“OK Libs,” Nick said as he got her alone that evening. “So you don’t love me right now, I’ll live. I mean, that stuff comes with time and I’m just a fast learner I guess.”
“Nick…” she tried to interrupt but he carried on talking.
“So, we’ll just carry on the way we were and then when you feel ready – just let me know and we’ll move things up a level.”
“It doesn’t work that way Nick.”
“Sure it does. It worked before.”
“I didn’t know how you felt before,” she said. “And now that I do… Well, it would be wrong of me to keep dating you. You deserve better than that. And I can’t get Paul out of my system if I’m worrying about hurting you any more than I already have.”
“Can’t we just pretend I never said those words?”
“But you did. Those aren’t words you can take back Nick. And you shouldn’t have to,” she sighed. “And how do you know you’re not in this cos you feel sorry for me. You just wanna be somebody’s hero.”
“That’s not true,” Nick stared at her. “Anyway there’s nothin’ wrong with having somebody be your hero. I need a hero. The world needs heroes.”
“Not MY world,” she said.
“So that’s it? Over?”
“I’m sorry…”
“Ok, you know what?” he interrupted angrily. “Maybe I DID feel sorry for you.”
He walked out and left her alone.
“I thought the nightmares mighta stopped by now,” said Kevin as he stroked his sister’s damp hair on the third consecutive night.
“I know. I’m sorry Kevin.”
“But they did stop right?”
“Uh, not exactly,” she looked at him warily. “Nick used to sneak in my room after you’d gone to bed. We never did anything,” she added quickly as Kevin’s eyes darkened. “He would just climb into bed and fall asleep holding me. And whenever they started, he would hold me tighter and they would go away.”
“But now there’s no more Nick,” Kevin said. “I never knew he did all that for you. It’s sad…” he stopped himself.
“Yeah, I know. I should’ve loved him back but you can tell your heart to do things.”
“Ain’t that the truth.”
A knock on the door made them both jump slightly and Kevin crossed the room to open it.
“Could we put the screamin’ on the downlow?” asked a ratty Nick.
“Nick,” Kevin warned. “You know Libby can’t help it.”
“Well, she could get a room far away from me.”
“Sorry Nick,” Libby sat up in bed and he looked at her quickly before glancing away guiltily.
He hadn’t come here meaning to upset her. He just wanted to crawl into her bed and hold her again but Kevin was here. It wasn’t even her who had woken him. He always woke in the night now, wondering whether she was having that dream again.
“I’ll make sure I get a separate floor to you in the next place.”
“That would be a plan,” Nick muttered before Kevin gripped his arm and marched him outside, shutting the door behind them. “Wha?”
“You know,” Kevin said. “I’m sorry you got hurt by the whole situation but it’s not exactly her fault she can’t sleep through a whole night without having a nightmare. So I suggest you keep your barbed comments to yourself.”
“It wasn’t the SITUATION that hurt me…” Nick started angrily.
“Nick, you knew what you were going into. It was obvious you were rebound guy.”
“Rebound guy?!” Nick exclaimed. “Y’know what Kevin? Your precious sister never exactly made that clear to me. All I did was fall in love with her. Is that so bad? She’s the bad guy in this so will you stop givin’ me those stupid fuckin’ glares of yours?!” He walked off, slamming his room door.
Kevin sighed heavily and walked back into Libby’s room. She was still sitting up in bed.
“You’re too hard on him,” she said.
“He needs to grow up,” Kevin responded sitting beside her.
“Maybe but I hurt him.”
“Yeah, you did,” Kevin agreed.
“So maybe you could cut him some slack?” she reached for his hand.
“I try but you’re my sister Libs,” he smiled at her. “I’m always gonna take your side. Even if you’re in the wrong.”
“And I’m in the wrong here huh?”
“Yeah, you should’ve told him what you wanted. But you didn’t mean to hurt him and he’ll see that,” Kevin told her. “Eventually.”
“Will I be around long enough to see that eventually?” Libby asked wryly and Kevin chuckled.
“I sure hope so.”
“No, I can’t do it!” Brian hopped from foot to foot and bolted for the door. “I gotta get out of here!” He disappeared and the door shut behind him.
