Seth
The smell of bacon wrapped around me, awakening my senses. Slowly, I sat up wiping the sleep from my eyes. With a grunt from the pain in my joints, I got up from the bed, following the sound of singing accompanied by the scent of breakfast into the kitchen.
I stopped, leaning against the door frame to admire the sight I walked into. Sunlight beamed from the windows, landing on her skin, giving her an angel-like glow. Her hair was up in a messy bun as she danced around the kitchen island dressed in a white tank top and a pair of blue cotton shorts. R&B played from the speakers on her phone, using the tongs as a microphone she sang along, as her body moved rhythmically to the beat.
I cleared my throat, causing her to jump and turn, a playful laugh escaping her throat.
“You’re up!” She smiled, her blue eyes glistening in the sunlight as she came around the counter to jump into my arms. “I made breakfast.”
I caught her, lifting her up off the ground, her legs wrapping around my waist as she nestled her head into the crook of my neck. I did the same to her, taking in the scent of her soft skin. Perfume and coconut oil.
“Bacon, homefries, eggs, and smoked sausage. Your favorite.” She smiled, pulling away from my neck to look down at me.
I could only smile, bringing my hand up to brush a piece of black and blonde hair behind her ear. “God, I love you, Haz”
“How much?” She asked, leaning her forehead against mine as she searched my eyes.
“With every fiber of my being.” I replied.
She smiled, leaning down to press her lips against mine.
Then just like that, it was all over.
The sound of incessant beeping caused me to open my eyes.
There was no Hazel. There was no sunlight in the kitchen. There was no music.
I could still taste the peppermint on her lips. I could smell her perfume. I could feel the softness of her skin.
But it was just a dream. It was just me, alone, in a dark hotel. I didn’t even have Sarah here to distract me.
I hated that dream. I hated it because I loved it. I loved how she looked at me. I loved how she danced in the kitchen. I loved those stupid shorts and tank that she wore the first time I realized I was falling for her.
I sighed, forcing myself out of bed to get ready for another red-eye flight to my next city. My bag was packed, a change of clothes sitting on top of the counter with my wallet.
Walking to the window, I pushed back the curtains to look at the full moon. Chances were, she was looking at it too. She never was much for getting a full night’s sleep.
I was going to see her in a few hours. In just a short flight we’d be in the same city. We’d most likely be in the same hotel. We’d run into each other at the event. I’d have to answer questions about her. I’d have to see her with Dean.
I had no idea how the hell did I get conned into this?
Hazel
“I hate these things.” Dean pouted. “There’s so many people, I never know how to stand or what to say. How come we don’t have mediation meet and greets? Everyone can be silent and hold hands for 40 minutes.”
“That’s cause everyone would slaughter each other trying to grab your hand.” I rolled my eyes. “Why is this city so goddamn windy no matter what time of year it is?” I sputtered out some of my hair from my mouth.
“You do this all the time, you let them put that sticky shit on your lips then complain when your hair’s all over your face.” Dean returned, rolling his eyes.
“Will you shut up? Lip gloss just looks the best in iphone pictures that we’re going to have to be taking.” I shoved him lightly as we were escorted into the building.
He laughed, knocking my championship belt off my shoulder.
“Don’t get all diva on me, they took that word out of wrestling for a reason.” He said, throwing his arm over my shoulder as we walked.
“Shut up.” I shook my head adjusting my belt back over my shoulder. “You got your gum?”
“I do. I do.” He nodded.
Good. It at least helped him maintain his anxiety.
Never had it occurred to me that I would be the closest with Dean out of all people especially given our start but this was it. He was my best friend. He had my back through everything and now that we were on the same team again, we’d become unstoppable. Just like we’d always been.
“Right in here.” The escort said, opening the door to a lounge with a few other superstars.
We walked into see a few people already there expect the first person my eyes landed on were Seth. Even now my heart pounded at the sight of him, my stomach instantly filled with butterflies but I had to remind myself that my Seth was gone. I didn’t know the man standing there anymore.
