6 months later
"And this is the ramp out to the stage…" Jeff's voice announced as he continued to point out and explain the function of things in the arena. "Bree, you want to see?" he asked batting his eyelashes. I couldn't help but laugh at him.
"Sure." I agreed partly because I wanted to see, but MAINLY to keep Jeff happy. I followed him up the ramp as he pushed back the curtain; all you could see was seats. I could only imagine the feeling the guys got doing this with a packed audience. The lights and cameras on their faces, the cheers (or boos depending on the wrestler), all the camera flashes… it was mind boggling to me.
"Isn't it cool?" Jeff asked with excitement in his voice.
"Very." I replied.
I continued to follow him around for his tour. I was happy that I had finally managed to attend a live show. With work, or the location of the show it'd been difficult to arrange it. I'd never missed the show since they started, even if I needed to Record it and watch it later. I was happy for them for making their dreams a reality. Dreams that when we were younger I must admit I thought were silly, childish, and impractical. Jeff had a way of being a dreamer and always proving me wrong. I think he secretly plotted against me just so he could be "right".
"Hey Hardy…" a soft voice called as we walked towards the locker rooms.
"Hey." He replied with his Southern accent still as strong as ever.
I looked at the voice. I recognized him as the character Edge from the show. I didn't know his real name, but I'd know those long, blonde waves anywhere.
He smiled as he approached us. I was about to nudge Jeff for introductions but it wasn't necessary.
"I'm Adam. Adam Copeland." He said extending his hand to me.
"I'm Aubree. Bree. Aub. Whichever…" I said nervously as I shook his hand.
Adam smiled. "Oh, so you're Jeff's Bree? He talks about you constantly. They all do really. Jeff especially though." He looked at me and continued to smile. "She's lovely, Jeff. I don't know if I could leave her for the road."
I noticed Jeff's face redden with Adam's words. "She's my best friend…" he turned to me. "I never called you 'my Bree'.
I laughed. Jeff looked like he did the day he fell asleep in the sun and his entire face looked like a lobster. "Well, it's hard being away from them but work fills my days."
"I'll see you guys later." Adam announced as he left us.
Jeff was silent until I broke the silence. "You ok?"
"Stupid Adam…" he mumbled. "Making it sound like I only ever talk about you. Always starting trouble." He scuffed.
"I know our friendship is hard for others to understand. We're so close but we're not together. We don't need to explain it to anyone." I said as I looped my arm into his.
Later on, I sat with Matt watching Jeff's match. It was so much different from the high school days. Still very exciting. Jeff was scripted to be the loser of the match, but he wasn't looking like the guy's rag doll. It was a good match. Near the end, Jeff tried jumping from the top rope and ended up hitting the mat extra hard.
"I hope his pain tolerance is up." I muttered.
"Why?" Matt asked.
"He just ate the mat, and he's holding his shoulder weirdly." I replied still watching the screen.
"His match is almost over. You want to walk to go see him?" Matt offered.
"Sure."
When Jeff came back through the curtain, I knew something was wrong. "Jeff? What's wrong?" I asked looking at him with concern.
"Shoulder. I think it's really f-ed up!" he whined.
"Let me see," I said as I began examining his shoulder. I noticed the injury right away. Shoulder had popped from the socket, painful, but not the worst thing that could have happened. "Jeff, I have to reset it." I whispered to him.
He nodded his head in acceptance.
I hadn't noticed the crowd forming around us. "Medical can take him." A voice said.
"No. Bree, do what you need to do." Jeff said strongly.
I managed to pop it back into place on the first attempt and with no wince of pain from Jeff. He moved it in full range of motion.
"How did you do that?" a voice called.
I turned to see Adam and a few of the other guys. "I have my degree in sports medicine, and I work at a hospital now."
"That's cool." Chris Jericho said. "Usually, they need a big guy with a rolled-up sheet to reset a shoulder. Unless you're Mighty Mouse."
"Any pain, Jeff?" Christian asked.
He shook his head.
"Whenever I go to the trainers it seems like I went in with less pain than I leave with." Christian said.
"Bree's been taking care of us since we were in high school. Resetting our noses and splinting out arms." Matt said.
"Is that true?" a stern voice said from behind us.
We turned to face Mr. McMahon.
"Yes, sir." I replied.
"Miss…?" he spoke.
"Moore... Aubree Moore." I replied.
"Moore? Shannon Moore's...wife?" Mr. McMahon asked.
Jeff laughed. My face blushed as I swatted Jeff's arm.
"No, Sir. Shannon is my brother." I replied softly.
