CHAPTER 19

Royce rushed into her hotel room and packed her belongings. She didn't know what was happening to her. Joe made her feel the way she did with him when they first started their fling. Maybe it never went away. But she felt... So wrong. It was Neels. Neels was the one she was supposed to be with. The one she was supposed to be getting married to.

She quickly took off the dress and changed into sweatpants and a jacket. She grabbed her suitcase and held the dress, rushing out of the hotel room. Practically sprinting down the long hallway, the elevator dinged. Joe stepped out and went towards her. God the universe really hates her today.

"Royce," Joe approached her. "I really need to talk to you."

"Not now Joe, I have to go." She shooed him off and continued walking.

"No I really need to talk to you." Joe grabbed her arm. "What.... What the hell is going on?"

"With what?" Royce looked at the time in her phone.

"Us." Joe said. "Back there at the.. the party. Our dance. This doesn't make any sense."

"Nothing is going on Joe." Royce harshly stated. "I'm engaged remember?"

He let out a sarcastic laugh and stuck his hands in his pocket. "Really? So all friends help you zip your dress up? Oh and not to mention, wear the bra they bought them?"

"You saw what bra I was wearing?!" She gasped. "I don't have time for this, I really need to go."

Baby Visser💍🖤: Presley you there? I booked your flight, you at the airport yet?

Royce read the message and attempted to walk away from Joe again. "Joe I need to go, I'm gonna miss my flight."

"You're going back to LA?" He asked. "Roy just, god, can you look at me?" He tugged her dress she had in her hand.

Royce grunted and pulled the dress back. "Let it go!"

"Friends don't just do the stuff we did!" Joe tugged it once more. "Friends don't call you in the middle of the night, couldn't even tell you why. Just felt like saying hi."

"Did you forget I just passed time for you?" She reminded him. "Joe please let go, I have to go now!"

"You need to talk to me damnit!"

"No I don't!"

"I deserve at least five minutes of your time!"

"I don't have five minutes to spare, let it go!"

"You let it go!"

"It's my dress!"

Rippp

Royce gasped and looked at her dress. It was all ripped up. She took in a deep breath and threw the remains at him. "Look what you did!"

"Me? That was you!" Joe yelled back at her.

Royce grabbed her suitcase, "I gotta go."

"Royce! Cmon!" Joe called out.

"I'm getting married!" Royce stepped in the elevator. "You're too late."

Joe clenched his jaw. "Guess I am."

The elevator began to close, he stood in front of the closing doors.

"Royce." Joe breathed out.

"Joe." She did the same.

The doors closed and she leaned against the cool walls of the elevator. She watched the numbers of the floors go lower and lower. And further away from Joe.

She stared at the beautiful diamond ring. She said yes didn't she? But why did she feel like Neels wasn't the one she was supposed to be marrying?

———

The whole flight Royce cursed herself for possibly having feelings for Joe. Hell, she always had feelings for Joe. Then Neels came along and made her forget about him. But Joe hurt her to the core. Hearing him say she was basically a booty call, fucked her up.

Late nights red eyes amnesia, i need you.

Royce let out a sigh and took out her phone. She read the messages she had, mostly from her mom asking if she was okay.

Royce: Why wouldnt I be okay?

She went to Joe's contact.

Royce: I'm sorry I didn't give you a chance. Can we talk after our next show?not deliveredJoe? You there?not delivered Joe?not delivered

Baby Visser💍🖤: Waiting by your gate

The plane finally landed and Royce quickly got out of there. Hoping once she seen her fiancé, butterflies would appear or something.

"Babe!" Neels called her once he seen her.

Royce smiled and ran to him. "Hey love."

He briefly kissed her lips and put on a smile. "Let's get back to the apartment."

Butterflies? Not even close.

The car ride back to their apartment was mainly silent. He asked some questions about her flight and so did she about his work. But other than that, silence.

"I'm so tired." Royce yawned once they entered the apartment.

"You must be so jet lagged." Neels sat on the bar stool.

She took a seat next to him. "You too, you were in Europe for a few weeks."

He nodded and looked down. "Royce..." Neels sighed, taking her hand in his. "I've been thinking and..."

"You can talk to me." Royce reminded him.

"I think we went way too fast." Neels blurted out.

She took her hand back. "Oh."

"Presley I love you, I do." Neels ran his hands through his hair. "And I thought proposing was a good idea... But I don't think we're ready."

Royce bit her lip. "What are you really trying to say Neels?"

"Royce I think we went way too fast and we are better off as just friends." Neels said. "I've been feeling off about all this and I just feel like we are better as friends and if we get married it'll be a mistake."

She felt the tears form in her eyes. "I... Was feeling off too but I guess I was scared to admit it."

"I'm sorry Roy." Neels hugged her.

"We were meant to be friends." Royce said. "Just friends."

———

WWE UPDATES: WWE Superstar Roman Reigns announces he will be taking a few months off to "Spend more time with his family." He says he won't be gone for long but needs some time to be at home and around his three children. Stay tuned for an update.

———

———2 months later

"1,2,3!"

"The Bellas did it! Brie pinned Paige for the win! We have new tag team champions!"

Paige and Royce walked backstage arm in arm.

"We had a good run," Paige smiled and hugged her.

"We also made history, together." Royce added. "I'm gonna go to the medic, my shoulder is killing me."

"I'll meet you in the locker room." Paige said.

"Okay." She replied and walked to the doctor.

She waited for the doctor to come back after he finished wrapping up her arm and shoulder. She played on her phone, responding to her parents since they constantly had anxiety whenever she had a big match. Her phone began to rang, she examined the number not knowing who it was.

"Hello?" Royce answered.

"Hello love." A voice said.

"Who is this?" She asked.

"Ouch, has it really been that long?"

"Joe."

———to be continued