After All (A Jordan Knight/Joe McIntyre Fanfiction)

6

A month later, they are well into the tour. They've all fallen into a groove together. The guys have had other opening acts, but none they spent so much time with. Amber's become like the sixth member of the group. Performing twice each night together has really helped them form a strong bond.

Amber and Joe have been inseparable. They spend every night together either on Amber's bus or Joe's. Amber's grown rather attached and she's scared to tell Joe how she feels. Not that she thinks he'll be upset, but she's afraid he's not where she is yet.

One night as they lay in Joe's bunk, both naked and sleepy, after some really amazing sex, Joe confesses his feelings to her. "I love you Amber." He tightens his arms around her, kissing the top of her head. She's quiet for a few seconds. Not because she doesn't know what to say, but because she's trying to control her emotions before she speaks. "I understand if you aren't there yet. There's no pressure for you to say it back."

"Oh Joe I do though. I love you too. I've known I loved you for a little while now. I was just waiting to tell you."

"Why? Did you not think I felt the same?" He kisses her head again.

"I wasn't for sure how you felt. I mean I knew you liked me but I wasn't sure how much. I wanted to wait until the right time. And now feels like the perfect time. I love you Joseph McIntyre. I really do."

The next morning while sitting together having coffee, Amber and Joe keep looking at each other and smiling. Everyone around them notices. "What's going on with the two of you?" Andi asks Amber. "You're being odder than usual." Joe and Amber are usually very affectionate with each other. Lots of public displays of affection. But today they just stare and smile. Joe stands and kisses Amber as he heads off to his bus to shower. Once he's out of sight, Amber turns back to Andi and whispers, "He loves me! He told me last night." She can't stop smiling, she's so happy.

"That's so amazing Amber. What did you say when he said it? Did you say it back?" Amber nods. "Yes of course I did."

Just then Jordan walks by. "Andi, I'll be right back, I've got to ask Jordan something." She jumps up and goes after him. "Hey Jordan, wait up." He's got his headphones on and can't hear her calling him. She catches up with him at his bus. He goes onto the bus and she follows him. Once they're just inside the bus she grabs his arm, stopping him. "Jordan!"

He pulls his headphones off and looks at her, almost an uncomfortable look on his face. "Hey Amber, everything okay?"

"Yeah everything's fine, I just wanted to ask you for a favor." She tries to smile at him. But he makes her a little nervous.

"What kind of favor?"

"I was wondering if you'd help me write a song. I want to write a song for Joe and I need help. I've written songs before but never serious love songs." She pleads with him.

"Yeah, of course I'll help you. So you and Joe are getting pretty serious?"

"Yes, I guess we are. I love him. I know you've always been of the strong opinion that I'm too young for Joe but surely spending all this time with us you can see we're good for each other. We work, even with the age difference. We make each other happy."  Amber searches Jordan's face for some sort of understanding or support. But she sees none.

"I have no opinion on the matter. What you and Joe do is your business, not mine. I can see you make each other happy. And I'm happy for you and my brother." He smiles at her and touches her arm. "We can start working on that song whenever you want to. Just let me know. What do you plan to tell Joe we're doing?"

Amber thinks for a second, "I'll tell him we're working on a song. He doesn't have to know its for him. And it'll give you and I a chance to get to know one another better. I feel like I already know all the other guys. But you and I have barely spoken. Is there a reason for that?" Amber stares at Jordan, but he keeps his eyes off of her. He seems even more uncomfortable now. She decides to give him a break and not try to force him to talk to her about it now. His reaction to her confuses her.

The next couple of weeks Amber and Jordan work together on Joe's song every free minute they have. She continues to try and get him to open up to her but he's very closed off. He doesn't talk about his personal life at all. No matter how much she talks about her life he doesn't give anything away. He's completely professional with the songwriting. Amber's ready to give up when one day Jordan tells her, "I really admire your dedication, Amber. You remind me so much of how I was at your age. The love you have for music floors me. I hope at least one of my boys gets that part of me. Working with you on this has made me realize how much I do want either Dante or Eric to follow in my footsteps."

Amber thinks he sounds sad. It makes her heart ache for him. "What makes you think they won't?"

"My wife has made it clear she doesn't want either of our boys to be involved in the music industry." Jordan plays the tune they've been working on together on his keyboard.

"They're both still young. You still have time to get them interested. I think my parents wish I would have been more into academics than I was into music. Unfortunately though, music was my passion. Its my first love." Amber says a little shyly.

Jordan turns towards her. His expression is almost impossible to read. He just stares at her for the longest time. Then he finally says, "Yeah mine too."