Chapter 48
In the limo, Tyler and Kevin changed clothes. Kevin had packed her a pair of jeans, a lacy white tank top, and her tennis shoes. For himself, he had his jeans, a white wife beater, and his boots. He also had his Kentucky baseball cap that he put on backwards. Tyler loved this look on him as much as she loved seeing him dressed up and when she was dressed, she leaned to him and gave him a kiss.
"You look so good," said Tyler.
"So do you. Are you going to wear your pearls?"
"No," said Tyler as she took them off. She handed them to him and
he put them back in the box and stuck them in the bag with their other clothes.
"’Boo’, people are going to recognize you tonight."
"Because I’m with a beautiful woman," said Kevin as he took her in
his arms.
"When am I going to get the rest of my birthday presents?"
"When the right time gets here," teased Kevin. "Be patient."
"NO!" pouted Tyler.
Kevin laughed and said, "Okay! I’ll give one of them to you now. Two of them are investments."
"Really?"
Reaching into his back pocket, Kevin pulled out a business card and handed it
to Tyler. "This has been in the works for quite some time, almost a year,
but Chris called while you were sick to let me know that it was final. Tadpole
Incorporated is a reality and soon, it’ll include Tadpole Records."
Tyler was speechless as she looked at the card. She looked up at Kevin as tears
rolled down her cheeks.
Kevin wiped the tears away as he said, "You and I own 51% of the company and each of the guys owns 5%. The rest has been set up for our future children, including the one you’re caring now."
"But Kevin, this is your dream!"
"Baby, you’re my dream and without you in my life, none of this would be worth having."
"What about you? How much of this is yours?"
"Well, there’s the 51%. It’s in both our names and we have to agree on whatever is done."
"That won’t be a problem for me," said Tyler as she kissed Kevin.
At the amusement park, Carlos followed Kevin and Tyler to the gate but Kevin stopped him there,. "Carlos, we’ll be okay. Wait at the car for us."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. Go on."
The couple went in and surprisingly, Kevin wasn’t mobbed. People did recognize him and spoke to him but it was as though everyone understood that he was trying to enjoy himself and have a normal night out with his fiancé.
The couple started at one side of the park and worked their way though the rides and attractions. Kevin played the games for Tyler trying to win her stuffed animals and other things. When he would win something, Tyler would insist that he autograph it and give it to the next fan they passed. The one thing she did keep was a ‘wildcat’ for the Kentucky Wildcats.
In the Tunnel of Love, Kevin held her close and started kissing on her neck as the ride got started. Tyler laughed because his mustache tickled. They made out throughout the entire ride like all the other couples.
Before getting off the ride, Kevin looked at Tyler and said, "Baby, I hope you don’t mind but I...uh...I left a hickey on you neck."
"Kevin! What am I going to do when I go on stage?" said Tyler pretending to be mad at him.
Kevin tucked his head like he was hurt that she was fussing at him and he said, "I’m sorry, baby. I got carried away. You taste so sweet!"
Tyler smiled and kissed him. "That’s okay, ‘Boo’. I’ll cover it with make-up."
Kevin laughed and helped Tyler off the ride. "One last ride and let’s go for the walk on the beach."
Kevin led Tyler to the carousel and helped her onto a horse but he stood beside her. As the ride began, Kevin pulled a picture from his pocket and handed it to her.
"What’s this, ‘Boo’?"
"Your gift."
Tyler looked at it and said, "It’s a horse."
"Very good, baby," teased Kevin. "And it’s not just any horse. The man who owns him, John Oxley, has a farm next to mine.... ours, and one day a while back, I was talking to his trainer about starting my own horse farm. He mentioned that Mr. Oxley was looking for investors and it would be a good way for me to get my foot in the door. Chris put the deal together and we, you and I, own 10 shares in this horse, Monarchos, and we get the first foal. Mr. Ward said he’d help me get some others as well. As soon as our schedule allows, he’s going to take us to a horse auction to pick up some more, depending on how well Monarchos does at the Kentucky Derby."
"OH MY GOD! This is awesome. Are we going to the Kentucky Derby?"
"We’ll be in South America for that part of the tour but if you want, you can stay in Kentucky for it and then fly down to meet us afterwards."
"I’ll have to think about it but I’d rather go with you," said Tyler as she leaned to kiss Kevin. "This is awesome, Kev. I can’t believe you put my name on all this."
"Baby, I told you, without you, none of this means anything to me. I want our future and our children’s futures secure. I’m not going to be a Backstreet Boy forever but I want to stay in music. The stables and horses are a way to relax."
The ride had stopped and Kevin took Tyler by the waist to help her down. They left the park holding hands and headed to the limo. Kevin slipped his shirt and watch off handing them to Carlos.
As he started to take his boots off, Kevin looked up at Tyler and said, "You need to take your shoes and socks off too, baby."
Tyler took her shoes off, put them in the limo, and then took Kevin’s hand. "’Boo’, what are we doing? You’ve taken off your shirt and we’re both barefooted."
Kevin was holding her hands and put his arms around her so that her hands were behind her back and kissed her. Then he whispered, "I thought we might find a place to go skinny dipping or at the very least, make it easier to make love on the beach."
