What? I'm back with another chapter? No way! xD Like always, I wanna give my girls JustCherry73, wwechristina and GoldenGirl1920 for your continued love and support! I love you ladies so much!
I regrettably and sadly don't own anyone affiliated with the WWE, I only own Maddie and the storyline.
Enjoy!
Maddie POV
The following day, late in the morning after I learned last night that baked ziti was one of AJ's favorite Italian dishes, I decided to make a second helping for him and his work buddies. I pop the pasta dish in the oven and get ready for work as it cooks.
I hear the timer go off and I rush into the kitchen, pulling out the ziti and sprinkle a decent helping of mozzarella cheese all over the top of it and pop it back into the oven, putting the settling on low broil to let the cheese melt and brown nicely on the top. When it's done, I pull it out and put a sheet of foil over the top to keep it hot on the ride over to the auto mechanic shop, hoping to surprise AJ.
I grab a bunch of paper plates, napkins and disposable utensils along with the ziti, realizing what time it is. "Hey dad, I'm heading out early; there is a stop I need to make before heading into work. There is the leftover ziti in the fridge for lunch or dinner since I'll be closing tonight, so I won't be home until around 9pm," I yell to him and he responds with his typical 'okay' and I roll my eyes, heading out the door.
Not even 15 minutes later, I pull into the small parking lot of the shop and grab the ziti and bag I put everything into and trudge the small distance towards the open garage door to the shop. What I see stops me in my tracks and my breath catches in my throat. Once again, my gut knows that the man bending over the hood of the car he's working on, is most definitely AJ. But what stopped me was the fact that not only was he shirtless, but the jeans he had on hug his ass and thighs like a second skin and it takes everything in me not to moan at the sight.
Before I can open my mouth to announce my presence, another man comes into the garage and finds me standing there with wide eyes as I look over at him. Realizing that I'm here for AJ, he smiles over at me and nods his head in greeting before turning his attention onto AJ.
"Hey Jones, there is someone here to see you," the bald taller man says and AJ stands up to look over at him. Getting to have a better look at AJ, his back is glistening with sweat and seeing the definition of his muscles in his back has me feeling things. Things that I shouldn't be about a man I hardly even know, but here I am.
"What? Who in the hell would be here to see me?" He asks, confusion in his tone and the taller man nods his head in my direction.
"Look and see for yourself."
Wiping his hands on the rag that was sitting on the bumper of the car, AJ turns around in my direction and the biggest smile I've seen on his face to date graces his handsome face. He has his baseball cap on backwards and his hair that peaks out from the bottom of it, flips up in the back. But his body…holy shit, fuck me does it not have my mouth watering. The sweat on his body makes the dusting of hair on his chest and stomach more defined, but it also defines the thicker trail of hair that leads to below the waistband of his jeans.
"Maddie! What…what are you doin' here?" He asks happily and closes the distance between us. His eyes roam my own frame as I have capri's on, showing my lower legs and a blue off the shoulder top, showing a little bit more of my upper chest due to the way the shirt is sitting on me at the moment.
Holding up what's in my hands, I return his smile, "well, after learning last night that ziti was your favorite Italian dish, I decided to make a second batch for you and your work buddies. I even brought the plates, napkins and utensils for you guys so it'll be an easy clean up," I reply with a shrug and AJ's blue eyes widen in happy shock at my surprise.
"Wait…are you serious? You really did that for me?" He asked in bewilderment and I nod my head once more, holding up the pan that holds the food.
"Very," I smile, "and yes, I did; I wanted to. Take it as a thank you for last night," I add and as AJ goes to respond, the larger man speaks up.
"Wait, that was you last night who called having the flat tire?" He asked.
"Guilty," I shrug with a small smile. "I honestly had no idea that AJ worked here to begin with. I guess you could just say it was fate that it was him who came to help me," I reply, turning my attention back onto AJ and he has the same look on his face. "You okay?" I asked him softly with a gentle smile and he breaks out of his stupor, smiling sheepishly towards me.
"Here lemme take this from you," the larger man says, stepping in and I smile appreciatively up at him, letting him take the ziti and bag from my hold.
"Thank you…erm," I said, grinning at him since I have no idea what his name is.
"Luke," he answers with a grin of his own.
"Well, thank you, Luke," I said, properly thanking him and he provided me with a wink.
"No problem. And forgive this one here. It's been a while since he's laid eyes on a pretty lady," Luke said and I have to hold in the laugh that wants to bubble free, so I tighten my lips, letting the amused look on my face tell the story.
"Screw you, Gallows," AJ snaps at his friend, then turns his attention onto me, "I apologize for him. He doesn't think before he speaks sometimes," he tells me and Luke snorts with a shake of his head before going inside with the food and bag.
Chuckling, I replied, "it's alright, but now why do I have a feeling you're not being 100% truthful," using his own words against him from yesterday and his mouth snaps shut, a wide eyed look on his face as it flushes in embarrassment.
"Uhh…I–I," AJ stutters and I close the distance between us and gently close his mouth while I smiled at him, "sorry," he said in shame, looking down.
Raising my hand, I place it gently on his beard cladded cheek and it causes him to look up at me with embarrassment and shock. "It's okay. Besides, I was just teasing you. I can joke too, ya know," I grin playfully up at him and his eyes widen at my tiny jab towards him.
"I know we just met the day before yesterday and all that, but like I said last night, you're lucky you're cute and that I like you because I wouldn't let anyone else get away with that," AJ tells me and he momentarily hesitates to place his hands on my hips, but does it regardless, although his touch is practically nonexistent. Almost as if he's trying not to cross an invisible line and ruin whatever this is between us before it even had a chance to blossom.
