This story is about male/male relationships and may contain graphic descriptions of sexual acts between consenting adults. If it is illegal for you to read this story due to your age or residence please stop now.
This is a work of fiction. It may use names of real locations, places and/or people but only to make the story more accessible to its readers. The use of these names in no way implies or is meant to imply anything about the sexuality, personality or behaviour of the actual person named. Please be clear here - THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION.
This story is the sole property of its author and may not be copied in whole or in part or posted on any website without the express written consent of the author. The author wishes to acknowledge and thank the archivist for Nifty for allowing this story to be published here.
Questions/commentary can be sent to "rye_encoke@hotmail.com" Criticism, both good and bad are appreciated, rants and hate mail are forwarded to the senders email provider and deleted.
Authors Notes: Thanks to all that wrote, I appreciate it. I want to stress here that although I think Westlife are totally hot, I know very little about them. I was told for example that Kian is the businessman, well in my story it is more Shane's job. So forgive the inaccuracies and enjoy the story is my best advice
- Marc Gets Left Behind -
"Thank God thats over with," Nicky threw himself onto the nearest sofa.
"No shit. Eight interviews in one day. We should fire whoever worked out that schedule," Kian spoke from his room.
"Come on guys it wasn't that bad, and now we have 10 days of nothing but time off." Mark sounded suspiciously chipper and placating.
Shane and Nicky walked to the room where Mark was already changing. They looked at each other then at Mark.
"It was you wasn't it?" they asked. Mark stopped with one pant leg on and one off. He blushed, not at his state of undress but at being caught out.
"Well, if we did it the way they wanted we would only have had 5 days off and I just thought this would be better but I knew I wouldn't have been able to convince you guys."
Shane shrugged his shoulders and went back to changing. Mark was probably right, Nicky for sure would have put up a fight and probably Bryan too. This was better. They weren't going to let Mark get away with it though. He signalled the other guys as Mark got into the shower in his room. They grabbed the address of the club and the keys to one of the vehicles and took off.
About fifteen minutes later Mark stepped from his room, dressed and primped for the night, to find the place empty. He knew what had happened right away as a set of keys was missing and Nicky's hastily scrawled note that said merely "Ha ha".
"Shite." He grabbed the other set of keys and took off out the hotel to the dinner reservations he had made. He smiled to himself hoping the guys would not be let in since the reservation was in his name only.
- VIP Treatment -
Bryan pulled in and parked the van. The guys got out and admired the neighbourhood. Kinda upscale with a park across the street. They headed towards the door of the club running quickly to avoid getting even more wet as it really started to pour down. A clap of thunder bounced off the buildings and a flash of lightning illuminated the street briefly.
"Good evening gentleman, I apologize but we are only taking reservations tonight. Do you have a reservation?" Maria was host tonight and she knew exactly who had just walked in the door. Jill had actually passed around a poster showing who was coming. She was supposed to treat them with respect but as normal guests, no gushing or antics. If autographs were to be gotten, management would do it.
The guys looked just slightly taken aback. They were used to being recognized. They glanced at each other then back at Maria.
"Umm, yeah we do, but we aren't sure what name its under. It could be under a bunch of names. We sometimes have to use fake names and stuff..." Kian's voice trailed off as he realized they were probably not going to be let in and their little trick on Mark had backfired. Just then an absolutely stunning woman walked up and smiled at them all.
"Good evening gentleman, my name is Jill and I am the manager of Rye N'Coke, your table is ready if you will follow me."
Jill had seen them all stumble in and the brief encounter with Maria. She had seen the looks on their faces and decided to rescue them. She had also noticed Kian. "God he doesn't look this hot in the posters," she thought to herself. She turned to the group but spoke to Kian, "Did you gentlemen bring any security with you that need to be seated as well?"
"Shite." Nicky said what the rest of the group were obviously thinking. In the race to leave Mark behind they had not notified security. They were in it deep.
