IN TOO DEEP.

"In HIGH SCHOOL I was voted 'M O S T  L I K E L Y to have the BEST EYES.'"

[caedinsampson]

jennydalton:

Talking about having more children definitely wasn’t what she had signed up for but it was part of the game, answering any questions that his boss may have had, pretending like they were some loving family. Loving families were supportive and tight-knit and everything that she didn’t actually have experience in, but if she had to play the part of the supportive, loving wife so be it. All she could do was hope that this entire ruse was actually worth all of the trouble. Going into this she had foolishly thought that maybe one meeting would be enough and she would get that vacation for her kid, leaving her to waltz out of Caedin’s life without worry. But the boss’s wife was already telling her how lovely it was for them to finally meet and have dinner and how they should do it again, trapping Jenny further. Well, at least she had ‘more children’ with her fake baby daddy to look forward to you. 

“Caedin already doesn’t get enough time with us,” Jenny piped up, playing the ‘vacation’ card considering that was what they were here for in the first place. “You’ve been working him too hard when you know that he’s got a beautiful wife and son to come home to. How could I know you’d give him more time off if we popped out another kid?” The boss, thankfully, laughed at the jibes and suggested that it would rest on Caedin’s job performance but Jenny knew that she had him, pressing further was a loving glance at Caedin. “We’ve been meaning to go away for a while but with our work schedules and Pax’s schooling it can be tough. If you can’t do it for my husband do it for me.” She gave the boss a big smile to show that she was only (half) teasing, but at least he had a reason to address the ‘vacation’ thing sooner now. Maybe they wouldn’t have to do this for too long, after all. 

         Naturally, it was only right to follow the conversation. Happy families tended to have more than one kid or have at least thought of more, but Caedin also knew that the conversation would likely make Jenny uncomfortable. So he used it to his advantage and was glad when she followed along. It was a way to sell it, but he wasn’t actually suggesting anything. He already took this whole need for vacation too far, but he did know when to put his foot down. It wouldn’t spiral... Too much anyway. 

Leaning back into his chair, he let Jenny get some word in and nodded along like the doting husband would but also in encouragement. This was going so well, honestly, he couldn’t ask for any better. But he also knew there would be more than the one dinner. But, he was winging it, in a way. The way he saw it, whether they were happy and still playing this charade later or if he had to fake a divorce as well, then, he would be in the clear at least for vacation this year and one year at a time was enough for him. If the contract changed for his, he was sure he could get it changed for every year. It wasn’t an annual contract after all, it was for awhile. Five to ten years on probation.

There was a chuckle from the boss and a nod, but no real answer. It was clear he’d think about it and Caedin gave Jenny an appreciative look before taking a bite of the food they had received earlier in the midst of all of this. He was almost finished. This was good. Clearing his throat, he checked his watch. “It’s getting late, Pax has a bed time. Got to maintain that, you know.” Another chuckle came from his boss, “yes I know. I’ll flag the check.” And he did, “I’ll cover it. You three have a good night.” Caedin nodded, “thank you, sir,” then turned to Jenny. “You ready? I’ll get Paxton.”

[caedinsampson]

jennydalton:

If Jenny was being honest she would admit that it was almost sweet seeing how could Caedin was with Paxton thus far. Pax was probably the easiest kid to get along with, fast friends with everyone, but having a pseudo father figure was entirely new territory. So far, so good. If Pax was uncomfortable in any way this entire arrangement would come to an end but, unsurprisingly, her son seemed to be handling this better than she was. Still, she played the role of charming wife as she laughed at Caedin’s jokes, laughed at the boss’s jokes, kept her smile going through her brief slip-up and lightheartedly chided Caedin for suggesting she was the smarter of the two. “Our son is lucky to have a father like you,” she smiled with a loving bat of her eyelashes, even if saying the words aloud brought a weird taste to her mouth. Was this wrong, faking a family and a life just for a vacation? Probably, but it was far too late to back out now.

“I sure hope so, for my sake,” the woman teased as Caedin said he’d hope he’d age just as well as the boss’s wife. She was taking the compliments from everyone at the table with stride, along with wholeheartedly agreeing that the boss’s wife was just as beautiful – even if talking about how pretty their wives were sounded synonymous with whipping out their dicks to see whose was bigger but, well, Jenny kept her mouth shut on that. Instead, she focused on what she’d been dreading: talking about work, which the other wife in the room seemed fascinated with. “I’m an accountant for a firm about an hour out of the city.” Jenny had decided that picking a place of work too far for the woman to ever happen upon felt like the safest option. “I know, the commute’s a pain but the job opportunity is great so you have to do what you have to do, and now that Pax is in school it’s easier to manage.” 

It was the next question that threw her off guard, a question that made her brows raise just ever so slightly: when did you two have Paxton? “Um, you know, we were young and in love,” Jenny began, speaking slower as she wrapped her head around trying to reconcile their young ages coupled with a five-year-old boy. “It just happened, but we were already engaged at that point. We knew we wanted to have children one day, that day just came sooner than we thought,” Jenny laughed, placing a hand on Caedin’s arm in mock affection. That sounded reasonable, right? She sure hoped so, even if the wife’s follow up question about having more children in the future nearly made her snort. Thankfully, Jenny caught herself this time. “We’ll see,” she teased, trying her best not to crack under the pressure. “I’m mostly focused on Pax and my career right now.” And a pregnancy was definitely not coming out of this arrangement. 

