Pacey snuck a look at Joey out of the corner of his eye as he pulled his
Range Rover into a parking spot near the entrance to his favorite bar in
town, The Rocking Horse. They had made the 10-minute drive in silence,
neither one knowing what to say. Joey smiled when she saw the sign in front
of the SUV, "Your very own parking spot, how sweet. Come here often?"
Pacey laughed and sheepishly shook his head, "Frank, the owner insisted on putting that up because they don't get many celebrities around here. I really think he just wanted to stake a claim on me so I would feel bad enjoying a beer somewhere else. But the food is above average and it reminds me of Capeside."
"What do you mean?"
"Everyone knows everyone and it feels more East Coast-y than Midwestern, you'll see once we get inside."
Pacey and Joey both opened their doors and got out of the car. Pacey half- jogged around the vehicle so he could grab the door and hold it open for her to go inside the bar. Joey just raised her eyebrow in his direction and walked inside. On the other side of the door Joey immediately understood what Pacey had been talking about. There was something very East Coast about the décor, more than anything The Rocking Horse reminded her of the Ice House, her family's former restaurant that had burned down her sophomore year of high school. Joey had spent many hours of her life waiting tables and avoiding being picked on by Pacey who had gotten a job there for the sole purpose of annoying Joey.
Joey smiled at a grandfatherly man who had seen them come in and was making his way towards the door. His crinkled eyes and ready smile made Joey feel instantly welcomed.
"Well if it isn't my favorite customer," he said, shaking Pacey's hand vigorously, "And who is this with you, Andrew?"
"Frank Rocker, meet Josephine Potter and vice versa."
"The pleasure is all mine, Josephine. Any friend of this guy here is a friend of mine especially if they are as pretty as you," Frank grabbed Joey into a tight hug, hitting her sore ribs and causing her to grit her teeth in pain. Pacey noticed this and tugged at Frank's shoulder.
"You'd better be careful with this one, she had a run in with a crazy kid on the hill today and is feeling a little worse for the wear."
"No, I'm all right," Joey said quickly has Frank released her, "And please, call me Joey."
"Well, Joey, let's get you a drink to dull the pain. What's your desired medication?"
"Do you have any hard cider?"
"Absolutely," Frank said with a twinkle in his eye, "And your usual, Andrew?"
Pacey nodded and took Joey's hand to lead her toward a table in the back of the bar. Along the way Joey saw quite a few photos of Pacey with people who assumed were also regulars at the Rocking Horse. Pacey looked genuinely happy and at ease with the people in the pictures. Joey was most intrigued by one of Pacey and an attractive blond; Pacey had his arm casually thrown around the woman's shoulders and she was looking at him adoringly while he smiled for the camera.
"Who's this, Pace," Joey asked, trying to sound innocent and not letting the jealousy she felt come out in her voice.
"Who," Pacey said, glancing at the picture, "Oh, Margaret, she lives a mile or so up the road from here."
His short answer left Joey wondering if there was more to be told but decided to drop it when she saw Frank approaching with two mugs of amber colored liquid. With flourish he set the two glasses down in front of Joey and Pacey. "These two are on the house, just as long as you make him buy a few more rounds, Joey."
"Thanks, Frank. I'll see what I can do."
Hey, Frank, can you get us two burgers with the works," Pacey asked, "And a basket of fries?"
"Sure thing, anything for my star."
Joey laughed as Frank danced a little jog across the dance floor to a table across the way and started chatting with a table of men sitting there. Pacey just shook his head and lifted his glass.
After dinner, Joey and Pacey sat at their table watching the couples gathered on the dance floor. A live band had set up at one end of the bar and was doing covers of songs from the 80s and 90s.
"This is nice, Pacey, I can totally see you in a place like this and I mean that in a good way. It has so much character and seems like it would be very inspiring."
"Yeah, I like it. But you, you spent your childhood trying to get out of a place like this and now you live in the big city, you wouldn't want to be here."
"I don't know," Joey paused, "Now that I know what was out there I know that it wasn't Capeside that was holding me back but me. I've outgrown the need to get away and know that I just need to be happy with myself."
"Well, well, Josephine as finally found herself and it doesn't hurt that you have this nice life in Chicago. Great job, great boyfriend and great apartment no doubt," Pacey's voice was turning bitter, "What more could a girl want?"
"Sounds great doesn't it," Joey said evenly, "But you're wrong, I don't have it all, it may seem like I do but if I did then I would be content and I'm not. I just know that it wasn't Capeside that made me unhappy, it was me. I'm still working on it though and maybe I will be successful, who knows. Are you happy?"
"Yeah, I guess I am," Pacey shrugged, "Life has been good to me and I am at peace with the world, that's all I can ask for. So, are things serious with what's-his-name?"
