Chapter 6
All the way back, Tyler thought about how she'd hurt Howie, her friends, Aunt Paula, and Uncle Hoke. Oh, she and Howie had had their disagreements over the years but they'd always worked things out. She knew that with Kevin's help, this would be worked out too but she knew in her heart that she needed to go to her aunt and uncle to straighten this out now.
As Kevin was pulling into the employees' lot, Tyler said, "Kevin, after we finish here, I want to go to Mami's. I have to apologize and make things right with them."
Kevin smiled, "I was wondering how long it would take you. You're way too close to them to let this drag out."
"I want to stay with them until I leave to meet Joey at the Grammy's too. It would be better and that way, no one will suspect anything."
"I think that's a very good idea, baby."
Kevin and Tyler made their way to Mr. Burton's office to take care of Tyler's job.
"Mr. Burton, I want to withdraw my resignation," said Tyler.
Mr. Burton set his pen down. "Thank heaven! My prayers have been answered."
Kevin said, "Tyler's been under a great deal of stress lately and this whole thing wasn't her idea."
"I knew something was wrong. Kevin, you and the others haven't been around much lately and Tyler's been putting in some VERY long hours."
Tyler said, "I was trying to avoid the whole situation. Mr. Burton, I'm withdrawing my resignation but I would like to ask for a leave of absence. I have some things to straighten out."
Kevin explained the whole story to Mr. Burton about the last four months leaving nothing out. Mr. Burton was extremely alarmed and agreed to help Tyler in any way possible.
"Mr. Burton, thank you so much for understanding," said Tyler as she gave him a hug.
"Tyler, you've been a very faithful employee from the day you started with us ten years ago. I do appreciate everything you've done to make our shows the best they've been in years."
"Working here has been a pleasure and I hope to be able to continue for some time to come."
Kevin said, "We need to get going."
"Kevin, you take good care of this young lady."
Kevin smiled at Tyler as he squeezed her hand in his and said, "I plan to!"
Kevin and Tyler left and went straight to the Doroughs where Tyler saw both of their cars in the driveway. As Kevin parked, Tyler took a deep breath and sighed. She got out of the truck and headed to the house followed closely by Kevin.
As they stood at the door waiting, Kevin put his hands on her shoulders for support.
Paula answered the door and when she saw Tyler, she began to cry. Tyler gave her a hug and began to cry too.
From inside the house, Hoke called, "Paula, who is it?"
Letting go of her aunt and wiping the tears, Tyler said, "It's me, Pops, 'Tadpole'."
Hoke came to the hall to see Tyler and Kevin standing in the door. Tyler ran to him and he took her in his arms, hugging her tight.
Paula said to Kevin, "Come on in, Kevin."
Kevin came in and Paula closed the door behind him.
She asked, "Where's Howie and the others?"
"They don't know we're here," said Kevin. "Tyler needs to explain what's been going on."
The four went to the family room where Tyler sat with Kevin on the couch. He put his arm around her and she leaned against him for support.
Hoke said, "Howie told us about the argument you two had back in October."
"The cause of that argument is the root of everything that's happened, Pops! I never meant to hurt you and Mami! That was the last thing on my mind," said Tyler and she explained everything.
Then Kevin picked up and told them about what they had planned to do to straighten this all out.
Hoke said, "So, Howie and the others don't know yet? Kevin, how in the world are you going to be able to face them knowing all this?"
"It's not going to be easy because right now, I want to shout it to the world that I love Tyler."
Tyler smiled and said, "As soon as I break it off with Joey, I'm going to join Kevin and the guys to tell them."
"Are you going to tell Joey about the baby?"
"He has a right to know, Mami."
"What are you going to do with the baby after it's born?"
"I'm going to raise him or her with as much love as you've given me over the years," said Tyler.
Kevin spoke up softly, "She'll have me to help her."
"Mami, I wasn't in love with Joey but he was very much in love with me, I think. I stayed with him out of fear of what Lou would do to Kevin, Howie, AJ, Bri, and Nick. I tried to make it work and I'd still be with Joey if Kevin hadn't come to the theater."
Paula said teasingly, "It's about time you came to your senses, Kevin."
Everyone laughed and Tyler said, "We both did."
Hoke said, "'Tadpole', you look tired. Why don't you go to your room and get some sleep?"
Tyler looked up at Kevin and he said, "Baby, he's right. You look exhausted."
"I AM exhausted but Pops, I don't want to leave Kevin."
Paula spoke up, "He can go up with you, Ty, and I'll go fix some dinner for the two of you. You both look like you could use a good hot meal."
Hoke said, "Kevin, we're extremely grateful that you've been a good friend to Howie and Tyler as well as us."
Kevin said, "There's no need to thank me! We're ALL one big family and families look out for each other."
"Pops, Mami, please don't tell Howie or ANYONE about all this. I don't want this to get out until we have everything in order."
"You're safe with us, 'Tadpole'," said Hoke.
The two got up to go upstairs but Kevin stopped. He said, "Baby, go on up. I need to make a couple phone calls first." "
"What kind of phone calls?" asked Tyler.
"Some arrangements have to be made for the Grammy's and for your safety."
Hoke said, "You can do it from Ty's room. There's a phone there."
"Thank you."
Kevin and Tyler went up to Tyler's room after she gave Hoke and Paula a hug. Tyler took off her shoes and lay on the bed, grateful to be home and safe. Kevin sat beside her and brushed her hair back.
"Go to sleep, baby," whispered Kevin.
Tyler closed her eyes and whispered sleepily, "Aren't you going to hold me?"
