**Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. I'm glad that you
guys liked it. Sorry this one took so long, but I'm still trying to
recuperate from the holidays! LOL! Right now I'm having to get a new home
computer because mine went curfutz. Work has been swamped, so I'll get the
chapters posted as quickly as I can. Thanks again everyone!**
John had seen what happened between Steph and Jeff, and he watched her leave Matt behind, so he figured she could use a friend. He grabbed his coat and headed out the front door after her.
There she was, at the end of the driveway trying to pick up a signal on her cell phone and crying. She looked absolutely pitiful.
John walked up behind her and cleared his throat. "Need a hand?"
Steph jumped and turned around. She had tears streaming down her face. "I'm just trying to find a fucking signal so I can call a cab and I can't find one anywhere. I'm not about to walk back in that house, I just need to know which way is town." She replied between sniffles. She was trying so hard to be strong, but John could see that she just need to cry.
"Hon, I'm not letting you walk to town. Why don't I drive you there?" John offered.
"I can't ask you to do that, besides, you're not in the shape to drive, and I'm not in the shape to drive. God I just need to get the hell out of here." She said starting to cry again.
"I'm fine to drive. I've only had two drinks. I know my limits, and I knew that I wasn't going to stay here all night. I fly out tonight to go home for a day, I'll take you to the airport, and I'll just hang out there until my flight." John said. "Please let me help."
Steph sighed, "If you're sure it's not a problem."
"I promise. Come on, I'll help you in." John said walking her to his rental. He helped her in and proceeded towards the airport. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jeff stood there surrounded by everyone who was busy talking amongst themselves about what had just happened. He had been feeling pretty buzzed, but after what just happened, the buzz was pretty much over.
Matt went heading straight to Jeff with anger and frustration written all over his face. No one interfered, no one said a word to him. They all just stepped out of his way. Matt came up behind Jeff, he grabbed his arm and whipped him around to face him, "You and me outside right NOW." He growled at him.
"Matt please, just wait." Jeff tried pleading but Matt responded by grabbing his shirt and dragging him outside with him.
"What in the hell are you trying to do to me?" Matt shouted at him. The tears were starting to well up in his eyes. "What are you trying to prove? Why can't I be happy?"
"Matt, I've been trying to protect you. I'm afraid of seeing you get hurt. I want you to be happy, but I also want it to be real." Jeff replied back. Jeff hated seeing Matt so upset, but he knew he could prove his point. "I mean come on, the two of you haven't been together that long and she's already saying that she loves you. Don't you think she's rushing it a little?"
"First off, I told her that I loved her first. This is the first time she's returned it and I don't know if she's returning it because she means it, or if she's just trying to get you off her back. Secondly, JEFF, I am a grown adult. I don't need you to screen my girlfriends. I can handle myself." Matt fought back. He let go of Jeff and started pacing. "I don't know what to think of you anymore. You're not the same Jeff as I grew up with. You've been distant and you're so hostile towards her and I, do you not want me with someone? Are you afraid of losing me to her? I mean, you have Beth, why can't I have someone? What is going on?"
Jeff was struck hard by the last couple statements. He felt his eyes start to brim over with tears, "Matt, it's nothing like that. I want you to be happy, and I want you to find the love of your life and start a family and I want all of your dreams to come true. It's just that I think that you're blinding yourself from it all. Yes, you've always liked her, yes you're finally with her, but what about the long-haul? Matt, she is a high- maintenance, my way or the highway, city girl. You're a good ol' down to earth, laid back, control freak country boy. Your worlds are going to collide eventually, and I can guarantee you that you're the one who'll wind up hurt. Matt, you're my brother and I love you. I just think that you would be better off with someone who's more your type."
Matt jumped in and cut him off, "And just how do you know what my type is? How do you know that I haven't changed? Jeff, a lot about me has changed and obviously you don't see that."
"Well of course I don't see that, you're never around anymore for me to see that." Jeff fired back. "Between us being on different shows, and now that the two of you have been together, Dad and I hardly ever see you. It's like she's slowly pulling you away from us."
