Chapter 38: Smoothing It Over
Punk and AJ were headed into Raw together. After Punk's interview there was only more to the story and it seemed like AJ and Lita fans were divided down the middle.
"Where are you going?" Punk asked when he noticed AJ wasn't heading to his locker room.
"I'm going to stay in the girls locker room today" AJ said to him and he frowned "I want to make sure they know I'm one of them and not like Amy painted me to be"
"Who cares what they think?" Punk asked her
"I do" AJ admitted "It's bad enough I won't do Total Divas with them which has already put me on the shit list with most of them but now this- it's just alienating me further from them and unlike you I have to work with especially if I plan on holding that championship one day"
"Alright" Punk said defeated "Go and hang out with a bunch of plastic phonies. But when you get bored of the empty conversation you know where to find me- in my large private locker room"
"Noted" AJ smirked then headed the opposite way.
As soon as Punk reached his room he saw John Cena approaching him. He really didn't want to have this conversation but he knew it was coming.
"Hey Punk" John said to him as he followed Punk into his locker room. "AJ around?"
"Why?" Punk asked him
"I wanted to talk to her about Amy's interview" John said to him
"She's in the Diva's locker room" Punk informed him "But I cleared all of that up"
"Yea I heard your response but you have to understand the position I'm in here" John said to him "Elizabeth called me and she's heartbroken. That story I had with AJ was during the time of our divorce"
"Ok" Punk said with a shrug "And she doesn't believe you because AJ is the only Diva you didn't actually bang?"
"Don't go there with me" John warned "You're not saint either that's actually what got us into this mess"
"John no one believes you were with AJ so chill out" Punk said simply
"Actually Elizabeth does" John informed him "So does Nicole"
"Well then that's your problem" Punk shrugged "You have a reputation for sleeping around it's not my problem that the women in your life don't buy your excuses"
"Actually it's your infidelity that caused this" John said to him
"And what would you like AJ to do?" Punk asked dramatically
"Nothing I just wanted to give her a heads up that's all" John said to him "I feel bad about all the heat she is going to be taking over this"
"You should feel bad" Punk said to him
"Don't put this on me" John scoffed "You and AJ were the cheaters I didn't do a thing"
"First of all John you were a cheater" Punk pointed out "We all knew you were fooling around with Mickie less then a year into your marriage and let's be real you wanted to get into AJ's pants during that time"
"Wow" John laughed slowly "You really believe that?"
"Yea I do" Punk said casually "I was around during that time I watched as you followed her around and took her to nice dinners"
"I was trying to be a friend" John argued
"No you were trying to get laid" Punk shot at him
"So what if I was?" John asked coolly "What's it to you? I know back then you thought it because you hated me during my story with her"
"She's my wife that's why it bothers me" Punk spat
"She's your wife now not back then" John pointed out
"I didn't want her to end up like Mickie" Punk shot back
"You think you know it all don't you?" John asked him
"I know how your mind works" Punk informed him with a smirk "And if you really feel bad for AJ how about you tell your current girlfriend that this was bullshit"
"I did" John said to him "But what reason does Amy have to lie?"
"Oh I don't know she's bitter and jealous of AJ?" Punk asked "She's married to me and has a huge wrestling career"
"It's a little out there" John noted
"You have no idea what Amy is capable of" Punk warned "The things she's done-"
"Yea you kind of eluded to that on the podcast but didn't really go into details" John noted
"Because it's private" Punk said to him
"It's not just you and AJ she's trashing" John said to him "Now people are coming down on Nicole for this as well"
"It's nothing compared to what's been done to AJ" Punk said to him "She doesn't deserve all of this heat"
"I'm not saying it's fair but you and AJ were in other relationships when you got freaky with each other" John pointed out
"Do me a favor John- don't mention my wife's name in the same sentence with the word 'freaky' again" Punk warned "And not that it's your business but AJ's boyfriend was cheating on her as well and I'd bet my bus that Amy wasn't faithful either"
"I'm just saying" John defended
"AJ's been through hell over this" Punk admitted "She thinks her attack was karmic payback because she cheated on Trent"
"That's crazy" John scoffed
"It wasn't her karma punishment it was mine" Punk informed him "It was Amy"
"What was?" John asked
"Between us" Punk warned and John nodded "Amy was behind AJ's attack"
"No way" John said shaking his head "I'm friends with Amy and she wouldn't do something like that"
"I didn't believe it either but she admitted to it" Punk said to him "Her and her little buddy Frank worked together. Frank roughed her up and her landlord tried to finish the job"
"That's insane" John said still not believing it
"Your best friend is Orton right? He knows its true" Punk said to him "Orton blackmailed AJ into this story because he knew about us, Amy had her attacked because of me- believe me AJ has paid her dues. From here on out if anyone has a problem with her they can come to me and that includes you boy scout"
"I don't have a problem with her" John said to him "I just want to help her smooth this over"
"I'll worry about that you just worry about keeping Nikki out of her face or you and I are going to have a big problem" Punk warned
When AJ got to the Diva's locker room she noticed Nikki and Brie in one corner, Nattie was chatting with Summer and Tamina was at the locker next to AJ's.
