"Well, you know. Me and Lance, we're…he's…he asked me out and I said 'yes.'" Grace stuttered not expecting this question and not knowing exactly how to answer seeing as JC had not informed them as to how they'd gotten together. Joey noticed this usually smooth talker stuttering about like himself or Justin. He took quick note of this fact, "Oh, I see. I guess that’s how it works but it's weird. Lance never told me he liked you. Come to think of it neither did you…" he grinned tickling her a bit thinking he had her. Thinking she couldn't come back.
He was mistaken, "Well…you haven't called in a long, long time. It was your turn. And I am not required to tell you everything. And I don't know why Lance didn't say anything but he doesn't have
That really hurt Joey, "Oh," he began shocked that the woman he told everything could even think of saying that. "I guess I just thought you might have told your BEST FRIEND about these feelings seeing as you always used to tell me everything. What did I do to you?" Joey asked Grace saw the pain in her best friends eyes and regretted what she'd said immediately.
"Joey, I didn't mean that. It was a joke. I'm really sorry, I shouldn't have said that."
"Sure."
"JoJo. What's wrong with you? You're usually in a good mood, but apparently that’s changed. You've been moody, crabby, and temperamental. Joey you CRIED yesterday. What's going on?" Grace was getting worried about his new mood swings.
"You weren't supposed to see me cry," he half smiled and he decided to tell her what was going on, "I'm in love…with…a girl. And I guess I have been for a long time. But she has a boyfriend. Not like that matters very much right now. I think she doesn't like me, like at all, you know?" Joey went on glad to let this out…in a way.
"Why wouldn't she like you? What's not to like? I mean you're funny, outgoing, cute as heck, sensitive, and yes, contrary to popular belief, very intelligent, and just about THE biggest sweetie I've ever met. What's not to like about the "Man of Steel?" " Grace said sincerely
Joey grinned, "Thanks. I know you're just saying that as an obligation as a best friend but thank you just the same. It's an ego boost none the less."
Grace didn’t laugh, "Joey I mean it." Was all she said and looking through her eyes he knew she did.
"So GG what else have you opted not to tell me? You're not engaged to a school bus driver are you?" Joey joked lightening the mood a tad.
"No," Grace scoffed, "Bubba is a ballet dance if you must know an we love each other!"
"Well both Bubba and Lance better treat you right or I'll take them both down…at the same time…in the dark…in a big pile of Jell-O! And I can do it too! If someone messes with you I'll get really really cheesed off and I don’t know exactly what I'll do but…it'll be bad!" and both chuckled. "But seriously, what's been going on in your life? You're right it has been a long time since I called. I think the last time was August 3rd for your birthday but I had to go soon after and that was like a month and a half ago." Joey apologized.
"Two" Grace said abruptly
"What?"
"Two months. Its September 30th, it’s almost two months."
"Oh, well you didn’t answer my question."
"Huh? Oh, umm…nothing really interesting, I mean, I'm barely 20, my best friend I never see anymore is leaving tonight, my new boyfriend is leaving with him. The only interesting things that have happened in the past two months has happened in the past two days because you're here with your crazy little friends and I'm really bummed right now. How long is it going to be before I see all y'all again?"
"Oh gee, I don’t know, are you going home to Florida after this or to Columbus, or Dayton or Michigan, or Chesterland? Or our bus? You could hang out with us everyday!" Joey hinted hoping she'd get his point.
She did, "Well, we'll probably head on home. We already visited dad and Nanna and Chris and Nat are on the way down, well sorta, and Brandi and Susan are movin down there with us so I'm sure they're anxious to settle in and maybe check out the night like you know? Both of them are gonna be out with you every night when you come home, you know that don’t you?"
Joey laughed the his face fell as he realized what she didn’t say, "What about the bus? Won't you miss umm…Lance? And me and Jayce and Chris and Justy just?"
"Well of course I'll miss you all but I couldn’t spend that much constant time with you all and you couldn’t spend it with me. We would all drive each other insane and you know it." She explained, trying not to be too cruel.
Joey felt his heart break. I'd drive her insane? She thinks she'd drive me insane? She could never. He thought but out loud he said "Oh, well, I guess after tonight I'll see you in three weeks when we get home." He said dejectedly as hey lied down on the bed and then she laid her head on his chest sort of 'fluffing' him before doing so.
"Thanks for understanding." Grace said staring at the ceiling. Then turning her gaze toward the older man she laughed, " You know, Joey, you are a great pillow. You know, smushy but not too smushie!" He found this comment very funny and started laughing…hard, jolting Grace's head a bit, "Stop laughing bro, this is not fun!" Grace's voice wobbled like it does when you rollerblade down a cracky street which made him laugh harder. He rolled out from underneath her head to stop bouncing her head about "hey!" Grace whined, "I just said stop laughing not move!" he'd stopped laughing a second ago "get back here…and don’t laugh." So both resumed their previous positions in their own personal heaven. "So Joe, what have you been doing with yourself in the past few months? I mean, besides of course the given." Grace asked taking in everything about the man lying with her.
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