+Chapter 7+


I held my face with both of my hands. It felt like fire. My head was pounding so hard I felt like I could vomit. Adam was screaming at one of the other medics for an ice bag as I sat on the folding chair.

"This is ridiculous!" Adam snapped as he kneeled in front of me. "Here, love," he said softening his tone as he removed my hand from my face. The sting of the ice hurt more than the burning feeling. I winced in pain. I could tell by Adam's face, that my face looked bad.

"Jay!" Adam yelled unnecessarily considering Jay was standing right next to me.

"Yeah?" he responded.

"Stay with Aubree please?" he asked but it sounded more like a command.

Jay's eyebrow rose. "Sure, but…"

"Don't worry about it…"

I knew what this was about. "Adam! No!" I yelled as I jumped up to my feet. "Don't!" The sudden movement made my sick feeling intensify. I felt light headed instantly and felt like my legs could give out on me.

"Aub, sit." He said as he guided me back onto the chair.

"It was an accident. I know he wouldn't hit me on purpose!" I shouted.

"Aubree, he hit you. Regardless of if he meant it or not." Jay spoke.

I shot him a dirty look. One eye completely swollen shut and all. This is not the type of opinion I needed in Adam's head right now. Yes, my face hurt like hell and I was very close to seeing stars, but I know in my heart of hearts that Jeff never meant to hurt me. The look of pure terror on his face proved that to me. He swung on Adam, and I being an idiot jumped in between two huge, grown men. What did I expect? Apparently I didn't expect a nice welt on my cheek and a sealed shut eye. Adam looked like he was going to find Jeff and string him up from a tree, and then have all the guys hit him like a piñata. I grasped Adam's hand.

"Please don't." I begged softly.

He patted my hand and nodded. "I won't do anything, just because you asked me. Otherwise…"

I smiled knowing how badly he wanted to go see Jeff. "Thank you."


Adam and Jay insisted on taking me to the ER for a checkup. I knew my cheek bone was broken without needing an xray. The doctor came to us and said what I already knew: it's broken, there's nothing they can do, and it'll reset itself. Adam hated when I was right, I tended to enjoy it. Since the incident, my phone had been ringing off the hook. Between Jeff, Matt, Vince McMahon, and others I knew my battery would die long before I could get it onto the charger. Once we left the hospital, Adam was on the phone with the airline making arrangements for the three of us to go home since there was a three day break from shows and appearances.

"Jay, you're going to home?" Adam asked.

"Yeah, I need to go see my mom every so often." He smiled as I laughed about him being a "good son."

"Yeah, hello. I need 2 tickets to Cameron, North Carolina and one to Toronto." Adam said.

I smiled. Jay laughed. "Someone's getting company."

Adam looked at me with embarrassment in his face. "Is that ok?"

I nodded my head. I thought it was sweet actually. Jay laughed at the both of us. We arrived at the airport and said bye to Jay.

"Take care of her," he laughed as he 'one arm' hugged Adam. He turned to me. "Feel better sweetheart. Remember lots of ice, lots of rest, no sweating or screaming." He said the last part with a perverted smirk.

"Shut up!" I laughed as I slugged him on the upper part of his arm.

"Slugger, watch her Adam. She's violent." He laughed.

"Bye Jay." I said as I hugged him.

After Jay walked towards his gate, Adam and I were alone. He reached for my hand and held it tightly.

"Sorry I couldn't get an earlier flight." He said softly after we'd sat down on the uncomfortable seats.

"It's ok; we only have to wait an hour." I laughed. "And that's better than a layover in Charlotte."

"You ok?" he asked.

"I got socked in the face by my best friend and now my face looks like Barney the dinosaur. I'm fantastic." I said sarcastically. "I'm just tired and sore."


Once we arrived at my house, Adam carried me to the bedroom. I slept most of the way on the plane and had been fighting to keep my eyes opened on the ride home. For three days, we avoided the world and never ventured out of the house. We lived off of take out and on-demand movies. I hadn't answered any calls or returned any texts the whole time I was home. I didn't want to talk to anyone about the fight and the accident. I didn't want to talk to Jeff especially. Before I knew it, I was standing in front of my mirror attempting with no great success to cover up the huge black, blue, and purple bruise on my cheek. It looked terrible and no amount of cover up would help. I sighed as I looked at my reflection.


