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Jeff whistled as he entered catering, his mind fully focused on satisfying his stomach, which had been growling incessantly since he'd arrived at the arena. He turned into the right room and let out an "Ahh!" as the delicious aroma of a mixture of different foods tickled his nostrils. As he made a beeline for one of the tables to get a plate and fork, his line of vision caught sight of the woman sitting off to the side.
Torrie Wilson had her back facing him, her head slightly down as she held a book in her hand. She was of course alone, and she didn't seem to realize or care that she was no longer alone in the room.
Jeff glanced at the array of food laid out for the wrestlers and other crew for the night, then sighed. Ignoring his hunger for the time being, he headed over to the blonde's table and sat down across from her.
"Hey."
She looked up, trying not to flinch and show that he'd startled her. She forced a smile.
"Hi," she said in a soft tone.
"Wow, you really are a bigtime loner, aren't you?"
"Excuse me?"
Jeff waved a hand to go along with the shaking of his head.
"No, don't take it the wrong way," he said. "I didn't mean it as a bad thing. Actually, you sorta remind me of myself, only I'd have a pen and notebook, writin' poetry."
Torrie stayed silent and merely stared at him. She really didn't know what to say. He was nice, but it was strange how it was easier for her to talk to his brother, as Matt was definitely more standoffish and seemed to only have an interest in talking to her when he wanted something. She had quickly come to realize that. Jeff was quite the opposite and seemed so warm and friendly for no reason at all.
"Ah, well... I guess I'll get some grub and leave you alone now." The colorful-haired man rose from the table.
Torrie nervously twirled a lock of her hair around one finger as she watched him. She felt a twinge inside and sighed, lowering her book.
"Wait..." When he turned back, she continued. "I'm sorry if I'm being a bitch or rude. I don't meant to."
Jeff shook his head.
"I don't think you're a bitch, or rude."
The blonde gave him the tiniest smile.
"I'm just... well, I've got a lot on my mind lately. I appreciate you being so kind to me," she said.
The young man threw some food on his plate, turning back toward the diva. Seconds later, he pointed to his plate, asking her without words if she wanted anything. She smiled but shook her head.
Jeff carried his meal back to Torrie's table, planting himself in the same chair across from her. He picked up a baby carrot and munched on it as he studied the woman's face. Very clearly, just like the last time they'd run into one another, he could tell that something was troubling her.
"Well, I'm all ears," he said, keeping his words soft. "Like I've said before, I'm all yours if you ever need to talk."
The blonde thought it over. She had a lot on her plate and knew it would make her feel loads better if she just got it all off her chest. But Jeff Hardy was Matt's brother... Would she be able to tell him everything without it getting back to Matt? She wasn't sure.
"Well, it's all pretty complicated."
Jeff shrugged as he ate some potatoes he'd thrown onto his plate. He met her gaze squarely.
"Try me," he said. "I've heard my fair share of crazy stories. Hell, some of them were my own."
That comment caused Torrie to let out the first real laughter she'd felt in weeks. She realized she was actually now feeling comfortable in Jeff's presence and decided to talk to him.
"I'll take you up on your offer to talk," she said, lowering and closing her book. "On one condition, though."
He eyed her with anticipation.
"We do it somewhere else."
"Sure," the young man said and nodded. "Wherever you want."
"Thanks," she whispered. "The hotel after the show would be fine."
"Okay. Unless you wanna go out somewhere, like for a bite to eat." He noted again how she had refused food here in catering. She would have to be hungry later on.
"Well, whichever," she said dismissively, then regretted her attitude. "Going out somewhere would be nice, come to think of it."
The rainbow-haired young man smiled. He was glad that Torrie was a pretty nice girl after all, which was what he'd suspected all along. He just wondered why she seemed so secretive all the time.
"It's up to you." He crammed some roast beef into his mouth with much delight.
Torrie smiled, for once grateful. Nobody else had really seemed interested in the goings on in her life as of late, not even Stacy Keibler. But her leggy blonde friend was too focused on her new boyfriend, the boss' son himself, Shane McMahon. Oh well... She could understand and forgive her for that.
Neither one of them noticed Matt lurking just outside the room as he spied on them with narrowed eyes.