CHAPTER 1

"Has anyone seen Royce?" Natalya asked the group. Their friend was already supposed to be here for their movie night.

Some of the wrestlers were over at Charlottes house, talking advantage of their days off before going back on the road.

"No but it's still early." Finn said. "Plus don't we all still have to go shopping?"

"Yes!" Charlotte walked in. "Because Andrade and Dean ate everything last night."

"What's up guys?" Roman walked in and sat his stuff down.

"Roman? What are you doing here? I thought you would go see your wife and kiddies..." Seth asked him, confused by his presence.

He shook his head, "They're in Hawaii visiting some family, Galina wanted some girl time with her friends and stuff."

"Ah I see," Seth said and everyone nodded.

"Have you heard from Royce by any chance?" Natalya questioned.

"No, I thought she was supposed to be here already." Roman replied.

Paige and Sasha gasped from where they sat. "Royce and Nick broke up?"

"What?!" Everyone gasped and ran towards them.

"I'll hook the video up to the TV." Charlotte ran to the living room. They all followed and sat on the couch and floor. Charlotte grabbed the remote and played the video.

E! News: "Hey guys it's Jason Kennedy here and we have some breaking news. WWE Wrestler Royce Presley and Wild N Out Host Nick Cannon, have announced their breakup after four years. Here's the video.

Home Video:Royce and Nick were seated on the floor, both looking sad but not crying.

"What's up guys, it's Nick and Royce here. Umm we wanted to make this video, updating you guys on our relationship and our future. By the title of this video, me and Royce are no longer together anymore.." He turned and looked over at her. "Why you crying? This was your idea." He joked.

Royce laughed and slightly pushed him, "Yeah uh we are no longer with each other. So yeah, that's cool."

"Yeah,"

"So what are you doing later?"

Nick laughs, "I don't know." They both laughed.

"In all seriousness, we aren't together, uh it sucks but don't go assuming we did stuff to each other, because we didn't. It's just for over a year, we've been trying to find some common ground. Me and Nick both realized we want different things in our future, and we can't give that to each other. And we tried.. we really tried to make this work but, we just can't meet in the middle."

Nick nodded, "Yeah, just like she said, we have been trying and working on staying together but we want completely different things, and I can't give her the stuff she wants in the future and she can't give me that stuff I want, and we tried so hard but it wasn't getting anywhere, so here we are. It definitely hurts and it sucks. But she will forever be my bestfriend, she's an amazing girl and person, she has made my life better and I'm grateful to have met her. So don't go making assumptions or thinking there's bad blood between us!"

"Yeah! What he said! I will always have love and respect for him. There is no bad blood, it sucks we're not together but we have infinite love for each other. You've guys seen our relationship for four years and you have a right to know what was really happening. We love you guys and thank you for all the support you've given us."

"Love you guys, peace." Nick said and closed out the video.

Jason Kennedy: "We are really shocked by their split. Last year in a interview, Nick stated "I do see me and Royce together in the far far future. I don't think we'll ever end." Well me and the rest of the world is sad to hear this. Of course we wish nothing but the best for the both of them. I'm Jason Kennedy, this is E! News."

———"Wow..." Sasha sighed. "I can't believe it."

"I thought they were going to be together forever." Paige said in disbelief. "Is she coming?"

"She said she was." Natalya replied.

They heard the door open and close, footsteps approaching. "Hey guys," Royce smiled as she walked in the living room. "Why are you all just staring at me?"

"You're okay?" Dean questioned her.

She nodded, "Uh why wouldn't I be?"

"We saw the video... About you and Nick." Brie softly spoke.

"Ohh." Royce sat her purse down. "Uh yeah I'm good."

"You don't have to lie to us Royce." Nikki consoled.

"I'm not lying!" Royce shakily laughed. "I'm fine."

"Come on Roy, don't pull that "I'm fine" crap with us." Seth looked at her.

Royce began to get mad. She felt like she was backed in a corner, all her friends pressuring her to just admit the truth.

"You can tell us. We'll be here for you." Finn proffered.

"What do you want me to do?" Royce hissed. "Scream and cry? We couldn't make it work okay? But don't make me feel like I need to cry and make this big scene, I'm handling it-

"But we don't want you to feel alone," Jay interrupted.

She rolled her eyes and threw up her hands. "I know if I'm crashing, I can go to you guys. But right now, I'm okay. It hurts but I'm not gonna come in here all sad and gloomy and crying. When I really need you guys to be there to catch me, I'll let you know."

"Okay, you're right. We just wanted to make sure you were alright, you guys were together for a long time. We all honestly thought he was going to propose." Charlotte stated.

"He didn't want to get married again." Royce confessed.

"What?!" They all said at the same time.

"That was one of the reasons why we couldn't make it work. You all know how much I really want to get married and have kids. He already has three, and when we talked about our future together, he said he was never going to go down the marriage path after the divorce with Mariah." She sighed. "And he even wasn't sure if her wanted another kid.."

"I'm sorry babe." Charlotte hugged her friend.

