The next Texan face 15/?
Title: The next Texan face 15/?
Pairing: need I even say?
Rating: NC-17 (in later chapters)
Disclaimer: all that follows is fictional
Summary: Jared is a contestant on a game show. Jensen is the host.
Banner: by the awesome amtamburo
special thanks go to mylifewithin *HUGS*
Warnings: This fic is incomplete because freakn_out never finished it.
“Good morning everyone. Now, I know you all want to go out and enjoy the festivities, but in case some of you have forgotten, this is a game show….”;
The cameras are trained on us, all twelve of us. Jensen’s standing before us, his eyes hidden behind stylish sunglasses. I’m the only one sitting, and doesn’t that just make me feel shitty? Can the winning team of the last challenge please come forward?”
Silently, Tom and Sophie follow Chris and Will towards Jensen.
“Their prize, is immunity from being voted out today, and for completing as a team, they will each be awarded a Toyota Highlander Hybrid, courtesy of Toyota.”
Their faces break out into grins, and I can’t help smiling slightly as they practically tumble over one another for hugs.
“The rest of you are all in the firing zone. Tonight at six, we will assemble by the lake, everyone is to be there, no exceptions.”
Well, that’s just great, let me just get into my running shoes and go for a jog, right?
When he turns towards me, I send him a glare.
“As for today, I have no doubt that you will all find something to amuse yourselves.”
I think I might just hate my life. Here we all are, at the coolest ranch festival ever, and yet I’m not allowed to put any pressure on my leg, whatsoever, so basically, I have to stay indoors while everyone else has fun. Great
“Hey, Jay-man. Why d’you look like someone kicked your puppy? Oh, wait, let me change that: Why do you look like a kicked puppy?”
Mike’s grin doesn’t even falter under my glare, and I let out a sigh. “No reason.”
Sophie’s arms slide around my chest, her chin resting on my head, I lean back against her slightly, feeling a bit bad about being so grouchy. “I’m sorry, guys. I guess I’m just…”
“You’re just having a bad few days, don’t worry Jay, we know you.”
Tom punches me lightly on the arm, “Hey, you know, I think I saw a gambling room, you up for a round of poker?”
Thankfully, the others don’t seem to notice that my grin is positively tearful. Or if they do, they are kind enough not to show it.
*************
Apparently, my poker face is nonexistent. The others could read me like a book. Luckily, we weren’t playing for anything (despite Mike’s crude comments of, ’Blowjob. Blowjob!’). Despite losing over and over again, I’m actually feeling ten times lighter. And the doctor says tomorrow (if I’m not voted out, that is) I can try walking for a bit more.
“Seriously, guys, you should go do something cool, I’m just going to read or something.”
They exchange disbelieving glances.
“No, really. I am feeling a lot better, but I think it’d be good if I listened to the doc for once.”
“Okay,” Sophie says slowly, “But…”
“Sophie, I’m fine. Really, I am. I’ll see you guys later, okay?”
They all exchange uncertain glances before Tom nods, “Okay, take it easy, man.”
And then they’re gone.
Books lie scattered across the bedside table, the flap of the tent billows slightly in the hot Texan wind revealing various people passing by, laughing and chatting to their friends, and I’ve never felt more alone in my life. It’s weird, seeing as though there’s a medic just outside and the fact that I’d practically forced my friends to leave, but I do. Alone and completely confused.
I hate the feeling.
************
“I’m worried about Jay,” is all that Sophie says as she barges into my tent.
“Why? What happened?”
And I completely deserve the glare I get. “I mean… Has anything else happened?”
She begins riffling pacing up and down, “Whatever you did to him, you’re a complete asshole.”
“Hey!”
“We have to do something. You have to do something.”
“I’m completely open to ideas.”
“Well, you like him, right? Okay, stupid question. You love him. We all love him, but do you really love him?”
Is it just me or is it hot in here? Wiping a bit of sweat off my forehead, I try to avoid the question, “Uhm… So… what’s the plan?”
Her face breaks out into the biggest grin I’ve ever seen, except on Jared. “Oooooohhh, you do! You really love him!”
“Yes, okay! Fine! I do.”
“Okay, so you just need to tell him that. Show him that-”
“Uhm, Sophie, you’re a great girl and all, but I really do not feel comfortable talking sex with you. Ow!”
Rubbing my arm, I glare at her.
“You perve! I was talking about showing him how much you care, not about having sex with him… although that would be really hot and steam-ow!”
“Okay, fine, so how do I… you know… show him how much I care?”
Her grin is positively deadly. “You’re asking me for relationship advice?”
Hiding my face in my hands, I mumble through my fingers, “Yes, okay? My last boyfriend dumped me ‘cause I wasn’t… I dunno, good enough?”
Instead of the mocking face I’m expecting, Sophie has a gentle expression of her face, and I realise with a thud that that’s how she looks at Jay. Oh, God. I’ve just been adopted as a victim of a mother hen.
*******************
“Jared?”
“Hmmm?” I turn to the blushing nurse, “Sorry, yeah?”
“This just came for you,” she murmurs, handing me a package. She smiles shyly as our hands brush and I feel like cringing. She’s really sweet and all, but now, really?
The paper peels away to reveal a wide brim cowboy hat, perfectly rugged and worn, but absolutely awesome. It reminds me of my dad’s old one. I love it already.
Ramming it on my head, I beam up at the nurse, “Who sent it?”
Her eyes linger on my lips and I groan inwardly. “I’m not sure, this note came with.”
