Chapter Four

The weeks went by with Jack mainly hanging out either at the beach or at The Ice House with Jen, Grams, Pacey and sometimes Doug. He was enjoying the first summer in a long time where there was no boyfriend to try to please and since leaving NYU last year he has not had to worry about final exams. He qualified to be an English teacher last summer and spent the year at a school in New York but only committed to the one year. He was not sure if he wanted to stay at that school, so although he had no school to teach at next year, he was happy to be enjoying the freedom of summer.

It was one late July night Jack was at The Ice House, Jen & Grams were back at the Potter B & B as after a day out Jen was tired, as the pregnancy was really taking a toll on her and Grams needed to rest more since finishing her treatment for cancer.

Jack would spend most of his evenings at the restaurant with Pacey tendering bar. Doug was also there most evenings and the three of them used to chat until closing time. Jack was finding Doug's company enjoyable, don't know whether it's because he's older but he found Doug a lot easier going than he remembered.

The three of them would usually leave at the same time but tonight Pacey needed to stay on to do a stock take, so Jack and Doug left on their own. Jack usually ended up walking, with Doug to his car and he then would walk back to the B & B but it was raining tonight and Doug offered Jack a lift.

"Thanks for the ride Doug" Jack said as Doug pulled up outside the B & B.

"No Probs! I couldn't let you walk in this weather" Doug replied and smiled at Jack and continued "I was wondering if and why you don't have a car?"

"Well, living in New York, you don't really need one, the school I worked at and where we lived was close to walk to and I have never really needed a car, I had to sell the Saab when I moved to New York and we all came here in Gram's car" Jack explained.

"Do you have a school to go to next term?" Doug asked.

"No I don't actually have any plans right now it's kind of weird you would think I would freak out about not having somewhere to go but I'm enjoying the freedom"

"Wow, I would not like that at all! I have to know what I'm doing and where I'm going at all times, not having a routine terrifies me" Doug declared. Jack smirked as this is something he knew Pacey would tease Doug about "I know…..but I guess I'm a bit more laid back?" he joked.

"Yeah, Yeah I know, Pacey is always telling me that I need to be more laid back! The reason I ask is that I heard that there may be a post here at the High School"

"Really? Hmmm, teaching at my old school that would be weird…..don't know if I like the sound of that!" Jack replied.

"Why not? I know Pacey moans about having to come back to the town he grew up in and couldn't wait to leave and yet he is back living and working here?"

"Yeah I know, but it's different with me. Remember this is the school where I had the most prolific coming out in history and to come back as an openly gay teacher, is that really something Capeside is ready for?" said Jack.

"I don't see why not, Jack! You might be the first to take a stand!"

"I'm always the first to take a stand, that's been my whole life….I just want to be able to teach without my sexual orientation defining me."

"And who says it will?" Doug asked. "You don't know unless you try, it's just a thought and I know Pacey would appreciate to have you stay on as would I…." Doug trailed off as he realised what he had just blurted out. He suddenly went red and turned to look away from Jack.

"Eh?" Jack said open mouthed not quite sure what to make of Doug's comment. Doug without looking directly at Jack said in an almost whisper "I don't have many friends, Jack and I would like to think you as one and I would be sorry to see you leave!"

"I think of you as a friend too Doug" Jack said quietly not sure where this conversation was going. "I will definitely think about the job at the school though, thanks for the heads up" He said slightly more loudly.

Doug turned to face Jack and said softly "You're welcome Jack"

There was an air of silence as the two of them looked at each other not really sure of what to say next , until Jack broke the spell that beseeched them "Well I better go in, " He nodded in the direction of the B & B that they had been parked in front off "Goodnight Doug"

"Night" Doug replied as Jack got out of the car and walked into the B & B.

As Doug was driving home he was trying to make sense of the jumbled thoughts going round his head, what was it about Jack that made him feel like this? He was feeling most unsure and confused. He almost certain that if Jack did leave Capeside at the end of the summer that he would miss him. Doug tried to shake the thoughts out of his head as he got home and ready for bed.

Jack was lying in bed; Doug's face kept popping up and knots in his stomach appeared when he thought about leaving Capeside and Doug behind. Oh no! He thought…..as the realisation of his attraction to Doug came to the forefront of this mind.

Why do I always fall for straight guys? Jack thought as he attempted to get Doug out of his thoughts to sleep.