Nowhere Fast

Chapter 6 - So Much For the Afterglow


Pacey Witter

Grudgingly, Joey has let me be more of a part of her life. It was at the point where she even wanted to hang out as a trio. Willingly.

Since Jack had an evening class that day, we all agreed to meet at the diner. Which gave me the perfect opportunity to be alone with her for awhile. Much easier under the pretense it was a group outing.

So I was waiting outside of the diner, alone, when Joey arrived. It was a rather cool and damp September evening so Joey was wearing a dark blue fleece over her usual uniform of tiny tee and jeans. The color brought out the hint of blue in her eyes.

“Been waiting long?”

“Not yet.”

Joey waved towards the entrance, “We should get inside. It’s rather damp out and Jack left me a message earlier today he had to go back to the dorm after class to get some money.”

Uh uh. To Joey, it seemed pretty innocent, but I knew the only reason Jack probably had was to leave the two of us alone.

We entered the diner and got a table by the window. She told the waiter that we were waiting for someone. Since it wasn’t that crowded – most people don’t eat dinner at nine o’clock, but that’s college life for you – he let it pass, muttering he’d get us some water.

“I’m kind of relieved he’s running late. There’s something I really wanted to talk to you about.” I perked up, surprised to hear Joey saying the same thing I was thinking.

“Earlier today, after I got the message from Jack, I got a wrong number type phone call. It was Jack’s sister Andie. I could not get that girl off the phone once she realized who I was.”

“You know, I haven’t talked to her yet. Then again, I didn’t even know she’d been calling him.”

“I suspect she hadn’t before today. She was all apologetic about being so busy at school, blah blah blah. I kept trying to tune her out.”

I laughed, “That hyper?” Based on what I knew about Jack, I couldn’t imagine him having a sister like that.

“Yeah,” Joey grinned, “The complete opposite of her brother. Anyway, as much as I’ve gotten to know about you, I really didn’t know much about his past. I knew about her attending Brown but that was all I knew.”

Harking back to previous conversations, “Come to think of it, I don’t know much either. We’re usually just goofing around. Either that or he’s listening to what I’ve done. The few times I’ve asked about Providence, he would give a quick answer and change the subject.”

The waiter placed a basket of rolls on the table. We both grabbed for the same roll, her hand grazing mine ever so quickly. She looked up, startled, as she locked eyes with me. For a moment, I could actually feel there was a connection between us that wasn’t purely one-sided. There was a certain electricity between us that I was positive she must have felt as well. That was quickly dashed from her as she relented and let me have the roll.

I started spreading butter on it with a knife as she continued, absentmindedly snatching another roll, “It’s actually pretty tragic. His brother died in a car accident three years ago. His mother was apparently behind the wheel and hasn’t been the same since.”

I stopped what I was doing and looked up, “I can’t believe this. I didn’t even know he had a brother.”

“Andie told me that Tim, who was the oldest, was the star of the family in their parents’ eyes. He was attending Columbia University and playing football there. Their father was so distraught that he accepted a job requiring him to travel around the country, leaving Jack and Andie basically to take care of their now-sick mother during senior year. There was a point when she had just gotten too far gone and there was a time they were forced to place her in a mental institution.”

“A mental institution?! How bad could it have been? This is the first I’m hearing about Mr. McPhee and I can’t say I’m liking it very much.”

“Actually,” Joey continued as she talked through the bite of the roll, “It was in some ways understandable. She was acting as though Tim was still alive. Having five settings at the dinner table, claiming he would be home for vacation, calling Jack by his name…” She shook her head, “Anyway, there was a point when even Andie couldn’t take it and ended up seeing a specialist before she suffered the same fate as her mother.”

“And Jack?”

“He’s kind of the rock in that situation. Trying to hold the family together, no matter how much of a mess it was.” She took another bite from the roll before continuing, “I can understand he wouldn’t want to tell us all that in the short amount of time we’ve known him but this is pretty significant information he left out. It’s the equivalent of if I didn’t mention my sister or you didn’t mention your best friend Jen. It’s that much a part of his life.”

“I don’t think he’d appreciate you calling him on the fact he doesn’t trust us. You’re looking for a guy to replace Dawson and see Jack as the viable replacement. The truth is that they are nothing alike except for both of them being your close pals.” Even I knew better than to claim that I was her best friend here. Granted, she’d let her guard down around me since that morning. I was also aware that Jack was the one she had more of a connection with. It wasn’t clear whether it was purely a friendship or if there was actually something deeper.

