The transition of an athlete to inactivity is always a tough road for every sportsperson, and it was no different with Joe. The first few days after his emergency surgery were rough. He was still in pain and had to stay in bed most of the time, and when he had to walk around he had a hard time doing it on his own. He was always tired thanks to the medicine prescribed to him. Sasha and his sisters ensured he was following the Doctors' instructions to a tee. They monitored his meds, kept him drinking lots of fluids and eating plenty of vegetables, fruit and high-fiber foods. Whole meal bread, pasta and brown rice, which he particularly disliked, were regulars on his menu. Sasha could tell that he hated the changes and hated having to rely on people for help, but that was the way it had to be for now and she gently tried to remind him that there was a light at the end of the tunnel.
Due to Joe's sudden injury, the WWE officials decided to vacate the Tag Team Championships, much to the Samoan's chagrin. Jon had offered to hold the titles with Colby so as to keep them within the Shield, but Vince and Paul were skeptical about Dean Ambrose holding the United States and Tag titles at the same time, so the pitch was turned down. Joe became unhappier than ever, going as far as to blame himself for costing Colby the title, even after the Iowa native insisted otherwise. Joe was feeling left behind as the product continued on without him. The fear of never recovering fully, of never reaching the level he was at prior to his injury nagged at him. He was very low on confidence and it was difficult to get his spirits back up.
However, it wasn't long before his cranky behavior started to irritate Sasha. He was angry all the time and found fault with everything everyone did, including his sisters. He moped around and was moody and picked arguments over the pettiest things, and it was getting old real fast. Sasha had nursed T.K. back to health from a sports-related injury a couple of times but it was nothing of this scale, and he certainly didn't give half the lip her boyfriend was giving her - probably because he knew she would've smacked him silly, but still. She understood Joe was frustrated but it was no excuse for his attitude. Though she couldn't lash out, it was becoming harder to rein in her own displeasure.
"What's this?" Joe sat up in bed, looking down at the tray of food she placed in front of him.
"Roast chicken, pasta and vegetables," said Sasha, walking over to draw the curtains open, the bedroom in dire need of some sunlight.
Joe stabbed a fork into the fillet. "There's oil in the chicken."
Sasha replaced the pillow he was resting on with a fluffier one. "It's roasted chicken. There's barely any oil in it."
"How come you didn't grill it though?" He was actually pouting.
"Roasting was faster for me, babe," she replied patiently. "Besides, I'm not great with the grill setting on your oven. What's the big deal anyway? There isn't much difference between roasted and grilled."
"Grilling is healthier," Joe said sternly in that know-it-all, second-coming-of-Einstein voice he used that he probably thought made him sound smart. "More fat drips off when you grill. The last thing I want is to gain weight while I'm recovering."
Sasha rolled her eyes. "One chicken breast quarter is not going to make you fat, Joe."
He made a sound under his breath, and it took all of her willpower not to clock him in the head with the pillow she was holding. "Should I throw your food away then?" she questioned, barely-concealed irritation in her tone as she planted her hands on her curvy hips.
Joe frowned, and right then he looked like a petulant five-year-old. "I'll eat it," he answered begrudgingly. "Grill the chicken next time, okay?"
"Yes sir," she muttered under her breath as she picked up her handbag and started to leave.
"Where are you going?" the Samoan demanded.
"To work."
"Work?"
"Yes, Joe. Work. I still have a job, remember? One where I'm not afforded the luxury of skipping whenever I want."
"What does that mean? That I'm skipping my job? You think I wanna be here?" Joe questioned angrily, pointing at himself.
Sasha kept up the patient tone. "I didn't say that."
"At least you get to go out," he complained. "I'm stuck here with nothing to do. I can't work out and I'm bored to death."
"This is only a temporary setback, babe. It's not the end of the world." They were starting to sound like broken records. They'd had different variations of this conversation for about a week straight now.
Joe took a sip of his water. "When are you gonna be back?"
