Gone

______________________________________________________

Amy felt like a bundle of nerves as she made her way through the arena hallway.

Matt was back. She hadn't answered his call that morning but had returned it later, lying with an explanation that she'd been in the shower when he'd made his earlier call.

She hadn't seen him all day due to the traveling she'd had to do. But now, she was here at the arena for the night's RAW - and she knew Matt was here as well.

The redhead sighed as she turned the corridor and spotted the room number the Hardy brother had given her as his designated locker room for the night. This was it, there was no turning back. And the way she saw it, the sooner she do this, the better.

She steeled herself as she pushed through the door. And there was Matt, inside and sitting down. He smiled and stood up to greet her.

"Hey, stranger..."

"Hi, Matt..."

Amy held her breath as the man approached her, knowing full well he was going to try to kiss her hello. The truth was, at this point, the mere thought of kissing him was enough to make her sick. She squeezed her eyes shut as he neared her. Sure enough, she could feel him moving in for a kiss, his breath warm against her face.

"So... How were all your trips?" she blurted, quickly moving back and away from him. Instinctually, she kept herself at a safe distance from the man.

Matt frowned, and she knew he had to obviously be onto the fact that something was up - that she was somehow different.

He nodded.

"They were all right," he replied with a short nod. A smile came to his face. "But I couldn't wait to get back with the roster. I missed you," he said. He stepped closer to her, but the redhead took a step back.

"What is it? What's wrong?" the dark-haired man asked, concern written on his face. Truth be told, he'd noticed a change in Amy even before he'd left for his numerous appearances two weeks earlier. Ever since the night she'd gotten sick just before, he'd thought he'd detected some strange difference in her.

The diva let out a resigned sigh.

"Matt, we need to talk."

"Uh oh... Here we go," the man muttered. "I guess I should sit down for this, huh?"

She shrugged.

"It's up to you."

Matt opted to take a seat and leaned forward to await whatever she had to say.

Amy stood there silently for a beat, her hands clasping up in front of her as she thought furiously. Then, lowering herself to the couch to sit beside him, she spoke.

"Matt, you're a great guy, and we've been together so long now, but... I can't stay with you."

He frowned, then shook his head.

"So, you're breaking up with me? Is that it?"

The redhead licked her lips nervously, her heart hammering in her chest. Then, slowly, she nodded, somehow managing to stay strong as she held his gaze.

"Why?" Matt demanded. He was beginning to show just the slightest little trace of annoyance.

"I... there's someone else," she admitted softly.

"There's someone *else*?!" Those certainly hadn't been the words he'd been expecting to hear her say. He leaned closer to her, glaring into her hazel eyes. "Who is it?"

Amy sucked in a deep breath, cold fear coursing through her. She'd been afraid of this. She surprised herself as she responded in an instant.

"It... it's Mandy's father."

"*What*?" Matt's eyes grew wide as he raised his hands, both of them going up to his head at her words. This was just unbelievable! "Mandy's father... I thought you two were estranged all these years!"

"We were," she said, her tone soft.

"Well, where is he, huh? Where *is* the son of a bitch? He walked out on you six years ago and never looked back, Amy! How could you possibly reconcile with a bum like that?! He *abandoned* you and Amanda!"

"N-no..." she denied, shaking her head.

"Where is he?"

The redhead bit her lip, hoping she wouldn't stutter.

"It doesn't matter-"

"It matters to *me*!" Matt shouted, his face reddened in anger. "Tell me, damn it!"

"He's... he's right here in the arena," she managed, her heart threatening to break free from her chest.

"What? Oh, he's in attendance in the crowd tonight? Well, that's just-"

"No," she interrupted, blinking. A strange calm came over her. "He's an employee in the WWE."

"*What*? No," he laughed sarcastically. "Next you're gonna tell me he's a wrestler!"

Amy didn't respond verbally this time. However, she didn't *have* to, as Matt could see it all in her eyes.

"Oh, my God... He is... he *is* a wrestler," he breathed. "Who is he?"

Amy shook her head, trying her best to explain. But he wouldn't have it.

"Well, let's see... From what I've heard, there's only one guy you've been spending a lot of time with since I've been away. But it couldn't be *him* now, could it? It couldn't be Adam!"

The redhead glanced down, biting her lip again. And then, Matt rose wordlessly, fleeing from the room before she could do a thing.  
 
 

Part 32

Back