"You're back early," Shayla said not yet noticing her sisters tear stained face and puffy eyes since the room was dark. Brian spotted it.

"Are you ok Kenz? Are you crying?" he asked.

Shayla jumped up and turned on the light. "Kenzie what's wrong? Did something happen?" Before McKenzie could answer the phone rang. Brian got up to answer it.

"Hello," Brian said watching Shayla embrace her sister who was now sobbing. "Oh hey 'D' what's up?" he asked.

"Come here and sit down and tell me what happened?" Shayla said leading Mckenzie to the sofa.

"That damn son of bitch. How could he hurt me like this?" McKenzie cried.

"Yeah ok 'D'. She's here safe, she just walked in. Thanks for calling," Brian said hanging up.

"That was Howie wanting to make sure you made it home safe. He told me what happened and that you ran out crying," Brian said.

"Well will someone please tell me what happened?" Shayla asked.

"Nick showed up with Brent and Mandy and I guess Mandy was kinda all over Nick and he didn't exactly stop it," Brian told her.

Shayla rolled her eyes and sighed. "I'm sorry Kenzie. Are you ok?"

"I just can't believe it. He must still like her," McKenzie said.

"I don't think so," Brian said. "Howie talked to Nick after you left and he feels really bad that he upset you. Mandy's still with Brent, she was just hanging on Nick to piss you off."

"Well he sure didn't seem to mind. I'm going to bed. I just wanna be alone," McKenzie said.

"Are you sure? Do you wanna stay up and talk about it? Or you can just watch this movie with us," Shayla said.

"Thanks but right now I don't feel like talking. I just wanna be alone," McKenzie replied.

"Ok then. If you need me just holler," Shayla said hugging her.

"Yeah I will. Goodnight you guys," McKenzie said going upstairs to her room.

"Goodnight McKenzie," Brian said.

"Unbelievable! What the hell is his problem?" Shayla exclaimed once McKenzie was gone.

"Howie said Nick told him it's all just part of his plan to get Mandy to tell him what happened. I guess he's still doing that. He told Howie he didn't know McKenzie would be there and he didn't want to hurt her and he wasn't with Mandy. Brent was but Mandy was hanging on Nick," Brian told her.

"I don't get him. How could he do this to Kenz and just blow everything they had. It doesn't make any sense. That's it! I've had it with this mess Bri. I wanna settle this tomorrow. Whatever she wants, I'll do it. Let's just pay her and be done with it," Shayla said.

"Are you sure that's what you wanna do sweetheart?" Brian asked.

"Yeah, I'm sure. I'm tired of seeing McKenzie hurt and this has to stop with Nick," she said.

"Ok, I'll call the lawyer and have him start negotiations for a settlement first thing in the morning," Brian said hugging Shayla and kissing her on top of her head.

"What are we gonna do about Nick?"

"I don't know. He won't listen to any of us, we've tried talking to him and he just........" they were interupted by a knock on the door.

"Who could that be? It's almost midnight," Shayla said wondering.

"I have a feeling I know," Brian said looking back at her as he went to the door. Sure enough it was Nick.

"Hey Rok," Nick said with a bashful look on his face.

"Come on in," Brian said in a tone that let Nick he was in trouble and they weren't happy about what happened. Nick stepped inside.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? Haven't you hurt her enough?" Shayla yelled jumping in Nick's face. Nick looked like he didn't know what to say or how to react.

"Baby come on, don't start getting all upset," Brian said holding her back.

"Look I'm sorry. I didn't know Kenzie was gonna be at the club tonight and the last thing I want is to hurt her again Shayla. I swear it. I wanna work things out with her. I just wanna talk to her and try to explain and work this out," Nick said.

"I don't think that's a good idea right now buddy. She's pretty upset. She went on to bed," Brian told him.

"Can I at least try? Please Shayla? Let me go talk to her," Nick pleaded. Shayla could see he was sincere and he was hurting too but couldn't let herself feel sorry for him after seeing how hurt McKenzie was.

"No," Shayla stated firmly. "This is my house and I say no."

Nick looked at Brian. Brian saw the sadness in his friends eyes but there was nothing he could do. He felt bad for his friend and could see how unhappy he was.

"I'm sorry buddy. I think you should give McKenzie some time. Maybe you can try and call her tomorrow. Come on, I'll walk ya out," Brian said.

"So I guess you're pissed at me too huh?" asked Nick as they stood in the driveway.

"Nick I'm not pissed at you. I just wish you'd open up to me and tell me what's really going on. I thought we were close enough for you to do that. I saw your phone bill at the hotel when we checked out. I saw how many times you called Mandy. Why? Why were you calling her?" Brian asked.

