Out of The Box Regifted (31 page)

She and Emily go up to watch the guys in the music room, as I finish working in the kitchen. Todd passes them on the stairs coming down to get a beer.

“So, guess you’re wondering what the call was about?” He asks defensively.

I shrug my shoulders nonchalantly, “Only if you want to share.”

He leans his elbows on the bar, stretching his legs back. “Well, this chick, Brenna has been calling me saying that she’s pregnant with my kid and said she has video of us together.” With a snarky tone he admits, “I was only with her once and I knew she was bad news. There’s no fucking way it’s my kid if she’s really pregnant, and I don’t even think she is. She probably does have a video, but I don’t fucking care. I always wore protection, and it’s not mine if she’s pregnant. End of story.”

“So why do you think she’s doing this?”

“She was at The Bank and saw me with Kyra. She came up to me when I was coming out of the bathroom and tried to come on to me” He waves his arm, simulating how he talked to Brenna. “I told her I was in a relationship and it pissed her off. She got all mental on me and I told her to fucking leave me alone. Ever since that, she’s been calling, texting, and I’ve seen her parked in front of my house several times. She knows we’re going out on tour, so I guess she wants to start shit with me. I seriously don’t need this right now. I just wish she would disappear, but she keeps fucking calling.”

“So you’re sure if she’s really pregnant, it’s not yours?”

He looks at me with such certainty in his eyes, “Two hundred percent.”

“Well, then call her bluff Todd. Tell her you want a paternity test. Tell her you’ve got it set up and ask her to meet you. There’s several ways they can do this.”

He looks confused by my statement, “Before the kid is born?”

“Absolutely. I can ask my OB GYN if you want.” I put my arm around him. “You need to get this taken care of ASAP, Todd. Just tell her you want to do this and maybe she’ll back down. As for the video, I’m not so sure…she
can
publish it if she has it. Maybe Ash can help you out with that.”

He slams his fist on the counter. “Shit. I don’t want anyone to know about it. This bitch and I were together before I met Kyra, and I don’t want to involve her. I don’t want this to jeopardize our relationship, Olivia. She doesn’t deserve this. Look, I’ve done some fucking stupid shit in my life - shit I’m not proud of, and I mean shit I’m really not proud of.” He turns his beer bottle up and finishes it.

“Well, I think Ash has the connections to make this go away—the video I mean. As for paternity, you need to get this determined as soon as possible. What can I do?”

He puts his head on my shoulder and belches loudly. “You’re too funny! There’s nothing you can do, unless you want to go whoop her ass.”

I wrap my arms around him, “Yeah? Well you know I’d do that for you. Oh and by the way, you should say excuse me when you burp goofball.”

He chuckles. “Oh yeah, excuuuuse me. I’ll take your advice and call her bluff. If she continues with the video thing, I’ll ask Mr. H to help me out, but please don’t say anything about it just yet.”

I point my finger and look him seriously in the eye. “I won’t, but you need to let Kyra know. Don’t risk having her read about this online. You’ve got to talk to her.”

He grabs my finger, kisses it while forcing a smile. “I will, I promise. Shit, we’re leaving tomorrow and I can’t just spring this on her when we’re on the road.”

“Well, tonight is about as good a time as any. When you’re on the way home, you
need
to let her know. What if this psycho girl comes up to her randomly and tells her? Kyra would be devastated that you didn’t tell her. Promise me you’ll do it tonight, please.”

He acknowledges his promise and shortly after everyone decides to call it a night. The bus will be at Todd’s early in the morning, so everyone heads out. Tommy and Emily are staying at Todd’s house, along with the rest of the guys, and I’m not looking forward to seeing them off in the morning at all.

We arrive at Todd’s place, armed with an arsenal of coffee for everyone, and the bus is parked out front with the motor humming. The guys have all their gear laid out on the sidewalk and are standing around talking, looking anxious and excited. Emily and Kyra are latched onto Tommy and Todd, and I can tell by her eyes that Emily’s been crying. Tommy’s reassuring her and is holding her hand, tenderly rubbing her wedding ring. Todd cocks his head and motions me to the back of the bus.

“Well, so did you tell her?” I ask.

He’s kicking the tire of the bus looking down. “Yeah, I told her everything. She was pretty pissed that I’d make a sex video, but I told her that was before I met her and that I’ve done a lot of shit I’m not proud of. Look I can’t take it back you know that, it’s done and all I can do is promise her that she’s the one I love,” He bends down to sit on the curb and I squat down beside him.

He leans in and whispers, “I have no idea what Brenna’s gonna do with that fucking video. I can tell you that she isn’t the only chick in the video.”

I’m horrified and I guess he can tell, because he puts his hand on my knee. “It was a pretty wild night. I haven’t seen it, but it I’m sure it’s not something a mother would exactly be proud of.” He leans back on his elbows with a smirk on his face. “Pfft! To put it mildly, it was a fuckfest.”

I squint and grit my teeth.

He looks at me, markedly ashamed, and shrugs, “Sorry, but that’s what it’s about. Like I said, I was only with her once and I’ve decided I’m not gonna give her money to not release it. That’s fucking extortion and I’m not giving in to her.”

“Oh Todd, I just hope it all works out. Did you tell Brenna you want a paternity test?”

“Fuckin a I did. I told her that my attorney would be contacting her. I’ve got this under control. Listen, I want you to take care of Kyra while I’m gone. I trust you Olivia. I told her that she’s welcome at your house anytime. I hope you don’t mind. I really hope you and Mr. H hang out with them when you can. It’s gonna be a long time and I just hope you guys can come see us. Plus, I don’t want any fuckwad moving in on my girl while I’m gone.”

