Isabel was now on her book-tour and Nick was on his own tour of North and South America. Isabel had, of course, taken Tyler along and Ann would be flying out in a couple days to help her out.
She was now in Texas and Nick was in Brazil. She looked at her watch as she put Tyler in the make-shift crib in her room, it was nearly midnight where she was so it was probably closer to three a.m. whereever Nick was. The phone started to ring and she ran to get it before it could wake up Tyler. "Hello?"
"Hey..," Came his tired voice.
"Hi Nicky..you sound tired."
"I am..is it too late? I didn't wake you or Tyler, did I?"
She got comfortable on the bed, "No, you didn't wake either of us. He's sleeping."
"Figures as much..how was today?"
"It was good, I met a bunch of your fans who said to tell you hello and they congratulate us on having such a, and I do quote, such a cute, adorable baby. One girl said Tyler is sure to be a hottie when he gets about 16."
Nick laughed, "Sorry about that."
"Like I care..it was good to meet them. The people have really responded well to the book."
"Of course, you wrote it."
"Oooo flattery.."
"I know.."
"So..how was your day?"
"Hectic. The people here are sooo loud; but the response has been great."
"That's cool."
"Has Ann flown out yet?"
"Nope..she'll be out Friday."
"Ohh that'll be cool."
"Yep..I miss you Nicky.."
"Miss you too baby.."
"Soo..when will I see you?"
Nick smiled on his end and walked out onto the balcony of his hotel room, "Well...I don't know.."
"I'm flying back home next week."
"Yeah cause you'll be done."
"True. It's really weird that I'm on my own tour..."
"I'm so proud of you Isabel."
"Why thank you Nicky."
"I'll probably be able to come home next month sometime...I'll have to see tomorrow.."
"Okay.."
"So, what's Tyler been doing?"
"Sleeping..eating...sleeping..eating...crying.."
Nick laughed, "Sounds like fun."
"You know it."
"But he doesn't wake up as much in the middle of the night, right?"
"Not really, he's doing better. It's taken him a little bit to get used to a new place every week or so but I think he's getting used to it now."
"That's good.."
She heard him yawn and she smiled, "Nicky? I think I'm gonna let you go."
"Why?"
"Why?? Because, you're tired. I know you are."
He sighed, "I know..I just miss talking to you."
"I know, I miss talking to you too. What time is it there?"
"About 5."
"Ouch."
He laughed, "Yeah...I don't have anything to do today though so I can sleep as long as I want."
"Ohhhh.."
"But I'll let you go..it's like what? 1 there?"
"Almost."
"You better get some sleep."
"Okay.."
"Will you be free..say about 7 p.m. there?"
"Should be."
"I'll call you then, alright?"
"Okay."
"I love you Isabel."
"I love you too Nicky."
"Talk to you later.."
"Okay, bye."
Isabel was doing another signing at a local bookstore in Houston, Texas the next day. Tyler was in the back with her agent (and friend) Mary, laughing and playing around as much as he could. Isabel was seated at a long table and there was a long line of people waiting for the signing to begin. Some were teenage girls, some were about her age or a little bit older and some men were mixed in as well.
A girl of about 18 stepped up and pushed the book towards Isabel. Isabel smiled, "Hi, what's your name?"
"Ashlee."
"It's nice to meet you Ashlee, you a Backstreet fan?"
"Oh I definitely was! And I've been keeping tabs on all of them since the split.."
"That's good."
"I read the book already and I think it was a really good idea, I mean, letting people in on a private life wasn't easy, was it?"
"Not really but people want to know."
Ashlee smiled, "Yeah, that's true."
"Thank you for coming out, it means alot."
"No problem, thank you so much."
"You're welcome, it was no trouble at all."
Ashlee stepped down and the next person stepped up. Isabel smiled up at the woman...and so on and so on and so on.
Once the signing was finished, Isabel went to the back and got Tyler from Mary. "Your cell rang while you were out.," Mary said.
"Did you answer it?"
"No, I couldn't find it in time."
"Are we going back to the hotel?"
"Yeah, here's your purse."
"Thanks."
They all walked out of the bookstore and to the waiting car. Isabel made sure Tyler was safely in his car seat and got into the passenger side of the car. She pulled her cell phone from her purse and checked her missed calls, one from AJ and two from Kevin.
Once at the hotel Isabel and Tyler went up to the room and Isabel went to get the phone to call AJ. He wasn't home so she called his cell phone. He finally picked it up, "Hello?"
"AJ? It's me, did you call?"
"Yeah Isabel, I did, where were you?"
"I was doing a signing and Mary couldn't find my phone in the hell-hole I call a purse..what's up?"
"Have you heard from Nick?"
"No, he said he'd call when it was like 7 here..why?"
"He left a really weird message on my machine."
"Oh really? What'd it say?"
"I can't remember..I'll run home and figure out how to send it your lap top, sound cool?"
"Yeah..do you know what's wrong with him? He was fine last night."
"No, sure don't. I'm sure I'm just overreacting as usual...but I just wanted to know..."
"Okay..I'm going to call Kevin since he called twice, mail me later?"
"Sure will...hey, how's the little man doin'?"
"Just fine, he's laying right here rolling around."
"Give him a kiss and hug for me, k?"
"Will do..talk to you later J."
"Bye girl."
She hung up and then called Kevin. He picked up almost right away, "Hello?"
"Kevin..you called?"
"Hey, yeah I did, you heard from Nick?"
"Why's everyone askin' me that? No, I haven't, he said he'd call at 7. Why?"
"What do you mean, why is everyone asking you that?"
"AJ asked me the same thing."
"Shit..something's wrong then."
"What are you talking about Kev?"
"Nick left a weird voicemail.."
"AJ said he left a weird message on his answering machine."
"Something's wrong..Brian said he couldn't get ahold of him."
"He was fine last night Kevin.."
Kevin sighed, "Maybe I am just being paranoid."
"Umm..yeah, you do that alot.."
"Funny..look, call me when he calls?"
"Okay."
"Alright..how's Ty holdin' up?"
"He's as happy as can be."
"Cool..give him a hug for me, Matt, and Kristen?"
"Sure will, later Kevin."
"Bye Isabel."
By 9:30, Isabel was getting sort of jumpy. The tv wasn't on, Tyler was on her bed asleep. Every sound the place or something outside made made her jump. Nick hadn't called at 7. She tried his cell phone; no answer. At 8:30, she tried his hotel: no answer.
Now she was getting worried, he was getting pretty punctual lately, especially with a big time difference like they had now, and he had always called whenever he said he would.
She stood at the window and sighed, 'Where are you Nick?,'
Back to the How Did I Ever? Page
To Chapter 8
Back to the Main Page