Remnants - Ch. 7
chapter six
Central Park, even in late summer, is something the likes of which Jared hasn't ever experienced. Lush greens, bright reds; beautiful colors, that in Texas get muted by an overwhelming dusty brown.
It was Jensen's idea to go to Central Park. To walk around, 'hell, maybe even take a jog,' he'd added, trying to appeal to Jared's athletic side. There wasn't any need to convince his boyfriend however, as Jared was more than ready to play tourist for yet another day and visit one of the only spots he hadn't been shown by Mindy.
Mindy, as it turned out, was an great tour guide, something that both Jensen and Jared got to see first-hand when Jensen's friend Chris showed up to the pet store with his Mastiff, Brutus, in tow. Mindy had immediately taken a shine to the cowboy with the long hair and bright blue eyes that matched hers. The two had disappeared for almost a full day without so much as calling either Jensen or Jared to let them know where they were, what they were doing, and how much spit Mindy had gotten on her dress courtesy of Brutus, not Chris.
Now, surrounded by the foliage, the birds, and everything else that made Central Park the awe-striking park that it was, Jared felt three little words pounding loudly against his chest. Three words that he'd denied himself for the longest time; three words that had come to mind whenever he thought of Jensen as far back as D.C.
“So um...”
“Look at that, he's back-pedalling again,” Jensen grins, scrunching up his nose as though Jared's the most adorable thing in the world. “Out with it, Sasquatch.”
“If you weren't so hot, I'd...” Jared stammers, blushing but smiling ear to ear as they reach a shady spot under a rather picturesque Oak. Jensen turns a lovely shade of rose and Jared feels vindicated in the best possible way. He takes a minute to finish off his ice cream, licking at a trickle of chocolate that's managed to find its way over his knuckles.
“What I was going to say-before you went all stand-up comedian on me-is thank you. If it wasn't for your journal, and your friendship, I don't know where I'd be right now. You could've been a complete ass to me at the shop and you weren't. Hell, you could've had me arrested for stalking if you felt like, but instead you-you-” Jared huffs out a breath, frustrated by the fact that he can't say such a simple phrase. Shaking his head, he grips Jensen's face in both hands, fingertips still slightly chilled from the ice cream.
“Fuck it, I love you, Jensen. I love you so much.”
Jared only waits long enough to let Jensen take his ice cream away from the general vicinity of his mouth before kissing him deeply, the way he should have kissed Jensen from the start.
Fall descends on the city and Jared finds himself in a position he's never been in before.
“What position? The Pile Driver? I heard that one's really fun!” Mindy grins, her eyes showing just a touch of the craziness that Jared has come to love in the months they've lived together. She keeps him on his toes and makes him remember that life is more than just a job and sleep; she also keeps pushing him to make art, which is a constant reminder of Chad's failed yet hilarious attempts at trying to get Jared to learn to draw; Mindy sticks with the abstract and has so far, gained more success.
“Good one. No. Actually, Donna, my boss, won the Powerball. Can you believe it? She's now one of the richest people in New York and she's decided that the best thing to do is take a trip to Fiji and stay for a few months, so she's wants to sell me the shop. I have no idea what to do, Mindy.”
“Earth to Sasquatch. BUY THE DAMN PLACE! And then hire me to be your quirky, sexy shop girl. I'll bring in all the Furries and we'll have tons more customers.”
“MINDY!” Both Jared, Jensen, and Chris all call out at once, each with varying degrees of disgust on their face, the three men trying to keep their voices down as it's still early and the Green Bean's customers aren't exactly awake yet.
“What?” She asks innocently, laughing after; she lives to get a rise out of people and this chilly October morning is no different.
“Seriously though, what do you guys think?” Jared reiterates, looking this time at Jensen and Chris.
“I agree with Mindy...except for the Furries part,” Jensen nods as he pulls a jug of milk out from under the frother, pouring it expertly into a cup for Jared.
“It's a chance not many of us get, brother. To be your own boss, make your own hours, run the business how you want it run. I say go for it.”
“All those in favor of our sweet little Sasquatch buying the Dog's Bone and making it even better than it is now, say aye!” Mindy pipes up, raising her hand as high as she can manage while still balancing a cup of coffee and a magazine in her other hand.
