The house was empty. Shannon had gone to sleep at Claire’s house. Johnny was on a night training with the team. What about you and Joey? Alone in the kitchen, trying to make brownies. And failing miserably.

“Is this supposed to be melted butter or brick?” - he asked, poking the mixture.

“Too technical for you, Lynch?”

“I’m used to hitting people, not eggs.”

You laughed. And he looked. For too many seconds.

While you were moving the dough with your hair stuck crooked and your face dirty with flour, Joey thought he had never seen something so beautiful.

You turned to him.

“What’s it?”

He pretended to look away.

“Nothing. Just... you look happy.”

“Maybe because you’re here.”

Joey didn’t say anything. But the next time his fingers brushed his in the bowl... he held it. And he didn’t let go.