Chapter 7

"Club Scene"

After their win against Cade and Murdoch, Jeff and Matt were in the mood to celebrate. However, Autumn was ready to move on to the next challenge.

Taking her mind off Charlie Haas.

With all that was going on with Matt, and trying to get him out of his funk, Autumn hadn't had to time to register anything to do with her personal life, or if Haas even fell into that category.

No, he did, she realized with annoyance. Somehow, he'd snaked in there. Hopefully after their conversation earlier that night, maybe he'd also find his way out.

"You ok?"

Autumn looked up at Jeff and nodded, "Yeah, I'm good." She smirked, "I'm just tired of waiting on your brother to get through primping. Maaaaaaatttt!!"

"What?!" Matt yelled from the bathroom. Jeff and Autumn both rolled their eyes. "Hurry up!" She yelled back and sighed, "He takes longer than I do. And I'm the diva."

Jeff shook his head, "That's cause he wears more make-up."

Autumn stifled a laugh as Matt opened the bathroom door and walked out, glaring at Jeff, "I heard that."

"I don't care, dude, I just wanna go." Jeff coughed, waving his hand in front of his face, "And what the hell is that smell?"

Autumn gasped dramatically, "Oh my God--did you use hairspray?!"

Matt scoffed, "No! Geez, that's my cologne, you assholes."

Autumn smirked, "You may need to look into a refund there, buddy."

Matt rolled his eyes and continued to dig through his duffel bag looking for a shirt. Autumn continued talking, "Imagine how wasted we would be right now if princess here didn't have to be such a priss."

Jeff grinned, "He'd save a lot of time if he didn't have to shower just cause he had a match."

Matt pulled on a black t-shirt and stared at Jeff, "You didn't shower? That's disgusting. As are you."

"No, that's manly," Jeff smirked, "As am I."

Shaking her head, Autumn stood up and heading for the door, "Alright, let's go Butch and..." She glanced at Matt, "Well, let's just go."

--

"The man has a four inch gash on his head," Charlie said with a skeptical look as he stepped into the crowded nightclub, "Is this really such a good idea?"

"Hey, it was his idea." Melony shrugged, smirking as she followed Shelton. Charlie stared after them, "That doesn't mean it's a good idea!" He watched them walk away and shook his head before taking in his surroundings. The multi-colored neon lights that were strewn about the room made him feel like he was on an acid trip--or should've been on one. The music was an odd-yet-enjoyable combination of techno, rock, and salsa--in fact, the whole atmosphere reminded him of some twisted music video. Shrugging, Charlie decided to make the best of it and headed to the bar, where Shelton and Melony had already gone through two drinks and were on number three.

"Aw, damn...nobody told me I was the designated driver." Charlie arched an eyebrow as he took a seat next to Shelton.

"Man, there's a reason they invented those magical yellow cars to shuttle you back and forth." Shelton whacked him on the arm, "So drink up!"

"Get sloshed." Melony added, and finished off her Jack&Coke.

"Is that even a word?" Charlie asked.

Melony shrugged, "Do I look like a friggen' dictionary? I just make up words--I don't define them."

Charlie shook his head and ordered a beer. Occasionally, he'd glanced over at Mel and Shelton, talking and laughing. For some reason, the sight made him miserable. He shook his head--that was his bitter loneliness talking. All three of them were best friends, but Mel and Shelton had always been closer. It never really bothered him that much before, but now...

He didn't know what it was that made him feel like this. Like something inside him had snapped and made him decide he didn't want to be alone anymore.

Yeah, that was a like. He knew damn well what it was. Or, who it was.

--

"C'mon Matt, don't be a spoilsport!" Autumn smiled as she stood up and slipping an arm around his shoulders, "Let's dance!"

Matt looked up at her, eyebrow raised, "I don't know, Autumn..."

She frowned, "This was you idea, Matt."

"Hey, Jeff was in on it too."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Do you wanna dance or not?"

He shook his head, "I don't think so. I just wanna veg, you know?"

She nodded, removing her arm from his shoulders, "Ok, fine. Guess I'm goin' solo tonight. As always."

Watching her walk away, Matt wondered why the hell he'd turned her down. He was physically drained, and really just wanted to sit and have a drink, but honestly--how could he say no to her? She may have gone to the dance floor solo, but it wouldn't be long before some lucky bastard ended up with her, dancing with her, touching her.

