DISCLAIMER:
This is a piece of fiction.  None of the non celebrity characters are real. I am not implying any
thing about the sexual orientation of any of the members of NSYNC.  In addition, I am not
affiliated with the band or Jive Records.  Of course if I was, I wouldn't be writing any of this.

Also, if you are under 18 and/or not open to Male-Male relationships, please
do not continue.  Thank you

NEVER KNEW A LOVE LIKE THIS BEFORE, Part VII
By Joseph Wallace

LAST TIME
Joey released me and looked into my eyes.  His eyes were moist from tears.  I didn't know that he was
crying.

"Why are you crying."  I said.

"Because I think I am falling in love with you."

Now....Part 6

"I love you.  I love you."  The words kept echoing in my head and I got lost in a barrage of images.  I could see the menacing faces of past lovers.  I gave all of them the key to my heart and it was thrown back in my face with malice.

"Phil?  Baby?  Are you with me."

I snapped out of my trance and Joey was standing there waiting for a response.  Unfortunately, I just couldn't afford to give him the one he wanted.

"Joey...I don't know what to say."  Tears begin to fill my eyes.  I didn't want to blink because then the pain from the past would have found a portal to my soul.  "Please lord, don't let me cry."  I whispered.

"Honey, I know that I haven't known you that long, but I can't help the way I feel, and..."

"Please Joey.  You don't owe me anything.  I saved you today because you are my friend and I like you a lot.  You don't have to be in love with me to repay me."  I said sternly.

"What are  you talking about Phil?  I'm not trying to repay you, I'm just telling you how I feel.  I know you feel something too."

"Yeah I do love you Joey, but you just can't know that now."  I thought

"Joey, you don't even know who I am.  I tell you a little bit about me, sleep with you and you think you love me?."  I asked seriously.

As the words left my mouth, I immediately regretted what was said.  Joey was hurt.  I wanted to run and hug him and apologize, but I couldn't.  I've been vulnerable to many times in my life and I couldn't let another person in just to let me down in the end.

"You know Phil, I guess I was wrong."  Joey said while choking back the tears.  "You are right.  I don't know you and we have only spent two days together.  What was I thinking?  I just thought we had something.  I don't meet many people that I feel totally comfortable with, but you seemed different.  Now I wish I hadn't said a fucking thing."

His words were like ice stabbing me in the chest.  I did love him, or at least I had a reason and the capacity to love him; however, I didn't want to make the same mistakes again.

"Joey.  I like you, but I need to know you first before I can give you my heart.  Sleeping with you was different.  The exchange was equal, we both had orgasms.  I don't know if I am ready to love right now.  I don't know if I can.  That doesn't mean that I don't enjoy your company and that we can't love in the future, but..."

"Enough said."  Joey interrupted.  "I agree with you.  Lets not spoil the last evening we have together.  Lets go over to Lance's room and hang out with the guys and just have fun."

"Ok."  I said meekly " Are we ok?"

"Yeah."

I could sense the apprehension and pain in Joey's voice.  What have I done?  This was the most amazing man and I am throwing him away.  Anyone would be glad to have him and here I am lying to him.  Of  course I love him.

I went into the bathroom and freshened up before going over to Lance's.  While inside, I cried lightly letting the tears flow freely down my cheek.  I turned on the sink and begin to wash my face off.  In the distance I could hear the music of my cell phone.

"Joey, could you get that for me?"  I screamed over the water running in the sink.

"Sure."

Joey picked up the phone and looked at the caller ID.  It was someone named Fred D.

"Hello, Phil's phone."  Joey chimed happily

"Hey can I speak to the sexy guy that owns the phone."

"He's in the bathroom, can I take a message?"

"No, just tell him that Fred called and that I expect to hear from him tonight."

"Will do."  Joey said before hanging up.

I walked out of the bathroom to be met by tears and a look of anger on Joey's face.

"Honey.  Please don't be angry.  We are growing together."  I reached out to hug him.

Joey stepped out of my reach and just looked at me.

"What?"  I asked seriously.

"Who the hell is Fred D.?  Is he the reason why you won't love me?"

I was dumb founded.  Fred D.  was how I programmed Fred Durst's number into my cell phone.

"Joey.  I can explain."

"No need.  Like you said I don't know you and we are just fucking around, so you don't owe me an explanation.  Anyway, he said to make sure you call him tonight."  Joey said with a touch of acid in his voice.

I just stood there becoming more and more angry.  I wanted to defend myself, but I didn't feel like it.

"Ok.  I will call him later." I said nonchalantly

"Fine.  I am going over the Lance's room.  I will see you there." Joey said through his continuos flow of tears

I just couldn't take it any more.  I ran in front of Joey and flung my self up against the door.

"Joey.  I'm not going to let you walk out of here until I explain."

"Fine."  he said taking a seat on the bed.

I explained the whole scenario to him about how Fred hit on me at the MTV after party.  I also explained how I bumped into him when I ran from the hotel.

