Office Politics (Chapter 5)
Summary - AU/AU Jack is a trainee architect at a company owned by Mitchell Del Mar and his cousin Ennis. A light hearted office romance - nothing too angsty or dark in this establishment.
Last chapter recap - Jack makes coffee then catches Ennis half dressed in his office. Jack blurts out that he saw Ennis with the tattooed guy but Ennis tells him his private life is private...
Big thanks to the awesome hesamathgeek for the beta.
Feedback - yes please!
A/N - I'm posting this a little early this week due to a crazy day planned tomorrow - hope that's ok :)
“Jack.”
Scott’s voice made Jack jump and he realized he had been staring into his empty plate for several minutes. Canned laughter from the sitcom on TV filtered into his consciousness at the same time.
“You ok?”
Jack gave a half smile. “Yeah, sure. Just got a lot on my plate.” He nodded at his knees, “Well, not this plate, obviously.”
Scott sniffed, “You do that a lot, you know.”
“What?”
“Make some kind of joke to cover up what you’re feeling.”
Jack put his plate on the coffee table and collapsed back into the soft couch with a sigh. “Guess I do.”
“You gonna tell me about it?” Scott leaned forward with a concerned look. “I don’t have the monopoly on being miserable, you know.”
Jack smiled again. “Thanks, but it’s nothing I can talk about. Really. But thanks anyway.”
“Is it Ennis?”
Jack scrubbed his palms over his face, “How do you do that? Am I always so damn obvious?”
Scott shrugged, “I guess it’s obvious to me. We work together and practically live together-well, we do, now. So, you want to talk, or do I have to deal with your ugly mug being depressed all evening?”
Jack picked up the TV remote and turned the sound off, flopping back against the cushions. “Ok, I’ll tell you what I can. I like him, Scott. I like him a lot. I haven’t felt this way about anyone since… well… ever. The thing is, nothing will ever come of it, so I don’t know why I keep torturing myself.”
“How do you know?”
“Know what?”
“That nothing will ever come of it? I saw the way he didn’t look at Candy, remember. I know I told you to back off, but damn, man, if you’re that into him…. There’s always a small chance he could like you, too. Lots of people meet their partners at the office, you know. Stranger things have happened.”
Jack looked at Scott warily. “Well, even if that were the case, and we’re talking a VERY BIG ‘if’ here, no way is he gonna get involved with someone at work. Especially someone like me. I’m just some lowly trainee and he’s mister hot-shot. He’s totally out of my league.” Jack groaned and pulled a cushion on top of his face. “Mmph…mmph…mmph.”
“What?”
Jack raised the cushion off his face a little. “I said, ‘Just shoot me now. Put me out of my misery.’”
Scott laughed. “Nah. Then who would I have to brighten up my otherwise sad, dull and lonely existence?”
“Bitch.” Jack threw the cushion toward Scott, who batted it away with one hand easily. “You’re no friend.”
“I’m the best one you’ve got, pal.”
“Yeah, I know.” Jack sat up with a grunt. “What the hell am I gonna do, though? Seriously. It’s killing me working with him all the time like this. It’s like the ultimate buffet when you’re on the world’s strictest diet. Look all you want, but don’t touch and definitely don’t sample.”
“I think you’re focusing too much on the bad, here. There must be a zillion cute guys out there who’d sell a limb for a night with you.” Scot paused. “Well, I’m guessing there are. Don’t know what they see in you, personally. Hey!” He ducked as Jack threw another cushion at him. “It’s the thrill of the unobtainable, Jack. You want him because you can’t have him.”
“Maybe you’re right. But damn, I sure don’t think I’ve ever felt like this. I don’t even want to look at other guys. That’s not happened to me before. Maybe I’m sick?”
Scott snorted. “Now there’s a question. Perhaps some medicinal lubrication is called for.” He pushed himself off the chair and headed for the kitchen, “Beer?”
“Yes, please, Doc.”
