April 27, 2013

"Coffee," I call knocking on my brother's door. "Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee."

"What has gotten into you this morning," he sighs as he opens the door.

"More like what was in me last night." I smile wagging my eyebrows at him.

"Listen, I know you're an adult and you're gonna do… adult things. Could you do me a favor and not tell me about it," he grumbles tugging the collar of my oversized shirt higher on my shoulder. "And hide the evidence better."

"Of course Bubba," I smile adjusting my shirt to hide the generous amount of marks left from the previous night before handing over the coffee cup. "Here's your obligatory cup of horrible hotel coffee to wake you up. Your breakfast is ordered. I'm on my to pick it up and some better coffee. While you're eating I'm going to take a shower and get ready. We leave in an hour."

"Sounds good," he sighs retreating into his room again.

XXX

"Can I help you," the older waitress asks as I approach the counter of the hotel restaurant.

"Yes," I smile sweetly. "I called down with an order for Orton. Can I add a large coffee, a small coffee, and the largest soda you can make right now. Preferably Mountain Dew."

"Long night honey," she smiles back.

"With a long day ahead of me."

"Cash or charged to a room."

"Room 1216. Randal Orton."

"All taken care of Sweetie," she smiles after pressing a few buttons on the touch screen computer behind the counter before sliding a bag containing my brother's breakfast and a drink carrier towards me.

"Cream and sugar," I asked before being directed to a beverage bar next to the door and slipping a five dollar bill to the waitress.

"You're Randy Orton's sister, right?"

I look up from Randy's coffee to find a chipper looking blonde beside me. "One of only two made," I smile readying myself for the typical fan girl reaction. "But if you think he's surly on TV, you should see him without his morning coffee so I better go."

"This isn't about your brother," she snaps her demeanor changing instantly.

"Alright," I grin tightly picking up my coffee, "you have my attention. If it's not about my brother, what is this about?"

"Are you JJ," she asks thickly.

"Yes," I answer cautiously taking a large gulp of coffee. The conversation already grating on my nerves and the caffeine soothes them slightly.

"Stay away from Stephen."

"Not a problem. Anything else?"

"I'm serious," she sputters obviously ready for a fight.

"Me too," I sigh draining my coffee and tossing the cup in the trash beside her. "Have him. I'm done. Now if you'll excuse me I have to get to work."

XXX

"So," Randy sighs leaning against the doorframe as I finish my hair.

"Hey Bub," I smile, "I'm almost done. I'm all packed. Just got to let this cool," I say motioning to the straightener.

"I remember when you would let those curls of yours go wild. Of course you were a brunette back them too," he smiles tucking a strand of black hair behind my ear.

"I couldn't do that anymore."

"Why not exactly?"

"Because I looked like her, Randy. I looked like my mom. It just hit me one day when I looked in the mirror. I couldn't do that anymore."

"How was your night," he asked changing the subject.

"Pretty good."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"He treat you right?"

"I thought you didn't want to know about those things."

"Fair enough."

"So what do you really want to talk about?"

"I talked to Dad yesterday afternoon."

"And," I ask propping a hip against the sink. "What lovely things did he have to say about me this time?"

"You stabbed a guy, JJ. He almost died. That is not something people are going to forget anytime soon. How could you do something so stupid?"

"I'm so sick of this," I growl gathering my styling products. "You don't care about anything other than it made your family look bad. I'm sorry I'm not perfect. But I am so sick of not a damn one of you giving a damn about me." Closing up my suitcase I yank it up. "I'll be waiting in the car. Don't brood up here too long."

XXX

"What are you working on," Randy asks after about five minutes of silence in the car.

"Your schedule for next month. Is that ok? Or is there something else you would like me to work on for you, Boss?"

He sighs softly, his hands tightening on the wheel. "I'm just trying to help you," he whispers before falling into silence again.

I check the time before picking up my phone.

You alive yet, Leste?

Working on it. Just finished breakfast with Colby. Getting on the road soon. Talk to you when you make it to the arena?

Will do. Tell your hair twin hi for me.

I turn back my work as my phone chimes with a text message again. Expecting Celeste it takes a few seconds to process what my screen is showing me. Jon.

I'm bored.

How is your number already in my phone when I never got it from you?

You don't want it in there, delete it.

I'm just not use to random guys inserting themselves into my phone.

I'm hurt. Here I was thinking we were friends.

I apologize. I'm still a little foggy from lack of sleep. How can I ever make up to you, he who is my bestest of friends?

