Unexplainable [Original Version]

[chapter thirty-nine: "put on a show"]

Chapter 39: "Put on a Show"
Scott Hall's POV

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I feel my stomach churn as I sit in Eric's room, waiting on Kev and Joli. I'm sitting in the chair by the desk while Eric is seated on his bed, with this bright-ass smile on his lips.

I hate it.

"Are you completely sure we have to go through with this? There's not any other way we could take things?" I ask, looking over at the fucker. Eric shakes his head.

"No. You've done wonderful so far, Scott. Thank you. You really pissed them off yesterday!" Don't remind me. "Our ratings will soar even higher once you and Joli are together on-screen, and so will your paycheck."

But really, what does any of this matter, if Kev and Joli hate me?

"Besides," Eric continues, "I'd say you might just win Jolene over if you keep this up. You two will be spending a lot of time together. You could be able to snatch her right out from Kevin's grasp."

I hate the way he worded that. He made it seem like Joli's just some fucking toy that Kev stole from me when I had my back turned. She's more than that. She's always been more than that. Then again, has Eric ever seen Joli as more than a pretty face than just happens to be good on the mic?

No, he hasn't. Eric doesn't give a single fuck about Joli, and that's what makes this even worse. I don't want to keep listening to him. I don't want to keep following his lead.

I just don't have any other choice. I have to keep this job, and I have to keep my best friends here with me. I guess as long as we're all employed and making some good cash, it's okay if they're not happy with me.

I know damn well that I'm not going to win Joli over this way. I'd love to have her as my girl, don't get me wrong. She's still got a strong grasp on a big part of my heart. Yet, I know at least at this point we could never be.

I'm not good for her.

A groan escapes my lips as I lean over in my seat. I rest my elbows on my knees and hold my head in my hands as I wait for Kev and Joli to get here, just trying to put my mind at ease the best I can.

I nearly jump out of my chair when a few loud knocks sound on the door. Eric quickly gets onto his feet and rushes over to let Joli and Kev in. I don't even want to look at them, because I'm so damn ashamed of myself. However, I give them small little smiles once I make eye contact with them.

"Hey, guys." I greet my pals.

Joli's unreadable at this point. She's wearing jeans and one of Kev's hoodies, probably so that she can hide in it like she's doing right now. Kev, though? He's still looking as grouchy as he was last night. He's staying right behind Joli, with his arms wrapped around her shoulders and his chin resting on the top of her head.

"Thank you all for joining me this morning." Eric begins, clapping his hands together. "Last night, our creative team and I came up with the perfect plan for the three of you moving forward." He grins. "Or, at least, for two of you."

"You're kidding me, right?" Kev laughs. "You're actually going through with this?"

Eric sits down on his bed and rests his hands on his knees. As he replies to Kev, he keeps this fuckin' giddy expression upon his face. "Yes, we are. From this moment forward, Scott Hall and Jolene Milford are publicly together."

"I'm sorry, what?" Joli questions. "What are you even talking about?"

Eric clears his throat and then turns so that he's facing both Joli and I. "Until further notice, the two of you are to act as a couple whenever you're in the public eye. You don't have to actually be together; really, I'm not all that interested in what goes on in your personal lives. But, Jolene and Scott, I'm glad you two do like each other, because," He fuckin' laughs, "you're going to be spending an awful lot of time together."