I DO NOT OWN ANYONE OR ANYTHING IN THIS STORY.
I felt my eyes beginning to flutter open the next morning, and the more my eyes opened the more I had realized that I was on the porch of the wrestling training facility. I sat up quicker than Undertaker during a match, I began to look around the room I was now in not recognizing it much less the bed I was in.
"Oh my god, I was kidnapped…was…was I raped?" I asked myself softly not wanting to be too loud for whoever it was that took me last night to hear me, and I knew this wasn't Matt's house since I had been in his place a handful of times and this wasn't it. I slowly lifted the leopard print blanket that was covering me and I was in a different outfit than I was in last night as I swallowed a big gulp of air knowing whoever it was changed me but there was no indications of rape, I wasn't sore nor any markings. I slowly climbed out of the bed and heading towards the door that was open. I stepped out into the hall looking in both directions before I did so and headed to the right since that looked as if it ended in the living room area opposed to the other way that ended by a wall. I peeked out around the corner of the wall out into the living room and I saw the back of Jeff outside on the porch. 'Jeff?' I thought to myself as I looked down at the outfit I was wearing and I should have guess that by that alone. I was a mix between embarrassed that he saw me naked or close to it, and embarrassed that he saw me sleeping on the porch. He must know, how can I go out there? I couldn't stay here either. I bit at my bottom lip unsure what to do but I couldn't just stand here. I headed over to the glass sliding door slowly trying to be quiet about it as Jeff looked over his shoulder and I could see the slight smirk on his face before he turned back to look ahead of him. I could see Jeff taking a sip from the coffee cup.
"How'd you sleep?" Jeff asked as I stepped out onto the wooden porch and slid the door shut behind me.
"Good…thanks…where'd you sleep?" I asked.
"My room, that was the guest room…" Jeff responded, "But tell me, why were you sleeping on the porch of the wrestling camp?" Jeff asked as I rested my hands on the railing looking out to his dirt backyard that was built into a motor-cross track along with forest of sorts.
"The truth?"
"I wouldn't want anything else from you April."
"Um…so Target laid everyone off and I haven't found another job yet so I had sold my house and everything in it besides my laptop and stuff I need for my wrestling…yesterday my car got towed because it was parked illegally." I responded, it felt somewhat good to finally opening up about it but I was still embarrassed about it.
"Why didn't you say anything sooner?"
"Because Jeff…it's not worth this…where are my things and I'll head out?" I said as I pushed my fingers through my hair.
"You aren't leaving, you have nowhere to go." Jeff said as I turned to face him putting a hand on my hips.
"I can't stay here, I can't afford rent."
"But you can afford wrestling training?" Jeff asked as he mocked my pose.
"That is where all the money I got from my house and such is going Jeff…"
"Why would you do that?"
"Because wrestling was my only hope…it was the only thing to keep me sane…while working at Target, I did nothing but dream about leaving that place when I made it big in wrestling but here I am…I am no longer with that place but yet I'm not living my dream in wrestling…this isn't how I imagined my dream panning out." I said as I sighed turning back to face his backyard leaning against the railing now, I was on the brink of tears but I think that tears actually did stream out this time when I felt Jeff grab my one hand off the railing pulling me to his embrace for a full bear hug allowing me to cry into his chest. He held me like that for what seemed like forever.
"Let me make a new pot of coffee, and we can discuss things over coffee." Jeff said as I stepped back staring up at him as he reached out brushing the tears that rolled down my eyes at that moment with his thumbs.
"I'm starving, do you have any food?" I asked as he chuckled and I felt my cheeks begin to become red.
"Yes, but cereal or oatmeal." Jeff said.
"Either one, anything is better than a cold cheeseburger or toast." I said as we both chuckled as he pulled the glass sliding door open for us to walk back inside as I walked with him over to the kitchen and I sat at his breakfast bar. "What happened to my clothes?" I asked Jeff.
"I changed you because the clothes you were wearing were soaked and you would have gotten deadly sick in that wet of clothes. I hope you don't mind." Jeff said as he began making the new pot of coffee.
