Chapter 6: Stacy
"Oh, God. Fuck." AJ moaned with her hands gripping onto his hair & legs wrapped around his waist as Punk gave her one last thrust, burying his load deep inside her.
"It's Phil, but close enough." Punk teased, a little breathless as he pulled out of AJ, and rolled over so he was laying on the other side of the bed. "You good?"
"Yeah." AJ managed to get out between breaths then turned onto her side, so she was facing Punk. "How is it that every time is better than the previous?"
"You know who you married." Punk smirked turning to her, and she laughed. "I better get going."
Punk lifted himself up from the bed getting out of it and grabbing his nearby discarded shorts.
"What? Baby, do you really have to go train this early?" AJ sat up on their bed. "Lay with me for a bit."
"Tempting, but I have to go. Well, I don't have to go, but I need to if I want to be even close to beating this guy." Punk pulled up his shorts and AJ rolled her eyes. "I thought you were gonna support me."
"I am supporting you... it's just every day it's the same thing." AJ sighed, running her hands through her hair. "You wake me up at the wee hours of the morning for sex then you dip to go train, and I don't see you again until like 8 at night. It's like I'm more of your whore than your wife."
"You can be both." Punk teased.
"I'm being serious, Phil." AJ scowled. "I'm starting to feel like I'm just a body to you."
"Come on, Ape, don't say that shit." Punk scoffed.
"It's how I feel." AJ shrugged. "And imagine how Dani feels. At least I get to see you in the mornings. She doesn't get to see you until the nights or when I bring her by the gym sometimes after school. It's not right."
"I know, I know." Punk sighed. "But it isn't like I'm having a blast without you two. I'm training which is a part of my job, no different than you going to your job."
They've been having this same conversation ever since that night in the kitchen 2 weeks ago when AJ overheard, he had taken another fight in 3 months just a week after he lost.
"It is different when you spend the majority of your day there. You keep saying you know yet you aren't taking any steps to change it." AJ pointed out, laying back down, and pulling the covers over her body.
"You know how I get when I'm preparing for a fight." Punk told her.
"But it's never gotten this intense. I feel like you're turning into my dad." She said the last part as a whisper, but Punk still heard.
He exhaled then sat back on the bed.
Being compared to her dad sucked. It wasn't like he was bad guy. Just wasn't around much, and AJ had told him how that made her feel. He didn't want her, or Dani feeling like that when it came to him.
"I'm sorry, Ape." He said softly. "I don't mean to make you, or Dani feel like you guys are anything less than the most important people in my life. I just... really wanna get this loss back."
"And I want you to get that loss back. I hate when you say I'm not supporting you because I am." AJ reached out and grabbed his hand. "I just want you to be around more. For us."
"I'll do better. I promise." Punk said.
"I believe you, and you can start today. Dani's getting an academic award today at 11. She'd be stoked to see you there." She told him.
"I'll be there. Okay? I'll be there. I'll even be home by 5 tonight." Punk kissed AJ's hand then stood up again, grabbed some clothes from the drawer, and headed to the bathroom.
AJ really hoped he would keep his promises this time.
AJ had just finished making breakfast for Daniela, and now she was standing in the kitchen drinking a cup of coffee. All she could think about was Punk. He told her to sleep on it, and she did. She still wanted him probably even more today than yesterday.
But they had a lot of talking to do before they even thought of sleeping together. The ball was in her court, and the decision was hers.
"How are you up before me?" Daniela asked, wiping her eyes as she walked into the kitchen.
"I'm a mom." AJ smiled, sipping her coffee. "How did you sleep?"
"Good." Daniela nodded, then climbed onto the high stool chair so she was sitting at the kitchen counter. "Dad's an amazing babysitter."
"Is he an amazing babysitter or does he just let you do what you want." AJ raised her eyebrow as she grabbed the plate of breakfast that she just made and put it in front of Dani.
"Both." She shrugged and AJ playfully rolled her eyes.
"Milk or OJ?" AJ asked turning around to open the fridge.
"Coffee." Daniela said with a sly smile and AJ gave her a look. "What? Uncle Dean let's me have some."
"I'll make sure to talk with Uncle Dean about that." AJ groaned. "We've already destined you to have a coffee addiction as it is, I'm not gonna rush that. So, OJ?"
"Fine." Daniela groaned knowing that she was incapable of winning an argument against her mom.
AJ smiled, grabbing the container of orange juice out the fridge, and pouring Dani a cup.
"So... how was your date?" Daniela wondered as she picked up her fork and started to eat the pancakes her mom cut up for her.
"It was good." She lied, setting the cup of orange juice down next to Dani. "He was kind & respectful. Everything you should look for when you eventually get old enough to start dating."
But he wasn't your dad, she thought to herself.
"You're gonna go on more dates with him?" She asked curiously, but AJ wasn't sure how to answer.