“Todd, you’ve got my word and we’ll come to watch y’all as often as we can. Remember that Ash and I are going to Paris in June and we’ve got Melissa and Trey’s wedding, but other than that, we’re down for coming to watch y’all.”

He gives me a big hug and kisses the top of my head, “I’m gonna miss the hell out of you babe, I hope you know that. Aren’t you gonna miss my cocky ass harassing you?”

“Yeah, something like that. More than you can even imagine.”

Ash finds us at the back of the bus. “Moving in on my honey, are you?”

“Slim chance of that WMD. I’d say she’s pretty happy with what she’s got.” Todd laughs.

I point my finger at him, indicating he needs to dog it off and he shrugs his shoulders, as Ash smiles and nods his head.

As Brian rounds the guys up, I find myself getting emotional. “You guys ready to hit the road? Let’s get it and go.”

Brian, Steve, and Brady come up to Ash and I to say their goodbyes. Todd has his back up to the side of the bus with his foot propped up and Kyra is facing him. He pulls her into him and is whispering something in her ear, which makes her laugh through her tears and I can only imagine what he’s said.

Tommy finds Ash and me, “Well Dad, Olivia, I guess this is it. I’m so freakin ass nervous. I just hope everyone likes us. Take care of Em for me, will you?” He gives Ash a hug and takes me into his arms.

“Son, you know we will. Everyone is gonna love you. I have every confidence in you guys. You’re doing the right thing and this is exactly what you need to do to get your career to the next level. We’ll come as often as we can and we’ll make sure Emily and Kyra make it out too.”

“Thanks Dad. Look, I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love you, but you already know that, don’t you? And Olivia, I know you’ve got our backs and that you’ll take care of our girls. I love you as my own mother - I want you to know that.”

“I do know that. I’m so proud of you and how far you guys have come. You can count on me, Tommy. I can’t wait to read about you in the news and see the videos. Y’all are gonna knock em dead!”

Brian and Steve get on the bus and Brady follows, while talking on his phone. Todd is next, as he gives Kyra one last make out worthy kiss. Tommy and Emily are having a hard time letting go, and it breaks my heart to see them saying their goodbyes. Emily is trying to be brave, but she breaks down. “Damn. I swore I wasn’t going to do this, Olivia.”

Tommy starts up the steps and she drops to the ground, crying uncontrollably. He steps off and takes her into his arms. “Emily Harper! You’d better behave while I’m gone. I have spies, you know.” He helps her up and motions for her to go stand by me. I take her into my arms and kiss the top of her head.

“Emily, it’s gonna be alright. We’re all here for each other and we’re family, remember?”

“I know, but this sucks. I promised I wasn’t going to make it hard on Tommy to leave, but I can’t help it. He doesn’t need me acting like this. I should be strong like you Olivia.”

I’m flattered at her remark, but can’t help but think how I’m NOT the strong one. I just put on a good front, but I’m just as emotional as her. I’m gonna miss these guys so damn much, Todd especially. As Tommy gets on the bus, he hangs onto the rail, swings out and gives us all a thumbs up, and winks at Emily. The hydraulic sound of the door closing makes my heart stop, as I hear the bus switch into gear. My heart is beating fast, as I hear the dreadful sound of the engine. Tears well up in my eyes and I know that for the girls, I’ve got to be strong. I know this is a good career move for Avenue, but that doesn’t make it any easier to say goodbye. Goodbye or until I see you again, this just isn’t easy. The motor races and the bus takes off down the street. As we watch it disappear, we’re all motionless and sad. No one is saying a word, and I think each of us is waiting for the other one to say something…anything. I’m afraid to speak, because I know I’ll cry. Kyra comes over to Emily and they hug. Ash realizes that we are three ladies who desperately need rescuing.

“Okay girls. Enough with the sad faces. Let’s go eat. We’ll get some comfort food, it’s on me. Pancakes do it every time, plus I have the pleasure of escorting all of you lovely ladies. How lucky am I? Emily, you and Kyra go lock up and let’s get going.” Thank God my man is our rock in this time of need.

***

The next week proves nothing short of an adjustment for us all. The house is way too quiet and I miss not having everyone around. Kyra moved in with Emily at Grammy’s house, and tonight we’re meeting them in town for dinner, then going to The Bank to listen to a new band Ross has booked. It’ll be bittersweet.

As I’m getting dressed, my phone rings the Maroon 5 ringtone. I smile the biggest smile, as I answer. “Hellooooo?”

“Hey babe. Whatcha up to?”

I giggle into the phone, “Hey stranger. You’ve totally made my day and I’m smiling - can you tell? How in the world are you? And how is life on the road? I want details. And why haven’t you called me?”

“Calm down Miss Fifty Questions, haha I’m fine. Busy as fucking hell, missing you guys a lot and I gotta tell ya, it’s a different animal being out on the road. Truth be known, I’m pretty fucking ass homesick, but don’t let that get out on Facebook. The fans are great and for the most part I love it, but it’s an adjustment. Sleeping on a bus and living out of a suitcase, is not my favorite thing, but things are good. But no worries. I miss Kyra so fucking much it hurts, though. This sleeping with a bunch of guys every night really sucks a big one.”

“So you and Kyra talk every day, I hope?”

“Oh you better believe we do. I fuckin fall asleep every night talking to her. We do that facetime thing and I gotta tell ya, she’s pretty fucking hot in her skimpy little jammies.”

“Okay Todd, TMI seriously. I don’t need those kinds of details.”

“Oh yeah right sorry.”

“So, you got lots of girls chasing after you?”

“Yeah, pretty much. Hey, we’re hot sexy guys, or did ya forget? Me and Tommy though, we’re taken, so we just send em over to the rest of the guys. They’re definitely gettin some action, if you get my drift. Hey when are you guys coming out to see us? Can you come this weekend?” He suddenly sounds really homesick.