"Kevin. No, I mean, we've been dating for a while now but it isn't going anywhere, it's just convenient and it fits in my life."
"How romantic, Jo, 'he fits.' You better stop me before I break out the box of tissues."
"Oh shut up, you're as bad as Dawson. Is it so hard to believe that I just don't care that it isn't the romance of the century?"
"I don't know, but you always used to thrive on drama, look at you and Dawson. Whatever it was it sure wasn't a matter of convenience."
"I've changed, it happens, I'm not the same person I used to be and I don't have the energy to put my all into a guy anymore, you just lose yourself."
"That's too bad, I kind of liked that girl who loved without abandon and with passion," Pacey pushed back from the table, picking up their empty glasses, "Besides, it's only when you let yourself get lost that you can find out who you really are."
Joey started to answer but Pacey was already making his way towards the bar to get their glasses refilled. 'Arrrgh,' Joey growled to herself, 'He can still push my buttons.' Joey's thoughts were interrupted by one of the men coming over to her table from the group Frank had been talking to.
"Hey there, Frank told me to come over and introduce myself but I thought I would do one better and ask you to dance. My name is Mike," Mike was taller and lankier than Pacey, but fairly good-looking. Sensing Joey's hesitation, he continued, "I'm a friend of Andrew's and I don't think he would mind, if anything he would be jealous."
"Mike, you knew the right thing to say," Joey grinned and took the hand Mike had extended in front of him, "I'm Joey, it's nice to meet you."
Once she was on her feet, Joey could feel the effects of the alcohol and the pain medicine in her system and had to put her hand on the back of her chair to catch her balance. Shaking her head once to clear it she followed Mike to the dance floor.
Mike thankfully wrapped his arm around Joey's good side and moved her around the dance floor. He asked Joey where she was from and what had brought her up to Michigan. Joey answered his questions while she watched Pacey returning from the bar with two fresh glasses. He got a confused look on his face when he saw the empty table and turned to look around the room for Joey. After a few moments he spotted her in Mike's arms, his eyes locking with Joey's. At that moment Mike chose to spin Joey around making it so he was now facing Pacey's direction.
"Uh oh, I am getting quite a look from your friend, Andrew, I think it worked, he is jealous."
"He can handle it," Joey laughed, "It's just a dance."
Mike laughed and continued to spin her around the floor. The band faded out and started playing a slower song that Joey instantly recognized as the one that was playing in the car the day Pacey had pulled over along the side of the road and kissed her. She closed her eyes and could vividly see his face as it had looked that day and when she opened them again he was standing right in front of her.
"Excuse me, Mike, but do you mind if I cut it? She's not even supposed to be dancing but since she came her with me and she is on the dance floor I would at least like to take advantage of it."
Mike stepped aside and motioned Pacey towards Joey, "Thanks for the dance, Joey, maybe we can do it again."
"You're welcome, Mike. It was my pleasure," Joey said politely and looked at Pacey to see if his face showed any sign that he remembered the song that was playing.
Pacey tucked his left arm around her waist and took her hand with his right one. Joey wrapped her free arm around his neck and smiled at Pacey. She didn't know if it was the four beers she had had or the closeness to Pacey that was making her head spin but either way she found that she was feeling unsteady on her feet. Sensing this, Pacey's tightened his arm around her back and pulled her closer to him. Without a word, Joey brought her check against his, feeling his breath on her ear. Pacey brought their connected hands in so they were resting together on his chest and began gently rubbing the back of her fingers with his thumb. Before she knew it the song was over and another faster tempo song had started. Joey sighed and lifted her head so she could look Pacey in the eye.
"I always loved that song," Pacey said before she could say a word. His hand dropped from her waist, "We should get you back to the hotel, you look beat."
"What about the beers you just got," Joey asked, not wanting to leave this place or even move from the dance floor, "We should at least drink those."
"Do you think you can handle it? Especially considering I practically had to hold you up just now."
"Oh please, I could drink you under the table," Joey smirked, glad Pacey hadn't thought her unsteadiness was a reaction to him, "Though from the number of pictures on the wall, I'd say you've had a little more practice than me, besides that you started earlier in life that I did."
"Okay, one last round, but then I am cutting you off," Pacey laughed, "You are already getting too friendly with the locals."
Joey and Pacey headed back to their table and downed their drinks quickly, Joey's head reeling as she took her last gulp. Pacey smiled at her across the table, well aware that she was too far gone while he had only had two beers that night. Joey returned Pacey's grin and tilted her head to the side, watching him through half open eyes.
"Okay, you can take me now… to the hotel I mean."
"Come on, Jo," Pacey laughed as he stuck his arm under hers and pulled her out of her chair, "I'm not going to carry you to the car."
