"I can't be your friend. Its too damn hard.
I can't see you anymore.
I don't want to hear your voice,
I don't want to talk to you,
I don't even want to look at you,
and I sure as hell don't want to be your friend."
Damon Salvatore, The Vampire Diaries

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RAW - BEFORE MITB

"I'm feeling really good, I'm happy to be able to get back hopefully really soon. I have been in a neck brace for three months and physically not been able to do much for six, just gets you excited when you know you might just get the call you have been waiting for. Right now I'm just slowly getting back into the routine of my workouts and I'm hoping I will be cleared to step back in the ring real soon and..."

I felt a small smile on my face watching her speak. Brie had told me she would be here today to consult with the doctors and judging by the way she spoke I knew it possibly could have been good news.

The fact that we fought a few weeks back still played heavy on my mind. I always felt horrible whenever I had any rare arguments with Nicole, the anger between us wouldn't even last a week before we gave in and sorted it out. But there was no sorting it this time, especially when she had made it perfectly clear to me where and with who she now stood.

"Can I go to her yet?" I felt Joelle tugging on my jeans which I was grateful for with my mind drifting. I shook my head and lift her up into my arms as we moved away. She didn't question it but simply held onto me as Nicole's voice faded in the distance.

I moved out into the arena, my eyes gazing over the empty seats while they were setting things up, doing the final touches before the crowds rolled in. It always intrigued Nicole and I how they were able to transform it all to make it feel at home, a wrestling home.

I moved towards the seats with Jojo's eyes widening as she took it all in. She had been to many shows but I knew she didn't like the rowdiness that much, and seeing it now it definitely had a different effect.

"Is Uncle Co going to take your title, Daddy?" She randomly spoke as we stared ahead and hopped off her seat beside me.

"No!" I narrowed my eyes playfully at her as she moved around gazing back and forth between the people and then me.

"I hope not, Daddy. It's my birthday present he can't take it" She frowned a bit, I chuckled and kissed her forehead as I pulled her between my legs.

"Your one is at home sweetie. Safe from anyone who dare lay their hands on it. The one in daddy's locker room belongs to me" I smirked as she shook her head at my words.

"But both is mine" She whined and pat my cheeks, I briefly blew them up before blowing in her face as she pushed them out which caused her giggles to fill my ear.

"Okay both is Jojo's. Daddy will be holding onto it for as long as he can okay?" I cocked my eyebrow not wanting to say anything permanent, with Seth being back came The Authority's puppet being back. Which caused my chances of remaining champion to drop considerably low but I couldn't straight out tell Joelle that.

"I'm lying, Daddy" She puffed and wrapped her little arms around me, surprising me and I set her onto my lap.

"About?"

"I like my one. I don't want two. But I don't want to see you sad" She peeked at me before staring into her lap.

I gave a small smile as sadly at all the events I had thought I would be victorious; my little girl was there in the crowd watching me. Yes sure the physicality was a bit much but she knew by now after having been to most of my shows before I was brought up that daddy would be okay. But what she wasn't prepared for was my emotions and neither was I. I was always good at keeping myself together but when the pressure hit and you knew you were fighting a match that meant so much, the emotions were uncontrollable.

It led to my Jojo crying with me at Wrestlemania even though I had won. My tears of joy just got to her but mostly she knew it was sadness, I didn't have to express it because I liked to believe as her father we shared a deep connection. I hated it, especially at those particular times but I couldn't stop it and most of the causes were at the hands of Uncle Co...

"I won't be sad. It doesn't matter how many titles I lose. How can I ever be sad if I have my Jojo?" I tickled her sides and she giggled loudly which made me smile as I hadn't liked her mood change before.

"I thought I saw you!" I heard a voice breaking through Jojo's happy sounds.

I glanced past her and saw Nicole walking to us, Jojo didn't hesitate in running off to her.

"Jojoooooo" She smiled as she lift her into her arms and I smiled as well, not having seen the sight in quite some time. Even though it would be our first interaction since our argument I knew I couldn't be unhappy with Jojo back here.

The first time Nicole had met Jojo was when she was about two or three when we were in FCW together.

Nicole hadn't spent there long before her and Brie were called up due to them being a unique attraction. But once I got to the main roster Nicole became a constant figure in her life.

It was her first time seeing Nicole since last year and I wouldn't want to ruin it simply because things weren't okay between us. My relationship with Nicole didn't have to affect her time with Jojo and I needed to realize that, so that my daughter could have the consistency she had always had even if I didn't.

"Uncle Co!" I heard Jojo and sighed and slowed down my pace when I saw him appear behind Nicole. Another reason I hated my former best friend? He stole everything from me the second time in front of my little girl. The reason for my little girl seeing my sadness...

I watched as they spoke to Jojo while I simply stood where I was, I didn't want Nicole to have to feel uncomfortable if I got closer and selfishly I didn't want to feel awkward. But hearing the announcement that the gates would be opening we made our way to the back as it was about time for the show to start.

***

"Well good thing is, you don't have to hear any unwanted couple stories cause you know she'll shut his mouth?" Dean offered as he had saved me as soon as we walked backstage by dragging me away.

"Nah I think we'll head back to the hotel after this, I don't really feel like hanging back here." I briefly stuck my tongue out at Jojo who was enjoying pouring water over Dean's head.

