Blood Ties - Chapter 3
Jensen stepped out of the car and paused, letting the late summer sun warm his face. The car door closed and a taller, broader shadow engulfed Jensen’s silhouette on the pavement in front of him as the smell of salt-tinged coconut drifted past him on the light ocean breeze. He looked over his shoulder and let his eyes move up, a smile spreading across his face.
Jared had filled out nicely over the last seven years. Surpassing Jensen’s height by the age of 16, he now towered over his oldest friend by a good four inches. Basketball and soccer in high school, coupled with the sports necessary weight training, added muscled layers to his lanky form. His broad shoulders tampered to a slim waist and ended in long, strong legs. Yes, Jared had turned into quite the specimen and that posed a problem for Jensen.
In the time directly following Heather and James’ deaths, Jensen thought his unrequited feelings towards his best friend had lessened and become ignorable. He was able to hold his friend, lift the sheet and let Jared curl up in his bed when he felt too little in an overwhelming world, and offer comfort without feeling the need, the want, he had before. The truth only needed time though.
Apparently, his libido had merely been suppressed during the grieving period - his whole being focused on support rather than seduction - but once Jared seemed to be coming to terms with his loss, it was unleashed. It returned with a vengeance, intensity stoked by the recent increase in physical contact. Jensen now not only wanted Jared for the person he was, but he also craved the feel of him in his arms, against his chest. The mere memory of those consoling touches made him long to know Jared in every way possible - inside and out, from the depths of his soul to the softness of his lips. He wanted to feel Jared’s hair tickling his neck, his cold toes between the warmth of his calves and every place in between. He pushed it into the back corners of his mind, never let it see the light of day, only allowing it out in the deepest dark of night. Jared’s age hadn’t changed, he was still too young. There was also the issue that Jared hadn’t shown any indication that he was into boys, something that didn’t change over the intervening years. So Jensen locked that part of himself down and contented his heart with being Jared’s best friend.
Haloed in the bright sunshine, Jared returned Jensen’s smile, dimples out in full force. Jensen paused for a moment, drinking in the sight. Just because he’d given up on ever being with Jared the way he wanted, it didn’t mean that Jensen couldn’t appreciate the view.
“Watch out!”
There was a high-pitched whistle and then Jensen’s breath left him in a gush as something pushed him to the ground. A second whistle made his ears ring
and a heavy weight fell on him, pinning him down.
The air reverberated with the sound of pops - sporadic, erratic - that ended with the screech of tires and smell of hot rubber. Jensen closed his eyes and counted to thirty once the noise stopped, just like Jared’d taught him.
Gotta’ make sure they really left, Jen. It could be a trap and I might not be there to protect you.
You’ll always be there to protect me, Jay.
When he reached thirty without any further gunfire, he levered up to heft the mass off his back. The weight groaned and shock caused his arms to falter, sending him back into the hard pavement. The weight groaned again and Jensen did a desperate wriggle to extricate himself from beneath it. He knew that groan.
“Jared!”
“Jensen. Jensen! Wait. Stop a minute.” Chris was there, all calm tone and sure movements, but Jensen was too far gone in his worry to hear him.
“Get me up!” He screamed, asphalt bloodying his fingertips as they scrambled over the rough surface seeking purchase. “Jared!” he yelled again, trying to turn his head far enough. He’d called for Jared twice now and his friend hadn’t answered. A cold dread filled his heart. Jared always answered when Jensen called.
“Jensen.” Chris crouched so he was more on Jensen’s level and placed a hand on the back of his neck. “Be still. We’ll get him off of you, but right now you’re hurting him.”
Chris had found the magic words, Jensen quitting his struggles at the thought of causing Jared pain. Jared’s weight was removed and Jensen shot to his knees, crawling towards where Jared had been laid out beside the car. Expensive material and skin was sacrificed without thought or care in Jensen’s need to get to his friend. Stephen and Aldis were hunched over Jared’s form, blocking Jensen from getting to his destination. He pulled and tugged at their arms, breath speeding up at the sight of the reddened hands that gently tried to push him back.
He was lifted from the ground and strong arms encircled his chest. “Jensen, stop. Let them look so we can move. We need to get off the street and get him to Harvey.”
Jensen could already hear the sirens, in the distance but approaching fast. If they were ten blocks to the south or five to the west, nobody would have given the gunshots a passing thought, but they weren’t. They were here, behind a building that fronted to Main Street and was leased by lawyers, financial planners and accountants. People who turned to the police in circumstances like these instead of the safer option of turning a blind eye.
He sagged against the older man’s chest in defeat. Chris was right. Jared moaned when Stephen and Aldis picked him, oh-so-carefully, up and situated him in the back of the limousine.
Jensen fought to get free, but Chris him fast. “He’s making noise, Jensen. If he’s making noise, he’s breathing.”
That logic only pacified Jensen long enough for the two men to get Jared settled. Jensen scrambled into the car, pushing and shoving until he could get to his friend. He stopped cold, chest seizing as he forgot for a moment how to breathe. Jared was unconscious, long form taking up the entirety of the back seat. They’d situated him on his side and Stephen held his hands over openly bleeding wounds on his chest and back while Aldis tore Jared’s ruined coat jacket into strips.
“Matt! Let’s move!” Chris roared, pushing Jensen further into the limo so he could climb in. “Jensen, sit down.”
“Hurry up, Aldis,” Stephen growled, pressing harder on Jared.
Jared whined at the added pressure and that plaintive sound spurred Jensen into action. He crawled around Stephen, who was trying to staunch the blood loss with the scraps of jacket that Aldis handed him, and maneuvered Jared’s head into his lap. “Doing good, Jay. Just hang on. We’ll get you to Harvey and he’ll fix you good as new,” Jensen cooed, fingers raking through Jared’s hair and feathering it away from his face.
He tried to focus on Jared’s face and not the rapidly soaking makeshift bandages, but the pasty complexion was nearly as distressing as the crimson saturating the cloths. Jared’s normally sun-kissed skin was winter pale, dark smudges underlining his eyes. Biting his lip, Jensen looked up at Stephen and the man’s grim, serious expression confirmed his fears. His eyes sought out Chris, watching his face as he peered around Aldis to assess the situation.
“Matt! Step on it,” Chris bellowed and the car lurched forward, rocking Jensen into the seat back.
Stephen haphazardly secured the bandages and sat back on his haunches. “That’s as good as it’s gonna get until Harvey can sort him out.” He wiped his hands on his slacks and slid into the rear-facing seat across from them. “If it’s any consolation,” he glanced at Jensen, “the bleeding’s stopped.”