To help AJ feel better about his decision, I rest my hands on his forearms, rubbing small circles on the skin there, being completely mindful that he is shirtless and standing less than a foot from me. "Well, I'm honored you feel that way and besides, I think you're cute, too," I grin up at him with a teasing smile. And before AJ can respond, I add on, "I hate to cut this short though, but I do have to head to work now. I just wanted to drop off the food for you guys before I went in," I said and the look on AJ's face drops subtly, but I still see it.
"Yeah, of course. You just got that job, you can't be late on your second day," AJ provides me with only a half grin, so to lessen the metaphorical blow, since I honestly don't want to leave either, I grab his hands and hold them within mine.
"No, I can't," I grin back up at him, "but if I'm going to be honest, I'd rather be here with you than at work. Sadly though, that can't happen," I told AJ and once more before he can respond because I can see the shift in his eyes at my confession, I speak up once more, "I'll see you later though?" I ask and he nods his head.
"Oh absolutely, you will," he replied, his voice turned husky and I smile up at him.
"I can't wait. I'll see you then," I reply, then stand on my toes to press a kiss to AJ's cheek and back away, turning around to get into my truck and drive to work, but not before looking one last time at the man who has already stolen my attention a hell of a lot quicker than he ever should have.
AJ POV
I stand there with a goofy grin on my face as I watch Maddie drive away, knowing that I'm totally and royally screwed. I'm so caught up in my thoughts, even though she's already long gone, I'm brought out of my musing with a clap on my shoulder. Looking over, Luke stands there, looking down at me with amusement on his face.
"I can see why you're into her the way you are. She is gorgeous. She literally cooked and brought you one of your favorite foods…you can't beat that. But she's also funny as hell too. I think you met your match in her Jones. I've never seen a female reduce you to nothing the way she just did," Luke teased me and I shake my head with a shit eating grin, looking over at him.
"Oh believe me. I know I have and I'm going to make sure I'm the best decision she's ever made because I know she's my best decision. I can already tell she's nothing like Jessica," I replied, removing my cap to run my hand through my hair, anxious for the moment I get to see her again.
I go into the back and b-line for Maddie's baked ziti and smelling it reminds me how hungry I am, that my stomach growls loudly in protest. Taking the first bite, I moan out in appreciation at how good it is. Quite possibly the best baked ziti I've ever had. Even though I know she's working, I send a text to Maddie.
AJ: This has to be by far the best baked ziti I've ever had. You've ruined me for anyone else :D
Once finishing 2 helpings, I got back to work and did everything I could to keep Maddie off my mind, so I don't screw up any of the work I do to vehicles that needed fixing. Although, that seems to be working horribly because I've found it absolutely impossible to do so. I wonder if she had the same problem. Selfishly, I really hope she did. I want to be the only one who she let's consume her thoughts. God, I sound like a lovesick fool. That's because you are, you idiot, my subconscious said and I growl lowly at my thoughts, shaking my head, trying to focus.
It's nearing towards the end of my shift and I just left a message, letting the owner of the Corolla I worked on earlier, know her car is ready to be picked up. And for the love of God, let me be gone before she comes to pick it up. While the owner of the car is very pretty, she came on too hard too quick and even if Maddie hadn't unintentionally walked her way into the picture, I'd still want to run the other direction. Now don't get me wrong, I love sex. Hell, what hot blooded male doesn't? But that doesn't mean that I'd just jump into the sack with the first girl that gave me that kind of attention. Well, not anymore I wouldn't. I can't say the same for 25 year old me when I thought I was hot shit that could get any girl he wanted.
It only took me 5 years, when I met Jessica, that I no longer wanted that…or so I thought she made that happen. Now…I wouldn't even think twice about it because it won't happen. Especially, now that I have the beauty that is Madison Andrews in my life.
Speaking of the brown eyed angel, my phone goes off alerting me of a text message from her.
Maddie: Haha, good to know I've still got it in the kitchen and I'm flattered. I'm glad you liked it! :)
AJ: Liked is an understatement, babe. It was amazing. I can't wait to see what other things you cook up ; )
Maddie: Now what makes you think that you'll be getting any more of my cooking?
My heart sinks and I frown at her comment and how straight forward it is. Was I reading her wrong this whole time and she was just being nice to me, not interested in me at all?
AJ: Wait…what? I thought we were getting on…did–did I read everything wrong? Do you not want to go out anymore? : (
A few minutes later, her response comes through and I breath a sigh of relief at what she said.
Maddie: What? No! Of course I do, honey.
Maddie: Oh my god, I just went back and read what I sent you. I am so sorry! It wasn't my intention for it to come out the way it did. I was just teasing you with the whole cooking thing. Which of course I'll cook for you again and I still want to go out with you. More than anything.
I smile at her second text and that weird feeling…it's a good feeling, a great feeling actually when I read her telling me that she still wants to go out with me. It almost has me thinking that it will no longer be as friends, but it'll be something a little more.
AJ: I know this is going to sound pathetic and corny as hell, but you don't know how relieved I am to hear that you still want to do this. I'm about to get out of work…can I come see you or is it a bad time?
Maddie: I'd love nothing more than to be able to see you right now. It's slow as hell and beyond boring. I could use a familiar and friendly face right about now. Besides, I've been wanting to see you all day since I left earlier.
Yeap, it's official. I am in deep shit and am falling harder for this girl the more and more I talk to her. My heart soars at her response and I feel like a fucking teenager again. I'm just glad that Karl or Luke are in the garage right now and can't see my reaction because I know they'd tease me for god knows how long.
Grabbing my things, which don't consist of much, I yell at Luke and Karl that I'm leaving for the night. "Alright man! Have a good night! See you tomorrow!" Luke replies and I made my way out to my truck and drive into town so I can go see my beautiful damsel in distress.