'Maybe she's in Kenzie's room with her,' he thought to himself. He walked down the hall and knocked on McKenzie's door.

"Whoever it is, go away. I don't feel like talking to anyone," McKenzie shouted from inside the room.

"Kenz, it's AJ. Is Shayla in there with you?"

"No, now go away!"

AJ looked in the spare bedroom but she wasn't there either. He ran back downstairs and searched all the rooms and kitchen. There was still no sign of her. As he passed the door to the garage in the kitchen a bad feeling crept over him.

"Surely she wouldn't take off? She can't drive yet," he muttered to himself out loud.

He opened the door and sure enough her new car was gone. AJ ran out the back door cursing and down to the beach looking for Brian.

"Rok!" AJ yelled seeing Brian and Nick down a little ways arguing. AJ ran towards them.

"What? What is it?" Brian asked. He could tell something was wrong. AJ stopped in front of them bent over and out of breath.

"Shayla, she's gone. She took off in her car," AJ finally spit out.

"What?! What do you mean she's gone? She's not supposed to be driving yet. Why didn't you stop her?" Brian asked.

"I didn't know she was gone. I went inside to talk to her and she was already gone," AJ said. They all took off running back to the house.

"Shayla!" Brian yelled frantically as they ran into the house. He ran to the kitchen and looked into the garage. Her car was still gone.

"Great!" Brian shouted. "God, I hope she doesn't have another accident. She can't drive yet with her ribs not fully healed yet."

"I'm sorry man," Nick said. Brian didn't say anything, he just gave him a look.

"I'm gonna call Kevin. Maybe she went to Jen's. AJ try her cell phone," Brian said picking up the phone. Kevin told him he'd already picked up Jen and Shayla hadn't been there and they hadn't heard from her.

"She's not answering her cell phone," AJ said.

"You don't think she'd go over to Mandy's do you?" Nick asked with a look of panic.

"She better not have. I'll kill her," Brian said.

"Nah, she wouldn't do that. Would she?" AJ asked.

Brian looked a little worried. He went to the bottom of the stairs. "McKenzie I need you down her now!" Brian yelled. There was no answer and she didn't come down. "It's an emergency, NOW!!" Brian shouted angrily. He heard the door to her bedroom open so he returned to the kitchen. "Nick go in the other room and call Mandy and see if Shayla's there or been there," Brian ordered. Nick obeyed and left the room.

"What's the big emergency?" McKenzie asked sulking into the room.

"Did Shayla say anything to you about where she was going?" Brian asked.

"Going where? She can't drive yet," McKenzie said confused.

"No shit! That's why this is an emergency," AJ said.

"She took off when she found out about Nick and Mandy and that I knew about it. You don't think she would've gone over there do you?" Brian asked.

"I don't know, you know how riled up she can get. Wait a second, you knew about this and didn't tell her? You didn't tell me? If she's smart she'll stay gone," McKenzie said starting to yell.

"Now look I didn't......" Brian was stopped when Nick came back in the kitchen. Brian looked at him for an answer. Nick glanced at McKenzie and didn't want to say who he'd just called so he looked at Brian and shook his head no.

"You just called her didn't you?" McKenzie shouted at Nick. Nick looked down at the floor. "You make me sick. I can't believe I ever trusted you or had feelings for you. I hate you and never, ever wanna see you again as long as I live!" she screamed and ran out of the room. Her words tore Nick's heart to pieces.

"Ok, let's concentrate on figuring out where she would've gone," Brian said. He picked up the phone and tried her cell phone again.

"What's that? Do you hear a phone ringing?" AJ asked. They all listened for a minute.

"It's coming from the other room," Nick said.

"Dammit! Her cell phone is in the other room. She didn't take it with her," Brian said getting angry.

"Chill out buddy. I'm sure she's ok. She's probably just driving around to blow off steam. She'll be back soon," Nick said.

"Nick she's out there driving around, which she shouldn't be doing yet, so she's probably in pain and not driving very well. Plus she's mad so she's not thinking and to top it off, she has no security with her in case she gets into a situation," Brian shouted.

"Come on Bri, try to relax. You're just thinking the worst because you're upset. Nick's right, she's probably fine. She just needed to blow off steam," AJ said.

"Yeah well I'm gonna blow off some steam all over her ass when she gets back here. If she comes back," Brian said slumping into a chair.

Brian jumped back up quickly when the phone rang. AJ was standing by the phone and reached it first.

"Hello," AJ answered.

"Hey buddy, I was just checking to see what's going on over there. Have you guys heard from Shayla yet? I don't wanna bring Jen over for a party with all this going on," Kevin said. AJ shook his head no at Brian that it wasn't Shayla.

