Chapter 5: Date

"This is just... not good." Punk groaned, setting down his fork down on his plate that held his salad he ordered.

AJ agreed to go on the date with him if she got to pick the place so Punk agreed. She picked this burger joint, and they went to a quiet park to sit on the table & eat.

"You ordered a salad from a burger place, what did you expect?" AJ teased as she continued to eat her cheeseburger.

"I have a fight in exactly a week, I gotta cut weight. Plus, how do you mess up a salad?" Punk asked.

"Hey, be nice. The food is good and the owner is very sweet old man. You just ordered the wrong thing." AJ shrugged and continued to eat. Punk just watched her eat the cheeseburger with a smile.

"What?" AJ laughed, wiping her mouth feeling a bit self conscious at the fact Punk was watching her eat.

"Nothing. I just can't believe I'm on a date with one of most beautiful girls." Punk replied coolly.

"Ya know, you could be really cheesy." AJ teased.

"What can I say I'm a.." Punk clasped his hands together so AJ could see the spelling on his knuckles. "Hopeless romantic."

"I've actually been meaning to ask, what's with the tattoos." She inquired, and Punk took off the jacket he was wearing, and rubbed his arms that had many tattoos scattered around.

"You like em?" He asked. "Maybe you and I can get some matching ones."

"No, no, no." AJ shook her head. "I'd be to chicken for that."

"It's not that bad."

"Yeah, well, you have a lot. You're used to it."

"I guess. But I don't have as nearly as much as I want. I wanna be covered head to toe." Punk motion with his hands.

"No, not the face." AJ laughed, reaching out & caressing his face.

"Okay, maybe not the money maker." Punk chuckled. "But everywhere else, yes. Might even get a tattoo related to you."

"You've known me for 24 hours, and you're already committed to having me permanently on your skin?" AJ raised her eyebrow.

"It's been a great 24 hours." Punk defended. "Plus I feel like you're the type of person I'll have in my life for a while."

"Now how many girls have you said that to?" AJ asked, not fully buying what he was saying.

"I'm not some player." Punk put up his hands defensively bur AJ looked at him knowingly. "Okay, I guess you can classify it as that. But it's not like I want to be that way, it's just how it is because of my career."

"Okay." AJ said. "Hypothetical, if you were to get a tattoo related to me, what would it be?"

"Your lips." Punk said with ease. "They look smooth so I can imagine I would want to kiss them a lot. So, I would probably get it on my wrist, and whenever I want I can kiss em."

"Well, why don't you kiss the real ones right now?" AJ boldly suggested.

Punk smirked then leaned in, and captured AJ's lips. Just as she thought, he was an amazing kisser. His lips were soft—his mouth was warm & enticing as it moved against hers. He moved his hands up to back of her neck to pull her closer & deepen the kiss. But when his tongue poked at her mouth, demanding access inside—she felt like she lost it then and there.

Their tongues battled for dominance as things started to get hot and heavy. AJ didn't know what has taken over her, but what she did know is that she wanted more. Keeping her lips still locked on his, she reached over and tugged at his belt buckle.

"April." Punk moaned in between the kisses as she continued to try and undo his belt.

"April." His voice was more faded this time.

"April." Jeremy called out, and AJ slightly jumped—breaking out of her thoughts.

"Sorry, um, what were you saying?" AJ asked, having no clue what he was talking about.

Jeremy had taken to her to a very fancy restaurant, and he's been nothing but a gentleman but this entire date she couldn't stop thinking about Punk. Especially after he told her that he was thinking about the night they met. She couldn't help but to think about their first date that followed that night.

"I was saying, my dad wanted me to be a lawyer like him, and my mom wanted me to a doctor like her but I opted on being a writer." Jeremy told AJ & she nodded. "I just feel like with writing you can tell stories and just..."

AJ once again got lost in her thoughts. Jeremy was sweet and charming but... boring. Vanilla to say the least. 12 years ago, this would've been the perfect guy for her. But she got a taste of Punk, and she couldn't even pretend to be interested in vanilla.

And now she was thinking about how he was touching her earlier. She desperately wanted to push him on the bed and let him have his way with her, right then and there. But she wasn't sure if she was ready with the emotional baggage that came with that.

"April." Punk pulled away from kiss when he felt AJ trying to undo his belt buckle.

"What?" AJ asked, a bit out of breath from the lip lock.

"Even though that physically pained me to pull away, I think we should slow down." He suggested with a laugh.

