Chapter 17: Called Up
April had been backstage at Raw before but not as a talent just a guest. Being invited to a pay-per-view event was a big deal for her and she couldn't contain her smile as she roamed the halls. People would say 'hello' to her and compliment her on her work in NXT and the fact that people back here knew who she was floored her. She didn't want to hang around Punk too much backstage mostly because they want to put their relationship out there for people to judge. A lot of people talked about it but the feeling backstage was that they were friends probably with benefits. No one really believed Punk would date such a young and inexperienced woman but a few had their own thoughts. But even if people thought they were dating no one dared ask Punk about it when he walked into a room people respected him.
April still wasn't sure why she was asked to be here this evening but she was about to find out, she was pulled into a meeting with Jane and Mark from talent relations.
"Hello April" Jane smiled trying to ease the young woman's fears
"Hi" April forced out trying not to appear nervous
"April we wanted to talk to you tonight because we're looking for a new valet for one of our male talents" Jane informed her "We've seen your work at NXT, watched your tapes and we're considering you for the job"
"Really?" April asked surprised
"You have a gift for the camera" Mark commented
"Wow" April smiled "I'm flattered"
"You'll still be working in NXT on your move set and polishing yourself in the ring though. We did this with Summer Rae a few months back and thought the transition worked well for her" Jane said to her
"We also want you to realize you won't be in the ring wrestling during this time" Mark clarified "You'll just be at ringside but it's a nice way to make a name for yourself"
"I'll do it" April said eagerly
"We don't want this to be a reason you start slacking in the ring though" Jane warned "We've made that mistake before"
"Oh yea" April said knowing they were referring to the fact that they called Cameron up way too quickly. April didn't want to be a joke like she had become. "Wrestling in the ring is my goal everything else is just a bonus. I won't let you down"
"Well you still need to go through a few more people" Mark smirked "We'd like you to meet the man you'll be working with but we think you'd have chemistry with him. Are you ok with that by the way?"
"Yea" April said with a shrug
"Being an onscreen girlfriend requires you being very dedicated out of the ring to it as well" Mark pointed out
"I thought I was going to be a valet" April said confused
"You will and you'll escort your 'boyfriend' to the ring and help him win his matches" Jane said to her "Is that going to be a problem?"
"No" April said to her "No problem at all" she said happily
"Great" Jane smiled
"So who is it?" April asked
"Dolph Ziggler" Jane informed her and April nodded "Are you familiar with him?"
"I've never met him before but yea of course I know who he is" April said to them
"Well you're about to meet him because he's on his way in" Jane said to her
"I thought he was working with Langston?" April asked
"He is and you'll be added to them" Mark said her "Langston was the one who suggested you to begin with and Nick backed him up" at that moment the bleached blonde man walked into the small makeshift office.
"Sorry I'm late" the showoff sighed "You must be April" he said shaking her hand
"Hi" April smiled politely as he shook her hand
"I finally get to meet the girl that Langston brags about constantly" Nick laughed taking a seat "Did they explain everything to you?"
"Yea they did" April said to him "I'm really honored that you'd want me to work with you"
"I want fresh faces" Nick admitted "I mean it's not a done deal but I'd like to give it a try"
"I won't let you down" April assured him
"And this will work both ways" Nick informed her "You just won't be showing up here I'll try to make it to NXT matches for you to keep it looking real"
"Great" April smiled. She was so happy by how fast things were going for her here.
Punk was in catering sitting at table waiting for April to come by, he was now beyond curious as to why she was called into a meeting with creative. There was no way they were bringing her up as a singles competitor so quickly so that meant they were going to work into another story. He wanted to make sure they weren't setting her up for failure or taking advantage of her. He looked up and saw her enter the catering hall and she slid into the seat across from him, she couldn't wipe the smile off of her face even if she tried.
"I'd ask how it went but I can tell by the smile on your face it went well" Punk smirked
"They want me on TV" April whispered to him and his widened "Not wrestling yet they still need me to work in the ring at NXT but you were right they want me with another guy on TV"
"As a valet?" Punk questioned
"As his girlfriend" April said with such excitement
"No kidding" Punk forced out trying not to sound negative
"Isn't that insane?" April laughed "Langston is the one that suggested me"
"Oh you'll be working with him?" Punk asked and he was now already at ease. He liked Langston and he knew Langston would be nothing less than respectful to her and his relationship with her.
"Yea but mostly with Nick" April said to him as he sipped his water and then almost choked on it "Are you ok?"
"Yea" Punk said to her putting down his water "They want you onscreen with Dolph Ziggler?"