Scott returned with two bottles and sat down next to Jack on the couch.
“Thanks.” Jack took the bottle and held the cool glass against his cheek. “So, did you speak to Ella today?”
Scott popped the cap off his beer and took a long swallow. “Nope. Thought I’d let it be a few days. Give her some head space.”
Jack nodded. “I bet she’ll miss you like crazy. Might make her reconsider the whole ‘marry me or fuck off’ thing.”
“Thanks for putting it so subtly, Jack.”
“Shit, I’m sorry,” Jack closed his eyes and rubbed his temple before flopping backwards. “I didn’t mean it like that. Sorry, I’m being a complete ass tonight. Goddamn it, my head’s a mess.”
“Hey, you and me both, bud.” Scott leaned his head back too and turned to look at Jack. “Fun times, huh?”
“You said it. Remind me again why we care?”
“Because we’re idiots. Stupid idiots.” Scott replied mournfully. “A lost cause.”
Jack picked at the label on his beer bottle. “Good. Positive thinking. We’ll go far with that kind of attitude.”
“I read somewhere that you have to hit the bottom before you can bounce back up again. We’re supposed to wallow. It’s natural.”
Jack gave a small smile. “I guess that makes sense.” He downed the rest of his beer quickly, hauled himself off the couch and headed for his room. “In that case, please excuse me. I need to go wallow for a bit.”
“Sure,” Scott replied. “Just do it quietly.”
****
For the next few days, Jack got to thinking about what Scott had said. Perhaps he was just suffering from wanting the impossible. Not that being thrown across Ennis’ desk and fucked to within an inch of his life was physically impossible; it just wasn’t going to happen to him. Not in this lifetime. Maybe he should just go out, get drunk and get laid. Pick up some random guy who was simply after a good time. That had never been difficult in the past, so it shouldn’t be any different now. It’s just that Jack really couldn’t muster up any enthusiasm for it.
Early on Thursday afternoon, Ennis called Jack into his office. Jack took a deep breath before stepping inside, wondering if he would ever get to the stage when he could be summoned to Ennis’ room without feeling this sense of breathless anticipation.
Ennis was fiddling with a pen and sitting on the edge of his desk once more. Jack really wished that he wouldn’t do that as the pose always seemed to scream Hey, Jack, look at my cock! See what you can’t have?
Ennis looked up and gave him a small smile. “Jack, are you busy this afternoon?”
Jack blinked; was this a trick question? “Um… well, yes. I’m doing stuff for you?”
“Apart from that.”
“Er, no.”
“Good. I’ve just heard that we can visit the Saturday Bridge site today. I think it would be beneficial for us to go along and see it. We’ll be out of the office for a couple hours.”
Jack’s heart leapt; a trip out with Ennis? Oh my, that was just asking for trouble. “Sure, that sounds good.”
“We’ll go in my car. Meet me in reception in ten minutes.”
Jack nodded and almost ran from the room back to his desk. He sat down hard and scrabbled to tidy up his things, grabbing a notebook and turning off his computer.
Scott looked amused at the frenzied activity. “What’s all this?” he said, gesturing with his pencil.
“We’re going to the site.”
“What, you and Ennis? Hot date, huh?” Scott added with a wink.
Jack glanced around. “Don’t say that. Please.”
“Hey, don’t get your panties in a twist, Twist.” Scott snickered at his own words. “Hey, listen to me, there must be a joke in there somewhere.”
“Yeah, whatever,” Jack muttered, grabbing his jacket and bag. “See you later.”
“Later,” Scott echoed. ”I won’t wait up.”
****
“So, where are you off to?” Candy eyed Jack suspiciously as he loitered in the reception area, waiting for Ennis.
“The Saturday Bridge site,” he replied, hoping Candy wouldn’t give him a hard time. He really wasn’t in the mood and his nerves were shredded enough as it was.
“With Ennis?” She raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Well, aren’t you the lucky one.”