"Nah man, nothing yet and she left her cell phone here so we can't even try to get in touch with her," AJ said.

"Ok, call me if she comes back or ya hear from her. We're gonna go to Howie's club for a while for a few birthday drinks for Jen. I'm not going to tell her what's going on yet cuz I don't wanna ruin the surprise if I don't have to," said Kevin.

"Ok man, if she calls you guys be sure to let us know," AJ said hanging up.

"They still haven't heard from her either huh?" Brian asked.

"Nope, they're going to Tabu for a while to waste time in hopes this blows over," AJ told him. The doorbell rang and they all jumped. "I'll get it, it's probably Kimmy," AJ said looking at his watch.

AJ came back to the kitchen with Kimmy. She looked around the room and saw all the solemn faces and Brian slumped in the chair with a worried look on his face.

"What's going on? This doesn't look much like a party," Kimmy said.

"You didn't happen to see or hear from Shayla did ya?" Brian asked.

"No, why?" asked Kimmy.

"It's a long story," AJ said. "Come on let's go in the other room and I'll fill ya in," he said. He grabbed them each a beer and led her into the living room.

"I can't just sit here and wait. Maybe I should go look for her," Brian said getting up from his chair.

"Where are you gonna go? You can't just drive around, she could be anywhere. You should just wait. I'm sure she'll be back soon," Nick told him.

"She could be in an accident Nick. Or getting mobbed or chased by fans or god knows what. I can't believe she went out without security. She knows better," Brian said beginning to yell. He picked up his chair and slammed it down on the floor.

AJ and Kimmy wandered back into the kitchen after AJ told her what had happened. They sat down at the table next to Nick. Kimmy glared at Nick for what he had done.

"I'm sorry Bri, I'm sure she's ok though. Try not to worry," Kimmy said.

"I'm gonna go try and talk to Kenzie," Nick said.

"I don't know if that's a good idea," Brian told him.

"I don't care. I have to. The worst she can do is throw me out again," Nick mumbled as he left the room.

"Or kill him," AJ chuckled. As Nick disappeared they heard the sound of a car pulling into the garage.

Brian ran to the door and yanked it open. He was relieved to see it was Shayla but also angry. "Oh thank God! What the hell do you think you were doing?" he yelled running to help her out of the car.

"I just need to go think. It was just a little drive, no big deal," Shayla said wincing in pain as he helped her into the house. AJ jumped up and got on the other side of her to help Brian. They sat her in a chair in the living room and both glared at her.

"No big deal! We've been worried sick Shayla!" Brian shouted.

"Don't yell at me," Shayla shouted as her eyes welled up with tears.

"I can't believe you went out like that," Brian yelled pacing in front of her. "You know you're not supposed to be driving yet and you definitely know better than to be out like that without security. What if you had gotten into a situation with the fans in your condition?"

"Oh Brian relax. You worry too much about that. I'm fine, nothing happened."

"You get trampled sometime or something happens and then we'll see if you think it's worrying over nothing," Brian yelled.

"Why didn't you tell someone where you were going or at least take your cell phone? We really were worried babe," AJ said.

"I'm sorry, but I just...."

"Oh save it Shayla, there's no excuse for you're taking off like that," Brian shouted getting red in the face. He was so angry at having been so worried about her he wasn't thinking straight. Shayla couldn't believe how mad he was getting. She'd never seen him like this. But as far as she was concerned he had no right to treat her like that after what he'd done.

"Rok, come on man. She's ok. Let's just leave it alone," AJ said thinking he was getting a little carried away.

Shayla jumped up from the couch not caring about the pain it caused her. "What there's no excuse for is your lying to me and keeping something from me. Don't even make this out to be about what I did because I wouldn't have even left if you hadn't done what you did," Shayla yelled.

"Well at least I didn't have you sitting here worrying if you were ok or if you were out somewhere getting mobbed by fans or lying in a ditch somewhere because you'd been in another accident. I almost lost you once Shayla. I don't wanna go through that again," Brian yelled back.

"Brian I wasn't gonna have an accident. You're gonna have to let me drive again sometime ya know," Shayla said.

"But you're not supposed to be driving yet," Brian and AJ both yelled at the same time.

"You can barely walk around yet, you should never have been driving," Brian told her.

"Now you're going to gang up on me too?" she asked AJ. "How can you take his side on this? I can't believe you agree with him lying to me."

"I never said that," AJ said. "I said you shouldn't be driving because you shouldn't and we were very worried about your safety. You didn't give him the chance to explain though. I think you need to hear him out and hear what he has to say about it."

