Chapter 14
Jake and Traci were out having dinner. "So how's your steak?" Traci asked. Jake wasn't listening. "Jake, Jake are you listening to me?" Traci asked. "Did you say something?" Jake asks. "Yeah I said I'm late so I need to see my doctor to if I am pregnant," Traci says. "What!" Jake yells. "I'm kidding I asked how your steak is," Traci says.
"It's fine. Traci I'm sorry I just have a lot on my mind," Jake says. "It's ok. You know I am here if you need to talk," Traci says. "I guess. Do you think RVD has a point?" Jake asked. Traci is shocked. "What are you talking about?" "The wreck was Brian's fault. I remember he took his eyes off the road. In any court in the US Brian is guilty," Jake said. "Jake I see what you mean. But RVD issues are with your brother he has no right to do what he has done to you," Traci says.
"I wasn't saying that. I really don't know what I am saying. It's just ever since this started I have been a little off," Jake says. "Do you think you are going to be ready for the match?" Traci asks. "I should be," Jake says. "Jake I hate seeing you like this," Traci says. "I think I'll be better once I can get back in the ring," Jake says.
RVD was training for his match. He was practicing his kicks when he felt a pain in leg. "God Damn it!" He yells. "Rob are you alright?" His spotter asks. "Yeah I'll be fine I just need a minute," RVD says.
Rob sat down and massaged his leg. "Damn those Reeds," RVD thinks. The pain started to sub side. RVD stand up. "All right let's go back to work," he yells. "I think you should call it a day," Paul says walking in. "No I can keep going," RVD says.
"Rob you can't take Reed out if you are hurt," Paul says. Rob looks like he wants to continue to argue but decides better of it and walks away.
Jake and Traci walked in the house. Jake went to check the messages. "Jake its Larry Zybsko I just wanted to tell you is that TNA management and I are granting you request for a match at Impact. We are going to start you off easy so it's going to be you and Shark Boy," Larry said as the message went off.
"Alright," Jake said. "Jake please don't go over board. You don't need to empty the fuel tanks for Shark Boy," Traci says. "Hey don't insult Sharkey," Jake says. "I'm not. I am just don't want to see you go crazy and get hurt," Traci says. "You have faith me," Jake says. "I have faith, but I know you. You are going to get out there hear the crowd hit a few easy moves and think you can do more," Traci says.
"Ok Traci I promise not to go over board," Jake says. "Besides I am sick of waiting on you all the time," Traci says. "What are you talking about?" Jake asks. "I am sick of you sitting on you butt asking me to get a soda or a lunch or the remote," Traci says. "I had a bad leg. I couldn't stand up what do you want me to do?" Jake says.
"I'm kidding Jake," Traci says. "Now I get why people tell me my jokes aren't funny," Jake says. "All joking aside I do want you to be careful in this match," Traci says. "I will," Jake says crossing his fingers behind his back. "Jake…" "Only kidding," Jake says.
A few days later at Impact, AJ is talking to someone. "Look I don't think he is going to go to crazy. He is just back from a muscle tear," AJ says to the guy. Jake walks in the locker room and sees who AJ is talking to. "I can't believe this my best friend talking to the guy I have to fight," Jake says.
"Jake he just wanted to make sure you were ready. Isn't that right Shark Boy?" AJ asks as Shark Boy nods. "I get that. So I will tell you I am fine. But I will be a little rusty I haven't been in the ring in mouths," Jake says. Shark Boy nods and leaves.
When they are alone AJ get serious. "Alright be honest how is your leg?" AJ asks. "Between you and Traci I am starting to wonder if I have a best friend and a wife or second set of parents," Jake says. "Now isn't the time for jokes," AJ says. "I don't really know. I mean it feels fine right now but until I am able to in the ring. Hey don't tell Traci this I don't want her to worry," Jake says.
What Jake doesn't know is Traci was standing outside the locker room. She walks away lost in her own thoughts. She walks into the woman's dressing room. Christy Hemme and Jackie Gayda see her and walk up to her. "Traci are you ok?" Christy asks. "Yeah I'm fine," She says. "No your not I can see it in your face," Jackie says.