"Man, I know its annoying but you can't let them see its affecting you." He breath out while closing his eyes so I kept my eyes ahead to prevent them both from bumping into anything.

"Exactly, that's why me leaving is for the best. We can keep Brie company back at the hotel" I added knowing he didn't like her being on her own he wouldn't protest.

"Okay then I will leave as soon as I can and we can head out to dinner. There's a restaurant Brie wants to try before we fly out"

I nodded and saw Nicole standing with Seth at the gorilla as Dean and I approached with Jojo. Dean set her down as his music blasted and I waited for my cue.

"Stay right here okay? I'll be right back" I kissed her forehead and she nodded with a smile.

"Jojo can hang with me while you go on out there" I heard Nicole.

"Come on, you don't want to sit here alone. We can get some treats and watch daddy from his locker room" Nicole smiled.

I glanced between them and nodded before I headed out. We were leaving after so at least she would have some time with Nicole before then.

"The best time I shared in the ring was with you guys. When I took a chair and put it in your back... How about at Wrestlemania when I stole your moment and became champion huh? Those were good moments huh?"

He gloated as I simply stood by and tried to contain myself, not only did he have Nicole following him around he had to remind me of the lowest points in my life. I moved towards him but felt Dean's hand on my chest, stopping me.

"Come on guy, easy fellas." He spoke and we continued while I tried my best to remember it was about the champion which I had. He had taken everything away from me but I was champion even after all that and deep down I knew how much he disliked it.

Like I had told Nicole, this business was most important to him. More important than her and while I wasn't there behind closed doors I knew Seth and that's why I could say it. He wouldn't stop at anything to get what he wanted...

We had a stare down after sharing many words but I had so much more to say, questions on why he would lie to Nicole but it wasn't the time and there wouldn't be because I was putting it behind me.

"Whose gonna walk out WWE World Champion? Will it be Seth Rollins, The Man, who claims he never lost his championship. Or will it be Roman Reigns, The Champ? Who's it gonna be or what if I win the Money in the Bank contract and whether its you..."

He glanced at Seth before focusing his eyes on me, "Or whether its you.. I cash in that same night and I walk out WWE Champion!"

***

I walked backstage and tied my hair up as I entered my locker room staring over at Nicole and Jojo on the couch. A familiar feeling filling me but I was reminded that it wasn't old times with Colby walking in behind me.

I sighed, "Come on Jojo, we're heading out"

"Okay, Daddy" She waved goodbye before she met me as all my luggage was placed into the car.

We were close to the exit when Jojo tapped on my arm and I glanced back to see Nicole moving towards us. I briefly stopped so that she could catch up and then headed over to my car with her following.

"Are you leaving?" She questioned as I unlocked it and set Jojo's backpack in.

"Yeah I have no matches so I might as well head back. Brie and Dean are heading out to dinner with us later." I simply said as I lift Jojo into my arms.

"So that excludes Colby and I?" I saw her frowning in the corner of my eye while I set Jojo in the backseat and closed the door.

"Yes Nicole. I think you made it pretty clear who you have chosen." I shrugged and was about to open my door when I felt her hand on my arm.

"I shouldn't have to choose between you two. But you're so freaking mad at me for it that I had to, but if you would just put it behind us. Nothing has to be different, Joe."

I sighed and stared at her and glancing away briefly, "We fought. We both had our say, you know how I feel about you and you are with him. And I respect that because like I said before I can't force you to feel something that isn't there but I can't be around the two of you. My daughter is flying out with the twins tomorrow morning because I can't so I only have tonight with her. And I don't want to spend it having to see you and your boyfriend kiss or talk, causing my mood to shift. And its not even because I am mad Nicole, its just... its too hard." I confessed.

"We won't Joe. We don't.. don't kiss, when have I ever kissed him in front of you? If this were John you would suck it up and sit through an entire dinner because you'd want to be with me"
She wavered as I opened the door but then moved towards her again so that I could prevent Jojo from hearing me.

" And now you know why I did even if I didn't know it then. When you were with John, I had someone and so did you and we didn't know that I loved you more than a friend should. That isn't the case here, I can't sit back and watch you with Colby. It fucking hurts me just seeing you two together, maybe I waited and it is my fault that I realized too late that you were the one for me. But it doesn't change that you have moved on and I am in love with you when you don't feel the same"

I shrugged and hopped in knowing I shouldn't have but I couldn't watch and see her reaction as she didn't bother saying anything.

"Daddy!" Jojo's voice filled the car as I drove off, watching Nicole turn back towards the building in the rearview mirror.

I knew I hurt her but I knew I could be even more cold towards her if I got angry. And that anger would remain each time I was exposed to them, or even her, knowing she hadn't wanted me so just keeping her out of my way was best.

"Yes sweetie" I glanced back at Jojo remembering her voice had been filling the car.

"Why didn't Coco come with us?"

"Because Uncle Colby had to take her to the airport" I sighed which was partially true.

"I miss Coco just being with us, Daddy." She said after a bit.

Me too.

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I LIKED INCLUDING JOJO INTO THIS CHAPTER!! HOPEFULLY YOU LIKED IT AND THOUGHTS ON HIS DECISION??
Did something different with the cover, hope you like that too😘😘😘😘