Moon 🌙

“That’s not gonna happen, Max. I’m planning on getting laid at this wedding, and coming with a date is a pretty big cock block.” She shifted her weight, leaning back in her bar stool, finally looking him over. Cocky, as usual, but it was covering a thinly veiled earnestness that she hadn’t expected. She traced the tip of her middle finger around the rim of her drink before lifting it to her lips, hoping a little more booze could help her unsee what was hiding behind his bluster.

“If you had any game, that wouldn’t make a difference.” He tried not to let his face show any of the irritation he felt, knowing it didn’t even occur to her that they might sleep together if they went as dates. “I promise you, I’d have no problem getting laid if you came with me.” She raised a brow, lips curling at the corner and dragging his eyes to them.

“Is that right?”

“Easy.” The word floated on his tongue and she shifted effortlessly toward him, crossing one leg over the other, her knee bumping his. It pulled his attention for just a moment, heat flaring out from the spot. “Guess you just don’t have as much game as me.” Her brow furrowed, lips pressed into an agitated line. He ate up her reactions to his button pushing every time.

“Bullshit. I’ve seen you with women. I’ve got ten times the game you do.” She was walking right into the trap he’d set. He gave a derisive snort, tailor made to push her right to the edge.

“You wanna bet?” He raised, and she wet her lips, challenge sparkling in her eyes. Max pulled his shoulders back, taking a swig of his drink, brow raised; he knew she couldn’t resist. “A little wager. Come with me to the wedding and prove how much more game you have by getting laid anyway.” She studied him for a moment, a flicker of caution crossing her delicate face.

“And what, exactly, do I get when I win?”

“Laid.” He retorted. She let out a lilting laugh that he couldn’t stop from smiling at before shaking his head. “What more do you want?”

“I could get laid way easier without you there. That’s hardly a reason for me to take this challenge on.” She said and he waved her off.

“Okay, fine then, if you win, I won’t go to NXT.” That comment stopped her cold. He knew it would but he didn’t expect how quickly the color would rise to her cheeks. He’d caught her off guard and she was visibly rattled.

“What?” She choked and he raised both his brows.

“Yeah, your dad made me an offer last week. An unprecedented type of offer for the fastest rising star in professional wrestling.” He was laying it on thick, blowing on his knuckles, but it seemed to be working. “But win the bet and I will stay right here in AEW with you.” She stammered for a moment before finally clearing her throat and shaking her head, desperately ignoring the pit in her stomach.

“What makes you think I care that much about where you wrestle?” It was unconvincing but Max played into it nonetheless, clutching at his chest as though she’d shot him.

“First of all, ouch.” He pouted at her and she stifled a laugh. “Second of all, I know you. And I know you don’t want me to leave.” Rolling her eyes, it was her turn to wave him off. “Alright fine, we’ll pretend you don’t care. Let’s raise the stakes, then. If you win, not only will I stay, but I will let ole TK know that I’m not going to re-sign unless he finally gives you your shot at the title.”

That had the gears turning in her head. She had been working her ass off since the moment she stepped through the doors but nothing seemed to be enough. No matter how great her matches were, no matter how hard the crowd rallied behind her, she couldn’t even make it into a qualifying match. But it wasn’t in her nature to let Max off the hook without teasing.

“Oh, so you don’t think I’m talented enough to get a title shot on my own?” But her teasing didn’t hold; he just gave her a knowing look.

“Please. We both know it’s not your talent that’s kept you from holding that title.” He watched closely as she sipped at her drink, hiding her expression behind the rim. “Khan still doesn’t know that he can trust you not to pull a Medusa.” That got a sharp, single laugh from her, directly into her drink. “He’s worried that the second he puts the gold on you, you’re gonna take that belt straight to the fed and dump it in the garbage.”

“That’s not my style.” She said. “At the very least, I’m gonna be original.” That tilted smile of hers made his stomach hurt. The smile slowly faded, though, as she mulled over his words. She couldn’t deny there was likely some truth to them. “You really think you could get me a shot?”

“I’m positive. With the amount of money your pops is offering, I’ve got all the leverage in the world. And, hell, I’ll even offer to take a pay cut from my current contract if that’s what it takes.” His expression seemed as genuine as was possible from him but she still wasn’t sure she believed him. Her and Max were friends - they had been since she came to AEW. She had been a member of the Pinnacle until they disbanded and now she was one of the only friends he had left. She trusted him...maybe only slightly further than she could throw him, but that was still more than most people trusted him.

"So what do you get if I can’t manage to get laid?" She was sure it was going to be steep if he was going to gamble his career decision over it. Max cocked his head, a crooked smile hanging broadly across his face.

“If I win, you come with me to NXT.”

“No.” Her voice was sharp and the bite alone should have had him backing down but he didn’t scare easily. “No way.”

"What? Doubting your ability to win?" He watched carefully as her tongue traced her bottom lip before she pulled it between her teeth. Swallowing the lump that threatened to rise in his throat, he pursed his lips in a faux-bravado. “If you're as confident in your game as you say, you’ve got nothing to worry about.” Face stony, she held his gaze. She didn’t back down from a challenge. And she was fairly certain that she could win if she really put in some effort.

“I’m not worried.”

But the stakes were undoubtedly high and the tension higher in the air between them as they studied each other, silently considering if they really wanted to do this.

“Great, so it’s a date, then, Princess?” He extended a hand toward her and her gaze dragged from his thick fingers up to his eyes.

She slipped a reluctant hand into his, ignoring the way her skin buzzed. His grin, sparkling and mischievous, stretched across his handsome face, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was making a deal with the devil.

——————————

Max slipped his arm through the sleeve of his pressed shirt, the fabric clinging to his bicep. He watched in the mirror as he fastened the bottom three buttons before his eyes snagged on the reflection of a bookcase across the room, a glimmer shining atop a stack of books. Abandoning his task, he turned to take a look.

He had flown in earlier that day for Adam and Britt’s wedding and, because his date only lived ten minutes from the venue, he was getting ready at her house. She had been guilted into letting him take the guest room when he forgot, maybe not quite as mindlessly as he let on, to book a hotel room. It took a bit of conjoling, and the promise that he would find somewhere else to crash if she did, in fact, get someone to come home with her, but he inevitably got his way.

