A month flew at about the pace of an injured snail for our featured friends. Kylie had her new boyfriend, Tyler: the relationship didn't really seem to be progressing anywhere fast but Kylie spent most of her time inspecting the empty void inside of her. For Nick, he didn't have anyone and he spent the whole month in a horribly bitter mood that only eased slightly. But, for the happier people in the story, time flew by like the Concord slicing through the wispy, white clouds. Brian was perfectly fine and healthy after his operation, and he was kept perfectly happy as well by his girlfriend, Lee. AJ and Stephanie were getting it on really well, their relationship was developing faster than a speeding bullet train. After that whole paragraph on velocity, back to our story.
Nick had somehow found out from Brian that Kylie was now dating a guy named Tyler. He knew a Tyler, and he was a real genuine asshole. It hurt him that she had bounced back onto the dating scene so quickly. Although he himself would have predicted it, as he knew perfectly well that Kylie was a definitely beautiful. And he really couldn't blame the guy for liking her, it's just that he was pissed that the guy she was seeing wasn't him. And that he happened to share the same name as a guy who Nick really hated, that was just an unreasonable twist.
Later, Nick found out that this Tyler person did in actually in fact live in Tampa, right in his own town. Now, that for him was cutting it way too close. And after finding out that Tyler's last name was Ferguson, he totally blew his top. Nick hated this guy and anything associated with him, except for Kylie that is. In fact, they used to be sort of casual friends, but after the BJ incident, he understandably hated his guts.
Nick tried calling Kylie, several times. He was so happy to just hear her voice, but every time he tried to bring up the Tyler situation, she'd either switch the subject, or get on his case.
"Look Kylie, I'm telling you honestly, Tyler is not exactly a person you can trust." 'far from it' added Nick in his mind.
"Nick, I appreciate it that you care enough about me to warn me, if this is the actual case, but how do I know that you're just trying to wreck up our relationship?" said Kylie, dead serious.
"Come on, Kylie. I care about you. I just don't want to see you get hurt." confessed Nick.
"What's so bad about Ty, anyway?" asked Kylie. "I mean, he told me that you guys were sorta friends."
"Then something really bad happened. I can't tell you what it is, but she made me promise that I wouldn't tell anyone." said Nick truthfully, he did not intend to defy his sister's wishes.
"See, you can't even tell me what's so bad about him. Look Nick, we had our chance, but it didn't happen." said Kylie firmly.
She could sorta place that Nick was jealous, though he was, unknown to Kylie. It was besides the point. She did still like him, but she just couldn't go back crawling to him now, especially now when she's thinking that Nick is trying to lie to get them to break up.
"Ok, I accept that," said Nick, 'even though I still love you he thought. "But if something happens, I want you to be prepared. I'm trying to warn you here, don't be so naive. Tyler isn't what he appears to be." said Nick.
"Ok Nick, you've warned me. Now, goodbye." said Kylie That was the last time they spoke to each other for a long time. Kylie ended the conversation as quickly as possible, as although she felt so much better to hear Nick's voice, it also hurt.
The Backstreet Boys were given a very well deserved break. Though it was under deserved in the sense that the holiday was a pretty short one: 3 days. Although to Brian, it was not much of a difference, as he was still meant to be recuperating. But now, it was different, he'd been discharged from the hospital, finally. And for the short 3 day stint, it was mutually decided on that the 3 couples, Lee & Brian, AJ & Steph and Kylie & Tyler were to take a trip to Tampa Bay, Florida to visit Nick and his family, and to take the closest thing to a tropical vacation. Plus, it was where Tyler's family lived, and he was anxious to bring his girlfriend home to meet the folks even though they had been only going out for a while.
"Hi Kylie, long time no see." said Nick with a warm, inviting smile, which, then changed to a frown, which he stared at in the mirror. Kylie was coming to his house, alongside the rest of them. This was the first time he was going to see Kylie in months. No matter that she had an asshole of a boyfriend, he was still psyched and as nervous as ever to see her.
"Hey Ky." tried Nick again, smiling his best once again, which turned into a puzzled look as he was so anxious and had no idea how he was going to greet her. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem, but this time, Nick really wanted to be Kylie's friend again. He did not want to blow it again this time. If he couldn't have her as a girlfriend, the least he could have her as a friend. Nick sincerely liked Kylie and did not wish to lose her.
That was when the bell rang. Nick scampered over to the door quickly and took a deep breath before opening the door.
"Hey, Nicky. Long time, no see." greeted Tyler with a big grin on his face as if they were still friends.
Nick was a little annoyed with the Nicky thing. Kylie did find out that Tyler and Nick were old friends, according to Tyler anyway. Somehow, that was a little more comforting to Kylie.
"Hi, Tyler." said Nick, smiling fakely. Then, from behind Tyler came Kylie, as beautiful as ever. "Hi, Kylie. Been a while."
"Yes, it has Nick." Kylie smiled genuinely. She was so glad to see him again. He was looking great.Nick seemed to have wiped the slate clean, and she was ready to handle that. They were then followed by Brian and Lee, and Stephanie and AJ.
After spending an afternoon vegging out at Nick's place, the 3 couples decided to split to their own ways, leaving Nick feeling a little left out. Nick closed the door shut after the last person, Kylie, left. A pang of loneliness stabbed him in the gut. He still loved Kylie, but he couldn't do anything about it.