“AYE!” The two remaining eligible voters of their group raising their hands along with Mindy, all of them looking at Jared expectantly.
“Can I have my coffee first? Jeez!” he laughs, both hands up in surrender. If he's honest with himself, Jared is excited about the prospect of owning his own business, but on the same token, the mere inclination of doing it all himself is daunting and more than a little scary.
After his coffee, Jared heads to work, chewing his gum into oblivion on the walk over, worried that Donna will have changed her mind when he gets there. Instead, he finds her sitting at the front desk, surfing the internet for the most direct flight out of the country.
“Any death threats yet, Ms. Ritchie Rich?” he jokes as he slips on his apron, Jared peering over her shoulder to take a glance at the prices; the figures make him somewhat dizzy.
“No, but my ex husbands have all started calling, saying they miss me,” Donna snorts, her red curls bouncing as she shakes her head in bemusement. “You'd think after all these years they'd forgotten what I even looked like. Funny what a little cash in your pocket will do, huh?”
“Always someone looking for a pay day, “ Jared agrees as he grabs the appointment book to double-check who he has coming in first thing in the morning. Once certain that he's got a few minutes to set up, Jared decides to bite the bullet and broach the subject of buying the store.
“So, I talked it over with Jen and Mindy and Chris and they all think I should say yes. What I want to know is if you're sure, Donna. I don't want to buy the place only to have to sell it back to you in a month's time. I mean, this is your baby. You built it from the ground up. You live upstairs, Donna.”
“And if I could express just how sick I am of seeing the same view out my bedroom window every morning, you'd be asking me where the paperwork was,” she laughs, standing to go straighten a display in the front window.
“Jared, I want you to have this place. You love working here, you've made some great changes in the few months you've been here, and I want to see the place grow. I can't make it any better than it is now, but you can. Sign the damn paperwork, move that pretty little boyfriend of yours in here with you, and for God's sake hire Mindy so she doesn't have to work at that pot house anymore! I swear that girl's losing more brain cells with every passing minute.” Donna words ring true and with a chuckle at the thought of Mindy smoking her brains out, Jared decides to go for it.
“Okay, so the walls are prepped, the books are cleared, and the permits are all in order. An extra case of beer goes to whoever finishes their wall first!” Jared calls out a few weeks later, taking one last glance at his check list. Donna had been good with the business side and the sale of the property had been as smooth as any contract deal Jared had ever closed. The permits and licensing were all up to date and the only thing the place really needed was a face-lift of sorts. Looking at his three closest friends, he can't help but smile; there's no other crew he'd rather start this new part of his life with.
“If I finish first will you hire me? I already put in my two weeks at the head shop, but I'm pretty sure Yusuf already forgot.”
“I hired you yesterday Mindy, relax,” Jared laughs, watching her skip over to the stereo and turn on the last mix CD in Jensen's journal as loud as she can get away with. When she turns around, there's a challenge in her eyes, the likes of which Jared only ever sees before she's about to bet him on something.
“On your mark, get set, GO!” She cries out, causing all three men to scramble for their paint rollers.
Jared, Jensen, and Chris all start out at a blinding pace, coating the top halves of their walls in record time; Mindy goes much slower, a knowing smile on her face as she watches her competition. Jared's certain she has a game plan to win the beer, but whether it involves flashing Chris or merely stealing the case out of the fridge remains to be seen.
Once by one, each of the three guys slow down, their arms burning with the exertion. Mindy picks up the pace.
“Such a cheater!” Chris squawks as he sets down his roller, left hand digging into right shoulder as he tries to work out a kink in the muscle.
“For once, being a laid-back pot head has its advantages!” Mindy giggles, rolling a small dot of the chocolate brown paint down Chris' nose. Jared can't help but smile as he watches his friend's frown melt into a soft smile, Mindy and Chris leaning in for a kiss mere moments before he and Jensen do the same.
It take a few hours, but they finish painting the store in its new colors, all of them exhausted and more than a little sore.
