"You're going to do WHAT?" Katrina snapped standing up and pacing the kitchen. Adam and I had landed back in Asheville and gone straight to tell my aunt and uncle about my job offer with the WWE and the fact I would be leaving straight after the new year.
"Katrina this is a big opportunity for me" I told her but judging by the fact she was still pacing and her facial expression it was clear she was still upset. Adam stood just behind me leaning against the door frame, he had promised not to get involved and let me tell them the news.
"Have you signed anything?" She asked me.
"Not yet, but I was going to do it this week for Adam to take back when he flies back out on Sunday" I stated, I looked over to my uncle John who was currently staring straight past me to Adam, his eyes were angry but his face was calm, I had never seen him like this before, he usually knew the right thing to say and would always trust in my decisions but this time seemed different.
"I can't believe you would be so reckless" She shook her head and threw her hands up in exasperation.
"Katrina I'm not a child I'm 28 this week" I sighed "I can make decisions for myself" I argued.
"And I'll be there every step of the way" Adam announced taking a step forward to stand next to me in solidarity, John still hadn't taken his eyes off Adam, his hands resting on his chin in fists. "I'll look out for her; I'll make sure she calls you at least twice a week" He smiled at Katrina.
"Well, I guess as long as she has you" My aunt conceded "I feel better about it" She added sitting back at the breakfast bar. I held in a laugh at how quickly Katrina melted when Adam had stepped in, she had always had a soft spot for him and she very outwardly shipped our friendship and any possibility of any romantic developments would send her in to a complete frenzy. John on the other hand had always been the more logical of the two and since he had found me crying over Adam, he had been particularly frosty towards him.
"Jayme, can I talk to you privately for a moment?" John asked standing up and leaving the kitchen before I could even respond, I gave Adam a reassuring look to tell him I would be ok but I could see how concerned he was, I hadn't told him about my feelings so he had no idea I had been so upset and John had seen me, and he respected John too much to confront him about what his problem was. I took a deep breath and followed my uncle out of the room and in to the living room. "Are you sure about this?" He asked, arms crossed across his chest.
"One hundred percent" I nodded.
"I don't want you to be putting yourself in harms away Jayme, you've been through enough" He said sternly.
"I understand John but I met a lot of people who work for the WWE this weekend and they're all great I don't think I'll be spending as much time with Adam as you think I will" I reassured him but he didn't look convinced, his face was still hard and etched with concern.
"You are as good as my daughter Jay Jay" He stated taking my hands in his, my eyes began to well "I love you like my own and I never want to see you in the pain you have been in over the past couple of months ever again and to see you cry over Adam made me want to kill him" He explained, a stray tear ran down my cheek, I quickly wiped it away.
"I know" I sniffed "I know where I stand with Adam and I promise I will never put myself in that position with him again, I have a lot of piecing myself back together to do and I am going to go and travel and experience millions of things I wouldn't have been able to do without this opportunity, I'm going to fix myself" I assured him and myself, as much I believed every word I was saying I knew that I was still being drawn to Adam and now that he was single that had only felt more difficult to deal with.
"I don't like him" He shook his head seriously "I don't like anyone that makes you cry" He grumbled.
"That's ok" I told him giving him a hug "I just want you to be ok with me going" I said tightening my grip on him. He grumbled in response pulling away and patting my shoulder, we made our way back to the kitchen where Katrina and Adam were stood making idle chit chat, they both snapped their heads round as we entered the room concern etched across both their faces. "Don't look so concerned" I scoffed "I'm going" I laughed, Adam ran straight over picking me up and spinning me round.
"I can't wait to have you on the road Jay" He whispered to me as he put me back down, I turned to see Johns face full of anger as he took deep breaths obviously trying to keep himself calm, Katrina on the other hand couldn't have looked any happier about what she had just witnessed.
