Sometimes It Hurts By Lady Boss
	Title: “Sometimes It Hurts” (Sequel to Destiny) Rating: PG13 Author: Lady Boss E-Mail: pikachu_524@yahoo.com Distribution: The Boss’s Office - Anywhere else, let me know and ask nicely Disclaimer: Not mine never will be, but six lucky numbers could change that. Summary: Decisions are made, but it might be too late. “There’s something I have to tell you…” Mark stood at the door of his hotel room bathroom and knocked on it. “Sara?” he asked. “You okay in there?” The sound of a toilet flushing was his response before the door opened, reveling a pale-faced Sara, dabbing at her face with a towel. “That’s it,” she announced as she tossed the towel to one side. “No more airline food for me.” She walked out of the bathroom and crawled onto the bed. Mark walked over and sat next to her. “Been sick long?” She shook her head as she grabbed a pillow from the head of the bed and brought it down to rest her head on. “Other than some chicken salad, I can’t think of anything else to make me this sick.” “Want me to order up some ginger ale?” He offered. “Could you?” She reached out a hand and he took it in his. “Christ, of all fucking weekends for this to happen, why this one?” Mark knew what she meant. This was WrestleMania weekend. Usually this was the weekend he and Sara made like tourists and went to all the attractions before he had to slip back into character and go through the gauntlet of publicity and appearances. But as he looked down at Sara, he knew this weekend was going to be different. Very different. He smiled at her. “I’ll be right back.” He leaned down and kissed her on the temple before walking into the living room of their hotel suite. Sitting on the sofa, he picked up the room service menu, but his mind was on something more than ginger ale. This was the deadline he and Adam had given each other to end things between Oscar and Sara. Knowing Adam had no doubts on his end made Mark’s resolve stronger, but unlike Adam, who had the luxury of having Oscar around him almost twenty four seven, it was harder for Mark to make his announcement since he didn’t see Sara as often, but he knew he couldn’t put it off any longer. He had to tell her before he lost what nerve he had and any chance with Adam he may have. “Mark?” He heard her call from the bedroom. “What?” “Have you ordered the ginger ale yet?” “No.” “Could you order a cream of mushroom soup as well? I’m starving.” He chuckled. “Sure babe.” Picking up the phone he was tempted to call Adam’s room and talk to him, but didn’t give in, figuring after this weekend, they could talk to each other all they wanted. Adam walked into the hotel room he and Oscar were sharing and found his smaller lover still asleep, curled under the covers, only his head visible. Shaking his head, he walked over to the single bed and climbed on, spooning himself against Oscar and getting a happy purr in return. “Mmm, Shannon, you better leave before Adam gets back,” he heard Oscar mumble. “Shannon huh? Didn’t know you like your cock southern fried.” Adam whispered in return, watching Oscar turn his head, a smile on his face. “Just get in?” Oscar turned his body fully toward Adam. “Just waking up?” Oscar nodded. “I wore you out that bad?” Adam teased. “Ha, you wish. This is the first day in weeks I’ve been able to sleep in and I was going to enjoy it. Though I was hoping you’d join me.” “I know, but I had that appointment with the doctor today.” “What did he say about your neck?” “Judging from the x-rays, he says I should be good to go for my match as long as I’m careful.” Oscar reached out to touch Adam’s neck, the contact sending shivers through Adam. “How’s your neck?” “Fine.” Adam covered. “Wish you’d get to see Jim sooner, so we’d know for sure.” “I know.” “Promise me you’ll be careful in your match.” “Promise,” Adam replied before he and Oscar kissed. “So what do you want to do today before we run the publicity gauntlet?” Oscar asked. “I don’t know. What did you want to do?” “Other than have you join me here in bed? How about we just go out and have some fun? Maybe go to the Space Needle.” “Sounds like a plan. You can get a great view from up there.” Adam watched Oscar looking at him with a smirk on his face. “What are you thinking?” “Nothing.” Adam’s suspicions grew. “Tell me.” Oscar shook his head. “It’s nothing.” “Oscar…” Oscar clamped his lips shut, but Adam could see the smirk in his eyes. “What’s going on in that devious little mind of yours?” Oscar shook his head as he tried not to laugh. “You know I have ways of making you talk.” Oscar shrugged as if to say ‘so what?’ Adam sighed. “I guess you’ll tell me when you do.” Oscar nodded. Refiguring his plan, Adam leaned over to kiss Oscar. After a long slow, tongue twisting kiss, Adam moved his lips from Oscar’s onto Oscar’s neck, licking and sucking on the skin while he slid a hand down Oscar’s chest and stomach, wrapping his hand around the semi-erect cock. Adam smirked when he heard Oscar whimper. “Like that?” Adam whispered in Oscar’s ear breathily, getting a shiver of appreciation out of it. “Want more?” he teased, sliding his hand down to the base of Oscar’s cock and letting a couple of fingertips play with Oscar’s balls. “Yes,” he heard Oscar return with a hitch in his voice. “Then tell me what’s on your mind that has you smirking at me like that.” “You fucking me.” Adam chuckled, pulling back and removing his hand. “Wrong answer. A nice one but wrong.” Oscar groaned and flopped back. “You bitch.” “Seriously, what’s got you in such a good mood?” Oscar looked at Adam. “Isn’t waking up and seeing you here enough?” Adam opened his mouth to talk when there was a knock on the door. “I’ll get that.” Adam kissed Oscar’s chest, got off the bed and walked to the door to open it. “Hey man!” Came the warm greeting from Jay who stood in the doorway before looking over at Oscar. “Uh, did I come at a bad time?” “No,” Oscar said. “I just got up.” “And I had my doctor’s appointment.” Adam answered. “Come on in.” Jay accepted the invitation. “Where’s Chris?” Oscar asked. “Out playing rock star.” Jay sat at the table by the window. “I tell you there are times I wonder who I’m really dating; Chris Jericho or Moongoose McQueen.” “I thought he didn’t go by Moongoose anymore.” Adam moved over to sit next to his friend. “He does from time to time.” Jay dismissed looking from Adam to Oscar and back again. “Are you two sure I wasn’t interrupting something?” “No,” Oscar assured him as he swung his legs onto the floor. “As a matter of fact, I should be getting dressed right now.” “Oh okay.” Jay looked at Adam. “So how’s your neck? You going to be able to wrestle Sunday?” Adam nodded. “As long as I’m careful.” “But you are going to see Jim aren’t you? For a through examination?” Adam nodded. “Come Monday, I’m on the first flight to Alabama.” Jay looked over at Oscar, who was busying himself with gathering his things. “Are you going to go with Adam?” “Depends.” Oscar tucked his outfit for the day as well as his shower stuff into the crook of his left arm. “We’ll have to see how my match with Matt goes.” “Oh please, everyone knows he’s going to drop the belt to you.” Jay said. “Maybe, maybe not.” Oscar shrugged as he walked over to the table. “I’ll be back out.” He told Adam before kissing him. “Te amo.” “Te amo,” Adam returned before watching Oscar walk into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. “Man, you weren’t kidding when you said he was big for his age.” Jay cracked. Adam laughed. “No I wasn’t and if you think it looks good, wait until you feel it in you.” “You giving me permission?” Jay cocked an eyebrow. “You touch him and I’ll get medieval on your ass.” “It’s just as well, I guess. Chris would have my balls for the billiard room if I cheated on him.” “Everything getting smoothed out with he and Jessica?” It was a well kept secret in the back Chris and his wife Jessica were splitting up; not over Chris’s relationship with Jay, as many had suspected, but for the same reason so many other wrestling marriages broke up; because she wanted a husband who was home more often than Chris was. So far things had been going smoothly between them, with Jessica agreeing to a Dominican divorce as soon as the kinks were worked out. “Yeah. All that needs to be taken care of right now is property distribution. They both agree to keep everything they had or made before the marriage, but right now they’re figuring out how to divide the marital property.” “At least things are going well with them.” “Yeah. You know the strange thing is, she said if Chris and I ever decide to ‘commit’, she’d throw us a party.” Adam nodded, knowing Sara wouldn’t be that generous if he and Mark decided to make it official. “What’s going on with you?” Jay asked. “Nothing. Why?” “I heard from Terry you’ve been distracted since you guys got back from South Africa. He also told me he saw you and Mark talking in the hotel restaurant garden the first night there.” “Never took him for a snitch.” Adam looked down at the tabletop, tracing his finger over an imaginary pattern on the worn out ‘wood’ top. “He wasn’t snitching on you Adam. He and I talked on the phone and he happened to mention it, that’s all.” “I know.” There was an awkward pause before Jay asked. “So what were you and Mark talking about anyways?” Adam looked at Jay. “That’s something between Mark and me.” “Okay, whatever. I just hope you didn’t let yourself get talked into getting together with him again.” “And if he did?” “Did what?” “Talk me into getting back together with him.” Jay looked at Adam. “Please tell me that was hypothetical.” “What if it wasn’t? What if he and I did talk about getting back together?” Adam glanced at the bathroom door to make sure Oscar didn’t come out at that moment, though the running water assured him Oscar was still distracted. “Then I’d have to say you’re nothing but a goddamned idiot for letting him use you again.” “He never used me.” “So is it true? No ‘what if’ shit this time; are you and Mark an item again?” Adam looked back at the tabletop. “Not yet.” “Not…? What the fuck do you mean ‘not yet’?” Jay nearly shouted before remembering Oscar was only a thin wall away from them. He leaned forward. “What the hell are you thinking?” He hissed. “You’ve got a wonderful thing going with Oscar, why in God’s name would you want to get yourself involved with Mark again?” “Because I love him okay?” Adam snapped. “I