I leaned against the wall in the locker room with tears streaming down my face. This was not how things were supposed to turn out. It was supposed to just be fun for 'a little while', but he made it into so much more. Up until a few days ago, things were going well…

Sunday, October 26, 2008.
Cameron, North Carolina.
My House – 8:30 A.M.

The feeling of his mouth on mine woke me from my slumber. I rolled over and looked into his green eyes with a grin. He grinned back and leaned in to capture my lips again. I groaned, still in a haze of sleepiness, causing him to pull back chuckling. Satisfied that my sleep would no longer be disturbed, I rolled over on my stomach and closed my eyes. Yet it seemed that he was not sated. He ran his fingers down the length of my spine, not stopping until they returned to the back of my neck. I shivered which seemed to encourage him to continue as he leaned down and started kissing my neck, eventually lightly biting down on my sensitive skin. I hunched my shoulder up to my neck, swatting my hand up to push him away. He started laughing and I knew that any attempts at sleep would be futile.

"Come on, pretty girl. I have to get up."

I rolled over and tried to get up, but fell back down. I was not ready to get up and nothing Adam could say or do would change that… or so it seemed. He started laughing again, but I made no movement.

"I know you're tired, but we have to get ready for our flight."

I groaned again before finally rolling out of bed. Still groggy beyond measure, I started walking to the bathroom. I barely processed Adam's salacious whistle before I was picked up and thrown over his shoulder in fireman's carry. I started struggling in his grasp and was rewarded with a playful smack to my ass. That sure brought some life to my bones. I laughed at his behavior as we entered the bathroom. He turned on the water in the shower before setting my feet down on the cold tile floor. He turned to adjust the water temperature, but I thwarted his attempt, reaching up to run my hands through his golden hair. He grinned down at me, an action that affected me more than I would be willing to admit, as I pulled him down and pressed my lips to his. He put his hands on either side of my waist, before continuing his pleasant torture from before – his fingers running feather light journeys up and down my back.

"When do we have to leave?" I asked once I was able to pull myself away.

"We have to be at the airport at 1:30," he answered, before attempting to lean down to capture my lips once more.

I grinned at his unsuccessful endeavor and got in the shower. It wasn't long before he got in behind me. What was surprising was he made no movement, no sound for a few moments. I was about to take matters into my own hands when I felt his soapy fingers run through my hair and massage my scalp. I moaned and leaned back against him. The feeling was heavenly. I could feel the slight rumbling of his laughter through his chest as he wrapped his arms around my stomach, holding me in place.

It was times like this that I truly treasured… the quiet moments when it could just be Adam and I. There were no complications in our private, little world… just us. We stood there for almost five minutes before the hot water turned warm, alerting us to hurry up and finish washing. Some things could not last forever.

After our rushed cleansing, I quickly left the warm confines of the shower to the cool air of the room, wrapping a towel around myself for heat more than modesty. The action caused my companion to sigh, as we looked at my now terry-cloth clad form.

"You should always walk around naked," he murmured, wrapping a towel around his waist.

"You're an idiot," I playfully mocked, swatting him lightly on the chest before heading for the door.

"Fine… I'll concede to underwear, but that is where I draw the line," he remarked.

I laughed, sparing him one last glancing before opening the door and walking out of the bathroom. The cheerful mood that Adam had put me in was quickly extinguished as I stopped dead in my tracks, just outside the doorway. I scanned over the faces that stood before me –Matt, Jeff, Shannon, Shane, and Jamie. They all stood in the doorway of my bedroom. All were grinning at the state they found me in. Oh, if they only knew…

"Sorry, didn't know you had 'company'," Matt remarked, as I tried to keep my expression as normal as possible. It was quite hard to do considering a certain someone was just a few feet away. "We'll just see you lat –"

Matt trailed off and I knew that my luck had run out even before I felt Adam come up behind me. Even though I could not see his expression, I could feel his shock, but knew that there was also some relief that we didn't have to hide anymore. I closed my eyes for the briefest of moments, trying to figure out what to say… what to do. I swallowed hard and looked at Matt's face before turning to view the rest. It was too hard to look the eldest Hardy in the eyes at the moment. His brother's expression seemed to show a little sympathy to my situation, yet it was probably because he knew what had yet to come from his brother. He knew I would need some semblance of support, no matter how small. Shannon and Shane both seemed angered, but nothing like Matt. I looked at Jamie, but her expression was one that I couldn't place.

I sighed and knew that the time had come. I needed to face him. I turned my attention back to Matt and was quite startled. His expression had changed, but for the worse. The look on his face almost made me start crying. Before I could get any words past my lips, he clenched his jaw in frustration.

"You lying, two- faced, bitch," he growled, his drawl emphasizing each syllable with an acidic tenor.