"You're right. I'm sorry." AJ shook her head in embarrassment.

"Hey, don't ever apologize for that. Ever." Punk clarified. "It's just I don't want you to think that's all I want. I really do wanna see where this thing goes."

"I don't know if it's because I can be a bit naïve or you're just very convincing but I believe you." AJ smiled at him.

"It's the face, you can be honest." Punk teased, and AJ smirked. "Enough about me, though. I wanna know about you."

"What do you wanna know?" AJ asked.

"Your family life? When I picked you up earlier, none of your family were there." Punk wondered.

When he picked her up from her house earlier, he offered to meet her parents but found out that they weren't even home. Which he found weird since it was pretty late.

"Where do I even start? My dad is working, he takes any job he can get to support us, and that's why he wasn't there. My brother left off to the military as soon as he could." AJ explained. "My sister, who took me to the party yesterday, is probably out with her boyfriend. And my mom... she's probably out with her boyfriend, too."

"Oh." Punk said.

"Yeah, their relationship is very.. toxic. Constant cheating, fighting—they were really young when they had us." AJ went on. "They think we don't notice all of this but we do. And have since we were kids. I love them but I just wish they could be better parents."

Punk just nodded and listened to what AJ has to say. He could tell she was really opening up to him.

"I know my dad uses work as an excuse to be away from my mom. But in return, he's away from us too. I just wish we were enough for him to want to stay around, ya know." She sighed, a tear running down her cheek. "Well I'm the baby and pretty the one primarily at home. I don't know, I just wish I was enough."

Punk wiped the tear from her face, and she smiled at him.

"And my mom, she believes in tough love. I don't think I've heard her say she loves me, or she's proud of me." AJ shook her head. "I'm sorry, this is stupid & bringing down the mood."

"No, no.. I don't think it's stupid." Punk assured her. "I may be wrong, but it feels like this is the first time you're telling someone how you feel."

"It is." AJ told him. "You're just very easy to talk to."

"Yeah?" Punk smiled, and AJ nodded. "You're easy to talk, as well. I'm a foster kid. Was in a foster home since I was born. When I was 7, I met my best friend Dean there & we were so inseparable they thought we were brothers."

AJ smiled at Punk as he continued.

"But when we were 13, they were gonna send Dean to a different home so we snuck out. For a year, we just tried to get by, sleeping at parks and stuff." Punk explained. "That's until we met Tate. He took us in like we were his own. He owns a MMA gym, and he got us into fighting."

"You started fighting when you were 13?" AJ asked.

"Started training at 13, officially became an amateur at 18. Tate wanted us to finish school, and shit before we started a career." Punk replied.

"Wow. He seems like a really good guy." She said.

"He is. Closes thing to a father the both of us have had." He told her. "Of course the moment we turned 18 he got us an apartment to keep us out his hair."

Punk and AJ laughed in unison.

"Do you ever wished you could met your biological parents?" AJ pondered.

"Sometimes." He confessed. "But then I remember they gave me away so I got the hint. I heard that they're druggies. It's one reason why I don't drink or do any drugs."

"You don't?"

"Nah. Never saw the appeal to it." He shrugged.

"I can respect that." AJ nodded, and Punk laughed. "What?"

"Who knew our first date would be a therapy session on how fucked up our lives are." Punk said, and it caused AJ to laugh now.

"Two lost causes." She smirked.

AJ smiled to herself, remembering just how Punk made her feel like on their date. He was raw, honest, real and she trusted him. She confined in him. She would be lying if she said she didn't fall head over heels for him just after that first date.

"So how about your family life? Your childhood?" AJ was broken from her thoughts once again by Jeremy's voice.

AJ thought about his question for a second.

"My parents don't live here anymore. They live in Puerto Rico, and as for my childhood.. it was okay." AJ lied, she didn't want to or feel like delving into her life to him.

Jeremy seemed like he was gonna push her for more information, but luckily for her the waitress came to take their order.

It was at that moment that AJ realized there was really no one else for her. There would never be man that she'd be able to trust, and be open to like she was with Punk. That was just the truth. He is her one.

Punk was sitting in the living room, flipping through the channels. Him and Dani ate some pizza, ice cream, watched a horror film then she was out like a light. He carried her to her room & tucked her in then came back down thinking he was gonna get some sleep himself. But he couldn't.

