Chapter 41: Bad, Bad Night
AJ had arrived back at home after the salon and was surprised Punk was home sporting his Blackhawks jersey. There was no way the game was done by now.
"Phil?" she asked putting her bag down and removing her jacket "What happened?"
"Hmm?" he asked being pulled from his thoughts. He was sitting in the dark living room on the couch clearly tense and agitated.
"Why are you still here? What happened to the game?" she questioned
"I told Colt and Cliff to go" Punk said to her and now she was concerned
"Did you get into a fight with them?" she asked nervously
"No" Punk said shaking his had "Frank was here"
"Again?" AJ asked and he nodded "What did he want this time?" she asked taking a seat next to him
"His usual crap about Amy" Punk shrugged
"You should have went to the game and tried to take your mind off of it" AJ said to him
"I didn't trust that he wasn't still lurking around here and I wasn't going to have you walk in here by yourself" Punk said to her
"He's not going to hurt me" AJ smiled loving how protective he was of her- always.
"Yea he might" Punk said looking over to her "Amy is still really pissed and still looking to get back at me by hurting you"
"Is that what Frank said?" AJ asked
"It was along those lines" Punk groaned standing up as AJ followed him with her eyes. "I'm really sorry about all of this" he said to her "This is all on me and I am going to fix this"
"They're just saying that" AJ assured him "She's probably just trying to make you crazy"
"Well it's working" Punk admitted with a hint of anger in his voice "And I'm not taking any chances where she's concerned. She got to you once and it won't happen again"
"Phil I'm ok" AJ reminded him and watched as he looked out the large window into the dark city.
"I can't watch you get hurt again" Punk said to her but still looked out the window. He felt AJ wrap her arms around his waist.
"She's just trying to scare you. Don't even give it a second thought besides I'm prepared this time" AJ informed him "I could take you down if I wanted to" she warned pinching him slightly causing him to smirk
"That is true" Punk said turning around to look at her
"You should go to your game" AJ said to him
"Nah" Punk said to looking down at her "I'll watch here and I'd love it if you'd join me"
"Absolutely" AJ said with a big smile. "Just let me go upstairs and put on my shirt!" she said racing towards the steps
"You don't have to wear it if you're home" Punk reminded her
"No I'm a real fan- I will be watching the game in my new Blackhawks shirt" she said seriously then jetted up the steps.
Punk and AJ were on the couch watching the game. Punk glanced down and noticed AJ leaning on his shoulder she kept her eyes locked on the game.
"I thought the leaning thing was only when we we're at actual games" Punk said to her
"I just like leaning on you" she shrugged simply never removing her eyes from the television. "You're very comfortable"
"So that's why you lean?" Punk asked amused
"Actually I'm always afraid a puck is going to break the glass and hit me and if I'm curled into you it's easier to cover my head" she admitted casually causing him to let out a laugh "But now I've just gotten used to it"
"You would use me as a shield?" Punk asked her
"Yea your arms are much larger than mine" AJ pointed out curling into him further "You wouldn't be too hurt I on the other hand would probably be dead"
"Good point" Punk smirked moving his arm away from her and wrapping it around her so she could lay against his chest. A knock at the door jolted AJ but Punk didn't seem to even hear it.
"I'll get the door" AJ offered but Punk just held her close
"Every time I open that door I get a headache" Punk said calmly "Let's just try to enjoy this moment while we still can"
"What if it's Frank again?" AJ asked looking up at him but now his eyes were locked on the TV
"Well I'd like to prolong as long as possible because if he's standing on my property again I'm going to beat him until all of his teeth fall out then I'm going to punch his face until it turns a nice shade of purple" Punk informed her casually
"You've given that some thought" AJ noted and he shrugged
"I'm channeling my anger" Punk said to her and that's when he heard the door swing open and before AJ could even react Punk was already off the couch and heading towards the door.
"Relax!" Colt shouted seeing Punk ready to pounce on him
"What the fuck man?" Punk asked annoyed
"We bought food" Cliff said holding up two pizza boxes "We didn't feel right going to the game without you" he shrugged
"That is so sweet" AJ said from her spot on the couch
"If you were going to just come in anyway why did you bother ringing the bell?" Punk asked Colt
"Because last time I let myself in you said I would have walked on you having sex" Colt reminded him of their earlier conversation a few days back "So I knocked and no one answers so then I got nervous something happened"
"He's crabby ignore him" AJ said to Colt
"Pizza?" Cliff asked AJ and she nodded excitedly. As Punk went to take his seat next to AJ Cliff jumped behind him and plopped down before he could. "Move your feet lose your seat" he shrugged simply. Punk simply shook his head and moved to the other side of AJ but Colt was already sitting there.
