| Chapter Thirteen Joey was already disappearing into the elevator when we got to him. He saw us coming and turned away. The doors closed before we could get on. We ran down the stairs and he was climbing onto the bus as we came into the parking lot. "Joey, wait!!" I yelled as he disappeared. We quickly jumped onto the bus. Joey was in the back and wouldn't even look our way. "Joey this isn't what you think." I gasped, trying to catch my breath. "Oh really? I think you fell asleep wrapped in another man's arms. My best friend's arms." He glared at us both before continuing. "I thought that there was something great happening between us. I guess I was wrong." "Joe, we fell asleep talking. After you guys went out I went to talk to Tiff. We watched some tv, talked, and fell asleep. That's all I promise you." "Well it looked like more than that to me. You don't just fall asleep wrapped in someone else's arms. I don't want to discuss this anymore. Please leave me alone." Joey turned to the tv and raised the volume. Lance and I walked back into the hotel, heads hung low. "Why won't he listen to us?" I sighed as we stepped into the elevator. "He is hurting, he thinks that we betrayed him. He will wake up and realize he over reacted. Don't worry ok?" Lance asked putting his arm around my shoulders. "Don't worry about what?" JC asked as the doors to the elevator opened. "Just a little misunderstanding with Joey." I stated, explaining to JC what had happened. "Lance is right, he will come around, just give him time." I nodded, trying to hold back the tears, and walked down the hall and into my room. As soon as I opened the door the phone was ringing. "Joey?!" "No, not last time I checked." My dad answered laughing. "Sorry dad, I was hoping... never mind, what's up?" "Oh I just got a call from Joe Fatone...Sr. Joey called to let him know what has been going on. Why didn't you call me? Are you ok?" "I'm fine, sorry I didn't call. So much has been going on I have been a little overwhelmed." The tears were starting to fill my eyes and I knew that if I talked much longer I would be crying outright. "You need a vacation hon. I can take over your accounts if you have anything planned. I have some free time." "I am taking a vacation. I don't have anything scheduled for about two months and anything else that comes along I can handle. Thank you though." "That's why I'm here." He chuckled. "I also called because I was thinking maybe you would like to go back to the ranch for a while. I already Fedexed the keys to you, they should be at the front desk tomorrow morning." "I don't know dad, going back there now might not be a very good idea." "I think it is a great idea. I won't take no for an answer. Go back, redecorate, relax. It will be very good for you." He stated simply and I knew that there was no point in fighting. "Well I guess it would be ok, I haven't been there in four years. The place probably needs a lot of tlc." I was crying openly now. "I just don't know if I can do it, all the memories." "Go home, make some new memories. Have fun ok?" "Ok dad, whatever you say. Talk to you later. Love you." "Love you too baby, call when you can. Bye." "Bye" |