We entered the arena and got to meet Steps. They were just so nice and Lee was gorgeous up close. OK so I guess I still let myself admire his gorgeousness. H was really funny. We got pictures with them and got their autographs. They were so genuine. It was a great experience. The live show was awesome. Tragedy and 5, 6, 7, 8 were the best parts of the show. We were right in the front too, so that made it even better. We left the show around midnight. Tomorrow, I was going to get to spend some time with Shane. Just me and him, or so I thought.

* * *

I woke up the next morning at 9:30. It was going to be pushing it to get ready by eleven. I didn’t even know how long I was going to be in Sligo. Shane didn’t say anything about staying at his place, so I guess we were coming back the same day. I felt like I was in such a rush. Finally I was ready and looked at the clock to find that I had ten minutes to get downstairs.
"Ashley, are you ready yet?"
"Yeah."
"OK. It’s like ten ‘til."
We both went downstairs and sure enough the boys were there waiting on us. They had their super incognito disguise of sunglasses on.
"See ya later, Ash," I said. "Have fun with Bryan."
"I will. Later."
We both went in our separate directions. I got in the car and Shane got in with me. Not until I sat down, did I notice Kian sitting next to me. It was so weird all three of us being in the back. Mark was driving. I had no clue that Kian and Mark were going with us. Obviously Shane hadn’t told him anything about the things that were going on between us.
"Ki, I thought you were gonna sit up front. Why don’t ya do that since it’s kinda cramped back here?" Shane asked.
"Fine both of yous sit back here. It’s not like me and her aren’t gonna get to spend any time together today."
Kian moved into the front seat and Shane and I stayed where we were. Shane asked me about the Steps concert and I told him I had a good time.
"I’m kinda tired though," I said. I laid my head on his shoulder and he put his arm around me. Right at that moment Kian turned around. He was smiling and that soon changed to a look of being puzzled.
"What’s going on back there?" he asked.
"I’m tired," I said. "That what’s going on."
"Oh," he said, not sounding the least bit convinced. I watched him observe the situation, looking at Shane’s arm around me.

We talked the rest of the way there. Mark said nothing. What happened didn’t seem to bother Kian. At one point there was an awkward pause and Kian’s back was turned. Shane leaned over and kissed me. It wasn’t a very long kiss. Just long enough so it wasn’t noticeable. It was nothing like the first time I’d kissed him. That was so intense. Now it was like we had to be sneaky to even touch each other. I wanted to tell Kian in the worst way, but couldn’t bring myself to do it. I knew Kian liked me. I’m not saying that Shane didn’t. Why does this have to be so complicated?

We ended up at Mark’s place since he was driving. Kian’s and Shane’s were in walking distance from his house. I hoped this wouldn’t be some kind of a big fight over where I was gonna go. I got out of the car and started to follow Shane down the street. I think Kian knew just in the way he looked at me. His eyes became downcast and depressed. I didn’t like seeing him that way but only hoped that he would get over it. I knew he would. There were millions of girls all over the world who wanted to be with him and surely one of them had to be the one for him.

Shane and I started down the street. It was cold and I shivered. He put his arm around me again. As soon as we got in the door, Shane kissed me, but it was way better than in the car. So passionate and deep. His lips were so soft as they pressed to mine. I could feel his tongue meet mine as e held me in his arms. I never wanted it to end. till it didn’t even come close to the kiss in the levator.
"Oh, Shane," I said and then caught myself as I lurted it out.
"You liked that didn’t ya girlie?"
"Uh-huh," I replied.
Just as he asked me that, he seemed to have this magic twinkle in his eyes. I’d seen it before. He had the most amazing smile. I was lost in the moment. That moment held so much love for me for some reason. I don’t even know why. That was his cue for us to kiss again. I think this was all pent up since we hadn’t been able to do anything the whole way here. We hadn’t seen each other in a few days and were making up for it.
"Laura," he said.
"What?" I asked.
"I don’t want you to leave me. I know you have to go in a few days, but I don’t want you to."
"Shane, I don’t wanna go either, but I can’t stay here. We’ve gotta make the best of the next days we have together."
"I know this may sound hurried, but I love you. I know it in my heart. From the moment I first saw you on that plane. I know your friend was the first to make a move on me, but I couldn’t keep my eyes off of you."
"I love you too, Shaney, but I know I can’t stay. As much as I want to I have to go back." I never even thought about that until he mentioned it. I felt like I was too attached to leave now. I had four more days here and then I’d have to go home. We sat and talked for a little while about it. I think that made things worse. Talking about it made it move closer. We hung around at his place and then went to get something to eat.

We were sitting at a table by the window when I watched Shane staring at someone behind me.
"Shane, what are you looking at?" I asked. He didn’t answer and I turned around to look to find a face that seemed familiar to me. I wasn’t sure who he was. Why in the world did this guy look so familiar?
"Do you know him or something?" I asked again.
"Yeah. Actually I do."
I turned again for another look. Right then, I knew who it had to be and why Shane was acting so weird. It was Derek Lacey, the guy who he had to tell was out of the band IOYOU several years ago. It wasn’t his fault since it was a management decision but Shane had to tell him. I read the article in Sugar about a month ago.
"Oh," I said, "I know who that is too. Derek Lacey."
"I hope to God he doesn’t wait on us."
Of course as soon as those words were uttered, he walked over to us. He took our orders and they both acted as if they had never known each other.

Shane and I talked while we waited. For some reason, my eyes averted to another place, staring at Derek. I watched him spit in our food.
"Oh, gross!" I said.
"What?" Shane asked.
"He just spit in our food," I replied sticking my tongue out.
"Just wait ‘til he brings it over and I’ll pay for it. We’ll just get up leave as to not cause a scene."
"OK."
Shane did what he said he was going to do and we both got up and walked out.
"Just the sight of him brings back bad memories," Shane said. "I never meant for him to be kicked out of the band. I was forced into being the one to tell him and to his dying day, he’ll think it was my decision. I know he will."
"You can’t help that. It wasn’t your fault."
Shane and I spent the rest of the day together and then we went back to London. This time it was just me and him without Kian and Mark. Things were so much better that way.