Chapter 54
"Have a seat everyone." Nick called, sitting on the couch.
Nyla sat next to him in a different chair and watched as Celeste and Scott sat next to each other on the couch across from Nick. They all looked at each other, feeling a bit awkward to say the least.
"So, what is it that you guys wanted to tell us?" Nick asked finally, looking at them.
Celeste looked over at Scott and placed a hand on his thigh, "Go on honey."
Honey? Nyla blinked, looking at the two then over at Nick who looked equally confused.
Scott looked over at Nick then at Nyla. "First off, we just wanted to say that we're glad that you're both back safe and sound. We were worried sick."
Nick and Nyla nodded, waiting patiently for them to go on.
"Secondly we wanted to say that neither of us planned on this happening and that...that we never wanted to hurt you." Scott took a breath before going on. "We're not quite sure of what to say really, some where along the way of waiting for you guys to come home, something changed between Celeste and I."
"Changed?" Nyla asked.
Scott looked over at her, "Yeah, our feelings for each other changed. She was there for me and I was there for her. We understood what each other was going through and that friendship we had started to evolve, grow stronger."
Nick stared at them, "Ok...and?"
"And...well...we fell in love." Scott finished.
"And we want to be together." Celeste added, taking Scott's hand in hers and staring at him lovingly.
Nyla's mouth dropped as she stared at them in shock. She hadn't been expecting this, she didn't know what she'd expected when they said they had to talk, but it most definitely wasn't this. She looked over at Nick who looked equally shocked.
"Uhh...uhh..." Nick stuttered.
Celeste looked over at him and frowned, "I'm really sorry Nick, I am. You're a great guy, but we both know this wasn't working. I know that your heart...well it wasn't really ever totally with me. I didn't make you happy like I should've, I wasn't...I wasn't who you really wanted and I think that's why I tried so hard to act so happy, especially around you Nyla. I knew, I knew he was still hurting, but was trying to move on and I was worried that you'd want him back as well. I love him Nyla."
Scott wrapped an arm around Celeste to comfort her, pulling her closer before looking at Nick. "I'm sorry Nick, really, never meant to betray you." He shifted his gaze to Nyla. "And I'm sorry to you too Nyla. I do still love you, but it's not the same. It's kinda like Celeste said, things with us weren't working either. I know you cared about me but Nick...he was always there. I tried to ignore it, thinking I could help you get over him, but I couldn't. I'll always love you Nyla, you're a great woman."
She didn't know how much more she could take, what next? "Thanks for...telling me Scott, all I want is for you to be...happy." What more could she say?
"So...umm..." Nick couldn't seem to form complete sentences for some reason.
"We wanted to come right out and tell you both, let you know that we were gonna persue this." Celeste went on.
Nyla nodded, "O-ok...thanks."
"Y-yeah...thanks for...for...ya know. I hope things, go well." Nick managed to get out.
Scott smiled a bit then looked over at Celeste, his smiled widening. "I guess we should be going."
Nyla stood suddenly, rubbing at the back of her neck, and Nick followed, standing as well.
"So, I guess we'll see you around then." Scott smiled, looking over at Nyla.
"Yeah, see ya around."
"See ya...later." Nick muttered.
Celeste and Scott smiled and turned, making their way out. Stunned silence followed and Nick and Nyla both slumped back down in their seats, looking over at each other.
"Well umm...I'm just...gonna finish loading the stuff into my car and then I'm gonna take off. Thanks again for letting me tag along with you Nick, I appreciate it, I owe ya one." Nyla announced, looking over at him.
"Not a problem Nyla, anytime. Thanks for...for...coming with me."
"It's ok."
Silence followed and Nyla slowly stood, starting for the door, Nick stood and followed her quickly.
"I'll talk to you later Nick."
"Ok."
"Thanks again for coming to the funeral, it really meant a lot to my Mom...and to me." Nyla whispered, looking up at him.
"Anytime." Nick replied softly.
They stared at each other a moment longer before Nyla waved and walked out, heading over to her car quickly unloading the rest of her bags and hopping into her car and pulling away.
Nick watched her leave and slumped against the door heavily. He loved her, he loved her and he wanted to be with her. The turn of events helped him to realize it and even though he knew it all along, it was the first time he let himself acknowledge it.
He wanted to say that he'd been thinking that something between Scott and Celeste would be a probability, but it wasn't and he'd been taken totally off guard. He wasn't upset though, not at all and if Celeste would be happier with Scott than with him, then more power to her. Besides, he knew it didn't matter, he would've ended things anyway, his heart didn't belong to her, it belonged to Nyla. Nick sighed again; he wanted her so bad, if only she wanted him.
Nyla rubbed at her temples, unbelievable. To say she was in shock would be an understatement. She was happy for Scott though, she really was. It would've ended anyway, only she would've been the one doing it. Maybe it was better they didn't know what happened, it's not like they could say anything because obviously the same thing had happened with them.
She knew it was for the best, her heart hadn't been in that relationship, not the way it should be. No, her heart was somewhere else, with someone else. Nyla wondered though, was it too late for one more time?