"Oh man," Nick sighed. He hadn't wanted anyone to know.

"I think you should know that Shayla decided tonight to settle with Mandy. I'm calling the lawyer in the morning to start the negotiations. Whatever it takes, I'm gonna pay it. For both of them, not just Shayla but for McKenzie too," Brian said. Nick got a shocked and panicked look on his face.

"No Bri, you can't. Don't do it. I'm so close to getting her to admit the truth. Please don't settle with her," Nick pleaded with his best friend.

"How are you close? You have nothing. And what is it you're having to do to get this information? Are you going to tell me what's going on?" Brian asked.

Nick looked at the ground. "I, I can't. I'm sorry Rok, it kills me that I can't tell you but I can't. Just please promise me you won't settle. Not yet, give me a little more time."

"Shayla won't go for it bro. And I'm not gonna lie to her to help you. I'll help you in any way I can but I won't lie to her," Brian told him.

"Just talk to her and see if she'll wait. I know I can do this and I'm gonna get McKenzie back. I just gotta do what I gotta do. Whatever it takes I'm willing to do for McKenzie, even if it means.......well I just can't tell you because you'll tell Shayla and she'll tell Kenzie and I don't want her to know cuz it would hurt her too much. All I know is it's what I have to do," Nick said. Brian could see Nick's eyes getting misty like he was going to cry and Nick seldom cried.

"What the hell are you saying? What is it you have to do? Are you getting involved with Mandy again?" Brian asked more concerned now.

"I told you I can't tell you about it but......." Nick was interupted by his pager going off. "Shit! I gotta go."

"What? Why?" Brian demanded. "That was her wasn't it," he asked angrily. "What are you doing? This is nuts."

"I'll talk to ya later man, I gotta go." Nick jumped in his Durango and took off leaving Brian standing in the driveway dumfounded.

When Brian went back inside Shayla had gone to bed. He turned off the tv and lights and locked up the house before going upstairs. He crawled in bed wrapping his arms around Shayla and snuggling up next to her.

"Mmmmm, I've missed this so much. I've missed you being in my arms when I go to bed at night," Brian said kissing her neck.

"Me too, from now on we always try to be together," Shayla said.

"I hear that, come here," he said rolling her over to get on top of her.

"So what did Nick have to say for himself," Shayla asked between kissing Brian.

"Not now ok. I want you too bad. We'll talk about it in the morning ok," he said sliding his hands up her night gown.

Shayla flipped him over and straddled on top of him. "I have ways of making you talk," she said smiling.

Brian got a big grin on his face and laughed. "Yes you do as I recall. Maybe you should try it on Nick cuz I sure didn't get anything out of him," Brian laughed.

Shayla smacked him in the chest and he laughed some more. "Stop it, I don't think so," she said.

"I promise to fill ya in on what I could figure out tomorrow. But right now I get what I want. You still owe me for leaving me in Sweden," Brian said.

"I already made that up to you earlier," she giggled as he kissed her neck and shoulders.

"You left me for two weeks. That means you owe me two weeks worth and I intend to make you pay up," he grinned.

"Oh ok then. Have it your way," Shayla said rolling off him and laying next to him. Brian dove on top of her attacking her with kisses as she squealed and laughed. "I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too," he said.

*The Next Day*

"But I don't want to wait anymore Brian. I don't care if he thinks he can get the truth out of Mandy. It's a bad plan anyway. I don't want this to go on anymore. Whatever he does with Mandy is his business but I don't have to do it anymore. If you don't wanna help me I'll find a way to do it on my own," Shayla said trying to speak softly so McKenzie didn't hear them in the other room. She and Brian were in the kitchen eating breakfast.

"Baby you know I'll help you if that's what you want to do. I told you that from the beginning. I'll help McKenzie too. I don't know what to do. I don't know if we should give Nick the chance or if we should pay her off. It's up to you. I'll do whatever you want me to. My biggest concern is what he's doing to get Mandy to talk. I don't know if he's getting involved with her again or what," Brian said.

"What do you mean?"

"Well I'm not going to keep anything from you and I told him that," Brian said.

"What are you saying? What did he do?" Shayla asked.

"When we were checking out of the hotel in Sweden I saw his phone bill from the room. He'd made several calls to Mandy. One of which was while McKenzie was still there. Then last night when we were outside talking he got a page. I know it was from her cuz he was suddenly having to high tail it out of here," Brian explained.

"What's he doing? Is he seeing her?" Shayla wanted to know.

"I don't know. He said he couldn't tell me or wouldn't tell me, or something like that. But I think he's in over his head."

"Oh I don't believe him. I don't get this at all. You have to talk to him honey. You have to get him to stop before it's too late. If anyone can get through to him, you can," Shayla said rubbing Brian's hand.