Truthfully, though, he was getting a little worried this bet was counter productive. He had asked her to the wedding because he wanted to spend more time with her. Since the Pinnacle had disbanded, he hadn’t seen nearly as much of her and it had caught him by surprise, how much he cared. He found himself thinking about her far more often than he wanted to. He couldn’t even really put his finger on why at first - she was hot headed and difficult and poked fun at him more than he tolerated from anyone else. All he kept coming back around to was the idea that he should be glad to be seeing less of her. And yet.

Lost in thought, his finger trailed along the top of a row of books before spotting a picture frame that was facedown on the top of the bookcase. Picking it up, he took in the photo staring back at him. She was wearing the NWA Women’s Title, tucked between Hunter and Stephanie as they sported their proudest looks.

A knock at the door startled him and he hastily tucked the photo back on the shelf. He didn’t get the chance to move further from his spot when the door open and she stepped inside, arm tucked behind her as she fiddled with the zipper of her dress.

“Can you zip me uhhh…” Her request trailed off when she saw him, stopping in her tracks, halfway across the room. “Up.” The word was just an exhale. She’d seen Max shirtless plenty of times but something about him, half dressed, in the confines of her house was setting her off kilter.

Max’s breath had caught in his throat the moment he spotted her, dark dress pooling on the floor, draping from her body where the zipper was undone. He struggled against his eyes’ natural draw to the plunging neckline but failed spectacularly. Any embarrassment he might have felt quickly abated when he saw the hungry look in her eyes, though, glued to his bared chest.

He padded across the room toward her, heat ratcheting higher with every step, and he thought she might just start backing away from him but she seemed to be plastered to the floor. Coming to stand behind her, he stopped close enough that he could smell her shampoo, and brushed her hair over her shoulder, fingers grazing her skin. She shivered at the feeling and he relished in it, letting the pads of his fingers trail down the line of her spine. Goosebumps raised along her soft skin as his breath fanned over the back of her neck.

“I hope you know, I’m not going to make this easy on you tonight.” His voice was a low rumble against the shell of her ear, his lips nearly making contact. Her belly tightened in response and it took everything in her not to press her ass back into him.

He took his time, dragging the zipper up into place while she held her breath. Despite their time together, she had never allowed this kind of closeness between them before and the feeling was knocking her legs out from under her. She wasn’t prepared for the way her skin tingled at his touch. Though, if she was being honest with herself, she thought it might be the case - there was a reason for the distance. And with the tonight’s challenge ahead of her, it was too real.

His hands, manicured but still rough from his time in the ring, smoothed over her shoulders. As he went to move them around to her collarbones, her hand came up to stop him in his tracks. He was getting too close. Too close. Too real. That wasn’t how they were - it couldn’t be. She needed to get her composure back. She couldn’t let him get in her head if she was going to win tonight.

She spun on her heel to face him but found herself much too close to him, their breaths mingling between them. Her eyes slowly drew up to meet his, finding a need in them that made her mouth dry. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she forced a confident smile to her face - she was going to get back on track no matter how badly her body was betraying her.

“I have no intention of ending the night unsatisfied.” Control. She needed to get back in control of this situation. Reaching down in the tight space between them, she nimbly fastened the buttons of his shirt, one by one, his chest rising and falling with his breathing. He watched her, heat palpable in his expression, and she began to wonder what he really wanted out of this night. Fastening the final button, she patted his chest twice and took a few steps back. “Finish getting dressed. We need to get going.” She scurried out of the room; god, she was in trouble.

——————————

Heat crept up Max’s neck as he watched her from the bar. He’d just gone to get the two of them drinks and she had immediately slipped into the crowd, quickly finding some piss poor excuse for a man to sidle in a step too close to. She was batting her lashes and working harder than a girl as beautiful as her should need to work.

“Can you speed it the fuck up?” Max spat at the bartender, hand curled into a tense fist, but instantly regret the venom, wondering if he was now just going to end up with spit in his drink. He could hardly stop himself, though. It wasn’t that he cared about losing the bet - he knew he could succeed damn near anywhere at this point, and he had guaranteed that she would be wherever he ended up so it was a no lose situation…but as he watched her flirt across the room, it became increasingly clear to him that there was definitely a way for him to lose.

He was out of his seat the second the drinks were finished, pushing his way through the crowd until he reached her. She was cozied up, doe eyed at a slimy looking man in an ill fitting suit. Max refrained from rolling his eyes. Slipping an arm around her waist, he yanked her in close, careful not to spill the drink in his hand. She froze up under his touch, heat swimming up her spine.

“Got your Bellini, Princess.” Max delighted in the way her suitor’s face fell, taking a step and a half back from them.

“Max, I -“

“Yeah, I know, babe. Prosecco not champagne.” He directed his attention back to the uncomfortable face across from them. “Nothing to be done about bad taste, am I right?” Max ran his tongue along the back of his teeth with a pointed grin, watching as the guy grimaced, nodding.

“I didn’t realize you had a boyfriend…I’ll uh…see you around, I guess.”

“No, no, he’s not-“ She tried to defend but he was already backing his way into the crowd to find some other hapless girl lowering her standards.

Max released his grip on her waist, leaving her colder than expected and with a full understanding of what she was up against tonight - he wasn’t afraid to play dirty. He was already laughing before he caught sight of the boiling anger on her face. Color flooded up through her cheeks and brows knitted, she snatched her drink from his hand.

“I should kill you.” She meant her voice to come across more menacing but fell short and Max responded with a patronizing smile.

“You’re so cute when you’re all worked up.” He ruffled her hair and she smacked his hand before smoothing it back into place. “If this is the best you’ve got, winning this bet is going to be even easier than I thought.”

“I wouldn’t have agreed to this bet if I thought you were gonna play dirty.”

“It’s not playing dirty- it’s playing smart.” He clarified. “If you don’t want to play anymore, you can feel free to give up.” Wetting his lips, he took a sip from his drink.

“Not a chance. Now that I know what I’m up against, I can adjust my strategy.” She squared her shoulders, shooting back the rest of her cocktail before shoving the glass back into Max’s chest. “Nothing I can’t handle.” He stifled a smug laugh, nodding with raised brows.

“Yeah, I’m sure.”