"You should probably go" I told him gesturing to my uncles face, Adam eyes widened when he see what I was referring to and he quickly said his goodbyes to my aunt and uncle.
"What's Johns problem with me?" Adam asked as we walked over to his truck.
"He worries that's all" I half lied.
"It feels like there's more to it" He probed, I sighed in response.
"Adam it's fine he'll get over whatever it is" I smiled.
"If it's an age thing wait until he finds out about you and Stu" He laughed raising an eyebrow, I slapped his bicep in response.
"Adam wind your neck in" I seethed "I don't know what your problem is with Stu but there's nothing going on" I couldn't figure out what Adam's problem was with Stu but he had a very obvious problem with him and I was fed up with it already.
"Didn't look like it to me" He shrugged putting his hands in his pockets.
"He asked me out this morning I said no" I admitted "Now will you drop it" I snapped.
"Why?" He asked suddenly standing up straight, I'd piqued his interest "You like him, don't you?" He probed.
"Yes, but I'm messed up and he doesn't want to get involved with all of this" I said pointing to my head. "And so, what if there was?" I asked suddenly realising he hadn't answered my question.
"Ok, for one you're not messed up" He took a step towards me brushing a piece of hair and tucking it behind my ear "And two…" He looked me in the eyes as he rested his hand on the side of my neck "I've never liked him all that much" He revealed "There's just something about him that I find off putting" He snarled, I took Adams hand from my neck and held it in my own.
"I can make my own decisions thanks" I scrunched my nose and rolled my eyes before turning away from Adam and walking back up to the house "Bye" I shouted over my shoulder as I walked through the front door shutting it behind me, a second later I heard Adam's truck pull off the driveway. For a moment I stood steadying my breath holding my neck where he had touched, it was still tingling at the memory of his touch. "Pull yourself together" I muttered to myself taking another deep breath. I took my phone from my pocket and text Isabelle.
I'm home. Dinner?
Jayme x
No.
Isabelle x
I stood staring at the screen confused for a moment before another text popped through from her.
We're going to need drinks for this one
I'll pick you up in an hour.
Isabelle x
I laughed and put my phone back in my pocket to go and get ready. I leaped up the stairs two at a time and ran to my bedroom to rummage through my clothes looking for something to wear, I made a mental note to buy myself some new clothes when I was paid, I couldn't keep wearing the same clothes out when I was on the road with the others. I found a pair of light blue skinny jeans and a black crop top, I paired it with a pair of black boots and made my way back downstairs once I had done my makeup and brushed my hair out.
"Going anywhere nice?" Katrina smiled trying to act disinterested, but she was wanting to know if I was going anywhere with Adam, I shook my head slightly and went to fridge looking for something to eat quickly.
"Out with Isabelle" I told her, Katrina's face dropped slightly realising I wasn't spending my time with Adam, John on the other hand had a satisfied smirk on his face as he pretended to read his paper unbothered about what was going on around him.
"So come on tell me everything" Isabelle hounded before I could even get myself sat down in the booth with my large pinot.
"How long do you have?" I laughed taking a large sip.
"Maybe we should have got the bottle?" She giggled also taking a large sip of her wine. Over the next half an hour I told her everything about the weekend, the storyline, Beth, meeting Stu, Kissing Stu, Adam and Beth breaking up and sharing a bed with Adam. The whole time Isabelle was silent apart from to order a bottle of Pinot for us to share, she listened to every word without interruption letting me vent about the whole weekend and explain exactly how I was feeling.
"And yeah that's it…it's been intense" I sighed pouring myself another glass of wine and topping up Isabelle's glass.
"Stu Bennett?" She thought out loud as she grabbed her phone and began tapping away "As in Wade Barrett?" She asked looking up.
"Yeah, I think so" I answered.
"Shit…He's hot" She laughed showing me her phone where she had googled his name and gone to images to find multiple photos of him in his ring gear which just so happened to only be a pair of tight trunks and a pair of boots, I took in a sharp breath at the sight of the guy that had kissed me only 24 hours ago.