Joey bit her lip, “I suppose you’re right. It’s just the effects of not having Dawson around.”

* * * * *


Jack McPhee

I returned to the dorm, only to see a blonde guy sitting in front of Joey’s door. As I got closer, I recognized exactly where I’d seen him before.

“Dawson?”

He looked up, startled, “Yes.” Dawson got up off the floor, “How did you know that?”

“Joey has a picture of you in her room.” I have to give credit to the photographer of that prom photo for making Dawson look half-decent. His hair looked several inches longer, or it could be because of the grease in it adding length.

Dawson gave me a strange look, “How exactly would you know what’s in her room?” As if he can actually say he’s never had a female friend (excluding Joey, I’d assume) in his room. Well, maybe Dawson, but that’s for entirely different reasons.

“I’m a friend of Joey’s.” Extending my hand, “Jack McPhee.”

Dawson grunted, “Oh, you’re one of those neighbors she was telling me about.” He glanced awkwardly around the hallway, “You wouldn’t happen to know where she is? I thought I’d surprise her by flying in for the weekend but apparently she had plans of her own.”

“I would know. I’m meeting her for dinner,” Dawson’s mouth dropped so I quickly added, “That sounded suspiciously like a date, didn’t it?”

He nodded hesistantly, still confused by what was happening. Why exactly I said what I said next baffles me, but I regretted it as soon as it came out of my mouth.

“I’m sure you want to see her so I could take you over to the diner if you wish.”

Dawson smiled at the offer, “That would certainly shock her.”

“Just give me a couple of minutes,” I entered the room, shutting the door behind me. I threw my backpack on the chair. Please let there be sparks between Pacey and Joey to get this guy out of the picture. It was no secret that Joey wouldn’t be thrilled to see Dawson but maybe it will provide her with the motivation to end their relationship.

I grabbed a wad of money to make it look like I actually returned to the dorm for that reason and exited the room. Dawson seemed to have gained some confidence in the minute I was gone, because he was now talking very fast. “I was thinking that maybe after we finish dinner, we could check out A.I. I hear it’s a very good movie, but then again, what can you expect uniting Kubrick and Speilberg…”

Thanks for reminding me about your Spielberg addiction, Dawson. Heaven forbid I don’t find that out in the first five minutes. I suppose when you actually gave him a subject he’s interested in, he could talk almost as long as Andie. As unfathomable as that sounds.

We were entering the stairwell when who should we run into but Charlie and a short blonde guy who was probably his date. “Wow, I’m genuinely surprised Jack. I would’ve thought for certain you’d wait awhile to start dating out in the open.”

Dawson shrieked, “What?!”

I let out a deep sigh, “This is Joey’s boyfriend Dawson. Dawson, this gnat is Charlie and he’s accompanied by his current trick.”

Charlie smirked, “Somehow, I’m incredibly comforted by the knowledge that he’s not interested in that team. It’s bad enough we have to claim you.”

I still wasn’t sure how much he knew because he sometimes acted as if he was kidding around. Other times, he seemed completely serious and actually, in some bizarre way, eager to help. He was, as pathetic as it was to admit, the closest contact I’d had with a gay person. It was almost like crossing enemy lines – I shouldn’t want to associate with Abby’s best friend. “Charlie, you recognize that these are rather sad jokes.”

“I’m not the one trying to hide who I really am, Jack. I’m sure this Dawson guy understands what I mean. It’s painfully obvious that you’re trying to escape the life you had before. There were probably positives in living wherever the hell you were before but you’re so plagued by the horrible incidents that you’d rather forget that life ever existed.” This was definitely one of those times that the fool knew more than he’d ever realize.

Thankfully, Dawson’s self-absorbed nature kicked in at that moment, “We really have to get to the diner if I want Joey to be there when I surprise her.”

Charlie nodded, “Then I’ll let you guys go on your way. By the way, Jack, you’re slipping. You wouldn’t want a straight person hear you say the word ‘trick’.” He walked away with the blonde guy.

I headed down the stairs with Dawson following behind. He didn’t say a word until we were in my car, halfway to the diner, “You know, when I first decided to pay Joey a visit, I had thought it was in order to keep her away from the two guys she wouldn’t stop talking about. But I’m somehow reassured knowing that you wouldn’t actually date her.” What an arrogant ass.

