Chapter Eighteen: Traveling with the Roster
Taylor's POV:
I'd never really been out of Texas until I moved to Cameron. After Slammiversary, TNA went to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania for some tapings. It was there that the tyrannical reign of MVP was ended, as Kurt Angle was put in charge of wrestling operations on the show. On the last night of tapings in Pennsylvania, Kurt Angle called out Willow. Watching it from the back, it was kinda funny, like watching Dad get told he was a bad schoolboy. The way his character reacted to Kurt asking him to take off the mask for the match that night, to face Lashley, Willow looked like he was being yelled at by an angry teacher. Still, at the end of the night, when I went out to call the match, they told me to listen to Dad's music, because that would tell me if he was coming out as Willow or Jeff Hardy.
As he got ready to enter, I listened to the music. I wasn't sure whether or not to expect "Willow's Way" or "Time & Fate," so when "Time & Fate" started I knew he was coming out as Jeff Hardy. He was the last competitor out for the 20 man, over the top rope battle royal. I had to stay out for the whole match to call out eliminations, so I got to see the everything, which was cool since almost the entire locker room was in the match.
By the end of the match the last two competitors in the ring were Dad and Eric Young. Dad was a fan favorite, the enigma they all loved so much. But, Eric Young was the one Lashley took the title from. The fans had liked having EY as their champion, especially after the championship reign of Magnus. He was a fighting champion, putting it all on the line for the fans every chance he got. Both men were major risk takers and the fans loved the way the match was coming out. Either way, they'd be happy with the results.
There were a few close calls where both EY and Dad nearly eliminated the other. What it ultimately came down to was EY was on the apron and Dad hit him from the top rope, propelling himself into the middle of the ring as EY hit the floor outside. I announced Dad as the winner. JB went in to talk to Dad and then, as was the usual, Bobby Lashley came out to get in Dad's face since he was the number one contender. Dad didn't back down. He stared him straight in the eye.
Lashley left the ring first when the cameras cut out. Dad got out and went around to the fans for a few minutes. I stayed over by the timekeeper, not really the one to interact with the fans too much outside of the show just yet, and definitely not willing to go into the locker room just yet. Some of the guys were upset that they weren't even considered for the title shot against Lashley. I didn't blame them. I just didn't want to get stuck in the middle. Finally, Dad made his way over to me and we made our way backstage, with his arm around my shoulder.
"Rough match, huh guys?" Amy asked as we walked into the dressing room.
Dad went straight into the other room to change out of his ring attire. I kicked off my heels as soon as I walked into the dressing room and started pulling off jewelry before sitting down next to Amy.
"Yeah. Dad took some pretty rough bumps. I was worried with the way he literally hung out of the ring sideways for part of the match."
"I was fine. Just needed a breather, Sweetie," he called from the other room.
Amy and I started laughing.
"Jeff, you were hanging diagonally with your legs wrapped around the ring post for at least five minutes. You were seeing stars and we both know it," Amy said, still laughing.
Dad came out of the other room in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. I got up and started towards the other room to get out of the dress. He sat down to start taking off his face paint.
"You really gotta make me look bad in front of Taylor, Darlin'?" Dad asked and I started laughing louder.
"Dad, I was ten feet away! I saw everything! Amy isn't making you look bad," I said laughing and ran into the other room locking the door behind me just before he reached the door.
"Wait until you come back out, Taylor!" Dad called to me.
I changed out of the white gown they had me in tonight and carefully put it in the garment bag. Unlike Dad, I was asked to wear dress slacks and blouses when I travel with TNA because it made me look older, more professional. I didn't really care. We worked a few days a week. When we had off, I was free to wear whatever I wanted, plus, they hadn't asked me to stop dying my hair the way I had been. So, I didn't complain. I was learning about something I had come to have an interest in, when most people wouldn't have this opportunity at my age. I got changed into a pair of black dress slacks and a pink halter top with a black dragon on it that Amy bought me. I slipped on the flats that I wore when I travelled and went back out to Dad and Amy.
"See, Taylor, I told you that halter top would look great on you!" Amy said as she sat me down to brush out my hair.
"Her back is bare, Amy," Dad said.
"Jeff, it's summer time. She's sixteen," Amy said.
