ANNOUNCEMENTS CONT.
"We're late...for dinner? With Jeff and Matt Hardy?" Mark repeats for the second time, causing me to bite my lip in frustration, irritation, and last, but not least.....worry.
"Yes! Dinner with Matt and Jeff Hardy...I think it's time." I say, casually smiling at him, acting like its not a big deal at all, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I should go take a shower."
I turn around, quickly proceeding to leave the room, but am stopped as he grabs me by the arm, and turns me around so I am facing him.
"Hold on, wait a minute, Red." Mark says, licking his lips; before giving me a look that makes me bite my inner cheek in worry, "Now, I dont want to sound bossy or egotistical, but...where the hell is this coming from? I mean, dont take this the wrong way, but I thought we agreed we werent going to say anything about this until we were both ready. Not just you."
"I know," I say, moving closer to him, and lifting my arms up until my hands are on his, shirt covered, pecs, "but its been a month already, Mark. And...believe it or not, I think I'm ready, and....I know I might be wrong by saying this, but...I think your ready, too."
Stopping to look into Mark's eyes, I cant help but notice the confusion and anger, that had been there before, slowly start to disappear, and gradually be replaced with something else; something that causes me to slightly smile knowing that he agrees with me.
"Are you sure about this, Red? I mean.." He begins, bringing his hands up from the side of him, to the front of him, so that their resting on top of my hands, which are still on his chest, "If your not ready, I dont have to go tonight. I mean,....they dont know I'm coming, do they?"
I shake my head, letting him know that he's right..they have NO idea that he will be joining us for dinner; but give Mark another look that, hopefully, tells him that I'm ready, and that I have been ready for a while now. "Mark, I..I dont want to hide you or our relationship anymore, hell, I've never wanted to hide our relationship at all; whether it be from Matt and Jeff, or from anyone else, I've never wanted to hide it. You have to believe me."
He stares at me with the same look as before, but as I hit him with a puppy dog eyed gaze, the one I use to get my way with him, I see his facial expression become softer, "Fine..I give up, Red. Your right, I've never wanted to hide our relationship either, and if this is what you want, well, then I'd be happy to go right along with it."
Letting the smile, that I had been holding back, come to my face, I cant help but stand up on my tippy-toes, preparing to give him a light and quick peck on his lips, before proceeding to turn around and go take my shower. But I am pleasantly surprised, as it seems Mark has other plans in mind as the supposed small kiss turns into a longer kiss--one that eventually takes my breath and all of my thoughts away.
By the time we get to the Olive Garden, a casual Italian restaurant that the Hardys and I frequent a lot, it was going on seven o'clock; which made it two hours since Jeff had paged me before.
"I just know he's in there about ready to kill me," I say, while hopping off of Mark's motorcycle; the one we've secretly been riding on for about two weeks now.
"Well, if I have anything to say about it, he wont," Mark says, locking the bike up before wrapping his arms around me; the latter causing me to jump a little, "Geezus Red, you've been quiet all the way here, and now you're acting all jumpy. I'm only going to ask you this one more time, and then I'm going to leave it alone but...are you sure your ready for this? I mean, I'm used to having women, that I date, not want to be seen in public with me because of the rumor mill, or because of other people's reaction to us, so, if you're not ready yet, or wont be ready for awhile....I'll understand."
Hearing his tone, and the words that were coming out of his mouth, I turn around, facing him, and pull his arms tighter around my back, making us mold together in perfect form, "Mark, dont say things like that. I'm not like those girls in the past. Remember what I said back in the hotel room: I've been ready for as long as I can remember..there's no denying that. I mean, I know I've been acting strangely since we left the hotel, but its just because I'm nervous, thats it. I promise."
After I finish speaking, he looks down at me, and even though he's wearing his sunglasses, I can tell that he's searching my eyes, and facial expression, for any hint that I might be lying;... which I'm not.
Soon, finding none, he bends down, and kisses me on the forehead, before releasing my body from his arms, and sliding his hand down to take my smaller one in his, squeezing mine slightly, "Alright Red, let's get this show on the road."
