Fifteen

        Things seemed to die down after a few weeks and Jensen and I established a route that seemed to work for the both of us. We didn’t talk about what was going on with him and we would take him mood swings in stride. As in we ignored them all together and I pretended that it was just normal Jensen behavior. Which at this point it seemed to be.

        During the week he normally came home after work and sometimes we would carpool. On the weekends, however, I’ve found that he is a busy guy and sometimes I wouldn’t see him until earlier Sunday morning. I tried not to let it get me down because it fell into the ‘it’s not my business’ category and I was trying to get past my feeling for him, plus I was seeing Alex now.

        Jensen never brought his conquests to the apartment, and it turned into an unspoken rule we both seemed to follow. I showed the same respect by not allowing Alex to come over. This bugged Alex to no end, but I didn’t want to risk another show down if I let Alex come over and Jensen was home.

        “Frey?” Jensen snapped his fingers in front of my face. I blinked up at him, bringing him into focus.

        “Sorry, what?” I asked, confused.

        “All right, luv?”

        “Oh, yeah. I’m fine. Just not fully awake, I guess.” We were sitting at the bar in the kitchen, eating the breakfast he had cooked us.

        “Well, now that I have you back, what would you like to do today?”

        A smile lit my face as I realized that today was Sunday. Sunday was ‘roommate day’. We were both off work and we dedicated the entire day hanging out with just each other. It was a day I looked forward to all week and a day I dreaded all week. Mostly because I felt like I shouldn’t be looking forward to it, but I couldn’t help it. I liked hanging out with Jensen.

        “I’m not sure. What did you have in mind?”

        “Well, you were saying last night you were tired of rereading all your old books, so I thought we might hit up the library. Or the bookstore.”

        It was things like that that made it hard for me not to have feelings for him. He was so thoughtful and listened to me when I talked. Like what I was saying was important, and he found it interesting. Alex didn’t understand my love for reading and always brushed it off as a boring way to spend time. It made my head spin. I knew I should have feelings towards Alex because he was my sort of boyfriend, but here I was grinning at Jensen like he was the reason for my existence.

        I was so messed up.

        “That sounds perfect,” I said, smiling up at him.

        “Get your cute arse up and go get ready.” He stood grabbing my plate and his and rounded the bar into the kitchen, giving me a wink as he passed. My stomach did a little flip and I suppressed a giggle as I skipped down the hallway to my room.

        My phone ran as soon as we pulled to a stop in front of the library. I pulled it out of my bag and Alex’s face flashed across the screen.

        “I’ll meet you inside,” I said to Jensen, stepping out of the car. I swiped my finger across the screen. “Hey Alex!”

        “Hey beautiful,” he greeted me “I was thinking about you today and I want to see you. Can I pick you up?”

        “Oh. I’m sorry, Alex. I already have plans today.” Did it make me a bad girlfriend because I didn’t want to blow of Jensen for Alex?

        “I’m sure Saw will understand. I mean she gets you every Sunday.”

        I cringed and worried my lip before answering. “Actually, I’m not with Saw today. I’m with Jensen.” I held my breath and waited.

        “You’re telling me you can’t hang out with me, your boyfriend, because you’re with another guy? That’s kind of fucked up, Freya.”

        “He’s not another guy. He’s my roommate and my friend. You know it’s not like that.”

        “Kinda seems like that.”

        “We’re just book shopping.”

        “Well, that’s not a big deal. He’ll understand if you ditch him.”

        I tried to keep the steel out of my voice. “It is a big deal. I like books.”

        “You can’t be serious right now. Are you seriously choosing him over me?”

        “Alex!”

        “Whatever, Freya. When you can find time for your actual boyfriend, call me.” The line went dead, and I stared at it in outrage.

        He couldn’t be serious right now? Did he really think it was like that between Jensen and me? He knew we were roommates and friends. I considered calling him back and giving him a piece of my time, but decided that I was wasting precious library time worrying about stupid boyfriend drama.

        I shoved my phone back into my bag and made my way into the library. Jensen was waiting for me right inside and once he spotted me, he looked concerned. I waved him off, stomping towards the nearest stacks.

        I made it all the way to the end when Jensen, pulled me to a stop. My shoulders slumped and I let out a frustrated huff.

        “What is it, luv?”