"Yea isn't that cool?" April asked him "He thinks we could have real chemistry"
"He said that huh?" Punk asked coolly
"Yea" April said to him "Well at the end of our conversation he did. It was kind of like an audition I think it went well"
"I'm happy for you" Punk said to her genuinely "I think you'll be great"
"Hey maybe I'll get to be at ringside if you wrestle him or with him one day" April pointed out "Wouldn't that be fun?"
"Yea" Punk grinned
"Why aren't you as excited as I am?" April frowned with a sigh, he was clearly holding back
"I am I really am" Punk said to her seriously
"But what?" April asked him
"But nothing" Punk shrugged with a smile "This is great I look forward to you being on the road with me"
"You won't get sick of me?" April asked him
"Impossible" Punk smirked "You're being given a really big opportunity here April I want to see you succeed and I'm going to help you in anyway possible"
"Oh speaking of 'April' that's going" April said to him
"So which name did you pick?" Punk asked curiously. April had told him they wanted her name change and he had been helping her narrow down her list.
"You are now the proud boyfriend of AJ Lee" she said to him "They really liked that one"
"Is that the name you wanted?" Punk asked curiously. He didn't want them to start controlling her like they did without a lot of the younger talent.
"Yea I liked it" April said to him "Do you?"
"Yea but I'm going to stick to calling you April if you don't mind" he smirked
"You can call me whatever you want" April flirted
"Hot pants?" Punk asked and she nodded "Babe? Honey? Angel? Ape?"
"Can I call you Phillip?" April asked him
"You already do" Punk reminded her "In bed that it is"
"I do not" April said in shock
"You call me Phil" Punk said seriously
"I don't remember doing that" April argued
"Oh you do it's not something you should be ashamed of" Punk assured her "You're one of the very few who can call me Phil"
"Really?" April asked flattered
"Yea you and my sisters are the only ones" Punk said to her
"I'm honored" April smirked
"When are you flying back to Tampa?" Punk asked her
"It was supposed to be tomorrow but they delayed it so I could go to Raw tomorrow. They want me to meet with creative" April informed him
"Alright cool" Punk said to her "You ever travel on a bus before?"
"Of course" April laughed "I didn't drive for a long time" he immediately started to laugh
"I don't mean that kind of a bus" Punk said still laughing "I mean a tour bus. No other people just you, me and the driver and a really big bed"
"Is that an invitation?" April asked
"I wouldn't have it any other way" Punk replied coolly "It's really relaxing"
"Yea ok I can shower at the arena tonight I guess" April said to him and he chuckled again
"I love you so much" Punk blurted out "I have a shower on my bus I have two showers actually"
"Oh" April said feeling embarrassed "I'm new to all of this ok?" she defended trying not to laugh herself
"I know" Punk said he placed his hand on under his chin and looked directly at her "I'm going to teach you everything don't worry"
"Well if anyone is going to teach me I'm glad it's the best in the world" April smiled
"You're in good hands" Punk assured her
"The best hands" Paul Heyman agreed walking over and taking a seat next to April "Hi April" he said and she quickly blushed like she always did. "You look ravishing tonight" he said picking up her hand and kissing it as he usually did.
"Thank you" she said quietly
"Stop hitting on my girlfriend" Punk warned his friend
"She likes me" Paul said with a cheeky grin "I make her blush" he said amused looking over to her "Hey April I do these calendars-"
"No" Punk interjected quickly "Really Paul?"
"They would be tasteful photos" Paul defended
"What kind of photos?" April asked
"Nothing" Punk said to her
"It's good exposure" Paul defended
"April is going to be starting on TV very soon. That's enough exposure" Punk said to him
"No kidding" Paul said surprised and looked over to her "Backstage interviews? Is that blonde already not working out?"
"No they want me to be someone's girlfriend" April said to him
"Yours?" Paul asked Punk surprised
"No Nick's" Punk informed and Paul let out a laugh
"Nick is a great worker and he's going to go far and you'll be along for the ride" Paul said seriously "It's a great spot"
"It's not official yet but it looks good" April said to him "I have a few more people to meet tomorrow"
"If you want we can go over a few things I know they're going to ask you" Paul offered
"Really?" April asked
"Sure thing kid" Paul said to her "I've been in many of those meetings before"
"Thank you so much" she said to him she then looked at her watch and back up at Punk "I told Langston I'd catch him before his match"
"Meet me at the bus after the show" Punk said to her as she stood up
"Which bus is yours?" April asked him
"Just meet me at the exit" Punk smirked
"And you come find me in half an hour and we'll go over some things" Paul said to her and she nodded
"I will. Have fun tonight" she said to Punk then left catering
"You're going to help her?" Punk asked him
"I thought that's what you'd want me to do" Paul said to him "Why?"