         Honestly, Pax already reminded Caedin a lot of family, his brother’s kids. It helped he was great with kids in general, but it also felt natural which was unexpected but appreciated as the kid took his humor rather well. Almost as well as his mother did. The snarky comments were less, though, but to be fair he wasn’t really snarky with Paxton anyway, so it would be unwarranted. With Jenny, though, it was hard not to be, it was both their personalities to tease each other and he found it quite amusing. Easier to know they’d be fine together when they had similar responses even if each time they talked to each other it was almost like they had pointed Nerf Guns -- not guns to kill, but guns for fun with ammo ready to bruise egos and not break hearts. It was kind of welcoming.

It was definitely synonymous to that, though, as they talked of their wives’ looks. Of course neither would have chosen a wife who didn’t fit them with personality, but it was the typical guy talk where it focused on the woman’s looks, though, Caedin did talk of Jenny’s personality a good deal more than his boss did, but it was all in good nature. Clearly each pair bounced well off one another and Caedin couldn’t have asked for this meeting to have been going any better. Hopefully it would stay somewhat along these lines for the rest of the night and hopefully because of the kids it wouldn’t drag on forever so he could call it a success and wait for the next time they’d all have to be around each other in a similar setting plus some smaller things.

He should have anticipated the question, though, about when ‘they’ had Pax considering they were young, not completely or overly, but in the business world it tended to be later and more planned especially when both worked and the fact that there didn’t seem to be a ‘nanny’ or anything in their cards. However, he was pleased that Jenny had something and nodded along to it before the boss and his wife commented on how admirable it was to raise a child so young and find time to cultivate careers but still seem so close. It brought relief, though, Caedin had to chuckle when they brought up more kids. “She’s a very busy woman,” of course in reality, Caedin always wanted a few kids. But, this wasn’t reality, it was fake, so he acted like it was fine and chuckled again. “One is good, but should there be surprise again, we know we could handle it. Just look how good our one is,” Caedin spoke as he took a sip of his drink and watched the food come out. “Beside, I would need more time to take care of the Mrs. and both kids,” he brought in smoothly, “that’s not in the cards right now. Maybe if the dealer changes his tune, though.” Smooth. Very smooth. Planting the seed. “Til then, it’ll be something for the two of us to talk about eventually.”

[caedinsampson]

jennydalton:

The entire car ride over, Jenny couldn’t shake the slight tinge of nerves that were threatening to break her facade. It was easy to reassure everyone that it was all going to be fine, something that she actually said ad nauseam that evening; partly just to convince herself. Pax had taken the facade with ease, just like she had expected. Telling her son that if he pretended Caedin was his father he may get to go on a fun vacation went over surprisingly smooth. Apparently bribery with children still worked like a charm, and she wasn’t beyond using it if it meant this entire thing would go off without a hitch. In fact, Jenny was more nervous about herself pulling this off instead of Pax Sampson (and that was just another factoid to get used to – Jenny Sampson and Pax Sampson). It was a relief no one had referred to her as Mrs. Sampson yet, not knowing how she would react. She had already had quite the slip up once they all settled at the dinner table, Jenny smiling away like the perfect wife, double checking that Pax was okay with all the other kids when a comment from the boss’s wife pulled away her attention.

Introductions had gone over rather smoothly, Jenny’s hand in her ‘husband’s’ and a smile that shone, and with the knowledge that everyone seemed to at least believe that they were married thus far that the rest of it couldn’t be all that bad, right? “Your son is beautiful,” was what she heard from the boss’s wife, sat directly across from Jenny. “Thank you,” was the response Jenny gave, a truthful one that was matched with a rather pleased smile, but the rest of the woman’s words were what threw her. “He looks just like his father.” Jenny couldn’t hold back the rather loud ‘ha!’ that slipped past her lips, causing a furrow of brows that almost made Jenny panic. Shit. “Sorry, it’s just an ongoing joke between us,” Jenny added, quickly covering her tracks as she glanced over at Caedin, giving him a goodnatured bump of the shoulder with hers. “I think Paxton looks more like me, Caedin thinks he looks more like him, but I guess your vote breaks the tie.” The confusion on the other woman’s face quickly blended into amusement, matched with polite laughter and apparent satisfaction at the explanation. Phew. Maybe if she calmed down a bit, this would be doable after all.

         It was obvious he had already cultivated a foothold, sitting as close to the boss as he was. Caedin had learned how to play the field in business like he did in romance and in some ways with business he was better at it, all things considered. Especially now when there was only so much he could do in the whole dating field. It’s been a bit, he’d thrown himself into this but also how could he bring someone home when there was a kid waiting around and a id that kind of liked his attention. It was almost better, but he wouldn’t say that. Instead, he’d play with Pax, distract him from homework and learn about him while he was oblivious to everything else. These past couple weeks had been different. Good different, but different. Certainly brought a rhythm.

Almost hazel eyes drifted toward Pax, watching him as he kept one ear toward the conversations in case he was needed or had a comment to throw in. Jenny’s scoff tore his attention, though and he watched with raised brow, not giving anything away but back to one conversation as she saved it in the best way she possibly could and he chuckled. “Well, what do you know, babe, he’s a chip off the old block.” There was a sly wink and a lower chuckle as he sort of shook his head. But part of him thought he would be so lucky as to have a kid like Pax, let alone a kid at all. His own fault he really didn’t, but still.

“He’s smart like his mom,” Caedin finally added as he looked back toward the kid. “She’s the brains in this outfit, I swear. You think I’m smart at work, that’s just clever manipulation,” he was a bit too candid but sold it like a joke as they chuckled and he smirked. “You should see her with numbers. She could fix whatever’s wrong in accounting,” but she was sly like he was, that he didn’t sell though as a waiter came by to ask their drink order and food which he gave then gestured to Jenny after pointing to which kid for the waiter to ask when done with them. “Regular Will Hunting.”

“Beauty and brains,” his boss remarked to which Caedin nodded, “you hit the nail on the head sir. Not far off from your own wife,” he schmoozed and drank from the glass of water he had as he leaned back in his chair. “She’s aged like fine wine she has, can only hope I’ll age half as well. Like whiskey.”

