Beauty and The Beast (Brock Lesnar)

Chapter Nine

           It took me a minute to understand who was standing in front of me. He was supposed to be injured and resting at home, so why in the world was he here in Tennessee? "I heard you were in a meeting. Did Vince decide to pull the plug?"

           I really wanted to maintain my professionalism, but the sarcasm in my voice just slipped out. "Yep, he pulled the only two stars he had left." I rolled my eyes. "What are you doing here anyway?"

           "Wouldn't you like to know?" He smirked, which really made me want to slap him. "Actually, I came by to visit my coworkers. And I have a meeting with Paul. I'll catch up with you later."

          He walked past us as I muttered. "Not if I can help it."

          As he disappeared down the hallway, I continued toward the private locker rooms with Brock close behind. "When you accepted Paul's offer, did you ever think about that? I mean, you knew Orton was still employed here, even if he was out for an injury."

          I nodded. "I knew and I wanted to prove to him that I could do this without his help. I guess I was just hoping that maybe his injury was a little more serious than they thought and it would possibly, make him retire."

          Brock chuckled. "I can't say that I blame you."

          When we arrived, we found that our locker rooms were side-by-side. Brock entered his first and I followed. As I entered, I shut the door behind me and took a look around. I was a little surprised by all the food and in general, stuff that was in here. Private locker rooms had certainly improved since I was here. "Gee, they must really be desperate."

         "This is what you get when you're their only hope. There's probably more in yours." He paused. "If you want to stay in here for a while, you can. I know you don't want to talk to him."

          I roll my eyes and fall back onto the couch. "You know the only reason he's here is because he feels threatened. There is no way he's here to see his coworkers, he doesn't like them, and they sure as hell don't like him."

          Brock sat down in the chair across from me. "He should feel threatened, we're taking his spot and his memory. Once the universe sees us in a few matches, they'll completely forget that you two were ever in a tag team and those were his best days, if I do say so myself."

          I smiled. "You have a lot of faith in me, I appreciate that."

          He shrugs. "You proved me wrong. Credit is due where credit is earned."

          "You know, people make you out to be the bad guy. They say you hate all people and only come to get paid, but I don't believe that. I've only known you about a week, but I don't think your half bad."

          "Maybe that's because you're on my good side."

          We chatted a little more before Heyman came in and gave us some information on Raw. I had to admit, I was pretty excited for it and I could tell that Brock was too. After Heyman left, I got a FaceTime from my mom. Knowing that it was Alanna, I quickly answered. "Hey, honey. Did Nana just pick you up from school?"

          She turns the camera toward her and nods. "Yep, she said I could call and see what you were doing."

          "Well, I just got out of some meetings. How was school?"

          Her face lights up. "Oh! You know that picture I drawled for Art?"

          I nodded. "The horse?"

          "Yeah! My teacher told me that she was going to put it in the county contest! She said it might just win!"

          I smiled. "Oh, that's wonderful, honey!"

          Brock coughed in the background which made Alanna curious. "Who's that, mommy?"

          I motioned for him to sit next to me so she could see. "This is mommy's friend, Brock. He works with me now."

          Brock seemed a little awkward but sat down anyway as I turned the camera to get him in the frame with me. "Hi! My name's Alanna." She paused and looked back to me. "Mommy, is he like your cubbyhole partner?"

          I chuckled. "Sort of."

          Brock speaks up. "I heard about your picture. Do you like horses?"

          Alanna's eyes light up once again. "Yeah! Mommy bought me a big doll house for my birthday this year and it had a barn with it and I have all kinds of horses that live there!"

          I smiled at her enthusiasm as Brock replied. "Really? Well, I have a real barn with lots of horses too. I bet you'd love them."

          "Really? What do they look like? Do they have names?"

          Brock glanced at me. "I'll tell you what. Next Sunday, your mom and I have to work, but if you guys want to come down to my house Friday and Saturday, you can meet them in person."

          I was in complete shock as she squealed. "Yay! Mommy loves horses too! She used to ride them a lot before I was born. Can we go, mommy? Can we, please?"

         "I guess, if it's okay with Brock..."

          He smiles. "It would be nice to have some company."

          "Then I guess we can."

          She squealed some more. "I have to bring my cowgirl boots! I got them for my birthday from Nana and I haven't gotten to wear them! Nana says I have to do my homework now, though! Bye Mommy! Bye Mr. Brock!"

          The call ended as I looked back to Brock. "You really shouldn't have done that."

          "Nonsense. The only thing I do after I leave here is go home, take care of the animals, and work out. It gets boring and I'm sure the horses would love Alanna."

          I sigh. "If you say so."

          "Well, I do and I'll have Heyman arrange the jet."

          I smiled, knowing he was going to be stubborn about this. I knew he had kids of his own, but who knew how long it had been since he had seen any of them. He seemed so good with Alanna, I couldn't even imagine how he was with his own kids...