“I believe Pacey’s been there all along talking to her.” At a red light, I faced him, “You might want to be careful he doesn’t make a move on her or anything. She really needs you to protect her. Really, Dawson. This has nothing to do with anything except the fact that you don’t want her to forget you. Which isn’t likely.”

“So you’re not really gay?” Dawson bluntly asked, “You’re sounding like a person who wants the evil boyfriend to be as uncaring as possible so the heroine can fall in love with the quiet hero. I’ve got news for you, Jack, she’s already got her quiet hero and that person is me.”

Noticing the light turning green, I reverted my eyes back on the road.

* * * * *

Joey Potter

“I pretended to be her boyfriend and we crashed her dad’s business party,” Pacey was telling one of his New York stories. “Mr. Lindley didn’t notice at first because he was too busy flirting with his co-worker’s wife. So the two of us start acting all lovey-dovey, making like we couldn’t keep our hands off each other.”

Pacey has this innate ability to tell even the dullest of incidents into a hilarious tale in which you wish you’d been there. That’s what I was preparing myself for as I waited anxiously for Jack to get here already. What the hell could be taking him so long?

Pacey’s eyes grew wide, showing hints of blue in their regular grayish color, as he continued the story, “A couple of hours and several drinks later, Jen gets this brainstorm. She said, loud enough for a couple of his coworkers to hear.” He leaned in closer and whispered in a husky voice, “Ever gotten a blow job in a closet before?”

He knew to tell the punchline right after I took a sip of water. If he wanted to be wearing it, I would have gladly poured it on his head. I sputtered out, “I can’t believe it!” I couldn’t resist asking, “Did you?”

Pacey raised an eyebrow haughtily, then shrugged, “Sorry, no R-rated action that night. We just hid in the broom closet and laughed hysterically. I’m told later that Jen’s shrieks were even interpreted by some as achieving orgasm. Which means apparently, they have had great experience with people that fake it.” I bursted out laughing. Pacey continued, “To this day, Mr. Lindley thinks I screwed his daughter.” He reconsidered, “Well, I did a couple of months later so he had reason to worry.”

I protested, “You did not!”

He got solemn for a moment, “If you say so. Jen and I became closer friends through our various sexual fumblings. The two of us had chemistry in the animalistic sense only. Never romantically.” Then Pacey decided to revert back to his more normal form, “You’ve never wanted a fuck like that?”

“In a broom closet? I think not,” I scoffed, “To me, sex is supposed to be romantic. I wouldn’t let a moment of being hot and bothered influence whether I needed him at that second.”

“Dawson,” Pacey blurted out.

“Please, there is no way Dawson would ever do that, even with the other person being me. That’s reserved for kinky fantasies only.”

“I meant…” Pacey started.

“I wouldn’t mind hearing about these kinky fantasies myself.” I turned around, not wanting to believe that the voice belonged to the person I thought it did. Of course, this was completely fruitless because I’ve been hearing that voice my whole life.

There Dawson stood. It hadn’t been that long since I’d seen him last yet I couldn’t place exactly why he looked different.

Jack stood behind him, appearing as though he’d just woken up, which was strange since I knew he’d just come from class. Maybe he fell asleep during a boring lecture or something. He walked over to Pacey’s side of the booth and they began talking.

“I told you I’d surprise you.”

“How did you manage to take time off from your classes? Aren’t you still on the other side of the country or have you been lying this whole time?”

“I don’t have any Friday classes so I hopped a flight here this morning. You sounded like you needed cheering up.”

Jack muttered, “Yeah right.” Not that I had the faintest clue why he said that. I noticed Dawson hadn’t heard him so I pretended to ignore him.

I forced myself to smile, “It wasn’t necessary, Dawson.”

“It may not have been necessary but it was definitely important.” He wrapped his arms around me. For some reason, this time it wasn’t very comforting. I suddenly couldn’t remember the reasons why I supposedly loved him.

“I think we’d better order our dinner. Pacey and I have been here about an hour and the waiter’s starting to think he should throw us out.”

Dawson released me from his grip and let me sit down in the booth. Pacey stood up and offered his hand for Dawson to shake.

“So you’re the guy we keep hearing about,” Pacey said.

Dawson grudgingly shook his hand, “I’m glad to hear that.” Both of them sat down, on opposite sides on the booth. Dawson continued, “So you’re the guys Jo’s been complaining about? I’m surprised, based on what I’ve heard, that she’d even want to hang out with you two.”

