"What's up, man?" Matt asked as he sat down Indian style on the floor in front of his brother.
"Trish." Jeff sighed, leaned against the wall behind him and ran his fingers through his hair.
"Did you ask her out yet?" Matt asked, not missing the knowing smile that was playing on the corner of Jeff’s lips.
"No, man. I just don't know what to say."
"Every time you act like this, the girl says yes. What makes Trish different?"
"She ain't no girl, she's a woman. She means a great deal to me, she’s my friend first and I don't wanna screw that up."
"Well, if you feel that way, tell her. Chicks love that, I know Amy does. I mean, it's obvious that you really care about your friendship with her. I did too. Amy and I were friends first and now, look at us. I don't know what exactly your intentions are as far as she's concerned." Matt began with an eyebrow raised toward his brother.
"What do you mean by that?" Jeff asked, his voice raising slightly.
"Don't bullshit me, man. I know you wanna be more than friends."
"I ain't gonna lie. I wouldn't mind being Trish's boyfriend but still, I just wanna get to know her better regardless of if it goes that far or not."
"If you said that to her, I guarantee you she would say yes. That's honesty, Jeff. Girls dig honesty. At least, you wouldn't be lying to Trish and she wouldn't think that you're just in it for a one night stand."
"That's the last thing I want her to think. What we could have will be so much more than that." Jeff whispered looking in the direction of the Women’s locker room.
"Here's my advice, man...tell her everything you're telling me and you can‘t go wrong." Matt said clasping his brother on the back.
“Thanks, that’s what I really needed to hear dude, I love to know that I can come to you whenever I have a problem.” Jeff said as he pulled Matt into a hug.
“Anytime man, anytime.”
********
Jeff sat in the bathroom stall with his head in his hands, the thoughts traveling through his mind at warp speed. The bathroom was the only place he could think to himself. He always believed that silence was beauty and over the years, he learned that a restroom was the best place to get it. He was trying to think of the right way to ask Trish out. All he wanted was to show her a good time and hang out with her. That's why he didn't wanna pressure her too much when he asked her. At the same time, it was like he wanted to grant all of her wishes and make them a reality. That's when he realized if he could do the moves he does in the ring, then he certainly could ask a girl out.
He got off the toilet and left the bathroom. He walked past the large amount of people that had been backstage ever since the Invasion thing started. He sighed as he stood in front of the door that read "Ladies Locker Room/Knock Please." Girls always told him that he was sexy, not all of them could have been lying. He hoped Trish would think the same thing about him now. He knocked on the door and Amy answered.
"Hey, Jeff! You wanted to talk to me?" Amy said with a smile.
"Actually, I was wondering if Trish was in there." He said looking past her shoulder into the locker room.
"Oh, yeah. Hold on...Trish! Get your ass over here."
Jeff put his hands in his pockets as Trish appeared. She smiled and closed the door behind her in order to give them some privacy.
"Hey, boy. What's up?"
"Chillin', what about you?"
"Nothing, man. Just another night on the job."
"Hey, do you have any plans tonight after the show?"
"No, I’m free. Why?"
"If it's okay with you, I would like to take you out tonight. I just wanna hang out with you and get to know you better. Just a friendly date, you know."
"Oh, my god. Jeff Hardy is asking me out. Do you know how many girls would kill to be me right now? Of course, I'll go out with you. Where we going?" She asked smiling up at him, the excitement evident in her eyes.
"Well, there's a McDonalds down the street and it was deserted. I know it's not the usual place to go on a date..."
"No, I would love that. I haven't gone to McDonalds in ages. That's sexy, Jeff. Every guy who's taken me out always drags me to those fancy restaurants. I can't stand that. I guess you're different. I like different." Trish smiled as Jeff did the same.
"I always come off to people as boring, weird and unique. It's paying off for me now." He said laughing as he ran a hand through his hair.
"It sure is, I guess I'll see you after the show."
"Alright."Jeff walked away with a smile on his face. He didn't expect her to say yes so quickly.
Obviously, she had feelings for him too. He couldn't wait to see what the night had in store for them.
"So did you do it?" A voice asked from behind.Jeff looked up to see his friend, Chris Jericho, standing there looking at him.
"You mean Trish?" Jeff asked motioning toward the door.
"Yeah, man. Did you ask her?"
"Actually, I just did. She accepted the invitation."
"Where y'all going?" Jericho asked, his curiosity heightened by this unusual pairing.
"McDonalds." Jeff smiled.
"Why are y'all going there?" Chris laughed.
"I know right. It's really the only place where we can go and not be recognized, you know. Plus, she said she hadn't been to McDonalds in a long time."
"At least you got a girl who likes the simple things in life, my wife loves to spend my money."