"Nah, I just embarrassed you had to see me partially naked…you didn't have to…"
"But I couldn't let you continue being in those wet clothes…and there isn't worth being embarrassed about, you have to accustom to that because to be honest April, when it comes to wrestling shows there may be times you won't be able to have your own changing room and you have to do it around men." Jeff said, that was kind of shocking to hear but he had a point since females weren't so dominant in wrestling and I had to think about it that way. "And it wasn't like I stripped you all the way down, you were still in your undergarments."
"That is still as bad…" I said with a chuckle.
"So, cereal…I have Fruit Loops or Lucky Charms." He said pulling down the two boxes.
"Lucky Charms." I instantly answered. Jeff smirked as he put the other box back up as he then pulling out the dishes to do two bowls of cereal and two cups of coffee. Jeff set a bowl of cereal in front of me after he had finished pouring milk into it and he poured the black contents of coffee into this coffee mug.
"How do you like your coffee?" Jeff asked curiously as he glanced up at me after setting the pot back on the coffee thing.
"Um, just creamer…" I said biting at my bottom lip, I usually did flavored creamer but I didn't see Jeff being one that liked French Vanilla or Pumpkin Spice or anything like creamers. It was as if he like read my mind or something as he smirked.
"I don't have any of that flavored creamers but it'll do right?" Jeff asked as I chuckled.
"I was just thinking a guy like you won't have any flavored ones." I said chuckling yet again.
"Is regular ones okay?" Jeff asked curiously.
"Absolutely, I can't drink it black."
"Well okay." Jeff said sarcastically as he poured out his creamer pouring some into my cup as he put the creamer back then went for the sugar. He put sugar in his cup before moved the two cups to the proper spots as I quickly reached for the coffee cup to take a sip, it was hot but refreshing to the taste. "So…what is on your agenda?"
"Well, you know now Jeff…I have nothing…so, I'll probably change back into my clothes and grab my things then get out of your hair…" I said shrugging as I was dunking cereal pieces into the milk with my spoon, it was more of a nervous habit than anything.
"What if I don't want you out of my hair?" Jeff asked as he side eyed me as he took a bite of his cereal.
"What are you getting at Jeff? I can't pay you rent, I can barely afford wrestling training the next couple of months…"
"What if I don't rent? I just want you to be safe…"
"What do you mean by that Jeff? Just spill what you have in that enigma of a brain you have."
"You stay here, rent free…just cook meals and do chores, work for your up keep…I can't live with myself knowing that you were out on the streets, I would be concerned and worried sick about if you are safe…here, you will have a roof over your head and safe, food to eat and bed to sleep in." Jeff said as I bit at my bottom lip.
"This is really generous Jeff, but why? Wouldn't you rather it be Heather?" I asked as I then took a bite of my food as he nearly choked on his.
"No…why? Where did that come from?" Jeff asked as I shrugged as he sighed, "I get the subtle flirting she is doing, everyone sees it but I'm not interested in her and I have a thing with dating my students…"
"What if they become a coworker?" I asked just out of curiosity since I still had that small hope that him and I would eventually becoming lovers, married with kids living in this house together, well we will be living in this house together but not married, nor with kids nor lovers.
"Coworkers are a little different, but I honestly don't know…would you date a coworker?" Jeff asked as I sighed as I am sure I was making funny faces as I was trying to contemplate this question.
"I don't know, there are pro's and con's to each side…it depends on the situation, time in my life and other circumstances…" I said shrugging.
"I would have to agree. So, is that all you have with you is that one outfit and your wrestling gear?"
"And my laptop so I can apply to jobs but it doesn't help any because my phone is dead because I left my charger in my car…" I said sighing as Jeff chuckled.
"Well, that has to change…well we have all day to really go do things…let me get you a different outfit to wear."
"I'm okay with just a sweater and a pair of jeans but I don't think I can fit your jeans so sweatpants would work…" I said as he chuckled.
