"I think one of my favourite feelings
is laughing with someone and
realizing half way through
how much you enjoy them
and their existence. "

△△△

"Beautiful ain't it?"

She jumped slightly and even though my voice was most likely a dead give away she still peeked beside her to set her brown eyes on me.

I had come in to discuss some business with Bryan but instead found her seeming to be very focused on what appeared to be the new Smackdown Women's Championship. The one all the women on the roster would be going up against for next Sunday while I would be facing the resident lunatic for the WWE Champion.

She turned her attention back to the title and slowly nodded.

"I was definitely admiring the view of something I would realistically not have..." She mumbled.

"Why not?" I questioned and by her tensing I knew she hadn't realized she might have thought aloud.

"I'm injury prone. I just got back from a near career-ending neck injury and even though I'm cleared, having me as champion would be too risky. Besides, its all about giving the newbies a chance and I had my moment. They won't give me another..." She said truthfully, not with a sad tone really, just acknowledging how the business worked.

"If they're all about giving anyone a chance then you shouldn't be moping around, Nicole. That means you have one too, Finn Balor became the first Universal Champion and now he is out but they can't take that away from him."

"They are not making me the first Smackdown Women's Champion, Allen. My boss is my brother-in-law too so they'll want to make it look less like favouritism. But I'm just happy to be back even if it was simply due to Eva Marie being suspended, I've had my reign.." 

"Not with this champion"

She finally turned to me, "you really don't need to give me hope, Styles. I've accepted it, and that does not suit you"

I frowned but recalled the band which belonged to her boyfriend around my arm.

"Told you I'd win. Now I have to wear it as a reminder" I winked not even sure why I did.

"I guess.." She sighed, taking off her snapback.

"You done for the night?" I knew she probably was but didn't exactly want to leave her on her own when she seemed to be feeling down.

She slowly nodded, "I think I have Talking Smack though."

"How about I buy you a coffee?"

She giggled slightly, "Its okay, I should probably try and call John, see if he is available right now and..."

"Well John can't exactly warm up those insides that are making you filled with blues, now can he?"

"I guess he can't."

"Come on, you can call your boyfriend later. Now how about that coffee?" I smirked extending my one arm and she sighed with a smile and moved closer to me and I allowed my arm to drape her shoulder as we went in search of the cafeteria.

♛♛♛

"And then he curled up in the bowl and I just had to take this picture" Nattie gushed making me smile while Nicole seemed to be in her own thoughts.

Despite my know-it-all attitude out there, I tried to be a friendly face backstage. With being a free agent you learned that meeting new people was a consistent thing and I didn't want people thinking I had a big head due to my background.

I had intended to share a coffee with Nicole alone hoping to get her hopes up but of course it was the cafeteria and me stopping anyone from joining us would seem weird.

I wasn't trying anything but I had a sense of admiration for her, yes it could be argued that women like Natalya, Becky, Charlotte had much greater in ring experience. But listening to Nattie rant on a few times about how she trained The Bella's, who could barely wrestle the first time around but were hired due to a unique brand, made me aware. They had gained experience when they left the company and since their return have gained even more and it definitely showed in her earlier matches with Charlotte. She was a great heel but just like Seth Rollins seemed to be a crowd favourite, they were now doing the same with her.

Maybe make her the female version of her boyfriend...

"Okay okay I'll stop talking about my babies. You two can stop zoning out now" I heard Nattie and smiled apologetically.

"I was just thinking how Allen offered to buy me coffee but its free in catering.." She shook her head, raising the foam cup in my direction with a smile telling me she was amused by Nattie's kitty ranting.

"I thought you hated people calling you, Allen"

"That I do, but she's been gone so she gets a free pass." I shrugged.

"Free pass while she's zoning out, probably thinking about John. "

"I wasn't but its not like I'll be seeing him soon. He is busy again." She smiled.

"You're still using the tour bus right?"

"No, only when he's here. Figured I would just catch a ride with you guys." Her eyes fell on Nattie's who smiled a bit letting us know that would be a problem.

"Well I didn't know so I told Alexa and Carmella they could join us and..."

I saw her face change briefly and frowned as she slowly refused,"Oh its okay I'll get a rental and.."

