A Matter of Convenience, Chapter Seven
It was odd how you could be exhausted and restless at the same time. After a week in the bar, showing Joey the ropes and preparing for some changes, he lay in his bed.
His body wanted nothing more than 18 hours of sleep, but his mind wouldn't stop spinning.
Joey was out somewhere, so he couldn't bug her like he usually would. Pacey smiled to himself.
The phone rang and he sprang from the bed.
"Yeah?" he asked eagerly.
"Hey, man, doing anything tonight?"
"Jack.what's up? Thought you were planning a long night of mourning. What happened?"
"Ha. Ha. Let's go out."
Pacey rolled his eyes, "When you say 'go out' do you mean somewhere other than my Club?"
"Where else would we go?"
"Do you have any idea how much time we spend there?" Pacey asked, not quite sure why he was arguing the point. They'd never gone anywhere else, why start tonight?
"Gimme a break, I'm in college," Jack whined, "How else can I afford this lifestyle?"
"Could get a job," Pacey suggested wryly.
"You have an opening?"
"Sure, grab an application."
"I need an application?" Jack complained.
"Yes, lazy ass."
"Fine, fine," Jack sighed, "So you coming or what?"
"Yeah, meet me there."
"You're the best."
"So true," Pacey yawned. He was insane.
**
"Another tequila for the lady!"
Joey giggled, "Sound purrfect.purrfet," she tried again.
"Purr-fek-et," Jen corrected solemnly.
Frowning, Joey shook her head.
"You ARE perfect," four blue eyes glimmered down at her, combining into two.
Joey grinned, "You guys are cute. Wanna dance, Billy?"
Billy smiled, "It's Charlie and yes."
"Which one?" Joey frowned, gesturing to the twins that kept fading together and separating once again.
"Both!" Jen crowed.
Getting to her feet, Joey couldn't remember why she'd come to the club tonight.
"Jen! Jen-ny, why're we here?"
Jen opened her mouth and wrinkled her nose. "Cause.cause your boy is gay!" she said in triumph, nodding to herself.
"Ohhh.yeah," Joey turned to Charlie and whispered, "He shhhhurrrr did act it."
"I'm.sorry?" Charlie looked back and forth between Joey and Jen.
"'tsokay," Joey told him confidentially, "He wasn' a ver good kisser."
Jen giggled, "Don' tell Michael that!"
Joey scowled at her friend and grinned back at Charlie, "You a good kisser, Bil-" she frowned, "Char-lie?"
A slow smile spread across his face, "Well, I don't know, hopefully soon you can tell me yourself."
Joey considered this statement slowly. "But you.oh," she smiled, ducking her head bashfully and chuckling to herself.
Jen pointed excitedly at Charlie, "Like the plan, Jo!"
Eyes widening, Joey tugged Charlie toward the dance floor.
**
Pacey and Jack found Jen at the bar.
"Hey, Jack-ers," Jen grinned.
"Jackers?" Pacey smiled, blackmail dancing before his eyes at the look of horror in Jack's eyes.
"Shut up," Jack muttered before turning back to his ex-girlfriend, "Hey Jen, you here with someone?"
"N-" Jen started to shake her head, then stopped, reconsidering the matter. "Yes," she nodded.
"Where is he?" Jack asked, taking the beer Pacey handed him.
"He?" Jen looked at him strangely. "Charlie?"
"Is that what the 'C' stands for?" Jack shrugged.
Jen stared at him in complete bafflement before turning to Pacey.
"Hey Pace-y," she grinned.
"Jen-nee," he winked back at her.
She chortled delightedly at this and Jack glared at Pacey.
"How many of those have you had, Jen?" Jack asked her.
Jen frowned at her fingers, counting them. "About 41 gazillion. But-" she waved her hands for dramatic effect, "Joey had more."
"Jo's here?" Pacey asked, looking around immediately, "Where?"
Jen pouted in annoyance, "With Charlie, I said that."
Pacey and Jack exchanged glances. The woman was cracked.
"Who is Charlie, Jen?" Pacey asked.
Jen looked thoughtful. "Charlie," she nodded, eyeing him as though this were obvious.
Pacey gritted his teeth, "And Joey's dancing with Charlie?"
"Cheatin' Cheatin' Cheatin'," Jen grinned.
"WHAT?" Pacey asked.
"She's gonna kiss him," Jen nodded confidently.
"Why?" Pacey asked, trying to put what Jen was saying into perspective with everything he knew of Joey.
It didn't work.
