Chapter 73
Kevin and Tyler had returned home to find Sonja and Brian had already turned in so they too went to their room. They had made love and Tyler had fallen asleep easily in Kevin’s arms. Now, as he lay next to her watching her sleep, he thought about what was ahead. It had been a little over two months since Kevin and Tyler had had to be apart. Ever since Lou had kidnapped her and they’d gotten her back, the couple had been together basically twenty-four/seven. Now, he would have to be away from her for several days. He watched his wife sleeping peacefully. He loved everything about her from the way her hair fell across her face to the swell of her growing stomach. God, how he hated having to be away from her. He reached over now and tenderly moved her hair back. With his finger, he lightly traced her jaw line down to her chin, then her lips, her eyebrows, her nose, in an effort to memorize every little detail about her.
Tyler woke slowly and before she could focus her eyes, she asked sleepily, "What time is it?"
Kissing her lightly in the forehead, Kevin whispered, "Its only one, baby. Go back to sleep."
Tyler was finally able to focus and saw that Kevin was upset. She took his hand and kissed the palm. "What’s wrong, ‘Boo’?"
A lone tear rolled down and fell onto his pillow. "I don’t want to leave you. The last time we were apart, Pearlman kidnapped you."
The pain in his voice and his eyes broke Tyler’s heart. She moved closer to him putting her arms around him as she said, "It’s going to be okay, sweetheart. ‘Bull’ is going to stay with me and I PROMISE to listen to him."
"I know but it still won’t be the same. I like the feel of your body next to mine at night, the sounds of your breathing, the way you look as you’re waking up."
Teasingly, Tyler said, "Flattery will get you EVERYTHING."
Kevin laughed, "I don’t want EVERYTHING. I just want you. It’s going to be strange enough singing without AJ but to not see you in the crowd is going to be worse."
Tyler said, "Believe me, I know. Hey, I’m going to miss seeing Joey get slimmed too."
"I’ll make sure you get a copy of the show."
"Oh, I plan to watch. I want to see you get slimmed!"
With that, Kevin rolled over and start tickling her . "Who says I’m going to get slimmed?"
"Rosie slims everyone. Stop!! Please!" laughed Tyler.
"Say ‘uncle’!"
"NO!" laughed Tyler as Kevin continued tickling her. Then, grabbing her stomach and doubling over as if in pain, she said, "OH GOD!! Stop, Kevin! Please!"
Kevin stopped immediately scared that he had hurt Tyler. "Are you okay, Tyler?"
Kevin moved so that he could check on her and she rolled on top of him laughing, "GOT YA!"
Kevin laughed, "That’s dirty!"
"But it worked," she said as she kissed him. "Seriously, I did have a pain."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah. We should get some sleep."
"I know. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have bothered you."
"It’s okay, Kev. I’m glad you did wake me. I don’t like the idea of being away from you either but its only for a few days and then I’ll fly out with AJ."
The couple snuggled together as Kevin buried his face in Tyler’s hair and his arms went around her. Tyler put her hands on his arms enjoying the feel of his arms around her and his breath against her skin. Both relaxed in the security of having the other next to them.
The next day was busy for them both. The guys were flying out in the afternoon and Kevin and Tyler had things they needed to do before he left. They went to get Tiffany from the Carters and made arrangements for her to finish the school year before joining them. She would stay with Mami and Pops until school was out.
Kevin and Tyler also went looking for a house. They knew they’d need a bigger one now with Tiffany and the baby so Kevin had asked Christine to contact a real estate agent. They’d given her some ideas about what they wanted and she had contacted a friend of hers who was into real estate.
They met Becky, Christine’s friend, and Christine and Becky showed them five houses that met their wants. It was at the fifth house when Tyler was tired and frustrated that they found EXACTLY what they had wanted. It was in Coco Beach, just down the road from Howie’s new condo, and it overlooked the ocean. The front was just like the house in Kentucky with a porch that went all the way around the house and met around back with a gazebo off of the master bedroom. The inside was open and roomy with French doors that opened onto the porch overlooking the beach.
Tyler looked at Kevin like a little girl looks at a brand new doll on Christmas morning. Kevin said, "Chris, do the paperwork. We’re buying it."
"Are you sure?"
Watching as Tyler walked out onto the deck off the bedroom, Kevin said, "I’m positive. Look at her...she’s so happy. How can I NOT buy this place?"
