Nowhere Fast
Chapter 20 - Wheels in Motion
Pacey Witter
I returned to the dorm building after class on Friday. I wasn’t sure exactly what Joey had in mind but she wouldn’t have used the word ‘date’ if that’s not what she meant.
How did this happen? A date with Joey. She asked me. What alternate universe had I entered?
As soon as I opened the door, I was surprised to see Jack jump up. Damn, why did he have to be here now? The rare time that he’s home and it’s when I’d prefer to be alone. You know, to do the important stuff like talking to myself in the mirror or rehearsing something to say to Joey to make her swoon or something equally stupid like that.
“Pacey, it’s time to put the plan in action.” Jack exclaimed. “I saw Chris leaving with an overnight bag and an attractive blonde draped all over him. This is the perfect opportunity for you to take Abby out…”
“Um, Jack? There’s been a slight change of plans.” I remembered that I’d been so excited when it seemed perfect for me to go on a date with Abby Morgan. After all, there wasn’t supposed to be a chance with Joey. I could handle seducing her in an attempt to get information. Now, that wasn’t possible and certainly not desirable. “See, I have a date tonight.”
“Oh, well, it’s good that you have a life. Who’s the victim?” I pointed in the direction of next door. He laughed, “The usual.”
I pulled a pair of khakis out of the drawer, then headed for the closet “No, it’s a real date. Apparently, Joey made up her mind.” I searched through my closet until I found a tan shirt and took that out.
Upon realizing I was completely serious, Jack grinned, “Then I hope tonight turns out well for both of you.” As I turned around with the shirt in my hand, he shook his head, “You’re not wearing that.”
“Thank you and what do you suggest?”
“That grey button-up… not that I know anything about fashion.”
I gave him a quick look as I kidded, “Yeah, I can tell.” He had been wearing a green sweater and sweatpants.
“Compared to you, I’m the expert,” Jack correctly pointed out. “So, how did this happen? I thought you were getting nowhere with her after that misunderstanding regarding moving.”
“I threw myself at the mercy of the court. I told her why I blew up at her that day.”
Jack mocked, “Honesty? What an interesting tactic! Especially in this group.”
I laughed, “Yeah, I suppose that’s not exactly a strength of this threesome.” I placed the tan shirt back and grabbed the grey shirt. “That’s probably why I didn’t ask for your help. I’m guessing you’re staying home on a Friday night.”
“I wish you were wrong. But, yeah, that’s probably what I’m doing.”
“You could always annoy Jen. In fact, you have my blessing to do that. She’s been getting on my nerves about Joey so you could tease her about this date.”
Jack groaned, “The last thing I want is to be grilled by her about why I’m home. Can someone just prefer to have a quiet evening?”
“Yeah, you’re probably right. She’d probably bug you about Charlie.”
He raised an eyebrow, “Why would you say anything about him to her?”
“Charlie happened to talk to her so she got in a couple of cheap shots.” I tried not to show I was disappointed that Charlie hadn’t talked to him yet. “He had plans tonight?”
“I suppose. I haven’t seen him in a couple of days. Honestly, I’m not exactly disappointed about that.”
“Why’s that?” Maybe I was wrong and Jack really wasn’t interested.
“Something changed as a result of our last talk. I… I can’t explain what happened but I think if I had to face him right now, it would be awkward.”
“So you’re planning to sit in here to avoid everything?”
“That’s not what I meant. It’s just…well, I kind of liked what we’ve been and these…emotions…I’m just a little bit hesitant. It’s one thing to say that I’m gay, another to actually ‘be’ gay. I know, I shouldn’t be agonizing over something so little…”
Wait, what was Jack talking about? I was very careful on the wording, in case Charlie really hadn’t said anything yet, as I asked, “Is this a recent development?”
Jack sat down on his bed. “Yeah. I was talking to him the night that Andie called. As I’m about to leave, he gives me this look. Kind of mischievous, kind of joking. It sounds stupid but ever since, I can’t stop thinking about him.” He shook his head. “This is not good. I’m hoping this isn’t because he’s the first gay guy I really knew anything about. I don’t want to risk this friendship over something so…so…over some damn fleeting moment.”
Heh, this should be quite amusing. It now sounds like a game of who will be the first to crack. I reassured him, “Believe me, I understand.”
“Pacey, correct me if I’m wrong but you were attracted to Joey from the moment she opened that bathroom door.”
“Maybe so but as we became friends, I didn’t want to jeopardize the alliance with those original emotions. Speaking of her, is she home yet? I thought I’d take a shower.”