"Don't freak out, Dad. I'm wearing something over this. A sheer white button down. I'm just leaving it open since it's so hot out."
"That's better," he said as he came over and kissed my cheek.
Amy finished brushing my hair and left. Considering she still had ties to the WWE and Dad had left years before to come back to TNA, Dad and Amy decided to do their best to keep their relationship from going public. Dad and I finished packing our stuff up and left. We were going to pick up dinner and meet Amy back in our hotel room before checking out and heading out to New York City. We were going to drive.
When we got outside, there were a bunch of fans hoping to see the different members of the TNA family. Dad took pictures with fans, signed autographs, and made it look so easy. A few people came over to me and it made me nervous, but I tried to handle it with his grace. I smiled and thanked them for noticing me and signed their programs, which was when they had had new programs made and that I was in them. I didn't think know the photo shoot I had done the day after Slammiversary was for the summer tour programs.
In them, I was just listed as Taylor Adams. It made sense to me. Until just a few weeks ago, it was my legal last name and Dad said for TNA it would be better to use that to keep my anonymity. Nobody outside of family and friends knew that I was Jeff Hardy's daughter unless they lived in Cameron.
People asked Dad and I if they could get shots of us together. I thought it was weird.
"It's really nice of you to take a new ring announcer under your wing like this, Jeff," one fan said.
"Well, Taylor and I go back before TNA," Dad said, not giving any information.
"It was nice meeting you both," the fan said before Dad took my bags and I got into his car.
When I looked back at the fan, he was still watching us. It gave me the creeps, but I didn't say anything to Dad. I didn't want to come off as paranoid. We went about our business, getting to the hotel in New York in the early morning hours.
I didn't have to be up until noon. That was when Spud and EC3 were coming to take me for a workout. Amy was going out with Gail to check out dietary things that might help me in the city instead of me refusing to eat because of all the greasy food Mark and Devon had already started threatening to force down my throat. Dad had a few media circuits to run to promote the first tapings in New York City and would be busy until dinner.
It was nine thirty, just after Dad and Amy left, that my cell phone rang. Collin was calling me.
"What's wrong Collin?" I asked.
"Tay, were you working in Pennsylvania last night?"
"Yeah, why?"
"There are pictures all over social media. People trying to figure out who Jeff Hardy's new girlfriend is. With pictures. The girl in the pictures is you. They have pictures of you and him after the match last night with his arm around your shoulders, in the lobby of the hotel, getting into his car. They're saying Taylor Adams , the new announcer of TNA, is Jeff Hardy's new girlfriend."
"Damn it! I gotta call you back tonight, Collin. Dad just left for media appointments to promote the tour. I don't want him blindsided by this on tv or radio in New York City. You know that man never checks his twitter, Instagram or facebook."
"Go. Talk to you later."
I hung up the phone and called Dad.
Jeff's POV
Taylor was still sound asleep when Amy and I left the hotel. I was being driven around to promote the tour. We were halfway to my first stop when my phone started ringing. I thought it might be Amy but when I looked at the screen, it was Taylor. I knew something was wrong.
"What are you doing up so early? You were dead to the world ten minutes ago, Darlin'."
"Dad, we have an issue and I don't know how to handle it."
"What is it, Taylor?"
I was looking around and noticed the driver looking at me in the rearview mirror. MVP was in the car with me and handled it.
"Gotta problem, Lurch? Shouldn't you be paying attention to the roads in this forsaken city and not my man's personal phone call? Mind your damn business."
I gave him a grateful look and he just nodded at me.
"Dad, Collin just called me. There's a new story all over the wrestling community on social media and I didn't want you to be blindsided by it in case it comes up when you're doing media."
"What is it, Baby? You're starting to worry my."
"Dad, they're saying you have a new girlfriend. They're trying to figure out information about her…"
"Do they know about me and…"
"No, Dad. They don't think it's Amy. They think it's me."
I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity. She wasn't serious. Was she?
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. I pulled out my tablet. I'm on twitter right now. There are a ton of people tweeting pictures of you and me together, with your arm wrapped around my shoulders, you carrying my luggage, me getting into your car. They think I'm your new girlfriend, Dad."