"Hey wasn't expecting you in the locker room tonight" Tamina noted
"Yea well I thought I'd hang out with the girls" AJ forced out and even Tamina laughed
"That's not like you" Tamina smirked
"I know" AJ whispered "I'm trying here"
"I get it" Tamina assured her "And if it makes you feel any better I didn't even read that interview"
"It does" AJ smiled faintly
"You don't owe anyone back here any kind of explanation" Tamina reminded her "Just worry about you"
"I know it's just-" she started then looked over to Nikki who rolled her eyes towards AJ and began to talk to Brie again "I don't want everyone to hate me."
"Nikki will get over it" Tamina assured her. Nikki and Brie walked out of the locker room without even acknowledging AJ and she frowned.
"Amy really has it for me" AJ said to Tamina
"Yea I've noticed" Tamina agreed "Look if you come in here looking guilty it's going to make it all seem true"
"I just don't know what else to do" AJ admitted defeated
"You go about your business like you would if she never said a thing" Tamina instructed "You've worked your ass off to get here and everyone back here can whisper and judge but they're no saints either" she reminded AJ who listened carefully "You're not ashamed of your marriage are you?"
"No" AJ said quickly
"So get your bag and go back where you belong- with your man" Tamina demanded "He's the one who has your back here not any of these girls"
"You seem to have my back" AJ smirked
"I always do" Tamina smirked "Part of me having your back means I keep you in check. Don't let these rumors get into your head."
"You're right" AJ agreed standing up "I've worked my butt off to get here and it doesn't matter what Amy says it doesn't change the fact that I'm good"
"Damn straight" Tamina agreed.
"Wait what's this?" AJ asked reaching behind Tamina, it was taped to one of the lockers
"That's nothing" Tamina said quickly. AJ pulled it down and frowned when she was the raunchy hand drawn photo of herself in bed with Punk asking him to call her 'Lita'. "Don't let it get to you" she warned
"Who hung this?" AJ asked fighting back tears
"There was a bunch up when we got here- Nikki didn't do it if that's what you were thinking" Tamina said to her "I think it was one of the guys"
"This is so hurtful" AJ said shaking her head
"Hey you're stronger than that" Tamina reminded her.
AJ grabbed her bag and stormed out of the Diva's locker room with the picture gripped in her hand. She wasn't sure what she was going to do but she was pissed off.
"Hey AJ!" a voice rang out causing her to freeze in place and slowly turn around
"Cute picture going around" Ryback smirked holding up his own copy of the photo
"You're disgusting" AJ noted
"I bet it's accurate to" Ryback laughed "So if I told you I had a past with Amy what are the chances of getting you into my bed tonight?"
"The same as they would be if she wasn't married and you were the last man on earth" Paul Heyman replied smoothly coming up behind AJ "How old are you Ryan?"
"I'm curious" Ryback shrugged with a laugh
"I suggest you turn around and not speak to Mrs. Brooks for the rest of the evening" Paul instructed snatching the picture from him
"Now she's Mrs. Brooks?" Ryback laughed
"She's been Mrs. Brooks for the past week and I highly suggest you not forget that" Paul warned quietly
"Whatever" Ryback mumbled then turned and walked away
"Thanks" AJ said to Paul
"This will die down after a week" Paul assured her
"Yea. Thanks again but I'm going to go warn Phil about all of this before he sees the picture" AJ said to him
"Better you than me" Paul smirked "Chin up kid this happens sometimes"
AJ headed down the hall to Punk's locker room. She knocked twice before Punk opened the door.