“Two pies. Mutz, sauce, and pepperoni. Who wants?” Jensen barely has time to get the words out before three very hungry people descend on him with paint-splattered hands.
chapter eight
Central Park, even in late summer, is something the likes of which Jared hasn't ever experienced. Lush greens, bright reds; beautiful colors, that in Texas get muted by an overwhelming dusty brown.
It was Jensen's idea to go to Central Park. To walk around, 'hell, maybe even take a jog,' he'd added, trying to appeal to Jared's athletic side. There wasn't any need to convince his boyfriend however, as Jared was more than ready to play tourist for yet another day and visit one of the only spots he hadn't been shown by Mindy.
Mindy, as it turned out, was an great tour guide, something that both Jensen and Jared got to see first-hand when Jensen's friend Chris showed up to the pet store with his Mastiff, Brutus, in tow. Mindy had immediately taken a shine to the cowboy with the long hair and bright blue eyes that matched hers. The two had disappeared for almost a full day without so much as calling either Jensen or Jared to let them know where they were, what they were doing, and how much spit Mindy had gotten on her dress courtesy of Brutus, not Chris.
Now, surrounded by the foliage, the birds, and everything else that made Central Park the awe-striking park that it was, Jared felt three little words pounding loudly against his chest. Three words that he'd denied himself for the longest time; three words that had come to mind whenever he thought of Jensen as far back as D.C.
“So um...”
“Look at that, he's back-pedalling again,” Jensen grins, scrunching up his nose as though Jared's the most adorable thing in the world. “Out with it, Sasquatch.”
“If you weren't so hot, I'd...” Jared stammers, blushing but smiling ear to ear as they reach a shady spot under a rather picturesque Oak. Jensen turns a lovely shade of rose and Jared feels vindicated in the best possible way. He takes a minute to finish off his ice cream, licking at a trickle of chocolate that's managed to find its way over his knuckles.
“What I was going to say-before you went all stand-up comedian on me-is thank you. If it wasn't for your journal, and your friendship, I don't know where I'd be right now. You could've been a complete ass to me at the shop and you weren't. Hell, you could've had me arrested for stalking if you felt like, but instead you-you-” Jared huffs out a breath, frustrated by the fact that he can't say such a simple phrase. Shaking his head, he grips Jensen's face in both hands, fingertips still slightly chilled from the ice cream.
“Fuck it, I love you, Jensen. I love you so much.”
Jared only waits long enough to let Jensen take his ice cream away from the general vicinity of his mouth before kissing him deeply, the way he should have kissed Jensen from the start.
Fall descends on the city and Jared finds himself in a position he's never been in before.
“What position? The Pile Driver? I heard that one's really fun!” Mindy grins, her eyes showing just a touch of the craziness that Jared has come to love in the months they've lived together. She keeps him on his toes and makes him remember that life is more than just a job and sleep; she also keeps pushing him to make art, which is a constant reminder of Chad's failed yet hilarious attempts at trying to get Jared to learn to draw; Mindy sticks with the abstract and has so far, gained more success.
“Good one. No. Actually, Donna, my boss, won the Powerball. Can you believe it? She's now one of the richest people in New York and she's decided that the best thing to do is take a trip to Fiji and stay for a few months, so she's wants to sell me the shop. I have no idea what to do, Mindy.”
“Earth to Sasquatch. BUY THE DAMN PLACE! And then hire me to be your quirky, sexy shop girl. I'll bring in all the Furries and we'll have tons more customers.”
“MINDY!” Both Jared, Jensen, and Chris all call out at once, each with varying degrees of disgust on their face, the three men trying to keep their voices down as it's still early and the Green Bean's customers aren't exactly awake yet.
“What?” She asks innocently, laughing after; she lives to get a rise out of people and this chilly October morning is no different.
“Seriously though, what do you guys think?” Jared reiterates, looking this time at Jensen and Chris.
“I agree with Mindy...except for the Furries part,” Jensen nods as he pulls a jug of milk out from under the frother, pouring it expertly into a cup for Jared.
“It's a chance not many of us get, brother. To be your own boss, make your own hours, run the business how you want it run. I say go for it.”
“All those in favor of our sweet little Sasquatch buying the Dog's Bone and making it even better than it is now, say aye!” Mindy pipes up, raising her hand as high as she can manage while still balancing a cup of coffee and a magazine in her other hand.
