Chapter 20
Traci awoke in bed she didn't recognize. It took her a second to remember what happened. After she twisted her ankle she didn't think she could put weight on it. Jake had insisted that she stay so if she needed something he could help her. He had given her the bed while he slept on the couch Traci decided to try out her leg. She gingerly placed it on the floor and put weight on it. She was relieved to find it was fine and that she could walk. She took out an old shit of Jake's and a pair of sweat pants. "He won't mind if I borrow these besides the only thing I have is that dress I wore last night," Traci thought.
She headed to the living room and was stunned to see Jake wasn't sleeping on the couch. She knew he wasn't out training since today was a taping for Impact and Jake never trained on days he could wrestle since his body took enough of a beating during the matches he never wanted to over work it. She started to worry.
She was about to call AJ to see when she heard a guitar in the back yard. She looked out the screen door and saw Jake sitting in a chair playing a guitar. She recognized the song it was Cheap Trick's "The Flame." It had been there song. She just listed to him play for a minute.
When the song finished Traci started clapping. Jake who hadn't noticed her was startled he turned around. "How's your ankle?" Jake asked. "It's fine Jake. I have to say if you ever get tired of wrestling maybe you should try being a rock star," Traci said.
A small buzzer started to go off. "What the hell is that?" Traci asked. "That is my reminder to wake you up so you have enough time to get ready for the tapings," Jake said messing with his watch to stop the buzzing. "Oh yeah I have to get going." She said walking to the door.
"Ah Traci I drove you here remember I'll have to give you a lift," Jake said. "Well come on I don't want to be late," She said. "Late Traci we have until tonight," Jake said. "I have to shower, put on my make up and do my hair. Plus talent is due at 1:00 from now on remember," she said. "Ok I'm coming," Jake said. "But you don't need all that stuff done you look gorgeous right now," Jake said. Traci gave him a kiss. "You a real charmer," She said. "I have to be. I'm trying to win back the most beautiful woman in the world," Jake said.
Jake was backstage at the Impact tapings. He had dropped Traci off at her place so she can get ready. It had been a bit of a struggle to get in arena. So many people were approaching him for autographs now. But Jake loved every minute of it.
Jake went to check the booking sheet. "Don't' bother Reed," the voice of Matt Bentley said. "Well if it isn't the "Maverick." I have one question. What is it like to be a complete Shawn Michaels rip off?" Jake mocked. "Make you jokes. But tonight it's going to be me and you in the ring. And just so you know Traci won't want anything to do with you after I knock all you teeth down your throat," Bentley said before walking off.
Jake was thrilled he had wanted to get his hands on Matt for long time. Traci hadn't said anything but he had feeling that the lump on her head a couple weeks ago had been caused by him. Even if it wasn't, Matt had a beating coming to him for being helping Jarrett and crew beat him down and then the attack in Traci's apartment.
Jake was about to go into the locker room when he saw a door open and someone call out, "Reed over here." Jake knew the room was Sting's private dressing. It wasn't that Sting had a big ego and demanded it. Instead it was TNA management giving it to him. Most days Sting was rather social with the boys. Other days when he had a sneak attack planed he wouldn't be so social.
Jake walked into the room. "Sit down Reed," Sting said. Jake was shocked it as a site he had never seen before Sting was already in his gear but was yet to apply the make up. "I wanted to make sure you really want to do the war games. Trust me Jake they are the most grueling matches in wrestling," Sting said.
"I am sure. Jarrett and his goons are going to pay for the beat downs they have given me," Jake said. "Alright, I just wanted to make sure. So who do you think we should have on the team?" Sting asked. "First name come to mind is Rhino. I mean its war so you could use the war machine," Jake said. "Yeah god point. Part of me was thinking AJ and Christian," Sting said. "Yeah they would volunteer but think about it Jarrett is most likely to use Steiner, AMW, and Joe. I think Team 3-D might work out better since they are more powerful," Jake said. "Good point and they are used to working together. Alright Jake I think about it and let you know," Sting said.
Matt's music played as he entered the impact zone. "Ladies and Gentlemen you main event for impact is set for one fail with a twenty minute time limit. Introducing first from San Antoine Texas, "Maverick Matt,"" JB announced. Jake's music played and he ran out and jumped Matt before JB can announce him.
Jake and Matt start to trade blows back and forth. Jake quickly takes the advantage and beats the living hell out of the maverick. Bentley rolls out of the ring. Jake follows and throws him back in. Bentley crawls to the far corner and begs for mercy. Jake is back in the ring and it getting ready to tear Matt apart.
Joe runs out from the back to jump Jake. Jake sees him and attacks him first. Bentley joins in and it's a two on one. Jake is able to hold his own but Jarrett comes to the ring with his guitar. Rhino charges and cuts off Jarrett. Jake knocks Matt to the floor. Steiner and AMW charge. Team 3-D stop them. But the one man advantage allows the Army beat up on the good guys.
The lights go out. They come back up and Sting is in the ring with his bat. He gets a shot in on James Storm but the rest of the army bails out with Harris pulling his partner out.
In the back Sting and Jake are with Rhino and Team 3D. "Alright guys I know you have heard that there will be a war games at "No Surrender," well Reed is already on the team and I want you guys to fill it out," Sting said. "Hey you can count me in. I have been waiting for a chance to cut Jarrett in half with the Gore again," Rhino said. "Beating the Jarrett army until they are either unconscious or are yelling I quit. Sounds like a great way to spend a Sunday night," Brother Ray said. "Oh my brother! Testify," Brother Devon said. "Alright, I say we make No Surrender the night the Jarrett Army is taken out once and for all," Jake says.