Kevin stood backstage watching his wife get ready to go out and perform. His wife, Hayley, was a backup dancer for the guys. He knew she was a great dancer and he didn’t want to be away from her for a year so he asked if she could be a backup dancer. She auditioned and management said she was the best they’ve seen. He watched her talk to Nick. They were the best of friends and dance partners. They did so well onstage together that it has become a permanent thing. Hayley came over to him. He smiled.

     “Hi baby, is it okay if I hang with Nick and Brian tonight, Brian has a date tonight and doesn’t want to go along and asked if Nick would double date with him,” Hayley said.

     “Nick wants you to be his date,” Kevin said.

     “Kevin, don’t be jealous, okay, you know you are the only one for me, you know Nick won’t do anything, and you know I would never have an affair, it’s just a friendly date, just to make your cousin comfortable,” Hayley said.

     “Okay, I’ll let little bro borrow you for the night,” Kevin said.

     “I love you so much,” Hayley said.

     “I love you more,” Kevin said.

     “I would kiss you, but you know, makeup,” Hayley said.

     “Yeah, I know, Angie would kill me if I messed up her work,” Kevin said. Hayley hugged him.

After the show, Brian was getting ready to go on his date. Kevin and Hayley were kissing.

     “I love you,” Kevin said.

     “I love you,” Hayley said. Nick came up to them.

     “Sorry to break this up but Brian’s ready,” Nick said.

     “Nick, you take good care of my wife,” Kevin said.

     “Don’t worry, I will, you’ll kill me if I didn’t,” Nick said.

     “I’ll be fine, baby,” Hayley said. She kissed Kevin and left with Nick.

Later that night…

Kevin sat in his hotel room watching a movie when there was a knock at the door. Kevin opened it and saw AJ.

     “Hey Bone, what’s up,” Kevin said.

     “I just came from the restaurant downstairs and I saw your wife and Nick all over each other,” AJ said.

     “Were they alone or with Brian and a girl,” Kevin said.

     “Looks like they were on a double date,” AJ said.

     “Brian had a date and he didn’t want to go alone so he asked Nick, and Nick asked my wife to step in as his date,” Kevin said.

     “Oh,” AJ said.

     “And you said they were all over each other,” Kevin said.

     “Sorry, man, that was for a minute, but they were laughing and Brian was laughing and you know if it was for real, Brian would be mad, since he’s your cousin and doesn’t want you to get hurt,” AJ said.

     “Brian wouldn’t be laughing if it was for real, they do horse around a lot, even I join in,” Kevin said.

     “See ya, man,” AJ said. He went to his room. Nick and Hayley came up to the door laughing.

     “Hey baby,” Hayley said kissing Kevin.

     “Night guys,” Nick said going to his room. Hayley came in and Kevin closed the door.

     “AJ thought you and Nick were all over each other,” Kevin said.

     “Just horsing around, Brian’s date thought we were a couple until I showed her our wedding picture and that me and Nick were just friends, we were joking around, nothing to worry about, there is only one man for me and I’m married to him,” Hayley said kissing Kevin’s neck.

     “You know how to turn me on,” Kevin said.

     “Yup, I want my husband so bad,” Hayley said kissing Kevin’s neck. He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom and laid her on the bed and got on top of her. They removed each other’s clothes and made love.

Chapter 2

The next day, Hayley walked down the hall to her and Kevin’s room when someone grabbed her and pulled her into a room. She looked and saw Nick.

     “Nick,” Hayley said.

     “Going somewhere?” Nick asked.

     “For a walk, Kev’s asleep,” Hayley said.

     “Good,” Nick said kissing her neck. (What no one knows is that Nick and Hayley have been sneaking around for three months.)

     “You know we are such good actors, no one knows a thing,” Hayley said closing her eyes, enjoying his lips on her neck.

     “Yeah, I know, if anyone knew, it would get back to Kevin and I’d be dead and you would lose him, but I can’t stop this,” Nick said.

     “Me either,” Hayley said. He locked the door and pushed her against the wall and they removed their clothes and he lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around him and he pushed deep inside her. She moaned softly.

