Drifting Back
Chapter 3 - Twisted in Lies
“Where the hell is that damn room?” Keith muttered as he strode down the corridors of the unfamiliar building. He had never had a reason to frequent this place but this was an emergency.
After ten minutes of searching, he finally reached the destination. It was in the basement, though it felt more like the middle of nowhere. Once he opened the door, he was surprised to find the place packed.
“Sign in before you enter,” a familiar voice ordered, not even bothering to look away from the computer screen. Keith was relieved to find he had the work schedule right.
He scribbled down a signature, then went around to the other side of the desk. “Why does it look like you’re their babysitter?”
Brendan jolted up. “What brings you here? I’ve worked here two years and not once have you ever visited.”
“This couldn’t wait.”
“Even until I return home tonight?”
“Consider that if our roommates hear part of this, they’ll want to string me up. The other part wouldn’t be a big deal, just thought you should be aware.”
Brendan countered, “In the last two days, I’ve driven for eight hours and slept for six. I’m not in the mood for guessing games. Get to the point.”
“Okay, the first is about Jen. I saw her Friday night. Or, I should say, she found me at the goth dive.”
That in itself was a surprise to Brendan, given that he didn’t know where Keith hid out. “Why would Jen be there?”
“She and Jack’s boyfriend Scott were driving around the area. We ditched the guy and ended up going to the boardwalk. It was one of those picturesque moments, tailor-made for the movies. I could describe it to you in annoyingly accurate detail.”
“It sounds romantic.”
“It was. Jen got caught up in it as well. She kissed me.”
“You mean someone finally acted in your little triangle?” Brendan grinned. “It’s about time because I was getting annoyed with the innuendo.” Keith looked down guiltily. “Oh no. What did you do?”
“I got nervous. The alcohol said more than I could. I felt sick.”
Brendan’s jaw dropped. This hardly sounded like the guy who could sweet talk every woman in a bar. “You?”
“Yes, me. I tried to convince myself it wasn’t a big deal. That I had been so drunk that I’d black out. Instead, I recall every fucking thing. I’ve been a mess this whole weekend. What the hell is wrong with me?”
“How’s Jen handling it?”
“I told her I couldn’t remember what happened that night.”
“You what?” Brendan pushed him hard. “You’re a dumbass. Jen thinks she still means nothing to you. You’ve finally met someone who’s more than a cheap thrill and you wreck it by being yourself!”
“I felt like she could see through me. Jen was talking about screwed-up families, even though she didn’t hear about Stan. If she believes I remember, we’ll have to go back to that discussion. That is a door I don’t want to open.”
“For a guy who normally goes with the flow, you’re sounding like a control freak. It’s not something within your power.”
Keith refused to believe this girl had the ability to change him. “Jen is an anomaly. I could return to my usual self.”
“Usual ways meaning girls like Audrey?”
“You make it sound appalling. Audrey is a good choice…”
“True but it wouldn’t matter whether you hooked up or not. The only thing stopping you is that she’s a roommate. It’s more of a physical thing anyway.”
Keith couldn’t deny that was true. Jen and Audrey were two different situations. “That’s not terrible. Haven’t you ever been in a moment where it’s all about the immediate gratification?” Keith shook his head. “Nevermind, I forgot who I was talking to about this. How long has it been…almost a year?”
Brendan bit back in frustration, “Don’t turn this around on me. You came for my help!”
“That and to see the look on your face when you discover Joey’s gonna be your date for that family dinner.” Keith smiled satisfactory at getting the upper hand again.
“How is that possible?” Brendan exclaimed. Several students looked away from their computer screens, to which he asked in a lower voice, “Do you thrive on being sadistic?”
“I didn’t do anything. Your mom called Saturday, Joey answered. They got along on the phone. Caroline actually thought you found a decent girl and invited her to the dinner.” Keith chuckled. “Won’t Miss Potter prove her wrong!”
“Joey isn’t that bad,” Brendan said defensively.
“Maybe so, but your family thinks you have low-class taste. No offense to Joey or her background but that opinion won’t change tomorrow night.”
“Did you tell Joey this is a terrible idea? She should figure out a way to cancel.”
“Joey thinks this is a wonderful suggestion. I tried to talk to her but she doesn’t take anything I say seriously. Audrey was already searching the closets for proper attire.” Keith stood up, thumping Brendan on the back as he headed out. “Should be a blast.”
* * * * *
Pacey drove up to Grams’ house after work that Tuesday. He had gathered two apartment listings from work, ready to check out.