Do something about my boredom. Of course.

Of course. You can do all my scheduling work while I take a nap. It's a winner for all involved.

How about no.

It was worth a try. Unfortunately that is all I got at the moment.

How about…

I'm sure there is an end to that sentence somewhere I send after a few minutes.

Impatient much?

You would know all about impatience wouldn't you.

I don't know what you're talking about.

I chuckle softly causing Randy to glance my way, I ignore him. My phone chimes once again.

20 questions.

Really? You're how old and you want to play a teenager game.

Look at you, three questions in already. But please let's take turns. Wouldn't want to be rude.

Fine. Your game you go first.

Age before beauty, Babe.

I believe I have you beat on both. Start.

1. Who is the Anna tattoo on your back for. Please say an ex-girlfriend that you had a healthy sex life with.

I smile despite myself. Sorry to burst your fantasy bubble but it is for my mother. This is a little embarrassing for me after last night but 2. What is your last name?

Good.

My forehead creases in confusion. Good what? Good I'm embarrassed?

It's my name. Jonathan Good. It's not your turn for questions by the way. Naughty girl.

Yeah, yeah, spank me later.

Tempting but you would enjoy it too much. 3. What is the most embarrassing thing you have ever done?

You tell anyone this and you are dead, understood?

Absolutely.

I purposely stepped on a rake one day to see if it would come up and smack me in the head like in cartoons…Twice.

I'm sorry. I just spit half a bottle of water all over the car. His response comes after a few minutes. Colby is not happy. 5. How old were you?

We are on 4 and it's my turn.

You asked a question before you answered mine. It's back to me. Now answer.

Older than I care to admit but young enough for it to be socially acceptable for me to be that stupid. I will have to continue this later. I have some assisting to do. I send off the message flipping my phone to silent as we pull into the parking lot for Randy's meet and greet.

XXX

"Did you enjoy yourself last night."

I turn to find Stephen glaring at me as I watch Celeste's match. "Immensely," I smile turning back to the monitor. "I noticed that your date didn't join you in the bar. Was it past her bedtime?"

"Funny," he growls standing beside me. "What time did you and Jon part ways?"

"Not that it's any of your business but early."

He can not contain his grin. "Couldn't satisfy you, could he?"

"Oh, that wasn't a problem," I return his grin. "He kept me quite satisfied throughout the night. I meant he left early this morning. I think it was around four. I was too exhausted to open my eyes to be sure."

The grin slides from his face. "About the time I was meeting Danielle to finish our date. Surprised I didn't pass him in the hallway."

Knowing he was looking for a reaction I keep my face placid. Glancing around the backstage area I find the tall blonde woman. "That Danielle there," I ask nodding in the correct direction.

"Yes," he grins.

"Huh," I sigh.

"What?"

"Well, I saw her in the hotel restaurant about an hour later and she still seemed a bit wound up. Are you sure she was satisfied? I mean I know how you're prone to early releases."

Suddenly my back is against the wall, Stephen's forearm across my windpipe, his face snarling inches from mine. "Hit a nerve, Ste," I rasp.

"Ok," he breathes removing his arm but I'm still pinned by his body. "Ok, we both had our fun last night. Now I think it's time we get our relationship back on track."

"I think it's time you get the fuck off me. I don't deal with cheaters. Ever."

"It still turns you on, doesn't it? Being pressed between me and a solid object."

"Actually it's making me sick to my stomach. I don't know what kind of skank you've been rubbing up against. Thank God I made sure to protect myself with you."

"Did you now?"

"What does that mean?"

"Everything ok, JJ?"

I turn my head slightly to the left to find Colby looking on tensely.

"Everything is fine," Stephen growls yanking my face back to face him again.

"I believe the boy was talking to my sister," Randy's voice is eerily calm from my right.

"My only problem is I'm stuck to this wall. Someone please get this piece of Irish trash off of me," I growl around Stephen's viselike grip on my jaw.

"Who are you calling trash, slut," Stephen snarls slamming my head into the wall. Spots float in front of my eyes and it takes a few seconds of blinking to force them to recede.

"Touch her again," my brother snarls down at the pale man kneeling holding his jaw.

"I always miss the best parts."

"You ok?"

"Fine, Colby," I try to smile pulling myself from the wall. "Thank you."

"Jon was going to kill him," he murmurs turning just enough for me to see Jon being restrained by a dark haired man. Even from across the room I can see the murder in his eyes as he glares at the Irish man.