“I guess that depends on your point of view.”
Candy picked up a file and started to buff her shiny pink nails. “I don’t see yours being any different from the rest of us, Jack.”
Jack raised his eyes to the ceiling. “If you say so.”
He was fortunately spared any more conversation with Candy by the sight of Ennis striding through the glass doors towards them. Candy quickly dropped her nail file and tucked a blond curl behind her ear with a bright smile. “Good afternoon, Mr. Del Mar.”
“Yep,” Ennis said absently. He turned to Jack. “Ready?”
Jack nodded and followed Ennis to the elevators. He could feel Candy’s eyes boring into his back so he turned to wave goodbye with a wide grin as the elevator doors pinged open. If looks could kill, then they would have been scraping him off the carpet.
****
Jack could barely believe he was actually sitting in a car, in the underground parking garage, with Ennis Del Mar. He’d be lying if he said this situation hadn’t occurred in any of his late night fantasies. He kept his composure as he slid into the passenger seat and fastened his belt, oh-so aware of Ennis just inches away. He avoided looking at the back seat, but wondered if Ennis had ever exchanged bodily fluids with anyone in this car. He breathed in deeply through his nose, but only succeeded in getting a lung full of the scent of Ennis’s cologne mixed with warm leather. Mmm.
“Ok?” Ennis said as he started the engine.
“Yeah.” Jack found that he didn’t know what to do with his hands, so he picked up his bag and started fiddling with the buckle.
Ennis nodded and swung the car around to drive out of the garage. Jack willed himself to relax and started counting backwards from one hundred.
“Thirty minutes.” Ennis said as they stopped at a red light a few moments later.
Forty-seven. “Huh?” Jack turned to look at him.
“Thirty minutes to the site.”
“Oh, ok. Good.” Jack rubbed his palms on his thighs nervously. He noticed Ennis flexing his fingers around the steering wheel and couldn’t help but imagine those fingers gripping around something else. He rubbed a little faster.
Ennis’ eyes flicked down to Jack thighs. “Are you cold?” He leaned forward as if to turn up the heating.
“No, no. I’m fine!” Jack’s hand shot out to cover up the temperature control. Hell, no, any more heat in this car and he’d be sweating like a pig. In grabbing for the control, though, his fingers managed to tangle with Ennis’. Jack jerked his hand back like he’d been shot, sucking in a breath.
Ennis slowly returned his hand to the steering wheel and eyed Jack curiously. “Ok, if you’re sure.”
Jack shoved his palms down in between his thighs. “Yeah, I’m sure.”
The lights turned green and the car moved off again. Jack kept his composure for the rest of the journey and even managed to talk about work as they drove to the site.
They were met by one of the site agents when they arrived, who explained about the lay of the land, ground composition and so on as they walked the perimeter. Jack was blown away by the beauty of the surrounding area. The site was on a hill at the edge of town and faced across a lush valley to some mountains in the neighboring state. It kind of reminded him of home a little. The view from the top of the apartment complex would be amazing. It was a beautiful location and just the type of place that Jack could see himself living one day, close enough to the bustle of town, but far enough away to feel like you could also escape it. Once the plans were finalized, Jack decided that he would do everything in his power to buy one of the apartments. A small one. Maybe he could negotiate an early purchaser discount. There had to be some perks to the job, after all-cute bosses aside.
“So, what do you think?” Ennis asked as they drove back to the office later.
Jack shifted round to face him. “I thought it was an amazing place. I could totally see myself living there. The views will be spectacular; they go on forever,” he said enthusiastically.
Ennis’ lips quirked as he turned to look at Jack. “I guess technically they do.”
“Yeah, well, you know what I mean-the fields, the mountains. Reminds me of home.”
“Of course. Wyoming.”
“Yes! How did you know that?” Jack asked in surprise.
Ennis tapped his temple. “Remembered it from your application form.”
