The Loot... The Warrant... The Crook?
On the road to Lexington, Eric brooded. Thankfully, Matt was doing all the driving or Eric might've been tempted to send the car off the side of the road, possible into a nearby gully.
"Earth to Eric... come in, bro." Matt playfully slapped Eric
"Huh?" Eric started
"Dude, I've been talking to you for the past five minutes." Matt remarked
"Sorry, been thinking 'bout Jeff." Eric stared at the scenery. "Fuck, do I miss him."
"We all do." Matt added
"No, I mean really miss him." Eric's voice cracked. "I've been a crappy friend and an even worse boy friend."
"Eric, don't sell yourself short. I mean, you haven't..."
"Even your father tore me a new one last night. I am getting tired of explaining my actions to everyone!"
Eric pounded the dashboard. "I knew it was a mistake to get involved with Jeffro. He obviously wanted something more out of the relationship than I was willing to give him."
"I've known Jeff for 31 years and I still have a hard time figuring him out. So for you to say that Jeff wanted more than you were willing to give is nuts. Maybe he just needed to know that you care as deeply for him as he does for you. And believe me, he does." Matt replied
"Then why is he putting me through this? He could've just come out and said something." Eric bashed the dashboard a second time, unable to conceal his frustration any longer.
"Eric, you need to fuckin' relax." Matt barked "This isn't helping you, and it's really starting to annoy me."
"Well, fuck you too. I only invited you along because you seemed to be as worried as I am."
"Eric, I'm..."
"If you wanna bitch me out, then I'd suggest you stop the car, let me out, and go on your way. I can do this on my own." Eric stated
"Not a chance! We're in the middle of rural Kentucky..."
"Then get the fuck off my back, Matt!"
"Oh, that's it." Matt swerved over to the side of the road and slammed the brakes. Both he and Eric's heads whip-lashed forward, but he didn't care.
"Eric, for once in your stubborn life, listen to someone else for a change. My brother loves you. He loves you so much that I gave up my happiness for him. If anyone thinks they're making a mistake, it's me." Matt said each word as it's own sentence. William Shatner couldn't have done the line any better.
"Matt, I know that. You don't need to tell me." Eric massaged the back of his neck where it had contacted the head rest.
"Eric, I just did."
"I guess so." Smoothing out his hair, Eric looked at the other man. "So now what?"
Matt had an answer, but there was no way he was going to explain what was going through his head at that particular moment. It would only screw up an already screwed up situation.
"We are going to drive to Lexington, and hopefully we can find Jeff. Once we do, I expect you to get down on your knees and apologize to him for being a stuck-up ass." Matt replied
"And if I don't?" Eric demanded
"Then I'm gonna bend you over the back of the car and make you." Matt looked over, completely deadpan. "And believe me, that would hurt you a lot more than it would hurt me."
"Then drive on, Hardy. Despite the size of your piece, I ain't goin' that way. I only get involved with one brother at a time, if that." Eric stared at his reflection in the side view mirror. The person who looked back was not the Eric he knew. Hopefully, finding Jeff would bring that back to him. Jeff had said that something was missing in his life, now Eric also seemed to be missing a part of himself.
In Lexington, they met up with Adam. Originally, Adam was planning to meet up with them in Cameron, but the freak storm that had dumped seven inches of rain the night before had washed out a section of the highway. Unable to navigate that stretch of road, he'd taken a detour and was passing Louisville around the same time Matt and Eric were just leaving North Carolina. One phone call later and Adam was pulling into the parking lot of a local mall, waiting patiently for the two of them to show.
"Hey, Cope." Eric stretched his legs, getting out of the car. Both his ankles and knees popped loudly.
"Hey. Sounds like you're getting a case of the Jimmy legs." Adam sniggered over his double soy latte.
"Whatever." Eric moaned "We drove straight from Cameron. My legs have been cramped in that car for way too long."
"I tole ya you coulda rode in the back seat." Matt said, joints also popping when he exited the car.
"If I'd rode in the back, we'd be somewhere in New Jersey right now." Eric massaged his calves, ignoring the pin pricks as the blood flowed back into his legs. "I know how you are with map reading."
"Anyway, guys, what now?" Adam asked "Any idea where Jeff may be? Lexington is a fairly big city."
"I'm hoping there's another clue in the note he left Eric." Matt pulled the dog-eared scrap from his pocket.
Eric and Adam crowded around Matt while they read and re-read the brief note.
"Nothing I can see." Adam frowned
"Yeah, me neither." Matt agreed
Eric stared at the paper, moving his lips in some silent conversation.
"You got something, Stryker?" Adam queried
There was no reply from Eric, just continued staring at the paper. "There has got to be another clue here that I'm missing. We got here, but now what?"
"Eric, did you ever look at the back of the paper?" Adam had seen something that neither of the other two had noticed; they had been so intent on the cryptic writing on the one side.
Eric flipped the page over. There was an address scrawled across the back.
"God, I can't see things that are right in front of me. Maybe I should get a job as a referee." Eric groaned
"Separate cars?" Adam asked
"You two go ahead. I'm gonna walk." Eric replied
"WALK! Are you nuts man? It's gonna take forever." Adam knew exactly where they were going.