"A little later than usual. I'm going to see Pam after work. She hasn't been feeling well and I haven't had time to see her."
"Because of me, right?"
"What?"
"You haven't had time to see her because of me," said Joe.
Sasha frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"You think I'm a burden, don't you?"
That did it for her. "Are you fuckin' serious? When have you ever heard me say that?"
"You don't have to say it. It's written all over your face." His tone was accusing. "Like my injury is keeping you from doing other things, keeping you here against your will. Is that how you feel?"
Jesus. Turning away, Sasha pinched the bridge of her nose, almost afraid to respond and say something she would regret. "I can't really do this right now. I'm late for work." She glared at him. "Am I free to go or do you wanna interrogate me some more?"
The two glowered at each other like some kind of awkward Mexican standoff, neither budging an inch until Joe returned his attention to the plasma screen TV. "See you later," he grumbled.
She left quickly. He was becoming more unbearable with each passing day.
—————-
Time went by quickly at the Grill, and afterwards she went to see Pam as planned. Her friend had been sick for a while now and it was starting to worry Sasha. She knew Pam hated going to the Doctor and if she hadn't by now she would drag her to one right away.
Pam was in a right state. Her hair was a mess, her eyes were blotchy and red, but it was the devastated expression on her pretty face that alarmed the mother of two. "Jesus. What happened to you?" she asked, pushing into the apartment.
Pam paced back and forth in the middle of her living room, and Sasha could tell she'd been doing it for a long time. "I can't believe this is happening," she murmured. "I can't believe the mess I'm in!"
"What mess? What is happening?" inquired Sasha, as Pam continued to pace and mutter to herself. "Goddamn it Pamela, stop that! You scare me when you do that. Tell me what's going on!"
Forcing herself to a halt for her friend's sake, Pam had fresh tears in her eyes. "I just got back from the Doctor's appointment." Her voice shook as she swallowed hard. She could not believe she was about to say this. It still didn't feel real. "Sasha, I...I'm pregnant."
Sasha's eyes widened. "Huh?"
Pam glared at her. "Did I stutter? I'm four weeks pregnant. I finally went for my check up this morning and this is what the fuck popped out. See why I hate going to the Doctor? They're always bound to spring some fuckin' surprise outta fuckin' nowhere!"
Pregnant. Of course. All the signs had been there; her mood swings, the nausea, every symptom similar to that of food poisoning, what they thought she had. Sasha wondered how she hadn't realized it sooner. Holy shit. "Is it Elgin's?" she finally asked.
"Of course it's Elgin's! I ain't been with nobody else since we got together!" Pam retorted.
"Okay, don't bite my head off," said Sasha, sitting beside her on the sofa. "Have you told him?"
"He's in London and won't be back till the end of the week," Pam answered, jamming her fingers into her hair. "I don't understand, Sash! How the fuck did I get pregnant?"
Sasha blinked. "Well, when a man and a woman really love each other, and-"
"Fuck you! This is not funny!" Pam snapped. Her features suddenly sagged, her anger transforming back into misery. "We've always been careful. We used protection. Condoms, birth control, everything! Always! How did this happen?"
"You know as well as I do that that shit don't work all the time," said Sasha, putting an arm around the smaller woman. "Babe, you have to tell Elgin."
Letting out an unladylike snort, Pam said, "Right, and have him dump my ass? He'll think I'm only after his money, that I've been trying to trap him all this time."
Sasha took Pam's hand in hers and looked her in the eye. "Of course he won't. He loves you."
"It's too soon, Sasha! We've only been together for what, four, five months? He said he's not thinking about babies! I don't even know if I'm ready for a kid!" She trailed off and covered a hand over her mouth. "Damn it, I think I'm gonna be sick...again. Gimme a sec."
She made a beeline for her bedroom, disappearing inside for several minutes. Finally she returned, looking paler as she wiped her mouth. "Better?" Sasha queried when she sat back down.
