"Your eyes have the mist from the smoke of a distant fire."
Sanford Townsend Band

As much as he looked forward to the big show every year, Hunter now found himself wishing that it was all behind him. Maybe it was the fact that it was WM XX and Vince was ten times more hyper and ten times more critical than usual. Business hadn't exactly been breaking records lately and he was looking to this show to get things back on track.

Or maybe it was the constant questioning over his main event match. Questions he refused to even address. But deep in his heart he knew exactly what it was.

It was him.

Back for another whirlwind visit. Back to grab some quick headlines and some misplaced fan adoration before running off again to his "other" career.

His longtime opponent and one time lover. A man, who no matter how hard he tried, he simply couldn't hate.

Rock was back.

And worse.....he was involved in Randy's storyline with Mick Foley.

From a booking standpoint, it was genius.

From a marketing standpoint, it was money in the bank.

But from a personal standpoint...it was a nightmare.

It had been nearly a year since that fateful night when Rock had ended their relationship. And it still remained a memory far too painful for Hunter to dwell on for very long. And even though he and Randy now had a very close, loving relationship, there was a part of him that would forever wonder where he had failed Rocky.

But he hadn't gotten to this point in his life wasting time on "what ifs." He prided himself on being able to work his way through anything. So having to live with Rock's presence for three weeks seemed an easy enough thing to do.

That was until he stepped around the corner in the rapidly emptying arena in search of Randy...... and saw them.

It was one of those moments you imagine over and over. Wondering how you'd react if it ever became a reality. And as Hunter stood and stared at the scene before him, he silently wished he could remember at least one scenario he'd conjured up. But the sight of his present lover in deep conversation with .....him....left him totally unbalanced. It was like standing on a sheet of ice. As long as he didn't move...he'd be fine. But one move would send him careening out of control. And even though he prayed for the possibility, he knew he couldn't stand there forever.

They were seated opposite each other on a couple of those folding chairs that so frequently determine the outcome of a match. Rock was leaning forward slightly, his elbows resting on his knees. He was still clad in the outfit he had worn to the ring...black warm up pants and a sleeveless t-shirt.

Seated across from him, Randy seemed mesmerized. Whatever Rock was saying to him had him hanging on every word. He too was still in his wrestling gear...a fact which Hunter found somewhat irritating.

A silent debate raged inside of him. Should he simply turn and walk away? It would certainly be easier than having to face the man who's face still haunted his dreams. Or should he walk over and join in the conversation? And act as if this was nothing at all unusual. As if seeing the two men who battled for dominance in his heart chatting with each other was a daily occurrence.

But he never had to make the decision. Randy took just that moment to look over Rock's shoulder and catch him staring at the two of them.

"Hey, Hunter. We wondered where you were."

Rock turned his head to follow Randy's gaze and one of those bright, impossible to resist smiles, lit up his face.

"Hunter...long time no see. Not avoiding me....are you?"

Hunter tried to return the smile. But he was only successful in offering the barest of grins. "No...not at all. I had to talk some things over with Vince." He reluctantly moved closer, stopping next to Randy's chair. "You two talking about your match?"

"Yeah, that and comparing tattoos," Randy responded with a smile directed at Rock.

Hunter could feel a cold fury building inside of him. The problem was that he couldn't quite figure out who it was directed at. Randy for being so open and friendly with the man who had shattered his heart. Or Rock...the man who had left him all those months ago and now sat here as if nothing had ever existed between them but a casual friendship.

But there was one thing he knew for certain. Randy had no idea how he felt...but Rock sure as hell did. He could see it in his deep, brown eyes. Eyes that still had the power to delve straight into his soul.

And it might have offered a little comfort if he had seen just a trace of regret there. A hint that he lamented the way things had turned out. But all he saw was the same bright, confident light he always did. A sure sign that Rock had simply moved on with his life...and probably very easily.

Hunter merely tried to produce another half hearted smile as he stood there mutely. And it was then that Randy looked down and realized that he hadn't even taken a shower.