I tried to formulate some sort of reply, even silently hoping that Adam might jump to my defense, when Matt turned on his heels, pushing his way past the rest of the group, and walking out of my bedroom. I stood there for a few seconds debating the next course of action. Go after Matt or stay here and tackle the others first. Silence pervaded the room for what seemed like minutes when it was only seconds. I finally decided to go after him. Sparing no glance to my friends and lover, I exited the room and ran down the stairs. I caught up to him in the living room.

"Matt!"

He stopped at the sound of my voice but didn't turn around. I decided to think over my words thoroughly, knowing that I had to handle this situation with care. I could hear the others coming down the stairs and prayed that Adam had stayed in my room. As much as I cared for him, he would not make this situation any better.

"Matt, I'm…"

The words that I had planned on saying faded away as he turned around, looking at me with what seemed like extreme hatred.

"Don't! Just… don't talk to me right now," he raged in a tone that I had never in my life heard come from his mouth. It was then that truly realized the severity of my situation. "Anything you have to say is not going to make this right."

"I know how this looks, but…" My words seemed to only heighten his anger, if that was even possible. I pressed my lips tightly together and decided to just ride it out.

"You're a backstabbing bitch," he said, his voice wavering slightly at the amount of feeling behind his statement. He turned away from me, deciding to concentrate on my carpet instead. "I can't even look at you right now. You fucking disgust me."

I knew that he had reason to be mad with me. I had hidden my relationship from him because I wanted to avoid this very situation. It seemed that I only made it worse. I tried to keep a good hold on my towel, suddenly conscious of my lack of dress as I took a few steps toward him.

"You don't mean that," I reasoned, trying to get him to find my eyes once more. "You're upset and pissed off and… and I totally understand. I understand that this was a shock, but I was going to tell you. I was going to tell you all, but there just wasn't a right time."

I looked behind and gave a small, sad smile to my other friends. Their expressions did not soften any. I silently regained some sense of strength and confidence before turning back to Matt.

"I'm not going to say I'm sorry because honestly… I'm not," I said in the most confident tone I could muster. That got a reaction from him. His eyes quickly left the floor and found my irises, a silent battle of the wills that I was sure I would lose. "I can't say I'm sorry about being with him. I'm only sorry that I lied to you all."

Matt just continued looking at me for a long moment, as if he was trying to search for some semblance of truth. I hoped that my heartfelt words would move him slightly, but for some reason it only made him angrier.

"You know what type of a guy he is and you… you know what he is capable of doing," he remarked, his voice wavering under the anger that he was trying to hold in. He was doing a pretty poor job of it. "And yet you're still with him."

This time, I felt tears stinging the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. This wasn't about what I did… this was still all about Adam. If it was anyone else in the world I was having a secret liaison with, it wouldn't have mattered to Matt. He wouldn't have batted an eye. But since it was Adam who was warming my bed and heart, it was the beginning of World War III.

"You're still punishing him for something that happened, what – three years ago?" I said, my tone reflecting the frustration that was building inside of me. "You forgave Amy over time, and yet you still punish him."

"That's diff…"

"And he isn't even like that anymore!" I declared, interrupted his attempt at gaining control once more. He had his say, now it was my turn. "It was a onetime thing. You need to let it go and forgive him. Everyone else has."

He shook his head and looked back to the floor for a few seconds. Mostly everyone had gotten over Adam's infidelity. The storyline made it public knowledge, but it truly was a private affair. It was the publicity that made it live on… that and the fact Matt was too hard-headed to forgive his former friend. If he could never forgive, he needed to at least be able to move on.

"How long?"

His query brought me from my thoughts. I watched as he focused his heated brown eyes on mine once more. The words that he uttered seemed to leave my brain.

"What?" I asked apprehensively.

"How long has this been going on?" he asked. I had been dreading this question, but knew that it would be asked.

"Um… almost 6 months," I said quietly, so only he could hear.

Matt scoffed and turned around. Without another word, he walked out of my front door. I let out a breath had not even realized I had been holding. I would have to deal with him later it seemed. I turned around and saw that the others were staring at me. I tried to force a small smile to my lips, but found that it was impossible. I didn't even have a chance as they all began moving toward the door. The guys refused to look at me, but Jamie walked over, giving my hand a squeeze before catching up with the departing men.

I stared after them for a few minutes, long after they had left my home. I still was in shock over all that happened. Today had started just like an ordinary day. I was at peace, but now… Now I wasn't sure about anything. I turned around and walked back upstairs.

When I entered the bedroom, I saw Adam had dressed. He was lying down on my bed, waiting for me. As soon as I entered, I felt his gaze fall upon my form. I looked at him before I went to my dresser. I didn't know what to say. Everything seemed too messed up for me to try and fix it now, especially considering I was still only wearing a towel. I grabbed some clothes from the drawer, dropping my towel to the floor in the process. The entire time I was changing, I felt Adam watching me. I just continued to ignore him. I knew that he didn't deserve it, but I was too lost in my own thoughts… my own fucked up situation.