"I don't think I will." She answered honestly, picking up and sipping her coffee again.
"But you said it was good?" Daniela was confused.
"It's complicated." She replied. "Besides, I don't need to go on dates to be happy. I'm at my happiness in little moments like these when I get to spend time with you."
Daniela smiled at AJ, feeling a bit relieved that her mom has decided to not go through with dating this guy that wasn't her dad.
"I'm happy spending time with you too, mom. But..." Daniela trailed.
"Spit it out." AJ mumbled while drinking her coffee.
"My friend Brooke is having an all-girls sleep over tonight, and I was wondering if I could go?" She asked.
"I just gave you a heartfelt speech on how I love spending time with you, and you're trying to ditch me?" AJ playfully teased.
"I know, I'm sorry, mom." Daniela said sincerely. "But I need to be at this party, or my life is over. I'm already the weird girl who beat up a boy."
She sighed, crossing her arms together, and AJ couldn't help but laugh at how dramatic she was.
"Hey, there's nothing wrong with being the weird girl." AJ defended. "You can go, but I wish you would've told me earlier, so I'd be able to meet her parents before I let you just spend the night over there."
"You can meet them when you drop me off." Daniela reasoned. "Her dad's a politician."
"Oh, goodie." AJ said sarcastically. "I'll pack your bag and take you."
"Mom, I'm 11, you don't need to pack my bag for me. I'm not some little kid anymore." Daniela rolled her eyes.
"Oh. Well then—excuse me, you can pack your own bag then." AJ chuckled.
"I mean if you want to. Then like..." Daniela started. "I'm not gonna stop you or anything. I can do it myself, but like if you're offering then why not?"
"Eat your breakfast, you goofball." AJ playfully rolled her eyes as Dani smiled then went back to eating her food.
Looks like Dani just made the decision for her.
Punk was sitting on his couch looking at a hockey game on television. This wasn't the usual way he'd spend his Saturday alone but as of late this was becoming a normal thing for him to stay in.
He enjoyed it. It was taking him back to the days before he made it big and it was just him, AJ, Daniela being a little family together. He was missing the most important part of those days which was them, but he'd hope to have them back too.
He was startled when his phone started to ring then looked at who was calling and got even more startled.
"Hey." Punk greeted.
"Hey." AJ replied.
"What's up? Is Dani okay? Are you?" He asked, pretty confused as to why she was calling him.
"Yeah. She's good. I just dropped her off at this sleepover." AJ said. "I'm good, too."
"Oh. Cool. So, uh... not to be rude or anything, but why you calling?" Punk pondered.
"Um... well last night you told me you didn't want to sleep with me because you didn't want it to be a one-night thing..." AJ started off, and Punk's could sense the nervousness in her voice. "Well, it's just... it's the next day, and I can't shake the feeling of wanting you."
"You serious?" He sat up from laying down on the couch. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Yeah.. I am. I feel like I'm finally ready to talk. Ready to tell you things that I haven't told you that I've been struggling with on my own." AJ confessed. "Can I.. can I come over?"
"Yeah.. yes. You can. Come over right now." Punk said with a little too much excitement.
"Okay. I'll be over in a bit. Need me to bring anything?" She asked.
"No... actually, yeah." Punk smirked. "Condoms, maybe? Since we can hardly control ourselves around each other. You know my size."
"Small, right?" AJ played along.
"Very funny." He laughed.
"Oh, c'mon, you know we don't use those. How was I supposed to know?" AJ laughed with him.
"Yeah, yeah yeah. I'm just teasing. Just bring yourself, and we'll talk." Punk told her. "Thank you, April."
"Yeah. I'll be there in bit, okay? Bye." She said.
"Bye." He replied then hung up.
Punk jumped up from the couch in excitement. They were gonna talk, and even though that might not do much it was a starting point. He was broken from his high when he heard the doorbell ring.
"That was quick." Punk said to himself then walked over to the door & opened it, but the person that was revealed wasn't his wife. "What are you doing here?"
"Nice to see you, too." The red headed woman chuckled then leaned in to kiss Punk, but he leaned back so all she caught was his cheek. She brushed that off. "What's up? I haven't seen you lately?"
"Yeah. I've been keeping to myself lately." Punk responded.
"Well, can I come in?" She asked.
Punk looked around, thinking if he should let her in then nodded for her to come in. She walked in and Punk closed the door behind her.
"I've missed you." She said, walking into the living room area.
"Stacy, is there something you want?" Punk asked following in behind her.
"It's just.. you've cut me off lately. I just wanted to know if you were okay." Stacy said.
"No offense, Stace but you're not my wife. I don't really owe you an explanation." He responded.
"I know.. it's just like I said I've missed you." She repeated. "Don't you miss me?"
"I'm married, Stacy." Punk clarified.
