"Yeah" came the answer, Matt walked in and saw his younger brother gazing out of the window lost in thought,
"You OK?" he asked, Jeff didn't reply he just kept looking out the window
"Jeff" called Matt again a little louder this time, Jeff turned and looked at
his brother
"Oh hi Matt" he said giving him a weak smile. Matt looked concerned
"Are you OK?" he asked again. Jeff just shrugged Matt walked up to him and wrapped his arms around him
"What's wrong baby, have I done something to upset you?"
"NO" replied Jeff turning to him "I guess it's me"
"What is it? tell me,"
Matt moved across to the bed drawing Jeff with him so they could sit and talk
"C'mon you know you can tell me"
Jeff tried to put how he was feeling into words but didn't know where to begin, after a couple of false starts he said
"Do you ever regret 'us'" Matt was shocked,
"Do you mean do I regret being in love with the most adorable, wonderful, sexy man in the world? no of course not, why would I?"
"It's just that Jay leaving Adam and getting married to a woman because he wants a relationship where he can show his feelings to the world made me stop and think." he stopped and took a deep breath then carried on "I mean we can't kiss in public or even hold hands or do any of the things other couples do, not just because we're guys and WWF superstars but because we're brothers too"
Matt got on his knees in front of Jeff "Jeff I love you, nothing is going to change that, I'm sorry Jay couldn't handle his and Adams relationship and I feel really bad for Adam I know he's going through hell right now, but that isn't going to affect us" Matt held Jeff's hands
"What can I do to prove it to you ?"
"There's nothing you can do" said Jeff looking sad again "only time will tell" he got up and walked over to the window looking outside again Matt sighed not knowing how to comfort his brother, he left Jeff to his thoughts.
A little later Matt put his head round the door to Jeff's room
"I'm just going into Cameron to do some shopping do you want to come?"
"No I think I'll stay here and listen to some music, you go, will you be long?"
"Naw shouldn't think so, an hour or so, I'll ring if I'm going to be any longer"
"OK see you later"
Matt got into his car and pointed it in the direction of Cameron, he couldn't get Jeff out of his mind he'd never seen him so down. He was so lost in his thoughts he didn't realise his car had drifted over to the other side of the road, a motorbike coming the other way blasted him with his horn and Matt quickly pulled back to the right side of the road 'oh my god' he thought to himself 'that's all I need, an accident that would really finish Jeff' he turned on the radio 'maybe this will give me some distraction' he muttered. As the song that was playing finished the DJ plugged the tour of the Backstreet Boys
"Don't forget the boys will be in Raleigh tonight for one show only, so for all of you that couldn't get tickets here's a song from their album Black and Blue, the song is called I Promise You" The music started to play as Matt listened , suddenly a light clicked on in his head, that's what he'd do! but it meant him driving to Raleigh now, he picked up his cell phone to ring Jeff and tell him he would be late home
Back home the phone rang Jeff answered "Hello"
"Hi it's me, what's up baby, listen I'm going to be late"
"Where are you?"
"Say that again"
"Hello"
"You're dropping out my battery must be low if you can hear me I'm going to Raleigh, gotta go"
Jeff shook his head he thought Matt had said Raleigh but the line was bad oh well, he went back to his music
Matt looked at his phone 'damn thing' he said to himself 'I only charged it up yesterday' he threw it on the seat and thought about his plan he hoped the Backstreet Boys were at the arena they were playing at otherwise his plans would be ruined, he also hoped they remembered him, they'd met once before when the boys were playing a city where they were taping Raw and had stopped by to watch much to the delight of the teenage girls in the audience. Matt thought back, he and AJ had hit it off so there shouldn't really be a problem if the Boys could spare the time to help him. Matt put his foot down he needed to get to Raleigh well before the boys went on-stage.
Matt arrived at the arena with plenty of time to spare, He was recognised by the security man who let him in, in return for an autograph for his daughter.
Matt made his way to the dressing rooms and knocked on AJ's door after what seemed like an eternity the door opened and a dishevelled AJ put his head round it
"I thought I said I didn't want to be disturbed," he stopped and looked at Matt recognition dawning in his eyes
"Hey Matt Hardy what are you doing here?"
