Chapter Three – Cody Finds Out

Cody had no idea why everyone was looking at him like that.

Like he'd just murdered someone. Or, worse, done something really, really stupid.

It started when he walked into catering. A few conversations stopped mid-sentence. Some people whispered. Others just stared.

Cody frowned. "Uh… do I have something on my face?"

No one answered.

Then, Seth Rollins walked by, smirking like an absolute menace. "Nice work, champ."

Cody blinked. "What?"

Seth just laughed. "Oh, buddy. You're about to have a very interesting day."

Cody barely had time to process that before Chad Gable shoved his phone in his face.

And that's when everything went to hell.

The footage played.

Grainy, black-and-white security cam footage. Him. Maeve. The medical room.

The kiss.

Cody's stomach dropped.

"What the—?" His eyes widened. "When the hell did this happen?"

"Last night," Chad said helpfully. "After your match. You had a concussion, bro."

Cody's brain short-circuited.

He kissed Maeve?

And forgot?

Before he could fully process that, the promo package started playing again on the nearby TV screens.

Cody watched in horror.

"Passion ignites in the heat of the moment—"

"Are you kidding me?"

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

The video cut to him, standing in the ring, clueless.

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

Cody closed his eyes. Took a deep breath.

Then turned to Chad. "Where's Maeve?'

Maeve had locked herself in an empty medical room.

She had been through it today.

First, she woke up stressed about the kiss. Then she realized Cody didn't remember it. Then she had to sit through Sarah winding her up all morning.

And now?

Now, the entire WWE Universe thought she and Cody were a thing.

Her phone buzzed nonstop.

Sarah: Babe, you need to breathe.

Sarah: And also, this is the best thing that's ever happened to me.

Maeve threw her phone on the table. This could not be happening.

A knock at the door.

She froze.

"Maeve?"

Her heart stopped.

Cody.

She squeezed her eyes shut. Nope. Not ready for this.

He knocked again. "I know you're in there."

No escape.

Maeve sighed, bracing herself, then opened the door.

Cody stood there, looking equal parts confused and slightly horrified.

"Okay," he said, stepping inside. "Can you please tell me what the hell is going on?"

Before Maeve could even think of an answer, another voice cut in.

"Ah, good. You're both here."

Maeve and Cody turned in unison.

Triple H stood in the doorway, arms crossed, looking way too pleased with himself.

Maeve's stomach dropped.

Cody sighed. "I have a feeling I'm not gonna like this."

Triple H grinned. "Oh, you're definitely not."

Maeve wanted to die.

Maeve had a bad feeling about this.

Triple H wasn't just standing there—he was standing there with the smirk of a man who knew he'd already won.

Cody, to his credit, looked like he was physically restraining himself from cursing out his boss. "Okay. Let's hear it."

Triple H grinned. "Simple. We're making it official."

Maeve blinked. "What?"

"You two." He gestured between them. "We're turning this into an on-screen storyline."

Maeve's brain short-circuited.

No. Nope. Absolutely not.

"You want us to… what?" Cody asked, voice dangerously calm.

"Play into it. Lean into the reaction. The internet's already running wild—" Triple H pulled out his phone and flipped it around.

Maeve saw Twitter trending topics:

•#CodyAndMaeve

•#WWE'sNewPowerCouple

•#TheAmericanLover (What. The. Hell?!)

Maeve's soul left her body.

Triple H continued like this wasn't a complete disaster. "We're putting you in a segment on Raw next week. A little backstage moment. Keep it subtle."

Maeve found her voice. "And if we say no?"

Triple H smiled. "You won't."

Oh, she hated him.

Cody ran a hand over his face. "I need a minute."

Triple H patted him on the shoulder. "Take your time, champ." Then, to Maeve, "I'll send over the creative notes."

Maeve clenched her jaw. "Can't wait."

Triple H walked off, smug as hell.

Maeve and Cody stood there in silence.

Then Cody turned to her. "What the hell just happened?"

Maeve sighed. "We just got WWE'd."