“Don’t you dare lose Melissa. You’re better than this.” Sitting at the kitchen table, Randy Orton shook his head while facing Cody Rhodes, disappointed.
“I can’t ignore my feelings.” Cody vented back. Even two coffee mugs chilled between both men this morning.
“Sulking every day won’t solve anything.” Now bald without his signature mustache, Orton refused to watch Rhodes drown.
At the time, Cody’s girlfriend Melissa worked downtown as an office receptionist. Yet, their bond could struggle in silence.
“I don’t know what to do.” Cody went on.
“Like I said, don’t sulk. I’d hate to be harsh, but you’re acting pathetic. If it wasn’t for Mel, you’d couch surf one day.” Randy continued telling the truth. While glancing around the cozy place right here, Rhodes wouldn’t answer at first.
“Do you think she’d walk away?” Cody thought of Melissa as she worked today.
“Look, ya’ll haven’t gone on a date in months. I’m married with kids and actually care.” Orton arched his brow, waiting.
“Randy? I…” Cody held back.
“No more whining. At this rate, don't be surprised if Mel gets tired.” Randy then knocked on wood and left Rhodes in Melissa’s house.
Fuck. Cody realized.
_______
“Cody? I’m home.”Melissa jingled keys, returning from work.
“Hello.” Rhodes didn't wear his suit.
“I’m going out, but what’s wrong?” Mel didn’t know what to think as she faced Cody, puzzled by his emotions.
“Can we talk about something?” Cody stopped watching television, nervous.
“Sure.” Melissa nodded, kind.
“I-I miss you.” Rhodes genuinely offered the truth here.
“I’m right here.” Mel answered, stepping closer.
Cody knew better. He might lose his favorite girl with each passing moment. Now, this pair stood roommates, though cordial enough to avoid breaking up.
Rhodes couldn’t leave, no matter how much pain burned more and more. Standing alone could tear him apart.
“I’ll do better…” Cody speaks without considering the dark.
“I don’t understand…” Mel was unsure of what’s going on.
“We haven’t…” Rhodes attempted, but Mel’s phone lit up.
“Sorry. It’s my friends.” Not even blowing a kiss, Mel lifted her cell phone and ran upstairs, starting her night
________
As the bluetooth speaker pulsed music upstairs, Cody noticed everything. Mel even stationed her phone during video chats and laughed through another smile, getting ready. Who knows what the ladies planned while Rhodes stayed here, lonesome all weekend?
Mel always looked terrific, but something changed. Her brown eyes faced the bathroom mirror as she painted lipstick and clicked heels, wearing an outfit that Cody hadn’t seen before.
Once his girlfriend turned around, Cody might buckle. Right here, Melissa chose this short sleeved crop top as sunglasses topped her curls, ready to paint the town red.
“Is there anything in my eye?” Mel stopped playing music and faced Cody.
“No, you look gorgeous. Keep me posted.” Cody wouldn’t ask too many questions, keeping Mel’s privacy in mind of course.
“Thank you. Don’t wait up." Gathering her purse, Mel walked out as upcoming headlights crossed the window.
She’s doing better than me. Cody faked another smile as cars rolled out, blasting happiness and music down the street tonight.
*****
“Happy birthday!” Celebrating Bianca Belair, Melissa joined this restaurant while guests smiled together during the special occasion.
“Thank you, everybody!” Belair expressed gratitude. Both loved ones and friends couldn’t hold back so much joy.
“Anything goes, B! What’s next?” Lash, another friend, beamed with fabulous makeup this evening.
“I’m not answering.” Belair jokingly scrunched up her face and this chance encouraged others to laugh around the table.
“You’re keeping secrets?” One of Belair’s relatives spoke up. “It’s not high school.”
“Ma!” Belair giggled and knew that family members couldn’t attend “more plans” afterwards.
“Don’t be stupid.” Her mother warned. “Ya’ll have so much to lose, Bianca.”
“Ma, please don’t. I’ll see you another time.” Belair changed the subject and said goodbye, hugging others while her friends headed out.
****
“Sorry about that. Mom keep thinking we're in high school for some reason.” Belair apologized on the dance floor.
“You’re married, B. What’s going on?” Melissa wanted to help and knew that Belair married her soulmate Montez Ford.