"No. I've been puking for days now and I'm already over it. I don't know how you went through this shit twice." She leaned against Sasha's shoulder and sobbed. "Oh Sasha, what am I gonna do?"
Pam's fear radiated through her. Sasha hadn't seen her this frightened and helpless since her mother Irene was diagnosed with terminal cancer. But she knew exactly how she was feeling. "I know you're scared," she said softly, as Pam's watery eyes met hers. "You've seen me there before. First and foremost you have to tell Gin. He deserves to know. Whether it's over the phone or in person, just do it. Don't keep something like this from him. And whatever the outcome is, whatever he decides, I'm here for you. You know I'll never leave your side."
Pam flashed her a feeble smile. "Thanks. I...I don't know how I'm going to do this alone, Sash."
"You won't be alone, babe. I told you I'll be there for you, and so will Gin. You'll see." Sasha kissed her forehead and rubbed her arm.
Pam pulled out the band holding her ponytail and ruffled her loosened hair. "So how's your man doing?" she asked, frowning when Sasha averted her eyes. "That bad?"
"It's getting worse," Sasha lamented. "He's angrier, moodier. He barely talks to me and when he does it becomes an argument. Everything I do is a problem for him. I don't know what to do to make him feel better, it's like he's tired of me. How long will I wait before he straight up tells me he wants me gone or something?"
"That won't happen," Pam said. "It's not easy for him either, girl. He's injured. You know guys like him are very proud and he just needs his confidence back. Be patient with him and keep helping him. Things will get better sooner than you think."
Sasha let out a tired breath. "I can't wait. That time feels so far away." Looking back at Pam, she reached over and gently rubbed her friend's still flat stomach. "Speaking of time, I'm gonna be an aunt in nine months. That is so cool," she smiled broadly.
Pam look down at the hand on her stomach and started to tear up. "I still can't believe it," she murmured, then shook her head, wiping her face. "Gosh, I've been cryin' a damn shitload too."
"It's the hormones, babe. That's what happens when you're knocked up," Sasha laughed, hugging her best friend. "Congratulations, Pam-Pam. You're going to be a great mother."
------------------
Joe was in the living room, staring listlessly at the report on SportsCenter, seeing it without really seeing it. His mind was firmly on his girlfriend, who was obviously and rightfully losing patience with his attitude. He was taking his anger and frustration out on her and it wasn't right. She didn't have to do this. She didn't have to come over and take care of him like she was. She could have left him with his sisters but she didn't. And yet he was shitting all over her devotion to him. If he didn't start acting right she could possibly walk and he wouldn't blame her.
God, it would break him if she left. He couldn't do this without her. He had to find some way to make it up to her before it was too late.
His thoughts were interrupted by his phone vibrating with a text message.
Hi hun. I know u're home. I'll be at ur place in 5. C ya. 😉
Danielle. Crap.
Staring at the text again, he thought about replying and turning her away, but decided it was pointless. She would insist on showing up anyway. She wasn't the ideal companion but he didn't mind any sort of company at the moment.
Less than ten minutes later the tall, blonde figure sashayed through the front door and into the house. "You could have at least replied my text," she said, her heels clicking as she approached him. "Wow, you're a mess."
Joe rolled his eyes and pushed back his messy ponytail. "Gee, thanks Danielle," he replied sarcastically.
"No problem. I was in the area and wanted to hang out." She plunked down next to the recliner he was sitting in and crossed her long legs. "How are you doing?"
As much as he didn't want to admit it, he was quite comfortable talking with her. They weren't as close as they used to be back in Developmental but they still talked now and again on the road. "Bored out of my mind," he sighed. "Being injured sucks ass."
"Where's the girlfriend?" Danielle inquired, looking around.
"At work," he answered, rather brusquely.
"Interesting," Danielle said, looking anything but interested. "Anyway, how long till you're back?"
"Couple of months, and it can't come soon enough." Yawning, he leaned back in his recliner and closed his eyes. "Sorry, I'm not going to be much of a talker. I just took my meds and that shit knocks me smooth the hell out sometimes."
