Waking Up Married chapter 4
In the McDowell Group offices on Monday morning, Jensen briefs his staff on the Morgan account and Jensen's best team is ready to set new sales records. As they leave Jensen's office to begin their assigned tasks, Danneel hangs back. She shuts the office door, takes a seat opposite Jensen and raises a perfect brow.
Jensen looks up from the file he's reading. “What?”
“I'm not leaving until you dish.”
Now it's Jensen's turn to raise a brow. “Dish?”
“Tell me all about your new man.” She's practically bouncing.
Jensen rolls his eyes, but he's beginning to smile. “Dani, we've got work to do.”
“Then don't waste time. How was the sex? Are there pictures?”
“Of the sex?!”
“Jensen,” she whines. “If I'm getting you out of this marriage, you should tell me something about the guy.” She leans back in her chair. “And I meant any pictures, but if you have one of the sex I'd definitely love to see it.”
Jensen glances at his phone. He regrettably doesn't have any photos of his husband and decides he's going to ask Jared to send one. Just in case. There should be a photo of them on his desk. “Jared's a teacher in a small town outside San Antonio. He's tall, like six four or something, and has the body of a Greek god.” He pauses. “But you've googled him. I'm sure you know more than me.”
She sighs and taps at her tablet. “I just sent you everything I found. Small town versus big city angle could work. You know, lots of tiny differences that don't mean much on their own, but when added up over time can kill a relationship.”
Jensen nods his agreement even though he really doesn't want what he has with Jared to be 'killed'.
As she stands to go, Danneel says, “Thanks for the weekend off. I'll get to work on organizing Morgan's staff's needs and get it to you before the end of the day.”
Jensen nods but his attention is on the file Danneel sent him and he chuckles. “This is the best picture you found?” Jensen is looking at Jared's ID picture from his job as a physical education teacher at George Bush Middle School.
Danneel grins. “There are a few from when he was the forensics champion in high school, but the ID is the most recent.”
Amused Jensen shakes his head. “It doesn't do him justice, believe me.”
Jared sleeps in. No reason to wake up early during the summer since he doesn't need to be at school. Peeking out the curtain at the bright sun, he knows it's going to be another hot day. He makes his way through his small house, turns on his computer and pours himself a cup of coffee.
Ignoring the past due notices and bills with his mail, he tosses the junk mail in the recycle bin. His calendar is on his desk, next to his computer and he smiles at the dates circled on it. He grabs a pen and writes 'Jensen' on the previous Friday and again on the Thursday of next week. There's a tiny happy glow in his chest knowing he's going to see Jensen again.
That feeling grows when he finds an email from Jensen waiting for him.
Jared,
Don't be angry but I had my assistant run a quick background on you, because McDowell will want a legitimate reason for our divorce. Jared deflates a bit as he reads this, even though he knows there has to be a divorce. A belated congratulations on winning the National Forensics championship. I'm not sure what that is, but you look adorable. Before you scour the internet for my embarrassing high school pics, I attached the two best ones. I did not have the same scholarly pursuits as you.
I'll send another email after I speak to my lawyer, but don't worry, I'm not expecting any problems with our annulment.
Jensen
Jared opens the attachment and laughs loudly into the quiet of his empty house. Jensen sent pictures of himself as a cheerleader and as 'most attractive'. He can see his seventeen year old self crushing on teenage Jensen.
Jensen is nearly done for the day when Jim Beaver walks into his office, closing the door behind him. He smirks at the young executive as he hands him a file. “Remind me not to party with you in Vegas.”
“Aw, come on, Jim, don't be like that. You wish you had been there to walk me down the aisle.”
Jim chuckles. “I'm sure you were a beautiful bride. Or groom or whatever,” he says with a wave of his hand. “How did this happen?”
“Well, I'm real pretty and my mom tells me I'm quite the catch.” Jensen grins but Jim is looking serious. “And, there was a lot of alcohol involved.”
Jim nods. “That's everything you need for the annulment. After your hubby signs it - notarize it, and you can put this all behind you.”
Jensen sighs. “Is there a divorce story for McDowell in there?” On the lawyer's confused look, he continues, “McDowell was coming on to Jared in the pro shop, so he told him we were married.”
Jim rubs his chin in thought. “That might change things.”
