Ch 17

Mark finished up his match surprised to see Stephanie waiting for him as he came through the curtain.

"What's up Stephanie?" Mark asked trying to keep his tone civil.

"Are you still staying at Adam's and Stacy's?"

"For the moment, why?"

"Did you hear an argument or anything between them?" Stephanie asked looking up into his eyes seeing his deep hatred towards her.

"No, why?"

"Stacy left Adam over something. He is going crazy looking for her. All I heard from her is she is fine and don't worry. How can I not worry? I have no clue where she went."

"She probably needed time on her own without your old man telling her what to do," Mark coldly said making Stephanie tense for a moment then reluctantly nod in agreement.

"Dad can be very meddlesome," she looked down at the floor for a moment. "I went to see the lawyer today to start the divorce proceedings. I know you're anxious to be free and I want to get on with my life with Dave. There won't be any bullshit games just a clear cut divorce. I'm sorry for all the pain I caused you. I should have told you I wasn't happy."

"It's too late for the I'm sorry crap. I don't want to talk about this topic anymore. I just want this sham of a marriage over and you can rot in hell with Dave," Mark snapped making her slightly jump. "Anything else?"

"No," she stepped back from him hurrying down the hall. Mark let out a deep sigh hoping the divorce would move quickly and Stephanie really would stick to her promise of no games.

He headed to his locker room packing up his bag. On his way to the car, he took out his cell phone calling Stacy.

"Hello," her voice sounded slightly hoarse.

"Hey its me, I'm heading back to the hotel. Do you need anything?" he asked opening his car door.

"No, I'm ok," she softly answered. "Did you see Adam?"

"Yeah, he is searching for you. He wanted to know what I said to make you leave."

"What an idiot. He wants to point the blame at anyone but himself. He can search high and low he'll never find me," she huffed.

"If he does, I'll be around to deal with him," Mark said pulling out of the parking lot. He listened to her softly sigh. "Stacy, just relax I'll be there soon. In a few days, we can return to your house or go wherever you like."

"At the moment, I'm not going back to that house. He'll camp out there after the shows."

"Well think about where you want to go then," he drove down the street heading to the hotel when something caught his eye. He smiled pulling into a spot. "I'm going to go for now. I'll see you shortly," he hung up after she said bye. He ran into the store picking up a few things hoping to cheer Stacy up. He arrived back at the hotel letting the valet take the car. When he arrived at the room, he was surprised to hear silence when he opened the door. He was about to call out her name when he saw her sitting near the window curled up under a blanket staring out into the night.

"Hey darling, I'm back," he said making her turn to him. He sighed seeing she had been crying the whole time he was away. Suddenly her frown turned into a smile as she neared him.

"What do you have?" she asked wiping her tears away.

"I figured some sugar might cheer you up. I got your favorite coffee but not sure if you want to drink it this late," he put the box of donuts on the table opening it up revealing her favorite French crullers with chocolate and vanilla frosting. He put the tray down with her iced coconut coffee and his own regular coffee.

"Thank you," she hugged him.

"It's good to see you smile," he kissed her forehead. "I'm going to take a shower then we can enjoy the sugar rush together."

"Sounds good," she stepped away from him sitting back on the sofa. He gave her another smile before disappearing into the bedroom. Stacy turned on the TV surfing through the channels. She put on Without a Trace and curled up trying not to think about Adam. Her mind kept racing she wanted to know what was in his bag. Suddenly an idea popped into her head and she jumped off the couch rushing into the bedroom to get her cell phone. She ran right into Mark's wet hard chest. He grabbed onto her steadying her.

"Whoa, what's the rush?"

"I'm …," she blushed at the sight of him with only a towel wrapped around his waist. His warm touch against her skin gave her goose bumps as tried to regain her thoughts under his sexy gaze. "I'm sorry. I thought you were still in the shower. I needed my phone to make a call."

"Who are you calling? It's kind of late," Mark asked slowly letting her go.

"I want to find out what hotel Adam is staying at?"

"Why?" Mark asked with concern wondering if she was planning to go to him.

"I want to sneak into his room and check that bag so I can stop driving myself nuts. I'm his wife they will give me a key," Stacy softly said trying to keep her eyes on his face and not let them travel down his body.

"What if he catches you?" Mark didn't like her idea at all.

"He won't. He sleeps like a log. You could drop a bomb near him and he wouldn't wake up," she grabbed her phone.

"Stacy, hold up on making that call. Let me get dressed and we will talk more," he grabbed his clothes heading into the bathroom. Stacy headed back into the living room sitting down to wait for him. A few minutes later, he joined her changed into shorts and a tank top. He grabbed the donuts sitting down next to her. "I thought of another idea instead of sneaking into his room," Mark's stomach churned at just the thought of her doing something like that.

"What's your idea?" she took a chocolate iced donut needing chocolate with the mood she was in.

"He brings that bag to the arena. I'll check it out while he's in the ring," Mark grabbed a donut sitting back.

"I like that idea except," she turned facing him. "I'm going with you to check it out."

"You sure you want to show up at the arena?"

"I can hide out in your locker room when he's in the ring we'll check the bag then I'll leave. He won't know I was there and if he does find out I'll be gone."

"Or you can wait at the hotel and I'll call you," he was uneasy about her being at the arena.

"No, no, no, I want to come," she grinned making him laugh.

"Sugar already kicking in I see," he smirked.

"Maybe," she winked at him making his heart thump with pleasure. He reached out brushing a few strands of hair away from her face.

"Looks like we are going to be up all night," he settled back into the couch putting his feet up.

"That wouldn't be good for you. You need rest for tomorrow," her eyes filled with concern.

"Come on darling, don't worry about me. I'm a big boy I'll be fine."

"You don't have to stay up and keep me company."

"I want to stay with you," he reached out taking her hand in his. "Let's just relax and enjoy the show. No more worrying about anything."

"Works for me," she sat back resting her head against the back of the sofa. Mark kept a hold of her hand while they watched. Mark kept stealing glances at Stacy noticing she seemed more relaxed. He caressed her hand running his fingers along her wrist feeling the little bumps forming on her skin. She blushed when he looked at her. As another episode of Without Trace started, Mark noticed Stacy softly yawn. He didn't say a word just gently pulled her towards him. She nestled against him looking up into his eyes. He kissed her forehead caressing her cheek. She smiled laying her head against his chest as he wrapped his arm tightly around her. In that moment, they both relaxed enjoying being together not caring what tomorrow would bring their way.