In his excitement, he hadn’t considered the possibility of Jack not being the only one home. Jen was sitting on a rocking chair on the porch. She did a double take upon seeing Pacey exit the car. When he spotted her, he said, “Lindley,” as if he’d just seen her yesterday.
Jen stood up and walked toward him, her pace quickening with every step. When she reached Pacey, he wrapped her in a hug.
After a minute, Jen broke away, taking in his appearance. “When did you wash up on shore?”
“A couple months ago. I work on one of the cruise ships.”
“You’ve been around that long and I didn’t know about it? I must be slipping. So, Doug gave you my address and you finally decided to seek me out?”
“That’s not exactly how it happened. I hate to rat out your roommate but…”
Jen yelled, “How dare he keep this from me!”
“You might want to know that the reason I’m here is that we’re doing the apartment search together.”
“Why don’t I go get him for you?” Not waiting for a reply, she retreated to the house. Jen stormed up the stairs, then stopped short in front of Jack’s bedroom. She planted a smile on her face, then opened the door.
Jack was taking a nap, but was awakened by a pillow hitting him in the face. When he opened his eyes, he saw Jen standing there with the smile still there. Jack knew that look meant only one thing. “What are you preparing?”
“I should be asking you the same question. Your chariot awaits. Prince Charming wants to whisk you off to your future castle.”
“What?” He couldn’t be awake, since that made absolutely no sense.
“You’re right, that’s the wrong message. Pacey found a prospective place. So it’s more like a frog wants to settle in a cramped apartment. Either way, it’s time to go.”
* * * * *
“Ow! Would you cut it out?” Joey complained as Audrey pulled her hair too hard.
“I will get these curls to stay in place,” Audrey proclaimed as she grabbed a handful of bobby pins from the tin with one hand and held the curling iron in the other.
“I don’t understand what the big deal is. I intend to straighten out this misunderstanding.”
Keith called out from outside the room, “Is it safe to enter?”
“Come in,” Joey shouted out. When he entered the room, she asked, “Would you tell Audrey she is fussing around for no reason?”
Ignoring Joey’s request, he asked, “Aud, which outfit did you choose?” Joey was wearing a bathrobe over the outfit so he couldn’t tell.
“The light green blouse and black skirt which just passes the knees,” Audrey replied.
Keith nodded approvingly, relieved that Audrey’s penchant for dressing provocatively wasn’t carrying over to advising for this particular night. “Sounds like you actually listened to me.”
“Even though it seems stuffy,” Audrey whined as she pinned curls in place. “I don’t get it, Keith. Brendan is not into appearances. He considers a t-shirt without a stupid saying or character to be dressing up.”
“He might be like that but his family isn’t. His mom is a party planner for the rich and his dad deals in real estate. It’s because of their obsession with image that drove him in the opposite direction.”
Joey got Audrey to stop fussing. “You’re screwing with me.”
Keith explained, “I worked at that monstrosity of a house for a summer. I was their pool boy in exchange for staying in one of the guest rooms. If it weren’t for his mom’s propensity for hitting on the help, it would have been a great summer. His dad’s a workaholic, which makes sense because she is insufferable.”
Audrey went back to putting the finishing touches on Joey’s hair. Joey griped, “You know what I think? I believe you’re trying to psych me out.”
Keith held up his hands, not wanting to fight over this. “Fine, don’t believe me.”
Audrey sprayed the last curls in place, satisfied with the result. “It finally obeyed. My magic is done.”
Joey stood up and undid the robe, letting it fall to the ground. She tilted her head as she looked in the mirror. Even by her standards, it seemed rather rigid. “Are you sure about this?”
Audrey uncertainly glanced at Keith, who nodded. She concurred, “Absolutely.”
Joey wasn’t convinced. She stalked over to the door, swinging it open. “I know you’re setting me up for something bad by telling me this nonsense. There is no way he’s from money.”
She stopped in her tracks when she saw Brendan sitting on the arm of the couch, anxiously waiting for her. Joey took in the charcoal gray suit, white dress shirt, gray and white checked tie and dress shoes. His hair, normally flopping in his face, was slicked in place, accentuating his brown eyes. If Keith hadn’t warned her, Joey would have thought this was an uncomfortable costume. Whereas it actually was an uncomfortable situation.
Audrey and Keith followed her out. When she saw Brendan, Audrey paused in her tracks, not even sure it was the same guy she’d overlooked for over a month. Finally, she declared, “You clean up pretty decently, Meyers.”
Joey stammered out, “You look nice.”
Brendan hadn’t even heard Audrey because he was stuck on Joey. He mustered out a reply, “Thanks. So do you.” He coughed, then jumped up. “We should let this night of hell begin.”
Joey bit back a smile at him trying to downplay the evening. “Let the torture begin.”
