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Randy still lay in the ring, panting heavily. His body was in so much pain. Maybe he shouldn't have crossed hope. Look where it got him. Once Hope was out of the ring, the ref helped Randy to the back. Being the arrogant bastard that he was, he shoved the ref away and stumbled to the back. The fans kept booing even after he'd left. Randy was really starting to regret RKOing Hope. Twice. What was he going to tell Sam? That he got his ass kicked by a girl? She wouldn't let him live it down. Randy shot Hope a glare as he walked past her. She really was as tough as everyone said. She'd gained his respect.
Raw was in Cameron, North Carolina this week. The superstars had gotten off the plane only a half hour earlier and Matt had already lost track of his brother. Jeff had hit some downward spiral the previous week and nothing could cheer him up. It was starting to worry Matt a lot. Jeff wasn't answering his cell phone. Matt saw Hope heading to her car and hurried to catch up with her. Maybe she'd know where Jeff was. If not, Matt didn't know who else to ask. Hope turned when she heard Matt behind her.
"Have you seen my brother?" Matt asked.
"Not since this morning," Hope replied.
"Can you do me a favor?"
"Sure. Anything."
"Drive to my house. See if he's there."
"You got it, Matt. Stop worrying."
"Thanks. I'll try."
Hope got into her car and headed off to Matt's house. Once she got there, the door was unlocked and she assumed that meant Jeff was there. The brunette stepped further into Matt's house, calling Jeff's name. She heard a faint panting coming from the bathroom and went to check it out. Hope found Jeff sitting on the tiled floor. His head on his knees. An unopened bottle of pills sat on the sink next to him. Hope quickly understood what was going on. She sat on the floor next to Jeff, pulling him into a hug. Jeff smiled to himself, breathing in Hope's scent.
"What's going on, Jeff?" Hope asked.
"It's nothing," Jeff lied.
"Doesn't look like nothing," Hope gestured towards the bottle of the pills.
"I'm just beyond stressed. My back is killing me. I just..."
"Don't, Jeff. It's not worth it."
"Why do you make things sound so easy?"
Hope laughed, shrugging her shoulders. Jeff reached up, tucking Hope's dark brown hair behind her ear. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply when he touched her. Why did they keep pretending that they didn't feel anything for each other? It was obvious that they did. The two were both resisting the urge to kiss and just have great sex in Matt's bed. Hope never knew how to react around Jeff anymore. She couldn't control her emotions around him. She kept telling herself that she was engaged to the right man. Unfortunately, she was having trouble believing that now. Jeff looked at her with his green eyes staring into her soul, making her melt inside.
"Why?" Jeff asked. "Why'd you choose Punk over me?"
"I lost faith in you," Hope replied. "I was hoping you'd fight for me."
"Hope, I love you."
"Don't say that. Not to me."
"I need you to believe me, in me, again."
"Why did you end things with Michelle?"
Jeff looked at Hope and saw the tears forming in her eyes. This was killing her. It was obvious. There wasn't much he could do. How could he win her over? It didn't seem to be possible anymore. Jeff was ready to just give up. But, then he looked into Hope's eyes and saw how much he wanted her. Why did you end things with Michelle? Jeff didn't really want to answer that. He doubted Hope really wanted to know. But, she continued to star at him, awaiting an answer. It was sickening how badly he wanted her. Jeff sighed, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand.
"Me and Michelle, we just weren't right," Jeff said.
"Why?" Hope asked.
"You already know."
"Don't say it's because of me."
"I won't give up on us," Jeff kissed Hope's soft lips.
"You have to," Hope whispered, tears in her eyes.