"Not to worry gentleman, we brought in extra security for the evening and are stopping all walk-ins tonight, courtesy of the owner. He is aware of your celebrity status and the staff has been briefed to keep their distance. Security will keep away our other patrons and media will not get past the door. You can truly enjoy yourselves here tonight, nobody will be allowed to approach you without your permission and no staff will be asking for autographs. Follow me please," she offered again and led the group to their table. "I thought there would be another gentleman with you tonight?" she inquired politely as the boys took their seats.
"That's sorta why we didn't know the name of our reservation,and why we forgot security. We sorta left him behind as a prank. He'll show up in a bit." Kian answered for the group, paying a lot of attention to Jill. As Jill passed out menus and made to leave Kian blushed and asked, "Umm Jill, will I see you again, I mean later, could I say hi again, or...." His mind took that opportunity to completely desert him and he stumbled to a stop.
"That would be very nice Kian," he smiled as she said his name.
"She knows my name," he thought to himself and was pleased by the fact, as was evidenced by the huge grin that spread across his face.
"When I bring the owner to meet you all maybe we could have a dance. I will also be your waitress tonight, for the meal anyways, once on the dance floor you are on your own for drinks. I'll direct Mark when he arrives."
They all watched her as she left then the rest of the guys turned on Kian.
"Duh, my name is Kian I'm an idiot," shot Nicky.
"Would you be my date please I am so pathetic," quipped Bryan.
"It's weird. Everyone seems to know who we are but are going out of their way to give us space without letting us know they are going out of their way. The manager of the club is our waitress for the night, and the owner hired extra security and shut the place off to the public. He's gotta be losing money doing that," Shane always the one worried about finances spoke up.
"It is kinda weird, but I don't know I feel kinda good here. We are getting some kind of special treatment its true, but I get the idea that Jill would take our hides off if we step outta line tonight guys," Bryan spoke up.
"You have no idea, pretty boy," Jill said as she walked up with a bottle of wine. They all grinned madly at her. "Compliments of the owner," she said as she expertly opened the bottle and poured a small amount into a glass. Swirling it briefly she took it into her mouth, savoured it briefly and swallowed. "Excellent, please enjoy. I will wait until Mark arrives to take your orders, we don't want to leave him completely out of the night do we."
It was a statement not a question and they all felt more than a little embarassed. This woman they had met only 10 minutes ago had known who they were and treated them with incredible respect. Then Kian had made the clumsiest pass at her that any of the guys had ever seen, but which she seemingly accepted, and suggesting she would be dancing with him later. Kian still looked slightly dazed from her offer. Then they had been presented with a gift of wine from the owner, an expensive wine if the raised eyebrows on Nicky were any gauge. Then Jill had called Bryan a pretty boy and implied that she would take a piece out of them if they misbehaved tonight. Then to top it all off she had managed to politely tell them she did not approve of their prank on Mark and for some reason her disapproval had an affect on them. They all felt rather guilty about leaving him behind. They all looked at each other again with goofy smiles pasted on their faces.
Shane grabbed his cell from his pocket and dialed Mark. It rang twice before Mark answered.
"Hello."
"Hiya Mark, it's Shane, how close are ya?"
"You guys suck shite!" he screamed.
"Calm down, we are all sorry, and we'll apologize when you get here." He turned away from the group and spoke softer, "Are you still going to want to talk to us tonight. Mark you can put it off if you want."
Mark's heart hammered in his chest. Did Shane know already? He certainly seemed to. Shane was the one he was closest too and maybe he hadn't been able to hide it as well as he thought. Maybe Shane already knew he was gay. What if he told the rest of the group before he had a chance?
"Mark?" Shanes voice cut into this thoughts.
"Yeah, I still need to talk. About 5 minutes I think."
"Cool, this place is incredible by the way, you did a great job. It's been a blast so far. We will fill you in when you get here."
"Alright."
"Mark?"
"Yeah?"
"It's gonna be okay ya know." It was a simple statement but Shane hoped Mark understood what he was trying to tell him.
"Thanks Shane," Mark said around a sudden lump in his throat. "Don't start without me kay?"
Shane took his meaning and said, "No worries my boy, it's your show until its ours." Shane hit the off button and turned back to the guys who were all staring at him.