"Girl, if Matt can fit my jeans, you can fit my jeans…"
"Damn, that was harsh Jeff." I said as I couldn't stop the laughter as he smiled that cute little boy smile he has.
"He's not here to defend himself so it was okay to be said." Jeff said as we both chuckled.
"Well if you say so." I said with a smile.
"You finish up and I'll go get you some clothes to wear for the time being." Jeff said as I nodded as I took a couple more bites before I stood up grabbing all the dishes that Jeff and I had collected from breakfast taking them into the kitchen beginning to rinse them off before slipping them into the dishwasher that was already semi-full. "You didn't have to."
"I kind of have to." I said smirking.
"Alright…but I hope that you are okay with this, this was all I could come up with." He said as he showed me the outfit that consisted of jeans and an old version of his TNA shirt.
"I'm more than okay with that Jeff, its clothes." I said as Jeff smiled as he tossed the two items towards me as I headed out of the kitchen to the room that I had stayed in the night before quickly changing and modeling it in the mirror that was in the room and I really didn't want to give this back. How was I going to pay Jeff back for this?" I asked looking down at the outfit I was in rather than at it through the mirror then began to question about my funds, like what if I run out completely from training before I even find another job? I was fortunate enough that Jeff was giving me what he was giving me but I was still worried about what was to come from all of this. I slid on the only pair of shoes I had before I headed out of the room to the living room seeing Jeff pulling his long locks up into a ponytail of sorts. "Jeff, what if I run out of money to pay training before I get employed?" I asked curiously as I bit at my bottom lip.
"Well, if Matt asks in front of the other students I'll just lie and say you paid be at an earlier time and when the other students leave then I'll tell him."
"So…you're not going to tell him I am living here?"
"He'll find out soon considering we live within a very close distance, but I'll tell him when the time is right and if you are okay with me telling him everything, I was just going to say that you moved in and leave it at that. It really isn't neither of our businesses about your personal issues, especially finances, but I was fortunate enough to help when I could and find out. I really appreciate you opening up to me." Jeff ranted on as I was kind of took aback because I wasn't sure if he didn't care about me personally because he was saying how it wasn't any of his business but I also felt like he did care because he said he appreciated me opening up to him.
"Okay…" I said nodding as Jeff stood up and wiped his hands over his pants randomly.
"Let's get going." Jeff said as I stepped aside to let him lead the way as I followed behind Jeff and he was such a gentleman because he opened the car door for me and even shut it after I climbed in before he ran around the car to join me in the car.
"Where are we going?" I asked curiously.
"Obviously not Target, maybe like the mall or Wal Mart, where do you usually shop at?" Jeff asked.
"Wal Mart is fine to me." I said as Jeff nodded as he started the car and pulled out heading to the store, I had no idea what we were going to be buying but I was going for the ride. When we arrived to Wal-Mart, I climbed out meeting Jeff on his side of the vehicle as we walked into the food side entrance. "I'm going to the back to the job application kiosk if you need me."
"Well, I'll join you since I'll have to wait for you anyway."
"Wait for me? For what?" I asked curiously.
"So you can pick out clothes, shoes, the phone charger, and other essentials you'll need."
"Is that why we came here?"
"Yes, why else?" Jeff asked with a smile as I let out a sigh, "My treat, no worries about money." Jeff said as I still wasn't sure about this as he rested his hands onto my shoulders, "Stop thinking about it April, I would love to do this for you." Jeff said as I nodded trying to relax and allow him to do this for me. Unfortunately, I feel like this whole staying with Jeff and letting him do these things for me will let my emotions towards him grow more and my hatred towards Heather will grow but I need to separate my feelings and understand that Jeff will never be anything more than a friend just helping a friend out in a time of need.
"Are you sure Jeff?"
"Yes, it has to be better than wearing my clothes all the time." Jeff said as I looked down at the outfit and looked back up into Jeff's green eyes and chuckled.
