Broken Hearts (the prequel to Mending Hearts)

"Shane?" Jeff asked uncertainly later on that night.

Shane kept his eyes on his comic book, refusing to look up. Jeff wanted to talk about what happened earlier and the Hurricane portrayer wasn't ready for that. He knew if he looked Jeff in the eyes now the younger man would know everything and he didn't want that. He didn't want Jeff's pity. He knew Jeff was pursuing a relationship with Randy and that if the other man knew of his own feelings, he would feel sorry for him.

And Shane wanted some other emotion from Jeff, not pity. Shane wanted love, lust, passion, need, any and all of those things, but not pity. He was still fuming over how he felt when Randy's lips came so close to touching Jeff's. Should he try to win Jeff over, or let him go? Shane wasn't sure what to do. He was also worried about what his family would say if he revealed his feelings to them. No doubt there'd be permanent repercussions. Did he want or need that right now? He didn't think so.

And yet, the thought of that young playboy touching Jeff made his skin crawl and his blood boil over. Could he allow Jeff to move on without saying something to him? This was a catastrophe of magnificent proportions.

"Shane!"

Jeff's voice was more insistent now and Shane knew he couldn't ignore him. He sighed and looked up at his best friend's brother. That's another thing. What the hell would Matt do to him if he hurt his baby brother? That relationship would be over, that was for sure. Could Shane live without Matt's friendship? Probably, but he sure as hell didn't want to. Matt was like his own brother. Too much was at stake. And he couldn't guarantee he wouldn't hurt theutifutiful young man sitting on the next bed. In fact, he was afraid he would have more in common with Adam than he'd like. Jeff couldn't be hurt. Shane wouldn't let that happen. He'd cope with this. He'd have to. Jeff was much more important to him.

"Yeah, bud?" he asked. He felt his voice crack and prayed Jeff hadn't noticed.

"What was up with you earlier today?" the younger Hardy brother asked. "I thought you would tear Randy's head off when you walked into the room."

"Nothing," Shane muttered still losing himself in Jeff's amazing eyes. Man, that boouldould be locked away for his own protection, Shane thought. "I just don't know him well."

"You don't like him?" Jeff asked casually. "Or you don't like me liking him?"

Oh, shit! What did he say now? Almost everything he could think of either sounded too harsh or phony, like he was hiding something. He wracked his mind for something pass bel believable when his mouth started working on its own.

"I just don't want to see you hurt, Jeff," he said softly. "You know I accept your sexuality. I just don't know Randy, nor do I like Hunter, who will be a huge influence on Randy's career. Remember how he and Sean used to chase you around?"

"Yeah, but that was a long time ago>"

"You and Matt would tell me horror stories. I can't believe the Game has quite come to terms with never having you and Randy will be one of his closest partners now."

Shane."

"Jeff," Shane cut him off. "I know you and I ain't close like you and Matt, or even you and Shannon, for that matter. But you are like a brother to me and I can't just sit back and not question something I see as dangerous."

"Matt asked you to watch over me, did he?" Jeff smiled faintly.

"I would have even if he didn't," Shane said with a conviction that stunned even himself. "Get used to it."

"You're more stubborn than he is," the younger Hardy complained.

"Get used to that, too," Shane smiled.

***********************************

When Shane went back to his comic book, Jeff lay back on his bed and turned his cd player on. He sadly thought over the conversation he'd just had with a man he thought he knew so well. Shane denied any jealousy was involved earlier tonight and Jeff couldn't be sure. He thought he saw a spark of raw emotion in those deep dark eyes and it gave him an unexpected thrill. He'd never thought of Shane like that before. Actually, he was sure Shane was straight. But he'd felt a fission of heat from those eyes when Shane caught Randy so close to him and Jeff's heart told him this was the one. Yet Shane declared it was only overprotection. And that it would continue. So much for that.

Jeff thought about Randy again but the magical attraction seemed to be gone. Yet Randy was the only one who'd shown al inl interest in him since he broke up with Spike, and that relationship was as casual as they come. They were still friends, too. But no one else had shown much interest in him lately. He frowned as he remembered a conversation he had with Jay a couple of weeks ago. He'd been trying to get the Canadian back into a normal routine and thought talking about Jeff's love life, like they used to, would help.

"People are probably assuming you'll want to take me everywhere with you," Jay had sulked. "That's why you haven't been getting any action."

"I could have action if I wanted it," Jeff snapped with a smirk. "I just want a meaningful relationship this time. Apparently, guys only want me for fun."

"I'm sure that's not the case," Matt sighed. He'd been in that night, too, and Jeff was beginning to worry that his brother's newfound depression would never lift. It was also bringing Jay down more.

"Randy doesn't seem to want that," Jay added. "I think he looks at you differently than the others."

"You think?" Jeff asked seriously. He'd begun to notice the younger man as well and wondered if there was something to what Jay was saying.

"Yeah, well he'd better not turn into an asshole like Hunter," Matt growled. "I could use a target right now."

"Will you stop being so over protective?" Jeff slanted his brother a good natured grimace. "It's a wonder I get any action at all."

"Yeah, well, in a couple of weeks you'll have all the freedom you could possibly ," ," Matt retorted.

"That's no comfort to me, thank you very much."

Jeff thought about that night often in the last two weeks and wondered who was comforting Matt now that he on a separate show. He'd asked Shannon to try to keep an eye on his older brother but he wondered if that was a good idea. Shannon had been crushing on Matt ever since Jeff could remember and Matt was pretty vulnerable right now. Not that Shannon would take advantage of him, though. The small blond was much too shy to pursue Matt, and even though Jeff hadn't said anything, Shannon knew Matt's heart was broken right now. Jeff guessed it would be all right.

He looked back over to Shane who was still oblivious to the younger man's inner turmoil. Shane looked good, too, Jeff thought hungrily. He'd put on some more muscle since Jeff last saw him and the new gimmick was finally settling in. Shane's hair was green for the show, but the dye washed out easily and his dark locks were still damp from his shower. Jeff could feel his insides twist as he tried to pry his eyes away. It was going to be a long night.

***********************************

"Stop watching me, stop watching me," Shane's head was silently screaming at Jeff.

He could feel the heated stare sent in his direction and didn't know what to do about it. Could Jeff be feeling an attraction for him? Shane didn't think that was possible. Jeff was so beautiful and Shane felt so ordinary next to him. And if Jeff was attracted, what could Shane do about it? All of his misgivings remained the same. He wasn't sure if he could tell his family about this. He'd hurt Jeff if he started a relationship only to keep it a secret from everyone they knew and loved. Jeff was so sensitive and gentle, and Shane only wanted to preserve that. He'd lose Matt if he hurt Jeff.

The thought of Randy's lips getting closer to Jeff's jumped into his mind and he seethed inside again. He would have to come to terms with it. He couldn't be the man Jeff deserved to have right now, if ever. And he didn't want Jeff to be alone. He was a creature made to be loved and cherished. He was a gift for someone special. Was Randy special? Shane didn't think so. He was a smooth talking playboy after a perfect dream. And Shane was trying to figure out how to live with that. Randy wanted Jeff badly, Shane could see. He almost had him this afternoon when he'd walked in. And now Shane wanted to skin Randy. It was going to be a very long night.