“How so?”
“Well, this does become public record. If you tell McDowell you got a divorce and he sees an annulment, you're going to have some explaining to do.”
Jensen groans in frustration. “Can you help me with a cheap and easy divorce?”
“Yeah. I'll get you the paper work tomorrow.” He takes the file back when he leaves.
Jensen rubs his temples hoping to fight the headache that's forming. Staying married would be easier.
After he's checked on the progress his team has made on the Morgan account, Jensen checks the staff in his call center. It's not his night to cover it, so a few of the staff look concerned to see him.
“Jensen?” Misha Collins approaches him. “What's up, man? You're not usually down here on your nights off.”
Jensen knows he's been putting off calling Jared, but instead he says, “I thought Danneel was down here.”
Misha doesn't know whether to bust him for the lie or to be concerned for Jensen. “It's Misha Monday. Just like it has been for the past year. Did you fry some brain cells in Vegas last weekend?”
Jensen shakes his head at himself. “Yeah, I must have. Sorry, I'll just...” He points over his shoulder to indicate he'll leave.
“Jensen, you're the boss. You can show up any time you want. Normally, we don't see you unless there's a problem.” Misha waits a tense beat, then asks, “Is there a problem?"
“No,” Jensen answers sounding as unsure as he feels. His reply causes Misha to become anxious. “Seriously, Misha, it's nothing. I need to make a phone call that I'm not looking forward to. You know how it is. I don't want to bring bad news.”
Misha nods in understanding. “Tell me about it. I had to tell one of Morgan's people we couldn't find the land they need for a factory they want to build.” He shrugs. “We've only had one day, but I guess you sold us as being miracle workers.”
Jensen fights the grin that's threatening to spread. Misha is saying what Jensen needs to hear. And they both know they are miracle workers. “Well, one work day. I'm sure if we gave it twenty-four hours you'd find what they need.”
Misha shrugs again. “Yeah, but they'd been looking for six months with no luck. I'd like it if they gave us more than six hours before they get disappointed.”
“I'll see what I can do. Send me the file,” Jensen says as he begins to walk away. He needs to call Jared and tell him the bad news.
Jared has just finished another day of his crummy part-time summer job. He wants nothing more than to cool off with a shower and a beer.
Just as he steps out of the shower, he hears his phone ringing. But, as he's in no rush to hear from yet another bill collector, he towels off, gets dressed, and grabs a beer.
He flips through the TV channels, deciding to watch Step-Brothers for the hundredth time, when he notices his phone is flashing a message.
As he listens to the voice mail, he smiles.
Jared, uh, hi, it's me Jensen. Can you call me back when you get this? I ran into a small problem. It's not really a problem, more like a bump in the road for our annulment. So call me when you can. Thanks.
It's kind of nice to have someone, other than family, call him for personal reasons.
“Hey Jensen.”
“Jared, hey, thanks for calling me back. My lawyer thinks there may be a slight hitch to our plan and he suggested we should file for a divorce instead of an annulment. Would you mind if we did that?”
Jared takes a moment to wonder why Jensen sounds nervous? “What happened? Why is the annulment off?”
Jensen blows out a breath. “With McDowell knowing we're married, my lawyer thinks an annulment will raise flags. I don't want McDowell thinking I'm some kind of irresponsible man whore who had a quickie Vegas wedding. So, unless it really bothers you, would you mind --”
“Shit, Jensen, this is all my fault. I screwed up your career and your life when we got married. I'm sorry --”
“Whoa, stop. You didn't screw up anything. And none of this is your fault.”
“Jensen,” Jared sighs, feeling that Jensen's mess is truly his responsibility.
“Okay, you're right. It is your fault. If you weren't so fucking gorgeous and the nicest guy I've ever met, I probably wouldn't have married you. But it is not your fault that my boss hit on you. Wait, yeah it is, goes back to you being fucking gorgeous. His lack of morals is all his own though.”
Jared huffs a laugh at Jensen's attempt to make him feel better. It's always nice to hear that someone thinks you're gorgeous. “We could blame my cousin for having a bachelor party in Vegas.”
“Done. I'd much rather blame the guy I don't know than accept responsibility.” Jensen feels much more at ease when he asks, “So a divorce is okay with you?”
