Days Behind - Chapter 07
Back on the tour bus, Misha was cooing into his phone. “No, I am sure I miss you more….no, you…no, you…you….you…I miss you…”
It took two steps for Christian to get to where the dark-haired man was sitting and rip the phone out of his hand. “Vic? Yeah, he loves you so much I swear he’s starting to grow a vagina.”
Misha gawked as the other man considered how to turn off the phone before giving up and throwing it out the moving bus window.
“Damn, man, grow a pair.” Christian stalked back to his seat and fell into it, bunching his hoodie into a ball and using it as a makeshift pillow.
“Christian!” Steve barked at the man who was currently ignoring everyone.
Christian snorted, not bothering to open his eyes. “Steve, how about you fuck off, okay? I’m tired now.”
“Oh no. Not getting away with that.” The crushed look Misha still had bothered him.
A hand touched Steve’s shoulder. “Steve, I think maybe we should just…”
Steve shrugged him off roughly. “Jensen, I think maybe you should just…”
“Really, it’s okay. I was thinking about getting a new phone anyway…” Misha’s face had morphed into the one he used when he was trying to calm himself and convince himself all was right with the world.
Steve and Jensen just glared at Misha.
He continued, his voice so steady, they almost believed him as he rattled off synonyms. “No, it’s fine. Okay. Cool. Copasetic.”
“See? He’s good.” Christian jerked a thumb in Misha’s direction, not bothering to open his eyes. “So, let’s all back down off the horse of a different color. And quit riding his ass like he has a saddle.”
Steve made to shake some sense into his friend, but stopped himself. It could wait until the grumpass had some shut eye. And besides, if he was sleeping, he wasn’t being a jerk.
“Misha, man, you okay really?” Steve slid into the chair across from him.
“Yeah, peachy,” Misha’s tone was light and as if nothing had happened. “Wanna get to work on that new song I was talking about?”
Steve nodded, letting his eyes meet Jensen’s where they watched from across the bus. “Sure, just let me grab my guitar.”
The bus was in complete darkness when Jensen heard someone sit beside him. He kept his eyes closed until the warm body decided to talk.
“Hey, Jen, man - you awake?” It was Steve.
Jensen figured it was important enough that he should open his eyes and rolled his head to face the other man before reaching up to flick on the overhead light. “Yeah, was catnapping. What’s up?”
“You hear from sports guy today?”
Jensen smiled. “Yeah, I did.”
“And?” Steve returned the smile.
“And what?”
“How is it going?”
“As well as any telephone relationship can go.”
Steve was silent a moment before taking a deep breath. “I don’t know what we’re going to do about Chris.”
“What do you mean? We’ll do what we always do.”
“Jen, that isn’t working any more.”
They both let out a long sigh thinking back to the incident just hours before.
It was Steve who broke the silence, his voice just barely louder than the hum of the bus engine. “He’s getting worse.”
“Steve, you know Chris. He gets like this when we hit too many dates in a row. We’ve got a two week break, he’ll be back to normal in a day or two.”
“I sure hope so. I worry about him.” Suddenly, what was outside the window became very interesting despite it being the dark of night.
“We all do. But he’s fine. You’ll see. We’ve got some new numbers coming up and one is all his. That’s all he needs. Really.”
Steve blinked back to the here and now. “I really wish I had your faith in him. Shitty of me to say, I know, but like you said, I’ve known him long enough to see something is just off.”
“Then ask him.”
“Yeah, I suppose I could, but he’s just gonna dodge me again.” He considered it all for a moment. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe he just needs a solid break and something that’s his own to put him back on top.”
“I know I’m right. Now, get outta here so I can get my beauty sleep.”
Steve stood, leaning to turn off the light as he went. “Just so you know, Ackles, there aren’t enough hours in the night to make you beautiful.”
“Fuck off, Carlson.” But he said it with a laugh.
“Goodnight, Sleepyhead.”
The band was all in costume when they heard the call through the speaker in the green room. “Sassafras to the mark.”
“Happy faces!” Misha reminded as they filed out the door to their marks.
The announcer's voice filled the studio. “Today in our studio, we have four colorful characters from the jungle - Sassafras Junction!”
There was a distinctly juvenile cheer as the four of them stepped forward with smiles and waves.
“We'll be talking to them right after this commercial break!” More cheers as Alona walked over to stand with the guys. “You guys ready for this?”
“We were born ready, Alona.”