All he could think about was AJ on that date. At least with Dani awake, he had a distraction. But now his mind was racing with thoughts about that date. Did she really like this guy? Was he treating her right? Would he be the thing that finally pushes her to file for a divorce?

These were some of the many worries on his mind. He tried to remind himself that if AJ's happy then he should be happy for her. And even though he was prepared to put on a front that he was happy, it still fucked him up mentally.

Punk broke from his thoughts when he saw that he landed on some fight reruns while flipping through the channels. He used to love this, this used to be his life, but now he couldn't even stomach the sight of watching fights. He opted on turning off the TV, and just as he did heard some noises outside.

"Thank you for tonight." AJ said as her & Jeremy walked up to the front door.

"I had a great time." Jeremy smiled at AJ.

They stood in awkward silence for a moment.

"Well, I better get inside." She told him, wanting to end this date as soon as possible. She felt bad because he had to know that during the entire date she wasn't really feeling it.

"Yeah, um.. okay." Jeremy replied, and AJ waved goodbye then turned to unlock the door but was stopped when Jeremy grabbed her arm, turned her around then leaned in to kiss her.

Just as he was about to kiss her, the front door opened. They both looked over and saw Punk standing at the door.

"Sorry, am I interrupting something?" Punk smirked knowing that he was absolutely interrupting something.

"Nice timing." AJ groaned, but secretly she was actually glad Punk interrupted that kiss after how horrific this date was.

Punk ignored AJ because he was too busy sizing up Jeremy. This was his first time seeing him, but he looked oddly familiar to Punk. Then again, dress vest suit? Matching fancy dress pants? Faux hawk hair cut? He looked like your average nob.

"You must be Phil." Jeremy greeted Punk, putting out his hand.

"In the flesh." Punk smiled and shook Jeremy's hand making sure to grip it as hard as he could until Jeremy forcefully pulled his hand away. "I would say your name, but I don't know it. My wife never told me it.. I mean, she never even told me about you until a couple days ago. And yet, I still don't know a thing about you."

AJ sighed. Even though she didn't enjoy the date, she didn't want Punk grilling the poor guy.

"Jeremy. And that's interesting because she's told me everything about." Jeremy bit back. AJ was impressed that he held his ground against her husband, but of course the comment made Punk's smile fade. "Anyways, I should get going. Goodnight, April."

Jeremy leaned in, kissed AJ's cheek, and Punk couldn't lie & say his heart didn't break upon hearing him call her April. Everyone called her AJ. Even family members of hers. So it felt weird hearing someone other than him call her that.

"Phil." Jeremy nodded towards Punk then turned around and walked to his car.

AJ looked at Punk and rolled her eyes then went inside the house as Punk followed behind.

"He calls you April?" Punk scoffed, shutting and locking the door.

"That is my name." AJ reminded, turning around and facing him.

"Yeah, but I just thought.. never mind." Punk gave up. "How was the date?"

"It was good." AJ lied, but Punk saw right through her.

"That bad?" He asked knowingly.

"It wasn't even him. It was all me. My mind was just.. somewhere else." She confessed.

"Oh. What were you thinking about?" Punk wondered.

"Nothing. It's not important." AJ lied, deciding it would be best to not tell him. "How did Dani do?"

"Great. I did get her some ice cream, but not before dinner." Punk told her, and AJ just smiled because she knew Dani would convince her dad to give her ice cream. "We watched a movie, she fell asleep, I tucked her in. She was an absolute angel. Per usual."

"Thank you for watching her." AJ said and Punk was about to interject but she cut him off before he could. "I know, I don't have to thank you but I am. So, just accept it."

"Okay. Goodnight." Punk nodded then turned around to leave but the next thing that came out of AJ's mouth stopped him.

"I was thinking about you." She said, and Punk turned back around.

"What?" He asked.

"I couldn't stop thinking about you." AJ opened up. "No matter how much I tried. I just couldn't. I couldn't stop thinking about our first date, comparing you to him, and how you touched me earlier. I just.. can't shake you."

"Okay." Punk said.

"Okay? That's it? Come on, I know you want to gloat about it." AJ scoffed.

"I mean, yeah, it feels good to hear it from your mouth, but doesn't it really mean anything if you don't let me in." Punk walked closer to AJ.

"I don't think I'll ever be able to let you in again, if I'm being honest." She told him, and he nodded then was about to walk away again when AJ grabbed his arm, pulling him back.

"But that doesn't mean we can't do other things." AJ got closer to him so that they were chest to chest. "Stay the night."

