*Author's Note: To look at my disclaimer and all of that, go to the first chapter.*
On to the story!
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*Chapter Sixteen – A Brother Forgets*
(It is now a little after 2 in the afternoon…)
Jeff Hardy groaned in boredom. He and Edge had just eaten a not-so-healthy lunch a few hours earlier, and had gone straight back to the apartment. As soon as they got there, they each went back to their rooms. Edge was most likely cracking down on his homework, while Jeff was just bored as hell. Damn, my birthday is just so damn boring, Jeff thought sadly to himself. What I wouldn't give for something good to happen. Like me finding a girl to go out with. Or hell, my depression being gone forever. Like that'll happen, though. Jeff pushed his hair away from his face and sighed. His father, Matt, and Hurricane were pretty much the only three people who knew that Jeff had suffered from it. He preferred not to talk about it to anyone, which really didn't help his cause. I wonder what would happen if everyone else like Shawn and Hunter found out about that? They wouldn't want to be my friend anymore. I'm way too dependent on people. I need to stop that. Matty even said so. He fingered the fuzzy leopard print guitar case next to his bed and shook his head. Maybe this'll cheer me up…I think I should practice. Jeff gently pulled the guitar out of the case and smiled faintly, admiring how shiny it was. He set it on his lap, pushed his hair back from his face and said aloud, "Well, here goes nothing."
Meanwhile, Edge was in his room still working on his biology when he heard the faint sound of a guitar playing. Dude, that has to be Jeffness playing. He seems so down lately for some reason. I really wish I knew why. Maybe it's Matt still…or maybe it's the fact that he thinks we all forgot it was his birthday, he thought as he tapped his pencil on his notebook. Edge smiled to himself. Well, we'll all prove him wrong, won't we? He wrote down an answer to a question and leaned back in his chair. I hope Shawn and Hunter were able to go with my suggestion. If they didn't, well, we can always go over to the Rock's house and drink. But we did that last night, and I'm not sure if Jeff would wanna do that. Edge listened intently to Jeff playing his guitar some more. I remember the one conversation that I had with Jeff at lunch. He said that he had wanted a tattoo for a long time. Of what, I have no idea, but I know that he wanted one really bad since whenever he spoke about it, his eyes all lit up. Edge laughed. Ah, Jeffness. You won't be too sad for long.
A few miles away, Shawn and Triple H were busy at one of the local gas stations. Triple H had just filled his Oldsmobile with gas, and Shawn had followed him into the food mart. Triple H had paid for his gas and was tapping his foot impatiently, while Shawn was getting his cigarettes. He was getting annoyed at the fact that Shawn was taking forever. Damn, you would've thought that he'd listen to me after his grandpa died of lung cancer, he thought. But noooo, Shawn always has to push his limits.
Shawn finally got the attention of the cashier who was a short, blonde-haired girl, flopped his ID on the counter, and said flirtily, "Two packs of Camel Menthol Lights, please." Triple H rolled his eyes. Shawn always had a tendency to hit on girls whenever he was in the mood. Shawn, she's in high school! Give it up. Do the words statutory rape mean anything to you?, Triple H thought as he kicked the ground with his foot.
"Come on Shawn, quit looking at the cashier and let's go."
The cashier smiled shyly at Triple H and said, "Nah, I don't mind." Yeah, Hunter, you're just jealous that she's looking at me and not you, Shawn thought. He laughed at Triple H while he just groaned. Shawn put the money on the counter, and grinned slyly at the cashier again, but Triple H dragged him to the car before he could get her number.
"Aw, Hunter, cheer up. I'm not gonna be cranky, bitchy Shawny anymore!" Shawn giggled as he got into Triple H's car.
Triple H shook his head. "Shawn, she was in high school, couldn't you tell?"
Shawn shrugged. "No." Triple H groaned as he pulled out of the parking lot. Damnit Shawn, you gotta quit going for the youngins, he thought.
Back at Kevin Nash's house, the Rock was busy making lunch/dinner for the big crowd that was still there: Jericho, Steph, Linda, Jackie, Booker T, Shane, Matt, Lita, Debra, Stone Cold, Bubba Ray, Terri, Brock, and Kane. Scott Hall was expected to be passed out for the next four hours, so no one even bothered to wake him up. Kevin Nash had already left for work, while Stacy had to leave for work by 2:30. Damn, I was hoping that most of them would've been gone by now, but they can't help it that they're hungover and such, the Rock reasoned.