Stepping into the small restaurant, I quickly scan the place for any sign of Jeff or Matt; and just as my eyes spot a brief glimpse of Jeff's rainbow colored hair, behind a potted plant, I start to feel the butterflies in my stomach take over. "Oh God."
"Breathe, Red. It wont be that bad." Mark says, in a steady voice, as he slightly squeezes my hand; generating some of the confidence, that he has in him, towards me. "It'll be over soon."
While nodding, I take a deep breath in, before letting it out, and sticking my chin up; hopefully portraying a look of confidence to anyone whose around. "I'm ready."
Mark chuckles a little at my pose, but doesn't bother to say anything as I start to walk off, leading him over to where I spotted Jeff seated.
Just as we're rounding the corner to where the boys are seated, I cant help but smile as I hear, and then see, Jeff telling Matt one of his famous fan encounters.
"So, then she tells me that she's my number one fan, and wants to show me some of her moves in AND out of the ring; so I told her-" Jeff begins, about ready to get into the climax of the story, but stops himself in mid sentence as he spots me standing behind Matt; or rather spots Mark standing behind Matt. "A-Amy?"
At hearing this, Matt turns around, and its like slow-motion as I watch his bright and sunny smile turn into a sudden frown, and then see his face go pale, with what looks to be...hurt?
"Amy.." Matt says, not taking his eyes off of Mark, until he spots something else out of the ordinary; Mark and my joined hands. "Your.....late."
"Y-yeah, I'm sorry about that. Mark and I..." I begin, but as the thought of why Mark and I were late fills my head, I feel myself blushing, and cant help but become quiet; joining in with the rest of them.
An hour later, the three of us were still seated at the table, picking at our food, and not bothering to talk to one another.
I must admit, I must've grown accustomed to the silence, because as Jeff stood up from the table, I couldn't help but jump in my seat, startled.
"Mind if I speak to you for a second, Ames..." He said, giving me a look that told me our conversation would be lasting for more than just a second, "alone, that is."
Hearing the harsh tone in Jeff's voice, and then seeing the annoyed look that Matt was giving Mark from across the table, I couldnt help but turn my head towards Mark, waiting for him to give me a go ahead signal before I stood up.
"Don't worry, Red," Mark whispered, in a husky voice, as he leaned towards me, and kissed me on the cheek; signaling our first real show of affection in public, "I'll be fine."
Returning the smile that he's giving me, I dont even realize the roll of eyes that Matt and Jeff give me, as I get up, preparing to follow Jeff to a secluded corner of the restaurant.
Before I can even sit down at the empty table that Jeff leads me to, I find myself being bombard with questions.
"What the hell is going on?"
"I'm fine, thanks for asking..how about yourself?" I say, sarcastically, as I sit across from him, causing him to roll his eyes, and repeat the question again.
"Can it, Amy. What the hell is going on, and dont try to give me any bullshit excuses either," He says, using a harsh voice, which causes me to slightly wince; knowing that he rarely uses any profanity at all, "I leave you alone for a couple of days, and find you boinking the Undertaker. What the hell is up with that?"
Glaring at Jeff, I find myself holding my, now tense, body back, as part of me starts to want to smack the shit outta him, while the other part of me wants to curse him out for talking to me like I'm a child...or rather yet, his child, for that matter.
"I think you better rephrase that question, if you know whats good for you." I say, showing no signs of messing around, and after seeing a brief sign of fear spread across his face, I can tell he's about to take my advice; this time using a much calmer voice.
"Look, I didnt mean to piss you off..but still, what the hell is going on here? I mean, I've been trying to figure this..this thing you have with the Under--"
"Mark." I interrupt, using a much lower voice than before, one that is filled with just as much intensity, but one that is lower, and softer, nonetheless. "His name is Mark, not The Undertaker, not The Phenom. Just Mark."