"I don't wanna hear what he has to say," Shayla snapped. She turned to look at Brian. "I'm not giving you the chance to turn into Nick and just give me some lie or excuse to keep you out of trouble so you can just keep doing this. You wanna go along with this and help him, go ahead. But don't expect me to stick around for the gruesome ending," Shayla took off upstairs and slammed the bedroom door.

"Oh my god, I don't believe this," Brian sighed shaking his head. He looked worn out.

"She's just upset buddy. She'll some around. She doesn't mean all that," AJ said patting Brian on the shoulder.

"Yes she does and I deserve it. I screwed up big time on this one," Brian said sadly.

"Brian this is your guys first real fight and you guys love each other. You'll be able to work it out," Kimmy said.

"I don't know. AJ, call Kevin and tell him she's back and cancel the party. I don't think tonights the best time for it," Brian said. "I'm gonna go talk to her."

"Ok buddy," AJ said.

"I guess McKenzie did kill Nick cuz I haven't heard any screaming from up there," Brian chuckled half heartedly as he left the room.

*Meantime*

Nick didn't bother knocking on McKenzie's door because he knew she'd just tell him to go away. He walked in closing the door behind him. McKenzie was sitting in the window seat staring out the window crying and turned to see who walked in. Nick felt her pain when he looked into her tear filled eyes. She turned away and stared back out the window.

"Nick go away. I don't wanna talk to you," McKenzie said.

"McKenzie please, I want to explain this. It's not what you think," Nick said sitting next to her.

"I can't believe you're seeing her again. How could you do that? I meant absolutely nothing to you did I?" she asked.

"Baby you mean everything to me. You're my world. I can't stand being without you," Nick said sincerely.

"You seem to be filling the void with no problem," McKenzie shot sarcastically.

"No, I'm not baby. I miss you so much I feel like I can't even breathe sometimes. I miss your touch, your smile, I miss your lips on mine when we kiss," he said stroking her cheek. His eyes welled up and he fought back the tears not wanting to cry in front of her. He couldn't hold them though and a few slid down his cheeks.

"Did you sleep with her Nick?"

"No, of course not," he responded.

"I don't believe you. I don't trust anything you say anymore," she told him which tore at his heart.

"McKenzie I swear to you, I did not sleep with her."

"Why are you doing this to me? Why are you trying to make up if you're still trying to go through with this stupid plan and after what you said to me in Sweden. You were so hateful to me and I don't think I can forgive you for that. But what I really can't forgive you for is being with her again," McKenzie said.

"I'm so sorry for everything I did and said to you that night. I just felt like you were being unreasonable and I felt like I was doing the right thing and that you weren't standing by me," Nick said.

"I wasn't standing by you? You're the one who wasn't standing by me," she cried.

"I know and I'm sorry. There's more to it than that and I'm so sorry I had to do it and I pray to god you'll forgive me and take me back," Nick pleaded with her.

"What are you talking about? What do you mean there's more to it than that?"

"When you got mad and threatened me, I decided maybe it would be best to let you break up with me because then it would be more believable to Mandy that I was interested in her again and she would trust me more. I hated having to do that to you. It killed me to do it and say those things and I didn't tell anybody what I was doing. Not even Brian and now I'm dealing with him being angry too. I didn't tell him what was really going on until yesterday and I came here tonight to tell everyone, but mostly you, it's over. Brent told me last night what really happened that night and that he remembered everything. We confronted her and she admitted she caused that accident on purpose," Nick explained.

"What are you saying?" McKenzie asked surprised.

Nick pulled out a small tape recorder from his pocket and pushed play. They proceeded to listen to Mandy confessing the whole thing about driving into the telephone pole on purpose to make McKenzie and Shayla pay for embarassing her at the club that night and make Nick feel sorry for her.

"It's over, she's dropped the lawsuit, she has to make a public statement apologizing to you and Shayla and admit what she did and I don't have to do this anymore," Nick said.

"But you expect me to just forget about you being willing to be with her just to get this information? I don't think so. The fact still remains that you knew I didn't want you to do it and you did it anyway and then you were willing to be with her to get the information. God only knows what you did with her," McKenzie said.

"I told you, I did not sleep with her."

"What did you do though? Did you hold her hand, did you touch her or let her touch you? Did you kiss her? Just how far did you let it go? You may not have actually slept with her but you could've done everything leading up to it," she said tears flowing from her eyes as she thought about the two of them together.

Nick lowered his head and didn't say anything. McKenzie knew the answer. The tears now rolled down Nick's face freely from the guilt he felt for what he'd done.

"I can't forgive you for that Nick. I'll never forgive you for that. I should've known better than to get involved with you. I should've listened when people told me not to get involved with someone like you," she said cutting him like a knife.