“Thank God, for small favors,” Aldis breathed, snaking his arm under Jared’s middle to secure the seatbelt around the man’s waist so he wouldn’t be thrown to the floor due to Matt’s impressive high-speed navigation of the downtown traffic. He moved into the seat beside Stephen allowing Chris to take his place on the floor in front of Jensen and Jared.
“God had nothing to do with this.” Jensen’s voice was low and menacing, his face hard and set. He continued running his fingers through Jared’s hair. “I want to know who was behind this, Chris.” He looked up at the stocky bodyguard. “This will not stand.”
“It won’t, Jensen,” Chris assured, taking Jared’s wrist to check his pulse. Jaw ticking, he gently laid the arm back down. Looking out the window, he squinted at the passing buildings and murmured, “Still ten minutes out.”
“Ch-s?”
Everyone’s attention snapped to clouded hazel eyes. Jared seemed to be having trouble focusing, pupils contracting and expanding in an effort to make Chris’ image clearer.
“Hey, Jare,” Chris brought his face closer to make it easier for Jared to see him. He shook his head in mock seriousness. “Laying down on the job, man. You know, just cuz you’ve got an in with the boss, doesn’t mean you can slack.”
“Jen?” Jared’s eyes roved over his darkening field of vision and when he could find Jensen, he tried to sit up. “Gotta save Jen.” He whimpered, but continued trying to push himself up.
Chris’ hands went to Jared’s arms and Jensen’s went to his chest, both men carefully urging him back down. “Easy, Jare. You did save Jensen. He’s safe.” He cupped Jared’s chin and tilted his head back so he could see a clearly scared shitless Jensen. “See? He’s right here. Tell him, Jensen,” he coaxed, knowing that Jared wouldn’t stop until he knew for sure that Jensen was okay.
“I’m fine, Jay.” Jensen scratched his fingers along Jared’s scalp, desperately trying to keep his voice calm and reassuring. “You…you saved me. I’m fine because of you.” He swallowed. He’d promised to protect Jared, but he was the one putting him in danger.
“J’n,” Jared slurred, slumping back into the warmth of his friend, the corner of his mouth quirking up in a smile. He darted his eyes back over to Chris, strength starting to wane. “Gotta keep ‘im safe.”
“Yeah, Jare. I’ll keep baby boss here out of trouble til you’re up to it again.”
“Pr’mise,” Jared whispered. “ ‘mport’nt.” The car went over the speed bump at the entrance to Harvey’s subdivision and Jared let out a pained moan.
“Promise, Jared. Just relax. We’ll be at the doc’s here in a second.”
Jared nodded slightly, a jerky up and down motion, before his eyes slid closed.
“Jared?” Jensen’s eyes were trained on Jared’s chest, heart stopping when it staggered up, fell and didn’t rise again. “Jared? Jared!” Jared chest made a shaky movement on a noisy inhale and Jensen felt faint with relief.
The car skidded to a halt in the driveway of a quaint two-story Cape Cod house, front walk planters filled to bursting with annuals, their vibrant colors striking against the red brick exterior. Aldis was out of the car before Matt had brought it to a proper stop and Stephen was tenderly taking hold of Jared’s upper body.
Jensen’s lap felt cold, the absence of Jared’s body heat, the proof of his vitality, leaving him bereft. Refusing to let that sense of loss take hold, he quickly followed the others into the house.
Jensen had spent the past five years being groomed to one day take over the Family and during that time his father had imparted on him a few fundamental rules. One, always be the smartest guy in the room. Research every business dealing, know the attendees of every meeting and keep an ace up your sleeve, just in case. Two, when dealing with people, always know their greatest weakness. A man will die for what is most important to him and sometimes people need additional persuasion to do what you asked. Three, always have a doctor and a lawyer at your disposal. You keep them happy enough to keep them from asking questions and frightened enough to keep them from turning you in. Jensen wasn’t sure if Dr. Milton Harvey was happy, but he was certain the man was frightened. He was efficient, clearly a top in his profession, but it was easy to see that his clients and their…accessories made him nervous.
“Put him in the back room.” Dr. Harvey waved his hand toward an open door at the end of the hall, stepping aside to let Stephen and Aldis pass. He turned weary brown eyes, edged in worry lines, to Chris. “Matt said on the phone that he’d been shot.”
“Yeah.” Chris ran a hand through his hair. “Once in the back, upper left side by his shoulder blade, and once in the chest just below his right collarbone.”
Harvey scratched his chin, fingers rasping through his short-cropped sandy beard. “I’ll take a look and…”
“Doc!” Aldis burst out of the back room, eyes wild with panic. “He’s quit breathing!”
Without another word, the doctor spun on his heel and sprinted down the hallway. Jensen was barely a step behind him when Chris stopped him was a staying hand. “You’ll only be in the way.”
“But…” Jensen was practically vibrating, his eyes fixed on the white six-panel door that kept him out. There was a cacophony of sounds rolling through his mind - hurried voices and frantic shuffling from the back room serving as a background to the loop of he’s quit breathing.
“Jensen, listen to me.” Chris shook him. “Stephen and Aldis are trained in emergency medicine and Harvey is the best. The Boss doesn’t employ anything less.” Grasping Jensen by the shoulders, he steered him over to the couch. “Here, sit.” He gently pushed Jensen down on the plaid cushion, making sure the door was still visible. “I need to make a few calls, check in and let everyone know what happened.” Giving the pale man an once-over, he crouched down. “Are you going to be okay for a few minutes?”
Jensen nodded or he thought he did, but whatever response he gave must have been enough. Chris stood up and moved out of his peripheral sight. Jensen’s fingernails dug into the meat of his thighs, the pain a welcome penance. He should be in there not Jared. Jared had received scholarships, some to prestigious universities, and, as much as it would have pained Jensen to be separated, he begged Jared to accept one of them. He wanted Jared to get out, get away and make something of himself, but Jared never even considered the thick folders. He’d only sent in the applications to appease Jensen. No, Jared already knew what he was going to do, had since the beginning of his senior year when Andrew made him a job offer. Jared was too loyal, loyal to Jensen and the family that had taken him in after his parents’ death, to turn it down. And where had that loyalty gotten him?
Chris sat down beside him, pocketing his cell phone. “Your father would like you to call him.”
Jensen nodded, but didn’t move. “Any idea who was behind it?”
