"Whatever we do
we don't wanna feel stupid
So we tend to jump the gun with
no evidence to back it up
That's the biggest mistake anyone
could ever make"

◇◇◇

"So what are the rules?" I eyed him as I focused on my hair I was straightening in the mirror.

Ever since my relationship with Randy I had been more confined to my locker room when he was on the show. His scheduling was sort of random so there were odd weeks where he wouldn't be on, I took that time to catch up with my girls.

Our live events weren't linking up so we saw each other two days out of a week if we were lucky so work time was also considered couple time.

He seemed not to be focused much on me as he stretched which let me know he was up soon.
I groaned to get his attention and his blue eyes landed on mine in the mirror before I turned to him and he spoke, "don't make things personal"

"That's very vague, Randal. Personal is basically everything so what am I suppose to even comment on" I shrugged as I sat down on the bench and stared down at him.

"I don't see why you are even asking me, Nicole"

"Why do you say that?" I raised my eyebrow and he shrugged.

"Will you even follow them?" He smirked as he got to his feet and joined me on the bench. I fought a smile and rest my forehead on his hoodie covered shoulder.

"Highly doubtful but it depends on Stephanie too. If she strikes first with the whore talk then you can't really expect me to just take it. I have to defend myself even though it may be true." I mumbled into his arm.

"Of course its true. You know very well that you are my whore, Garcia but that's not for her to say. Its just I'm uncomfortable with you using Hunter as a power source."
I frowned and leaned back, "I'm not."

"I'm sure he would love hearing you refer to him. Yes it might hurt Stephanie but I'm sure it adds to his confidence of his hold on you. You are done with him so I don't see the point in even mentioning him as second nature."

He rolled his eyes but before I could respond I heard my phone go off and frowned as I saw my segment was cancelled for the night.

"Well it appears that Stephanie is off for the night. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, she was able to bitch all she wanted last week after I beat Eva Marie at Battleground and now she's not here." I sighed meeting his eyes.

"Mmm I did find it strange that she would be here this week with it being Hunter's birthday today" He stood up and slid his kneepads up while I tensed slightly as I had forgotten that it was indeed his birthday. Apart of me knew Randy had probably mentioned it to see my reaction, it was clear me trying to get one over on Stephanie still annoyed him.

"Did you wish him?"

"Why would I?" I snapped and he shook his head and kissed my forehead before taping up his hands.

I watched him, not sure what to say as it was clear I wasn't going to be able to defend myself and even if I did he had his own views on things. I was sure Hunter had said things that still roamed in his head but that was between the two of them. I had paid my dues and I was nothing but honest whenever Randy asked me anything.

I had spent two years of my life lying to people and even before then I had been protecting Nick until it became too difficult to. How could you protect someone who cared so little about hiding his shit?

"Who are you going up against?" I questioned as the silence had become too much.

"Kevin Owens" he shrugged and I nodded as he had debuted a couple months back against John.

John had been impressed by him and personally I was as well, he was quite entertaining. I mean he had beaten John straight up in his first match so for Vince to give that go ahead he had to see something in him. That or Hunter's confidence in Kevin was great enough to convince Vince that he was a rising star on the main roster.

"Are you smiling at the thought of Owens?" I heard Randy.

I smiled with a small nod, "Yes. He is a nice guy, kept me entertained once or twice during your segments."

"Is that so?"

I nodded as I stood up, that was also true. Granted it had been him bragging about beating John and me being annoyed, his cockiness reminded me of my Viper which I loved.

I wrapped my arms around his torso and he pouted slightly awaiting my response, "his wife likes me."

"Oh"

"Yeah oh" I mumbled into his lips. "You forget I have been more social than you, maybe not so much now. But he is a friend of Colby's from NXT so he has joined us for a round of beers now and then too."

"Well after I kick his ass tonight he is welcome to do so again."

"You're going to give him a warning when all he wants is to taunt me due to me being the sister-in-law of Brie." I rolled my eyes and he shrugged.

"I would appreciate it if you were more open about our relationship."

I sighed as it wasn't the first time I had heard that from him. "All my friends basically know so I don't see what the big deal is."

"You know what the big deal is. I might not be active on social media but I see you get tweets and your instagram comments. To all the guys in the world you are not taken, you're available"

"You really think me shouting to the world I am Randy Orton's girlfriend will make them stop? No, it won't. This is just about easing your possessive side and I am an empowered woman who wants to be recognized for her own successes not as Randy Orton's woman" I gestured as my life with Nick had been very public, I was alittle puppy writing declarations to the world of my love for him. I felt like the world had a huge laugh when it didn't work out and of course my personal life had been non-existent whilst my love affair with Hunter.

