Chapter 8

“Kyla Trinity, you listen to me.  Jack is not in a good mood, and I think he may try to take it out on you.  I’m going to New York with you.” Nick insisted, fearing for Kyla’s wellbeing.

“Nick, now come on.  He’s been mad before, and trust me, it will all be okay.” She replied, not wanted to interrupt his schedule.

“I don’t want you anywhere near him without me, do you understand?!” Nick pled, his hands gripping Kyla’s head gently.  “Baby, he can hurt you, and I will not allow that.   I will go with you to New York, I will pay the damn fee for Jack, and then you can fire him.  That way you will be out of his plots forever.  I really don’t want you near him.”

“But sweetheart, you have your promotion tour in front of you.  You just can’t drop the whole thing with the guys.   Look, I will go to New York, and you can meet me there like you said.  We will have dinner with Jack, make it all look good…and then dump him on the ass that God so lovingly gave him.”  She offered.

“Fine…but if one hair on your head is even touched, I will, and I mean, I WILL kill the bastard.” Nick promised.  “That is not a threat, THAT is a promise.
 
The two of them sat there, planning the trips out so that they would be able to meet easily.  It was painful for Nick to hear about the horrible way that Kyla was treated by Jack.  He remembered back on the things that his previous management team had done to him and the Boys.  He vowed never to let that happen to any of them again, including Kyla.

“Trinnie, baby, have you seen my light tan leather jacket?  The long one?” Nick hollered down the hallway as he shoved t-shirts and jeans into his suitcase.

“I think it’s in the closet by the front door hon.” She called back from the guestroom.

Nick wandered down to the front door closet, in search of his favorite jacket.  Thoughts were running through his head about how he was going to protect Kyla.  He decided that he would call the guys and talk to them about the situation.  Surely there would be a way for him to get away for two days so he could help Kyla.   After he found the jacket, right where Kyla said it would be, he picked up the cordless phone in the living room and walked out to the pool.

He immediately dialed Brian, knowing that if he had his support, the others would go along with it.

“Hello?” the voice on the other end said.

“B-rok, it’s me dude.  I gotta problem and I need your help.” Nick replied.

“What’s up?  You okay, dude?” Brian questioned.

“Yeah, but I need to take two days away from the promotions to help Kyla with something.  She is in trouble with her editor and I need to go and help her straighten things out.” Nick stated.

“Okay, but what kind of trouble is she in?  Does she need money or anything?” Brian asked.

Nick contemplated for a minute.  If he told Brian what was wrong, would it make Kyla upset?  If he didn’t tell Brian, his best friend in the world, he would feel like Nick couldn’t trust him.

“Well, Kyla is having problems with her editor, kinda like we had trouble with Lou.  And, this jackass is someone I don’t want to leave Kyla alone with.  Do you know what I mean?”

“Did he try to hurt Kyla, Nick?” Brian asked nervously.

“Yeah, and I want to make sure that he can’t hurt her again.  Brian, can you talk to the guys and get them to cover for me.  I can’t let her go alone, I just can’t.  If anything happens to her, I swear it will kill me.” Nick said.

“Sure thing, we’ll catch up with you in a few days, when we get to New York.  Bring her to the TRL interview if you want.  Just don’t let her be alone with him Nick.  He sounds like a jerk.” Brian stated.

“Jerk really isn’t strong enough, buddy.  But you’re right.  Thanks for helping out.  I owe ya one.” Nick said as he hung up the phone.

Kyla had wandered down to the backyard in search of Nick.  “Honey, what are you doing out here?” she questioned.

“I was talking to Brian.  I just wanted to clear up a few things.  You know, the arrangements and all.” He said, not wanting her to know that he was planning to follow her to New York.

“Oh, okay…did you get everything packed?” she asked.

“Yeah, just gotta grab my backpack.  What time does your flight leave babe?”

“Umm, I think it’s at 3:30.  And yours?”

“It leaves at about 5:00, but the guys are gonna meet me there, so, I will have company.” He said, hoping not to tip her off of the plan.

“Well, then we better get going.”

*** *** ***

Once they had arrived at the airport, she excused herself and went to the restroom.  Nick took the opportunity to ask the clerk at the gate if there were any other flights to New York.  She told him that there was a flight about 4:45 and there were still seats available.  He immediately purchased the ticket and concealed it in his jacket pocket.

Kyla returned, a small bag from the gift shop in her hand.  “I got ya something baby.  For the trip.” She smiled as she pulled a small beanie animal from the bag.  “I know you get nervous on the flight, so, I got ya a little ‘buddy’ to travel with.”

Nick looked at it and laughed.  “You got us a pair Beanie Bears.  How sweet!” he smiled as he looked at the little stuffed animal.  She had gotten him the “Millennium” Beanie Bear and her  “The End” Beanie Bear.  Nick was so thrilled that he stuck in on his backpack, where everyone could see it.

“This trip is already turning out to be better.  Thanks hon.” He said as he kissed her.

“Attention passengers of Flight 2276, direct flight from Orlando to New York City.  We will be taking all first-class passengers at this time.  You may board through the pre-boarding doors at this time.” The flight attendant said over the loud speaker.

“I guess that is me hon.  Look, don’t you worry.  I will be okay.  Honest.  I will call you on your cell phone when I get to the hotel.   Okay?” she said confidently, all the while, fear welling up inside her.

“Yeah…” he sighed.  “I wish I was gonna be there with you.” Nick said as he looked down at her.

“Me too, but you need to go with the guys.  I will see you in two days. Okay?  Now get going before someone tries to steal you seat.” He laughed, trying to break the tension.

“I love you, Nick.” She whispered as she kissed him softly.

“I love you too, Trinnie.  See you soon.” Nick replied and then kissed her again.

He stood there as she walked down the ramp to the plane.  He hated leaving her like this, but, he knew that he would be with her soon.   As he turned around to head towards the boarding area where the guys where, he noticed a small group of girls giggling.

“Can I help you?” he said with a smile.

Immediately the girls broke out into fits of hysteria.  “Oh my goodness!  Nick just talked to us!”

Nick went over and asked if they wanted his autograph and a few pictures.  He generously obliged to their requests and then made his way to meet the guys.  He still had an hour before he had to board his plane, so, he went to wait with them.

*** *** ***

After finally boarding his flight, he felt better.  He was more nervous for Kyla’s sake, then his own.  As he held the small bear that she gave him, pictures of her flashed through his head.  “God, this is gonna be a long flight.”

With that, the plane started to climb into the air, leaving Orlando behind, and his true love only hours away.