********
-Promo-
"Wow Summer, you're looking really good. Are you ready for your match?"
"No I still have some spots that need serious stretching."
Jeff smiled. Summer obviously had no idea how well that line had come out. He could hear the crowd all the way in the back. Remembering where he was, he jumped back into the spot.
"Do you need help stretching them?"
"I don't think you can help me with these muscles Jeff. Your match is up next."
"Let me show you how I can help and then you can decide if we have enough time alright?"
Jeff took a few steps towards her, grabbing her roughly and pulling her into his body.
"But your makeup Jeff...."
"Let me worry about my makeup Summer..."
Jeff pulled her face to his and kissed her deeply, with the electricity coming full force. He couldn't believe he had waited an entire week to do this. Summer matched Jeff's desire and deepened the kiss. Everything else just faded away. She had missed him, and had longed for this moment as much as him. She knew his makeup had transferred to her face again, as much accidental as planned. It felt like home, being with Jeff this way again. Apparently the fans thought the same, as the screams could be heard all the way in the back.
**********
The cameraman cut the tape and Jeff pulled away. He looked at Summer and smiled. He'd come here tonight to do this, wrestle and leave. He was prepared originally to let her go back to Matt. But just being around her, he knew it wasn't going to be that easy.
"That was...."
"That was what Summer?"
"Jeff that was amazing. It felt so great! Did you hear the crowd like I did?"
"Yeah, they were rooting for us. Seems that they see chemistry from the two extreme people, and yes for the record it was pretty great."
"I missed you Jeff, Why did you stop calling?"
"It didn't seem all that important anymore. You were with Matt and Dad said you were happy."
"I am better, after being with your dad. Well it opened my eyes so much, and of course him buying me all of that herbal tea helped too. But no one can take your spot in my life. I have so much to tell you."
"Well what are you doing tonight?"
"Waiting for you to ask me out actually." Summer grinned as he blushed at her.
"Then let's do it. I'll wait until after your match and we'll go out. I miss you too, for the record. It was really hard not calling you for the entire weekend. I guess I really missed my best friend."
"Go to the Gorilla Spot. Your match is about to start. Pick me up after my match and we will catch up then."
"Did I ever tell you how much I adore you? Always getting me places on time?"
Jeff gently kissed her lips, leaving her with the lingering effects. He waved and jogged slowly down the hallway. They had a lot to make up for tonight.
*******
*******
-Ladies Locker Room, later in the evening-
"You fixed it Summer! He wrestled amazingly. I think he found his desire after that kiss."
Summer laughed. Jeff had wrestled in top form; there was no denying it. It was such a thrill to watch. When Steven had gotten involved in her match, Jeff had been there to make the save. Summer remembered the crowd reaction to her coming out with Jeff's UV makeup all over her face. They had gone wild, and then with Jeff making the save, they just got behind the two of them.
"I didn't fix anything Trish. It just works, because Jeff and me have this silent communication. It always results in kisses though."
Trish smiled, remembering the Summer from a couple of months ago, and seeing her now, there was such a healthy change in her. She was sure it had something to do with having both Hardy'z around her baby finger.
"So there's still a spark?"
"No, there's heat now. Like an intense fire. We've moved up I think. I just forgot how electric things can really get when we and Jeff come together."
"Still nothing with Matt?"
"There's something Tish. I'll be honest with you here, I'm finding out new things about Matt that I never knew or noticed before. We went shopping and everyone knows he hates it, but he sucked it up and made it fun. We talked about Shannon and just overall, it was really healthy. It was like the old Matt but with a new twist. Does that make sense?"
"It does. So what's the plan for tonight?"
"Jeff asked me out after we did the promo. I've got a lot of things I've set in motion over the last few days and I want to share it all with him. I haven't told Matt yet because I don't think he'll understand it. The one thing I'm sure of though, is that Jeff will."
"What did you do?"
"Come out with me and Jeff, and I'll fill you in then. I'm sure Jeff will want to bring Shane, since he's been around me for so long lately that they haven't had a chance to catch up."
"Sure thing, although I can't wait to hear your news. Its sounds so big."
"It is, I just hope it's the right move for me at this stage."
Summer checked her newly applied lipstick in the mirror, and threw her towel in her bag. Running her fingers through her hair one last time, she grabbed her bag and turned to face her friend.
"Let's go pick up the guys and get out of here. I'm in the mood to listen to some music, and be with my friends. It's been way too long."
