Chapter 81
The first show in South America was Buenos Aires and they got to spend some time relaxing before the show. The fans were really wonderful to ALL the girls and Kevin made sure to point that out to Howie.
Unfortunately, Kevin’s gloating would be short-lived. They flew into Rio and it was mass hysteria...just like the last time they were there. When Kevin saw the crowds at the airport, he pulled Tyler to him.
"Baby, promise me you’ll listen to Billy and ‘Bull’?"
"I promise. Are you worried?"
Kevin looked out at the crowd and answered, "A little."
He couldn’t hide it from Tyler though. She saw the worry in his eyes and she hugged him. She whispered, "I’ll stay at the hotel, ‘Boo’."
Kevin looked down at her. He thought about it before saying, "I want you with me, Tyler."
The group managed to get to the hotel without a great deal of trouble with the one exception. It took them two hours to make a fifteen minute trip. The whole time Howie kept watching the crowd and Kevin and Tyler.
The girls had elected to sit where they couldn’t be seen and the guys did their best to calm the crowds from the windows.
Tyler watched Kevin as he waved, blew kisses, and made small gestures to let his fans know that he loved them and her heart was ready to bust with pride. She knew he loved this and she couldn’t imagine him doing anything else. He was good to the fans and they loved him.
At the hotel, everyone had to stay in their rooms so they broke out Nick’s Nintendo and started playing. None of the guys went near the windows for fear of starting a riot outside.
By dinnertime, Tyler was ready to go stir crazy from being inside all day. She got up and went to her room, slamming the door behind her.
Everyone looked up and Nick asked, "What’s with her?"
Kevin was in the middle of one of the games and said nonchalantly, "I don’t know."
Sonja offered, "Want me to go talk to her?"
Kevin shrugged her shoulders, "Whatever."
Lex and Sonja both decided to go check on Tyler and found her on the balcony leaning over looking at the girls below.
"Are you okay?" asked Lex.
"I’m fine. Just don’t want to be cooped up."
"What about Kevin? He didn’t seem concerned when you left," said Sonja.
"We’re fine. We’re both just dreading the inevitable ‘I told you so’ from Howie."
All three laughed and continued talking until Kevin stuck his head in to let them know dinner was there. The other two went out to eat but Kevin closed the door behind them.
"Baby, are you okay?"
"I’m fine. Just not looking forward to hearing Howie gloat."
Kevin laughed, "I know. Neither am I. Let’s go eat."
The next day, Kryss, Fiona, Lex, and Sonja headed out to the arena long before the guys were ready. They had things to do to get ready for the show. Tyler stayed behind fully expecting to stay at the hotel and miss the show that night.
When the bodyguards came in with Billy, ‘Bull’ pulled Tyler to the side. "Look, Kevin has made it clear that you will be with him tonight for the show. Hold on to his hand and Carlos, Billy, and I are going to get you two inside."
"Thanks."
"If you get separated from him, don’t panic and move with the crowd, don’t fight them. They’re going to be trying to get to him so the momentum should bring you back to us. I’ll keep my eyes on you."
"I’ll try to remember."
Everyone moved down to the lobby and Tyler wasn’t completely prepared for what they were to face. The lobby was packed with fans and the walkway was extremely narrow. Carlos was in front of Kevin, Bull behind Tyler, and Kevin had a firm grip on Tyler’s hand. Billy went beside them and they moved quickly through the lobby.
On the bus, Kevin hugged Tyler close and asked, quietly, "Still okay?"
"Yes. I have you, don’t I?"
Howie sat down across from them and started to speak.
Tyler glared at him, "Don’t say a word, Howard Dwaine Dorough."
"No, Tyler. I’m not going to hold back," said Howie angrily. "I told you it was a bad idea for you to come with us and so far, you’ve been lucky."
"There’s no luck to it, Howard. I did what ‘Bull’ told me to do and I’ll keep doing it."
Kevin started to speak, "Howie...."
Together, Tyler and Howie said, "Stay out!"
Brian, Nick, and AJ broke out laughing and Howie and Tyler went back to arguing. Kevin watched and listened for a minute. Raising his voice, he said, "Stop it, both of you!" That got their attention and he went on, "Howie, Tyler doesn’t need the aggravation of an argument with you to raise her blood pressure. Tyler, Howie is just worried about you. You’re both just ticked because you both know the other is partially right. Now, I don’t want to hear another word out of EITHER of you." Before the others could get off a wise crack, Kevin growled, "And that goes for you three too!"
AJ had to choke back the laughter and it was deadly silent the rest of the way.
When they reached the arena, Howie and AJ went first, followed by Tyler and Kevin, and Brian and Nick brought up the back. It was here that Tyler’s luck ran out.
They managed to get around the bus but when they did, the crowd surged and Kevin felt Tyler’s hand slip out of his. He looked over his shoulder to see Tyler being pulled into the crowd. He called out to her and tried to go back but Carlos and Billy pushed him on to the doors.
Inside, Howie and AJ were waiting for them and when they saw Kevin without Tyler, Howie went off. "Damnit! Where is Tyler?"
Kevin was trying hard to maintain his control as Billy said, "’Bull’ will get her and she’ll be fine."
Howie grabbed Kevin, "What happened?"
Kevin snapped and shoved Howie back, "Get out of my face, Dorough!"
Nick and Brian came in and they both looked scared. They had seen Tyler disappear into the crowd but they were helpless to do anything.
When ‘Bull’ came in, Kevin was totally out of control and Carlos, Raoul, Billy, and Marcus had to hold him to keep him away from ‘Bull’. "WHERE THE HELL IS MY WIFE?"
"She’s in the crowd."
The other four surrounded Kevin as he started to go back out and find her Billy said, "Kevin, YOU can’t do us any good going out there. Let us do our job."
‘Bull’ offered, "She was doing what I told her to do. She’ll be fine."
Through clenched teeth, Kevin said, "Get my wife back....NOW!"