Matt grinned "Looking for you actually I live nearby and need a really big favour"
AJ looked at him for a moment "OK come in"
Matt walked in to the dressing room only to be confronted by a half naked Howie laying on the sofa
"Err I'm sorry have I interrupted something"
AJ blushed "I trust you can keep your mouth shut" he asked
Matt laughed "When you here what I've got to say you wont be asking that"
Matt told them the whole story of he and Jeff being in love and having to keep it a secret not only to keep their jobs but because of their being brothers, he went on to tell them of Jeff's unhappiness because he thought Matt might do what Jay did to Adam and leave him
"I know I can't do anything public but I wanted to make him feel better and to eeassure him of how I feel about him" he looked down at the floor suddenly embarrassed he didn't know what Howie and AJ would think of he and Jeff's relationship. He needn't of worried
"Aww thats so romantic" said Howie jumping up "can we help?" he looked at AJ
"If Kevin, Nick and Brian agree I think we can find time, stay here let me go and put it to them"
Matt paced up and down "don't worry" said Howie "Brian's the only one who might object but AJ'll persuade him"
AJ came back with the others following behind him "It was unanimous, give us your address we'll come straight after the show , I guess we're all suckers for love"
Matt breathed a sigh of relief "Thank you so much you don't know what this means to me"
"I think we do" replied Kevin slipping his arm around Nicks waist
"Yeah we have to do anything we can to help love on its way" said Brian grinning at Matt
Matt grinned back "I'd better go or Jeff will think I've left him, I'll see you all later tonight and thanks again"
Matt arrived back at the house to find it in darkness and for a moment he panicked wondering where Jeff was but as he got closer he heard the music coming from the bedroom, he went upstairs and put his head round the door, there was Jeff fast asleep. Matt went over to him thinking how beautiful he looked. Jeff must have sensed Matt there he opened his eyes "Where have you been" he yelled at him "I was worried sick"
"But I rang to say I was going to Raleigh and that I'd be late"
"Yeah well I couldn't hear you, you kept cutting out"
"I'm sorry baby the battery was low, I thought you'd heard me"
"Well next time ring from a pay phone then I wont have to worry"
"I'm sorry have you been OK while I was gone"
"Yes but I haven't eaten have you?"
"No lets get something now" Matt was pleased it gave him something to do to pass the time on.
The next few hours passed slowly Matt hoped Jeff would go to bed it would make it easier when the Boys arrived Jeff soon started yawning "I think I'll go to bed its been a long day"
"OK" replied Matt "I'll be up soon"
Matt looked at the clock the Boys should be here any time now, as if on cue a car rolled up the drive, He rushed outside so he could get things set up before Jeff knew they were there.
The Backstreet Boys looked tired but were happy to be there with Matts help they set up a sound system in the yard where there was outside lighting, when everything was ready Matt went upstairs to get Jeff
"Jeff, Jeff wake up" he shook Jeff's shoulder. Jeff opened his eyes and looked at his brother and gave him a small grin
"What's up you feeling horny"
Matt laughed "as always but I've got something I want you to hear" He pulled Jeff from his bed and led his puzzled brother down stairs, as he took him outside he flicked the switch to light up the yard. Jeff let out a squeal
"The Backstreet Boys! what are you doing here"
AJ spoke into the mic "Matt came to see us today, he told us you were worried about his feelings for you and that you were worried he might leave you, he wants to put your worries to rest and he asked us to help."
Matt put his arms round Jeff and pulled him close "Listen to the words baby, and please believe them"
AJ started to sing it was the song Matt had heard on the radio, it said what was in his heart
It's in the silences, the words you never say
I see it in your eyes always starts the same way
It seems like everyone we know is breaking up
Does anybody ever stay in love anymore
I promise you from the bottom of my heart
I will love you till death do us part
I promise you as a lover and a friend
I will love you like I'll never love again
With everything I am
I see you look at me when you think I'm not aware
You're searching for clues just how deep my feelings are
How do you prove the sky is blue the oceans wide
All I know is what I feel when I look into your eyes
I promise you from the bottom of my heart
I will love you till death do us part
I promise you as a lover and a friend
I will love you like I'll never love again
With everything that I am
Oh there are no guarantees
that's what you always say to me
And late at night I feel the tremble in your touch
And what I'm trying to say to you I've never said to anyone
I promise you from the bottom of my heart
I will love you till death do us part
I promise you as a lover and a friend
I will love you like I'll never love again
with everything I am
I promise you from the bottom of my heart
I will love you till death do us part
I promise you as a lover and a friend
I will love you like I'll never love again
with everything I am
You're everything I am
With every thing I am
The song ended, all that could be heard was the sound of Jeff's sobs He turned and flung himself into Matts arms
"Oh Matt I'm so sorry for doubting you I just knew I couldn't bear to lose you. Thank you for doing this for me"
"Jeff I love you I'll do anything I can to prove it and I'll keep on doing it so you never have to doubt me"
AJ, Kevin, Nick, Brian and Howie came to say hi and goodbye their schedule was tight so they couldn't stay
Howie hugged Jeff "you've got a great guy there look after him" he whispered in h
is ear
Jeff looked up "I know, he's the best"
Matt shook AJ's hand "thanks again I owe you, big time."
"No problem glad we could help," AJ stopped and took a card out of his pocket, "if you ever need any help again this is my phone number give me a ring."
"Thanks, I hope I wont need to, but I will keep in touch"
They waved to the Boys and watched them go, as they turned to go into the house Jeff stopped Matt
"Matty"
"Yeah baby"
"I love you"
"And I love you now and always"