Matt was actually speechless. He had never sat and thought about it like that. As Jeff went on lecturing about how he doesn't make time for his family anymore, Matt realized that Jeff did have a point. He had been neglecting his side.
"Ok Jeff, yes you have a point there. I have been spending more time with Steph and less time with you and Dad physically, but I call you guys many times during the week. I'll fix that. But, you really need to hear me out on Steph. I don't think you understand what she means to me."
Jeff sat down on the ground. "I'm listening."
Matt ran his hands through his hair and plopped down on the ground next to him, "I know that Steph and I haven't been together a long time. And I know that you think that I'm with her because I had a crush on her and then I got to save her from those guys. But what you don't realize is that I'm truly in love with her. We are two different people, but I feel like she completes me. Yes there are things that we fight about and yes we both have our insecurities with each other. But it's there. And it's real. I haven't been this happy in a long time. Right now everything is going the way I want it to. Jeff, I love her, yet you can't accept that. Dad fully supports me, but you don't. You constantly attack her and you never give her a chance."
Jeff sat up quickly, "No Matt, I did give her a chance. Then I caught her and Paul getting all close and cozy and you're too blind to see it. She's trying to have her cake and eat it too."
"Jeff, do you go running to Steph everytime I hug Amy? What about when Steph and I don't spend our weekends together because she has stuff to do so I go out to the club with Amy? It's the same thing. Jeff, we trust each other. We know that we're together but we can still be friends with our ex's or with people of the opposite sex without thinking that we're cheating on each other. Just like you and Beth. Why do you view us differently?" Matt argued back.
Jeff took a deep breath. Not only had Matt proved his point, but he finally seen just how much Matt cared for Steph. He knew deep down Matt was insecure about Paul but he was putting that behind him for the good of his relationship. "Matt, I'm so sorry. You're right, I'm wrong. I shouldn't have treated the two of you so horribly."
Matt looked at him surprised. He never thought Jeff would come out and say he was wrong.
Jeff sighed, "Yes I was trying to sabotage you and Steph because you seemed so much into her than she is to you. I took it as she wasn't truly dedicated to your relationship, when I shouldn't have interfered in a negative way. I didn't want to see you hurt again, but you're right. I need to let you live your life and from now on, that's what I'm going to do. Matt, you're my brother and no matter what, I love you and I'll always be there for you."
Matt smiled and hugged him tight, "I just have to ask you one more thing."
Jeff hugged him back, "What's that bro?"
"Just what the hell were you thinking in there? You just had to attack her like that in front of everyone. And boy did she leave a nice hand print from where she slapped you." Matt replied with a hint of anger.
"Matt, that was what happens when alcohol meets anger meeting realizing I fucked up but not wanting to take the heat myself. I was totally out of line and I am so sorry. I owe her the world's biggest apology. Big time." Jeff replied sincerely. "I mean it Matt, that was the stupidest thing I could have ever done."
"Well I appreciate that you're willing to fess up and see it that way. If Steph ever talks to me again, I'll set up a meeting for the apology." Matt said picking at the grass with a sadness in his eyes.
"What do you mean? She should be mad at me, not you." Jeff asked with a slight laugh. "You're not your brothers keeper."
"No, but after your fight, Steph decided to leave. When I tried to stop her, she said that she couldn't come between you and I." Matt explained sadly. "She can see how differently you've been acting lately, and she can see you when you and I are together all we do is fight about her. So she left to go to her house and she said that she'll see me at Raw. Jeff, I'm really worried. What if this is her way of telling me she doesn't want to see me anymore." Matt got up and started pacing in the yard.
Jeff's heart was breaking. It tore him up to see Matt so upset. He was going through some rough times of his own, and it was true, he had been taking it out on everyone else. But never, ever had he meant for it to come to this. He knew what he had to do to keep Matt's heart from breaking as well. "Look, I'll do my part, and you do what your heart tells you to do with Steph."
"Thanks Jeff. This means a lot to me. And if you need anything, just let me know." Matt said hugging him again. "I'm going to head home. You'll know where to find me."
Jeff hugged him back. "Yeah, I'm going to grab Beth and head home too."
They walked into the house both formulating their own plans.