[caedinsampson]

         Nervous? What? He wasn’t nervous. Caedin Sampson does not get nervous. That’s not palm sweat, that’s humidity in the air that he will wipe on the cloth napkin when they are actually sitting down. For now, they’re in the car to arrive as a family, Paxton in the second row in a booster seat while Caedin reiterates one more time to Jenny how to act with the people. And some specific things to mention and do. He already tried to tell Pax again, but the kid was smarter than Caedin ever hoped his self would be, or that’s what he said as he chuckled to the responses given before turning attention back to Jenny. “There’s no script, so don’t sound robotic, be natural, please.” He had to remind himself that in his head and he was feeling like a real ass playing it this way. All he wanted was more vacation time. He could have just asked and explained why and what he’d have actually done with it rather than what he’s doing now, but he got himself into this situation and was burying himself deeper, as you do, right? But deep inside he was berating himself, you best believe. Oh well. This had to work, and whatever, this would ensure it so happy. He was happy. Happy couple. Happy son. Happy wife. Happy life. Tough each of those words should have quotation marks -- “happy,” “couple,” “wife,” “child,” -- moving on.

Soon enough, they were at the restaurant to meet with his boss and the rest of the invited co-workers and their families. Deep breaths as they walked to the table behind a seater and his entire demeanor almost changed, suddenly Caedin was acting, well, not himself -- not as Jenny and Pax had seen him. It wasn’t right, but. But. Taking his head boss’ hand, he shook it with a “hello, sir,” then a “may I introduce you to my wife,” and a step aside to reveal her and Pax, “Jenny and Paxton,” to which the boss joked, “so which name is which and Caedin fake laughed to before they were pointed to open seats and he looked back to Jenny, before leading the way and pulling her chair out before taking Paxton toward the end of the table with the kids so he could have more of a fun time than he ( Caedin ) was likely to. They’ve got this. Maybe. ( @jennydalton / @harrymarkle )

[caedinsampson]

jennydalton:

As she walked and talked with him, all too aware of his hand on her lower back, she couldn’t help but be reminded that, just in case someone was watching, she had to pretend they were together. She had yet to agree that she would do this, nor had Caedin offered. But in a restaurant where everyone already seemed to know him, she figured she wasn’t too far off in being cautious. Jenny also figured that it wouldn’t be wildly off base for a wife to check out her husband, as she currently was. This may have been the first time they were meeting face-to-face, but as a ‘wife’ of his he’d be nothing new. It wasn’t like she was thinking about sex; she was only doing some research. Her wandering eyes were on par with her questioning what he did for a living, in her own humble opinion.

“We could drink in silence and just stare at each other instead if you’d prefer that,” Jenny quipped, the corner of her mouth inching up into a smile as she crossed her legs, making herself comfortable. Provided neither of them realized this was a big mistake, it was possible she’d be there for a while. “Publishing? Not bad. What kind of material do you publish?” It sounded more interesting than her job, which she got to after a generous swig of some beer. She always had preferred beer to more “feminine” drinks, but from the looks of it he wouldn’t seem to mind. “I’m a bank manager. Not the best job, but it pays the bills.” Truthfully she hated it, but an accounting firm wouldn’t take her. Yet. “I wanted to be an accountant when I was in college, but getting pregnant put that on the back-burner. I’m finishing my degree, though, this spring.” Realizing that he may not have wanted a “wife” still finishing school she felt the need to add, “but I can make up an occupation. I know the truth isn’t so glamorous.”

         “I suppose you’re right, but that wouldn’t suit the purpose of tonight, as I’m sure you were aware of when you pointed that out,” he chuckled and played with his glass on the table once he’d sat down after she had been seated properly by him. “Can’t say it would be a terrible sight, though. Definite step up from the velour suit and Jimmy Choos I’d been promised,” his almost hazel eyes eyed her as he sat in his chair and fixed his arms to let fingers fold in a casual, yet businesslike manner. “Books. Hard cover, soft, E, audible. I design covers to market them. So I don’t have to like the book but I do need to understand the premise, whatever it is. Be it nonfiction or fiction, romantic or sci fi, whatever. They just have to want whatever I designed over whatever anyone else had.” It was easy, helped he had charm, but it was a bit boring. Nice to have a job that paid a lot and he did well, but it wasn’t exactly fulfilling like other things.

“Well, you had to do what you had to do as a mother, right, there’s no saying you can’t go back and change things. Even if you have to wait til he’s in school or find something online. You deserve to do what you want to,” says the guy who isn’t really himself, and is even trying to make his job better in ways of not doing it for certain times of year and longer. But what was he if not a hypocrite with that, right? “An accountant. Interesting.” He paused and took a drink, “not every day you meet someone who wants to do that -- usually you meet people who think all of the finances of everything is boring, but if you’re thrilled by it, you do you, I guess.” One shoulder shrugged as she said she could change it. “Only change it if you want to and for what you’d rather be doing. I don’t care if it’s glamorous or not. Just have to be a loving family, not one that sounds like it’s on television,” he leaned back then. “Do you still want to be an accountant?”

[caedinsampson]

jennydalton:

The longer she waited, the more her doubts began to creep up on her, Jenny’s voice of reason scolding the woman for being thick enough to accept some odd craigslist request just for a vacation. A vacation for her son, sure, but at what cost? It wasn’t like she was completely skimping on money, though raising a child on her own, saving for his future, and affording rent did make a huge dent in her bank account. Truthfully all she wanted was to give Pax a childhood that he could look upon with happiness and fondness, even if that included faking a marriage just to get him an amazing vacation that he wouldn’t forget. She knew the kid well and his personality, how he’d probably have the time of his life if she went through with this, and that was enough to calm her doubts at least a smidge. Still, it wasn’t all that helpful that Caedin was late, Jenny’s mind jumping to the conclusion that perhaps he decided to blow her off entirely. Before she could entertain such a thought, however, she felt the presence of someone directly behind her, prompting her to look just in time to see Caedin in the flesh leaning against the bar. Well, here went nothing.