“Not sure,” Chris slumped back into the plush couch. “There haven’t been any recent threats and nobody is taking immediate credit.”
“Who knew where I was going to be?” Jensen rubbed his hands up and down his thighs, wicking the anxious sweat from his palms.
“Us, your dad, Vincent.” Chris ticked off the names on his fingers. “Something’s not adding up though.”
“What’s not?” Jensen pulled his eyes from the door to look at his bodyguard and friend.
“Jen, I saw the shooter. I noticed him when I got out of the car, but he was just some guy waiting at the bus stop across the street.” Chris licked his lips, eyes drifting to the framed print over the bookcase. “He had plenty of time to take a shot at you when you first got out of the car, but he didn’t.”
“You think he waited on purpose? What for?” Jensen quickly flicked his eyes back to the door.
“He wasn’t even aiming at you until Jared jumped in front of you.” Chris trailed his eyes over the depiction of a flock of geese flying low over a reed lined inlet, giving Jensen a moment to process what he’d said.
“You think…” he trailed off. “Why would…”
“I honestly don’t know,” Chris answered the unfinished question. “I thought I recognized the guy driving the car. I’m pretty sure it was Winston Holmes. I’ve got Richard checking into his whereabouts.”
Rule number four, always have the boys in blue on your side. You never knew when you’ll need information or a blind eye.
Jensen nodded. “Keep me apprised.” He folded his hands in his lap. “Before my dad,” he added.
They sat in silence, the shadows lengthening and then disappearing as the sun traveled across the sky and set. The antique mantle clock had just chimed seven o’clock when the door at the end of the hall opened and Dr. Harvey stepped out, wiping his hands on a white hand towel. Jensen was on his feet, meeting the man halfway down the hall.
“Is he okay?”
Dr. Harvey sighed and tossed the towel across his shoulder. “He’s stable. It was touch and go there for a while, but he’s one lucky fellow. The bullets missed every vital organ and artery. With that being said, he still lost quite a bit of blood. I’ve got him on a fluid bolus and I’ve already called your dad’s contact at the blood bank. It should be here soon. I should know something more concrete after the transfusion.”
Jensen sagged against the wall. Next to him, Chris released some of his pent-up anxiety on a long exhale.
“He woke up briefly and asked for you.” Dr. Harvey took off his glasses and cleaned the right lens with the tail of his shirt.
At that, Jensen jerked away from his support. “Can I see him?”
Slipping his glasses back on, the doctor considered Jensen for a moment. “Yeah, go ahead. I’ll have one of your well-muscled companions bring in a more comfortable chair.”
Dr. Harvey and Chris stood in the hall and watched Jensen’s retreating back. The physician cleared his throat. “Jared seemed extremely distraught he woke up and Jensen wasn’t there.”
“I’m sure he was.” Chris glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. Harvey was fishing, but Chris wasn’t sure what he wanted to catch.
“Think they’ll figure it out?”
Jensen had left the door open and through it they could see him sitting on the edge of Jared’s bed, taking the unconscious man’s hand in his own. Chris watched Harvey’s reaction and relaxed when a fond smile spread across his weary face.
“They’re smart boys. I think they’ll manage.”
*****
Jensen shifted in the chair that Dr. Harvey had Stephen and Aldis bring in from the living room. Outside the window, birds were chirping at the breaking of a new morning and squirrels were jumping from tree branch to tree branch. He rubbed his thumb over the back of Jared’s hand, happy to see that the last of the transfusion had brought some of the color back to his skin.
“Is he sick?”
Jensen twisted in his chair, grimacing at the twinge it caused in his back, to see a blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl standing just inside the door. “Y-yeah. He is,” Jensen answered quietly, looking up to see if their voices had woken Jared.
She padded to the end of the bed, dragging a stuffed bunny behind her by its ears. “Did daddy make him better?”
“Sure did.” Jensen smiled, curling his fingers around Jared’s wrist and mentally thanking the good doctor again for the strong pulse he could feel thrumming there. “Who’ve you got there?” he asked, jerking his chin in the direction of the tag-a-long rabbit.
“Cottontail.” She pulled the plush animal into her arms and hugged it around the neck.
“My favorite story growing up had a Cottontail in it. His mother used to read it to us when we were little.” Jensen could still remember the day Heather told her she was pregnant with Jared.
“Peter?”
Jensen shook himself out of the memory. “That’s right.”
There was a blur of pigtails as the little girl ran from the room. Before Jensen could wonder what he’d done to cause her to flee, she was back with a familiar looking hardcover book. She handed it to him and, without showing the slightest bit of hesitation, climbed in his lap, tucking her stuffed rabbit between them so it had a good view of the pictures. “Daddy reads it to me when I’m sick to make me feel better. You should read it to him.” She settled against Jensen’s chest, eyes tired and body slouching like the trip to her room had worn her out.
Jensen opened the cover and ran his fingers over the title page. “I think he’d like that.” He turned the page and began, “Once upon a time there were four little rabbits…”
****
Jensen closed the book and looked down at the little girl in his lap. She’d fallen asleep before Peter returned home and had slept on through the end of the story. He adjusted her small weight, catching Cottontail the Stuffed Bunny before he could fall to the floor. He rocked her gently and watched Jared’s lax face.
“Anna? Oh, God. I’m so sorry, Mr. Ackles.”
Jensen craned his head and found Dr. Harvey looking shocked. “Shhhh. She’s asleep. It’s okay. She found her way in here earlier and brought a book for us to read to Jared.” He motioned to the closed book on his thigh.
“It’s her ‘feel better’ book.” His expression was sad, a soul deep worry lining his face. “Here let me get her.” He crossed to Jensen and lifted her with practiced ease.
“She’s the reason you agreed to work for my dad, isn’t she?” Jensen reached up and tucked the rabbit against Anna’s chest.
Harvey looked down at her, a father’s pride and a parent’s pain in his eyes. “She’s my reason for everything.”
“What’s wrong with her?” Jensen wanted to take the question back, but it was too late. He’d felt the heat of her low-grade fever against his skin, the shake of her young muscles and the exhaustion of an over-taxed body.
The doctor hesitated, searching Jensen like he had in the hallway. “She has leukemia,” he whispered finally, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Your father pays me enough that I can devote my time to her. I never thought I would be working for…in the private sector, but I’d do anything for her.”
Jensen nodded; he understood that level of love. He took Jared’s hand and traced the blue roadmap of veins. “What did you want to do?”