     “I love being inside you,” Nick said softly. He kissed her hungrily. He grabbed her bottom and pounded her wetness. He came inside her, spilling himself deep inside her. She came around him and he kissed her as she cried out. They didn’t move for awhile. He let her down and they got dressed. She fixed her hair and kissed him hungrily and opened the door and peeked out and walked quickly to her and Kevin’s room and went in and closed the door. She ran to the bathroom and got into the shower. She was about done when she felt arms around her and lips on her neck. She smiled.

     “Hey baby, where did you go?” Kevin asked.

     “For a walk,” Hayley said. He turned her around and lifted her up and pushed her against the wall of the shower.

     “I love you so much, it would kill me if I lost you,” Kevin said.

     “I love you, too, I don’t know what I would do if I lost you,” Hayley said. He kissed her deeply and they made love in the shower. They got out and made love again on the bed.

     “Baby,” Kevin said.

     “Yeah,” Hayley said.

     “I want you to stop with the birth control pills, I want us to start a family, but only if you want the same thing,” Kevin said.

     “What about my dancing?” Hayley asked.

     “Well, it takes a month to be completely free of the pill, right, the tour is over in two weeks, so after the tour is over, we can start on having a family,” Kevin said.

     “Are you serious?” Hayley asked.

     “I never have been more serious about anything in my life, I love you, baby, I want to have kids and I think the time is now,” Kevin said. Hayley kissed him.

     “Okay,” Hayley said stroking his cheek. They kissed and made love again.

That afternoon, Hayley was sitting backstage in deep thought. Brian and Nick came in and saw her. Nick sat down next to her.

     “Hey, you okay,” Nick said.

     “Yeah, just thinking,” Hayley said.

     “About what,” Brian said sitting down.

     “Have you talked to Kevin lately?” Hayley asked.

     “We talked today, but it was about music stuff, why,” Brian said.

     “You guys didn’t talk about anything personal,” Hayley said.

     “No, why,” Brian said.

     “He wants to have kids after the tour is over, he wants to start after the tour is over,” Hayley said.

     “Aren’t you on birth control?” Nick asked.

     “Yeah, he wants me to stop taking the pill so that I can be off of them after the tour is over so we can start having kids,” Hayley said.

     “Is that a problem?” Nick asked.

     “No, it’s not, he and I haven’t talked about it and I’m like wondering what brought it up,” Hayley said.

     “Maybe he thinks it’s time,” Brian said.

     “I just don’t know what to do,” Hayley said.

     “You love him, don’t you,” Brian said.

     “Yes, I do,” Hayley said.

     “And you want to have kids,” Nick said.

     “Yes, I do,” Hayley said.

     “Then go for it,” Brian said.

     “Are you ready for kids?” Nick asked.

     “Yeah, I am,” Hayley said.

     “Then what are you waiting for, you go for it,” Nick said.

     “I’ve already started, I threw away my pills,” Hayley said.

     “I’m going to find AJ,” Brian said. Once he was gone, Nick looked around.

     “Did you really throw away the pills?” Nick asked.

     “Yeah, I did,” Hayley said. They went to his dressing room and he locked the door and looked around and checked the room.

     “I guess we will have to stop what we’ve been doing,” Nick said.

     “Yeah,” Hayley said.

     “I really don’t want to,” Nick said.

     “Me either, but Kevin wants kids, and I know he won’t want one that comes out looking like you,” Hayley said.

     “I guess this morning was the last time,” Nick said.

     “Yeah, it has to be,” Hayley said. She went out the door.

Chapter 3

A month later, Kevin and Hayley started trying to have a baby. They would make love every night. A few days later, Hayley came home from the store and saw a note on the coffee table. She picked it up and opened it.

Dear Hayley, I am sorry to have to do this but I had to leave you. I can’t explain why. You didn’t do anything wrong. You didn’t do anything to make me leave. I am sorry to hurt you like this but I felt like I had to do this. I will always love you. Love Kevin.

She immediately called Brian and asked him to come over. He came in and she showed him the note. He called the guys. They came over. Brian sat with Hayley. Howie, Nick, and AJ came in and they each read the note.

     “I don’t understand!” Hayley said crying.

     “He had no reason to leave, why would he,” Nick said.

     “He knows I’m not having an affair, I could never do that to him,” Hayley said.

     “We know, Hayley,” Nick said.

     “Yeah, you two are crazy about each other, he might have been abducted,” Brian said.

