"Never mistake vulnerability
for weakness"

△△△

"What is it with you suddenly being so buddy buddy with Nikki?" I questioned as we drove over to the arena for TLC where I would be defending my title against the lunatic.

I enjoyed our feuds considering the guy was certainly unpredictable and well since his girlfriend happened to be the Renee Young who served as a close friend to Nikki Bella I knew there was a possibility she'd get dragged to watch the match.

In the past I wouldn't have needed to hope but with our current awkward friendship I was not sure how things would be. Our last ppv hadn't gone the way I wanted with her simply talking to the man seated beside me.

"Suddenly, were you so love struck you forgot I was in the backseat for the month she travelled with us?" He frowned before continuing to focus on his phone which reminded me he would be driving to the next town. While I normally preferred driving, being in charge of my own life and all; I needed a break.

"Yeah but its not like you were too keen, now you're buying her hot chocolate and at her birthday celebration I didn't even know about, little heads up would have been nice. Twitter is eating me alive for it." I rambled as I had walked in looking like an idiot having heard the commotion going on. I had expected some show for upupdwndwn or something but not Nicole blowing out candles while half of the locker room surrounded her.

"I'm sorry that my presence is wanted because she knows I have no interest in her because of my fiance" He chuckled and I narrowed my eyes before focusing on the road.

He had been the one to take the video for her channel and one would think he could have cut me creeping in the background out but I was subjected to the rantings of trolls stating I didn't like Nikki Bella.

I sighed and shrugged, annoyed with myself for bringing it up when I was mad I hadn't paid attention to know it was her birthday, although an invitation to the surprise party from my traveling partner would have been nice, "just wondering when you guys became so close."

"Jealousy does not suit you, Allen Jones" he shook his head as I parked before hopping out to which I followed as we took our bags from the back.

"I'm not jealous." I stated while he stared me down not believing me when I didn't believe myself either.

"Anyway, she left her shit in my bag so I have to return it." He shrugged while I had been on my way to separate our paths to head to my personal locker room but instead stayed beside him.

"What 'shit'?" I questioned.

He smiled and I wasn't sure why I entertained him when he could have kept his mouth shut about it but instead let me know he would be heading to her and like an idiot I was following, "Hair brush and wrestling top."

"Why on earth would you have her..."

"I'm kidding, you are so damn easy. I'm fucking engaged. She left her cap" He snapped.

"Oh"

"Yeah."

I sighed as he opened the door and my eyes widened slightly having not expected her to be seated quite like that.

"Seriously, you should really knock!" She frowned before smiling letting me know she wasn't too phased while I tried not focusing, well everywhere.

"To what do I owe the visit?" She stood up and stared at us while I stared at Tommy.

"To be honest I was just dragged here by his ass. But while we're here, can you text Rochelle the name of the store to get those gates."

Son of a...

"I already texted her, well dm'd her. What's up, Allen?" She questioned, her brown eyes now focused on while he left, patting me on my shoulder.

"Er..."

"Am I making you uncomfortable? I mean its basically like my gear" she mumbled before moving towards her suitcase and pulling out a huge jacket. "Happy?"

I chuckled while trying to think of why I was here when I should have been on the other side of the building in my own locker room. "I heard that people thought I wasn't a fan of Nikki Bella."

"Oh yes. You seemed upset when you entered during my celebration" She shrugged with a small smile.

"In my defense I had no idea it was filmed." I smiled and she nodded before picking up her phone.

"Yeah and well we weren't really on okay terms. But I'm happy you set some grounded points." She stated with a slight aggressive tone.

"Well you had..."

"We can set them straight if you want?" She cut me off before I could elaborate that she had been the one to confess what a mistake it indeed was first.

I smiled and nodded, moving beside her as she spoke and was reminded of that night.

I had kept repeating how it would never happen again as a sort of reminder to myself but all I did was mentally kick myself each time she said something that I maybe should have reacted differently to. But what was I going to do when she was in love with John Cena, there was no room for me and she was just confused and I didn't want to put her in a position she knew would pass.

"See he wasn't mad! AJ likes me!Maybe you should sing me happy birthday?" She smiled as she focused on me and I probably would have attempted to had I not mentally reminded myself she was recording us.

"How about I give you alittle too sweet?" I raised my fingers and she did as well.

"That's a wolf kiss right there!"

"That's right! I'm gonna remember this for life by the way " She giggled.

"At least our wolves get some action" I blurted out as she replayed the video and she smiled. "I mean..."

"Come on, I'll buy you dinner. I just have to change into my gear real quick."

"Its free in catering" I smirked.

"Well that's good cause my company is priceless"

"That it is" I nodded as she disappeared into the bathroom with her gear and I sat down waiting before I heard my phone go off.

You're welcome. - Tommy

●●●

"You nervous?" I questioned as we had finished off dinner and her match would be soon, mine luckily being in the main event or I would have had to leave to change myself. We were seated in my locker room and while Tommy had become a nuisance as to joining me he hadn't been back after his match despite his luggage being placed in the corner.

