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

Chapter 13: The Champ and his Children

Sunday April 11, 2021 - San Jose, California

10:00PM

Joe POV

Tonight, I️ took on the whole Miztourage by myself with no help from Dean or Seth to retain my Intercontinental Championship. I'm feeling really good about it, the crowd was into it, and there were no last minute changes. On my way to the locker room I️ share with Dean and Seth, I️ stop to drink some water and dry some more sweat off my face.

"That was some good shit out there, Joseph." I️ hear a familiar voice say and I️ look down to see Desi's face, a bright smile played out across her beautiful features.
"Thanks. You know, now that you get to see me do what I️ do, I️ may or may not be showing off a little extra."
"Uh-huh, I️ bet. You mind if I️ get a few shots of you with the belt?"
"Shoot away." I️ say with a smile and get in position to pose for a few pictures. I️ let my hair down, wet it again, and place my water bottle and towel on a nearby equipment box.
"How 'bout you pose in front of that? Lean on it, sit on it; y'know, actually engage with it." She says and I️ do as she asks and we have a short photoshoot.

Mmm, I️ would love to take some...pictures of her with that camera.

"Okay, I️ think that's good. I️ got some really great shots. Thanks for bein' such a good model." She smiles up at me.
"Thank you for bein' such a good photographer." I️ respond and she shyly thanks me and looks down shuffling her feet.
"Well, I'm gonna get going. Gotta go shoot some other people." She says.
"Do your thing, girl. You comin' out tonight? You know the guys and I gotta celebrate."
"I️ know but nah, wanna stay ahead of all this editing and shit, y'know?"
"I️ get it. How 'bout I️ bring you back something from wherever we end up?"
"I'd like that, thanks."
"Anything for you." I️ hop off the box and hug her tightly before she heads back off down the hallway away from me.

I️ pick all my belongings back up and start making my way to my destination when someone else steps in my way and I️ almost run into her.

"Oh shit, I'm sorry. You okay?" I️ say to her.
"Yeah, I'm fine, I️ shouldn't've walked in front of you like that; I️ just wanted to get your attention." She replies.
"Well, you got it. Wussup Summer?"
"You going out tonight?"
"Sure am, gotta celebrate my big win. Why?"
"Would you mind if I️ came along."
"Nah, that's cool, the more the merrier."
"Cool. I'd like that since we haven't talked since the whole nightclub thing with Desi."
"Yeah, I've just been focused on helping her get better, y'know?"
"Yeah, totally. Um, so what's the deal with you guys?"

"I️ don't know really. We're not together right now, but I'm definitely looking and working forward to that in the future, hopefully."
"Oh, that's nice. Well, text me when you're leaving and I'll meet you wherever."
"Aight, cool. See you soon."

We wave to each other and go our separate ways, my head still in the clouds about tonight.

*~*~*~*
Monday April 12, 2021 - San Jose, California

Desi POV

9:46 PM

"She was all over him, like, damn bitch, can he get some breathing room?"

After my mini shoot with the Shield guys earlier, Lenni is informing, more like venting to, me about last night's events. All the new title holders went out to this club with a few other superstars to celebrate their wins and apparently Summer Rae was there, the same blonde that was talking to Joe that night I️ essentially almost got myself killed. She's telling me about how close they were all night, giggling and laughing together, though I'm sure she's just mad that she was there and near him to begin with, so she's probably just over exaggerating.