"Yeah, bro." Matt agreed "Jeff will definitely be gone by the time you arrive."
"So? I'm beginning to wonder if all this is worth it? Face it, in the last two days, I've raced halfway across the country, been bitched at by almost every member of the Hardy family, almost gotten busted for doing one-fifty in an eighty-five zone, and to top all that off, I am nowhere closer to finding Jeff than I was when I started this insane pursuit." Eric gasped once he finished getting all that out.
Matt and Adam looked at each other, the same thought crossing their minds.
"Eric, what are you saying?" Matt asked
He looked up, idly staring at the address on the sheet of paper. "If you two want to find him, go for it. I'm sure Vince will be quite happy to have both halves of the match present for Wrestlemania, but I don't care anymore. Jeff wanted me to prove how much I love him. Well, I guess I don't."
Eric scrunched up the paper and started walking away. Adam chased after him, catching up near the entrance to the mall.
"What's gotten into you?" he demanded
"Nothing's gotten into me. Maybe it's what's gotten into everyone else." Eric replied
"C'mon, Eric, don't be like this." Adam pleaded
"Adam, don't you start with me too." Eric grabbed him by the front of his shirt and pulled him face-to-face. "Because I am about ready to snap. Believe me, you don't want to see that." He pushed Adam backwards and continued his trek into the mall.
Looking back at Matt, who gave him a 'follow him, dumb ass' look, Adam followed Eric into the mall proper.
"Don't make me get physical." Eric replied "'Cause I will."
"You sound pissed off." Adam answered
"I am pissed off."
"Good! At least that proves that there's still a human being in there somewhere." Adam grabbed Eric by the collar and spun him around. "You talk about this thing like you're the only person affected by it all, when you're not."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Eric ignored the stares from other shoppers.
"Do you really think this is just about you??? How do you think Matt feels right now? Fuck, Eric, it's about time you got a clue. While Jeff may be testing your relationship, this goes way beyond you and he." Now it was Adam's turn to go nose-to-nose.
"Then get everyone this goes way beyond to find him, because I give up! I am going to find a phone, call me a cab, and get my ass to the nearest airport. I am going home and maybe try to forget this whole mess. If you do find Jeff, tell him to get his shit, bunny included, out of my house!" Eric stormed across the concourse toward a bank of pay phones.
"Well, that worked real well." Adam muttered, watching Eric go. He was unsure whether Eric was serious or he was just throwing a fit, and he didn't want to start another scene if Eric was indeed serious.
"Oh, well. God knows I tried." Adam walked back the way he'd come. Wonder of wonders, Matt was waiting for him just outside.
"Well, where is he?" Matt asked
"Obviously not here." Adam smarted off. "We have bigger problems. I think Eric is serious." He briefly repeated their inside conversation.
"Oh, yeah. Over Jeff's dead body, he is." Matt saw the gravity of the situation. If for whatever reason, Jeff was keeping tabs on his 'pursuers', he might disappear permanently when he realized that Eric had given up the trail.
"Matt, maybe we should..." Adam realized that he was talking to Matt's back as the Hardy boy strode violently back into the mall.
"How soon will you..."
Matt depressed the handle on the phone, severing the conversation. Eric looked over, an I can't believe you just did that expression on his face.
"Fine, I'll use my cell." Eric fumbled his phone out of his pocket. Like a cat, Matt grabbed it and stuck it down the front of his jeans.
"Gimme that, you son of a bitch!" Eric roared
"If you thought I was on your back earlier, you ain't seen nothing! I'll be damned if I'm running across the country only to have you go chickenshit just because you're feeling a little unhappy." Now it was Matt's turn to go face-to-face with Eric. "We're all in this together, and I mean ALL of us."
"Screw this. I am going home!" Eric stared into Matt's eyes. Adam watched, wondering who was going to blink first.
"No, you're not! You're gonna get in Jeff's car, or Adam's, I don't care which and we are going to this address." Matt retorted
"Don't I get a say in this?" Eric demanded
"Not after this bullshit stunt you're pulling." Matt answered "Now you can either come along nicely or I will give you a Twist of Fate right here and drag your unconscious behind halfway around the world if necessary!"
"Uh, Matt..."
"What Adam?" Matt asked, not taking his gaze from Eric's. So far, neither man had blinked.
""I think we're gonna have company." Three mall cops were walking toward them.
"Deal with them." Matt ordered "I'll take care of Eric."
While Adam kept the cops occupied with some story about a family crisis, Matt forcefully pushed Eric out the nearest door.
"Let go of me. I can fuckin' walk!" Eric protested
"Just move." Matt dragged Eric along like he would a stubborn child. He refused to relinquish his hold until they were back at their cars.
"Asshole." Eric growled
"Eric, get in the car." Matt said
"Fuck you." He retorted, turning away.
"Fine. We'll do this my way, then." Matt threw open the door, grabbed Eric by the hair and tossed him inside, slamming the door behind him. Eric sulked in the rear passenger seat while Matt waited for Adam's return.
