When You Were Mine: Joe and Katherine's Love Story (A Joey McIntyre Fanfiction)

30

Joe spends the next six months working on his album. He becomes close friends with Eman, who's helped him immensely on his music. They work hard and party harder.

One night after way too many drinks Eman has a heart to heart with Joe.

"Joe, I think it's time you get out of that tiny ass apartment and just find a place you can finally call home. It's obvious you're in no rush to get back to Boston."

Joe's a little too drunk to really think too seriously about what he's saying. "Yeah sure. I mean it's not like there's anyone waiting for me to come back east anyway."

Eman knows where this conversation is inevitably going. "Oh come on, not her again. Move on man, it's not going to happen. She's moved on, don't you think it's about time you did to? She's not the one for you. First we work on finding you a place. Then we'll work on finding you the right woman."

Joe shakes his head. "We can look for me a place. But I don't want to find someone else. I'd rather be alone. Now stop bringing down the mood."

A few weeks later Joe contacts a real estate company to help him find the perfect place to live. A place that will be better than the beautiful house back home that he'd shared with his Kate. A place that has no memories of her in every single room.

When he shows up to meet his new real estate agent his expectations were low that they'd be able to find what he was looking for.

His expectations were exceeded in more ways than one.

His agent, Barrett, is young and beautiful. She's smart and really funny. They laugh a lot while looking at houses for him. She confesses to him that she had no idea who he was the day he walked into her office. "All the other women were gushing over you being my first client. And they giggled about how much they liked you as girls. I had to Google you to find out what all the fuss was about."

"Really? You Googled me? And what did you think about what you found?"

"Impressive. You've definitely lived a fascinating life. I have to admit I'm surprised."

Joe laughs, "Surprised? By what?"

Barrett stares at him and smiles shyly. "You don't act like someone who's been famous most of his life."

"I don't?"

"No. I mean you're so down to earth and you just seem like a regular guy. But better."

Joe really loves seeing this girl smile. He wants to make her smile some more.

Joe spends the next few days looking at rentals with Barrett. They've actually already looked at one he really liked, but that was on day one. He was having such a great time with her. He had to try and drag this out for as long as he could.

"Barrett I've got to confess something to you. I really liked the house in Venice." Now Joe feels a bit shy himself.

She laughs, "Well why didn't you say something? We've been driving all over LA looking at places."

"I wasn't ready for this to end. I've been having such a great time hanging out with you."

Barrett laughs again, "We could have still hung out after we found you a place. All you have to do is ask."

They end up back at the house in Venice. It's so beautiful and spacious with a view of the ocean in the master bedroom. "This is definitely the one."

About a month after moving into his new place, Joe's feeling happier than he has in a very long time. He's been seeing Barrett every night that she's been free. Which has been most nights. They've been trying to take things slow but it's not easy for him. He really likes Barrett. He didn't think he'd ever be this interested in anyone after Kate. But when he's with Barrett, Kate doesn't even cross his mind. And when she kisses him, the only thing on his mind is kissing her again.

Tonight Joe's hoping Barrett will stay all night. They've only kissed up until now. But he's ready to take things to the next level. He's hoping she is too. So he's planned a very romantic evening of dinner and dancing, then a drive up the coast, maybe a walk on the beach.

An hour before he's supposed to pick up Barrett for their date, Joe's phone rings. He's expecting it to be Barrett, but it's not. It's Jordan.

"Hey Jordan, how's it going?" Joe's actually happy to hear from his old friend.

"Hey Joe, I'm good. How are you? How's California?"

"California's great. Things out here are really good. I met someone."

"That's great Joe. Maybe my news won't be such a big deal then."

Joe pauses for a second, he knows this must be news about Kate. "What news is that Jordan?"

"Well Mom got something from Katie girl in the mail the other day. I've been debating with myself whether or not to tell you. But I think you should know."

Joe sighs heavily, "Just tell me Jordan."

"Katie girl sent Mom an invitation, to her baby shower."

Joe's heart feels like it stops. "Kate's having a baby? With who?"

Jordan laughs, angrily. "Apparently with her new fucking husband."

So his Kate had really moved on with someone new. She'd gotten married and was having a baby. This news really hurt Joe. He'd begun to finally move on, the thought of her marrying again hurt, but hearing she was having this man's baby broke his heart all over again. "I gotta go Jordan. Thanks for letting me know. I guess she's really moved on without either one of us this time."

Joe's not really feeling much like a romantic evening anymore. He's not even sure at this point what he was thinking, he's not over Kate yet. Why'd he think he was ready to move on? He considers calling Barrett and breaking things off over the phone, but decides that's just mean. He'll talk to her over dinner, let her know he's just not ready for another relationship yet.