"Welcome" Punk grinned stepping aside to let her in and noticed she had her bag "What happened?"
"I belong here with you" AJ said to him
"Nikki giving you a hard time?" Punk asked
"Not really" AJ shrugged "This I could live without" she said passing Punk the picture.
"Where did you get this?" Punk asked
"The locker room" AJ said to him "But they're everywhere."
"It's stupid" Punk said crumpling up the picture and tossing it into the garbage
"Well I could live without the snide comments from the men" AJ said to him and Punk's face fell
"Was there a male back here stupid enough to say something to you?" Punk asked seriously
"Paul took care of it" AJ said to him simply and unzipped her bag
"Who was it?" Punk asked
"It's probably everyone" AJ said looking back at him
"Once you get past this week it will be over" Punk assured her "Everyone knows how hard you've worked to get here"
"I don't care about that" AJ told him truthfully "I don't want people to think I only married you for fame. I love you and I feel like people aren't really getting that"
"I know you love me and that's all that matters" Punk said to her "Screw everyone else" AJ smiled towards him but she was still miserable and he could see that. "Hey we knew this wouldn't be easy" he reminded her taking a seat next to her on the couch "We knew things like this would happen"
"I know but it all just kind of falls on me" AJ said to him and she wasn't wrong. "I'm glad you're not getting any backlash, I'm just envious" she smirked
"Hey we're in this together" Punk said to her "What happens to you happens to me"
"Oh so Ryback wants to get you into bed too?" AJ laughed then caught herself- she knew she shouldn't have let that slip. "I'm just kidding" she said quickly
"No I mean the guys back here are idiots" Punk forced a laugh. He stood up and walked towards the door.
"Where are you going?" she asked rushing towards him and grabbing his arm
"For a walk" Punk said looking down at her
"To the men's locker room?" AJ asked arching a brow
"There is no telling where I can end up" Punk replied innocently
"Stay here with me" AJ insisted locking the door "Help me warm up" she said pulling him away from the door
"Are you bribing me with sex?" Punk asked almost offended
"Is it working?" AJ questioned
"Yes" he admitted quickly
"Good" she grinned "Because I need you to cheer me up"
"You know what I know would cheer you up?" Punk asked as he watched his wife remove her shirt and carelessly throw it onto the floor while tugging him onto the couch "Watching me beat up Ryback"
"No that wouldn't cheer me up" AJ said shaking her head as Punk leaned down and kissed her
"It would cheer me up" Punk said pulling away and tugging his own shirt off
"Why do you need to be cheered up?" AJ snorted a laugh
"Because you're sad and that makes me sad" Punk pouted childishly
"You make me happy" AJ said running her hands up and around his bare chest "Even though we probably shouldn't do this here" she said as he fully crawled on top of her body.
"Why?" Punk asked as he began to kiss around her ear and moved all the way down her neck
"People already think I'm a whore" AJ reminded him
"You're my wife not my whore" Punk corrected looking at her then reached over and grabbed the controller to his radio and put it on loud. "Now no one will hear you…but me"
After his warm up session with AJ, Punk ducked out of the locker room and was practically skipping down the hall.
"You look chipper" Paul noted catching up to Punk
"I'm a lucky guy" Punk grinned smugly
"Someone got a locker room quickie" Paul remarked almost bitterly
"Hey have you seen Ryback around here?" Punk asked
"No" Paul said casually "And I really wouldn't read too much into it. He was joking"
"I don't care" Punk said to him "I can't let someone disrespect my wife like that. I made vows and stuff."
"The last thing AJ needs right now is you fighting her battles" Paul said to him "If you cause a scene that just means more eyes are going to be on the two of you"
"Ok let me explain this to you" Punk said with a frustrated laugh "I'm not going to let anyone disrespect AJ back here especially some roided up asshole who can't wrestle. And I want people to see what happens when they talk down to AJ this way everyone knows not to do it"
"Alright she's your wife" Paul said defeated raising his hands
"Exactly" Punk said firmly as he reached the men's locker room "I'll only be a minute" he smirked then walked inside.