The song that was playing slowed to a stop and she attempted to slip back into the crowd. Max was close on her heels, though, and she blew a sharp breath out her nose. Spinning abruptly on her heel, he bumped into her chest, not bothering to step back out of her space when her eyes panned up to his. She ignored the subtle smell of his aftershave and the way heat flared in her chest.

“I’m going to the ladies’ room. Don’t follow me.” She could feel his eyes on her as she walked away and fought against the smile that tugged at her lips.

——————————

As the night wore on, she found herself beginning to enjoy their game. The cat and mouse act was becoming a routine. He’d spent the majority of the evening with an arm wrapped around her waist, whispering taunts in her ear that looked far more salacious to any onlookers - though she couldn’t deny the way goosebumps raised up her spine every time.

She had managed to slip away again, Max nowhere to be seen as she chatted with a man that she had already forgotten the name of.

“You really are gorgeous.” He wasn’t unattractive, perhaps a bit over manicured, but still conventionally handsome. But even as he complimented her and brought her one step closer to winning her bet, she couldn’t help but glance around the room, searching for that cocky grin.

“Oh, thank you.” Noticeably distracted, she offered an apologetic smile. She hated that she was thinking about him; that she was enjoying playing with him - it was knocking her off her game and the stakes were too high for her to lose.

“Do you want to dance?” He really was trying to serve her victory up on a plate to her. But, damn it if she wasn’t the worlds worst dancer. The song playing faded into nothing and he offered a hand to her. Swallowing a grimace, she accepted it - she didn’t have much of a choice if she wanted to win tonight.

He led her further onto the dance floor as a slower song began, floating across the room. With his hands settling at her waist, she moved in a step closer. But the moment her hands landed on his shoulders, she spotted Max, standing just behind him. Their eyes met in a fiery, silent confrontation before a malicious smile rose to his face. He tapped the guy’s shoulder, quickly righting his expression.

“Are you seriously dancing with my girl?”

“I’m not your-“

“Who the hell do you think you are, pal? Disrespectful sack of shit. Trying to dance with another man’s girl. Especially when she could not have been more obvious that she wasn’t interested in your lanky ass.” He spoke over her protestations, leaving no room for either of them to object. He’d been watching her from across the room; he saw her looking for him instead of focusing on this guy, and he knew that the guy saw it too. It wasn’t a stretch to say she looked disinterest, which played right into his hand and, if he was being honest, bolstered his already inflated ego. “I should hit you. Get the fuck out of here”

Skittering away, he left the two of them alone, and Max quickly slipped into the space he’d left. His arm roped around her waist, pulling her in tight to him, as his other hand clasped hers at their sides. She attempted to pull away but he tutted, shaking his head.

“As my date tonight, I’m pretty sure you owe me at least one dance.” His assertion typically would have rubbed her the wrong way - she didn’t owe anyone anything - but something in the pit of her stomach was softening to Max in a way that she was struggling to fight against. Rolling her eyes, she let her muscles relax and looped a hand up over his shoulder, fingers dangling just below the back of his neck.

“You’re really making tonight impossible for me.”

“That’s my job, doll.” That stupid, cocky grin. God, it made her crazy.

“Okay, well I don’t know who hired you, but you can consider yourself officially relieved of your duties.” She said, and he snorted, full lips curled up.

“If that’s your way of saying you quit, you can just say that.” He wet his lips as he lead their steps, making their motions effortless. She hated that dancing with him came so easily.

“You wish.” Rolling her eyes, she scoffed. His fingers thrummed against her lower back and chills ran up her spine. Their eyes connected and she let out a heavy breath before pulling her gaze away. “Why do you even want to go to NXT anyway? You know they’re just going to make you tone yourself back.” Her eyes flicked to his and then away again. “And you’ve certainly got it made for yourself here. You’re on track to be the youngest AEW world champion ever.” He went to open his mouth but she stopped him. “And don’t say it’s because of money. We both know you’re not nearly as shallow as you pretend.” He licked his lips and paused as he considered her.

“I mean it’s the dream, isn’t it?” He shrugged. “Win the Royal Rumble, go on to win the title in the main event of Wrestlemania. I’ve been dreaming about it since I was old enough to walk.” His sincerity sat heavy in his gut and he kept his eyes trained at the wall beyond her as they moved. “AEW has been amazing. It’s been…I mean it’s a dream come true too, in its own way…but I guess that’s always been the big dream. What I’ve been working towards since I was 10.” He shook his head, quieting. “I almost gave up on it once, I can’t do that again. I won’t let myself give up on it twice.”

She allowed herself to study him while his gaze was elsewhere. Heavy brows furrowed in a serious, reflective expression. She knew about his time in college but he generally didn’t like to talk about it - an uncommon time of weakness in his life.

“So all of this,” she waved circles in the air behind his head, “is all to appease ten year old you?” His eyes drifted back to her, a tender, innocent smile on his face.

“Shouldn’t it be?” He held her gaze and her chest squeezed. She didn’t have an argument for that. Laying her head on his shoulder, she allowed herself a moment to slip, but it didn’t last. “Honestly, what I don’t get is why you don’t want to go to NXT.” His voice drew her back to the present. “I mean, would it really be that bad?” It was hard to miss the cloud that passed over her face but she tried valiantly to redirect it into humor.

“Going to NXT with you?” She scrunched her nose. “Yeah, that would be a nightmare.” He gave her a measured look, finally meeting her eyes again, and she knew he could see right through her. He really was one of the only people who could and she hated it. As much as she teased him about being the only friend he had, she was, admittedly, a bit lacking in that department as well.

“I’m serious. Talk about having it made.” He shook his head ruefully. “You would’ve been giving my fastest rising star shtick a run for it’s money.” She sighed and tilted her head from side to side before blowing out a breath.

“I mean, that’s part of the problem though, you know?” She hesitated, holding his gaze. “I spent such a long time in the indies because I needed to prove myself. I have put so much effort into trying to show people that I’m willing to work for it; getting their support…it means everything to me.” She shook her head, eyes stuck on his. “I’ve seen what happens when the fans think you’re getting something that you don’t deserve. All that goodwill that I’ve earned, that I’ve worked so hard for, could be undone in the span of a few months.”

“Fan support is overrated. You’re seriously going to let them stand in the way of your dreams?” He tried not to be distracted by the feeling of her thumb rubbing against the nape of his neck.