"Everyone's been talkin' about you," said Danielle, whipping out her phone. "There's mixed thoughts on you being stripped of the Tag titles, fans speculating on what you're gonna do next, all that unnecessary hype and shit. Your Twitter followers are waiting impatiently for your next tweet."
"Yeah well, let 'em wait. I don't wanna talk to anyone," he griped.
Danielle lifted a perfectly manicured eyebrow. "You are in quite a mood, and it's not just because you're out of action," the WWE Diva said. "What is it? Trouble in Paradise? You and your girl are not used to seein' each other all the time and now y'all getting on each other's nerves. Am I right?"
Joe opened his eyes again, his jaw clenching. "It's nothing."
"You've never been a good liar, Joe," Danielle pointed out. "Come on. You can talk to me."
He could, but he wouldn't. He and Sasha may be on shaky ground but he doubted she would appreciate him mouthing off about her to a woman she was not fond of. "Don't worry about it. So how's my man Curt?" he asked, referring to his friend Curtis Hussey, better known as Fandango.
"He's fine," she replied in a tone that suggested she had no interest in talking about her on-again off-again boyfriend. Looking around again, she said, "Seriously, where's Tasha?"
"Her name's Sasha. Don't act like you ain't know. And she's working," he said simply.
"While you're here on your own?"
"She has to work, Dani. She's got a job. She'll be back soon anyway."
"That's a shame. She left you all alone when you need her the most. You see, that's the difference between her and me. I would never have left your side. I'd be here all the time. Like I am now." She shot him a meaningful look, one that set alarm bells ringing in his head.
His grey eyes widened when out of the blue she reached over and started to rub his shoulders. "What are you doing?" he asked.
"You're tense. Let me work those knots out for you." She continued to massage his broad shoulders. "I've always wondered, Joe," she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Why didn't we ever get together?"
Because back then she also had her eyes on his cousin Josh. Finding out about that gave him the perfect excuse to back off. He didn't share women, especially not with his own flesh and blood. Even when it became clear that Josh wasn't into her, Joe had lost all interest. She hadn't been worth chasing then and she definitely wasn't now. "Uh, Dani, this isn't a good idea," he started to say, swallowing when her hand moved from his shoulders down to his chest.
Her eyes flicked up to meet his, locking gazes with him seductively. "Look, I'm sure Sasha's great and everything...but you and I both know I'm better for you. She doesn't understand the world we're from. She doesn't know what a man like you really needs. I do because I'm a part of that world. Your world. You and I would've had something special if you'd just let it happen."
Her hand glided along his torso, and Joe stiffened at the realization that she was aiming for his crotch. "Danielle, stop. Don't." Wide awake now, he squirmed, trying to shift away from her. Her hand traveled further and further down, and she boldly kissed the crook of his neck. Joe fidgeted some more, cursing his injury for limiting his mobility.
With a firm flick of her finger under his bearded chin, Danielle directed his face to hers. "Come on, it's just one kiss," she laughed, her lips inches from his. "I won't tell if you don't."
"What the fuck is this?"
Startled, both Danielle and Joe's heads whipped towards the front door and saw Sasha standing there. If looks could kill, Danielle would be a cold, rotting corpse. "Get out," Sasha snarled, her tone laced with a venom that Joe had never heard from her before.
"This isn't your house, darlin'," Danielle retorted haughtily. "You got no right to tell me to leave."
"The hell I don't! You put your slutty little hands on my man. Leave or I'll throw you out myself."
Danielle stood up and placed her hands on her hips. "I'd love to see you try."
Sasha stared blankly at her, and then, she threw her head back and laughed with such menace and malice that Joe legitimately feared for Danielle's life. He knew his girlfriend had finally snapped.
Dropping her handbag on the ground, Sasha took off her earrings. "This bitch think I'm playin'." She pulled her hair into in a ponytail, ensuring it was firm and in place. "Bitch. Get the fuck out!" she said angrily. "Now!"