“Help people.” Harvey shrugged. “Maybe a free clinic where people who couldn’t really afford to pay could come and get care. Anyway, I’m where I’m supposed to be. I guess I should get her to bed.” He moved toward the door. “Mrs. Biggs, my housekeeper, will bring you in some breakfast in a bit. Try to eat some of it. You won’t do Jared any good if you’re run down.”
“Hey, doc?”
Dr. Harvey stopped at the threshold. “Hmmm?”
“Maybe you’ll still get that clinic someday.”
“Maybe.” He nodded his good-bye to Jensen and carried Anna from the room.
“Sweet kid,” Jensen mumbled, thumb smoothing a path over the back of Jared’s hand. “You’d love her, Jay. She reminds me a little of you at that age.” He stared at Jared, waiting for any sign that his friend was about to wake. Harvey had given Jared the transfusion hours ago and the prognosis was good, but Jensen refused to believe Jared was okay until the man woke up and told him himself. Jensen’s face was a battlefield of emotions, face contorting as he tried to keep a rein on the sorrow threatening to pull him under. Vision blurry, he gave Jared a pleading look. “You gotta wake up, Jay. You can’t leave me like this. I don’t know how to live a life without you in it,” he gripped Jared’s hand, “and I don’t want to.”
He shifted forward to sit on the edge of the bed, needing to be closer. The book, momentarily forgotten, slipped from his leg and he caught it before it hit the floor. Jensen placed it on the bedside table, resting his hand over the caricature of the rabbit. “You know, I think I loved you from the moment I knew you existed. I can’t remember a time I didn’t love you some way or another.”
He cupped Jared’s hand in his and leaned over to rest his cheek against them. Jared’s fingers were still cool to the touch and he closed his eyes at the feel of them against his skin. “I just wish I’d told you how I felt.” He pressed Jared’s knuckles against his lips.
“Confessing to the unconscious guy is a little cliché, don’t you think?”
The voice was nothing more than a strained, breathy croak, but Jensen would know it anywhere. His head snapped up and he nearly cried at the sight of Jared smiling weakly at him, glassy-eyed but awake. That was until what he said registered. “Asshole!” Jensen cursed, dropping the hand between his. “I thought you were dying.”
Jared groaned when his falling arm jostled his body. “No, just feels like I am.” He shifted, trying to get maneuver his pillow and gritting his teeth against the pain that flared with the movement.
“Jesus, sit still!” Jensen quickly adjusted the pillow and helped Jared find a comfortable position. He moved back slightly so he could face Jared, their noses only a few inches apart. “And don’t say things like that,” he whispered, the thought of anything louder seeming too much in the intimate space between them. “I was scared, Jay. I thought I’d really lost you. There was so much blood and you were so pale…”
Jared lifted his hand, grimacing at the pinch of the IV catheter at his wrist, and halting Jensen’s rambling with a touch of fingers on lips. “Can’t get rid of me that easy.”
Jensen kissed the pads of Jared’s fingers and lowered his hand, unconsciously pressing the palm to his chest. He nodded, not necessarily agreeing but knowing a response was expected, and swallowed hard.
“Jensen.” Jared waited until he raised his head. “We’re not teddy bear doctors. Our lives are dangerous and you knew as well as I did that there was a possibility I might get hurt one day. I’m sorry it scared you and I wish I could tell you that it won’t happen again, but we both know that I’d be lying. I’m not going to stand by and let someone hurt you.”
“Jay,” Jensen exhaled, licking his lips and preparing his counterargument.
“There is one thing you don’t know though,” Jared continued on, heading him off. He curled his fingers in the fabric under his hand and tugged Jensen forward. Luckily shock was working for him and Jensen lurched forward at the weak pull. Their lips were so close that Jensen could feel Jared’s warm breath drying the spit on his, the delicate flesh tingling with the need to close those scant millimeters. “I love you, too.” Jared tilted his chin up bringing their mouths together.
It was everything that Jensen always wanted and nothing like he’d imagined. Jared’s mouth was soft and warm, but his taste was more intoxicating, more addicting. One hit and Jensen was a junkie in the making. He felt the slick glide of Jared’s tongue asking Jensen’s to come play and Jensen happily answered, tangling his with Jared’s and giving chase when Jared’s retreated. His hands bracketed Jared’s strong jaw, the ends of Jared’s silky hair tickling the tips of his fingers. They reluctantly separated for air and Jensen pressed his forehead to Jared. “God, Jared. You never…Not even once…How long have you…” Jensen’s mind was whirling with the recent developments, making it difficult to construct a complete thought.
“Always. Forever,” Jared answered, nuzzling their noses together.
Jensen pulled back slightly, frowning at the odd sound to Jared’s voice. It was then that he saw the way Jared’s face was tight with pain, the tears leaking from the corner of his eyes. “Jared! Why didn’t you tell me I was hurting you?” He tried to sit up, but Jared’s hand still wrapped in the front of his shirt kept him from getting far.
“It was worth it.” Jared started to lean up for another kiss, but froze when he heard a sappy sigh.
Both men turned to see a woman standing in the doorway holding a tray of food and unapologetically watching them. She was short in stature, a little too gray for middle-aged, but with an air of youthfulness that kept her from being labeled a senior citizen. Warm brown eyes were looking at them like they were the cutest thing she’d seen in a while. The “awwww” on her face couldn’t have been plainer if it were scrawled across her forehead in flashing neon.
“Carry on,” she smiled encouragingly. “Don’t mind me. I just came to bring in some breakfast, pretend I’m not here. I’ll be in and out in two shakes.” She hurried to the dresser and set the tray down then just as fast left the room.
Jensen groaned. “Was that the woman we see in the grocery store?”
“Yep.”
They weren’t in there often - only when the cook asked them to pick something up - but every time they were, this woman - Mrs. Biggs - was always there and she was always… “The one that talks about everyone and everything to the cashiers?”
“Yep.”
“We’re screwed.” Jensen shook his head, knowing that tomorrow he and Jared would be the hot topic in the Express Lane. Twenty items or less and all the gossip you can handle.
“Yep.”
“Is that all you’re going to say?” Jensen raised an eyebrow. “By tomorrow half the town will know about us.”
Jared shrugged. “Probably more like three-quarters, but yeah.” His gaze turned shrewd. “Does it bother you that people will know?”
“Not in the least,” Jensen answered without hesitation. It was true. Jensen didn’t care who knew he was gay and he certain didn’t give a damn if people knew he was in love with Jared. It was none of their business who he was with and if they didn’t like it they could go straight to Hell.
