Dirty Deeds

CH 13: Everything Changes

     The sunlight woke me the next morning. I must have forgotten to pull the shades before going to sleep. Normally, I'm good about that kind of thing, but I'd been so tired the night before... I sat up, a smile on my face. Today was going to be a good day, I could just feel it. I check the clock and see that it's still early- not quite eight o'clock. I decide to let Layla sleep and go find myself some breakfast. I take the elevator down, humming to myself. I'd expected the lobby to be empty of Superstars and Divas, since we tend to be late risers. I definitely hadn't expected to encounter Matt Hardy, sitting alone with his head down.

"Matt?"

He looks up at me. His eyes are red. "Hey, Michelle."

"Are you okay?" I slide into the chair next to him.

He says, "Not really. It was a rough night."

I frown, trying to think of anything that could have made it rough for him. I come up blank. "What happened?"

He's got this completely miserable look on his face that is breaking my heart. "Apparently, the reason Shane and Maria had to stay behind last night after the show was because they no longer have jobs with the WWE."

"What?" I'm stunned. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Matt shrugs. "They were in my room when I got back. They told me as soon as I walked in. Didn't even get to put my room key down before Maria was sobbing on my chest." He shakes his head. "We were up all night, the three of us, trying to figure it out. Maria said she was told it was because she said she wanted to do other things. Shane said his was because of him and Jericho getting arrested last month."

"Oh man," I say. "Did Jericho get fired, too?"

"Nope, just Shane," he says bitterly. "I was there that night, too. Shane came back and I didn't. He got arrested and I didn't. Now I've got a job and he doesn't." He looks up at me. "How do I live with that, Michelle?"

"I don't know," I say. "Didn't he hit someone, though? Some woman?"

Matt sighs. "I don't remember much about that night, unfortunately. I woke up in a field with a horrible headache. Good thing I had my phone or I'd probably still be out there."

I pat his shoulder. "I'm sorry."

He manages a weak smile. "Thanks. I'm going to follow Shane and Maria to the airport so they can drop off her rental and catch flights home. They booked them last night while you and I were eating dinner, I guess."

I nod. "I'm sorry. If I'd have known..."

"It's fine," he says. "At least it was a fun night, up until I got back to my room." He glances up. "Oh, there they are. I've got to go, Michelle. See you later?"

"Sure," I say. "Come by the room when you get back, if you want." He nods and we both stand up. I walk back toward the stairs, pausing when I get to Maria and Helms. "I'm sorry," I tell them.

Maria smirks and waves the words off. "Whatever."

Shane, though, smiles at me. "We'll be fine. Three months off, and then I'll be on TNA, most likely."

I nod. "Good luck." I head up the stairs, wanting to think about this. Despite the fact that it's early, I know Punk's going to be awake. He's one of the early risers in this group. He told me that I'd be by sometime today. I suppose he was right.

I knock on the door, and he doesn't look surprised to see me. "Good morning, Michelle. You're up early, for once."

I take a deep breath. "What did you do, Punk?" I ask, stepping into his room. He shuts the door behind me.

"What do you think I've done?"

"Maria's gone from the WWE, and so is Shane Helms."

"You're welcome and I'm not surprised."

I sigh. "Why?"

"You came to me, remember, asking how to get Matt for this little bet of yours. I told you the only way to do it was if Maria was gone. The fact that Helms is gone, too... I hadn't planned that, but it works."

"Matt's miserable!"

Punk raises his eyebrows at me. "That makes it the perfect time for you to step up and comfort him, doesn't it?"

"Damn it!" I growl. "I didn't ask you to do this, Punk!"

"Don't worry, McCool. This can't be traced back to either of us. You're clear."

I just shake my head. "Sometimes, I really don't like you."

He smiles. "You should probably go before someone comes looking for you. Have a nice day, McCool."

"We're not done talking about this."

"Yes, we are. For now, anyway. Go back to bed, McCool. You look exhausted." He opens the door and I step out. He closes it softly behind me. I'm left in the hallway, staring at Punk's door and wondering what to do next.