Chapter 2
I need to drive, clear my head. At the mention of Pacey, I'm 17 again. I drive the familiar streets of Capeside. It feels so good to be home. Here goes nothing, the true test. I put the car in park and climb out. It feels like I'm stepping back in time. The Ice House looks exactly the way I remember before the fire.
I open the door and I see him. He's as handsome as ever. He turns and his face lights up like I'm the best thing he's seen all day.
"Joey!" He calls out and before I can react he lifts me off the floor and spins me around. "God, it's good to see you."
"It's good to see you too, Pace." I say when he sets me back down.
"When did you get into town?" he asks leading me outside to a patio table.
"A couple hours ago," I tell him, "the place looks great, Pace. All this is yours?"
"Mine, the bank, and a couple family members." He laughs. Damn, I have missed him.
"I'm so proud of you, Pace."
"Thanks, Jo, that means alot to me." He smiles and takes my hand.
I feel the butterflies the moment he touches me. I still love him.
"So I guess I should tell you that I'm moving back to Capeside."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I'm going to look at a house down the creek from Dawson's house tomorrow morning."
"That's great,Joey. It'll be nice to have you around again. Have you seen Jen yet?"
"Not yet, she was gone when I got to the B & B."
"Well you'll see her tonight. I'm demanding that you join us for dinner tonight. Jen, Jack and Dawson are meeting me here tonight at 7." He smiles.
"Well since you twisted my arm," I laugh, "I'll be here."
"Great, well I better get back inside. It's so good to see you Joey and I can't wait to see you all tonight."
"I look forward to it, Pace."
He smiles that smile that melts my heart and turns to head inside.
What to do now? I walk along the docks thinking about all the days Dawson, Pacey and I spent on these very docks growing up. It seems like such a long time ago. I keep walking and before I know it I'm in front of the Leery's restaurant. I walk inside. It looks the same as I remember. I notice Mr. Leery at the bar going over some paperwork. I walk up behind him.
"Mr. Leery?"
"Joey Potter!" He wraps me in a fatherly hug. "How are you sweetheart?"
"I'm good. I was just taking a walk and thought I'd stop in to say hi."
"Well I'm so glad you did. Gale called she said that Alex and Lily were hold up in Lily's room watching E.T.," he laughs, "Reminds me of some kids I knew."
"I thought they'd enjoy those movies as much as Dawson, Pacey and I did when we were growing up."
"That was very thoughtful. So you know Dawson will be home tonight?"
"Yeah, we're all having dinner over at the Ice House. Tell him to give me a call when he gets in. I'm going to head back to the B & B and maybe take a nap before dinner."
"Will do, it's good to see you. Don't be a stranger."
"I won't." I smile at him and wave as I turn to leave.
I take my time walking back to my car. I love it here, more than I ever knew. I'm so glad to be home.