**Thanks for being so patient. What are the boys going to come up with? What is Steph thinking back at her house? Stay tuned!! Please continue to read and review!**
John had seen what happened between Steph and Jeff, and he watched her leave Matt behind, so he figured she could use a friend. He grabbed his coat and headed out the front door after her.
There she was, at the end of the driveway trying to pick up a signal on her cell phone and crying. She looked absolutely pitiful.
John walked up behind her and cleared his throat. "Need a hand?"
Steph jumped and turned around. She had tears streaming down her face. "I'm just trying to find a fucking signal so I can call a cab and I can't find one anywhere. I'm not about to walk back in that house, I just need to know which way is town." She replied between sniffles. She was trying so hard to be strong, but John could see that she just need to cry.
"Hon, I'm not letting you walk to town. Why don't I drive you there?" John offered.
"I can't ask you to do that, besides, you're not in the shape to drive, and I'm not in the shape to drive. God I just need to get the hell out of here." She said starting to cry again.
"I'm fine to drive. I've only had two drinks. I know my limits, and I knew that I wasn't going to stay here all night. I fly out tonight to go home for a day, I'll take you to the airport, and I'll just hang out there until my flight." John said. "Please let me help."
Steph sighed, "If you're sure it's not a problem."
"I promise. Come on, I'll help you in." John said walking her to his rental. He helped her in and proceeded towards the airport. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jeff stood there surrounded by everyone who was busy talking amongst themselves about what had just happened. He had been feeling pretty buzzed, but after what just happened, the buzz was pretty much over.
Matt went heading straight to Jeff with anger and frustration written all over his face. No one interfered, no one said a word to him. They all just stepped out of his way. Matt came up behind Jeff, he grabbed his arm and whipped him around to face him, "You and me outside right NOW." He growled at him.
"Matt please, just wait." Jeff tried pleading but Matt responded by grabbing his shirt and dragging him outside with him.
"What in the hell are you trying to do to me?" Matt shouted at him. The tears were starting to well up in his eyes. "What are you trying to prove? Why can't I be happy?"
"Matt, I've been trying to protect you. I'm afraid of seeing you get hurt. I want you to be happy, but I also want it to be real." Jeff replied back. Jeff hated seeing Matt so upset, but he knew he could prove his point. "I mean come on, the two of you haven't been together that long and she's already saying that she loves you. Don't you think she's rushing it a little?"
"First off, I told her that I loved her first. This is the first time she's returned it and I don't know if she's returning it because she means it, or if she's just trying to get you off her back. Secondly, JEFF, I am a grown adult. I don't need you to screen my girlfriends. I can handle myself." Matt fought back. He let go of Jeff and started pacing. "I don't know what to think of you anymore. You're not the same Jeff as I grew up with. You've been distant and you're so hostile towards her and I, do you not want me with someone? Are you afraid of losing me to her? I mean, you have Beth, why can't I have someone? What is going on?"
Jeff was struck hard by the last couple statements. He felt his eyes start to brim over with tears, "Matt, it's nothing like that. I want you to be happy, and I want you to find the love of your life and start a family and I want all of your dreams to come true. It's just that I think that you're blinding yourself from it all. Yes, you've always liked her, yes you're finally with her, but what about the long-haul? Matt, she is a high- maintenance, my way or the highway, city girl. You're a good ol' down to earth, laid back, control freak country boy. Your worlds are going to collide eventually, and I can guarantee you that you're the one who'll wind up hurt. Matt, you're my brother and I love you. I just think that you would be better off with someone who's more your type."
Matt jumped in and cut him off, "And just how do you know what my type is? How do you know that I haven't changed? Jeff, a lot about me has changed and obviously you don't see that."
"Well of course I don't see that, you're never around anymore for me to see that." Jeff fired back. "Between us being on different shows, and now that the two of you have been together, Dad and I hardly ever see you. It's like she's slowly pulling you away from us."
Matt was actually speechless. He had never sat and thought about it like that. As Jeff went on lecturing about how he doesn't make time for his family anymore, Matt realized that Jeff did have a point. He had been neglecting his side.