"So being my woman is not as great or greater than everything else in life?"

"Randy you know that's not what I..." I began but heard his name went off and he shook his head letting me go.

"Its clear somehow after everything we're still not on the same level of what we want out of this"

"Orton, don't give me that. I love you and we both know we want the same thing. You're honestly just looking for reasons to be mad at me or find fault in my love for you!" I pointed out as that was honestly what it seemed as he was so confident in his love for me but unbelievably he still doubted mine.

"I have a match to get to." He opened the door with a sigh.

"Whatever" I mumbled feeling frustrated as I heard Kevin Owens music fill the arena.

Clearly Randy was taking his anger out on poor Kevin or well attempting to but of course Kevin wasn't going down easily at all. I was enjoying their match, Kevin moved quite fast and I could tell it caught Randy off guard here and there. He underestimated him and had smugly told John he lost to a rookie as he had showed him up on his first night. It had been similar to Paige's debut I suppose.

I felt a body pressed up against me from behind causing my attention to be caught off the screen as I stood in the hallway. I tensed until I heard the loud laughter of Colby and the hairy arms around my waist as I was lift off my feet confirmed his presence.

He set me down and I instantly wrapped my arms around him, "Coooolby"

His laughter increased as we swayed with the hug, it was insane how we had gone from seeing each other almost everyday even on my off days and we could barely find time at work.

"I honestly feel like you're a part-timer Nicole, hardly see you around here." He sighed as he set me down pulling from the embrace and hopped up onto the equipment box.

"You should record that, you always say it." I rolled my eyes and folded my arms as before except my current view was my best friend.

"Do you forget that when I was in a relationship you didn't even know? My attention was always there when you needed me, whether it was pick-ups or drop offs or simply long phone calls. I'm just saying I feel really neglected." He stated as he pulled his hair into a bun.

I frowned as he was right, he had been by my side through so much. I honestly felt like I probably annoyed him but he had never made me feel that way. He was always ready with a shoulder to cry on or to be my voice of reason or just have fun with. He was there more for me than Brie at times as when I returned she was newly married and we were together yes but our mindset on the job was different. Colby and I had a lot in common due to him still being fresh on the main roster and heavily ambitious, "I'm sorry"

"I'm kidding" He chuckled but I knew him too well even with less contact over the last couple months. And his voice gave away the vulnerability at admitting to missing what we used to have. He thought I didn't take note of his tells because all the focus was always on me but I knew my friend.

"No you're not." I stared at him and his eyes briefly left the screen and he shook his head.

"I'm not. You were my sidekick when I had no one." he shrugged. "Now I only see you at events, my birthday, Brie's baby shower and that didn't end well."

"Nothing like being accused by your best friend and Randy heard you too" I sighed as I wouldn't normally have mentioned it but Randy was behaving very weirdly lately.

"Shit and how did that go?" He frowned, concern laced in his voice.

"Not a big deal. I just pointed out how he was all I wanted. Contrary to everyone's belief I am over Hunter" I noted that that should be put on the tape recorder as well.

"Mmmm so you're not dying to wish him happy birthday? It would be the first year you won't be either celebrating a week early or later with him."

That was true.

"Do you think I should? I mean it is his birthday." I thought aloud.

He sighed and handed me his phone, "send it from here. Just to be safe."

"You're not annoyed?" I questioned as I typed in his password. It wasn't like it was top secret, or maybe it was until I was bored and randomly guessed. It was Kevin by the way but let's keep that detail to ourselves.

"No, its his birthday and I'm sure it would mean a lot to him."

I nodded and hopped off, standing in front of him.

'Happy birthday, Hunter x.
- Nicole'

"So heartfelt" he dramatically swooned and I shoved his chest as he took his phone back.

"Shut up." I giggled.

"Its okay"

"What?"

He sighed before staring at me, "To still have feelings for him. I know I've always been the guy trying to give you a wake up call. But in the end I have seen you guys together and while yes in the end he did seem too controlling for my liking. There was always a spark there, I just didn't like seeing it knowing the end game was you hurt."

"I don't though" I mumbled as that door was closed.

"It would be better to accept it than deny it. Its okay to love two people at once I mean look at me, I love you and April" he smirked with a grin and I giggled and wrapped my arms around him.