Chris laughed, "She’s got you wrapped so tight, Richardson!"
Kevin laughed too. "Yeah, she does."
The guys met at the airport where they said their good-byes to their girls before heading to LA. Kryss, Fiona, and Sonja had become somewhat accustomed to saying good-bye despite the fact that it had been a while since they’d had to but for Tyler, it was the hardest thing she’d done in a long time. As she waved good-bye to Kevin, tears streamed down her cheeks and Kryss and Sonja put their arms around her for support. Kevin blew her a kiss and disappeared down the corridor.
"They’re gone, Ty. Let’s go before we get mobbed," said Kryss.
Tyler wiped her tears and as they all turned to leave, they spotted Kristen making her way towards the same gate the guys had just gone through.
"She’s following them," said Fiona.
Tyler said, "Come on. We don’t need to cause a scene."
"I can’t believe you," said Kryss. "You’re going to let her get away with it?"
"Kevin made a statement to the press and they ran a story this morning in the Orlando Sentinel. What’s the point?"
"She’s chasing your husband," said Fiona.
"Let her chase if it makes her happy. She’ll never have him."
Sonja had been listening to the whole conversation and the three didn’t notice her slip away to where Kristen was now standing.
Kryss said, "What is she doing?"
"I don’t know but there are reporters everywhere following her. Come on before they swoop in on Sonja," said Tyler.
As Tyler, Kryss, and Fiona headed over to Sonja and Kristen, Tyler spotted the reporters. They spotted her too and stopped, remembering their promises to Kevin to leave her alone. Tyler remembered too and motioned that it was okay.
Kristen was saying, "Why don’t you back off?"
Sonja said, "You’re the one who is chasing a fantasy. Kevin loves Tyler and has since the day he met her."
Tyler stood next to Kristen and said quietly, "I can embarrass the shit out of you right here or you can tell the reporters the TRUTH."
Kristen eyed Tyler and then spotted the reporters. "You wouldn’t embarrass Kevin."
"You’re right, but it’s not Kevin who’s making these false claims. He’s given his side of the story and guess what, they believe him. Do you REALLY want to see what I’ll do?"
Kristen looked at Tyler and her friends. She knew full well what Tyler was capable of and that Kevin would support her completely. She said, "Fine. I’ll tell them the truth."
******************
The next morning, Howie was up early as usual and grabbed the stack of papers that Billy had left for them on the table. The headline of the top one caught his attention immediately--BACKSTREET WIFE CALLS EX’S BLUFF. The picture that went with the article was of Tyler and Kristen at the airport and Kryss, Sonja and Fiona were in the background. He read the article quickly and began laughing.
Kevin came into the room wearing only his boxers and rubbing his eyes. Howie looked up as Kevin yawned, "What’s so funny, D?"
"Your wife! Damn, Kevin. You look like you’re coming off a three-day drinking binge. What’s wrong with you?"
"Couldn’t sleep...second night in a row too. What’s Tyler done?"
Howie handed him the paper. "Check it out."
Still sleepy, Kevin took a minute to focus on the paper but when he did, he said, "DAMN! I asked them to leave her alone."
"Just read the article and stop thinking she’s some China Doll that needs you to protect her from the big bad boogey man."
Kevin shot him a dirty look. "Look who’s talking!" Kevin sat down heavily and began to read. Laughing, he said, "That’s my girl."
"Bet she’s up. Why don’t..." Howie was interrupted by the ringing of the phone.
Kevin reached for it and said, "Hello."
"Hey, ‘Boo’! What are you doing up?"
Kevin smiled to let Howie know that it was Tyler. "I couldn’t sleep without you. Are you behaving?"
Tyler laughed, "Well....uh....sorta. ‘Boo’, I saw Kristen yesterday and I sort of...ah...well...Kevin, I threatened to embarrass her if she didn’t tell the truth."
Kevin had switched the phone to the speaker and Howie had heard her. Kevin motioned for Howie to keep quiet and play along. Trying to sound angry, Kevin asked, "Tyler, damnit...you’re just going to cause more problems. Besides, how could you treat Kristen like that? Threatening her?"
"WHAT?"
The shock in Tyler’s voice was too much for Kevin and Howie and they broke out laughing. Howie said, "Ty, we were just sitting here reading an account of the whole thing."
Tyler laughed from relief and said, "I really thought Kevin was mad at me."
"NOT HARDLY, baby. I’m proud of you for calling her bluff. By the way, we have you on the speaker."
