Chapter 17
Stepping out of the shower, Jecina was greeted by her cell phone ringing at 1 AM in the morning. She'd checked into a different hotel, arrived in her room and stripped, crying the entire time. Throughout most of the hot shower, she cried while replaying Jon's words over and over in her head. He wanted marriage and kids…two things Jecina never thought she'd hear from him. That wasn't the type of man Jon was…or at least he didn't use to be. Did she really change him that much? Picking her cell up to look at the caller ID, Jecina saw Lilianna's name flashing across the screen and immediately answered it, putting her on speaker phone.
"Why are you calling me so late, woman?" Jecina demanded, redressing in the clothes she arrived in since that was all she had at the moment. "Lili, what's wrong?"
"It's over." Lilianna sobbed, still sitting inside of her car on the side of the road and pressed her forehead against the steering wheel. She'd lost track of time and had no idea how long she'd sat there. "It's over, Jeci…I'm…I can't…"
Jecina frowned, taking her friend off speaker phone and pushed her own problems in the back of her mind for the moment. "What happened? Talk to me, Lili. Where are you?" She hadn't meant to fire questions left and right at Lilianna, but the woman was scaring her.
"Me and Roman…we're done. Ended everything. I can't move…I'm in my car on the side of the road…" Lilianna managed to calm down long enough to talk through hot tears, unable to stop them.
"Oh my god…okay, okay calm down and tell me where you are. I'll come get you." She had the keys in hand to her and Jon's rental vehicle and took it when she ran from him earlier. "You can't be alone right now, Lili. Just tell me where you are and I'll pick you up. I got my own room, so nobody else will bother us."
That temporarily halted Lilianna's sob fest. "What? W-What do you mean your own r-room?" She trembled from crying so much and now felt extremely cold. "I-I don't know where I am…"
Jecina rushed out of the room and down the hallway, once again barefoot. Maybe it would be a good idea to grab a pair of shoes on her way back from picking Lilianna up. Worry engulfed her as Lilianna began to cry again, her sobs breaking Jecina's heart. All she could do was stay on the phone with her best friend and do her best to calm her down while she raced to get to her. The problem was she didn't know anything about Pensacola, Florida or the roads. Calling Roman wasn't an option, not after what that dick to Lilianna, but Jecina had to find some kind of navigation help. There was only one person she could call, against her better judgement, but she had to do what she could to help Lilianna.
"Lili, stay where you are, okay? I'm coming to get you. Don't move and I'll call you right back." Jecina ordered, ending the call and scrolled through the contacts on her phone, stopping at the name she couldn't bring herself to delete even after 2 years and their fallout. "Don't make me regret doing this." She whispered, pushing the call button and held the phone up to her ear, waiting.
Two rings later, the familiar low rumbled voice filled her ear. "Dean, it's Jecina. I need your help."
After blowing up Jecina's phone and smoking like a chimney, Jon left the suite to take a long walk and some fresh air. Why would Jecina run away from him like that? The moment he mentioned them moving in together, all he saw in her eyes was fear. Piercing fear. He wasn't an easy man to be with and knew it, but Jon had never given her any indication he would hurt her…again. Throughout his life, Jon didn't regret many things or choices he made, doing what he had to do for survival. That survival instinct made him callous, cold and dark, turning him into a monster that fed on the weak and destroyed any relationship he'd ever had. That was until he met Jecina Shaw, the beautiful caterer with gorgeous emerald eyes and silky black hair. She captivated him the moment he laid eyes on her, drew him in and made him feel something unlike any other woman had before. Jon had been around the block several times; countless women threw themselves at him while he was in the Indies and he took them all to his bed. It was strictly and purely sex for him, no feelings and strings. His true love was wrestling and Jon never thought that would change – that no woman could take prestige over his beloved wrestling.
Again, until he met Jecina.
This woman had him twisted up, talking about marriage and babies, which he didn't even know if he wanted. When he looked at Jecina, however, he wanted all of that with her and more. Marriage, rug rats with black hair and beautiful emerald eyes – everything. 2 years together was more than enough time to live apart. It was time to take the next step, but obviously Jecina wasn't ready for that after her freak-out. All Jon wanted to do was talk to her, hear her voice to make sure she was alright. He hated being left in the dark, feeling his temper rise along with worry – a bad combination. Tracking her down was an option, but Jon wasn't sure if that was the right thing to do. Maybe giving Jecina time alone to think things through was the better way to handle this situation.
