| JESSIE: Watts and I spent an unbelieveable amount of time signing autographs and pictures once the guys left. Dave and Jake stayed close by me, Jacob kind of bouncing between Watts, Lace and I. Watts and I especially liked signing some of the pictures from the shoot we did together, they came out really well and blown to the bigger size, I was surprised that it was even me. There were even a few hot looking wall posters of us. I had no idea they even existed. "You got paid for 'em Jess. Lucky I'm your brother and I love you so much or I could steal you blind.." he grinned. "But you love me Jakey.." I giggled. "Wonder if Tay and Zac want one of these for the bus..." I giggled again, utterly stunned. "News flash Jess.." Lacey laughed. "They have one.." "WHAT?!" Watts and I managed to ask simultaneously, our eyes wide with surprise. "No way.." I laughed. Lacey laughed again. "I haven't seen the one they have, but Ike thought it was pretty damn funny.." Jake shook his head and Dave laughed out loud. "Maybe you should have one done of the three of you, poor Ike, he's gotta feel left out.." I looked at Dave and laughed. "You know, Dave. That's not a bad idea.." I said. I gave both Lace and Watts a conspiritorial glance and grinned evilly. "No, Jess. NO! Oh my god..ME? Between the two of you?" Lacey tried to get out of it but I wasn't going to let her off that easy. "Yeah you! Tay even asked me how much it would take to certify you to teach before Wattley burns out...Lacey.." I said in a singsong tone, "He'll DIE..he'll be deadeadead..come on Lacey.." I teased, "You know you wanna kill him..Laaaaaaceeeeeyyyy.." "JESSIE!! Okay okay..jeez! If it'll shut you up.." she giggled. |
| Watts and I high fived each other then Jake asked if we psychotic females were ready to go. "Yeah, Jake. I need a shower and a nap.." I said. "And you and I need to talk.." "Okay sis..let's roll then." he said and our troop led us out to our waiting cars. Keith and Kevin rode in the second car with Wattley and Lacey, Dave, Jake and I rode in the other. On the way back to the hotel, (Jake kept one suite for us to all use just for the evening, our flight was a really late one, we didn't want to miss the show) I talked to my brother about starting the new gym and getting Lacey certified to teach. All of which he thought was a good idea, so the discussion was lively and we tried to figure a way to get Lace to seriously consider it. I was completely exhausted by the time we reached the suite. I smiled tiredly at everyone and excused myself to take a shower and then lay down for a while. Wattley took her turn next and decided she and Lacey needed to go shopping. "Hey spend some money for me too, will ya? I'm too tired to think about it.." I grinned. "No problem Jess." they laughed. "See ya in a couple of hours." Jake sat down at the small table, pulled out his leather binder and his laptop and started working. Dave sat down to watch TV. "Why don't you go with the others Dave? Jakey's here and all I wanna do is sleep...no sense in you sitting here being bored. And I'd feel better if you were with Watts.." I said. Dave looked at me and then smiled. "I think you're right Jess. I'll go with them and keep an eye on Watts. But don't leave without Jake, okay?" "I won't Dave. I'm too freakin' tired. And I wanna be in decent shape for the show, so Tay won't worry when I leave.." "Okay, Jess. See ya. Jake? I'm leaving with the others.." Jake looked up. "Go 'head. She'll pass out and I won't even know she's here.." he grinned at me. "You got that right.." I said and yawned, then laid down in front of the TV on the couch. Dave left and I yawned again. "Don't let me sleep too long, Jakey." "Kay, sis.." |
| JESSIE: Jacob woke me in exactly two hours, but I felt like I had been sleeping for a week. "Oh god, Jake..." I groaned, "What the hell is wrong with me? I feel like I was run over by a damn semi.." "Umm..okay where shall I start? You were almost killed, pregnant and didn't even know it, you just kicked every Fitness competitor's ass all over the stage, including your best friend's, and f I know you and Tay, neither one of you slept much last night...should I continue?" he looked at me expectantly. "I think you got it all.." I giggled. "Gimme a hand.." He stuck out his hand and pulled me to a sitting position, then sat down next to me. He put his arm around me and hugged me to his side. "I didn't get to tell you how proud I am of you.." he said and kissed the top of my head. "Thanks Jakey. But please don't go all mushy on me now...waterworks are not easy for me to control lately and you know I hate that." I grinned up at him. "Okay Knucklehead.." he said and shoved my shoulder. "Hey Dave just called me.." "Oh? What did he call you? Should I kick his ass?" I giggled. "God you're almost as dorky as Zac..no dingbat...but he has a friend in Tulsa who works as a guard at the jail.." he said and suddenly got serious. "What's up Jake?" |
| "Dave says his friend was on duty when the inmates were watching TV. Seems you and Watts have a lot of fans there.." he grinned. "Oh shut up..jeez!" I shoved his shoulder. "So what are you really trying to tell me?" I asked. "I guess ESPN aired the competition live.." "AND?" I urged, wanting him to hurry up and get it over with. I knew who he was going to tell me about and it was making my stomach turn. "Eric blew a gasket when you got the title Jess. Dave's friend says they had to finally shove him in solitary, 'cause he was screaming at the TV, called you all kinds of names to ugly to repeat and tried to smash the set.." Jake took my hand and squeezed it as I closed my eyes and swallowed back the nausea that threatened to overwhelm me at the visual that provoked in my mind. If Tay hadn't come when he did I would most surely be dead. "Jess?" Jake called to me softly. I squeezed his hand and swallowed again."I'm okay, Jake. Why? What is it about me that would make him so crazy? I'm just me..no big deal, 'cept I can make my body move like gumby.." "Jessie, he's sick. You just happen to be the thing he's fixated on at the moment. It's nothing you did.." he said and hugged me again. "I guess.." "It does help your case, Jess. His behavior will show that he was the one who was provoking the violence.." Jake told me. I could only sigh and swallow again. "You look like you're gonna hurl, Jess. Eat something.." he told me. "Kay.." I got up and grabbed a protien bar out of my bag and opened it and started eating. "Yuk! It's dry..grab my water will ya Jakey?" Jake handed me the water bottle, "If Tay saw you eating that he'd have a fit. 'give my kid some real food..' " His imitation was so good I almost choked. "Jake! Does he know you can do that?" I laughed after I swallowed the bite I almost choked on. "Yup!" he grinned. "Hurry up gumby..you have to get dressed soon so we can go. The others will be back any minute." |