Fuck that.

Matt finished off his drink, and went to look for her.

--

Charlie nearly fell off his chair. Thank God, Mel and Shelton hadn't noticed.

He downed his beer and stood up, "I'll be right back."

"Where are you going?" Shelton asked, but Charlie ignored him and continued on his way. "Hey!" He called, but she either didn't hear him or chose to ignore him. He finally caught up with her, placed his hand on her shoulder, and she spun around, "Charlie?!" Autumn's eyes grew wide with surprise, "What are you...?"

"Hey," He held up his hands, "I'm not here to have a conversation. We're just two people running into each other on the dance floor."

Their previous conversation repeated itself in her mind and she shook her head, choosing to block it out for now as she took his hand and lead him through the crowd. She didn't know what she was thinking, or even if she was thinking. She knew she shouldn't have had those Cabo Wabo shots--tequila made her crazy, after all--but she had, and now all she could do was pray Matt didn't see her with Haas and freak out. He'd probably kill both of them right there.

"You don't give up, do you?" She asked, and Charlie shook his head. "Not often." He smirked, "After our run-in earlier, I couldn't stop thinking about you."

She rolled her eyes, "Oh please. I know guys like you Charlie, you don't fool me."

"And what kind of guy am I?"

"You think you want me because you know you're not supposed to have me. You've got four people telling you no so you're going to try your best to get me to say yes." She shook his head, "Trust me Haas, it's all in your mind."

He raised an eyebrow, "Do you really think I'm that shallow? Going after you just cause you're supposedly forbidden?"

She shrugged, "No idea, dude, I don't even know you."

"But the question is, do you want to?"

"And that's something I'm not supposed to want."

"That's not what I asked."

She held his gaze a moment longer before she pulled away from him and spun around, "I have to go."

He followed her, "I guess that answers my question. I hit a nerve, didn't I?"

She ignored him, making her way back to the bar where she'd left Matt earlier, only to find he was gone. "Great. Where the hell did he go?" She groaned and rubbed her forehead. She was developing a massive headache, and the crowded atmosphere wasn't helping it any.

"Come on, do you want me give you a ride? I promise I won't be a jerk anymore." Charlie said as he dangled a set of car keys in front of her.

"I can call a cab. And aren't you here with someone?"

Charlie shrugged, "Yeah, I just got the keys him. And trust me, he's gonna need a cab." He placed a hand on her shoulder, "Come on. What'll it hurt?"

Autumn looked around, saw no sign of either Hardy, and reluctantly followed Charlie.

--

Shelton had given Charlie the car keys and then gone to the bathroom, and despite the largeness of the club, Melony was starting to suffocate. The effects of the alcohol she had consumed was starting to take a turn for the worse, and she knew she needed to get away from bar as she pushed her way through the crowd and made her way out door to the outside world. The parking lot was virtually empty except for the bouncer and a few drunks puking their guts out beside the dumpster.

Melony shook her head to try to clear as she sat down on a nearby bench and leaned back, taking a deep breath of cool night air. She looked up at the cloudy sky, and attempted to count the few visible stars she could see, but failed and ended up in a fit of laughter.

"Mel?"

She let out a startled gasp as she looked up and saw Jeff Hardy standing beside the bench, "Well, hello!" She mumbled, her words slurred, "If it isn't the rainbow haired warrior!"

Jeff smirked, "Yeah, right. Hey, listen..."

"Hey! Aren't there two of you Hardy guys?" Mel asked suddenly, looking around, "Where's the other one?!"

Jeff laughed softly, "Ok. It may not be any of my business, but--you've definitely had too much to drink."

She nodded, "I would have to agree with you, Hardy-number-one!" She leaned closer, lowering her voice in a dramatic whisper, "Which one are you again?"

He shook his head, "Are you here with someone?"

She nodded.

"Ok, do you know where they are?"

"Ummmmmmmno."

He sighed, "Alright, well, they'll find you eventually, right? I'm calling a cab. Where are ya'll staying?"

Jeff noticed she seemed to think really hard about that question before she answered, "I dunno. But! It has an E in it!"

He stared at her humorously before pulling out his cell phone and shaking his head.