“She’s concerned. Some people don’t grow up.” Belair continued
“You have a point.” Mel said.
_________
Though Melissa kept celebrating for obvious reasons, she rolled her eyes as three men walked toward the bar.
“Here we go.” Mel scoffed.
“Oh no.” Belair caught on as well. “Trouble walks in three, Mel.”
Two guests lined up first, dressed in black while Melissa observed neon lights. Yet, someone else quickly reached her attention.
The final person could towered beyond height as curling tresses shadowed his chiseled face. One graphic shirt clothed his muscular frame to match athletic joggers. Even tribal ink scaled his possibly dominant arm. To make the sight “worse,” deep brown eyes might perk up in the dark as he smiled with a drink.
Shit. Despite this observation, she knew better, walking away before anyone else could notice.
She’d never walk away from Rhodes.
Right?
_____
Home before dawn, Mel walked barefoot and opened her phone, already texting between the shadows of this living room.
Melissa: I’m home. It was nice to meet everyone. 🏠
Roman: Glad you’re home safe, but I hope my cousins didn’t bother ya’ll.
Melissa: Not at all. Even Jimmy is hilarious! 😂
Roman: Grew up with him, he’s not that funny.
Melissa: So grouchy! 🙄
Roman: Not with you.
Mel stopped for the night, tossing her phone before bed.
*****
By morning, Melissa noticed that Cody made breakfast for the first time in quite a while.
“Aw, thank you.” Mel knew better than to refuse and accepted the meal, watching Cody set down both plates.
“Did you have fun?” Cody smiled at the time, trying.
“Of course. Bianca celebrated her birthday.” Mel kept going as silverware clanked.
“That’s good.” Cody nodded, wearing a tank top.
Seconds later, Mel's phone buzzed on the living room coffee table, but she wouldn’t leave the kitchen just yet. Even sharing breakfast together is a big deal now.
“Sorry. I charged it down here.” Melissa offered this truth and slept alone
While cleaning this space, Melissa paused at the kitchen sink and quietly hoped that Rhodes noticed Yet, nothing happened. Cody just took out the trash, ignoring her.
______
When Melissa checked this phone, countless pings illuminated. Even her friends the almost spiraled group chat. On and on.
Belair: Don't ignore your phone anymore! 😂
Melissa: I finished eating breakfast. I'm fine. 🍽 🙄
Belair: I’m just checking on you. We could’ve driven to the house! 🤣💨
Melissa: Don’t worry. 🫂
Belair: All right. You know how to find us! 💗
Looking up, Mel noticed that Cody sat next to her out of nowhere.
“Planning another night out?” Rhodes asked, nosey for once.
“No.” Melissa chuckled. “Bianca checked on me.”
“She’s great.” Cody tried.
“Hey. Are you feeling better?” Mel wondered if Rhodes improved just a little more.
“As strong as anyone can be.” Cody said. Time stole so much from him, especially when his father passed away.
“I know.” Melissa remembered what took place with Cody.
______
Years ago, Cody started walking on autopilot just to avoid breaking down after the funeral. Even simple dragged, but those distractions make a difference.
Leaving the grocery store that summer, Rhodes glanced to see a few women loading one trunk with various items. Joyous laughter echoed with music from their radio as windows remained open.
“Get out the car, Mel!” Another woman cheered. Short yet incredible silver hair bobbed with sunlight.
“Jade, c'mon!” “Mel” cracked up from that driver's seat as other women returned.
Cody would never forget watching this car roll out.
The beginning of it all.
_______
Now, times have changed. Cody returned to autopilot, but struggled with the weather, not even perking up when other folks smiled after work. As Melissa thrived at work or mingled with outstanding friends, Cody shadowed, even cleaning this house up and down before she came home.
Anything to stop the tears.
“Are you all right?” Mel drove his thoughts again, trying.
“Just tired.” Cody wanted to veil those confessions forever.
Real men wouldn’t embarrass her like that. It's wonderful to be alive, but he's not here to stand with such an amazing person. Melissa deserved everything, not Cody, the small town joke. Rhodes looked frozen with absolute silence. There's no other choice. Not anymore.
“Okay.” Melissa took the response and watched Cody head upstairs in private.
I'm so sorry. Rhodes ached as the heat of this bathroom scorched more than hell.
