I want to thank Rated-R-For-Randomness for betaing this story. She has done an amazing job so thank you for that.
Also I just wanted to add in please Review. Its takes a lot to write these stories and then I can see the traffic on my stories and Ive had over a hundred people read this story and only a few review so please review. Even a little comment or a PM or something.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the idea and my OC
The silence was deafening and threatening to consume us whole... well, if we didn't do that ourselves. Adam had not relinquished his hold of my lips with his own, and it seemed that the rest of people present in the catering area noticed. I broke away from Adam and sunk back to my flat feet, dropping my arms from around his neck. Being only 5'6" and not in heels at the moment, our height difference was quite noticeable and could sometimes hinder our passion. Not at this moment, however...
"Are they all looking?" I murmured to him, not taking my gaze from his green orbs.
He broke our gaze to look around, as my back was still to the bulk of the crowd. I glanced to the side and saw the blond Champ trying to stifle a laugh at how we were acting. I surmised from his attitude that Adam had probably said something to him about the relationship long before now. I couldn't fault him, as I had done the same with Mel. And I knew that Adam had few confidantes on the roster since Jay left and his relationship with the Hardys imploded. I was actually very happy the Chris had decided to come back to the company after his few year absence. We didn't know each other all that well, but I figured that that would change soon now that the news was out about me and Adam.
"Yeah, beautiful," Adam muttered huskily as his eyes returned to mine. "All eyes are on you"
I wasn't one to have to be the center of attention. I usually shied away from that type of thing. But after months of hiding, I was happy that I could show the world how much I cared for this man. I also knew for a fact that the WWE rumor mill was at the top of the list when it came to be juvenile and getting things wrong. Sometimes it felt more like high school than work... but then you go to the ring and your body gets bruised and broken and the comparison falters. Still, there was so disputing this. Adam and I were together.
I put my arms back around his neck and pulled him down for another kiss. We met somewhere in the middle and thus the kiss was much more relaxed. Yet before I even tried to deepen it, Adam started to laugh. I furrowed my brown in confusion as I pulled away.
"What happened to the girl who told me not two hours ago that this was 'best kept secret'?" Adam asked with another laugh, using finger quotation marks are the last three words. Okay, so I admit that I had used those words, but that was before my emotional roller coaster we Matt and the rest of the Core Group.
"Things changed," I whispered darkly, more to myself than the man in front of me.
He grasped my hand in his and reached up to bring the knuckle to his lips. All the while. I saw him reach for another dessert bar, even though he already had three in his free hand. That quickly broke my sour mood, even more than his tender gesture did. Adam could be a child at heart sometimes... something that I definitely loved about him.
"You don't need any more of those. Do you want to come back to the ring fat?" I asked, in a motherly tone as I used our entwined hands to pull him toward my table in the corner.
"Babe, they are made of cereal and marshmallows," he retorted, actually deciding to defend his need for so many calorie-riddled bars. "Nothing that is going to kill my wonderful Adonis-like physique."
"Says the man who is beginning to look more like Grizzly Adams than Adam Copeland," I muttered under my breath, yet still knowing he heard me.
We stopped a little short of the table and stared at each other. I rolled my eyes as he stroked the still growing beard on his chin that I despised so much. 'But it's for my character!' 'I'm supposed to be coming back from Hell not just some time away!' Even so, I didn't see the reason he needed to grow that rat's nest on his chin. I had tried forcing him to shave it off a week ago by promising no sex until it was gone. That idea went out the window the moment I laid eyes on him after a week of no real communication. Even with the damn beard, he was still so hard to resist.
"You always have to go to extreme lengths to prove a point don't you?"
I turned to Mel as her eyes danced with mirth. I could tell she enjoyed the spectacle I made of myself. At least it had shut Michelle up, so that was definitely a major plus.
"Well, I am the queen of extreme," I said in a faux haughty tone as I used the title that both Amy and I had bestowed upon ourselves years ago. But my smile fell as I tried to push those thoughts and memories away, at least for now. I wanted to focus on this moment and spending all the time I could with a certain blond. I wasn't sure if luck would always be on my side.