"Yeah…" I trailed off unable to tear my eyes away from the screen "I hadn't seen him in his ring gear yet" I admitted finally looking away and back to Isabelle.
"Oh girl" She laughed loudly "You're weaving yourself a really tangled web here" She warned "I think Adam being broken up with Beth is only about to complicate things further, that guy is so clearly crazy about you but if he hasn't admitted by now I don't think he ever will" She told me.
"I don't know what to think anymore Isabelle" I groaned "He pretty much asked me if I had feelings for him when we were speaking the other day and I froze, there's so much more to it than just feelings" I complained "There's Beth, Stu and the huge age difference between us and the fact that he probably doesn't feel the same way he just wants to rip my clothes off" I took a gulp of wine.
"Honestly Jay, I think he does feel the same way but somethings stopping him from letting himself feel it, he said he's not the guy for you there must be a reason he thinks that" She ran her finger around the rim of her wine glass as she thought "What about Stu what's happening there?" She asked.
"I don't even know him" I admitted "He's really sweet and clearly really good looking" I gestured to Isabelle's phone "He asked me out and I said no…I just couldn't say yes with where my head is right now" I told her. I sat back into the booth and closed me eyes "This is all a lot to take in between the new job, Adam and Stu I just don't know what to do" I groaned.
"I wish I had two guys that look like that interested in me…I think I could think of way worse things to be dealing with" She laughed finishing her wine.
"Take them both please it would relieve a lot of my stress" I chuckled opening my eyes to see Adam walking in "Speaking of here's one now" I gestured over to him "Take him off my hands yeah?" I laughed standing up and walking to the toilet. A few minutes later I walked back to find Adam sat at the bar directly in front of the booth we were sat in.
"There's plenty of girls in here who seem willing to take him" She shrugged "Shit he's way hotter in person" She swooned pretending to fan herself making a joke of the situation.
"Can we go?" I pleaded with her.
"No" She shook her head "Isn't it your birthday in a couple of days?"
"How do you know that?"
"I checked the system at work" She shrugged "Now let's get some more drinks"
"Please Isabelle" I grabbed her arm "I'm not comfortable with this" I begged.
"Isn't he your best friend?" She asked me raising an eyebrow.
"Yes" I exhaled "But I don't want you saying anything to him about what we just spoke about?"
"I won't" She laughed pulling me up from the chair and towards Adam who was still sat at the bar "Are you not going to buy my friend a drink?" Isabelle leant against the bar next to Adam, I was stood behind Adam where he couldn't see me, he slowly looked at her with a raised eyebrow clearly unimpressed with how forward she was currently being. He turned slowly to look at the friend she was referring to.
"I'm parched" I joked with an eyeroll; his head whipped round at the sound of my voice.
"Jay" He beamed "I didn't know you were out tonight" he said gesturing for the bartender to come over when he was ready.
"Neither did I but Isabelle was very convincing" I joked taking a seat next to Adam and pulling the next chair out for Isabelle to sit on next to me.
"Another beer and whatever they're having" Adam said as the bartender approached, they asked if we would like another bottle and we both nodded.
"I'd just like to point out she rang me" Isabelle rolled her eyes sarcastically she leant forward to look at Adam "I just suggested the wine" she added with a shrug finishing her drink and filling her glass from the fresh bottle that the bartender had brought over to us. Adam sat staring into his pint glass, a vacant expression on his face as he did, deep in thought. Isabelle kicked me to get my attention causing me to spin round and look at her in confusion, she gestured to Adam encouraging me to speak to him before excusing herself to use the toilet. We both continued to sit in silence staring into our respective drinks.
"I am sorry you know Jay" Adam uttered into his pint; he took a sip before continuing "For how I've treated you" He added.
"It's fine" I replied awkwardly, Adam chuckled at my choice of words before taking another large sip of beer.