Tyler grinned and said, "You’re wicked!"
Grinning and crinkling his nose, Kevin said, "Do you mind?"
"Not at all."
Kevin said, "Carlos, we’ll be back."
"Kevin..."
Carlos didn’t get a chance to protest Kevin and Tyler leaving him again because they left him standing at the limo. They walked hand in hand along the beach with the only light being that of the moon. They talked about the little things in their lives, their dreams and what they wanted in life. They also talked about the guys, Nick in particular.
About a mile from where they started, they decided to sit and watch the water and stars. There were several rocks around so Kevin sat leaning against one and had Tyler lean against him between his legs. He put his arms around her and they held hands.
Kevin pointed to a shooting star and said, "Make a wish, baby."
"All my wishes have come true, ‘Boo’," said Tyler as she turned to kiss him.
"Baby, earlier, I was writing something for you."
"I know but its not ready and that’s okay."
Kevin laughed softly, "I told you that so you wouldn’t bug me about it. I haven’t put it to music yet but it’s the words that are important. It’s called ‘Together’.
"You’re my one and only love/ And this I want you to know/ You mean more to me than anything/ I don’t ever want you to go/ Loving you gives me happiness/ The kind I need every day/ And if sometimes I don’t show it/ I love you in each and every way/ If sometimes I get jealous/ It’s only because I care/ The love I feel for you/ Is ever so rare/ If I could have one wish/ Do you know what it would be/ For us to be together/ For all eternity."
Kevin could feel her tears on his arms as she said, "That’s so beautiful, ‘Boo’."
Kevin had Tyler turn enough so that she was facing him and he kissed her. The kiss was hot, wanting, full of desire as their lips touched. Kevin lay Tyler down on the sand, his body covering hers as he moved one hand down her side to her stomach. Tyler ran her hands through his hair.
Kevin pulled back and looked into her eyes, "I want you, baby."
Tyler answered but running her hands down his chest and unfastened his jeans.
Without hesitation, Kevin undid her jeans as well and began to slide them off. Tyler lifted her hips so that he could get them off her. Quickly, Kevin shed his jeans and entered Tyler slowly. He stroked in and out slowly at first as he stared into her eyes.
Tyler said lovingly, "You feel so good in me, like we were made for each other."
Kevin kissed her along her neck as he said, "We were, baby. God, you’re so hot and tight. I’ve wanted you so bad all night long."
Tyler wrapped her legs around Kevin’s waist using her heels to pull him deeper into her. Kevin’s pace quickened and within seconds, he came inside her, his body shaking violently and Tyler’s responding in the same way.
Kevin lay beside Tyler holding her close. Tenderly, he kissed her neck, sucking and licking, leaving more little strawberries along her collarbone.
Tyler ran her hands across his arms and back as she whispered, "Thank you for tonight."
Against her skin, Kevin whispered, "Happy Birthday, baby."
In the distance, the couple heard Carlos hollering for them. They dressed quickly and then headed towards the sounds of Carlos’ voice.
"Something must be wrong," said Tyler
Kevin hollered to let Carlos know where they were.
When the three met, Carlos said, "Howie called and they need you back at the hotel. They’ve got some news about Mr. Pearlman."
"What kind of news?" asked Tyler.
"I don’t know. They just said you needed to get back to the hotel."
Kevin and Tyler followed Carlos back to the limo and the driver took them to the hotel. Tyler was quiet the whole way because she was worried about what the news was. Kevin understood that and held her close.
On the elevator, Kevin said, "Baby, its going to be okay."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Have faith, baby. We’re together and he can’t hurt us."
The two stepped off the elevator to a quiet hall. They went to Howie’s room first thinking he would be the one to tell them. They knocked but there was no answer.
"Strange," said Kevin.
"Not really. He and Kryss are probably in the middle of something and are better at ignoring the door than we are."
Kevin laughed, "Of course, we aren’t banging on it like Nick does either."
Kevin and Tyler headed to their room and as Kevin opened the door, everyone hollered, "SURPRISE!!"
Tyler looked up at Kevin who was just as surprised as she was.
Howie said, "Kevin didn’t know about this, Ty. We decided to surprise you for your birthday and Kevin having you out made it easier for us."
AJ, who was obviously drunk, said, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ‘TADPOLE’... or is it Frog now? We know how much you like to jump Kevin!"
Tyler laughed as AJ hugged her, "’Bone’, you just wanted an excuse to get wasted....again!"
"Oh yeah! Crank the music," hollered AJ.
Kevin said, "Hold on! Carlos said you had news about Pearlman. Is that true?"
Kryss said excitedly, "Yeah, it’s true. Howie tell them."
"Christine called tonight and Lou changed his plea to guilty. He’s been sentenced to twenty-five years to life for kidnapping Tyler and carrying her across state lines. It’s over and there’s no trial."
Tyler couldn’t believe what she was hearing. The nightmare was over and she didn’t have to face the trial. She turned to Kevin who took her in his arms hugging her tight and lifting her off the ground.
Kevin whispered, "It’s over, baby."
The whole group spent the rest of the night partying in Kevin and Tyler’s room celebrating Tyler’s birthday and the fact that Lou had changed his plea ending the whole nightmare.