"Yeah. My mom's here as well as Brie." She smiled.

"Mmmm she is? Doesn't she love me?" I chuckled having not heard anything but simply kidding around which caused her eyes to leave the screen and move to mine.

"Who doesn't? You're AJ fucking Styles"

"Do you love me?" I mused.

"We've only gotten to first base" She giggled but then sighed and rest her head on my shoulder. "I hate how much I enjoy hanging out with you cause I have the urge to do something stupid"

My mouth wanted to form the words 'like what' but I knew what or thought I did.

"I have to go get my hair and make-up done. " She sighed as she drummed her fingers on the edge of my knee while I couldn't bring myself to say anything.

I tried focusing on the screen but her lips in my neck as she spoke were hard to ignore and a flashback to the club where we had been in a similar position only added to it. "I'm nervous. And maybe I need something that will override the part that is afraid I'll hurt myself."

She leaned back and I ran my hand over my face before turning to her, "you'll be alright, Nicole. Its your first singles at a PPV since you got back but I'll be back here rooting for ya."

"I'm your goodluck charm, who says you're mine?" She smiled.

"Oh so you have accepted your lucky fate huh?"

"You have a good way of being persuasive, Allen." She shrugged.

"Well I guess if you win or lose tonight will determine whether I am of any luck to you" I winked and she giggled before leaning forward and loosely played with my hair.

It was a mistake. Its what I told her, its what I told myself. I had missed her company quite a lot but now realized her company wouldn't just be us hanging out and me being able to pretend there was nothing from my side. It was fine when it was a drunken night she never remembered but now it was a clear wall. A wall filled with a reminder that I had crossed a line but while she had avoided me before I had begged her to give our friendship a shot and it led me to this.

"And that's how you seal a fucking victory!" The door was pushed open and I wasn't sure whether I was grateful or annoyed at his presence.

But Nicole was up with her fingers having left my hair before I could do anything to move away as she went to hug him but then high-fived him instead.

"I'm not that sweaty" He narrowed his eyes feeling stupid for having opened his arms.

"Yeah" She rolled her eyes and he chuckled and sat down beside me. And she seated herself beside him.

"Corbin, do you think I'm going to win?"

He nodded, "Yeah Carmella is like Sin Cara compared to you."

"Thanks" she laughed before hugging him briefly and getting up. "I'll probably see you guys later so make sure you watch my match in 20!"

"As if he'll miss it" he scoffed as soon as she left the room.

"What do you think you're doing?" I turned to him while he stood up confused.

"What happened to she forgot her cap."

"Look, its either you tell her you want her or you just let her fade in. Me pushing you helps you, don't ask me how but in the long run it will. Just think of it as I'm letting you do the things you want to but won't because you're a 'good guy'" he rolled his eyes before heading into the bathroom to shower.

●●●

"She's a Beast" he chuckled as we watched her go off on Carmella.

She had been quite nervous before but it was clear she held those nerves as a sort of anchor as she hadn't missed a beat. She was aggressive and gave the women's evolution an empowering statement with her skill set. Many people didn't focus on just how unique her in ring ability was whether it was suicide dives or just being plain ruthless in her assault.

"See now you need one of that when you see her" he pointed to the screen as she used the fire extinguisher on Carmella.

"We kissed twice, that's it. It was a mistake and I don't need a reminder of it."

"Well I'm sorry but you have a walking reminder of it" he gestured to her as she walked up the ramp. "Speaking of which... I suggest you start running."

"For?"

"Meet her at the gorilla. She doesn't have John to wait on her, his loss" he smiled and while my jaw clenched I found myself vacating the room and casually strolling just as she exited the gorilla.

I felt her arms wrap around my neck and chuckled as I held her, " did you see that? It felt awesome, was it awesome? I got the nod from Shane"

She moved back before hugging me again as the nerves combined with the excitement clearly had an effect on her. "You didn't miss a beat, Nicole"

"Hey, you forgot your phone" I saw Bryan's head poke out of the curtain and she smiled taking it and I saw her eyes scan it for any messages and the brief glint fade at nothing.

"I'm sure he watched it somehow but didn't have time to text you" I nudged her and she glanced away.

"Yeah. Leah was so pissed when I let that fire extinguisher go though. " She smiled and walked to which I followed.

"I'm guessing this feud is far from over?" I questioned due to the ending and she shrugged.

"Right now it is and I'm happy. I guess you were right" She briefly glanced at me before staring ahead.

"About what?" I frowned seeing Renee heading towards us.

"You're my good luck charm too." She shrugged before moving towards the blonde and being pulled into an embrace while I could only be okay with allowing myself to smile at the acknowledgement.

♥♥♥

AJ STYLES IS STILL THE CHAMP THAT RUNS THE CAMP! THANKS FOR ALL THE SUPPORT WITH THIS BOOK SO FAR! I LOVE READING THE COMMENTS! HOPE YOU GUYS CONTINUE TO ENJOY♥♥♥