince's tone, "I gotta take this. Make me the damn drink."

Punk wandered away from the bar and accepted the call.

"Where are you?" Vince asked.

"With Randy we're at the hotel bar getting everything set up, before you ask I'm okay," Punk told him.

"I'm glad to hear that baby, I'm really sorry for how she behaved," Vince said.

You shouldn't be," Punk said, "I'm the whore in all this, right, she's the poor put upon wife."

"You're not a whore," Vince told him, "You deserve better than this, I shouldn't have tried to pretend that she didn't exist, but when I'm with you, you're the only one I see. She had no right making a scene like that. I've been looking for you everywhere."

"I'm fine," Punk said, "when are you gonna be here? I want to see you."

"I'll be there shortly, I'm rounding up Steph and Hunter and we're getting a limo," Vince said, "they've been looking for you too since the scene took place."

"I'm sorry I never meant to embarrass you," Punk said.

"You're not the embarrassment she is," Vince said, "the sooner she's out of my life for good the better."

Punk smiled and nodded thought he man couldn't see him, he wasn't sure he believed Vince but the statement did make his pulse race.

"Phillip, you don't have to put on such a brave face, I know the things she said hurt," Vince said, "but you have to know that they aren't true."

"I know," Punk said.

"I'm on my way," Vince said, "I want to see you and hold you so I can convince myself that she didn't wreck us."

"She didn't we're good," Punk tried to smile but he couldn't.

"I love you baby," Vince said, "I'll be there as soon as I can. I thought you should know, she's back on the pills I've sent her away to Passages Malibu so that she can detox, and then she's agreed to move out of the manor. We'll figure out everything else later, but she won't come near you again that is promise."

"I'll see you when I get there," Punk said hanging up the phone and turning to find Randy had a drink waiting for him.

"Here's your drink," Randy said with an easy smirk.

"What's that?" Punk asked of the drink.

"Whiskey and Coke, sorry though I didn't have any Pepsi," Randy said.

He stared at the glass contemplating it, he could smell the alcohol and he was about to balk on his deal with Randy. Punk made a face and then he held his nose and drank his drink quickly.

"Punk! You're not supposed to shoot it, it's a regular drink not a shot," Randy exclaimed.

"This tastes like shit," Punk reported making a face, "How do you drink this?"

"That's because you hate Coke," Randy said, "I don't want it too tasty and you get all addicted. This stuff right here will put hair on your chest."

"I pay a lot for hair removal as it is," Punk said, "well Vince pays a lot for my waxing."

"Damn," Randy said, "I so don't need to think about that."

"Make me something else, would you next time," Punk said looking up at Randy through his lashes, "something fruity that makes my clothes fall off."

"The deal was I drink you drink and it was implicit that we're to drink the same thing," Randy winked, "I don't drink those girly drinks, and I think it would be a good idea for you to keep your clothes on or you'll end up with another boyfriend before the night is over."

"That drink is gross Randy how could you drink it all the time?" Punk said, "if that's the case we'll drink water tonight because I'm not drinking another one of those."

"Good deal, because the rest of the roster should be arriving sooner rather than later," Randy said, "they'll have me burnt at the stake for giving you your first taste of alcohol."

"You're no fun," Punk said poking out his lower lip.

"Me, I'm tons of fun," Randy winked.

---

"Chris," John said exasperated if he had to listen to another story about Chris Irvine's glory days as Y2J he was going to swerve into oncoming traffic as soon as it moved, "I know…"

"I know you were watching most of that with wet moved eyes as I built my legacy and yet you are the name the little kids chant," Chris said bitterness creeping into his tone, "I don't understand."

John didn't think this would be how his night would go babysitting a drunk bitter wrestler because the boss's daughter said and add that to the fact that he was in a competition with said boss for the same guy. It would pay well to have John pawned off with someone like Chris for the night, he might not survive it leaving Punk all to Vince.

Chris spent all his time at the bar and John had to there was some commotion during dinner but they'd missed it. Apparently, Mrs. McMahon had arrived and asked Punk to leave, Vince, Stephanie, and Hunter were wandering around looking for him. John would have texted him to check on him but he'd left his phone in his room.

"John, can I give you a bit of advice?" Chris asked.

"If I say no will you be quiet?"

"Not likely," Chris said simply, "I think you should change your move set, you're wrestling complacent like you could give a damn about it anymore. You say you love the business and you'll never leave, but I think you should take some time off, it would be most prudent if you don't want be resentful of the lifestyle you've chosen. You need a splashy catch phrase other than 'I had Vince's sloppy seconds' and Punk is the very definition of sloppy seconds. Did he even bother to wash Vince's dried sweat off his body before he crawled in bed with you?"

"Fuck you," John said.

"Did I hit a nerve Johnny?" Chris sneered, "you could do a lot better both personally and professionally."

"I don't take suggestions from drunk bitter bitches," John said.

Chris just laughed, "It was an observation and nothing more. Why settle for chicken nuggets when you can have steak? Why make ten grand when you can make a million? Don't you want more for yourself John? Don't you want something else, someone else, someone different?"

John was stopped behind a limo and he was tired of staring at the back of it. He glanced right at Chris who watching him with an odd expression. It wasn't until Chris lunged at him did he catch on to what all the comments were leading to. John barely had time to blink before Chris had his cock in hand running his tongue over the tip. He was hard before his mind even registered what was going on. John bit his lip to stop the moan bubbling up in his throat and gripped the wheel.

Chris pulled off jacking him roughly, eventually pulling the moan from him that he'd tried to suppress.

