An Old Familiar Face

January 22nd, 2024

New Orleans, Louisiana

Pulling into parking lot 3 just outside of the Smoothie King Center, Jovi pulled into his parking spot and put his truck in park, killing the engine. He hadn't been to a WWE event since he was released in April 2020. Originally he was apart of WWE's Tough Enough program back in 2015. Part of him wondered if he'd be allowed backstage and see some familiar faces. Zipping up his hoodie, he grabbed his New Orleans Saints beanie and pulled it over his head. He could see the arena just across Le Rouge Street. Climbing out of his truck, he pushed down on the driver door lock to lock it before shutting the door behind him.

The parking lot was filling up but he was a bit early to see the show as there was still some sunlight left. Hell he hadn't been to New Orleans since Mardi Gras last year. Walking up to the crosswalk just off of Le Rouge street, he waited for the sign to turn green so he could proceed. The traffic came to a stop as the light turned green, Jovi hurriedly crossed to the other side. Wanting to get out of the cold as New Orleans was getting it's one week of winter where it actually felt like winter instead of just cool and crisp.

Within another few minutes he was opening an app on his phone verifying his ticket purchase to a security officer and entering the arena. This was actually the first time he's stepped foot in this arena, as he has never been to see the New Orleans Pelicans play. Originally he was going to come here with a few friends but they canceled last minute and instead hit up the Crescent City Brewhouse.

Walking around the arena aimlessly for a bit as he had some time to kill, Jovi sauntered over to concessions and ordered a small soda. After grabbing his Dr. Pepper from the lady at the concession stand and paying for it, he figured he'd walk into the actual arena itself and head down to the front row. The arena was almost empty as the audio and video technicians were testing out the screens and LED screens/lights in the arena as well as sound tests. Walking down the aisle all the way to the front row on the right side of the ring where the hard camera is placed, Jovi set his soda on the barricade and took his seat.

A few of the wrestlers were warming up in the ring, he recognized Dominik Gutiérrez (Mysterio) but none of the other one's that were currently in the ring. He was talking to a big guy with a beard, a guy that Vince most likely would not have hired back in the day due to his physique. Dom glanced over in his direction before doing a double take and pointing at him with a smile on his face.

Jovi couldn't help but smile as he didn't think Dom would've recognized him. Dominik climbed out of the ring and walked on over to him. The two of them shook hands. Dom had worked with him down in the Performance Center back in 2018.

"Dude!" Dom greeted him "What are you doing here? It's been what 4 years?"

Jovi chuckled "Sure has." He replied, his Cajun accent coming out a bit "I'm doing good though bro, I worked in a warehouse the last 4 years and just recently got a job as a helper for a construction/home remodeling company in Lafayette. I see WWE has been good to you as your own Raw now! That's awesome dude!"

Dominik smiled "That's good to hear, you like it?"

Nodding his head Jovi took a sip of his drink "It's not too bad, trying to become a firefighter and a cop, whichever comes first eventually I'll try and get into the one I didn't get into first if that makes sense? I figured if I'm gonna be a first responder, I might as well see both sides of it. I already submitted applications in and around Lafayette along with Baton Rouge, Houma, and New Orleans."

"Well I hope you get it man." Dom patted his shoulder "Did you wanna catchup more after the show? Me and Demi were gonna hit up Bourbon Street before catching our flight tomorrow morning. You're more than welcome to join us."

He felt his face turning a bit red at the mention of Demi, he had, had the biggest crush on her back in 2017 when she joined the WWE. However injuries kept setting him back from really getting on the road with the NXT guys and in April 2020 he was viewed more as a liability and was let go along with a handful of other superstars. "God man." Jovi said as she came flooding back into his mind "You know I had the biggest crush on her back in the day."

"Oh?" Dom was surprised to hear this "So you liked her huh?" He leaned forward on the barricade teasing his old colleague.

Jovi nodded "I did, but I'm sure she's probably talking to somebody or engaged or something." He rubbed his blueish-green eyes, still feeling his face flushed.

"I'll keep it real with you bro she's engaged, you remember Matthew Adams, aka Buddy Murphy?"

Jovi nodded "Yeah I think he was engaged to Lexi?" At least that's what he recalled. When he got let go he had stopped following the WWE altogether, wrestling as well for that matter as he was bitter about his situation.

"Correct, well he's now engaged to Demi, since I think August of last year? He's not in WWE anymore and if you ask me I wouldn't be surprised if it fizzled out like it did when he was with Lexi."

Now peaking his interest Jovi leaned forward against the barricade "What makes you say that?" He wasn't really one for drama in his own personal life but if he was being honest he loved hearing the drama in other people's lives.

"Well I thi-" Dom was cut off by one of the road agents who whispered something in his ear. Dom looked back at the ring and then turned back to face Jovi "Yo I gotta go, uhm do you wanna wait outside the arena or actually where are you parked? We just took a uber to the arena."

"Lot 3 across Le Rouge street, red truck I'll flash my lights, just text me when you guys get out. I'm facing the arena so you should see me. You still have my number?" Jovi asked as he pulled out his phone "Had to replace my phone back in October and lost everything including all my contacts."

