PART 8
"I guess this is it. I just go in, get my stuff, and leave," Britney sighed as she stared at Brock Lesnar's hotel room door.
Nodding, Adam gently nudged her forward. He wanted to get this over with just as much as she did, and it would never happen if he didn't push her along. Inhaling deeply, Britney raised her hand and knocked on the door. When she heard the handle turning, she stepped back, as if to turn away, but Adam held her steady before backing away. She wanted and needed to do this on her own, he just wanted to be there if… no, WHEN Brock decided that she wasn't going to be leaving. Britney's eyes widened as the immense figure of Brock Lesnar appeared in the doorway.
"It's about damn time you got here! Where the hell were you all day!? Never mind, just come in and get settled," he said, angrily at first, but then calming down considerably.
Not making any eye contact with him, Britney hesitantly answered, "I-I… I'm not getting settled. I'm… here to get my stuff." Brock laughed loudly and Adam, who Brock could not see, clenched his fists tightly.
Still laughing, Brock looked down at her, "Very funny. Get in here."
Swallowing as she crossed her arms under her chest, she glanced up at him, "No, I'm getting my stuff and leaving. It… it's over." His amused face turned angry and he grabbed her by the arm, pulling her close.
"Listen to me, you little bitch," he spat. "I will NOT let you walk out on me like this. Get in here NOW, or so help me God, I'll…"
"Let go of her NOW, or so help ME God, I will take that hand and shove it right up your ass!"
Brock jumped, startled as the tall Canadian appeared behind his girlfriend, seemingly out of thin air.
"H-hey Copeland," he said somewhat nervously.
He had certainly not expected this to happen. He stepped back in a bewildered retreat as he watched Adam lead Britney into the room. The Next Big Thing propped himself up against the door frame and waited in silence, totally taken aback. As quickly as they'd disappeared, they made their way back to the door. Britney stiffly walked straight out the door, not once looking at Brock, for fear of making some very unwanted eye contact with him. Even with Adam at her side, her now ex-boyfriend still scared the living hell out of her. Adam followed directly behind her, but HE wasn't so afraid. He stopped at glared at the big man, eyes boring a hole right through his forehead. Brock, who still wasn't sure what to make of the situation, returned the glare.
"I don't know what the hell's going on, but if my girlfriend…" he said, until Adam put a hand up to his face.
Smiling slyly at the other man, Adam strolled out the door after simply saying, "EX-girlfriend."
After the two disappeared down the hallway, Brock slammed his door shut with such force that he knocked a painting off the nearby wall. Ex-girlfriend! Who the fuck does he think he is?! Better yet, who the fuck does SHE think SHE is?! Walking back into the room, he angrily threw himself on the couch. Mark my words, Adam Copeland. When this is all said and done, Britney will be with me, and your ass will be DEAD.
OUTSIDE THE ROOM
"I did it. I actually did it!" Britney squealed excitedly as she and Adam made their way back to their room. Adam couldn't stop smiling at the sight of her, she finally seemed so happy. She was grinning from ear to ear as she pushed the button for the elevator and stepped in. "Adam, I… thanks," she said, leaning up against the wall of the car as the elevator went up.
"Hey, you don't have to thank me for anything, but you're welcome anyway," he said, smiling.
The two in silence the rest of the way, Adam gazing at Britney as she watched the floor numbers on the panel light up. When they reached their floor, they stepped out and headed in the direction of the room.
They stopped and turned when they heard a voice call, "Adam, Brit, wait up!" They looked back to see Stephanie and Jay walking toward them. Britney could tell from the look Stephanie was giving her that the lunch with Jay went well.
"Dude," Jay said, grabbing Adam by the arm. "I need to talk to you… hey Brit, by the way."
Stephanie walked over behind Jay and did the same thing, grabbing her cousin by the forearm, "I have a story to tell you!"
"Okay," Britney said, laughing. "I'll see you in a little bit, okay Adam?"
Laughing as Jay practically yanked him away from the two McMahon's, Adam responded, "Alright, see you girls later!"
Britney and Stephanie watched the two Canadians disappear into Adam's room before turning and heading in the other direction to Stephanie's room. Once inside, Britney sat down on the couch, the same couch she'd sat on earlier in the day when she went to tell Stephanie about Brock. She thought of how the roles had suddenly reversed as she glanced up questioningly at her cousin.