******
As soon as they set foot in the club, Summer hit the dance floor. It had been so long since she'd been out to a club, she wanted to experience it all again. Trish and Shane found a table in the back near the bar and watched Jeff follow Summer out to the floor.
"They look good together don't they?"
"Better then her and Matt that's for sure. Jeff suits her personality more I think." Trish said smiling.
"Then why don't they just get together and let the chips fall. I told Jeff man."
"I told Summer too, but Shane, she's got this past with Matt, and believe me for a woman, it's a hard thing to let go of."
"I don't know her that well, just in passing really, but Matt cheated on her right? Isn't that a sin in the female handbook?"
"You'd think. Honestly Shane, I'm with you here. It's obvious where these two belong, and Matt isn't even a factor. I just wish she'd see it and be with Jeff already."
"I guess you just have to sit by and let nature take its course. It's not our life."
Summer came back to the table smiling. It was the first time that Trish had seen her smile that brightly since the first time she'd wrestled.
"Tired yet girlie?"
"Not tonight, I'm afraid. I'm here to have some fun. It's been way too long."
"Can I say she's tired me out already? I mean she wrestled in a match as I did, but damn that girls got some mean energy!"" Jeff said coming up behind Summer and interrupting the conversation.
"Looks like I'll just have to keep her occupied then buddy."
Summer and Trish burst out laughing. Summer looked around her and realized she was having a really good time. She liked being out with all of them.
"Jeff, since you need to slow down a bit, why don't you get us some drinks? Get me a cooler of some sort, I haven't had one of those in awhile. I've been drinking herbal tea with your dad so much I'm surprised I even know how to drink anymore."
Jeff smiled and went to the bar to get the drinks. It was nice seeing Summer so happy. He was just sad that it might have to end.
"So what's this news you have to tell us Summer?" Shane asked loudly so she could hear over the music in the background.
Summer smiled and watched Jeff come back with the drinks. She wanted to make sure that he was here for this, because in a way it affected him too. He sat down and put his arm around her chair, and she moved closer.
"Well guys, you know about me saving every penny I've made over the years right? I told you all about that, well except for you Shane."
"We know about that Summer, but you better explain it for Shane, he's kind of slow." Jeff said trying not to laugh.
"Hey! Hands off on the slow comments. Go on Summer, explain it too me." Shane said with a pout.
"Okay well before I became a wrestler, I was really into my music. I loved wrestling more obviously, but I was always happiest when I was singing, or doing something that involved my music. So I slaved away at all of my jobs and saved every penny so I could eventually start my own record label, and or studio. Well after all these years, I've finally got something off of my initial investment and I've bought something."
"What did you buy? A new car or something?" Shane questioned.
"No Shane, I bought a building, where my record label will stand once I'm finished with my plans. I saw some space in Toronto the last time we were all there and after some serious thought, and reservations, I decided to buy it. My news is just this. I'm going to be taking some time off to get into the music business." What do you all think?"
************
******
"You bought what?" Jeff said leaning back in his chair surprised. This wasn't what he expected her news to be. He thought she was going to dump Matt and come and be with him. This news was totally unexpected.
"I bought a studio space and a lot where I will build my record label Jeff. This is my chance to live another dream, now that I've accomplished my wrestling dreams."
"Did you tell my dad about this when you were there?"
"Yeah, he helped me in my decision. Aren't you happy for me Hun?"
"Um.."
"Well forget what Jeff thinks. You're really coming to Toronto? So we can totally hang out more?" Trish said practically jumping out of her seat. This had to be the best news."
"I won't be living there or anything, I mean I will still be located in Cameron, I don't think I could ever leave, but this just seems like the right move for me. And yes Tish, we can totally hang out more. I have to be there a lot now to oversee what's going on with the studio."
"Oh this is so freaking great!! We haven't seen each other a lot lately and I've wanted you to come for a visit anyways! Isn't this wonderful guys?"
Summer searched Jeff's face for a reaction, because he didn't seem as happy about it as Trish was. She had thought that out of everyone, Jeff would be the one to understand. He did love music as much as her, so this was their dream together.
"It's great Summer. Good for you, doing what you want to do." Shane said with a big smile, until turning and seeing Jeff's reaction. Wiping the smile off his face he just looked at his buddy and sighed. Jeff obviously didn't think too much of the idea.
"Summer can I talk to you outside for a moment?" Jeff choked out.
"Yeah, let's go. We'll be right back Tish. Take care of her Shane; make sure she doesn't miss me too much." Summer said trying to lighten the mood after her announcement.