"I got you bro." Dominik said as he pulled out his phone. The two men exchanged numbers before Dom headed back up the ramp and into the back.

It was going on past 11pm when the show ended. Jovi still had a 2 hour drive back home to his uncle's house in Lafayette. Part of him contemplated if he wanted to stay out till who knows how long with them in French Quarter. He'd be 27 years old in March and he knew better than to be up this late, especially since he has to be up at 5:30 in the morning and meet the crew at the jobsite by 7. One good thing about his current job is that he's off at around 3:30 in the afternoon.

Sitting in his truck with it running to warm up not only the engine, but the interior as well, Jovi had his smartphone in his hand. There was no way he was going to call out of work and miss a days worth of pay because he's out in NOLA bar hopping in the FQ. The show itself had been really good, Dominik, Rhea and the whole Judgement Day stable were good. He had forgotten just how much athleticism went into being a professional wrestler. When he was let go, he had stayed in moderately decent shape but he's nowhere close to the shape he was in back in the WWE. Standing at 5ft8 and weighing around 160lbs, his shoulders were a bit brought and his arms had some definition as did his legs but he had a slight gut not sticking to a strict diet and extensive workouts. That was his goal for the year, to get a career and get back to being in great shape.

His phone vibrated, looking down at his screen he saw Dominik had texted him 'Wya? Flash the lights. We out here.'. Jovi flashed his high beams, he could see two figures standing outside the arena across the street. Flashing them once more, they started moving in his direction.

Yawning, Jovi watched as they got closer and closer. Stopping at Le Rouge street and waiting to cross before they ran across with their travel bags and suitcases in their hands like two people running to catch a bus or street car. It was comical in a way. Once they made it to the parking lot, Dominik opened the back door on the driver side and set hit stuff in the seat.

"Shotgun!" Dominik called as he shut the door and ran around to the front passenger door, climbing in. Demi threw her stuff in the backseat and climbed in the back. Jovi looked over his shoulder at her as the light inside his truck faded as she shut the door. Her hair was now black and short, she was decked out in pretty much all black. She had looked great in the ring, covered in tattoos and some piercings. No wonder somebody decided to try and wife her up, she was absolutely gorgeous.

"Dom you can't just call shotgun all the time." Demi punched his arm before putting a hand on Jovi's shoulder "Thank you for the lift mate, seriously! And don't worry about parking and gas, me and Dom got you covered!"

"Yeah for real." Dom patted his arm "We got you homie your good. So let's hit up Bourbon Street!" Dominik clasped his hands together as he had visions of partying it up till the early hours of the morning.

Jovi put his truck in reverse as his backup camera came up on his screen "Can't believe I'm doing this, haven't been up this late in the quarter in ages."

"Dude!" Dom interjected "If I lived here I'd be hitting it up every night."

"Good thing you don't, I'm not carrying your drunk ass home from the bars every night." Demi said as she got comfortable in the backseat.

"We're heading to Iverville which is just off of Bourbon, got us a spot in the parking garage for a few hours. If I'm gonna be honest with y'all, 3am is my cutoff time because I'll have a 2 hour drive back home and will have just enough time to shower and eat and head to work."

"All good Jovi, we'll be buggered by then anyways." Demi looked out the window as they exited the parking lot and headed down the street towards Iberville "So Jovi, how have you been these last few years away from the WWE?"

Jovi threw on his turn signal as he came to a stop at a intersection "Uh been living I guess. Doing home remodeling and construction while I wait to hear back from places I applied to, including here in New Orleans about being a firefighter and or a cop. Eventually I'd like to do both at the same time if possible and or just do both to see both sides of first responding. How is it being on the road for 300 plus days a year and home for maybe two weeks out of the year if that?"

"Fun but very taxing and tiring to be honest." Dominik said as he took a sip from his water.

Demi agreed "He's 100% right, we love what we do but it would be so fucking nice to just have a solid month off, no travel, nor have to drive or catch a flight. I could just stay home and let my body recover and relax. Plus it'd be nice to see Matthew more often than I do."

Jovi could somewhat relate but not really as he never really made it that far in NXT. "It's nice to sleep in my own bed every night, hotel beds are nice and comfortable but something about your own bed just hits different."

"Facts!" Dom chimed in "Definitely miss my bed."

"We're gonna have fun tonight and then be kicking ourselves for not just going right to bed after the show." Jovi said as he looked at the two of them "Haven't got good and proper drunk in ages."

He was feeling really good and relaxed as he leaned against the balcony, trying to sober up in the cold early morning air. Two hand grenades at Tropical Isle's Bayou Club had really fucked him up. It was going on midnight and security would be doing rounds telling everyone to leave. The last 45 minutes honestly felt like a blur. Dominik was asleep in a chair just inside as Demi was leaning against the railing of the balcony not far from him. Jovi wasn't stupid and kept one eye on Dom in case any pickpockets or assholes tried anything with him, he knew how it was on Bourbon Street during carnival season.

