Chapter 18

We woke each other numerous times during the night to make love again…it was just kind of one of those making love nights…we'd sleep like an hour in between every time…We made love probably close to 7 times…

I woke up around 5:30…And slid out of bed as quietly as possible…and went to take a shower…and get dressed…At 6…I walked in and set Mark's alarm to wake him up in time for his flight…and also left a note for him…I grabbed my suitcase and cell phone and as soon as I walked out the front door the cab pulled up…I put my bag in the car next to me…and the cab took me to the air port…

At 7…I was in the air on my way back home…

When Mark's alarm went off he rolled over and saw the note on the pillow…he grabbed it and it said:

Absolutely NO Regrets! I enjoyed spending the night in a mans arms…the fact that the arms belonged to my best friend made it that much more enjoyable…I know things may never be the same between us again…but I can live with that…

It was definitely worth every minute, every touch and every single kiss…You made me remember what it feels like to feel loved again and also what it feels like to be a woman again…I haven't had that in a really long time.

I know most fans don't like the fact that you have a life outside of the Undertaker…but the man outside of the Undertaker…Mark Callaway definitely earned some brownie points with me last night…Thank you for everything Mark…I love you.

Love, Lori

Mark was almost moved to tears…then suddenly realized he was alone again…he would be going back on the road…and would be alone again…damn…that's what you call real life…He got mad because Lori didn't wake him up when she was leaving…of course…with as hard as he was taking her being gone…she probably took it just as hard leaving this morning…

He would make a mental note to call her when he got to his hotel room tonight…

Which he did…I saw the name on the called ID…and decided against answering for once in my life…it would be the first time I didn't answer the phone when Mark called me…I just wanted to bask in the after glow of our love making the night before…I really did love him with all my heart…the scary part was…I was falling in love with him…There was nothing more that I wanted to do then answer the phone and confess everything I was feeling…but I didn't want to do it over the phone…I wanted to be standing face to face…or in my case face to chest…and tell him every feeling that was running through my veins…

I was sitting on my couch and leaned over and hit speaker phone to listen to my voice mail which I KNOW he left. He said:

"Alright girl…this is the first time I've ever called and you haven't answered…there better be a damn good reason for it…I have to tell ya something Lori…I love ya darlin'…This isn't exactly the way I wanted to say it to you…but I wanted to tell you before I lost my nerve…I love you…I mean…you see, what I meant to say was…I'm in love with you…or rather falling in love with you…Jesus, Mary and Joseph…I can't believe I just said that to you on your voice mail…How fuckin' retarded do I sound now? Damn…don't answer that question…"

He sighed heavy and continued, "You know you damn near had me crying in my own bed this morning after I read that note you left me…but then I got pissed…I should whip your ass for leaving without saying good-bye…can't say as I blame you though…I imagine leaving was a hard thing for you to do, probably as hard as me having to come to the reality of you not being with me…I want you here with me…and I need you here with me…by my side…I want you to be the first person I see in the morning…and the last before I fall asleep… Listen Lori…I don't care what time it is when you get this message…Call me please…I've never needed anything in my life…but Honestly Lori…I need you…"

And then he just hung up…