I picked up my towel and started to dry my hair, not caring that it was doing a horrible job at the task. I didn't need to impress anyone today – just a boring and sure to be dreadful plane ride. Still sparing no glance to my silent love, I walked into the bathroom and finished getting ready. I was quite surprised that I got through my whole morning routine without Adam interrupting. It was unlike him to be so quiet – so non-confrontational.

I walked back into the bedroom to see that he had not moved. He was just staring up at the slightly chipped ceiling deep in thought. I quietly padded my way over to the bed and climbed onto his chest. My legs straddled his body and I let myself just lay against him. In no time at all, he put his arms around me, just holding me to him. I could hear the serene and comforting sound of his heartbeat in my ear. I knew that I could not avoid him forever.

I took a deep breath and looked up to see him staring at me. His expression was unreadable, his face a mask of no emotion that I had never seen before. I gave him a small smile, hoping to break some of the awkward tension that had fallen over the room, and leaned up to find his lips with my own. There was no sweeping passion, no dueling fervent emotions. It was as if our lips just clung to each other, unsure of what its owners were feeling. We lingered for a few minutes in this state before he pulled back, lying his head back down on the pillow.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, laying my head on his chest once more.

I didn't know what else I could say. He needed to give me some sort of sign on how to continue. I was too lost in my own emotions to truly be able to gauge his. He ran his fingers through my hair, a soothing gesture that was helping my body relax. After a few moments, he lightly reached for my chin, pulling my head up to meet his eyes.

"For what?"he asked soberly, even though I knew he knew damn well 'for what.' I wanted to be irritated at him for his obvious ploy to get me to admit that he was right all along… but I had no right to be mad at him. He did nothing wrong… he was practically perfect, actually.

"If I had told them about us a long time ago, none of this would have happened," I answered.

He didn't answer me, just stared back with the same sober expression on his attractive features. It didn't matter because I knew what he was thinking. He had been after me to tell them for months. I thought he was insane for even considering it. The Core Group – as they were informally called – were great friends, but still held a huge grudge against my beau… especially Matt. I believed that what I did was right – selfish but right. Now, I wasn't so sure, especially since Adam wouldn't even look at me at the moment.

"I'm not going to say I told you so, beautiful," he rasped, returning his gaze to my own. I gave him another small smile, an action that seemed to encourage him to continue. "I know that you know that you should have told them, especially 'cause of the way things are now. But you know that I understand why you didn't."

It wasn't the most poetic of declarations, but it was heartfelt in its simplicity. I didn't need fancy words and frivolous sentiment as long as I had him. It was scary that I was beginning to feel this way toward him… it didn't start out as being anything this serious. Yet I saw the way things were changing. We had become more serious about each other, and I knew that a decision would have to be made soon. Was I truly ready to admit that I was falling in love with Adam Copeland?

"You're amazing," I replied, the smile still firmly planted on my lips.

He chuckled, a smile finally making its way to his handsome face, and made to sit up. I was not ready to let him go however, and held him down to the mattress, my legs still firmly straddling his hips.

"Baby, as much as I would love to lie around with you all day, we have to get to the airport," he protested but I quickly silenced him with a kiss.

This was quiet unlike the apathetic encounter of our lips a few minutes ago. I put all of the passion that I could muster into it and he quickly gave in, running his tongue across my lips to seek entrance beyond. His arms detangled from my waist, one hand coming to rest on back of my head, pressing me harder into his lips, and the other on my right breast. I groaned into his mouth, forgetting all about the bittersweet emotions of the morning. I could feel him shaking slightly with laughter, obviously amused by how quickly I was becoming aroused by his rather tame actions. With him, it didn't take much to get me going.

He moved both of his hands to my ass and pushed me hard against him and I gasped at the feeling. It didn't take long before I was grinding myself against him, a familiar sensation beginning to build from the inside. He started kissing my neck, biting down on the spot where my neck met my shoulder. He knew that it was one of my more sensitive areas – one that if stimulated would be sure to get a reaction. I moaned and ground my hips more urgently against his. Just as things began to grow more impassioned, he pulled back, looked at the reddened skin on my neck with a smile. It didn't take a genius to know that he left his mark, claiming me once more as his own.

"Okay, now, we need to finish packing," he said evenly, trying his best to wriggle out from under me. I looked down at him in disbelief. My body was aflame and he was just going to stop? There was no way in hell that I deserved that. He smirked as he saw my look of amazement and effortlessly lifted me off of him.

"You know you shouldn't start something that you don't intend on finishing," I said, pouting my swollen lips slightly.