“That’s crap and you know it. You can say what you want on TV but don’t think that I don’t notice how much you eat up every bit of their reactions.”

“Right, being booed and universally hated is great. You know I get spit on in public?” He rolled his eyes and she lightly smacked the back of his head.

“Yeah, and you love it.” She gave him a scolding look and he tried to smother a smile. “Come on Max, let’s not pretend that you don’t have some of the best reactions someone could hope for in this business.” He looked at her with a hint of the sincerity that was so uncommon to see in him, the sincerity that made her chest ache. He wanted to argue her point but he knew that he couldn’t. “I’m going to prove to people that I have what it takes to make it in this business on my own. On my own merit. That’s just not something I could do in WWE.” She was quiet for a moment, reflecting on the thoughts that brewed deep in her head late at night. “I needed to prove to myself that I had what it takes to make it on my own. Because sometimes…” she paused but couldn’t stop the words from coming out. “…sometimes I’m not sure that I do.”

Max stopped them in their tracks, forcing a couple dancing close by to swerve to avoid them. His full lips parted, brows drawn.

“You can’t be serious.” He was nearly glaring at her, her gaze averted and cheeks flushed, until he brought a hand up to her face, gripping her chin between his fingers, and forced her to meet his eyes. “Listen to me. Your name wasn’t going to be the only reason you made it to the top in WWE. You’re undeniable.” She tore her chin away but it didn’t stop him. “You’ve got more star power in your pinky finger than anyone in the last decade.” Squirming, she grimaced, uncomfortable hearing his sincerity out loud. He wasn’t one for compliments and it made her stomach warm.

“I’m just not sure that’s true…” She trailed off, breathless under the the intensity of his gaze. “Let’s be honest, Tony never would have signed me if it weren’t for my parents.”

Struck by the sudden vulnerability in her whispered words, she pressed her face into his chest, hoping to avoid whatever expression was on his face now. This entire night was turning out to be a bit too much for her. Max nudged his nose against the top of her head placing a delicate kiss against her hair that she tried to pretend she didn’t feel, but the quiet smile smothered into his shirt said otherwise. He wanted to tell her just how special she was, but he was starting to worry that he was going to send her running if he pushed any further. So they stayed like that, pressed close to each other, and his hand ghosted down her frame, back into place by her hip. He urged her back to their dancing, swaying and circling to the lilting music that floated all around them, blissfully unaware that the song they’d started dancing to had already ended. His chest was ablaze with the feeling of her skin on his. He could smell her shampoo, overwhelming his senses. But as the moments ticked by, he couldn’t physically stop himself from continuing.

“So, when we were at your house earlier, I may have been snooping a little…” His voice had her glancing back up at him. She chuckled, the noise immensely pleasing to his ears.

“No kidding,” She was immediately back to her amused teasing - it was so much easier, “you mean to tell me, that when I walked in on you scrambling to put the picture of my parents back where you found it, it wasn’t just because you were using the glass as a mirror?” He sucked at the inside of his cheek; he was really hoping she hadn’t noticed that.

“Okay, maybe I’m not as slick as I thought. But that picture got me thinking…”

“I was so hoping it wouldn’t.” She cut in, but he continued on regardless.

“It’s just…you don’t really talk about them. I’ve known you for a while now; I’d like to think we’re…friends.” He swallowed as she tilted her head from side to side as if weighing the accuracy of his statement, but her smile told a different story. She wasn’t used to this stammering, nervous version of him. “But I don’t think I’ve ever heard you, even once, talk about your parents.” She wet her lips, eyes fluttering closed as she decided how honest she wanted to get with him.

“Since I came to AEW, we don’t talk much.” She paused and he was quiet, waiting for her to continue. “As in… Not at all.”

“At all?” He echoed incredulously. “Not even at the holidays? Or on your birthday?” She gave a minuscule shake of her head and he narrowed his eyes. “You told us you couldn’t come out with us on your birthday because you had plans with your family.”

“Yeah, that amounted to staying home with my cats and feeling sorry for myself.” The words slipped out before she could stop them and she winced. She hadn’t needed anyone to see her like that. She didn’t need the pity and she certainly didn’t need anyone feeling like they needed to fix her. And based on the mixture of devastation and anger in his eyes, she’d made the right call.

“That is fucking unbelievable.” He scoffed and she chewed at her bottom lip. She would have given anything to escape this conversation. “What kind of backwards ass shitty parenting is that?”

“You’re one to talk. I saw the signs your parents brought to your hometown show. ‘We’re MJF’s parents and we think he sucks too’?” It was a blatant diversion tactic but Max wasn’t taking the bait. Jokes weren’t going to dig her out of this conversation

“Please, you met my parents. You know that’s all done out of love.” He shook his head. “My parents are, and always have been, my biggest supporters, your parents should be doing the same for you.” She sucked in a breath.

“Well let’s just say, my decision to come here was a divisive one for the family.” She raised her brows, lips pressed into a tight line. She didn’t even know why she was telling him this. “Gramps didn’t appreciate my need to strike out on my own, and he writes the paychecks that pay for the house.”

“You’re kidding.” Max was incredulous, shaking his head as if it would change the truth.

“I wish.”

“Shit, I’m sorry.” He wet his lips and she pulled her eyes away. “I can’t believe I didn’t know that.” The way he was looking at her was unbearable.

“It’s not even worth talking about.”

“It is, though. It’s not something you should have to deal with alone.” He brushed a thumb over the small of her back and it warmed her from the toes up. She couldn’t summon a response, her gaze trapped on him, drawn to his lips. Leaning closer, he pressed his forehead to hers and she let her eyes close for a moment before turning her head to rest it on his shoulder.

They were quiet again for a moment, moving seamlessly across the floor. And for just a moment, she found herself wishing this song would never end.

“I would think this is just another reason you’d be happy to move to NXT.” He said, breaking her spell. “You go back home, you can put all this behind you. You get your family back.” She chewed at her lip before letting out a big breath and shaking her head.

“My parents didn’t support me doing what I needed to for myself. I’m not interested in derailing my life for them. If they want a relationship with me, they know where to find me.”

