Hazel
I gave up on sleep after a couple of hours lying awake. I should’ve slept like a baby after what I had accomplished but I was still shaking with adrenaline. It felt good seeing the look on Seth’s face when I came out with Dean. It felt good hearing him yell about Dean and I. It felt good kicking him upside the head and costing him the title like he’d cost me mine.
Everything had gone according to plan.
Yet it brought up old feelings. Feelings I’d thought I’d gotten over or at least locked away. I hadn’t seen Seth in person in forever. I hadn’t been that close to him. Just like the announcer said – I could still feel that spark between us.
But I didn’t want to. I hated the bastard. I hated everything he stood for. I hated everything he’d done to me. I’d moved on.
I got up to put on a pair of shorts and a tank top before grabbing two of the nips from the mini fridge and walking outside for air. Sitting down on one of the benches, I leaned back taking a look at the stars in the sky, taking a sip from one of the bottles.
It was so unreal to finally be back. The feeling couldn’t be compared to anything else. Even without the crowd expecting me, there was still signs with my name and everyone cheered. During my time off I thought for sure I would’ve been forgotten. Wrestling had it’s die hard fans but there’s new talent and new favorites changing at all times. It was hard to believe I still had a presence.
By the time the sun came up, I had finished both of the nips. If I was lucky I could get an hour of sleep before taking on a whirlwind of press like I used to. Going back on the road would be a huge adjustment but I was more than ready.
My thoughts betrayed me when I walked into the elevator. My mind wandered back to a few years ago when I was checking into the hotel after a late flight. Seth had gotten in from a workout. He was so disheveled and in the zone before noticing I was in there with him.
His eyes had lit up when they landed on me. It was the most excited I’d seen a person, especially at that time of night. With an adorable smile, he’d worn a sweat soaked tank top and black basketball shorts. His chest was still heaving from a run.
If he was anything like the man I used to know, he was probably lying awake right now after coming in from another workout. He always was a night owl like me.
Except he wasn’t going to come into my bed. My bed was empty. He would be with his new girlfriend. I knew all about her. Holly told me the two had met when he was out with his knee injury. I don’t know how serious they were but It had to be serious enough for Holly to bring her up.
Seth
I couldn’t sleep so I did the only thing I could think to do. Workout. I showered once I got back and climbed into bed. Instinctively, Sarah turned towards me, curling into my side with her head laying on my shoulder. Still fast asleep she pressed a kiss on my chest.
All I could see was Hazel. I wanted answers. I knew exactly why she fucked up my match but I had other questions. Why hadn’t I heard of her comeback? Did my mom know she was coming back? Why would she be with Dean? What about Renee? Were they fucking around when we were still together? Dean was always over protective of her. That bastard.
I was livid and yet I wasn’t. Seeing Hazel again – being that close to her, no matter how angry we both were – I knew there was still something there. We both felt it. She had done what she had to but I knew regardless of how hard she tried to hide it, she felt it too.
Suddenly Sarah didn’t feel right tucked into my arms anymore, especially not with the thought of Hazel tucked against Dean. Except she was probably still awake, losing herself in her own thoughts.
…
The rest of the week dragged. Still looking for answers, I demanded them from Stephanie and Foley but they both assured me they had no idea that Shane had that planned. I believed her. If Stephanie knew she would’ve told me. She always looked out for me.
Either way, I had to get my head in the game. Tonight was Battleground and I was under a lot of pressure to win back the WWE championship for Raw. In 30 minutes, I’d be against both Dean and Roman for the title. That title had been on Raw for as long as the brand had existed. Losing it to Smackdown would be an outright insult.
The two hated me still so I knew they’d gang up but they were the least of my concerns. Because of her press schedule she wasn’t going to be in a match tonight but she was set to valet Dean. I knew for a fact it would get the better of me like it did last time. It had always been impossible for me to ignore that woman and time hadn’t changed that.
Especially not in D.C. Three years ago in this very city, I had one of the best days of my life with her. After coming in from nonstop press, we explored the city hand in hand, taking in everything it had to offer. The sights. The food. The weather. We talked about anything and everything. It was the day I knew for a fact I was head over heels in love with the wild hearted, rebellious little firecracker named Hazel.
The very next day, the Shield took her side in standing up to the Authority.
I finished strapping the laces of my boots and slipped on my knee pads before rinsing my head under the faucet to soak my hair. I could hear the woman’s match get announced and it gave me a 20 minute warning so I stretched.
When I opened the door to leave the locker room, the familiar smell of perfume and coconut oil hit me. I turned my head to see Hazel. She looked like she had just gotten there, still dressed in a pair of jeans, a crop top and vans, but she was running out through the curtains.
Oh shit.
I jumped back into the locker room, looking at the monitor to see that the match was between Charlotte and Dana vs Sasha and Bayley. The crowd went wild and there was Hazel sprinting into the ring to spear Charlotte just as she had Bayley over her shoulders.