"Alright…" I said with a sigh as I let him lead me towards the clothes as he began to browse over the racks as I was browsing over a different rack trying to find something that was cheap but something that I would also wear as well. By the time I had finished browsing like five racks that contained shirts, I only found maybe like just as many shirts that I would wear then I moved to pants only grabbing some leggings figuring they would be far cheaper than jeans and easier to find my size than digging through the large piles of jeans to find them.
"I think I found you a lot…now some bottoms." Jeff said as I looked over and he had a pile resting over his forearm that was quadruple the size of the one I had resting over my arm.
"Jeffrey, I do not need that much." I said.
"Yes you do, what? Five outfits will get you through one week, then you'll need to do laundry again on top of interview clothes." Jeff said trying to explain himself as I sighed as he grabbed a few leggings before I went to the jeans, the thing I dreaded as I pulled out maybe two or three jeans before I went to find some slacks getting a couple different versions and colors before Jeff followed behind me to the dressing room where Jeff followed me in setting the pile of clothes he had accumulated that was resting over his arm onto the bench. "I'll go get a cart while you try on this massive amount of clothes."
"Alright, I'll try to hurry." I said as Jeff slid out of the room to retrieve a cart as I began to try on the multiple outfits we had put together separating them into two solid piles. I looked over the two piles that were hanging up sighing hoping that I would be content with the ones I chose as I went through each item trying to calculate how much I would owe Jeff for clothes and if I truly needed these items then I began to go through the clothes I chose to not go with trying to decide if I would want to exchange any of the no items with the yes items. I heard a knock at the door as I sighed as I opened the door and Jeff stood there.
"So…" Jeff said curiously.
"I think I chose these…" I said as I ran my hand over the red top in the front of the yes pile.
"Good deal…" Jeff said as he picked up the pile of clothes putting them into the cart as I stepped out leaving the clothes I wouldn't want into the dressing room for the employee to take care of before I headed to the shoe area where Jeff let me do the deciding on this. I walked along the two different aisles that were designated for woman before I went with one pair of tennis shoes and a pair of heels for my interviews before we continue to make our rounds to the electronics department to find a charger for my phone before we made it to the self-care/health area where I picked out shampoo, body wash, deodorant, perfume, tooth brush, tooth paste, and unfortunately feminine care products that I really didn't want Jeff to see it but I would need them at some point and would rather buy them myself so I put them back on the shelf and figured I'll walk up here at some other time to pick up them another time when I desperately need them. "You got everything?" Jeff asked as he walked down the aisle towards me as I nodded as I began to push the cart out of the aisle. "You sure you don't need any of those?" Jeff asked as he nodded to the opposite end of the aisle where I was just at and I know he noticed that there wasn't any in the cart.
"I would rather not Jeff…"
"But you'll need sometime, wouldn't you?"
"Yes, but no Jeff…"
"Come on, we are both grown ups here…" Jeff said as I sighed as I went back picking up the same pack that I put back and carried it back putting it back into the cart as Jeff led me towards the check-out where he paid for everything making me feel even more guilt as I stared at the price on the screen.
"I'll pay you back every single dime."
"No worries about it right now." Jeff said as he put the last bag into the cart and began to push it out of the store to the car we drove up here. Jeff popped the trunk as I helped him put the numerous bags into the trunk. "Do you think we need some food too?" Jeff asked as he set one of the many bags into the trunk.
"I don't know, I didn't look in the cupboards."
"You mind? Anything you good at cooking?" Jeff asked as I shook my head no as he chuckled, "Well if you think of anything, now will be the time." Jeff said as I smiled as we emptied the cart and he slammed his trunk shut before locking the car back up before we headed back into the store to do some grocery shopping as he was asking me what I liked to eat and if I would eat certain things as I would answer yes or no as I tried to think of meals that I know how to cook. After we checked out that time, we headed back to the car unloading the cart the second time before climbing into the car to drive home.
"Thank you Jeff. I seriously owe you."
"It's nothing April, I've been there…"
"You have?"
"Sort of, but I get it…"
"Thanks for understanding…tonight, I'll think of meals for the next time we go grocery shopping." I said as I looked out the window as he drove the distance home as we kept small talk throughout the whole time.