"Cause D-" Jen started to explain, but stopped abruptly, glaring at Pacey. "I can't tell you that!" she wagged her finger at him.
Pacey raised his eyebrows, "And why not?"
She looked at him as though he was the biggest idiot ever and just shook her head, refusing to comment.
"Take care of her," Pacey muttered unnecessarily to Jack. "I'm going to look for Joey."
He wouldn't say he was worried.just a little concerned. As a friend/husband of convenience, it was his job to look out for her.
And he wasn't ANGRY at the thought of her kissing some random guy.more, righteously indignant. For Dawson's sake, of course. She was cheating on his best friend, after all.
These justifiable feelings led him to search the entire club as rapidly as possible.
Suppressing the urge to shut off the music and call her name over the loudspeaker, his eyes focused on a dark area in the corner, behind the DJ.
Gritting his teeth, he stalked over, tapping the groping couple on the shoulder jauntily.
"Excuse me?" Pacey interrupted, "I'm looking for my wife, she's about 5- Oh hey, Jo."
Joey blinked at him, "Pash-ee?"
Charlie looked from Joey to Pacey, trying to figure out what was going on.
"Umm.what?" he finally asked, confused.
"Pashey's my," Joey frowned, "Pashe.Pass.Pay-shee," she gave up with a shrug, tossing Pacey and apologetic look.
"I'm her husband," Pacey told him.
"Oh, right," Charlie nodded, "The gay one."
Joey and Pacey both gaped at him for a moment.
"You told him I was GAY?" Pacey exploded.
Joey shook her head, but couldn't speak, dissolving into an incoherent mass of drunken giggles.
"Uhh.you guys obviously have issues. It was nice to meet you, Joey. See you around sometime," Charlie smiled.
Pacey rolled his eyes and waved him off as Joey caught her breath. "Are you okay?" he asked softly, curbing the desire to go after Charlie.
"Yesh, Pash," Joey nodded.
Pacey sighed, "You want me to go after him?"
"Who?" Joey frowned.
"Charlie? The guy you were making out with a few minutes ago?" he reminded her.
"Oh," a sudden smile broke out over her features and Pacey's face tightened.
"I cheated on Dawson," Joey smiled sunnily.
Dawson. That's right, Pacey recalled suddenly. He was indignant about this matter.
"You did," Pacey agreed, not sure what reaction she was going for.
Joey giggled.
"You're obviously drunk, Jo, I won't say anthing-"
"What?!?" Joey's eyes flashed, "I'm telling him!"
"Of course, Jo," Pacey gathered her in his arms soothingly. She probably wouldn't even remember this incident tomorrow anyway, they could discuss it then.
"Pashy.are you mad at me?" she bit her lip uncertainly.
"No," he shook his head immediately. In truth, he was having trouble remembering why he would be.
" 's okay, Pashe," Josh nodded.
"No, hey," Pacey pulled back to look into her eyes, "I'm not mad at you," he assured her.
Her wide eyes stared back at him seriously.
"Not my fault," she pouted.
"Of course not," Pacey agreed, fully blaming that asshole Charlie, who he'd better not see in his club again.
Joey burrowed her head in his chest, muttering something about liking other men and how Dawson should understand that well enough.
Privately, Pacey didn't know how he could possibly 'understand' anything of the sort, but he rubbed her shoulder reassuringly.
"Let's get out of here, Jo."
"Oh.kay," she breathed, clinging to his side as they started walking.
He told himself they were getting closer, that she trusted him. In reality, of course, she was probably on the verge of passing out, but he dismissed that theory.
"Where's Jen?" she asked as they passed the bar.
Pacey looked around. Sure enough, no Jen.
"Jack's taking care of her."
"Uh-oh."
"What's wrong with that?"
"He still looooooooooooooves her," Joey chuckled, making kissing noises.
Pacey rolled his eyes, "Well, she's a beautiful woman."
"Ohh NO!" Joey cried mournfully, "You loooove her too!" She puckered up in pouty fashion, creating the most pitiful kissing noise he'd heard in his life.
He could only chuckle, "You think so?"
Joey groaned, "Not fair."
"Why is it unfair?"
"She get's all the straight ones!" Joey complained.
Pacey laughed, "Nah, I'm gay, remember?"
"WHAt?" Joey leapt back from him, tripped on a chair and accidentally sat down on someone's table. She grinned at the young man before her in surprise, "Hey Cu-tie!"
"Sorry about that," Pacey apologized, lifting Joey from the table.
