A/N: I want to give a special thanks to kayla smiley, xtremehardyprincess, irshbeth, and trevia0123 for the reviews :D The end of this chapter reveals a little insight to Jeff Hardy's persepective of Riley and Randy's relationship. Enjoy, and please leave reviews :)
Chapter Eleven: Give Me A Break
Another few months have passed and things seemed to be going great for Randy and I. But as the saying goes, 'all good things must come to an end'. I felt that saying looming over me lately, mostly because it seems like things are going too well between us.
I hate that saying.
I hate it.
I hate it.
I hate it mostly because it's true, and always has proven to be true. I've always wanted to prove that stupid saying wrong, but I've never been able to.
I only bring this up because aside from everything seeming to be a little too perfect, Randy has also been acting a little on edge lately. I'm starting to feel like something's up.
He's sitting across from me now, at a table in catering, reading his usual magazine. He reached for my hand that I had sitting upon the table, and he held it.
I needed to know what was bothering him, it was eating away at me, I need to know.
"Randy?" I tried to keep my voice smooth.
"Hm?" He lowered the magazine to look me in the eyes. Damn those gorgeous eyes of his, those gorgeous eyes that always make my heart melt.
"You've been acting kind of weird lately," I said flatly.
That's when Jeff came over, he welcomed himself to the table.
"Hey guys," his voice was warm and happy. He smiled as he sat down.
"Hi Jeff," I replied sweetly.
"Hey Jeff," Randy barely looked at him. His eyes were locked on me. "What do you mean, Riley?"
"I just mean you've been acting weird, just like I said. Like, not all there."
"I have not," he snapped back.
I think Jeff started to notice the tension growing between us because he quickly got up.
"Actually, I'll catch you later."
"Bye Jeff," when I looked up he was already gone. I wish he hadn't left though, he would have made a nice buffer for this fight I could feel coming on. Only, I think I may be underestimating the intensity of this fight.
"You are too," I pushed, "you just seem distracted. That's all I'm trying to say, you don't have to get all mad about it."
"I'm not getting mad," he countered. He huffed and recoiled his hand away from mine.
"See? You are too getting mad." I know I'm pushing it, but I can't stop myself, I just need to know. It's one of my many flaws, I can't stop.
"Riley! I wasn't, but now I am. Why do you think that?" He asked, impatiently.
"I don't know, it's just that every time Candice comes around you seem to have all eyes on her. You seem distracted around her."
"What are you trying to say, I like her or something?" He ventured.
"Maybe," I shook my head, I wasn't sure in my own thoughts anymore, "I don't know. I just don't know what I think."
"Maybe you're just jealous," he looked away.
"Should I have a reason to be?" I prodded. I told you, I just can't stop, I should have stopped a long time ago, but I couldn't.
"Are you," he cocked his head back a little, "accusing me of cheating?" I can tell he's really starting to get offended.
"I wasn't accusing you of anything," I tried defending myself.
He slid back his chair from the table.
"You were insinuating it."
"I was not!" My voice cracked, I could feel tears coming on. I heard my voice echo a little, and noticed everyone starting staring. I shouted a little louder than I intended to.
"You know what, if you can't trust me, then maybe we should take a break and explore other options." He stood up now, his face was an emotionless canvas now.
"You want… to b-break," my eyes were welling with tears, "to break up?" I tried hard to fight them, but I was losing the battle. I didn't like crying, it makes me feel weak and vulnerable.
"Not break up, per say, just a break. We can both see other people, to try to figure out if we really want to be together." I couldn't comprehend how he was saying all this as if it wasn't a big deal.
I felt the tears starting to make their way down my cheeks. But I know this time I can't run to Randy to fix the problem, because he is the problem.
"But, I don't need to date other people to know that I want you."
He pushed the chair in.
"Maybe Riley," he tapped his knuckles against the table, "it isn't always about you." He walked away, and didn't look back.
I wanted to chase after him and apologize for even suggesting that he would cheat. I wanted to tell him I love him, and the he was the first person that I would ever say that to, and actually mean it.
But I didn't, I just sat there, in astonishment and disbelief. I sat grief-stricken and unable to move. I sat alone, with only my tears to comfort me.
*****
I don't know how I got here, I don't remember walking here, but I am here now.
I sat in Jeff's dressing room, on his couch, next to him, crying on his shoulder.
"Riley, it's going to be okay," he said soothingly.
"No, it's n-not," I said in between sobs, "it's all my… fault."
"Don't beat yourself up about this." He held me closer to him, I could feel the warmth of his body. "It's not your fault. It's not your fault," he repeated.
Jeff's POV
I hated to see Riley like this. She's my best friend and I want nothing more for her than for her to be happy. I wanted to kick Orton's ass for doing this to her. I wanted to beat him so bad, that he would beg for mercy.
I hate that prick, I always have.
I only put up with him because Riley really liked him, and I didn't want to upset her.
Her tears hit my flesh, and with every one, I wanted to attack him more.
I tired to console her.
"Riley, it's going to be okay."
She lifted her head up to look at me, her eyes glistened from the tears.
"No it's n-not, it's all my… fault." That really made a fury rise in me, that jerk has her thinking it was her fault. She was playing right into his cards.
"Don't beat yourself up about this." I pulled her in closer and continued to think of how I would obliterate Orton. He needs to learn that payback is a bitch. "It's not your fault, it's not your fault."
The tears continued to streak down her face.
"Clearly he's not right for you. Not if he's going to pull this shit. Taking a break?" I sighed.
"I just," she pulled herself up and grabbed a Kleenex, "don't want to say good-bye."
"There's never a right time to say good-bye, but sometimes you gotta do it."
"You're right." She looked up at me, her eyes sparkling more than before. "I need to get over him, now."
"Thattagirl," I wiped the tears from her cheeks.I wiped the tears from her cheeks.
"Thanks Jeff. Thanks for everything." She hugged me again before standing up. She left my room, smiling.
I hope she finds what she's looking for. And I hope that jerk gets what's coming to him, he deserves to feel how she does, it's only fair.
I just wish I would have had the courage to tell her how I truly feel. I wish I could tell her I love her.
***End of chapter eleven***
Will Jeff admit his feelings towards Riley? And how does Riley feel the same way about him? What about Jeff's girlfriend, what's going to happen if she finds out about Jeff's feelings? So many questions... you'll have to just come back and read to find out :D
