Dirty Deeds

CH 27: Punk's Problem

    Despite how horribly the night started out, it ended well. I won't say I forgot about Layla, but Matt kept me distracted enough with dinner and the movie and snuggling on the couch. By the time the movie was over, I was tired and ready to go back to my room. Matt walked me to my room, and we said goodnight at the door. I fell into bed, exhausted, and was asleep instantly.

I wake on my own for the first time in a week. A look at the clock tells me that it was earlier than I was used to. I know there's no way I can go back to sleep, so I reach for my phone. We'd brought Punk back to the hotel with us last night, and his room wasn't too far from mine, but I don't want to wake him if he isn't already up. I dial his number and wait to see if it will ring or not.

"What?" he snaps into the phone.

"Punk?"

At the sound of my voice, his softens. "Oh, hey, McCool. I thought you were... someone else."

"Sorry," I say.

"Don't be." He pauses. "So what's going on? Why are you up so early?"

I chuckle. "Couldn't sleep this morning."

"Still feeling bad about yesterday, sunshine?" he asks.

"A little," I admit. "I'd have called Matt, but I know he's not up yet, and I thought you might be."

"I've been up about thirty minutes," he confirms. "Do you want to go get some coffee or something? Maybe grab breakfast?"

I bite my lip, considering. "Should we wake Matt?"

"Let him sleep," Punk says. "Bring your phone, and if he wakes up before we're done, he can come down and join us."

"Sounds reasonable," I say. "When should we meet?"

"How long will it take you to get ready?"

I consider. "Fifteen minutes, tops."

"Great. Meet you down in the lobby." We hang up, and I rush around like an idiot, trying to get ready in my allotted time. I make it down with five minutes to spare, but of course, Punk's already waiting for me in the lobby. "Got your phone?" he asks. "We don't want loverboy to panic."

I pat my pocket. "Got it."

Together, we stroll out the door and down the street, finally finding a little diner that's serving breakfast. Neither of us is all that hungry, though, so Punk orders his Pepsi and I get a coffee. Once we're settled, Punk leans forward. "Things looked pretty cozy in the car last night."

"They went all right," I say.

"Do you want to talk about the Layla thing?"

I shake my head. "I just want to think about something else this morning."

Punk studies me for a moment before looking down at his hands. "I may have just the thing to take your mind off it."

"Oh?"

"This stays between you and me, McCool," he says, looking up to meet my eyes.

"Of course," I say.

"I mean it. I don't even want Hardy to know."

"Punk, I'm not going to tell anyone."

"Okay." He sighs. "I think Luke is plotting against me."

"Why would you think that?"

"It's a feeling, mainly. But Hardy said something at brunch yesterday, before you showed up. Something about seeing Gallows talking to people he normally wouldn't talk to."

I frown. "Like who?"

"His former tag partner, for one."

"You're worried because Gallows was talking to Jesse?"

Punk nods. "Hardy said they had a long conversation, at least ten minutes. I saw him talking to Rey Mysterio last week."

"Okay, so he's talking to some of the other superstars. What's the problem?"

"I know it sounds stupid," Punk says, "but he denies that he's ever talked to them when I ask."

"Maybe he's worried about what you'll say?"

He shrugs. "Between the things I'm hearing from Hardy and seeing for myself, I don't know what to think. Serena basically threw me out of my own rental car yesterday, and Luke looked disappointed when I showed up last night. I'm telling you, McCool, there's something going on here, and I don't like it."

"I'm not going to be much help for you, unfortunately," I say. "Everyone knows we're friends."

"I know. Hardy's said he'll keep an ear to the ground for me."

"Is that what you two were discussing so intently at brunch yesterday?"

"What, you thought he was serious with that death threat joke?" Punk chuckles.

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"Yesterday, you had your own issues to deal with. Today, you look like you might be thinking clearer."

"You mean I need distracting."

"That too," Punk says.

"Okay, I need the distraction," I agree. "But what can I do to help you? I can't stalk Gallows. No one is going to buy that."

"I don't want you to stalk him; just keep an eye out. If you see anything suspicious, let me know."

I nod. "I'll do that."

"Thank you." He opens his mouth to say something else, but my phone rings. Punk glances at it. "Better take that."

It's Matt. "Hey, where are you?" he asks.

"Down the street, getting a coffee with Punk. You want to come down, maybe have breakfast?"

"Sure, sounds fun." I give him directions, and he says, "See you guys in five."

"I can't wait," I say. We hang up and I look at Punk. "He's on his way." Punk nods. "Hey, don't worry too much about Gallows. He's nothing without the straightedge society."

"Neither am I, sunshine."

I shake my head. "You're wrong. You're an amazing guy in your own right. Maybe if Gallows takes it over, you can go back to being cheered instead of booed."

Punk smirks. "Do you really think I care what the fans do?"

"I don't know. Do you?"

He shrugs. "Cheers or boos are pretty much the same thing in this business. As long as they're paying attention to you, who cares what noise they're making? Come on, you know that."

"I used to," I say, "but now? I'm not so sure anymore."