Waking Up Married chapter 2
“Yeah, I know, but so are you.” Jensen gestures to a small pile of items on the cabinet behind them. “To me.”
The shock and his hangover make the room spin and Jensen is instantly next to him guiding back to a chair. “I take it you don't remember that part of our evening, either.”
Jared buries his head in his hands. “Dude, I don't even remember your name.”
Jensen sighs and frowns. “I'm Jensen. And according to this paper you and I have been married for about eight hours.” He hands Jared the document, the photos, and a ring. “I was wearing both of them. Did yours not fit or something?”
“Mm-hm,” Jared replies. “Says here I took the wrong size ring.” He hazards a look at Jensen. “I seem to remember wanting yours.”
“Right.” Jensen nods, a fond smile blooming on his face. “You had to have one 'just like mine'.”
Jared rubs his face again. “Jensen, dude, I'm sorry, but I can't, I mean I just really can't be...” If he can't even bring himself to say the word, he certainly isn't ready for actual marriage.
“Yeah, it's okay.” Jensen slouches back into his chair. “That phone call was with my lawyer. If you have no arguments, we can get this annulled within the week.”
“Annulled?”
“Yeah.” Jensen takes a second to think, knowing he has to play this the right way. He doesn't want to offend Jared; he likes him. Even drunk, he wouldn't have married Jared if he didn't like him. Under other circumstances, he'd want a chance at dating the guy.
Clearing his throat he says, “Yeah, see, uh, nothing happened last night. I mean physically, between us to consummate the marriage so we don't need to get a divorce. Unfortunately, with it being the weekend, my lawyer can't draft the annulment papers until Monday. And then, I've got to find a way of getting them to you. Where're y'all from now?”
Jared can't help the affection he shows when he hears the drawl. It's what drew him in last night as well. That drawl. That drawl and those lips. Jared's staring at those luscious lips and other visions from the night before become clear. A smile begins to form. He remembers complaining to Jensen about his cousin and how a troll like him could get married yet Jared couldn't find a decent enough guy to take to dinner. He remembers Jensen saying something cheesy in response, something like how he wouldn't blame guys for wanting to be indecent with him. It had made Jared roll his eyes and laugh.
“Texas. San Antonio, actually. And you?”
Jensen nods as he remembers this conversation from the night before. “Right. I remember. I'm originally from outside Dallas, but I work in L.A. now.”
Jared chuckles. “I never had a long distance relationship before. Why did we think a long distance marriage was going to work?”
The change in Jared's demeanor puts Jensen at ease and he shrugs. “My guess? We were influenced by the large amount of alcohol we drank.” Jared nods in agreement. “And my company does have an office in Dallas so, I, most likely, convinced myself I could make it work.”
There's a memory of a feeling sweeping through Jared. That lighthearted fresh in love aura a person gets when a relationship is new and full of possibility. It was the reaction he had last night when Jensen had agreed to go with him to his cousin's wedding.
Jared takes his first forkful of lukewarm eggs and says, “I hate to put all of this off on you, but when's the next time you were planning a visit to San An? 'Cause I know I've got no trips to L.A. any time soon.”
“I have a work trip planned for the eighteenth, down in Texas. If you don't mind being married for two weeks, I'll bring the papers to you,” Jensen offers, hoping Jared doesn't demand a faster conclusion.
Before Jared can answer, Jensen's phone rings. Peeking at it, he pales. “Crap. It's my mom. Excuse me a minute, okay?” Then, terror crosses his face. “I didn't send her any pictures last night did I?”
Jared shrugs, but grabs his phone to check if he had taken any pictures.
Jensen rubs a hand over his face and answers. “Hey Mom, how are you?”
“Hey, sweetie, I was just talking to Josh and Liz, and we were wondering when you'll be coming back to town.”
“Actually, I'll be there in two weeks. Why? What's up?” He recognized his mother's 'planning' voice and hoped whatever was happening wouldn't interfere with the annulment.
“Oh that's perfect!” his mother cheered on the other end, then repeated his answer to someone near her. “Liz and Josh are planning the baby's christening and wanted you to be there.”