"I love you too. So there's no space to add Hunter, you're my second guy. We have been through a lot and I'm so happy you're in my life and not avoiding me but then I go and do it. Please be obnoxious and blow up my phone because I will complain but enjoy it. You mean the world to me, Colby. And if there is anyone who deserves my love its you, you have literally never judged me. Maybe I thought you did here and there but you were just being a good friend." I mumbled into his chest and he placed a kiss on my hair.

"And you were there when I needed a friend. You're my number one around here, always babe."

"You're such a charmer" I shook my head and leaned back playing with his cheeks while he gave a pout.

"Yet I was never good enough for the Fearless Bella" He sniffed and I smiled, he'd always joke about it. Even to Hunter here and there while we ate or something, Hunter would play along. I missed those times but I would never have it back, Hunter was forbidden territory.

"You're too good. You know that" I shrugged and rest my hands on his thighs while he leaned back.

"Mmmm we're running this place though. So even though your snake is around here? I am your work husband" he smirked.

"Give me a ring and we'll talk" I narrowed my eyes and he laughed out.

"Working on it. Its hard affording so many diamonds to please a queen."

"I can picture it being like the one Beyonce had in Pink Panther"

"Yeah it can be your new secret weapon in the ring courtesy of me" He nodded which ended up in both of us laughing before smiling.

"No more distance okay, Nicole?"

"No more distance, Mr Lopez"

■■■

"Hey, where were you?" I heard Randy as he pulled up his trackpants probably having showered.

"Went for coffee in catering with Colby" I shrugged as he had left for his match to which I hung out with Renee for a bit. "I watched your match though, you were great. But Kevin was good"

"I'll give it to him. He is but I am better" He smiled and sat on the couch. "How serious are April and Colby?"

I frowned at the question but made my way onto his lap, "Pretty serious. Why?"

He shrugged and I was going to question but his lips were on my neck before I could form a sentence. I smiled and rubbed the nape of his neck as he pulled away and quickly kissed him...

"My phone" I mumbled into his lips and sat up reaching for it and I saw it was Brie. Normal me would have maybe ignored it but she was so close to her due date.

"Yes?" I questioned.

"What's happening, is he okay?" I heard her frantic voice and Randy heard it as well due to her loud tone.

"Calm down, Brie. What's wrong?"

"Aren't you watching?"

"What?"

"John. His nose is on the other side of his face and he's still fighting"

I frowned and switched on the monitor to see John winning but immediately saw the personnel rushing to him with Colby having been defeated.

"Shit. Brie calm down we're going to check on him now. He's fine, I mean his nose no. But he finished his match?"

"Nicole just go check on my husband please"

"Okay I'm going to hang up and please just don't stress. Its not good for the baby" I could hear the annoyance in her response but she knew how the business was, accidents happened.

"I'm so sorry man." I heard Colby's voice and saw him stood beside John and my eyes widened as it looked insane.

"Sorry? You need to be more fucking professional, this aint the Indies where you think you know shit." I heard Randy beside me.

"I am professional! It was an accident" he rolled his eyes.

"Brie called, so you should probably call her soon. Does it hurt?" I questioned trying to hide the fact that it looked terrifying.

"Does it look like it hurts?" He chuckled and I rolled my eyes briefly patting his back and realized Randy and Colby were still going at it.

"Let me guess you, ain't even going to face any music for this" Randy scoffed.

"For what? An accident. Why the hell would I deliberating want to break his nose huh? I'm not as twisted as you, Legend Killer" he spat.

"How twisted were you before Mania with Nicole?"

Here we go.

"I had no fucking choice. And that's none of your business either."

"She's my girlfriend so her having a friend who can stab her in the back so easily is my business"

"Guess this ain't about me anymore. I'm heading to the trainer's, I'll call Brie from there" John sighed moving away from the drama that was currently forming.

"Okay" I sighed.

"She knows I had no choice. We all know if I didn't act in line someone else would have been let in and possibly know all the shit that needs to stay between us." He whispered and he had a point but I wasn't going to say it.

"How do I know when you're with her you aren't brainwashing her"

What?

"Brainwashing her for what, Randy? We might not see eye to eye but she's fucking happy with you"

"Yeah well..."

"For crying out loud. It was a fucking accident, Randy. An accident with John and I'm not sure how on earth it escalated to being about me." I snapped not liking what he was trying to insinuate once again.

"Bella..."

"No. You're clearly not over things Randy. Just take the week to cool down and clear your head. I'm leaving with Colby" I sighed and walked away not really wanting to but I couldn't deal with Randy questioning everything.

♡♡♡♡

I AM STILL DEVASTATED THAT NENA IS NO LONGER: (