I sat down with my mood only slightly dampened and felt Adam take the chair next to mine. It was only a split second before my body subconsciously leaned against him, like a moth to a flame. Now that the secret was out, there was no reason to hide and surprisingly. I took solace in that. I never had a relationship that actually worked... nothing was ever normal. I always felt like there was something wrong with me in that I could not have a good relationship with anyone. Amy and Matt's romantic relationship was always an ideal (but in the end, I guess I was only fooling myself on that one). But maybe it was the fact that I could never work through my own neuroses in time to salvage something that could be great. I think that was what happened with Mark, and I definitely did not want that to happen here.
"Eh, Jericho, care to join us or are you just going to sulk for the rest of the night?" Adam asked loudly, breaking the eerie calm that had fallen over the room. Small conversations sprung up among the other tables, but I still saw many pairs of eyes were glued to me and my beau. It was beginning to bother me, but I shrugged it off for now.
"I am not sulking," Chris defended as he plopped down his tray across from us and took a seat. "I just don't know how the hell I am expected to carry Batista in a twenty minute match when he's injured. Why doesn't he just get the surgery and stop making it worse for everyone that steps in the ring with him?"
In August, both he and John Cena were injured in their ill-fated Summerslam singles match. Dave was injured quite early in the match and botched a Batista Bomb, causing John to land awkwardly on the mat. Both men tried to work through their injuries, but John elected to have minor neck surgery and not risk it getting worse. Adam had tried talking him into the surgery as soon as he was hurt, but the West Newbury native was too stubborn. He thought that it would just go away, but only ended up becoming more inflamed.
Still, at least, he did decide that surgery was what was best unlike his Summerslam adversary. Dave continued to work through the pain even though the tear in his hamstring was causing his in-ring work to suffer. He never was the most technically sound wrestler to begin with, but he made up for that with his size. That wasn't playing into his opponent's favor, as they had to constantly be aware that Dave was running on one good leg. Chris always prided himself in being the best in the ring (trust me, that is not only his character). He also loved to point out that he had never been seriously injured in the ring and only took time off because he was burned out on the business. Thus, he wasn't looking forward to putting both elements of his in-ring work on the line against the big man. I honestly couldn't blame him.
"You know, Vince is probably trying to keep him around for a few more weeks," Adam responded, trying to be a voice of reason. "Cena and I aren't due back for a few more weeks and he's not ready to promote anyone else to the title picture."
As the two men continued to converse about the ins and outs of their current situations, Adam wrapped his arms around my form and pulled me even closer to him. I rested my head on his shoulder and felt fully content for the first time all day. I let my eyes fall shut and just relax into him. I soon felt his lips at the base of my neck and smiled. If things would always be like this, why was I so worried about our secret being revealed before? Adam's lips could sway me on anything it seemed, because deep in my subconscious, I knew things were far from okay.
I opened my eyes, but Adam had turned his attention back to the rest of the occupants of the table. It seemed that all four of them were discussing something about tonight's event. I was not interested and was just happy to rest next to Adam. But as my eyes were beginning to fall shut once more, I caught the eyes of a few people at the next table. John Cena and Randy Orton... I really wasn't in the mood to deal with either of them. Randy and I never really got along. We could handle a professional relationship if we ever had to work together, but that was about it. His immature attitude and sophomoric jokes rubbed me the wrong way... that and he was one of the biggest gossips in the locker room. John and I had no problems with each other, except for the fact that he was McMahon's Golden Boy and could do no wrong. But that was nothing new - everyone on the roster knew it. We all also knew that he did a lot for the company and deserved some level of respect; I just wished he would practice what he preached sometimes.
"What the fuck are you looking at?" I snapped, as they refused to turn their gaze from Adam and I.
Randy scoffed and said something to John that I couldn't decipher. I was about to speak up and retort when Adam started to laugh. I looked at him and he tightened his arms around me.