****
Leaving that shower, Cody noticed Melissa texting. Casual outfit. No makeup. Loose hair. Always beautiful.
“Your nails, they’re cool.” Pulling Southern roots further than expected, Cody stepped closer when Melissa put her phone on the nightstand.
“Thanks. Jade helped out.” Mel showed off that display. Cargill always knocked manicures out the park.
And yet, Rhodes didn't know what truly happened during that appointment.
_______
As patrons welcomed a salon one day, the front door chimed for entry as usual, but clients wouldn’t show up this time around. Instead, heads turned when someone unexpected passed its main threshold.
Wearing athletic clothes like his uniform, Roman Reigns cradled flowers with both large arms and grinned while looking around this shop. Various customers nearly blushed or kept glancing, curious over who gained such a surprise this afternoon.
“What are you doing, Roman?” Jade doesn’t look up, working on Mel’s manicure like nothing big happened.
“Wow. Ya’ll really don’t care, but you know who I’m looking for.” Reigns offered his low chuckle.
“I don’t.” Jade smirked.
“You’re a mess.” Reigns casted both eyes toward that fluorescent ceiling and grounded one of the empty station chairs. His bulking frame engulfed this seat.
“Hi.” Her voice. That sweet tone could melt his otherwise stoic behavior.
“Hey. Got these for you.” Reigns curved his graying beard, bashful while explaining himself in front of Melissa.
“Thank you.” Mel said. “Almost done.”
“Good.” Ro clipped. “I’ve thought about you.”
She couldn’t admit that butterflies zipped around her belly, yet Melissa turned away, smiling without revealing the truth.
***
That same day, another notification pinged while Cody failed to make small talk with her.
Roman: Hey, Princess. I already miss that pretty smile.
Ignoring her messages for obvious reasons, Melissa offered Cody something different. Perhaps something nice could help gloom instead.
“Call one of your friends. You don’t have to stay with me all the time.” Melissa attempted, pulling herself by miracles to change Cody’s mind here.
While the idea made sense beyond kindness, who could Rhodes greet? Even Randy Orton stood with his own family and obligations, no longer accepting excuses. Soon enough, Mel unplugged her phone and walked away, heading out
Damn. Cody thought.
*****
Security didn’t even blink when Mel crossed the premises. There’s no need for drama, either Roman sprawled one private mansion for quite some time and invited her.
“It’s beautiful.” she entered the kitchen as granite countertops upscaled the pristine layout this afternoon. Sunset painted the incoming skyline over bay windows.
“Hey.” As this loose ponytail styled his dark curls, Reigns moved closer, no longer shy.
“Smells good in here. Did you plan dinner?” Mel brightened.
“Kicked out my staff and started cooking.” Almost laughing, Reigns offered the surprise. “We all do.”
“You and the twins?” Melissa thought of Roman’s cousins, Jimmy and Jey Uso.
“Almost every man in my family.” Roman arched his brow for a second. “Fuck that role shit. It’s a life skill.”
“Fair enough.” Melissa agreed, not even debating further. “Let’s eat.”
_________
“Aw, cupcakes, too?” Melissa almost giggled when Roman set the table for dessert.
“Don’t get too excited. I ran out of time for anything else homemade. Just find them at the store.” Reigns laughed though his apology.
“I appreciate it.” Mel indulged.
“No problem.” Roman nodded, floating with her.
No matter what happened next, he’d still enjoy the ride.
*****
Melissa couldn’t turn away, not when Roman’s dangerous cologne woke up her senses and guided mutual footsteps to his bedroom, leading them down the point of no return. There were no more games. No more waiting. Desire heated around the mansion and they both fell, snatching reality at last.
He wanted her.
She wanted him.
_______
“Don’t leave.” This time around, Roman’s voice expressed passion as sunlight greeted the bedroom curtains.
“No.” Mel tried to get up, still tangled in the sheets with him. “You can’t save me.”
“Maybe I want to.” For once, Roman almost prayed that Cody Rhodes would never upset this woman again.
He’s beautiful like this. No workout. No frustration. Those dark curls turned down broad shoulders as his tribal ink revealed an upstanding lineage. Those brown eyes might as well lock down her soul. Calloused yet gentle palms caressed her face once more.
“What do you want?” Melissa asked, almost smiling again.
“Everything I’d want is right here.” Reigns leaned inward, kissing his future.
