I Hate U
Author Note: Back to back one shots! Who am I?! This is a part three to my CARE one shots, with Josh and Solana. Read the first part linked here. Based off the song I Hate U by SZA <3. My master list is linked here.
Warning: Angst, profanity, talks of divorce, cheating.
Pairing: Jey Uso x Black OC (Solana/SZA)
Word Count: 4,574 (she longgg)
And if you wondered if I hate you (I do)
Shitty of you to make me feel just like this
What I would do to make you feel just like this
"I love you, Mommy," Mia whispered, her sleepy eyes fluttering. Solana's heart melted. It had been a whirlwind day, filled with laughter, games, and the delightful chaos of being back home after weeks on tour. Finally, the kids were settling down.
"I love you too, princess," Solana murmured, leaning down to press a soft kiss to Mia's forehead. "Sleep tight. I'll see you bright and early."
She gently pulled the soft blanket up to Mia's chin, lingering for a moment to watch her daughter's peaceful breathing. With a quiet click, she slipped out of the room, leaving the door slightly ajar. Liam was already deep in slumber, his small form curled beneath the covers.
A wave of exhaustion washed over Solana as she entered her own room. She practically dove onto the bed, a sigh escaping her lips as the plush bedding enveloped her. The familiar comfort was a welcome balm after the constant motion of tour life.
Propping herself against the pillows, she reached for her phone, her fingers hovering over the screen. A flicker of anticipation turned to a quiet disappointment as she scanned her notifications. Nothing. No new messages, no missed calls. Her eyes narrowed slightly, a faint frown creasing her forehead.
She pulled up Josh's contact, her thumb instinctively pressing the call button. Just like the previous attempts, the phone rang and rang, finally defaulting to his voicemail. A knot of unease tightened in her chest. A full twenty-four hours of silence was unusual, even with the time difference. Josh was currently overseas, touring Europe to promote this year's WrestleMania, a fact she reminded herself of.
But the silence still felt...off. She tried to push down the nagging worry, telling herself he was simply busy. Still, the lack of communication left a hollow feeling in her stomach.
With a sigh, Solana blew out a breath, her gaze drifting towards the darkened window. She considered trying one more time, but the exhaustion was a heavy weight, pulling her down. Ultimately, she decided to let it go for tonight. Maybe he'd call in the morning. She set her phone on the nightstand, the glow of the screen fading into the darkness, and closed her eyes, hoping sleep would come quickly.
Josh threw back the shot, the familiar burn settling in his chest. He was tired as hell, the show was long and grueling. But the boys dragged him to the club.
But he found himself at the bar, the boys somewhere off in the club doing god knows what. He felt his phone ring for the what felt like the hundredth time today. Looking down seeing Solana was calling again.
He silenced the phone putting it in his back pocket. His attention was grabbed by a tap on his shoulder. He turned, a grin instantly placed on his face.
"What you doing here sitting by yourself" Skai, the new girl on the roster who was called up recently. She tilted her head playfully, a smirk visible on her face. Josh eyes scanning over her curves, dressed in a tight crop top and mini skirt.
"Just taking a breather," Josh replied, his gaze mirroring hers, tracing the contours of her figure. "Everybody else disappeared somewhere in this chaos."
"They always do," Skai said, sliding onto the stool next to him, her hip brushing against his. "So, you're all alone?"
"Looks that way," he said, signaling the bartender for another shot.
"A shame," she murmured, her eyes never leaving his. "Someone as good-looking as you shouldn't be alone."
He chuckled, the sound low and suggestive. "And what bout you? Alone, too?"
"No," her voice low and seductive, "I was waiting for you," she said, her voice barely a whisper, leaning closer. "What we drinking?"
"Whatever you want," he said, his eyes locking with hers. "It's your night."
"Then let's make it a good one," she said, her smile widening. "I know just the place to start." She stood up, her hand sliding down his arm, pulling him to his feet. "Come on."
It was late at night for Solana as she got the kids down to sleep. She been running around with them from the studio, meeting up with her mom for lunch, then back home. Solana was exhausted. But the overwhelming dread loomed over her all day.