"Alright, Taylor. Just relax. There's nothing we can do about it right now. Don't say anything to anyone about this. I'll text Matt. He'll get online and start throwing people onto something else. We're not gonna say anything about this. Do you understand?"
"Yeah, Dad."
"We left you a chocolate chip muffin, some fruit, bagels and juices to choose from for breakfast. Eat something, Sweetie. Just take it easy until Michael and James meet you for your workout later, alright?"
"I'll try."
"Don't worry. Matt is good at dealing with things like this without actually saying anything."
"Alright, Dad. Love you."
"Love you too, Darlin'."
I got off the phone and MVP looked at me.
"What's going on?"
"That was Taylor. Apparently, we're all over social media. It's been leaked that she's my girlfriend."
MVP just looked at me and discreetly looked at the driver.
"People seriously need to get lives and let us have our privacy."
I texted Matt.
Bro. I need a favor. Get on social media. Throw them off me and Taylor w/out saying anything. Dixie's gonna wanna talk to me and her before anything is actually said about this.
A few minutes later, Matt texted back.
A few days of insane Mattitudes to throw the wrestling universe off your trail? Sounds like fun. Give Taylor a hug for me and I'll call you guys later.
Thanks, Matt.
Taylor's POV
I started trying to eat breakfast. It wasn't easy, so I ate a bagel with jam on it and a banana with orange juice. I was halfway through it when there was knocking at the hotel room door.
"So you're dating your father? How scandalous!" exclaimed DJ Z.
"Bite me, Michael. I don't know what to do about this. Dad said not to say anything at all about it and he was gonna have Uncle Matt hit social media to throw everyone off this."
"Finish your breakfast," he said as we sat down at the table together and he grabbed an apple, and tossed me an energy bar.
"What's this for?"
"You're gonna need your energy today. Besides, James called me. He didn't wanna call you in case you were still sleeping. I told him since I was next door to your room I'd come see you. But he's coming to pick you up early for your workout."
"When?"
"Half an hour or so?"
He sat with me as I struggled to finish eating. He didn't say anything about the fact that I had trouble eating on command, which I appreciated, and acted like he wasn't even sitting with me while I ate. Instead, he just talked to me about random stuff.
"So Jesse is going off to TMZ to do work with them while we're here. Robbie and me will probably end up doing something at some point before we leave. Mark, Devon, and Jamie are going to Yankees games. Ken, Gunner and some of the others are going to Mets games. What do you want to do, Tay?"
"I have no idea? I've never been this far north before. Never been to Pennsylvania, never been to New York. So, I have no idea what to do. Just don't let Mark and Devon try to feed me grease?"
He laughed as someone knocked on the door. I was just about to finish my breakfast so he answered the door. I heard Michael with Spud and EC3. They came over to me.
"You're not dressed, Madam!" James exclaimed.
"Sorry, James. I was trying to eat breakfast. Michael here came to tell me you guys were coming early while I was trying to eat. Considering, I thought you would want me to finish my breakfast. Right?"
"You're right," said EC3. "What did you eat?"
"Bagel with jam, orange juice, and I had a banana before Michael got here."
"Impressive," EC3 said. "Z, you should get going. We got her from here. Thanks for keeping an eye on her."
I looked between the three of them.
"Wait, what do you mean, 'keeping an eye on her?' Did Dad ask you guys to baby-sit me?"
"No," James said, defensively. "Honestly, Taylor, he didn't. But we saw what's on social media and we thought since this is all new to you we'd try to stay with you, at least for now. Jeff didn't ask us to. We just wanted to be here for you in case you needed someone to talk."
I relaxed. I knew James wouldn't lie to me.
"Have fun today, Taylor. And remember, don't give them anything to go on," Michael said as he hugged me before leaving.
Then it was just me, the other Michael and James in the hotel room.
"You should get ready to go," Michael said.
I nodded and went into the other room. I grabbed my things, took a quick shower, and got dressed in comfortable clothes that I could workout in. Coming out of the room, Michael had the bag that he'd given me for my birthday.
"Let's go," he said.
