Chapter 16
Nicky drove happily all the way back to the hotel. Bryan and him had decided to stay in Sligo with the lads but they’ve already visited their own families a few days ago. He went into his hotel room, humming softly to himself. He wanted to check on Alessia before he left but to his surprise her room was locked. He could’ve sworn he left it open the night before when he checked on her last night to give her a kiss while she was sleeping. He went into the shower after picking what he would wear. Nicky smiled. He liked his plan on getting Mark and Toni back together. He was sure it was all a mistake when Mark had kissed Magda. He was pretty sure Mark disliked Magda very much from the way he had heard Mark talk about her before. He would collaborate with Alessia and the other girls and lads later on in order to make his plan work. Nicky just told Toni that he had a plan, but he hadn’t told her what it was. He’d go to a restaurant later as early as he could or phone in to make a reservation, plead Mark to go in a “blind date” that he’d arranged, tell the girls to coax Toni into going to a blind date that the girls “themselves” have arranged and voila! They’d just have to make up with each other. “I’m a genius!” he said aloud, drying his self with a towel. He got dressed quickly and went out, signing a few autographs for some fans who were waiting outside. It would’ve taken him longer, but he just apologized and said that he’d be back later on to talk to them.
He finally arrived at Shane’s house a few minutes after and he rang the doorbell. He was surprised when Shane’s mother opened the door, and not Shane himself. He was the one who would often do that, and not his mother. “Oh, hi Nicky! Come on in. The boys are in the den.” “Thanks.” Nicky said. He could hear boisterous laughing. “Hi guys!” he said as he entered the room. The laughing died abruptly. “Erm… Is anything wrong?” he asked, checking himself in the mirror in case he looked quite stupid or anything. “Nicky…” Shane began as he stood up. Everyone was stunned when Mark shouted. “What’s wrong? Damn you! I’ll tell you what’s wrong!” He sprinted over toward Nicky, punching him in the face. “That one’s for Alessia!” he said angrily. “And this one’s for me!” he shouted as he punched Nicky in the stomach. Nicky was so surprised he didn’t even have the time to defend himself. Bryan and Kian quickly went to Mark and dragged him away before he could harm Nicky more. Mark was so enraged, he wanted to hurt Nicky. He didn’t care how, he wanted to hurt him in every and any way he can. Mark kept screaming hysterically as Bryan and Kian firmly held him back. “Let me go!” He was struggling himself free but it was no use as the two lads dragged him into Shane’s room. Bryan just shook his head as Kian looked at him. They both really couldn’t blame Mark for acting the way he was, they’d probably be worse of if that happened to them.
“What’s going on in here?” Shane’s mother demanded. She ran over to the bathroom, getting the emergency kit. Shane was kneeling beside Nicky who had fallen to the floor when Mark punched his abdomen. He helped Nicky up and sat him on the sofa. Shane’s mother treated Nicky’s wounds. His upper lip was badly cut, and Mark nearly broke Nicky’s nose. Shane just stood there, watching. He felt quite sorry for Nicky, yet he couldn’t believe that Nicky could do such a thing to Mark. Mrs. Filan didn’t ask what it was about anymore. She knew it was far too personal for her to meddle in. She just Nicky’s cuts, gave him a pat on the head and Shane’s hand a squeeze before she left to give them privacy. “I can’t believe you Nicky! Why did you do it?” “Why did I do what? Shouldn’t you be asking Mark that? I don’t know what you’re talking about and what the hell is Mark’s problem?” “You are disgusting Nicholas Byrne. Totally revolting.” “And what the hell is your problem?” Nicky asked, irritated. Shane looked at him. “Goodness, you really don’t have the vaguest idea what I’m talking about!” “Duh! Earth to planet Filan! How the heck am I supposed to know if you won’t tell me what’s going on?” Nicky said sarcastically. “How long has it been going on anyway?” Shane asked. “For goodness sake Shane, just tell me what it is you’re talking about already or I’ll break your nose like Mark almost broke mine!” Nicky shouted, wincing when he felt a sharp pain where Mark had hit him. “Mark and Alessia… well, Toni’s door was open and they… they… saw you lying on the bed with Toni and it was obvious that you had spent the night with her. They saw you kiss her so…” Nicky looked at Shane with disbelief. Shane studied Nicky’s face. He couldn’t quite make out his facial expression. Much to his surprise, Nicky started laughing. “I kissed her on the forehead and told her everything was going to be alright with her and Mark. Yes, I did spend the night with her but not in the way you guys are thinking of. In case you don’t know, Mark should be the one you’re hating right now, and not me. Toni had seen him and Magda kissing in front of Mark’s house when we were looking for him at the hotel. Toni called me up and told me everything. I went over to comfort her, which she had protested to. She had fallen asleep, crying over Mark so I took her to her room. It wasn’t right to just leave her there in the sofa you know. I sat there beside her in the bed, thinking of ways how to get them back together, for I’m sure Mark was drunk or something when he had kissed Magda. Somehow, I’ve fallen asleep in her room. Which isn’t my fault. What was Mark doing there anyway?” “He came over to talk to Toni.” “Oh geez! This is awful! Instead of bringing them closer and back together, I drew them further apart! But I didn’t mean to… I was just trying to help.” Nicky said, looking so sad. Shane placed his hand on Nicky’s shoulder. “Nicky, sometimes it’s just right not to do anything at all about something. Pretty useless advice huh? Well, I know things will work themselves out in due time. Meanwhile, let me go over to Mark and explain your side. It’s better that I do the talking for you or he might tear you to pieces when he sees you. Just go home and try not to worry that much. And don’t blame yourself for what happened. You were just trying to help.” Shane stood up, helping Nicky get up. “Can you manage on your own? Looks like Mark really knows how to hurt a guy. He creamed ya!” “Shane, I can stand up on my own. It’s just a stupid punch in the stomach. It’s not like he’s broken my leg or something. I can manage.” Nicky went off and Shane went up to his room. Mark was sitting on Shane’s bed, looking out the window. Bryan and Kian were looking at him worriedly. Mark looked up as Shane entered the room. He stood up. “Where is he? I’ll kill the little bastard if I ever see him again!” “Shut up Mark! Just… shut the hell up!” Shane shouted, suddenly irritated. Bryan and Kian looked surprised, but they didn’t say anything. “Sit down and listen.” Shane said a bit softly. He told Mark everything that Nicky had told him a while ago. “And you expect me to believe that? Shane, I’m not stupid! I know what I saw! I’m no blind fool so don’t you dare expect me to believe such lies.” “Mark, maybe you are stupid! It is so obvious, so in your face that this is all a huge misunderstanding! You just keep on jumping to conclusions! And for once in your life just shut up, think and forget about that stupid ego of yours?” Shane said exasperatedly. “No! You shut up! Nicky has no idea how much he took away from me! He took away my life, my love, my only source of true happiness and I will never forget him for that!” “Mark, he didn’t…” Shane started, but he was too late. Mark slammed the door and left, feeling like he had nothing left to live for.