"Pashey!" Joey declared in delight, wrapping her arms around him. "Wait," she frowned, letting go. "I'm mad at you."
"Oh?" he raised an eyebrow, "Why's that?"
Joey shrugged.
"You don't remember?" Pacey smiled.
She shook her head.
"Then let's just talk about it tomorrow."
Joey nodded agreeably and swayed against him. He picked her up, carrying her out of the room.
**
Joey closed her eyes and leaned against him.
"Why'd you marry me.if you're gay?" Joey mumbled.
Pacey rolled his eyes, "Money, Jo, you know that."
Joey nodded sadly, "You told me."
She watched him for a few moments and her eyes widened, "You're not gay!"
Pacey smiled, "I'm glad you remembered."
"You lied to me," she swatted him.
"Will you ever forgive me, my dear?"
"May-be!" she poked his chest.
"Duck your head," he told her softly, opening the front door of his car to put her inside.
"You better drive," she whispered. "I'm drunk," she pointed to herself.
"Very wise," he nodded.
She nodded too, sinking back against the seat.
Shaking his head, Pacey circled to the driver's side.
**
"Here we are," Jack smiled at Jen, "Can you walk in all right?"
Jen stared at the door and back at Jack.
"Doubt it," she shook her head.
Smiling, Jack went around the car and pulled her out. He missed this. Taking care of her like she was his.
Her eyes glittered up at his and he wondered if she remembered everything. If, at this moment in her mind, they were still together.or just friends.
"Mmm." she sighed against him.
"You look beautiful, Jen."
She giggled, "Yeah." Then she sighed, " 'm glad you're not gay."
Jack blinked, "Umm.yeah, it works well for me."
Jen snorted.
"What brings us to the topic of my sexuality?" Jack asked, truly curious.
She waved off the question. "Joey cheated on Dawson."
"Huh," Jack didn't know what to say, "You're a fan of cheating?"
Jen gaped at him, "Of course not!"
"Just for Joey?"
"Well, D-" she eyed him suspiciously, "Uh-uh, not saying."
Jack shrugged, stopping, "Well, this is your door, Jen."
She looked at it.
Tilting her head another direction, she stared some more.
"Yes," she nodded finally, her analysis complete.
Jack took her keys and propped her door open.
"Goodnight, Jen. I- I miss you," he blurted impulsively.
"Oh, Jack," she sighed, leaning against him and wrapping her arms around his body.
Soft and pliant in his arms, Jack closed his eyes, memories of their lovemaking flooding back to him.
"Good night, Jack," she whispered, pulling away to look at him, her lips tantalizing him as she spoke.
His brain screamed at him to back away, but he ignored it, closing the distance between them.
She didn't back away and his heart sped. It was Jen. His Jen, that he never thought he'd taste again.
Jack explored her mouth slowly, drinking in the sweet, achingly familiar taste of her.
How could he let anything come between them? Every second they were apart destroyed him more.
But she was with someone else.
Jack kissed her harder, pulling her into him. She couldn't want someone else, not really. She wanted him, they were in love.
And she was drunk.
He broke away from her abruptly and she stumbled against the wall, staring up at him in confusion.
"I'm sorry," he said softly, willing her to shake it off and invite him in.
"Oh, God," she whispered, her hand covering her mouth as her eyes widened.
"Jen-"
She shook her head, her eyes filling with tears as she backed away from him.
"I love you," he whispered, staring at her door.
**
"You want some coffee, Jo?" Pacey asked as they walked in the door.
She shook her head against him.
"Maybe a gallon of water?" he suggested.
Joey moaned at the thought.
"Just bed, then?" he chuckled, leading her to her room.
Nodding enthusiastically, Joey tried to remember what was happening.
"Where's Jen?" she frowned.
"Flew away," Pacey shrugged.
"Oh," Joey nodded. "Pacey!" she groaned.
"You're right, Jack drove her. Jen can't fly.
Joey frowned and pointed to her boots, laced past her ankle.
Pacey smiled and pushed her to sit on her bed. Her eyes widened as her rear connected with the sheet, but collected herself.
Kneeling in front of her, Pacey's eyes were drawn to her long, slim legs. A vision of the way he'd like them floated through his mind and he shook his head.
Laces, he tried to focus, urging his fingers to remove her boots.
"Thanks, Pashe," Joey yawned, falling back onto her bed.
"Goodnight, Joey," he whispered softly, lifting her legs onto her bed and her covers over her body.
Outside her room, Pacey closed her door, learning his head against it.