When we got to the gym, Michael insisted the first thing we do was weigh me. James knew how uncomfortable the situation made me, so he let me and Michael do this with one of the trainers alone. It had been a week since Slammiversary and his request that for me to start training I gain fifteen pounds. Since then, I had been working out with Dad, Amy, and different members of the roster depending on their schedules. I was eating small meals more often, plus the wrestlers were giving me protein bars, and a few of them tried to get me to try something called Kill Cliff. Dad found out and put a stop to that one pretty quick.
I got on the scale and closed my eyes, standing very still. I could hear the trainer moving the slider on the scale. It seemed to take forever. Finally he stopped and told me I could step down. I got off the scale without looking at it.
"So, Michael, your friend here weighed in at 98 pounds. Are you sure she should be working out?"
"She's fine. We're aware of the risks, but her diet and exercise are being watched."
"Alright. Let's go."
"We'll be right out," Michael said as he turned to me. "I'm proud of you."
"Why?"
"You got on that scale and you've shown you're serious about what I said to you last week. You've already put on a little weight. That's good."
"I don't wanna get fat, Michael."
"You won't get fat, Tay. I promise. Like I said, the weight makes you look healthier," he said as he gave me a hug and led me out to the main area of the gym to work out.
The trainer put us through a tough workout. He was surprised that someone as small as me could keep up. At the end of the workout, I pointed out that I was a competitive gymnast for a few years. Tough workouts were the norm for me.
"I can't believe you can lift almost your weight, Madam," James said in shock as he handed me an energy bar on the way out.
"I needed to for gymnastics. The uneven bars kinda depended on it. Being able to lift my weight and fling myself around the bars for different tricks. Not to mention the other events. Handstands, handsprings, walkovers, I need to be able to lift my weight off the ground to do the tricks."
"You handled that workout better than I thought you would, Taylor. I didn't believe Jamie when she said that you breezed through your workout with her and Lauren. Those two work out pretty hard."
"You did wonderfully, Taylor."
"Thanks, guys."
"You wanna go for lunch? My treat."
I hesitated a minute.
"After that workout, you need more than that energy bar Z gave you this morning," Michael said.
"Fine, but I wouldn't know what to eat."
"We'll take good care of you, won't we, Sir?"
"Come on," Michael said.
Amy's POV
"So, how are things with you, Jeff, and Taylor?" Gail asked me.
"They're great. Especially since you guys have given Taylor something to aim for. She's focused. She does better like that."
"What do you mean?"
"When we first got back to Cameron, Jeff told her he'd teach her how to ride the dirt bikes, but she'd have to get through her physical therapy first. She threw herself into physical therapy so she could learn how to ride with him. And she did it, faster than any of us thought, she got the strength back."
"And her eating?"
"She came to me first, and I told her I was going to tell Jeff. It was hard at first. Jeff was lost on how to deal with it because her mother had been anorexic when they were growing up together. And I feel so bad for her because she feels so guilty when she can't keep her end of a deal. She told me she'd try to eat a little more every day, and at first, if she couldn't do it for any reason, she'd pull away from me and Jeff."
"She's traumatized about something."
I nodded.
"Her mother and grandfather along with her gymnastics coaches all encouraged the anorexia. She doesn't know anything but that. She's afraid to eat, but she doesn't want to upset me and Jeff."
"Poor kid."
We walked around the health food store looking for snacks that Taylor could eat without feeling guilty and that she could also carry around easily. I also restocked the supplements she had been taking. All of a sudden I got a text.
Hey, Amy. Michael and James are taking me to lunch. We finished our workout. Hope you're having fun with Gail. BTW, according to social media, Dad & me are dating!
I stared at my phone.
"Gail, can you go on twitter & look up Jeff?"
Gail pulled out her phone. Her hand went to her mouth to keep her from laughing.
"What is it?"
"There are pics of Jeff & Tay from Pennsylvania. They're saying Jeff is dating the new ring announcer."
I started laughing. I texted Taylor back.
Have fun with the boys. I'll see you at the hotel for dinner.
Then I texted Jeff.
Is there anything I should know about you and Taylor?
"Come on, Gail. Taylor's going out to lunch. Maybe we should do the same."
Jeff's POV
I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket during the interview. When it ended, I saw Amy texted and opened the text.
Is there anything I should know about you and Taylor?
So, Amy had found out about the social media rumors. I texted her back.
I love her soooo much!