"This is always my seat when I watch the game here" Colt defended
"Well my seat is next to my wife" Punk informed him annoyed "Wherever she sits I sit next to"
"Don't be so clingy Punk" Colt scoffed taking a slice of pizza "It's not like I'm going to hit on her in your house or anything" Punk chose not to answer and took a seat in the large reclining chair and glared towards the two men as they sandwiched his wife.
"Stop being a baby and have pizza" Cliff said to him but Punk kept his arms folded and looked towards the TV.
"He's having a rough night" AJ said to them and stood up and took a seat on his lap "Here" she said passing him a slice of pizza
"Thank you" he said wrapping his free arm possessively around her
"Best seat in the house" AJ informed him kissing his cheek
"You don't even realize how lucky you are do you?" Colt asked Punk seriously "And believe me sweetheart he has the best seat on the house".
As soon as Punk finished his pizza AJ rested her head against his shoulder and got comfortable on the chair with him. This was now becoming Punk's favorite spot in their house. They remained like that for the rest of the game and even when the Blackhawks scored and his first instinct was to jump out he didn't, he just wanted to stay like this forever with her.
The next morning was Monday and they were off to Raw. AJ could tell Punk was still pissed over the Frank/Amy thing but he stopped bringing it up and AJ hoped he was letting this all go so they could focus on work. Punk was settling into the locker room when AJ came running in with something behind her back.
"I've got a huge surprise!" AJ squealed
"Can't be that big if it's in your hands" Punk teased
"This is a big moment" AJ scolded "Huge! It's the third biggest day of my life!"
"What are the other two?" Punk asked curiously
"First one was marrying you obviously" AJ said with an eye roll and he shot her an odd look "The second one was signing with the WWE"
"Well please don't keep me in suspense" Punk encouraged taking a seat on the couch and giving her his full attention
"Tada!" She cheered holding up her first ever t-shirt "I helped design it!" she said flashing the 'Love Bites' t-shirt at him.
"Wow" he said standing up and taking the shirt from her "It's fantastic. I'm really proud of you" he said genuinely. He knew this was a lifelong goal for her and he was happy he could be there to witness it.
"Do you really like it?" AJ asked him
"Yes I really do" he said looking the shirt over "You deserve it"
"I don't want you to be offended about the 'love bites' because obviously it doesn't- well literally maybe" she teased knowing Punk's habit for nipping at her "But this was the shirt they started to make months ago before Randy used his pull to stop it"
"I'm not offended like I said I'm proud" Punk said to her
"They come in men's sizes too" AJ said to him
"Get me one and I'll wear it" Punk said without hesitation "You've always rocked my gear I can at least return the favor"
"I'm also getting knee high socks" AJ said with a smile
"Don't push it" He warned and she let out a soft giggle "You're getting a lot of merchandise released huh?"
"Yup" she said proudly "Socks, a lamp, a hoodie…." As she rambled off everything that was in the works for her Punk listened intently as she went on and on about it "…and they told me if this shirt sells I'll be getting another one in six months"
"It'll sell" Punk assured her "You're going to be the highest selling Diva in history- trust me"
"But if I'm not I'm going to need you to go online and buy all of my t-shirts just in case" AJ said to him and he laughed
"I'll buy anything and everything that has your name on it but I'm positive you won't need my help" Punk smirked kissing the top of her head.
"Hey guys" Randy Orton grinned stepping into the locker room pulling Punk and AJ from their tender moment. He was sporting his gear and AJ's new t-shirt. "I wanted to let you know I'm your first official customer" he beamed to AJ "Just bought this bad boy- no discount"
"That's really sweet" AJ smiled "Thanks Randy"
"Ah don't mention it" Randy said with a wave of his hand "You deserve this shirt"
"She deserved it months ago but someone's ego blocked that" Punk shot at Randy "The least you could do is buy a shirt"
"Oh fuck off Punk" Randy spat "I'm trying to do a nice thing here"
"Which would be admirably if you were a nice guy" Punk shot back at him
"Enough" AJ said stepping between the two
"Get out of my locker room" Punk ordered Orton
"I don't know what you see him" Randy said looking down at AJ "By the way Punk if you're looking for Maria I'm sharing my locker room since the rest of the girls aren't to keen on having her back" he added with a wink
"Randy just go" AJ pleaded knowing Punk wasn't in the mood.
