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IRL!

(Friday, August 19th, 2022)

After SmackDown/After Midnight

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

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A couple of bartenders head towards the stage as Briar and I finish our second song of karaoke. She hasn't noticed yet as she's cheering that it's midnight, but the sparklers spewing from the top of the cake I had ordered weeks ago and planned to be delivered here catch my attention right away.

"Happy birthday, B." I walk up beside her, turning her towards the cake and she gasps.

"Oh my, God." Her hand flies to her mouth. "C-" She turns to me but I stop her.

"Don't even say it." I chuckle. It feels rewarding to give those closest to you things you never received until adulthood. I notice the corners of her eyes wet.

"Is this?" She admires the cake in awe.

"Bottom layer Black Forest, top layer chocolate strawberry with fresh strawberries inside?" I grin largely, proud of my ordering work and dying for some cake.

"I think my mouth is watering." She hums, swiping a finger into the frosting. Her birthday, her rules.

"Mine too, let me find the others and you head over to Jason and Uncle Jack." I tell her, nodding to the bartenders for them to start singing happy birthday as she leads the way.

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Damian's hands roam my body as mine reign free above my head. I love dancing, I just wish more places had it that didn't include all of my least favorite things. But tension has slowly began to leave my body throughout the night, and having the right dance partner helps.

As Damian dips my body back my eyes lock on a strong pair and my lips part. That had to be the blood rushing to my brain, right? Right? My hands land on Damian's chest as I pop back up and it feels as if cotton's been stuffed in my mouth and I drank sand.

I refuse to let my damned imagination ruin a night that for the most part has gone pretty smooth.

"I'm going to get some water." The words fly out so quickly and I start towards the bar before Damian even has the chance to open his mouth, as if he was on fire. I know the pairing system is important, but I just need a beat.

My fist squeeze together tightly, annoyed at myself for acting so shook up over nothing, until I'm in line at the bar and, oh-so proven wrong. Or... right?

"Your boyfriend's protective." Humor drips off the voice that makes me want to externally burst into flames.

Oh, you've got to be so fucking KIDDING me.

I slowly turn around my eye-line meeting a muscular-tatted arm before rising up to meet his gaze. "He's not my boyfriend." A tight-smug smile stretches my lips.

"Does he know that?" He chuckles condescendingly, glancing behind me.

I giggle lowly. "Maybe if you'd keep your dogs on their leash tighter, you wouldn't have to worry about him." His jaw clenches and I take a step closer, suddenly the overwhelming thought of my surroundings fading to the back of my mind. "But it's nice to know I'm such a problem I can't seem to leave your mind, even outside of the ring."

He leans forward, lowering his voice. "I can't seem to escape you, even outside the ring." As IF he's one to talk???!!

I click my tongue off the roof of my mouth. "Well, considering you're at every turn I take-" My nostrils flare in annoyance, "Because it seems your family can't get enough of me," I smirk, "And you can't seem to mind your own business about mine, I'd say that sounds like a personal issue, big dog." I hum, patting his chest, not even realizing I seem all too comfortable touching him now that I've done it multiple times on camera. But the cameras aren't here, and neither is the WWE audience. Just like in the elevator when he cornered me... expect this time we're in a room full of people and eyes.

I clear my throat taking a step back noticing the person in front of me is stepping away. I step to the side, motioning towards the bar counter. "You go ahead. My order is far shorter than yours."

I don't want to deal with his eyes burning into my back as I order water, and I'm ready to escape this lovely conversation he trapped me into. Of course he'd be here with the Uso's, for their birthday. Of course. OF COURSE!

His chest rumbles with a quick check as he steps forward, no thanks thrown my way. "I'll take a water please, and one for the lady," He flashes his pearly white smile at the bartender, turning his head towards me and for a moment I think I went deaf.

What did he just say?

"You got it." The older woman nods and as he goes to hand her cash she says it's on the house and he shoves the twenty in the tip jar.

"The lady can order for herself." I raise a brow, feeling like I just got whiplash from Roman's 180. "You don't even know my order." I add as he turns around handing me my water.

"You don't drink." His eyes look into mine intensely and my skin feels hot, like I've been watched. "You didn't take a shot with Jimmy and Jey," He tips the cup up to his lips, "You haven't been to the bar all night."

"And I'm the stalker." I scoff out a laugh.

"Just a simple observation." He shrugs casually.

"Mmm." I nod slowly, narrowing my eyes trying to figure him out. "And you?"

He takes a step closer, leaning down until he brushes against my hair at my ear. "I don't drink, either." As he pulls himself back I'm not sure why I find it so hard to believe Roman Reigns doesn't drink. With cousins like his, not to mention he doesn't strike me as one who just drinks water, which only makes me want kick myself because I shouldn't be standing here trying to chalk up what he strikes me as at all.

And just thinking about drinks and the difference smells of all the alcohol in here becoming overwhelmingly more prominent made me want to hurl. And I haven't even had a drop of it.

"Well until next time you stalk me then." I raise my water glass up before finally taking a sip, and I don't think I've ever tasted more delicious water. I swear my mouth feels like the desert.

"You always interrupt or find me," Roman corrects gruffly, "Not the other way around."

"Mmm, yet you're the one who's had their eyes on me all night." A wicked smile teases my lips as I lift a shoulder. His stare hardens, jaw tensing up. "So which one of us is really losing here?" I chuckle happily. Suddenly, I'm feeling much better and ready to dance again. How about that? "Have a good night." I hum as I turn to walk away, his eyes searing into my back as I slip through the crowd.

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𝟶ʙᴜᴛᴛᴇʀʙɪsᴄᴜɪᴛ𝟽sᴘᴇᴀᴋs!

Hello, hellooo... hehe, welcome back to Crimson Ustulationnnn ;)

I truly did not mean to not update last week!! Honestly this chapter just wasn't ready when I was gonna update... and I knew it'd be a good one I wanted to take my time on... SOOOO... ROMAN & CRIMSON NATION HOW WE FEELINNNN?!!!🗣️🗣️

AYEEEE!!! The song 'every breath you take' esp. the I'll be watching you part played in my head on REPEATTT during the moment Roman admitted to watching her throughout the night & may or may not have inspired that specific moment ;)

I also loved the moment between crimson & briar at the beginning of the chapppp!! I am loving their friendship so much & when I had the idea for the cake I was like this is just too perfect not to add it!!

Happy Monjey Night Mamiiii & HAPPY BIRTHDAY CODYYYY <3333 ANDDD IN HONOR OF CODY'S BDAY... I AM HARD LAUNCHINGGGG... THAT HE WILL BE BRIAR'S LOVE INTEREST IN THE FUTUREEEE!!! AHHH!!🤭🤭🤭 (I was keeping this a secret/surprise, mostly for my bestie ripleysversion_ who Briar is in honor of... but I can impatiently wait NO MOREEE & couldn't think of a better occasion to drop the newsss!! Briar is getting her own book w/ Denni later on sooo... surpriseeee)

I CAN'T WAIT FOR Y'ALL'S REACTIONS THIS CHAPTERRR SO DON'T BE AFRAID TO COMMENTTT ANDDD UNTIL NEXT TIMEEE!!! 😛