     “What makes you think that?” Nick asked.

     “There is no possible way that Kevin would leave Hayley on his own, he told me he could never leave her, someone might have taken him and made it look like he left on his own,” Brian said. Hayley smelled the note.

     “I smell perfume,” Hayley said. Brian smelled it.

     “Kristin,” Brian said.

     “What,” Hayley said.

     “She always wore this perfume, I know that smell,” Brian said.

     “So you think his ex-girlfriend has him?” Hayley asked.

     “Yes, she must want him back or something,” Brian said.

     “This is so unreal,” Hayley said.

     “I know,” Brian said.

That night, the guys were taking off. Hayley watched them leave. Brian was getting ready to leave when Hayley stopped him.

     “Brian, can you stay here, I don’t want to be alone and you are family,” Hayley said.

     “Sure,” Brian said.

     “Thanks, I need someone close to him to stay,” Hayley said.

     “I’ll stay for as long as you need me to,” Brian said.

     “Leighanne won’t mind?” Hayley asked.

     “I’ll call her,” Brian said. He called Leighanne. He hung up.

     “She understands, she said she’s coming over to stay, too,” Brian said.

     “I don’t want to be alone right now,” Hayley said.

     “I’m calling the police,” Brian said. Leighanne came in as he was calling the police. Leighanne hugged Hayley.

     “Kevin will come home, the cops will make sure of it,” Leighanne said.

     “Brian said that Kristin took him, why would she, he is over her, they parted mutually, why would she want him back now?” Hayley asked.

     “I don’t know, but I know he won’t give into her, he loves you too much,” Leighanne said.

Later on…

Hayley went to sleep in her and Kevin’s bed. She heard someone gently tapping the window and she opened her eyes and looked and saw Nick. She got up and opened the window and Nick came in.

     “Nick, what are you doing here,” Hayley said.

     “I had to see if you were okay,” Nick said.

     “I’m fine, the police are looking for Kevin, Brian and Leighanne are staying with me until Kevin comes home,” Hayley said.

     “I can’t stay away,” Nick whispered.

     “Nick, just go home, okay, I’ll be fine,” Hayley said.

     “I’m in love with you,” Nick whispered.

     “Nick, I’m sorry but I don’t feel the same way, I love my husband, with all my heart and soul, please, just go home,” Hayley whispered. Nick looked at her and went back out the window and left. Hayley locked the window and closed the curtains. She laid down and went to sleep.

Chapter 4

He sat there watching his wife lie down in their bed and go back to sleep. He couldn’t believe that his little brother was in love with his wife. He looked at the woman who kidnapped him.

     “Kristin, she’s not having an affair, there is nothing to prove she is, let me go!” Kevin said.

     “Nick is in love with her,” Kristin said.

     “Yeah, I just heard him say that but she is not in love with him, she is not an actress, she doesn’t know the cameras are in the house, she is not having an affair,” Kevin said.

     “I saw her coming out of Nick’s room the time you were sleeping and she supposedly went for a walk, she was with him!” Kristin said.

     “They are best friends!” Kevin yelled.

     “You are so blind of what is really happening, I had her followed, she’s having an affair with Nick,” Kristin said.

     “Kristin, regardless of what you may think, you are not getting me back, we were over for a long time, we both agreed to go our separate ways,” Kevin said.

     “Kevin, I’m not doing this to get you back, I’m over you, I still care about you and I want you to see what’s been happening under your nose, your wife is having an affair with Nick!” Kristin said.

     “She would never have an affair, she loves me, we are trying to start a family, if she was having an affair, she would have tried to talk me out of it, but she wants a family as much as I do, she threw away her pills,” Kevin said. Kristin watched Hayley in the bathroom before she went to bed.

     “Birth control pills are to be taken every night,” Kevin said. Kristin saw Hayley leave the bathroom without taking any pills.

     “Where did she keep her pills,” Kristin said.

     “On the sink,” Kevin said. Kristin zoomed the camera in and looked.

     “No pills,” Kristin said.

     “My wife wouldn’t lie to me,” Kevin said.

     “I’m still not convinced,” Kristin said.

They sat there watching the events at Kevin’s house. Brian and Leighanne awoke and went downstairs to make breakfast. Hayley woke up and got up and got dressed.  She went downstairs and sat at the table. She stared at her rings and closed her eyes. Brian sat down and put his arm around her.