When we returned back at the arena, Adam was on high alert. He knew Jeff had been trying to get ahold of me for days and knew he'd more than likely make an appearance at work. I had told Adam over and over to relax. I understood where he was coming from, but Jeff wasn't going to hurt me. I think him seeing how badly my face was would deter him from coming close. I had brushed my hair over my face in an additional attempt to cover the bruise, but everyone knew it was an attempt to cover and not a new hairstyle.

Adam had a meeting with the writers about a storyline so he excused himself with promises to be back as soon as possible. I thought it was cute how protective he was being, but I wasn't afraid to sit in the office alone. I walked in and turned on the lights. I read the newspaper and a few magazines I'd picked up from the airport. A while later, the office door opened and there he stood looking terrified and an absolute wreck. His long, multicolored hair hung wildly around his face.

"Aubree." He said softly in his native southern accent.

I looked up at him as he looked shocked by my face.

"I'm so sorry!" he exclaimed as he came closer to me. His hands reached out towards my face. I backed away from him and he stopped instantly. "Don't be afraid!" he screamed showing how upset he was by the whole situation.

"What do you want, Jeff?" I asked.

"To make sure you're ok! You didn't return my calls or texts. I thought Adam would kill me if I came near you that night or at home."

I just looked at him; obviously he knew Adam was in Cameron with me. How he knew I could only venture to guess but I'm sure he wasn't just assuming. Jeff reached his hand towards me and carefully brushed my golden brunette hair off my face. I didn't fight it; part of me wanted him to see what my face looked like. I understood that he never meant to hit me, but the hit was meant for Adam. The bruise was fully visible. He gasped.

I shook my head and pushed my hair back over my cheek. I glared at him. "It's broken and I just managed to get my eye opened yesterday, it was damn near glued shut."

"What can I do?" he begged.

"Nothing anyone can do. It will heal itself eventually." I snapped. "But considering everything, unless you need medical attention, I don't think you should be here."

My words hurt him. I could see it in his face, like he'd been stabbed in the heart with a huge dagger.

"Why are you even here? Aren't you afraid of Adam being here?" I asked feeling like I had some intimidation over him.

"I saw him in a meeting. I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I never meant to hit you, and if Adam needs to handle things with me, I'll take my bumps because I was dead wrong." He said sounding sincere. "I love you and I never meant to hurt you. I'll leave you alone." He said before leaving the office.


His words hit my heart. The way he said them and what he said, I knew that the jealous asshole was gone. Not that I would want to be punched again, but at least it served a purpose. Part of me wanted to chase after him and tell him I forgave him and I wanted things to be like before, but I knew it wasn't possible. Adam wouldn't be exactly keen on forgetting the incident and after everything that had happened, even I couldn't just forget. Ever since Adam and my relationship came out I felt like everything I cherished was gone.

My best friends treated me like I was invisible and the hurt I felt in my heart was nowhere near gone. I wandered out into the hallway and saw Jeff sitting alone in the little vending machine snack area. He wasn't even paying attention to anything, just had his hands cupping his face as his elbows rested on his knees. I stood and watched him for a moment. I was torn. Aubree the friend wanted to comfort him and Aubree the realist wanted him to suffer the way he let me suffer for weeks. Maybe he feared that our friendship was completely ruined now, as I had feared for weeks.

My thoughts were interrupted by a strong southern accent. I turned to face the voice, but I also noticed Jeff's head jump up.

"There's my Bree!"

I was face to face with my father figure, and Jeff's actual father, Gil. He approached me and pulled me into a hug. "Look at this beautiful girl! I love the new hairstyle!" he exclaimed kissing me on my bad cheek. I winced in pain but smiled as I pulled away. Jeff stood by watching, but didn't dare come close.

"You alright?" Gil asked with concern.

"I'm fine." I said half looking at him, and half keeping my eyes locked on Jeff.

"You didn't come see me this past weekend when you were home. Too busy with your big, new exciting life I see." He said playfully.

I smiled. "No, never too exciting to see you. I was just under the weather."