Hazel
I may not have gotten a match but I’d be damned if I left this arena today without getting my hands on Charlotte. The bell rung signifying disqualification from my interference but I hit her blow after blow wherever my fists could land. I had a bone to pick with her and since we were now on two different brands. I wouldn’t get the chance again until Summerslam.
I felt myself get yanked off by Sasha and Dana but I threw them off of me.
“Get outta here! She’s mine!” I screamed at them.
The two backed away with their hands up in surrender. They didn’t want any of part of this. Smart. Sasha pulled Bayley out of the ring and the only people left were me, Charlotte and the ref trying to make me leave.
I turned back towards Charlotte and threw started stomping on her shoulder like she had done to me. While she tried to fight back at first it was useless. I was to angry. I was too quick. I’d worked my ass off for two fucking years so what happened last time would never happen again.
“You don’t like how it feels, do you?!” I seethed, yelling loud enough so she could hear me over the crowd.
Three referees got in the ring to pull me away from her and she managed to drag herself in the corner holding her shoulder.
“Stop!” One of the refs yelled, holding his arms out so I couldn’t get through him.
“She’s had enough!” Another said.
“Come on, Hazel – don’t do this!” The third warned.
I climbed the ropes diagonal from her to look at the crowd of cheering fans, raising my hands above my head. When I turned to look, I could see in her eyes she was in pain and revenge never tasted so sweet.
I wanted more.
I jumped from the ropes across the ring above the three referees to kick Charlotte with both feet. Her head went back into the steel post and knocked her out instantly. She fell over and I leaned in closer to her, brushing her hair away from her ear.
“Consider yourself lucky that you got drafted to Raw but just know, I will be at every pay-per-view. I will be at every training camp. I will be at every press event. Trust and believe that I will make your life a living hell just like I promised I would.” I whispered.
With that, I pushed her head away from me and climbed out of the ring, leaving the refs to check on her.
…
“Feel better?” Dean asked, taking a sip of his water as we waited at the entrance for his intro music.
By now I’d changed into my ring shorts, knee high combat boots, and a black wife beater that matched dean’s, except that wardrobe had cut it so it stopped just under my boobs for sex appeal. Apparently this was to make us look more coupley like the Miz and Maryse. Yuck.
I ran my fingers through my straightened hair and shrugged my shoulders. “Somewhat.” I replied. “It wasn’t as fun without her putting up a fight.”
He laughed, shaking his water and throwing his title over his shoulders as played his music. “Well hopefully some shots at Seth will makeup for it.”
I nodded in agreement and we walked out to the ring again to applause. Roman and Seth were already waiting in the ring and a ref had to restrain Rollins while Dean and I entered, with Dean holding the belt over his head to show he was champ. I pointed at him and waved and arm up and down for the crowd to make some noise for him and they did. Then the bell rang and I stepped out, waiting for them to start.
The site itself hurt my heart. These three were once brothers. They backed each other through everything. Now they were in the ring fighting against one another.
Seth mockingly put his fist out with a laugh, looking between Roman and Dean. “Come on, for old time’s sake?” He laughed again, stepping towards Dean.
Both men shook their head and Roman shoulder checked him, knocking him to the mat. Like a coward he rolled out of the ring looking up at Roman. Roman looked at Dean then at Seth before leaping through to ropes. Seth ran to try and get away from him but I ran around and shoved him against the ring.
He took the opportunity to jump in but Dean clotheslined him back over the ropes and Roman caught him, bashing his head into the ring, then into the barricade then back into the ring. Dean swung on him but Seth ducked only to be clotheslined by Roman back over the ropes. With Roman’s back turned, Dean rolled him onto his back for a submission but he kicked out. The boys laughed with each other before going at it.
I could hear Seth groan as he jumped back into the ring trying to jump on Dean and Roman who were shoving each other back and forth. They separated and Seth misses, landing on his feet only to be clotheslined over the ropes again over my side.
I laughed and he stood in anger. “You find this funny?! How the fuck can you just stand there and watch this happen?”
I threw my head back laughing again. “Same way you watched me.” I reminded. “Now back up.”
“Or what? They can’t help you now just like they couldn’t then” He threatened.
I looked over at the ref who was focused on Roman holding Dean in a submission and threw my leg up to kick Seth. He caught my leg just below it hit his face.
“Don’t think I’ve forgotten how you move.” He said in a low tone holding my ankle, a smirk crossing his lips. “Or how flexible you are.”
I smirked looking into his eyes and he smiled softening his grip. What he did forget was how limber I was. I bounced off my free leg, spinning to kick him with it. He fell back and I caught myself on my hands as I hit the ground.
Fuck him and his cocky ass attitude.
