Under The Flame

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A few days later

Amy glanced down at the cell phone she held in her hand as she walked, pulling her suitcase with the other. She had just arrived at the arena for the night's show, and she was reading a text message from none other than Adam.

Obviously, since they were faking a breakup, they needed to be super discreet. And so, they'd decided to primarily communicate in this fashion when they weren't together. Phone calls were a little tricky, but this was easier.

Hastily, the redhead punched out a response with her left hand. She barely paid attention to where she was going, however, and ended up colliding with someone. The body into which she'd bumped was very solid, and not only did an exclamation of surprise leave her lips, she also dropped her cell phone.

She looked up to see Matt, and she grew alarmed as he stooped over to retrieve the cellular device.

"Sorry, Ames... but you really oughta watch where you're going," he said with a laugh.

"Matt... I'm so sorry," she said, her heart nearly stopping as his hand connected with her phone. It had fallen with the flip part still open. What if he noticed the text she'd been typing? Would he realize it was about him? And would he figure out to whom she was sending it?

"Here you go," the dark-haired man said.

To her surprise and relief, he actually flipped the device closed before handing it to her. Grateful on more than one count, she accepted it and thanked him.

"So," he said, "what's goin' on?"

The still nervous redhead shrugged.

"Oh, nothing much," she replied with a slight smile. "Just... same old, same old."

He studied her in silence for a moment. Then, cocking his head, he said, "You really should get out more."

"Excuse me?"

"You know... you should get out more now that you're broken up with that ass... Maybe go on a few dates."

Amy stared at him and tried her best not to let his words affect her. But of course, on the inside, they did. Matt calling the man she loved an 'ass' really bothered her, and his suggestion that she should date other guys? Even more so. She tried to keep her facial features neutral, and, not knowing what else to say, replied with the first thing that came to mind.

"I'll take that into consideration."

Hardy smiled and nodded at her. He said, "Good. It's healthier that you do that, you know."

She didn't reply this time, just managed to somehow smile at him. After a moment, she let out a held breath and spoke.

"Well, Matt, I really should get to the women's locker room, so..."

"Oh, yeah... Okay, see you later, Amy."

"See you." With that, she moved on past him, her entire body tense until she was a decent distance away from him. Once she reached the locker room, she relaxed a bit and finished her text message, making sure to include her encounter with Matt. Then, she clicked 'Send.'

Amy realized an instant later that Torrie Wilson was one of the divas present. She eyed the blonde's back and wondered if she should approach her. For some reason, she felt as though she should.

Mulling it around in her brain a few seconds longer, the redhead made up her mind. As the blonde's back was still facing her, she approached and tapped the other woman lightly on the shoulder.

Torrie turned and showed definite surprise at who had wanted to get her attention. Amy could clearly tell that she was nervous - maybe she even expected a confrontation for flirting with Adam awhile earlier. But the redhead merely offered a warm smile.

"Hey," she said in a soft voice.

"Hi." Torrie stared at her with wonder. She couldn't utter anything more than that in all the shock she felt. What possible reason would Amy have wanted to get her attention, much less speak to her as it seemed she desired to?

"I think we really need to talk."

The platinum blonde hung her head low at those words. She was completely cowed by the mere thought that the other woman wanted to have it out with her. But if that were truly the case, then she would not have smiled, would she? In that case, it had to be something else.

"We do?" she questioned, raising her gaze.

"Yeah," Amy replied evenly. She made a grab for Torrie's arm, her grip loose, not tight or in the least intimidating. "Come on."

Wordless, the blonde followed the other woman out of the locker room and into the arena hallway. Once the door shut behind them, Amy glanced both ways, ensuring that no one was in earshot.

"I know why you did what you did a few weeks back."

Torrie felt her blood chill. What was the redhead getting at? Did she know? But how could she? Matt would never have told her.

"I-I'm not sure what you mean," she stuttered in response.

Amy rolled her eyes, but she figured that reaction and line should have been expected.

"Torrie, it's okay... I know about Matt using you to do his dirty work," she whispered.

This time, the blonde's eyes widened.

"You... you know?"

The redhead nodded.

"I do." She grew startled as the sound of footsteps grew more plain to the ear from a ways down the hall. She eyed the taller woman. "Let's continue this later, shall we? My hotel room... I'm in 328 at the Ramada Inn down the road."

Torrie nodded but didn't say a word.
 
 
 

Part 24

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