“Good.” Jared yanked on his shirt again, their lips meeting in another heated kiss.
Jared had filled out nicely over the last seven years. Surpassing Jensen’s height by the age of 16, he now towered over his oldest friend by a good four inches. Basketball and soccer in high school, coupled with the sports necessary weight training, added muscled layers to his lanky form. His broad shoulders tampered to a slim waist and ended in long, strong legs. Yes, Jared had turned into quite the specimen and that posed a problem for Jensen.
In the time directly following Heather and James’ deaths, Jensen thought his unrequited feelings towards his best friend had lessened and become ignorable. He was able to hold his friend, lift the sheet and let Jared curl up in his bed when he felt too little in an overwhelming world, and offer comfort without feeling the need, the want, he had before. The truth only needed time though.
Apparently, his libido had merely been suppressed during the grieving period - his whole being focused on support rather than seduction - but once Jared seemed to be coming to terms with his loss, it was unleashed. It returned with a vengeance, intensity stoked by the recent increase in physical contact. Jensen now not only wanted Jared for the person he was, but he also craved the feel of him in his arms, against his chest. The mere memory of those consoling touches made him long to know Jared in every way possible - inside and out, from the depths of his soul to the softness of his lips. He wanted to feel Jared’s hair tickling his neck, his cold toes between the warmth of his calves and every place in between. He pushed it into the back corners of his mind, never let it see the light of day, only allowing it out in the deepest dark of night. Jared’s age hadn’t changed, he was still too young. There was also the issue that Jared hadn’t shown any indication that he was into boys, something that didn’t change over the intervening years. So Jensen locked that part of himself down and contented his heart with being Jared’s best friend.
Haloed in the bright sunshine, Jared returned Jensen’s smile, dimples out in full force. Jensen paused for a moment, drinking in the sight. Just because he’d given up on ever being with Jared the way he wanted, it didn’t mean that Jensen couldn’t appreciate the view.
“Watch out!”
There was a high-pitched whistle and then Jensen’s breath left him in a gush as something pushed him to the ground. A second whistle made his ears ring
and a heavy weight fell on him, pinning him down.
The air reverberated with the sound of pops - sporadic, erratic - that ended with the screech of tires and smell of hot rubber. Jensen closed his eyes and counted to thirty once the noise stopped, just like Jared’d taught him.
Gotta’ make sure they really left, Jen. It could be a trap and I might not be there to protect you.
You’ll always be there to protect me, Jay.
When he reached thirty without any further gunfire, he levered up to heft the mass off his back. The weight groaned and shock caused his arms to falter, sending him back into the hard pavement. The weight groaned again and Jensen did a desperate wriggle to extricate himself from beneath it. He knew that groan.
“Jared!”
“Jensen. Jensen! Wait. Stop a minute.” Chris was there, all calm tone and sure movements, but Jensen was too far gone in his worry to hear him.
“Get me up!” He screamed, asphalt bloodying his fingertips as they scrambled over the rough surface seeking purchase. “Jared!” he yelled again, trying to turn his head far enough. He’d called for Jared twice now and his friend hadn’t answered. A cold dread filled his heart. Jared always answered when Jensen called.
“Jensen.” Chris crouched so he was more on Jensen’s level and placed a hand on the back of his neck. “Be still. We’ll get him off of you, but right now you’re hurting him.”
Chris had found the magic words, Jensen quitting his struggles at the thought of causing Jared pain. Jared’s weight was removed and Jensen shot to his knees, crawling towards where Jared had been laid out beside the car. Expensive material and skin was sacrificed without thought or care in Jensen’s need to get to his friend. Stephen and Aldis were hunched over Jared’s form, blocking Jensen from getting to his destination. He pulled and tugged at their arms, breath speeding up at the sight of the reddened hands that gently tried to push him back.
He was lifted from the ground and strong arms encircled his chest. “Jensen, stop. Let them look so we can move. We need to get off the street and get him to Harvey.”
Jensen could already hear the sirens, in the distance but approaching fast. If they were ten blocks to the south or five to the west, nobody would have given the gunshots a passing thought, but they weren’t. They were here, behind a building that fronted to Main Street and was leased by lawyers, financial planners and accountants. People who turned to the police in circumstances like these instead of the safer option of turning a blind eye.
He sagged against the older man’s chest in defeat. Chris was right. Jared moaned when Stephen and Aldis picked him, oh-so-carefully, up and situated him in the back of the limousine.
Jensen fought to get free, but Chris him fast. “He’s making noise, Jensen. If he’s making noise, he’s breathing.”
That logic only pacified Jensen long enough for the two men to get Jared settled. Jensen scrambled into the car, pushing and shoving until he could get to his friend. He stopped cold, chest seizing as he forgot for a moment how to breathe. Jared was unconscious, long form taking up the entirety of the back seat. They’d situated him on his side and Stephen held his hands over openly bleeding wounds on his chest and back while Aldis tore Jared’s ruined coat jacket into strips.
“Matt! Let’s move!” Chris roared, pushing Jensen further into the limo so he could climb in. “Jensen, sit down.”
“Hurry up, Aldis,” Stephen growled, pressing harder on Jared.
Jared whined at the added pressure and that plaintive sound spurred Jensen into action. He crawled around Stephen, who was trying to staunch the blood loss with the scraps of jacket that Aldis handed him, and maneuvered Jared’s head into his lap. “Doing good, Jay. Just hang on. We’ll get you to Harvey and he’ll fix you good as new,” Jensen cooed, fingers raking through Jared’s hair and feathering it away from his face.
He tried to focus on Jared’s face and not the rapidly soaking makeshift bandages, but the pasty complexion was nearly as distressing as the crimson saturating the cloths. Jared’s normally sun-kissed skin was winter pale, dark smudges underlining his eyes. Biting his lip, Jensen looked up at Stephen and the man’s grim, serious expression confirmed his fears. His eyes sought out Chris, watching his face as he peered around Aldis to assess the situation.
“Matt! Step on it,” Chris bellowed and the car lurched forward, rocking Jensen into the seat back.
Stephen haphazardly secured the bandages and sat back on his haunches. “That’s as good as it’s gonna get until Harvey can sort him out.” He wiped his hands on his slacks and slid into the rear-facing seat across from them. “If it’s any consolation,” he glanced at Jensen, “the bleeding’s stopped.”