"McKenzie I'm so sorry. I love you so much, please take me back. I'm totally lost without you," Nick said wiping the tears from his face.

"Well, I'm sure you won't be lost for long. You have Mandy now. I'm sure she'll take you back."

"I don't want her, I want you. It killed me to let her touch me and it totally repulsed me to let her kiss me, but I did it for you because I thought I had to. I know it was wrong and I should've just listened to you and not done it, but I can't change it now. All I can do is promise that I never stopped loving you and promise that from the bottom of my heart, I swear to never do anything like this again. Please baby, I love you so much," Nick grabbed her face and placed his lips on hers.

McKenzie pushed him away and jumped to her feet. "Stop it Nick! I think you should go. I want you to leave and I don't want to see you ever again," she said pointing to the door.

Nick stood up. "Fine, I'll go. But I'm not giving up on us. I want you back. I need you in my life and I won't ever stop trying to get you back. This isn't over Kenz." He turned and walked out of the room. He said goodbye to AJ and Kimmy and left.

*In Brian & Shayla's Room*

Brian walked in and found Shayla throwing his clothes into a suitcase. He walked over and grabbed the clothes from her and picked up the suitcase and threw it on the floor.

"Sit down," he ordered taking her by the arms and forcing her to sit on the bed. Shayla huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I have nothing to say to you. I think we should break up. This isn't going to work out," Shayla said not really meaning it or wanting it.

"No, I'm not going to let you do this. We can work this out. I love you and I know you love me. Don't you?" Brian asked.

"Of course I love you, I just don't tru....."

"Don't say it," Brian stopped her. "Don't tell me that because I can't bear it and it's also hard to take back."

"I can't believe you didn't tell me he was seeing Mandy. You promised me you wouldn't keep any of this from me," Shayla cried.

"I know, I didn't mean to and I really was going to tell you. I just hadn't gotten around to it yet," Brian said.

"What the hell were you waiting for? An invitation?" she yelled.

"God, would you please calm down and stop the yelling? I can't stand the yelling," Brian snapped.

"Tough!" she shouted.

"Ok, look, this is our first fight and I think we need to just relax and calm down and talk it out. We can't do that though unless you're willing to listen to me and not start yelling. Now can you do that?"

"I guess so," she reluctantly agreed. "But you were yelling at me first ya know."

Brian rolled his eyes then chuckled to himself. She always had to get the last word in. "Ok," he said sitting down next to her on the bed. "Now, Nick just finally told me about seeing her yesterday when we were at the studio. I didn't know until then and I had a long talk with him about how wrong he was. I swear I wanted to tell you about it when I came hom but McKenzie was always around and I didn't want to upset her and then I didn't want to tell you when we went to bed because I didn't want you mad and upset when we're getting ready to go to bed. Then I didn't get a chance to tell you today because of going to get your car and the party. I realize now that I should've just told you yesterday. I swear I wasn't keeping it from you on purpose. I just was waiting for the right time," he explained.

"There's no reason you couldn't have just pulled me aside and told me yesterday. The thing is, is you were going along with this whole thing," she said.

"I know I should've told you, but no, I wasn't going along with it. I told you I told him it was wrong. But I can't force him to do what I want or think is right. He's gonna do whatever he wants and he's probably paid a high price for it. Even though he told me tonight it's over, he's probably lost McKenzie for good and he knows it and he's hurting," Brian said.

"What do you mean it's over?"

"He came here tonight to tell everyone it's over. Brent remembered what happened that night and they got Mandy to confess on tape. But he didn't plan on McKenzie finding out like that."

"I don't think he planned on her finding out he was with her at all," Shayla said.

"I don't know, but he knew I would tell you so I'm sure he figured you'd tell her. Can you please forgive me? I'm so sorry I didn't tell you right away. I should have and I promise next time I'll tell you right away when I know something. Please, I love you too much and I couldn't bear it if you leave me. I see how heartbroken Nick is over McKenzie. I don't want to be that heartbroken too," Brian said. He lifted her chin and looked into her tear filled eyes. She could see how sad he was and how sorry he felt and how much he loved her.

"Oh Brian, I love you so much," she said wrapping her arms around him and hugging him. "I'm so sorry for being so angry with you. I didn't mean it when I said I wanted to break up. I couldn't stand being without you."

Brian hugged her gently not wanting to hurt her ribs. He breathed a sigh of relief. "I love you too and I'm so sorry." He pulled back and wiped the tears falling from her eyes and kissed her long and hard. He smiled at her when he pulled away. "But don't you ever take off like that and scare me like that again. Got it!" he said as they laughed and she promised not to do that again and they kissed again.

To Chapter 42
Home
Back To Main Fanfic Page