“I could say the same about you,” she teased, slowly as a grin made its way onto her lips. He was better looking in person, she’d give him that, not that he was so terrible over facetime. “Just like that?” Sliding off of the barstool with her beer still in hand Jenny took his lead, following Caedin to their table without even masking how she gave him a quick one over, eyes trailing down his body then right back up once they finally reached their table. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all. “It looks like they know you in here,” she pointed out, just from observation in the way those who worked there greeted him while they found their seat. Setting her beer down Jenny smoothed her skirt, sitting down in the chair directly across from him with a newfound smirk. “What is it that you do by the way? I need to make sure it’s substantial. You know, enough to support a wife and son.”

          He watched her, observed her body language and took in what he may be ‘dealing’ with over the next however long it took to pull off this charade -- presumably through the vacation and that would be it, but perhaps more. However would she take that? Likely not. She had a fire and a stubbornness, he could tell. But, any longer and he would actually be late. Right now he was on time, as far as he could tell, but maybe she was one if you were early you were on time and if you were on time, you were late. Who knew? Still, he looked at her closer as he leaned in and was unashamed as she looked toward him and he spoke to her before taking his drink in hand and leading her the way to the table -- one he was guaranteed right when he walked in, as though he owned the place, sometimes he wished he did. Still, though, he took risks with her, bracing the small of her back as he led her across the floor with the warmth of his large hand and answers to her comments.

“Just like that,” he breezed, of course. Clearly he had pull here but why and how, he never really talked about it, but he did have a lot of business meals here. And that gave them business, so they treated him back in kind in ways that they wouldn’t lose funding and he wouldn’t lose time. It was a win-win. But he did raise his brow ever so slightly as her eyes drifted over him, for one who already outlined there would be no sex in this arrangement, she was sure sending mixed signals. His chest puffed, though, in indomitable pride, she was just lucky he didn’t comment, though he wanted to. He did nod, though, when she made her observation of them knowing her. Why, though, he didn’t feel like saying, and instead helped her sit before taking his spot across from her. “Already with the questions? I haven’t even drank my beer yet.” He chuckled, and leaned back in his chair, pausing the waitress before leaning forward. “I work in publishing. Electronically and physically.” As what, he didn’t specify. ”You?”

[caedinsampson]

jennydalton:

Jenny ended the call that night with a smile on her face in the wake of the odd circumstances. By the time that she actually settled into bed for the night after peeking on Pax to make sure he was sleeping well she was still smiling, though it seemed to disappear the second that her head hit the pillow. What was she getting into? Objectively it was insane to pretend to be someone’s wife and to put Paxton through a situation where he had to pretend to have a father when in reality he had never even met his own. She knew that Paxton wouldn’t mind – he had a good sense of humor and would probably find it fun. But she didn’t want to get her son’s hopes up that maybe this pseudo-father would become a real father. If that ever happened Jenny would cut ties immediately; her son’s health and happiness came first. One conversation with Caedin could tell her that he wasn’t really father material; a guy who faked a family for vacation days said enough. But Jenny was willing to give it a try, taking an insane and uncharacteristic leap because her son would hopefully benefit. And maybe there was a part of her that was hoping to benefit, too.

Needless to say the woman had been distracted all throughout the next day, thinking about her meeting with Caedin that night. She hadn’t told Paxton exactly where she was going, only that he would have a babysitter for an hour or two, and when said babysitter arrived that evening Jenny headed out to the agreed upon location, suddenly feeling nervous for the meeting. It wasn’t like they hadn’t spoken and gotten along to boot, but there was a difference between a video chat and actually meeting someone. Maybe he’d decide he didn’t like her, maybe she’d decide that she didn’t like him. It felt like a first date despite not being a date even though she was meeting her potential ‘husband’ (which was a mind fuck in itself). Whatever the case she got there early in much need of a beer. Jenny wasn’t wearing a velour suit as she sat at the bar, and while she knew she would be the only one in the world to actually rock that suit she looked good anyway, having put a little more effort than she normally did running around with a five-year-old on her hip. Instead she drank her beer in sweater and a nice skirt that showed off her legs, her soft waves falling down her back and her eyes darting to the door every time it opened, looking for any sign of Caedin.

         The night for Caedin was just like any other. The man never let his idiocy weigh too much upon him, instead he looked to the brighter side of things, while ignoring the worst -- not exactly the best way to do things. Not really a way to do things at all. Still, he went to bed late, slept like a baby then woke up semi-early to head back to work and make a new day. To be honest, corporate was a little too by rote for his taste, which was why he pitched unconventionally and because of his charisma and the unconventional being refreshing, he landed a lot of his deals, but others likely left people thinking less of him. Though with his charm those were few and far between. ‘Swhy a few people in the office called him the Closer. He did skate on his looks, though, quite a lot. Why else would be so god dang cocky, right? Whatever came out of this for him, was all gain, lucky him. Though, the worst thing that could happen was no vacation if this didn’t work out. He could live without that, right? Right. Even if that’s not what he’d say. Either way.

