Chapter 11

Later that day, Amber was still mulling over the words she'd had with Lexi as she sat in Dean's locker room.

"You look like a woman with a lot on her mind," Dean observed.

Amber shrugged. "I guess."

"I saw you having a heated conversation with Lexi at the gym this morning."

Amber let her gaze drift to the floor. She hated that on Lexi's second day back she'd fought with her best friend. Of course, she hadn't expected Lexi to react the way she did. Lexi's choice of words had done more than just piss Amber off. They'd cut her to the quick.

"You want to talk about it?"

Amber sighed. "Lexi said that what I'm doing is wrong and that I need to stand up to management, because sometimes they're not always right. She said there was a difference between working a bad storyline and ruining your career."

"And Lexi thinks you're doing the latter?"

Amber nodded, the lifted her gaze to meet Dean's. "I thought I was doing the right thing because it was what management wanted. Now I'm not so sure. What do you think? Do you agree with her?"

Dean pushed up from where he sat, crossed to her and eased onto the bench next to Amber. "What do I think? I think you're you're scared because you're future is uncertain right now. I also think you're alienating a lot of people. The same people who would be there for you no matter what."

"You mean Seth," Amber clarified.

Dean nodded. "Him and Lexi and Roman and Nattie and a few others. What concerns me about all this, is if by chance your career does fall apart, then you're going to be all alone with no career and no Seth."

"Seth deserves better than me," Amber mumbled.

"Shouldn't that be his decision to make?" Dean challenged. "I mean I think every damn day that Zoe deserves someone better than me. I'm a mutt. I a bad bet. I come from a broken home and I carry a ton of baggage, yet she loves me anyway. I'm sure Roman and Lexi probably both think the same thing about each other." He placed a hand over Ambers. "But instead of pushing the other person away you know what we do?"

"What?"

"We thank God for blessing us with such a wonderful significant other that they're willing to put up with us...flaws and all."

The door opened and Lexi stepped into the locker room, Alea in her arms. "I'm sorry to interrupt," she said. "But have you seen Zoe?"

Dean removed his hand from Ambers and nodded. "Yeah, there was some sort of issue come up with a winner of a local radio contest. She had to go smoothing things over. Why?"

Lexi frowned. "She was going to watch Alea for me while Nattie and I went over some final strategies for tonight's match."

"Where's Roman?" Dean asked.

"He's coming with us to observe and help me make any necessary corrections. It's been nearly a year since I wrestled in front of the cameras and I'm still a little concerned about ring rust."

"What about Kaitlyn?" Dean offered.

Lexi shook her head. "She kept Alea for me this morning when I went to the gym."

"I can take her," Amber offered. "I mean if you're okay with it."

Lexi arched a brow. "I'm okay with it, but are you sure? I thought you'd be mad at me after our little discussion this morning."

Amber smiled. "Why would I be mad when you only have my best interests at heart?"

Lexi returned her grin. "I'm really glad you can see that."

Amber nodded. "I can and you've given me a lot to think about." She reached for Alea. "Come here, little one."

"Be good for Aunt Amber," Lexi encouraged as she pressed a kiss to Alea's cheek, then handed the baby to Amber. "Everything you need is in the diaper bag. She should want to eat in about an hour. Take the bottle to catering and they'll heat it up for you."

Amber nodded. "Got it."

Alea blinked at Amber, then turned her head and watched as Lexi retreated out the door. Amber half expected a crying fit, but the infant simply shifted her gaze to Dean instead. "Wow. I guess separation anxiety hasn't set in yet."

Dean chuckled. "I doubt Roman and Lexi will let that happen. With all the new faces around here, she's gonna get used to being handed off. Too many of you Diva's go all gaga over babies."

"Us Divas, huh?" Amber asked as Dean crouched in front of Alea and covered his face with his hands to play peek-a-boo.

Dean rolled his eyes at her. "She's practically family," he argued, apparently trying to justify his reasons for playing with the child.

Amber shook her head. "Such a tough guy, reduced to mush by a cute face."

Dean arched a brow. "If you ever tell anyone outside of our little circle, I'll have to kill you."

His empty threat made Amber laugh and she pushed off the bench. "Come on, munchkin. Let's take a walk so Uncle Dean can get ready for his meet and greet."

She opened the door and headed into the corridor. What she needed to do was find Stephanie and test a suspicion that had been building since her debate with Lexi earlier that morning.

