May 4, 2013

"Hey Celeste," I smile into the phone as I pick up Randy's lunch. "What's up?"

"Hey, what are your plans tonight?"

"Nothing at the moment but I'm sure I can make something up if you're setting me up on a blind date again," I laugh, mouthing a thank you to the waitress before slipping her a tip.

"It worked out pretty well for you last time."

"It was a happy accident," I smirk sliding into the rental car.

"Well, I was calling to see if you would like to join me and a few others for dinner."

"A few others? What's a few?"

"Mmmm… at least six maybe more."

"You know I'm not a big people person, Leste," I smirk as I drive through the city.

"It's just going to be April, me, Colby, and a couple of his friends. You know April though. Anyone she comes across today could be invited. Jon will most likely be there," she states and I can hear the smile in her voice.

My heart rate speeds up at the thought of Jon. I haven't seen the man since our night together but we have continued to text on a daily basis. "Um," I start clearing my throat. "I'll check Randy's schedule to see if I'm free and I'll get back to you."

"JJ, don't pull the work card on me-"

"I'll do my best to be there," I interrupt, "if I'm not working. I'll call you later and let you know my answer."

"It better be a yes. I will hunt you down."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm terrified," I smirk. "Later Sis."

"Later," she laughs ending the call.

XXX

"JJ. You made it," April smiles, rushing me. "I'm so glad. I thought Celeste was going to start a search party for you."

"She knows. I warned her it would happen if she didn't show," Celeste smiles taking April's place in my hug.

"You said seven. It is ten til seven. What's with the search party talk already," I smirk, smoothing out my top.

"Ten minutes til is five minutes late for you," The two toned Diva smirks.

"She has a point," April smiles as the hostess approaches.

"Reservations?"

"Yes. Under Mendez," April states. "Can we change that from a party of six to ten?"

I shoot Celeste a look over the shorter woman's head. She shrugs in response.

"That might be difficult, Miss," the hostess frowns.

"Oh please," April pouts. "Four of our friends were just able to join us. It has been so long since we all caught up."

"Let me see what I can do," she sighs hurrying off.

"How exactly are you single," I grin. "You just manipulated a woman, men must just melt."

"Maybe that's the way I swing," April returns the grin, wagging her eyebrows at me.

"Color me intrigued," a familiar voice states.

April's face reddens as we turn to find Colby, Jon, and a third man approaching.

"Please tell us more," Colby smiles, his arm snaking around Celeste's waist. "In graphic detail."

"Miss Mendez, there will be a five minute wait but we can accommodate your larger party," the hostess smiles as she returns but April is staring at the third man in the group.

"That's fine," I smile. "Thank you."

"Would you like to wait in the bar?"

"Yes, thank you," Celeste smiles, watching her friend closely.

"Ok, Shorty," I smile, wrapping an arm around the embarrassed girl's shoulders as we follow Jon towards the bar. "Who are the other four joining us?"

She turns her head to take one last glance at the dark haired third man before turning to me, a smile sliding into place. "I know, I know, this is close to torture for you but it won't be too bad. I promise. It's just Victoria, her boyfriend Stu, the new girl and her date."

"Which new girl," Celeste asks from behind.

"I'm sooo fucking flustered right now I can't even think," she murmurs rubbing her temples. I squeeze her shoulder comforting. "My mind is blanking out on me," she smiles back at her friend. "You know the dancing girl."

I side step Jon as he stops in his tracks in front of us. I send him a questioning look as we pass.

"Dancing girl," Celeste questions. "Danielle," she gasps.

"Yeah, that's her name," April smiles briefly before seeing the look me and Celeste share. "Wait, what's going on?"

"Nothing to worry about," I smile tightly. "It'll be explained to you later in private."

Celeste nods shortly as we take our seats at the bar.

"So," I whisper leaning over to talk directly in April's ear, "what's up with you and the hunk of caramel over there," nodding to the man in question.

"What," she stutters pulling her eyes from the man to meet mine.