This was going to be a problem.
It was odd how you could be exhausted and restless at the same time. After a week in the bar, showing Joey the ropes and preparing for some changes, he lay in his bed.
His body wanted nothing more than 18 hours of sleep, but his mind wouldn't stop spinning.
Joey was out somewhere, so he couldn't bug her like he usually would. Pacey smiled to himself.
The phone rang and he sprang from the bed.
"Yeah?" he asked eagerly.
"Hey, man, doing anything tonight?"
"Jack.what's up? Thought you were planning a long night of mourning. What happened?"
"Ha. Ha. Let's go out."
Pacey rolled his eyes, "When you say 'go out' do you mean somewhere other than my Club?"
"Where else would we go?"
"Do you have any idea how much time we spend there?" Pacey asked, not quite sure why he was arguing the point. They'd never gone anywhere else, why start tonight?
"Gimme a break, I'm in college," Jack whined, "How else can I afford this lifestyle?"
"Could get a job," Pacey suggested wryly.
"You have an opening?"
"Sure, grab an application."
"I need an application?" Jack complained.
"Yes, lazy ass."
"Fine, fine," Jack sighed, "So you coming or what?"
"Yeah, meet me there."
"You're the best."
"So true," Pacey yawned. He was insane.
**
"Another tequila for the lady!"
Joey giggled, "Sound purrfect.purrfet," she tried again.
"Purr-fek-et," Jen corrected solemnly.
Frowning, Joey shook her head.
"You ARE perfect," four blue eyes glimmered down at her, combining into two.
Joey grinned, "You guys are cute. Wanna dance, Billy?"
Billy smiled, "It's Charlie and yes."
"Which one?" Joey frowned, gesturing to the twins that kept fading together and separating once again.
"Both!" Jen crowed.
Getting to her feet, Joey couldn't remember why she'd come to the club tonight.
"Jen! Jen-ny, why're we here?"
Jen opened her mouth and wrinkled her nose. "Cause.cause your boy is gay!" she said in triumph, nodding to herself.
"Ohhh.yeah," Joey turned to Charlie and whispered, "He shhhhurrrr did act it."
"I'm.sorry?" Charlie looked back and forth between Joey and Jen.
"'tsokay," Joey told him confidentially, "He wasn' a ver good kisser."
Jen giggled, "Don' tell Michael that!"
Joey scowled at her friend and grinned back at Charlie, "You a good kisser, Bil-" she frowned, "Char-lie?"
A slow smile spread across his face, "Well, I don't know, hopefully soon you can tell me yourself."
Joey considered this statement slowly. "But you.oh," she smiled, ducking her head bashfully and chuckling to herself.
Jen pointed excitedly at Charlie, "Like the plan, Jo!"
Eyes widening, Joey tugged Charlie toward the dance floor.
**
Pacey and Jack found Jen at the bar.
"Hey, Jack-ers," Jen grinned.
"Jackers?" Pacey smiled, blackmail dancing before his eyes at the look of horror in Jack's eyes.
"Shut up," Jack muttered before turning back to his ex-girlfriend, "Hey Jen, you here with someone?"
"N-" Jen started to shake her head, then stopped, reconsidering the matter. "Yes," she nodded.
"Where is he?" Jack asked, taking the beer Pacey handed him.
"He?" Jen looked at him strangely. "Charlie?"
"Is that what the 'C' stands for?" Jack shrugged.
Jen stared at him in complete bafflement before turning to Pacey.
"Hey Pace-y," she grinned.
"Jen-nee," he winked back at her.
She chortled delightedly at this and Jack glared at Pacey.
"How many of those have you had, Jen?" Jack asked her.
Jen frowned at her fingers, counting them. "About 41 gazillion. But-" she waved her hands for dramatic effect, "Joey had more."
"Jo's here?" Pacey asked, looking around immediately, "Where?"
Jen pouted in annoyance, "With Charlie, I said that."
Pacey and Jack exchanged glances. The woman was cracked.
"Who is Charlie, Jen?" Pacey asked.
Jen looked thoughtful. "Charlie," she nodded, eyeing him as though this were obvious.
Pacey gritted his teeth, "And Joey's dancing with Charlie?"
"Cheatin' Cheatin' Cheatin'," Jen grinned.
"WHAT?" Pacey asked.
"She's gonna kiss him," Jen nodded confidently.
"Why?" Pacey asked, trying to put what Jen was saying into perspective with everything he knew of Joey.
It didn't work.