"Whatcha thinking about?" The question caught him off guard. Looking over at Demi, her eyes were a bit glassy. Jovi gave her a tired smile as he was definitely three sheets to the wind.

"You know." He paused to take a sip of his drink "I had the biggest crush on you back in the day when I was in the WWE. And I know it's not good to think about these things but since running into you and Dom I've been thinking what if I had approached you all those years ago and at least made an attempt to woo you." Jovi chuckled at the thought of how that'd go "I'd probably end up fucking it up or something."

"A bit too late now to ponder something like that I'm afraid." Demi smirked "I had an inkling you had a crush on me." She said, her face turning a light shade of red.

"Fuck...was I that obvious?"

She nodded "It was honestly kinda adorable now that I think back about it. But it's all water under the bridge or over the bridge now."

Jovi turned his attention back down to Bourbon street below them, the street still had a handful of people but that number had definitely shrunk within the half hour. "I really hope it works out with you and Matt, I only spoke to him a handful of times when I was there but he seems like a good guy."

Demi smiled at the thought of her fiancé "We've been engaged since August and we still have yet to plan a wedding. The schedule sucks when you and your partner aren't on the same show, let alone the same company." She looked over her shoulder at Dominik who at this point had security waking him up "Guess that's our que to leave." Demi looked over at Jovi "Hey are you okay to drive home?"

Jovi shrugged "I should be fine, gotta get my truck out of the parking garage on Iberville then drive 2 hours. What happened to tearing up Bourbon Street?" He teased her.

She shrugged "Guess we're all getting old. It'll be nice to go to bed, me and Dom are staying at the Hotel Provincial, it's got gated parking if you wanna crash there for a few hours, we'll cover your room costs."

"I uh...I'm okay." Jovi waved away the idea "I'll be fine."

Demi knew better than that. She could tell that he was probably a bit in his feelings since meeting up with them. However she didn't wanna wakeup tomorrow and read that a truck had collided with another vehicle or was found off the highway wrapped around a tree "Jovi no, you need to get some sleep because I don't wanna wakeup tomorrow and read that you died."

"I can get y'all to the hotel."

"Good because your staying the night there."

"Okay." Jovi knew better than to argue with a woman, especially being inebriated, it'd probably only exacerbate things. Demi walked over and scooped up Dom in her arms "Come on Jovi let's get to the hotel and get to bed."

On the walk back to the parking garage, Jovi kept the two of them close incase someone tried to jump them or mug them. All types of characters seem to come out of the woodworks during carnival season and he wasn't about to be another victim and add to the statistics. Police activity increases around this time but they can't be everywhere at once.

Letting out a sigh of relief as they turned onto Iberville and entered the parking garage. Jovi could manage getting them all to the hotel but a two hour drive is beyond his capabilities and that realization only just hit him. He helped Demi get Dom into the passenger seat as she climbed into the back seat. Climbing into the driver seat, Jovi started his truck up and locked the doors.

The sound of his alarm going off woke him up. Looking over to his right, Demi was asleep but fully clothes with an arm draped over his chest. Jovi turned off his alarm. He was still fully clothed as well. Dom was in the other bed still asleep. Feeling dead and now running on maybe just 4 hours of sleep, Jovi really didn't wanna get up and just wanted to call out of work altogether but he needs the money.

Gently he lifted her arm off of him and placed it right beside her. He didn't remember getting to the hotel. Checking his pockets, he felt his wallet, keys, phone, and a room keycard. So they had paid for a room after all, or at least one of them did. He must've changed his alarm time back a half hour so he could have time to get back to Lafayette. Sitting up in bed, he yawned.

"You leaving?" Demi let out yawn which sounded more like a moan. She rolled onto her back and got comfortable.

"Got work." He said softly "Go back to sleep if you have time to before you catch your flight out. I had a good time with y'all last night. Uh we didn't...you know."

"Fuck? No, you got us to the hotel and I paid for your room. You helped me get Dom situated and then you passed out in my bed and by then I was too tired to carry you to your room and get you situated I knew you wouldn't try anything anyways. Besides I'm engaged remember?"

"Right...yeah." He trailed off, letting out another yawn "It was nice to see you again Demi."

"Likewise mate, take care yeah?"

"I will."

"Text me when you get home?"

This caught Jovi off guard "I can do that but I don't have your number." He fumbled for his phone in his pocket. Managing to pull it out, he unlocked it and handed it to her. She put her contact info in and gave it back to him.

"Now you can text me when you get home so I know you got home safe."

"Gotcha covered Demi."

She smiled, still half asleep "Take care Jovi."

"You too, give Dom my best when he wakes up. If y'all want something filling to eat, stop at Cafe Du Monde for beignets and coffee, there's one just off of Jackson Square but get there a bit early otherwise you'll be standing in a line all the way to Jax Brewery."

"I'll keep that in mind, hope you have a good day." Demi turned away from him and onto her side to try and fall back asleep.

"You too." Jovi got up and quietly exited the hotel room and onto the balcony overlooking the pool.