"You heard me," I smile as a drink is placed in my free hand. Turning I nod a thanks to Jon as he takes a seat next to me before turning back to April.

"He is no one."

"No one? No one has had you completely flustered since he showed up."

"Excuse me," she smiles to the group before making a quick exit.

"That was mean," Celeste smiles.

"You would do the same thing," I smirk.

"I'll go calm her down," she sighs. "Listen for our table."

"JJ," Colby calls softly motioning for me to take Celeste's empty seat. I slide across the two empty barstools and settle next to him.

"Yes," I smile taking a sip of my drink.

"You've been talking with Jon, I understand," he starts staring straight ahead.

"Yeah," I answer. "Is that an issue for someone?"

"No," he sighs taking a pull of his beer. "But I'm pretty sure he didn't explain why he was so angry with Stephen last week. He has a past with Danielle and I think there are still some feelings floating around his head."

"Danielle? As in the girl Stephen cheated on me with? The one April has no idea what she did while inviting to this dinner."

"She broke his heart," he states, "It was a while ago but still. He tends to hold on to hurt for long periods of time so," he seems to search for the right words, "just be careful. Celeste seems to think you two would be good for one another, I'm not so sure about that fact."

"I have experience with holding on to hurt," I smile patting his arm. "I'll be fine but I appreciate your concern. Thank you."

He nods as I move to return to my seat.

"Party for Mendez," a staff member calls.

"That's us."

XXX

"I'm so sorry, JJ," April whispers as she leans down to hug me as she returns.

"You didn't know," I smile, patting her arm. "No harm really done."

"If you want to leave-"

"And let the Irish bastard think he can get to me," I snort. "Please. Do me a favor though and make sure they sit as far from me as possible."

"And how do you expect me to do that?"

"You will sit on the other side on Jon here," I nod to my right. "Knowing Tori, she will sit beside you. That will put enough space between us to make this doable."

She glances over at the seat and then across the table at the mysterious "no one".

"There are gonna be three couples here," I cut any argument she was going to give, "we were gonna end up with the single guys. I chose mine. Now sit, they're coming," I smirk spotting the bubbly Diva entering.

Sighing she slides into the chair and sliding a smile into place as she waves her friend over. I feel the tension spread through Jon as the last of our group joins us. I reach over and squeeze his arm reassuringly, pasting on my own wide smile. He relaxes minutely as he covers my hand with his, glaring up at Stephen.

"Hey girl," Victoria smiles looking pointedly at me and Jon. "Jon."

"Hey Tori," I smile widely. "How have you been?"

"Good," she grins moving to take a seat next to April. "This is my boyfriend, Stu. Stu, this is our friend JJ."

"Pleasure," the tall man beams taking the seat beside his girlfriend.

"Mutual."

"So I think everyone knows everyone now," April smiles avoiding the other couple joining the table.

"Not exactly," I murmur nudging Jon with my elbow to bring his attention back my direction. "You want to introduce me or should I do it myself."

"Sorry Babe," he smiles tightly intertwining our fingers. "Joe, this is my friend JJ I told you about last week. Joe is Colby's tag team partner and the third in our group."

"So this is the infamous JJ," the man smiles widely.

"Depends on what he's been saying. Good things, yes. Bad things, must be some other JJ."

"Oh, it has been nothing but good," he laughs.

"Good," I smile as the guys settle into a conversation about subjects that didn't interest me and the girls laugh about various subjects. I smile at what I hope are the appropriate times as my mind drifts into work mode, mentally listing the things I need to accomplish the following day.

"You're zoning out," Jon whispers against my ear as our food arrives.

"Sorry," I smile meekly.

"You know I just came here for you and you're leaving me alone with these people."

"You poor thing."

"So JJ," Stu calls down the table, "what brings you to our wonderful company?"

"My brother," I answer simply. "I'm an Orton."

"Wrestler?"

"No," I chuckle. "I'm strictly backstage only. Assistant."

