The easy choice

by Skovko

Whenever Roman calls, Tanny goes running to him. There was a time she was in love with him and hoping he would fall for her too, but now she just goes there to punish herself. When she's reaching her breaking point, she runs into Drew. Drew is so different from Roman. A good man trying to make her see that she deserves someone who will treat her better.

3. I needed to do it for myself

Drew heard knocking on his door and immediately smiled. He walked out to open, and Tanny walked inside.

"I thought you were just going to honk," he said.
"I was curious," she said. "Can I take a quick look around?"
"Of course," he said.

He showed her around his house for a quick tour. He would have loved to sit down and spend the day with her but she was there to pick him up. They had agreed to carpooling this time around. It was an easy choice since they lived in the same state, and he loved spending time with her. They were also having their first show tonight only a short drive away so it seemed easier that she picked him up.

"Grab your bag and let's hit the road. I stopped by Starbucks and got coffee for us," she said.
"What do I owe you?" He asked.
"Nothing," she smiled. "My treat."

He smiled back and grabbed his bag. They walked out to her car and he placed his bag in the trunk and got into the passenger seat. Shortly after they were on the road together.

"Have you heard anything from Roman?" He asked.
"Nope," she answered.
"That's good, right?" He asked.
"He never calls when we're not on the road," she said.
"Of course not. I'm stupid," he said.
"You're not stupid but you're very curious," she said. "Whatever you want to ask, Drew, just ask. If I don't want to answer, I'll let you know."

He took a sip of his coffee and looked at her. She kept her eyes on the road.

"I just found it weird that he didn't call you when we left the arena together last week," he said.
"Why? Because of your little show in the locker room?" She asked.
"Yes," he answered.
"I wish I could have seen that," she said.
"It was quite fun," he chuckled. "But he said that he would call you and make you come to him so I would know."
"He might have called. I don't know," she said.

She picked up her cup of coffee and took a sip.

"I don't understand," he said.
"I blocked his number that night after we left the bar together," she said. "You asked me out for breakfast and I went inside my room and blocked his number first thing."
"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked.
"I didn't want you to think I did it for you. Sure, you pushed me that night and made me finally understand that I don't need this bullshit. I shouldn't feel the need to be punished by having sex. It should be an enjoyable ride that I want to be part of. I haven't wanted to be part of it for a long time with Roman. I just had a hard time accepting it," she said.
"Tanny," he said sadly.
"I also needed to test myself and be sure I wouldn't cave. If I told you, I would have to force myself to do it to not lose face. Since I didn't tell anyone and I still didn't unblock him, I did it for me. I needed to do it for myself, Drew," she said.
"I understand," he said.

He reached over and patted her hand.

"I'm proud of you," he said.
"I'm kinda proud of myself too," she said.
"You should be," he said.
"There's my cheerleader again," she said.
"Go Tanny! Go Tanny!" He chanted.

She let out a laugh and reached over to give his thigh a gentle squeeze.

"You really are something else, Drew," she said.
"I'm just being me," he said.
"I'm just being me too," she said.
"I like you," he said.
"You know what," she glanced over at him. "I like this version of me too. The real one. Not the fake, little, scared one that used to dominate. This feels more real and free."

She turned into the parking lot of the arena and parked her car.

"I've been feeling more happy lately," she said.
"That's good," he said.
"It's incredible what a split second of changing my mind and walking into a bar instead of outside could do," she said. "You make me happy, Drew. You make me laugh and you make me feel worthy."
"You are worthy," he said.
"Am I worthy of being loved?" She asked.
"Yes!" He answered loudly.

He grabbed her hands and squeezed them.

"Whoever ends up loving you and being loved in return by you will be the most lucky man ever," he said.
"Isn't this something people always say? The any man would be lucky as long as it's not me type of speech?" She asked.

He raised his eyebrows and tried searching for an answer in her eyes.

"Do you want it to be me?" He asked.
"Do you want it to be you?" She asked.
"What if I do?" He asked.
"What if I do?" She asked too.
"What if I kiss you right now? Will that earn me a slap or a kiss in return?" He asked.
"Only one way to find out," she said.

He leaned in and kissed her. Her lips worked with his and she ran her fingers through his hair. She mewled and broke the kiss.