"That's never stopped you before." She pointed out.
"Yeah, well things are different now. I'm trying to fix things with April. So, no, I don't miss you." Punk told her.
"I understand wanting to fix things with her because of your daughter, but is that what you really want?" She questioned. "You were miserable with her with this past year."
"I wasn't miserable." Punk shook his head.
"No? Well then why during the entire time you were preparing for your rematch you constantly talked to me at the gym about how she was making you feel like you weren't enough." Stacy walked up to Punk. "How she didn't support you. How you didn't want to even go home at times because of much she would pick fights with you-"
"That didn't mean anything." Punk cut her off.
"It didn't, huh? You know, we may have not done anything physical until after you two spilt, but emotionally we connected, and you can't stand here and deny it." She pleaded.
"What the hell are you getting at?" Punk sighed, getting very frustrated with this entire talk.
"You don't deserve to put yourself through that again." She grabbed his hands. "You deserve to be with someone that'll appreciate you. I know you want what's best for your daughter but maybe what's best for her is the two of you moving on."
"You need to go." Punk snatched his hands away and pointed towards the door.
"Fine. Be that way." Stacy scoffed then walked towards the door and once she got there stopped and turned around. "But when she breaks your heart again, I'll foolishly still be here. Even though you don't want to admit it, we have something."
Punk just watched as his former fling walked out the door. He wanted to start a new beginning with AJ, and he couldn't let anyone, or anything jeopardize that.
AJ was on her way to Punk's place and her stomach was in knots. She was ready to talk to him. Even though it scared the hell out of her, she had to do this. There's so much that he deserved to know. She could see he was trying to become better for her, and she don't want him to think that she was playing with him.
AJ had finally arrived to his penthouse like apartment, and parked in one of the empty parking spots. Before getting out, she looked around and saw someone she really wished she hadn't.
AJ walked in the gym on a mission. She couldn't believe that once again Punk had made a promise and broke it. She wouldn't have been as mad if it was about her but Punk made a promise to come to Dani's award assembly, and was nowhere to be found.
"Tate, hey." AJ's whole mood changed once she saw the older man was at counter.
"AJ, it's so good to see you." Tate came from around the counter to give her a hug. "You're still as beautiful as ever."
"Thank you, Tate. I haven't seen you in so long. How's retirement treating you?" AJ asked as they broke the hug.
"It's wonderful, but sometimes I get the itch to come down here and check out what the boys & girls are doing." He told her with a smile. "How's the little one?"
"She's amazing. She's so kind, compassionate, and smart. Bit of a smart ass, as well. But she is Phil and I's kid so that's expected. She's the best." AJ gloated.
"I just know she is. I'm gonna make sure to stop by more to see her, it's just we live so far from everything now." He chuckled.
"Hey, enjoy your retirement. You deserve it." She replied.
"Well, I'm not gonna keep you here. I'm gonna let you find who you're really looking for." Tate said, giving AJ a visitation sticker. "Do me a favor and tell him I said to slow it down."
"I'm trying to, but he won't listen to me." AJ shrugged. "You know how stubborn he is. It was nice seeing you, though. Tell Steph I miss her."
"Will do. Tell the little one she's getting spoiled the next time I see her." He smiled, and AJ nodded & gave him one last hug then started to walk downstairs towards the main gym area.
When AJ reached downstairs, she stood in the corner of the gym, with her arms crossed, eyes searching around for her husband. The gym was filled with cages, and mats and multiple rooms around that were used for more private sessions.
Mostly everyone knew who she was so she was greeted by fighters who passed by her. After a couple minutes she finally spotted her husband exiting from one of the rooms. She was on her to walk to him but stop when she saw a woman walk out after him.
They seemed to know each very well with the way they were chatting it up. She watched from afar as him and this woman talked & shared laughs together and couldn't help but have a bad feeling in her gut about whatever was happening between the two.
The woman was beautiful. She was built like an amazon with dark red hair, and her posture just screamed confidence.
She's never been a jealous type, but she wasn't in the best of moods already, combined with the way Punk was seemingly having a good time chatting with her—she couldn't help but be jealous.
It was most likely all innocent, but that still didn't stop AJ's mind from coming up with countless non-PG ideas of what they were doing in that room together.
She was broke from her trace when she saw Punk had finally looked over, and saw she was in the gym. Understandably, Punk looked confused, but AJ just motioned for him to come over to her. He nodded then said what she assumed was his goodbyes to the woman & started to walk over to AJ, and the lady for whatever reason turned around & smiled at AJ. She didn't return the smile instead she shifted her gaze towards her husband who was walking to her.
"Babe, what are you doing here?" He asked, walking up to her.
"I could ask you the same thing. Because it sure as hell doesn't look like training." AJ shot back.