"I just found out Jake is lying to me," Traci says. "About?" Christy asks. "Well he has been telling me his leg is fine. But I just overhead him tell AJ that he doesn't know if his leg will hold up until he has been in a match," Traci says. "Sounds to me like he doesn't want you to worry. Charlie does the same thing with me. Once he had a broken hand that he tried to hide," Jackie says.
"Well we are married now. Not once when we are dating he never lied to me. But now he is lying to me now. I mean he has always been honest with me. Why is he starting now?" "Because he is jackass. That thought he was doing the right thing," Jake said walking in. "I was coming in to get you and over head everything," Jake said.
Jackie and Christy leave to give them some privacy. "I am so sorry. I guess I just felt like I have put you though so much already," Jake says. "I know you protect me but you and I are married now. So do you love me enough to honest," Traci says.
"Yeah I do. So I'll be honest. I think my leg is ok. But there is part of me that is freak out that my leg will give out," Jake says. "Well I understand that. So like I have been saying take it easy," Traci says. "I will I promise. I am so sorry about not telling you everything," Jake says. "It's alright I understand why you do it," Traci says. They kiss as Christy yells out from outside, "Now that you two have made up, Jake you need to leave so Jackie and I can finish getting ready." "I better get going," Jake says.
Shark Boy's music played as he made his way out doing his usual act. "This match is set for one fall with a twenty minute time limit. Introducing first from 20,000 Leagues under the sea, Shark Boy," Dave Penzar said. Jake's music played and he and Traci made there way out. "His opponent is from Omaha NE, with his manager Traci Brooks. He is the "Omaha Outlaw" Jake Reed.
Jake gives Traci a kiss for luck before getting in the ring. The fans chant, "Welcome back." Jake is in the ring and the referee rings the bell. Jake and Shark Boy circle each other before finally tying up. Jake forces Shark Boy in the corner. Jake gives him a clean break. Jake starts chopping and gets some really good ones in.
The referee forces Jake back and admonishes him. "Break when his in the corner," the ref says. "I did break," Jake yells. Shark Boy uses this time to give Jake the shark bite. Jake yells out in pain and exits the ring. Traci comes over. "Are you ok?" She asks. "I just can't believe I was that stupid," Jake says.
Jake climbs back in the ring. Shark Boy charges but Jake hits a mafia kick right in the gut. Shark Boy is stunned; Jake bounces off the ropes and hits a clothesline sending Shark Boy to the mat. Jake drops some elbows.
Jake picks Shark Boy up and delivers the Death Valley Driver. Jake covers, count of one, count of two, count of three. Jake wins his first match back. RVD hits the ring with a steel chair and goes to hit Jake in the leg. Jake stuns everyone and hits the pele on RVD.
Jake and RVD start trading blows. Booby Roode hits the ring and starts helping RVD. AJ runs out and takes on Booby. Jake picks up the chair and chases off RVD. Jake turns to hit Booby. Booby bails out and Jake comes with in inches of hitting AJ. AJ gives Jake a look of watch it.
AJ, Jake, and Traci walk though the tunnel. "Look I'm sorry I was trying to hit Rood and he moved," Jake says. "No harm no foul. I got to get going see you later," AJ says walking away. Jake sits down on a crate. "Jake are you ok? Is it your leg?" Traci asks.
"No I just haven't wrestled in so long I am a little blown up. My leg is sore but I expected that," Jake says. "Ok," Traci says. "Come on lets get the hell out of here," Jake says standing up. Traci nods and they go to leave.
As they were walking they pass Joe. Jake and Joe lock eyes. Nothing needed to be said. The two men would never be friends but some where they grow to respect each other. "Jake I was thinking we could rent a movie and just stay in tonight," Traci says not noticing Joe. "Sounds good to me Jake says," tuning his to his wife. Joe refocuses on his up coming match with Alex Shelly knowing that he will get another shot at Reed in the King of the Mountain match.