Following Jeff away from the table and to the outside of the club, she knew what was coming. This was something she had been hoping wouldn't happen. She had a lot of explaining to do to make this whole thing make sense to him. She knew he thought he was losing her.
********
"Does Matt know about this?"
"He has no idea. I am meeting him when he gets home on Wednesday, and I'm telling him then. I had to prepare for his reaction. What I didn't expect was your reaction. What gives Jeff?"
"What do you mean what gives? We finally admit we have feelings for one another, and then you run to my dad, leaving me to wonder if you know what you really want. Then you start dating Matt again, to add insult to injury, and I'm just left wondering where I fit in your life. This news now that you're leaving to do your music, well it's just a little too much for me to handle."
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that if you leave, there's a possibility that you won't come back, which leaves me to believe that there can never really be an us."
"Jeff our relationship has nothing to do with this. This is my dream, are you telling me that I have to choose my dream of a music career and lose you, or choose you and lose my music?"
"I'm not going to make you choose baby, only you can do that. But you are going to be in Toronto for a while, and I don't know how I feel about that, and I don't think you do either. You might think your better after everything that's happened, but you're still running."
"That's crazy. I just want some time to follow my dreams, that's all. I gave up everything to be a WWE superstar, now I want a little of that back, and I know I can do this good."
"Then do it then. I won't stand in your way. Just know that I love you, and when you figure out where you want me in your life, let me know. I'll be around."
With that as his last remarks, Jeff walked towards the car and just sat inside. He couldn't leave the club without the others, but he just needed a few minutes away to let everything he'd just said sink in. Not only was Summers life changing, but his was being forced to change too. He just hoped it was changing for the better.
*******
"Instead of staying in tonight and watching movies on the couch, do you want to go for a walk with me Matt?" Summer asked as they were snuggling close in the recliner watching television together.
"Of course, any place in particular that you want to walk too?"
"No, there's just something I need to talk to you about, and I want to take a walk because I can't do it sitting here."
"Yeah come on. Let's get going then."
Summer knew this was the right time to tell him. Since he had come home she'd wanted to just blurt it out, because she knew that this was not going to sit well with Matt. It hadn't sat all that well with Jeff, and he was her best friend. She knew with Matt he was going to be shell-shocked. There was no way around it. Matt was completely about the wrestling business, and this was going to be earth shattering to him.
As they made their way down the road, Summer took a deep breath and took in everything around her. She was just trying to stall.
"What did you want to tell me sweetheart?"
"Matt, I did something while I was staying with your father, and it affects whoever I end up with. So after telling Jeff, I need to tell you and hope that you understand."
"What could you have done that would make me give you a bad reaction? Did you sleep with Jeff?"
"No of course not, and I'm not sleeping with you either, until I figure everything out, so don't get any ideas here pal!" Summer laughed.
"Okay, so just tell me. We've gotten closer lately, you can tell me anything now."
"I'm going to relocate to Toronto for six months."
"What the hell?"
"I bought some studio space there and I'm making my own recording studio, and later on a recording company, the label and the whole bit."
"Okay, so you're moving to Toronto?"
"No, I'm just going out of town for a little while to get this whole thing off the ground."
"Okay.. So what about you're wrestling? The story lines?"
"I'm being taken off the active roster, and I've been cleared for six months for a leave."
"I thought this was your dream, to be a professional wrestler. What changed here?"
"Nothing changed Matt, I still love wrestling, I just need to do something else right now, and it has to be this way for me to see what I really want to do."
"Summer, I love you, and you know I normally accept everything you do, I mean you and I don't look alike at all because of all the changes you go through, but I can't accept this."
"What the hell does that mean Matt?"
"It means that, go do what you have to do, but If your life isn't with wrestling anymore, then I don't see much of a future for us. I'm sorry."
"I can't believe I'm hearing you say this. Did the last year mean nothing to you?"
"It meant pretty much everything too me, but wrestling was the one thing we had in common, and now with you wanting to be like Jeff and follow your musical dreams, its not that way anymore."
"Well at least you're honest. I can't say I didn't expect it. I better get back to my house. I need to be alone for awhile. Not to mention I leave for Toronto in two days."
Summer kissed Matt gently on the lips and jogged back towards her house. She knew telling Matt was going to be hard, but she didn't think she would have to say goodbye all over again. She had a lot of thinking to do before she got on that flight. Above everything else that had happened she knew she was making the right move this time. This was something she had to do on her own, without the Hardy Boyz.
*********