“Thank God, for small favors,” Aldis breathed, snaking his arm under Jared’s middle to secure the seatbelt around the man’s waist so he wouldn’t be thrown to the floor due to Matt’s impressive high-speed navigation of the downtown traffic. He moved into the seat beside Stephen allowing Chris to take his place on the floor in front of Jensen and Jared.
“God had nothing to do with this.” Jensen’s voice was low and menacing, his face hard and set. He continued running his fingers through Jared’s hair. “I want to know who was behind this, Chris.” He looked up at the stocky bodyguard. “This will not stand.”
“It won’t, Jensen,” Chris assured, taking Jared’s wrist to check his pulse. Jaw ticking, he gently laid the arm back down. Looking out the window, he squinted at the passing buildings and murmured, “Still ten minutes out.”
“Ch-s?”
Everyone’s attention snapped to clouded hazel eyes. Jared seemed to be having trouble focusing, pupils contracting and expanding in an effort to make Chris’ image clearer.
“Hey, Jare,” Chris brought his face closer to make it easier for Jared to see him. He shook his head in mock seriousness. “Laying down on the job, man. You know, just cuz you’ve got an in with the boss, doesn’t mean you can slack.”
“Jen?” Jared’s eyes roved over his darkening field of vision and when he could find Jensen, he tried to sit up. “Gotta save Jen.” He whimpered, but continued trying to push himself up.
Chris’ hands went to Jared’s arms and Jensen’s went to his chest, both men carefully urging him back down. “Easy, Jare. You did save Jensen. He’s safe.” He cupped Jared’s chin and tilted his head back so he could see a clearly scared shitless Jensen. “See? He’s right here. Tell him, Jensen,” he coaxed, knowing that Jared wouldn’t stop until he knew for sure that Jensen was okay.
“I’m fine, Jay.” Jensen scratched his fingers along Jared’s scalp, desperately trying to keep his voice calm and reassuring. “You…you saved me. I’m fine because of you.” He swallowed. He’d promised to protect Jared, but he was the one putting him in danger.
“J’n,” Jared slurred, slumping back into the warmth of his friend, the corner of his mouth quirking up in a smile. He darted his eyes back over to Chris, strength starting to wane. “Gotta keep ‘im safe.”
“Yeah, Jare. I’ll keep baby boss here out of trouble til you’re up to it again.”
“Pr’mise,” Jared whispered. “ ‘mport’nt.” The car went over the speed bump at the entrance to Harvey’s subdivision and Jared let out a pained moan.
“Promise, Jared. Just relax. We’ll be at the doc’s here in a second.”
Jared nodded slightly, a jerky up and down motion, before his eyes slid closed.
“Jared?” Jensen’s eyes were trained on Jared’s chest, heart stopping when it staggered up, fell and didn’t rise again. “Jared? Jared!” Jared chest made a shaky movement on a noisy inhale and Jensen felt faint with relief.
The car skidded to a halt in the driveway of a quaint two-story Cape Cod house, front walk planters filled to bursting with annuals, their vibrant colors striking against the red brick exterior. Aldis was out of the car before Matt had brought it to a proper stop and Stephen was tenderly taking hold of Jared’s upper body.
Jensen’s lap felt cold, the absence of Jared’s body heat, the proof of his vitality, leaving him bereft. Refusing to let that sense of loss take hold, he quickly followed the others into the house.
Jensen had spent the past five years being groomed to one day take over the Family and during that time his father had imparted on him a few fundamental rules. One, always be the smartest guy in the room. Research every business dealing, know the attendees of every meeting and keep an ace up your sleeve, just in case. Two, when dealing with people, always know their greatest weakness. A man will die for what is most important to him and sometimes people need additional persuasion to do what you asked. Three, always have a doctor and a lawyer at your disposal. You keep them happy enough to keep them from asking questions and frightened enough to keep them from turning you in. Jensen wasn’t sure if Dr. Milton Harvey was happy, but he was certain the man was frightened. He was efficient, clearly a top in his profession, but it was easy to see that his clients and their…accessories made him nervous.
“Put him in the back room.” Dr. Harvey waved his hand toward an open door at the end of the hall, stepping aside to let Stephen and Aldis pass. He turned weary brown eyes, edged in worry lines, to Chris. “Matt said on the phone that he’d been shot.”
“Yeah.” Chris ran a hand through his hair. “Once in the back, upper left side by his shoulder blade, and once in the chest just below his right collarbone.”
Harvey scratched his chin, fingers rasping through his short-cropped sandy beard. “I’ll take a look and…”
“Doc!” Aldis burst out of the back room, eyes wild with panic. “He’s quit breathing!”
Without another word, the doctor spun on his heel and sprinted down the hallway. Jensen was barely a step behind him when Chris stopped him was a staying hand. “You’ll only be in the way.”
“But…” Jensen was practically vibrating, his eyes fixed on the white six-panel door that kept him out. There was a cacophony of sounds rolling through his mind - hurried voices and frantic shuffling from the back room serving as a background to the loop of he’s quit breathing.
“Jensen, listen to me.” Chris shook him. “Stephen and Aldis are trained in emergency medicine and Harvey is the best. The Boss doesn’t employ anything less.” Grasping Jensen by the shoulders, he steered him over to the couch. “Here, sit.” He gently pushed Jensen down on the plaid cushion, making sure the door was still visible. “I need to make a few calls, check in and let everyone know what happened.” Giving the pale man an once-over, he crouched down. “Are you going to be okay for a few minutes?”
Jensen nodded or he thought he did, but whatever response he gave must have been enough. Chris stood up and moved out of his peripheral sight. Jensen’s fingernails dug into the meat of his thighs, the pain a welcome penance. He should be in there not Jared. Jared had received scholarships, some to prestigious universities, and, as much as it would have pained Jensen to be separated, he begged Jared to accept one of them. He wanted Jared to get out, get away and make something of himself, but Jared never even considered the thick folders. He’d only sent in the applications to appease Jensen. No, Jared already knew what he was going to do, had since the beginning of his senior year when Andrew made him a job offer. Jared was too loyal, loyal to Jensen and the family that had taken him in after his parents’ death, to turn it down. And where had that loyalty gotten him?
Chris sat down beside him, pocketing his cell phone. “Your father would like you to call him.”
Jensen nodded, but didn’t move. “Any idea who was behind it?”
“Not sure,” Chris slumped back into the plush couch. “There haven’t been any recent threats and nobody is taking immediate credit.”