Mark put his phone back in his pocket. He loved that saying of Shane's. It said everything about their friendship, and the group as a whole. It meant, the problem is yours until you tell us, then its all of ours and we work it out together. Tears welled in his eyes. This was gonna be a night to remember.
Lightning lit the sky once again as he turned onto the street that held the club. The rain was really coming down now and the thunder shook the vehicle as he drove.
- Hear No Evil -
Rye sat in his office watching the cameras. Well, watching two of the cameras. He watched as Jill sat the guys and briefly talked to them. She walked to the wine vault to get the outrageously expensive, but incredibly wonderful, bottle of wine Rye had offered as a gift to the boys.
Jill walked into the office. "They left him behind as a prank he should be here shortly," she said as she sat on the edge of his desk.
"What?" Rye asked.
"Mark, they played a prank and left him behind to find his own way, he will be here shortly."
"I didn't ask you about that," he turned to look at her from the monitors. She merely raised her eyebrows at him and gave him a look. He relented, she knew him too well to fall for that.
"I told them all about the special arrangements you made for them tonight and that you would like to meet them before they leave," she spoke again.
Rye turned back to her slowly, anger in his eyes, "You did what?"
Jill met his gaze with her own, Rye's anger never scared her, she knew how far she could push him. "I told them about the extra security, no walk-ins, briefing the staff, the wine, everything"
"Why would you do that?"
"Cuz you want to meet them and you went through a lot to make their night special. They deserved to know how much you did for them."
"Yeah I guess."
"Is that Mark?" Jill pointed at the cameras.
"Yeah it looks like it is," the tremor of excitement in Rye's voice was evident to Jill and she smiled to herself.
The two watched as Maria led Mark to the bar and pointed out the group to him. Maria went back to the desk as another group came in. Mark continued toward the table. He seemed to stop behind the table and listen. Rye stood up and went closer to the monitor as Jill watched from the desk.
"Is he crying Rye?" Jill asked.
"Looks like."
Both watched as he suddenly put his hands to his ears and ran back the way he came out of the restaurant past a startled Maria.
"What the fuck?" Jill asked as she stood up. But there was nobody in the room with her. Rye had left.
- Speak No Evil -
The guys had just raised their glasses and toasted each other as the man walked to their table.
"Good evening gentleman, my name is Rye Encoke, the owner of the club. Are you aware that Mark was just here."
The group looked at him sorta stunned. Finally Shane asked, "What do you mean he was here?"
"Look I don't know what happened but Mark came in, stood just behind the table there," Mark pointed, "and seemed to be listening to you guys. Then he started to cry, put his hands over his ears and ran out."
Shane turned to his friends. "SHITE!" he screamed.
"He heard us doing worse case, he didn't realize what we were doing," Nicky stated. Panic seemed to be setting into the group.
Rye watched the looks of horror creep across the faces of the four guys. His own heart started beating fast. He didn't know why. Thinking quickly he got their attention.
"Guys, how many cars you got?"
"Just one," Bryan answered, panic definitely now in his eyes.
"Alright, here are my keys, its the blue SUV outside and to the left. One of you take that. One of you go with Jill and the other in your own vehicle. Go find him. I'll stay here in case he comes back."
Nobody seemed to move fast enough for Rye.
"GO!" he shouted.
Shane grabbed the keys for the SUV. "Kian you go with Jill, Bryan and Nicky you're together. Nicky toss Rye your cell."
Nicky put the cell phone into Rye's hand. "Speed dial 1 for Shane, 3 for Bryan and 4 for Kian."
Rye nodded as the group headed out. Kian followed Jill who already had her coat on, she had known from Rye's reaction something bad had happened and was ready.
Rye sat down at the table with his head in his hands. Tears streaming down his face. If you had asked him at that moment why he was crying he wouldn't have answered because the answer, he thought, would have sounded so stupid.
- Jill and Kian -
"Where to first?" she asked Kian.
"Shane's heading to the hotel. We are going to some of the places that we have all been to here in the city."
"What happened tonight Kian?"
"We did something we shouldn't have. I don't think I can tell you." He looked at Jill and his resolve failed, he did not know anything about this woman, but he just knew he could trust her, and he really needed to tell someone, to get it out.