Punk looked at her shocked. Was she really asking him to stay the night? Was this a test? I mean, he could see the lust in her eyes. Punk would love nothing more than to forget everything for one night, but that's the problem. It would just be one night. He wanted her every night.

"No." He replied, pulling away from her.

When he pulled away he could see the hurt in AJ's eyes but he couldn't do this.

"I'm so sorry." AJ shook her head, backing away as well. "I get it. What am I kidding? Earlier was just a tactic to get me to not go on the date."

"Ape no-"

"I get it. You've probably slept with your fair share of models now. Why would you want me in that anymore? I'm old news." AJ said, feeling stupid for even throwing herself out there.

She's always been a really confident person but ever since the stories and pictures of Punk out with other women—she constantly compared herself to those women. So, it's no shock that her confidence has tumbled.

"What? No." Punk shook his head walking back over to the AJ, and grabbing her arms. "I would love nothing more than to take you upstairs, and let you have your way with me. But I need to know that it won't be just one night then tomorrow you hate me again."

"I don't hate you." AJ softly replied.

"But you want to." Punk pointed out and AJ stayed silent. "Look, I'm going against every single desire I have in my body because I wanna make sure this isn't just a spur of the moment feeling. I don't wanna get hurt either."

"I understand." AJ said. She really did understand where Punk was coming from, and even though he has hurt her—she didn't want to hurt him back. That was not what this was about.

"I'll tell you what." Punk let go of AJ's arms and leaned down, so they were face to face. "Sleep on it, and if you still feel this way tomorrow then you have my number."

Punk wiped the side of her cheek that Jeremy kissed then stood back up & walked out the door—shutting it behind him. AJ had no idea what she got herself into.

Jeremy walked into his house, slamming the door shut behind him, throwing his keys on the counter, but when he walked further into his living room he was startled by the figure who was sitting on the couch.

"What the hell, man?" Jeremy groaned, jumping at the unexpected sight of the man.

The buzz cut man sat on the couch with a chilling look on his face.

"How was the date?" The mystery man asked, not fazed by the reaction from Jeremy.

"Sucked absolute ass. She wasn't even into it." Jeremy said throwing himself onto the other couch. "But you can't be breaking into my place like this, dude."

"What do you mean she wasn't into it? I thought you said you got her to like you." He scowled

"I thought I did, too. She's hung up on the husband." Jeremy told him, reaching for the Rubik's cube on the coffee table and playing with it. "This was fucking stupid idea anyways."

The man took a deep breath then stood up walking up Jeremy. He grabbed him by his neck then pulled out his pistol, and forcefully pressed onto the tip of his neck causing him to drop the Rubik's cube.

"The fucking stupid idea was having a little boy like you do a man's job. You want your country club parents finding out you spent all your trust fund betting on fights, and now you're in serious trouble with some bad motherfuckers? Huh?!" The man grilled, looking into Jeremy's terrified eyes as he managed to shake his head with the gun still pressed to his neck.

"I didn't think so. Punk is worth millions on millions. So you get close to little bitch, whatever it takes, and we can both can walk out of this unscathed. And millionaires." He demanded.

"Okay, man, just remove the gun. Please." Jeremy managed to plead out, and the man pushed the gun into his neck one last time then backed away. "I'll do it. But we aren't even sure this will work. Who even knows if he'll care if we were to kidnap her? They have serious fucking issues."

"He has a little girl, doesn't he?" The man pointed out, and Jeremy shook his head.

"Nic, have you gone completely mad? I'm not gonna kidnap his daughter." He spoke.

"You're gonna do whatever the fuck I say you will." Nic made clear. "Punk took my life from me, and I have no problem taking everything from him."

"This is too much for me, dude." Jeremy rubbed his fingers through his hair.

"Now you wanna have a fucking moral high ground?" He laughed. "Fuck it. I'm a nice guy so I'll let you sleep on it. Tomorrow, you'll tell me your answer. If I don't like it, I won't hesitate to bust a cap in your ass."

Nic placed his gun back in his pants then was walking towards the door.

"Oh, by the way." He called out, and Jeremy turned to face him. "You should really lock your door, rich boy. You never know who what psycho can just waltz on in."

Nic let out a sinister laugh then walked out the door, slamming it shut behind him. Jeremy had no idea what he just got himself into.

Thank you to everyone for the support and reviews on this story! Hope you all are enjoying it.