still love him.” “Adam, he’s still married to Sara for crying out fucking loud! All you are to him is nothing more than a piece of ass while he’s on the road.” Adam looked up. “That’s not true.” Jay sighed. “For the love of God Adam, how can you sit there and believe otherwise? How can you sit there and tell me with a straight face you still love a man who probably thinks of you as nothing more than someone to warm his sheets when Sara’s not around to do it for him?” “You don’t understand.” “Of course I don’t! There’s a lot of this shit I don’t understand. Like how you can let yourself still feel this way for a man who shattered your heart into a million and one pieces, how you can let yourself get sucked back into bed with him again, and probably the worst thing; how the hell you can hurt Oscar like this. Christ Adam, Oscar loves you.” “I know.” The sound of the shower ending quieted them for a few seconds. The next sound heard was the droning buzz of Oscar’s electric razor, letting them know they still had a few minutes to finish things. “Then why Adam?” Jay whispered. “Explain that to me. Why the hell are you going to throw away the best thing to ever happen to you for a second chance with the son of a bitch who broke your heart? No, correct that, with the son of a bitch who ripped your fucking heart out and punted it from the fifty-yard line. I’ve seen what Callaway’s done to you and it makes me sick to think you could possibly even consider getting back with him while he’s still married to Sara.” “He won’t be for much longer.” Jay leaned back in his chair. “You still honestly think he’s going to leave her for you? How can you fall for that Adam?” “Simple. Mark and I made a pact before No Way Out that we would tell Oscar and Sara we were getting back together by WrestleMania.” “And if you didn’t? Let’s say you get some common sense and grow yourself a brain and realize Mark is just playing you, what happens then?” “Then Mark and I are over. For good.” “Where have I heard that before?” “Listen, I didn’t give you any grief when you and Chris were seeing each other while he was still married to Jessica.” Adam shot back. “That’s because they were near the divorce finish line anyways. All that had to be done was Chris or Jessica filing the papers and calling the lawyer. Sara still loves Mark, Adam. She still thinks she’s going to get the happy ever after Mark promised her in their wedding vows. Jessica knew things with her and Chris weren’t working out. Sara has no idea Mark still loves you, that is if he does love you.” “He does.” Jay sighed. “Are really that much a glutton for punishment? I mean how many times does Mark have to use you and toss you aside before you realize he’s not worth it?” “He never tossed me aside.” “If stringing you along with promises of a life together only to tell you out of the blue he met some woman at an autograph signing and he wants to marry her instead of being with you isn’t being tossed aside, then what the hell is?” “This is such bullshit.” Adam leaned back in his seat. “And so is whatever line Mark’s using to get you back with him. Listen,” Jay leaned forward. “Tell Mark the pact’s off. Tell him to stay married and let go of whatever fantasies he has of having you back with him and then fix whatever’s bothering you and Oscar right now.” “There’s nothing bothering me and Oscar right now.” “You’re lying.” Jay challenged. “It may not be obvious to everyone else, but even I can see there’s some tension there, even if he did look like he was in a good mood.” “You know what’s bothering me and Oscar right now? What’s bothering me and Oscar right now is he loves me and I wish to God I felt the same way. I have tried Jay, I’ve tried loving Oscar but…” Adam paused. “The main reason I haven’t told Oscar about me and Mark yet is because I’m afraid of what he’ll do to himself if I do tell him.” “What do you mean ‘what he’ll do to himself’?” Adam told Jay bout the conversation with Chavo in South Africa. “So the main reason I haven’t told Oscar is because I can’t live with the guilt of what he might do to himself, but yet it’s unfair of me to pretend to love him when the feelings aren’t there anymore.” “I’ve seen you two before Mark came back, there was no pretending there; you were in love with him.” “I was, but I still love Mark.” “No.” Jay said. “You’re in love with the idea of how things used to be with the two of you. You want things to be like they used to be, before he told you about his meeting and marrying Sara, but they can’t Adam. No matter how hard you try, they’ll never be the way they were. Ever.” Adam was about to refute Jay’s comment when the buzzing stopped and the bathroom door opened, Oscar stepping out wearing a hockey jersey, bib overalls and sneakers. “Isn’t that the Maple Leafs jersey I lent you when you didn’t do your laundry before Survivor Series last year?” Jay asked Adam. “Yeah, but it looks better on Oscar.” Adam cracked. “You want it back?” Oscar sat on the edge of the bed. “Not right now.” Jay assured him before checking his watch. “Better get going. Chris said he wants me to meet him for lunch after his radio appearance.” He stood and paused by Adam’s chair. “Just think about what I