“Oh.” Jack smiled, feeling warm inside. “Do you remember everything you read?”
Ennis turned back to face the road. “Only the important things.”
TBC
Last chapter recap - Jack makes coffee then catches Ennis half dressed in his office. Jack blurts out that he saw Ennis with the tattooed guy but Ennis tells him his private life is private...
Big thanks to the awesome hesamathgeek for the beta.
Feedback - yes please!
A/N - I'm posting this a little early this week due to a crazy day planned tomorrow - hope that's ok :)
“Jack.”
Scott’s voice made Jack jump and he realized he had been staring into his empty plate for several minutes. Canned laughter from the sitcom on TV filtered into his consciousness at the same time.
“You ok?”
Jack gave a half smile. “Yeah, sure. Just got a lot on my plate.” He nodded at his knees, “Well, not this plate, obviously.”
Scott sniffed, “You do that a lot, you know.”
“What?”
“Make some kind of joke to cover up what you’re feeling.”
Jack put his plate on the coffee table and collapsed back into the soft couch with a sigh. “Guess I do.”
“You gonna tell me about it?” Scott leaned forward with a concerned look. “I don’t have the monopoly on being miserable, you know.”
Jack smiled again. “Thanks, but it’s nothing I can talk about. Really. But thanks anyway.”
“Is it Ennis?”
Jack scrubbed his palms over his face, “How do you do that? Am I always so damn obvious?”
Scott shrugged, “I guess it’s obvious to me. We work together and practically live together-well, we do, now. So, you want to talk, or do I have to deal with your ugly mug being depressed all evening?”
Jack picked up the TV remote and turned the sound off, flopping back against the cushions. “Ok, I’ll tell you what I can. I like him, Scott. I like him a lot. I haven’t felt this way about anyone since… well… ever. The thing is, nothing will ever come of it, so I don’t know why I keep torturing myself.”
“How do you know?”
“Know what?”
“That nothing will ever come of it? I saw the way he didn’t look at Candy, remember. I know I told you to back off, but damn, man, if you’re that into him…. There’s always a small chance he could like you, too. Lots of people meet their partners at the office, you know. Stranger things have happened.”
Jack looked at Scott warily. “Well, even if that were the case, and we’re talking a VERY BIG ‘if’ here, no way is he gonna get involved with someone at work. Especially someone like me. I’m just some lowly trainee and he’s mister hot-shot. He’s totally out of my league.” Jack groaned and pulled a cushion on top of his face. “Mmph…mmph…mmph.”
“What?”
Jack raised the cushion off his face a little. “I said, ‘Just shoot me now. Put me out of my misery.’”
Scott laughed. “Nah. Then who would I have to brighten up my otherwise sad, dull and lonely existence?”
“Bitch.” Jack threw the cushion toward Scott, who batted it away with one hand easily. “You’re no friend.”
“I’m the best one you’ve got, pal.”
“Yeah, I know.” Jack sat up with a grunt. “What the hell am I gonna do, though? Seriously. It’s killing me working with him all the time like this. It’s like the ultimate buffet when you’re on the world’s strictest diet. Look all you want, but don’t touch and definitely don’t sample.”
“I think you’re focusing too much on the bad, here. There must be a zillion cute guys out there who’d sell a limb for a night with you.” Scot paused. “Well, I’m guessing there are. Don’t know what they see in you, personally. Hey!” He ducked as Jack threw another cushion at him. “It’s the thrill of the unobtainable, Jack. You want him because you can’t have him.”
“Maybe you’re right. But damn, I sure don’t think I’ve ever felt like this. I don’t even want to look at other guys. That’s not happened to me before. Maybe I’m sick?”
Scott snorted. “Now there’s a question. Perhaps some medicinal lubrication is called for.” He pushed himself off the chair and headed for the kitchen, “Beer?”
“Yes, please, Doc.”
Scott returned with two bottles and sat down next to Jack on the couch.