"Your body wants this," Chris observed, "you're so responsive, hard so quickly, you want this more than I thought."

"Stop," John said shutting his eyes again.

Chris ignored him and swallowed the whole length in one go.

"Fuck," John breathed, a horn honked jolting him back to reality and he pushed the other man away.

"Come on let me give you what we both know you want," Chris said saliva and pre cum glistening on his lower lip, "We can take a little detour -"

"I don't want this," John said, "I'm in love with Punk."

"I'm not asking you to love me John," Chris said, "I just think you should be aware of what's out there, that's all. We can go down a side street and I can go down on you. I'll even let you-"

"-not interested," John said clenching his jaw as he tucked his still hard cock away.

"Well, little Johnny seems to like me," Chris sneered.

"Little Johnny doesn't know any better," John pointed out, "anyone could come around and suck on him a little bit and he'd get happy."

"I'll make a bet with you John," Chris said, "I'll bet before the night's over, you'll beg me to finish you off. You're begging for it your boy must not be putting out like he's supposed to or is the old man getting it all. It figures whores go where the money is, after all. You've done well for yourself but McMahon is the dude that pays you."

"Do you ever shut up?" John asked.

"I was quiet while your cock was in my mouth," Chris laughed.

"What do you want from me?" John asked.

"At first I wanted just one good night with you," Chris said, "now I think I'm gonna step up and take those things you freely give to Punk the two timing little brat doesn't deserve you. You're clearly taking a backseat to Vince when it comes to him and then he spends all his time with Randy or that funny friend of his."

"That was what we all agreed to, and I don't see how it's any of your business what Punk does," John said moving about a car length forward in the traffic.

"I think it does," Chris said, "listen John I know I've talked a lot of shit tonight but the truth is I asked Stephanie to put us together tonight. She knew you'd keep me out of trouble at the ceremony so she agreed."

"Why?" John asked, "so you can try to seduce me in gridlock nighttime traffic?"

"John if I wanted to I could have kept going I could have made you scream in three minutes," Chris said, "but for our safety I restrained myself. One should only perform a full throttle blow job on a man in a parked car."

"You're one piece of work you know that?"

"I'm a piece you'd like to tap admit that," Chris said.

"Are you suddenly interested in me because I'm me or because I'm with Punk?" John asked.

"It's a bit of both," Chris said, "I wouldn't have known you were into guys if you hadn't started seeing him. I got a call from Adam in the middle of the night telling me all the good gossip from the road. He told me that Punk was in some weird sort of triangle with you and Vince, and it was pretty hot but super weird."

"I wouldn't have pegged Adam for a gossip," John mused.

"He's the biggest gossip queen you'll ever meet," Chris said, "when he told me that I knew you deserved better, and I was kicking myself because I didn't figure it out before I could have been having you all this time if I would have figured it out."

"Do you hate him that much?"

"Please don't get it twisted, I don't hate him that would give him too much credit," Chris sneered, "I've wanted you for awhile. I didn't know you were into guys. The whole thing with Punk is that I personally don't understand his appeal, I get that he's got a nice ass and he's into giving free rides."

"He's not slutty," John said.

"Do I need to run down the list?" Chris said.

John was well aware Punk had come with a past but he'd never endeavored to find out.

"Everyone has a past, and personally I think he's a ten," John said, "his body is incredible, but his heart is so much better."

"Aw…are you in love?" Chris said, "he's the only man you've ever been with. Of course you'd say that you're a boy scout."

"I've been with women of all shapes sizes colors and creeds," John replied.

"That was because you were searching for something that would make you yearn to have a masculine lover a little less," Chris said, "been there done that and I'm still married."

John didn't say anything he wouldn't give Chris the satisfaction of knowing he was right, he focused on the road and the way the traffic was not moving he was trying to ignore his painfully hard cock.

"So tell me what's his appeal?"

"He's a good listener, I feel like I could open up and tell him everything and he'd never judge me," John said, "he's funny and warm and he'd do anything for his friends. He loves so fiercely."

"What do you know about him?" Chris asked, "How was his childhood? What does he want out of life? Does he open up to you? Do you know if he visits his grandmother when he goes to his hometown?"

"I…" John whispered, he didn't know the answers to any of those questions, and now that he realized it mostly it was him opening up to Punk and not the other way around.

Chris rolled his eyes, "Terribly predictable John. Have you even tried or were you too busy putting yourself over to get him to open up to you?"

"I listen to him but he doesn't talk about that stuff," John said, "he likes keeping his focus on me."

"Keep telling yourself that," Chris said, "I invented that move being all mysterious and shit it gets me so much dick. You won't believe all I have to be is be a charismatic mystery man from exotic places."

"I don't miss having you around at all," John said, "When are you coming back? I'll try to be out with an injury."

"Funny," Chris said, "I'm serious and I'll be back and I'll be rooming with you and there are a lot of things to do in a hotel bed besides sleep."

"Hopefully, by the time you come back I'll be doing them with Punk," John said simply.

"Do you think he's going to choose you when the arrangement is over?" Chris asked.

"I hope he does," John said, "I gotta step my game up a little."

"Pfft," Chris said, "hopefully your seduction tactics are better than your in ring."

"Fuck you," John spat.

"Pull over and I'll let you," Chris said.

"I am not pulling over," John said, "This has gone far enough."

"It can go a whole lot farther," Chris said, "You really want to go to this lame ass sing along? You could be balls deep right now."

"I'm not fucking you!" John shouted his patience shot.

"Why not?" Chris asked.