It didn't take long for Amber to find Stephanie standing in the corridor talking to Randy Orton. Randy spotted Amber first. "Wow...is that Lexi's little one?"

Amber nodded as she shifted Alea so they could see her. "This is Alea."

Randy appeared to study the infant. "I saw her once just a couple of weeks after she was born, when we were in Tampa for that house show and Lexi brought the baby down for us to meet her." He shook his head in awe. "I can't believe how big she is already."

"It's hard to believe how fast babies can grow," Stephanie added then turned to look at Amber. "Can I see her?"

"Sure." Amber handed Alea to Stephanie and watched as Randy excused himself. "Can I ask you a question?" she said once Randy was out of hearing range.

"Sure," Stephanie replied as she grinned at the baby. "What's up?"

"I was just wondering when I was going to be getting back in the ring. I mean I know it's only been a couple of weeks, but-"

"But you're anxious." Stephanie nodded. "I understand, but we haven't figured out just what to do with you yet," Stephanie replied. "This can't be something we're going to rush simply because you want to wrestle again, Amber. There's a story line here that needs to be played out. Besides, you're doing great as Dean's valet."

"Yeah, great," Amber replied as Lexi's words echoed in her head. She was so screwed.

Seth appeared from around the corner and walked toward them. "Hey boss," Seth greeted.

"Seth," Stephanie replied.

"Amber." Seth nodded at her. "I see you managed to kidnap Squirt from Lexi." He grinned as he made a face at Alea and the infant smiled in response.

Amber watched the exchange between Seth and Alea. God she missed his smiles. "Yeah." She angled a thumb toward the center of the arena. "Roman was helping her and Nattie go over some final details for her first match back tonight."

Hunter sauntered into the conversation and stopped. His smirk turned into a full on grin the moment he spotted Alea. "Well look at you," he turned toward the infant. "What a big girl you are already."

Alea's smile faltered, then slowly her face puckered into a frown and she let loose a cry. "Paul, you're scaring her," Stephanie scolded.

"But I didn't do anything," he argued.

"Here." Amber went to reached for Alea to take her back and watched with mild shock as the baby extended her arms toward Seth instead.

Stephanie looked at Amber then to Seth, "I think she wants you."

"Of course she wants Uncle Seth," he replied as scooped Alea out of Stephanie's Arms. "Come here, Squirt." Alea went willingly, then still wearing a frown looked back at Hunter who chuckled.

"You're willing to go to the man with the two tone hair and beard, but I'm scary?" He shook his head.

"Don't feel bad," Seth said to Hunter as he shifted Alea to one side. "I've spent a ton of time with her since she was born. She's used to me and Roman said she's starting to go through stranger anxiety."

Hunter nodded. "I remember. Our girls did the same thing."

Alea gave Hunter one final scowl before she rested her head on Seth's shoulder. Amber damn near wanted to cry at the sight of Seth hold the baby. He looked so perfect holding her as if she were the most important thing in the world.

A little piece of her cracked at the fictional image that formed in her mind of Seth holding their own baby. A baby that would now never happen because she'd decided to put her career before love. "Um…" She cleared her throat and reached for Alea. "I told Lexi I'd watch her."

She slid her hands around Alea only to have the baby protest loudly. "It's okay," Seth said as he pulled back. "I don't mind watching her until they're done."

"Are you sure?" Amber frowned. "Baby's can be a handful."

Seth leveled a look on her that had Amber taking a full step back. "I've spent just as much time with Alea as you have. I think I can handle her."

Amber lifted her hands up in surrender. "Fine. Her diaper bag is in Dean's locker room. She hasn't eaten yet, so she'll probably be hungry soon. Lexi said to take the bottle to catering and they'll heat it up for you."

Seth nodded. "Got it. And don't worry about Lexi and Roman. I'll tell them I kidnapped Alea from you."

Amber stared as Seth for a moment as emotions warred inside her. She was so lost. So confused by everything that was happening. Dear God she loved him so much, but her need to be more than just Seth's girlfriend or Lexi's tag team partner battled with that emotion. She didn't want to live in Seth's shadow, or anyone's shadow, yet that was exactly what she was doing and she'd continue to be doing if something didn't change. "Fine. If you should need me, call me." Without looking back, she walked away. She needed to think anyway.