"Did I ever tell you that I'm amazed by you?" Brian asked smiling.

"Yeah just last night," she giggled.

"I love you so much," Brian whispered kissing her.

"I love you too baby," she whispered back.

"Alright I'll give it a shot but I don't know if it's gonna do any good," Brian agreed.

"Well here's what I'll do. I'll wait until after you talk to him to decide what I wanna do. Tell him he either tells you everything and then we'll decide if we'll go along with it or else we're just gonna go ahead and settle with Mandy," Shayla said.

"Settle what?" McKenzie asked coming into the room. It was obvious she'd been crying again.

"Oh just some things for Jen's surprise party tomorrow night. Speaking of which, I gotta run. I'm supposed to pick up Kev in 15 minutes to get some stuff for the party," Shayla said jumping up and putting her dishes in the sink.

"Ok baby, I'll see ya later. I love you be careful," Brian said.

"I will, I love you too. Good luck," she said kissing him goodbye. "Bye."

"So how are you doing this morning?" Brian asked McKenzie who sat down with a cup of coffee.

"Alright I guess. Did I hear someone come to the door last night?" McKenzie asked.

"Uh yeah, it was Nick wanting to talk to you," Brian told her.

"What? What was he doing here?" she asked.

"He wanted to explain and he still really wants to work things out," Brian said.

"Well I don't wanna talk to him."

"Don't worry, Shayla told him he couldn't see you and made him leave. But you're gonna have to deal with him soon cuz he'll be at Jen's party tomorrow night," Brian said searching for her reaction.

"I might be going out instead of being at the party. Jen will understand," McKenzie said.

"You go out a lot these days don't you?" Brian asked concerned about how much she was going out and Howie had told him he didn't think the people she was with were good for her.

"Isn't that what people my age do? Go out with their friends," McKenzie replied defiantly.

"Howie was telling me a little about your friends last night. How well do you know them?" Brian asked.

"Pretty well, we all go to the gym together," McKenzie replied.

"Are they into partying a lot?"

"What's with the third degree? Relax Brian, I'm fine. I'm 18 and I don't need a babysitter," McKenzie snapped at him.

"I didn't say you did. We're just worried about you and maybe you're getting mixed up in the wrong crowd. I just think maybe you should think about why it is you're really doing this?"

"I'm doing it to have a good time," McKenzie stated.

"Ok, just be careful," he said. McKenzie only nodded. "Have you given any thought to talking to Nick? I know he really wants to talk to you. He misses you and wants to find a way to make it right."

"It's too late for that. I don't wanna talk to him, I don't wanna see him. The biggest mistake I ever made was getting involved with Nick Carter. Shayla can handle this kind of life, I can't. I just wanna get out of it and lead a normal life." McKenzie got up and walked out.

Brian sat for a minute thinking about what she'd said. Yeah Shayla did seem to handle this kind of life style well. But what if all this becomes too much for her too. Would she feel the same way as McKenzie and want out. He couldn't stand that and couldn't even imagine life without her now. He had to make sure that didn't happen. It was time to go have a talk with Nick and settle this once and for all.

Shayla buzzed the gate at Kevin's. "Yeah," Kevin's voice came through the intercom.

"It's me are you ready to go?" Shayla asked.

"Yeah come on through and I'll be right out," he answered. Shayla drove up the winding driveway to the front door. Kevin and his bodyguard came out and got in the car.

"Hi," Shayla said as Kevin hopped in the front seat next to her.

"Hi sweetheart," he greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. "How ya doin?"

"Ok," she answered.

"That wasn't all that convincing. Something going on?" Kevin asked.

"Oh it's just this stuff with Nick and Mckenzie. They ran into each other last night at Howie's club and he was with Brent and Mandy. McKenzie got upset cuz Mandy was all over Nick and she ran out. Then he showed up at the house and stuff," Shayla said. She continued telling him the rest of the story as they drove to the store.

"Nick needs to get his head out of his ass and forget this whole thing before he gets in too deep with Mandy," Kevin said.

"Yeah well he doesn't seem to see it that way. I don't know but think maybe Mandy still has some sort of hold on him," Shayla said.

"Only because he allows it," Kevin said as they pulled up to the store. They got out and quickly got everything they needed and got out before too many people noticed Kevin.

After a few more stops they were on their way back to drop Kevin off. At the last minute they decided to stop by AJ's so Kevin could pick up a tape of a song so he could take his turn at listening to it so they could decide if they were going to do it and put it on the new album. It was such a last minute decision that Shayla jerked the steering wheel of her jeep hard to make the right turn and that's when it happened. There was a loud scream and everything went dark.

To Chapter 37
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