CHAPTER 16

"I'll see you next week." Neels said, packing his suitcase. "Don't get into too much trouble without me."

Royce helped fold some of his clothes and smirked. "I'll try my best but no promises," she held out his passport.

He took it and kissed her lips. "I'm gonna miss you."

She wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him. "The feelings mutual."

Neels' phone dinged, he dug it out of his pocket and read the screen. "My cars here. I'll be back before you know it, bye my baby."

Royce kissed him. "Call me when you land okay?"

"Yes ma'am." Neels said, kissing her once more. "Bye babe."

"Bye." She sighed as he left.

It's been three months since Neels had officially asked Royce to be his girlfriend. Despite the struggle of the two both having to constantly travel for their work, they surprisingly made it work. They've become so close and comfortable with each other in these three short months, she moved in with him and out of her apartment she had in Arizona. Neels was based in LA because of his modeling and filmmaking. Unfortunately, Joe and Royce's friendship was basically nonexistent. Paige and her were constantly all over the place as they were taking the women's division to another level, leaving little time for Royce and Joe to move forward after she overheard his conversation.

In the end, she was genuinely happy for the first time in the past year. Neels made her laugh and smile 24/7, she always thought of him as a friend. But as a boyfriend, he's what every girl wants. And she determined to keep this one around.

———

"I'm so tired." Dean yawned, the group waiting for their flight.

"Me too." Royce rubbed her eyes. "When is the flight? This is taking too long."

Seth looked at his watch. "It should've been called fifteen minutes ago."

"Hey," Becky walked to where they sat. "I talked to one of the flight attendants, the flight got delayed cause the captain wasn't feeling well. So they're getting another one."

"We're so gonna be late for Raw." Nikki sighed. "Who's gonna tell Vince?"

"Not it." Everyone spoke except Joe.

He looked up from his phone and groaned. "Fine."

"Flight 330 boarding, from Los Angeles to San Antonio."

They got up and grabbed their bags, heading towards the gate. Their flight was a private one, strictly for the wrestlers. Royce walked on the airplane and seen only two seats left, she went and grabbed the window seat, hoping one of the girls sat next to her.

Joe walked in, seeing Royce stare out the window. Of course the seat next to her was the only available one. He trotted over there and asked, "Can I sit here?"

She looked up and around the plane. "I don't think you have much of a choice."

He nodded and sat down, buckling his seatbelt. "You okay?" He wondered as he seen her rub her head.

"I just have a bad headache." Royce replied, putting her head back.

"I think I might be able to help." Joe said.

"You have a bottle of Advil with you or something?" Royce questioned.

"No but, just lay your head down on my lap." He patted his thigh.

She furrowed her eyebrows. "Um no."

"Don't you trust me?"

Royce nodded with no hesitation.

"Okay then, I won't do anything." Joe said. Royce bit her lip but did what he said. "Just relax Roy."

He ran his fingers through her hair which surprisingly calmed her and made her be at ease. Royce felt her eyes get heavy, and all she remembered was "Preparing for takeoff."

———

Royce's eyes fluttered open, she slightly lifted her head. Joe's hand was on her hip while the other was on her head. He was still sound asleep, not wanting to wake him, she slowly slithered her way out his grip, placing his hand back on his side of the sit.

"Royce." Seth whispered.

She turned around. "Yes?" She whispered back.

"Do you have any gum?" Seth asked.

"No." She shook her head.

"Can you check Joe's wallet? I think he has some." He said.

She reached and grabbed his wallet which was by his phone in the cup holder. She opened it, a piece of gum fell out. As she went to close the wallet, she looked and seen a polaroid picture in the pocket.

A smile creeped up on her, she remembered the day Joe took that picture of them. He took them shopping and bought them the same outfits so they could match.

"Does he?" Royce heard Seth say.

She quickly put his wallet back and handed Seth the gum. "Y-yeah, here you go."

"Thanks." Seth grabbed it and sat back.

Royce took a deep breath and looked out the window. I thought he was moving on, she thought.

———

"Hey," Joe smiled and took Royce's suitcase. "I got it."

"No, it's okay." Royce tried to get her bag back but Joe swatted her hands away.

"Mom always taught me to be a gentleman, so don't worry." He said. "Come on, we're already late."

She was still so confused but followed him to their car. Her and the girls already started their makeup, knowing by the time they would get to the stadium, they'd most likely have to go on.

"Fuck, I still need to do my hair." Royce groaned.

"Why don't you braid it." Joe suggested.

"Nooo." She whined.

"Let me do it." Joe confidently stated.

"No way." Royce laughed. "You braiding hair?"

He gasped. "Did you forget I have a daughter? I know how to do hair."

She skeptically looked at him but shrugged. "Fine, if all goes bad I'll just put my hair in a bun."

Joe chuckled and sat up to do her hair. After twenty minutes, he successfully did two french braids.

Royce pulled out her camera and looked at what he did. "Wow... You didn't do a bad job.."

"You know you could say thank you." Joe nudged her.

Royce smiled at him. "Thank you."

He rubbed her arm and smiled back. "You're welcome."

———

"Roy!" Joe called her.

"What's up?" She looked up from her phone.

"Um.. I just wanted to say.. that um.." He looked down.

"That?" Royce waited for him to continue.

"That-

"Babe!"

Royce and Joe turned their heads and seen Neels standing there.

"Neels?!" Royce gasped and ran to him.

He picked her up and spun her around. "Did I surprise you?"

"Yes! What are you doing here?" Royce beamed. "I thought you had to stay in Milan."

"I was able to leave early, so I hopped on a flight and wanted to surprise you." He kissed her cheek repeatedly. "Do they still need you here tonight? I want to take you to dinner."

"No, I already went on." Royce replied. "Let me just to get changed."

"I'll be waiting for you in the parking lot." Neels said and walked out.

She nodded and walked back to Joe. "Sorry, what were you trying to say?"

He shook his head. "Uh it was nothing. Have fun." He turned back around and rubbed his face.

His heart hurt. Seeing her with somebody else, somebody else making her smile and laugh. Somebody else kissing her. Somebody else making her happy. But what really hurt.. He knew he lost her.

———to be continued