Beth bounded over to where they were. “Guys - we’re on in five, four, three…” She backed away from them as Misha smoothed his costume.
“We’re here with Pericles Lion and the rest of Sassafras Junction. Hello there, Pericles, nice to see you.”
Steve smiled through his make-up. “Hello, Alona, it’s nice to be seen.”
“I see you brought your friends with you. Would you mind introducing them?’
“Not at all, Alona.” Steve stood behind Jensen. “This is Chip Monkey.” He moved to Misha. “And this is Joe Flamingo.” Finally, he got to Christian, who was holding a less-than-genuine smile on his face. “And this guy right here is Francis Zebra.”
There was a giant wave of applause that hit them from the fans in the audience and Jensen saw Christian flinch for a moment before regaining his smile.
“That’s wonderful. Can you hear all your fans?” Alona smiled over to the group.
“We sure can!” Jensen became the group’s spokesperson. “And I bet that they are going to be even more excited to hear that we brought a brand new song to play for them.”
Alona was almost drowned out by the children’s cheering. “A new song? What’s it called?”
Jensen smiled as the camera pulled into a tight shot on his face. “Manners, Manners. And we think you’re going to love it!”
Alona smiled amid the continued sound of squealing and clapping. “Well, judging from that sound, I think you just might be right. So, come on studio, let’s hear it for Sassafras Junction!”
The four of them sprinted over to the stage that had been preset for them and took their usual places. As the backup band began to play, Jensen smiled over to Steve and began the first verse of the new song.
“Don’t pick the flowers, don’t walk on the grass…No running on the walkway…Don’t give mom any sass…”
The others joined in and sang along, making faces at one another and smiling more than should be legal. As the last note was played, Misha did the little dance that the others frequently made fun of him for.
Alona smiled as she walked back over to Jensen. “What a treat. And when was it that your fans could find you?”
Jensen was used to Steve being the spokesperson for the band and faltered for a moment before giving his answer. “Thank you, we’ll be playing it again Saturday night at our show at the Palace.”
“I know I’ll be there.” Jensen wasn’t sure, but it was almost like she was flirting with him. He didn’t know whether to be flattered or scared.
Steve saved him by slinging an arm around Jensen’s shoulder and smiling toward the camera. “So will we.”
Alona laughed before there was a music sting and Beth announced loudly, “And we’re clear!”
“Thanks, man,” Jensen sighed even as Christian was stalking over, a scowl on his face.
“You looked like you needed the help.” Steve laughed before turning his attention to their other band mate. “What?”
Christian just shook his head, looking like he was going to answer before feeling a hand on his back.
“Excuse me, Mr. Zebra?”
The smile was back, even if it wasn’t real, and Jensen was glad that Christian was such a good actor. “Yes?”
“Could I get your autograph? My niece loves you!” Alona beamed, flipping her hair a little as she pulled a small notebook from her pocket.
The sparkle in Christian’s eyes this time was genuine. “Only if you give me your phone number.”
“Sounds fair.”
“I know a few good watering holes in the area…”
Jensen looked around and realized that Steve was putting away his guitar. “Check out the action.” He bent a little to nudge his friend. “Looks like having a few days off really agrees with Chr-Uh, Francis.”
“Speaking of a couple of days off - you talked to your tall drink of water lately?”
Jensen smiled before he could stop himself. “Yeah. We’re supposed to be getting together for dinner soon.”
“Congrats, man.”
“What are we congratulating him for?” Christian swaggered over, flicking a piece of paper between his fingers.
“He’s-got-a-date,” Steve sing-songed, a giant grin creeping across his face.
Misha cleared his throat loudly in warning. “Incoming fans - smiles and happiness,” he called out, his own smile spreading from ear to ear as the group approached.
“Collins really loves this part,” Christian whispered as he put his own smile on and turned to face the women Misha was already talking to.
“So does Chris,” Steve laughed to Jensen.
Looking up, Jensen’s smile faded and he pushed Steve in front of him. “Shitshitshitshit.”
“Worst mantra ever, dude,” Steve tried to turn to talk, but was held in place by Jensen. “What is wrong with-“ Steve stopped talking when Jensen pointed over his shoulder. “Crap.”
“Yeah, crap. He’s coming right for us. I gotta go.”
“Stay right where you are.”
Jensen looked over to where Christian and Misha were holding court. “What’s that, Francis?”
“Don’t you even think about-“
“Sure I have time to sign some autographs!” Jensen winked and spun on his heels, leaving Steve face-to-face with Jared.