"The best assistant backstage," Celeste smiles. "It doesn't matter who it is, you mention you need something and she will do it."

I ignore the murmuring from the end of the table. "I got to like you to get my services," I wink at Celeste.

"No girl, you are a God send sometimes," Victoria grins. "You have saved my behind a few times already."

"Oh, you guys really know how to make a girl blush," I smile fanning my face.

"Randy better stay on his best behavior or we might steal you."

"That won't ever happen," I laugh before excusing myself from the table.

XXX

"Enjoying my leftovers," Danielle smirks through the mirror at me as I exit the bathroom stall before pulling out a tube of lip gloss.

"I could ask you the same thing but I can still remember what it's like to be with Stephen."

"Glorious."

"Pathetic," I smirk, moving to the furthest sink from the tall blonde. "Being ignored except when you're behind closed doors. He lacks intimacy and he refuses to even acknowledge this aspect of himself. He thinks himself the greatest person. One day you will wake up to see this too."

"We have been together two months and he's already talking about marrying me."

"You have fun with that. He cheated on me to get you," I state lowly. "He would have probably continued to cheat if I hadn't caught him. What makes you think he won't do the same thing to you when the next young thing comes around?"

"Stephen loves me. Jon doesn't know how to love," she snarls. "That is why I left. You should do the same."

"Jon is at least up front about who he is," I smirk yanking the door open. "You enjoy yourself and the Irishman's version of love because I am enjoying myself."

"You stay with him and you will end up hurt."

"I've already been hurt. Now I just want fun."

XXX

"You're zoning out again," Jon whispers nudging me.

"I know, I know," I sigh. "I just shut down in groups more than four. I feel like I get lost in the shuffle of people."

"Would you like to join me for a drink," he asks standing.

"Sure," I smile, joining him on my feet.

"You're leaving," April asks, her face falling.

"Yeah. I'm sorry, Sweetie."

"Is it Danielle and Stephen," she whispers.

"No. It's me and big groups," I smile hugging her. "Next dinner is on me, just us girls."

"It's a date."

"Joe, it was a pleasure meeting you. Keep an eye on my other girl here, will you?"

"Same," he smiles widely. "And of course."

"I hate you," April mumbles as I turn to walk away.

"No you don't."

I take a deep breath as we exit the restaurant. "So, where are you taking me," I ask turning to Jon.

"We passed a couple bars on the way here or we could always hit up the hotel bar."

"Hotel," I state. "I have Randy's rental. It'll be easier in the morning if it's at the hotel."

"Lead the way then," he smiles motioning me in front of himself. "So what was all the whispering with April about?"

"Girl stuff," I smirk unlocking the rental car. "It wouldn't interest you."

"Try me," he smiles sliding into the passenger seat.

"She has a thing for Joe."

"She does?"

"Seriously? You could not see that? The second she noticed he was there she got all flustered and pretty much stayed that way all night."

"Guess I just wasn't paying attention," he smirks.

"Danielle?"

"What about her?"

"She had you distracted tonight."

"Nah."

"Celeste said her name and you stopped in your tracks. She walked in and you went all tense. You want to talk about it?"

"Fucking Colby," he murmurs turning to stare out the passenger window.

"I'll take that as a no," I sigh.

Jon sits brooding at his beer across the booth from me. I sit studying him as I chew on my bottom lip. "Jon," I sigh.

"Don't," he barks.

"I'm-"

"I said don't."

"Okay," I state downing the drink in my hand. "Fine. You have a good night, Jon. You want to brood then sit here and brood. I assumed that since you ask me out here you wanted to talk. You know what they say about assuming. Goodnight."

"JJ," Jon calls. "Hey JJ, wait up. JJ!"

I glance over my shoulder watching him pick his way across the room before turning to face him fully my arms crossing over my chest. "I get it. You're upset and you want to brood. I get the same way. But I do it while I'm alone. When someone is in front of me talking to me I make an effort to be present. If I wanted to be in a room and be ignored I would go home to my father," I state turning on my heel to leave.