"Alright Jill, but this goes no further than us okay?" Only when she had nodded did he continue. "We have all figured for a long time that Mark was gay. He was the one who set up this dinner and he kept dropping hints that he had something to tell us. When Shane called Mark tonight he used a phrase that is like a code for us, the way we live. He told Mark that is was his show until it's ours. It means that it's only Mark's problem until he tells us, then it is our problem, he isn't alone anymore."
"Thats beautiful," Jill breathed.
Kian looked at her and saw the tears in her eyes and nodded blinking away tears. "Well another thing we do is like a game, sorta. Its called worse case, you know like worse case scenario." He saw from the corner of his eye Jill nod again and continued. "We put a question on the table then we each take a role of someone in our lives like management or our parents or the public. We say the worst thing that that person would say if that question happened. Then we think about it and decide what to do."
"Oh God," Jill's voice actually broke, "He came in as you were doing worse case and misunderstood and thought you were actually speaking about him. Oh Kian what was said?"
Kian's voice broke. "I said he would try to get with us all and break up the group, Nicky said our careers would go down the toilet, Bryan said it was a sin, and Shane said.." his voice broke again, "Shane said you can't have a fag in a boyband."
Jill pulled in a gasp.
"We didn't mean it from us, I mean that's the worse case, that's what others would say. After we said it all we just looked at each other and didnt speak for a few seconds. It was Shane who spoke first and he said he would give up everything for Mark if it ever came down to it. We all agreed and raised our glasses to toast Mark. But he didn't see it." Kian slammed his fists against the steering wheel. "We aren't even supposed to do worse case unless we are all there. But we just weren't thinking."
A look of terror swept across Kian's face and he whispered, "Oh God what if he does something stupid."
"Don't say that. Just drive." Jill flipped open the cell and hit the speed dial for Nicky's phone. It rang once.
"Mark?" It was Rye's voice.
"No it's Jill. Guess he hasn't shown up. I found out what happened. It's pretty bad Rye." She explained to Rye the events they had seen on the monitors.
"Oh God, Jill what if he does something stupid?"
"Why does everyone keep saying that," she asked loudly. "He will be fine, we just have to find him."
- Shane -
Shane turned the key on the SUV and cursed as the latest Westlife CD started blaring into the car. At any other time he would have been amused or pleased. But at that moment he was so scared he just clicked the knob off, a little too hard as the knob came away in his hand. He cursed and slammed the car into drive as he took off for the hotel.
Tears fell freely and he had to keep wiping them away as he drove. It was bad enough it was pouring rain and it was hard to see, he needed to be able to keep his eyes clear as well. He cursed freely and the fear in his chest kept hammering away at him.
Shane knew what had happened. Had figured it out before anyone else, but had been frozen in fear. It was that man, Rye, who had finally gotten through to him. Made him move. God if Mark made it through the night alive and they could straighten everything out, Shane owed that man his life. Owed Rye his life, because without Mark, Shane's life would end. Mark was Shane's closest friend, closer than anyone else in his life. Shane had known Mark was gay early on, but it had never bothered him, and he was content to let Mark choose his own time and place to tell it.
He had to find Mark, had to tell him it was okay and they were still friends, that he loved Mark.
"Gods don't let him hurt himself," Shane said aloud, praying to whoever may have been listening.
- Bryan and Nicky -
"Fuck we screwed up big time tonight Nicky," Bryan cried.
"Oh God," Nicky almost screamed. "What if tries to hurt himself."
Bryan's eyes went wide with fear. "He wouldn't do that, he wouldn't do that," he intoned as if saying it often enough would make it true.
"Please God let us find him," Nicky whispered.
"Drive faster."
"Where could he have gone. I didn't even see which way he drove off to. Oh god Mark just be safe, just be safe."
- Rye -
Rye walked to the front door to look up and down the street. He had no idea what he was looking for. He didn't even know what kind of car he was driving. In a flash of lightning his attention was drawn to the park across the street. Rye focused on the spot and waited for the next flash. There was a man sitting on a bench in the park, with his head in his hands.
