True Romance... on the side - chapter 7
PREVIOUS
MASTER POST
NEXT
Christmas morning
“Hi, Jensen.”
“Jare, I told you to stop doing that!”
“It’s really not my fault that I always know when you’re gonna call.”
“Whatever. How are the holidays with the family?”
“Good. My mom baked gingerbread cookies.”
“That’s nice.”
“…they had rainbow sprinkles.”
“Ouch.”
“As in ‘the color of your flag’.”
“I get it, Jare. Did she really say that?”
“No, but I could see she wanted to. She’s been like this ever since I can remember - silently judging and venomous without provocation.”
“That bad?”
“Lets put it this way: Google ‘condescending shrew’ and you’ll get JaredPadalecki’sMom-dot-com.”
“… and how’s your dad holding up with all this?”
“Surprisingly well. But then again, he’s always been tolerant. I mean, he let Megan join a ballet group. In Texas that’s a big thing.”
“I know, Jare. In case you’ve forgotten, I lived here too.
“I haven’t forgotten.”
“So you still think springing the ‘Hi mom, dad and extended family, oh-by-the-way, I’m a lover of the lavender passage way’ news during Christmas, was a good idea?”
“I’m sorry, what did you say? I left my decoder ring back in my cereal box.”
“’Lover of the lavender passage way’? It’s a euphemism for ‘gay’ I picked up from Michael. You know Mike, right?”
“No, but I’ve heard of him. And from what I hear, I like him already. Anyway, I know it seems weird, but I really think I did the right thing, y’know Jen? I just couldn’t keep lying to them. At least they can see queerly now.”
“Sure, I get that. Do you think your mom’s ever going to get over the fact that you’re a Cinder-fella?”
“I hope so. I just think she’s disappointed she ain’t never gonna have uber-tall, constantly-cheerful, highly talented, gorgeously handsome grandkids.”
“It makes jokes. Cute.”
“Oh hardy-fuckin’-har, Jenny. I’m really having issues with my family and you’re being a tease.”
“You started it.”
“…true. So how’s your Christmas? Peachy?”
“It’s just swell.”
“Okay, Jenny. What happened this time?”
“Mackie brought home her new boyfriend for Christmas dinner.”
“And how did that go?”
“Sen-fucking-sational. He greeted my dad with the words ‘I have a nine inch tongue, I can breathe through my ears and I’m in love with your daughter’.”
“He didn’t!”
“Oh, he did. It’s actually kinda cute - they’re both retarded for each other. Although I have a sneaky feeling she’s falling into a giant relationship bear-trap, where she’ll have to chew off her leg to get out.”
“It’d be a shame. She’s a really good dancer.”
“Jared…have you been drinking?”
“Only hard liquor, I promise.”
“Classy, Jare.”
“Well, I’m a classy gal. So what are your plans for the rest of the day?”
“I think I’m gonna make myself a drink and weep in a corner.”
“Good plan. I’ll join you in spirit, cause I’m already there with the drinking.”
“Don’t you just fucking love Christmas?”
“Like a big, scratchy, bright-orange angora sweater.”
“Is that gay-speak for ‘no’?”
“Yes.”
“I thought so.”
“I want this to be over.”
“Me too.”
“I miss you, Jensen. I miss Vancouver.”
“I know, me too. I never thought I’d say this, but I miss the snow.”
“Oh God, I know, right? It’s so hot, I could just melt.”
“What do you say we go ice-skating when we get back?”
“Sounds queer to me. I’m in.”
“Good. It’s settled. Listen I gotta go - my dad…”
“Yeah, I hear. Well, have a terrible holiday, Jenny.”
“You too, Jare. See you when I get back.”
“See ya. Oh, and Jensen?”
“What?”
“Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, Jared.”
New Year's Eve
The networks’ New Year's party was at it's peek, just half an hour to midnight. The entire cast and crew of “I.C.U.” were there, as well as people from many other shows. Unfortunately, Tom couldn’t come and he remained incommunicado. Supposedly, he was home with the flu. However, Jared knew for a fact, the only reason Tom didn’t come to the party was cause he slept with one of the head executives to get a part on some airport traffic-control show or something, and didn’t get the part. So now he was sulking and being a total ass-monkey.
Suit yourself Tom, Jared thought, grabbing an hors-d'oeuvre from a passing waiter. He had no idea what it was, but it was pink and went rather well with his glass of Crystal champagne. Jared couldn’t complain - the network really went all-out this year: the crowd was huge, the food was delicious, there was a live band playing, and they even got Michael Bublé - Canada’s national treasure - to sing for the guests.
Giving the guy onstage a once-over, Jared had to admit he looked mighty sexy. National treasure indeed, he thought to himself with a lewd smirk.
Soon he noticed his friends from “Glamour Gals”. He went over to say hello to Lauren and Alexis, kissing each of them on the cheek, exchanging pleasantries. He saw Chad out of the corner of his eye, already sexing up some random crew-girl. Not wanting to interrupt his friends’ mojo, he waved, letting Chad know where he'd be if he needed a wingman.
