Hurt But Not Broken

Strength

A.N. Originally this was going to be different, but it turned out like this. To be honest, I think the ending to this chapter is better. Kind of getting towards the main plot of the story, but not quite yet and it's like seven chapters in. The chapter title is kind of reflecting how some of the characters are feeling, but is also opposing (you'll know how when you read till the end).

Okay, so I LOVE Dolph Ziggler, I do. I wasn't sure about having him this way, but this side of him is fictional, in NO way am I saying that his actually acts in this manner, it is purely for this story. This story will most likely have the rating change, due to this chapter (nothing too graphic, just implied) and further chapters to come. I hope your emotions are ruined with this, and I hope you hate part of me, but still love me because I do love all of you. Enjoy, comment and help me with Eva and Nikki's role in this because I'm still not sure where to put them in this story.

'Nick!' April thought, the word ringing around in her head until the noise seemed normal in her mind.

There he was, sitting at a small table, alone. No food had been placed in front of him, April hadn't even seen any waiters or waitresses go over to his table.

'Just relax; he probably just came here to eat. It's just a coincidence that he is here.' April hadn't realised how long she and Nick had been looking at each other. Too long, apparently, April had realised when Jon lightly shook her shoulder.

"April, your food's here. Eat." April nodded and began to eat the food in front of her; it was some kind of pasta dish that she liked the taste of. She just hoped Jon hadn't noticed Nick staring at them (or at least April).

The dinner plans had seemed to end too quickly for the smaller woman, as she prayed no one saw Nick staring (and she staring back in confusion) from where he sat. He didn't eat or even order a single drink; only looking at their table. Instead, April tried focusing on whatever story Colby was telling that had happened in her six month absence.

XXXX

"Why are you awake?" Jon had just woken up to find April running one of her hands over his bare chest. It had been the first time the couple had made love in they didn't know how long.

"I don't feel like sleeping." She replied, looking up at her boyfriend in the dark. She could only just see his face in the dim light from the digital clock on the bedside table. Not only thinking about Nick, but thoughts of leaving later that day (it was a very early hour of the Thursday morning) from Chicago to the last town of the week (Cleveland) and spending time with the man she had finally patched things up with for two days.

"Why?" Jon's eyes strained to adjust to the light; he squinted to try to see April but struggled.

"I'm with you, which should be enough to keep me up after a good night." She adjusted the blanket over her shoulders. There was a chill in the air, and the two had cuddled close to keep warm.

"Well, I actually want my sleep for the next couple of days. I love you and goodnight." Jon's eyes quickly shut, and almost instantly his breathing turned into soft snores. April was lucky snoring never bothered her.

XXXX

Nothing eventful had happened in Chicago (a small relieved sigh had escaped from April's lips when the plane took off) and none of Punk's family had turned up.

'Maybe his family really doesn't care about him anymore.' It made sense since Punk and Jericho had had several segments where Punk's family were mentioned. Apparently it was just a one-sided relationship on Punk's end.

It had been Cleveland where everything started to go wrong.

Mike had been happy to be home, his parents had met him at the arena when he drove there with April, Jon and Nick. But when the present company had asked Nick where his family was he only replied that they were all busy for the day and there was only a small chance they would be at the show.

Jon and Mike were going over the match they would be having that night when April walked up, holding three coffees in a cardboard holder. It was around half an hour of talking that Jon had to excuse himself, needing to go to the bathroom. Mike scooted a chair closer to April when her fiancé left.

"Does Jon know how he looks at you?"

"You're very to the point, aren't you Michael?" Mike shrugged and continued speaking.

"In situations like this, it is best to be direct." He paused for a short moment before reiterating his earlier question. "So, does he know?"

"No, I don't think he sees it." Awkwardness suddenly fell around the two.

"There won't be any good coming out of your relationship if you have to go through the same shit twice."

"That's the first time I've heard you swear." April tried taking the tension off the air, but it didn't help in the slightest way. "Nick's our friend, he wouldn't do that."

"Really?" April almost thought for a second that his character was coming out. "Because you thought Punk was your friend and look where that got you two.

"He looks at you like you're a piece of meat that he can eat and then throw the bone away when he's done. It was how Jon looked at women before you came along, and you know that. You, yourself, have seen men look like that and seen the effects. But that doesn't mean that you deserve to go through that." Mike didn't want to make his little friend upset, but he didn't want her to be oblivious to everything either. So he had to be truthful, he had to make her feel the sting before any full pain reached her.

That didn't mean April was happy about his truthful statement; she trusted Nick. He had been there for her in their storyline several months before her and Jon got together. Nick had helped her through troubles in her life. 'He wouldn't hurt me,' she thought almost bitterly. Mistake number one!

The young woman excused herself when Jon had arrived back to his seat; she had made an excuse that she wanted to check that Celeste or Brie were in the building. In reality, April just needed a bit of space!

Mistake number two came from April grabbing a bottle of water and sipping it as she sat in an almost completely empty room, aside from a single couch up against the wall in front of the entrance in the far right hand corner while she sat on the wall near the door, almost turned from it. The light flickered overhead, and on more than one occasion went out for several seconds at a time before flicking back on.

"You okay?" The voice had startled April, turning around to see Nick leaning on the now closed door.

"Yeah, I'm just thinking." April paused and narrowed her eyes when a click was heard. "Did you look the door?"

"So no one can disturb us." It was almost casual when Nick replied and slid down the wall closely, too closely at that, to April's side.

"But what if Jon comes looking for me?"

"Then I'll tell him that you aren't feeling well." He tightly grabbed April's wrists and leaned closer to her.

"What the hell are you doing?" Mistake number three; she hadn't listened to Mike!

A dark, hungry look replaced what usually would be a handsome face. There lied a man that had played everything perfectly. Suddenly everything clicked into place. The way he had kissed her for their storyline, small (almost) insignificant, innocent touches when speaking to her backstage, holding her closer and tighter than he should have whenever he wanted to; Nick was obsessed with April!

"Your life could have been so much better if you chose me, but you chose pain and disappointment." The words had cut very deeply, but it had been very true for the last part. April didn't regret any of it, however.

"What are you going to do? You can't hurt me like Punk and Eve did."

"You're right, I can't. But I'm going to make sure that you don't forget what you missed out on."

One single hit to the side of her head, and April was unconscious. That was all Nick needed to make his mark.

FOR EVERYONE ON WATTPAD, THIS IS A MESSAGE! I WILL NOT BE UPDATING THIS STORY UNTIL I GET REVIEWS FROM MORE THAN ONE PERSON, SORRY.