"I want to make those calls first."
Kevin picked up the phone to make all the necessary arrangements. In a matter of minutes, it was done. Tyler would represent the guys at the Grammy's and 'Bull' would go with her. Reservations for a room would be made at a local hotel in her name and the company jet that had just recently been purchased would be ready to take her to where the boys were. The lawyers would also have restraining orders ready to be filed at Kevin's word.
Kevin lay beside Tyler and she snuggled next to him. She put her head on his shoulder and her hand on his chest. Kevin took her hand in his and kissed her fingers.
Sleepily, Tyler said, "Kev, for the last four months, everyone has tried to make me see the truth and bad-mouthed Joey."
"They were worried about you, baby."
"You didn't do it though. You were always supportive. Why?"
"Because I was scared of upsetting you and pushing you away. If I had called Joey names or told you he wasn't right for you, how would you have reacted?"
"It would have made me mad. You knew that, didn't you?"
"Yeah."
Tyler was quiet again and Kevin thought she'd fallen asleep when she whispered, "How long is this going to last?"
"What, baby?"
"This feeling of safety when I'm in your arms and us?"
Kevin kissed her on the forehead and whispered, "Forever, baby."
Tyler had drifted off to sleep and never heard Kevin's answer. He could tell by her breathing that she was asleep and he closed his eyes. The events of today raced through his mind. Kevin couldn't help but blame himself for the situation Tyler was in and he felt guilty. If he'd only told her sooner that he loved her, they would have been together by now. He promised himself that he'd never let her get hurt again.
Kevin and Tyler were asleep for about an hour when Kevin woke to Tyler's crying and screams, "Stop! Joey! Please, stop! You're hurting me!"
Kevin shook her gently and said, "Ty, wake up! Come on, baby! It's just a bad dream. I'm right here."
Tyler woke with a start and realized that she was safe in Kevin's arms.
"Ty, are you okay?"
"I am now."
"Were you dreaming about the night Joey raped you?"
"Yeah. That's the one that seems to come up the most."
"Are there others?" "
Another one that's really bad. You're standing with me and Joey and Lou are pulling me away. You have my hand but it just keeps slipping out of yours."
"You don't have to worry about that now."
Paula appeared at the door, "Tyler, are you okay?"
"She just had a bad dream."
"Dinner is just about ready."
"Thanks. We'll be down in just a few minutes," said Kevin. Paula disappeared and Kevin rolled Tyler over so that he was on top of her. "I like waking up with you in my arms."
Tyler smiled, "Me too!"
"In just a couple of weeks, we can do this every morning."
"I think I can make it if you promise to call me every night."
"I'll call and sing you to sleep. How's that?"
"Sounds perfect."
Before they got up, Kevin gave Tyler a kiss. Their lips met and Kevin's tongue parted her lips, tasting her, teasing her. Kevin ran his hand down to Tyler's stomach and under the shirt where he let it rest. Tyler felt the heat of Kevin's hand on her stomach and his 'excitement' pressing against her. "God, I want this man so bad!" thought Tyler.
Kevin pulled back and said, "We'd better go down."
Breathlessly, Tyler said, "I think you're right."
Kevin and Tyler got up and started to go downstairs. As they reached the bottom of the steps, they both heard Paula at the front door.
"I'm sorry, I haven't seen Tyler in almost four months."
The next voice they heard made Tyler's heart stop and she froze where she was. "Do you have any idea where she might be?"
Kevin looked at Tyler and whispered, "Stay put."
Tyler nodded 'okay' and watched as Kevin went down the rest of the way.
"Joey, what are you doing here?"
Joey wasn't surprised to see Kevin since he'd recognized his truck in the driveway. He said, "I'm looking for Tyler. Do you know where she is?"
"You won't let her talk to us. How should I know?"
"Look, she's my girlfriend. Where are you hiding her because I know she's not at work and her car is."
"IF I knew where she was, I certainly wouldn't tell you, not after what you've put her through. You've cut her off from EVERYONE she loves and who loves her and you've let the tabloids trash her every chance they got. And for what? So you can say 'Hey look! I've taken something from the Backstreet Boys'? Tyler's not a game piece or an award that you can put on your wall or mantle. She's a human being and deserves to be treated far better than you're treating her."
"You'll never have the chance!" said Joey.
"That's where you're wrong. One day, Tyler will see you for who you really are and dump your sorry butt. When she does, I'll be waiting to pick up the pieces. Now, get the hell out of her and leave the Doroughs alone. If you don't, I'll get a restraining order to keep you away."
Joey looked at Kevin and left. Kevin shut the door behind him and when he turned around, Tyler was there. He took her in his arms and held her tight.
Tyler whispered, "Thank you."
Meanwhile, outside, Lou was waiting for Joey at his car. "Did you see Tyler?"
"No, but she' in there! Kevin's there and Howie's not anywhere around."
"We'll get the little tramp! She'll rue the day she went against my orders," said Lou.
Joey looked at him and said, "Why do you hate Tyler so much?"
"Because she's the one who turned them all against me. If it weren't for her, I'd be sitting pretty now."
Joey said, "You're making a fortune off of us and the other two bands that you formed."
"Well, I'm going to take back what's mine or destroy it one. The Backstreet Boys are on their way out!"
Joey just shook his head and got into the car. He did love Tyler but he knew deep down that Tyler wasn't in love with him. He was only going along with Lou to hold on to her because he knew that he didn't stand a chance without Lou. He was just scared of what it was going to do to Tyler.
