Chapter 15
As Kevin and the guys came off the stage in Denver, Linda and Christine were waiting for them.
Linda said, "Every thing is set, guys. You are the closing number for the Grammies and you're booked on a flight to Vancouver first thing Wednesday morning. Try to get some sleep so that you'll be up for the show that night."
"Tyler has a ticket too?" asked Howie.
"Of course, along with the other girls. Speaking of the others, they will be meeting Tyler at the hotel around noon tomorrow."
"They don't know we're coming, do they?" asked Nick.
"No, they don't," said Linda.
"Chris, what about Lou?" asked Kevin.
"They don't know where he is," said Christine. "There are restraining orders filed against Joey and Lou. Neither one can come within fifty feet of Tyler or you guys."
Howie said, "Tyler's not going to cut Joey off from the baby completely so you might want to drop the one against him."
"That's fine," said Christine. "It's up to Tyler whether she has it enforced."
"You guys need to get going so you'll be there on time," said Linda as she looked at her watch. "The buses will be waiting for you in Vancouver after you get off of them in LA."
Kevin gave her a hug, "Thanks, Linda."
"Give Tyler a hug for me," said Linda. "And tell her we've missed her."
"Same here," said Christine.
The guys said good-bye and headed to the buses. They were anxious to get to LA and to see ALL the girls.
*********************
Tuesday morning, there was a knock at Tyler's door. She was expecting it to be Lance or JC but when she opened the door, she was shocked to see Sonja, Kryss, Fiona, and Lex. Tyler was so excited to see them and gave them each a hug.
As she pulled them into the room, Tyler asked, "What are y'all doing here?"
"The guys arranged for us to meet you and go to the Grammies with you," said Sonya. "Then we're all flying to Vancouver."
"AWESOME!! Kevin didn't mention it the last time I talked to him."
"He wanted to surprise you," said Kryss. "What's been going on?"
"Yeah, where'd that bruise on you face come from?" asked Fiona.
They all sat down on the beds and Tyler told them about Lou kidnapping her, getting through to Kevin, and breaking up with Joey.
"Kevin's going to kill Joey," said Sonja as she looked at the bruise. "Have you told him?"
"No, not yet. It's not something I want to tell him over the phone."
The girls spent the afternoon talking and having a good time. It had been forever since they'd been able to sit and talk like this. They'd missed it too.
Tyler said, "I promise, we'll make sure we do this at least once a week from now on."
"How are we going to do it if you and Kevin move to Kentucky?" asked Fiona.
"We'll find a way," said Tyler. "Besides, Kevin hasn't said when we're going."
Kryss looked at her watch. "We need to get ready for tonight."
"Y'all go ahead," said Tyler. Then she went out onto the balcony.
Kryss looked at Tyler and then at Sonja. "Is she okay?"
"I think so. I'll go talk to her."
Sonja joined Tyler on the balcony and Tyler asked, "Aren't you going to get ready?"
"In a little while. I'm worried about you. What's going on?"
"I was just thinking about Kevin. He's been so sweet."
"That's because he loves you, Tyler. The entire time you were dating Joey,
he was so depressed. He hardly ever smiled and now, you can't get him to stop
smiling."
Tyler looked at her best friend, "I know. Howie tried to tell me but I didn't listen. Sonja, I can't get over how supportive Kevin has been but what is this doing to him? The baby isn't his and I'm going to have to see Joey from time to time."
"I think Kevin realizes that. The Friday you went to the doctor, I ran into Kevin before he left. Tyler, you'd have thought the baby was his by the way he was glowing."
"Really?"
"Yeah! Kevin's hooked, Ty."
Tyler smiled and said, "I know I'm definitely in love with him. I've missed him so much this past week. We were only together for five days in Kentucky but I got SO use to having him hold me."
"You two look so good together."
"Thanks. So, what's going on with you and Bri?"
Smiling, Sonja said, "Nothing right now but I think he's getting ready to ask me to marry him."
"Why do you think that?"
He keeps dropping subtle hints."
"That's wonderful, Son! I know Brian really loves you and he's said more than once that he's ready to settle down. I wonder what the fans will say if TWO of the Backstreet Boys get married?"
"Ty, you're always thinking about everyone else. What about you? How are you handling being pregnant? I mean, Joey did rape you."
Tyler looked away as she thought about it. She said softly, "At first, I was really angry. I'd been waiting for Kevin to be my first..."
"You mean, you were a virgin?"
Blushing, Tyler said, "Yeah!! Anyway, I told Kevin first about being pregnant and he was so supportive. There was no hesitation on his part. He made it perfectly clear that he'd stand by me for all of this. It made it easier for me to deal with and I realized that sure, the baby was created out of an anger, but it's a part of me. Joey had feelings for me and I had feelings for him too, just not enough to make a relationship work."
"What did Kevin say when you told him that Joey was your first?"
"I told him EVERYTHING about it and he was really honored! You know, the perfect Southern Gentleman! God, I miss him so much, Sonja!"
"Not much longer, Ty," said Sonja as she gave Tyler a hug.