"Well duh!!"
The three talked for a couple minutes about how Sonja had blessed Kristen out and how the reporters had started to back off when they saw her.
Then the conversation changed and became serious. Kevin asked, "Tyler, have you had any sleep? You sound tired."
"I am, ‘Boo’. I’ve been up all night with AJ. He’s REALLY not handling this very well. He won’t let Lex or Denise in the house."
Howie asked, "Is he drinking again?"
"Again? It’s like he never stopped, D. Lex showed up at the house yesterday in tears. She said he’d been drinking all day long and when she tried to take the bottle away from him, he threw it at her and kicked her out of the house. She went to our house and Sonja said she could stay there. When I got here, there was glass everywhere and the mirror in the front hall was shattered."
"Tyler, where are you and where is AJ?" asked Kevin.
"He’s passed out on his couch and I’ve been here with him all night."
"Baby, I don’t like you being there with him like this."
"Who else is going to do it, Kev? He won’t let Denise or Lex in and you guys are gone. I’m the ONLY one he’ll let in the house."
"AJ could hurt you. He won’t mean to but it could happen."
"Kevin, I can’t leave him alone, not like this. He could hurt himself."
Kevin looked at Howie desperate for his help but Howie said, "Ty, do you know all his hiding places?"
"Yeah, and I’ve gone though them all. No pills...just the booze."
"Promise me you’ll be careful, baby," said Kevin.
"I promise, ‘Boo’. Look, the funeral is tomorrow and AJ and I are catching a flight afterwards."
"What about the others?"
"They’ve got some business to clear up and they’re meeting us in South America," said Tyler. "Boo’, AJ is starting to come around. I need to go."
"I love you, baby."
"I love you too. D, take care of my husband for me."
"Not a problem. Take care of AJ for us."
Tyler hung up and turned to see AJ staggering across the room. Thankfully, he was still too drunk and she easily made it to the bar before him. She grabbed the bottle from him.
"Damn it...I want another drink."
"NO! You’ve had enough, AJ. You’re going to get a shower while I fix some breakfast."
AJ looked at her and said tauntingly, "Make me."
"AJ....don’t do this," said Tyler tiredly.
AJ grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to him tight. He kissed her deep and she could taste the alcohol making her feel like she was going to throw up. She pushed him back but not away afraid that he might fall if he didn’t have her to hold.
"Come on, Ty. You know you want me."
"You’re drunk, Alexander!"
"Ewwwww....calling me Alexander, are you? You must be serious."
"I am! Go take a shower and I’ll make some breakfast and coffee for you."
"Come take a shower with me."
Tyler shook her head, "No, ‘Bone’!"
AJ started for the steps realizing that Tyler wasn’t going to give in to him but he fell up the first step. Tyler went to him realizing that he was too drunk to make it up the steps. She helped him up and he put his arm around her shoulder as they made their way up the steps.
In his bedroom, AJ fell on the bed too drunk to undress himself. Tyler looked at him as he began to cry. "Tyler, why do I keep loosing people that I love? First it was Erica when I was thirteen, then Amanda, and now my grandmother."
Tyler lay down with AJ and took him in her arms. "Age....I don’t know why you’re losing the ones you love and I know it’s tough, but you can’t keep doing this to yourself. Alcohol IS NOT going to make the pain go away."
"But is sure as hell helps."
"Temporarily."
AJ continued to cry as Tyler held him and he eventually fell asleep. This time he slept peacefully. He was exhausted and needed to sleep off the alcohol.
Tyler held him for about an hour until she was sure that he would be okay and then got up. She got his tennis shoes off and then slipped his pants off. Next she pulled the covers over him and gave him a kiss on the forehead. Quietly, she said, "Sleep easy, Alex. I’ll be here to look out for you."
With that, Tyler went downstairs and called Kevin first. She wanted to tell him what had happened and then she called Lex to let her know that he was asleep finally. Next she called Denise to find out when AJ needed to be at the funeral home. The last thing she did was to clean up the house. JD and Vegas had been hiding while AJ was throwing glasses but came out now that Tyler was cleaning up and things were quiet. She fed them too and then fixed herself something to eat.
Once everything was straight, she went back to check on AJ who was sleeping peacefully. She decided to get some sleep too so she curled up beside him on the bed and set the alarm clock for four that afternoon. Hopefully that would be enough time to get AJ up and ready to be at the funeral home by six.
