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Lita stepped into the club and looked around, her guitar case in one hand and her Marshall mini amp in the other.
Although the place was fairly modest in size, she couldn't help feeling awed. This was one of the nicest establishments she'd ever stepped foot into - it wasn't dirty, grungy or seedy, like most of the places she'd played in while with Evolution.
"Hi," a voice said, and she whirled around to face the man who'd spoken behind her. She looked up into the face of a large, bulky, tall, bald-headed man with multiple piercings - not only in his ears, but on various parts of his face as well. He would have looked quite menacing if not for the pleasant, warm smile on his face.
"Can I help you?" he asked.
"Yeah...I'm the new guitar player for Sweet Misery. Lita," she added as she placed her guitar case on the floor to shake his hand.
"I'm Albert - the bouncer here," the burly guy replied, still smiling as he shook her hand. "Nice to meet you. Chris mentioned you to me earlier."
The woman smiled. Although she'd just met him, and he was definitely a bit intimidating to look at, she liked the bouncer. "Is...Is Chris here?"
"He stepped out for a bite to eat a little while ago, but he should be back soon. Why don't you go on over to the stage?" he suggested. "The other guys are here...and there's one of 'em right now." Albert pointed to the long-haired blond man sitting on the low stage.
"Okay, great. Thanks," she said, giving him a warm smile before heading in the other man's direction.
Edge was still tinkering with the tuners of his guitar, muttering curses under his breath, when he became aware of a shadow suddenly falling over him. He raised his head slowly, fully prepared to snap at the person blocking his light, but then held his tongue as he drank in the vision before him...
The blond man's gaze slowly scanned over a pair of shapely denim-clad legs, then up to the bare midriff and curvaceous breasts, which stretched tautly across the black top, a picture of a rose done in silver glitter in the middle of it. He quickly noted the huge tattoo adorning her right upper arm before his gaze rose to the woman's face - so beautiful it nearly took his breath away. That lovely face was framed by long, straight red hair, a few streaks of blond mixed in the front. Her lips were full and slightly parted as though she were about to speak, and as his gaze finally shifted to her eyes, he noticed those eyes were hazel, almost an amberish-brown shade. The light just above and behind her seemed to create a halo-like effect around her head - as though she were an angel.
Edge licked his lips, dumbstruck at the moment, at a loss for words. God, this woman must think him a complete idiot right about now...
"Excuse me," she said with an uncertain little smile. "Hi. I'm Amy...Amy Dumas - Lita onstage. I guess I'm your new guitarist..."
"Huh?" Adam thought he hadn't heard her correctly. "Sorry," he said, catching himself. He stood up.
Lita looked up at him, surprised she hadn't realized how tall he was, despite his long legs, when he was sitting. By her estimations, the man had to be about six-four.
He ran his free hand through his long golden hair as his eyes, which she'd instantly noticed were green, met hers.
"I'm Edge. My real name is Adam Copeland, but everyone around here calls me Edge." He cocked his head as he stared at her. "I'm sorry...did you say you were my new guitarist?"
"Yeah," the redhead replied, and the blond man suddenly noticed her tongue piercing. That must have hurt to get. And then he finally realized that she'd been toting a guitar case and a Marshall. He'd been so intently checking her out that he hadn't even noticed them.
"I met up with Chris and Christian just this morning," Lita elaborated. "I auditioned for them, and-"
"Wait," Edge interjected. "Hold on...Are you sure you have the right band here? You auditioned for Sweet Misery?"
"That's right."
The tall Canadian removed his guitar, bounded up the stage to place it on a stand and then returned to stand directly before her again. Gazing into her face, he said, "Okay, let me get this straight - you said you auditioned with Chris - Chris Jericho?"
"Yes," she stated firmly. She was beginning to get annoyed. What was the matter with this guy?
He raked a hand through his hair again, holding it there for a moment as he thought furiously, his head turned away from her. Finally, he met her eyes again. "You must be mistaken...Chris wouldn't hire a girl. How could a girl replace a guy who's six-foot-seven and two hundred and eighty pounds and wields a mean guitar?"
Lita glared at the young man, unable to believe what she was hearing. Of all the sexist, macho baloney... "Well," she began, so furious she was sure he could probably see steam coming out of her ears, "I'm sorry to disappoint you - Edge." She emphasized his stage name, nearly spitting it out before continuing. "I didn't realize that having a penis is what makes a good guitar player."
Adam arched an eyebrow, surprised by her sarcastic remark and candor simultaneously. He certainly hadn't been expecting her to say that. No doubt about it, Amy Dumas was definitely of a fiery nature...
"Look," she said angrily, between clenched teeth. She put down her Marshall, pointing the index finger of her left hand at him and nearly poking it into his chest. "I may not be full of testosterone, but I'm not full of shit, either. Very nice to meet you...Now, excuse me." She picked up the amp and practically pushed past him, nearly stomping her way up onto the stage in her clunky, chunky-heeled shoes.
The tall blond man stared after her as she knelt over to unlatch her guitar case.
Yup, she was full of fire, all right...