~ Chapter 37 ~
"Y...you...you love me?" Shae-Lyn croaked in astonishement. That was the last thing she had expected to come from Nick's mouth.
Nick wiped the tears from his eyes with the back of his hand and took her small hands into his large ones. He looked into her eyes. "Yes, I do. Yanno, as a best-friend. The way I love Brian. I don't wanna lose that, Shae. I don't wanna lose you."
'The way he loves Brian.' She sighed inwardly. That was better than nothing. Nick was staring into her eyes. She smiled slightly.
"Shae, you can't leave. Please." He squeeezed her hands tighter. "I promise to make things up to you. Just gimme time. I need to talk to Kevin first. There's something nagging at my conscience and I think he has the answers. We're also gonna be busy shooting the video in a couple of weeks. But after that I promise I'll take you all over Florida. So will ya stay?" His eyed pleaded with hers.
Shae couldn't help but smile. He was irresistible. She didn't want to leave, although she had to go home for a bit to pack. "Twist my rubber arm," she said, laughing. "I'll stay. But you have to come to Montreal with me once you're done shooting the video so I can pack and tie up some loose ends."
"No problem! And I'll look for a cleaner first..." he stopped as she held out her hand. "What?"
"I already took care of that."
His grinned widened. "You're just too smart, aren't ya?" He got up. "I'm gonna go change and take you out to dinner."
Shae clapped her hands in merriment and jumped up. "Yay! Lemme go change, too. I smell like dog."
"Hey maybe you can do me a favor since you're so smart," Nick began as they climbed to the second floor.
"Sure...?"
"Try and find Angel for me."
Shae nodded, putting on false bravado. "Sure Nick. We'll talk about it next week, ok?"
Satisfied with her answer, he whistled happily.
Shae closed her bedroom door, leaning against it. Nick's "I love you" reverberated through her conscience. "I don't just love you, Nick," she said softly to the empty room. "I've fallen in love with you."
Three days later....
Nick, Brian, AJ, and Howie sat in the conference room of the rehearsal studio waiting for Kevin and Fatima to arrive. The dancers were already in the other room warming up, but the four friends were too nervous.
They all looked up as the door opened. It was Loreto. "Why all the glum faces?" she asked.
"Just a little apprehensive about seeing Kevin again," Howie admitted. "But nevermind that. How ya like Orlando so far?"
"Yea we don't see you anymore. You look tired. Is my mother working you too hard?" Aj asked her. "Cause I could have a word with her."
Loreto smiled. "No. Denise is like a second mother to me. She's been my rock throughout the past five weeks. I'm mentally drained. A lot of change, adaption, learning the insides and outsides of my job."
'Not to mention worried about Kevin,' she added to herself.
Brian smiled softly. "Do you like the job?"
"Yes. I love it. As for your fair city, it's hot. Very hot. But I'll be doing the dance of joy once December hits in Toronto and I'm not there to slosh through sleet, slush, and snow. Not too mention below freezing temperatures."
"Brrr..." Nick pretended to shiver. "It's cold in that country!"
Loreto giggled. "Well it is up North. Speaking of that, Shae told me..." she stopped talking as she noticed the guys weren't paying attention to her, but rather, were looking behind her.
She turned around and was engulfed in a huge embrace. "Hey baby," Kevin murmured into her hair. "I've missed you."
Wrapping her arms around his waist, Loreto sighed. "I've missed you, too."
He released her and looked down into her chocolate brown eyes. "How are you?"
Loreto smiled. "Great now that you're back."
A warm look passed over his face. He had so much to make up to her. So much to tell her. "Can you come over for supper tonight? I need to talk to you."
"Are you cooking?" she asked in a teasing manner.
"Of course!" Kevin exclaimed indignantly. "Wait till you taste what I call "La Surprise Richardson." He imitated a french accent.
Loreto laughed. "Oh oh. But I'll take a chance."
"Great! I'll pick you up at 7:00." He bent down to kiss her quickly, noticing four pairs of eyes staring at them with interest.
Loreto left the guys alone. Kevin turned to face his brothers. It was now or never.
Hours later, amid tears, hugs, and laughter, the five brothers came to an understanding of what had happened the past 18 months and swore they would get past it. Brian, Howie, and AJ swore to stand by Kevin and help him through until he was completely cured.
But things weren't the same for Kevin and Nick. There was still a lot of unanswered questions on Nick's part and masked fear on Kevin's. "I'm glad you're ok man," Nick said quietly once the others were out of earshot.
"Nick, I think we need to talk alone."
Nick nodded. "Yea...how about after the shoot wraps up?"
Kevin nodded. "Fine. Until then I just want you to know that I love you. I'm sorry if I scared you, Nick. You won't lose me. Don't worry."
Nick's eyes widened. "You heard me?"
"Yea. I was semi-conscious. "I heard you scream and felt your tears on my chest." His eyes watered. "I'm so sorry. For everything. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."
Nick knew he wasn't just talking about almost dying. His eyes narrowed. "Kev, what..."
"Nick! Kevin!" Fatima's voice rang out in the hall. "Get in here. We're about to start practice!"
Nick gave Kevin a suspicious look as the older man ran out of the room. He had a feeling he wouldn't like what Kevin had to tell him.
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