Josh still hasn't called. If it wasn't the post she seen from fans and other sites that highlights each show Josh was in, she would be worried.
Truthfully she was beginning to get pissed off. Josh wasn't keeping his promise he made just a little while ago.
The phone rang, the harsh, insistent tone cutting through the quiet of her apartment. Solana walked over to her bed. Seeing Josh's picture flash across her screen, she snatched it up, her heart pounding with a mixture of relief and apprehension. "Finally," she breathed, her voice tight. "Josh, where have you been? I've been calling."
A low, slightly muffled voice answered, "Hey, Sol. Sorry, baby. Been a crazy week."
"Crazy how? I've called you a dozen times," she pressed, her voice laced with worry and a hint of accusation. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," he said, his voice sounding distant, almost detached. "Just... a lot goin' on. Had a show last night, then the guys wanted to grab drinks."
"Drinks? Josh, really?," she said, glancing at the phone. "Is that why you haven't been answering any of my messages."
"Look, I told you, it's been hectic," he said, his tone turning slightly defensive. "My phone was on silent. I aini't even realize you been callin'."
"Silent for days?" she asked, her voice laced with disbelief. "Josh who you playin' with right now?"
"Solana, can we not do this right now?" he said, his voice edged with irritation. "I'm tired, I've had a long week."
"I was just worried," she said, her voice softening slightly.
"I'm fine," he repeated, his voice flat. "Just... busy."
"But you always make time," she said, her voice pleading. "Even when you're busy, you always call."
There was a brief pause, a heavy silence that hung between them. "Look," he said, his voice strained, before he could continue she heard some shuffling in the background. Followed by what seemed to be a girl's voice., "I gotta go. The guys are waiting."
"Wait, Josh—" she began, but the line went dead. The abrupt disconnect echoed in her ear, a cold, empty sound that mirrored the growing emptiness in her heart. She stared at the phone, her hand trembling, a knot of dread tightening in her stomach. His excuses felt flimsy, his voice distant, and the sudden end to the call left her with a chilling sense of unease. Something was wrong, she knew it. But she couldn't put her finger on what, exactly.
The racks of brightly colored dresses blurred past as Solana and Lyra navigated the bustling boutique. Laughter echoed between them, a welcome distraction from the gnawing worry that had settled in Solana's chest. They'd been on a mission, a much-needed girls' day out, punctuated by retail therapy and endless gossip.
"And then," Lyra said, her eyes twinkling, "he tried to tell me that I had to pay for the bill. Like you invited me, you fucking kidding me?"
Solana burst into laughter, the sound genuine for the first time in days. "Oh my god, Lyra. You have to break up with him."
"I know, right?" Lyra grinned, pulling a silk scarf from a display. "But he makes a mean margarita, so... trade-offs."
They settled into a restaurant for lunch, the aroma of food filling the air. Solana, finally feeling a sense of normalcy, confided in her friend. "It's just... Josh has been so distant," she said, stirring her drink. "He hasn't called in days, and when he does, it's like he's not even there."
"That's tour life, Sol," Lyra said, her voice reassuring. "It's hectic. You know that."
"I know," Solana sighed, "but it's different this time. He just... he sounds off. And he hung up on me the other night. Like, just fucking hung up."
"That's not like him," Lyra agreed, her brow furrowed. "Have you tried talking to him about it?"
"When I try, he just brushes me off," Solana said, frustration creeping into her voice. "He says he's busy, that I'm overreacting. Like I'm just some crazy ass bitch."
Suddenly, her phone buzzed repeatedly, the notifications flashing across the screen. "What's all that?" Lyra asked, her eyes widening.
Solana picked up her phone, her brow furrowed. "I don't know," she said, scrolling through the notifications. "Just a bunch of fans tagging me in a post."
She tapped on one of the notifications, opening a post from a fan account. It was a blurry shot of a tattooed arm, holding a drink, the background a dimly lit bar. The caption read, Anyone else think this looks familiar?