"Now that's not necessary, we have room in our car." I blurted out and her brown eyes were set on me in slight surprise while I gave her a friendly smile even though I knew that invitation came out of nowhere.

"The guy squad? I doubt they would want me imposing, AJ" She shook her head with a small smile.

"You're not."

♛♛♛

"Seriously? You know I avoid travelling with women at all costs and fucking Ambrose. They all talk too much." Tommy groaned as we made our way to the exit.

"Come on, I couldn't let her travel on her own for the night. These roads aren't safe..." I reasoned with the wolf.

"Let John fucking Cena worry about that or her brother-in-law?" He had a point and I wasn't sure why she hadn't just gone with Bryan but shook my head as I probably offered before she could head to that option.

"Shut up!" I sighed as I saw her in the distance waiting at the car talking to Nick who was our other travelling partner.

"This should be interesting" He chuckled instead of grumbling like he had before.

I frowned but then saw the annoyance on her face and recalled their past. I should have known since it was all over that show these women were cast on, oh well.

"Woah, I call shot gun!" Tommy argued as she was about to get in the front as I slipped in the driver's seat.

"I'm the guest in the car"

"Because John isn't here, you really should make alternative arrangements when you don't have his tour bus" I heard Nick in the back.

"Yeah well I would be fine driving on my own. Thanks for the offer, AJ but I think I'll just get my own car." She leaned into the car to wave.

"I was just joking around, Nikki" Nick sighed while Tommy groaned but slipped into the back seat to join him.

"And this is why they fucking call me a soccer mom, surrounded by fucking kids" I muttered.

She giggled as she slipped in while the idiots in the back slipped on their headphones.

"Are you okay?" I heard her after a few minutes of her staring out while silence filled the car besides Tommy's random tapping to the beat and Nick's humming.

"Jon's attack on you, those screams ran right through me."

"You caught my match" I smirked as she rolled her eyes.

"I told you I've been watching your matches since the Rumble and technically it was Baron and Jon's. You just happened to be there" She pointed at me briefly trying to prove a point.

"Now I'm not sure what you would find so interesting about a wolf and a lunatic.."

"I was watching you, Styles. Not a viscous wolf or a psychotic lunatic, is that what you would like to hear? "

"Well I mean if you're concerned about my screams of agony." I rambled with a small smile.

"So I assume you are fine then." She pat my shoulder before shaking her head and sinking into her seat.

I saw her dial her phone as I drove and let out a sigh.

"I'm sure he'll call when he has time."

She frowned but then realized my eyes had wandered to their happy faces. "Yeah. Its just been a couple days since I last spoke to him, kinda sucks."

"You shouldn't let it get you down." I knew all too well the lonely feeling before my divorce and even now being on the road and not seeing my boys as often.

"I know, I'm attached" She smiled as we reached a stop. "He's a good man you know? So I do get a bit paranoid, he is wanted"

"Well he has you to come home to and calling him, I doubt his eyes will wander." I also knew all too well about having a wife who had insecurities when I'd be on the road. While I couldn't deny the fact that the world was filled with temptation, I had never been one to give into it. I had a love for my craft and any other love was for appreciation of the fans who saw my passion for it.

"Thanks, AJ" She whispered as she set her phone into her bag.

"Why not, Allen?"

"Well Nattie said you hated it."

I chuckled, "Yeah but I said you can call me whatever you want and you like Allen don't you?"

"Yes but..."

"Then its Allen to you"

"What makes me so special?" I briefly glanced at her to see confusion filling her eyes.

"Well I did knock your boyfriend down a step so the least I can do is give his girlfriend some special treatment while his away" I heavily sighed but then smirked.

"Oh so that's why you're always around. I thought I was actually good company but all I am is a charity case, I'm hurt."

"Its a tough job, but someone's gotta do it" I teased as her laughter filled the car despite missing her boyfriend, an ex in the back and her doubting her place in the company.

♥♥♥

THE VOTES + FEEDBACK ON THIS REALLY MAKE ME SO HAPPY. THOUGHTS?😊

I KNOW JOHN WAS THERE FOR THAT SMACKDOWN BUT UNFORTUNATELY CUT HIM OUT 😒