Jensen stood in the corner, sipping his champagne, nodding to the occasional familiar face that passed him by. Once in a while, his gaze would slip over to a dark, secluded corner of the room, where Mike had disappeared with one of the catering staff guys. The fist-pump he gave just before ducking behind a fancy, decorative curtain, made Jensen giggle.
Mostly though, Jensen was focused on watching Jared - the way he moved gracefully through the crowd, a smile and kind word for everyone, from stuck up producers to socially awkward scriptwriters. Jensen couldn't help but grin as he saw Jared greet his friends from “Glamour Gals”. The girls immediately jumped all over him, hugging him, practically crushing his ribs. Jared's loud laughter soared above the soft sounds of "I've Got You Under My Skin". Jensen stood in his corner, smiling like an idiot, when he heard a quiet swish behind him. He turned and found himself face to face with Katherine Heigl. She wore a stunning dress of dark-green satin. The bodice of the dress was skin tight and obnoxiously sexy.
"Your young friend seems to be the life of the party," she smiled, toasting him with her champagne glass. She glanced at Jared across the room. Jensen smiled as well.
"Yeah... he's something, alright," he admitted and looked around for Kate's companion. "So, where's your date?"
Katherine scanned the room, finally pointing to the far side, where Jeffrey Dean Morgan, his and Jared’s ex-costar, was talking to the creator of “I.C.U.”. They both waved at them, then returned to their conversation.
"I didn't know you two were dating," Jensen feigned surprise. Actually, everyone knew about Kate and Jeff. It was kinda hard to miss.
The woman smiled not at all shyly. There was a playful sparkle in her eyes, although Jensen wasn't sure if it wasn't just the reflection of the dance floor lights. "It's been going on and off for a while now. He makes me laugh," she added, as if that explained everything. To Jensen, it made perfect sense. "What about you? Anyone interested in that gorgeous face of yours?"
Jensen was caught off guard by the question. He blushed slightly, still not used to being complimented about his looks, and pondered for a while. "I'm not with anyone right now, if that's what you mean," he informed her.
The sly, crooked smirk that appeared on her face didn’t escape his attention.
"Oh really?"
The doubt in her voice was audible even over the loud music. Jensen followed her gaze to were Jared was standing, arguing about something with Alexis. When he felt someone watching him, he turned around and waved to Katherine. She waved back, winking at him facetiously. But when Jared looked at Jensen, something in him changed - he suddenly seemed taller, handsomer, and - if it was possible - more happy then he was just a second before. Even Jensen noticed that.
He felt Kate's gaze go back and forth from him to Jared, finally coming to rest on Jensen.
"I think your friend might have a different opinion on the matter," she whispered into his ear, nodding farewell before joining Jeff on the dance floor.
The parquet slowly filled with dancing couples - Mark Pellegrino and his wife waving to Jensen as they glided past him in a rather splendid, waltz-like manner. The soft sounds of “The More I See You” swam through the air, making it hard to not tap your foot to the rhythm. Even Jim, sitting at one of the tables, seemed to be enjoying himself. But maybe that’s because he was surrounded by the entire female cast from “Chatter Chick”.
Jensen thought about what Kate said, unconsciously glancing at Jared every once in a while. Each time their eyes met, Jared smiled, all dimples and shiny eyes.
If someone were watching them at those brief moments where their eyes locked, they’d probably swear sparks flew across the room.
At five to midnight, Jared found Jensen talking to some guy at the bar. “The guy” was really handsome - you could see runway-model upbringing in the way he leaned carelessly against the wooden bar. He was one of the stars of a new, up-and-coming C.W. show about werewolves, or possibly vampires.
His dark hair and piercing blue eyes - focused entirely on Jensen - caused a twinge of jealousy to flare up in Jared.
He apologized for interrupting their conversation, but the guy - Tim or Ian or--something - said it's no problem, they were done.
Jensen was looking after him when he heard Jared's question.
"You wanna grab some air?"
"Yeah."
They walked out onto a balcony overlooking the city, veering through the crowd that awaited the fireworks.
At last, they found a spot that wasn't so packed with people. They leaned against the balustrade, watching the lights below.
"So... what did you talk to Katie about?" Jared asked, still a bit flushed from when Alexis dragged him to the dance floor. She forced him to show off his rather poor dancing skills. Jensen had laughed the whole time.
"Nothing special. Y'know, girl stuff: hair gel, make-up, corsets," he teased, looking over the rail at the streets below. He wanted to smirk at Jared, but something made him stop - there was a funny expression on his co-star’s face.
He wanted to say something - ask how Alexis was, if Jared had heard any interesting gossip, propose a spitting contest, joke about how Kate thought they were a couple... anything to break the first uncomfortable silence they experienced since they became friends.
Just then, all the clocks in the city chimed midnight, announcing the beginning of a New Year.
There was nothing else to do but...
"Happy New Year, Jensen."
"Happy New Year... Jared."
PREVIOUS
MASTER POST
NEXT