“Yeah, she’s home. I heard the water running when I arrived so you should have the bathroom to yourself.” As I was gathering everything I’d need for the bathroom, he snickered, “And if there’s any reason you wouldn’t want the shower to yourself, warn me so I don’t have to hear any of it.”
“Somehow, that’s reassuring though there would be no danger until after the date. In which case, what you said would be duly noted.”
An hour later, it was showtime. Joey told me that, since she was the one who asked, she’d pick me up. That meant that she was putting me on edge waiting – a position I wasn’t accustomed to.
Jack realized I was nervous so he decided it would be best to bug the hell out of me. “Maybe you were right. There may have been some appeal with that tan shirt instead. In fact, I believe Joey said she had loved that shirt.” I gave him a death stare, then turned around to continue to worry in the mirror. “Joey will probably pick this really expensive restaurant and ‘forget’ her credit card.”
“Does that really sound like our neighbor?” I made a mental note that I needed to find a way to get back at him as soon as possible.
Before he could reply, there was a knock on the bathroom door. I gave myself a final once-over, then opened the door. There Joey stood and any hassle seemed well worth it in order to be able to stand next to her. She wore a light green sweater, which she kept fiddling around with the hem of the sleeve, and a black knee-length skirt. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, with strands of hair framing her face. Her black peat coat was draped over her right arm. She smiled as she shyly said, “I hope I didn’t rush you.”
“Um…no, it wasn’t…you look amazing.” I must have appeared to be an idiot, which only caused Joey to smile wider.
“Thanks, so do you.” Even though she seemed confident from her stature, her voice told that she was just as anxious. “We should…should get going.” Yet she was unable to move, almost frozen in place.
I had forgotten that we weren’t the only two people in the room as Jack approached from behind and slung an arm over my shoulder. He replied in a rather deep voice, “Now, I think we have to discuss curfew. I don’t know if I trust you around my girl Joey.”
Joey laughed at his display, when in turn put me at ease as well. “I’m not your little girl anymore. You have to learn to have faith in me.”
Jack pretended to consider this, then answered, “Even around this known lothario?”
“If you can say that without cracking up, I worry about you, McPhee.” It was truly the same Joey that I’d known all along.
Jack took his arm off me before I had a chance to jab him in the ribs. “With good reason.” He grinned, then retreated to his desk. “Have fun.”
I grabbed my coat off the hanger in the closet. I heard the sound of someone getting whacked in the back of the head. When I turned around, Joey pretended nothing happened as Jack was rubbing the spot where she connected. I kidded, “Can we save the violence for later?”
She walked over to me and wrapped an arm around my waist. She replied playfully, “Hmm, I suppose that could be more fun. No offense, Jack, but Pacey’s a much better punching bag.”
Jack replied, “I’m ever so thankful for that.”
Joey and I briefly broke apart as we left the room. I glanced back at Jack, who had been watching us leave, and mouthed, “Thank you.”
Joey Potter
As soon as Pacey and I left his room and were about to enter the stairwell, we were both alarmed to hear the familiarly annoying voice of one Abby Morgan.
“Damn it.” Pacey muttered. We were supposed to still be at each other’s throats. How could she see us heading for a date?
“Follow my lead.” I whispered. There was no way we would just sneak away. It was time to accelerate this plan. I put on my coat and stormed into the stairwell, yelling, “I can’t believe you talked me into this! Do you have any idea how much negotiating I had to do just to get you this interview?”
“Interview?” He mouthed.
I shrugged then whispered, “You have a better idea why we’d be dressed up?”
“Fair enough,” he murmured. In a louder voice, he affirmed, “Consider this your last duty before you move out. Think about it, you’ll never have to do another favor again.”
“I deem this will be a joy. After all the work required to be civil to you, I’ll be thankful for the end of this.”
“Admit it, Potter. You’ve been waiting for this moment to arrive. The day you have to go on a date with me.” At first, I was alarmed that he could have been breaking the rules. “And don’t start by claiming this is just a business interview.” He knew just how to work this situation.
In a monotone, I replied, “Oh, yes, Pacey, this is like a dream come true.” Since Abby couldn’t see my face yet, I smiled to show that wasn’t quite a lie either.
Abby strolled down the stairs as if she hadn’t been listening. “Why hello, my fellow residents. If you’re convinced I’m to blame for any of your misadventures, you could still catch Yolanda, your main supporter. I was just pleading my case.” Yeah, I knew we would be too. Then again, Yolanda shouldn’t need to hear anything from us if Abby’s ego is as big as it seemed.