"I treated both you and Beth like shit" He sighed "Neither of you deserve this" He shook his head "You should go out with Stu" I sat in a stunned silence for a moment blinking slowly.
"What do you mean by that?" I asked.
"I think you should go out with him" He stated sipping his beer "He's an ass but less of an ass than I am" he added.
"How much have you had to drink?" I asked as I realised just how drunk he was.
"Not enough" He slurred downing his pint and trying to order another, I leant over and grabbed his arm before he could wave the bartender back over.
"No" I said gripping his arm tight, he turned and looked at my hand that was now gripping his forearm "You've had enough" I almost pleaded with him.
"Says who?" He asked moving his gaze to my face.
"Me Adam" I said sternly raising an eyebrow at him silently warning him not to argue with me about this, he chose to argue as he waved the bartender over again "Shit Adam" I huffed continuing to drink my wine "You're an arse" I mumbled. I sat back on my stool and waiting for Isabelle to return, a moment later she did. "Let's go back to our table" I told her getting up and returning to the booth we had originally been sitting at, Adam didn't even give us so much as a look back or a goodbye.
"What happened?" Isabelle asked quickly following behind me.
"He's drunk is what's happened" I snapped looking back over at him as another girl approached him only to be knocked back.
"I kind of feel sorry for him" She shrugged "I know he's made his bed and he has to lie in it and all that but he genuinely looked sad" Isabelle admitted looking back over at him still sat at the bar, head down drinking his beer.
"Yeah he does" I sighed in defeat "I'm sure he'll feel worse in the morning though."
"I see the way he looks at you" Isabelle said looking back over at him "It's like he's in pain or something" She thought out loud.
"In pain?" I questioned.
"I don't know how to explain it Jay, but he looks like he's in pain when he's looking at you" She explained "Be careful" she said giving my hand a quick squeeze. We sat in awkward silence for a few minutes drinking the wine and watching Adam knock back multiple girls who approached him, after a while a large guy approached him, I sat up straight suddenly as I see Adam stiffen in annoyance. I watched intently as I see him gradually grow more and more pissed off, out of nowhere he stood up staring the man down as he did. The guy was roughly the same size in both height and weight, but I had no doubt Adam would flatten him given half the chance, they squared up to one another and everybody in the bar began to look over at the situation arising. I stood up and made my way over as quickly as possible.
"Adam, shall we go?" I asked placing a hand on his shoulder with my back to his 'opponent'.
"Sorry babes you don't need to get involved" The other guy said putting his hand on my shoulder and trying to push me away, Adam's eyes glazed over as he looked down at the man's hand on my shoulder.
"Get off her" He growled menacingly looking back at him.
"Or what?" Came his reply as he took a step forward, his nose almost touching Adams. By this point everyone in the bar had stood up to see what was going on, Isabelle was now by my side holding my hand trying to pull me out of the situation.
"Adam" I commanded snapping him out of his trance and forcing him to look down at me "Please can we go" I pleaded looking into his eyes.
"I told you not to get involved" The guy snapped from behind me, I spun around so I was face to face with him pinned in-between him and Adam.
"Listen here dipshit" I fumed staring up at him "You best let me get him out of here before he rearranges your face" I seethed "I'm not doing this for him" I pointed over my shoulder at Adam who had now conveniently and discreetly placed a hand on my hip that was closest to the bar where few would notice, Isabelle had noticed though. "I'm doing this for your safety" I warned "I need to get him home" I said turning to Isabelle, she nodded in agreement with me.
"Adam let Jay take you home" She said turning to him "He's not worth it" She added nodding her head in the other guy's direction. I turned around to face Adam, our bodies pinned together, I reached up cupping his cheek.
"He really isn't worth the fight" I told him looking deep into his eyes, his face softened.
"I want to go home" He admitted, without another word I took his hand in mine and walked out of the bar with him into the cold December air.