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

19

About a week before they leave for the tour Amber finishes the last song for her album. She couldn't have felt any better about the work she's done. Getting to work on it with her father. And really getting to be in complete control of what went on the album. On top of everything else, Joe was by her side again. This was a dream come true for her.

Amber wants to tell Joe the good news. They'd been fretting she wouldn't get done recording before they had to leave. Now they had nothing to worry about.

When Amber opens the rehearsal room door she hears her before she sees her.  Seeing Sam there, talking to Joe, makes Amber a little uncomfortable. But she knows she shouldn't be. They've been friends a long time. She wants Joe to know she trusts him. But there's just something about the way Sam looks at Amber, then touches Joe's arm. It's such an odd gesture, that feels staged to Amber. Not wanting to interrupt them, Amber goes over to talk to Jordan. She honestly wanted to watch Sam a few more minutes. Something about Sam just doesn't sit right with Amber.

When Amber sees Sam put her hand on Joe's arm and lean in, laughing at something Joe said, that's when she's had enough. Joe's back had been to Amber since she walked in. So when she walks up and he sees her, he's pleasantly surprised. All of his attention and focus goes to Amber. More or less he forgets Sam is even there.

After saying hello to Joe, Amber turns to Sam. "Hi Sam. How are you?" Sam's sunny demeanor vanishes, but she is able to keep a fake smile on her face. "I'm good. How are you?"

"I'm doing amazingly. Just finished recording the last song for my album. Now I have nothing keeping me from joining Joe on tour. I couldn't be happier."

Sam looks from Amber to Joe then back to Amber. "You're going on tour with Joe? Wow, that's great."

Amber smiles when Joe pulls her against his side. "I know, isn't it. We're going to bring Joey with us. Show our son the country together, as a family. I'm really excited about getting to do this now."

Sam excuses herself after a few awkward seconds. When she goes out the door Amber feels a little guilty. She's Joe's friend and Amber should be nicer to her and at least try to get to know her. "I'll be right back Joe." Amber goes after Sam. She catches a glimpse of her going into the restroom.

"Sam, can we talk?" Sam's really surprised to see Amber. And even more surprised she wants to talk to her. Sam's expecting the possessive wife routine from Amber, so she's ready to be defensive. But that's not what she gets. "Sam, I don't want to come between you and Joe being friends. I know you've been there for him. And I know he cares about you a lot. I want you to know I don't have an issue with you or with your friendship."

Eventhough Sam knows Amber is trying to be nice, it bothers her. "Well I'm so glad you don't have an issue with me being friends with Joe. That's so nice of you Amber. And you're right I have been here for him. I've taken care of many of Joe's needs while you were gone. You broke him you know. I helped put him back together. And now you're back and want to pretend the last two years didn't happen."

"Sam I'm sorry you're upset that Joe and I are back together. But we are, and you'll just have to accept that."

Sam is pissed now. She wonders how much Joe told her about them. "Did Joe tell you he's been fucking me for over a year now. I've been the one sharing his bed. I've been the one making him forget you. I would have succeeded too if you hadn't been so selfish and come crashing back into his life. I'm not giving up though, you left him once, I'm sure you'll do it again." Sam storms past Amber and leaves the room. Amber wants to go after her, tell her to stay away from her husband but she can't. She can't stop thinking about everything Sam just said.

Amber had figured Joe and Sam had, had a sexual relationship. She just hadn't thought it would've been going on so long. Not that it matters, nothing before the other night matters anymore. She would have just liked to have known so she wouldn't be caught so off guard. One thing was certain to Amber now though, Sam was definitely in love with Joe. There was no doubt in her mind. She just had to wonder what Joe's feelings for Sam were. Did he love her in return? Would Joe have ended up with Sam if she hadn't come back?

Amber's quiet the rest of the day and most of the night. After she puts Joey to bed Joe finally forces her to talk about whatever it is that's bothering her. "Joe, I'm fine. We said we weren't going to talk about the past. We said the past doesn't matter. So it's fine. I'll get over it. Just know how much I love you and how appreciative I am that you dropped everything to be with me again. I know you didn't have to."

"Dropped everything? What are you talking about? I didn't have to drop anything to be with you. Amber who's said something to you that's got you all mixed up? Please talk to me babe."

"Joe it's fine, please let's just leave it alone."

"Babe, if we're going to make this work,  we have to talk to each other, about anything and everything that bothers us. That's how marriage works. So talk."

"Damnit Joe. Fine. It was just something Sam said."

Joe looks confused, "I don't remember her saying anything that should have upset you. Did I miss something?"

"It was after she left and I followed her into the restroom. I wanted to make sure she knew I'd never try to stop you from being friends. Then she just kind of went off on me about leaving and about me coming crashing back into your life."

It upsets Joe that Sam would purposely try to make Amber feel bad. "She shouldn't have said anything like that to you. I'm sorry she did that." Seeing the look on her face makes him think there's more. "Was there more?"

Amber takes a deep breath. "She said you'd been fucking her for over a year. That she was able to make you forget me. She said I was selfish for coming back and that she wasn't giving up because she was sure I'd leave you again. Is it true you've been sleeping with her? Is she in love with you?"

Joe can't believe Sam would be so hateful to his wife. They were supposed to be friends. A friend wouldn't do that shit. "I'm so sorry Amber. Sam had no right to talk to you like that. Yes we were sleeping together for a while. She could never make me forget you. That I swear to you. Sam and I had a friends with benefits type of situation. I never loved her romantically anyway. She was a good friend when I needed one. But that doesn't matter if she doesn't respect my wife and my happiness. I promise I'll make sure she doesn't do anything like that again. I love you Amber. And I couldn't be happier that you're back in my life."