Vertigo

© Sweet-Kisses™

~*~

I've seen a rich man beg
I've seen a good man sin
I've seen a tough man cry
I've seen a loser win
And a sad man grin
I heard an honest man lie
I've seen the good side of bad
And the downside of up
And everything between...

You know where it ends...it usually depends on where you start.

Kevin stood at the glass doors, watching the sun shine brightly onto his face and body. It appeared to be a cold day outside. He frowned, his thoughts confusing him. He was losing control of the situation he was in, and he hated it. He didn't understand how he had begun to be protective or possessive of Lyra. He had thought it would be easy with her. No feelings, no emotions, no strings attached. Just sex and a good time. That's all he had thought it was, and that was how it had begun, how it started out to be, how he and Lyra planned.

Something had changed.

He didn't understand what had happened, what had transformed his feelings for her, and her feelings for him. There was something happening between them that Kevin didn't want to acknowledge, or understand.

The kiss. It was worrying him, concerning him, frightening him. Not only because of what it signified from her to him, but because it had led to a lot more kissing and a lot more other things which followed. There was suddenly something different about her. She seemed vulnerable, meek, powerless and she seemed determined to hold tight to him. Not her usual self. What was also scaring him was that what had followed from the kiss was something that he associated with the term, and had only ever experienced with his wife, making love.

He had to get an explanation from her. But she had disappeared before he had woke up. He had to find her.

With determination, he turned away from the view. The door to his room suddenly opened and Andrew and Lyra appeared. Andrew had Lyra's arm in a tight grasp. Lyra was pale, sickly-looking, her eyes toward the floor. Andrew looked furious, about really to explode with fury.

Andrew gave Lyra a strong shake. "Tell him what's happened, Lyra! Tell him what he's done to you."

Lyra refused to talk, or take her eyes off the ground. Kevin stepped forward, his voice hushed, hesitant. "Lyra?"

Her expression was impassive "I, uh - "

"Tell him!" Andrew almost screamed, shaking her again.

Kevin couldn't help but react. "Don't hurt her!"

She looked up gradually, her stomach experiencing somersaults. "I'm pregnant." She paused. "Six weeks."

"Which means you wasted no time getting your hands on her," Andrew added mercilessly.

Kevin was sure that time had stopped. Or his heart had stopped. Perhaps both had stopped. He wasn't sure. "And...me..I'm..."

"Yes," she whispered. She could feel tears forming in her eyes. "I'm sorry. I never meant to do this to you."

"How could you do this to her? To me?" Andrew shouted, enraged, his grip on Lyra's arm tightening. "I trusted you. I trusted you with her and this is what happens? Everything and everyone was right, I should've stopped this long ago. But I never believed it because I thought I knew you. And now, I don't. I don't have a fucking clue who you are, Kevin! She's only seventeen! How could you do this to her, to me? To yourself? You've got a wife!"

Kevin could hardly breathe. He tried a few attempts to speak, but all he could do was stare at Lyra. She looked stricken. He was sure he did as well. "I...I don't know...what to say..."

Lyra glanced at her brother. "It was my fault. I wouldn't leave him alone. He's only human. I did this to myself. It's all my fault."

"Don't make excuses for him, Lyra!" Andrew cried.

"Can I...just talk with Lyra for a moment?" Kevin asked, his expression helpless. "Please?"

"No fucking way," Andrew almost laughed. "There's no way in the world you'll ever see her again. Thankfully, there's remedies to the situation here."

Kevin watched as Andrew dragged Lyra toward the door. She looked back at Kevin, her eyes pleading with him. "Wait! What do you mean?"

Andrew glared at Kevin, his eyes throwing dark fire. "What do you think I mean? She's not going through with this. As for me, I resigned and if I were you, I'd be concerned about the meeting management want with you in exactly fifteen minutes."

Kevin could only watch as Andrew pulled Lyra away. Lyra gave him one last look. One of apology, of regret, of sorrow. He began to feel light-headed.

This is it. This is the end for me...

Kevin's thoughts stopped as he hit the floor.

~**~

Kevin stood at one end of the large, mahogany table. The four remaining men, who had been like his brothers for twelve years, sat at the other end, not looking at him. All except A.J. who glared at him, his eyes reflecting a silent rage. But he knew the rest couldn't. If he were in their place, he wouldn't want to, either. He understood.

The head of their management stood, eyeing Kevin with a cold stare. "In light of these developments, Mr Carter, Littrell, Dorough, McLean and the rest of the management team have reached a decision. You are hereby released from the group. As per contractual statements, you will be given one fifth of the album sellings. However, you will receive no shares of the tour profits. Your stocks will be sold. You now have one hour to vacate. After which time, you will be escorted from the building by security..."

~***~

Kevin walked down the corridor, numb. His whole body was numb. He couldn't comprehend what had happened. What had happened? Had he just been released from the group?

Yeah, that was right.

He sighed and shook his head. This was his ground zero. Nothing else compared to this. This feeling. He had supported the four through everything, good and bad. And now...no more. They didn't want him around, didn't want him.

Just as he reached the elevator, he heard his name being called. He saw Nick running toward him. "What is it, Nick?"

Nick exhaled deeply and shook his head. "I just wanted to say that I understand."

"Really?"

Nick nodded. "Yeah. Really."

Kevin breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm so glad, I don't want you to hate - "

"I understand," Nick repeated. "Understand that you were like my father for so long and now you've turned into a lying, deceiving, pathetic piece of shit that's gotten what he deserves." He paused and smirked before walking away. "Have a nice life," he called over his shoulder.

Kevin turned away in disappointment as the elevator doors opened. He stepped in and was soon climbing toward his room, where he would pack up his belongings and be taken out of the building, like he was a criminal.

Maybe he was. He certainly felt like it.

Indeed. This was his ground zero.

And he had lost it all, just as he was told.

~****~

Lyrics: What Its Like - Everlast