“Hello to you too.” Pacey said through gritted teeth. “All set for a night out?” Although Abby was clearly heading out of the building, her sweatpants poked out from the bottom of her coat.
“Chris went to visit his parents. As you could well imagine, as a result, hunger is a problem so I’m just getting dinner and watching videos.”
Pacey nodded, then turned to me, “I just realized I forgot my resume.” He quickly left the stairwell so I couldn’t tell what he was trying to do.
Abby asked, “So you have to play Pacey’s date for the evening?”
“Not exactly. That’s…” I reminded myself that I had to say this for the game, “disturbing. But I agreed to help him impress the people for his interview. My brother-in-law’s cousin works as an executive for an advertising company. I thought I’d help him out.” That’s true. Bodie does have a cousin who’s in advertising. In Ohio.
“Ah, so it’s a charity case?” I nodded. Abby smirked, “They say that charity starts at home.”
Pacey returned and grabbed me by the hand, “We really have to get going.”
“So anxious. Yet, also, correct. Have a lovely evening with your cheesy romantic comedies.” I stumbled to keep up with him as we left the building. Once we entered his car, Pacey started laughing as he gripped on the steering wheel. I stared at him, puzzled.
Through his fit of laughter, he told me, “Abby’s man’s a cheating dog.”
I rolled my eyes, “We all know he’s got the potential to be unfaithful. But let’s just give him the benefit of the doubt and say he’s really visiting his parents…”
“No, I mean he is. Jack found him leaving with luggage and an attractive lady.”
I handed him directions to the diner – if he remembered, it was actually the same diner Charlie drove us to when he wanted to tell us the truth about the journal. Could it be helped that I really, really, really wanted to try the dessert I saw in their display case? I tried to convince him, “Let’s be reasonable. It may be a sister…” Why rationalize this? It didn’t even matter what he was doing.
“I seriously don’t think Jack would tell me if he wasn’t certain.” Pacey replied briskly then read the directions and started up his car. He drove until we reached the diner about fifteen minutes later. Although we hadn’t stopped talking, he was evasive about why he left me alone with Abby.
It wasn’t until we sat down and ordered our food that Pacey finally seemed ready to let me in on the secret. “I hope you won’t mind that I took the liberty of starting everything in motion.”
“Why would I mind? I thought that was the point when you said it was my last duty before moving out.” I then remembered what “starting” meant. “How is that possible? You’re here with me? How…” I stopped as I realized what he must have done when he was gone “Oh my god, you didn’t. Pacey!” Please tell me he didn’t ask Jack to substitute for him…
He countered, “It’s not a big deal. Besides, he had it coming. You don’t taunt Pacey Witter and get away with it.”
“Yeah, sure, but weren’t you planning to seduce Abby. I mean, Jack could but…”
Pacey interrupted, “Of course I didn’t ask him to do that! All it has to be is a dinner in which she falsely trusts him. Everything else would be icing. In some ways, this is easier since Abby believes Jack was framed by Chris using that journal. Even though it should be noted that Chris is probably agreeing because it makes him seem more intelligent and, therefore, more desirable as an ally.”
“I guess that is a better solution,” I conceded. “In fact, since it doesn’t involve anyone seeing Abby naked, it’s perfect.”
“It’s a win-win situation.” Pacey stated emphatically. He shivered, as though he’d really did that because of that image. He said softly, “I just thought I’d get that out of the way so we could actually enjoy ourselves tonight.”
“Pacey, I’m out to dinner with you. There’s no chance of that happening.”
He pretended to be upset about that. “Here I go trying to keep an attractive blonde, okay a rather-average-looking fake blonde, from making you jealous and this is the thanks I get.”
I leaned over to kiss him. “No, that’s the thanks you get.” I backed away a little, watching a smile creep onto his face, to correct him, “Just so you know, there’s no chance in hell I’d be envious of Abby because of you. If you broke up with me for her, I’d say ‘good riddance’ because you obviously weren’t worth worrying about.”
“If I broke up with you for Abby, you’d have to think that there’s a mind-altering drug, an attack of amnesia or some other only-in-daytime-soaps contrivance which led to that. It would probably require an exorcism for me to return to reality.” I laughed to which he added, “Now I didn’t get persuaded to go on a date with you in order to talk about one of the many other women who want me. I just wanted to talk about the only person in the room who I’m interested in wanting me.”
I chuckled as we settled into a more-conventional date.