MVP happened to look over my shoulder and saw my screen.
"Really, Jeff? You're gonna mess with her head?"
"Do you remember who you're talking to?"
"Good point. We have one more stop before lunch. Come on. The sooner we get through this, the better, I'm getting hungry."
I laughed.
"Alright, let's go."
Hey, Darlin'. Are you okay?
Taylor texted me back a few minutes later.
Out to lunch with James and Michael. Heading back to the hotel after this to get some rest. Amy said she'll be back for dinner, so I'll see you both then.
Alright. Let me know when you get back to the hotel.
Okay. Love you.
Love you too, Darlin'.
"Checking on Taylor?"
"Yeah. She's with James and Michael. They took her to lunch after their workout."
"That's my point! We should be eating not dealing with vultures, man."
I laughed.
"How's she holding up with all of this?"
"She said she's going back to the hotel to rest after this. I guess she's okay. I'll find out for sure when I get back later. I feel bad I'm not with her."
"Why don't you ask someone to stay with her?"
"I don't want her to feel like she's being baby-sat. If she wants company she knows she can call someone or even text Aimes to go back. Besides, I don't think it will be long before Mark and Devon are knocking on the door to bug her about all of this."
"It's not baby-sitting. It's protecting your daughter."
"It's a fine line, when you've known her for six months."
Taylor's POV
Michael and James dropped me at the door to the hotel after some convincing. They were going out anyway, so I told them I could get to my room alone. I regretted it when I got upstairs.
I was looking for my key card when I noticed the blonde woman with the sleeping child in the stroller down the hall. I wasn't paying close attention to her. When I went into the room, she slipped in behind me.
"Who are you?" I asked, scared.
"Who are you?" she asked back. "Are you the reason that he left?"
I was confused and scared now.
"What are you talking about?"
"Jeff! Was he cheating on me with you?"
"Listen, Ma'am, I don't know who you are or what you want, but maybe I should text him to see if he can come back?"
She slapped me. My face stung. I hadn't been hit since I'd lived with Dad.
"Don't you patronize me!"
I took a deep breath and tried not to cry.
"Ma'am, I'm not sure what you think, but I'm sure that you've got the wrong idea here."
"Really?"
I nodded, scared she'd hit me again.
"Aren't you Taylor Adams?"
I nodded.
"Isn't this Jeff Hardy's hotel room?"
I nodded again.
"Are you sleeping with him?"
"NO!"
The little girl in the stroller started to stir. I thought she was going to hit me because I shouted. She turned to the little girl to soothe her back to sleep. I took the minute to open the text and text Dad.
Back at the hotel. Can't text. Please send Amy back asap. 911. Scared.
"Why are you lying to me, Taylor?"
"I don't even know you, why would I lie to you?"
"I'm Beth, Jeff's ex-girlfriend."
Now I understood. A jealous ex-girlfriend got the wrong idea.
"Beth, you know about me because of twitter and everything, right?"
"Yes, Ms. Adams. You stole him from me. You stole him from his daughter!" she said and slapped me again.
I started crying at this point. I couldn't help it.
Jeff's POV
We were waiting for the interview to start. Dixie was with us this time. My phone started to vibrate. I checked it.
Back at the hotel. Can't text. Please send Amy back asap. 911. Scared
My stomach dropped out. 911. Scared. I looked at Dixie.
"Dixie, I'm sorry, I have to go back to the hotel."
"What's wrong, Jeff?" she asked, worried.
I gave her my phone, open to the text, as I grabbed my things.
"Go, take my car," she said. "Make sure your little girl is okay."
I ran out and went to her driver, telling him to bring me back to the hotel immediately. He got in and drove me back to midtown. I texted Amy and asked her to get back there as soon as she could.
Arriving back at the hotel, I hurried to my room, but I did not expect what I found inside. Beth Britt, my ex-girlfriend, was standing over a sobbing Taylor, whose face had a hand print on it.
"What the hell are you doin' here, Beth? What did you do to Taylor?"
"Defending your little whore, Jeff?"
My blood started to boil.
"Don't you dare go calling her that. You don't know what you're talking about."
She'd seen the stuff online. Beth and I had been together for a while, but I had trouble letting people in fully. One day she told me I needed to make a choice, my past that I couldn't change or a future with her. I didn't see her again until I got to my hotel room.