     “We are not going anywhere until Kevin comes home,” Brian said.

     “We are here for as long as you need us to be,” Leighanne said.

     “Thanks, I really appreciate it, I can’t be alone right now, it’s too hard, I feel like my world is collapsing around me,” Hayley said.

     “The police have not stopped looking for him,” Leighanne said.

     “The fans are going to give up on you guys if he doesn’t come back,” Hayley said.

     “We held a press conference, we told them the truth, everyone is looking for him,” Brian said.

     “Great, I can’t go anywhere because the press will be after me,” Hayley said.

     “We have asked the press to leave us be and to leave you alone, we explained that this is a difficult time for you and me and the guys,” Brian said.

     “Doesn’t mean they will listen,” Hayley said.

     “If they don’t, they will be hit with a lawsuit,” Brian said.

Meanwhile at Kristin’s hideout…

     “Damn them!” Kristin said.

     “Let me go, Kristin,” Kevin said.

     “No!” Kristin said. She picked up the phone.  She went into the other room. She came out smiling.

     “I’ll give them press, but not about you, in a way,” Kristin said.

     “What did you do!” Kevin said.

     “You’ll find out,” Kristin said. They watched as they heard the doorbell rang. Hayley opened the door and saw flashes and reporters.

     “Get off my property!” Hayley yelled. Brian and Leighanne came to the door.

     “What do you want now, we asked you guys to stay away,” Brian said.

     “We just received word that Hayley is having an affair, is that true, Mrs. Richardson?” a reporter said.

     “No, I’m not having an affair, I would never cheat on my husband, get off my property, please, you obviously heard a lie or rumor, get off the property before I have you removed!” Hayley said slamming the door.

     “What is going on!” Brian said.

     “I hate reporters, they act on anything, probably Kristin trying to start something, stupid bitch,” Hayley said.

Meanwhile…

     “Your wife is a cheating whore!” Kristin said. Kevin got himself free and pushed Kristin against the wall.

     “Don’t you dare call her that!” Kevin said. He tied her up and took her to the police station.

     “Mr. Richardson,” the desk clerk said.

     “Yeah, I manage to escape, I would like Kristin Willits arrested for kidnapping,” Kevin said.

     “He assaulted me,” Kristin said.

     “I did not,” Kevin said. Two cops took her away. Kevin gave his statement and went home. He walked in the front door. Hayley came out of the kitchen and saw him and shrieked and ran to him. He took her in his arms and hugged her tight. Brian and Leighanne came in and saw him and smiled.

     “Oh god, baby, I am so glad to be home,” Kevin said.

     “I was so worried that you would never be coming home,” Hayley said burying her face in his neck.

     “Nothing was going to keep me from coming home to you,” Kevin said.

Chapter 5

Three days later, Kevin had the house checked and all the cameras were gone. He was settled back in with his wife. Hayley was sitting in the kitchen while Kevin went to the store. Nick came in.

     “I heard Kevin was back,” Nick said.

     “Yeah, he’s at the store,” Hayley said.

     “How did he get free?” Nick asked.

     “He got loose from the ropes that Kristin used to tie him up and grabbed her, she’s in jail now,” Hayley said. Nick sat down.

     “I have been thinking about what I said, about being in love with you, I think I was just kidding myself, I mean, you are married to Kevin, and you love him more than anything, I should move on from being in love with you to just being your best friend, like before,” Nick said.

     “Yeah, you should,” Hayley said.

     “I’m glad Kevin’s back, I thought I wouldn’t get to see you smile again,” Nick said. Hayley smiled at him.

     “I’m glad he’s back, too,” Hayley said. Kevin came in with a bag of groceries and saw Nick. He put the groceries down.

     “Hey Nick,” Kevin said. Nick stood up and hugged Kevin.

     “I’m glad you’re back, man, I prayed that you would come home and make Hayley happy again, I don’t like seeing my best friend upset,” Nick said.

     “Your best friend?” Kevin asked.

     “Yeah, my best friend, you know Hayley’s my best friend,” Nick said.

     “I know you are in love with her,” Kevin said.

     “I realized I was kidding myself, I’m not in love with her, I love her, as my best friend, you know that, Kev,” Nick said.

