Thanks for the reviews and sorry it's taken me so long to update, but I've had a lot going on.
Hope you're still enjoying the story! :)
It was later that day when Jeff, Kylie and Rhiannon sat in the backyard, catching up over a few drinks. David and Luna had gone to visit some other friends in the neighborhood so they had the place to themselves for a while.
"So, what's going on with you Jeff? Why haven't you been wrestling lately?" Rhiannon asked with a hint of concern and Jeff grinned wryly at the question.
"Well, my heart hasn't really been in it for a while now. I'm just so tired of living by someone else's schedule, you know? Anyway, to cut a long story short, I turned up to a few shows late and had some "behavioral problems" so they suspended me for a month. It's my own fault, but honestly, I'm glad they did it. It's given me some time to sort my priorities out." He explained and Rhiannon had to smile, there was a definite parallel to her own story there, and she realised that she and Jeff had more in common than she had first thought.
"Ah, yes, priorities, I can relate to that. So, you've come to a decision then?" Kylie laughed at Rhian's question and Jeff looked a bit offended.
"Sorry sugar, I don't mean to laugh, but you change your mind every hour. You have to be one of the most indecisive people I've ever met in my life."
"Well, you'd find it difficult too if you were in my position. And to answer your question, Rhian, I honestly don't think I want to go back." He sighed, looking a bit melancholy and Rhiannon's eyes narrowed.
"And is that because of you're tired of wrestling? Or because you don't want to face your brother?" She asked candidly and Jeff glared at her.
"Just like your relationship with Imogen is none of my business, my relationship with Matt is none of yours. But, for your information, I'm just tired of being away from home all the time. I feel like I need to get back to my roots. It's that simple."
"Oh really?" Sarcasm dripped from Rhiannon's words and Jeff felt his anger begin to build. "To be quite honest, I don't think it is. I threw away the first chance I had to fulfill my dream because I was afraid to ruin my relationship with my sister. Not that it wasn't already dead. But you used to have a great relationship with Matt. Don't let Imogen ruin that for you." The understanding and hurt that he saw in her eyes softened Jeff's stance, but he still wasn't ready to admit what he was feeling. Not to her, or anyone else.
"I appreciate your concern, I really do, but this is my decision. And my relationship with my brother is fine now, so you really have no idea what you're talking about." His tone made it clear that he had made his decision and Rhiannon shrugged her shoulders in apparent defeat.
"Whatever you say Jeff. Whatever you say." Jeff leaned back in his chair, examining Rhiannon with an expression of suspicion. After a few moments Kylie gave a small grunt of disapproval, drawing the attention of both Jeff and Rhiannon.
"Well, I guess I should be going then." She said curtly reaching for her bag. "You two obviously have a lot to catch up on, so I'll leave you to it." And with that, she marched into the house leaving Jeff staring after her in confusion.
"What was that about?" He asked Rhiannon, who was already going after her friend.
"Just stay there." She called back over her shoulder as she hurriedly disappeared through the door. "Ky...KYLIE Wait up!" She snapped, running to shut the front door that Kylie had just opened. "What is going on?" She whispered, throwing a concerned glance to the back door, hoping that Jeff wasn't eavesdropping. Kylie looked up at Rhiannon, her dark eyes flashing with anger.
"Oh, nothing Rhian. It was just obvious to me that you and Jeff have lots to talk about. You don't need me there taking up space." She said in a low voice, also worried that Jeff might be listening in. A look of comprehension passed over Rhiannon's face as she realised what she should have seen from the beginning.
"You like him, don't you?" A huge smile appeared on her face as Kylie's cheeks reddened and she rolled her eyes as if she was about to deny it. "You do!" She squealed excitedly and Kylie looked dumbstruck for a moment, before her eyes suddenly narrowed and she crossed her arms.
"You seem happy about that." She replied her voice filled with suspicion.
"Of course I am. It's great news, Ky! I mean...why wouldn't I be?" Rhiannon frowned in confusion and Kylie sighed, slumping against the door.
"I thought, well, I kinda just thought that you and Jeff..." Rhiannon burst into laughter and Kylie gave her a sheepish grin. She was suddenly embarrassed about her behaviour, and she felt her face get even hotter as she considered that Jeff might have figured out why she left in such a hurry. "Oh God, I'm such an idiot." She moaned, covering her face with her hands.
"Oh yeah," Rhiannon agreed with a cheeky grin and gave her friend a hug. "A real idiot. But now you've gotta stop being a lunatic and take a chance." Kylie pulled away quickly, her eyes widening at the thought and she shook her head in a panic.
"Oh no, no way! He can never, ever know." She stated adamantly and Rhiannon put her hands on her hips.
"Why the hell not? What have you got to lose?"
"My dignity, for one thing. Plus, he's a good friend now, I don't want to screw that up." She said, in what she hoped was a reasonable voice.
"And?" Rhian raised an eyebrow and Kylie frowned in consternation.
"Well, there's the fact that he's interested in your sister." She replied bitterly. Rhiannon just smiled, leaning against the wall.
"Ah, I think he's begun to see the error of his ways with that one. And besides, you've got so much more to offer than Imogen does." Kylie just grunted and rolled her eyes. "It's true." Rhian insisted, whacking her friend on the arm. "You're funny and kind, you actually give a damn about other people, unlike my sister...you're a damn sight better looking than her, too. She may be a "blonde bombshell", but she has no real substance."
"Well, I thank you for your opinion, but I doubt that Jeff would agree." Kylie said with a resigned smile, making Rhiannon growl in frustration.
"You are so damn stubborn sometimes. What if I spoke to Jeff? Without letting him in on our little secret, of course." She added dryly and Ky shook her head, opening the door again.
"No, thank you. I'd rather not know what's going on in that crazy head of his. Anyway, I really should be going, I've got a lot of things to do before work tomorrow."
"Whatever you say, dear." Rhiannon sighed and Kylie glared suspiciously at her.
"Say goodbye to Jeff for me, but not a word about anything else. I mean it." She warned before shutting the door behind her.
Rhiannon chuckled mischievously and made her way back out to where she had left Jeff as she silently formulated a plan to get the oddly matched couple together.