"I was training. Well, I sometimes do private sessions for some guys and girls here and I just did one with Stacy over there." Punk explained, pointing behind him as AJ looked over and saw the woman was still staring at them. "She's really good, Ape. She's gonna be a star in the fight game. The skills, the look, the dedication-"
"Can we talk somewhere private?" AJ asked, cutting him off & choosing to ignore whatever the hell he was saying about the Stacy girl. Half the gym was looking at them, and AJ rather not be the gym's gossip story today.
"Yeah, um, let's go in here." Punk pointed to a nearby empty room and AJ walked in first as Punk followed behind, closing and locking the door behind him. "Don't tell me you're mad over me talking to Stacy. Stacy's a friend, and you aren't the jealous type."
"I don't care about her, Phil." She partially lied but that was a conversation for another day. "You promised you'd be at your daughter's award assembly."
"Shit." Punk shook his head. "I'm so sorry. It totally slipped my mind."
"You can't keep doing this to her, Phil. It may seem like little things, but to her these are big moments. She wants you there for them." AJ explained.
"I know. I fucked up." Punk mentally kicked himself. "I'll make it up to her, and I'll make it up to you."
"How? With more promises that you don't intend on keeping." AJ was starting to grow frustrated with her husband's patterns.
"I don't wanna argue with you, April." Punk sighed.
"You always throw that word around to get out of having to talk about these things. I'm not trying to argue either, Phil. But if talking these things out is arguing then so be it." AJ's voice started to raise. "Because lately you just seem like you're a whole different person, and it feels like this gym is more important than us. I'm tired of-."
AJ was cut off when she felt a sharp pain in her stomach which caused her to screech in pain & bend over, holding her stomach.
"You okay?" Punk rushed over to her and put his hand on her back, holding her up so she didn't fall.
"Yeah.. I just haven't been feeling all that good lately." The pain left AJ's side and she stood up back up but Punk still looked on in concern. "I'm fine, really. Just a little pain."
"Pain in your stomach doesn't seem so fine, April." Punk looked at her skeptical.
"I am. I promise. I haven't had lunch yet so that's probably it." AJ assured him. "My stomach's sensitive as it."
"Okay. I really am sorry, Ape. I know I keep on saying that, but I truly do mean it." Punk told her. "I'll tell you what, let's go to lunch right now. I need a break and you need to eat something."
Punk smiled at her while rubbing her stomach, and AJ looked up at him and gave him a half smile back.
"You're not just a body to me. You're my world. I love you." He told her.
"I love you, too."
Stacy. The woman who since that day in gym, AJ has brought up to Punk numerous of times whenever they had a fight. She always had a bad feeling in her gut about their friendship.
Even though every time he denied anything was on between them, and she believed he wouldn't lie to her about that—it still hurts to see her here.
It didn't just hurt her, though. It infuriated her. The amount of times AJ has expressed her insecurities when it came to them hanging out, and here she was walking out of his building.
It opened a new wound she forgot even existed, and just reminded her that even if they did talk it all out—they would never be the same again. They had a lot of shit to work through, and she just wasn't sure if at this point it was worth it.
AJ was broken from her thoughts when she heard her phone ringing, she looks at who is calling, and contemplated on answering but ultimately did.
"Hey." She answered.
"Hey. Look, I know last night was a total bust, and you weren't really into it. But I like you too much to let one date ruin things between us." Jeremy told her. "So maybe we can go on another one? Just give me another chance-."
"What are you doing right now?" AJ interrupted him.
"Right now? Um, nothing." He replied.
"Meet me at my place." She requested.
"Okay I'll.. uh I'll be ther-"
Before he could even get finish his sentence, AJ had already hung up. AJ looked at Punk's building one last time then started her car again and pulled out of the parking lot.
She didn't know what came over her. All she knew is now... she wanted to hurt him just as much as he hurt her.
AJ walked up to her house and saw Jeremy standing in front of her door with his hands in his pocket.
"Hi." He greeted her, and she nodded at him then walked past him to the door. "So uh.. I'm glad you decided to give me another chance."
AJ unlocked her front door, then turned back around to Jeremy.
"I want you to fuck me." She told him in the most nonchalant voice.
"You want me to what?" He didn't think he heard her correctly.
AJ reached out, grabbed the bottom hem of his shirt and pulled him closer to her.
"I want you to fuck me." She said once again and it came out as clear as it did the first time. "Think you can do that?"
Jeremy looked into her eyes and saw that they looked different. This was a different AJ than he had seen on their date last night, and from what he's seen at work. But he didn't care. All this did was make his job a lot easier.
"Of course, I can." Jeremy smirked.
"Great." AJ gave him a sinister smile then in what seemed like one swift movement opened the door pulling him into and closing it behind them.
She spent the past year trying to protect Punk's feelings when he spent the year hurting hers. For once, she was going to be the one who made the reckless decision.