Brock Lesnar bounced into the kitchen suddenly and asked, "Do you need any help, Rocky?"
The Rock nodded and said, "Yeah, jabroni, boil these noodles. The Rock is making some spaghetti and garlic bread. If you smelllllllllllllllll what the Rock is cooking! And if you don't like it, the Rock will shove it straight up your – "
Brock put his hands up in defense. "Yeah, we know."
The tone in Brock's voice made the Rock blink. "Are you alright, jabroni?"
Brock nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a bit irritated over stuff, that's all. I wasn't expecting all them people over here last night. Plus I'm trying to get rid of this damn headache." The Rock smirked as he stirred the spaghetti sauce. Well, kid, you better get used to it, he thought. It is a privilege to live in this house.
"I heard that you were quite the wasted and high one with Matt Hardy. Now that one I had a hard time believing."
Brock shrugged. "Whatever, dad." It's my life, damnit, Brock thought. I left the house so I wouldn't have to deal with my dad saying shit like that to me!
The Rock groaned. "Don't call me that. If anything, I'm your bro, man."
Brock shrugged again as he checked the noodles. "Okay." The Rock shook his head and went back to stirring the spaghetti sauce.
Upstairs in Bubba Ray's bedroom, Matt and Lita were still eating their breakfast when Bubba Ray yelled up, "You two better not be fucking up there!"
Matt stifled a groan, while Lita raised her eyebrow, and said in a monotone, "Oh baby, oh baby." Well, at least some of my hangover went away, Matt thought as he leaned back onto the black headboard. He felt sick all of a sudden. Errr, maybe not! DAMNIT!! He motioned for Lita to hand him the bucket next to the bed, and threw up again. Lita shook her head. Poor Matt, she thought. Maybe he'll learn that weed and alcohol just doesn't mix. Just then, Matt's cell phone rang as it played a Pearl Jam tune. Hey, thought Lita as she tried to figure out where the sound was coming from, that's "Corduroy!" I like that song!! She finally found it vibrating on the nightstand and attempted to reach over for it, but Matt was in the way. Great, Matt thought, someone's trying to call me and I still feel like shit. He groaned as Lita handed his phone to him.
"Hello?"
"Matty!"
Matt groaned. "Jeff, what do you want? I'm still feeling sorta shitty after last night, and you just have to –"
"Matty…" He heard a sniff on the other end. "Today's my birthday, you dumb ass!" Oh God, thought Matt, I knew it was something important! Ohhh man, am I in SO much trouble!
"Oh shit!" Matt yelled as he shoved the phone in Lita's face. He then continued to throw up in the bucket.
Lita cringed and grabbed the phone from Matt. "Uh, hello?"
Jeff growled on the other line, "Where'd Matty go?"
Lita winced as she saw Matt in pain. I hate seeing him like that but he does, uh, deserve it, she thought. "Uh, he's still throwing up in a bucket. Who's this?" Lita asked.
Jeff rolled his eyes on the other line. "Jeff."
Lita's eyes went wide. So that's his name, she thought. Now I need to find out the blonde guy's name. They were both pretty cute. "Wait, his little brother?"
Jeff sighed in annoyance. No one understood how much he hated being called Matt's little brother. "Yes."
Lita smiled. "Chill, Hardy boy. You're talking to redheaded chick from last night." At hearing this, Jeff almost wanted to strangle his brother. What? He actually got some from her?, he thought. What the fuck? What about me? Jeff was silent. Lita laughed on the other end. Sounds like Jeff is pissed off at his brother, she thought. But he's really worrying over nothing.
"I can't believe him." Jeff muttered.
"Well, let me just say that we did nothing." Lita added, noting the tension in Jeff's voice.
Jeff sighed. "Yeah, I guess." Damn you, Matt, stealing all the chicks from me, he thought. "So where is my asshole brother now?"
Lita looked over at Matt, who was still throwing up. "Uhhh, he's still really sick, Jeff. But you can talk to me in the meantime."