His eyes locked on mine and I could see every muscle in his body tense. Dean also tensed but he didn’t move his arm from me. He was ready for a fight at any moment but we weren’t here for that.
“Glad to see you finally made it.” Stephanie broke the awkward stare-down stepping in my line of vision.
“That’s a funny way to speak to the only two champions in the room, don’t you think?” Dean smirked, instantly getting under her skin.
She hated the fact that Dean was champion. She hated that compared my popularity with the fans, nobody even considered Charlotte a champion for Raw. More than anything, she hated the fact that I was back.
“Knock knock,” Someone said, opening the lounge doors. “We’re starting photos in a couple of minutes if we can have you guys line up at the booths.”
“Look at that, we were right on time.” Dean laughed, popping a piece of gum in his mouth.
—
After the Q & A portions were finished, Dean headed to the bathroom and I headed to the lounge to grab a bottle of water while I waited.
I missed these events. I got to connect with people one on one and listen to their stories. They would tell me how much I was missed and how I inspired them. Everything about it just gave me more and more motivation to go on. I had to keep doing what I was doing. People counted on me.
It was mentally exhausting skirting around questions about Seth but I had been preparing myself for that all week.
“Got a lot of balls coming in here alone.” I said, looking up at Stephanie who just walked into the room.
“Bet it feels good to have one of those on you again.” Stephanie said, walking up to me.
I looked at the belt wrapped around my waist before returning my eyes to her. “Got something you want to say to me Steph?”
“Oh I’m just here to give you a warning. It’s best not to be so smug, it can all be ripped away from you just as easily as everything else was.” She said, a smirk playing on her lips.
“You must’ve lost a few brain cells over the last two years.” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “You don’t seem to remember that I still hold the longest title reign in history.”
“That’s right. How did that reign end again?” She said, folding her arms over her shoulders.
“Steph. I’m going to let you in on a little secret.” I closed the distance between us so that we were practically nose to nose. “If you didn’t intimidate me two years ago – you sure as hell don’t now. These empty threats – they’re tired shit. We both know what I’m willing to do to keep my title and I know better than to underestimate your mind games. So keep Rollins. He was the weakest link to begin with. But Dean and I? We’ll be just fine representing the best of this company. And I’ll do it just to see the pain in your face when you have to promote it using us.”
Seth
“Woah woah woah,” I walked into the room to see Stephanie toe to toe with Hazel.
The shorter woman saying something that made Stephanie’s whole body stiffen. Her face was red with steam practically coming off her head.
I put my arms between them, pushing them apart before holding Hazel’s shoulder to keep her at bay. I don’t think either woman realized I was even in the room. Their eyes were solely focused on each others.
Suddenly I was shoved, causing me to almost lose my balance as I caught myself on the counter.
“Get your hands off of her.” Dean threatened, standing next to Hazel.
Instantly I was fuming. How fucking dare he? I’d had to put up with being next to them. I had to answer all these fucking questions about them. Now on top of everything else, this motherfucker thought he could tell ME what to do with Hazel? She was fucking mine!
“Don’t you tell me what to do with her!” I growled as I raised my fist, about to charge him but Hazel stepped in front of him just like she would do in the ring.
“Enough.” She said, her eyes meeting mine.
I could see the conflict in her eyes. There was still something there for me. I could fucking see it.
“Haz -” I opened my mouth to speak and in an instant she changed and there was nothing but hate.
Placing a hand on Dean’s chest, she made him take a few steps back while Stephanie did the same to me.
“Like I said.” She turned her head, looking at Steph again. “You already played your best hand – taking out our weakest link. I should be thanking you for that. But I’m just getting started. I told you already – I won’t stop until the Authority is burned to the ground.”
“What was that?” I asked Stephanie as soon as Hazel and Dean left the room. “What did you say to her?”
“Nothing.” She said, shaking her head. “Let’s go. You have a match to prepare for.”