Westlife Romance - Part 51
Nicky's head spun as he heard Shane's newest revelation. "Can this day get any worse?" he asked himself. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to calm down. He looked at Shane, who stared at the floor in silence, and sighed. "So you're telling me that you love Kian?"
Shane shook his head in defeat. "I don't know..." he admitted. "All I know is that I am attracted to him...and I have feelings that are beyond friendship for him...but is that really love?"
Nicky sympathized with Shane. He knew how confused he must be feeling since Nicky had been down this road before. "You need to find out, Shane. And you need to tell Kian...or does he know about this already?"
"No, Kian doesn't know any of this..."
"How long have you felt this way?"
"Since before he..." Shane stopped, not knowing how to continue.
"It's been that long and you haven't told him," Nicky said in surprise. "When were you planning to discuss this with him?"
"I wasn't planning to..." Shane muttered.
Nicky's eyes grew wide at Shane's answer. He could not believe what he was hearing. "You weren't planning to? You were going to keep all this to yourself...why would you do that, Shane?"
Shane turned and looked at Nicky. "Because I've hurt you so much, Nix. I didn't want to hurt you again..."
Now Nicky was beginning to understand where Shane was coming from. He took Shane's hand and squeezed it. "It's over between Kian and I...if that's what you're worrying about..."
Shane managed a smile through his tears. This was what he needed to hear before he took his feelings for Kian any further. He looked to Nicky just to make sure he didn't misunderstand.
Nicky smiled at his friend. "If it's my blessing that you wanted or needed, you've got it. I hope that things will work out for you two...I really do."
Shane was touched by Nicky's genuine concern and love for him. "Thank you, Nix...I owe you so much..." Then almost suddenly, Shane's smile faded, replaced by a look of worry.
"What's wrong?" Nicky asked, not understanding Shane's sudden change of mood.
"What if...what if Kian doesn't feel the same way?"
"Well, you'll never know if you don't ask him, Shane...it can't get any worse than a one-way relationship...believe me."
"But his track record..." Shane knew he shouldn't have these thoughts, especially not in front of Nicky, but he couldn't help it.
Nicky really felt for Shane, knowing how confused and scared he must be. He pulled his band mate into a reassuring hug. "Like I said, you won't know if you don't try. That's what love is all about, taking risks and sometimes getting hurt. But you'll never get to experience the wonders of love if you don't take this first step..."
Shane let Nicky's words sink in. He was right, as usual. Nicky was always right when it came to life's many questions. "Thanks, Nix. I know what to do..."
Nicky felt much better after the talk with Shane. Although he didn't tell Shane, he was worried about how things would work out between Shane and Kian. It wasn't that he didn't trust Kian, but Shane was right...Kian's track record wasn't all that spotless. He prayed that their relationship won't destroy their friendship.
Nicky walked back into his bedroom to find Bryan sitting on the bed watching TV. Nicky walked up and sat beside Bryan before kissing him lightly on the forehead.
Bryan giggled as he felt Nicky's kiss. He felt like a schoolboy who was having his first crush.
"What's so funny?" Nicky asked with a smile.
"Nothing," Bryan answered with a smile.
"Oh really..."
Bryan turned to face Nicky before kissing him lovingly and passionately.
"What was that for?" Nicky asked with a big grin.
"Nothing in particular. Just felt like giving my wonderful boyfriend a big kiss."
"I could get used to that!" Nicky answered with a chuckle.
Bryan hugged Nicky and rested his head on the older boy's chest. "I love you, Nicky. I love you so much."
Nicky kissed Bryan's blond hair. "I love you too, Bryan. I'm the luckiest person in the world to have found you..."
The boys met in the lounge for lunch before heading out for the photo shoot.
As the lads were eating, one of the stage crew members rushed in frantically.
"What's wrong, Ned? You look like you've seen a ghost!" Mark asked, half-jokingly, half concerned.
"Well, you're not going to like this, lads. But it seems Derek has abruptly quit the crew. And we won't be able find someone from Dublin to replace him before tomorrow's show."
"Derek what?" Kian asked as his voice trembled and his fork dropped to the floor.
...to be continued....