Jeff shrugged. At least I'm not sick like Matty is, he thought. "I guess so."
In the 20 minutes that they talked, Jeff learned that Lita got bored easily. "I mean, I've went to WWE U for a few years now. My freshman year, I stayed at home, then last year, I commuted, and this year, I'm staying up here."
"You're older than me, Lita?" Jeff asked incredulously.
Lita nodded silently. He's so funny, yet so naïve, she thought. "I got you beat by at least 2 years, Hardy boy." On the other line, Jeff sighed. She'd never go for one of us. Maybe that's why she calls me Hardy boy, he thought. Lita glanced over at Matt, who was much more calmed down. He was lying back on the bed, with his eyes closed – almost as if he was meditating. She pulled the red blanket around him gently, as if not to disturb him.
"I think it's safe to talk to him now." Lita almost whispered. Too bad I gotta wake him up now, she thought. I feel bad. She tapped Matt gently and said, "Matt, your brother's on the phone still." Matt opened his eyes and groaned. Damnit, why can't I just sleep? I guess that's too much to ask, he thought as Lita handed him his phone back.
"Hello?"
"Matty!" Jeff sighed. Matt blinked. Oh shit, he thought. It is Jeff's birthday today. I wonder if he's still mad at me.
"Uh, I'm sorry I forgot. I was kinda too sick to really think of stuff."
"Right, sure you were. And you're already going after redheaded chick when me and Edgeness already laid claim to her?"
Matt laughed weakly on the other end and winked at Lita. "What the hell are you talking about? I did nothing with her." Jeff groaned. He could tell his brother was still slightly high, drunk, hung over, or all three.
"You heard what I said." Jeff sniffed. "Now I don't know about you, but I'm going to go and hang with people that actually give a shit about me." And with that, he hung up.
Matt sighed and leaned back on the bed. "Lita," he mumbled, "What the fuck have I done?" Lita shrugged. This proves that Matt is not perfect, she thought. Nor is anyone, really, but damn, forgetting your brother's birthday? Now that's just bad.
"Matt, listen, I want you to apologize to your brother the first chance you get. You're not going anywhere with how you are feeling. And I want you to tell Jeff that you're truly sorry for being an asshole and forgetting his birthday."
Matt pushed his hair out of his face and nodded slowly. She's right, he thought. I'm in no shape to really go anywhere. "You're right, but first – "
Bubba Ray bounded into the room at that second. "Aw, come on, Hardy, you disappointed me there."
Lita raised an eyebrow at Bubba Ray. "Oh really now? What, you actually expected us to have sex?" she laughed, then stopped when she saw the hurt look on Matt's face.
"So, Matt, there is no need to be pissy. You just didn't grab the opportunity." Bubba Ray said matter-of-factly. I didn't live for the moment, Matt thought as he flipped over on his side.
"No, that's the last thing I'm worried about. Turns out Jeff's fucking pissed at me."
"Why's that?" Bubba Ray asked with concern. He had known Matt for a few years, but he had just met Jeff and already he could tell that their bond was unbreakable.
"Today's his birthday." Lita explained.
Bubba Ray then sat at the edge of the bed. "Ohhhh boy."
Matt sighed. "What the fuck am I gonna do? I knew it was coming up, and I didn't know when exactly – wait – it's the drugs." Bubba Ray nodded. Ah, Matthew, he thought, the drugs fucked you up more than I thought they would. Guess I'm gonna have to keep an eye on you from now on.
"Well, Matt, that's what happens when you uh, mix stuff." Bubba Ray replied.
"What happened with Brock?" Matt asked, his eyes wide.
Bubba Ray chuckled. "He had the worst time this morning. But since he's so big, the effects are pretty much worn off." Matt growled. Damnit, he thought. I'm pretty much the only sick one in this house.
"Well, what are we gonna do?" Lita asked, sitting up on the bed next to Matt, stroking his hair. Matt smiled faintly as he still lay down on his side. Damn that feels good, he thought. But I must not think sick thoughts right now.
Bubba Ray smiled as he got up from the bed. "We'll think of something, but for now, let's go eat." Lita helped Matt reluctantly get out of the bed and they joined everyone downstairs.
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End of Chapter Sixteen…