"Ok Jeff, yes you have a point there. I have been spending more time with Steph and less time with you and Dad physically, but I call you guys many times during the week. I'll fix that. But, you really need to hear me out on Steph. I don't think you understand what she means to me."
Jeff sat down on the ground. "I'm listening."
Matt ran his hands through his hair and plopped down on the ground next to him, "I know that Steph and I haven't been together a long time. And I know that you think that I'm with her because I had a crush on her and then I got to save her from those guys. But what you don't realize is that I'm truly in love with her. We are two different people, but I feel like she completes me. Yes there are things that we fight about and yes we both have our insecurities with each other. But it's there. And it's real. I haven't been this happy in a long time. Right now everything is going the way I want it to. Jeff, I love her, yet you can't accept that. Dad fully supports me, but you don't. You constantly attack her and you never give her a chance."
Jeff sat up quickly, "No Matt, I did give her a chance. Then I caught her and Paul getting all close and cozy and you're too blind to see it. She's trying to have her cake and eat it too."
"Jeff, do you go running to Steph everytime I hug Amy? What about when Steph and I don't spend our weekends together because she has stuff to do so I go out to the club with Amy? It's the same thing. Jeff, we trust each other. We know that we're together but we can still be friends with our ex's or with people of the opposite sex without thinking that we're cheating on each other. Just like you and Beth. Why do you view us differently?" Matt argued back.
Jeff took a deep breath. Not only had Matt proved his point, but he finally seen just how much Matt cared for Steph. He knew deep down Matt was insecure about Paul but he was putting that behind him for the good of his relationship. "Matt, I'm so sorry. You're right, I'm wrong. I shouldn't have treated the two of you so horribly."
Matt looked at him surprised. He never thought Jeff would come out and say he was wrong.
Jeff sighed, "Yes I was trying to sabotage you and Steph because you seemed so much into her than she is to you. I took it as she wasn't truly dedicated to your relationship, when I shouldn't have interfered in a negative way. I didn't want to see you hurt again, but you're right. I need to let you live your life and from now on, that's what I'm going to do. Matt, you're my brother and no matter what, I love you and I'll always be there for you."
Matt smiled and hugged him tight, "I just have to ask you one more thing."
Jeff hugged him back, "What's that bro?"
"Just what the hell were you thinking in there? You just had to attack her like that in front of everyone. And boy did she leave a nice hand print from where she slapped you." Matt replied with a hint of anger.
"Matt, that was what happens when alcohol meets anger meeting realizing I fucked up but not wanting to take the heat myself. I was totally out of line and I am so sorry. I owe her the world's biggest apology. Big time." Jeff replied sincerely. "I mean it Matt, that was the stupidest thing I could have ever done."
"Well I appreciate that you're willing to fess up and see it that way. If Steph ever talks to me again, I'll set up a meeting for the apology." Matt said picking at the grass with a sadness in his eyes.
"What do you mean? She should be mad at me, not you." Jeff asked with a slight laugh. "You're not your brothers keeper."
"No, but after your fight, Steph decided to leave. When I tried to stop her, she said that she couldn't come between you and I." Matt explained sadly. "She can see how differently you've been acting lately, and she can see you when you and I are together all we do is fight about her. So she left to go to her house and she said that she'll see me at Raw. Jeff, I'm really worried. What if this is her way of telling me she doesn't want to see me anymore." Matt got up and started pacing in the yard.
Jeff's heart was breaking. It tore him up to see Matt so upset. He was going through some rough times of his own, and it was true, he had been taking it out on everyone else. But never, ever had he meant for it to come to this. He knew what he had to do to keep Matt's heart from breaking as well. "Look, I'll do my part, and you do what your heart tells you to do with Steph."
"Thanks Jeff. This means a lot to me. And if you need anything, just let me know." Matt said hugging him again. "I'm going to head home. You'll know where to find me."
Jeff hugged him back. "Yeah, I'm going to grab Beth and head home too."
They walked into the house both formulating their own plans.
**Thanks for being so patient. What are the boys going to come up with? What is Steph thinking back at her house? Stay tuned!! Please continue to read and review!**