     “I know, Kaos,” Kevin said. He hugged Nick and saw Hayley smiling.

That night, Hayley was in the shower. Kevin was cleaning up and saw a letter on the floor under the bed. He picked it up and opened it and saw Nick’s handwriting.

Hayley, there are no words to describe the feeling of what we did last night. I know what we did was wrong, but it happened and we can’t undo it. Kevin doesn’t need to know what we did and no one should know.  Nick. P.S. I know it can’t happen again.

Kevin sat on the bed and covered his face. Kristin was right. Hayley came out of the bathroom with her pjs on. Kevin looked at her.

     “Kev, what’s wrong,” Hayley said.

     “You know what’s wrong,” Kevin said.

     “I do?” Hayley asked.

     “I found this under the bed,” Kevin said holding up the letter. Hayley saw it and her eyes widened.

     “Kevin,” Hayley said.

     “Kristin was right, wasn’t she, you were having an affair, weren’t you,” Kevin said. Hayley looked at him.

Chapter 6

Hayley stood there looking at him. Kevin stood up and stared at her.

     “Kevin, I did not have an affair, that letter was just a joke, it was just Nick joking around, you have no reason to think I would ever have an affair,” Hayley said.

     “Don’t lie to me, Hayley, I can see right through you,” Kevin said. Hayley sat down.

     “Fine, I did, okay, I had an affair, but it stopped when you said you wanted me off birth control pills and wanted to have a family,” Hayley said.

     “How long did it go on?” Kevin said.

     “Three months,” Hayley said.

     “Why,” Kevin said.

     “I don’t know, we were messing around like we usually do and one thing led to another and we were in bed, it happened and we just couldn’t stop,” Hayley said.

     “I can’t believe you two would do this to me, I gave you everything!” Kevin said angrily.

     “I don’t have feelings for him,” Hayley said.

     “I don’t care, Hayley, you cheated, you had an affair with one of my best friends, your best friend!” Kevin said angrily.

     “Kevin,” Hayley said.

     “Don’t, I’ll be back to get my stuff, I’m filing for a divorce, we are over, so over, no going back, no more of you and me, forever!” Kevin yelled. He went out the door. Hayley covered her face as she cried.

The next day, Hayley sat out back while Kevin packed up his stuff. Howie and AJ were helping him. Brian was keeping Nick busy and away from the house so he wouldn’t be around Kevin. AJ came out to where Hayley was.

     “You and Nick were very good at keeping this a secret, usually Kevin can read Nick like a book, and so could me and Brian,” AJ said.

     “You don’t need to tell me stuff I already know, AJ, yes, I had an affair with Nick, yes, I hurt Kevin, my life is falling apart and it’s my fault,” Hayley said.

     “I don’t want to take sides, neither does Howie, we are still your friends,” AJ said.

     “Thanks,” Hayley said. AJ hugged her and went back inside. Howie came out and hugged her and went back inside. She curled up in the blanket and stared up at the sky. AJ came out.

     “Kevin’s got his stuff packed and is already heading over to his new place,” AJ said.

     “If you see Nick, tell him that I don’t want to see him ever again,” Hayley said.

     “Hayley,” AJ said.

     “It’s his fault, part of it, if he hadn’t written that letter,” Hayley said.

     “Hayley, you didn’t know this would happen and neither did Nick,” AJ said.

     “AJ, please, I don’t want him around me and I just want to be left alone,” Hayley said. AJ nodded and left with Howie.

AJ went over to Brian’s where Nick was. Nick saw him and stood up.

     “How’s Hayley,” Nick said.

     “Falling apart, she told me to tell you to not come around her anymore, that’s it is partially your fault, since you wrote that letter and Kevin found it,” AJ said. Nick sat down.

     “I didn’t mean for this to happen, I didn’t set out to ruin their marriage,” Nick said.

     “Well, the marriage is over, Kevin’s moved out and Hayley’s all alone,” AJ said.

     “Nick, just do what Hayley wants, if she wants to see you, she’ll call, but just give her time and space,” Brian said.

     “All right,” Nick said.

Two weeks later, Hayley received divorce papers and signed them and sent them back. She laid there on the couch. She wanted to cry but she knew it was her fault that she ruined the marriage. She took her rings off and put them on the coffee table. The front door opened and closed and Brian came in.