As the music slowed to an end, so did their dancing. They stopped, only a breath away from each other. She looked up at him, deep chocolate eyes looking back at her, full of the understanding she’d been missing for the last year. The feeling in the pit of her stomach jolted her out of his arms and back a few steps. She swallowed hard and shook the feeling from her head, running a hand through her hair.

“Okay, you got your dance, now I…I have a bet to win.” She tried not to focus on the way Max’s tongue smoothed across his bottom lip. He, truthfully, had nearly forgotten about the bet in the course of their dance. By now, he was largely regretting having raised it in the first place. He sighed, giving her one last sincere look before reverting to the confident sneer she was so used to.

“May the best man win.”

——————————

With the night drawing towards it’s end, guests were beginning to filter out, right alongside her hopes at winning this bet. As important as winning was to her, she wasn’t about to abandon her standards just for a bet. She had found a few more men to talk to throughout the course of the night but Max was always right there, just around the corner, waiting, poised to strike.

His latest interruption was nothing short of a performance. He’d made quite a show of confronting her with allegations of cheating and betrayal that swiftly drove off a promising option.

She was, admittedly, starting to get a little nervous. She had been surveilling the remaining guests at the reception and her prospects were getting slimmer and slimmer. With her nerves, came a bit of a temper - her patience for Max’s antics was withering down to nothing. So when he chased off one of the last viable options in the room, she snapped.

Snatching him at the elbow, she dragged him off the dance floor, and he raised both brows with a grin, fully satisfied knowing he was pushing her over the edge. She led him through the double doors, into the hall by the restrooms, before shoving both his shoulders hard against a wall.

“What the fuck is your problem?” She demanded but his smug, false innocence, written over every inch of his face, only ratcheted up her anger.

“No problem here, Princess. Just playing the game.” But his shoulder blades colliding with the wall more forcefully told him she wasn’t satisfied with that answer.

“You’re making a god damn spectacle! You’re fucking enjoying this!” She was seething - flushed from her hairline down into the plunging neck of her dress. Max was struggling not to acknowledge the way his stomach tightened with her standing this close, pushing him around, and swearing. He couldn’t let himself get distracted by how badly he wanted to flip her around and put his fingers in that bratty mouth. Fuck. “I had a serious chance with that last guy until you put on your little show! And it could have ended up being more than just an end to this stupid bet!” His patience for this situation waned; she was lying to both of them if she was going to pretend this latest guy was anything more than a sorry excuse for a win. “This isn’t what I fucking agreed to!” She shoved him again but this time he snatched her wrist, holding it tight in the space between them. Her eyes blew open, finally taking a breath and realizing just how close their bodies were. Max’s jaw shifted, eyes ablaze and fully set on her - it wasn’t quite anger in them but she couldn’t place that intensity.

“If he was such a catch and you were so close, then why are you here with me?” He shot back and she only gaped at him. “Why didn’t you chase after him and explain the situation? Why not run him down and tell him that I’m some crazy stalker who won’t leave you alone? Or that I’m your cousin, playing a prank on you? There were a million ways to explain me away if you wanted to. But instead you’re here with me.” She tried to form some kind of response - any response - but couldn’t focus much past the electricity pulsing down her arm from the spot his fingers were wrapped around. “In fact, this entire night! You could’ve started off every conversation you had tonight with a warning about me so they knew that I was nothing to worry about when I came along but you didn’t. You just waited for me to interrupt and then stammered like an idiot every time.” Pressure built in her chest as Max careened toward a point, “You didn’t even try to make excuses for me. You didn’t do a goddamn thing; you let me chase every single guy away tonight. And we both know why - it’s because you’re enjoying yourself!” He finally dropped her wrist with a bit of force and her focus came flooding back alongside a wild need to deny how right he was - how much he knew her.

“You’re out of your goddamn mind!” She shouted back at him, shaking her head petulantly. “What the hell is there to enjoy about tonight? All I fucking wanted was to get laid!” But he didn’t let up, he’d gotten started now and he knew that if he was ever going to do this, the time was now.

“Then why is it that you smiled more tonight when I was bothering you then you did in any other moment?” He knew he needed to slow down and take the time to get this exactly right but he was too keyed up and heat was threatening to escape out his ears “Why is it that your eyes lit up every single time I interrupted you? Why did you spend every minute that I wasn’t next to you, looking around the room for me?” He demanded and her eyes were nearly blown out. “You could’ve gone home with any one of the guys that you talked to tonight but you didn’t. In spite of me, you could have gotten laid tonight. But you didn’t want to.” Her brows pushed together in a haughty, barely restrained anger. “Because you were having too much fun chasing me off and playing this game! Maybe it’s time you admit that you blew this bet because you’ve got feelings for me.”

“Oh, fuck off, you narcissistic piece of shit.” She hissed. “Maybe it’s time you admit that the reason you can only get one night stands is because anyone that gets to know you realizes you’re the most insufferable son of a bitch on the planet.” He tried to remind himself that she was lashing out for a reason but it didn’t lessen his desire to fuck that attitude out of her.

“That’s really something coming from the person that knows me better than anyone else.”

“Maybe that should tell you something, Max.” She said with a sneer. “What does it say when thats what the person that knows you best has to say about you?”

“It says she’s in denial.”

“You’re delusional!” She snorted derisively and he could feel himself barreling over an edge.

“And you’re a coward.” He shot back and she recoiled like he’d slapped her. Her gaze held his with a steely intensity, heat charging in the space between them.

“Max, you had to bribe me to get me to come here as your date tonight.”

“Oh please, it wasn’t a bribe. It was a bet. Because, once again, I know you.” He said matter-of-factly and she rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. “I know that you can’t turn down a challenge. Do you really think that I would have made a bet, getting the person that I have feelings for to sleep with someone else, if I wasn’t confident you were going to spend the entire night looking at me instead?” She swallowed hard, lips parted, painfully aware of the way his eyes flicked down to them. “Okay? And now I’ve said it. Not that I’ve ever been very subtle, but I have feelings for you.” Her breathing faltered. “So maybe it’s time that you grow a pair and admit it too.”

“I’ve got nothing to admit.” It came out childish but she couldn’t help it.

“God, you’re so fucking scared!”

“What exactly do you think that I have to be afraid of?”