“Okay, so, you’re probably not used to grown men asking this…”
Steve suddenly realized that Jared had no idea who he - or Jensen - really were beneath the makeup. “Nah, man, it’s cool.”
Jared grinned. “My girls are never going to believe Pericles the Lion called their dorky daddy ‘cool’!”
Steve chuckled, reaching in his inside pocket for the promotional pictures he kept there. “Tell you what - how about I put it in writing for you?”
“That might help.”
“Who am I making these out to?”
“Eleanor - don’t forget the last e - and Addison - two d’s - look, this really going to win me brownie points with them. The tickets were all sold out and I haven’t had the heart to tell them yet.”
“They were?”
Jared nodded, accepting the pictures being held out to him.
Steve paused in capping his Sharpie before casting a quick glance at Jensen. “Tell, you what, let me get you on the guest list - how many tickets do you need?”
“You’d do that?”
“Sure. Can’t let even two of our fans down.”
Steve was caught off guard as Jared surged forward and squeezed him in a bone-crushing hug. “Thank you!”
“…can’t breathe…” Steve gasped out.
“Oh, sorry,” Jared pulled himself off the other man. “Just, you know…”
“It’s okay. Now, three tickets? Under the name…”
“Pad-uh-leck-key.” Jared frowned before patting his pockets. “Here.”
Steve frowned down at the card he was holding.
“My card - I get tired of spelling it out.”
“Oh, okay - so - three tickets at Will Call under - “ Steve feigned looking at the card, “Jared Pada-pada-padd-leck-key?”
Jared nodded enthusiastically. “Really, thanks - you did me a huge favor.” Jared turned to leave.
“Hey,” Steve called him back. “Make that all-access passes - be ready for pictures.”
Even bracing himself, Steve still stumbled back as Jared swept him into another big hug, this time lifting the other man off his feet.
“Sorry, sorry…” Jared said as he put him down.
“No, no - it’s..it’s…fine…” Steve shook himself to feel grounded again.
“I can’t wait to tell them - they’ll be so excited!” Jared all but skipped away talking to himself and anyone who would listen as Steve went to join the other band members.
“What was that all about?” Steve asked.
“What was what?” Jensen asked.
“Come on, man,” Christian called him out. “You practically ran out of there.”
“I couldn’t let him know that was me!”
“Jesus, man - you didn’t tell him?” Steve stared at his friend incredulously.
“How could I? He has daughters!”
“So?”
“So, I…well…I just can’t, that’s why! Let’s change the subject.”
“Okay then,” Steve said in a terse tone. “How about we talk about the show tonight?”
“Good idea.” Jensen shot back. “We got the set list figured out?”
“Thought we’d start with the standard open - then the garbage truck song - maybe the new one - the one about the rules?”
“Or the one about telling the truth?”
“All right, I know that was a dig.”
“You can’t keep lying to him.”
“It’s not so much lying as it’s truth omission.”
“Right.” Misha nodded sagely. “So we should probably change the lyrics from ‘Never tell a lie’ to ‘it’s not okay to tell a lie, but omitting things is fine if you have a good reason’…”
“Misha, you know that’s not-“
“He’s right.”
“Thank you, Chris.”
“I mean, kids won’t understand the word ‘omitting’ - you’ll have to say ‘leaving out’…”
“Chris!”
“Just sayin’, man…”
“It’s not that easy.”
“Yeah, it is. I told Victoria-“
“Misha, the night you met Vicki, you practically proposed to her.”
“Doesn’t make it less valid.”
“But it does make it harder for you to understand my situation.”
“Fair enough. But I do know enough about it to know that lying - excuse me, omitting truth - is never a good idea. You need to tell him and you need to tell him soon. Otherwise, he’s going to feel betrayed when he finds out.”
“I hate to admit it, man, but Collins is right.”
“Thank you, Christian.”
“Don’t get used to hearing that, Collins.”
“Noted. But this time it’s true.”
“Misha’s right.”
“Et tu, Steve?”
Steve nodded.
Jensen sighed. “Fine. We’re going out tonight. I’ll tell him then.”
“I still get credit for the tickets and back stage passes.”
“The what?”
“Gotta go.”
“Wait - what did you say?”
“Late for…this…thing…Don’t forget to tell him.”
“Steve!” But Steve was already out the door. “Bastard.”
“You’re only saying that because you know he’s right.”
“You’re all bastards.”
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