Bypassing a liquor store, Jon could feel his old habits surface and walked inside, buying a fifth of Jack Daniels and a case of beer. He was going to get rip-roaring drunk and pass out since he had nothing else going on the next day. Jecina would come back eventually and their talk would resume, but right now she needed time. Jon would give her as much time as she needed, going against every instinct his body practically screamed at him to take. On his way back to the hotel, Jon's cell phone went off and he nearly dropped the bag of alcohol to answer it.
"Jina?"
"No man, it's not." Baron's southern drawl flowed from the other line. "Everythin' alright, Moxa?"
"Not really." Jon admitted gruffly, moving the bag of alcohol from one arm to the other so he could hold the phone against his ear. "What's up, Corbin? You didn't just call me for the hell of it."
Baron sighed resignedly, nodding. "Have you seen Gabi? I've tried callin' her several times tonight and she hasn't answered any of my calls. That's not like her." Actually, he'd been blowing up her phone for the past 4 hours.
Jon snorted, unable to hold back his smartass remarks. "You sound like a needy chick, bro." He chortled, temporarily forgetting his own complicated woman.
"Just answer the fuckin' question and don't be a douche." Baron demanded, tearing a hand through his long black hair. "I'm worried 'bout her, okay?"
Jon knew exactly how he felt and nearly said those words aloud, but held back. "No, I haven't. I know she was with Jina most of the day though."
"Ask Jina if she's heard from her then. Please man, I gotta know she's okay." Baron wasn't above pleading, pacing back and forth in his hotel room.
"Wish I could. She's not here." Jon muttered, walking into the hotel and taking the back stairs since the elevator had a line. "We're in the same boat, man…"
Baron blinked, hearing the slight agitation and disdain in Jon's voice. "What happened?"
"I'm a fucking idiot, that's what happened." Jon grunted, unlocking the door to the suite and walked inside, slamming it behind him none too gently. "She's probably with Gabriella or Lilianna right now." He hoped anyway. The woman refused to answer his calls or text messages, so all Jon could do was speculate. "If I hear from her, I'll let you know."
"Thanks man, hope ya work yer issues out with her."
Ending the call, Jon tossed the phone on the bed and cracked open the Jack Daniels, not bothering with the beer.
It took over an hour to find Lilianna.
Jecina stayed on the phone with her while Dean drove like a madman up and down every street in Pensacola. He was shocked that, not only Jecina called him for help, but Roman and Lilianna were split up. The panic in Jecina's voice when she called him for help sent his heart racing and Dean wondered why she hadn't called Moxley. Was there trouble in paradise? He hoped so. Jecina was shaken up and frantic by the time he arrived at her hotel, snatching the shoes he'd scooped up for her at a local Walgreens down the street. She couldn't very well traverse the streets of Pensacola barefooted. Unfortunately, Lilianna had no way of charging her cell phone and 10 minutes before they found her, Jecina lost all contact, sending her into a frenzy.
"Fuck, we have to find her! I just lost her! Can't you go any damn faster?!"
"You have to calm down, Cina." Dean had tried easing her mind about finding Lilianna and failed.
"Just shut up and drive, Ambrose." She'd snapped, worry and concern for her friend trumping every other emotion she currently felt.
Dean had reached over and grabbed her hand, forcing Jecina's emerald eyes to snap up to meet warm ocean blues. They weren't electric and full of ice the way Jon's were. "We'll find her. I promise you, we will find her, but you must calm down. You won't think rationally if you're this wound up." His voice was a lot softer and deep than Jon's, full of husk.
Tears filled her eyes as Jecina squeezed his hand back, knowing Dean was right. Freaking out wouldn't help the situation at all. Lilianna needed her help – their help – and Jecina would do whatever necessary to find her. Leaning back against the front seat, Jecina closed her eyes and took several deep breaths in through the nose and out the mouth. She never once let go of Dean's hand, tightening her hold on it and didn't bother wiping her tears away. This had been a hellacious night; all she wanted to do was find Lilianna and bring her back to her room where she was safe.
"Feel better?" Dean asked, cracking a small smile at her when she nodded and resumed driving. "Keep your eyes peeled, we'll check every parked car on the side of the streets until we find her."
