Not yet..

Feeling a bit thirsty, and needing to have a sip of water before drifting back to sleep. Getting up and walking to the kitchen, doing it quietly as to not wake anyone up. Then seeing Joey sitting on the couch all alone. Looking almost lost. "Hey Joe, what's up sweetie."
Turning to look at Lucas and smiling. "Hey Luke. Why are you awake?" Seeing him move closer and scooting over to give him room. Letting him hug her as she sits there. "I couldn't sleep, I have a bit of a headache."
"Well, you used your head to stop Nate's fist. That probably has something to do with your head hurting. I was thirsty. Do you want something? Water, anything?" Frowning as she sits there ignoring him. Getting up to get a drink and then taking a quick sip before setting it down, running to Joey's side. "Why are you crying? Did something happen?"
Smiling and shaking her head as she wipes her tears. "No, it's just the thought of today. The fight, the fact that everyone loves me differently, yet you all love me regardless. Then there are the memories of those men, and of Julie. She was the very best babysitter. I still see her face." Falling into Luke's chest. "Luke, tell me something, anything. Please scare the monsters in my head away."
Pulling her into his lap and rocking her, smiling at the thought of how they had all created her childish mannerisms. Andy was right, they would probably never see her as a woman, because they hadn't let her grow up. Feeling guilty himself he sighs. "Joe, I have to tell you something, I have wanted to tell you this for a very long time. I have been keeping a secret, and I should've told you sooner, but I didn't think I could talk to you about it." Seeing her look at him with curiosity he smiled. "You aren't going to like it, but if we are ever going to get past you being our little Joey, we need to start sharing real life stories with you. Not ones we edit for your benefit."
Nodding her head. "I'm 18, and I want to be immature and silly. It's all I know. But, I can handle the big stuff. You guys just assume I can't. I want to be in the loop, I want to feel like a young adult."
"Be careful what you wish for." Smiling as she rolls her eyes. "I will always look at you as little Joey, and not because I think of you as a kid. It's because you bring out the kid in us. Joey, you start food fights, you run through the house screaming if you see any bug, you hide under the blankets during a storm, and you are a mess. But we love you for that. Because we join in the food fight, we run with you and usually we are laughing, and we even hide with you. You make us feel like kids. At the same time, we can't share our big boy stories with you. We don't want to burden you with the reality you don't exactly grasp."
"You never give me a chance. I am just as much to blame as you all are. Because I am pretty content not knowing. But sometimes I want to know more then you are willing to tell me. Without begging for details. Can we try that Luke? Can I be 18 please? Not, little Joe"
Hugging her, and laughing out loud. "I will try. I don't know where to start though."
Playing with the cuff of Andy's sleep pants and smiling. "Well, lets see. How are you doing on the team? Glad you are back playing along side Nate?"
"Absolutely. The team is amazing. You have to come to the next game, I am starting. Nate is an even better player then he was in high school. Remember all the parties you were never allowed to go to? Why don't you come to the next one with me."
"Really, I can go to the party?" Smiling at him and sitting up. "So can I meet the girl you are shagging? Does she come to the games?"
Looking at her with wide eyes. "Excuse me Joe, what are you talking about again?"
"I found condom wrappers in the garbage, and at first I thought they were Nate's. But he wasn't here for days, but every day I cleaned out the trash I found more. Then when you joined the team they stopped being there, so I just figured you were meeting her in the states."
Sighing deeply. "And like I warned, be careful what you ask for. You do realize that you already know the person I am shagging right?"
"I know her?" Looking at him and thinking. "Please tell me its not Jonnie!" Seeing the shock in his face, and then frowning. "What? I know you loved her, and you seemed to have moved on quickly. I thought maybe you two had devised a evil plan. It could happen!"
Shaking his head and laughing at her. "You know she picked Tyler. She is happy and that is all I have ever wanted for her. She still has a place in my heart, but I think deep down I'd rather have a relationship with both of them, as a happily married couple, then not at all."
"Good point, so who do I know that you know. Debbie? Please tell me not her! She is as dense as they come. Or, ewww not Vanessa. She's hateful."
"Nope, not Debbie and definitely not Vanessa. She is a bitch you can say it." Hugging her and smiling. Joey, I don't want to tell you because I think you will be mad. At me, at her, at Nate for knowing. I just can't do that to you."
"Nate knows? Luke! I hate being the last to know. That makes me very sad." Pouting as she moves away from him. "I am sure Lizzy knows too, because you two are OH MY GOD! It's Lizzy isn't it?"
Looking away from her and nodding. "It's Lizzy. But Joe don't get mad. It started because we needed each other. It continues because we enjoy each other."
"Are you dating? No? Funny, because you told me I am not supposed to have sex with people I don't love. Do you love her?" Watching him as he stares at her and waits for her to stop talking. "I'm done."
"I care about her. I am not just screwing her and then when I am done I will toss her aside. I will be there for her until she no longer needs me. But she has been pretty straight about us just having fun. And we are having fun, daily, sometimes several times a day. Yeah I am going to shut up now."
"I don't know if I am mad at her for not telling me, or for you sleeping with one of my best friends. But I know I am mad." Crossing her arms and then sighing. "I am going to bed."
"Joey, that, that right there is why we don't tell you stuff. You storm off because we tell you the truth. Yet, you don't want edited versions. I could've lied to you, but I respected you enough to continue the conversation honestly."
Stopping and processing what he said. "But you and Nate are so quick to call me out and question my virtue. Yet you are having sex with whoever and I can't be mad? I don't want to be a virgin, because apparently I really am missing out." Looking down and feeling the tears in her eyes. "Okay, that's not true. I love being a virgin, and saving myself, because my first time will be what I want it to be. I just hate that Lizzy moved on and now I am alone in this again. And she never even told me. I lost my friend and I didn't even know."
Jumping up and hugging her. "You didn't lose her sweetie, I was just being selfish with her. How about Andy and I plan some guy time and you and Lizzy can go do some girl stuff." Kissing her as she nods. "Don't be mad, and please don't do something stupid because you feel like you are missing out."
"Luke, I don't want to talk about the heavy stuff anymore. Thank you for letting me be 18, I know you respect me enough to open up to me. But now I want go lay down with my buddy and make shadow puppets on the wall."
"You got it! I'll go get the flashlights and you go kick all those stuffed animals off my side of the bed." Smiling after her as she runs into her room, talking to himself. "God I love that kid." Grabbing the flash lights and running into the bedroom jumping on the bed and covering them up. They make shadow puppets together until they laugh so hard their sides hurt. Curling up and falling asleep together like they did when they were younger.