"I'm with Punk did you not see me kiss him tonight?" John asked.

"Yes, and I'm still traumatized," Chris stated dramatically.

"Get over it," John said.

"He's getting some on the side why can't you?"

"Has it occurred to you that I might not be attracted to you?" John said, "you have the personality of a pile of dog shit."

"I know I'm a dick," Chris said, "but you get hot thinking about me and what I could do to you. I know it's true I can see your cock leaking through your pants right now."

"Shut up!" John shouted.

"There's that spark, I might get you to worked up enough that you might even spank me tonight," Chris said, "I bet your boy likes it rough he's done too many strap matches not to."

"Seriously just stop," John said adjusting himself, he was still so turned on talking about Punk's leather strap matches weren't helping and they were just sitting in traffic and Chris hadn't touched him in five minutes.

Thankfully traffic started moving again and John found himself sitting in the hotel parking lot long after Chris had left him wondering how he was going to get upstairs without anyone noticing his boner. He'd contemplated jacking off in the rental but someone would so see and take pictures and he'd be on TMZ the next day with his dick in his hands.

---

Punk felt a little odd after a while, he'd wandered off to talk to April on the phone again she was sounding better this time and when he returned he found Randy had a drink waiting for him one of the fruity drinks, it still smelled gross but he didn't think it was as strong or as gross as the last drink, he still drank it quickly like shooter without as much difficulty hating himself for doing this, but he had to prove this point to Randy who looked uneasy as he watched.

Randy shook his head and drank his own fruity drink. Before he could really think about it Scott and Nikki came in and he launched himself at them excited to see his friends.

"There you are," Nikki said, "we've been worried, Stephanie told me what happened at dinner. Are you okay?"

He nodded, "I just miss my friends."

"We're here Punkers," Scott said.

"Scotty!" Punk shouted jumping up on his friend who caught him easily and he wrapped his legs around him.

"Hello to you too," Scott said.

Punk ran his fingers through his friend's hair, "You should use less gel. Nikki doesn't like it."

Scott glanced at Nikki who shrugged. Punk climbed down to regard Nikki.

"Darling Nikki, you have the most seductively dangerous curves in sports entertainment," Punk said pulling Nikki into a hug, "Did you know that?"

"I was hoping so," Nikki said as he pulled back to stare at her body a bit more.

She was wearing a plunging neckline dress it was black and hugged her curves quite nicely. He turned to look at Scott.

"Tell me again why you're not fucking this woman? You've been mumbling I love you's to her for a month, why won't you fuck her?"

"I…" Scott began.

"It's because of me isn't it?" Punk said, "Well, consider me out of the way, I'm bunking with Randy for a while."

"Are you sure this is a good idea Punky Pal?" Nikki asked.

"Look, I'm not getting laid in the foreseeable future, there is no reason you can't be," Punk pointed out, "Promise me you'll take a look at what I left for you in the room if he starts trying to back out."

"Punk!" Scott blushed.

"It's not a sex toy or anything, the woman has enough of them," Punk pointed out, "and they've been well used lately."

"Punk-" Scott started.

"-no, listen, just because I'm not getting any you two shouldn't have to suffer," Punk said, "You know how long its been since you've kept a woman interested this long?"

"Because I fuck her and everything goes to shit," Scott reminded him, "I'm pretty sure my penis is cursed."

"Is that what you're worried about?" Nikki asked, "that sex will ruin us?"

"That's usually how things go for me," Scott said, "I didn't want to jinx it."

Nikki gave him a little half smile, "Usually things go quite the opposite for me, first there's sex then I'm in over my head wanting there to be more and there isn't. We've already gotten past that, we know there's more to us than just sex."

"What if everything else is great and the sex is bad?" Scott asked.

"I don't think that's possible," Nikki said.

"How about you go ahead and give the woman what she's wanting?" Randy asked, "there is no need for you two to be just as frustrated as the rest of us."

"I thought you were still fucking Nemeth?" Punk asked.

Randy shrugged, "he's not worth the hassle of dealing with him after. Not to mention the worst thing ever is to be with someone while you want someone else, it's not fair to the person you're with or the person you want. Right now I guess it looks like I'm celibate, I really hated to say that."

"You'll live," Punk laughed at Randy's expression.

"It's just really hard," Randy said, "I mean that in both the literal and the figurative I'm going to break my wrist if I keep this up. So please for the rest of us, lonely or dodging two to three men at every turn give her the dick."

"At least you've had time to break your wrist," Punk pointed out, "I can't remember the last time I even came."

"Okay you win," Randy grinned.

"But both of you could be having sex," Scott pointed out, "Are we just going to ignore this what's going on between you two?"

"What are you talking about?" Randy asked.

"There is nothing going on," Punk said, "we're friends which I'm sure no one saw coming."

"I saw it coming," Scott said, "and I'm thinking there will be a lot more between you than just friendship and a lot less clothes."

Punk met Randy's eyes again and he felt warm, sure there was mutual attraction there but they'd come to a point where Randy respected him enough to not take it any further. Not to mention Randy loved someone else, a painful seemingly unrequited love that made Punk feel bad for him.

"This isn't about me and Randy," Punk told his friend breaking the gaze.

"This is about you not giving your woman what she needs," Randy pointed out, "if I had the man I wanted I sure as hell wouldn't be spinning conspiracy theories or reading fan fiction, though some of that stuff is pretty hot."

"Ooh!" Nikki said, "what do you like?"

"I so want to know this one," Scott said just as excited.

