Years in the Making

Chapter 4

Coffee with friends had always been one of Becky's favourite things, but after that post-workout coffee, she was antsy as she walked around 392 Davenport, the coffee shop Seth owned. It was conveniently next door to Black & Brave, his wrestling academy, and she wondered what it would feel like to invest in the place where you lived. Los Angeles was huge and there wasn't much she could contribute there, but Seth was clearly devoted to improving his home city. Since it was a special event before the grand opening, he didn't have to worry about the place being inundated with fans, so there were a few wrestlers and local celebrities in attendance, but Becky was mostly keeping to the periphery—and herself. She had no idea why her feelings for Seth were veering all over the place, but being there—in his element, watching him laugh and smile with ease—certainly wasn't helping.

It had been more bearable when both Bayley and Cesaro were there, but Bayley had to leave early to get a flight and now Cesaro was leaving too. "What's wrong, Becks?" he asked as he hugged her goodbye. "You look... tired. I'd say you need more caffeine, but...." He stepped back and gestured at the cafe. The decor was more streamline and modern than she expected from any venture Seth was involved in, but it still had a comfortable energy. "Clearly not a problem here."

"No. I'm just—" She glanced Seth's way again and thought she caught herself in time, but Cesaro's raised eyebrow said otherwise. "Just tired, like you said."

"Tired of a certain someone not noticing that you're interested, you mean?" Cesaro replied gently, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and leading her to the back. The cafe was bustling enough that Seth wouldn't have been able to hear what they were saying even if they were only an arm's length away, but she appreciated Cesaro's thoughtfulness all the same. "Becks, you know as well as I do how clueless he can be. If you're interested—"

Becky shook her head sharply. "I'm not." The lie burned her tongue more than the coffee she had tried to swallow too quickly at the start of the evening. "I don't want to date a wrestler and—"

"Seth's not just a wrestler, though," Cesaro interjected gently. "He's also your friend."

"That's not exactly a selling point," Becky muttered. The problem, of course, was that it was. The early unknown days of a relationship could be fun, but more and more Becky was looking for trust and comfort—two things she definitely had with Seth.

Both of Cesaro's eyebrows spiked. "It's a good thing, and you know it. Becks, he—"

"Shit." Cesaro's shoulders were broad enough that it was hard to look past him, but Becky saw the door being opened for a woman with long dark hair. "That's Sarah, isn't it?"

Cesaro nodded. "They haven't officially broken up, remember? Seth said she was going to drop in for appearance's sake," he added, "but she's not staying long."

The reassurance did little to calm Becky's nerves as she watched Sarah head directly towards Seth, still in the heart of the crowd. She hugged him and kissed his cheek, settling in place at his side. With so many people in the way, it was difficult to judge how close Seth and Sarah were. They certainly weren't making out, but Seth was still definitely more touchy-feely with Sarah than he had been with anyone else. "Are you sure? Maybe they changed their minds and they're getting back together...."

Cesaro gave her shoulder a little shake. "Becks, you're overthinking things. If you're interested in him, just ask—"

Becky's heart started fluttering wildly and she tightened her grip on her purse strap. "Can I get a ride with you?" she blurted out. "You're just going back to the hotel, right?" She had come with Bayley and hadn't really thought about what she was going to do for a ride back—except that was a lie. Part of her was hoping she would conjure up the courage to ask Seth for a ride so she could have some time alone to talk with him. Now she wasn't sure she would be able to last another hour—or two, or three; who knew how long the party would last?—at the cafe, especially if Sarah decided to stay.

"Becky, you don't have to—" Cesaro gripped her shoulders and held her gaze for a moment, then sighed. "If you really want to leave, of course I'll drive you. But don't let Sar—"

"I want to go." Becky's voice was shaking so much she was surprised it didn't rattle the fillings out of her teeth. "I'm... not feeling quite right." That wasn't a lie, at least.

Cesaro held her gaze for a moment more before shaking his head. "Okay. But we need to say goodbye to Seth before we leave."

Becky nodded, pressing her palms against her thighs as she steadied herself. She hadn't made a fool of herself yet, so all she had to do was get through a goodbye and some idle chatter and then she'd be out of there. "I know. Let's go." When Cesaro didn't move, she rolled her eyes. "I'm not going to try sneaking out the back. I'm going to follow you. People will move for you before they will for me."

Even Cesaro couldn't deny that: his physique and general look gave him an intimidating presence, and he was able to cut through the crowd easily. He tapped Seth on the shoulder and gestured to the door. "Becks and I are going to head out."

"What? So soon?" Seth glanced at the wall for a clock before remembering he was wearing his watch. Then he excused himself from Sarah and the small cluster of people he was chatting with. "I'll be right back." After murmuring some promises to Sarah and the others, he motioned for Cesaro and Becky to follow him to the back. "Sorry I couldn't chat more," he apologized as he hugged Cesaro. "What do you think of the place?"

"About time Iowa started getting decent coffee," Cesaro joked. "Otherwise we'd have to go to your place for a good cup every time we were in Des Moines."

"You're always welcome. You too, Becks." Becky tried to not stiffen up when he hugged her, but Seth knew her too well. As soon as he stepped back, his gaze darkened. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah. Just not feeling quite right. Probably because I've been on so many planes lately," Becky rambled. "But we should let you get back to your adoring crowd...." She gave Cesaro a subtle elbow to the ribs so he would help put her out of her misery.

"We'll pop in when you least expect it," Cesaro promised. "To keep you on your toes and all."

Seth nodded absently. "Hope you're feeling better soon, Becks. You're welcome any time." Pointing up to the wall, he added, "See? A toast menu, as promised."

Some of the light in Seth's eyes dimmed and Becky immediately regretted the whole evening. I should have left with Bayley. I should have called a cab. I shouldn't have come at all. Becky darted forward and gave Seth another quick hug before she could talk herself out of it. "Well, I do have a birthday coming up...."

Cesaro rolled his eyes. "Toast and coffee. What a birthday present!" Then he gently grabbed Becky's elbow. "The cafe is great, Seth. Truly. You should be proud. I'll definitely be in whenever I'm nearby."

"Same." Becky waved as she followed Cesaro to the staff door and took a deep breath when she got outside. "Sorry."

Cesaro stayed quiet as he unlocked the doors to his rental, waiting until Becky had fastened her seat belt to clear his throat. "Becks, you're my friend. He is too. For what it's worth, I think you two would be a good couple. But you have to decide if that's what you want, because you can't keep doing... this. Seth might not have clued in tonight," he added, "but that's just because he's busy and distracted. Sooner or later, he's going to notice and he'll ask you what's wrong—and he won't keep accepting nothing as an answer for much longer."

"I know." Becky rubbed at her face and sighed. What was wrong was the way her feelings were raging out of control in the first place. She had hoped the sudden inexplicable infatuation would fizzle out as quickly as it had flared up, leaving it little more than a private joke with herself, but it was getting more and more difficult to be around Seth without being awkward. "I'll think it over and talk with him this week." What she was going to say, she had no clue. It wouldn't be the first time she would be speechless, but it would definitely be one of the worst.