"I'm in love with you,
and I'm not in the business of
denying myself the simple pleasure
of saying true things.
I'm in love with you."
-TFIOS

◇◇◇

"Daddy likes blue." I heard Alanna.

"Yeah well Daddy should be lucky Coco agreed to dinner when she would much rather be watching movies with you." I winked as Alanna sat on the bed while I rummaged through my suitcase trying to find an outfit.

I had a plan of preparing myself early but instead of doing that while Alanna took a nap I had ended up falling asleep with her. Randy was scheduled for a live event tonight so I would be meeting him at a restaurant nearby for a date. Yes it was finally happening, according to him something that needed to be done.

I sighed as I slowly applied my make-up, my eyes were tired due to the sleepless nights I had been having. I hadn't been scheduled for Raw which was quite hard considering I was the champion and I had been victorious but I had to sit back and act unaffected.

I was terrified, I had been fine considering Stephanie basically threw the bomb on me that she knew, well not exactly fine with me nearly not making it out for my match. Randy and his twisted way of cheering me up somehow worked and I lived to say I was champion another day and was kissed by the snake on the grandest stage of them all. Maybe before I would have been annoyed by it but I was happy...

"Are you coming home with us?" She questioned causing me to think for a bit. "Daddy was working today so mommy said I could spend the week with him because I couldn't spend his birthday with him. Are you coming home with us?"

"I'm sure you guys have lots to do" I smiled not exactly sure, I knew Randy wouldn't mind but I didn't want Alanna to get the wrong idea before I was sure. I mean she saw us together and well the kiss, so we were in deep already, something I hadn't exactly thought of.

"We do, but we can do it with you." She shrugged before heading towards the bathroom to brush her teeth.  

I smiled as I watched her for a bit before getting back to finding something to wear. I wasn't nervous or anything but something felt special about tonight so I was excited, my heart felt ready for something and I hoped it would be what made me happy in the end...

I found a dress and thankfully it was not creased as I slipped it on and walked into the main room to find my mom setting out two plates for her and Ally. "You know I'm getting some great grandma practice"

I giggled, "Oh let's hold that back, Brie's so close to popping its insane. I'm so afraid I won't be in town for the birth."

"Its still a few months away and I'm sure you'll be able to work something out. Your sister wouldn't want it any other way, I know your schedule is insane but I think you should try to find more time to see her. She does miss you."

I nodded, "I miss her too, mom. I haven't even been to my apartment since last year, I'm champion now and she's knocked up. Things are different."

I sighed as I sat on a stool and stared at her.

"Are you okay?"

"What do you mean?" I frowned at her question, before briefly checking the time and hearing the cartoons fill the bedroom.

"Well you were on such a high on Sunday night and its like its been downhill from there. I was surprised you even came to this suite for the day. At first I thought you and Randy were celebrating but when he came here after some interview to get Alanna for lunch and you weren't with him."

"How do you know I wasn't out with my friends?" I suggested even though I recalled Randy coming in after dinner last night and I had slept soon after.

"Because he gave me the room key to spend some time with my daughter and I heard her crying in bed. "

"Mom..."

"Is it Randy? I know sometimes he says things that are.."

I immediately shook my head when I knew she already knew the answer to that. She knew our little game of annoying each other but I also knew she realized how the game had slowly faded and we were in some limbo at the moment.

"No. Its not Randy, he is perfectly fine. I'm just... Not sure of all the decisions I have made in my life and what sucks is I can't change them and the worst part is I wouldn't want to change them. I'm just afraid of the consequences I will end up facing due to my reckless decisions."

I knew I could never be woman enough to tell my mom about the affair but if for some reason it came to light, this could be taken as my confession.

"We all make reckless decisions at some point, and yes most of the time they influence our future but you really shouldn't let it affect you like this. You care a lot Nicole and sometimes too much, stop preparing for the storm and enjoy the sunshine while its here. If the storm hits then what happiness do you have to look back on if you're sitting here moping." She narrowed her eyes causing a small smile to form just as my phone went off.

