AN: We've made it all the way to Chapter 20! Woooo! Thanks for all the love and support! This ones quick and short but oh so necessary.
"From Randy Orton:
Well, I just got back to the hotel and I'm gonna crash. Talk to you in the morning"
Randy hit send on the text to Punk and tucked his phone into his jean pocket. He had just gotten to his hotel after a live show. He was on the Smackdown tour and Punk was on the Raw tour, so the two usually only saw each other once a week at the Raw taping. Randy was walking through the hotel lobby towards the elevator. The two had made up nearly two weeks ago and the separation was rough. Things were easier with—as he walked past the dining area he saw Cody sitting at a table alone. He was just staring off into the distance. Randy looked at the glass on the table in front of him and believed it was water. He look further down the hall to the elevator, then back at Cody, then back to the elevator and back again. He swallowed hard and walked forward into the dining area.
"Hey."
Cody was shocked back into reality by the greeting. He turned and looked up. Randy was standing there, looking down at him. Cody cleared his throat. "Hey."
"Can I sit?"
Cody nodded. "Yeah, sure."
Randy pulled out the seat across from Cody and sat. In the silence that followed Cody's mouth got suddenly dry. He took long sips from his water.
"Look," Randy said finally, "I just wanted to talk to you. Make sure you were, you know, okay."
Cody looked down at the table as he tried to find words.
"Or maybe that's out of line. Maybe I shouldn't ha—"
Cody interrupted him. "No, it's not. It's fine… I just—it's weird. I don't know how open or honest to be with you because you're not my boyfriend. You're my ex. I just don't know the dynamic."
"You don't have any obligation to me. You just say or tell me whatever you're comfortable with."
"And you're still teaching me how to do everything," Cody laughed slightly to himself.
"Cody—"
"It was a joke," Cody stopped him. "I'm okay I guess. I umm… well you saw the worst of it really. I was drinking a little too much. But that's done now. And I'm handling things. Moving on… sort of."
Randy nodded. "That's good. I'm happy for you."
Another silence ensued. Cody broke it this time. "Are you… I mean, have you… Actually, no never mind."
"What is it Cody?"
"It's none of my business."
"I asked you questions first. You can ask."
Cody paused. He knew this would be uncomfortable but he needed to know. "I heard... are you with Phil?"
Randy's eyes widened. He looked around really fast. They were completely alone. He took a deep breath. "I'm not supposed to tell anyone, so I'm telling you this in confidence. But yeah, I am."
Cody sat back in his chair at the revelation. He had been pretty sure before asking but knowing definitely made it a lot more real. It was a tough pill to swallow. He really is moving on.
"But really, I need you to keep that to yourself. He just got mad at me for telling… someone else."
"You can trust me," Cody reassured him. "That's just… So, so weird." Cody laughed and Randy couldn't help but laugh too.
"I know," Randy said while laughing. "I know." When the laughter subsided he said, "It's different."
"And that's what you wanted."
"Yeah," Randy said slowly. "I guess so. I hope this doesn't make things weird for you. We all work together…"
"I'll be fine Randy. We're all grown ups."
Randy nodded. "I'm really…"
Randy trailed off as he and Cody both looked up at Matt Cordona, who was now standing next to their table. "What's up bros?" He sat down, continuing, "I just got back from this club just down the street and it was sick," he said dragging out the last word dramatically.
Cody chuckled.
"I'm gonna go up to my room now," Randy said, standing.
Cody didn't know how they were supposed to end this, especially now that Ryder had joined them. His eyes met Randy's from where he stood. He nodded to the elder, who returned it before walking away.
"So what was that about?" Zack asked.
"It was nothing. Really," Cody said, immediately looking away from Randy's distancing form. That was a lie. Talking to Randy still came easy; he was still comforting. That fact though, was un-comforting. He's moving on. Why can't I?
"Good," he smiled at Cody widely.
"Good? Why's that?"
Zack shrugged while wearing a guilty smirk. "We should hang out sometime."
Cody smiled slightly. "Yeah. Me, you and Nick should do something."
"Yeah. Or just me and you."
Cody looked at him questioningly.
Ryder got to his feet. "Think about it and holla at me bro."
He turned and walked away, leaving Cody laughing in his wake.
AN2: What do you all think about Randy telling Cody about Punk, just after telling Punk he'd keep it secret? Good Randy? Bad Randy? ALSO I enjoy this asking you questions thing after the chapter. Expect this to continue.