Believe it or not, it wasn’t like Caedin to be late. But, it also wasn’t like him to roll in early. No instead, he’d slip in right on time, and quite often, he made certain that was the way, counting the seconds then stepping in. It was an old tactic, but something instilled in him as well as his parents hated being late, but he always hated looking as desperate to such things as being early. Had to make people want you. It was part of is job. Not really of his lifestyle, his looks did that, generally. But, point made. At least he was dressed right and groomed properly as he walked into the restaurant and ran a hand through his hair coyly before waving at the help, who new him clearly, and going right in like he owned the place. Caedin could be anything. It wasn’t too long til he spotted her, though, his potential future wife, of sorts and he strolled up behind her leaning toward the bar and placing his order before turning toward her. “Well, I’ll be... I wasn’t sure you’d show up,” but he was. He could tell she would because just like her, he had something to gain, and maybe, just maybe even something to prove. “Table’s waiting.”

[caedinsampson]

jennydalton:

Jenny had to admit, even if he reminded her of the kind of frat boys she’d unfortunately found favor with when in college she couldn’t help but like him. The woman knew how to take a joke, even if that joke was inappropriate. It wasn’t like she was some kind of saint, prudish and holier-than-thou with her nose in the air. Technically she was probably the exact opposite of a saint with her track record of getting pregnant at a young age, out of wedlock, and proceeding to raise a child on her own. But that was the path she decided upon after the pregnancy test turned pink, and she didn’t care what anyone else thought. Jenny loved her son, plain and simple. And even though Caedin’s type was the type who’d gotten her into trouble in the first place she was still going to give him a chance. What could she say? She had a type.

Though maybe he wasn’t quite as she believed him to be as she heard him say he commended her for raising Paxton on her own, the statement throwing her off for a moment. “It is a lot of hard work,” she admitted, nodding as her attention was briefly pulled to the screen of her phone that lit up with a new message, a picture of Paxton’s smiling face shining up at her. Jenny smiled herself. “But if I could go back and change things I wouldn’t. I love my son and I’d do anything for him.” Not wanting to get too cheesy — and boy could she when it came to Pax — she turned her attention back to Caedin, making a teasing  face in his direction to lighten the mood. “Clearly, since I’m considering fake-marrying you.”

Choosing to ignore the whole prostitution thing because, really, why would she want to open up that can of worms, Jenny resulted to silence as she listened to the rest of Caedin’s plan — a dinner to impress his boss, a vacation to convince them all that they were one big happy family, but only if an in-person meeting went well. Jenny could see plenty of problems with the plan if it went wrong, but if it went right, well…who knew? Her son would be happy, and maybe Jenny would have a new friend. Caedin seemed easy enough to get along with. He wasn’t hard on the eyes either. “I think…” she began, slowly, like she was weighing whether or not she’d actually do it, “…you may have found yourself a wife and son. If our meeting goes well, of course.” And honestly, with how well they seemed to get along already she couldn’t see it being much of a disaster. “But congratulations — this is a major milestone in your life. Not many men get a wife, a kid, and a divorce in such a short span of time.” Jenny grinned, picking up her phone to find the calendar app to check her schedule. “I’m free tomorrow night if that works for you. I’ll just have to find a babysitter and pick up my velour suit from the cleaner’s which shouldn’t be too hard.” She met his eye through the screen. “Is it a date?”

         Okay, yeah, what he did was shitty -- but who didn’t lie to get a job? Sure, most people don’t lie about having a family, but what were you supposed to do when you don’t and the company you want to work for is highly family oriented. I mean, he has his own family, just not one with kids. Finding a wife had never been on his radar. He wanted to live life. And the only time he ever felt different was... Any time he stayed with his sister and saw how fulfilled she was -- but he hardly ever did that. Not anymore. Too much work to do, too far away. He was in the city, she was far off in a different state. Only time he maybe saw his family was Thanksgiving or Christmas. Holidays he’d have off finally, but he needed more than work would give him. What else was he supposed to do? Nothing. At least that’s what he convinced himself. And that’s exactly what led to this moment right here. Did he regret it? No, not really, but was his humor and some of the stupid things he did what made him a bad person? No. And he wasn’t really bad at all, though, maybe just maybe, he didn’t believe that himself. Not when he pulled shit like this anyway, and shittier things of his past. But, people never change, right? And this was a topic for a... Different day.

Point is, Caedin would always be himself, even if other parts of him grew up and acknowledged otherwise. Maybe he was more complicated than he or anyone else thought. Still, his head bobbed as he listened to her -- he remembered growing up with his mother, and how much of a handful he was, not that Paxton was like that, but he could imagine how hard it could be. He just hoped, for her sake, it wasn’t. When she looked down and smiled, though, his brows knit and he watched her, leaning forward on his arms while his elbows came to rest upon his desk. “I don’t doubt that,” he really didn’t. Especially when she chose to do this for him, or try to, a point she made herself as he chuckled. “Right, because that’s the worst thing in the world. Could be worse, yanno,” he grinned.

They’d been over that already, but perhaps there had to be a slight reminder or maybe it was a call back as a wink passed his right eye and he leaned back into his chair, fixing his hands upon his lap before he grabbed his beer again for another drink, as though he were drinking to the point. Part of this, though, was on her hands. Just because he’d choose her, doesn’t mean she’d choose him, kid needing it or not. If he were disgusting enough, then she wouldn’t do it. Or if she did, he’d have even more respect for her. And part of him ind of knew she would, even if she hated it and would think about leaving always. He wasn’t going to test it, and he din’t really question, but still, he didn’t know her. With this, he’d have to. “Of course,” there was more bobbing of his head, now the time to listen, and chuckle when she joked with him, and he opened his phone to check what he was doing, “yeah sure. Tomorrow works. I’ll make a reservation at apparently Applebee’s if that’s what yo’re wearing,” Caedin chuckled. “Meet you there, I’m guessing?”

