Hello Brooklyn ► Zack Ryder

Chapter Ten

Before I begin, I just want to thank @WWEAndrewX because he has commented on almost every chapter of this story, and if that's not commitment, I don't know what is.

This chapter is longer than the last, so that's good.

And when you're done reading this, check out my one-shot "Look Alive, Sunshine" that I wrote for a contest.

Enjoy! :)

***

Jace stood there. His black hair was swept out of his face. It had gotten longer since the last time Brooke had seen him. His blue eyes had that false optimism that Brooke had grown accustomed to.

He was actually very attractive, but Brooke had gotten to know him, and his looks could never make up for the things he did.

"Not talking, huh?" He asked, slowly walking toward her. He stopped. "It's okay. I can do most of the talking. Just like when we were dating. You haven't changed a bit."

"What are you doing here, Jace?" She asked. She sounded more confident than she felt.

"I'm not allowed to come visit you?" He asked, casually.

"At work?"

"We haven't seen each other in two years," He said.

"I have a restraining order against you!" She exclaimed.

Jace chuckled, but there was no humor in it. "Had. You had a restraining order. Not anymore! I'm back, Brooke, and there's nothing you can do about it."

He walked closer to her. She was up against the door now and he was towering over her. Brooke started to slowly move her hand to the doorknob.

"Are you really going to do something here?" She asked. "There are so many guys here who fight for a living, and any one of them would be happy to kick your ass."

Jace noticed her hand and grabbed it. He brought it above her head and slammed it into the door and pinning it there, making her wince.

He smirked. "You really think I'm going to do something here? You've got me all wrong. I'm not stupid, Brooke."

"Then why are you here?" She asked softly.

"I am going to do something, but definitely not here," He explained. "It's going to happen when you least expect it. When you're the most vulnerable, just like the old days. Doesn't that sound like fun?"

Brooke said nothing, just glared at him. Then she brought her other hand up and slapped him in the face.

Suddenly, the false optimism vanished from his face and was replaced with pure hatred. He grabbed her arm and threw her down on the ground.

She fell on her arm and she grabbed it. It wasn't broken, she could tell, but it still hurt. She refused to cry, though. That would only make him happy.

"I still love you, Brooke," He said, frowning. "But you never loved me. That's why it has to be this way."

Even if she could respond, he unlocked the door and left before she could, slamming it shut behind him. Brooke rolled over and laid on her back.

After a few minutes, she stood up. The door was unlocked now and anyone could walk in. She didn't want anyone to see her like that.

She picked up the Divas Championship off the floor and proceeded to change. Her arm still hurt, so it was a slow process.

There was a knock at the door. She stopped and held her breath.

"Brooke?" It was Zack. "Are you okay?"

She walked over to the door and opened it. "Yeah, I'm okay."

"Cena said he saw you walk in here, but you never came out, so I figured I'd see if you were okay," He explained.

Brooke faked a smile. "Yeah, I'm okay. I just...had to stop and process everything that just happened. It's so surreal."

It wasn't a complete lie, she thought.

"Oh," He said, nodding. She couldn't tell if he believed her or not. "So... Are you going to the club with everyone else?"

"No, I'm just heading back to the hotel," She explained. "I'm exhausted."

"Do you need a ride?" He asked.

She was about to decline, but her mind wandered to Jace.

"Please?"

He laughed. "Come on."

***

Zack dropped her off at the hotel, even offering to walk her to her room. He made sure she got in okay and left.

Nattie was gone, probably at the club with everyone else, so Brooke was by herself. She set the Divas Championship on the table and sat down on her bed. She barely had time to do anything when someone knocked on the door. Before she answered it, she checked to see who it was.

It was John Cena.

She quickly opened the door. "Hey, John..."

"Hey, Brooke," He said. "Can we talk?"

"Sure." She moved out of the way and let him in, closing the door behind him. "What's up?"

"Who was that guy in the Divas locker room?" He asked.

Brooke frowned, knowing exactly who he was talking about. "Who?"

"The guy with the black hair," He explained. "He went into the Divas locker room during your match, and left a few minutes after you went in there."

"Oh, um..."

"Listen, it's not my business who you talk to," John added. "But I just want you to know that Zack is a good guy. Give him a chance first, okay?"

"Oh, no!" She exclaimed. "No, no! I'm not interested in Jace at all! Zack is the one I like."

John smirked. "Okay. I'm just looking out for my friend, you know?"

"Oh, yeah, I understand," She replied, nodding. "You have nothing to worry about. Zack is a great guy. I'm glad we're friends."

"I bet you feel awkward now," John says, chuckling. "I'm going to leave now. Nikki's probably looking for me, anyway."

"Okay," Brooke said. "See ya, John."

"Bye, Brooke."