Chapter 54
It had been a long night for Tyler. She had tried to go to sleep in their bed but without Kevin to hold her, she’d been unable to sleep. She had gone to the living room where Kevin was and curled up in the chair next to the couch where she fell asleep with her hand on his shoulder. Every time Kevin had moved, he’d moaned in pain and Tyler had woken up to make sure he was okay.
Now, at eight, Kevin woke to find Tyler in the chair. He got up slowly and moved to the arm of the chair where Tyler was sleeping. He ran his hand through her hair and said softly, "Baby, wake up."
Tyler opened her eyes slowly trying to focus. Sleepily, she asked, "What time is it?"
"Eight. Did you sleep here all night?"
"Ummmm, yeah. I couldn’t sleep without you. How do you feel?"
"Soar and hungry."
"I’ll go get some breakfast for us," said Tyler as she got up.
Kevin caught her hand, "Hold on, Tyler."
Tyler stopped and turned to look at Kevin. He pulled her to him and pulled her shirt tight against her stomach. He smiled lovingly, "You’re starting to show, baby."
"A little," said Tyler as she put her arms around his neck. "Before long, I’m going to be fat and you’re going to hate it."
Kevin traced her jaw line with his finger. "I could never hate anything about you, baby."
The doorbell rang and Tyler gave Kevin a kiss before going to answer it. To her surprise it was Hoke and Paula.
"Mami! Pops! What are you doing here?" asked Tyler as she gave them each a hug.
"Howie called and told us about Kevin last night so I thought I’d come by and see what I can do to help you," said Mami.
The three moved over to Kevin and Hoke asked, "How do you feel,
Kevin?"
"Soar but extremely lucky. The only major injury was to my knee and it isn’t
all that bad."
"Have you had breakfast?" asked Mami.
"I was getting ready to go fix it," said Tyler.
"Kevin, why don’t you go get a shower while Tyler helps me fix breakfast?"
"Okay," said Kevin as he looked at Tyler. He had hoped to get Tyler to help him get his shower but he knew that with them there, it was impossible.
"I’ll help you get upstairs," offered Hoke.
"Thanks. Ty, before I go get my shower, the doctor gave me some pain medicine and a prescription."
"I left it in the truck, ‘Boo’. Want me to go get it?"
"Please, baby."
Tyler started to go when Hoke said, "Tyler Ann, don’t you think you should put on some clothes?"
Tyler hadn’t given much thought to the fact that all she had on was her T-shirt so she said, "I’ll go grab some shorts."
Hoke said, "Give me the keys and I’ll get the medicine for Kevin."
Kevin pointed to the keys on the table by the door. "They’re right there."
Tyler went to get a pair of shorts before going to help Mami with breakfast. When she came back down, Howie, Nick, and AJ were there and each one gave Tyler a hug.
Pops said, "I certainly hope you don’t parade around in front of the others like you were earlier, Tyler Ann."
Howie grinned at Tyler because he knew she hated being called that and the only time his father called her that was when he was upset with her. He also knew that Tyler DID parade around in front of the guys with little or nothing on. In her defense though, Howie said, "No, Pops, she’s usually dressed."
Kevin started for the steps as he said, "AJ, you and Nick come give me a hand getting a shower."
Nick whined, "Why don’t you get Tyler to do that?"
Hoke and Paula looked at Tyler who turned a bright shade of red and said, "Nick, I’m going to fix breakfast."
AJ shook his head and mumbled , "God, he can be so stupid sometimes."
Tyler went to the kitchen and started fumbling around to get started with breakfast knowing full well that Mami would be there any minute.
Mami had followed her to the kitchen and asked, "What does Kevin like for breakfast?"
"Pancakes and maple syrup."
As the two fixed breakfast, Tyler told her what had happened to Kevin along with why Kevin had been out jogging in the first place. They also discussed the wedding and the doctor’s appointment.
When breakfast was ready, Kevin was finished with his shower and dressed. He and the others gathered at the table to eat.
"I sure hope there’s enough for you boys," said Mami. "It’s been so long since I’ve cooked for you."
As Kevin looked at the table, he said, "It looks like there’s enough if Nick doesn’t make a pig of himself."
The others laughed as Nick pouted, "I don’t make a pig of myself."
Tyler ate in silence as the guys talked with Paula and Hoke about the tour. No one seemed to notice that Tyler was not participating except for Kevin and he knew she was worried about the doctor’s appointment.
After breakfast, Howie helped Tyler clear the table after they said good-bye to Mami and Pops. When they were alone, Howie asked, "Did Mami say anything about what Nick said?"
"No, and thanks for defending me. I saw the look in your eyes and I thought for sure you were going to say more."
"You know I wouldn’t do that to you," teased Howie. "Besides, they’ve already given me the lecture about Kryss living with me."
Tyler smiled, "I guess I should be glad you’re older."
"Yeah, and it might also be because you and Kevin are getting married in a week."