"Says the woman who spent most of dinner zoned out," he snaps.

"I apologized for that. I also explained my situation."

"I'm sorry," he sighs. He grasps my bicep gently using it to spin me around to face him. "Don't go. Please."

I stare up at him.

"Oh, not the dreaded Orton glare," he smirks.

"You haven't seen me glare yet," I state feeling the corner of my lips quirk as I struggle not to smile.

"Hey guys," Celeste calls as she enters the bar.

"Leste," I smile. "Colby."

"Whatcha doing," she asks.

"I'm contemplating calling it a night."

"And I'm trying to convince her to stay," Jon sighs.

"Allow me to help," Celeste smiles linking her arm with mine. "You are staying for at least another hour."

"And I would be doing this because?"

"I'm telling you to and you love me so you will," she smiles guiding me to the back of the bar.

"What's in an hour then?"

"Guess you'll have to stick around and find out."

"We got this," Colby chants as I line up my shot. The guys versus girls pool tournament started soon after Colby and Celeste arrived. It is a pretty even match-up as we finish up the deciding game.

"You keep thinking that," I smile.

"You need some help with that," Jon asks, sliding his hands down my arms.

"Nah, I think I got it. Besides," I sigh pressing my hips back into him, "I don't fraternize with the enemy."

"Your mouth saying one thing but your body is saying something else," he murmurs.

"How about this then," I smirk bringing my pool cue backwards and he dodges the halfhearted attempt.

"Close," he smirks slapping my ass. I jerk in response missing the shot.

"Cheater," I smirk turning to face him.

"That's the breaks."

"Excuse me you two but I believe it is my turn to win the game."

I move to the nearby table we had claimed, passing a smirking Celeste, "I got this."

"Make it good," I smile picking up my glass. A few seconds later the cue ball bounces past my feet. I turn to find a smug looking Celeste rejoining me. "Do I even want to know?"

"I flashed him," she replies easily taking the pool cue from my hand before reaching down to pick up the white ball.

"What?"

"Jon's attention was on you and my back was to the rest of the bar. You want to win or not?"

"What exactly are we winning," I ask.

"Does it matter," Jon asks.

"I think I already won," Colby smiles causing Jon to roll his eyes.

"No. I've seen them," I smile causing the boys attention to shift to me. "He's right. They're that great. That's coming from a completely straight woman."

"I love your friends," Colby grins over at Celeste. "So much so that I don't even care that I'm being hustled.

"JJ has a point," Celeste states leaning against the game table. "What will we get when we win?"

"You'll have to win first."

"Done," she smirks sinking the last two balls easily.

"After all that hard work, all you two wanted was a dance," Jon whispers against my ear as we settle onto the small dance floor and a slow song begins.

"That's what Celeste wanted," I smile as his arms wrap around my waist. "I never said what I wanted."

"Why is that?"

"You didn't ask," I state wrapping my arms around his neck.

"What do you want," he asks, a smile curling his lips.

"You'll find out after this song," I smile pressing myself closer to him.

"Give me a hint," he smiles as my phone buzzes in my pocket.

Pulling the device from my pocket I bring up the picture message. "Found out why I needed to stay out for at least an hour," I smirk turning the phone around he can see the picture.

"Is that balloons?"

"Yep. I'm thinking that is all April's doing right there," I laugh looking at the picture of hundreds of balloons covering my hotel room filled with what looks like shaving cream. "Maybe a little help from Randy getting into my room."

"So, where's my hint?"

I pull myself up on my toes and press my lips to his. He responds immediately his lips crushing mine as his hands drift down my body.

XXX

"Well," Jon pants rolling off me, "you were definitely completely present now."

"Told you it was just the group," I smile, rolling on my side to face him. "I'm more of an intimate setting type of girl."

"I'm sorry I ever doubted you," he returns my smile wrapping an arm around my shoulders and pulling me to his chest. I tense momentarily and his arm slides from me.