"I'm downstairs x"

I frowned having thought I'd meet him there but stood up, "I'll see you tomorrow morning. And thanks mom"

"I love you, Nicole. Always..."

I squeezed her tighter before leaving.

●●●

"I just don't understand why they did that, I mean I know Joe's odds weren't looking too good but it wasn't exactly a squash match either. A year ago he was his brother and now this year he steals the title right from beneath his nose. " Randy slowly ranted as we finished off dinner.

I didn't say much as he hadn't stopped talking about it throughout dinner and while I was happy for my friend at managing to be successful in cashing in. Randy not so much and I couldn't be one to judge on the methods Colby used when I had Brie make-out with my opponent...

"I just don't get what the thinking was there, maybe give Reigns the title and then have him feud with someone else. There wasn't any real planning there and."

"You said you didn't care about the title?" I finally decided to question his rambling.

"I don't I just..."

"You asked me out on a date and you've been brooding because Colby is now champion! You're not helping your case"

"I've done enough to fucking help my case" He snapped with annoyance filling his voice and I remained quiet.

I wished I had my food to pick at but I had devoured it and didn't even feel it, my mind was all over the place.

After awhile I felt his hand on my thigh and raised my eyebrow at him, "silent treatment?"

"Well when you're acting like a fucking dick then yes. You asked me out on this date, and I agreed and now all I've had to listen to was Colby. I'm sure Brock and Joe haven't been as upset as you seem to be, I'm sorry that you were taken out of the championship scene because you were too busy playing savior to me. But if you're going to moan and groan about my friend all night maybe I should just go to bed."

"I'm sorry. I just... I'm sorry, Nicole."

"It's fine." I shrugged and stared over at the dimly lit restaurant.

"I'm not bothered by Colby winning, I just don't know what to say Nicole. You've been in this rut for the last few days and all I know is I want to make you feel better but sex won't do that. And well I have never been good at anything else when it comes to you. But you have to know if you're upset it doesn't not affect me much either Bella." He whispered which led to me staring at him.

"You always cheer me up, Orton. I'm just not sure I deserve to be cheered up and I hate the pity party but I'm scared. I was scared when Brie left and then you were by my side and then Sunday. I'm so nervous, its weird when you're in the center of it all, the consequences of your actions are such a far thought. You're in this bliss of emotions and you're so optimistic, Hunter moved my match to after his and not Vince. He was considering me, but then Stephanie knows and I'm just so hard at knowing people. " I ran a hand through my hair as frustration filled me.

"You're not. You just don't want to believe what you already know and people are good at deceiving. That's where I'm different, if I were lying about all the annoying shit I was saying my daughter would be very mad at me." He shrugged which caused me to frown. "I didn't tell her how I feel about you, she sees how we are and assumes her own shit. Cute shit but yeah, I have her calling the shots so don't worry Bella. I do really love you."

He narrowed his eyes with a small smirk before leaning back in his seat and glancing over his shoulder as if listening to someone. "Remember this song?"

"No" I shook my head and slowly sipped my wine as Stay by Rihanna filled the outside garden.

"You need to stop lying to yourself, Nicole.."

"You're not getting me into bed again." I sighed feeling his presence next to me. He was like the plague but I knew I enjoyed it because I ended up smiling soon after.

"We'll see. " He chuckled as we were having a small lake party before the weekend set in and the wedding day was here.

"Would you like to dance?" He extended his hand and I stared at it with a raised eyebrow.

He sighed and went on his knees before me, "Randy get up"

I glanced around not needing John's family giving me weird looks, and I wasn't exaggerating as Randy and I hadn't really been subtle over this past week. I was being a good maid of honour, don't get me wrong but Randy was quite bored and found it amusing to lure me in.

"Fine. Only one!" I groaned as he chuckled and got to his feet, pulling me into his arms.

"How were you in the company for so long and I didn't notice you?" He whispered as I had been staring past his arm at the lake trying to recall when last I had danced with someone like this.

