Days Behind - Chapter 21
Jensen flipped his phone open after the first ring so it wouldn’t wake anyone else up. “Jensen’s phone.”
“Jared calling.”
Jensen laughed and settled back into the seat. “How are you?”
“Good, just got the girls settled down. Bored. Miss you.”
“That’s a lot of feelings.”
“Sure is.”
Jensen listened to the hum of the bus for a moment before speaking. “Hey, you know I still have two weeks on the road, right?”
“I know it, but it doesn’t make it any better.” Jensen could hear Jared shift the phone. “Where is the next show?”
“Winnipeg. But they asked us to do something there I don’t know if I want to do.”
“What?”
“They want us to meet with the fans unmasked.”
“Why?”
“They say it would be good for publicity.”
“Didn’t hurt Kiss.”
“Okay, the next person to say that is going to get socked.”
“Listen, if you don’t want to do it, tell them.”
Jensen sighed. “I can’t do that.”
“What do the other guys think?”
The bus downshifted and rocked Jensen forward in his seat a little. “They don’t care. Misha thinks it would be fine and Steve already has something to fall back on. Chris is kinda scared though.”
“Why?”
“He’s afraid this might end his career.”
“How?”
Jensen looked over to where Steve and Christian were busy figuring out the chords to a new song. “He used to be kind of a big deal actor.”
“Yeah?”
“Yup. And he’s afraid it’s going to ruin any chance of further opportunities if he unmasks.”
“I’m sure he’ll be fine. I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
Jensen was quiet for a moment. “Will the girls be mad at me?”
Jared laughed. “For what?”
“For lying to them?”
“Nah, I got this one covered.”
“How?”
“Would you hate me if I said I kinda had it figured out?”
“Jared, how could you even?”
“Well, there was word around the station that this might happen. One of our interns also works for your station. She was saying that everyone around there is calling ya’ll ‘Kiss for kids’.”
Jensen nodded, even though Jared couldn’t see him. “Not the first time we’ve heard that. Would have been nice to have a warning though.”
“Guess I should have said something. Sorry.”
“No, no, it’s not you. I didn’t mean to snap at you. It’s just that these nights are getting longer and longer.”
“You said yourself it’s only two more weeks. You can do it.”
“Can I call you after the next show?”
“You can call me anytime you want.”
“Okay then, but remember you said that later.”
“Writing it on the calendar now.”
“How was the show? The ‘unmasking’ go okay?”
“It went as well as could be expected. Damn, this place is like a giant circus!” Jensen half-laughed into the phone. “And, please, don’t start singing Britney Spears.”
It was Jared’s turn to chuckle. “What do you expect? People have wanted to know who was under the makeup for years.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“So, what now?”
“Well, I wanted to surprise you, but I’m sure I’ve been spotted by now.”
“Surprise me?”
“Yeah, you big dork. I’m waiting on the plane to board now.”
“The plane? Jen, you’re coming to see me?”
“Nah, thought I’d go up to the North Pole and see if I could get Santa to reveal himself and take the heat off me for a while-“
“Aww, you know I’ll always think you’re hot, Jensen.”
“Shut up,” Jared listened as the tiny airport speaker made an announcement and then a muffled voice sounded like it called Jensen’s name. “Hey, man, let me call you back.”
“Sure thing.” Jared couldn’t keep the smile out of his voice.
“I’ll give you more info then. But I’m flying out of here to you on the one flight.”
“Good dodge there. Way to be specific. You want me to meet you?”
“If you don’t, you’ll break my heart.”
“Wouldn’t want to do that now, would I?”
“Nope. There are penalties.”
“And what are these penalties?”
“Not doing this now.”
“Are you blushing, Jensen?”
“Hanging up now…”
Jared chuckled as he heard the voice fade and saw the ‘call terminated’ screen.
“When does your flight leave?” Jared’s voice was more than a little frantic.
“Calm down,” Jensen soothed. “It’s going to be fine. I’m going to get there and it will be in one piece. The flight is delayed because there was a problem with the fueling unit. When it’s fixed, then we will board and be right back home.”
Jared sighed. “I know, I just miss you.”
“And I miss you. Oh, hang on…” Jensen held his hand over the phone. “I swear, Christian, you keep making those kissy faces at me, and I will rip your lips off.” He brought the phone to his ear to hear Jared’s infectious laugh. “Tell you what, if we don’t leave here in another hour, I’ll check on getting a bus, okay?”
“Buses take too long. Just promise me that you’ll call me and let me know when you’re boarding, okay?”
“You have my word.”
Jensen went to hang up, but heard Jared talking again. “What are you doing right now?”
“Jared. I’m on the phone with you, that’s what. And I was about to hang up, but heard you talking again.”
“Hey, do me a favor and look to your left.”
Jensen turned slowly, humoring Jared, only to find the man standing there on his cell waving frantically at Jensen. “Hey, can I call you back? There’s a giant dork waving at me and I feel like I need to find out why.” Jensen shut his phone with a smile.
“Surprised to see me?” Jared asked as he approached Jensen.
“More like excited. Thank you.”
“Well, I know you still have a few sites on the tour, so this is the best solution I could come up with.”
“Who has the girls?” Jensen let himself be wrapped into one of Jared’s hugs.
“Sandy.” Jared smiled. “She said to take our time and bring her souvenirs.”
“You’re really here.”
“Yes. And I’m not going anywhere.”
“You better not.”
Jensen smiled down to the little boy holding out the piece of paper for him to sign. “What’s your name?”
“Hayden.” The little boy half-whispered back.
Jensen knelt to be closer to the child. “Well, Hayden, who is your favorite animal in the ‘Junction?”
“I like you, Chip.”
“Well, thank you.” It still surprised him when he found out he was a fan favorite.
Hayden suddenly found his voice. “Do you know why I like you, Chip?”
“No, Hayden, I don’t. Why don’t you tell me why you like me.”
The little boy motioned for Jensen to come closer so he could whisper. “I like you because I have two daddies. And my daddies say that you are like them.”
Jensen leaned closer with a smile on his face. “Your daddies are right.”
“Can you sign it ‘to Hayden and his Daddies’? I think they would love it as much as me.”
“I can do that.”
Jensen stood after signing the paper and found Steve standing there. “It makes it all worth it,” he smiled.
“It certainly does, Pericles. It certainly does."
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