"Maybe. Where is Kryss by the way?"
"She went with Fiona and Lex to Lex’s parents’ for the day. What are you and Kev doing?"
"I have a doctor’s appointment and then I guess we’ll come back here since Kevin needs to stay off his knee. Bri and Sonja are due back today."
"Cool. I guess AJ, Nick, and I will hang out here then and wait for all of you to get back."
Kevin hobbled into the kitchen and put his arm around Tyler’s waist from behind as he sat on a stool. "Baby, I love you."
Tyler titled her head back, "What prompted that?"
"Do I need a reason to tell you I love you?"
"Not really."
Howie saw the look in Kevin’s eyes. "What’s bothering you, bro?"
Kevin grinned, "You know me too well. I was just worried about my baby. She was extremely quiet during breakfast."
Wiping tears from her eyes, Tyler said, "I’m going to get my shower."
With that, Tyler rushed out of the kitchen, leaving the two men bewildered.
"What’s wrong with Tyler?" asked AJ as he come into the kitchen.
"I’m not sure," said Howie. "She was okay a few minutes ago."
"She was really quiet during breakfast," said Kevin. "I expect she’s thinking about what we have to face today."
"A doctor’s appointment," said Howie. "Is there something wrong with her or the baby?"
"No, but Joey might be there," said Kevin and he proceeded to tell explain to the guys what had happened last night with Christine and then the phone call.
When Kevin finished, Howie said, "I’m going with you two, just in case Joey does come."
"Thanks. I’m going to go check on Tyler," said Kevin.
"Do you need help getting up the steps?" asked AJ.
"I’ll be okay. Thanks, ‘Bone’."
Kevin left and the other two followed him into the living room where Nick was playing Nintendo.
Upstairs, Kevin found Tyler sitting in the middle of their bed with her knees drawn to her chest. She wasn’t crying but she was staring at an outfit in front of her. Kevin recognized it as one of his favorites. It was a black denim mini-skirt with a jacket to match. Tyler usually wore a white tank top under the jacket and during the summer when she’d been laying out, Kevin thought she looked fantastic. Now, he saw that the shirt was torn and there was what appeared to be blood on the skirt and shirt.
Kevin sat down behind Tyler and put his hands on her shoulders. Tyler leaned back against him and began to cry. Kevin held her close as she did.
Softly, Kevin asked, "What is this?"
"It’s what I was wearing the night Joey raped me," sobbed Tyler.
A million thoughts raced through Kevin’s mind when he heard that and he asked, "Has it been washed?"
"No."
"Baby, this is EXACTLY what Chris needs to prove that Joey raped you. I take it that’s blood on the shirt and skirt?"
"Among other things. He threw up on my jacket so I threw it away."
"Why did you keep it, baby? And why didn’t you say something about it?"
"I kept it to remind me how much I hate Joey and I didn’t say anything because I just don’t want to face a trial. At the time, I didn’t know I’d get pregnant or be in the middle of all this."
"Baby, we’re going to give all this to Chris-today-so can use it in our case. Go get a bag to put it in."
"I have the one I’ve been keeping it in the first place."
Tyler put the stuff in the bag and then went to get ready.
When Tyler came out of the bathroom, Kevin was on the phone and he didn’t look happy. Tyler could tell he was talking to Jeff but as soon as he saw her, he ended the conversation.
Tyler asked, "What’s up with Jeff?"
"I called to tell him about what had happened? When’s your bridal shower?"
"Sunday at 2. Why?"
"Pack a bag for us. We’re going away for a few days."
"Where to?"
"Fernandina Beach. Jeff’s got a place up there on the beach he said we could use."
Tyler quickly dressed, threw some things together for them, and was ready to go. She took the bag and followed Kevin downstairs where AJ, Nick, and Howie were waiting.
"Where are you going?" asked Nick.
Kevin said, "We’re taking off for a few days. We’ll be back Sunday."
"I’ll follow you to the doctor’s appointment then," said Howie.
"Meet us there. We’re going to Christine’s office first," said Kevin. "I’ll explain later."
"What time?"
Tyler said, "Eleven-fifteen."
Kevin and Tyler headed to Christine’s office where they gave her the clothes. Christine was excited to have this evidence but she REALLY wanted Tyler to press charges. Tyler refused and Kevin supported her decision.
From Christine’s office, Tyler drove to the store to get Kevin’s prescriptions and then to the doctor’s office. As she pulled into the parking lot, Tyler spotted Joey waiting for them.
"Baby, we’ve got him where we want him. Don’t let him get to you."
"But he does it so easily. I can’t imagine being in this situation with you."
"Good, because you never will be," said Kevin as he gave her a kiss. "Just hold on to the thought that it will be over soon and Joey will lose."
Tyler helped Kevin out of the truck and walked with him to where Howie was now waiting with Joey.
Joey looked at Tyler and said, "I see you’re looking just as slutty as usual."
