"Hey Sasha," Joey called.

"What?" she asked, turning around from her conversation with JC.

"I'm getting everyone soda's," he said. "Can you help me?"

"Can't you do it yourself?" she asked. "We're talking." She gestured to herself and JC.

Joey shook his head, and walked into the house. He went into the kitchen and opened the fridge.

Eryn walked up behind him. "Joey?" she asked.

Joey dropped the Coke he was holding. "Yeah," he answered.

"I saw what happened. You seem mad," she said. "Do you want to talk about it."

"No," he said, still facing the fridge.

"Okay," she said. "But I am here if you need it."

"I don't," he said, taking a few more Coke's out of the fridge.

"Yep," Eryn said. "I heard you the first time. Just letting you know, I am here."

Eryn started to walk out of the kitchen.

"Eryn, wait," Joey said, turning around.

Eryn looked at his anguish filled face. "Joey..." she whispered. "Are you okay?"

"No," he said, shaking his head. "No, damnit." He took a Coke can off the counter and threw it on the floor. It exploded, throwing Coke everywhere.

"Come here," she said. Joey walked over to her, and she hugged him. He buried his face in her hair and started to cry.

***

JC looked at Sasha. "Don't do that."

"Do what?" she asked innocently.

"What are you trying to pull? Do you want everyone to figure us out?" he demanded.

"JC... it's not like we're cheating," she said. "We're just friends."

"Yeah, but we know that there is much more behind it," he said with a sigh. "You can't go around blowing off Joey like that. Damnit, Sasha. Do you like him or not?"

"I like him a lot," she said.

"Do you really?"

"I do," she said.

"Seriously?"

"I swear," she insisted. "Anyway, forget it. I won't do it anymore. I'll go in the kitchen right now and apologize."

"Thanks," he said.

"I'm doing it for me, not you," she replied.

"Well, then... whatever," he said, shaking his head.

***

Joey pulled back, and grabbed the dishtowel. He wiped his eyes. "Sorry about that." He said with a wry smile.

"It's okay," Eryn answered softly. "Now, tell me. What's wrong?"

***

Sasha walked into the house, and heard two voices in the kitchen. She stayed in the hallway, and listened.

***

"It's Sasha," Joey said, hesitantly.

***

Sasha held her breath, and felt her stomach drop.

***

"What about her?" Eryn asked.

"I don't get her sometimes," Joey said. "I like her so much. I used to be... I don't know... I could never tie myself down with one person. Every second I spend with her, I like her more. Every time I see her, I like her more. And then all of a sudden, her and JC... it's like, everything is all right with them. I don't get it."

"I'm sorry, Joey," she said. "But I know that there isn't anything going on between them. Sasha would tell me if there were. She's my best friend."

***

Thank you, Eryn, Sasha thought.

***

"I'm sure there is nothing going on," Eryn said.

"Well, if there is, you would tell me, right?" Joey asked.

"Sure," Eryn said with a warm smile. A part of her brain was nagging her, telling her that she was a liar. I have to protect her... she's my best friend.

Joey leaned over and hugged her, and Sasha walked in the room. "Hey, guys!" she said, cheerfully.

"Sasha!" Joey said, surprised. "I thought you were talking to JC."

"I wanted to come apologize," Sasha said. I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry, for blowing you off like that."

"Oh, that's okay," Joey said. Eryn walked out of the room.

"Well," she said. "Are you mad that I am friends with JC again?"

"No," Joey said, forcing a smile.

"Are you sure?" she asked. "I mean, because if you are, I can stop hanging out with him that much and stuff."

"It's fine," he said. He reached for her hand. "Let's go outside."

"Okay," she agreed, helping him with the drinks and going outside.

End of Chapter Seventy Seven