"Be nice," he whispered, kissing me lightly on the lips before continuing to talk with Hennigan and Jericho.
Since Adam was now a veteran in the locker room, he liked to try and keep the drama to a minimum. I considered myself a veteran as well, but never thought it my business to keep anyone in line. The Divas never really listened to advice to begin with, but when all we were given on a pay-per-view was to stand around in Halloween costumes and be judged, I couldn't say I argued with that logic. If that was the way women's wrestling was headed, I was unsure if I was going to like my future in this company very much.
My thoughts of the Divas division were broken when I saw a mass of brown hair and blue/purple hair enter the area. My lips curved subconsciously into a small grin, until my mind caught up with me and I stiffened. It was hard to be mad at them, especially after all we had been through. They were like brothers to me... the only family I could rely on. But now, I wasn't so sure.
My action had alerted Adam that something was off. I looked to him and saw his green irises had darkened slightly. I knew that he had seen them enter as well. I thought that they had begun to have more of a professional relationship with each other, but this morning proved how wrong I was. Adam had tried to extend a peace offering to them a few times, but Matt was still too locked into the past to accept. His eyes flicked back to the two men in question and a cold look formed in their depths. I didn't like to see him that way. He wasn't my Adam anymore... he was something much more sinister. Something that reminded me of all the times I had been hurt by men in the past, my father included.
I put my hand on his chin and turned his attention back to me. I wordlessly pleaded with him to let it go, at least for now. I knew that they were going to butt heads eventually, but not tonight. His gaze softened slightly and I sighed. He was my Adam once more. He leaned down and kissed me softly. I wasn't sure if it was solely for my benefit, or to piss a certain North Carolinian off even more than he was. Either way, I didn't care at the moment and I put my arms around his neck.
"Okay, we all get the point: you're together," Chris exclaimed, chucking an uneaten apple from his tray in our direction. Adam caught it as my arms were still locked around his neck and narrowed his eyes at his friend.
I untangled myself from Adam and took the apple from his hand. My old piece of fruit was still laying on the table with a slight brownish ooze coming from the nail punctures. I grimaced slightly before putting the fresh fruit to my lips and biting.
"Hey! That was mine!" Chris pointedly stated.
"Possession is nine-tenths of the law," I remarked, after I had swallowed my first bite of the sweet fruit.
"Not in Canada," he retorted, which caused me to roll my eyes and take another bite. That seemed to always be his response to things that didn't go his way... and I didn't even know him that well.
Conversation started up again amongst the table's occupants. Chris continued to sulk, John and Melina half participated in the conversation and half concentrated on each other, and Adam tried his best not to turn his attention to my embittered friends at the table a few rows down. I, on the other hand, found myself thinking about how this whole affair got started. It didn't seem like it was so long ago... it wasn't actually.
Both rosters had just come back from an exhausting trip overseas in Europe. The one good thing about those trips was that we were promised some time off when we returned. That was music to my ears, especially since I had just started spending a lot more time with a certain blond Canadian...
Friday April 18, 2008 The blissful feeling of sleep was slipping away from me as I felt myself being shaken. I opened my eyes and blearily looked at the blond haired man above me. His perfect smile made a small one form on my still half-asleep features. If anyone would have told me a few months ago that I would be staying as a visitor in Adam Copeland's house, I would have probably slugged them. Adam and I never talked over all of the bruised feelings and betrayal that arose from his affair with Amy. She was my best female friend at the time, and Matt... well, he still is like my older brother. And on top of that, I too was hurt by the way they went about their affair - deceiving even their closest friends instead of just admitting they were in love. I couldn't imagine ever doing that.
Tampa, Florida 5:45 pm
Adam's House
After Wrestlemania this year was when my relationship with Adam really began to blossom anew. Jeff was out on a suspension for drug use. Shortly after, he lost his home and beloved Jack in a fire that destroyed more than just the possessions inside. It seemed to take a piece of his soul with him. He moved into Matt's house with his girlfriend of many years Beth, but could not move on from what had happened. I tried to talk him out of it, but he seemed ready to relapse into a familiar haven of drug use. I knew that Matt would try his best to stop him, but I would be no help. I knew the spell that they could weave and did not even want to put myself in a situation where I could become entranced once more.
