"That is just disgusting," Lance said. His eyes wandered to the couple standing by the door quietly talking to each other.

"What?" JC asked. His eyes turned toward Lance and followed his friend’s gaze. "Oh."

"It’s just…" Lance trailed off. "I mean its Joey. He’s supposed to gross us out with his blatant displays of unabashed affection, but this is just…"

"I know," Justin said as he came up behind his two friends. "He should be like sticking his tongue down her throat or something. Not holding her hand."

"It’s just too cute," Lance said. "Why isn’t he sticking his hand up her skirt?"

The couch shook as a weight landed on the end cushion. "Because he likes her," Chris whispered loudly. He crinkled up his eyes and pretended to wipe a tear away. "Our little boy is growing up."

"Shh," Justin said. "I want to hear this."

The four guys turned expectantly towards the door and watched with barely concealed amazement.

"So I’ll talk to you tonight?" Joey’s soft voice carried across the room.

"Yeah," the girl said. "I should be home around eight or so."

"Okay," Joey said. He let go of her hand and gently pulled the girl into a hug. He kissed her hair lightly before pulling away and placing his lips on hers.

"Here we go," Justin said under his breath. "I knew he couldn’t keep up this chaste act for long."

"I know," Lance said. "I was beginning to get worried."

The guys watched as Joey pulled away before the kiss got involved. He grabbed her hand again and escorted her the foot to the door. He opened it for her and dropped her hand slowly as she walked through.

"I’ll call you tonight," Joey called as he watched the girl walk down the street. "Drive safely."

"Bye," the girl called.

Joey shut the door and turned around, a grin playing on the corners of his mouth. His face contorted in slight confusion as he looked at his friends.

"What?"

"What was that?" Lance asked.

Joey looked even more confused. "What was what?" He looked over his shoulder even though the door was closed. "I was just saying goodbye."

"But there was no tonsil hockey, or fondling, or…" Justin trailed off. "That was almost gentlemanly."

Joey began walking towards the couch where all his friends had congregated. "She’s not that sort of girl."

"But you’re that sort of guy," Chris said. "Don’t try to pretend you’re not, because we know better."

Joey stopped in front of the couch. "What does it matter? And why do you care?"

"Because we’re worried," JC said as he stood up from the couch. He put a hand gently on Joey’s shoulder. He sighed and looked at the rest of the guys. "We’re worried that you might actually be falling for a girl."

Joey’s eyes twinkled as he scoffed. "That’s ridiculous."

"I don’t know Joe," Chris said. "I mean you were holding her hand with yours. Normally you put a hand on the chicks ass and leave it there as long as possible."

"And you try to get your tongue all the way down to her stomach," Justin said. "You didn’t even stick your tongue in her mouth."

"And you always molest a chick in front of us," Lance said. "And she molests you right back."

"The fact that I didn’t do any of those things in broad daylight in front of you all doesn’t mean I’m falling for her," Joey said, "It just means that she’s a great girl and I’ve—"

"Look at yourself Joey," Justin interrupted. "You are going to join the ranks of the attached without even knowing it. Are you going to call her tonight?"

"Yes," Joey said. He rolled his eyes. "Guys…"

"You never call a chick back," Chris said. "That’s why you’re known as the player and the flirt of the group."

"I know," Joey said.

"It’s not such a bad thing to give that reputation up," Lance said. "I mean, I wish I was attached."

"That’s because you’d be married already if you’d stayed in Mississippi," Joey said. "Listen guys, there’s no reason for…"

"Come on Joey," JC said. "We’re your best friends. There’s no reason to hide your true feelings from us. We won’t laugh at you getting attached… much."

"Yeah Joey, come on." Lance pouted and batted his eyelashes. "We won’t tell those gosh darn reporters at BOP."

"She seemed nice," Justin threw in. He looked at the three men on the couch. "I think she’d fit in with Brit and Dan, don’t you?"

"You’re falling for her Joey," JC said. "Just admit it."

"Can I say something?" Joey asked.

"Yeah sure," Lance said. He turned to the rest of the guys and exaggeratedly put a finger to his lips. "Let the man talk. I want to hear him say that a girl has captured his heart." He turned towards Joey expectantly. "We’re listening."

"You guys," Joey said. He shook his head and laughed. "I’m not falling for her, I’ve already fallen. Hard."

"Oh," Lance said. He grinned awkwardly. "Try to keep the mushy displays of affection to a minimum, okay?"