        “Alex is stupid. He wanted me to ditch you and spend the day with him, but when I wouldn’t he got mad.”

        “Why didn’t you?”

        “Because you’re my friend; probably my best friend and because today is roommate day. I want to spend it with you.” He looked as conflicted as I felt. I knew it was crazy not to chose my boyfriend over my friend, but I never said I wasn’t crazy.

        “Luv,” he started, but I cut him off.

        “No. It’s fine. He will get over it. Now, come on. These books aren’t going to pick themselves.” I gave him a reassuring smile and took his hand, pulling him along behind me.

        We browsed for what felt like hours. Each of us pulling books off the shelves, giving one another suggestions and teasing each other on our odd picks. It was the most fun I had had in a really long time and I wasn’t sure a visit to the library would be the same without him.

        We both ended up leaving with a handful of books, knowing we would have them read well before they were due.

        “God! I’m starved!” I groaned, as we climbed into his car.

        “What sounds good?” He asked, pulling out of the parking lot.

        “Food.”

        “No! Really?” He said, sarcastically. “What kind of food.”

        “I don’t know. What do you want?”

        “Jimmy’s?”

        “No. I’m not in the mood for burgers.”

        He cut his eyes at me, giving me the ‘don’t you fucking dare’ look. Laughter bubbled up my throat, and I doubled over.

“You should see your face!”

He pressed his lips together, trying not to smile, but failed.

        “Very funny, luv.”

        I sighed, sitting up right in my seat. “Seafood sounds good. Wanna hit up that place downtown?”

        “Sounds good.” I almost lost it again, when relief flashed across his face, but I bit my lip to hold it in.

        We had just missed the lunch rush and we seated quickly. The hostess eyed Jensen as she placed our menus on our table. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes as she retreated.

        “What?” Jensen asked.

        “Do they have to be so obvious? What if I were your girlfriend? It’s just rude.”

        “I’m sure you’re mistaken,” he chuckled, slipping open his menu.

        “You’ll see. If your server is a woman she will check you out.” I was positive.

        “I doubt that.”

        “Wanna bet?”

        He eyed me for a moment. “What are the terms?”

        “Whatever you want.” His eyes gleamed, and I almost regretted say it.

        “Okay, luv. If I win, then I want you to sleep with me.” My eyes almost bugged and I opened my mouth to protest, but he continued. “Not in the manner you’re obviously thinking. I meant sleep. With me in my bed for one night.” That didn’t sound to bad.

        “Just sleep?” I clarified.

        “Just sleep,” he confirmed.

        I was confident I would win. “ Deal, but if I win, you have to let me pay for dinner.” It was lame, but I know much he hated it. And I was right.

He frowned deeply mulling over it for a moment before sighing. “Fine. Deal.”

        Luckily, we didn’t have to wait long to see who would win. The waitress walked up to your table and to my absolute horror her eyes passed right over Jensen and settled on me. Taking the time to look me over appreciatively. I mumbled out my drink order and listened as Jensen smugly ordered his.

        “That was so unfair,” I grumbled as she walked away. “Who could have foreseen that?”

        “A bet is a bet, luv,” Jensen chuckled, but I sat back sullen. He stared at me like he had just won the lottery rather than me in his bed for the night.

        Our dinner was great and I had a great time once Jensen coaxed me out of my sore loser funk and before I knew it we were on our way back to the apartment. By the time we reached the apartment I could hardly catch my breath from laughing so hard. He was just so funny.

        “I had so much fun, thank you,” I breathed, climbing out of the car.

        “As did I.”

        “The nights still young, sure you don’t wanna go out?” I admit to being a little nervous about going into the apartment together and was hoping he might find something else to do besides hold me to my bet.

        “And let you out of your bet? Absolutely not,” he said in mock outrage.

        I stuck my tongue out at him and grabbed my books out of the backseat. I gripped my things tightly and look up at Jensen. “I’ll race ya!” I grinned and slammed the car door.

        I sprinted towards the building and almost made it up the stairs before he caught me. He wrapped his arm around my waist, lifting me off my feet carrying me up the remaining steps.

        “Jensen!” I shrieked, giggling. “Put me down!”

        My laughter died out when I noticed a figure standing rigid just outside our door. I struggled harder, forcing Jensen to release me. I dropped to my feet and stepped away from Jensen. Alex was shooting daggers at us.