“Mom, I wouldn't miss my nephew's christening. They can plan it whenever they want. I'll be there. Family first, you know that.” Jensen almost misses Jared's fond smile at his answer.
“Of course, dear, but we had been discussing the weekend of the twentieth and --” she paused and Jensen could hear his brother's voice in the background. “Josh has a friend he'd --”
“No, Mom. No set ups at family events. You know how uncomfortable that would be?” Jared sniggers, and Jensen looks over at him and scowls. “Besides, I'm seeing someone so, yeah, no set ups.” Jensen smirks at Jared's wide eyed shock.
“Oh! Well you should bring him!”
“No, Mom. It's way too new for that. Can't have him meet the crazy family this early. He'll run for the hills.”
“What's his name and where'd you meet him and what's he like? What's he do?”
Jensen's flummoxed by his mom's barrage of questions. “Mom, stop with the twenty questions, I'll give you one answer. His name's Jared. Tell Josh and Liz I'll be there and my love to all of you, but I've got to go.” He disconnects before she can say another word.
He closes his eyes and rubs a hand over his face. “I'm sorry. I don't make it a habit to lie to my mom, but I couldn't let them try to set me up for a christening. Can you imagine how awkward that would be?”
Jared shrugs and pours syrup over his waffles. “More awkward than going to a complete stranger's wedding?”
“Absolutely. A wedding is a big, loud party. People always bring dates to weddings. Baptisms, though are usually date free.”
Jared nods in thought for a moment then asks, “Do you still want to be my date for my cousin's wedding?”
Jensen blinks in surprise. “You still want me to?”
Jared smiles to himself. “I do remember asking and I do remember you saying 'yes'. The wedding is the twentieth. They'll get married and we'll get annulled. We'll make a weekend out of it.” His smile grows as he watches Jensen think it over.
“Are they having a band or a deejay?” Jensen's eyes are squinted in serious deliberation.
Jared sits back and hums. “Oh, gettin' serious now? Is this a deal breaker?”
“It might be, dear husband, it might be.”
Jared struggles to keep the smile off his face. “Well, my family doesn't half-ass weddings. They're having a band.”
“Cool, I love a good wedding band,” Jensen replies before shoveling a forkful of waffle into his mouth. “How'd you end up with the Vegas wedding if your family doesn't 'half-ass weddings'?”
“Obviously that came from your side of the family,” Jared deadpans.
Jensen laughs. “'My side', huh? My family would kill me if I got married and they weren't there.”
“Better keep me away from that baptism, then. I'd hate to cause your death with the family. ”
The Emperor's theme from Star Wars suddenly blares from Jensen's phone, interrupting their joking. Jared laughs at the ring tone, but Jensen curses. “Shit, sorry, I've got to,” he nods at his phone. “Hello, Mr. McDowell. What can I do for you?”
“What time is Morgan meeting us?”
“Two o'clock, sir. His flight gets in at one.”
“Damn. We need a new fourth. Richard's flight is delayed and he won't be getting in until five or some bullshit.”
Jensen looks up at Jared who is munching on some bacon. “Just a minute, sir.” He mutes his phone and gives Jared a pleading look. “Do you golf?”
“Not well, but I'm alright.”
“Do you have a few hours free this afternoon?”
It's his cousin's bachelor party weekend, but Jensen looks so desperate that Jared says yes. And whatever trouble that will cause with his cousin is worth it to see the smile that breaks out on Jensen's face.
“Don't worry about that, sir. I've got someone.”
A few hours later, Jared finds himself standing in the Shadow Creek pro shop wearing clothes Jensen had just purchased for him while he waits for a set of clubs. Finding golf clubs for a man of his height wasn't easy, but of course, Jensen had managed to locate a set and was collecting them from the pro as Jared waited.
From behind him, he hears a distinctive English accent. “Please tell me you're the new pro they've hired.”
Jared turns to the voice to find a handsome, silver haired gentleman who is giving him an appreciative leer.
“No. Sorry, I'm only a guest.”
“That's too bad,” the man replies as his eyes travel over Jared's torso, making Jared feel as if he's up for auction. “I'm sure lessons with you would be quite enjoyable.”
