Flames

Learning Irish, part 2

So many of Seth's most recent workouts had been done for videos that he was frankly surprised that there wasn't a camera every time he turned around. Something else was missing too: Becky. They didn't always work out together, of course. Sometimes their schedules didn't allow it. Sometimes they just wanted space; between working together and dating, there weren't many days when he didn't see her.

He didn't seem to be the only one missing her either. Finn, Sheamus, and Cesaro were there as well, and every once in a while Seth caught them looking around in confusion. "There's not enough orange in here," Cesaro said at last. "Sheamus, you'll just have to grow out your hair."

They all laughed, but the other three looked pointedly at Seth. "Any reason Becky's not with us today?" Finn asked lightly. "You know, just so we don't go in to work tomorrow and get a strip torn off us because you forgot to mention something?"

Seth shook his head. "We aren't joined at the hip, you guys. I don't know what she's all doing today. Something with Sasha, maybe? I know Sasha was talking about adopting a new dog and Becky said she would go with her for objectivity."

"Becky? Objectivity? With a dog?" Cesaro's laugh rang throughout the gym. "That will never happen. Ever."

"Maybe if it's not her dog. . . ." But even Seth stopped short. Becky was the first to yell Puppy! regardless if it was a baby Chihuahua or a full-grown Great Dane; there were times when they were out on dates that she would cross the road simply because a beautiful dog was on the other side.

"Well, as long as she knows she's welcome," Sheamus said, trying to refocus them all. "Back at it, lads. We've only got the gym for another hour." He motioned to Cesaro. "Spot me?"

"Sure." As he walked past, Cesaro wagged a finger at Seth. "Without Becky here, now we all have to keep you in line. She's adding to our workload."

Seth just laughed. "I'll tell her you said she was slacking." Then he turned to Finn. "Want to do some ball throws?"

"Man, Rollins, Becky leaves you alone for one day and—" Finn began, dissolving into laughter before he could finish the jab.

"You're all horrible!" Seth yelled out as he went to grab a wall ball, though he was laughing as well. In his experience, it was always a good sign when your fellow wrestlers approved of your girlfriend. After all, the people you wrestled with spent more time with you than almost anyone else in your life; they saw you at your weakest and at your best, and everywhere in between.

"All in fun, Rollins." Finn caught up with him, picking a ball and positioning himself a safe distance away from the spot Seth had chosen. "Look at it this way: If we didn't like your girlfriend, we wouldn't be asking about her, right?"

Scoffing, Seth dropped into a squat before launching the ball up. "Right. Maybe you like training with her better than me. Next time I'll go dog shopping and she can come work out with you losers." He was grinning as he said it, though, and when he glanced over, he saw Finn smiling as well. "Can I ask you something?"

"You can ask," Finn replied easily. "That doesn't guarantee an answer."

"Fair enough." Now that he had set himself up, Seth found himself hesitant. "How do you say please in Irish?"

Finn gave him a curious look. "Are you trying your hand at love poetry now?" Then another possibility dawned on him and he shook his head vehemently, pausing mid-throw. "Nope. Not doing it, Rollins."

Seth caught his ball and held it so he could focus on Finn. "Not doing what? I just asked how you say—"

"I'm not translating Becky's sex talk for you!" Finn quickly glanced across the gym, but Sheamus and Cesaro were on the other side, far out of earshot. "She was my student and she's one of my dearest friends and she's like a sister to me."