        “Alex!” I tried to sound happy to see him, but mostly I sounded caught. I looked to Jensen and he winked at me, grabbing my things from my hands. He sidestepped Alex and went into the apartment without looking back.

        “You call that bullshit just friends?” He snapped. “You gotta be fucking kidding me, Freya?”

        “We are just friends,” I insisted.

        “You blew me off for that so called friend. What am I supposed to do with that?”

        “I blow you off for Saw, too. You don’t get mad when I do that.” It was like I was trying to win the worst girlfriend award.

        “Saw doesn’t have a dick and isn’t interested in getting you into bed.”

        My mouth dropped open. “Jensen does not want to get me into bed.”

        “You are dumber than I thought. You honestly believe that?”

        I saw red. Did he really just call me dumb?

        “Okay, you know what? You can fucking leave if you are going to talk to me like that. I have done nothing wrong and I deserve better than being called dumb.” I stepped towards the door, but he reached for me.

        “Freya,” he sighed. “Don’t. I’m sorry, okay? That was out of line.”

        I arched an eyebrow and stepped away from him. “You think?”

        He reached for me again and pulled me into his arms. “I’m sorry. Look, I’m going to leave so I can cool off and stop saying things I’ll regret.” He kissed me on top of the head and let me step back.

        “Okay,” I sighed.

        “I’ll call you tomorrow.” He pressed a parting kiss to my lips and disappeared down the stairs. I stared after him. Trying to figure out what the hell just happened. I couldn’t believe he was acting like some neanderthal. And I sure as hell can’t believe he talked to me like that.

        I took a deep breath and walked into the apartment. Jensen was sitting on the couch, his head in his hands. He looked up when I shut the door.

        “All right, luv?” We’ll pretend like my body didn’t just melt.

        “Yeah. He was just being an asshole.” I shrugged, trying to pretend like it wasn’t no big deal.

        “He shouldn’t have spoken to you like that. You are far from dumb.” He walked over to stand in front of me.

        I leaned my head back to look up at him. “I know. I’m sorry you had to hear it.”

        “Don’t be, but the next time I hear him speaking to you in such a manner, ]I’ll be having words with him.” I could see the anger he was holding back, and I knew he didn’t mean he would be using his words.

        I looked away embarrassed. “Okay.”

        “Do you want to read for a bit?” He asked, changing the subject.

        I shook my head. “No, I'm pretty tired. I think i’m gonna hit the hay.”

        “Okay,” he gave me a small smile and headed down the hall towards his room. I followed, but turned towards my own room. I changed quickly, then walked across the hall stopping in his doorway.

        He wasn’t in there and I could hear the water running in the bathroom. I walked over to his bed and climbed in. I shifted around trying to find a comfortable position. The floor creaked, and I looked up to find Jensen standing in the doorway, arching an eyebrow at me.

        “What?” I asked.

        “You still want to go through with this?” H asked, confused.

        “Of course. A bet is a bet. Why do you want to back out?” I shifted to move the covers off of me, but he stopped me.

        “No. No. It’s just I figured after what Alex said you’d rather not.”

        I shrugged. “Was he right? Are you trying to get me in bed with you?”

        “Technically, luv, you’re already in my bed.” A smile played on his lips.

        “Ha. Ha. You know what I mean.” I said, rolling my eyes.

        “No. I’m not trying to get you in bed.”

        “Then, I’m staying.” I patted the bed beside me. “You going to stand there all night?” I knew I should’ve taken the out he gave me, but boyfriend or no, there wasn’t a chance in hell I was passing this up. It was just one more notch in my bad girlfriend belt.

“This isn’t your side is it?” Maybe that’s why he hadn’t moved yet.

“No. I sleep more in the middle of the bed,” he said, then turned out the light. The room went black, and I snuggled deeper under the covers. I took deep breaths to steady my heart rate. I was afraid it would give away how nervous I was.

The bed dipped as he slid in beside me. I decided last minute to turn my back to him, hoping that it would make it sleep come easier. I tried to keep as much distance as I could. He said I had to sleep with him not cuddle, but God did I want to cuddle.

“Goodnight, Freya.” His voice was a whisper in the night.

“Goodnight, Jensen.” I said, my voice just as low.