* * * * *
Pacey and Jack were standing in the living room of the second apartment. A definite improvement over the first, which would have been better advertised as a garbage dump. Plus, this was better than their current living situations.
Jack nodded approvingly. “It’s close to the college.”
Pacey added, “It’s near work.”
“This is a pretty good place,” Jen agreed. Even though she wanted to resist, she knew there would have to be a time when she let Jack go; that time was now.
Both guys turned around, surprised to hear her endorsement. “This is the same girl who was still expounding on the horribleness of the other choice when we drove up,” Jack reminded Pacey.
“See, it’s the magic of the residence,” Pacey retorted. “Makes even the pessimist perk up.”
Jen smiled slightly, then added, “Besides, you’ll be living rather close to a certain waterfront apartment. What is it, about five blocks away?”
Before Pacey had a chance to answer, Jack quipped, “Which means she’ll be visiting often, as a stop before dropping by to see Keith.”
“As if I wouldn’t be here often because of you,” Jen bantered back as she wrapped her arms around Jack.
Pacey countered, “I knew I wouldn’t be avoiding Jo forever.” Looking around the apartment, he said, “For the price, we’re not going to find much better.”
Jack shook his head, not about the cost but the first part. “I don’t believe you. I’m surprised you’ve gotten away with this as long as you have. How has Joey not seen you yet when I spotted you the first time I visited them?”
Pacey grinned as he replied, “Because you miss me more?”
“I’m setting up a deadline,” Jen stated emphatically, breaking up the back and forth. “The Halloween party. I’m inviting all our friends, including Joey, and I’ll consider it an insult if you don’t show.”
Pacey nodded. “Fine, that seems a fair cut-off date though I doubt it will take that long.”
* * * * *
Joey glanced around the dining room table, not sure what to say or do. It was awkward, that was for sure. Caroline Meyers was playing the role of hostess to the hilt, weaving the conversation away from awkward topics. Given what she knew, it was hardly surprising that she looked like she believed she was still in her twenties - blonde hair, sucked-in cheeks, redone nose, top physical shape. Joey noted that several of the people around the table were neighbors, none willing to acknowledge that her husband was a no-show.
The point of the dinner was that Brendan’s older sister Janette was moving to Spain to live with her fiancé Carlos. It didn’t matter that this Carlos guy was slime, that he seemed to be more interested in the family’s finances than his soon-to-be wife. As long as he came from wealth as well, everything was fine.
Joey could see that Brendan didn’t like being in the middle of this mess. His eyes kept traveling around the room, participating in the polite conversation when called upon. He didn’t want to stir up trouble, but it was inevitable there would be a confrontation.
She was thankful to be ignored in these talks. But Joey knew her turn would come. Janette was trying not to notice her man’s distracted ways and happened to turn Joey’s way. She put on a fake smile as she called Joey out, “How did you two meet, anyway?”
“We’re roommates,” Joey explained. “In fact, there’s been a bit of a misunderstanding. You see, Brendan and I aren’t…”
Janette cut her off to inquire, “It’s all about convenience?”
“Excuse me?” Joey could tell she should be offended, but not quite sure if it was as seedy as it sounded.
Brendan muttered, “Do I tell you how to live your life?” He was glaring right at Carlos as he said that.
Janette snapped, “At least I know that I’ll be treated right. Why do you prefer the help to the guests?” She nodded as the butler filled her glass with champagne, then continued, “That’s your problem. Your girlfriends are those you should feel sorry for, not the type you deserve.”
Caroline cut her off harshly, “Janette, that is not necessary in front of company.” Joey glanced Brendan’s way. She guessed this discussion was one that came up often, as Brendan hardly blinked at either of their comments. Any thoughts she had of telling the truth about their relationship were gone.
“Fine,” Janette huffed. “So, Joey. Do you attend Worthington as well?”
Relieved for the moment to have a safe question, she replied, “Yes. I’m a junior.”
Brendan offered, “Joey had her work published in a literature journal as a freshman.”
Caroline smiled slightly as she inquired, “Are you interested in pursuing a writing career?”
“I’ve always been interested in writing. Though I could also see myself as an English teacher.”
Janette made a tired face at that information. “Of course you do. Do you believe the children are our future as well?”
“Would you grow up?” Brendan retorted. “At least she’d be doing some good in this world, helping kids learn. The best thing you’ll end up accomplishing is breeding pretty children.”
“And what the world needs now is love, sweet love, right? Or is it just hokey folk singers and social workers? How immature is that!”
“I don’t expect you to understand concepts that don’t involve dollar signs, Janette.”