So without the company of my North Carolinian pals, I was surprised to find that the best company came from a former friend, current foe. The 'foe' part of that scenario had definitely changed the past month as we spent many nights after shows talking or catching dinner. We actually seamlessly phased into hanging out like we used to do before our group's own personal World War III began. "Come on, sleepyhead," Adam grumbled, as he forcibly pulled me into a sitting position on the bed. "I said you could take a nap in here, not camp out for the whole weekend. Besides if you get up now and hurry, we can still grab something to eat before the concert."
In my still sleepy-haze, I had totally forgotten about the whole reason I was even in Tampa to begin with. As with almost every other wrestler in the company, I was a huge music buff. You needed to have something to help pass the time traveling all over the world, and for most of us, our ears were constantly plugged into some device playing our favored tunes. One of my favorite bands, LIVE, announced that they were going on a big US Summer tour this year with a few other bands from the 90's alternative rock scene. Before the tour, they were playing a few select solo shows around the country as a warm-up. Tampa was one of the last dates of their pre-tour route. I had met the band a few years back and was able to parlay that into free tickets occasionally to some shows.
"You don't mind if I use your bathroom to freshen up?" I asked, pulling a few things from my suitcase at the end of the bed. I looked up at him from my crouched position on the floor and noticed something in his gaze... something I couldn't place. "Adam? Are you alright?"
"Fine... perfectly fine," he said with a nervous cough, causing my brow to furrow in confusion. "Feel free to use the bathroom, right that way."
I watched as he pointed to the smaller room off to the side, I had to stifle a laugh. What was up with him? I shook off whatever weird tension had fallen over us and made my way into the adjacent room. I quickly changed out of my lounge wear and into some casual attire... nothing too fancy for this wasn't really a date or anything. We were just two friends going to a show together... and a dinner. But it certainly couldn't be considered a date.
We left twenty minutes later and spent the car ride in almost complete silence... well besides the local rock radio station blaring out over the speakers. Adam was quick to turn it on as soon as we got in his jeep. I didn't mind as I was too lost in my own thoughts over the concert tonight. I was unsure where we were going for dinner, but was absolutely floored when he pulled up to a beautifully designed white building that encompassed the whole city block. The valet had my door open before I could even protest that this was not really what I had in mind. A quick burger and soda would have been more than adequate, but this was... was... not like Adam at all.
"Care to explain yourself, Mr. Copeland?" I asked with a rueful smile, as Adam came around to my side of the car. I still wasn't exactly sure what he was playing at, but intended to find out.
"What?" he answered with a shrug, taking my arm in his. "Can't a friend just take another friend out for a nice dinner. Besides, you were the one whom invited me to the concert."
"And you do know that those tickets were free," I said in the same carefree manner that he had just responded in. I was about to continue when we stepped inside the building and my breath was knocked from my chest. "Okay... I really need an explanation now."
The restaurant was quite old-fashioned, like something you would see if you walked down the streets of Barcelona, Spain. The outside façade was ordinary compared to the decor of the foyer and subsequent dining halls. Rich colored wall, cherry wood furniture that contrasted greatly with the stark white tablecloths and place settings. I felt like as soon as I entered the building, I was no longer in Tampa, but somewhere on the Iberian peninsula.
"Reservation is under Copeland."
I looked away from the decor of the restaurant and back to my amiable host. Reservations... which meant that he had actually planned on bringing me here the entire time. I was right about to question him some more when the hostess quickly escorted us from the foyer into the main dining hall. We were quickly whisked into a side room with only a few tables. There was an older couple already seated at the far end, but no one else to disturb us. I smiled slightly at that thought, knowing that it was always so hard to have privacy out. I loved my fans, but there were some times when I just wanted to be a normal twenty-nine year old woman.