"Alright, alright see you out there Punk" Randy said then walked out of the room
"I hate that guy" Punk said pointing the door Randy had just walked out of
"He's just trying to egg you on" AJ said shaking his head "You make it so easy"
"He's a dick" Punk defended
"You really need to try to relax a little" AJ said to him "You are so tense. The vain in the side of your neck looks like it's going to pop out" she said poking it lightly but Punk swatted her hand away.
"He pisses me off" Punk said to her then walked out of the room.
Punk was watching from backstage as Randy opened the show with AJ. He was main-eventing tonight in a tag match. It was going to be Punk and Cena vs Orton and Kane but first Randy would be cutting promo. Punk was irritated to see Randy still wearing AJ's shirt.
"….Punk has to remember one thing" Randy said to the crowd "Though he may be in fact married to my valet AJ he can not mix business with pleasure. AJ worked for the authority, she works for me" he said looking into the camera "If I tell AJ to get into the ring tonight and hit Punk with a chair she will do so and she will do it with force! If I tell AJ to slap Punk's stupid lips off of his face she will do it if she still wants to have a job tomorrow!" Punk rolled his eyes as Randy rambled on. He couldn't touch Punk's mic skills and he was really struggling in the story.
"If I tell AJ to kiss my cheek she will do so" Randy said with force and then looked at AJ and pointed to his cheek "Do it AJ" he demanded. Punk had read the script and knew this was coming, he didn't mean cheek kissing but he hated watching AJ being belittled on screen. He watched as AJ reluctantly leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Again AJ" Randy demanded and Punk watched as Randy moved his face and pulled AJ into a lip lock. It was quick and sloppy but that vain AJ warned him about flashed back into his head and he was sure it popped now.
"Now tell the world AJ how I'm better then CM Punk" Randy said to AJ who looked mortified. "Tell them how I'm a better kisser" he demanded pushing the microphone into her face "Do you want to work here or not?" he asked her as the crowd booed him "Shut up all of you and listen!" he yelled towards the crowd
"You're better" AJ said quietly into the microphone
"Tell them louder" Randy seethed
"You're a better kisser" AJ spat
"Better than whom?" Randy questioned
"Punk" AJ said then turned her head away from the microphone. Randy grinned triumphantly
"I know what you're thinking" Cena said walking up next to Punk "Don't let it get to you"
"Nothing has gotten to me" Punk said simply with his arms folded
"This is how he works" Cena defended
"So if it was Nikki out there you'd be ok with all of this?" Punk asked him
"If it helped the story sure" Cena shrugged
"Of course" Punk smirked "You'd sacrifice your first born for a story"
"He's making this story good" John defended "Don't jump all over him when he gets back here"
"Who said I was going to do that?" Punk asked him "Why would I jump all over the guy who once again decided to change the story and kiss my wife knowing that was my one rule"
"You have a lot of rules where AJ is concerned" John noted
"Well maybe if you had some rules in your marriage you'd still be married" Punk shot at him coldly
"Ouch" John remarked "You're in a shit mood tonight, more so than usual"
"Mind your own business" Punk spat "And don't ever attempt to give me wrestling or marriage advice again"
"Fine" John said then walked off
"Idiot" Punk muttered as he watched John walk off.
By the time AJ made it back to the locker room she was sure Punk would be gone and in search of Orton but she was surprised to find him causally sitting on the couch. He looked up at her as she closed the door behind her.
"I didn't know he was going to do that" AJ said quickly
"I know' Punk said to her quietly "It's fine"
"Really?" AJ asked him surprised
"Well that depends" Punk said putting his phone down "Are you upset by it?"