said okay?” he whispered before saying goodbye to Oscar and letting himself out. “So, did you still want to go to the Space Needle?” Oscar asked. “What? Oh sure. I’m ready when you are.” “Great.” Oscar got off the edge of the bed to get his coat while Adam sat and tried to digest what Jay had told him, his resolve about telling Oscar about he and Mark growing weaker by the second. “See one night, after the Royal Rumble, I went out and I ran into…” Mark sat on the bed next to Sara watching television while she sipped her ginger ale, the bowl of cream of mushroom soup sitting half empty on the tray next to the bed, her only being able to eat about four spoonfuls before deciding to stop, fearing it would upset her stomach more. “I talked to Mom before I came here,” Sara announced while she and Mark watched a rerun of ‘NYPD Blue’. “Yeah? What did she have to say?” he asked without looking at her. “She wanted to know if we were going to try again.” “Try what again?” “Having a baby.” Mark looked at Sara. “I thought they weren’t going to bring that up.” “She said she didn’t want to over the holidays because she didn’t want to put a damper on things but according to her, it’s no longer the holidays and now she’s getting pushy.” Mark shook his head. “Pushy’s right.” Sara chuckled. “Can’t blame them. Here we were filling their heads with dreams of grandchildren and because I didn’t know how to piss on a stick, that got taken from them.” “It’s not your fault.” “I know.” Sara glanced at Mark. “So how do you feel about it?” He looked at her. “About what?” “About the price of Swiss cheese,” Sara cracked, cuffing Mark on the upper arm teasingly. “How do you feel about us trying again?” Mark could only blink. “You want to try for a baby?” Sara shrugged. “I don’t see why we can’t. We seemed pretty thrilled with the idea when it first came up.” “That was because we thought it was a done deal.” “And now?” Mark sighed. “I don’t know. The timing might be wrong.” “Why’s that?” “I want to be there this time. I want to see all the firsts I didn’t when my older two were born. If we have one now, I’d miss all that again.” “Are you sure that’s the only reason?” “What other reason would there be?” “Adam.” Mark forced a chuckle. “Sara, Adam’s with Oscar now. Our relationship is a dead issue.” “Are you sure?” she asked with some hope in her eyes. “Yes,” Mark said, though he hated himself for lying to her. “It’s all done and over with. He and I had a long talk when I got back and everything’s straightened out.” “Good,” Sara said with a sigh. “I know it must’ve been hard on you to end things, given your history.” Mark shrugged, hoping he seemed convincing. “Had to grow up sometimes.” Sara chuckled, setting her ginger ale on the nightstand before leaning over to hug her husband. “I love you, you know that?” “I love you too.” A quick kiss between them before Sara rested her head on Mark’s shoulder, while Mark stared ahead of him, wondering how the hell he was going to tell her the truth. “We came back to the hotel together. All we planned to do was talk…” An hour after going to the Space Needle, Adam and Oscar decided to do some quick shopping. While Adam was looking for some shirts, Oscar found his attention drawn to the jewelry counter, the ring section especially. “Hey chico.” Oscar looked away from the rings he’d been looking at to see Chavo standing next to him. “Hey.” “Where’s Adam?” Oscar looked around and spotting him over in the menswear department, pointed Adam out to Chavo. “Over there.” “Oh cool, because a little kid like you shouldn’t be left unattended, you know?” “Ha-ha.” Oscar scoffed before looking at the rings again. “Looking for yourself?” Oscar shook his head before looking over his shoulder to make sure Adam was still occupied. “There’s something I want to talk to you about.” “What’s that, amigo?” “I was thinking of asking Adam if he wants to commit.” “Commit what?” Oscar rolled his eyes. “A commitment. Like getting married.” “Whoa,” Chavo looked over at Adam. “Sure you’re not rushing things?” “No.” Oscar shook his head. “I know things are a little tense right now with Mark being back and all, but I’m thinking ‘why not?’ you know? I love him, he loves me. I’m not saying we have to get committed right away, but it’ll be kinda nice to let Callaway know Adam’s mine.” There was something about the expression on Chavo’s face that made Oscar suspicious. “What’s that look for?” “What?” “That ‘if you only knew’ look. The same one you gave me before you told me about Carlos.” “It’s nothing man. Really. Just got a lot on my mind.” “Something I can help with?” Chavo shook his head. “Nah, just some family stuff. Though if I were you, I’d rethink this commitment thing.” “Why?” “Don’t get me wrong, I think you and Adam make a great couple, but you’ve only been together since New Year’s and three months is hardly enough time to make such a big step.” “There have been people who’ve been together for less amount of time.” “Yeah but sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I don’t want you getting hurt.” “I don’t want to get hurt either but Adam’s different.” Again, that look. “All right, if you’ve got something to say about Adam, spit it out.” Oscar