"We've been through this. I had smaller boobs and socialized, something you reserved to the McMahons. Randy Orton was not going to be seen hanging out in bars getting reckless with us or going to house parties" I rambled recalling the good times, good times with Nick being my boyfriend but nevertheless good times.

FOUND SOME THROWBACKS ♥♥♥

"I've been in this business for about a decade now as a wrestler. I've had my fair share of bars and house parties, probably why I am where I am right now." He shrugged as his thumb grazed over my bare back.

"What? Your wife find out about your groupies and decide to divorce you?" I giggled but he dismissed it.

"I never cheated on my wife."

"Then wha..."

"Are you planning on coming back to WWE?" He questioned, quickly cutting me off.

"I don't know, I'm not sure why they would want me back to be honest. Brie and I were basically arm candy and near to the end I wasn't really into anything." I shrugged as Nick and my rollercoaster ride had been on its ultimate thrill as soon as my contract came to an end.

"That's a pity. The road gets lonely."

"So what? I'm your personal sex toy?" I blurted out which led to him chuckling loudly.

"No, why do you think my mind is filled with lust Bella?" He sighed, staring intently into my eyes.

"You're a guy" I weakly pointed out.

"Oh but I'm a snake too" he winked before his arm tightened around me and I giggled as he lift me up.

"Because snakes are the best" I breath once he set me down, my sarcasm evident.

"I'm sure you would know best since you had one inside of you" My eyes widened but before I could respond his lips met mine.

"You're so fucking annoying." I groaned into his lips.

"So are you, yet your lips aren't." He smirked as he nudged his nose over mine. "One more."

He licked over his lip before leaning forward and I leaned up, connecting my lips to his.

"See that smile tells me you remember, I bet you remember every moment from that week don't you?"

"We had a long night and a long week, Orton" I shrugged tightening my fingers around his neck as we were now dancing to a different song, he always had his ways of persuasion.

"Yet only the night is acknowledged" He tutted resting his forehead on mine.

"Why would us hanging out or you following me around be of any significance in this little game. Or well not game..."

"Because I keep telling you its not a game and all those moments playing over in my head. Over and over again.."

"You know what they say Randy, you always remember the best parts" I smiled as we swayed.

"Those are the only worth remembering, Nicole. I want you, I am in love with you and even though you don't love me perhaps you will but I feel like you being mine officially is needed."

"What?"

"You aren't with Hunter and I can't lie how happy that made me to hear but then I'm in a locker room with guys who have all eyes on you. You are on top, every fucking week out there, this body in tight dresses or your wrestling gear that hugs every part I have bitten into, been inside and as I am getting lost in those thoughts. I have to listen to guys voice the same things and I just want to rip their heads off" He half groaned showing how it affected him, things I was oblivious to since I considered most to be friendly with. And well some I still found hard to even speak to because well they knew about Nick's infidelity and it was more awkward for me knowing that they knew how I was made a fool by someone.

"So you want me to be yours so you don't get jealous? Randy people talk! That's how they are..."

"But I want every man to know.."

"That I belong to you?" I sighed.

"Yes." He smiled which he should have known would not work well with me.

I don't know if you mean everything to me
And I wonder, can I give you what you need?
Don't want to find I've lost it all
Too scared to have no one to call
So can we just pretend?

"I don't like being controlled, Randy. Yes in bed you love taking it from me but its where I work and I just became free from Hunter. I don't want to have that inconsistency backstage, I told you that."

I had learnt what dating was like on the roster, mixing business with pleasure hadn't worked well for me. Yes Randy and I were on icy slopes with our, well love affair but the world officially knowing. Everyone knowing I belonged to someone was a feeling strange to me for the last three years. Especially someone on the same stage I was on, yes they loved us standing side by side but that was a storyline...

"Nicole, we are currently in a storyline together, you're practically dating me on screen. The only inconsistency is that backstage we are known as fucking family. You're still afraid, of what I don't fucking know, when I saw you face the wife of the man you fucked and beat her and manage to shut her up.."

