Sensory Pleasure
Part 25 - Silent Partners
Karen H.

“Hey Jack”! I call as I push my way through the crowd and he turns, leaning on the bar.

“Dawson! Hi, how was your trip?”

“Good, definitely good. Where’s everybody else?” I ask after a quick glance around.

“She’s not here!” He replies with a grin.

“Pacey told me earlier that she…”

He cocks an eyebrow at me. “I think Pacey had other things on his mind earlier, or shall I say, someone else.”

I look at him with an enquiring look and wait on him to elaborate but he just turns back to the bar as someone snakes their arms around my waist and purrs, “How about it Tiger?”

“Actually, the names Dawson.” I reply, turning to face Audrey.

She pouts. “Aw you are no fun!” Then she hugs me.

“How’s my fave director?”

“Last I heard he was doing pretty good. How my fave LA girl?”

“Don’t ask! I went home for a few days and let’s just say I wish I hadn’t bothered.”

“Sorry to hear that!” I glance around again, wondering where she is. “Where is everybody else?”

“Pacey’s now at the bar helping Jack and avoiding me for a few cuz I just whipped his ass at pool. Jack…”

“You play pool?”

“I’m quite the shark, Pacey just learned that and in a bad way, sooooooooo many people watching.” She finishes laughing.

I join her. “He didn’t take it too well?”

“Nah, he was muttering stuff as he walked away from me, something about something being unbelievable. Pacey as I said, is at the bar, Jack is at the bar and our girl will be up next!”

“Our…?”

She cuts me off. “Ohhhh, cute guy at 2 o’clock!” Then she wanders off. Okay, who is our girl? Why isn’t Jen here? And why does that guy keep looking at me like that? Wait, is it a guy?

“Yo Dawson, over here!” I hear Pacey over the crowd and music and see he’s located a table and is now saying something to make Audrey laugh. Or maybe she’s laughing at his crappy pool playing.

As I reach the table I hear the resident band starting to play on stage behind us.

“Where’s Jen?” I finally ask over the music, really needing to talk to her.

“She was called into the station.” Audrey replies. “You missed not seeing her this weekend?”

I am about to answer her when I suddenly become aware of the voice of the person singing with the band.

Turning in my seat I see Joey on stage, sitting on a bar stool, microphone in hand, singing.

I had absolutely no idea she’d be here. We’d agreed to see each other in a few days, make sure we still felt the same…give me a chance to speak to Jen. Only reason I’m here is because Pacey said she’d be here.

“What’s Joey doing up there?” I ask, turning to Pacey and Audrey as Jack takes his seat.

Pacey rolls his eyes. “I believe she’s singing.”

Duh! I want to reply but don’t. “Is this a regular thing?”

Audrey nods her head. “We do this every week!”

“We?”

“Don’t worry, you haven’t missed my performance!”

“So what’s it going to be tonight?” Jack asks her as I go back to listening to Joey.

I actually flinch at the words, knowing how true it is and how much I care for Jen.

The words are totally appropriate to our situation. We can’t continue like this…someone will only end up getting hurt.

Her smile falters for a moment as her eyes focus in on me. I guess she’s surprised I’m here too. Then she smiles and it’s like she’s singing to me.

She closes her eyes as the music continues and I feel someone wrap their arms around me from behind.

“Heeeeeey! Did you miss me?” Jen asks, before laying her lips on mine and for a brief moment I’m torn by what to do. But I do what I’m expected to do and kiss her back. Then she hugs me again.

“Damn, I missed Joey.” She says and pouts, which is totally adorable.

“Now isn’t that just what you wanted to hear Dawson?” Jack says as Jen places an arm around us both. “You’re gone for the weekend yet she missed Joey.”

“Funny Jack, now shhhhhhhhh…I wanna hear the rest!”

I automatically place my arm loosely around her waist and look up to see Joey’s eyes on us again, her smile faltering for a second time.

I suddenly feel like Ross in Friends, when he’s with Julie but kisses Rachel and someone sings about it. Except it’s different. It’s not just a kiss and they’re friends.

Boy this is really going to be a fun night now.

Then the song is over, Jen’s arm is no longer around me as she is clapping and cheering with the others. All I can do is join in and try not to think of how awkward this is going to be.