Chapter 8
A Fine Night for Seduction
Something was definitely different now. Jack could feel it all the time recently, whenever he was around Doug, especially if they were alone together. He could feel it, but was doing his best not to think about it, in case it might make him inclined to do something about it. But he could definitely feel it.
The constant sidelong looks Doug was giving him, and the intensity that sparked when their eyes met, made him believe that Doug was feeling it too. It definitely wasn't coincidence that they were spending more and more time together.
Jack had made a half-hearted effort at convincing himself that it was simply because he knew Doug's secret, and the feeling of commiseration between them was what sparked this unusual magnetism that had sprung up. But that was a long-shot and he knew it. Plus, since the forming of that little theory, Jack was pretty sure that Doug had told Pacey about himself anyway, judging by the knowing looks that Pacey had been throwing them, and it didn't change a thing.
Pacey. Before, Pacey had been the glue that held their relationship together. Sure, they had occasionally done things on their own if Pacey was busy, but it was always less stressful when Pacey was there, easier for them all to talk.
But now it seemed that they were finding more and more excuses to ditch Pacey, to spend time on their own, just the two of them together. And Jack couldn't pretend that he wasn't pleased with the development. This new energy between them always made their conversations much livelier, and there were times during their outings when it bordered on flirting.
So it may or may not have been completely innocent when Doug invited Jack out to the movies one Friday evening, and it may or may not have been coincidence that their knees brushed ever-so-slightly throughout the entire show. And the amused glances that kept darting between them could have been regarding the subject of the film.
But it was a bit much to be entirely platonic.
Jack stepped out of the movie theater with Doug, the crisp late autumn air hitting his face and making him gasp sharply. It was cold enough now that his light jacket was beginning to feel insufficient; soon it would be time to break out the winter clothing.
He smiled over at Doug, who was having the same reaction to the bracing cold after exiting the warm lobby of the theater. Technically, since the movie was over, now would be the time they would typically part ways. But he was loathe to end the evening like this; he felt as though he had not had enough of Doug's company.
A look at Doug told him that his friend was feeling the same way. He sought an excuse to prolong their time together. "Feel like coming over for a nightcap?" he asked. His pulse raced slightly. It was an innocent invitation, as far as it went. Perfectly innocent. They were both adults, it was a cool night, a nightcap was entirely reasonable.
"Sounds great," said Doug enthusiastically. "Let's go."
They had taken Doug's car to the theater, so Doug drove them over to Jack's house by the beach. It was a nice place; Jack had looked for the best in order to ease his transition from New York. He opened the sliding glass door to the deck overlooking the beach and took another deep, cool breath.
"I know it's a little cold out," he said, "but how about drinking on the porch? The moon'll be rising in a bit. It should be a good view."
Doug nodded, so Jack poured them both a glass of brandy and they stepped out onto the porch, sitting at the bench of a wooden picnic table and looking out over the dark night ocean.
They were about to take a sip when Doug hesitated.
"If..." He sounded slightly nervous, hesitant. "If I drink this, then I probably shouldn't drive home tonight. It wouldn't be safe."
Jack smiled behind his glass. Perfectly innocent. "Don't worry about it," he said. He raised his glass to Doug. "Cheers."
Doug raised his in turn, and they drank. It was quite good brandy, actually. Jack had thankfully managed to turn his alcoholic tendencies towards quality rather than quantity, and was in possession of a number of rather fine specimens of various alcohols. It felt good, to be sharing such good brandy with a good friend.
Doug made an appreciative sound as he drank. They sat in companionable silence for a long time, listening to the lapping of the black water on the pale sand, watching the jagged reflections of moonlight ripple in the tide, and sipping at their brandies.
"It really is beautiful," murmured Doug.
Jack shot a glance over at him. "Some nights the view is better than others," he said innocently.
Doug smiled at him. Jack felt it right there, right then, at that particular moment, but it didn't happen then. Perhaps out of respect for the quality of the brandy, Doug waited until they were both done with their drinks and had set the empty glasses down on the picnic table.
It wasn't until they were both finished that he gave in to the inevitable, the moment that had been waiting patiently since Doug invited Jack out that afternoon. It wasn't until that precise time that he leaned over and kissed Jack sweetly.
It felt as though the entire evening had been leading up to that point. Indeed, it felt as though the entire past few days, past few weeks had been merely a set up for this moment. Jack felt as though he had known all along, as though everything before was merely a pretense. It seemed so inevitable, such a given fact that Doug should be kissing him now, that there was no need to fight it, no reason to question it.
It was all inevitable, even as they moved back into the house, even as they struggled feverishly out of their clothes and into the bedroom, and it was none of it innocent, none of it at all, and it never had been.