Janette whined to her mother, “Do you believe this nonsense?”
Instead of answering her, Caroline explained to Joey, “You’ll have to forgive my daughter. She has difficulty… separating her thoughts from her words. We’re just a little wary of the people occupying his time.”
Brendan grumbled, “Can you at least pretend you’re not talking about me?”
Janette asked suddenly, “So what does your family do?”
“Wasn’t charm school supposed to solve her problem with manners?” Brendan wondered aloud as he slouched back in the chair, disgusted with the situation.
Joey wasn’t sure she even wanted to answer that question, since even in calm circumstances it was a strained topic. “Well, my sister runs a bed and breakfast, which my dad does some work on.”
“Sounds quaint,” Caroline replied dryly. “A real family affair. I’m guessing your mother is connected with the business as well.”
“In a sense. It was a dream of hers. When she died and my father basically wrecked our restaurant with…” Joey caught herself before saying ‘drug deals gone wrong’, knowing that would be the final nail, “poor management, the Potter B&B evolved.”
“Potter B&B. I can’t say I’ve ever heard of that place. Where is it located?”
“Capeside. One of the tourist towns.”
“Uh huh. Fascinating.” Caroline stood up, having had enough of this small talk. “Brendan, could I see you in the living room?”
Janette gave a satisfied smirk as mother and son left the room. The door wasn’t completely shut, as Joey and everyone else could hear every word.
“Are you trying to wreck our name?” Caroline blasted.
“First of all, you invited Joey, thinking she was my girlfriend.”
“She isn’t?” with way too much hope in her voice.
“No, she isn’t but there’s nothing wrong with her! Joey is a warm, friendly person but you judged her as soon as she walked in.”
“So far, the suspicions have been confirmed. Why do you insist on hanging around people beneath you?”
“Would you stop saying that trash? This is why I stopped coming around here. Janette leaving is a celebration, especially when you consider she’ll get exactly what she deserves when she finds her man cheating or robbing her blind. Nobody living in this damn house is happy with what they have so, no, I’m glad to say this isn’t persuading me.”
“You’re being stubborn.”
“Dad considers his current business deal more important than this dinner. You’d rather try to fuck your employees than sort out any problems that don’t involve decorations or guest lists.” Joey gasped as the last vestige of doubt about Keith’s tale earlier had now disappeared.
Caroline’s voice rose as she commanded, “I want you to realize that what’s best for this family isn’t slumming. I’ll be thrilled for the day this stage is over. Girls like her aren’t worth the trouble.”
The next sound was the door swinging open and Caroline entering as though nothing happened, her heels echoing through the room. She sat down at the table and planted a smile as she continued talking about their current stock investments.
Joey stood up and headed for the living room. Brendan was seated on the sofa. Without even looking at her, he stated, “I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t. I can’t stay here any longer.” He rose from his seat, taking a deep breath, and headed for the exit with his head hanging down. Joey followed him wordlessly, that one shot of dejection saying everything.
* * * * *
Keith was catching up on reading the newspaper when Audrey sat opposite him at the counter. “I have a question,” she stated.
“Go ahead.”
“Why would you need to work as a pool boy anyway?”
Keith shrugged, “I was taking a summer class here. It was cheaper than staying in the dorm.” His attention went back to the article he was reading.
Audrey accepted his answer, though it only triggered more questions in her mind. “Do you like playing games with me?”
“Pardon?”
“Some days, I think you want me. Other times, like right now, you barely care if I’m in the room.”
“Because you prefer being the center of attention at all times. I have better things to do than feed your ego.”
She jerked back, burned by the remark. “That was totally harsh.”
“Audrey…”
“Is this about Jen?” Audrey prompted
“Jen? No, of course not. This is about you trying to get your way.”
“Because reading the sports section is more important than this discussion!” She picked up the newspaper and threw it on the floor. Keith rested his elbows on the counter, focusing on her. “I feel like you hold back from me. I’ve told you about my family, my friends from California, my friends from here whereas I believe I don’t know you.”
“Not everyone is an open book.” He got off the stool to pick up the pages of the fallen paper.
“Which I understand. Believe me, I do. It’s just…why haven’t I heard you mention your parents once? Most people have anecdotes from their childhood. The extent of my knowledge about your upbringing is that you check the boxscores for the Braves every day and the Atlanta Falcons every Monday. That argument Friday afternoon only confused me more.” She could see Keith ready to pounce on that last remark so she cut him off, “Brendan has at least brought up his parents in the past, even if none of the stories indicated his family was wealthy, so he’s still more forthright than you.”
Keith tossed the contents back on the counter. “What do you want from me?”
