Who Do You Love - Dean Ambrose

Great Balls Of Fire

That night at the Smackdown taping, Dean kept his word and avoided going anywhere that Stephanie was. It was actually a pretty impressive feat considering that she spent most of it stalking the corridors, snapping and snarling at people in her way. When Hunter had told me she was upset, he clearly hadn't been overstating her response. In fact the whole night seemed more tense than usual and I was glad when Matt gave me a little reprieve.

"Hey," he whispered, sidling over, "Want to come with me on a totally pointless job?"

I grinned,

"Sure, but what's the problem? Aren't you enjoying the party vibe here?"

The mood in gorilla was worse than uptight and all around us people stood or wandered around awkwardly. At the centre of it all sat Stephanie McMahon, staring darkly into the monitor and accompanied by a cluster of storm clouds overhead. She had greeted me with a hug and a smile but since then her mood had only gotten worse. Nobody spoke – unless they were snapped at – and for the most part people didn't even dare move.

I just hoped it wasn't all because of Dean.

Matt snorted wryly,

"Oh yeah, it's a blast."

"So, what are we up to?"

Gallantly offering out his elbow, I looped my arm through it with an entertained smile,

"Her Highness wants a special cup of coffee, which the catering staff here, I quote, cannot get god damn right. Apparently it needs some steamed cashew milk and she's shocked that it doesn't just come out of a tap. Oh, how the other half live. Anyhow, she's asked me to track some down for her and I think it's possible I might need a hand."

"I think you might be right," I agreed, "For all we know, that carton could be heavy."

Together we strode cheerily out of gorilla and as we emerged into the corridor, the oppression lifted off.

"It's like walking out of the lion's den or worse – walmart during the sales, ugh."

"You realize you're talking about my stepmother here?"

"Yes but even you have to agree – as much as I love her – the woman's a bitch."

I grinned at him and gave him a squeeze,

"Oh god, without a doubt, an absolute nightmare – but only on occasion."

Matt snorted,

"Permanently."

Together we walked arm in arm through the corridors, zig-zagging around the corners and bends. After having been chased last week by the Wyatts, backstage didn't seem as safe anymore and although I was glad the weird clan had been sent packing, it was only a few days until their suspension was up. As a sweaty hand of dread clutched my gut at the thought of it, I cleared my throat and changed the subject fast.

"So, why ask me on this little errand? I mean, not that I'm not happy to come, it's just I thought you would probably ask the new guy – what's his name again?"

"Adriano?"

I grinned,

"That's the one – the same one you've been making eyes at for days now but stillhaven't asked out. What's up with that, hmm?"