Chapter 44
The shows in Phoenix went really well and everyone was happier then they’d been in some time. Kryss got started on Tyler’s wedding gown and everyone settled into their new jobs.
On the way to Los Angeles, Tyler became extremely sick. They had just crossed the line into the city when it hit her.
"Kev, I don’t feel good."
Kevin looked up from what he was doing. "Baby, you’re really pale. What..."
Before Kevin could get the question out, Tyler bolted for the bathroom to get sick. Kevin followed her in there and when she was done, she leaned back on his legs.
"Baby, what do you need?"
"A bed," said Tyler weakly.
"I take it this isn’t morning sickness."
"I don’t think so."
Kevin helped Tyler to the bed and then sat beside her holding her hand. He felt her forehead and said, "Baby, you’re burning up."
Tyler closed her eyes. "I feel like I’ve been run over. I just want to sleep."
When they got to the hotel, Kevin carried Tyler in while he had Carlos and ‘Bull’ get their things for him. The others became concerned when they saw Tyler and even suggested she go to the ER but Tyler insisted she would be okay.
Tyler spent the next day in bed or in the bathroom getting sick. Kevin stayed with her as much as possible but he had the rehearsal and shows to do. When he left, Sonja and Kryss stayed with her. He didn’t like it much but there wasn’t anything he could do about it. Tyler assured him that she would be okay and not to worry.
The night before Tyler’s birthday, she had managed to keep some soup down and was sitting on the couch when Kevin came back from the show. Sonja and Kryss were with her.
Kevin went to her and gave her a kiss. "How are you, baby?"
"Weak but I’ll live."
Nick, AJ, and Howie had followed Kevin into the room. Nick started to whine that he wanted to go out to a club, just the guys, but Kevin wasn’t listening. Brian wasn’t going to go unless Kevin went and Kevin was intent on staying with Tyler.
Tyler took Kevin’s hand. "Why don’t you go, ‘Boo’? You need some time with the guys and Kryss and Sonja are here with me. I’ll be fine."
"But you need me."
"Whether I’m sick or not, I will always need you. Go on and have fun. You guys need to have some time together without us tagging along."
Kryss and Sonja agreed with Tyler.
Kevin looked at Tyler, "Are you sure, baby?"
"GO HAVE FUN!" said Tyler as she gave him a kiss.
The guys left together and when they were gone, Kryss pulled out Tyler’s wedding gown.
"Do you feel up to trying this on?"
Tyler’s eyes widened, "You’re done?"
"No, not quite. I need to make some adjustments but you have to try it on first."
Tyler tried it on and Kryss pinned where she needed to. Sonja and Kryss both had to help Tyler get it off and then as Kryss worked on it, they all talked about the wedding and the guys.
Still weak from being sick, Tyler fell asleep on the couch and Kryss and Sonja left her where she was.
Around four in the morning, Kevin came in and he was extremely drunk. He fell into the chair beside the couch waking Tyler.
Tyler sat up sleepily and looked at him. His head was laid back and his legs stretched out in front of him.
"Kevin."
Without moving, "Huh?"
"Are you okay?"
"Sure, baby...just make the room stop spinning."
Tyler laughed, "How much did you have to drink?"
"A lot."
"Well duh! You’re drunk."
"More than Brian and less than AJ."
"That tells me a whole lot," said Tyler sarcastically.
"I lost count."
"What were you drinking?"
"Tequila shots.....lots of tequila shots."
"KEVIN SCOTT."
"Baby, don’t yell!"
"Sorry...Can you make it to the bed?"
"I doubt it. I didn’t make it up here without ‘Bull’s’ help."
"Want me to help you?" Kevin finally lifted his head and Tyler realized how drunk he was. "On second thought. Just stay put. I’ll get the trash can for you in case you have to throw up."
Tyler went to get the trashcan and set it beside him. As she was getting ready to go to bed, Kevin took her in his arms and pulled her into his lap. Tyler was amazed at how strong he was despite being extremely drunk. He kissed her hard and held her close.