Another tag led to a short video clip, a shaky pan of a crowded club, a familiar laugh echoing in the background. Then another, and another. Each post was a piece of a puzzle, a cryptic message that was suddenly becoming horrifyingly clear.
Solana's breath hitched, her eyes widening in disbelief. "What the fuck," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Lyra leaned closer, her expression turning serious. "What is it, Sol?"
Solana showed her the posts, her hand trembling. "It's that new girl Skai," she said, her voice tight. "And I think it's Josh."
Lyra's eyes widened, her expression mirroring Solana's shock. "Oh, Sol," she murmured, her voice filled with sympathy. "This is... fucked up."
"I don't understand," Solana said, her voice trembling. "What the fuck is this?"
"Sol, you need to talk to him," Lyra said, her voice firm. "You need to ask him about these posts. Don't let this shit fester. You deserve answers."
Solana nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. The laughter of moments ago was gone, replaced by a cold, hard knot of fear. She knew Lyra was right. She had to confront Josh, to demand the truth, no matter how painful it might be.
The phone rang, a jarring sound that sliced through the quiet of Solana's room. She hesitated, her hand hovering over the answer button, a mix of anger and dread swirling within her. Finally, she answered, her voice cold. "What?"
"Hey baby," Josh's voice came through the line, a forced cheeriness that grated on her nerves. "You good?"
"How do you think I am?" she retorted, her voice flat. "You haven't called in days."
"I know, I know, baby, I'm sorry," he said, his tone shifting to a placating one. "It's been fuckin' crazy here. Shows every night, travel, the whole nine yards. I was actually callin' to apologize bout hangin' up like that the other night. I was tired"
"Yeah, whatever," Solana cut him off, her voice laced with acid. "You're always 'busy,' always 'tired.' It's getting old, Josh."
"What's wit' the attitude, Sol?" he asked, his voice laced with confusion.
"Attitude?" she scoffed. "Or I'm just tired of your bullshit."
"The fuck are you talkin' bout?" he asked, his voice rising slightly.
"Those pictures, Josh," she said, her voice tight. "Those posts. You and Skai. Getting real cozy. Real fucking close."
There was a long, heavy silence on the other end of the line. "What pictures?" he asked, his voice strained.
"Don't play dumb," she snapped. "The ones all over Instagram. You know damn well what I'm talking about."
"Solana, you're jumpin' to conclusions," he said, his voice smooth, a practiced tone of reassurance. "Skai's just a friend. Everybody went out that night."
"A friend?" she repeated, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "A friend you're practically glued to in every fucking picture? A friend whose captions sound like some cheap ass romance novel?"
"Look, I don't know what you seein', but you're blowin' this way out of proportion," he said, his voice laced with annoyance. "It's just social media. You know how people like to twist shit."
"Twist shit?" she said, her voice shaking with rage. "I saw the pictures, Josh. I saw the fucking videos. I'm not blind, and I ain't fucking stupid."
"Solana, you trippin' out right now," he said, his voice dismissive. "I would never do anything to hurt you. You know that."
"Do I?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. She wanted to believe him, she desperately wanted to, but the images flashed in her mind, a stark contrast to his smooth words.
"Yes, you fucking do," he said, his voice hard. "You're my wife, Sol. I love you."
She hesitated, the words hanging in the air, a fragile promise that felt increasingly hollow. "I... I don't know what to believe," she said, her voice trembling.
"Just trust me," he said, his voice softening. "You know I won't lie to you."
"I... I can't do this right now," she said, her voice thick with emotion.
"Solana—" he began, but she hung up, the sharp click echoing in her ear. She tossed the phone onto the bed, her hands shaking. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think. She just felt a wave of nausea and a crushing sense of betrayal.
Her phone began to ring again, Josh's name flashing across the screen. She ignored it, letting it ring until it went to voicemail. Then it rang again. And again. Finally, with a trembling hand, she switched her phone off, the sudden silence a heavy, suffocating blanket. She curled up on the bed, tears streaming down her face, the weight of his betrayal crushing her.