"Most guys are," I grin forcing myself to relax against him, my hand sliding across his chest to rest over his heart. "Sorry they doubt me," I clarify at his quizzical look.

"I bet. This makes you uncomfortable," it comes out half statement and half question.

I stare up at him questioningly.

"You are fine with closeness while we're upright and clothed. You're fine with the sex but the minute you're pulled close afterward you tense up."

"I'm not necessary uncomfortable. It hasn't happened enough for me to even know if I find it uncomfortable."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning," I sigh searching my mind. "That the only… well no other guy I've ever been with has ever done it. Wow. I never thought about that before."

"No one?'

"You are my first. Usually it's 'done and shove away' type of guys that I go for."

"That's sad," he smirks, his arm returning to around me. His fingertips draw light designs along my hip. "Even I stick around long enough to hold a girl."

"Here I was thinking I was special," I sigh resting my head against his chest.

"Oh, you're special alright," he smiles. "I haven't gone four rounds since I was sixteen."

"I haven't gone four rounds before last week," I smile. "I guess that makes you double special."

"Well, I'm just going to have to change that while I have you."

I bite my bottom lip as a question pops into my mind. "I have something to ask but I don't want to make this weird."

"Hmmm?"

"What happens when one of us decides they want a relationship?"

"You mean, what happens when you fall in love with me?"

"Or when you find someone you can love."

"Didn't you hear Danielle earlier, I don't know how to love."

"Yeah, I heard her and I should have told her what I think about that statement. Which is that it is complete and utter bullshit. Everyone knows how to love. Every single person on this planet," I growl propping myself up on my elbow so I can look him in the eye. "You can choose to ignore love and you can choose to withhold love from someone but you always know how to do it. It is an instinctual aspect ingrained in everyone. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise and you don't ever believe otherwise. Do you understand me, Jonathan," I glare.

He nods once before wetting his lips, "That was a different side of you. Could have done without the glare though."

"That was the dreaded Orton glare you alluded to earlier," I smile lowering myself to his chest again. "Now answer my damn question."

"When you're ready for this to end, just say the word. You can walk away whenever you want. You find someone that treats you right and loves you the way you deserve to be loved, I want you to run to them."

"I don't think that will be for a while, if that's okay with you. I think I'm done with the whole relationship thing for the foreseeable future. Momma always said sometimes you just need to take a step back and review before you can move forward. I haven't done that recently."

"I don't think I've ever done that," he states as his fingertips resume the previous patterns along my skin. "I just charge head first onward."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," he sighs. "Maybe that's why I always fuck up."

"Just what every girl wants to hear while she lies naked in bed with you."

I feel the chuckle vibrate under my cheek.

"I should have been as upfront with Dani," he sighs breaking the silence. "Like with you."

"Yeah," I ask just to keep the conversation moving. I'm afraid to say too much in case he clams up again.

"Yeah, I mean I did to a point but I obviously didn't make it known enough. The worst part is I think at the time I did love her. That's why when she left it hurt me so much."

"When was that," I ask cautiously, purposely keeping my eyes on my own hand as it slides across his chest, then his shoulder and down his arm before following the same path back to the start.

"September. Right before we were called up to the main roster. I don't think I even gave myself time to feel it til we went home for the holidays. I just threw myself into work and training, hoping I wouldn't feel anything really. I did. For a very brief moment, I felt all the pain that I should have months before. I became that person I portray on TV so well."

"The hurt had festered to the point where it made you a different person," I murmur.

"I never really thought about it."

"It's what happened," I smile sadly.

"How do you know?"

"I've let the same thing happen to me once or twice. Refusing to even acknowledge that I felt pain. I still do it sometimes."

"Let's talk about something else," he sighs cupping my chin.

"Sure," I smile meeting his eyes briefly, "or just not talk at all for a bit."

"I like that plan," he smiles meeting my lips as I slide on top of him.