"Oh God let it be him." Rye took off across the street and ran into the park. As he got closer he saw that it was indeed Mark. Sitting down on the bench next to the young man he could see that Mark was still crying. He paid no attention to the rain pouring down on them both, he was already soaked through. Oddly he felt completely calm, almost peaceful as he spoke to the man.
"Mark?"
The young man shivered but said nothing.
"Mark."
Mark looked up but still he said nothing.
"Come in and get dry. I will call the others and let them know you are safe. They are out looking for you and are scared to death. They are worried about you." Rye explained calmly not wanting to scare the young man.
"They hate me." His voice was raw and strained with the crying and the cold rain.
There was a flash of lightning and a loud bang of thunder.
Rye shook his head. "No they love you, it was a misunderstanding. You walked in on them while they were playing that game, worse case. You didn't see the whole thing. They all toasted you and said that they would give it up in a second if it meant you would be happy."
Mark stared at this man. This beautiful man. Talking to him so calmly, so caring. He wanted to throw his arms around him and hold him. He just knew that this man would hug him back and make everything okay again. Instead he shook his head.
"Lies."
"I can prove it if you will let me."
Mark stared into the mans eyes and saw the truth there. Rye smiled back at Mark as he realized that he was going to win.
The rain seemed to be lessening.
"Come on, we need to get us both dry and warm and call the guys." Rye stood and offered his hand to the young man.
"First prove it, prove what you said." Mark challenged but the fight in his eyes had left.
Rye nodded and simply put his arms around the young man and led him to the side of the restaurant to the door that led to his loft and keyed in the entry code. Leading the man up the stairs and into his loft he didn't even try to get him to dry off. Instead he took him to the bank of monitors and flipped a couple of switches. A quick rewind and the scene played out.
"See there you are. You are listening to them do the game. You start to cry and run away. Now watch. They all pause for a few seconds, just a few seconds Mark, that's all it took for them to decide. Now Shane says something and they all nod agreement and watch.." Rye paused as Marks eyes took it all in, watched as the guys raised their glasses. "They have just decided that they would give up everything for you if they had to. This is where I come in. I tell them you were just there and heard them. Look at their faces Mark. They are stunned. Watch, it's Shane who figures it out first. Then they all panic. Look at their faces Mark. They think they have lost you. In fact every one of them is scared they hurt you so badly you may try to hurt yourself."
Mark watches as the tape progresses and they all leave the club. He also sees Rye as he sits down at the table and begins to cry. He turns to question Rye about it but Rye is on the cell already and the tape has gone past that point now.
- Shane -
The beep of the cell phone startles Shane but he grabs it out of his pocket.
"Mark?" he almost screams.
"He's safe." Rye's voice is quiet and calming. "I have him here in my loft. Back to the restaurant, around to the right side of the restaurant there is a big steel door with a security pad. Enter 4774 and up the stairs to the loft."
"Thank the gods....is he okay."
"He is soaking wet and shivering. He was in the park across from the club the whole time in the rain. I am gonna get him warm and dry. Call Bryan and Nicky and let them know how to get in, I'll call Jill and Kian"
"I will, thank you Rye, thank you. If we had lost him... I couldn't have....." Shane finally let the fear take over and he started to sob into the phone.
"It's okay Shane, he is safe, he understands what happened. I think he is convinced. We didn't lose him. He is safe Shane. He is here with me. I found him and I will never lose him again." Rye hung up.
Shane fought to gain control of his emotions and then finally clued in on what Rye had been saying. "I found him and I will never lose him? Oh man, Rye is gay, and it sounds like he has feelings for Mark."
Shane thought back to the man they had met so briefly. He was incredibly handsome. Anyone could see that. He had been so commanding and caring. He had known something had happened and when everyone else seemed to lose it he had taken over. Mark was with him and was safe. A shadow of doubt crept into Shane's eyes. He hoped Mark was safe with Rye.
Shane hit speed dial.
- Bryan and Nicky -
"Hello Mark?"
Bryan listened for a minute or two and then hung up.
"He's safe. He was in the park across from the club the whole time sitting in the rain. That guy Rye found him. We head back to the club and a steel door to the right of the entrance there's a keypad we punch in 4774 and go up to Rye's loft."