"You are better now I hope? Don't tell me my son made you come to work sick."

I stared at him in confusion.

"I'm glad you three travel together and keep each other safe." He said smiling.

I was astounded. Jeff hadn't told Gil anything. Matt walked up behind Gil and put his hand on his father's shoulder.

"Hey Bree…" Matt said softly.

"Hey."

"How's your face?" Matt asked softly.

I wanted to punch Matt in the face. Here he had put me into the position of explaining WHAT happened and ultimately WHO did it. Before I could answer, Gil looked at me with concern.

"What is he talking about?"

"There was a stupid accident the other day. I'm fine." I said quickly.

Gil looked at me, he knew me since I was a kid. He knew my 'lying', 'kind of the truth' and 'truth' faces. His hand darted towards my cheek and careful pushed the hair aside. His eyes widened.

"Accident?" he asked. "Some accident."

"Yeah…" I said sheepishly as I stared daggers into Matt.

Gil turned to Matt. "You know about this?" he asked pointing to my face.

Matt nodded. "Saw it happen."

"Well what happened?" he demanded looking at both Matt and I.

"Two of the guys got into a fight, and I thought I could be Wonder Woman and break it up…" I said.

"A guy hit you?" Gil exclaimed. "You let a guy punch her?" he directed at Matt.

"There wasn't anything I could do." Matt replied.

Gil took my hand and stared into my eyes. "Who did this? Did you file a report? This isn't an accident, Darling. I mean look at this!"

"It's broken." I said softly.

"What type of idiot can hit a female with such force to break her cheek and nothing gets done about it!" Gil screamed.

He was in full father mode. It was just a matter of time before Gil found out the whole truth. I wanted to throw up. I could feel the anxiety rising in my chest. My heart was pounding and I felt sweaty.

"Did you at least beat the guy's ass?" Gil demanded of Matt.

"No, not exactly."

"I'm very disappointed in you Matthew! She's like your sister! You need to protect her."

Jeff was lurking in the corner, he was watching intently. I wanted him to come over, and admit to it before Matt or I would be forced to dime him out. Matt was getting annoyed. I could see it.

"And where was Jeff when all this happened? Did he at least do something?" Gil demanded.

Here we go.

"I don't feel well…" I said without thinking. Gil looked at me.

"Aubree?"

I held my head, "Yes?"

"What about Jeff? Please tell me at least one of my sons did the right thing."

Matt's face was beet red. He was going to dime Jeff out. I knew it long before it actually happened. In these situations, minutes feel like hours and this whole conversation felt like days.

"Umm.." I stuttered.

Matt let out a loud, dramatic sigh. "Bree, stop covering up."

Oh ok, so I have to be the bad one. Thanks Matt…

"Aubree?" Gil asked softly.

I was silent. I wanted to cry.

"Someone had better tell me the truth right now!" Gil snapped.

"Fine, ok. Jeff hit her." Matt snapped.

I felt my heart sink and shatter into a million pieces. Gil looked positively appalled. Jeff wrongfully chose now to be the time to show himself. As soon as Gil saw him, Jeff knew the truth was out. I caught eyes with him, trying to tell him I was sorry for this.

"You hit her? This beautiful girl? Have I taught you nothing?" Gil screamed. Gil's hand cracked against Jeff's face as he continued to scream at him.

I looked at Matt and shook my head. Adam approached us quickly and saw the scene. I think he thought something else had happened with how fast he was by my side. He protectively placed his hand onto my shoulder. Gil continued to scream and swing at Jeff. I couldn't take it anymore.

"Gil, Dad, Please stop!" I screamed as I began to cry.

Gil turned and looked at me.

"It was an accident. Jeff and Adam were fighting and I jumped in between them! It's not like Jeff hit me, knowing it was me."

Gil looked at me, then back at Jeff, then at me again.

"Adam?" Gil questioned.

Adam raised his hand into the air as I pointed at him. "My boyfriend."

"So let me get this straight," he began as he faced Jeff. "Aubree is dating someone and you fight him, but end up breaking her face? Am I up to speed?"

"Yeah," Jeff replied softly as he held his face, which was now starting to redden and swell.