Love Rivals

Delusional

[The next day. SmackDown]

As Esme and Roman made their way inside the arena they were met by a sheepish looking Dean and positively ecstatic Natalya

''Please tell me you're finally together'' Natalya said as she looked down and Esme and Roman's joined hands

''We're together'' Esme confirmed.

Nattie screeched and rushed forward to pull Esme into a hug

Natalya's smile faltered slightly when she noticed Esme didn't return the hug. ''I just wanted you to be happy''

"You still shouldn't have forced things like that" Esme replied "Fortunately it worked out but it could have as easily backfired"

Sensing the mood shift, Dean spoke. "She made me do it"

Natalya opened her mouth to argue but Roman beat her to it

''So she physically forced you to text me, did she?''

Dean seemed unsure of what to say and, after a few seconds, Roman smiled at him. ''I'm only messing with you, bro. I know you meant well''

''So everything's cool then?'' Natalya asked

''Yes everything's cool'' Esme confirmed ''But if you do anything like that again I won't be so kind''

''Fair enough'' she agreed

''Alright. Well, I guess I'll see you guys later'' Dean said, excusing himself as he made his way towards his locker room.

Natalya quickly made herself scarce as well and Roman wrapped his arms around Esme's waist, smiling down at her

''I don't know about you, baby girl, but I'm glad they did it. If they hadn't, we might have never got together''

Esme studied his features lovingly ''True. Maybe a little push is what we needed after all. Don't tell them that, though."

Neither Esme nor Roman noticed Seth standing at the end of the corridor.

Esme didn't have a match that night, so she hung out in Roman's locker room to watch his match instead. It was Roman's first match since his suspension and he'd been excited to get back in the ring. While Esme waited for Roman's match to start, she caught up with her emails, but before she could check them, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in" Esme yelled

Seth made his way into the room, and Esme sighed

''I should have known this would happen'' Seth said

Seth really knew how to sour her mood. ''What are you talking about?"

''I never thought you would stoop as low as dating Roman just to get back at me."

Esme couldn't help but laugh. "You think a lot of yourself, don't you?"

"It's obvious that you still have feelings for me, so how about you just forget about this whole thing with Roman and-''

''Are you insane!?'' Esme stood up feet ''Seth. You and I are over. In fact, we were over from the moment I found out that you cheated on me"

"That was nothing" Seth dismissed. "We were good together. We had something worth trying again for, don't you think?"

"I don't think we did no'' Esme argued honestly. "I mean, sure, we had something at first, but it quickly faded. I should have never said yes to you in the first place"

Seth actually had the nerve to look offended. "So why agree to date me if your heart really wasn't in it?"

"Because I didn't want to hurt your feelings" Esme admitted "But can you honestly tell me your heart was in it too?"

Seth was quiet for a moment before answering. "No"

"Then why are you in here trying to guilt trip me, making it seem like what we had was something worth fighting for?" Esme asked

''That overgrown neanderthal makes you happy does he?'' Seth mocked

''Yes, he does'' Esme confirmed ''and he doesn't think expensive gifts and credit cards will make up for his absence"

"I don't remember you having a problem with accepting that coat I bought you" Seth retaliated

"That's because I thought it was a gift from a friend" Esme pointed out "If I'd had known what the meaning really was behind it then I wouldn't have accepted it" Seth looked at a loss for words as Esme made her way over to the couch, picking up the coat in question "Here. Take it if it bothers you that much, maybe you could give it to your new girl"

"I don't want your damn coat Esme" Seth said

"Then what do you wan't Seth?" Esme asked "huh?"

"I just want to be good enough" Seth answered before turning around and leaving the room