"Your server will be right with you."
And with that, Adam and I were alone again (well, not technically, but close enough). I spared a quick glance at the walls, which were fashionably adorned with portraits of past kings and queens of Spain. The light golden hue of the pastel yellow walls made everything in the room glow... including my date. The slight flicker of the candle at our table made his green eyes dance and smile beam. And I knew that I quickly had to quash any of these types of feelings before I got myself in more trouble than I already was.
"Now, explain," I stated bluntly, breaking us both from our impromptu staring contest.
"Explain what exactly?" he asked cheekily, as I was sure he knew what I was referring to.
"Damn, Adam! Don't pull that shit with me!" I exclaimed loudly. I could see out of the corner of my eye that I had startled the other couple in the room. I quickly looked over and mouthed an apology before turning back to my amused companion.
"I can't take you anywhere, can I," he mused, taking a sip from his water glass.
I glowered at him and was about to retort when the waiter came asking for our drink order. I had barely processed where I was at the moment, nevertheless what I wanted to drink. Yet my companion was on top of things and rattled off the name of a vineyard and year as quick as I could think of my name. I gave him another quizzical expression but he just shrugged.
"The Columbia is known for their extensive wine cellar," he stated in a nonchalant manner. "I just figured we should take advantage of it."
"Is this how you are on actual dates?" I asked, trying to sound as cool and collect as he seemed. Inside, I was a wreck. I didn't understand what was going on, and how a few kind words and smiles could make my heart seem to beat faster in my chest.
"'Actual dates?'" he posed, with a raise of his brow. "And what would you consider this?"
I tried to sputter out a reply, but his laughter broke through my train of thought.
"I'm just playing with you, Ev," Adam soothed, as the waiter returned with the wine. "Unless... you thought that this was..."
"No!" I quickly interrupted, once again startling all around me. "I mean... I don't even know what I mean."
The waiter quickly poured us each a glass of the Chardonnay and made himself scarce. And honestly, I didn't blame him. Neither Adam or I had even glanced at the menu, and all the man had seen of my behavior was less than becoming. My only excuse was that I wasn't expecting to be put in this type of situation. This seemed too much like a 'real' date for me to process... but Adam seemed so cavalier about things and wasn't making any advances... not that I wanted him to.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
I knew that I had zoned out, but it was just too easy to when so much was racing through my mind. I forced out a chuckle and took a sip of my wine before responding.
"Only a penny?"
It was his turn to be lost for words at the flirtatious manner in which I posed the question. I just slyly smirked at him from behind my wine glass, raising it slightly as if to toast. He reciprocated the gesture and we shared a genuine look. I was the first to look away and down at the extensive menu that sat in front of me.
"How am I ever going to choose?" I murmured, more to myself than my companion.
"We could share," Adam posed, causing me to look up from the text in front of me. "They are known for their amazing tapas. We could just get the variety platter and have a little of everything."
"I... yeah. That sounds great," I muttered, closing my menu.
Adam went to respond to my sudden quiet behavior, but the waiter returned. As he ordered, I just watched the man sitting in front of me. Who was he? He seemed to read my mind when it came to what I would want to order. I loved to eat and was always one to love and try many new things. We had been good friends once upon a time, but he seemed to have this planned out a little too much. It felt like this night meant something to him; something more than just two friends sharing dinner and a show.
"You alright?" Adam asked, as soon as the waiter was out of earshot.
"Yeah," I said with a small smile. "I'm just still trying to process all of this. This whole evening... is amazing, and I just feel that somehow..."
"Somehow?" he posed, when I trailed off. I didn't know if I wanted to continue. I was unsure of what his intentions were for the night. Hell, I was unsure of what 'my' intentions were.
"I just feel like you know me better than you should," I answered truthfully, deciding that if this friendship was really to advance, it would need to be based on honesty.
"We were friends, you know?" Adam said with a laugh. "Still are in my opinion."
"Mine too."