"No slap?" He asked.
"Not unless you're into that type of roleplay in bed," she said.

He let out a laugh and pecked her lips.

"No pom poms and no slapping, please," he said. "But don't worry. I'm not going vanilla on you. I got plenty of surprises once we reach that step."
"I can't wait," she smirked.
"But you must," he said. "At least for now. We need to get inside."
"Damn it," she giggled. "Okay, I can do this. Let's go inside and be professionals as always."

They got out of the car, grabbed their bags, and walked inside. They went to separate locker rooms and left their stuff. She left the locker room again in search for a cup of coffee in catering when Roman suddenly walked up from behind her. He grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him. Anger was written all over his face.

"Drew?" He asked.
"What about him?" She asked.
"Don't fucking give me that!" He growled. "I just saw you in the car. He was all over you. What the fuck are you playing at?"
"I'm not playing. I'm dating. It's actually nice. You should try it," she said.
"As if I would ever date you," he said.
"Then why are you so angry?" She asked.

He grabbed her arms and backed her up against the wall.

"Hurt me, you asshole! Show me your true colors!" She hissed.
"You can't make me jealous," he said.
"I'm not trying to," she said.
"Then what are you trying to do, little Tanny girl?" He asked.
"I'm trying to date Drew. That's all," she said.
"And me?" He asked.
"I don't want anything to do with you anymore," she said. "I thought you got the hint the last time we were together, or when you realized I had blocked your number."
"This game is stupid. You know I'm gonna fuck someone else until you can't stand it anymore and beg me to fuck you again," he said. "Unblock my number and I'll call tonight so I can give it to you real good. We both know you want that."
"I want you to leave me alone," she said. "This is not a game, Roman. I'm done with you. Leave me the fuck alone."

His hand shot forward and wrapped around her throat. He pushed her head up against the wall and held her there in a tight grip.

"Roman!" She clawed on his hand. "I can't breathe!"

It was scary to see him like that. He was not a good man but he had never laid a hand on her before. On top of it he was doing it out the open at their workplace of all places for everyone to see. He didn't have a care in the world. His anger was taking over, and he thought he had the right to treat her like he wanted to.

"You will unblock me!" Roman screamed. "No more Drew! Your body is mine to do with as I please! Do I make myself clear?"
"Please!" Tanny whimpered.
"Do I make myself clear?" Roman screamed even louder. "You better get on board the program real fucking fast or it will be my dick you're choking on next and I will not allow you to ever breathe again until you've swallowed every drop of my cum!"
"Roman!" Hunter shouted.

Roman turned his head and looked at Hunter. He quickly let go of Tanny and took a step backwards.

"My office," Hunter said.
"It was just a disagreement," Roman said. "Tell him, Tanny. Tell him we just had a small argument."
"I said, my office!" Hunter raised his voice. "Now!"

Roman bared his teeth at Tanny and then walked towards Hunter.

"Someone get Tanny some help," Hunter said.
"Find Drew," Tanny pleaded.
"Are you fucking kidding me right now?" Roman asked.
"You heard her. Someone find Drew," Hunter looked at Roman. "You and I need to have a serious talk."

Hunter and Roman went to Hunter's office. Roman knew he had messed up but he was sure he could make Hunter come around. After all, he was the top dog of the company.

"It really wasn't anything serious," Roman said.
"I know what I saw, Roman. You were way out of line," Hunter said.
"So I'll go apologize. No big deal," Roman said.
"We don't condone violence in this company," Hunter said.
"It wasn't violence," Roman said.
"What else will you fucking call it?" Hunter asked angrily. "You were choking her, Roman. We all fucking saw it. That was violence."
"Okay, I overreacted. It won't happen again," Roman said.
"No, it won't," Hunter said. "You're suspended."
"What? You can't do that!" Roman yelled.
"I said, you're suspended," Hunter said. "Stay home this week. We'll bring you back for the PPV next week. Drew can manage some promos alone to build this match. We got the match from last week and that will be enough."

Roman sneered, spun around, and marched out of the door.

"That little bitch!" He growled.

He stomped down the hallway and saw Drew help Tanny into the doctors station. Roman wanted to react but he knew how it would look if he did anything. He needed to face this suspension with his head held high. Next week he would be back and he would stand above Drew's fallen body. Drew would know his place below Roman.