"Spill it, Steph! What exactly happened at your 'lunch' with Jay?" Britney asked eagerly.
Cheeks reddening slightly, Stephanie answered, "Do you mean before or after he asked me out?!"
Britney's eyes widened, "What?! When did this happen?"
"Sometime this afternoon, I guess. He was SO adorable, Brit. He was like really shy about it, and he looked SOOO cute!" Stephanie squealed.
"Aw! Well, I want details!" the blonde replied, using the same school-girl tone as her cousin. Taking a deep breath, Stephanie blinked a couple of times before retelling her story.
"Here, let me pick up my end," Stephanie said, referring to the food bill that was placed on the table she was sitting at with Jay Reso.
Shaking his head, the blonde man gently pushed her extended arm out of the way, "No way, Ms. McMahon. A gentleman ALWAYS picks up the tab!"
Rolling her eyes emphatically, she playfully said, "Well Jason, I was not aware of the fact that you were such a gentleman!"
"But of course!" Jay said, bursting out into laughter. After the money was paid, which Stephanie finally allowed to cover, the two got up and headed toward the stairs. "Why don't we just take the elevator?" Jay suggested when he saw Stephanie make her way toward the stairs.
"No way! I need to walk off this lunch," she replied hastily, causing Jay to frown.
"Why?" he asked curiously. Giving a throaty laugh, the brunette answered, "Well, Jay, in case you haven't noticed, I'm not exactly built like the other divas."
Jay sighed knowingly; she was getting that… WAY that women got… whatever that was. He knew that all it would take to make her feel better was a few encouraging words.
"Steph, I don't know where you're getting that idea from, but I think you're beautiful," he reassured her.
Stephanie smiled, "It's not that I think there's anything WRONG with the way I'm built," she said as they made their way up the final flight of stairs. "It's just that the other women around here just seem so much… better."
Shaking his head, the Canadian insisted, "Steph, if you asked me, I'd say you're a hundred times 'better' than any of those other girls. You're smarter, prettier, more natural, and hell… you're just better."
Stephanie's grin widened, "You really think so?"
"I KNOW so," Jay told her, grinning widely as well.
"Wow, Jay, I… thank you," the brunette said appreciatively. Damn, but if that man wasn't the sweetest thing she'd ever met in her entire 25 years. They both walked in silence until Jay stopped when he reached his door. They had agreed at lunch that they would go back to Jay's to watch a movie or just hang out. Stephanie thought of how their relationship had quickly evolved into one much like Adam and Britney's--- they had become the best of friends. She watched as Jay took the key card out, but didn't swipe it in the door, instead turning to face her.
"Can I… ask you something?" he requested, almost nervously.
"Sure, anything," Stephanie answered. Do it, he told himself. Stop standing there like an idiot.
"Would you, I mean… do you think we could… well…" he hesitated, shuffling his feet back and forth cautiously. Damn it Reso, suck it up! "Steph, would you want to, and if you don't it's okay… but, do you think you and I could maybe go out more often?" he finally managed to get out.
Stephanie's eyes widened incredulously, "You mean like, as a couple?"
Uh… yeah," he said, his tone still incredibly nerve-wracked. The brunette hesitated for a moment, and then her face suddenly broke into a huge grin.
"I would love to go out with you Jay," she said, trying damn hard to keep herself from screaming. Jay then matched her smile with an ear-to-ear one of his own.
"That's great Steph. I, uh… oh, come here!" he said, pulling her into his arms, embracing her tightly. She pulled back for a moment to look into his eyes. She felt a shiver run up her spine as he flashed her another grin. Damn, that grin drives me wild. Her thoughts were suddenly dispersed when she felt his lips on hers. Closing her eyes, she sighed dreamily into his mouth as he slowly explored her mouth with his own. Their kiss was, albeit brief, very sweet, and left both of them with yet another grin plastered on their faces.
"What do you say we go do that movie?" Jay insisted, pushing the door open and leading his new girlfriend inside.
