Miss You More (A Joey McIntyre/Jordan Knight Fanfiction)

5

The next day Joe meets Sam at their normal path. Today will be their longest run since they started training for the marathon together. They take their time stretching, making sure they are prepared. Joe helps Sam stretch, like he does every time they run together. She's laying on her back and he's pushing her leg towards her. He looks down at her. She's beautiful and they have fun together. It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to date her. When she looks up and sees he's staring at her she laughs. "What?"

"I was just thinking. What would you think if I asked you out? I mean we've been fooling around for a while now. But what if I wanted more?" He's a little embarrassed that he sounds nervous.

"Joe you've always said you didn't want anything serious. What changed your mind? Is this all because Amber's back?"

"No. Well maybe. I mean her being back has made me realize I'm ready for something more serious. I've enjoyed the time we spend together. You're an amazing friend and a phenomenal lay. If it's not something you're interested in then that's fine and nothing has to change."

Sam changes legs for Joe to stretch. But she doesn't say anything. She's not sure what to say. She doesn't know where this is coming from. Joe's always been very adamant about them being friends only. Now this. "I'll have to think about it Joe. Honestly I'm surprised, really surprised you're saying this. I think Amber showing back up has fucked you up. I've been here, I saw what you went through when she left."

Sam pulls her leg away from him and sits up so they are face to face, mere inches apart. "I love you Joe. I've loved you since we first met. You're my best friend. And we've been doing our little song and dance for over a year now. But we've been friends much longer. And I'm afraid you're trying to find a way to not think about Amber and you think by suddenly getting serious with me, or possibly anybody, you'll be able to do that. My question is this. What happens to me, or us, when it doesn't work? What happens when you realize that allowing yourself to finally love someone else doesn't make you forget about Amber? What happens to me when you go back to the love of your life? Joe I'm not sure I'd survive that. I love you. And I know you'll never love me back. So I've made do with what I can have with you. And I don't want to lose what we have. Not even if it means having more for a little while."

Joe isn't sure what to say. Hearing her say she loves him isn't a real surprise, he'd always guessed she felt this way. What does surprise him though is hearing everything else. She knows him, she really knows him. She understands him better than most, better than he understands himself it seems.

Joe feels like he's looking at Sam with new eyes.

Joe's hand goes to the nape of her neck and he pulls her to him. His lips crush hers. She responds immediately. They kiss like no one can see them. Like they're the only two people in this park. His tongue mingles with hers. She moans when he gently tugs her ponytail. Her head falls back and his lips are on her neck. "Oh God Joe." He nips at the sensitive skin above her collarbone. Another soft moan escapes her mouth. "Joe? Joe stop. We can't do this here."

Joe pulls back and looks her in the eyes. "Then let's get the fuck out of here. We can go back to my place, it's closest." He stands up and takes her hand. He pulls her up, making sure her body is flush to his. She can feel his excitement as her body slides over it. "Joe as much as I'd love to go back to your place, what about our run?" He kisses her mouth hungrily. "We can run afterwards." She agrees and they head for his car.

Joe and Sam are holding hands and laughing, whispering things into each other's ears, almost like they are a real couple, as they leave the park. They barely pay attention to their surroundings they're so caught up in each other.

"Sammie! Daddy!"

The sound of Joey's voice instantly pulls them both out of the moment. Joe let's go of Sam's hand and takes two steps away from her. Sam looks up to see Amber and Joey right in front of them. She looks to Joe and the look on his face says everything she needs to know.

"Amber. Hi. What are you doing here?"

Amber keeps her eyes on Sam. She recognizes her as the woman she'd caught Joe with on his bus when she was pregnant. The woman with Joe in the pictures she'd seen the day she'd decided to leave.

"Just thought I'd take Joey out for a walk. Donnie told me how much he loves this park. So we were just heading to feed the ducks. You two have a nice run. Come on sweetie let's let Daddy get back to his run." Amber takes Joey by the hand and starts walking away. "Bye Daddy. Bye Sammie."

Joe watches them go. Sam watches Joe. "Joe let's go for that run."

"Sam, I can't I need to talk to her." Sam grabs his arm as he tries to go after Amber. "Joe, stop. Going after her sends her the message that you want her back. Is that the message you want to send? I mean do you want her back? Was everything you said earlier a lie? I'm not really sure what to think here."

Joe stops, he doesn't want to send the wrong message to Amber. So he let's her go. "You're right Sam. Let's go for that run."

Joe can't stop thinking about the look on Amber's face when she saw him with Sam. His every thought is of Amber while he runs. He wishes she hadn't seen them together like that. But she's been gone for two years, he's had the right to move on. To find someone new. But he knows it must have hurt her to see him with the woman she thought he'd had an affair with. Which was the reason she left him in the first place. Damnit!! Why do things have to be so complicated?

All he's wanted for so long was to see her again. And now she's here and he can't even be happy because he's so damn angry.