"You two," Punk shook his head, "why don't you go up tonight and pretend you're writing your own Nikki Bella and Colt Cabana."

"No one's gonna read it it's het," Scott said.

"Really?" Punk sighed, "I didn't mean literally write it. Randy…I just can't…with these two. Tell them what you would do if you had the man you wanted alone."

"I'd fuck him," Randy said, "and I'd taste every part of him, make sure he gets his long before I get mine. I'd give him deep slow strokes kiss him slowly try to tell him how I felt with my body, I'd look into his beautiful eyes cause sometimes words just don't do it. First time would be slow and gentle, like I was making a memory, but the second time. I'd make a statement, give him the deep dick make him forget his name and he'd still feel me for days."

Punk gulped whoever Randy was talking about was one lucky motherfucker, because Punk saw the intensity in the man's eyes and knew he meant every word he'd spoken. Punk was forced to break Randy's gaze when he felt arms snake around his waist and lips pressed to his throat.

"Awkward…." Scott said steering Nikki away, Randy started wiping an already clean patch of counter with his towel all the way on the other side of bar.

"I missed you," Vince whispered mumbling against his skin, "I'm so sorry for what happened tonight, are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Punk said.

"That's going to be some hell of a bruise," Vince's fingers skimmed over Punk's sore cheekbone.

"I hope I don't meet her in the ring anytime soon, she's a striker," Punk said, "and she works pretty stiff."

"There's my boy," Vince smiled at him, "you'll never have to see her again. She's out of our lives."

Punk rolled his eyes, not believing one bit.

"Are you buying this?" Randy asked, "because I don't think for one second even he believes what's coming out of his mouth."

Vince and Punk looked at him he was standing in the middle of bar wringing the rag he'd been wiping the bar with in his hands.

"I…I didn't mean to say it out loud but I couldn't help it," Randy walked over to where they were standing, "Look, it's your call but is this really what you want? It's either secrets and lies or it's dramapaloza. I felt like I was at Jerry Springer taping tonight."

"No one asked your for your input," Vince bristled, "I thank you for looking out for Punk tonight, but I've got it from here."

"It's no trouble," Randy locked eyes with Vince, "I just wish I could make him forget the things your wife said to him. He's tough can take a punch, the bruise is gonna fade, but her words… it'll be a while before he forgets them. Because she said everything he's probably felt since the two of you began hooking up."

Randy was right, Punk was haunted by the things Linda had said to him. He would never admit it to Vince and thankfully he didn't have to because Randy was there.

Vince gave Randy a look and Randy nodded, "I'm shutting up now."

"Thank you Randy," Punk told the man and Randy offered him a gentle smile.

"I'll have a bourbon neat," Vince told Randy who nodded and set about preparing the drink.

Stephanie and Hunter came walking up then, Stephanie asking if he were okay, and Hunter telling the dramatic story about how Linda was carted away via town car to the airport to fly the resort/detox center in Malibu. Vince sipped his drink with a protective arm around Punk.

Soon the party was in full swing, Randy had cued up some music that was thankfully not Nickelback on the sound system and Hunter and Stephanie were checking out the karaoke machine arguing over whether or not they could lip snyc instead of full singing. Vince got caught up trying to mediate between his competitive daughter and son and law Punk wiggled away and ended up running into Celeste and April who'd changed out of their formal wear from the ceremony, the small girl was clad in jeans and tank top she wound herself around Punk.

"Thanks for tonight," she said shouting over the shouting and the music Randy was playing, "I was really scared. They were actually pretty nice guys. I guess all the stuff Nikki and Victoria were saying got to me."

"I'm glad you're okay, I was worried," Punk told her.

"Are you?" Celeste asked.

"I'm trying to be," Punk said.

"What happened?" April wanted to know.

"An old drunk chick was mean to Punk," Celeste said, "that's why he wasn't at dinner."

"Mrs. McMahon?" April asked and Punk nodded, "I'm sorry. I would have done something had I been there but they had me looking for slot machines."

"Did they not know the place wasn't a casino," Celeste asked.

"Nope, I think they're still wandering around looking for a video poker machine," April grinned.

"That's pretty crazy," Punk said, "why'd they think that if you couldn't find it that they could?"

"Because I'm a girl," April said, "like I said if I'd been out there I'd probably gotten myself fired or arrested. They had me running around like a personal assistant getting this and that. I didn't even get a chance to talk to Amy and Trish."

"I tried talking to them but no sound came out," Celeste said blushing.

April rolled her eyes, "They're her free pass."

"Free pass?" Punk asked.

"You know the person or persons you get a pass on cheating with," April explained.

"Oh, I get it," Punk said.

April stepped up close to him again, "Just so you know you're my free pass."

The women left him with a confused smirk on his face, he turned with the intention of going back over to Vince the Stephanie and Hunter feud was escalating quickly. He ran straight into Chris Irvine.

"If it isn't everyone's favorite slut," Chris sneered, "the McMahon family chew toy."

"Go away," Punk said turning petulantly only to have Chris jump in front of him.

"Nope," Chris said, "You'd better get used to having me around."

Punk stood stock still wondering what he'd meant by that as the man stalked away. The rest of the roster was trickling in Cardona and Nemeth had planted themselves on bar stools intent to get as drunk as possible and annoy Randy into blowing a gasket.

"Hey man," Kofi said walking up with his wife in tow, "I tried texting you a few minutes ago to see where you were. Are you okay? I saw what happened."

"I'm fine," Punk said.

"I don't buy that for one second," Kofi said, "but I'll call you on it later."