"Phil, I am sorry that I am being a complete asshole.  Please bare with me.  I am a little upset, but I'm not mad at you.  I am mad at myself for letting my emotions get the best of me.  Will you forgive me?"

"Only if you forgive me.  I really want to build something with you Joey.  I know your life is complicated, but anything worth having usually isn't simple.  Can we see where this is going?"

"Sure."  He said leaning in and giving me a kiss.
 

Joey and I walked across the hall to Lance's room.  On the way we said hello to Dre and some of the other guards that were on duty.

Lance's suite was huge. There was a small lounge area outside of the bedrooms.  He shared the suite with Chris.  Something told me that there was something going on between those two.

Everyone was standing around eating and drinking when we came inside.  I was starving, so I  immediately went for the food.  Rob was already there cuddling with JC on one of the sofas.

I got a plate with some pizza and wings.  Joey fought with Justin and Chris to see who was going to be the first to play with the Dream Cast.

"So, what is going on with you two."  I asked Rob and JC.

"Besides screwing like bunnies, nothing."  Rob replied

He and JC tried to keep a straight face but laughter soon took over the three of us.

"I bet you guys had that planned."  I joked.

"Actually we did plan it."  JC offered.  "Rob and I just met each other and it would be crazy to start labeling things.  We both have very hectic work schedules, but when our travel and lives can accommodate each other, we will take it from there." JC said while hugging Rob.

"Sounds good.  Just don't stress him out JC because then I will be forced to listen to him bitch."

Rob gave me a friendly push and started to laugh.

"Well Phil, you don't have to tell me what is going on between you and Joey because we can tell."  JC said wiggling his eyes up and down suggestively.

"Really, what is going on with us?"

"Joey is head over heels for you man.  We have never seen him fall so hard in such a short period of time.  Just look at him"

We all adverted our attention across the room and I caught Joey staring at me.  When he saw me, he just smiled and kissed at me.  I was hooked.

"Now Phil, Joey could fuck anyone he wants.  I know you can do the same.  But he has never been with someone more then once while we are on the road.  It is a rule amongst us: no repeats.   We live by it.  It becomes to confusing when you hook up with someone more then once.  Because of work and our lives, we can't let that happen.  If any of us break the rule, you know that it is because we like the person."  JC said while hugging Rob tightly

"Joey is a player and I shouldn't be telling you this, but he told us that you have completely captured him.  He even dumped Keri."

"What?  Are you serious?  When?"

"He told her before the MTV incident.  He said something about it being the right time and not wanting her to interfere with you and him."

"Wow.  Thanks JC.  Excuse me, I have to tell Joey something."

"Wait.  Don't tell him I spilled the beans!"  JC whispered nervously.

"Oh don't worry.  I won't tell."

I walked over to where Joey was sitting and tapped him on the shoulder.

"What's up?"  He asked.

I motioned for him to follow me to the bathroom.

He stopped his game and threatened Justin and Chris not to start without him.

Joey and walked into the bathroom and as soon as the door closed, I swung around and grabbed him in a tight embrace.  I carefully planted my lips on his and kissed him passionately.

After what seemed like an hour, we broke away, stumbling a little from lack of oxygen.

"Wow Phil.  I'm not complaining, but what did I do to deserve that?"

"Joey I want you to hear me out.  I've been hurt several times in the past and I don't want to be hurt again.  So, if I seem a little apprehensive about us, it isn't because I don't feel for you.  I know you are not like the other guys, or at least I'm realizing this now.  My heart is screaming for you and my mind is saying hell no, not yet.  Well, my heart has won."

"What are you saying."  Joey said with tears brimming in his eye.

"I love you Joseph Fatone."

With that said we kissed each other deeply.

Mean while, outside in the lounge....
 

RRRIINNNNG.   RIIINNnGGG

"Hello."

"Hi.  This is Mr. Cooper from the front desk.  May I speak to Mr. Bass."

"This is he."

"Hi Mr. Bass.  I just wanted to let you know that a Ms. Keri Russell is on her way up."

"What!!?  No.  You have to stop her!"

"I am sorry Mr. Bass.  She is already being escorted to your suite.  She was on your clearance list."

"I am going to have to have Joey change that." Lance thought. "Ok.  Thank you Mr. Cooper."

"Who was that Lance?"  JC inquired

"Guys, Joey is in deep shit."

"Why?  What's up?"  Chris asked.

"Keri is on her way up here!"

"Oh Shit!"  Justin Chris and JC said in unison.

"Who is Keri and why shouldn't she be coming up here."

"She is Joey's ex girlfriend and he just broke up with her today."  Lance sighed.

"OHHH.  This isn't going to be good."  Rob said

While the guys chatted about what to do.  The door bell rang.
 

Happy Belated Holidays everyone!!  I'm sorry that I haven't written sooner, but thank goodness for vacation!!!  Anyway, I hope you like it and I am desperate for some feed back.  I am all over the place with this story and I need some advice.  Anyway, enjoy and remember to write at pammonds@rocketmail.com