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SummerSlam
Ashley had just left the women's locker room when he approached. She felt her heart nearly stop and knew this would be the moment of truth. Well, it was better this way, in the long run.
"Ash... So, we finally run into each other again," Matt said. He gave her a stern look with no traces of humor.
"Matt... We need to talk."
He let out a derisive, sarcastic laugh. Nodding, he spoke again.
"Damn right we do." He eyed her for a beat, and the slim blonde felt so uneasy and found herself squirming under his intense scrutiny. At that moment, she was regretting not going to catering with Trish and Amy.
"So," Matt said, "go ahead and explain yourself."
Ashley blinked and cast her gaze downward. It was increasingly difficult to look at him in spite of the fact that she'd done nothing wrong. She hated the way he made her feel, as though she were a disobedient child. She steeled herself, squaring her shoulders as she decided it was time to be strong. As she stared directly into his dark eyes, she spoke, her voice steady and unwavering.
"Matt, I'm breaking up with you. And don't ask me why I'm doing that, because you already know the answer."
He glared at her, unable to believe she'd just said all of that. Reaching up, Hardy tried his damndest not to tear out his own hair.
"You what?" he exclaimed. "Ash, you're out of line!"
The blonde suddenly became aware that a semi-small audience had gathered in the arena hallway. They were watching, listening to them. As for Matt, he couldn't have been anymore embarrassed than he was at that very moment.
She put her hands firmly on her hips.
"I think you heard me," came the defiant response.
All of a sudden, the dark-haired man's demeanor changed a bit.
"Okay, fine - you go ahead without me... You break up with me," he spat, his eyes growing hard. "But you'll be back."
Ashley held back a sarcastic laugh.
"Oh, I will?" she challenged.
"Yeah, and you know why? 'Cause you're nothing without me!"
The blonde diva shook her head as the disgust filled her. Looking at him now, she could only wonder what in hell she'd ever seen in Matt Hardy.
"You're wrong!" she shouted. "It's the other way around, and that's been obvious for the longest time now. We're done, Matt - for good!" Ashley spun on her heel, walking away from the man, ignoring his further insults. And as she strode farther down the hall, she suddenly realized that one of the people who'd gathered to witness her officially dumping Matt was none other than Carlito. Ashley noticed him smiling a bit, looking as though he were proud of her. He nodded in approval as she headed his way.
"Way to go, Ash."
The blonde smiled, biting her lip as she inched ever closer to the Latino man. Right in front of everyone else, she went straight into his arms, her blue eyes seeking his brown.
Carlito nearly lost his breath at the action, to say nothing of the look in her eyes. Her gaze was soft and caressing, and she moved her hands up into his hair, caressing his cheek with her right.
"This is probably the worst time to say this," she began, and he cut her off.
"No, Ash... There's never a bad time to say it." He raised his left hand to her cheek, stroking the soft skin and marveling at the feel of it. His right arm encircled her waist, and he was nearly blown away by how good she felt in his arms.
Ashley smiled, a tiny chuckle escaping her. She pressed up slightly on her toes, her lips steadily nearing his.
"I... I love you, Charlie."
Carlito suddenly found himself grinning. This beautiful, precious woman actually loved him. He wasn't dreaming... She'd actually said it herself, and in front of several superstars.
"You do?" he asked.
She nodded and said, "Yeah... I do. I realized I was falling in love with you awhile ago."
He chuckled, bringing his face even nearer to hers.
"Well, that's cool... because I love you, too," he murmured before closing the meager distance between them. He crashed his lips on hers, and the kiss was far better than he'd ever imagined. And God, but she tasted sweet.
The small audience around them began to clap and cheer... all except for Matt Hardy, who stared on in shock. Carlito hadn't ever even so much as crossed his mind. He couldn't believe he was the guy!
Thorougly humilated, Hardy turned and stalked away.