“I think that you’re afraid to admit that you’ve got feelings for the most insufferable son of a bitch on the planet,” he spat her words back at her, “because the last big decision you made ended up costing you your family.” She blew out a sharp breath, jaw shifting.

“Oh, fuck you, Friedman.” She shoved him hard against the wall.

“Just admit it.”

“No.” She shoved him again.

“You’re only lying to yourself, princess.”

“I don’t fucking like you, get it through your thick skull.” Another shove and she could feel herself unraveling.

“Aren’t you tired of running?”

“No! Enough!” She pushed him multiple times in a row and he just shook his head.

“Stop being a god damn coward!” He prodded, knowing full well she was hurtling toward an edge.

“I’m not a fucking coward!” She slapped his chest a few times and he finally snatched both wrists in his hands, holding them up in front of her.

“Then prove it."

With an exasperated huff, she surged forward, pushing up onto her toes, and met him in a violent, needy kiss. Their teeth gnashed and he dropped her wrists so he could slide a hand into her hand, the other gripping tight on her face. Her body molded into his, heat flaring through every inch of her. There was no room for thinking; her entire body was too wired, every hair standing on end. She wound her arms around him, palming the broad, muscled planes of his back, digging her fingers into the fabric of his suit jacket. When she ground her hips into him, he let out a throaty groan that made her core clench.

In an instant, he flipped her, pinning her back to the wall, hands flat on either side of her waist, caging her in. He towered over her, catching his breath, eyes locked with hers, hungry and desperate, but waiting for her admission. Her mouth was dry, lips parted, breathless and needy and head floating ten feet above her. She couldn't deny that every part of her wanted him - hell, she was aching for him at this point - but even in her dizzied state, she hated to let him win.

"God, you're unbearable." But her arms were already looped around his neck, pulling him back into her. He rocked into her, one hand coasting down to squeeze her ass and urge her closer. Raking her teeth over his lower lip, she dragged an inhuman noise from him. She could feel his growing insistence pressed against her thigh as his hand made its way up her waist. He kneaded at her chest, thumbing over her pebbled nipple while her tongue explored his mouth.

His hand trailed further up until it settled firmly around her throat, and he pulled back, leaving her panting. Wide eyed and scorching under the heat of his gaze, she let out an involuntary whimper.

“Admit it, Princess.” His voice was a low rasp. “We both know it. So just admit you’ve got feelings for me and I’ll give you what you need.”

“Screw you, Friedman.” But the tilted smile on her face told him she was just trying to push his buttons. He gave a test squeeze to the sides of her throat and her hips bucked toward him.

“What was that, brat?” He snarled, his free hand skating up her inner thigh, toying with the slit of her dress, and her legs parted automatically. His cocky smirk made her want to continue pushing but the pooling between her legs was starting to get hard to ignore. “Tell me, if I were to reach up into those sweet little panties, just how wet and needy is that pussy going to be for me?” The pad of his finger brushed the lacy edge of her panties and she let out a belabored breath.

“Max…” It was a whispered plea, her head tipped back, body poised to ignite at a moment's notice. He paid no mind to the people shuffling out the door behind them, whispering about the pair of them, tangled in each other. If she'd had any chance with the remaining guests, it had slipped away now, along with all rational thought. She tried to rock her hips into his hand, desperate for friction, but he pulled his fingers back.

"Ah, ah, ah." He tutted, giving her thigh a sharp slap. "Stubborn little brat, you don't get to just hump my hand like a desperate slut." She let out a pained whine, warring with her deepest needs and her pride. Nothing he'd said had been wrong - whether she liked it or not - her feelings for him had a life of their own.

He readjusted his grip on her throat, leaning in so close, she could feel his breath fanning over the nape of her neck. His lips brushed the shell of her ear and a chill ran down the length of her spine, culminating in a powerful ache between her thighs. Her head was spinning with need and he'd barely even touched her - an unfair reminder of her lack of control over her body...and her mind.

"I'm just looking for a bit of honesty, Princess." His gravelly whisper only furthered her body's betrayal. "I promise, you'll like the good girl treatment much better. Just admit what we both already know." Trailing his fingernail up and down the soft skin of her inner thigh, he could feel her turning to putty in real time, her body begging to melt into his hand. But when his knuckle brushed over her lace clad core, her entire body shuddered, and the thin string that was her composure finally snapped.

"Fine!" It was shouted but her voice cracked with need, and Max smirked against the skin behind her ear. "You're right, Max, fuck, you're right. I have feelings for you. Jesus, just please." He eased his hand off her throat, tangling it up in her hair as he let their lips collide. Bending his knees, he hitched her up so her legs wrapped around his waist, her dress bunching up.

Peeling her off the wall, he stumbled the few steps away, through the restroom door. His thick arm wrapped firm around her while he locked the door behind them before carrying her to the countertop of the sink. Stepping between her legs, he brushed a hair from her face, his fingers trailing back, winding around her hair, close to the root, and tugging hard so she couldn’t look away.

“Now, was that so hard?” He whispered, his lips a breath away from hers. She rolled her eyes before hooking her heels behind his thighs, urging him to close the distance between them.

"I really can't stand you." But she was all talk and they both knew it. Max gave another sharp tug to her hair and she moaned, eyes fluttering closed. Heat rushed to her face; there was no end to the ways her body would betray her. "Such an egotistical mo-mmf"

Max pushed two thick digits deep into her mouth, silencing her in an instant. Her eyes blew wide as he gagged her with his fingers, his brows drawn and lips pressed into a scowl.

"You just can't keep that bratty mouth shut, can you?" He urged her back, shoulders pressed against the mirror as he loomed over her. "You know, I was going to just let all that attitude go - chalk it up to a bit of denial - but now..." He pressed his tongue into his cheek, shaking his head. "No, now I'm going to have to teach you what happens to mouthy little sluts who don't know when to shut up."

As he slipped his fingers out of her mouth, she closed her lips around them, laving her tongue over them on their way out. His eyes flicked up to meet hers with a dangerous heat, his cock throbbing in his slacks. With a half step back, he gripped around her thighs, yanking her down off the counter and urging her to her knees with a hand on her head. His fingers, gripping the hair at the top of her head, pulled her in, pressing her face against his crotch, his erection evident through his pants.