"Cause D-" Jen started to explain, but stopped abruptly, glaring at Pacey. "I can't tell you that!" she wagged her finger at him.
Pacey raised his eyebrows, "And why not?"
She looked at him as though he was the biggest idiot ever and just shook her head, refusing to comment.
"Take care of her," Pacey muttered unnecessarily to Jack. "I'm going to look for Joey."
He wouldn't say he was worried.just a little concerned. As a friend/husband of convenience, it was his job to look out for her.
And he wasn't ANGRY at the thought of her kissing some random guy.more, righteously indignant. For Dawson's sake, of course. She was cheating on his best friend, after all.
These justifiable feelings led him to search the entire club as rapidly as possible.
Suppressing the urge to shut off the music and call her name over the loudspeaker, his eyes focused on a dark area in the corner, behind the DJ.
Gritting his teeth, he stalked over, tapping the groping couple on the shoulder jauntily.
"Excuse me?" Pacey interrupted, "I'm looking for my wife, she's about 5- Oh hey, Jo."
Joey blinked at him, "Pash-ee?"
Charlie looked from Joey to Pacey, trying to figure out what was going on.
"Umm.what?" he finally asked, confused.
"Pashey's my," Joey frowned, "Pashe.Pass.Pay-shee," she gave up with a shrug, tossing Pacey and apologetic look.
"I'm her husband," Pacey told him.
"Oh, right," Charlie nodded, "The gay one."
Joey and Pacey both gaped at him for a moment.
"You told him I was GAY?" Pacey exploded.
Joey shook her head, but couldn't speak, dissolving into an incoherent mass of drunken giggles.
"Uhh.you guys obviously have issues. It was nice to meet you, Joey. See you around sometime," Charlie smiled.
Pacey rolled his eyes and waved him off as Joey caught her breath. "Are you okay?" he asked softly, curbing the desire to go after Charlie.
"Yesh, Pash," Joey nodded.
Pacey sighed, "You want me to go after him?"
"Who?" Joey frowned.
"Charlie? The guy you were making out with a few minutes ago?" he reminded her.
"Oh," a sudden smile broke out over her features and Pacey's face tightened.
"I cheated on Dawson," Joey smiled sunnily.
Dawson. That's right, Pacey recalled suddenly. He was indignant about this matter.
"You did," Pacey agreed, not sure what reaction she was going for.
Joey giggled.
"You're obviously drunk, Jo, I won't say anthing-"
"What?!?" Joey's eyes flashed, "I'm telling him!"
"Of course, Jo," Pacey gathered her in his arms soothingly. She probably wouldn't even remember this incident tomorrow anyway, they could discuss it then.
"Pashy.are you mad at me?" she bit her lip uncertainly.
"No," he shook his head immediately. In truth, he was having trouble remembering why he would be.
" 's okay, Pashe," Josh nodded.
"No, hey," Pacey pulled back to look into her eyes, "I'm not mad at you," he assured her.
Her wide eyes stared back at him seriously.
"Not my fault," she pouted.
"Of course not," Pacey agreed, fully blaming that asshole Charlie, who he'd better not see in his club again.
Joey burrowed her head in his chest, muttering something about liking other men and how Dawson should understand that well enough.
Privately, Pacey didn't know how he could possibly 'understand' anything of the sort, but he rubbed her shoulder reassuringly.
"Let's get out of here, Jo."
"Oh.kay," she breathed, clinging to his side as they started walking.
He told himself they were getting closer, that she trusted him. In reality, of course, she was probably on the verge of passing out, but he dismissed that theory.
"Where's Jen?" she asked as they passed the bar.
Pacey looked around. Sure enough, no Jen.
"Jack's taking care of her."
"Uh-oh."
"What's wrong with that?"
"He still looooooooooooooves her," Joey chuckled, making kissing noises.
Pacey rolled his eyes, "Well, she's a beautiful woman."
"Ohh NO!" Joey cried mournfully, "You loooove her too!" She puckered up in pouty fashion, creating the most pitiful kissing noise he'd heard in his life.
He could only chuckle, "You think so?"
Joey groaned, "Not fair."
"Why is it unfair?"
"She get's all the straight ones!" Joey complained.
Pacey laughed, "Nah, I'm gay, remember?"
"WHAt?" Joey leapt back from him, tripped on a chair and accidentally sat down on someone's table. She grinned at the young man before her in surprise, "Hey Cu-tie!"
"Sorry about that," Pacey apologized, lifting Joey from the table.