“Thanks.” Jack took the bottle and held the cool glass against his cheek. “So, did you speak to Ella today?”
Scott popped the cap off his beer and took a long swallow. “Nope. Thought I’d let it be a few days. Give her some head space.”
Jack nodded. “I bet she’ll miss you like crazy. Might make her reconsider the whole ‘marry me or fuck off’ thing.”
“Thanks for putting it so subtly, Jack.”
“Shit, I’m sorry,” Jack closed his eyes and rubbed his temple before flopping backwards. “I didn’t mean it like that. Sorry, I’m being a complete ass tonight. Goddamn it, my head’s a mess.”
“Hey, you and me both, bud.” Scott leaned his head back too and turned to look at Jack. “Fun times, huh?”
“You said it. Remind me again why we care?”
“Because we’re idiots. Stupid idiots.” Scott replied mournfully. “A lost cause.”
Jack picked at the label on his beer bottle. “Good. Positive thinking. We’ll go far with that kind of attitude.”
“I read somewhere that you have to hit the bottom before you can bounce back up again. We’re supposed to wallow. It’s natural.”
Jack gave a small smile. “I guess that makes sense.” He downed the rest of his beer quickly, hauled himself off the couch and headed for his room. “In that case, please excuse me. I need to go wallow for a bit.”
“Sure,” Scott replied. “Just do it quietly.”
****
For the next few days, Jack got to thinking about what Scott had said. Perhaps he was just suffering from wanting the impossible. Not that being thrown across Ennis’ desk and fucked to within an inch of his life was physically impossible; it just wasn’t going to happen to him. Not in this lifetime. Maybe he should just go out, get drunk and get laid. Pick up some random guy who was simply after a good time. That had never been difficult in the past, so it shouldn’t be any different now. It’s just that Jack really couldn’t muster up any enthusiasm for it.
Early on Thursday afternoon, Ennis called Jack into his office. Jack took a deep breath before stepping inside, wondering if he would ever get to the stage when he could be summoned to Ennis’ room without feeling this sense of breathless anticipation.
Ennis was fiddling with a pen and sitting on the edge of his desk once more. Jack really wished that he wouldn’t do that as the pose always seemed to scream Hey, Jack, look at my cock! See what you can’t have?
Ennis looked up and gave him a small smile. “Jack, are you busy this afternoon?”
Jack blinked; was this a trick question? “Um… well, yes. I’m doing stuff for you?”
“Apart from that.”
“Er, no.”
“Good. I’ve just heard that we can visit the Saturday Bridge site today. I think it would be beneficial for us to go along and see it. We’ll be out of the office for a couple hours.”
Jack’s heart leapt; a trip out with Ennis? Oh my, that was just asking for trouble. “Sure, that sounds good.”
“We’ll go in my car. Meet me in reception in ten minutes.”
Jack nodded and almost ran from the room back to his desk. He sat down hard and scrabbled to tidy up his things, grabbing a notebook and turning off his computer.
Scott looked amused at the frenzied activity. “What’s all this?” he said, gesturing with his pencil.
“We’re going to the site.”
“What, you and Ennis? Hot date, huh?” Scott added with a wink.
Jack glanced around. “Don’t say that. Please.”
“Hey, don’t get your panties in a twist, Twist.” Scott snickered at his own words. “Hey, listen to me, there must be a joke in there somewhere.”
“Yeah, whatever,” Jack muttered, grabbing his jacket and bag. “See you later.”
“Later,” Scott echoed. ”I won’t wait up.”
****
“So, where are you off to?” Candy eyed Jack suspiciously as he loitered in the reception area, waiting for Ennis.
“The Saturday Bridge site,” he replied, hoping Candy wouldn’t give him a hard time. He really wasn’t in the mood and his nerves were shredded enough as it was.
“With Ennis?” She raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Well, aren’t you the lucky one.”
“I guess that depends on your point of view.”