Pacey replied, “She was alone on a Friday night and didn’t want to be alone. She was so desperate that she stooped to the lowest level in the food chain. Isn’t that right, Josephine?”

Through the remark, I could detect a hint of jealousy and bitterness in his voice.

Dawson snickered, “Josephine?” He had a point, why the hell did I let him get away with calling me that?

I shook my head, “I’m just too tired to argue about that. Doesn’t mean I won’t deal with you later.”

“I love it when you ‘deal with me later’,” Pacey smirked. If looks could kill, the one Dawson just gave Pacey would have landed him six feet under. “So how you liking California?”

Dawson was taken back by the non-banterish question, “California? Well, it’s certainly a different environment. In Capeside, I remember getting great praise for my films. Over there, so many talented filmmakers exist. It will just take longer for the people to find out.”

Ugh, his films. It’s not that I don’t think that Dawson has talent. I just don’t think I could take the forty-fifth viewing of his homage to the Blair Witch Project. Then there’s that other movie with the really bad actress playing the ‘Joey’ role. It’s enough to make you lose your faith in young producers.

I could tell that Pacey was forcing himself to be polite, “What’s the most recent movie you’ve created?”

“It’s a paranormal tale about this guy who is investigating this illness that plagues a little boy. It seems that…”

Jack finished, “He can see dead people?”

Dawson’s face dropped, “Sort of. There’s a serial killer and this boy is able to contact the dead to piece together the actual murderer.” He snapped, “It’s not just a rip-off of The Sixth Sense.”

“My mistake,” Jack replied, though he clearly didn’t mean the apology.

“I’d be curious as to what efforts you’ve made towards a career path.”

Three pairs of eyes were glaring at him. Pacey replied, “Excuse me?”

“I just question how directionless you guys appear to be. I would think that Joey would want to be around people who at least have a vague idea of what they want out of life. Not a person whose goal is what girl he’s screwing at the moment.”

I replied, “I’m not even sure who you’re talking about.”

“The only reason these two want to take you to dinner is because they’re competing to see which one of them can pull you away from me.”

Jack replied, “This has actually nothing to do with you. Three friends hanging out. That is all there is.”

Dawson scoffed, “Of course. It’s not the least bit obvious that there’s enough sexual tension at this table to spice up a WB show.”

Hmpf. It wasn’t that bad. Probably just enough for a situation comedy. I smiled at the thought, then realized how bad the retort was. Give a bad set-up, get an even worse punchline.

As the dinner went on, I found myself more and more disgusted with myself for dating this guy. He could be a very good friend but a jealous Dawson was a very ugly Dawson. He treated Pacey and Jack with equal doses of annoyance. That was a little strange since Jack wasn’t the one pursuing me. Then again, I’d gotten the feeling that the two had a disagreement before they even arrived so I could be missing the reason.

There were a couple of times during the meal that my annoyance showed on my face. Jack had caught one of those faces and snickered. Later on, I caught Pacey glaring at Dawson coldly after another scathing remark had come out of his mouth.

Once dinner was finished, Pacey rose from his seat and threw a couple of bills on the table. “I really should get going. You two could use some quality time.” He made a grossed-out face as he said ‘quality time’.

Dawson smiled for the first time since he’d arrived, “That’s actually a wise move, Pacey. No offense, but I really want to take advantage of the few days we have together.”

Jack nodded and got up after Pacey, adding a couple of extra bills to the pile, “Enjoy your stay on campus, Dawson.”

I watched them leave the diner. Dawson noticed me viewing their departure.

“How can you stand those two?”

I replied off-handedly, “It’s more like tolerance.” Okay, a blatant lie on my part since I actually cared about both of them. I just wanted the Dawson I fell in love with, minus the green-eyed monster qualities to return.

Oh who I am kidding? I wanted an excuse to break up with him and he’s handing it to me on a silver platter.

“We could check out a movie. Just like old times.”

“That sounds like a …” I caught myself before saying the word ‘wonderful’. What am I waiting for? I should just get this over with. “..decent idea. However, it’s kind of late.” Then a nauseating thought crossed my mind, “Exactly where are you staying this weekend?”

“I was sort of hoping your dorm room. In the haste of planning this trip, it hadn’t occurred to me that the hotels in this area would be booked for an international convention.”

I sighed, “You’re right, that makes more sense that an impersonal suite.”

Damn guilty conscience. I guess that means Operation Dead Head would have to wait a little longer. Chapter 7- Coming Soon
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