Tyler could smell the alcohol on his breath but what upset her was the perfume that she could smell. She recognized the brand but couldn’t place where she knew it from. It was a scent that really irritated her and she couldn’t figure out why. She looked into his eyes but they were half shut and she figured he wasn’t going to be able to tell him about the perfume then.
"Baby, I love you," said Kevin.
The way Kevin said it, Tyler knew something was up. "Kevin, what happened tonight?"
Kevin didn’t answer though because he had passed out. Tyler looked at him and decided to go to bed. She figured he’d eventually come to and come to bed so she got a blanket off the couch, covered him up, kissed him on the forehead, and went to bed.
The next morning, Kevin woke when Brian came in and started shaking him gently. "Kevin, get up! You were suppose to go to breakfast with Tyler and Howie this morning."
Kevin rubbed his face and ran his hands through his hair. "Thanks, Bri. What time is it?"
"Ten!"
"Where’s Tyler?"
"I don’t know. Did you tell her about last night?"
"I can’t remember."
"I certainly hope you did."
Kevin shook his head. "Damn! I don’t want to ruin today for her."
"Maybe she’ll understand," said Brian as Tyler came into the room. Seeing the look on her face, Brian mumbled, "And maybe she won’t."
Tyler slammed the door and Kevin cringed because of the hangover. "Where have you been?" he asked.
"Breakfast...with Howie and Kryss...for my birthday."
Kevin remembered Howie telling him and said, "Baby, I’m sorry."
Tyler gave him a dirty look and Brian said, "I’ll catch you two later. Happy birthday, Tyler."
"Thanks, Bri," said Tyler as Brian gave her a hug.
Brian left and Kevin said, "I’m going to get a shower and change."
Snidely, Tyler said, "Yeah, that perfume doesn’t go too well with your cologne and the tequila."
Kevin hung his head as Tyler went out onto the balcony. He looked out at her as she leaned against the rail. He knew she was hurt but he also had to wonder what Howie had told her. He decided to get cleaned up first and then repair the damages.
While Kevin was taking his shower, AJ came over to talk to Tyler. Tyler let him in and they went out onto the balcony again.
"What’s up, AJ?"
"What do you know about last night?"
"I know that Kevin got extremely drunk and ‘Bull’ had to help him back to the room. I also know that he reeked of some bimbo’s perfume. Want to tell me what happened?"
"Nope! Not my place."
"That’s what Howie said. Then why are you here?"
"Because I came over here to make sure that you LISTEN to Kevin BEFORE you blow your cool."
"What happened, Alex?"
"There you go again calling me Alex. It isn’t going to soften me up."
Tyler laughed, "Okay! I’m sorry."
"Look, it’s not my place to tell you what happened. All I’m going to say is Kevin is not completely at fault here and he LOVES you. All the way back this morning, all he could say was how much he loved you and that he never wanted to hurt you."
"Did he sleep with her?"
"No! He never left the bar or our table area other than to dance."
"Did he want to leave?"
Kevin answered, "No. AJ, go on and let me talk to Tyler."
AJ gave Tyler a kiss on the cheek and whispered, "Happy birthday, Ty."
Tyler watched AJ leave and then turned back around to look out at the city. She knew this had to be serious for AJ to come over and talk to her. She also knew that she’d never be able to maintain control if she looked at Kevin so that’s why she looked out at the city.
Kevin moved to her, put his hands on her shoulders, and Tyler leaned against his chest. She still wouldn’t look at him when Kevin asked, "What have the guys told you?"
"Nothing. I knew something was up when you came home last night and I could smell the perfume on you. There was also the way you kissed me and told me you loved me," said Tyler as she put her hands on his. "Are you going to explain or try to brush it away?"
"I’m going to explain...if you’ll listen."
"I’m listening."
"There were a lot of girls there and we were dancing with them when Kristen showed up."
Kevin felt Tyler tense at the mention of Kristen’s name. She pulled away from him and still wouldn’t look at him.
"Baby, please look at me," begged Kevin as he turned her to face him.
Tyler looked at Kevin, burst into tears, and took off. Kevin went after her but she left the room, slamming the door behind her.
"Damnit!" said Kevin as he hit the closed door with his fist.