The note reads: ‘As a cowboy, you seem a bit underdressed.’
I burst out laughing. “Oh, God! That is so corny!”
***********
He’s wearing it! He’s wearing it!
“Shut up! I can see he’s wearing it, you doofus, now go on and do your job.” Sophie gives me a small nudge towards where I’m supposed be. Luckily the cameras are all focused on the approaching trio. Jared’s cheeks are flushed, knowing him, probably because he’s embarrassed of having to limp between Tom and Mike. Their arms are slung around his shoulders, helping him, half-carrying him. Or he could be blushing because of something Mike whispered in his ear, you can never tell.
But he’s wearing the hat! My hat. That must mean something, right? I mean, sure, he doesn’t know it’s from me… but… Oh, God he looks hot.
“Jensen!” Jeff hisses.
“Oh, sorry, right, uhm…” I quickly make my way to the front.
The lake’s a distracting lapping behind me and Jared’s an extremely distracting image in front of me, so it takes me a couple of deep breathes before I clear my throat and begin.
“Good evening, everyone. Tonight we have our first voting. The four that are immunised, Chris, Sophie, Will and Tim, you will also be allowed to vote. The rules are simple, just write the name of the person you want voted out. One name only. The person with the most votes will be asked to leave immediately. Okay, first up is Will.”
Silently, they take their turn to approach the booth. When the final contestant has returned, me and Eric head over to tally the votes.
I’m barely managing to contain my grin when I return to them. “The person with the most votes is… Marcus.”
Everyone’s face lights up, and Mike’s whoop is barely smothered. Marcus’ face is purpling, shocked and furious. “How dare you? How dare you all?”
“Please follow that David, he will take you to collect your possessions.”
As Marcus’ form stomps off, I turn to the others, “Tomorrow, we will have our next challenge. You will all meet here after breakfast. As for tonight, dinner will be whatever you like. There are various stalls and restaurants set up around the ranch, you will each be given a sizeable amount and, on condition you remain with your cameramen, may eat as you like.”
************
“So…”
There’s a long, awkward silence, followed by Tom clearing his throat. I can’t bring myself to try and lighten the mood, as I would normally do. I can’t bring myself to crack a joke or fake a smile. All I can bring myself to do, is watch as my fingers glide lightly over the hat. It’s already become a constant companion to me, even though I haven’t managed to find out who sent it. The fold in the brim is angled just right, the smell is dusty and reminds me of horses and deodorant. And the faint patterning on the rim makes me feel like a child again, trying to code secret messages to my friends.
“How’s your ankle?”
“Huh?” I look up at the people seated around the table, “Oh, it’s fine. Well, not fine exactly, but getting there.”
“I can’t believe I let you swim,” Jeff shakes his head and takes another swig at his bottle.
“Yeah, well. Life would be boring if we didn’t take chances.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more,” comes a voice from behind me. I can’t stop my shoulders from tensing up.
“Ah, Jensen, come join us.”
I feel like kicking Will, even more so because the only free seat is beside me.
Jensen coughs, looking like a deer caught in the headlights, “Oh, hey. Uhm, I should actually be going…“
“Nonsense! Sit down, you deserve a break every now and then.“
The argument proceeds for a few more minutes before Jensen finally caves. Reluctantly, I shift over, pressing up to Mike slightly. Dammit.
“Ooh, Jay. I didn’t know you swung that way, did you, Jensen?”
I am going to kill him. Slaughter him and beat him to a pulp until he doesn’t remember his own name. And dammit, that blush looks good on Jensen.
Shifting away from Mike, I end up with my entire side pressed up against Jensen. I thunk my head on the table, muffling my groan.
Jensen clears his throat slightly and I can feel him shifting uncomfortably. I can’t even escape to get drinks from the bar, not with this blasted ankle.
When I can raise my head again, it takes me every ounce of strength not to look at him. It’s like all my senses have been heightened. Every single shift of his, vibrates through my body. Every whiff of his scent seems to be sent my way like heat waves, causing my clothes to feel uncomfortable and my face to heat up. Why does he affect me like this? I don’t even like him. Right?
Dammit.
And oh, kill me now, when the food comes and I reach for the salt, guess whose hand covers mine by accident? It’s like every single thing about him can reduce my brain to mush and this time, I make the biggest mistake of the whole evening. I meet his eyes.
Soft and gentle, sparkling green and completely trained on me, as he has been all evening. The tiny crease-line beside his eyes crinkle slightly as my traitorous cheeks blush furiously. His thumb runs over the back of my hand slightly, sending tingles right up my arm, before his hand pulls away to allow me to use the salt.
Why is he doing this to me? He made it clear that he doesn’t want a thing to do with me, so why the hell is he treating me like this?
I don’t look at him when I slide the salt back towards him.
************
“Well… that went well.”
I kick the pebbles towards the lake before turning back to the fire. And now I’m talking to myself, isn’t that just great?
I flop back down, shifting around until there aren’t any rocks or sticks pressing into my back. The smell in the air is divine, crystal clear and night fresh, the shadows of the mountain and trees are clear against the starry sky, and the lapping of the lake is soothing. Everything is absolutely perfect. Except for one thing that‘s missing. One thing that seems to have become the centre of my life. And how fucking brilliant is that?
A crunch on the gravel alerts me to someone’s arrival. I don’t allow myself to look up, but I can’t help that my heart rate’s speeding up, and my chest is getting tighter.
“Hey, thought I’d find you here?”
Jeff.
Dammit.
**********