snapped. “I’m sick of the funny looks you get every time I mention him or you get when you’re around him. Like there’s something you know that I don’t.” “I just don’t want you to get hurt again, amigo.” “I won’t. Adam’s not Carlos. As I said, things have been a little nerve wracking since Callaway’s been back, but it’s going to get better. I know it will.” Chavo glanced at Adam before looking at his friend. “I hope so man. For your sake, I hope so.” Oscar was speechless as Chavo excused himself and walked away from the counter. He looked over at Adam, who was trying to decide which shirt to by and wondered if there was some hidden meaning to that comment. And if there was… Oscar was afraid of what it might be. Adam and Oscar returned to the hotel, and ran into Matt Hardy and Shannon Moore in the lobby. Wanting to go over ideas for their match, Matt asked Adam if he could borrow Oscar while Shannon made himself scarce by heading over to the gift shop to look for a book, leaving Adam to sit in one of the overstuffed fabric chairs in the lobby and try to distract himself. Resting an elbow on the armrest, he put his head on his hand and rubbed his temple, feeling one of his headaches coming on, though these days he didn’t know if the headaches were from his neck or the constant internalizing of his current situation. “Need a Tylenol?” Adam opened his eyes to see Mark standing in front of him. “No I’m fine.” Adam dismissed as Mark sat in the chair next to Adam, keeping a respectable distance. “Where’s Oscar?” Adam looked around and found Oscar talking to Matt over by the gift shop door. “Over with Matt,” he gestured with a thumb. Mark followed his direction. “Yeah that’s where Sara is.” Mark said. “She wanted to pick up a couple of things before we went out shopping.” “Oh.” There was a silence between them for a minute before Mark asked. “I take it you haven’t told Oscar yet?” “You tell Sara?” Adam whispered. “Not yet.” “Same here.” “When?” Adam looked at Mark. “What?” “When are you going to tell him?” “When you tell Sara. I don’t see why I have to be the first to do it unless you’re doubting if I’m serious or not.” “I know you’re serious. The fact you stayed with me in the gardens proved that.” “Then what’s the problem with you telling her first?” “There’s no problem.” “Good. Because I was beginning to think this was going to be a one sided deal with you wanting me to break things off with Oscar while you still had Sara on the side.” “A few weeks ago that might have been the case but not anymore. I only want you.” “Same here.” Adam whispered. Mark looked over at the gift shop before looking over at Adam. “Meet me here tonight around eleven.” “Why?” “Because, if you do, I’ll know you told Oscar.” “And if I don’t?” “Then I’ll know you didn’t if you don’t show up.” “Are you going to tell her beforehand?” Mark nodded. “Either way Adam, I can’t keep pretending I love her. I can’t risk hurting her like this.” Adam glance over at Matt and Oscar, who smiled at him when their eyes made contact. Adam smiled back before looking at Mark. “Eleven o’clock then.” The same time Adam and Mark were talking, Sara was inside the gift shop looking for just the right thing she needed for her surprise for Mark that evening. She glanced out the window to see Mark talking to Adam and felt a chill at Mark’s body language; the way he sat with his body leaning close to Adam and the hunched over way he sat when he wanted to keep a conversation private. To her, it looked like they were making plans of some sort. Watching the two of them, she couldn’t get over how natural the two of them looked together sitting there like any other couple talking. She glanced toward the door, noticing Oscar standing there with Matt and could tell by the way he kept glancing over at Adam and Mark, he was suspicious of what was going on as well, though being the gentleman she knew he was, she knew he wouldn’t cause a scene here in the hotel lobby. She looked down at what she was going to give Mark that evening. Her original plan was to give it to Mark after his match at WrestleMania to either boost his spirits if he lost, or raise them higher if he won. But seeing him with Adam, she knew she didn’t have the luxury of waiting until Sunday and knew tonight was the best chance she had of surprising Mark. And hopefully saving their marriage in the process. Oscar had a hard time paying attention to what Matt was telling him, his attention distracted by seeing Mark sitting a little too close to Adam. Struggling to listen to Matt and keep an eye on Mark and Adam at the same time, he thought about the little box hidden in his bib overall pocket as much as he wanted to hear what Matt had in mind for the match, he wanted to excuse himself, get Adam away from Mark and take him to their room where he hoped Adam would say yes to what he had to ask. “I can’t explain how or why it happened. Only that it did…” “So get everything straightened out with Matt?” Adam asked after what was a quiet ride up the elevator as he and Oscar headed for their room. “Yeah, we’re going to have to get the final match layout from Dean, but I think it’ll be a good one.” They both entered the room; Oscar first, Adam behind him. They