“Sure, whatever makes your life easier.”
“It would be easier to just stay married. You want to stay married?” Jensen's joking. At least he's mostly joking.
Jared grins and he can't help himself when he replies, “As long as we're having sex, why not.”
“Umm...”
“Well, you said we could have an annulment because we didn't have sex and that a divorce meant we had sex. If I have to get divorced, I want to deserve it. If we're staying married, we're definitely having sex. So, as long as I'm getting laid, you should choose whatever makes your life easier not harder.”
“Parts of my life are beginning to get hard,” Jensen mumbles under his breath. He shifts in his chair taking a breath before he says, “I'll bring the paper work next week. You be the boy scout and get the necessary supplies.”
Jeff Padalecki has been patient, but it's been a week and Jared hasn't mentioned getting married. He was certain that after their weekly softball game and a few beers, Jared would confess. But, Jared said nothing.
Now, they're having dinner at their parent's house and Jeff doesn't think it's the right time or place to bring it up. Fortunately, he doesn't have to because his mom does.
“Jared, honey, Aunt Rae tells me you changed your rsvp to a plus one.” She smiles at him expectantly.
“Yeah, I did.” Jared forgot that he'd have to explain Jensen to his family.
“Who's the poor, unfortunate fool you roped into going with you?” his sister Megan asks, grinning at the embarrassment coloring Jared's face.
“His name is Jensen. He's from Dallas. And we're just friends,” Jared answers quickly hoping to close subject.
“Just friends?” Jeff asks without hiding his surprise. His question makes the entire family stare at him.
Jared doesn't understand why Jeff would think he and Jensen were anything other than friends. “Well, yeah. You know we only just met. We didn't have the chance to be more than friends.”
Jeff looks confused and like he doesn't believe what Jared is saying.
“Well, bringing him to this wedding is a sure way to end any chance with him,” Megan interjects. “I'm sure he'll love staying by Grandma's.”
Jared had forgotten that part of the festivities. “We'll be fine. Momma, these beans are better than your usual. Did you do something different?”
It wasn't a smooth subject change, but the topic of Jensen was ignored for the rest of dinner.
Jeff waited until they finished cleaning up after dinner, to corner Jared. They were on the back porch when Jeff said, “Jared, I saw the marriage certificate. I know you two are married. That means you're more than friends. You spent most of our time in Vegas with the guy.”
“Jeff, I... I mean, we aren't …..uh,” Jared babbled.
“Jare, it's okay. I'm not going to tell anyone. I just thought you should know I know, in case you needed anything.” Jeff puts a reassuring hand on his brother's shoulder.
“We're getting divorced.” Jeff inhales in surprise, so Jared continues. “It was a drunken mistake. Don't get me wrong, we like each other fine, but he lives in L.A.”
“That's too bad. He seemed like a cool guy.”
“He is. He's great. I wish we had a chance, but we don't, so why dwell on it. We're getting a divorce and moving on.”
“But he's still coming to the wedding?”
“Yeah. We've got to sign the papers and he's got a family thing the same weekend up near Dallas.” Jared shrugs and hopes that's the end of the conversation.
“So, you're going to get a little something out of it, right?”
“Dude!” Jared's eyes go wide in shock at his brother's suggestion.
Jeff rolls his eyes. “I mean money. The guy's rich. You'll get something in the divorce, right?”
Jared shakes his head. “No, man. That was all the company. That wasn't Jensen.”
“Jared, you should take advantage of the situation. You can't tell me you don't need the money. And if this guys wants out so bad, he'll be happy to pay for it.”
“Jeff, you're being an idiot.” Jared walks back into the house, needing to get away from his brother and his insulting ideas.
Jensen spins in the office chair again and wonders why he's needed in the call center. The staff is more than capable and he is never without his cell phone so he's always available. He swings his chair in the other direction and spies Alona watching him. He pretends not to notice and leans back. “It's nine o'clock on a Saturday and Jensen's bored out of his mind,” he sings in the tune of Billy Joel's Piano Man. “There's a smart young blonde sitting next to him and she's tired of hearing him whine.”
She tries not to look amused, but fails when he sings, “La la la de da da, la la de de da da dum,” while waving his hands like a conductor.
She drops a file on his desk. “Here. You're the boy wonder. Find Morgan some land for his factory.”