“I’ve learned a few new tricks since then, Rollins.” I replied, kicking him once more in the ribs.
I looked over to see Dean and Roman had made their way into a corner giving the referee a view of Seth so I backed away. With Dean hunched in the corner, Roman was ready to attack but Seth gathered himself enough to jump on Roman and get him away from Dean. The action threw him back and Seth kicked him in the stomach repeatedly until he was in the other corner. Once Roman was down Seth screamed out with adrenaline, meeting my eyes.
Goddamn this man for being so fucking beautiful.
No.
Bad Hazel.
He grabbed Roman bringing him to his feet and he tried to throw him into the opposite corner but Roman stopped him, slinging them around so Seth hit the corner with his back. He charged for Seth but Seth got a leg up to kick him.
“Come on Dean. You gotta get in there.” I said, pushing him away from the corner so he could get up to his feet. “This is your title, not theirs.”
He nodded and got up in time to see Roman holding Dean over his shoulders. He ran towards them, jumping forward to kick Roman in the chest with both feet and knocking both men over. Seth rolled out of the ring again and Dean tried to get Roman for a pin but he kicked out. Dean got up and got Roman into the corner, throwing elbows to his face until Roman spinned them around and started spearing him against the turnbuckles.
Shit. I had nothing against Roman. I wanted to do something, but I couldn’t do that to him.
Luckily I didn’t have to. Dean managed to turn them around again and started to kick at Roman while he was backed into the corner.
Fuck! I forgot about Seth. Dean and Roman were amazing to watch in the ring. I’d let myself get distracted.
He came out of nowhere grabbing Dean by his shirt and throwing him off of Roman before lifting him up and dropping him back first into his knee. Dean yelled out in pain and I growled. Hadn’t that motherfucker caused enough pain?
“This is for you!” He pointed at me before slingshoting Roman onto the ground. “You decided to chose the losing team! Look at your boys now, huh?”
My face scrunched in anger and I caught Roman from hitting the floor after Seth rolled him out.
“You okay?” I asked, resting him back against the ring.
He groaned a yes and I stood back up to see that Seth almost got Dean in a pin. Dean kicked out and Seth started punching him in the head. I had to do something to distract Seth. I didn’t want to play anymore into this whole couples thing but it would definitely get under Seth’s skin.
“Come on baby!” I slammed my hands into the mat, riling up Dean.
“This is who you cheer for?!” He screamed at me before lifting Dean up by the hair and throwing him into the corner.
He ran to the opposite corner to charge at Dean for a crossbody but I grabbed his ankle, causing him to fall on his face. He got up on his knees and turned to come towards me on the ropes but Roman came out of nowhere to kick him in the face.
I winced as Seth fell out of the ring and Roman grabbed him by his hair throwing him into the barricade. As much as I hated the man, the hurt look in his eyes was hurting me. Dean jumped up on the ropes and jumped with an elbow to both Roman and Seth knocking them down.
Seth and Dean ended up teaming up to take out Roman. They even performed a double powerbomb to put him through the announcer’s table. I didn’t like it but it was smart. The two went at it again until Roman came up to Superman Punch Dean and fight with Seth.
I pulled Dean out before either of them could get their hands on him. Resting him back against the ring, I held his head between my hands, slapping his cheek to get him to come to.
“Come on, come on.” I said looking from him to Seth and Roman in the ring. “You gotta get up, Deano. You gotta get in there.”
Seth got a pedigree on Roman and went for the pin but I jumped up to grab his leg, using all my weight to pull him off. The referee yelled at me and Seth got up walking towards me again, threatening me through the ropes. I smirked, watching as Roman speared him. Dean slid in right after the spear, grabbing Roman for a dirty deeds, taking him down for the count of three.
It was over. It was finally over.
I took a breath of relief jumping into the ring to hug Dean. “You did it!”
“Nah, nah, nah1” He laughed, lifting me up into his arms, spinning me around in a hug. “We did it. Thank you.”
I laughed, nestling my head in his neck hugging him tighter before we were joined by Daniel and Shane who hugged us while the entire Smackdown Roster came down the ramp clapping and cheering. Stephanie and Mick hung their heads in disappointment as they watched us celebrate. Dean held the title over his head with tears filling his eyes as everyone applauded for him. He mouthed a thank you as he ran around the ring holding up his belt. Shane threw his arms around me again pulling me into a hug.
“Thank you. Thank you so much!” He said patting my back.
I was lifted in the air by Dolph and Fandango and Dean was lifted up by the Usos. Everyone cheered and clapped, chanting mixtures of “Yes” and our names. In all the chaos, I found Seth. Stephanie was yelling at the referee while pulling Seth away up the ramp. As angry as he looked, I could see the pain behind his eyes as he watched me up there. I didn’t like the way it made me feel. He had it coming. He deserved it.
Then why the fuck was my stomach in knots?