Punk offered a smile at his friend and tried to make his way back to Vince, Natalie Neidhart had managed to calm things down between Hunter and Stephanie.

"People can lip snyc if they want, but they won't get as high of a score as people who do it karaoke style," Nattie was telling Hunter and Stephanie who nodded, Stephanie wearing a smug smile.

"We'll score it on ten out of ten for total points per song, you get an automatic five points off if you don't sing it, you lose points for not knowing the words, not selling the song," Stephanie said, "a bonus will be given for the team that has everyone sing at least once."

"I can roll with that," Hunter said, "can we sing in pairs?"

"I don't see why not there are four mics," Stephanie said.

"My team will win with just two songs," Hunter said matter of factly.

"It's not the amount of people singing the songs that earn the points right?" April asked, "it's the song. So you can't have five people singing one song and expect for each of them to garner ten points."

"Smart girl," Stephanie said, "see the rookie divas are paying attention."

"Really Steph?" Hunter asked.

"You're really basing this on whether or not you'll be picked team captain," Stephanie said.

"You are too," Hunter said.

"I could care less if I were team captain," Stephanie said, "I just know that I'm going to win and you're going to lose."

"What if you end up on the same team?" Randy asked from the bar, he'd stopped the music to hear the rules.

"It won't be big enough for the both of us," Stephanie snarled at her husband.

"Aw honey you said the same thing about the house," Hunter said.

"Ass!" Stephanie spat.

"Okay, we'll make it so Stephanie and Hunter are definitely not on the same team," Nattie said, "Punk here's a pen you take that side and I'll take this side and we'll write down the names of everyone who is participating while Stephanie and Hunter take this time to cool down."

"We need her around at board meetings," Hunter said, "they'd go a hell of a lot smoother."

"I know that's right," Vince said.

Nattie gave Punk hotel stationary and a pen, "Write pretty!"

Punk rolled his eyes and he went to Vince first, "Are you in?"

"Of course," Vince said before turning his attention to Hunter, "Whatever is going on between you and Stephanie I want it fixed. You two are seeing the counselor that was recommended?"

"We have," Hunter said, "It's only been a few sessions so far."

Vince nodded.

"I don't have to ask if you're in do I?" Punk asked Hunter.

"You know I'm in," Hunter said, "I've got something to prove."

Punk weaved his way through the crowd with April bouncing behind him. He'd already added her name to the list and he knew she was following him just to ask if she could play. The older members of the roster often excluded Rookies at events like this.

"Punk! Can I play?" she asked excited.

He smirked and showed her the stationary.

"Awesome!"

"Did Celeste want to play?"

"She will she's trying to get a couple of beers in before she's expected to perform," April said.

Punk put down the other rookie diva's name on the paper and made his way around the room, April eventually took the paper away from him because his handwriting became less legible as he went along. They asked Copeland if he and Jay wanted to play they were being a little too low key for Punk's liking probably getting ready to churn out some good gossip and it would probably be all about him. Of course they declined, and went back to sipping their drinks talking to a few other veterans who decided not to play. Ariane a couple of other rookies declined the invitation as well she was content to continue her conversation with the three men from the UK.

They met back up with Nattie at the center of the room. She read over the list and ripped out each individual name folded the small pieces of paper and put them into TJ's hat.

"We're good to go," she said, "we've got quite a group so there will be three team captains."

TJ shook the names in the hat placing his hand over the top so the little pieces of paper didn't escape, when he was satisfied with how they were mixed he moved his hand and Nattie drew the first name out of the hat.

"Stephanie," Nattie read the name off the paper.

The woman stalked away from the bar her hands raised in victory. Nattie drew the second name.

"Cardona," Nattie said excitedly.

Matt was perched on the bar stool drinking from a long neck bottle, when his name was called he spat out liquid all over Nemeth, stood and put his hands up.

"Whatever it is I didn't do it!"

"You made team captain, idiot," Randy told him.

"Oh," Matt said realization dawning then, "What are we playing though?"

"Hunter," Nattie called the name of the last team captain but Hunter was way ahead of her already talking trash to Stephanie about his impending victory.

"Captains, you may chose your teams," Nattie said.

"Ladies first," Hunter told Stephanie, who glared at him but took the mic away from Nattie to make her pick.

"I chose Phil," she said, "I've heard about the shower singing."

Punk blushed, and ducked his head to hide it.

Stephanie thrust the mic in the chest of Cardona who'd finally joined them next to the karaoke machine.

"I pick my bro Nick," Matt said before passing the microphone to Hunter.

"I pick Bryan," Hunter leered at Stephanie who cursed.

Stephanie snatched the microphone away, "I pick Nicole and Brie!"

"You can't do that!" Hunter argued.

"I still don't know which is which," Matt said, "so it's probably street legal right?"

"They're twins Hunter a package deal," Stephanie explained her logic.

Vince shrugged, "It makes sense only just began to tell them apart after Nicole's…growth spurt."

Punk laughed.

"I pick the Fatu twins," Matt said with a grin, Stephanie nodded and Hunter fumed.

"I pick Stephen and Drew," Hunter boomed.

"They're not twins!" Stephanie shouted.

"They're both from the UK it's the best I got since you two cheats took the two sets of twins," Hunter pointed out.

"I pick Foxy!" Stephanie shouted.

"Stephanie's assembling the sluttiest team ever," Chris said sidling up in between Punk and April practically shoving the little girl out of the way.

"I'd be surprised if you even got picked," Punk said, "nobody here likes your ass."

"Everyone likes his ass Punk," April said, "rumor has it everyone's had a turn with it. It's him they can't stand."

