It has been a long week working at the mechanic shop he had owned and an even longer month dealing with all the packing Dean had been doing. Cas had been almost no help with all his finals. It was his last semester of law school and it had been a doozy for him. Dean felt like he hadn't seen him at all in the last 5 months and it had been driving him insane. Cas was always at the library, in class, studying or with a study group. Dean wasn't fond of Cas's study group, they seemed to think Dean was beneath Cas and had no problem telling Dean. Crowley was a particular problem because he had a thing for Cas and thought Dean was in his way. More than once Crowley had told Dean how Cas could do so much better than some townie mechanic.
Dean never really let it bother him because he was proud of his shop, he had worked damn hard to make it happen and to make it as successful as it was. He was the only place in a hundred miles that restored classic cars, as well as fixing any car that came in. He had a gift and everyone he had hired was just as skilled as him. So what if they were a rough and tumble group of guy and girls, they were honest and hard working; that's all that mattered to Dean and his clients. After almost coming to blows with Crowley during one of Cas's study sessions at the apartment, Cas had moved the group closer to campus and never held another one at home. It has caused a rather loud and long fight between the two of them. Cas had demanded to know what Dean's problem was and when Dean told him Cas shrugged it off saying Crowley was just trying to rile Dean up and it wasn't a big deal. He shouldn't have tried to hit Crowley; he should have just left instead.
Dean spent the night on Jo and her roommate Charlie's couch trying to calm down. It was the first of many fights over Crowley and each one ended with Dean on Jo and Charlie's couch trying to calm down.
The shop had been so busy Dean hadn't been home except late at night to pack a few boxes. Dean and Cas just signed all the final paperwork on their first house and they had been slowly packing up their apartment over the past few months. Cas had promised to be home to help pack the final boxes and help get everything ready for the truck the next day. Dean checked the time again; Cas was over an hour late. Dean tired to call Cas's cellphone, only to be sent straight to voicemail again. Two hours later Dean gave up and began to move everything by himself. He figured he might as well start packing the truck up because without Cas now it would just be double the work tomorrow. Five hours passed and Dean had almost everything packed into the truck except the things to big for him to move on his own. Walking slowly back into the apartment he considered calling Cas again to see where he was. Looking down at his phone he noticed a missed message from Cas.
*Dean, so sorry I forgot I was supposed to meet my study group to go over outlines. I won't be home to help tonight but I will try to be at the new place tomorrow to help you unpack. I'm sure Jo, Charlie, Ashe and Sam will be willing to help if you give them a call. Talk when I get home. Cas*
Dean sighed looking at the message. The damn study group was getting more time with Cas then he was. Thank god this was the last semester of all this, no more late nights at the library, no more sleeping alone, no more texts like this one and no more Crowley. That was the best part. Sighing again Dean pulled up his contacts list and dialed Jo.
"Hello?" Jo's slurred voice answered.
"Hey Jo, it's Dean. I was wondering if I could ask you and Charlie for a favor?" Dean asked quietly.
"Do you need a couch to crash on again because Cas is being a royal ass?" Jo asked sounding a little more awake.
"No, no, I just need some help moving tomorrow. Cas bailed because he has to study for his last final and he needs to be with his study group."
"Okay, sure, we can help with that. Do you wanna talk about what's actually bothering you or should I wait till tomorrow?"
Dean huffed into the phone, "I know he has to study but he spends so much goddamn time with that group and I can't stand it. I feel like he doesn't want to make this move or be here with me sometimes. I know his schooling is important but so is this. I mean we're moving into our first home for Christ's sake. A little excitement or help on his part would be nice. I have a job and I work, it's not like I'm doing nothing all day, but it seems that's what he thinks because I'm not in school. I own a business and I have a life too!"
Jo sighed, "Dean, you know he loves you. He's just really stressed and busy. I'm sure he knows you work and have a life but right now he just wants to graduate from school. After this is all over the group won't even be around anymore, you won't have to worry."
"I know I'm being irrational about it. I think its lack of sleep on my end. I work all day and then come to pack. Once this move is over it'll be okay. Thanks for listening Jo, I appreciate it and I'll see you tomorrow morning. Coffee and lunch are on me for the help." Dean said.
"No problem Deano, always willing to help a friend. The free food is a plus. I'll see you tomorrow" Jo laughed back and then hung up the phone.
Dean placed his cellphone down on the floor next to what was left of the bed. He pulled his pants and then shirt off and opted for his night pants. Climbing into bed he snuggled down hoping Cas would be home soon.