“AYE!” The two remaining eligible voters of their group raising their hands along with Mindy, all of them looking at Jared expectantly.
“Can I have my coffee first? Jeez!” he laughs, both hands up in surrender. If he's honest with himself, Jared is excited about the prospect of owning his own business, but on the same token, the mere inclination of doing it all himself is daunting and more than a little scary.
After his coffee, Jared heads to work, chewing his gum into oblivion on the walk over, worried that Donna will have changed her mind when he gets there. Instead, he finds her sitting at the front desk, surfing the internet for the most direct flight out of the country.
“Any death threats yet, Ms. Ritchie Rich?” he jokes as he slips on his apron, Jared peering over her shoulder to take a glance at the prices; the figures make him somewhat dizzy.
“No, but my ex husbands have all started calling, saying they miss me,” Donna snorts, her red curls bouncing as she shakes her head in bemusement. “You'd think after all these years they'd forgotten what I even looked like. Funny what a little cash in your pocket will do, huh?”
“Always someone looking for a pay day, “ Jared agrees as he grabs the appointment book to double-check who he has coming in first thing in the morning. Once certain that he's got a few minutes to set up, Jared decides to bite the bullet and broach the subject of buying the store.
“So, I talked it over with Jen and Mindy and Chris and they all think I should say yes. What I want to know is if you're sure, Donna. I don't want to buy the place only to have to sell it back to you in a month's time. I mean, this is your baby. You built it from the ground up. You live upstairs, Donna.”
“And if I could express just how sick I am of seeing the same view out my bedroom window every morning, you'd be asking me where the paperwork was,” she laughs, standing to go straighten a display in the front window.
“Jared, I want you to have this place. You love working here, you've made some great changes in the few months you've been here, and I want to see the place grow. I can't make it any better than it is now, but you can. Sign the damn paperwork, move that pretty little boyfriend of yours in here with you, and for God's sake hire Mindy so she doesn't have to work at that pot house anymore! I swear that girl's losing more brain cells with every passing minute.” Donna words ring true and with a chuckle at the thought of Mindy smoking her brains out, Jared decides to go for it.
“Okay, so the walls are prepped, the books are cleared, and the permits are all in order. An extra case of beer goes to whoever finishes their wall first!” Jared calls out a few weeks later, taking one last glance at his check list. Donna had been good with the business side and the sale of the property had been as smooth as any contract deal Jared had ever closed. The permits and licensing were all up to date and the only thing the place really needed was a face-lift of sorts. Looking at his three closest friends, he can't help but smile; there's no other crew he'd rather start this new part of his life with.
“If I finish first will you hire me? I already put in my two weeks at the head shop, but I'm pretty sure Yusuf already forgot.”
“I hired you yesterday Mindy, relax,” Jared laughs, watching her skip over to the stereo and turn on the last mix CD in Jensen's journal as loud as she can get away with. When she turns around, there's a challenge in her eyes, the likes of which Jared only ever sees before she's about to bet him on something.
“On your mark, get set, GO!” She cries out, causing all three men to scramble for their paint rollers.
Jared, Jensen, and Chris all start out at a blinding pace, coating the top halves of their walls in record time; Mindy goes much slower, a knowing smile on her face as she watches her competition. Jared's certain she has a game plan to win the beer, but whether it involves flashing Chris or merely stealing the case out of the fridge remains to be seen.
Once by one, each of the three guys slow down, their arms burning with the exertion. Mindy picks up the pace.
“Such a cheater!” Chris squawks as he sets down his roller, left hand digging into right shoulder as he tries to work out a kink in the muscle.
“For once, being a laid-back pot head has its advantages!” Mindy giggles, rolling a small dot of the chocolate brown paint down Chris' nose. Jared can't help but smile as he watches his friend's frown melt into a soft smile, Mindy and Chris leaning in for a kiss mere moments before he and Jensen do the same.
It take a few hours, but they finish painting the store in its new colors, all of them exhausted and more than a little sore.
“Two pies. Mutz, sauce, and pepperoni. Who wants?” Jensen barely has time to get the words out before three very hungry people descend on him with paint-splattered hands.
chapter eight