“Is That Why You Left?”
Warnings: Just some curse words and my sucky-ass writing. Oops.
Tags: None so far. Let me know if ya’ wanna be tagged in my stuff.
Note: This was requested from someone over on my Wattpad account. If anyone cares, Imma try to post a request form-type thing for Tumblr so people can properly request from me. Sorry for any errors and hit that reblog button if you like this.
Amidst the chaotic environment backstage, Malaika found a quiet spot to talk to Renee. It was an even more stressful week than usual as this week was the Superstar Shake-Up and Malaika found out that she will be transferring from Raw to Smackdown Live. Unlike her friends that were excited to spend more time with her, Malaika couldn’t help but feel frustrated with her transfer because her ex-boyfriend was currently the main face on Smackdown; which meant she’d be seeing him a lot more.
Roman Reigns was the top dog around here and everyone loved him, and WWE made it their mission to keep the scandal of Joe and Malaika’s relationship hidden. After their breakup, Vince approved Malaika’s request to transfer to Raw and it was a blue moon when she’d see Joe. Malaika believes he had something to do with her move back to Smackdown. She was unprepared for what was to happen and she rushed to the best source she could find who just so happened to be her best friend, the wife of Joe’s best friend, Renee.
“It’s all gonna be okay, just go talk to creative and see what they can do. I’m sure all of you can come to some sort of agreement,” Renee said and took a sip of her coffee. She looked at her phone and then back to Malaika, yet her eyes trained on someone walking toward the two of them. “Oh no-”
“Hey, Renee… Malaika,” Joe said as he walked up to the two women.
Malaika’s face deepened in color, her ears burning and her heart rate speeding up. Renee felt horrible for her friend but Malaika was a big girl and she didn’t know where her presence seemed welcome in situations like this. Joe turned to Renee and the tension thickened between the three of them.
“Soo… how are ya-”
“Did you talk to Vince?” Malaika pressed, cutting Joe off.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re Vince’s boy. His main guy, the money maker of the business, his go-to for everything. Did you request my switch?”
“N-”
“Don’t even think about lying to me, Joe,” Malaika warned. Renee stood back, her eyes shifting between the two. She thought about leaving but she didn’t want Malaika to feel alone.
“Fine, yes. I did request it. But he told me he didn’t know, it wasn’t a for-sure thing. Besides, maybe we can fix wh-”
“No, don’t even. I can’t believe you. I was so close to winning the Raw Women’s Championship, but now, because of you, that’s all gone.”
“We can go talk-”
“No! I will go talk to someone and fix your mistake. Again.”
“Again? What do you mean again?”
His question went unanswered and he watched her walk away. Joe turned to look at Renee who turned her head to look at him. She shrugged and Joe shook his head. He looked down at Renee’s hands and saw her mug, teasing her saying “You know if you drink any more of that shit, you’re gonna turn into a coffee bean.”
“Fuck off, it’s been a long day,” she said and flipped him off before he began walking in the opposite direction.
______
Catering was loud and crowded and it was just another kick to Malaika’s nerves. She walked through the rows of tables and grabbed a bowl for some grapes she planned on getting. Standing in line, she was an arm away from the fruit when Joe walked up and grabbed her hand. Swatting him away, she glared at him.
“Get off of me,” she spat.
“I need to talk to you. Please, it’s important,” Joe said with desperation.
“Ugh, why can’t you talk to me here?” The line was moving and Malaika stepped up, Joe following suit.
“Because. Let me buy you lunch and we can talk there. Please.”
She thought about it for a moment before rolling her eyes and placing the paper bowl down on the table. Joe went to reach for her hand as they walked together but she smacked his hand away.
“What did I ever do to you?” he stopped and asked her in the middle of the hallway. She whipped around with a look of disbelief colored on her face.
“You cannot be serious right now.”
“Well, I am. A year ago I came home to an empty apartment and my girlfriend nowhere to be found. What did I do?”
“Why are you playing dumb, Joe? Stop playing the victim. You cheated on me with one of my closest friends! How-”
“What the hell are you talking about, Malaika? I’ve never cheated on you! I fucking love you, why would I ever do something like that?”
“I don’t know, but you did. The press caught it, Joe. They caught you and Paige going into our hotel room together and her leaving alone. You did it on the bed we shared!” By now, even though it frustrated her to cry in front of someone who broke her, she couldn’t help the tear that fell messily down her face.
“No, no, no. That’s not what happened! I swear. Baby- hey, look at me- that was not what happened. Is that why you left?” He stepped closer to her and used his hand to wipe her tears.
“Yes it’s why I left. If you didn’t cheat, what happened?”
“Paige was helping me pick out an engagement ring for you,” he said, his now soft brown eyes staring into hers. She looked up at him with her lip quivering.
“What?”
“Yeah,” he laughed softly. “I was planning on marrying your ass. It fucking broke me when I came home from tour to see all of your stuff gone and our pictures ripped apart.”
“You wanted to marry me?” she asked, her hand working to wipe up the rest of her tears.
“I still do.”
She stepped closer and fell into his arms and, for the first time in a year, let them wrap around her. More tears and her makeup stained his shirt, but Joe didn’t mind it. It was a small price to pay to have his girl back in his arms. His lips left soft kisses on her head and on her forehead.
“I’ve missed you, pepe.”
“I’ve missed you too.”
Joe broke away from their hold and grabbed her hand, pulling her with him toward the exit.
“Where are we goin’?” Malaika asked, her hand locking with his.
“We got some love-makin’ to make up for,” he grinned and winked at her. Malaika smiled and Joe brought her hand to his lips, kissing the soft skin.
“You’re a pervy little man,” she teased.
“Little?” he scoffed. “Baby, nothing of me is little. Nothing. And you should know that.”