     “Hayley,” Brian said.

     “I don’t know what to do, Brian, Kevin wants nothing to do with me, but I just found out that I’m pregnant,” Hayley said.

     “His baby,” Brian said.

     “Yes, I’m two months along, Nick and I stopped once Kevin and I talked about having a baby, I didn’t want to get pregnant with Nick’s baby while married to Kevin,” Hayley said.

     “I’ll tell him,” Brian said.

     “Thanks, he won’t talk to me or answer the phone, I’m guessing he has caller id,” Hayley said. Brian nodded.

     “Yeah,” Brian said. Brian hugged her and went out the door and went over to Kevin’s. He walked in and saw his cousin watching TV.

     “Kev,” Brian said.

     “Hayley called you over here to get me to talk to her,” Kevin said.

     “Actually she was calling to tell you that she is two months pregnant with your child,” Brian said. Kevin looked at him.

     “I bet it’s a lie,” Kevin said.

     “I don’t know, man, both she and Nick said that they stopped once you said you wanted to start trying for a child, she didn’t want to get pregnant with his child so they stopped,” Brian said. Kevin looked at him.

     “I know Nick’s your best friend but stop taking up for him,” Kevin said.

     “Why not go ask her yourself, she has nothing to lose now, besides the baby she is carrying,” Brian said. Kevin sat there.

Chapter 7

Kevin went over to the house and saw Hayley sitting on the couch.

     “Brian told me that you are pregnant with my child, is that right,” Kevin said.

     “Yes, Kevin, it’s yours, okay, I have no reason to lie anymore,” Hayley said.

     “Is it too early for a paternity test?” Kevin asked. Hayley glared at him. She handed him papers. He read them and saw the date she conceived and realized that she was telling the truth. He looked at her.

     “Like I said before, I have no reason to lie anymore,” Hayley said.

     “I’ll be there for the baby but you and I are still over,” Kevin said.

     “I know that, Kevin,” Hayley said.

Three months later, Hayley was five months along. Kevin has gone with her to every doctor’s appointment. Hayley hasn’t seen Nick since before Kevin left her. She called him but he wasn’t home. She left a message for him and hung up.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Nick arrived home from a day on his boat. He couldn’t believe that Hayley was having Kevin’s baby. Brian said that Hayley and Kevin weren’t getting back together but he knew Kevin wouldn’t abandon his child. He checked his messages. He heard Hayley’s voice.

‘Nick, it’s me, I was just wondering how you were, I’m sorry that I told Howie and AJ that I never wanted to see you again, but I wanted to be alone for awhile. I miss my best friend and was hoping you could come over and hang out, but I take it you aren’t home, so I guess I’ll go now, bye’

Nick looked at the answering machine and looked at a picture of Hayley and him smiling at the camera. He grabbed his keys and drove over to Hayley’s.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hayley laid there looking at the ceiling when the front door opened and closed and Nick came into the living room.

     “I got your message,” Nick said.

     “Nick, I’m sorry for not wanting to see you,” Hayley said.

     “It’s partially my fault, that letter I wrote, I didn’t think Kevin would find it, I thought you threw it away,” Nick said.

     “I couldn’t, it was from you,” Hayley said. Nick sat down beside her.

     “Brian told me you are having Kevin’s baby,” Nick said.

     “Yeah,” Hayley said.

     “Well, I’m here for you if you need anything,” Nick said.

     “Thanks, I missed my best friend,” Hayley said. Nick looked at her.

     “I missed my best friend, too,” Nick said. They hugged. Kevin came in and saw them.

Chapter 8

Kevin stood there looking at Nick and Hayley. They looked up at him.

     “So are you two starting up again?” Kevin asked.

     “No, she called me over here because she missed her best friend,” Nick said.

     “I haven’t seen him since before you walked out,” Hayley said.

     “I see, do you know she’s having my child,” Kevin said.

     “I know, Brian told me, I knew if Hayley got pregnant, it would be yours, she has always wanted to have YOUR child,” Nick said.

     “Oh really,” Kevin said.

     “Yeah, Kevin, really,” Nick said.

     “Get out,” Kevin said.

     “I thought this was Hayley’s house now,” Nick said.

     “I asked Nick over here, he isn’t going anywhere,” Hayley said.