"Oh man Hunter. I'm sorry. Guess I lost track of time." Rising quickly, he offered his hand to Rock. "Thanks for the advice." And holding up a small slip of paper he added, "And thanks for this too."

"No problem," Rock replied as he hurried away. "Don't be afraid to use it."

"I won't, " he called back. "Be back in a minute Hunter!"

"Nice kid," Rock noted softly.

Hunter whirled around and glared at him. "Kid being the operative word Rock. What kind of crap were you filling his head with?"

"Damn Hunter," he answered defensively. "Calm down. We were going over the match and talk just kind of turned to the two of us and how people are comparing us. It was no big deal."

"You keep forgetting...I know you Rock. Everything you say is a big deal."

"No Hunter," he shot back in a furious hiss. "You just make it seem that way. It was a harmless conversation. If you're that worried about...."

Hunter quickly put his hand up and silenced his one time love. "Do not even attempt to comment on my relationship with Randy. You don't know a damn thing about it."

They stayed that way for what seemed like forever. Eyes locked, each man daring the other to say a word. It was finally Rock who broke the tense silence.

"When are you going to forgive me Hunter? How long can you hang on to the anger?"

"Oh stop flattering yourself," he snarled.

"Fine," Rock sighed as he stood to leave. "Believe what ever it is you want to believe."

"I believe what I know," Hunter replied coldly. "You walked out...not me."

Rock froze in his steps and spun back around. "Did you want me to lie to you Hunter? Did you want me to pretend that there was more between us? Would you have been happier living a false existence? Because I knew I sure as hell wouldn't have. I know you'll never believe this..but I left you because I knew you deserved better. You didn't need to be with someone who didn't love you enough to want to stay. And if that hurt...then I'm sorry."

It was something Hunter had always suspected. The plain and simple fact that Rocky simply didn't love him enough. At least not the way he had loved him.

Hunter sniffed loudly. "You're sorry, huh? A little late for that don't you think?"

"Yeah...I suppose," Rock sighed. "But what I don't get is why you still feel this way. Looks to me like you should be on top of the world. Your career is going fine, you're healthy again...and you aren't alone. Doesn't seem like such a bad deal to me."

Hunter had no immediate response for Rock's comments. So Rocky just shook his head slowly. "I gotta go. Someone is waiting for me."

But before he could walk away, Hunter's hand snaked out to grasp his arm. "No...wait.....you're right." Running a slow hand through his hair, he took a deep breath. "It isn't a bad deal. In fact it's a damn good deal. But you know me.....I'm never completely satisfied.'

He finally smiled a small ....but genuine smile and Rock returned it with a touch of relief. "Yeah...I remember. But if it means anything to you...I really want you to be happy."

"Thanks," Hunter said quietly. "It does mean something."

They looked up at each other again, only this time the anger had dissolved away. "Think we can hold a normal conversation one of these days?" Rock inquired with a tilt of the head.

"You? Normal?" Hunter laughed. "I don't think so."

His response drew a warm laugh from Rock and Hunter found himself staring at his lips, framed now by a perfectly clipped goatee, grown for a new movie role. In spite of an attempt to fight off the memory he couldn't help but recall how they tasted when they kissed and how soft and warm they were when they were trapped beneath his own.

With an almost visible shake of the head he forced the memory from his mind.

"I'm gonna go find Randy. It's been good to see you again...really."

"Yeah...it has," Rock agreed. "I'll see you next weekend."

Hunter nodded and watched as his past walked away still taking a piece of his heart with him.

When he stepped back into the dressing room he shared with Randy he could hear the water from the shower still running. He dropped into a nearby chair and tried to let his mind go blank. And he was almost successful. But something caught his eye and he sat up, reaching out an inquisitive hand.

A small piece of paper...the kind that could be easily lost... was laying next to Randy's clothes. And before he picked it up, he knew what it was.

A phone number. One he used to know by heart.

Without even glancing at the bold, but always stylish handwriting, Hunter crumpled it up and hastily stuffed it into the pocket of his jeans.

The decision about what to do with it could be made later.

Alone.

Read Story #9 Only the Pain is Real in the Game Plan Series