The movie played on, a cheerful animated world filling the living room with light and sound. Solana sat on the couch, her children nestled on either side of her, but her mind was miles away. The silence from Josh was deafening, a constant, gnawing reminder of his absence.
She idly scrolled through Instagram, trying to distract herself, when a flood of notifications appeared. Her heart skipped a beat. She was tagged in a post. Not just any post, but one from Wrestling News Now, one of the biggest wrestling news pages on the platform.
A wave of dread washed over her. She hesitated, her finger hovering over the notification, before finally tapping it. The post loaded, the headline screaming across the screen: WRESTLING SUPERSTAR JEY USO CAUGHT IN INFIDELITY SCANDAL!
Below the headline was a carousel of photos, each one a brutal blow to her already fragile heart. The first showed Josh and Skai, their hands intertwined, leaving a crowded nightclub. The second, a grainy shot taken from a distance, captured them dancing intimately, their bodies pressed close. The third, a clear, sharp photo, showed them kissing passionately in front of a hotel. The final image was a candid shot, seemingly taken in the hotel lobby window, showing them cuddled together, Skai's head resting on Josh's chest.
The comments were a mix of fan speculation and outright accusations. "Is this the end of Josh and Solana?" one fan wrote. "He's been playing her this whole tour" another commented. The comments section was a chaotic mix of shock, anger, and pity.
Solana's breath hitched, her eyes widening in disbelief. The images were undeniable, the evidence damning. The world around her seemed to fade away, the cheerful cartoon characters on the screen mocking her pain.
Her hands trembled as she scrolled through the comments, each one a sharp, stinging reminder of her public humiliation. She felt a wave of nausea wash over her, a crushing weight in her chest. How could he? How could he do this to her, to their children?
Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring the screen. She felt a burning rage, a fierce protectiveness towards her children. She wouldn't let him do this to them. She wouldn't let him destroy their family.
She gently excused herself, leaving the room and retreating to the solitude of her bedroom. She needed to be alone, to process the shock, the pain, the betrayal. Her phone vibrated, Josh's name flashing across the screen. She stared at it, her hand trembling. She considered answering, demanding answers, but the words caught in her throat. She couldn't face him, not yet. She couldn't bear to hear his lies, his excuses.
She silenced the phone, letting it fall onto the bed. The silence was heavy, suffocating, but it was a silence she desperately needed. She curled up on the bed, her body shaking with sobs, the images of Josh and Skai burned into her mind.
The days that followed were a blur of tears, anger, and disbelief. Lyra had been a lifeline, a constant presence in the aftermath of the scandal. She'd brought over takeout, listened patiently to Solana's tearful rants, and even taken the kids off her hands, giving her precious moments of solitude.
Now, days later, a strange calm had settled over the house, a heavy, suffocating silence that hung in the air. Solana stood in the kitchen, staring blankly at the countertop, the silence punctuated only by the faint hum of the refrigerator. The house felt empty, devoid of the laughter and chaos that usually filled it.
The front door creaked open, the sound echoing through the stillness. Josh stumbled in, his shoulders slumped, bags dropping with a heavy thud by the door. He scanned the living room, his eyes searching, before his gaze landed on Solana in the kitchen.
"Solana," he called out, his voice hoarse, a mix of exhaustion and desperation.
She didn't turn, didn't acknowledge him. She continued stand at the counter, her back to him, jaw clenched, her body rigid.
"Solana, please," he tried again, his voice cracking slightly.
She remained silent, her back to him, as if he were a ghost. He took a few hesitant steps closer, his heart pounding in his chest. "Solana, I'm..."
He reached out, his hand hovering near her shoulder, but she flinched away, her body tensing. "Don't fucking touch me," she said, her voice low and dangerous.
"Sol, I need to explain," he pleaded, his voice thick with emotion.
She finally turned, her eyes burning with a cold fury. "Explain what, Josh? Explain how you fucked another woman? Explain how you humiliated me, how you betrayed our family?"
He flinched, his face etched with pain. "I know I fucked up, Sol. I know I hurt you. I'm so fuckin' sorry. I don't know what the hell I was thinkin'."