“Who knew where I was going to be?” Jensen rubbed his hands up and down his thighs, wicking the anxious sweat from his palms.
“Us, your dad, Vincent.” Chris ticked off the names on his fingers. “Something’s not adding up though.”
“What’s not?” Jensen pulled his eyes from the door to look at his bodyguard and friend.
“Jen, I saw the shooter. I noticed him when I got out of the car, but he was just some guy waiting at the bus stop across the street.” Chris licked his lips, eyes drifting to the framed print over the bookcase. “He had plenty of time to take a shot at you when you first got out of the car, but he didn’t.”
“You think he waited on purpose? What for?” Jensen quickly flicked his eyes back to the door.
“He wasn’t even aiming at you until Jared jumped in front of you.” Chris trailed his eyes over the depiction of a flock of geese flying low over a reed lined inlet, giving Jensen a moment to process what he’d said.
“You think…” he trailed off. “Why would…”
“I honestly don’t know,” Chris answered the unfinished question. “I thought I recognized the guy driving the car. I’m pretty sure it was Winston Holmes. I’ve got Richard checking into his whereabouts.”
Rule number four, always have the boys in blue on your side. You never knew when you’ll need information or a blind eye.
Jensen nodded. “Keep me apprised.” He folded his hands in his lap. “Before my dad,” he added.
They sat in silence, the shadows lengthening and then disappearing as the sun traveled across the sky and set. The antique mantle clock had just chimed seven o’clock when the door at the end of the hall opened and Dr. Harvey stepped out, wiping his hands on a white hand towel. Jensen was on his feet, meeting the man halfway down the hall.
“Is he okay?”
Dr. Harvey sighed and tossed the towel across his shoulder. “He’s stable. It was touch and go there for a while, but he’s one lucky fellow. The bullets missed every vital organ and artery. With that being said, he still lost quite a bit of blood. I’ve got him on a fluid bolus and I’ve already called your dad’s contact at the blood bank. It should be here soon. I should know something more concrete after the transfusion.”
Jensen sagged against the wall. Next to him, Chris released some of his pent-up anxiety on a long exhale.
“He woke up briefly and asked for you.” Dr. Harvey took off his glasses and cleaned the right lens with the tail of his shirt.
At that, Jensen jerked away from his support. “Can I see him?”
Slipping his glasses back on, the doctor considered Jensen for a moment. “Yeah, go ahead. I’ll have one of your well-muscled companions bring in a more comfortable chair.”
Dr. Harvey and Chris stood in the hall and watched Jensen’s retreating back. The physician cleared his throat. “Jared seemed extremely distraught he woke up and Jensen wasn’t there.”
“I’m sure he was.” Chris glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. Harvey was fishing, but Chris wasn’t sure what he wanted to catch.
“Think they’ll figure it out?”
Jensen had left the door open and through it they could see him sitting on the edge of Jared’s bed, taking the unconscious man’s hand in his own. Chris watched Harvey’s reaction and relaxed when a fond smile spread across his weary face.
“They’re smart boys. I think they’ll manage.”
*****
Jensen shifted in the chair that Dr. Harvey had Stephen and Aldis bring in from the living room. Outside the window, birds were chirping at the breaking of a new morning and squirrels were jumping from tree branch to tree branch. He rubbed his thumb over the back of Jared’s hand, happy to see that the last of the transfusion had brought some of the color back to his skin.
“Is he sick?”
Jensen twisted in his chair, grimacing at the twinge it caused in his back, to see a blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl standing just inside the door. “Y-yeah. He is,” Jensen answered quietly, looking up to see if their voices had woken Jared.
She padded to the end of the bed, dragging a stuffed bunny behind her by its ears. “Did daddy make him better?”
“Sure did.” Jensen smiled, curling his fingers around Jared’s wrist and mentally thanking the good doctor again for the strong pulse he could feel thrumming there. “Who’ve you got there?” he asked, jerking his chin in the direction of the tag-a-long rabbit.
“Cottontail.” She pulled the plush animal into her arms and hugged it around the neck.
“My favorite story growing up had a Cottontail in it. His mother used to read it to us when we were little.” Jensen could still remember the day Heather told her she was pregnant with Jared.
“Peter?”
Jensen shook himself out of the memory. “That’s right.”
There was a blur of pigtails as the little girl ran from the room. Before Jensen could wonder what he’d done to cause her to flee, she was back with a familiar looking hardcover book. She handed it to him and, without showing the slightest bit of hesitation, climbed in his lap, tucking her stuffed rabbit between them so it had a good view of the pictures. “Daddy reads it to me when I’m sick to make me feel better. You should read it to him.” She settled against Jensen’s chest, eyes tired and body slouching like the trip to her room had worn her out.
Jensen opened the cover and ran his fingers over the title page. “I think he’d like that.” He turned the page and began, “Once upon a time there were four little rabbits…”
****
Jensen closed the book and looked down at the little girl in his lap. She’d fallen asleep before Peter returned home and had slept on through the end of the story. He adjusted her small weight, catching Cottontail the Stuffed Bunny before he could fall to the floor. He rocked her gently and watched Jared’s lax face.
“Anna? Oh, God. I’m so sorry, Mr. Ackles.”
Jensen craned his head and found Dr. Harvey looking shocked. “Shhhh. She’s asleep. It’s okay. She found her way in here earlier and brought a book for us to read to Jared.” He motioned to the closed book on his thigh.
“It’s her ‘feel better’ book.” His expression was sad, a soul deep worry lining his face. “Here let me get her.” He crossed to Jensen and lifted her with practiced ease.
“She’s the reason you agreed to work for my dad, isn’t she?” Jensen reached up and tucked the rabbit against Anna’s chest.
Harvey looked down at her, a father’s pride and a parent’s pain in his eyes. “She’s my reason for everything.”
“What’s wrong with her?” Jensen wanted to take the question back, but it was too late. He’d felt the heat of her low-grade fever against his skin, the shake of her young muscles and the exhaustion of an over-taxed body.
The doctor hesitated, searching Jensen like he had in the hallway. “She has leukemia,” he whispered finally, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Your father pays me enough that I can devote my time to her. I never thought I would be working for…in the private sector, but I’d do anything for her.”
Jensen nodded; he understood that level of love. He took Jared’s hand and traced the blue roadmap of veins. “What did you want to do?”