“Uh, thank you?” Jared's discomfort at the man's advances eases when he sees Jensen right outside the door. “I should probably go join my husband.” He nods in Jensen's direction and makes to walk over when the man grabs his arm and stops him.
“Ackles is your husband?”
Jared's brain screams Shit! But it's too late to take it back as the man is walking towards Jensen.
“Ackles!” the man shouts and Jensen's head snaps in his direction as he takes in Jared and the other man.
Jared wishes he had telepathy so he could explain, but Jensen gives him a soft smile before addressing the other man. “Mr. McDowell.”
“Ackles, why didn't you tell me you were married?” Jensen's eyes flick to Jared's and he sees Jared's panicked apologetic shrug.
“I tend to keep my personal life personal, sir.”
“But we could have used this for the Warren account!”
Jensen takes a breath and steps closer to his boss. The set to his shoulders and tightness of his expression make Jared think he's ready to punch the man. “Sir, I would never trivialize the fight for marriage equality by using Jared to further my career.”
McDowell takes a step back. “No, of course not. I didn't mean to suggest you would. I only... I, I was surprised. That's all.” He turns to include Jared in their discussion. “So, proper introduction?”
“Of course,” Jensen smiles politely. “Mr. McDowell, this is my husband Jared. Jared, my boss, Mr. Malcolm McDowell.”
“It's a pleasure to meet you, Jared. I look forward to more opportunities to get to know you better.” McDowell thrusts a hand at Jared.
“It's nice to meet you, too. Mr. McDowell,” Jared replies, shaking the man's hand. “Jensen's told me a lot about you.”
McDowell laughs. “I'm sure he has. Most of it's lies, Jared. I don't actually breathe fire.” He turns to Jensen. “I'll meet Morgan. You get us set with carts and what not.”
Jensen nods and they watch the man leave the shop. The second he is out the door, Jensen turns to Jared. “What the hell, man?”
Concerned at how he's managed to mess up Jensen's life, Jared says, “I don't know. He was hitting on me and,” he shudders, “well, I saw you and I said the first thing that came to my mind. I'm sorry?”
Jensen shakes his head and sighs. “Don't worry, I get it. It's just... fuck. Now my boss thinks I'm married, you know? And I've got to think of why we're no longer married when you know, we're not anymore.”
“I could die in a fiery plane crash?” Jared suggests hoping to get Jensen to smile.
“Don't tempt me,” Jensen grumbles, then shakes it off. “Sorry.” He gives Jared an understanding smile. “It's not your problem. I'll think of something.” He ducks his head before looking up at Jared. “Sorry my skeevy boss hit on you.”
“Please. I outed you to your boss and told him we're married. Getting hit on isn't nearly as bad.”
They're on the ninth hole and Jensen hits one of the most impressive tee shots Jared has ever seen - and looking quite perfect doing so. The business talk has been minimal up to that point, but as the group watches Jensen's drive, Jeff Morgan says, “Impressing me here isn't going to impress me in the board room.”
Jensen smirks. “That wasn't about impressing you, Jeff. That was about impressing my husband.” He grins playfully over at Jared before turning his attention back to Jeff. “My sales numbers are more than enough to impress a company twice the size of yours.” Nonchalantly, he strips the gloves from his hands and adds, “But you'll see that it's my personal attention to every account that makes our firm impressive.”
He turns his back on Jeff Morgan and walks over to Jared.
McDowell claps a hand on Morgan's shoulder. “There's a bottle of Macallen in it for you if you can best his drive.”
Jared's stunned by the subject change, but if Jeff Morgan is, he doesn't show it. Instead, he grins. “Right. Don't give me that offer when he duffed on the seventh.”
“Play to your strengths, I always say,” McDowell replies.
Jeff laughs. “All right, Jensen, you beat my score and you win my account.”
Jensen looks at him in doubt. “I already have you by three strokes.”
“Then it shouldn't be too difficult,” Morgan replies as he makes his approach.
Jensen suddenly grabs Jared's hand, squeezes, and whispers, “Holy fuck.”
“What?” Jared asks, barely a whisper.
“We just made six million dollars,” Jensen whispers and leans his head briefly on Jared's chest.
Jared squeezes his hand in return and his mind spins. Who exactly did he marry? Six million dollars!?
Chapter 3