"I need to explain to you why I don't want her working with Ziggler?" Punk asked his friend and Paul frowned
"Don't be that guy" Paul warned
"What guy?" Punk asked offended
"The guy who lets his personal feelings interfere with his girlfriends job" Paul said to him "That is what this is" Paul reminded him "It's acting"
"I'm sorry I don't want my girlfriend kissing another man every night" Punk mocked
"Oh boy" Paul sighed "Don't do this" he said shaking his head "This could be huge for her"
"I'm not going to do anything" Punk said to him "I would never get in the way of her job but that doesn't mean I want you to hold her hand through the process. If they want her they'll use her" he shrugged simply
"If you start acting this way in front of her your relationship is going to be over before you had a chance to even enjoy it" Paul warned
"I just don't like the idea of my girlfriend being someone else's girlfriend" Punk said to him
"So don't watch the segments" Paul said to him "Be a big selfish baby and ruin this moment for her"
"I wouldn't ruing this for her" Punk said to him "I know how much it means to her"
"Good so instead of being a jealous boyfriend how about you teach your slightly prudish girlfriend how to tramp it up onscreen" Paul suggested and Punk shook his head slowly
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" Punk asked seriously
"She's going to be heel" Paul reminded him "She's going to have to be a heel manager/girlfriend. They're probably trying to make her and Nick the new Amy and Adam"
"Oh good" Punk said with a smirk "She'll get to have a live sex celebration in the middle of the ring- with another man"
"This is the PG era" Paul reminded him "I doubt she'll even have to take her shirt off"
"I'm not going to sabotage her or anything" Punk said to him "I want this to work out for her as for my own feelings I'll work through them"
"Good" Paul said to her "Because you know offers like this don't just happen"
"Yea" Punk agreed lightly
"What?" Paul asked and Punk just shrugged "Something is on your mind"
"How often do they pick a girl from NXT out like that? She's had one match and they already want her on TV as a girlfriend?" Punk whispered
"It is fast" Paul agreed
"Hunter hates me" Punk spat
"Oh boy" Paul chuckled
"Come on" Punk said to him "Out of nowhere they pluck a girl from NXT who just happens to be my girlfriend to be Ziggler's new onscreen girlfriend?"
"I think you're paranoid" Paul said to him honestly
"Yea" Punk remarked "I sound crazy I know. But I know how these people think here and Hunter knows I'm close with her"
"Everyone knows it" Paul sighed "So you two can stop acting like you both aren't boning"
"Wow" Punk remarked "How do you know that?"
"You had a little extra pep in your step" Paul laughed "You got laid finally! Congrats! How was it?"
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Punk asked him
"No" Paul said honestly
"It was…" Punk said slowly "…the best I've ever had"
"No way" Paul scoffed
"I'm not going to get into details with you but there was something very different about it" Punk admitted
"Virgin girls…." Paul trailed off "I don't think I've ever been with one"
"It has nothing to do with that" Punk said to him "I just have a connection with her I really can't describe it"
"I'm happy for you" Paul said to his friend "You deserve to finally be happy"
"She makes me happy" Punk admitted "I feel like a different person when I'm around her, I always want to be around her it's so weird."
"Yea the fact that you actually enjoy somebody else's company is odd" Paul laughed "I'm sure she feels the same way which is why your insecurities about this Nick thing is crazy"
"Yea I know" Punk said to him "Like I said I'll work past it. I'm not going to let my feelings jeopardize her job"
"So I can help her?" Paul asked
"Yea" Punk said to him and he smiled
"Can I ask her about posing-" Paul started
"No!" Punk yelled standing up and walking away
"He has it so bad" Paul laughed to himself
April was waiting by the exit door for Punk. He was last to go on but April was excited about being on his bus and just getting to be alone with him again. Ever since she met him her days had gotten better and better.
"Hey" A blonde woman with strikes smiled walking over to her and extending her hand "I'm Celeste" the Diva's champion Kaitlyn introduced
"Hi" April smiled
"I hope you don't mind me coming over but I'm pretty good friends with Langston and he brags about you" Celeste admitted
"He's told me about you" April said to her "It's nice to meet you"
"You too" Celeste said "I heard you might give me a run for my money for this" she said holding up her Diva's title belt
"I don't know about that" April said to the larger woman "But I'd like to give it a try someday"
"Someday must be coming soon" Celeste noted "I'm not here to get the inside scoop or anything"
"It's fine" April said to her
"…she's a waitress" Beth said to Natalya as they passed by April "Working in catering tonight girly?" she teased over to April as she passed
"Bitch" both April and Celeste said at the same time. And at that moment they realized they'd be friends.