"Aww…" Adam said teasingly as Jay finished telling the story he knew Stephanie was probably telling Britney at that very moment. "Seriously man, congratulations. I'm happy for you," Adam told his lifelong friend.
Jay smiled, "Thanks. Dude, I'm just so happy right now… speaking of happy, you and the other Ms. McMahon seemed pretty happy earlier when we came up to you. What did I miss?"
Adam responded, smiling triumphantly, "Brit officially dumped Brock today. Herself. We went up to get her stuff and all and she just flat out told him it was over. He was PISSED, but oh well. I'm just glad they're over so I can…"
"Move in for the kill?" Jay interrupted.
"No!" Adam shot back, offended. Adam loved Jay to death, but sometimes the WRONG things came out of his mouth.
"I was GOING to say so I can finally keep him away from her," he told Jay, in an almost reprimanding tone.
"Sorry man. I didn't think you'd be that pissed if I said that," Jay said regretfully.
"Oh, don't worry about it. This whole thing's just had me on the edge lately, no pun intended. It's finally starting to look better though," Adam told the shorter blonde.
"Yeah it is," Jay said seriously. "So I take it you haven't told her yet."
Adam shook his head, "Not a thing."
It was Jay's turn to reprimand, "Adam, do I REALLY have to go through this again. SUCK IT UP and TELL her already!"
"I WANT to Jay, but it's not that simple! I can't just say, 'Hey Brit, my fiancée and I broke up 6 months ago because of you. Oh, and I know you just got out of a horrible and abusive relationship, but I'm madly in love with you, let's hook up!' That's NOT how it works!" Adam cried, a little shocked at himself.
Jay was amused, "Well, you may have to elaborate a little more on the fiancée thing, but the rest sounded fine to me." Adam, however, wasn't amused in the least bit, and proceeded to pick up a magazine and hurl it at his best friend.
"Okay, okay. I'll tell her soon."
"Tonight," Jay instructed firmly.
"Okay, tonight," Adam gave in. There was really no sense in fighting with Jay, he always won.
LATE THAT NIGHT
Adam yawned loudly as he glanced around for the clock. It has to be nearly three in the morning, he thought. Sure enough, the time on the digital clock on the nightstand read 2:48. He was waiting for his new roommate to come out of the bathroom, where she had gone to get ready for bed. Adam promised to book rooms with two beds in the future, but tonight after much insistence as well as the fact that there was only one bed, the two were sharing the king sized bed. When she finally emerged, Adam silently drank in the sight of her, standing across the room in a tank top and shorts pajama set. My God, she's beautiful. When she spoke, Adam quickly snapped out of his daze.
"Are you okay? You seemed really spaced out tonight," she asked, both of them finding it ironic that SHE was asking HIM that question.
Jeff had stopped by and asked the two to join everyone at the club they were going to that night. To his wonderful surprise, Britney quickly said yes. Adam went along, but couldn't help but just sit around and watch. While Jeff was ecstatic to have his old dancing buddy back, Adam spent the whole night thinking of how to approach that buddy. He wished Jay had been there so he could ask for his advice, but, not surprisingly, neither he nor Stephanie were anywhere to be found.
Once again snapping himself out of a trance, he answered as the diva sat down next to him, "I'm fine, I just… well, you know how earlier I said that I had to tell you something and I kept putting it off?"
She nodded, "Yeah."
"Well, Jay and Amy have really been pressuring me to tell you this, and I'm not exactly sure why. It's not really a big deal, but I guess you just have a right to know and…"
"Spit it out, Adam," Britney interrupted, encouraging him to continue.
"Well, it has to do with Alanah and me," he said slowly.
Oh God, they're getting back together! Amy knows this would crush me! This is JUST my luck. Lord, shoot me now! The tiny blonde had a million things running through her head, but she was way off with her thinking. She found that out when Adam took a deep breath and told the tale, which was basically the story of how and why they broke up. He told her that his ex-fiancée was well aware of how close her man had been getting to his boss's niece, and she blew everything out of proportion. Even though Adam truthfully swore that the two were no more than good friends, Alanah swore otherwise. In her mind, he HAD to be messing around with her. The accusations really got to Adam, especially after what his father did to his mother, something Adam carried with him for the rest of his life. Also, as much as he cared about Britney at the time, he truly did love his girlfriend. Eventually, after yet another blow-out fight, Alanah gave him an it's-her-or-me ultimatum. She said he either stopped talking to Britney altogether, or they were finished.