removed their jackets and tossed them onto the chairs before Adam stretched out stomach down on the bed, pulling a pillow down to wrap his arms around. Oscar looked at him in slight amusement. “Is that your way of telling me you’d rather have some smelly pillow to cuddle up to than me?” Oscar teased as he stretched out next to Adam. “This is your pillow.” Adam’s voice was muffled. “Why do you think I’m cuddling it?” “I thought you might like to cuddle the real thing instead.” Oscar joked before looking at Adam. “Everything okay?” Oscar reached out and played with a strand of Adam’s hair. “Yeah, my neck’s fine. Just tired from the shopping.” “Well don’t fall asleep on me yet.” “Why?” “There’s something I want to ask you.” “Shoot.” “Nope.” Oscar raised himself on one elbow. “I want you awake and looking at me when I ask you.” Adam sat up with a sigh. “Okay, I’m awake.” Oscar sat up as well. “I know we haven’t been together all that long for me to ask what I’m going to.” He pushed a lock of Adam’s hair back from his shoulder. “And I probably should wait until WrestleMania, but with you heading to Alabama to see Jim and my not knowing how the match is going to play out, I thought now would be as good a time as any to ask you this.” “Okay,” Adam said slowly. “What is it?” Adam watched Oscar take his hand in both of his. “Adam Joseph Copeland, will you commit to me? Or at least that’s how I hope it goes.” “You mean like go steady or -?” “I mean like marry me.” Adam felt his body get hot, like he had suddenly had a fever. “You’re serious?” Oscar nodded. “I know I sound like some pubescent sap, but I love you and I want to spend my life with you.” Adam heard the screams of panic in his head. “Aren’t we rushing things a little?” he asked hoping Oscar would see that point. “That’s what Chavo said but I’m telling you the same thing I told him; it’s not like we’re going to run right out and get committed right away. We can have a nice long engagement, if that’s what it’s called and maybe if you do have surgery and have to take the time off, we can set something up while you’re recuperating.” Adam pulled his hand from Oscar’s and stood up. “I don’t know about this. This is a pretty big step.” “I know that amante, but it’s just…God you’ve got me talking like a romance novel, but I love you Adam. I really, really love you and I was hoping you’d say the same thing unless…” “Unless what?” Oscar looked Adam straight in the eye. “Is there something you want to tell me?” “Tell you?” Oscar sighed. “I know I’ve mentioned it before and I’m sorry if I sound like a broken record, but you’ve been in this strange mood for the past few weeks.” You have no idea, Adam thought. “So, why won’t you tell me what’s wrong? I know you're worried about your neck and the surgery if you need it, but is there something more to that?” Adam sighed heavily. “I don’t want to get into it right now.” “Adam.” Oscar said firmly. “Don’t you do this to me. Don’t you fucking shut down on me.” “I’m not shutting down on you.” “Then talk to me damnit! What the fuck has gotten into you? I thought you would want to be with me.” “I do! It’s just…” “You and Mark looked pretty cozy in the hotel lobby earlier.” Adam was startled by the change in conversation. “What’s that supposed to mean?” “I thought it was over between the two of you.” “It is.” Adam replied. “Is it?” That was something Adam had wondered for a long time. It was also something he didn’t wonder about anymore. “Adam,” Oscar’s voice brought him back. “Is it over with you and Mark?” The emotions kept up their war; he wanted to tell Oscar, but Chavo’s words about Oscar’s attempted suicides scared him from saying anything, but now, the desire to confess was winning out. “Adam, please talk to me. Say something.” Adam looked at his smaller lover’s concerned face and knew he couldn’t pretend anymore. “There’s something I have to tell you.” “Are you sure there’s not a shop anywhere in Seattle you haven’t bought out?” Mark griped as he and Sara returned to their room a few hours later. “I think there’s a couple left out there for next time.” Sara chuckled setting her purse on the arm of the chair and the bags on the sofa. “Why do you think I always bring an extra suitcase with me when we travel?” “I guess I found out didn’t I?” Mark set the bags next to hers. Another chuckle from Sara as she headed for the bedroom. Getting the bags situated, Mark flopped down onto the chair across from the sofa where the bags were and promptly knocked Sara’s purse which he hadn’t seen there onto the floor. Letting out a gripe, he bent over the side to pick it up. Making sure he had everything, he noticed the corner of an envelope sticking out. Curious, he pulled it out halfway and saw it was a simple white envelope with his name on it. Looking it over he saw it was a card of some kind, but the thickness of the envelope made it hard for him to see what kind of card it was. “Open it.” He started hearing Sara’s voice. He looked over to the bedroom door and saw her standing there, her arms wrapped around herself with an expectant look on her face. “Come on, open it,” she goaded. “I was going to give it to you Sunday, but I can’t wait. “You already gave me a birthday card on Monday.” “I know.” She walked into the room and sat on the arm of the chair. “Consider this a belated birthday present.” He shrugged before opening the envelope. Not glancing at the outside of the card, he opened it… And saw his life with Adam dissolve right before his eyes. “I never meant for it to happen. I don’t know why I let it.” Adam walked around the room like a tiger feeling out its cage as he told Oscar everything. “I thought I was over him, but I guess I’m not.” He looked at Oscar who was sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at the floor. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I…I never meant to hurt you like this, but I couldn’t live with this any longer. I couldn’t keep leading you on like this.” Adam paused to look at Oscar, waiting for some response. Something to let him know what he was thinking or feeling. Seconds dragged, as had the silence while Adam waited. “And you came back to our room after being with him?” Oscar looked up at Adam. “You fucked him and had the nerve to come back to our hotel bed and lie to me? Telling me you loved me?” “Oscar…” Oscar dropped his head into his hands. “Christ, I thought you were different. I thought…well whatever I thought doesn’t matter now because you’re just like Carlos was.” “I’m sorry.” “Sorry?” Oscar looked at Adam in disbelief. “You think a ‘sorry’ is going to make everything all right? I’m supposed to forgive you just like that? Damnit Adam! I told you about Carlos and what he did to me, but you…” He shook his head. “Hell, you could give him lessons.” Adam tried to speak but couldn’t. “What’s wrong Adam? Cat got your tongue? Or does the thought of you having Callaway’s cock in your mouth again render you speechless?” “Oscar…” “No,” Oscar shook his head. “Don’t you even try and pretend to apologize. Don’t even try and pretend you’re sorry because I know you’re not.” He chuckled bitterly. “Christ I knew getting involved again was a mistake. Here I thought you were so different, that I found someone I could love and trust and could love me back. Guess the joke was on me, wasn’t it?” Oscar stood. “I bet you and the Dead Man had a real good laugh over this, didn’t you? Thought about how you were so fucking clever in getting together behind my back while I was sitting in a fucking hotel room worrying about you! Christ, was that a waste of time!” “I don’t blame you for being angry…” “You don’t blame me…? Why the fuck should I be to blame for being angry? You fucked around on me! Like the little lapdog whore you are, you went to Mark’s room when he called.” “He didn’t ‘call’.” Adam tried to defend but knew it was pointless. “We went up there to talk…” “Kinda hard to talk when you’ve got a cock in your mouth, isn’t it?” “I didn’t want to tell you like this.” “Why not? When the hell were you going to tell me? Hmm? When?” “I hadn’t planned on telling you at all.” “Why not? Why were you going to keep this from me?” “Because of the way you’re acting and -” “How else am I supposed to act when my lover tells me he fucked his ex-lover behind my back?” Oscar exploded. “What am I supposed to say? ‘That’s all right dear, it doesn’t matter that you left me in our room to worry about you while you’re four floors up getting fucked in the ass by your ex’? Sorry blondie, it doesn’t work that way. Not with me, not anymore. So what? You were just going to keep lying to my face while getting some on the side with your married lover? Was that the reason you didn’t want to tell me?” “That wasn’t the only reason.” “Then what was?” Adam fidgeted. “I was afraid you might hurt yourself.” Oscar blinked and his eyes went wide. “What?” “I talked to Chavo in South Africa and he told me how you attempted suicide after you and Carlos broke up.” Oscar let out a string of Spanish expletives before glaring at Adam. “And you think you’re worth me ending my life over?” “Well did you?” Oscar held up a finger. “One time, I was stupid and tried to cut my wrists because of Carlos. After that, I realized no man was worth dying over and that includes you.” Oscar sighed. “I’ve got to get out of here.” “You don’t have to go.” “Yes I do.” Oscar walked over and picked up his bags, packing what needed to be packed. “I just can’t be around you right now. Not to mention there’s a certain Guerrero I have to have a ‘chat’ with.” He paused after picking up a shirt. “Just let me ask you something? Are you and Mark planning to get back together again?” Adam nodded. “Is this something that was spur of the moment, or have you two been plotting this behind my and Sara’s backs for a while?” “Us getting together that night was a spur of the moment decision.” “What about you two getting back together?” “We talked about it at No Way Out.” “A month?” Oscar chuckled bitterly as he shook his head. “You’ve been planning on leaving me for a month? And what about Mark? He really is planning to leave Sara?” Adam nodded. “Well,” Oscar said as he undid his bib overalls and took the jersey he was wearing off. “I hope the two of you are fucking happy together. Oh and here.” He threw the jersey at Adam before fixing the straps. “Tell Jay he could have his jersey back.” Adam said nothing as Oscar grabbed his bags