"It's cool, uh you needed to go to the store right? Ill go for you." Royce volunteered.

"Are you sure?" Charlotte asked.

"Yeah just send me a list. Please it'll keep my mind off of everything. Please." She begged.

Charlotte sighed in defeat, "Fine. I'll text you a list. You can take my car."

"Thank you. Alright I'll be back." She smiled and went to grab her purse.

"Wait I'll go with you!" Roman announced and ran to where Royce was.

"Fine, hurry up." Royce said and walked to the car. She got in the drivers seat and started the car. Moments later, Roman got in. "Didn't expect to see you here today."

"What do you mean?" He wondered.

"You're usually with your family instead of with the group." She told him, looking both ways before she turned.

Roman scratched the back of his head, "Yeah, Galina took the kids on a girls trip with her to Hawaii with her family and friends. Plus if I went, I'd only be able to stay two days and a half."

Royce raised an eyebrow, "That didn't stop you before. You'd always take every opportunity to go home and see the wife and children."

"I didn't want to crash the girls trip." He deflected.

"Whatever you say." She shrugged her shoulders and pulled up to the grocery store.

———

"Joe stop!" Royce yelled at Joe. They had been in the grocery store for about thirty minutes, and Joe had been acting like a child, throwing lemons and apples at the girl.

"Come on!" Joe smiled and walked beside her. "I'm just trying to make you laugh."

"I'm fine, really." Royce said and looked at him briefly.

"We've been friends for years Roy, I know when you're lying." He nudged her and turned down an aisle.

"You do not!" She gasped. "I lied to you countless times about your birthday, and you still didn't suspect a thing."

"Yeah yeah whatever." Joe rolled his eyes. "You're a world class actor that's why, with your puppy dog eyes and cheeky smile."

Cheeky smile? Puppy dog eyes?

"Mm I'm not sure how to take that." Royce threw some pasta in the cart.

"Maybe as a compliment." He smirked.

"Save them for your wife." Royce laughed and walked away.

"Yeah.. my wife." He muttered.

———

"Do you want anything?" Royce asked him as they pulled up to a Dunkin' donuts drive through.

"Umm, I can't see the menu." He said.

She pulled up closed and asked for a second. Joe leaned over her to see the board better.

"There's this thing Joe, it's called personal space." She sarcastically commented, his bun in her face. "Hurry up."

"Get me a vanilla iced coffee." He said and went back to his seat.

"I know you have glasses, use them!" She ran her hands through her hair once they got their drinks.

"You survived didnt you?" He winked.

"Sadly I did, with your leave in conditioner in my mouth!" Royce expressed her frustration.

"Oh stop whining." Joe patted her thigh.

Royce quickly shifted and moved her legs away from his hand. What is happening with him today?

"Whatever." She simply said, trying to forget this physical contact he just made with her. That's the closest they ever gotten.

Other than the ordinary side hugs but that was about it. She knew Joe was attractive, but once she found out he was married and had kids, she steered clear of that. Yeah they were friends, close, but she never touched him. A playful push, nudge, and pat on the back. One, she respected his wife and their marriage. She's met Galina before and it didn't go too well. Galina already decided she didn't like Royce, mostly due to Joe and Royce having to tag team against Miz and his wife. And two, he had children. He was a father. There's no way she could ever be a "home wrecker." But his unusual compliments and the touching was crossing the line. Wasn't he happily married with his wife? She's gorgeous. Royce is nothing compared to Galina. What would he want with her?

———

After putting away the groceries, the group watched a few movies and were now playing Just Dance. Royce and Joe were currently doing a dance, which there was a boy and girl, some moves requiring them to get close.

Joe walked closer to her, she stepped back. "Ooh no, we're not gonna do that."

"Smart thinking Roy!" Finn called out.

"Yeah, Galina would've murdered you if she was here." Dean snickered.

"I wouldn't even be near Joe if she was here." Royce said, while spinning.

"Why not?" Joe questioned.

"Did you forget your wife wants to jump Royce?" Seth mentioned. "Remember the first time they met?"

"She had quite the attitude with our Roy." Nikki joined in the conversation.

"She literally looked me up and down." Royce laughed.

"Galina likes you, now she does." Joe said. "Somewhat."

"Please, she'll always despise me." Royce scoffed. "I don't know why, you married her. Plus I was in my own relationship at the time and to this day, I want nothing to do with you in that way."

"Ouch." Jimmy whistled.

Naomi clapped, "You have respect for their marriage! Some girls don't care."

"Of course I do, and he has kids. Why mess up a family?" Royce pointed out.

"Take notes Jim," Naomi told her husband.

"How are Galina and the kids?" Brie wondered.

"The kids are good. Jojo is into track now, and the boys are getting bigger and bigger." Joe smiled, but it quickly faded when he brought up his wife. "And Galina.. She's- She's doing good, yeah. Working and stuff."

Royce turned around to look at her friends, giving them a puzzled look cause of Joe's response. They all just brushed it off. Usually Joe would gush over his wife and everything they've been doing, but this time, he quickly answered. What's really going on?

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