"Sorry..Just Mark." He says, trying hard not to roll his eyes, and trying hard not to piss me off anymore, but failing miserably on both accounts. "Anyway, as I was saying, I've been watching you two tonight, and have been trying to figure out this thing with Mark that you have going on here, and I have come to a couple of conclusions.....One being: you must have lost your ever freaking mind in the last couple of days, or tw-"
"Don't say it." I say, interrupting him, causing him to sigh loudly; something he does, a lot, when he gets interrupted.
"Wait a second, hear me out..or two-" He begins again, but then quiets down as I interrupt again.
"Jeff, I mean it..dont say a word." I say, scooting out of the booth that we are seated in, "I'd rather not talk to you about this anymore. I mean.....I've finally found someone who treats me with respect, who likes me for me, and you tell me I've lost my mind.....where the hell do you get off saying that to me?"
"Amy, calm down," Jeff says, through gritted teeth, as my voice starts to rise, and the people, surrounding us, turn towards him and I, wondering what the commotion is all about. "We dont want a scene."
"Scene, my ass." I say, standing up, letting him know I dont give a damn about any of these people, or what they think of me at the moment, "I thought that I could tell you about Mark, that I could tell you and Matt, both, about Mark, and that of course, you'd be a little upset at first; upset over the fact that I didnt tell you sooner. But, instead, you and him want to act like jackasses, and prove to me AND Mark what a bunch of immature babies you can be--a bunch of immature and pompous babies at that. So, you know what, excuse me if I dont want to hear whatever the hell you have to say at this moment, and am basically telling this whole fucking establishment that I don't give a damn what they think of me, and that they can just mind their own damn business, because I really don't care right now. Not about you, or any of them, for that matter."
Giving him one last glare, before I turn around, I cant help but stop, motionless, as I notice not only do I have everyone seated near me, looking at Jeff and I, but I also have, almost, everyone in the restaurant, including Mark and Matt, looking at me as if I have grown two heads in the last ten minutes.
"Excuse me." I say, in a slight whisper, before running out of the restaurant; not bothering to look back at Mark, whose running after me, and not bothering to look back at the two men that I've always been proud of..MY Hardy boyz.
"We're late...for dinner? With Jeff and Matt Hardy?" Mark repeats for the second time, causing me to bite my lip in frustration, irritation, and last, but not least.....worry.
"Yes! Dinner with Matt and Jeff Hardy...I think it's time." I say, casually smiling at him, acting like its not a big deal at all, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I should go take a shower."
I turn around, quickly proceeding to leave the room, but am stopped as he grabs me by the arm, and turns me around so I am facing him.
"Hold on, wait a minute, Red." Mark says, licking his lips; before giving me a look that makes me bite my inner cheek in worry, "Now, I dont want to sound bossy or egotistical, but...where the hell is this coming from? I mean, dont take this the wrong way, but I thought we agreed we werent going to say anything about this until we were both ready. Not just you."
"I know," I say, moving closer to him, and lifting my arms up until my hands are on his, shirt covered, pecs, "but its been a month already, Mark. And...believe it or not, I think I'm ready, and....I know I might be wrong by saying this, but...I think your ready, too."
Stopping to look into Mark's eyes, I cant help but notice the confusion and anger, that had been there before, slowly start to disappear, and gradually be replaced with something else; something that causes me to slightly smile knowing that he agrees with me.
"Are you sure about this, Red? I mean.." He begins, bringing his hands up from the side of him, to the front of him, so that their resting on top of my hands, which are still on his chest, "If your not ready, I dont have to go tonight. I mean,....they dont know I'm coming, do they?"
I shake my head, letting him know that he's right..they have NO idea that he will be joining us for dinner; but give Mark another look that, hopefully, tells him that I'm ready, and that I have been ready for a while now. "Mark, I..I dont want to hide you or our relationship anymore, hell, I've never wanted to hide our relationship at all; whether it be from Matt and Jeff, or from anyone else, I've never wanted to hide it. You have to believe me."
He stares at me with the same look as before, but as I hit him with a puppy dog eyed gaze, the one I use to get my way with him, I see his facial expression become softer, "Fine..I give up, Red. Your right, I've never wanted to hide our relationship either, and if this is what you want, well, then I'd be happy to go right along with it."