"Needless to say, I chose the 'us being finished' part," Adam finished. Britney stared at him incredulously.
"Wow. But you really loved her, so why pick me? I would've understood," she said, half-lying.
Adam shrugged, "I guess when it all boils down, I can see you my life fifty years from now, even if it's as a friend. As much as I thought I'd like to, I just can't see her in that way, not anymore." He turned to see her studying him intently. He readied himself for the "How-come-you-never-told-me?!" speech, but it never came.
Instead of speaking, Britney threw herself at him, surprising him so much he nearly toppled over. Damn, he was going to have to get used to the weird reactions she had been giving him lately. When she let go, she touched his cheek, still smiling widely.
"That… that means a lot to me, Adam. It really does. Thanks," she said.
Returning the grin, he told her, "It was the easiest AND hardest decision I've ever made. I lost many a night of sleep over that, but looking back, I knew what my decision was the entire time. I'm just glad I told you, and you didn't freak out. Even if it doesn't mean a lot, it's a huge weight off my shoulders," he said. "Now, I'm beat. We should both be getting some sleep."
Having said that, he laid down, cursing himself for not finishing what he had set out to do. Sure, he told her about the other, but he had conveniently left out the second half of the conversation, where he told her his true feelings for her. He quickly turned and rested his head on the pillow, closing his eyes and hoping to God that she didn't notice how jerky his movements were. He kept his eyes shut for a moment, until he noticed that Britney was still sitting up.
"What's wrong?" he asked tiredly.
The young McMahon hesitated slightly before answering with a question of her own, "Are you sure that's all you wanted to tell me?"
Adam's eyes widened slightly, and he once again hoped it was not enough for her to notice. Damn it, she knows me too well. Of course that's not ALL I wanted to tell you. I WANT to tell you that I've fallen madly in love with you! Christ, isn't what I already told you enough for one night? A myriad of thoughts raced through his head, but of course he let his self-consciousness get the best of him.
"Uh… yeah," he said quietly, casting his eyes forward so he would not have to look at her.
Sighing audibly, Britney gave in and slid down next to him. Guess I was wrong, she thought. I could have SWORN there was something else there! And Jeff and Amy sounded so sure of it when I talked to them today! Nah, it's just me being a hopeless romantic. The young woman couldn't help but dwell on the way he'd been around her lately. He was so sweet, and so caring… there HAD to be something between them. Her thoughts were broken when Adam shifted to turn to the lamp beside the bed off, and switched the TV on. She studied his handsome face in silence as he found a replay of SportsCenter airing, not really sure of what to make of the situation. She doubted that he knew either for that matter.
"Adam, I… I know I've said this like a million times, but… I just want to thank you again. For everything. I owe you so much…"
"You owe me nothing. I've done nothing more than help out a very good friend, which any decent man would do," he cut her off, turning his attention away from the sports show.
"Well then, I'm very grateful to have such a decent man as a very good friend," she said, breaking into a smile. Her grin caused him to return one of his own.
"Come here you," he said mischievously before pouncing on her and pinning her to the bed, tickling her mercilessly.
"Do you give up?" he asked as Britney kicked and squirmed underneath him.
"Never!" she cried, laughing as she desperately tried to free herself from his grasp. Swinging her leg up, she accidentally kicked him right in the groin. Adam let out a pained yelp, rolling off of her and groaning in pain as he clutched his mid-section.
"Ooh Adam, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean it… I'm sorry!" she said as she jumped back.
"Oww… it's okay. Don't worry about it," he assured her. When he looked up at her, he was surprised to see how her eyes had widened, seemingly in shock.
"Hey, it's okay," he told her, reaching out to touch her arm. When he did so, she jumped again and jerked away from him. Adam eyed her incredulously, wondering what it was that had suddenly crawled up her ass.
"What's the matter?" he asked, growing concerned. He reached for her once more, wincing as she froze at his touch, clenching her eyes shut tightly.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry…" she repeated over and over again.
"Britney, I said don't worry about it! What is wrong with you?!" the blonde man asked.