"Pashey!" Joey declared in delight, wrapping her arms around him. "Wait," she frowned, letting go. "I'm mad at you."
"Oh?" he raised an eyebrow, "Why's that?"
Joey shrugged.
"You don't remember?" Pacey smiled.
She shook her head.
"Then let's just talk about it tomorrow."
Joey nodded agreeably and swayed against him. He picked her up, carrying her out of the room.
**
Joey closed her eyes and leaned against him.
"Why'd you marry me.if you're gay?" Joey mumbled.
Pacey rolled his eyes, "Money, Jo, you know that."
Joey nodded sadly, "You told me."
She watched him for a few moments and her eyes widened, "You're not gay!"
Pacey smiled, "I'm glad you remembered."
"You lied to me," she swatted him.
"Will you ever forgive me, my dear?"
"May-be!" she poked his chest.
"Duck your head," he told her softly, opening the front door of his car to put her inside.
"You better drive," she whispered. "I'm drunk," she pointed to herself.
"Very wise," he nodded.
She nodded too, sinking back against the seat.
Shaking his head, Pacey circled to the driver's side.
**
"Here we are," Jack smiled at Jen, "Can you walk in all right?"
Jen stared at the door and back at Jack.
"Doubt it," she shook her head.
Smiling, Jack went around the car and pulled her out. He missed this. Taking care of her like she was his.
Her eyes glittered up at his and he wondered if she remembered everything. If, at this moment in her mind, they were still together.or just friends.
"Mmm." she sighed against him.
"You look beautiful, Jen."
She giggled, "Yeah." Then she sighed, " 'm glad you're not gay."
Jack blinked, "Umm.yeah, it works well for me."
Jen snorted.
"What brings us to the topic of my sexuality?" Jack asked, truly curious.
She waved off the question. "Joey cheated on Dawson."
"Huh," Jack didn't know what to say, "You're a fan of cheating?"
Jen gaped at him, "Of course not!"
"Just for Joey?"
"Well, D-" she eyed him suspiciously, "Uh-uh, not saying."
Jack shrugged, stopping, "Well, this is your door, Jen."
She looked at it.
Tilting her head another direction, she stared some more.
"Yes," she nodded finally, her analysis complete.
Jack took her keys and propped her door open.
"Goodnight, Jen. I- I miss you," he blurted impulsively.
"Oh, Jack," she sighed, leaning against him and wrapping her arms around his body.
Soft and pliant in his arms, Jack closed his eyes, memories of their lovemaking flooding back to him.
"Good night, Jack," she whispered, pulling away to look at him, her lips tantalizing him as she spoke.
His brain screamed at him to back away, but he ignored it, closing the distance between them.
She didn't back away and his heart sped. It was Jen. His Jen, that he never thought he'd taste again.
Jack explored her mouth slowly, drinking in the sweet, achingly familiar taste of her.
How could he let anything come between them? Every second they were apart destroyed him more.
But she was with someone else.
Jack kissed her harder, pulling her into him. She couldn't want someone else, not really. She wanted him, they were in love.
And she was drunk.
He broke away from her abruptly and she stumbled against the wall, staring up at him in confusion.
"I'm sorry," he said softly, willing her to shake it off and invite him in.
"Oh, God," she whispered, her hand covering her mouth as her eyes widened.
"Jen-"
She shook her head, her eyes filling with tears as she backed away from him.
"I love you," he whispered, staring at her door.
**
"You want some coffee, Jo?" Pacey asked as they walked in the door.
She shook her head against him.
"Maybe a gallon of water?" he suggested.
Joey moaned at the thought.
"Just bed, then?" he chuckled, leading her to her room.
Nodding enthusiastically, Joey tried to remember what was happening.
"Where's Jen?" she frowned.
"Flew away," Pacey shrugged.
"Oh," Joey nodded. "Pacey!" she groaned.
"You're right, Jack drove her. Jen can't fly.
Joey frowned and pointed to her boots, laced past her ankle.
Pacey smiled and pushed her to sit on her bed. Her eyes widened as her rear connected with the sheet, but collected herself.
Kneeling in front of her, Pacey's eyes were drawn to her long, slim legs. A vision of the way he'd like them floated through his mind and he shook his head.
Laces, he tried to focus, urging his fingers to remove her boots.
"Thanks, Pashe," Joey yawned, falling back onto her bed.
"Goodnight, Joey," he whispered softly, lifting her legs onto her bed and her covers over her body.
Outside her room, Pacey closed her door, learning his head against it.
This was going to be a problem.