"Ah, sorry about that. Would you please come with me?" he asked.
"Mr. McMahon, please. She's with us." Jeff said.
"Jeff, she's not in trouble…" he said with a hint of laughter in his voice. He turned to me, "This way."
I followed him up the hallway to a door. Inside the room was a particle board desk and 2 folding chairs.
"Sit, please." He spoke as he sat down. "This is my traveling office."
"Understandable. You must travel a great deal."
"Miss Moore…"
"Aubree." I cut him off. "Sorry, Sir."
"You seem to know how to patch up my guys faster and easier than my medical staff."
"Sorry. If it's any cancellation, I'm used to Jeff's shoulder. It's not the first time I had to reset it."
"I didn't want to see you because I was displeased with you, Aubree." Vince spoke, "I wanted to talk to you about a job. Working for me."
"I have a job, Sir." I spoke cautiously.
"You could travel with Shannon. City to city." He said trying to glamourize the life on the road ideal.
"I'd love it, Sir, I really would but I have a job that I can't just leave. Thank you for the consideration."
"If anything should ever change," he spoke handing me a business card. "Call me."
He excused me and I found the guys. They all looked nervous. "What happened?" Jeff asked.
"He offered me a job." I spoke.
"Wow, this is great! We can be together all the time!" Jeff said excitedly.
I looked at him.
"You didn't take it?" Matt asked softly.
"No." I replied.
Jeff looked heartbroken. "Why?"
I looked at them. "I don't want this life. I don't want to be in 6 different cities every week! Never being home. Living out of a suitcase and motel rooms. It's not for me. I'm sorry." I left the room and headed out to the parking lot. I needed some fresh air and a cigarette. Once outside I lit the cigarette and looked out the night sky. The city was all lit up. Growing up, I wanted to explore the world and travel. I didn't want to be stuck in Cameron. I also didn't want to pay rent and utilities on a home I wasn't at long enough to feel like home. I stared at the stars in the sky as I thought about the job offer. I did miss the guys and I hated the sadness I felt being home alone while they had adventures without me.
"Those things will kill you." A voice laughed.
I turned and saw Adam who also was smoking. "Hey."
He came and sat next to me. "So what'd Vinny Mac say?"
"Asked me if I wanted to work for him." I replied.
"Guess you turned him down?"
"Yeah, how'd you guess?"
"You look mad. I guess your boyfriend doesn't understand why you turned it down?" he asked.
I laughed. "Boyfriend? Who? Jeff?" I felt myself blush "Jeff and I are just best friends, but yeah, he doesn't understand why I said no."
Adam looked into my eyes. I could feel myself blushing. He was looking directly into my eyes and he made me nervous. "Why did you say no?"
I bit my lip. "Honestly?"
He nodded his head.
"I'm tired of being Jeff's pseudo-girlfriend. I spent my whole life being surrounded by them and I just want to be my own person. Until I left for college, I doubt anyone noticed I was a girl back home. Just one of the boys. Half the people back home assumed we were together so no one even bothered to look at me."
I sighed. I realized I'd said too much. He smiled at me. God, he was gorgeous. I could feel myself start to blush. 'Oh God, stop blushing you nerd!' I scream to myself.
He looked at me. I saw his eyes go up and down my body. He smiled and bit his bottom lip. "I definitely noticed that you aren't one of the guys..."
I smiled. I guarantee I look like a major cheese ball. 'Is he flirting!? Or just paying a compliment? He's probably just being nice! Oh God, say something!' I stare at him feeling completely embarrassed. He laughs slightly.
"Sorry. I'm not sure what to say... thank you?" I mutter.
Adam takes my hand into his and looks at me. Between the awkwardness of not knowing what to do or say and my own insecurities I avoided his glance.
"You really have no idea how gorgeous you are, do you?" He asks softly.
His words catch me off guard. 'Gorgeous?!'
I feel tears begin to weld in my eyes.
"Aubree, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."
"You didn't. I'm sorry. I feel uncomfortable because I'm not used to hearing stuff like that. I feel like a complete nerd and so stupid right now!" I say. 'Wow, you blew it! Good job, Aubree! He probably is regretting talking to you now!' My mind screams.
I nervously look at him. He smiles at me.
"Hey, don't feel stupid. Can I maybe get your number? I'd love to get to know this amazing woman named Aubree. I've heard a lot of great stuff about her from our mutual friends." His smile is reassuring and I feel myself relax. I nod my head as he pulls his cell phone from his pocket and hands it to me.
I blush as I take the phone and enter my number.
"Thanks. Gorgeous."