The WWE Diva made no move, simply flipping her blonde hair back and making a sound in the back of her throat. Keeping weary eyes on his approaching girlfriend, Joe said, "Danielle, I think you should go."
"I'm not goin' anywhere!" she protested. "Who does she think she is? Are you gonna sit there and let that bitch talk to me like-"
Her tirade ended abruptly in a startled scream when Sasha seized her by the hair and yanked her backwards with such force that her knees buckled. Without uttering a single word she dragged the taller woman, caveman-like, across the living room, the red mist surrounding her blocking out Danielle's shrieks. She could feel the bitch's fingernails digging into her wrists as she struggled to get away but Sasha had her in a vice-like grip and had no plans of loosening it. The mother of two threw open the front door and bodily flung Danielle out like the bag of trash that she was. She then marched over to the seat next to Joe, grabbed Danielle's handbag, marched back to the door and tossed the bag out to join its owner, and didn't look back as she slammed the door shut. She hoped the horse-faced bitch tripped on the staircase and cracked a tooth or twenty, triflin' thirsty-ass ho.
Joe remained in his recliner, stunned, cringing at the look on Sasha's face. "Sash...Sasha, I-"
She pointed a trembling finger at him. "You got some damn fuckin' nerve, Anoa'i."
"It wasn't what it looked like!"
"Oh, so that bitch humpin' your leg was a figment of my imagination?" she countered angrily. "Tell me this, Joe. Did you ask her to come over? Have you been calling her behind my back?"
"No I haven't! I didn't ask her to come over either!" he insisted. "Calm your ass down!"
"Calm my ass down?" she repeated, livid. "I come back from work and find her seconds away from shoving her tongue down your throat and you expect me to calm down?" Hands on her hips, she glared pointedly at him. "Do you want her, Joe? Huh? Should I go get her back so she can come take care of you instead? Let somebody else put up with your bullshit."
Joe's heart sank upon seeing the tears in her eyes. "Babe, please, listen to me-"
Her hand shot up, silencing him. "No, no! Don't. I don't wanna hear it. Just...don't." Forcing a deep breath into her lungs, she headed towards the sliding glass door. "I need air. I'm outside if you need me, your Majesty." Mocking a curtsy, she stormed out of the house, desperate to be as far away from that infuriating man as possible. Making her way to the deck, she slumped down in one of the few wicker chairs and tried to breathe normally, tried to swallow back the bile that had risen up her throat and the betrayal that was clogging her chest. That fucking slut, daring to put her filthy claws on her man, and him just sitting there, made her want to be sick. It was already an emotional day for her as it was. She didn't need this shit too.
As though aware of the tempest brewing, Cassie called her cell phone. "Hey Sasha. How's it going?"
Sasha hesitated. "Not great."
In the few weeks of Joe's recovery, Cassie had witnessed her brother's antics, and was personally surprised and impressed that Sasha had endured his crap for this long. "Wanna talk about it?"
Sasha blinked back the impending tears. How could she tell her boyfriend's sister that she was at her wit's end without coming off as a heartless bitch? "I came back from work and found Danielle or Summer Day or whatever the fuck she calls herself groping your brother."
"What? That little tramp!"
"Yeah. Even worse, he did nothing to stop it," Sasha said angrily.
"Ugh. My brother can be an idiot sometimes."
"Yes he can," Sasha agreed.
Cassie could tell how upset the other woman was and felt for her. "I know how you feel, girl. Our dad used to act out when he got injured too. Maybe you should take some time away from Joe. Focus on your kids for a while. I got some free time this week so I'll take him off your hands. It's gonna be okay, honey. Alright?"
Sasha nodded. "Thanks Cass."
"Sasha."
At the sound of his voice, she rolled her eyes. She did not want to talk to him.
"I can hear him so I'll let you go," said Cassie, "Make him grovel."