“Think its time you show me what that mouth is actually good for.” He could feel the vibration of her purr all the way down to his bones, making his cock throb beneath the tight confines of his slacks. Trying not to let the reality of the situation hit him and throw off his game, he fumbled to undo his belt. Holding her in place, he used his free hand to shove his pants down, his thick erection sitting heavy against his stomach. Wetting her lips, she reached up, keeping her eyes locked with his while she wrapped her delicate fingers around his length. She gave a teasing pump but he wasn't looking to play, using his grip on her hair to drag her mouth to him. "Tongue out, doll. Open wide for me."

She did as he said, sticking her tongue out flat. He tapped the head of his cock against it a few times, gauging her reaction. He wanted to savor the moment but seeing her on her knees, ready and waiting for him after all this time, was heady and gnawing at his ability to be patient. Sliding past her lips, he hissed as he rocked his hips up. He gave a few shallow thrusts first, his hand tight on her hair to keep her where he wanted her, then roughly surged forward so his crown brushed the back of her throat and his eyes rolled back. Easing back out, he gave her a moment to breathe but she just smirked.

"Gonna blow your load already?" She said, and he scoffed. "Should have known you wouldn't be able to handle me."

Max ground his teeth, tongue sliding behind his top lip as he crouched down closer to her level. He grabbed her cheeks forcefully between his fingers, urging her mouth open and spitting into it before giving a warning smack that left her cheek buzzing. She let out a shaky breath, eyes pinned on him as a delicious smile crept across her face.

"You have no idea what you're getting yourself into." He slowly straightened up to his full height, never loosening his fingers in her hair. "Hands behind your back, mouth open." The pulse between her legs was starting to overpower her brain and she couldn't help but do as he said. His voice, demanding and gravelly, was a kryptonite she didn't know she had. "Lets see if I can't fuck the brat right out of you."

Without any further warning, he thrusted completely into her mouth, making her gag. Holding her head flush against him, her nose pressed into his skin, he watched as her nostrils flared, trying to breathe through him. He waited until she began to squirm before pulling her off, strings of saliva connecting them as she gasped for air.

"What, can't handle me?" He taunted, echoing her words, before thrusting back into her mouth and quickly pulling off. "All fucking talk?" Back in and out. "Pretty little whore can't even take a little throat fucking?" He held her head steady as he fucked her mouth, gagging her each time until her eyes started to water. "Nothing else to say now, huh?" Tears streamed down her face as he kept an unrelenting pace. His taunts turned to groans, his brain unable to keep up as he moved faster. Drool dripped down her chin and he thrusted particularly hard, pushing past her gag reflex.

Feeling himself getting close, he pulled her off him and used his grip on her hair to yank her to her feet. Letting her steady herself for a moment, he wiped his thumb through the spit pooled on her face, rubbing it across her lips. He smoothed his hand over the hair he had severely rumpled. His touch drifted down her face and gingerly grazed over her neck as he stepped into her space, urging her against the edge of the countertop. Her heart hammered in her chest as she pressed her legs together to ease the waves of need she'd been ignoring. Reaching up, she tugged at the knot of his tie, loosening it before nimbly working her way down the buttons of his shirt. He watched her while his hands migrated to her hips, squeezing, hoping to mitigate the way the fire beneath his skin was threatening to take him over.

Shrugging off his suit jacket, he slung it over the dividing wall of the nearest stall. Her fingers trailed over the firm lines of his chest, electricity sparking with every inch. She held his gaze, intense on her, reflecting a need that reached well past lust and struck her hard in the chest. He leaned in close and met her in deep kiss that was meant to tell her the things he wasn't saying aloud, pressing her flat against him. But as quickly as he had moved in, he tore away, using his grip on her hips to flip her around to face the counter.

She met his eyes in the mirror, the meaningful look on his face replaced by a look that was all fire. He rolled his hips against her ass, one hand snaking around her, up her stomach. She shuddered when his lips connected with her neck as he placed open mouthed kisses at the nape. Her body moved on its own, working back against him, his fingers curling around the neckline of her dress, ripping it down over her chest. Roughly squeezing her breasts, he sucked at the thin skin of her neck and she let out a breathy moan that made his cock twitch against her ass. His fingers tweaked her nipples as he gathered the fabric of her dress, pushing it up over her hips. Kicking her legs apart, he nipped the shell of her ear, holding her gaze in the mirror.

"If you're going to tap, Princess, now's the time." A final chance to back out before they crossed a line there was no coming back from - as if he hadn't already flung himself a full football field over the line. If she walked away now, he was fairly sure he would never recover.

She tore her gaze away, wrapping an arm back around his neck and turned her head. Pressing up on her toes, she pulled him into a uncharacteristically sentimental kiss that eased the fears he was trying so hard to ignore. When she pulled back from it, her softened eyes reverted to the feisty, bratty eyes he was becoming accustomed to.

"Like I'd ever tap to someone like you." She'd fired the starting shot and Max didn't hesitate.

His hand pushed on her back, pressing her face down onto the cool stone countertop, he used his free hand to rip her panties down. He squeezed the thick flesh of her ass before letting his palm strike, the noise reverberating off the tiles of the restroom. She squeaked, lurching forward against the counter and he soothed a hand over the welt instantly rising to her skin.

"That right?" He thumbed over the slick of her folds, chuckling as she fluttered. "So wet and desperate for my cock." His hand collided with her again and she yelped. "Not that you deserve it." She tried to grind back against his hand and he tutted. "Lucky for you, i'm a very generous guy." Gripping her hips with both hands, he rocked into her, his cock dragging through her soaked pussy, teasing. "All you have to do is tell me who this pussy belongs to."

"God..." She groaned, pushing into him but he pinned her hips against the counter.

"No, but close. Try again."

Picking her head up, she looked into the mirror, her makeup running down her face from her tears and spit, her hair messed beyond saving, and Max standing behind her looking smug as ever - he'd wrecked her and he hadn't even fucked her yet. Not that she'd ever have the self control or pride to walk away now...or even later. She'd let the door crack open for him and there was no turning back now, he owned her and she'd have done anything in that moment to feel him stretching her open.

"You, Max. You own this pussy. You own every god damned inch of me - now please, for the love of god, just - " But her plea was cut short with a relieved cry that echoed around them when he pulled her back onto his cock, making her take every inch.