[caedinsampson]

jennydalton:

Jenny hadn’t the slightest clue what to expect from contacting a man requiring a wife and son for some extravagant scam but this wasn’t it. She wasn’t expecting someone young and good-looking, nor one with a good sense of humor. Perhaps a bit douchey but most men were; she could look past that for now. It wasn’t like they would be living together full-time or actually getting married. If he required her for some kind of event she could do it, if they needed to take a couple pictures like a happy family then she would do it. She would do anything to give her son whatever he needed, and if a man was offering up a free opportunity for a vacation, something she couldn’t really afford to give Paxton, then she was going to take it. Jenny could already see herself getting along with him, and Paxton was possibly the coolest kid ever (unbiased, of course). It could work. 

“You could have stopped at cum stains,” she piped up, but her lips twitched up in amusement nonetheless. He was right, after all. At best she expected a nightmare, and apparently he was expecting the same thing. Jenny laughed, taking a quick swig of her beer as she shrugged at the camera. “My velour suit is at the cleaner’s. I can understand why you’d expect someone older but sometimes too much tequila and a broken condom gets you pregnant at twenty.” But she didn’t regret having Paxton, not for a single second. Never would there come a day that she would. Jenny fell silent as Caedin answered her question, only piping in with a “oh, well it’s good to know that you getting laid doesn’t rest on my shoulders” when he mentioned that he could get sex anytime he wanted. Under no circumstance was she going to sleep with him to begin with. “So I get a panty drawer at your place and we just tag along and take a lot of pictures and that’s enough to convince your boss.” Seemed simple enough. “You’d have to make sure that extra room was Stars Wars themed,” Paxton was obsessed, “and you’re right that it doesn’t sound half bad. But you need to know that I’d only consider doing something like this for my son. You mentioned something about a vacation and a dinner?”

         “Could’ve, would’ve, should’ve, but then I wouldn’t have sold it half as well,” or would he? Probably, but it was part of his job to take descriptions and provide accurate pictures, take an idea and roll with it to properly sell it, and would he have sold how horrible the guy was without that? Maybe, but like he said, not half as well. But don’t think he missed the way her lips quirked in amusement, really he said what he said to amuse himself, but if she couldn’t handle it, clearly, she wasn’t the one he should pull this whole charade off with. However, she did, and that was more promising than she seemed before, though, that was already a good state. Now it’s just moving forward. Further an further down this weird rabbit hole.

“Not exactly why I thought older, but sure we can go with that,” it was more the older ladies that would answer ads like this, they were either more desperate or hopeful to find men younger in their cougar-ish ways -- he definitely had some of those in his emails without even seeing him. It was hard to expect the best with shit like this because was a girl like this one really what he deserved in this? No. Not at all. But he was thankful. “I do... Commend you, though, on making the hard choices you’ve obviously had to, it takes a lot to raise a kid, not many are ready or willing to try to be then.” He wasn’t even sure he was then, but he didn’t have to raise this kid now. He could play with him like he did his nephews whenever he saw them.

“That would be prostitution, and I do not sink to that, though I respect that some have to work that way to survive and they’re people, too. I just don’t pay for sex,” he shrugged, not really knowing why he had to justify his comments, then, but he did, an moved on as quickly as he could without making it awkward, even if how he said it wasn’t awkward either. “Pretty much. They don’t need to dig too much, otherwise they’d know I lied already, so, just have to do what we can to perpetuate the lie and roll with it.”

“Sounds easy enough,” he shrugged. It would be though, just would find some Legos, toys, ideas on the internet and get it all painted and done and paid for before they’d come in. “Might have to do an in person meeting before I decide, though.” However she was the only person that seemed right for this. He wouldn’t let that on yet, though. Even if he was kind of desperate. “Sure, sure,” he responded as she tried to convince him that her son was the only reason she’d do this. He believed it, but still. “Yep, I’d need a tag along on the trip because what married man would go on vacation by his lonesome and then every year they have this dinner for everyone. Basically, I’d just need you around until I could sell a divorce and have cemented my vacation days. Simple. What you think?”

[caedinsampson]

jennydalton:

Jenny had gone on plenty of job interviews in her day but this one took the cake for most bizarre. Interviewing to play the part of some stranger’s wife was strange enough, but pretending that her son was theirs was just a whole different level of fucked up. Yet she was the one who contacted him in the first place, the one who offered up her small family to be his so long as he didn’t turn out to be some crazy serial killer. Jenny could at least justify the crazy with the fact that she loved her son more than anything and was willing to give him a better life than she ever had. With that on the line, posing as some guy’s wife really didn’t seem too bad. At least she got some extra cash and a vacation for her son in the process. 

“You missed the hair plugs and beer gut but yeah, something along those lines.” He had a sense of humor at least. If they both didn’t have any humor about the situation she doubted this whole ruse would work in the first place. “Oh? I’m not what you were expecting?” Jenny raised a brow, lips pursing in amusement as she rested both arms on the top of her table. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all. “Hey, I’m not the one who made up a fake family just for some extra vacation time. I think some interrogating is warranted.” Though just from her tone it was clear that was teasing. Not too judgmental, just more curious than anything. “I really don’t know how someone can get themselves into the situation you have but I applaud you for originality, I guess.” Jenny shook her head with another laugh, her long fingers carefully tucking the loose waves behind her ear as she shrugged for the camera. “So? What would this gig consist of exactly, despite the whole trophy wife and perfect kid angle you want.”

        How he approached this was more like a blind date situation than a job interview. Did they have chemistry? Was she appealing? Could he tolerate her quirks for long periods of time, knowing full well that work would take him away from her a decent amount of time just as whatever she did would, too? It might take a couple of meetings to determine if she would work but if she were willing to put in the time, too, that was a good sign. As far as where he stood, she had nothing to worry about and he had no other requests for her, he'd just keep up as he was, after all, girls never made it on his Snapchat and he doesn't work with anyone who frequents the same bars and clubs as he does. It was safe. And it would work, though all hubris and issues of movies would say not, but this, this was real life. And he could manipulate it. There's that pride again.