Jack McPhee
As soon as Pacey left the door, I grabbed my coat, slid into my sneakers and raced out of the room, hoping that I could follow Abby. When I entered the stairwell, I saw Abby at the bottom. She must have heard footsteps - it wouldn’t be like Abby to miss a chance to spy on somebody – and called out, “Well, if it isn’t the third part of the group. What were you doing? Following them?”
I walked slowly down the stairs, dreading this goddamn plan. “Um, no. I was just getting something to eat. I really didn’t need to see you.”
“To the Union?” She asked. I ignored her as a response. “That’s exactly where I was heading. We could do this together.”
“Fine, whatever. If you insist.” Abby loved it when she only had to talk to one or two of us at a time; it allowed her a chance to play us off the missing person. I walked ahead, Abby following.
She couldn’t resist asking, “So… when’s Joey’s last day?”
Pacey had informed me that I should speed it up to this coming week. “Janice is moving out Tuesday morning so my guess is Joey’s leaving Tuesday night.” It was the one night that everyone involved would definitely be home.
“I’ll be so sorry to see her leave. Maybe your floor should have a Bon Voyage party.”
“I…uh, really don’t think Joey would want that. She’s not a party person.”
“Yeah, that’s right. She acted so miserable at that sorority party. Well, I’ll be sure to send my best wishes for her future.”
“You don’t have to act anymore.” We entered the Union and, after grabbing the most edible of the food available on a Friday night, sat at one of the many empty tables.
Abby was about to start eating when she couldn’t hold back the question any longer, “So, did you ever read it?” I rolled my eyes, to which she recoiled, “I mean, you had it in your possession so it’s only fair to ask.”
“Yeah, I know about some of it.” That was true, but only because of Charlie’s initial warning. “It’s too bad she’s leaving because Joey had been attracted to Pacey.”
She smiled mischievously, “I know. It wouldn’t be as much fun if, god forbid, both of them were interested at the same time.”
“They may still find each other.” Hopefully, right at this moment.
“Yeah, but you know that once the couple finally gets together on television shows, the ratings go down. It’s just not as exciting as the chase.”
“Mmm mmm.” I forced myself to agree. “But I think that only applies when couples marry.”
“Unless there’s a third party stirring up trouble.” She pointed to herself, then to me. “That’s where we come in. You pull them together, I push them apart.” Abby beamed, “Or both. After all, you and Joey had a short-lived romance.”
“Oh, yeah, I figured that you knew that.” I replied tersely. I knew that Abby had to have read that, even if Charlie hadn’t mentioned it. It inevitably implied that she had known something else as well.
“Yeah, that was probably the most interesting entry. It’s too bad. I really hoped that you and I might have had a chance.”
“Abby…” I tried to cut her off.
“Then again, everyone’s who’s gay is probably bisexual anyway.”
I knew that as soon as I got home, I’d be laughing hysterically at this. Not at what she said, but that she was using this as a pick-up line. I shoved a forkful of vegetables in my mouth to try not to say anything to dissuade her from talking. Finally, as I swallowed, I said, “I’m not getting into this right now.”
“Come on, Jack. There are many ladies who would be disappointed to find out you’re gay. That something happened with Joey could hardly be considered a terrible problem. Well, it’s definitely juicy info…”
“Abby, you don’t get it. Yes, in some people’s eyes, you are rather pretty. But you don’t try to date every pretty person you see.” Abby sniffed as if she didn’t want to believe it. I tried a different strategy. “Besides, I’m sure that Charlie would have a problem with that theory.”
Abby considered that, “Yeah, he’s heard me say that before. He says that it’s probably true but not in the way I mean it. He thinks my meaning is that the person would indiscriminately have sex with anyone.” She stared at the carrot on her fork then placed it back in her plate. “Then again, Charlie can be so self-righteous, not to mention a hypocrite. Be glad that you don’t associate with him because sometimes, I fucking wonder why I don’t smack him for claiming he’s so much better than me.”
“Sorry about that,” I muttered. I really didn’t know what to do, since I couldn’t quite defend him without saying the wrong thing.
“It’s not your fault. You don’t know the deal. Most people have this impression that I’m either blackmailing him or crushing on him. Either way, I get portrayed as the uber-bitch. I don’t care what they say anymore – it’s not like I ever have, but I really don’t care anymore regarding Charlie.”
“Oh,” I replied simply as I focused more on the plate than on her. There was one thing I knew for certain. Pay Day will be a bitch for one Abby Morgan.
Chapter 21 - Best Laid Plans
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