I watched as he threw some of his crumbled clothes in his suitcase, a grin on his face. I continued with my pathetic expression, hoping that I could coax him into a little more action. It seemed to work as Adam came back over, lifting my face up to him with a few fingers. Before I could suck my lip back in, he bit down on it, tugging the swollen flesh lightly in his teeth which just sent more jolts of electricity down my spine.

"Payback's a bitch, beautiful," he murmured, letting go of my lip. He kissed me lightly before going back to his bag. I tried to process his statement, but he enlightened me. "You know… you did the same thing to me before I had to go out to the ring last week. Still not over that yet."

I glowered at him, but he just playfully returned the expression. I chuckled, shaking my head before finally conceding victory to him. I walked over to my bag to finish packing, but not before slapping him on the ass once in annoyance.

All of that playful emotion was lost as soon as we left my house. On the way to the airport, I was quiet, thinking for the first time of everything that Matt had said to me. He had been mad at me before, but never anything like this. He'd never spoken to me like that before... never with that enraged tone that did not suit him well. What would I say to him the next time we met? What would he say to me? I didn't think it would be anything I would want to hear.

In the middle of incessant thinking, Adam reached over and grasped my hand in his, bringing it up to his mouth. He pressed a kiss to each knuckle causing me to smile slightly. Adam… how could anyone stay mad at him? Forget the past – he had changed. I wished that everyone could see that. I leaned my head back against the headrest, watching as Adam let go of my hand. I frowned, but he quickly moved his now free appendage to my thigh, rubbing his hand in soothing circles on my jean clothed leg.

"Don't be upset," he said, doing his best to sound loving over the loud strains of Kiss from the radio. I looked at him confused as to what he was speaking of. "They'll get over it."

Oh… so he could read my mind now. I just nodded, content to go back in my own head. But as I looked at him, all of the emotion that was in his eyes, I couldn't just leave it with distant silence. I leaned over the console, letting my side press against his own. He wrapped his right arm which was never on the wheel around me. I always complained about his driving, but this time I was thankful for it. I smiled as his warmth spread through my body. He rubbed his hand up and down my arm and I started drifting off to sleep. My mind was too exhausted to stay awake any longer.

I woke to Adam shaking me slightly. I blearily opened my eyes and saw we had arrived. I just grumbled a thank you, getting out and grabbing my things. The hassle of airport security and boarding procedures awaited us… and boy were they even more annoying than usual. Maybe it was just because of the mood I was in, but I was quiet happy when we walking hand and hand to our seats.

As soon as we entered the cabin, I locked eyes with Matt. It was quite a surprise, one that had my breath hitch in the back of my throat. I went to wave, but he hastily turned away from me. I frowned, seeing that the few hours apart had not lessened the anger he felt. My eyes found his brother next. I was pleasantly surprised when he politely nodded at me. I smiled, knowing that Jeff would find me to talk later. Maybe we could sort some things out amongst ourselves before dealing with his stubborn brother.

I felt a tug on my hand, and realized that we had reached our seats. I didn't even notice. I pulled my eyes away from the younger Hardy and maneuvered into my seat. As Adam was waiting, I knew that he saw where my attention had lied preciously. I could see his jaw tense in aggravation. Even though he was ready to move on, there was still a lot of bad blood between the two former friends. I knew that things would never be like they once were, but also that Adam wanted to find peace with his past. However, he needed Matt to meet him halfway if that was ever to occur.

"This is going to be a long flight," I whispered to myself, as Adam finally sat down.

He retook my hand in his, turning to me with a smile. He wanted this to work… I could see that. But did I?

The memories had seemingly been burnt behind my retinas. I could not close my eyes without being overtaken with the image of either Matt or Adam. Adam and his cool demeanor – gravely accepting the fact I was quite content with him as my secret lover. And Matt with his brazen words and enraged conduct – condemning me for something that I had no control over. My heart was in control, not my head. Even though everything might have told me it was wrong, it felt so right.

The door to the bathroom opened and I straightened up, wiping my face to try and hide the evidence of my sorrow. I glanced over at the entranceway and saw Melina. She was the closest thing I had to a sister in the locker room and thus I dropped my hands from my face. I knew that I needed to talk to someone and who better than one of my best friends? As soon as I pulled my hands away, I saw her look at me with concern etched all over face.

"Honey, what's wrong?"

Hearing the compassionate tone, a few more tears slipped from the corners of my eyes. I wiped them away. I looked her, trying to get the words out. Nothing came. Maybe I wasn't ready to open up like I thought.

"Nothing… I'm fine," I murmured with a shake of my head.

She gave me a skeptical look. I quickly avoided her eyes, turning back toward the mirror. I picked up my eye liner pencil and tried to apply the black kohl to my lid. After a few attempts, I realized that it was useless however. My body was still shaking slightly under the emotional strain. I felt a comforting hand on my shoulder, and looked at Melina's reflection in the mirror.

"Want to try that line about being fine again?"