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88
"Okay I think they are both down," Joey said entering the kitchen. "I only had to sing about ten different songs to Gabby."
"Thank you so so much for being here. Especially after everything that happened recently. I haven't been a very good friend to you," he said placing a warm hand on her shoulder.
"Truce," she warned. "We are not talking about that this weekend."
"Okay fine," he sighed. "I'll set you up in my bed and I'll sleep on the couch. Are you okay sleeping in one of my shirts? Unless you want to go home to your dads?"
"I don't think he'd appreciate me showing up unannounced at midnight. Your shirt is fine. But I'm sleeping on the couch," she said firmly.
"No Joey, don't be ridiculous. You go sleep in my bed, I'll take the couch," Pacey insisted.
"Listen Pacey," Joey began with exaggerated sweetness. "If we weren't on a truce, I would tell you that there is no way I'm sleeping in the bed you just fucked Nicole in. But since we are, I'm just going to insist on the couch, and you won't object."
Guilt painted Pacey's face as he nodded. "Got it. I'll get you a shirt"
88
Joey awoke to the front door crashing open. She hopped off the couch on high alert. She came face to face with Pacey's mom.
"What the fuck?" Janice asked, her breath reeking of booze as she scanned Joey dressed in nothing but Pacey's long Patriots shirt. "He has a girl over? You're fucking him while his dad is in the hospital?"
"No, Janice, I'm Joey Potter." Janice blinked at her in confusion. "I grew up down the road?"
Janice laughed. "Oh Mike's daughter. Of course. Look at you all grown up and all kinds of hot. I bet he can't keep his hands off of you. I hope you're still too smart to give him the time of day though?" she said noticing the pillow.
"What are you doing here Janice?" Joey asked bluntly.
"Julie left me a message that John had a heart attack. I thought I'd come see my girl Becca and make sure she's all set," Janice's speech slurred as she spoke. "Where is she?"
"Janice," Joey said calmly. "It's almost one in the morning. She's sleeping. I"m sure she would love to see you in the morning."
Janice sighed loudly. "Fine, I'll just go sleep in John's bed." She let out a loud smelly burp as she turned towards her old bedroom.
"Janice," Joey said sharply. "You are not sleeping in their bed. Come sleep on the couch. I'll just go share with Pacey."
Janice's lips curled into a slight smile. "Perhaps she's not quite as smart as I thought. You're too good for him sweetie. Make sure he sleeps on the floor,"Janice said as she sank her body onto the couch.
"Janice. I don't know what your problem is, but your son is amazing. He's smart and sweet and if anything were to happen with him, I would consider myself pretty damn lucky. Even if he does have a shitty mom." Without looking back to her, Joey opened Pacey's door and quickly closed it behind her.
Pacey looked up from smoothing sheets on his bed with an apologetic look on his face. "I um… I changed the sheets."
She nodded her head as she walked over to his bed. He was wearing nothing but boxers, and she struggled to keep herself from scanning the length of his body. She closed her eyes for a moment, wondering how she had found herself here again.
"Thanks for what you said to my mom," Pacey said sitting down next to her and sliding close. "No one's… no one has ever stood up for me like that."
Joey nodded her head, her entire body tingling as she felt his leg pressed against hers. "I think we need to go to sleep Pace. I'm sure the kids are going to be up early."
"If you hand me a pillow, I can sleep on the floor," Pacey offered, looking down at the floor.
Joey rolled her eyes. "Pacey, your bed is enormous. I'm pretty sure we can both share it."
He nodded his head and looked around awkwardly. "Did you want me to put a shirt on or anything?"
"Because you're such a big stud I won't be able to keep my hands of your muscular chest?" Joey taunted.
Pacey grinned. "Sorry for trying to make you comfortable. I won't make that mistake again."
They both climbed under the covers, their bodies on opposite sides of the bed and he turned the light out.
"Night Jo" he whispered into the darkness.
"Pacey" Janice's voice filled the room as the door burst open. "I hear you tried to off your dad. Here's to hoping this one sticks!"
Pacey lay next to her silent, his breathing shallow, as if he were struggling to breath.
"Janice, it's late. Do you need something?" Joey asked wearily as she felt Pacey slide his hand into hers.
"Joey, I forgot to ask you how your dad is?" Janice said, leaning against Pacey's bedroom wall.
"He's fine Janice," Joey said tightly.
"Tell him to give me a call. It's been awhile since he fucked me into tomorrow," she grinned and then thudded out of Pacey's room, slamming the door behind her.
Joey inhaled a ragged breath as Pacey slid closer to her. "So that happened," Joey said quietly. "Do you think it's true?"
She heard Pacey sigh in the darkness. "I had a theory for a while. She used to have me watch Becca when she had guys over to the house while my dad was at work. Your dad did come over once or twice. She said it was to fix the air conditioner or something, but I had my doubts."
"When my mom was still alive?" Joey asked in a quiet voice.
"When she was in the hospital," Pacey whispered, almost afraid to speak the words out loud.
Joey choked back a sob and Pacey hesitantly reached over and pulled her close to him. "Your dad never treated me the same after that. I'm sorry she's so horrible," he offered as he felt Joey reach her arms around him and place her head on his chest.
"I'm sorry she is too," Joey said, acutely aware of how close to him she was, and how little clothing he was wearing. She took a deep breath. "But Pacey, just because you have a horrible mom, it doesn't make you any less wonderful or less deserving of happiness. Okay?"
"Thanks for saying that. Do you know, I haven't seen her in a year? Nice reunion huh?"
Joey moved in closer to him, their arms tightly wrapped around each other. "It was a shitty reunion Pacey. I'm so sorry."
"Thank you for being here Joey. I don't think I could have survived this without you."
"Remember how you told me if I'm in pain you will always be there for me? I guess the feeling is mutual. Night Pace."
"Night Jo," he whispered softly.
88
"Joey," came a little voice. Joey slowly opened her eyes to Gabby standing in front of her.
"Oh hey kiddo," she said softly. "Do you need breakfast?" She slowly untangled herself from Pacey, attempting not to wake him.
Gabby nodded. "Becca's making pancakes but I don't know if she knows how."
"Let me get dressed and I'll be right out Gabs," Joey whispered as she pulled her jeans on. She glanced over at Pacey's sleeping form as she quickly put her bra and sweater on from the day before.
"Hey Joey!" Becca said as Joey exited the room. "I guess you and Pacey had a sleepover?"
"Your mom showed up last night… is she still here?" Joey asked looking around the house.
"No," Becca said wrinkling her nose as if she was trying not to cry. "She left a note."
Satin called, Johns out of surgery and is going to be fine. Better luck next time
"Who is satin?" Becca asked as Joey read the note.
"I think it's supposed to be Satan," Joey said rolling her eyes. "Let get breakfast in us and then we can head over to the hospital."
Joey watched Becca stir the pancake batter, "should we add chocolate chips?" Joey asked.
Becca grinned at her, "because that's how Pacey likes them?" she teased as she pulled down the chocolate chips.
"I like chocolate chips!" Gabby yelled as Becca started adding them to the mix.
Pacey poked his head out of his bedroom. "Hey ladies, how's it going out here?"
Joey walked over to him and spoke in a hushed tone. "I guess Julie called and your mom answered? She left a note. But looks like she's gone"
Joey handed him the note. "Lovely as always," Pacey muttered.
"The girls wanted to make pancakes and then we can head to the hospital?"
Pacey nodded as he placed a hand on Joey's shoulder. "I don't know what I'd do without you Jo."