“Help people.” Harvey shrugged. “Maybe a free clinic where people who couldn’t really afford to pay could come and get care. Anyway, I’m where I’m supposed to be. I guess I should get her to bed.” He moved toward the door. “Mrs. Biggs, my housekeeper, will bring you in some breakfast in a bit. Try to eat some of it. You won’t do Jared any good if you’re run down.”
“Hey, doc?”
Dr. Harvey stopped at the threshold. “Hmmm?”
“Maybe you’ll still get that clinic someday.”
“Maybe.” He nodded his good-bye to Jensen and carried Anna from the room.
“Sweet kid,” Jensen mumbled, thumb smoothing a path over the back of Jared’s hand. “You’d love her, Jay. She reminds me a little of you at that age.” He stared at Jared, waiting for any sign that his friend was about to wake. Harvey had given Jared the transfusion hours ago and the prognosis was good, but Jensen refused to believe Jared was okay until the man woke up and told him himself. Jensen’s face was a battlefield of emotions, face contorting as he tried to keep a rein on the sorrow threatening to pull him under. Vision blurry, he gave Jared a pleading look. “You gotta wake up, Jay. You can’t leave me like this. I don’t know how to live a life without you in it,” he gripped Jared’s hand, “and I don’t want to.”
He shifted forward to sit on the edge of the bed, needing to be closer. The book, momentarily forgotten, slipped from his leg and he caught it before it hit the floor. Jensen placed it on the bedside table, resting his hand over the caricature of the rabbit. “You know, I think I loved you from the moment I knew you existed. I can’t remember a time I didn’t love you some way or another.”
He cupped Jared’s hand in his and leaned over to rest his cheek against them. Jared’s fingers were still cool to the touch and he closed his eyes at the feel of them against his skin. “I just wish I’d told you how I felt.” He pressed Jared’s knuckles against his lips.
“Confessing to the unconscious guy is a little cliché, don’t you think?”
The voice was nothing more than a strained, breathy croak, but Jensen would know it anywhere. His head snapped up and he nearly cried at the sight of Jared smiling weakly at him, glassy-eyed but awake. That was until what he said registered. “Asshole!” Jensen cursed, dropping the hand between his. “I thought you were dying.”
Jared groaned when his falling arm jostled his body. “No, just feels like I am.” He shifted, trying to get maneuver his pillow and gritting his teeth against the pain that flared with the movement.
“Jesus, sit still!” Jensen quickly adjusted the pillow and helped Jared find a comfortable position. He moved back slightly so he could face Jared, their noses only a few inches apart. “And don’t say things like that,” he whispered, the thought of anything louder seeming too much in the intimate space between them. “I was scared, Jay. I thought I’d really lost you. There was so much blood and you were so pale…”
Jared lifted his hand, grimacing at the pinch of the IV catheter at his wrist, and halting Jensen’s rambling with a touch of fingers on lips. “Can’t get rid of me that easy.”
Jensen kissed the pads of Jared’s fingers and lowered his hand, unconsciously pressing the palm to his chest. He nodded, not necessarily agreeing but knowing a response was expected, and swallowed hard.
“Jensen.” Jared waited until he raised his head. “We’re not teddy bear doctors. Our lives are dangerous and you knew as well as I did that there was a possibility I might get hurt one day. I’m sorry it scared you and I wish I could tell you that it won’t happen again, but we both know that I’d be lying. I’m not going to stand by and let someone hurt you.”
“Jay,” Jensen exhaled, licking his lips and preparing his counterargument.
“There is one thing you don’t know though,” Jared continued on, heading him off. He curled his fingers in the fabric under his hand and tugged Jensen forward. Luckily shock was working for him and Jensen lurched forward at the weak pull. Their lips were so close that Jensen could feel Jared’s warm breath drying the spit on his, the delicate flesh tingling with the need to close those scant millimeters. “I love you, too.” Jared tilted his chin up bringing their mouths together.
It was everything that Jensen always wanted and nothing like he’d imagined. Jared’s mouth was soft and warm, but his taste was more intoxicating, more addicting. One hit and Jensen was a junkie in the making. He felt the slick glide of Jared’s tongue asking Jensen’s to come play and Jensen happily answered, tangling his with Jared’s and giving chase when Jared’s retreated. His hands bracketed Jared’s strong jaw, the ends of Jared’s silky hair tickling the tips of his fingers. They reluctantly separated for air and Jensen pressed his forehead to Jared. “God, Jared. You never…Not even once…How long have you…” Jensen’s mind was whirling with the recent developments, making it difficult to construct a complete thought.
“Always. Forever,” Jared answered, nuzzling their noses together.
Jensen pulled back slightly, frowning at the odd sound to Jared’s voice. It was then that he saw the way Jared’s face was tight with pain, the tears leaking from the corner of his eyes. “Jared! Why didn’t you tell me I was hurting you?” He tried to sit up, but Jared’s hand still wrapped in the front of his shirt kept him from getting far.
“It was worth it.” Jared started to lean up for another kiss, but froze when he heard a sappy sigh.
Both men turned to see a woman standing in the doorway holding a tray of food and unapologetically watching them. She was short in stature, a little too gray for middle-aged, but with an air of youthfulness that kept her from being labeled a senior citizen. Warm brown eyes were looking at them like they were the cutest thing she’d seen in a while. The “awwww” on her face couldn’t have been plainer if it were scrawled across her forehead in flashing neon.
“Carry on,” she smiled encouragingly. “Don’t mind me. I just came to bring in some breakfast, pretend I’m not here. I’ll be in and out in two shakes.” She hurried to the dresser and set the tray down then just as fast left the room.
Jensen groaned. “Was that the woman we see in the grocery store?”
“Yep.”
They weren’t in there often - only when the cook asked them to pick something up - but every time they were, this woman - Mrs. Biggs - was always there and she was always… “The one that talks about everyone and everything to the cashiers?”
“Yep.”
“We’re screwed.” Jensen shook his head, knowing that tomorrow he and Jared would be the hot topic in the Express Lane. Twenty items or less and all the gossip you can handle.
“Yep.”
“Is that all you’re going to say?” Jensen raised an eyebrow. “By tomorrow half the town will know about us.”
Jared shrugged. “Probably more like three-quarters, but yeah.” His gaze turned shrewd. “Does it bother you that people will know?”
“Not in the least,” Jensen answered without hesitation. It was true. Jensen didn’t care who knew he was gay and he certain didn’t give a damn if people knew he was in love with Jared. It was none of their business who he was with and if they didn’t like it they could go straight to Hell.
“Good.” Jared yanked on his shirt again, their lips meeting in another heated kiss.