I glanced down, "Randy all I have ever seen is you as this womanizer. Fair enough, you were loyal in your marriage but the lines were fairly flimsy with your on screen involvements with women. And now I am one of them, charmed by the Viper. I was called a whore by my sister and now I am standing beside one of the biggest charmers in WWE. We travel together, we room together and I... I don't mind it but that's me, when I become attached its sickening because I'm like this love sick puppy just wanting your attention and not when Joseph lays between us but I just, I constantly have this need and Nick felt smothered by it..."

"And cheated on you.."

Ooh, how do we mend?
Ooh, I didn't choose to depend on you
It's out of our hands
Maybe it will work out in the end

I nodded staring into his eyes as the music seemed to fade but the honesty didn't. "You say its not a game and I sound like I'm coming up with every fucking excuse in the book not to be with you. But its not that, I want to be with you more than anything and I'm supposed to be fearless but you have terrified me since you decided that week meant more. Since you slithered your tattooed body into my bed, my everyday life, my work life. I had someone and I was afraid of you both being hurt if one found out about the other and that happened, I was afraid to leave what I have known for the last two years and I left him. I left him because I realized I deserved better and funnily enough that is you, you're like a twisted saint in my eyes. You're not perfect, you're bad so fucking bad, Orton but in a weird way you're good for me. You have this way of twisting everything into a sick game but making me feel better with that humour and that smirk."

I felt the emotions get the better of me as I stared up at him and he didn't look away, "I get it, I have no grounds to stand on when I stopped being a mistress last year. But so far, you have been the only man who hasn't hurt me and I'm afraid that once we are branded as a couple something goes off in that head of yours and you feel trapped and the only way is to find a new obsession because you're a predator and I'm your prey but what happens when the prey is yours willingly and you consume her heart. What's left for the predator to do but find a new prey and can you honestly tell me that when I say the three words you want to hear from me you won't feel fulfilled enough that you have finally gotten what you craved and then your time with me will be tedious?" 

He frowned deeply but immediately bent down and kissed me just as deeply. I returned it mostly because I felt a weight lift at confessing it all to him as Colby and Brie had advised and I had ignored. I hated being vulnerable, needy, scared because I saw where it got me before but he was no man, he was a snake.

Don't know if you mean everything to me
And I wonder, can I give you what you need?
Don't want to find I've lost it all
Too scared to have no one to call
So can we just pretend
That we're not falling into the deep end?

"I have never felt this way, perhaps with Samantha but I was a different man then Nicole. In the two years after you and I spent, I was a different man as well. But now I'm here and I so easily admit every time how much I love you and I don't think you realize how hard that is for a man like me to admit when I say it so easily. I get it, I have been telling you that all this time that I fucking get why you're so hesitant. But how long are you going to hesitate? I've been running after you for over a year now and watching you before. If I was the womanizer you believe or the predator, I would have found any other prey. Predators love the chase but only for so long, they prey on ones weaker than them and I've learnt that's not you. I'm just Randy Orton who wants his beautiful Nicole Garcia to take his name and believe him, truly believe him when he confesses his love. Its really a bruise to the ego when she doesn't respond, it might sound easy the way it flows from these lips. Well its not, especially when the person you confess it to calls you insane or doesn't say..."

"I love you"

"Exactly and then you're just leaving it in the air and its this love and... Wait did you just admit that you love me?" He chuckled slightly.

"If I did?" I whispered cautiously.

He smiled brightly and rested his forehead against mine, "I could never get tired of you, Nicole. Maybe the man you knew two years ago would, that's why after that week I hardly ever interacted with you unless we were shacked up like the Brady bunch. But I have always paid attention to you, always. Whether it was that week of you watching your sister get married, saying her vows as I stood beside John."

"... Or that look on your face when I mentioned them expecting, one day I will give you all that Garcia. But I suppose I should prove myself before I go down on one knee..."

"Who says I still want all of those things? Maybe I'm happy just being in this company." I expected him gloriously bashing about my confession but with my emotions he seemed to hold back and accept it.

"Well think about Orton-Colace? Doesn't that sound good?"

I giggled and shook my head and rested my head on his chest.

"So you love me huh?"

I do.

♥♥♥♥♥

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