Chapter 23
from ya room.”
“So come in,” Mel yelled from her room, “ain’t nothing you haven’t already seen,
Shane, honey.”
Shane looked over at Nicky, who was frowning to himself on the couch, but trying
to hide it.
“Erm…I don’t think that would be appropriate,” Shane said, thinking quickly, “I'll
just wait, okay.”
“What?” Melanee said, coming out of the room wearing a pair of jeans and her bra,
“what do you mean, ‘it wouldn’t be appropriate’, what are you on about Shane, don’t
be so silly.”
Melanee walked out and gave Nicky a kiss on the head, then headed back to the kitchen
to grab some breakfast.
Nicky looked after her, then over to Shane, giving him a confused look.
Shane just smiled and shrugged, miming; “she does it all the time.”
“Shane, we’re out of muesli,” she called from the kitchen, “can you make me some
of that beautiful cinnamon toast, that you cook so well?”
She came out of the kitchen with a pleading look on her face, “please, Shaney baby,
poor little me is so hungry,” she said, putting her arms around his neck and quivering
her lip, “please…”
“Alright, Mel, you don't have to beg,” Shane said, laughing, “I'll make ya some cinnamon
toast, as long as you quit badgering me about Gill!”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Melanee said, planting little kisses on Shane’s
cheeks, “you know I love ya.”
“I know,” Shane said, leading Melanee over to the kitchen, “is that an agreement,
then?”
“Sure is!” Melanee said, happily, “do you want some Nicky?” she called out to Nicky,
who was still on the couch.
“Should I trust Filan’s cooking?” Nicky said, walking over to the kitchen and smiling
at the pair, “I hear it can be quite dangerous…”
“Oi, you!” Shane said, hitting Nicky over the back of the head, “I'm a very good
cook, aren’t I, Mel.”
“He’s fantastic,” Mel said, smiling widely, “now excuse me guys while I go put on
a top.”
“Oh, do ya have to?” Nicky asked, cheekily, “you look great like that, Mel.”
“Oh thanks, Nicky,” Melanee said, “that earns you a kiss, that does.”
Nicky smiled, as Melanee threw her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply.
Shane laughed quietly, watching the pair, “that’s so cute…”
“Right,” Melanee said, pulling away, “now, I need to put on a top, I'm getting cold.”
Shane smirked at Nicky, as Melanee skipped off back to her room, “you both seem pretty
loved up, for one date,” he said, putting some bread on the griller, “are you sure
you didn’t do anything last night.”
Nicky sighed dreamily, “I'm positive,” he said, smiling, “she’s so gorgeous…”
Shane laughed and shook his head, “you’re so smitten, Nicky,” he said taking out
the toast, “you’re pathetic when it comes to girls!”
“Shane, can I ask you something,” Nicky said, seriously.
“Shoot,” Shane said, putting all the toast on a plate and pulling out some margarine,
“I'm all ears.”
“It’s about Mel,” Nicky said, sitting down, “how can you live with her like this,
you know, sleep with her, see her naked and stuff…”
“What do you mean?” Shane asked, licking his cinnamon covered fingers.
“I mean, how can you…” Nicky started, “how can you be with her 24/7 and never have
done anything with her. You’ve known her forever, and you both get on perfectly.
You eat the same food, like the same movies… how can you possibly not have gotten
together?”
Shane looked at Nicky, and thought for a moment, “it’s just not there,” he said,
finally, “we don’t have that spark you need to be lovers, you know. We are the best
of friends, but we don't make each other go ‘wow’ like she does with you, and I do
with Gill…” “She goes ‘wow’ about me?” Nicky said, smiling happily, “really?”
Shane laughed, “look, Nicky,” he said, placing his hand on Nicky's shoulders, “Mel
and I are never gonna get it together, for reasons best kept unknown and you have
nothing to worry about. You and Mel on the other hand…”
“I hear my name…” Melanee called, walking into the kitchen, wearing a small blue
crop top, “spill!”
“We were just talking about… cinnamon toast,” Nicky said, pathetically, “it’s ready.”
Melanee was about to say something, but decided to let it go.
“Lucky there’s toast, Byrne,” she said, pointing a finger at him and smirking wickedly,
“or I'd have taken that further!”
They all laughed, and tucked into the toast and juice that Shane had brought onto
the table.
“You are a genius, Shane,” Melanee said, finishing off her toast, “seriously, this
is the best thing I've tasted since this morning!”
“You already ate?” Nicky asked, confusedly, “what tasted better?”
Melanee laughed, and put her arms around Nicky's neck, “you, silly!” she said, kissing
him lightly, “you really rival the cinnamon toast!”
“I hope so,” Nicky said, putting his arms around Mel’s waist, “which do you like
better?” “I dunno?” Melanee said, biting her lip, “better have another taste.”
Melanee leaned into Nicky and kissed him again.
Shane just laughed, “god guys,” he said, “get a room!”