"It's not so much about the money, Chris. I just wanna get to know her better." Jeff said before walking into the locker room.
**********
Jeff and Trish arrived at the local McDonald’s late, but knew that it was a good thing since there wouldn’t be that many people there. Trish stepped out of the brand new Corvette that he rentd from the airprot as he pulled into a parking spot and waited patiently for him on the other side.
“Are you sure this is where you wanted to go?” He asked once more, holding the door open for her as they walked in.
“Of course, they got these new toys in the Happy Meals and I have got to get me one. They are the I Love Kitty toys and I have a Tommy Pickles from when Burger King was doing the Rug Rats promotion and he needs a girlfriend.” She said laughing at the look on his face.
“Whatever floats your boat I guess.” He said gazing at her, a smile on his face.
They made their way up to the counter and placed their order, each getting weird looks from the workers that were there. The workers all looked at one another like they couldn’t tell if the two were together or not.
“Play along with me.” Jeff said placing his arm around her waist when he saw their food being placed on the counter.
She nodded her head and couldn’t help but wonder what was going to go on. They had gotten the food to go anyway. She could only imagine what he was going to say. Her eyes widened as his lips came down to hers, gently nibbling at first, before slowly easing his tongue inside the warm recesses of her mouth.
“Um, excuse me, this is your food.” The young man behind the counter said quietly interrupting them as he moved the food toward Jeff.
“Trish, babe. You may wanna ask for some honey with those nuggets, you never know what we could use it for later.” He said giving her a small kiss on the lips, winking as she held her hand out to the man.
She grinned at Jeff and winked, obviously approving of what he thought was going to happen. Trish took that opportunity to run her hand down Jeff’s shirt and up across his abs, scraping her nails before he handed the packets of honey to her telling them to have a nice night.
“Oh, I’m sure we will.” She said as she waved at the employees while Jeff dragged her out.
They hit the warm, summer, air laughing as they made their way to the car. He quickly got in, holding the door open for her as they drove to a nearby field that they had seen on the way over. Getting out, Jeff grabbed a blanket from his trunk, spreading it on the ground.
**Later**
"You've got to be kidding me!" Jeff laughed before taking a bite of his Big Mac.
"No, I was obsessed with Janet Jackson in high school. From the moment I heard 'Control,' it was all about Janet. You know, I was in that rebel stage in life and it was like my theme song. I had posters of her wall to wall in my room and every night, I'd talk to them and be like, I love you, Janet. My mom heard me one night and the next morning, she asked me if I was gay."
Jeff almost choked on his Big Mac when he started laughing. Trish laughed with him and gave him a playful shove.
"Man, Trish, you are awesome. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself tonight."
"Yeah, I'm having a great time, Jeff. I can't thank you enough for bringing me here."
"No, thank you. I never realized how down to earth you are. You really released me from some stuff I was going through."
"I did? What were you going through?"
"If Beth and I were still together, today would be our anniversary. Just memories, the good and bad ones, have just been getting to me. That's all."
"She was beautiful, wasn't she? It's kind of like she left a scar on your heart, huh?"
"Yes, she was beautiful...like a jewel. She meant the world to me. I would have done anything for her. We were together for so long. I mean, I can't let it go that easily. I honestly loved her. It still amazes me till this day that we ain't together no more. I never saw it coming." Jeff said, feeling a tear fall from his eye.
Trish wiped Jeff's tear away with her hand and looked in his eyes. He didn't plan on Beth being in their conversation. He felt like an idiot now. He still wasn't over her.
"You don't have to cry because I'll be here to help you be strong, okay?"
"Alright, I appreciate..." Jeff nodded
"She must have been crazy to let someone like you go. She didn't understand how special you are. Come here." Trish motioned for Jeff to come into her arms.
Jeff got up and sat in front of Trish with her arms around his waist. He felt so good being in Trish's arms. Feeling good wasn't enough to describe it. There was something about it that made him good in ways that he could not explain.
"Look, I don't know if I've ever told you this but you can talk to me about things like this and I'll comfort you because...I care for you. You don't have to be afraid about anything becuase if you need me, I'm always here."
"Thank you, it's good to know that you're there for me. It makes me feel a lot better." Jeff turned around and faced Trish.
"I think it's safe to say that...you need a girl like me." Trish said before she brought her lips to his. She slowly opened her mouth, allowing Jeff's tongue to explore her mouth in anyway it pleased.
As they were making out, Trish fell onto the blanket and Jeff, on top of her. That didn't stop them from releasing the feelings they had felt for so long into this kiss. For once, Trish and Jeff felt as if their lives were finally beginning to complete.
Hey now, baby, why you looking so down
Seems like you need loving
Baby, you need a girl like me
Hey now, baby, tell me why you cry
Here take my hand
Wipe those tears from your eyes