Candy picked up a file and started to buff her shiny pink nails. “I don’t see yours being any different from the rest of us, Jack.”
Jack raised his eyes to the ceiling. “If you say so.”
He was fortunately spared any more conversation with Candy by the sight of Ennis striding through the glass doors towards them. Candy quickly dropped her nail file and tucked a blond curl behind her ear with a bright smile. “Good afternoon, Mr. Del Mar.”
“Yep,” Ennis said absently. He turned to Jack. “Ready?”
Jack nodded and followed Ennis to the elevators. He could feel Candy’s eyes boring into his back so he turned to wave goodbye with a wide grin as the elevator doors pinged open. If looks could kill, then they would have been scraping him off the carpet.
****
Jack could barely believe he was actually sitting in a car, in the underground parking garage, with Ennis Del Mar. He’d be lying if he said this situation hadn’t occurred in any of his late night fantasies. He kept his composure as he slid into the passenger seat and fastened his belt, oh-so aware of Ennis just inches away. He avoided looking at the back seat, but wondered if Ennis had ever exchanged bodily fluids with anyone in this car. He breathed in deeply through his nose, but only succeeded in getting a lung full of the scent of Ennis’s cologne mixed with warm leather. Mmm.
“Ok?” Ennis said as he started the engine.
“Yeah.” Jack found that he didn’t know what to do with his hands, so he picked up his bag and started fiddling with the buckle.
Ennis nodded and swung the car around to drive out of the garage. Jack willed himself to relax and started counting backwards from one hundred.
“Thirty minutes.” Ennis said as they stopped at a red light a few moments later.
Forty-seven. “Huh?” Jack turned to look at him.
“Thirty minutes to the site.”
“Oh, ok. Good.” Jack rubbed his palms on his thighs nervously. He noticed Ennis flexing his fingers around the steering wheel and couldn’t help but imagine those fingers gripping around something else. He rubbed a little faster.
Ennis’ eyes flicked down to Jack thighs. “Are you cold?” He leaned forward as if to turn up the heating.
“No, no. I’m fine!” Jack’s hand shot out to cover up the temperature control. Hell, no, any more heat in this car and he’d be sweating like a pig. In grabbing for the control, though, his fingers managed to tangle with Ennis’. Jack jerked his hand back like he’d been shot, sucking in a breath.
Ennis slowly returned his hand to the steering wheel and eyed Jack curiously. “Ok, if you’re sure.”
Jack shoved his palms down in between his thighs. “Yeah, I’m sure.”
The lights turned green and the car moved off again. Jack kept his composure for the rest of the journey and even managed to talk about work as they drove to the site.
They were met by one of the site agents when they arrived, who explained about the lay of the land, ground composition and so on as they walked the perimeter. Jack was blown away by the beauty of the surrounding area. The site was on a hill at the edge of town and faced across a lush valley to some mountains in the neighboring state. It kind of reminded him of home a little. The view from the top of the apartment complex would be amazing. It was a beautiful location and just the type of place that Jack could see himself living one day, close enough to the bustle of town, but far enough away to feel like you could also escape it. Once the plans were finalized, Jack decided that he would do everything in his power to buy one of the apartments. A small one. Maybe he could negotiate an early purchaser discount. There had to be some perks to the job, after all-cute bosses aside.
“So, what do you think?” Ennis asked as they drove back to the office later.
Jack shifted round to face him. “I thought it was an amazing place. I could totally see myself living there. The views will be spectacular; they go on forever,” he said enthusiastically.
Ennis’ lips quirked as he turned to look at Jack. “I guess technically they do.”
“Yeah, well, you know what I mean-the fields, the mountains. Reminds me of home.”
“Of course. Wyoming.”
“Yes! How did you know that?” Jack asked in surprise.
Ennis tapped his temple. “Remembered it from your application form.”
“Oh.” Jack smiled, feeling warm inside. “Do you remember everything you read?”
Ennis turned back to face the road. “Only the important things.”
TBC