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*September 2001*
Amy looked up at the delighted squeal that issued from the door of the divas' locker room. She'd been in the middle of finishing up her preparations for her appearance on RAW, accompanying Matt to the ring for his match.
Her gaze fixed on Torrie Wilson, the tall platinum blonde wearing a huge grin, dimples and all. The giddy woman made a beeline straight for Stacy Keibler, her closest friend in the WWF, as the two went back back to their WCW days from months past.
The two blondes shared a discreet conversation, and Amy couldn't help but feel the fine hairs on the back of her neck suddenly standing on end. She'd never really had a problem with Torrie aside from the fact that she - and Stacy for that matter as well - had never had any formal wrestling training, and yet she'd been considered a WWF diva since joining the company. That was, up until several short months earlier.
The blonde woman had been seeing Adam almost since immediately after she'd come to the WWF when Vince McMahon had bought out WCW. It didn't matter that the redhead was dating Matt, or that Adam had never so much as even looked her way. She knew how *she* felt about him, and it burned and consumed her.
"You're all coming out with us tonight!" Torrie suddenly crowed, and Amy realized she didn't even know what the young woman was talking about. Apparently, she'd invited all of the other divas out somewhere - most likely with herself *and* Adam, but she was at a complete loss.
"Sure, honey," Terri Runnels said sweetly, a smile on the tiny blonde's face. "I could use a night out."
"Great! So it's settled."
Amy arched a brow in confusion, then turned away from Torrie Wilson and looked to her other side at Lisa Moretti. Softly, she nudged the brunette and kept her voice down.
"What's she talking about?"
"Oh, she wants all of us to go to some club tonight with Adam and her," the older woman answered not so discreetly. Amy felt her ears burning. She should have known to ask any of the other women, as Lisa seemed not to know the meaning of the word 'subtle.'
*
Amy winced at the sudden loudness of the pulsating music as she and Matt entered the club.
In truth, she really felt much less than up to a night of partying, yet something had told her to come anyway. And although she certainly didn't want to have to watch Adam with Torrie, at least she would get to spend *some* time with him - even if it was in a large group.
And it was most certainly that - it seemed as though a vast majority of WWF superstars filled the noisy club. Visibly absent was Trish Stratus, her blonde friend still recovering from ankle surgery. She wouldn't be returning for nearly another month, and wouldn't be stepping into the ring for another two. Amy was sorry for that, as she felt Trish was the only person she could really talk to about her innermost thoughts and feelings. She felt she could use the little blonde's sympathetic ear right about now.
"C'mon," Matt said, tugging on her arm. The dark-haired man pulled her toward a small group that included his younger brother Jeff, Chris Jericho, Shane Helms and Jay Reso. Amy reluctantly followed her boyfriend, wishing she hadn't come after all. She didn't see Adam anywhere.
"Hey, guys," the elder Hardy spoke. "What's up?"
"Nothing yet, Junior," Jericho, the most outspoken of the four said. "We're all waiting for the party host and hostess."
"Hey, Ames," Jay suddenly said, a smile on his face as he focused his attentions solely on her. "Can I get you a drink? It's on me."
The redhead managed a small half-smile for the blond man. He'd always been so nice to her, and Matt had often joked he thought Jay had a crush on her.
"Why not?" she answered. "How about a margarita?"
"Coming right up," the Canadian said with a wink.
As they stood there, Matt immersing himself in conversation with Chris and his brother, Amy glanced around the place. She spotted Jay over by the bar, ordering her drink as well as a beer of his own. Then, as she scanned the club some more, she suddenly spotted him.
Adam, Torrie holding onto his hand and giggling, were just coming through the entry. He briefly spoke to the bouncer at the door, the blonde still beaming as she stayed directly by his side. Then, the tall Canadian, grinning, dipped his head to capture Torrie's lips in a searing kiss for what felt like an eternity until it ended and they headed further into the club together.
The redhead bit her lip, the horrible jealousy she felt making way for anxiety that increased as the couple suddenly spotted them. In fact, Torrie raised a hand to wave, then pulled on her boyfriend's arm, tugging him over with her.
Jay returned, smiling as he saw his best friend and her girlfriend, then turned toward her cheerfully.
"Here you are, Ames."
"Thanks, Jay," she replied as she held the glass up to her lips.
"Well, we might as well start with *them*," Torrie said, her gaze trained on Adam, her blue eyes sparkling. It seemed as though there were a conspiratorial expression on her face.
"Yeah, I guess so," the tall blond man agreed. "Go for it, Tor."
The platinum blonde diva burst out in laughter, then made the announcement.
"Adam and I are getting married!" she exclaimed, thrusting her left hand out for all to admire the generous diamond she wore.
Had she been drinking her margarita, Amy would have choked. Instead, she felt an eerie and total emptiness inside. At the same time, it felt as though she'd been punched in the stomach. God, no... It couldn't be true - it *couldn't*!
And yet, it *was*.
Everyone in the small group was congratulating them, and the redhead finally began to chug down a huge gulp of her drink. Suddenly, she *needed* it.
Finally, when she was the only one of the group who hadn't said anything, Adam focused his green eyes on her.
"Ames?"
For *his* benefit, she forced a smile on her face and hoped it was a convincing one.
"Congratulations, Adam..."
His new fiancee giggled as she sidled up to him, grabbing onto him possessively, and looked into her face.
"Congratulations, Torrie..."