AJ was by the curtain with Randy going over the script before they headed out. Punk was having a match against Kane but AJ and Randy were going to be ringside. Punk eventually made his way towards the curtain.
"Finally" Randy said annoyed
"Hey what happened" AJ frowned fixing his hair that was gelled back but now sticking up slightly.
"Oh nothing" Punk shrugged
"Your shirt is ripped" Randy pointed out
"Damn" Punk said looking down and pulling it off "Hey can you get me another shirt?" he asked a producer who nodded then headed off in search of a new shirt for him.
"I told you not to do say anything" AJ said to him
"I didn't say a word" Punk defended
"Hey we don't have time for your martial issues" Randy interrupted as the producer walked by and passed Punk a new shirt and he quickly pulled it over his head "I was thinking while you're out there I kiss AJ-"
"Excuse me?" Punk asked
"What?" AJ asked at the same time
"Just kidding" Randy laughed "You two are so dull but seriously we have to up the ante or this Wrestlemania lead in is going to suck"
"Everyone is already invested so relax yourself" Punk said to him "You're going to make AJ cost me the match tonight that's good enough"
"You're up Punk" a producer said to him
"I'll see you out there" Punk said to AJ and she reached up and kissed his cheek
"Want a kiss from me too Phillip?" Randy teased but Punk's response was to flip him off.
"Stop teasing him" AJ warned "He's not in the mood"
"Is he ever?" Randy asked "On second thought don't answer that"
During the match AJ was at ringside and apparently there were a lot of Lita fans. She was now starting to think their story that they worked so hard for was tainted. A few fans were down right crude to AJ and Randy made sure to play his role and tell them off. The worst part of the night for AJ though was when a female fan tossed a soda at her, ruining her outfit and hair. Even Randy couldn't believe the heat AJ was getting for all of this.
AJ and Randy arrived backstage first and she was handed a towel to dry off.
"You took that like a champ" Randy assured her in attempt to make her feel better
"Gee thanks" She remarked bitterly
"Hey people have thrown drinks at me before" Randy reminded her "Hell fans have jumped into the ring and attacked me before"
"This just sucks" AJ said throwing the table "Look at me! I'm a mess!"
"A cute mess" Randy offered but she just glared at him
"Go back to your locker room and take a shower, get a good night sleep and tomorrow will be a better day" Randy told her
"I don't want to be in this arena a minute longer" AJ said to him
"Hey" Punk said reaching the backstage area "You ok?" he asked her
"Yea its just soda" She shrugged.
"Holy shit" Randy mumbled looking to the left and AJ turned to see what he was looking at- her worst nightmare. "Hey Maria!" Randy cheered racing over towards her. There Maria was- the love of her husbands life looking absolutely perfect.
"Wow this night couldn't get any better" AJ mumbled
"Don't give it a second thought" Punk said with a warm smile
"Hey Phil" Maria smiled giving him a hug, one he reluctantly returned "Hi AJ" she said in the same friendly tone "I'm a huge fan"
"Thanks" AJ managed to get out. She couldn't help but feel insignificant standing next to her. "I'm just going to head back to the locker room"
"Do you mind if I had a word with Phillip?" Maria asked her sweetly
"I'm actually-" Punk started
"No go ahead" AJ said to her forcing a smile. She wouldn't let Maria see her jealous. "I'll be in the shower" she said to Punk then walked away.
"You think that's a good idea?" Randy asked AJ as he walked her back to the locker room
"I trust my husband" AJ said to him
"I know but look at her" Randy said to looking back at Maria "Damn" he muttered
"I've had a really bad night" AJ warned him "One wrong thing said will cause me to knee you in your balls and I've been practicing so don't test me" she threatened
"Whatever" Randy laughed "I'll see you tomorrow and don't worry I'll keep an eye on Maria- I mean Punk- make sure they stay clothed"
As Randy walked away AJ looked back and saw Maria smiling as she spoke to Punk, she just walked into the locker room and quietly shut the door.