"Langston said we're pretty similar" Celeste admitted with a laugh "It's going to be nice to have a girl back here who doesn't care about how pricey her bag is or if her shoes match her shirt"
"Yea I'm pretty boring" April admitted
"Down to earth" Celeste corrected "Don't let the other girls get to you"
"I was warned about Beth already" April said to her and Celeste nodded
"She's just jealous that she's not the talk of the women's division anymore" Celeste said to her "You've been quit the hot topic"
"Really?" April asked
"Yea I mean no one really knows your story" Celeste admitted "It's not bad stuff everyone says how good you are and people know you're in with the higher up guys"
"I'm really not" April laughed "John Cena is a guy I used to wait on"
"It's not really Cena they're referring to" Celeste said to her
"I like to keep that private" April said to her
"Hey it's not my business" Celeste said to her "It's nobody's actually. Just don't let anything get to you and you'll be fine"
"Thanks" April said
"Hey" Punk said walking over with her bag
"Hey Punk" Celeste smiled and he nodded towards her "See you around April"
"What was that about?" Punk asked as he walked April out of the arena
"She was just introducing herself" April said to him "She seems nice"
"I don't really know her" Punk admitted "So she must be ok. If you hear too much about somebody back here it's never good"
"They're talking about me" April informed him as they walked the parking lot together
"Is that what Celeste said?" Punk asked
"She said it wasn't bad" April said to her "I think people think I'm sleeping my way to the top"
"They don't like me that much" Punk said to her as they approached the bus "I didn't request you get brought up or even mention you to anyone since you've been signed"
"I know that" April said to him "I just want people to know I got here on my own merit"
"And they will once they see you" Punk said to her as they reached his bus and he stepped onto it.
"Wow" April said as she walked up the stairs "It's huge!"
"Yea" Punk chuckled "You like it?"
"It's bigger then my apartment now" April said to him
"I like space" Punk said to her simply
"Where is your room?" April asked and his eyes lit up "I'm just curious" she smirked
"Hey we can go" he said to the driver who nodded "Follow me" he said to April and led her to the back room. "It's not too fancy but I've got a TV here and a radio"
"Can we watch a movie?" April asked and he nodded
"Yea pick something out" he said pointing to the cabinet
April selected the first x-men and they both laid in the dark back room on the bed curled up watching x-men.
"You know you have nothing to worry about right?" she asked him as she kept her eyes on the TV
"What?" Punk asked looking down at her
"I know you aren't happy about me working with Nick" April said looking up at him "I just want you to know it means nothing to me"
"I know that" Punk said to her
"Do you? Because you seemed mad" April said to him
"I wasn't mad just surprised" Punk told her "I'd prefer if you weren't with another man onscreen but I'll get over it"
"For every kiss I have to give him I'll give you three" April offered
"I like that" Punk smiled "But that'll have me hoping for you to kiss him and I don't want to do that"
"You're the only one I want to kiss" April said to him "Ever"
"No tongue" Punk said to her and she frowned "When he kisses you just tell him no tongue and we'll be good"
"Ok" she smiled "No tongue"
"Ever" Punk clarified and she nodded
"Now give me a kiss because honestly this whole playing it down all night was driving me crazy" April said and he didn't need to be told twice he leaned down and kissed her.
The kiss quickly escalated and he was soon grinding against her as his tongue explored her mouth and his hands massaged her breasts under her t-shirt. He knew she loved her newfound appreciation for sex but he loved it just as much if not more. There was something about being with someone with he truly loved that made it ten times better. It's not that he didn't care or love the other women he had been with or at least he thought he did. April wasn't the most experienced in the bedroom but she was eager to learn and he was happy to teach her. While his thoughts were running wild in his head he had already removed her clothing and she did the same to him.
Every time he entered her it felt like the first time he was with her. Her soft cries drove him absolutely wild and he was finding it hard to contain himself more and more. She always encouraged him to go faster or harder but he didn't want to hurt her; he wanted her to be as pleasured as he was. He loved being the only one to touch her it made him proud and he never wanted her to regret giving him that honor. All of his fears of Jason, the politics backstage and here working with Nick were washed away. He knew she was the one for him and he was never going to let her go. He looked down at her as he propped himself up so he could watch her face while he moved in and out of her and he knew she was his.
"I love you" he said as quickened his pace
"I know" she managed to get out. He loved how he could completely consume her and render her speechless.
After they were finished Punk was out like a light, he never slept much except when she was at his side. She always found it hard to fall asleep after being with him so she spent a lot of time just running her hand through his hair. He was always in pain physically and he had a reputation of being an asshole but when he was with her he was a gentleman. He always had her best interests at heart and sometimes it would come across as 'overbearing' or 'overly protective' but she knew he only wanted her to be happy.
"I love you too" she whispered softly and kissed the top of his head. When she finally rolled over to face the wall she felt the bed shift and his arm wrap around her and tug her close. She wasn't even sure if he was actually awake half of the time he did it. She just fell asleep with a smile on her face in the arms of the man that loved her just as much if not more than she loved him.