Chapter Two – Damage Control (Or Lack Thereof)

Maeve had handled a lot of difficult situations in her career—dislocated joints, deep gashes, even a few broken bones. But nothing, nothing, had prepared her for the absolute chaos in her own brain after last night.

Cody Rhodes had kissed her.

And he didn't even know he did it.

She sat at her desk in the medical room, head in her hands, trying to breathe like a normal human being.

It was just a concussion mistake. He wasn't even aware. It didn't mean anything.

Right?

The locker room door swung open, and before she even looked up, she knew who it was.

"Alright, spill."

Maeve groaned. "Go away, Sarah."

Sarah, her evil best friend and Triple H's PA, did not go away. Instead, she shut the door, crossed her arms, and grinned like a cat who'd found the cream.

"Oh, no. You're gonna tell me exactly what happened last night between you and Cody Rhodes."

Maeve died inside.

"Nothing happened," she said, way too fast to sound convincing.

Sarah raised an eyebrow. "Mmmhmm. Sure. So you didn't immediately shove him off and run out of the room like a guilty schoolgirl?"

Maeve's jaw dropped. "You were spying on me?!"

Sarah scoffed. "Please. I just happened to be walking by when I heard you gasp and then sprint away like you'd just committed a crime."

Well. That sounded about right.

Sarah dropped into the chair across from her, grinning like a menace. "Soooo… was he a good kisser?"

Maeve covered her face. "Oh my god."

"That's a yes."

"I hate you."

Sarah cackled. "Oh, babe. This is the best day of my life."

Maeve groaned again, wishing for death.

And then—it got worse.

Because the door swung open again—and this time, it was Cody.

Maeve's entire soul left her body.

Cody was here. Standing in her doorway. Looking absolutely fine, awake, and very much not concussed anymore.

Sarah immediately perked up like a wolf sensing prey. "Ohhh, speak of the devil."

Cody blinked at them. "Uh… hey?"

Sarah smirked. "Hey, champ. Feeling better?"

"Yeah, mostly," Cody said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Still a little sore, but I think I'll live."

Maeve couldn't speak. She was too busy trying not to spontaneously combust.

Did he remember?

Cody turned to her with a small smile. "Thanks for taking care of me last night, by the way."

Maeve choked.

Sarah bit her lip, holding back laughter. "Oh, don't mention it."

Cody's brow furrowed slightly. "I, uh… I don't remember much. Just flashes. But I appreciate it."

Maeve forgot how to breathe.

He… he didn't remember.

He had no idea.

"Oh," she said, voice way too high. "No problem. That's what I'm here for."

Sarah kicked her under the desk.

Maeve sent her a murderous glare.

Cody smiled again, oblivious. "Cool. Just wanted to say thanks. I'll, uh, see you guys later."

And just like that, he left.

As soon as the door shut, Sarah exploded.

"HE DOESN'T REMEMBER." She howled with laughter. "Oh my god. This is better than I ever imagined."

Maeve, meanwhile, was still frozen in shock.

Cody had kissed her.

Cody had no idea he kissed her.

Maeve was going to die.

Maeve had finally started to convince herself that maybe, just maybe, she could move on from The Incident.

Then WWE ruined her life.

It started as a normal day. Well, normal in Maeve's current reality, which meant Sarah relentlessly winding her up while Maeve tried to forget that she had, in fact, been kissed by Cody Rhodes.

They were in catering, Sarah smirking as Maeve stabbed at her food like it had personally offended her, when the TV screens around the room flickered.

The usual WWE promo package started playing—highlights from last night's show. Maeve didn't think much of it.

Until she saw herself.

Her blood ran cold.

The footage was grainy, taken from a backstage security camera. But it was undeniable.

Cody. Sitting on the medical table. Maeve. Standing between his legs. His hands gripping her waist.

And then—the kiss.

Maeve stopped breathing.

Oh. My. God.

Around her, the entire catering area went silent.

"Oh. Shit." Sarah's delighted whisper barely registered through the sheer panic flooding Maeve's system.

Maeve's phone buzzed violently.

She barely had time to glance at the screen before another message came in.

And another.

And another.

Then, a new horror.

The promo voiceover.

"Passion ignites in the heat of the moment—"

No. No. NO.

"—as WWE's Champion finds himself caught up in something… unexpected."

The screen cut to Cody, standing in the ring, smiling, completely unaware of the absolute shitstorm happening backstage.

"What happens next? Stay tuned to Monday Night Raw!"

The promo ended.

Silence.

And then—absolute chaos.

Maeve's stomach plummeted as the entire catering area erupted into chatter.

"Wait, that was real?"

"Did anyone know they were together?"

"Oh my god, they're gonna make this a storyline, aren't they?"

Maeve's phone wouldn't stop buzzing.

Sarah, meanwhile, looked like she had just won the lottery.

"Oh, babe." She laughed, shaking her head. "You are so screwed."

Maeve shot out of her chair. "I have to find Cody."

"Uh, yeah, you do," Sarah said, still cackling. "And also? I'm never letting you live this down."

Maeve barely heard her. She was already storming out of catering, heart racing.

This was not happening.

Except—it absolutely was.

And Cody was about to find out.