"Oh I plan to," Sasha replied, ending the call before standing up and walking towards the swimming pool.
"Sasha wait." Gingerly, he shuffled across the deck towards her. "Baby girl-"
"Oh, I'm baby girl again now, huh?" she said bitterly, extending the distance between them. "That what you call your skinny-ass ho too?"
Joe's face fell. "Sasha, please listen to me. I didn't know she would try to kiss me."
"Yeah right! That bitch been chasin' your pretty ass since before we met!" she countered. "Has she come over before, when I'm not around? What've y'all been doing behind my fuckin' back?"
"Nothing, I swear!" he vowed. "I know I should've made more effort pushing her away but I've been groggy from my meds all day. But it's no excuse and I'm sorry. I'm not cheating on you. I would never cheat on you. This is just a big misunderstanding."
Again, Sasha didn't answer, but her body language gave her away. Her arms were crossed and she actively refused to look at him. "Baby, talk to me," he pleaded.
Shaking her head, Sasha kept her gaze straight ahead. "I'm tired of this, Joe," she confessed. "We don't go through the day without getting into some stupid argument. I feel like you don't want me around with the way you've been acting this past couple of weeks. Like I'm in the way and I'm not doing anything right. You don't want to open up to me either. Then I see you with...her. How do you think that makes me feel?"
Saddened by her statement, Joe blew out a breath and took a cautious step forward, pushing through the pain in his groin area to get to his love. "Listen...I know I've been hard to deal with. It's a frustrating time for me and I've been taking it out on you and I'm sorry. Baby girl, I don't want anyone else but you. You know that. I didn't touch Danielle, but I shouldn't have let her touch me either. Please don't be mad." He came up behind her and rubbed her upper arms. "I'll be a better patient from now on, I promise. Just...don't leave me. I need you."
She looked at him in surprise. "Why would you think I'd leave you?"
"Well..." he muttered, looking away uneasily. "I'm injured and useless and a pain in the ass. I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to."
Sasha stared at her boyfriend. "I thought you'd know by now that I'm not that fickle." Exhaling heavily, she added, "Sure, I've wanted to choke you out a few times but no, I'm not going anywhere. I know how frustrating your injury is and I promised I'd be here for you through all of it. And I will."
At her words, Joe smiled. "I've said it before. I don't deserve you." He met her eyes, a little smirk forming on the corner of his lips. "I do have to say this though. You're so sexy when you're mad."
Sasha rolled her eyes. "Are you being serious right now?"
"Dead serious. The way you looked at her, yelled at her, how you dragged her by her hair not sayin' one word...that was fuckin' hot, baby girl. It kinda turned me on."
"I'm sure that's just the meds talking," she remarked, leaning into him instinctively when he wound his arms around her waist and placed a sweet kiss on her neck. He was relieved to feel her relax against him. "I've been a jerk, nani," he whispered. "And I may not have been acting like it lately, but I'm grateful for everything you're doing for me. I love you. Please forgive me."
She met his eyes. The sincerity and tenderness staring back at her washed shivers down her spine. How could she deny that beautiful face anything? "I love you too. All is forgiven. Now quit tryin' to seduce me, you know we can't do anything," she told him firmly, prying off the hand on her breast before spinning him around and pushing him back into the house. "You shouldn't be on your feet. Go lay down. I'll make dinner soon."
"Please don't make me eat brown rice again," he whined.
"Doctor said no white rice yet. You need all the fiber you can get if you want a speedy recovery."
"I get that, but anything but brown rice, please. I swear if I put that shit in my mouth again, I'ma throw up," he complained, back in prima donna mode as he sauntered back to the guest room. Behind his back, Sasha shook her head with a small, resigned sigh. Yeah, it was going to be a long recovery.
---------------
Whew! Things were about to get real ugly. Is Danielle a troublemaker or what? Could Joe have done more to ward her off? And there's a baby on the way. :D
There's a lot to talk about. Hope you let me know your thoughts on all of it. Thank you! :)