“I want to think that I’m at least somewhat important to you.”
“You are but you have to understand some things are just not happening. There are certain things I don’t like to talk about. Once you get started, it’s difficult to stop.”
Audrey could see this approach wasn’t working. There was one other thing that bothered her and, since she was on a roll, thought to bring it up. She muttered, “I see the way you look at her. You don’t look at me that way.”
“What way?” She had finally succeeded in getting his attention on her. “Who?”
Audrey rose from her seat, letting her resentment take over. “You have the choice of two hot blondes. You already know it’s Jen, but refuse to let me in on the secret. I see the way you sneak glances at her. How she threatens you to be a human. How you think it’s okay to say everything but your true feelings to me.”
He snarled, “I’ve had enough of this discussion.” Keith got off the chair and approached her on the other side of the counter. “Don’t mention Jen again because this talk is about you and me, got it?”
Audrey nodded, feeling both fear and anticipation for his next words. “Will do.”
“Where do you imagine us going? What do you want?” It was a low, taunting tone which, combined with a steely stare, made apparent he was tired of the games.
“I want…” She was stunned to find it difficult to say anything.
Keith finished her thought when it was clear she had no reply. “You want to get mad at me, so that it feeds this craving you have for drama. Not so much a relationship as a release.” He rested his palm on her waist as he continued, “There’s no problem with that as long as there’s no ambiguity. I’m probably not the guy you imagined at our first meeting. In fact, I bet I never was that guy since you’ve built it up so much that anything will be a letdown.”
“That’s not true,” Audrey answered as she closed her eyes and soaked in his touch. She peered through heavy lids up at him.
“Prove me wrong,” Keith challenged, slowly lowering his head down to Audrey’s level until their mouths were inches apart. Audrey found resistance futile as she met him the rest of the way and attacked her mouth on his. She circled her arm around his neck to get better balance.
It was a rather brief kiss before Audrey broke away, searching his eyes for something that wasn’t there. Much as she wanted him, she could feel now it was only lust. Worse, it was one-sided. She hated that he was right and didn’t like that one bit.
She forcibly shoved Keith away, shouting, “You deliberately twisted this around so I’m the bad guy. Do you get off from girls giving in to this manipulative bullshit? Damn, I can’t believe Joey was right about you!”
“You want details about my life?” Keith laughed coldly. “You don’t give a shit about that. You want information so that you have dirt on me, not because you care. It’s all about the physical.”
“Ugh. You sicken me.” Audrey stalked toward the exit and grabbed her coat. “I’ll have you know there may have been a more serious relationship and you fucked it up.”
“No, there never was. When you realize that, everything’s easier.” Audrey slammed the door shut as a reply.
* * * * *
The car ride home from the dinner was rather quiet. They were only blocks away from the apartment when Joey finally had to ask, “Why did you deceive me?”
“I didn’t.”
“You work crazy hours at the computer lab, scrounge for every dollar spent on groceries, barely make rent payments…and I’m supposed to believe there’s no deception?”
He was aware Joey would have to question him eventually. “They shell out for school stuff because they’re convinced I’m just going through a phase. I pay for everything else, hence the job. The money doesn’t interest me because there are so many strings attached.”
“They say that I fit the type of girl you tend to date.” She wondered if he knew she overheard the conversation with his mother.
Brendan shrugged it off, not wanting to show that he wished she didn’t notice that. “Anyone without a trust fund would qualify in their opinion.” He pulled into a space at the apartment and parked the car.
Joey kidded, “I guess it’s fortunate I don’t have the same stringent criteria.”
“It’s not like I have a laundry list of requirements. If I met a person like you, who I found out later happened to be rich, it wouldn’t matter. No, with these people, those are the first words out of their mouths.”
Both exited the car. Brendan was leaning against the car, searching for the key to the entrance. Joey walked over to him and softly asked, “Do you consider me your type?”
He stopped what he was doing and looked up at her. “You wouldn’t exactly be against my type. I meant that we’ve become good friends and that I wouldn’t care if I suddenly found out something like that about you.”
Joey could hear the question implied in that sentence. “I don’t care either.” She rested her hand on the back of his neck and leaned in to kiss him. What was supposed to be reassuring turned into both feeding a hunger to continue. Joey pressed her body against Brendan’s and their hands wandered, neither concerned about holding back.
When they finally broke apart, Joey queried, “Were we just being two stupid college students?”
Brendan looked around as if afraid to give away that secret. “Yes. Is that a problem?”
“I suppose not. We should get inside before the spies find out.” She smiled as she let Brendan drape an arm around her as he led her into the apartment.
Chapter 4 - Wake-Up Call
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