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Four weeks later
True to his word, Jeff had gone to the rehab clinic. It was his goal to get back to being one hundred percent clean and sober. He loved his career and didn't want to lose it by screwing up again. He knew that this was his second strike, and with a third, he would be out. He couldn't let that happen.
Besides that, the young man truly loved life. And he wanted to live it to the fullest, but in order to do that, he had to break free of his addictions. He knew he could never not be an addict, but at least he could call himself "recovered."
Ashley had kept her promise to him as well. She visited him often and had even stopped by his house on a daily basis to take care of Jack and tend to the home. She was truly a godsend, and he considered her probably his best friend at this point.
Four weeks to the day clean and sober, Jeff was heading home. He felt stronger and wiser, better prepared to face whatever life threw his way. He waited outside, wanting to breathe in the fresh air and bask in the sunshine.
As he was sitting on a bench in front of the clinic, he suddenly spotted her familiar petite form.
Ashley smiled at him as she approached.
"Hi," she said, and a very light, comfortable breeze picked up strands of her blonde hair.
He rose to go to her.
"Hi, Ash." He pulled her to him for a hug, realizing how good she smelled and how nice she felt in his embrace. "I'm so glad you're here."
"Ready to go?" she questioned.
He nodded, turning to the bag he'd left near the bench.
"Absolutely."
They walked a small distance to her car, which was parked just down the block. There was an easy silence between them as the young woman unlocked the doors so they could get in. She slipped the key into the ignition, her gaze away from him as he slid into the passenger's side.
"So... How are you feeling, Jeff? I mean, how are you really feeling?" She slid her window down a crack and turned to catch him staring at her, a strange expression on his face. "Jeff?" she asked, worry coursing through her.
"I won't lie," he said, his southern accent showing through unmistakably. "It's a little rough at times, but I'm actually feelin' great now."
Ashley smiled, letting the engine just go for the time being.
"Oh, I'm glad," she said. She really was touched by the fact that he'd allowed her to watch after Jack and the house. It had really been her pleasure to do everything she could for him while he did what was vital for his survival, both physically and mentally.
Jeff was still staring at her. But this time, a tiny smile was playing at his lips.
"What?"
He shook his head. During the four weeks he'd been in rehab, he hadn't colored his hair, so now it was back to its natural dirty blond shade.
"Nothin'," he said, his face still looking as though he had some big, special secret she knew nothing about.
The blonde was about to face forward again to start driving when he surprised her. Very quickly and unexpectedly, he leaned over and placed a fast kiss on her lips. She barely even had time to react or respond. She raised a hand to her mouth, her fingers not quite touching it. She gazed at him with wonder but felt touched. He was such a sweet man, yet so enigmatic and unpredictable. She never knew what to expect with Jeff Hardy.
They drove in silence except for the radio, which played a local hard rock station they both liked. Fifteen minutes later, they reached his house, and Jeff was excited to see his dog after about a month. Jack jumped up and yapped happily at his master's return home.
With the Jack Russell in his arms, the young man stared at his surroundings. The house looked impeccable, as though he'd never left - or, more aptly, as though he didn't live there! It was so clean and spotless, he could probably have eaten off the floor.
He stared at Ashley, who was busy hanging his jacket up in the nearby hall closet. She was really something else. He was surprised at her apparently very domestic side. She turned to catch him eyeing her yet again.
The blonde diva smiled and held her gaze on him. As she neared, she thought about how sweet a picture it was - Jeff holding Jack, the dog seeming happy as a clam.
"You know, I'm really proud of you, Jeff," she said. She was standing just inches before him.
He bent over to release Jack to the floor, then straighten to face her again.
"Thanks... I just have to make sure I stay on this clean and healthy road." He shook his head. "There's no other option for me," he added.
She nodded.
"You're right."
He suddenly realized something was different about her.
"Hey, your wrist..."
Ashley raised her arm, touching the wrist with her other hand.
"Oh, yeah... I got the cast off a couple of days ago. They said the healing was going more quickly than they thought, and voile!" She grinned. "I still have to go to PT, though, a little while longer."
"Cool," Jeff said. He couldn't stop staring at her, and on top of that, he could no longer hold back.
Without another word, he closed the last small amount of distance between them, sweeping her up into his arms. His mouth was on hers, and he supposed it was relief that he felt when Ashley responded in an instant, her lips hot as they parted and she kissed him back. Her hands tangled in his hair as they kissed again and again, the heat between them undeniable.
As he laid her down on the couch, hovering over her to kiss her again - and to do whatever else might happen -
Jeff knew for sure... He was in love with Ashley. So in love, in fact, that it almost hurt.