"I'm fine. Please tell him to calm down. Thank you for coming to the rescue," I sigh giving his shoulder a friendly squeeze before he walks off and Randy approaches.

"What did you do now," my brother whispers examining my face.

"Of course, it had to be something I did," I whisper back pulling away. "Your constant source of embarrassment. If you don't need me, I think I'll call a cab to take me back to the hotel."

His arm shoots out to stop me as I start to walk off and I turn bracing myself for whatever he has to say. Instead he leans down and kisses the top of my head. "I'll check on you when I get back."

XXX

I ignore the knocking at the my hotel room door, pulling the pillow over my head.

"Jaybird," Randy calls. "Open up."

"No," I mutter into the pillow.

"JJ," he calls.

I just shake my head.

"Janet," he shouts.

"Randall," I mutter.

"I'm coming in."

"No, you're not."

"Yes I am," he smiles down at me, removing the pillow. "You could have a concussion."

"I inherited the Orton hard head. I'll be fine."

"You should still be checked out."

"I said I am fine."

"JJ," he sighs, sitting on the side of the bed.

"No. I get it. I embarrass you every time you turn around."

"I misspoke earlier," he interrupts. "Ok? I'm an idiot, I was in a rage after watching my sister rammed into a wall, and I spoke out of anger. Just tell me what is going on."

"Do you really care?"

"You know I do," he sighs, meeting my eyes squarely. I'm sure the hurt in his blue eyes are mirrored in my own. "What's going on with you and Stephen? I mean a month ago he was sneaking out of your room at four thirty in the morning, now he's assaulting you at the arenas."

I stare back at him in shock.

"Don't look so shocked," he laughs. "I woke up early one morning and caught him coming out. It's your life. I didn't see a problem with him. Until tonight that is. What happened?"

"Last night, happened," I sighed sitting up. "I caught him out with someone who is definitely not me."

"Oh, Jaybird."

"I decided what was good for the goose was good for the gander. Or the other way around. He was voicing his displeasure and trying to convince me to take him back."

"And you being an Orton, you told him to go to hell."

"Actually I believe I insinuated he had the tendency to arrive to the destination prematurely in the bedroom."

"Ouch."

"You're telling me," I smirk running a hand over the small knot on the back of my head.

"You sure you're ok?"

"No nausea. No blurred vision. I can think just fine. It's just a bad headache. I'll live."

"I'll bring you some aspirin."

"I just want some sleep and to be alone right now. I'll be fine, I promise."

"I'm going to check on you throughout the night," he smiles, kissing my forehead. "Don't deck me."

"I make no promises."

I let the smile fall from my face as I resume my position in the bed. "How exactly do you let yourself get into these situations," my brain questions. "No idea," I answer aloud as I feel myself slipping towards sleep.

A light knock pulls me back.

"I said I'm fine Randy," I call.

Another knock, slightly harder than the first.

"Fine," I mutter, dragging myself to the door. "Wha-. Jon," I stutter. "What are you doing here?"

He silently studies my face, his blue eyes dropping momentarily to my throat before reaching out to run a hand through my hair. His fingers skim lightly across the knot and I try to suppress a hiss of pain. He pulls his hand away and extends his other arm towards me. I take the bundle cautiously.

"Next time I get that Irish bastard in the ring, he will pay," he growls before turning on his heel to leave.

I open the bundle in my hands to find an ice pack and a small container of aspirin. Lying back in bed, I pick up my phone.

Thank you.

Don't mention it. Goodnight babe.

XXX

"Wake up, Jaybird," Randy calls for the third time tonight.

"What," I murmur.

"Concussion check."

"I'm already sick of this," I sigh sitting up.

"You should have thought about that when you slept with a hothead," he smirks holding a small flashlight in front of my eyes.

"Didn't really foresee this coming Bub."

"No one ever does Sis. Any change," he asks moving the flashlight from side to side. I follow with my eyes.

"Knot is going down."

"Anything else?"

"No. Headache is just duller. I meant to tell you something earlier," I start moving to the stack of papers on the table. "I finally got you time off. End of July to mid August. You really need an agent for this kind of crap," I smirk. "They don't take personal assistants' request very seriously."

"But you got it taken care of."

"I'm persistent," I smirk handing over the papers.

"You are that," he smiles, taking the papers and kissing my forehead. "You are also too stubborn to stop working even when someone is here to take care of you."

"I can just double my pay that way. You know hazard pay and all."

"I'll be back in an hour or two," he smirks turning to leave.

"I'll be here."