"I thought you don't keep girls around."
"Beth, get away from Taylor before I have you arrested. If you want to talk to me, we can talk. But get the hell away from my daughter."
Beth's eyes went wide and she looked from Taylor to me. She stumbled back a step. Taylor pushed past her while she was in shock and ran to me. I looked down at her. Beth had hit her more than once. Her face was bruising. Taylor was shaking in my arms. I held her close to me for a minute.
"Taylor, I saw Mark on his way up to his room. Go upstairs to him and stay there until I come get you. Alright, Baby?"
She nodded and ran out of the room.
"Your daughter, Jeff? You told me you had no kids when we were together."
"Taylor's mother left me for good when she was eight months pregnant, threatened to get a restraining order if I came after her, have me arrested. Because I wouldn't become a suit and give up wrestling. I wasn't allowed to be part of her life. That's why I said I had no kids. I never thought I'd ever see her."
"But she's here."
"Her mother died six months ago in a car crash. One that she was in, Beth! The girl is already traumatized without my ex-girlfriend attacking her in our hotel room! She's barely sixteen years old!"
Amy walked in just then and looked from me to Beth. Her eyes flashed with anger.
"What did she do? Why is she here?"
"I'll explain later. Taylor's in Mark's room. Her face is starting to bruise and she's shaking. Can you go check on her?"
Amy was too quick. She jumped on Beth and started hitting her. Beth screamed and the little girl, who I hadn't noticed before now, started crying. I grabbed the little girl and put her on Taylor's bed, comforting her until she stopped crying and started to fall asleep again. Then I went back outside and pulled Amy off of Beth.
"Amy!" I shouted.
She looked at me.
"She has a toddler with her who is now in Taylor's room terrified. Please, let me handle this. Taylor needs one of us and I don't think beating the hell out of Beth is going to do anything but make you feel better. Please, help me by helping Taylor. She was sobbing when I got here."
She glared at Beth before coming and kissing me.
"Fine. I love you."
"I love you, too."
Amy left and I was alone again with Beth.
"Her?"
"Yes. It's complicated."
"Did you leave me for her, Jeff?"
"You left me, Beth. You don't get to show up and hit my daughter, especially after all these years later."
"I didn't know she was your daughter."
"Did you hear her out?"
"Not really."
"Why are you here, Beth? Why now?"
"I miss you. I need you, Jeff."
"I'm with Amy now, Beth. And after what you did to Taylor, I don't think I want you around."
"Jeff, please."
"Beth, no. Be happy I'm not pressing charges for attacking my daughter."
"So you're going to choose one daughter over the other?"
My jaw dropped.
"What are you talking about, Beth?"
"The little girl. She's your daughter. I even named her after your mother. Her name is Ruby Hardy."
I got more pissed off.
"And you're only telling me this… Wait, you're only telling me this because you thought I was getting serious with another woman."
She looked away from me.
"I can't believe you, Beth! That little girl is mine? Honestly mine? No jokes?"
"No lies, Jeff. I found out after I left and I was hurt, so I never went back."
"I want a DNA test. I want proof that you're not lying to me."
"Jeffrey!"
"No, Beth. After all these years, you show up, assault my daughter, and then just say this little girl is also my daughter. I want proof."
"Fine!" She wrote down her phone number and shoved it at me. "Call me when you get back to North Carolina. In the meantime, give me Ruby so I can get out of this horrible city!"
I put the number in my pocket and went to Taylor's room. I picked up the little girl.
"Where's Mama?" she asked.
"Just outside. We're going to her," I said to her as soothingly as I could.
Ruby put her arms around my neck and I felt myself calming down. I carried her outside to Beth.
"Beth, you know you can't tell anyone anything you learned tonight. Not about Taylor or Amy."
"Ruby, say goodbye."
"Bye, Daddy," she said and kissed my nose.
"Bye, Ruby."
I put Ruby in Beth's arms, but she kept staring at me. I watched her as she and Beth left. I was lost, but I didn't have time to focus on that just yet. I had a daughter that I knew was mine hurt and crying because of Beth upstairs. I grabbed my keycard and hurried out of the room to Taylor.