and tossed the spare room key onto the nightstand before heading to the door where he paused without looking at Adam. “I have to know something,” Oscar spoke. “What?” “In all these weeks, did you ever love me? Even for a second?” Adam looked at Oscar and saw the tears shining in his eyes, but hadn’t fallen yet. “Yes.” He whispered tightly. “Well, then. Nice to know it hasn’t been a complete waste of time.” Oscar opened the door and walked out of the room. When the door closed behind Oscar, Adam waited a few seconds before bending down to pick up the hockey jersey. Holding it to his face, he took what he knew to be his last smell of Oscar’s scent, before walking to the bed and flopping down on it. He looked over at the clock. It was four pm. Seven hours before he and Mark were finally together again. Or so he hoped. Mark prayed to wake up and realize the card in his hand was nothing more than a nightmare that would fade away. He could hear Sara in their bedroom humming up a storm as she packed the stuff from her shopping spree into the spare suitcase she always brought with her just in case she wanted to shop while in town and if he didn’t know her any better, she was humming like a woman who played a big hand to win a poker game. And she couldn’t have played a bigger hand than the content of the card in his hand. He planned on telling her once she got everything packed and settled down. He had it all plotted out in his head; from how he was going to tell her to what her reaction might be. Hell he was even anticipating getting smacked and pounded on by her. Not to mention being called every name in the book she could think of. But this… This was something unexpected. Something he never planned on. Something he knew would finish he and Adam for good, because there was no way he could leave her now. “Is everything okay?” He looked to the bedroom door and saw her standing there. “Yeah I’m fine. Just still in shock that’s all.” “I know I was shocked when the doctor told me.” “When did you find out?” “A couple weeks ago. I thought I was getting the flu and went to see the doctor.” A beat. “Are you happy about it though?” “Y-yeah,” he stammered out. “Like I said. I’m just reeling.” Sara walked into the room and sat on the arm of the chair. “So? Wanna think of names?” Ten fifty six. Adam checked his watch as he sat in the deserted lobby waiting for Mark. The rest of the day passed in such a long drag, Adam thought it would never end. Luckily there had been no phone calls from Jay blasting him a new one over his decision nor was there a visit from the ‘Spanish Inquisition’ aka the Guerreros, but Adam felt the rest of the day and the night would’ve passed faster if there had been some sort of confrontation. But it was almost time for Mark to show up and let him know how it went with Sara; his pocketing the spare key card in case Mark needed a place to stay. He knew there was going to be hell to pay in the back on Sunday from Jay and the Guerreros, but tonight, the only thing Adam wanted to think about was falling asleep and waking up in Mark’s arms. Ten fifty eight. He hoped Mark would’ve called to let him know he told Sara about them. He looked over at the bank of pay phones and thought about calling Mark’s room to let him know he told Oscar but two things kept him from doing so; he didn’t know their room number and if he had, he didn’t want to risk Sara figuring out something was wrong if he didn’t tell her, nor did he want an ear blasting from her if he did. Crossing his legs, he looked up at the clock behind the check in desk and hoped Mark would hurry up and come down here to let him know one way or another. Ten fifty nine. The ding of an elevator caught Adam’s attention and he looked hopefully over at the bank of elevators, but slumped in his seat when he saw a middle aged couple heading out to God knows where for the night. Tilting his head back to look at the chandelier which looked like it needed a good dusting, Jay’s words from that morning came back to him about how he was in love with the idea of things being the way they were when he and Mark were first involved and Adam had to admit to himself he was in love with that idea; he loved the time when he and Mark were only ‘he and Mark’ and not ‘he, Mark, Sara and Oscar’, not this complicated love… What was it when there were four people involved? He wondered before shaking his head, not giving it another thought. Eleven o’clock. The ding of the elevators caught Adam’s attention again but instead of another middle-aged couple going out for the night, it was Mark getting off and heading in his direction. And he didn’t look happy. “What’s wrong?” Adam asked as Mark got closer. Mark sat down in the chair next to Adam. “We’ve got a problem.” “What?” Adam watched Mark reach into his back pocket to pull out an envelope, handing it to Adam, who opened it the same way Mark had earlier; paying no attention to the front and instead opening it to where the black and white image sat staring at him. Adam felt a chill go through him as he recognized what the ‘photo’ was. He looked at Mark. “Does this mean…?” he asked weakly, dreading the answer. “It does.” Mark looked at Adam. “She’s pregnant. For real.”