Jensen stills. “Yeah. I can do that. But I'm not the boy wonder, that's Robin. I'm way more Bruce Wayne.”
She rolls her eyes. “I don't care which character you want to be, just stop singing.”
Jensen gasps dramatically with a hand over his heart as if she's wounded him.
He spends some time with google maps, which leads him to Texas, which, he's not going to lie, is where his mind was anyway. He checks the time and texts Jared. I know you are out enjoying your Saturday night, but remember you're married now so don't have too much fun. Love, the hubby
He hopes Jared is somewhere where he can text back, because he needs some entertainment.
Jared doesn't disappoint: Now that I'm married, I'm trying to be respectable.
Jensen snorts. Respectable husbands don't lurk in hotel hallways waiting for men they just met.
Jared's text is instantaneous. I am saving myself for you.
Something about that reply strikes a chord in Jensen. He wants those words to be true and yet, he wants Jared out having fun. No, he wants to be having fun with Jared. But, that's stupid and he's not going to dwell on something that isn't going to happen.
Another text from Jared pulls him from his thoughts. Same goes for you, hubby. No body shots that lead to waking up with strangers this weekend.
Jensen barely has a memory of that. He can recall the feel of Jared's solid body under him, and the desire to lick him, but sadly not much else. I wish I had a better memory of that to keep me warm at night.
You should be here, Jared replies. It's eighty five. And if that's not hot enough, I'll keep you warm.
Jensen knows better than to start something he can't finish. Phone sex and sexting can not happen while he's at work. You're making me feel guilty. Stop texting and go have fun.
Jensen feels strangely jealous when Jared doesn't immediately text back, but that was what he said he wanted. He sets his phone down and walks a lap around the call center. He listens to an associate explain to a caller that they did not contract dengue fever while in Melbourne. And of course, any medical expenses would be reimbursed.
When Jensen returns to his desk, he has a text waiting. Happy Anniversary ;)
Jensen chuckles. He's tempted to call Jared, but it's Saturday night, he doesn't think the guy is sitting at home waiting for a call. I hope your celebration doesn't get as wild as the wedding night.
A couple of beers and an Indiana Jones marathon is as crazy as I'm getting tonight. Jared replies.
Jensen's had enough texting. He moves to a more private location and dials Jared.
Jared answers with a friendly, “Howdy, hubby.”
“What are you doing home on a Saturday night? You're young and gorgeous. You should be out flirting with other young and gorgeous guys.”
“But I'm married, now,” Jared teases.
Jensen isn't buying it. “I'm serious. Why don't you have a boyfriend? Are the guys in your town blind and stupid?”
Jared huffs a quiet laugh. “I live in a town of about thirty thousand and only a handful of gay guys and no gay bars less than forty minutes away. So, most of my weekends are spent home alone.”
Jensen groans. “What a waste.”
“You're one to talk. Why aren't you out tonight?”
“I'm working.”
“So no phone sex then.” Jared kind of sounds disappointed and Jensen smiles.
“Only if you want to wait until six in the morning when my shift is done.”
“I love a slow sweet screw in the morning,” Jared drawls, the words falling sure and easy from his mouth.
Jensen's rational brain is battling with his downstairs brain as visions of last weekend assault his memory. He closes his eyes. He will not succumb to temptation. Clearing his throat he says, “I'm flying in on Thursday and renting a car. Where's the reception so I can book a room?”
“You don't need a car, I can pick you up and we've already reserved a room for Saturday so don't worry about that.”
Jensen smiles at the assumption he's staying with Jared. He knows it shouldn't make him as happy as it does. He's being an idiot. Shaking his head to clear his mind of these ridiculous thoughts, he says, “Thanks, but I need a car. I've got to get to the airport early Sunday and --”
“Take the shuttle. Don't waste your money on a car. I'm picking you up. What time does your flight get in?”
“Jared --”
“Don't argue with me. We sound like folks who've been married a lot longer than a week,” Jared insists. “I want to get you from the airport. I want to drive you home. To my home,” he quickly amends. “So what time's your flight?”
“I get in around eight thirty Thursday night,” Jensen answers, smiling at nothing and everything at the same time.
“I'll see you then. I'll be the eager looking tall guy.”
Chapter 5