"I'm a fucking rock star, I can win this shit," Chris spat fuming, "if course they want to pick me. Now, now put away the claws girls, because I know the two of you have done more than your share of sleeping around."

"You can't believe everything you hear Irvine," Punk said as Matt made his pick of Mike.

"I pick Vince," Hunter said.

"Took you long enough nobody does a standard like me," Vince grumbled, "I wish old Pat had come out tonight. He likes the karaoke."

Stephanie picked next. The teams ended up pretty much even until the end and there was one person left, of course it was Chris as some of the roster had conceded not to play they chose to watch the fireworks.

Punk ended up on a team with Stephanie, Nikki, Brie, Nattie, TJ, April, Victoria, Layla, Colby, and Stephanie was forced to choose Irvine as her last pick. Hunter's team consisted of Bryan, Randy, Joe, Vince, Kofi, Scott, Celeste, Drew, Stephen, and he'd saved a spot for Shawn who was running a little late. And Matt's team was Nick, Jon, Heath, Melina, Hennigan, Barbie, The Fatu twins, Mike, and Trinity.

Punk really felt for Matt's team that had already been dubbed as team drunk, most of the people on that team had gotten trashed at dinner, were barely functional. Jon Good was by far the drunkest, with Nemeth a close second and Mike not to far behind, and Heath was trying to get there, and Punk was sure they'd have to carry sweet little Barbie out because she was going shot for shot with Melina, and he had witnessed on several occasions Melina out drinking Randy and still being able to walk out under her own power which said a lot of for the woman.

Matt conceded to let Hunter and Stephanie decide who was to go first, Stephanie relented and let Hunter since she'd been allowed to pick first.

Hunter's team huddled up, and Bryan emerged moments later with a microphone in hand. After carefully looking at the machine he chose a song, familiar bass started to play and Punk rolled his eyes, predictably Bryan had chosen himself a Beyonce song.

"Brie is always trying to upgrade me, this time I think I should upgrade her," Bryan explained while the intro ran, before delivering the song with ferocity making people who had never seen his locker room performances gape at him.

He knew all the words, and Nikki had told Punk that anytime Beyonce was playing

a show and Bryan could attend he did, and it drove Brie crazy.

When the song finished half the room was impressed, it seemed he knew the signature Beyonce dances, Ariane confirmed this loudly.

Matt and Melina ended up doing an off key rendition of a Bette Milder song that baffled everyone. The teams gave their scores, it was light years behind Bryan's ten out of ten, they'd gotten the five points for singing live and that was it.

"Who's going next?" Stephanie clapped her hands together a feral smile on her face.

April raised her hand timidly, "May I?"

"You have the floor," Stephanie said.

"You need me to come with you?" Punk asked.

"Only if you want," she said, "I've gotta prove myself can't let the boss down."

Stephanie looked at Punk in concern, "Do you think she's going to be any good? I couldn't tell her no, but what if she tanks? I can't lose to Hunter."

"We'll have to wait and see and we all know you have an Ace up your sleeve," Punk said.

"That would be you," she said, "go next round. Do something fun."

April smirked once she'd selected her song, "I've got to prove myself in more ways than one right Punk?"

Stephanie looked at Punk horrified when they realized what song was playing, Punk doubted seriously that April knew who Teena Marie was but she surprisingly took command of the song, making sure to make plenty of eye contact with Punk as she wiggled around to the beat of the song.

People were into it and some kept looking back at him.

"Someone's got a crush," Stephanie observed.

"I'm her free pass," Punk said smugly.

"Would you take a female lover?" Stephanie asked, "I've not seen you with a woman since Beth. And she was debatable."

Punk laughed, "Beth was nice…"

Stephanie raised her eyebrow, "I have met her."

"Maybe nice wasn't the right word to use," Punk admitted.

April hopped down on off the stage grinning after scoring a ten.

"Well done, Lil Bit," Stephanie said.

"Lovergirl?" Punk asked.

"Please I was raised on eighties funk," April shrugged, "I figured I could get my point across with it. If I get the chance to go again I won't be so subtle."

Kofi and Scott went next singing a Prince song that they dedicated to Nikki because it was named after her. It actually made the woman blushed at gave Hunter's team another perfect ten out of ten. Stephanie was seething.

Matt's team went again and it was Barbie who did an off key Britney Spears song to which she forgot the words and fell off stage into Hunter's waiting arms which had Stephanie seething. Punk smirked, he guessed he was gonna have to fix that too. He was glad to know that Hunter was still able to make Stephanie jealous though he doubted the long haired man had any idea.

He knew Hunter thought things were almost over between himself and Stephanie. But Punk knew Stephanie who had been hurt and neglected and was never in the best of moods lately still had love for her husband despite her lashing out.

Punk went next separating Hunter and Stephanie when he made his way through the crowd. He'd picked his song it was fun and a bit of sensationalism which he knew the gossip mongrels on the roster would love.

He too was feeling a bit eighties tonight, so he did Take Me Home Tonight making sure he got out exactly what he was feeling looking right at Vince and even at one point Randy, and making sure he gave his body suggestive touches when the chorus ran.

He jumped off the stage, Vince was waiting and kissed him hungrily. He didn't even hear his scores.

"Are you really gonna let me to take you home tonight?" Vince whispered, "put an end to this arrangement? Let me make love to you, give you what you've been denied for months?"

Punk could only stutter in response.

"Stop fraternizing with the enemy," Stephanie and Colby pulled him back, "he's trying to take you out of the game because he's going next."