"Is this a trick question?" she asked him
"No" Punk said to her "There's no wrong answer. If you felt it helped the story and you're ok with that than so am I" he said simply "But if you tell me he made you feel uncomfortable and you're upset by this I will see to it that it never happens again"
"I'm ok" AJ said to him and he nodded
"Good" Punk said then picked up his phone again
"Are you sure you're ok with this? You're not mad?" AJ asked him
"At you? No" Punk told her honestly
"He improvised" AJ said to him
"Yea I saw" Punk said to her calmly standing up as he reached for the door he turned and looked back at his wife "I just can't help but wonder how you would feel if I was working with Maria and she improvised with something like that" he said casually then shot her a look and walked out of the room.
"So you are mad" AJ mumbled to herself
Punk casually walked down the hall until he found Randy's room. He was about to knock but decided to return the favor of just entering his locker room without knocking. One he stepped into the room he was sure he stepped into the past. There was Orton on his couch with his tights pulled down and his ex- girlfriend Maria on top of him moaning in ways he was all to familiar with.
"You mind?" Randy asked looking over Maria who turned her head
"Oh god" Maria said horrified jumping off of Orton and tugging down her dress.
"You like to watch now Punk?" Randy asked pulling up his pants. Punk glanced at the two but decided a fight would only make it seem about Maria so he simply walked out of the locker room, closing the door behind him.
Tonight couldn't have been worse for Punk. He wanted to strangle Randy but couldn't, instead he had to work a match with him tonight, he was unfairly pissed at his wife and he had just relieved one of the worst moments of his life but couldn't even discuss with AJ. He was by the curtain waiting for his music to hit he was going out last.
"I love you" AJ said walking up to him and looking up at him
"I know" was his short response. He didn't say it coldly but he sounded defeated.
"Please be careful out there" she pleaded grabbing onto his hoodie so he would look at her. She knew the kind of mindset he was in and he could be reckless.
"Only if you stop letting guys kiss you" Punk retorted and AJ just frowned
"We're up AJ" Randy said as his music hit. "See you out there friend" He said to Punk with a grin. AJ looked back at Punk before joining Orton but he looked away.
"I'm not going to give you advice" John said to him "But we're tagging tonight and you need to be in the right mind frame"
"I am" Punk said annoyed
"Well you look like you're ready to rip everyone's head off including your wife's" John noted
"The only head I'm going to ripping is yours" Punk said to him and that's when Cena's music hit "You're up boy scout" he said nodding for John to leave.
As the match went on AJ could see Punk's aggression in the ring. He was rough with everyone in the match, not just Orton. He also avoided looking at her through most of the match. It had gotten to the end of the match and Punk picked up the victory for him and Cena. As the script called for Randy tried to cheap shot Punk as he celebrated, Orton slipped under the ropes and Punk followed him, Randy was to use to AJ to block Punk outside the ring.
As soon as Punk lifted his leg to kick Randy, he tugged AJ in front of him only Punk didn't stop in time and almost took AJ's head off. The horrified look on Punk and Randy's face was not part of the script as she fell to the floor and was knocked out cold.
"AJ" Punk said dropping to the floor and shaking her shoulder
"What the fuck man!" Randy shouted going to check on AJ for himself "You were supposed to stop!"
"It was an accident!" Punk defended "AJ can you hear me?" he asked her
"Can we get some help down here!" Randy shouted waving for the ref
"Oh fuck" Punk muttered as he frantically tried to wake AJ up.
"Move back" doc instructed Punk
"No" Punk spat at the man "I'm so sorry" he said to AJ even though she couldn't hear him
"Didn't you hear the man?" Randy asked tugging Punk up by his arm so both men were now standing nose to nose
"This is on you!" Punk yelled shoving Randy so hard he dropped to his ass on the floor
"Are you that mad at your wife you have to hit her? You think doing it in the ring makes you better than the scum that do it in their own homes?" Randy questioned coming back to his feet. And those few words caused Punk to absolutely snap. He lunged for Orton and the two were now in heated brawl- there was no wrestling going on here and the fans were witnessing everything.
John and Kane reached over to try to break the two up but needed more help, both men had years of tension to work off and it finally all boiled over.
"Hey go check on your wife!" John shouted to Punk as a few other workers held Punk back "You remember her right?" he asked Punk and that's when he looked over and saw AJ was now sitting up and alert.