"She left Roman's and was heading back to the hotel, so what road would she take to do that?" Jecina's thought process was a lot clearer and she saw the lightbulb click over Dean's head, pulling her hand out of his to clasp hers in her lap. "She couldn't have gotten far from Roman's house, right?"
Dean wanted to kick himself square in the backside for not thinking of that possibility sooner. "I know where she is." Flipping a U-turn, he raced in the opposite direction toward Roman's house and kept an eye out for cops. The last thing they needed was to be pulled over. "Hang tight, I'm gonna break several speed limits to get there."
Calling Dean was the right thing to do. Jecina breathed a huge sigh of relief and rested her head back against the headrest of the seat, looking out the window. Jon's words about marriage and kids once again filtered through her mind, making Jecina rub her temples as a headache began to form. Since when did Jon want those things in life? Hell, Jecina didn't even know if she was wife and mother material! She loved Jon and wanted to be with him, but…could she give him what he apparently wanted?
"We're here." Dean broke through her deep thoughts, stopping the car just a few feet from Lilianna's rental.
"Thank you." Jecina quickly pecked his cheek and jumped out of the car to race over to Lilianna, looking at her through the window.
She was out cold.
"Dean! She's unconscious and I can't lift her!" Jecina cried out, thankful he hadn't driven off and opened the driver's door to where he could get to her. "She's dead weight, she's not moving. Is she breathing?"
"Yeah, she's just exhausted. I got you, Lili." Dean lifted her in his arms with ease after unfastening the seatbelt and carried her around the vehicle to the passenger side. Jecina already had it opened and slid behind the wheel while Dean set Lilianna in the passenger seat, folding the seat back as far as it would go. "I'm following you back to the hotel and I'll carry her inside. Then you both are getting some sleep."
"You don't-" Jecina was cut off by Dean shutting the passenger door and sighed, not surprised when he came to her side a few seconds later. "Dean…"
He pressed a finger against her lips, shaking his head and squatted to be eyelevel with her. "Don't argue with me, Cina. You can't carry her inside the hotel and you need me right now. I have to make sure you get back to the hotel safely, both of you." Roman had a lot of explaining to do when they spoke next. "Just follow me, sweetheart."
Unable to argue his logic, Jecina nodded and started the ignition while Dean raced over to hop back into his car. A few minutes later, they drove off with Lilianna completely oblivious to what was happening. Jecina didn't bother waking her up and drove, listening to soft music on the way back to the hotel. She should've called Jon instead of Dean, but Jon didn't know Pensacola very well compared to his brother. Dean had been to Pensacola a lot because of Roman and knew the area well, which is why she chose to contact him instead of her boyfriend. If Jon found out about this, he would blow a gasket and take half of Florida with him.
20 minutes later, both vehicles pulled into the hotel parking lot and Dean scooped Lilianna in his arms with ease, silently telling Jecina to lead the way. She did after locking up the vehicle and grabbed Lilianna's belongings from the backseat. Once they arrived at Jecina's hotel room, Dean stepped inside to lay Lilianna on the bed and took her sandals off, tucking her in. Jecina watched this, feeling her heart flutter slightly and leaned against the wall, folding her arms in front of her chest. This was the Dean Ambrose she remembered and had fallen for before Jon Moxley entered her life. The sweet, kind and considerate man who would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need.
"Thank you for your help. I don't know what I would've done if you weren't here tonight, Dean." Jecina admitted once they were out in the hallway, both not wanting to disturb Lilianna.
"You never – ever have to thank me, Cina." Dean replied huskily, reaching out to cup her face tenderly in his strong hand and had to fight temptation not to kiss her. "I'll always be here for you. Remember that."
Jecina felt breathless at his words, wondering if that would ever change even after 2 years since she chose Jon over him. "I will." She stopped him from walking away, grabbing his arm gently. "The Dean I saw in there tonight…the man who came to my rescue…THAT'S the Dean who was my friend. That's who I remember falling for and being with. That's who I've missed being in my life for the past 2 years. Please don't let him go away again."
Smiling warmly, Dean nodded in understanding at her words and took her hand, kissing the back of it. "I'll try not to. Good night, Cina." Then he walked away, needing to leave before he ended up pressing her against the wall and showing her just how much he missed her, period.
"Good night, Dean." She whispered in reply before walking back into her hotel room to get some sleep.