"Take care of that one, Andrew," Frank called after the departing pair, "She seems like a nice one and she's damn pretty, too."
"Will do, Frank. See you in a few days."
Pacey laughed and sheepishly shook his head, "Frank, the owner insisted on putting that up because they don't get many celebrities around here. I really think he just wanted to stake a claim on me so I would feel bad enjoying a beer somewhere else. But the food is above average and it reminds me of Capeside."
"What do you mean?"
"Everyone knows everyone and it feels more East Coast-y than Midwestern, you'll see once we get inside."
Pacey and Joey both opened their doors and got out of the car. Pacey half- jogged around the vehicle so he could grab the door and hold it open for her to go inside the bar. Joey just raised her eyebrow in his direction and walked inside. On the other side of the door Joey immediately understood what Pacey had been talking about. There was something very East Coast about the décor, more than anything The Rocking Horse reminded her of the Ice House, her family's former restaurant that had burned down her sophomore year of high school. Joey had spent many hours of her life waiting tables and avoiding being picked on by Pacey who had gotten a job there for the sole purpose of annoying Joey.
Joey smiled at a grandfatherly man who had seen them come in and was making his way towards the door. His crinkled eyes and ready smile made Joey feel instantly welcomed.
"Well if it isn't my favorite customer," he said, shaking Pacey's hand vigorously, "And who is this with you, Andrew?"
"Frank Rocker, meet Josephine Potter and vice versa."
"The pleasure is all mine, Josephine. Any friend of this guy here is a friend of mine especially if they are as pretty as you," Frank grabbed Joey into a tight hug, hitting her sore ribs and causing her to grit her teeth in pain. Pacey noticed this and tugged at Frank's shoulder.
"You'd better be careful with this one, she had a run in with a crazy kid on the hill today and is feeling a little worse for the wear."
"No, I'm all right," Joey said quickly has Frank released her, "And please, call me Joey."
"Well, Joey, let's get you a drink to dull the pain. What's your desired medication?"
"Do you have any hard cider?"
"Absolutely," Frank said with a twinkle in his eye, "And your usual, Andrew?"
Pacey nodded and took Joey's hand to lead her toward a table in the back of the bar. Along the way Joey saw quite a few photos of Pacey with people who assumed were also regulars at the Rocking Horse. Pacey looked genuinely happy and at ease with the people in the pictures. Joey was most intrigued by one of Pacey and an attractive blond; Pacey had his arm casually thrown around the woman's shoulders and she was looking at him adoringly while he smiled for the camera.
"Who's this, Pace," Joey asked, trying to sound innocent and not letting the jealousy she felt come out in her voice.
"Who," Pacey said, glancing at the picture, "Oh, Margaret, she lives a mile or so up the road from here."
His short answer left Joey wondering if there was more to be told but decided to drop it when she saw Frank approaching with two mugs of amber colored liquid. With flourish he set the two glasses down in front of Joey and Pacey. "These two are on the house, just as long as you make him buy a few more rounds, Joey."
"Thanks, Frank. I'll see what I can do."
Hey, Frank, can you get us two burgers with the works," Pacey asked, "And a basket of fries?"
"Sure thing, anything for my star."
Joey laughed as Frank danced a little jog across the dance floor to a table across the way and started chatting with a table of men sitting there. Pacey just shook his head and lifted his glass.
After dinner, Joey and Pacey sat at their table watching the couples gathered on the dance floor. A live band had set up at one end of the bar and was doing covers of songs from the 80s and 90s.
"This is nice, Pacey, I can totally see you in a place like this and I mean that in a good way. It has so much character and seems like it would be very inspiring."
"Yeah, I like it. But you, you spent your childhood trying to get out of a place like this and now you live in the big city, you wouldn't want to be here."
"I don't know," Joey paused, "Now that I know what was out there I know that it wasn't Capeside that was holding me back but me. I've outgrown the need to get away and know that I just need to be happy with myself."
"Well, well, Josephine as finally found herself and it doesn't hurt that you have this nice life in Chicago. Great job, great boyfriend and great apartment no doubt," Pacey's voice was turning bitter, "What more could a girl want?"
"Sounds great doesn't it," Joey said evenly, "But you're wrong, I don't have it all, it may seem like I do but if I did then I would be content and I'm not. I just know that it wasn't Capeside that made me unhappy, it was me. I'm still working on it though and maybe I will be successful, who knows. Are you happy?"
"Yeah, I guess I am," Pacey shrugged, "Life has been good to me and I am at peace with the world, that's all I can ask for. So, are things serious with what's-his-name?"
"Kevin. No, I mean, we've been dating for a while now but it isn't going anywhere, it's just convenient and it fits in my life."
