Joe had an intense decision to make; either continue kissing this beautiful guy in front of him or unlock lips and react to what the Irishman had just said. Needless to say, he chose the latter and pulled his mouth away but remained face to face.
“I…..I….” He was at a complete loss for words. Did Conlan know what love entailed?
“Conlan, I don’t think you mean that,” he commented while pulling further away and putting his hands through his hair.
And out of pure insecurity and his typical over-sensitive-self, Joe continued with a frustrated demeanor.
“Conlan this isn’t some cartoon okay. Hearts aren’t going to pop in our eyes. This is real life. People get tricked, hurt, and lied to. People say one thing and mean another. They stay, then they leave when you least expect it.”
Joe became teary eyed. Love was a touchy topic, especially to someone that has been severely hurt in the past. He wasn’t expecting Conny to say something so extreme and it caught him off guard. It wasn’t like Recon to show his emotional side to someone he wasn’t already close to, so he was a bit embarrassed himself. He also realized the hurtful nature of what just came out of his mouth.
“I’m sorry, I have to go…” he said with haste and walked to the ladder. He muttered ’sorry’ again before climbing down the ladder and wiping tears from his face. Joe apparently had buttons and “Booger” apparently pushed one. Joe had already been romantically unsuccessful once at the mansion, and the idea of another venture was terrifying, but what Conlan didn't know was that he loved him too.