"Ah right, of course, how could I forget. Maybe I should stain my shirt to make you feel better. Get some crumbs in my beard, cum stains on my pants. Even change into sweatpants for that. Stop me when you've heard enough," he joked, taking it further, but acting completely serious. Maybe he'd even do some of it for the next time they called or hung out, have a laugh, who knows? "I was expecting someone older, I guess. Someone who maybe dressed... Tacky, in faux velour suits with big fake gold earrings and Gucci knockoffs," he joked. "Nah, I don't know all of what I expected but I guess just someone I don't find attractive in any shape or form. Which is definitely a compliment, maybe flirting, but I'm like that." There was a chuckle as she responded, "fair. Have to be sure I'm not starting a cult too, but only so much I can do to prove that especially when someone actually starting a cult wouldn't say 'hey guys I'm starting a cult you should join it, it'll be great!' And would say 'I'm not a cult leader,' like I would, only their statement would be a lie. But who is to say you believe me anyway." A smirk settled on the corner of his lips and he leaned back in his chair before taking a swig of his drink. "Nothing, I'm not asking you to prostitute yourself, it's just what I say it is. If I want sex, I'll get it, doesn't have to be from you. And I don't need a constant overhang either so as long as you don't do anything too incriminating and I don't do anything too incriminating, and you leave some of your things here and I do up the guest room as your boy's bedroom, and we take some family portraits, and you act as I already requested and so does he when needed, we are free to live our lives as we are. Sweet deal, don't you think?"

[caedinsampson]

jennydalton:

It wasn’t until after she had dropped her son off at kindergarten that she saw the reply. In the hustle and bustle of the morning she had nearly forgotten all about the listing she had replied to the night before; getting a five-year-old dressed and ready for the day was a job in and of itself. By the time she got to work and had a moment to check her emails she was reminded of the bizarre situation all over again — seriously, who asked for a wife and son over Craigslist? Or worse, who even responded to that kind of message? A desperate mother, that’s who, but that’s what happened when money was tight and she wanted her son to have the best childhood she could possibly give him. Single motherhood wasn’t easy and this situation seemed perfect, given that the guy wasn’t some serial killer who targeted her demographic.

Jenny couldn’t help but smirk to herself as she read over the email, shaking her head at the situation he’d gotten himself into. Jenny had told some fucked up lies to get what she needed but making up a family for a few extra vacation days was something else. The guy sounded like a bit of a douche but, well, wasn’t everyone? She was interested in talking to him at the very least and so she responded, sending him a time to call and promising to answer when he did. The rest of the day was spent wondering how this conversation would go, if it would be as strange as the listing itself. It wasn’t until she sat herself down at her kitchen table after putting Paxton to bed that she actually felt somewhat apprehensive. What if he was crazy? What if she actually did this? Jenny couldn’t delve too deep into her mind before a notification popped up on her laptop’s screen, presumably from her ‘fake husband.’ Here went nothing. Brushing her messy waves over one shoulder the woman took a deep breath then accepted the call, sitting up a bit straighter as she watched the a new face pop up on her screen. Jenny paused, watching him for a moment before she flat out laughed. “Don’t hate the player, hate the game?” Honestly she was…surprised. He was young, good-looking. Definitely not the creep she’d convinced herself he would be. “Okay, you are not what I was expecting.”

         Emails filed in throughout the day, not much promising, some already with pictures and unfortunately, even the pretty ones were... Too much. Their responses read clingy, needy, or uncaring. If they couldn’t even play the part in an email, how could he expect them to play it when he had them round? He couldn’t. And at this point, he feared he would be watched too much so he couldn’t even set them aside for when this didn’t work out, because that was always an option, even if his confidence acted like it wasn’t ninety-nine percent of the time. Still, though, the potential adoring wife seemed the most promising, so he hoped this worked. After all, someone who could find the humor in this and have a humor was far better than some gold digger chasing him down, right? He didn’t have high hopes, but if he did, this girl would be the way to go.

After he got home and read her email, he took a long hot shower then grabbed a beer from the fridge. This would be interesting, he was sure, but amusing, so at least there was that, but whether she fit his description was in question and whether her son did, too, was another, though, that he’d take a picture of. After all, if he didn’t look like he could be his kid, how would this ever work? And he had some time, but not all of the time in the world, so there was that. But at least he knew in writing they had some chemistry. That’s all he could hope for right now as he settled in front of his desktop and turned on the webcam to call her on Google Hangout.

As she watched him, he raised a brow, tried not to judge her looks before her -- she was gorgeous and not what he expected either, but it was more... Frowned upon for a guy to give too much thought and last thing he needed was setting off a feminist trigger and losing his best chance. “Hello, potential adoring wife,” Caedin answered with a chuckle then leaned back in his chair. “What? Not enough grease in my hair? Too much beard? No sloppy t shirt that talks about my pussy game?” He joked. “I didn’t exactly expect you, either.” Not a natural beauty anyway, but he expected people with work done. She was just beautiful and he offered a smile. “So this enough to tell you I’m not crazy or is the whole Jeffrey Dahmer thing in effect now, am I going to be interrogated?”