"How romantic, Jo, 'he fits.' You better stop me before I break out the box of tissues."
"Oh shut up, you're as bad as Dawson. Is it so hard to believe that I just don't care that it isn't the romance of the century?"
"I don't know, but you always used to thrive on drama, look at you and Dawson. Whatever it was it sure wasn't a matter of convenience."
"I've changed, it happens, I'm not the same person I used to be and I don't have the energy to put my all into a guy anymore, you just lose yourself."
"That's too bad, I kind of liked that girl who loved without abandon and with passion," Pacey pushed back from the table, picking up their empty glasses, "Besides, it's only when you let yourself get lost that you can find out who you really are."
Joey started to answer but Pacey was already making his way towards the bar to get their glasses refilled. 'Arrrgh,' Joey growled to herself, 'He can still push my buttons.' Joey's thoughts were interrupted by one of the men coming over to her table from the group Frank had been talking to.
"Hey there, Frank told me to come over and introduce myself but I thought I would do one better and ask you to dance. My name is Mike," Mike was taller and lankier than Pacey, but fairly good-looking. Sensing Joey's hesitation, he continued, "I'm a friend of Andrew's and I don't think he would mind, if anything he would be jealous."
"Mike, you knew the right thing to say," Joey grinned and took the hand Mike had extended in front of him, "I'm Joey, it's nice to meet you."
Once she was on her feet, Joey could feel the effects of the alcohol and the pain medicine in her system and had to put her hand on the back of her chair to catch her balance. Shaking her head once to clear it she followed Mike to the dance floor.
Mike thankfully wrapped his arm around Joey's good side and moved her around the dance floor. He asked Joey where she was from and what had brought her up to Michigan. Joey answered his questions while she watched Pacey returning from the bar with two fresh glasses. He got a confused look on his face when he saw the empty table and turned to look around the room for Joey. After a few moments he spotted her in Mike's arms, his eyes locking with Joey's. At that moment Mike chose to spin Joey around making it so he was now facing Pacey's direction.
"Uh oh, I am getting quite a look from your friend, Andrew, I think it worked, he is jealous."
"He can handle it," Joey laughed, "It's just a dance."
Mike laughed and continued to spin her around the floor. The band faded out and started playing a slower song that Joey instantly recognized as the one that was playing in the car the day Pacey had pulled over along the side of the road and kissed her. She closed her eyes and could vividly see his face as it had looked that day and when she opened them again he was standing right in front of her.
"Excuse me, Mike, but do you mind if I cut it? She's not even supposed to be dancing but since she came her with me and she is on the dance floor I would at least like to take advantage of it."
Mike stepped aside and motioned Pacey towards Joey, "Thanks for the dance, Joey, maybe we can do it again."
"You're welcome, Mike. It was my pleasure," Joey said politely and looked at Pacey to see if his face showed any sign that he remembered the song that was playing.
Pacey tucked his left arm around her waist and took her hand with his right one. Joey wrapped her free arm around his neck and smiled at Pacey. She didn't know if it was the four beers she had had or the closeness to Pacey that was making her head spin but either way she found that she was feeling unsteady on her feet. Sensing this, Pacey's tightened his arm around her back and pulled her closer to him. Without a word, Joey brought her check against his, feeling his breath on her ear. Pacey brought their connected hands in so they were resting together on his chest and began gently rubbing the back of her fingers with his thumb. Before she knew it the song was over and another faster tempo song had started. Joey sighed and lifted her head so she could look Pacey in the eye.
"I always loved that song," Pacey said before she could say a word. His hand dropped from her waist, "We should get you back to the hotel, you look beat."
"What about the beers you just got," Joey asked, not wanting to leave this place or even move from the dance floor, "We should at least drink those."
"Do you think you can handle it? Especially considering I practically had to hold you up just now."
"Oh please, I could drink you under the table," Joey smirked, glad Pacey hadn't thought her unsteadiness was a reaction to him, "Though from the number of pictures on the wall, I'd say you've had a little more practice than me, besides that you started earlier in life that I did."
"Okay, one last round, but then I am cutting you off," Pacey laughed, "You are already getting too friendly with the locals."
Joey and Pacey headed back to their table and downed their drinks quickly, Joey's head reeling as she took her last gulp. Pacey smiled at her across the table, well aware that she was too far gone while he had only had two beers that night. Joey returned Pacey's grin and tilted her head to the side, watching him through half open eyes.
"Okay, you can take me now… to the hotel I mean."
"Come on, Jo," Pacey laughed as he stuck his arm under hers and pulled her out of her chair, "I'm not going to carry you to the car."
"Take care of that one, Andrew," Frank called after the departing pair, "She seems like a nice one and she's damn pretty, too."
"Will do, Frank. See you in a few days."