Matt waited impatiently for Adam to return. Finally, he glimpsed his long mane approaching.
"We cool?" He asked
"Chillin'. I told the rent-a-cops Eric just got some bad news and wasn't taking it well."
"Did it work?"
"Do you see any of them around?" Adam pointed
"Nice, man. You mind leavin' your car here for a bit? I need someone to ride shotgun with Eric. I dunno what's gotten into him, but I can't drive and watch him at the same time..."
"Beats me. Eric was never much for talkin' when something was buggin' him." Adam interrupted "But I'm your man."
Adam swung into the seat next to a still sullen Eric. "Still feelin' down?"
"Leave me alone." Eric answered, slouching further down in the seat. Much more and he'd be on the floor.
"Aw, Eric, come on." Adam put on his little boy voice. "Why don't you tell uncle Adam what's really bothering you?"
Eric looked over disgusted. "Does that ever work?"
"Only with Jay." Adam answered
"Do I look like Jay to you?" Eric scrunched himself together.
"Fine, you don't have to tell me. I know what's bothering you. You miss Jeff so bad it's tearing you apart inside and you're putting on this front because you can't handle it." Adam put his hand on Eric's shoulder. To his surprise, Eric didn't shrug it away.
"And how would you know?" Eric demanded "Your track record with relationships ain't exactly stellar."
"Because I did the same damn thing." Adam answered "I know we're not exactly best of friends, but you do have someone who has expertise in this particular area. I know what you're going through. If I didn't, I wouldn't be here, right?"
"On the way down here, you were bemoaning the fact that you were missing him." Matt interjected
"That's your problem, Eric. You bottle things up until it gets to be too much for you. You're like a magnum of champagne. You're fine as long as your cork holds, but once that starts to give way, things get real messy."
"Are we talking about my emotional state or my sex life?" Eric actually smiled.
"Dunno. I usually don't get involved with my coworkers." Adam answered
Matt snorted loudly.
"Okay, okay. Point taken." Adam flicked his hair back out of his face. "So, Eric, basically what I think I'm trying to say is you're not alone in this. You've got me, you've got Matt, and I'm pretty sure I could get most of the guys to drop everything if we needed them."
'Vince'll love that. Wrestlemania weekend, and ninety-five percent of the roster is scattered across the country looking for Jeff." Matt laughed
"Not much he could do about it." Adam answered "But seriously, you may not think this right now, but you are lucky to have Jeff, even if he does make you do strange things. I know there are a few guys on the roster who'd kill to be in your shoes."
"Like who?" Eric asked, not taking his eyes from the scenery.
"Oh... I've heard John Morrison's name mentioned." Adam said "The Miz, too."
"Both the Shaman of Sexy and the Chick Magnet? I guess we'll have to start calling him the Dick Magnet." Eric responded "Who else?"
"Um..."
"We're here, guys." Matt interrupted
Adam breathed a sigh of relief. Had the conversation gone any further, it could've been really embarrassing to the R-rated superstar. He knew of only one other person who was sorta interested in Jeff that way, but how to explain it? He'd never been with a guy, but there was something about Jeff that piqued his bi-curiosity. He'd almost been ready to make a move when Jeff had started 'dating' Eric. Thankfully, this had squashed most of the interest but sometimes, when he couldn't sleep, Adam would start thinking about Jeff and what their relationship could have been. The rare time he needed to get off, this was the fantasy he used, but by no means did Adam consider himself anything but straight. At least not now that Jeff was "off the market", as JBL would say.
"Eric, if you promise to be good for the rest of the journey, I'll buy you some Skittles when we get home." Matt parked the car just off Martin Luther King Drive.
"Matty, I hate Skittles... you know that!" Eric whined
"You do?" Adam exclaimed "How does Jeff put up with you?"
"Dunno." Eric replied
They walked from the car, down a dark alley, toward the address Jeff had left them.
"Where exactly are we going?" Eric asked
"Just stay close." Matt warned "This isn't the best of neighborhoods."
The trio headed, single file, to the back entrance of one of many similar-looking tenements that made up this area.
"I don't like this place one bit." Adam said
"Me neither." Eric shivered, bringing up the rear. The only sounds were their footsteps crunching across the semi-frozen ground.
"Number 3." Matt said "Here we are."
Before Matt could even knock, the door was swung open and a masked man stood in front of them.
"Get inside! Now!" He ordered. If his voice hadn't carried enough force, then the snub-nosed pistol he had pointed at them sure did.
Hoping this wasn't their Green Mile, Matt, Adam, and Eric followed the man inside. They had only traveled a few steps when the silence was suddenly shattered by the sounds of gunfire, followed by a series of thuds. Sounding like wet sandbags hitting the ground, they were soon overtaken by a much more eerie sound... the sound of silence.
To Be Continued
From North Carolina to Kentucky... is this where the trail ends?
And for those of you who want it, there will be a return to the delightful world of hot man-on-man sex in the next chapter... I just haven't figured out who, where, and how to make it fit into the adventure yet... stay tuned!