He groaned nearly as loud as she did, pushing her face down so she wouldn't see how unraveled he'd instantly become when he felt her walls squeezing him. If he owned her, she certainly owned him right back. His fingers dug into her hips hard enough to leave bruises as he savored the feeling of finally being inside her.

Sucking in a breath through grated teeth, he pulled back before rutting back in just as deep. She gripped the edges of the counter hard as he began to work up a rhythm, his cock splitting her open, thick and hard as steel. He worked faster, grunting and tugging her hair so she would look up into the mirror.

The sound of their bodies colliding echoed through the bathroom and he wrapped the length of her hair around his fist, yanking it back so her back arched high. Thrusting up into her, he wrapped a muscular arm around her stomach, urging her upright so her back was flush against his chest. He watched their reflections in the mirror as he groped her breasts, pinching hard at her nipples, intent on the way her eyes rolled back.

"Open your eyes. I want you to watch while I fuck this perfect pussy - while I give you exactly what you wanted." His voice was deep and strained as she squeezed around his cock.

"Fuck, Max, don't stop, please! Fuck!"

He hammered in and out, the sound of her moaning his name driving him to move faster. Her brain was frazzled and completely melted when his fingers drifted down to circle over her clit. Her mouth hung open with shallow pants, her walls constricting, and she tipped her head back onto his shoulder as pressure grew out of control in her belly. Max released his grip on her hair, moving his hand down to squeeze the sides of her throat. He urged her head back to the mirror, his hips stuttering.

"I want you to watch how fucking sexy you are coming apart on my cock, Princess." He shifted his angle so his tip brushed exactly right with each thrust and her body began to shake. Moving in tight, quick circles over her clit, he kept his eyes locked with hers in the mirror, her mouth hung open in a drawn out series of cries. Her head swam and crashed into her as she toppled over the edge.

“Shit! Max!” She clung hard to his arms, nails digging into his skin. Her walls fluttered around his length and he didn’t slow down. He drove harder and harder into her, hooking her knee and urging it up onto the counter to get as deep as he could, bottoming out.

Drawing her arms behind her back, he looped his arm through hers. Pistoning into her, he grunted with each thrust, his orgasm coming faster than he wanted.

“God, look at those fucking tits bouncing for me. You’re unreal.” He growled, spearing up into her. Her whines echoed off the walls, desperate and broken as Max brought her back to the edge. “That’s it, baby, let everybody hear what I do to you.”

His hips stuttered and he bit down on the nape of her neck. With a few wild thrusts, her legs buckled, body melting into his grasp as she screamed out his name. She pulsed around him and he roared out, spilling into her, slamming a hand on the wall to steady them.

He rocked into her a few final times, releasing her arms so he could wrap both of his firmly around her. Peppering kisses over her neck and shoulder, he eased her leg back to the ground. He squeezed tight around her as he pulled out, burying his face in her hair. She turned in his arms, resting her hands on his chest and slowly letting her eyes pan up to meet his. Her mouth opened then closed, struggling to know what to say now.

“Well shit, doll. That’s one hell of a way to win a bet.” He cupped her cheek, stroking a thumb over her. She blinked back at him, waiting for her brain to process the words coming out of his mouth.

“But…I…”

“Got laid at the wedding.” He finished her sentence and she shut her mouth, brows drawn. “Guess that means we’re staying put.” She wet her lips before a slow smile finally rose to her face. Her arm looped around his neck, dragging him in for a breathless kiss. He yanked her closer with his hands on her hips.

He finally pulled back, taking a half step away, and tugged her dress back up into place. Smoothing down her hair, he gave her one final brief kiss.

“So…since you apparently know better than me…tell me, where do we go from here?” She gave him a crooked smile and he pursed his lips, pretending to think hard.

“We…go back to your house.” The corner of his lip quirked up and she rolled her eyes. “I’m dying to find out what it takes to make my girl tap out.”

“Your girl, huh?” Her lips curled up, raising a brow. Max used a hand on the small of her back to yank her in.

“Yeah. My girl.” He confirmed, ego fully in place. “Got an issue with that, brat?” She wet her lips before tugging at her lower lip with her teeth.

“You’re not gonna be able to get me to tap.” She prodded and he cocked his head with a grin.

“You wanna bet?”

Breaking free from his grasp, she entwined her fingers with his, pulling him after her. He scrambled to grab his jacket and sling it over his shoulder.

you've always been close to your brother, regardless if you wanted to or not. it was a small price to pay for falling for his best friend.

of course, you guys spent a lot of time together. adam's daughters adored their uncle christian who spoiled them rotten and their aunt y/n who let them get away with murder, and frankly would go to war for them.

it was a warm summer day and you're all in adam and beth's yard. you and beth are sitting in the shade watching as your husbands is "losing a match" to ruby and lyric

in reality, they just keep jumping on to him in the trampoline you two got the for christmas

"if you were still in wwe, you wouldn't be losing to my kids right now." adam screams as he walks back outside.

"you're right, if he was still there he'd be released in two weeks from now." you remark and take a sip of your drink.

you hear christian laugh, and then make an over exaggurated gasp as lyric jumps up and lands on his stomach. "he's done for! where's a ref when you need one?" your brother laughs from the table. you decided to run over to the trampoline and dive into to count for the child.

"1...2...3!! lyric wins!!" you announce picking her up and jumping over your husbands.

the two tiny copeland's exit the "ring" and run to beth and adam, cheering about how they did so good. "we were jus' like you momma!!"

you jump and sit down next to christian, leaning your head on his shoulder.

"princess, why didn't you let me win?" he laughed.

"it's a copeland thing, gotta help out the family." you said, looking up at him lovingly.

"but it's a cage thing to turn on them." he smirked, waited a second and said "i can't wait until we have our own mini versions of us." christian hooked his finger under you chin, looking in your eyes. "whatddya say? we have some time off, we can go away for a few days. do the honeymoon we couldn't do?"

christian always looks at you with such a strong admiration, like you're the only thing that matters to him. he loves you with his whole being and you know he'd do the same for your children.

bonus!!!

edge, after the birth of your son: "hey little guy, i'm your uncle." he looks to you and christian, "what's his name?"

christian smiles as you say "well, we decided to name him after the man who allowed us to meet."

your brother's face lights up, and falls as you say "vincent."