     “Have it your way,” Kevin said. He went out the door. Hayley shook her head.

     “I’m sorry if I caused more problems,” Nick said.

     “This is my house now, he’s pretty much said so, it’s in writing and not to be touched by either one of us, it’s final, the only thing he can do is go for custody of the baby which he’ll do,” Hayley said. She put her hand on her stomach.

     “I’ll help you any way I can, if he files for custody, I’ll get you the best lawyer around,” Nick said. Hayley looked at him. Brian, AJ, and Howie came in.

     “Guys, Kevin’s gone crazy,” Nick said.

     “What,” Brian said.

     “We think he’s going to file for custody of the baby,” Nick said.

     “Why,” Howie said.

     “Because of me, I said something about Hayley always wanting to have his child and he told me to get out and I said this was Hayley’s house, Hayley said that she wanted me here and he said have it your way and went out the door,” Nick said.

     “I’ll go see what my cousin is up to,” Brian said. He went out the door and went over to Kevin’s house. He walked in and saw his cousin on the phone.

     “Yeah, sole custody, no visitation, I don’t want her or Nick within 100 feet of the baby, thanks, bye,” Kevin said. He saw Brian.

     “Have you gone insane,” Brian said.

     “I’m doing what is right for my child,” Kevin said.

     “By keeping its mother away, that is the most idiotic thing you could do, your mother didn’t raise you this way, she didn’t raise you to be cruel and keep a child away from its mother, all Nick did was speak the truth, AJ, Howie, and I knew that Hayley wanted to have your baby, why did you think she and Nick called it quits on the affair, she called it quits before she went off birth control,” Brian said.

     “I don’t care, Brian, I’m not changing my mind, nothing will change my mind,” Kevin said. Brian shook his head and went out the door. He called Ann and told her to get down here and he called his mother and father. He went back to Hayley’s and pulled Nick, AJ, and Howie aside.

     “Kevin was on the phone with his lawyer when I got there, he wants sole custody and Hayley won’t get visitation and both you and her won’t be allowed 100 feet near the baby,” Brian said quietly.

     “What,” Nick said.

     “He’s gone insane, I called my parents and Ann down,” Brian said.

     “I’ll like to be there when Ann gets there, you know she loved Hayley like a daughter, she still does,” AJ said.

     “Yeah, Ann said she will take care of her son,” Brian said.

     “You guys go watch the show, I’ll stay with Hayley,” Nick said.

     “I think it’s best that you do,” Howie said. Howie, AJ, and Brian went to Kevin’s. They sat and waited. Kevin wondered what was going on.

Chapter 9

While Brian, Howie, and AJ were at Kevin’s, Nick sat with Hayley. She curled up against him.

     “So what’s going on,” Hayley said.

     “The guys had something to do, I’m keeping you company,” Nick said.

     “Did you ever wonder what would have happened if we didn’t stop what we were doing,” Hayley said.

     “We would have developed feelings for each other or there would be a paternity test,” Nick said.

     “I think we stopped too late,” Hayley said.

     “What do you mean,” Nick said.

     “I did develop feelings for you,” Hayley said.

     “Did?” Nick asked.

     “Yeah, I don’t feel that way anymore, but I do love you, you know, you are my best friend,” Hayley said.

     “And I always will be,” Nick said hugging her.

Meanwhile over at Kevin’s…

Ann, Jackie, and Harold stood there looking at Kevin who was glaring at Brian.

     “I did not raise you to keep a child away from its mother, that child is a part of you and Hayley, whether you like it or not, that child needs her,” Ann said.

     “Mom, it’s my life!” Kevin said.

     “She and Nick aren’t even together, Kevin, they are best friends!” Brian said.

     “That baby is yours, no doubt about it, you will see when the baby is born with hair like yours, or eyes like yours,” AJ said.

     “I know the baby is mine!” Kevin yelled.

     “Kevin, you are my son, but right now, I don’t know who you are, your father would not approve of this if he was here, he would make you realize what is the right thing to do,” Ann said. Kevin looked at her.

     “Kevin, your mother is right,” Harold said.

     “The baby needs Hayley, do the right thing, man, file for joint custody, let the baby have both of you, the baby is innocent, don’t make the baby pay for any mistake made,” Howie said. Kevin sat down.

