...And Beyond... | To Infinity... Book Two [ON HOLD]

Chapter 12: New Birthday, New Issues

Tuesday May 25, 2021 - New Orleans, Louisiana

2:00 PM

Desi POV

Since our bathroom talk, Joe and I️ have done really well with staying away from each other more. We still eat and talk together in catering and he'll text to check in on me, but he's stopped being so overbearing and constantly blowing up Lenni's phone whenever he couldn't get to me. Our friends ask us what's going on but the truth is that there's nothing going on: no conflict, no secrets, no drama; just us working on us as individuals because he still has a divorce to worry about and I'm steadily regaining control of and confidence in my body and mind and I'm feeling really good about everything.

Despite all of that, I️ wasn't going to miss his birthday, so here we all are sitting around a large table in a seafood place in New Orleans singing to Joe with a large two tier birthday cake, that I️ had designed and ordered, sitting in front of him. He's sitting at the head of the table while I️ sit adjacent to him, Lenni beside me, Dean and Seth across from us, and Bray, Bo, Joseann, Miz, Sheamus, Cesaro, Alicia, Alexa, Nia, and Bayley all occupying the rest of the seats.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR ROMAN!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!"

We all clap and egg him on to make a wish. He looks up towards the ceiling in a brief moment of thought before looking back down, winking at me, and blowing out his candles and we all cheer and clink our glasses and beer cans together. Lenni and I️ have taken up the task of passing cake to everyone, me cutting Joe the very first and largest slice and presenting it to him with a small kiss to the cheek that makes everyone go "ooo"and "aw". By now people have a pretty good idea of why Joe's getting divorced and how close we were and still are, and they're totally cool about it...except for this one chick that seems to be wanting to get on his dick. Like, I've made it known that I'm not trying to get back with him right now, but I️ do still want him...but we're not together, so he's allowed to talk to other people like I️ am...

...

Why can't my logic and emotions ever match?

Anyway, we get the cake passed out and we're all engaged in pleasant conversation enjoying the fun and bright atmosphere of the occasion. Joe and I️ are in our own little world catching up, I'm asking about the kids and the divorce and he asks about my mom and family; Lenni and Seth are cackling it up about something while Dean's...in his own world as always. Everything is so nice...until Elias walks up in the spot. I️ see him come into the restaurant and ask the hostess about our large group and she points over to us.

Ah Hell.

I️ inconspicuously sip at my water and nibble at my cake and try to act like I️ didn't see him but I️ know that Joe did because he's gone completely silent and he's not moving. Finally getting over to us, Elias greets everyone from the other end of the table all the way up to Joe.

"Hey Roman. Happy birthday, hows it been?" He asks extending a hand out to Joe.
"It's been great, thanks for asking." Joe responds dryly, not taking his hand. Elias just hums and nods as he puts his rejected hand back in his pocket and turns to me.
"So, Desi, how are you?"
"I'm good El, how are you?"
"Good, good. Hey, uh-we've been hanging out a good bit this week, um, I️ was just wondering if maybe you'd like to ride with me to the next city?"

I️ hear a slight crackling sound and glance over to see Joe releasing his grip on his now slightly crumpled beer can.

"Oh, uh, well, I️ dunno. Me and Lenni we're gonna—"
"Oh, don't worry 'bout me Des, you go 'head with Elias; I'll catch up." Lenni says in an overly happy tone.

Dafuq?

"Oh...okay, well, I️ guess I'm in need of a new travel buddy, El." I️ say with a smile and I'm pretty sure Joe is about to have a coronary. We haven't traveled together all week but, then again, I️ also haven't been traveling with anyone that wasn't Lenni let alone with Elias.
"Cool. Um, I️ usually head out early, like, the night before everyone else leaves. Can you leave tonight?"
"Elias, why would you come over here in the middle of my birthday lunch to ask my friend to be your new travel buddy and then proceed to ask her to ditch me...on my birthday?" Joe asks in an angry tone.
"Joe, I'm not ditching you." I️ say.
"You see, if you leave tonight with him. You need to get packed because your shit isn't packed because you and Lenni weren't supposed to be leaving until morning, but if you're leaving tonight you'll have to leave right now to get all your shit together, double check the room, take a nap, check out, pack the car, and be on the road; you're ditching me." He takes a long sip of his beer and the whole table is quiet.
"Joe, I️—"
"Listen man, I'm not privy to know all the details about you and Desi, but all I️ know is that you're not together so I️ don't see why you're so upset when I️ come around her. She can be my friend too and I'm not forcing her to ride with me, I'm just asking; Hell, if she wants to stay here, we can leave in the morning or whenever she's ready, I️ don't care, but you need to chill out bro." Elias says turning his attention to Joe and Joe stands up.
"You should mind your business, Samson." He growls.
"You should mind your feelings, Reigns."
"Okay, back it up you two, back up. Elias, I'll text you when I️ wanna head out, okay?" I️ say pushing them away from each other. He nods and leaves the restaurant and Joe storms off to the bathroom.
"Hey, Des, just chill, alright? I'll go talk to him." Seth says getting up and I️ thank him and sit back down. The rest of the guests slowly strike up conversation again but I'm silent, no longer in a partying or eating mood.
"You better not be relapsing on me." Lenni says and I️ laugh.
"Nah girl, I'm just not in the mood for this anymore."
"I️ feel you. Hey, you can't keep letting him get to you that easy. Let him bitch and moan, let him pout; you're a grown ass single woman and you don't owe him shit. Go, start getting packed, take a nap, get ready for your ride with Elias. He's a really sweet guy; the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else."
"I'm not fucking Samson, like, ever, but thanks for the pep talk." I️ laugh and give her my credit card to put on my check when it's time for everyone to pay. I️ say my goodbyes to people and head back to the hotel.