Ch 16

Adam arrived at the arena and headed right for Vince's office. He didn't even knock just busted in on Vince talking to Stephanie.

"What the hell is your problem?" Vince exclaimed looking up from the paperwork they were going over.

"Do you know where Stacy is? Have you heard from her?" Adam asked frantically.

"No, what happened?" Vince stared at his son in law as Stephanie watched intently.

"We had a fight and she took off. I thought she would head her to see you. Maybe she went to see her mom," Adam ran a hand through his hair trying to think.

"I doubt that, Mom is in Florida for a few days," Stephanie said. "What were you arguing about?"

"That isn't your business. Do you have any idea where she would go?" he looked from Vince to Stephanie.

"She might have gone to one of the vacation houses. She has keys for all of them. I would think she would drive to one but feel free to call and check if she is planning to use the plane," Vince said not sure where his daughter would go she wasn't the type to run away from a problem.

"She is probably driving around blowing off steam," Stephanie reached for her purse taking out her cell. "Let me take a guess she isn't answering your call," she sarcastically said dialing her sister's number. Adam glared at her not saying a word. Stephanie smiled with satisfaction she had never been fond of Adam and was happy that her sister was finally standing up to him.

"Hi Steph," Stacy answered after a few rings.

"Hi, your hubby is looking for you," Stephanie smirked as Adam came closer.

"I have nothing to say to him. Let Mom and Dad know I'm fine. I need some time to think I'll be in touch soon," Stacy's voice cracked slightly.

"Ok, I'll call you back later. I'll take care of the issue," Stephanie said as Adam grabbed the phone.

"Stacy! I'm sorry," he yelled into the phone hearing nothing but a dial tone. "Damn it! I have to find her. I'm not going to lose her."

"Why would you lose her? What have you done?" Vince asked.

"Nothing it's just a misunderstanding. I'll clear it up. Please tell her I need to speak with her the next time she calls," Adam raced out of the room not wanting to deal with anymore questions.

Stacy hung up her cell phone just as the elevator arrived in the hotel lobby. Mark rested his hand on her back guiding her in.

"You ok?" he asked as the doors shut.

"No," she leaned against the wall looking up at the ceiling.

"It'll get better," he said crossing the distance between them. She shook her head no closing her eyes. He reached out to her surprised when she pushed away from him moving to the other side of the elevator. "Hey, what's going on?" he didn't understand her sudden mood swing after cuddling close to him for the long ride to Philadelphia.

"Maybe it is a better idea if I get my own room I'll be right back," she brushed past him as the elevator opened to their floor.

"No you won't," he gently grabbed her wrist.

"Mark, please let me go," she whispered not looking at him.

"I will when you tell me what's wrong. You were just fine with me till …," he hesitated for a moment realizing what got into her, "Stephanie called."

"She is worried about me and what am I doing hiding out with her husband," Stacy said feeling the strain again of what was going on between her and Mark knowing deep down they could say what they wanted but it was turning into more than a friendship.

"I'm not with her anymore. I don't give a damn about her. I do care a lot about you and I don't regret that," Mark stared at her making tremble slightly. "Please let's talk about this in the room, if you're still not happy I won't stand in the way of you getting your own room."

"Fine," she murmured. He opened the door motioning for her to enter the suite. She sat down on the sofa burying her face in her hands. "What am I doing?"

"You're not doing anything," Mark sat down next to her. "You're going through a rough time and you needed an escape. You called me to help. What is wrong with that?"

"Mark, I didn't even think I just called you. What do you think my sister is going to say when she finds out I'm getting very close to her soon to be ex husband?" she stared at him.

"Really I don't care about her opinion," he answered.

"I can't deal with all this. My marriage is crumbling thanks to my lying ass husband. My family is going to freak out when they find out about our closeness. My life is spiraling out of control," she hit the sofa in frustration.

"Stacy, do you regret calling me? Answer me honestly forget all about your family."

"No, I don't. My world started to fall apart and I ran to you without even a second thought," she softly said making him smile. "Don't smile at me like that."

"Why?"

"Just don't ok?" she got up going to the window.

"Not ok, why?" he followed her turning her to face him.

"I should be miserable right now instead of getting butterflies from your smile," she deeply sighed. "I'm so messed up. I need a shrink."

"No, you don't silly," he wrapped his arms around her. "Just relax we will figure everything out together. Who cares what everybody else thinks all that matters is us and our happiness as things happen. I'm here for you whether it's as a friend or you decide one day you want more either way I just want to be in your life. Can you handle that right now or would you prefer I give you space?"

"I need you Mark," she whispered not caring if it was wrong or right. She nestled against him trying not to think about the mess their lives was about to become.

Mark reluctantly left Stacy a few hours later to head to the arena. She reassured him she would be fine. He hoped the show would go quickly.

"Are you a deaf idiot? I need to know if Vince's daughter Stacy has called about using the plane!" Adam's voice echoed down the hall as Mark entered the arena. "Don't put me on hold again jackass! Damn it!" Adam threw his cell to the floor as Mark came around the corner. "I've been looking for you Mark," he stomped in Mark's direction.

"Why?"

"What did you say to Stacy to get her so upset about me visiting her Dad?" Adam poked Mark in the chest.

"Don't touch me," Mark shoved him away making Adam freeze in fear. "I gave her your message that is all I did. She apparently didn't understand like you said she would."

"I'm sorry didn't mean to attack you. I'm just going nuts trying to find her. Have you heard from her?" Adam toned down his anger realizing Mark wasn't going to take his nonsense.

"No, I haven't," Mark lied. "I have to get ready for my match."

"If you do can you let me know," Adam called after him. Mark nodded his head in response knowing it would be a cold day in hell before he helped Adam find Stacy.