Chapter 17
“So you’re a professional wrestler Jamie tells me?” Mr. Smith said, looking across the table and looking at Jeff.
“Yes sir,” Jeff said with a small nod.
“How does that treat you son?” he asked.
“Jeff is one of the WWF’s most promising young athletes,” Jamie interrupted, “and most popular.”
Jeff smiled at his girlfriend as she looked from her father to Jeff, with a grin.
“Well, that’s quite impressive,” Mr. Smith said, taking a sip of his water, “Where do you see this career taking you Jeff?”
“Well, I plan on staying with the WWF for quite a while, and when I can’t wrestle anymore, I hope I can work backstage,” Jeff replied.
“And you find that a good way to live your life?” Jamie’s father asked, “You enjoy it?”
“Yes sir, I do enjoy it. And I make good money,” Jeff answered.
“Well, I guess everyone has their dreams,” he laughed, “just like Jamie’s little photography.”
“Mr. Smith, if I could say something…” Jeff said, looking at Jamie’s blushing cheeks.
“Call me Christopher,” he interrupted, “and go ahead.”
“Jamie is quite talented in photography,” Jeff said, “I saw some of her pictures and she has a gift.”
“Well…” Christopher interrupted, looking from his daughter to Jeff, “She may have a talent, but it’s not going to get her anywhere. She has a good career now, that she enjoys, right sweetie?”
“Right,” Jamie lied, sipping her diet coke and sending Jeff a look to drop the subject.
“So what do you do for a living Sir?” Jeff asked, changing the topic.
“I’ve actually just retired,” he answered, “but before I owned my own advertising agency in New York, where I became very successful. Now my baby girl is following in my footsteps.”
Jeff looked over at Jamie, who’s face was plastered with a fake smile and she wrung her cloth napkin in her hands.
“Mr. Smith, Jamie…” a familiar voice behind them said. Jamie turned around, thankful for the interruption, and almost fell out of her seat.
“Scott!” Jamie cried surprised and jumped out of her seat hugging the man standing there, “Oh my God, what are you doing here?”
“I had some business down here,” Scott replied, holding Jamie at arms length and looking her over, “you look fantastic James!”
Jeff eyed the guy wearily, and with a bit of jealousy. He looked straight out of a J. Crew magazine, with his neatly pressed khakis and polo shirt, and light brown hair hanging in his face.
“Jeff,” Jamie said looking at her boyfriend with a smirk, watching him try to hide his jealousy, “I’d like you to meet an old friend of mine from the city Scott Matthews. Scott, this is my boyfriend Jeff Hardy.”
“It’s so nice to meet you Jeff,” Scott said shaking his hand vigorously, “Jamie and I go way back and it’s always a pleasure to meet one of her friends.”
“Nice to meet you too,” Jeff replied.
“Jamie, it’s so great to see you,” Scott replied, turning back to her, “I can’t get over how beautiful you look.”
“Awww, thanks Scott,” Jamie said blushing.
“I know you’re in the middle of your meal,” Scott said, “but it’s been so long and we have so much catching up to do. Want to take a quick walk around the club? That is if Jeff and your father don’t mind.”
“Of course not sweetie,” Mr. Smith piped in with a smile, “I’m sure Jeff doesn’t mind either. Do you son?”
“No of course not,” Jeff mumbled, trying to keep the jealousy out of his voice.
“Are you sure?” Jamie asked, looking at Jeff, trying to hide a smile as she noticed the jealousy in Jeff’s voice.
“Yeah,” Jeff replied with a small smile, “go ahead.”
“It’ll give Jeff and me a little time to get to know each other,” Mr. Smith said, “Go ahead kids.”
“We’ll be back soon,” Scott promised, “I don’t want to keep Jamie from her man too long.”
Jamie quickly kissed Jeff on the cheek, then looped her arm through Scott’s as the two walked away, leaving Jeff and her father alone at the table.
Chapter 18