Date: Thu, 05 Apr 2001 00:53:23 From: Jeff Langdon <jeff_langdon@hotmail.com> Subject: Westlife Romance - Chapter 17 This story is pure fiction and involves the members of Westlife. I am in no way implying anything about the sexuality of any of their members. This is purely a fictional story. Enjoy! I would really, really appreciate some feedback on the story...so please send any comments and/or suggestions to jeff_langdon@hotmail.com. I would love to hear from you!! * * * * * * * * * Westlife Romance - Part 17 Shane laid on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. His mind was filled with overwhelming guilt. Perhaps if he had done more to stop Kian from seeing Derek, he thought. Or perhaps had he not lied to Nicky, then he wouldn't have had to find out this way. Shane struggled to deal with the fact that he was somehow an accomplice in this entire ordeal, that he had a part in dealing the devastating blow to Nicky. As these thoughts swirled in his head, he was unaware that tears were streaming down his face. Yes, he had betrayed Nicky. From the time he decided to lie to Nicky, he knew that he had betrayed his band mate. At that time, Shane justified it by arguing that either way, one person was going to get hurt. He chose to protect Kian, based on the fact that they were childhood friends. He sacrificed Nicky for the sake of his friendship. Looking back, Shane became increasingly convinced that he had made the wrong choice. Not only has he failed in saving his friendship with Kian, but he has destroyed his relationship with Nicky too. These thoughts only worked to force more tears from Shane's eyes. "What a mess I've created," Shane kept saying to himself. * * * * * * * * * Bryan knocked on the door, determined to make a quick entry, gather Nicky's belongings, and then make a quick exit. He had no intention of dealing with Kian at this moment. In fact, this room was the last place on earth he wanted to be at this moment, but he only came for Nicky's sake. The door opened and Bryan was relieved to see Mark instead of Kian. "How's he?" Mark asked softly. "Not good..." Bryan replied in a low voice. "I'm getting Nicky's stuff...he's staying with me tonight." "That's probably a good idea," Mark agreed. "Kian's in the bathroom cleaning himself up. Shane and him almost got into a brawl in the hallway." "Well, Kian deserved it," Bryan replied bitterly. "If I wasn't going after Nix, I would've beat him to a pulp myself." "Well, beating each other up won't solve any problems, Bryan," Mark replied. "But anyways, why don't you get Nix's stuff before Kian gets out. I don't want to referee another street brawl." Bryan walked into the room and instantly, the images of Kian and Derek making love on the bed and the image of Nicky in the hallway flashed across his mind. Pushing them aside for the moment, he quickly gathered Nicky's belongings. As Bryan grabbed Nicky's suitcase, the bathroom door opened and Kian emerged. It was obvious that he had been crying and evidence of the fight with Shane still showed. "Where's he?" Kian asked, his face showing genuine concern. "What's it to you?" Bryan replied tersely. "I need to talk to him," Kian answered. "The hell you are going to talk to him, Egan," Bryan shot back. "I'm just here to grab his things." "You have to let me explain to him..." Kian pleaded. "Shut the fuck up, Kian. You are so full of it. Who do you think you are?" The verbal exchange was getting heated just as Mark stepped in to prevent any escalation of the conflict. Not wanting to see Kian any longer than he had to, Bryan turned around and left the room with Nicky's belongings, all the while furious at Kian. Just as Bryan was about to knock on his door, it opened and Nicky emerged, almost knocking the younger boy to the floor. Bryan would have fallen had Nicky not reached out to steady him. "Thanks Nix," Bryan said appreciatively. "No worries, Bry," Nicky replied. "Where are you going with your jacket on, Nix?" "Uh..." Nicky struggled for an answer. Nicky was not a good liar, and Bryan could tell that his band mate was hiding something. "You weren't planning on running away, were you?" Again, there was no answer from Nicky. "Nicky Byrne," Bryan continued sternly, "get yourself back into that room. We are going to talk...now." Not knowing what to do, Nicky sheepishly obeyed Bryan's command. Bryan set down Nicky's belongings and then walked to sit on the bed beside Nicky. "Where did you think you were going, Nicky?" Bryan asked again, this time with a sense of concern. "I thought we already talked this out earlier." Nicky avoided Bryan's eyes. "I...I can't stay here, Bry." "Why not?" Bryan asked incredulously. "Because..." Nicky avoided answering Bryan's question. "Because what?" "Because I don't want to drive you away like I drove Kian away, ok?" Nicky finally confessed, breaking out in tears again. Bryan stared at Nicky in disbelief. "What are you talking about, Nix? You haven't driven anybody away!!" Nicky could only bury his face in his hands and cry. He had so convinced himself that it was him who drove Kian into Derek's arms. "I drove him away, Bryan. It was my fault...I wasn't a good enough boyfriend...I couldn't make him happy..." "Stop it, Nicky!! Stop battering yourself." Up to now, Bryan had little idea how hard Nicky was taking Kian's unfaithfulness. "It WASN'T your fault!!" But Nicky wasn't listening to Bryan. He had already convinced himself to a point that he could not hear anything different. "I don't want to drive you guys away like I drove him away. I can't throw my problems on you, Bryan." This time, Bryan grabbed Nicky and pulled him into a tight hug. "Stop doing this to yourself, Nix," he pleaded. "It's not your fault, ok? It's not!! You have to believe me..." The event of the evening must have worn Nicky out because soon, Bryan could hear a steady rhythm of Nicky's breathing. He had dozed off. Bryan gently tucked Nicky into bed, wiping the tears from his face before brushing off some of his own tears. He remembered how only a few days ago, their roles were totally reversed. Checking once again to make sure Nicky was sleeping peacefully, Bryan dimmed the lights in the room. He grabbed an extra pillow and blanket, laid them on the couch, and soon, he too was fast asleep. ...to be continued.... * * * * * * * * * Hope you enjoyed this segment. Let me know what you think!! I'd love to hear any comments/ideas/questions. Please e-mail me at jeff_langdon@hotmail.com.