"Thank God," Nicky breathed.
"Amen. Shane said he thinks Rye is gay and likes Mark."
"Cool, I hope so. After tonight I doubt Mark wants anything to do with us," Nicky said sadly.
"Yeah and Rye is just beautiful," Bryan giggled.
"Bryan are you gay too?" Nicky asked jokingly.
Bryan just laughed, the tension releasing finally. "No way dude, but Mark needs someone and this guy seems pretty cool. Did you see how upset he looked when we all got scared. But he kept his head and made us get going."
"Yeah that was pretty cool. What if he is some sorta stalker or a crazed fan or something though?" Nicky asked.
"Be honest, do you really think that. Think about the evening, think about his reactions, think about what he said, do you really believe that?"
Nicky thought for a minute before smiling widely. "No not really, but I bet Shane does."
"Well we will just have to convince Shane otherwise."
The two men laughed together as they turned around and headed back to the place where their fun night out had taken a horrible turn and become a nightmare. Neither of them considered how odd it was that they seemed to instantly trust Rye.
- Jill and Kian -
"Rye?" Jill asked as she answered the phone.
A pause.
"Oh thank God," Jill listened briefly then hung up. "Rye found him in the park across from the club. He was soaked through and shivering but is in Rye's loft now. He knows what really happened and seems to be okay."
Kian let out a long shuddering sigh and pulled over to the side of the road and started to sob. Jill moved over beside him and put her arms around him. He held onto her as if for dear life and just sobbed for two or three minutes, all the time Jill just holding him and rocking gently. Finally he pulled himself free.
"I'm sorry. I was just so scared. And now he's safe and it just suddenly hit me."
"Don't worry. I know exactly what you are feeling."
Kian looked at her as if to deny her the feeling but looked into her eyes and saw something there.
Jill nodded. "I almost lost Rye a few years back. He is my closest and dearest friend. If he wasn't gay I would be romantically involved with him, although I think that being his friend is an even closer relationship."
"Almost lost him?"
"We don't have time for me to tell you about it now, and it's not my place. We have to go see Mark. But believe me I know the fear that went through you and the feelings you are having." She moved back into her own seat.
Kian pulled back onto the street which was clear of traffic.
"So Rye is gay." It was a statement not a question but Jill still nodded. "Do you think he would like Mark?"
Jill laughed. "Honey you have no idea. The way Rye speaks of Mark you would think they have been in love for years."
Kian got a worried look on his face, and Jill saw it.
"No not in the scary stalker kind of way. In fact Rye wasn't even going to meet you guys tonight until I pushed him. I don't think he has ever even written a fan letter."
Kian did not look convinced.
"Answer me this, answer right away okay?" Jill said, she had done this many times before and it always got the person thinking.
Kian nodded.
"Do you trust Rye."
"Yes."
"Why?"
Kian thought about it for awhile. He had no idea why he trusted a man he had met for less than a minute, but it was true, he really did trust him. Finally Kian just shrugged his shoulders and said simply, "I just do."
Jill nodded knowingly, "As for him and Mark, well it's hard to explain. Have you ever seen people who just belong together. You can't put your finger on it but something just clicks."
Kian nodded.
"Well thats sorta the way it is with Rye, except he has never actually met Mark. But tonight we will see. Watch them both, not just Rye, and I would lay money you will see that certain something in both of their eyes. I tell you some people are fated to be together and I think we all just played a part in one of God's twisted little miracles."
Kian just nodded again. He was thinking about what Jill had said but he was now more and more going back to the feelings of Jill holding him and stroking his hair as he cried.
He pulled into the club and saw Bryan and Nicky pull in. The SUV Shane had been in was already there. And there at the back of the lot was the other vehicle, the one Mark would have been driving. Why had they not looked for the car first.
He ran with Jill to a big metal door as she keyed in a number and swung the door open. He held it open for Bryan and Nicky and they climbed the stairs into the incredible loft that was home to Rye. Shane was sitting down on a chair at the entrance and was pulling off his shoes as he stared around the loft in amazement.
...to be continued