She shook her head violently in response, keeping her eyes squeezed shut. Adam gave up and backed away for the time being, completely unaware of what to do. He couldn't understand WHY she freaked out like that. Does she think I'd get mad? What would make her thing that… and get mad? I just don't… Ohh… The solution to his questions suddenly popped into his head when he saw faded bruise on Britney's right cheek, which was still mostly covered. There was only one thing, or should he say person, who could make her jump like that ---- Brock Lesnar. Adam was willing to bet any amount of money that if the same scenario occurred while Brock was around, Britney would have gotten hit. Adam hesitated speaking, contemplating on whether or not he should just ask her straight forward if that was the case. Luckily for him, and much to his surprise at that, she answered the question without being asked.
"I'm sorry, it's just… that's the kind of thing that would've… um… gotten me in trouble," she explained as he'd expected. Adam should his head, almost pitifully,
"Would you… would you get hit for an accident like that?" She watched as he slowly moved his arm closer to her, but didn't touch her.
"No, not… not necessarily. I would probably only get… yelled at for something like this," she answered, surprising him by how nonchalantly she had stated that. I ONLY got yelled at? What a crock, Adam thought to himself as Britney continued.
"And I know you'd never, you know… hit me, but I just… it's just impulse for me to react this way. It's… it's the only way I know how." Adam smiled sadly at his friend, wondering if she even knew what it was like to be in a REAL relationship.
"Well, you're right about that. I mean, that I'd never it you and all. I couldn't even if I tried. I… I just couldn't," Adam said, once again choking up. "I mean, I can't picture myself EVER getting mad at you enough to… damn. It'd be like… like Jeff keeping one hair color for over a month," he continued, trying to insert some humor into the situation. It must have worked, because Britney cracked up at the analogy.
Gasping for air as she attempted to control her laughter, she managed to speak, "You really are a weird one, Copeland."
Laughing at her comment, he gently patted her on the knee, "And you really are something else, Ms. McMahon."
"Yes, I know," she said in very diva-ish tone, dramatically tossing her body down so her head rested on his stomach.
He closed his eyes momentarily as he thought of how difficult it was going to be to keep his hands off of her. When he felt her weight shift, he opened his eyes again. He watched her lean over him to grab the remote on the nightstand and, while doing so, unintentionally caught quite a glimpse down the front of her white tank top. When she found what she was looking for she moved back to where she was before, and he shook his head to snap himself out of it. Quit drooling like a twelve year old, Adam. I SO need to learn how to control myself, he warned himself silently. As she switched the TV off, she snuggled up to Adam, pulling the covers up to her chin.
"Goodnight Mr. Copeland," she said sweetly.
"Goodnight, Ms. McMahon," he replied, gently kissing her forehead. They laid there in the dark, totally silent for about fifteen minutes.
"Tell me a story," Britney said into the darkness.
"What?!" Adam asked, unable to control his laughter at her childlike request.
"I can't sleep, so I thought… oh, come on, didn't your mom tell you stories when you were younger?" she asked, sounding amazed at how surprised he was at her request.
"Yeah, so? She stopped when I was about five!" he answered, not exactly sure of what she was getting at.
"SO… tell me one now. I'm a kid at heart, maybe it'll still work," she said matter-of-factly.
Sighing as he wrapped his arm more tightly around her waist, he questioned her again, "What kind of story? I don't know any."
Sighing as she took his huge hand in hers, she told him, "Tell me something about you, something I don't know or something." He laughed again and wondered if maybe she had gone insane. But if she isn't a damn cute crazy girl, he thought. "Uh… after the story I told you tonight, I think you know everything there is to know about me. I'm not that interesting, you already know it all," he told her. Well, maybe not EVERYTHING, but that's gonna take some time.
Sighing out of frustration, she smacked him on the arm, "SOOO tell me about… hmm… about the first time you went to a wrestling show."
"That's easy. It was Wrestlemania 6, in Toronto. It was the first time I ever saw Hogan live…" he started. About a minute and a half into his story, he noticed that her breathing was regular, and she had fallen asleep. Sighing as he began to drift himself, he thought out loud, Yup, you are really something else.
TBC
So, what do you think??!?