"Don't give me that bullshit," she spat, her voice rising. "You knew exactly what the fuck you were doin'. You were enjoying every goddamn minute of it."
He stepped closer, his eyes pleading. "Please baby, just let me try to fix this. Let me make it right."
Solana scoffed, the sound bitter and harsh. "Fix this? You can't fix this, Josh. You broke us. You broke me."
She turned to leave, but he reached out, his hand gripping her arm. "Solana, don't walk away from me," he begged, his voice cracking. "Don't do this to us. Don't do this to our family."
That was the spark. Solana exploded.
"Don't do this to our family?!" she screamed, her voice shaking with rage. "You did this to our family! Nigga you destroyed it! You and your bitch!"
He recoiled, his face paling. "Solana, please, don't say that."
"Oh, but it's okay for you to do it, right?" she screamed, tears streaming down her face. "It's okay for you to fuck around, to lie to my face, to treat me like I'm nothing?"
"No, Sol, that's not what I meant," he pleaded, his voice desperate. "I love you. I fucking love you. I'll do whatever to make this right. I'll quit wrestling, I'll do anything. Just please, don't leave me."
"It's too late, Josh," she said, her voice trembling, but firm. "It's too fucking late. You crossed a line, and I can't forgive you. I won't forgive you."
She pulled away from him, her eyes filled with a mixture of pain and determination. "I want a divorce," she said, the words cutting through the air like a knife.
He stared at her, his face a mask of shock and disbelief. "No," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "No, you don't mean that shit."
"Yes, I fucking do," she said, her voice hard. "I'm done, Josh. I'm done with the lies, I'm done with the betrayal. I'm done with you."
He reached out, his hands grasping hers, his grip tight. "Solana, please, don't do this. I'm begging you. Don't take my family away from me. I need you. I need our kids."
She looked down at his hands, his grip on her wrists, then looked back up at him, her eyes filled with a cold, unwavering resolve. "You should have thought about that before you went and fucked that bitch"
She yanked her hands away, turned, and walked away, leaving him standing there, his world crumbling around him.
The news of Solana and Josh's separation broke like a wildfire, consuming every gossip column and social media feed. Fans speculated, debated, and judged, their opinions ranging from sympathy for Solana to vitriol directed at Josh. The hashtag #TeamSolana trended worldwide, a testament to the outpouring of support for her.
Solana tried to shield her children from the storm of media attention, but the whispers and the pitying glances followed them everywhere. She focused on maintaining a sense of normalcy for Mia and Liam, filling their days with laughter and love, determined to protect their innocence as best she could.
One afternoon, Solana pulled up to the brick building. After walking in into the building, she maneuver through the long hall, going into the room she's been in for a few months now. The two lawyers, one representing Solana, the other representing Josh, already sitting at the table, their faces grim. Solana's heart sank. This was it. The official end of her marriage.
The sterile office, with its sterile white walls and minimalist decor, felt like a tomb. Solana sat opposite Josh, a chasm of unspoken words and simmering anger separating them. Her lawyer, Ms. Davis, a no-nonsense woman with a sharp gaze, sat beside her. Opposite them, Josh sat stiffly, his lawyer, Mr. Stone, a smooth-talking man with a practiced smile, at his side.
"Mr. and Mrs. Fatu," Ms. Davis began, her voice firm. "We are here to finalize the terms of the divorce. Custody of Maya and Liam will be joint, with equal time spent with both parents."
Mr. Stone nodded in agreement. "A fair and equitable arrangement for both parties."
Josh looked at Solana, his eyes filled with a mixture of regret and a desperate attempt at conciliation. "Solana, I know I messed up. I'm... I'm so sorry. I want to make this as easy as possible for you and the kids."
Solana's gaze was icy. "Easy?" she repeated, her voice laced with sarcasm. "You think this can be 'easy' after what you did?"
"I know I can't undo what happened," he said, his voice low, "but I want to be a good father. I want to be there for Mia and Liam."
"Then be there," she said, her voice sharp. "That's all I ask. Be a father. I don't need your damn money." her brows furrowed.