“Wuss,” Libby said. Kevin and Howie chuckled. “Ah, this is heaven,” she stretched out on the bench and leant against the wall. “Whoever thought up this sauna idea is a genius.”
“That would be me,” grinned Howie.
“I meant, the inventor or are you secretly Swedish?” Libby teased him and he laughed.
“I thought you meant who thought up this lil session.”
“That was also genius,” she admitted. “I haven’t had a sauna in ages.”
“Me either,” sighed Kevin happily. “I could do with one of these after every show.”
“Aw, the old muscles startin’ to give out on ya?” Libby teased wickedly and Kevin threw a towel at her. She folded it under her head. “Thanks, I needed a cushion.”
“Okies, I’m back,” Brian shut the door behind him and immediately started fanning his face as the other three laughed. “Oh boy.”
“Kinda warm huh?” grinned Howie.
“How do you BREATHE?” Brian gasped before opening the door to run outside again. Nick blocked his way and Brian pushed him aside. “Move it blondie!”
“Gee, thanks bro,” Nick called after him and shut the door before sitting on a bench. “What’s with him?”
“He can’t stand the heat,” grinned Howie.
“So he got outta the kitchen,” added Libby and Nick looked at her.
“Oh, uh, I didn’t see you there.”
“No? Well, I guess I do blend into the bench a little,” Libby said a bit sharply.
“Yeah, you’re just so damn noticeable,” Nick shot back and stood up. “I’ll be leavin’ now I think.”
“Sit down Nick,” Kevin ordered. “And stop bein’ so childish.”
“Me?!” Nick stared at him.
“BOTH of you.”
“You can’t call me childish,” Nick muttered.
“Well sit down then,” Kevin said and leant against the wall, closing his eyes.
“Whatever,” Nick sat down and there was an uncomfortable silence before Libby stood up.
“Uh, I’m kinda done here,” she said as Kevin opened an eye to look at her.
“You’ve only been in here like three minutes,” protested Howie.
“Sit down Libby,” Kevin said wearily.
“But I…”
“You want me to call you childish?” he asked and she sat down without another word. “That’s great. You two can just sit here and behave like the adults you’re supposed to be.”
“Whatever,” Libby muttered and folded her arms.
“So, whoever thought up this sauna thing huh?” Howie said lightly. “Hot coals, wood, water, benches, people, door… Whew…” He glanced around at everybody and gave up. Kevin was propped against a wall with his eyes closed. Nick was staring at the floor with a sulky expression on his face. Libby was lying on a bench with her arms folded stubbornly. Howie sighed lightly and closed his eyes, imagining he was on a tropical beach somewhere.
“Ah, that’s me fully roasted,” said Kevin standing up ten minutes later. “I’m gonna shower and hit the pool. Anybody with me?”
“I can last a couple minutes more,” said Howie.
“Gee, hardcore sauna guy,” Libby laughed.
“That’s me,” he grinned.
“I’m good too,” she told her brother and Nick nodded.
“Ok, well I’ll be in the pool.” Kevin left the room.
Around five minutes later, Howie headed to the door. “I’m outta here guys. You two ok?”
“I’m fine,” Nick shot Libby a challenging glare and she straightened up.
“Me too. This is nothing.”
“Uh, well don’t stay in too long huh? You’ll get dehydrated,” warned Howie before leaving.
“You don’t have to stay in cos of me,” Nick said.
“I’m not,” Libby replied.
They sat in the sauna in total silence – both too stubborn to leave before the other, yet both beginning to find the heat overwhelming. Finally, the door opened and Kevin strode in.
“Ok, you two get out.”
“Wha?” Nick looked up.
“I’m fine,” Libby protested.
“Any longer and you’ll resemble a pair of prunes,” Kevin said before grabbing their arms and pulling them towards him.
“Hey!” Nick said angrily as he was yanked outside along with Libby.
“I’m not a…”
“Child?” Kevin finished off Libby’s protest with a raised eyebrow. “Coulda fooled me.”
Any further protest that either Libby or Nick had been about to make was forgotten in the sudden rush of cool air to their lungs. They both sighed in relief and then headed off in separate directions to shower. Kevin watched them go. Honestly, it was like having two children to look after.