| Chapter Three |
| Nikki and Justin watched as Kyle walked into the hotel across the street, then not five minutes later, returning to his car with Mandy on his arm. Nikki's grip on Justin's arm tightened as Kyle lightly kissed Mandy's forhead. "Guys?" JC whispered, causing them both to jump, "Who's Kyle?" Nikki bowed her head, and tried to shut her mind, but Kyle's image kept popping up in her mind, "Kyle is Mandy's ex boyfriend from long ago. God, I haven't seen that kid in quite some time. He broke her heart, and she swore she would never talk to him again." She paused to shake her head, "Looks like I was right." She had JC's complete attention, "What were you right about?" "I told her when they broke up, when she said that. I told her not to swear, it wasn't good for her. And swears are just like promises. They get broken too easily." "Why'd they break up?" Nikki laughed nervously, "Why does any couple break up? It wasn't there anymore. They wanted different things. Mandy, of course, wanted her music, she wanted us. Kyle.... well, Kyle just wanted Mandy when it comes down to it. She was all he wanted, and he didn't want her to have any other love but him. Her music got in his way. He told her to give it up." JC's eyes widened and she smiled in appreciation for his concern. "Yeah, I know. Just like that, he wanted her to sacrifice her dreams just so he could be happy. She refused, obviously, and here we are. Her, apparently very very confused, Kyle really happy, and me... well I'm about 5 seconds away from tearing after them and slapping some sense into her. And while I'm at it, I wouldn't mind a few cheap shots in his direction." She began mumbling angrily to herself, and JC massaged her shoulders, helping her relax. "This guy sounds like a punk. I can see why you don't trust him. What if..." "JC please just don't say it. Please. I don't know what we'd do without her." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Kyle, what are you doing here?" "Aww, what's the matter Ashford? Why aren't you glad to see me, baby?" Kyle linked his fingers through hers, and she pulled back a little. "Of course I am. But, Kyle... I can't be here right now, I...." "... Don't have a boyfriend. Don't try to fool me, Manny." She hung her head. Her eyes were wet, she knew it, but she wouldn't let him see how much it bothered her, "I'm going to ask you one last time, Kyle. Why are you here?" "You need a shoulder to cry on, right? Well here it is, babe, and I'm part of the deal." "If I wanted this kind of stuff, I'd buy a snake." "Go right ahead. As long as we're together. I won't mind. They tend to like me." "Yeah, well you know what they say.... birds of a feather and all that." "Oh, I've missed you Mandy. We're going to have so much fun." |