Tyler and Sonja went inside and started getting ready. Tyler had bought a royal blue dress knowing that it was Kevin's favorite color. It had a halter top with a straight skirt that had a slit up either side that stopped at Tyler's mid-thigh. She had blue high heels to wear with it.
All the girls were dressed in blue and black in honor of the guys newest CD and when they were ready, 'Bull', Carlos, and Tommy escorted them down to the waiting limo.
The girls were among the first to arrive and when they got out, they were greeted by the press. Tyler had become accustomed to the press while dating Joey and she was a favorite because she always gave them what they wanted. Tyler was greeted by one in particular who was doing a live show for Entertainment Tonight!.
"Tyler, you aren't with Joey tonight. Is there trouble in paradise?"
Tyler laughed, "No trouble in paradise but I'm not with Joey any longer."
"So the rumors of your breakup are true?"
"Didn't take you guys long to hear about it," teased Tyler. "Yes, the rumors are true."
"Any truth to the rumors that you're seeing Kevin Richardson of the Backstreet Boys?"
Tyler smiled mischievously, "Maybe."
"If you aren't with Joey tonight, why are you here?"
"The Backstreet Boys are nominated for several awards and they asked me to represent them."
"Where are they tonight? There are a lot of fans here that would love to see them."
"Unfortunately for the girls waiting here tonight, Kevin, Howie, AJ, Nick, and Brian are on their way to Vancouver for a show tomorrow night. They send their love to ALL the fans who turned out tonight hoping to catch a glimpse of them."
"I take it from that comment that the rumors of them being here tonight aren't true."
"I'm afraid that's one rumor that I have to say is not true."
"Who do you have with you tonight, Tyler?"
"Sonja, Brian's girlfriend, Kryss, Howie's girlfriend, Fiona, Nick's girlfriend, and Lex, AJ's girlfriend."
"The Backstreet girls?"
"That's right."
"Thank you, Tyler for talking to us and best of luck to the Backstreet Boys tonight."
"Thanks and to the guys cuz I know they're watching, We love you guys!"
Tyler and the girls went inside and found their seats. Surprisingly, they were down near the front and while they were waiting, they talked to each other and the people around them. They could hear the commotion outside and a few minutes later, 'NSync entered the auditorium.
"Hey, Ty! Joey looks rough," said Lex.
"Oh well! He doesn't look as rough as he could if Kevin had been the one to pull him off."
Lance and Chris came over to speak to Tyler.
"Hey, Lance," said Tyler with a hug.
"You look really hot tonight," said Lance. "But I'm a bit surprised that you're here."
"I came to represent Kevin and the others since they couldn't be here."
Chris spoke up. "Tyler, Lance, JC, Justin, and I want you to know that we're really sorry for what Lou did to you. We talked to Kevin earlier today and he told us everything."
"I know you guys didn't know, Chris, and it's not your fault. I don't even completely blame Joey. Thanks for being such good friends through it all."
Chris and Lance gave her another hug and went back to join the others. Lance said, "Do you think she suspects anything?"
"No," said Chris. "I'll tell you what, Kevin and the other guys in the group are damn lucky to have such gorgeous girlfriends."
As the show began, Tyler whispered to Sonja, "I wonder who didn't show up?"
"What do you mean?"
"There are five empty seats."
Sonja looked at the seats and said, "Maybe they had ten seats reserved."
As the show progressed, Tyler and the girls began to get a little nervous. They really wanted the guys to win.
Just before the first category that they were nominated for, Fiona leaned over, "Do you know what you're going to say if they win?"
"I have something written out."
'NSync took the stage to present the next award and Sonja asked, "Is this one of the categories their nominated for?"
Tyler smiled, "Yeah! It is and I have the perfect comment for Nicky and AJ that they will understand."
Backstage, Kevin and they others were waiting for the perfect chance. Kevin had found a spot where he could watch Tyler without being seen.
Onstage, Lance said, "And the winner is....Backstreet Boys!"
The girls were excited and as Tyler started for the stage, Joey said, "Accepting on behalf of the Backstreet Boys is...."
Joey had to stop when he saw first Tyler's name on the teleprompter and then Tyler coming up the steps to accept the award for the guys. Justin picked it up, "Tyler Dorough, Howie's cousin."
Tyler took the stage and all the guys except Joey gave her a hug and a kiss as they gave her the envelop and the Grammy. Then she stepped up to the mike. "WOW!! So this is what it's like! Maybe I should get into the business."
The audience laughed and Tyler went on. "I need to start by saying, Nicky, AJ, you kicked butt, guys! Now, for what I know all the guys would want me to say. The first person they would like to thank is God for the talent that He has blessed them with. Not a day goes by that they aren't grateful to be doing what they love best. Next, thank you to Jive Records for all the support, thank you to the DJs across the country and around the world for making sure the Backstreet Boys are heard. Most of all...."
Tyler had to stop because the fans in the balcony were going nuts. As Tyler had been thanking everyone, the guys had walked on stage and were now standing behind Tyler. She turned around to see Kevin standing there grinning from ear to ear.