[caedinsampson]

jennydalton:

Desperate times appeared to call for desperate measures. Considering Jenny was a single mother those times typically came more frequently than not. Sometimes working two steady jobs just wasn’t enough to make ends meet, to keep her son happy. It was all about him. Working herself to the bone, maintaining the small but snug apartment they called home. There wasn’t anything that Jenny would do just so he stayed comfortable. It was why she was scrolling through Craigslist one night once Paxton was put to bed with a beer in hand, searching for an odd job that would pay a little extra, that she could put toward maybe a vacation of some sort. It was why she couldn’t believe the title that caught her eye, prompting Jenny to click on a link that brought her to a very bizarre listing that honestly, Jenny laughed at at first. What kind of guy would lie about that shit? But, as she reread it, it was almost like it was meant to be. It was a weird situation but there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for Paxton. He was a chill kid, he wouldn’t have any problem ‘acting’ like some random guy’s son. And if he had some fun out of it and got to travel that was enough for her. After a deep breath and a long swig of her beer Jenny cracked her knuckles then got to work, opening up a new email.

Dear ‘Don’t Hate the Player, Hate the Game,’

I have to admit this ‘game’ you’re playing is one I’ve never heard of before. Kind of sad but, I’m the one replying to this listing so what does that say about me? I’m 26, mother to a five-year-old boy. Deadbeat dad has never been in the picture so you’re in luck there. I’m not an actress but I know how to bullshit and I love my son, so if he can get a vacation then I wouldn’t mind talking to you some more about this. I know you want a picture but honestly, I need some proof that you’re not some psycho and the next Craigslist killer. If you show me yours I’ll show you mine.

Signed, Your Potential Adoring Wife

Adding her phone number and FaceTime information in case he decided to see what she was about Jenny reread the email several times before sending it. The word ‘sent’ prompted her to nearly finish off her beer in one go, just to soothe the odd nerves.

         Nothing came that night -- well, not nothing, just nothing of merit. It wasn’t as though he were judging much on looks, but, the woman he’d pick would have to fit how he’s described her and each and every message he received was either spam, pranksters, women who looked absolutely nothing like he had in mind, women who barely did, or women who didn’t give off the right vibe to him from the pictures and didn’t look like they could even a little bit. He had some time, but not much, so he hoped he’d get better after some sleep or at least time away as he logged out of the email and worked on a few things for work before settling on his couch to watch the NBA Finals. Typical guy thing, typical Caedin. What else was he to do?

When he saw more emails in the morning, he was pleased. Of course there were more of the others, but there were a few that seemed promising, including one from this girl that had a sense of humor and even from the little given seemed honest, at least with the love she had for her kid. He replied to a couple of the others and then typed up an email to this one, this “Potential Adoring Wife,” with a chuckle, hoping he caught her at a good time so he could plan a time after work or at least no whether or not he could FaceTime her after work or not since he gave a time first, but he’d pan out the details later, when she answered.

Dear Potential Adoring Wife,

         Well, that sounds promising. Kidding, but who doesn’t love being doted upon now and then. And who doesn’t love learning a new game, even if they can’t share the wealth themselves, everyone I’ve ever known likes a challenge. Does that count you in?

         Is it sad or is it genius? It all depends on how you frame it, but maybe I’m an optimist or maybe I’m a charlatan. I’m not sure what you’d believe over the internet. Nor do I think anything I said would change your opinion, but that being said, I’m willing to hear you out. Even if you might have an in with a cop to put me through a facial scanner. Most he’ll find is a couple DUIs and public indecency. What can I say, I was teenaged, then. Now it’s big boy games.

         It’s not long before I head into work in suit and tie, well, maybe not a tie, so I can’t talk much now other than an email now and then, so it’s up to you what time I call. Especially when you have the kid to worry about, what’s his bedtime anyhow? Ten? Let me know and I’ll call, then.

‘Don’t Hate the Player, Hate the Game.’

He’d keep up with the few people he had, not answer the rest and settle for someone within the nine and ten, but first he should talk to them. Let the interviewing / conversing begin.

[caedinsampson]

        Summer was coming, some may consider it already here -- with summer came the desire for two weeks vacation time, but he’d only just been hired here at this new place after moving miles away, coming to the city for new opportunity, better opportunity than the old one. There wasn’t much to his name other than the money he used to buy his house, his car, his food, his clothes, and the money left in his bank account. But not everything was money. Some of it was lies, and those lies were something he could use for vacation time. Travel. If he had a family vacation, they would give him vacation. They hired him for being a family man, after all, hand’t they? And it wasn’t as though he couldn’t work some here and there, make it paid vacation. But to do that, he needed to give more information than just a married relationship status on Facebook. He had to schmooze, show how much it meant to his kid that they were going to... Disney World or some other place. Then post the pictures. It was a huge charade, but if there were people out there looking to make a buck, he could find someone. Right? He shouldn’t have lied, yeah, but he wanted this job. They wanted something specific, so he sold himself, fit the terms. Who doesn’t lie on a resume anyway? What he needed was a wife and kid for a meal and those two weeks. He could do that, couldn’t he. And he could save pictures from those two weeks to use down the line. Whatever. It was an elaborate scheme, made him seem like a shifty guy. He wasn’t or he liked to think he wasn’t. His mama had raised him right, but still, that’s where Caedin stood as he placed a somewhat anonymous ad on Craig’s List, using an email made specifically for it.

        WANTED: WIFE AND KID. TWO WEEKS VACATION, ALL EXPENSES PAID, BUT DINNER FIRST. No acting experience needed, but preferred, perhaps improv. Here’s the situation: My job thinks I have a wife and kid, I just wanted to take hours off with no issue, pick up vacation days, nothing too harmful, but I’m new to this job. And that makes things as soon as I want harder to get. So I need you ( both ), to get me those days, and I will pay for you to come with and you won’t have to do a thing with me other than some pictures for Facebook and acting like we’re one big happy family in those pics and at the dinner. Contact me at [email protected]. Send pictures of you both and prepare to prove yourself trustworthy. Signed, Don’t Hate the Player, Hate the Game.

And now he waits.