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*Present Time*
Adam followed Amy into the empty locker room, curiosity dominating his face as he looked her over.
"Ames? What is it?" he asked. "What's wrong?"
The redhead looked up, keeping those hazel eyes of hers on his green. His mouth actually went dry at the thought of how very exceptionally and ethereally beautiful she was. She'd always been the only woman who'd ever been able to make him literally breathless. Or was it just that he'd found himself hyperventilating after her wedding to Jay?
"I..." The diva bit her lip again, seeming unable to continue.
He cocked his head, hating the fact that he wanted to just gather her into his arms and kiss her. Lately, he'd found himself trying to release the feelings he'd always had for her, but it was an impossible task. Despite the fact that they'd never been lovers - that they'd never even shared a passionate kiss - it was an impossibility.
And then, she raised her left hand to her hair, pushing back the soft, red locks that cascaded around her face and spilled down her shoulders and halfway down her back. And his heart froze. In clear view, he could see her wedding and engagement rings - the jewelry shining brightly, as though mocking him. They seemed to be a cursed reminder that she was not at all available to him. It stung him like all pure hell.
"You what?" he asked, his voice gentle as he dared to reach out to her, his fingers just brushing her soft forearm.
She glanced down at his hand that was touching her, her breath catching in her throat. This was too much for her. She must have been struck momentarily insane to have told him they needed to talk. What the hell had she been thinking? How in hell could she just say to him, 'I'm in love with you and always have been - even when you were married to Torrie and even though I'm married to Jay.' She could just imagine his reaction. He would probably look at her as though she were crazy!
Adam cocked his head as he gazed down at her, and he inched the slightest bit closer.
"What, Amy? What is it?"
She could sense that her lower lip was actually on the verge of quivering at his nearness, but also at the anticipation of telling him. But then, cocking her head as she gazed up into his green eyes, she finally spoke.
"Well... I was just wondering..." She paused, searching her mind for something - *anything* that would sound the least bit plausible. "... your neck," she continued. "You just fought Chris Benoit for the first time since you've been back, and... I know what a tough competitor he is, and..."
The blond man literally felt his heart sinking as he absorbed her words. Somehow, he hadn't expected *this* to be what she'd meant when she'd said 'We have to talk.' Call him crazy, but he'd been hoping she'd been about to say something else.
And that *was* insane. She was a married woman, for crying out loud! She was his best friend's wife! How could he stand here thinking about how beautiful she was, wishing he had the cajones to take her in his arms and kiss her until she was breathless? How could he wish she'd have said, 'Adam, I love you and I'm leaving Jay'? God damn it, he had to be the worst friend ever - and not only to Jay, but to Amy as well.
"Oh..." he finally spoke, snapping back to his senses. He swallowed hard as he raised a hand and slapped it against the nape of his neck. He stretched the surgically repaired bodypart for a beat and continued. "... the neck's fine. But thanks - thanks for being concerned."
The redhead blinked and gave a short nod as she gestured toward the door. As far as she was concerned, since she'd chickened out, they might as well return to the hallway. He followed her out there, thinking about how, despite what he'd hoped he'd hear, he was touched. If anyone knew what he'd endured after breaking his neck and receiving surgery, it was her. He'd found it strangely ironic that not a year after *her* ordeal, *he'd* gone through the same thing.
"Hey! *There* you are!"
They both looked a short distance down the hall to see Jay heading toward them. Adam's stomach dropped.
The redhead smiled as her husband was suddenly at her side.
"I was looking for you," the short-haired blond man said. He passed a smiling glance at Adam, who merely nodded. "Trish told me you were out for a walk."
The taller Canadian felt out of place as he stood there and watched the couple. He was filled with jealousy - *consumed* by it - and hoped it wouldn't show. Finally, when Jay took hold of his wife's hand, following the gesture with a kiss, he couldn't stand it anymore.
"I gotta get my stuff together," he mumbled. "So I'll see you guys later." With that, he turned and made his way away from them.
Amy found herself relieved that Jay didn't notice how she stared longingly after Adam.