Punk nodded.

Vince smirked and went up to the machine before complaining he didn't know how to use it and he called for Punk but Stephanie went up and showed him how it worked.

"Really dad?" Stephanie said.

"That's the one," he said.

"How do you even know that song?" she argued.

"It's the song that they played when I rented out that fair ground in Ohio just for me and Punk, it played when we were on the Ferris wheel," Vince explained loudly not bothering to cover the microphone, "I downloaded it and listened to it all the time."

Punk struggled to remember which song that was. It was in the fall of 2007.

When it started to play he felt his cheeks burn. All he could do is gape as Vince began to sing his own rendition of a Timberlake song. Punk remembered it had been played incessantly that night at the fairground and he remembered how happy he was that night riding the rides with Vince making out like teenagers on the Ferris wheel. That was the night he realized he'd fallen in love with Vince.

Nemeth was up next and Punk was feeling strange, he knew it had to the effects of the alcohol, he amused himself with Nikki and Stephanie's snide comments all through the song.

When it ended Stephanie decided it was her turn and she surprisingly did a rap song and did it well, her version of Gangstas Paradise was pretty intimidating. It was enough to garner her a perfect score. Stephanie and Hunter's teams were tied, Vince had made a perfect score as did Punk.

Hunter elected to go this time himself with the assist of Shawn and Joe, "A couple of months ago, I didn't know my wife's favorite song. I've done my research this time I think I got it right."

The three of them proceeded to do a trauma inducing song that was originally done by the New Kids on the Block. Stephanie was pleased and singing along with it. Joe didn't know the words and relied heavily on the words on the screen. Hunter was clearly proving a point to Stephanie, and Shawn knew the whole song and had boy band moves to match.

When it was over Joe passed his mic to Hunter and hastily departed to where his boyfriend was waiting Shawn posed and waited for his applause.

"I know you better than you think," Hunter told Stephanie who was sulking.

Jon Good was up next doing a crazy eyed rendition of Carrie Underwood's Last Name that earned him the first perfect score for his team.

Nikki, Brie, Nattie, Victoria, and Layla did Spice girls song and scored themselves a nine overall, Stephanie was pleased with their score it was one above Hunter's score of eight on the song he did. They'd maintained their lead, and Stephanie was looking to extend it even further.

Drew and Stephen ended up doing some drunken pub song that was mostly gibberish, that earned them Hunter's teams lowest score. Shots were flowing and all the members of Matt's team came to sing a song from a Disney movie, a drunken affair with more hip shaking than the song called for.

Then Celeste who was clearly drunk came up and did a raunchy rendition of Katy Perry's I Kissed a Girl and blew a kiss at Stephanie for the finale. She earned herself a perfect score.

"Her ass is mine tonight," April said of her girlfriend, "she's a tease when she's drunk."

Hunter's team was close to earning the bonus for having everyone on the team sing, only Randy remained now.

"We're singing," Colby said.

"What are we singing?" Punk laughed.

"Something vintage," Stephanie piped up, "I'd hope, it's been a vintage kind of night."

"I have just the song," Colby squeaked passing his beer off to a scowling Irvine who'd been thwarted each time he'd attempted to perform.

Punk found himself on stage laughing hysterically at the song his friend had picked they laughingly did their version of the Human League's Don't You Want Me?

Everyone on Matt's team had preformed once, and he decided he was going for a second time, and was right in the middle of a drunken rendition of a Mariah Carey song. Punk joined Randy and Sam at the bar unable to figure out the mechanics of getting onto the bar stool without hitting the floor.

"You okay there?" Sam giggled helping Punk onto the bar stool, "You can manage to stand on tip toe on the top rope but a barstool is tricky business?"

"The top rope is home, bar stool is unfamiliar territory," Punk whispered.

"Wonder what he's going to sing," Sam mused.

"Whatever it is it's probably going to be an ode to his crush," Punk said, "whoever the lucky fuck is."

"Are you jelly?"

"Are you a thirteen year old chick?" he asked.

"There is my answer," Sam smirked, "you like Randy."

"Of course I like him, he's one of my best friends," Punk told her.

"You like him as more than that," Sam said, "I can tell."

"Are you gonna threaten me?" he asked her, "Call me a slut?"

Sam laughed, "You're no more of a slut than he is. Randy and I may be married but we've never been in love. Our marriage was one of convenience. My grandmother wanted to see me walk down the aisle before she died, and his father wanted him to marry to hide his lifestyle. I wanted a child. What Randy gets out of the arrangement other than parental approval, I don't know."

Punk didn't say anything he watched the argument between Randy and Hunter petulantly listening to what the woman was saying.

"Not all of us are like Linda McMahon," Sam told him, "I can see him changing since he's been spending time with you, I think you're good for him."

This was by far the most surreal night, Punk was quite certain that he was more than a little drunk after the two drinks he'd consumed, and he'd behaved pretty silly most of the night. He'd gotten the approval of one wife who actually wanted him to spend time with her husband and he'd been sent away by another.

"I don't think I'm drunk enough to do this," Randy told Hunter who'd handed him the live microphone.

"I guess you picked a bad time to quit drinking man," Hunter shrugged.

Randy cocked a smile and Punk couldn't help but notice how handsome he was. A song started to play and half the girls in the room cooed and awed.

"I'm gonna get so much shit for this," Randy said rubbing the back of his neck.

Punk sat on the bar stool gaping as his friend legit sang How to Love, by Lil Wayne. Randy had a decent voice the gravelly country singer tone that Punk found so sexy.