Letting the smile, that I had been holding back, come to my face, I cant help but stand up on my tippy-toes, preparing to give him a light and quick peck on his lips, before proceeding to turn around and go take my shower. But I am pleasantly surprised, as it seems Mark has other plans in mind as the supposed small kiss turns into a longer kiss--one that eventually takes my breath and all of my thoughts away.
By the time we get to the Olive Garden, a casual Italian restaurant that the Hardys and I frequent a lot, it was going on seven o'clock; which made it two hours since Jeff had paged me before.
"I just know he's in there about ready to kill me," I say, while hopping off of Mark's motorcycle; the one we've secretly been riding on for about two weeks now.
"Well, if I have anything to say about it, he wont," Mark says, locking the bike up before wrapping his arms around me; the latter causing me to jump a little, "Geezus Red, you've been quiet all the way here, and now you're acting all jumpy. I'm only going to ask you this one more time, and then I'm going to leave it alone but...are you sure your ready for this? I mean, I'm used to having women, that I date, not want to be seen in public with me because of the rumor mill, or because of other people's reaction to us, so, if you're not ready yet, or wont be ready for awhile....I'll understand."
Hearing his tone, and the words that were coming out of his mouth, I turn around, facing him, and pull his arms tighter around my back, making us mold together in perfect form, "Mark, dont say things like that. I'm not like those girls in the past. Remember what I said back in the hotel room: I've been ready for as long as I can remember..there's no denying that. I mean, I know I've been acting strangely since we left the hotel, but its just because I'm nervous, thats it. I promise."
After I finish speaking, he looks down at me, and even though he's wearing his sunglasses, I can tell that he's searching my eyes, and facial expression, for any hint that I might be lying;... which I'm not.
Soon, finding none, he bends down, and kisses me on the forehead, before releasing my body from his arms, and sliding his hand down to take my smaller one in his, squeezing mine slightly, "Alright Red, let's get this show on the road."
Stepping into the small restaurant, I quickly scan the place for any sign of Jeff or Matt; and just as my eyes spot a brief glimpse of Jeff's rainbow colored hair, behind a potted plant, I start to feel the butterflies in my stomach take over. "Oh God."
"Breathe, Red. It wont be that bad." Mark says, in a steady voice, as he slightly squeezes my hand; generating some of the confidence, that he has in him, towards me. "It'll be over soon."
While nodding, I take a deep breath in, before letting it out, and sticking my chin up; hopefully portraying a look of confidence to anyone whose around. "I'm ready."
Mark chuckles a little at my pose, but doesn't bother to say anything as I start to walk off, leading him over to where I spotted Jeff seated.
Just as we're rounding the corner to where the boys are seated, I cant help but smile as I hear, and then see, Jeff telling Matt one of his famous fan encounters.
"So, then she tells me that she's my number one fan, and wants to show me some of her moves in AND out of the ring; so I told her-" Jeff begins, about ready to get into the climax of the story, but stops himself in mid sentence as he spots me standing behind Matt; or rather spots Mark standing behind Matt. "A-Amy?"
At hearing this, Matt turns around, and its like slow-motion as I watch his bright and sunny smile turn into a sudden frown, and then see his face go pale, with what looks to be...hurt?
"Amy.." Matt says, not taking his eyes off of Mark, until he spots something else out of the ordinary; Mark and my joined hands. "Your.....late."
"Y-yeah, I'm sorry about that. Mark and I..." I begin, but as the thought of why Mark and I were late fills my head, I feel myself blushing, and cant help but become quiet; joining in with the rest of them.
An hour later, the three of us were still seated at the table, picking at our food, and not bothering to talk to one another.
I must admit, I must've grown accustomed to the silence, because as Jeff stood up from the table, I couldn't help but jump in my seat, startled.
"Mind if I speak to you for a second, Ames..." He said, giving me a look that told me our conversation would be lasting for more than just a second, "alone, that is."