"Are you ok?" Punk asked leaning down to check on her himself
"Yea" she said rubbing her temple where Punk had kicked her
"I am so sorry" Punk said to her
"It was an accident" AJ said to him. After the shit night he was having and basically taking it out on her she just waved this off, he couldn't believe it. He helped her to her feet and wrapped his arm around her to keep her steady as he slowly helped her to the back.
"I'll take you to the hospital right after this" Punk said to her as they walked the ramp
"I'm really ok" AJ said to him
"You were knocked out cold you could have a concussion" Punk said to her
"The doc checked me out" AJ reminded him
"Are you insane?!" Randy shouted as Punk and AJ made it backstage "You ever put your hands on me like that again I'll break your scrawny neck!"
"I fucking dare you!" Punk yelled back
"Enough!" Vince yelled walking over "What the hell happened out there"
"I don't have time for this" Punk said to them "I need to get AJ to the hospital"
"No hospital" AJ said to him
"Yes hospital" Vince said to her "You took a hard kick- one you weren't supposed to" he said glaring towards Punk
"He's pissed because he caught me with Maria backstage so he took it out on AJ" Randy informed everyone backstage. "You're a real piece of shit!"
"You're not going to make to Wrestlemania" Punk threatened letting go of AJ and reaching towards Orton but more jumped in the middle of them
"Enough I said!" Vince yelled "I won't have this! You go get cleaned off" he instructed Orton "And you go get your wife checked out. I want you both in my office first thing tomorrow morning" he informed them
"That was bullshit" Punk said to AJ "It wasn't about her"
"I know" AJ said to him forcing a smile
"I'll explain everything to you" Punk promised her
"It's ok" AJ assured him "You don't owe me an explanation for how you feel. Just help me back to the locker room?" she asked and he grabbed onto her again and lead her back to the room.
AJ was taken to the ER and cleared. She didn't have any injury but she would have large bump. Every time AJ looked over to Punk he looked devastated. Obviously he made a mistake and he was human it's also a dangerous sport and things like this happen all of the time but she knew he was going to beat himself up over all of this.
"I said I was fine" AJ said as Punk placed another pillow behind her head.. Once they arrived back to the hotel he helped her into and covered her with blankets and surrounded her with pillows.
"It's not fine" Punk said to her
"I'm not mad at you" AJ said to him
"I'm mad at me" Punk said to her "I've never made a mistake like this"
"Oh no you're human" AJ mocked "It's good to know I didn't marry a saint"
"It's not funny" Punk warned her "And about Maria-"
"I already told you that's your business" AJ said cutting him off
"I went to Randy's locker room to beat him senseless for kissing you but when I walked in he was with Maria. I said and did nothing, I turned around and walked out of the room" Punk told her honestly
"It must have bought up bad feelings for you" AJ said to him but he remained quiet "It's ok to feel too" she said to him "You've had a rough few days and I know you're on edge. I also know Maria is a non-factor" she assured him and he felt relieved and she could sense that "You've proved that over and over again"
"I was pissed tonight and I went into that ring and I was reckless and you were the one that got hurt" Punk said to her "I won't forgive myself for it"
"I took a kick to the head not a bullet to the heart" AJ smiled placing her hand on his cheek
"What I did tonight is something I'll never erase" Punk said to her "I messed up in the ring which was bad enough, I hit a woman which is worse but the absolute worst part is that it was you. Someone who I've been trying so hard to protect, someone who when you hurt I feel it"
"I know you do" she said to him softly "You had a bad a night and you're entitled to. It's not like you hit me on purpose and felt no remorse" she said to him. He ran his hands over his face and looked back towards her with watery eyes.
"I love you" Punk said to her "I would never intentionally hurt you physically or emotionally"
"Baby it's ok" AJ assured him "I know all of this. I'm sorry about the Randy thing you were right and I would have told you that earlier but I couldn't find you"
"Forget that" Punk said to her "It's not important. I was looking for a fight all day. I jumped all over Orton, you then Cena."
"Ok and it's done so we move on" she said to simply "I'm going to have bad nights too" she pointed out
"Are you going to kick me in the face?" Punk asked her
"Possibly" She teased
"Good we'll be even" Punk said to her
"Can we just rent a movie?" she asked him
"Yea" Punk said tucking a lose strand of hair behind her ear
"And you'll lay here with me so I can lean on you?" She asked him
"I wouldn't have it any other way" he told her