"He's good isn't he?" Sam said smugly, "When he's in a mood it's all standards and boring stuff, but occasionally he'll do something like that."

Randy got a ten out of ten and wolf whistle from the girls on Stephanie's team, but he ignored them and made his way back to the bar.

"What did you think?" he asked them he was flushed and breathless, and looking all kinds of sexy.

"I didn't know…" Punk stuttered out.

"You know you did great," Sam said, "you've turned poor Punk to mush."

Melina came over and asked for a round of shots for her team.

"I only need eight," Melina said, "I need two bottles of water for Barbie and Jon."

Punk glanced over at Team Drunk, Matt and Mike were singing a Kansas song. Hennigan was talking to the Fatu twins about what they planned to sing Barbie was half asleep on Trinity's lap.

"I think she's done for," Randy mused looking over at the blonde girl.

"Randy you know that out drinking me is impossible," Melina grinned, "like bringing a butter knife to a gun fight."

Jon Good was slumped over against Nemeth who was pretty much passed out.

"I'll make sure they get home alright," Melina followed Punk's line of sight over to the two men slumped against each other, "We'll pack it in after this round."

"It's to early to stop now," Punk whined hopping off the bar stool.

Stephanie and Hunter were arguing about who won the challenge and all of her team hadn't even went yet.

Punk shook his head and pushed past the couple taking the microphone from Team Drunk.

"I declare everyone who participated a winner!" Punk shouted, "that means you're a winner and you're a winner."

He was pointing to random people and when he came to Irvine, "but you you're still a loser."

Irvine's scowl intensified he'd yet to have a turn.

"I still beat you without having everyone participate to get the bonus," Stephanie was leering at Hunter before Vince led her away.

Irvine came up and took the microphone from Punk, "I am singing whether you people like it or not."

Punk laughed at him, and stood off to the side ready to mock whatever he planned on doing. Deciding that it was mockery enough when the man chose to do a Nickleback song.

To his credit Irvine was among the best he'd heard. Punk really enjoyed April's performance, and Stephanie should probably think about making a rap album at some point, and Randy was amazing the gravely country singer tone he brought to the song he did.

"Hey Punkers," Scott said grabbing Punk by the elbow as he moved away from the staging area, "Are you okay?"

"I'm better than fine," Punk responded, "this is the best night of my life! Except for Irvine's shitty choice in song. Where's Nikki?"

"Doing Bella Body Shots," Scott said, "isn't she cute?"

Nikki and Brie were doing their little twin banter thing over by the bar trying to decide who would lay across it while Bryan looked on bored. Punk and Scott came up with a way to settle it diplomatically via Rock, Paper, Scissors.

Nikki won and was the willing participant in having shots taken off her body on the counter.

"She's my girl so I go first," Scott said.

---

John finally made it to the hotel bar, two cold showers an inner debate and three outfit changes later. He'd fought down his arousal as best he could, because he knew if he were to take care of the problem he might end up thinking of Irvine and that was the last thing he wanted. He needed to talk to Punk about this, keeping it buried wouldn't be for the best; though his first instinct was to brush it off. Not telling Punk though would leave the man hurt, and that was the last thing he wanted.

He planned to pull Punk to the side and talk to him. But he found that Punk was in no shape for talking. He was over by the bar and all over Nicole and Scott his hands all over the woman's breasts. It was chaos in the bar, most of the roster's superstars were doing shots or dancing. Vince was arguing with Irvine over by the karaoke machine.

Punk hopped off the bar stool he was kneeling on, and used Scott to steady himself when he decided he was done licking salt trails off Nikki's skin.

"John boy!" Punk shouted when he spotted him swaying on his feet.

John met him in the middle and tried to steady him.

"What's going on?" John asked.

"Bella body shots," Punk said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, "of course mine were with Sprite, the salt and lime were actually pretty good. Nikki's boobs are amazing, complements to the doctor that did that job. I might even take up the payments on them."

"I can't believe she hasn't paid them off yet," John ranted, "I bet she's not even working on her 401K."

"You're not going to talk to me about stocks and bonds," Punk said, "it's a party! I'm not really sure with a 401K is."

"Have you been drinking?" John asked.

Punk laughed, "I don't drink you know that."

"Who are you and what have you done with Punk," John said, "because the Punk I know would have beat my ass for suggesting it."

"Seems you don't know me as well as you thought," Punk said teasingly darting into John's personal space, "I'd like you to know me better though."

"I really would," John said enthralled by the movement of Punk's lips he imagined those lips on him in the way Irvine's had been on him earlier this evening.

Then Punk was distracted again, "I love this song!"

He was gone meandering through the crowd, and dancing with Foxy and Colby. John shook his head, and got caught up watching him dance. Eventually the crowd by the bar moved to the dance floor when the twin sisters decided they wanted in on the dance. The song changed and John had grown accustomed to lying on the fringe simply watching Punk.

"He's different tonight," Vince had sidled up to John.

"He is," John said, "I asked him if he were drunk and he didn't even get mad. He laughed it off."

"He wouldn't drink," Vince said,

"I know that, but, how do you explain that?" John pointed over at where Punk was giving his friend a provocative lap dance over in a booth.

"He's being playful," Vince said, "they do stuff like that all the time. Did you not see him doing body shots with the Bellas sans alcohol?"

"That doesn't look innocent to me," John said.

"Never said it was innocent," Vince said, "he's baiting us. This arrangement needs to end. It's too much pressure for him."

"Are you giving up?"

"To take a page out of your book, never," Vince grinned.