Hearing the harsh tone in Jeff's voice, and then seeing the annoyed look that Matt was giving Mark from across the table, I couldnt help but turn my head towards Mark, waiting for him to give me a go ahead signal before I stood up.
"Don't worry, Red," Mark whispered, in a husky voice, as he leaned towards me, and kissed me on the cheek; signaling our first real show of affection in public, "I'll be fine."
Returning the smile that he's giving me, I dont even realize the roll of eyes that Matt and Jeff give me, as I get up, preparing to follow Jeff to a secluded corner of the restaurant.
Before I can even sit down at the empty table that Jeff leads me to, I find myself being bombard with questions.
"What the hell is going on?"
"I'm fine, thanks for asking..how about yourself?" I say, sarcastically, as I sit across from him, causing him to roll his eyes, and repeat the question again.
"Can it, Amy. What the hell is going on, and dont try to give me any bullshit excuses either," He says, using a harsh voice, which causes me to slightly wince; knowing that he rarely uses any profanity at all, "I leave you alone for a couple of days, and find you boinking the Undertaker. What the hell is up with that?"
Glaring at Jeff, I find myself holding my, now tense, body back, as part of me starts to want to smack the shit outta him, while the other part of me wants to curse him out for talking to me like I'm a child...or rather yet, his child, for that matter.
"I think you better rephrase that question, if you know whats good for you." I say, showing no signs of messing around, and after seeing a brief sign of fear spread across his face, I can tell he's about to take my advice; this time using a much calmer voice.
"Look, I didnt mean to piss you off..but still, what the hell is going on here? I mean, I've been trying to figure this..this thing you have with the Under--"
"Mark." I interrupt, using a much lower voice than before, one that is filled with just as much intensity, but one that is lower, and softer, nonetheless. "His name is Mark, not The Undertaker, not The Phenom. Just Mark."
"Sorry..Just Mark." He says, trying hard not to roll his eyes, and trying hard not to piss me off anymore, but failing miserably on both accounts. "Anyway, as I was saying, I've been watching you two tonight, and have been trying to figure out this thing with Mark that you have going on here, and I have come to a couple of conclusions.....One being: you must have lost your ever freaking mind in the last couple of days, or tw-"
"Don't say it." I say, interrupting him, causing him to sigh loudly; something he does, a lot, when he gets interrupted.
"Wait a second, hear me out..or two-" He begins again, but then quiets down as I interrupt again.
"Jeff, I mean it..dont say a word." I say, scooting out of the booth that we are seated in, "I'd rather not talk to you about this anymore. I mean.....I've finally found someone who treats me with respect, who likes me for me, and you tell me I've lost my mind.....where the hell do you get off saying that to me?"
"Amy, calm down," Jeff says, through gritted teeth, as my voice starts to rise, and the people, surrounding us, turn towards him and I, wondering what the commotion is all about. "We dont want a scene."
"Scene, my ass." I say, standing up, letting him know I dont give a damn about any of these people, or what they think of me at the moment, "I thought that I could tell you about Mark, that I could tell you and Matt, both, about Mark, and that of course, you'd be a little upset at first; upset over the fact that I didnt tell you sooner. But, instead, you and him want to act like jackasses, and prove to me AND Mark what a bunch of immature babies you can be--a bunch of immature and pompous babies at that. So, you know what, excuse me if I dont want to hear whatever the hell you have to say at this moment, and am basically telling this whole fucking establishment that I don't give a damn what they think of me, and that they can just mind their own damn business, because I really don't care right now. Not about you, or any of them, for that matter."
Giving him one last glare, before I turn around, I cant help but stop, motionless, as I notice not only do I have everyone seated near me, looking at Jeff and I, but I also have, almost, everyone in the restaurant, including Mark and Matt, looking at me as if I have grown two heads in the last ten minutes.
"Excuse me." I say, in a slight whisper, before running out of the restaurant; not bothering to look back at Mark, whose running after me, and not bothering to look back at the two men that I've always been proud of..MY Hardy boyz.