Mr. Stone cleared his throat. "Mrs. Fatu, while we understand your emotional state, we must address the financial aspects of the divorce."
"There's nothing to address," Solana said, her voice firm. "I don't want anything from him. I make my own money. I don't need his."
Josh's eyes widened slightly. "Solana, please," he said, his voice pleading. "Let me take care of you. Let me provide for the kids."
"I can provide for my kids just fine," she retorted, her voice hard. "I don't need your damn handouts, Josh. I don't need your pity. I just want this shit to be over with."
Ms. Davis leaned forward, her expression serious. "Mrs. Fatu, while your independence is admirable, it's essential to consider the future. Child support, even if not strictly necessary, can ensure the children's continued comfort and security."
"I appreciate your concern, Ms. Davis," Solana said, her voice softening slightly, "but I'm not interested in a financial battle. I want joint custody, and I want a clean break. That's all." she stated unmoving.
Josh looked at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of guilt and a flicker of something akin to admiration. "Solana, please, let me do something," he pleaded. "Let me at least... help with the kids' college fund, or something."
"Fine," Solana said, her voice tight. "But that's it. Nothing else. No alimony, no settlements, no strings attached."
Mr. Stone nodded, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "Very well," he said. "We can finalize the terms accordingly. Joint custody, equal time with the children, and a designated college fund contribution from Mr. Reyes. No other financial obligations."
And so, the terms were set. Solana walked out of the office, her head held high, her heart heavy, but with a newfound sense of empowerment. She had walked away from the wreckage of her marriage with her dignity intact, her independence unwavering. She would rebuild her life, not on the foundation of his wealth, but on the strength of her own talent and resilience.
As she got into her car, the tears she'd held back finally fell. The weight of the divorce settled in, and she sobbed, a release she knew she needed. After a while, the tears subsided. She wiped her face, promising herself from that day forward, she'd put herself and her kids first.
The studio felt different now, a strange mix of familiar and alien. The air hummed with a low-grade tension, a reflection of the storm that had raged within her. Solana sat at the piano, her fingers tentatively tracing the keys, the melody of a new song swirling in her head.
"I Hate U," she whispered, the words tasting bitter on her tongue.
It wasn't just a song anymore; it was an exorcism, a raw, unfiltered expression of the pain, the anger, the betrayal she had endured. Every note, every lyric, was a piece of her soul laid bare, a testament to the woman she was becoming.
Six months had passed since the divorce. Six months of healing, of rediscovering herself, of learning to navigate the complexities of single motherhood. It hadn't been easy. There were days when the grief threatened to consume her, days when the loneliness felt unbearable. But she persevered, for her children, for herself.
And now, she was back on stage, the roar of the crowd washing over her like a tidal wave. The energy was electric, a palpable sense of anticipation hanging in the air. They had welcomed her back with open arms, their cheers a balm to her soul.
"This next song," she began, her voice trembling slightly, "is for anyone who's ever felt lost, anyone who's ever felt broken. This song is for me."
The first notes of I Hate U filled the arena, a raw, emotional melody that resonated deep within her. As she sang, the raw emotions behind the song consumed her. The pain, the anger, the betrayal, all of it poured out with each note. Tears streamed down her face, blurring the lights, but she continued to sing, her voice raw with emotion.
The crowd, initially stunned by her vulnerability, fell silent, a hush descending upon the arena. Then, slowly, tentatively, they began to sing along, their voices a chorus of support, of understanding. With each verse, the energy in the room shifted, transforming from a concert into a collective catharsis. Solana, lost in the music, felt a sense of release, a sense of liberation. She was no longer just a victim, she was a survivor. She was stronger than she ever thought she could be.
As the final notes faded, the crowd erupted in applause, a thunderous ovation that shook the very foundations of the arena. Solana stood at the edge of the stage, tears streaming down her face, but this time, they were tears of joy, tears of triumph. She had faced her demons, she had bared her soul, and she had come out stronger, more resilient than ever before.
And in that moment, she knew that she was finally free.
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