     “I’m sorry, I’m just so upset, she was my everything, and she hurt me by sleeping with one of my friends,” Kevin said.

     “She wasn’t in love with him, she couldn’t explain why it went on for three months, it happened and they couldn’t stop,” AJ said.

     “But we know that you were her world, her life, the one thing she never wanted to let go of,” Brian said. Kevin looked at them. The phone rang. Kevin picked it up.

     “Hello,” Kevin said.

     “Kevin, it’s Nick, better get to the hospital,” Nick said. Kevin hung up and ran out the door with the guys behind him. He went to the hospital and saw Nick sitting in the waiting room. Kevin stood in front of him.

     “Nick,” Kevin said.

     “Hayley’s in with Dr. Kelly,” Nick said.

     “What happened,” Kevin said.

     “She said she was feeling strange and had a sharp pain in her side, I brought her here,” Nick said. Brian, Howie, and AJ came in with Ann behind them.

Chapter 10

Kevin snapped out of his daydream and saw that he was backstage at a concert. He saw Hayley talking with Nick and Brian. He went over and pulled Hayley into his dressing room and closed the door and locked it and pressed her against the wall and kissed her deeply.

     “Kev, are you okay,” Hayley said.

     “I need to know if you are having an affair, please tell me the truth, baby, I need to know,” Kevin said. Hayley looked at him.

     “No, I’m not, Kevin, what is wrong,” Hayley said. Kevin looked at her.

     “I had this daydream that you and Nick had an affair,” Kevin said.

     “Kevin, I could never have an affair, you are the only one for me, the only one I want, I love you more than anything, you are my everything,” Hayley said. He picked her up and laid her on the couch and got on top of her. They removed each other’s clothes and made love. They got up and got dressed and went out and got on his bus and headed to the next city and they closed the door to the back where the bed was and they removed each other’s clothes and made love again. They laid there holding each other.

     “Hayley,” Kevin said.

     “Yeah,” Hayley said.

     “What do you think about having children?” Kevin asked.

     “I think it’s a great idea, so great that I have stopped taking my birth control pills a month ago,” Hayley said.

     “What,” Kevin said.

     “I actually ran out and since we were on the road and I couldn’t’ get back to go get more, I decided to let it go and if I get pregnant, then I will be happy, we would be starting a family, I want your baby so bad, Kevin, to have a part of you growing inside of me, nothing else would matter, I love you, Kev, and I want proof of that love inside me,” Hayley said. Kevin kissed her hungrily and made love to her again. They got dressed and went up to the front. They were sitting down when they heard a boom and the bus started swerving. Kevin grabbed onto Hayley as they rolled around the bus as it tipped over. After everything stopped moving, Kevin opened his eyes and looked around. He heard voices outside the bus.

     “Kevin! Hayley!” he heard the guys calling. He looked around for Hayley and saw her unconscious next to him. He crawled over to her and checked her. Her pulse was weak and her breathing was shallow. He heard windows break and looked at the front of the bus and saw firemen and paramedics. They got them out and they strapped Hayley down on a stretcher. Kevin sat at an ambulance while a paramedic checked him out. Brian was with him.

     “Sir, are you family?” a paramedic asked Brian.

     “I’m his cousin,” Brian said. The paramedic looked at Kevin who nodded. He was taken to the hospital and examined by a doctor.

     “You should be fine, just bumps and bruises,” the doctor said.

     “How is my wife?” Kevin asked.

     “Her name?” the doctor asked.

     “Hayley Richardson,” Kevin said. 

     “I will go check it out,” the doctor said. He left the room. The door opened and Nick, Brian, Howie, and AJ came in. Kevin looked at them. They all looked sad.

     “Guys, what’s going on,” Kevin said. He saw tears in their eyes. The doctor came back in.

     “Mr. Richardson, I have news about your wife,” the doctor said.

     “What is going on,” Kevin said.

     “Mr. Richardson, I’m afraid your wife has passed on,” the doctor said. Kevin looked at the guys. He covered his face as he felt arms around him. He cried on Brian’s shoulder. He knew his life wouldn’t be the same.

Epilogue

Kevin stood there watching as his wife’s coffin was being lowered into the ground. His mother stood beside him. Brian stood on the other side. Howie, AJ, and Nick stood behind them. After the funeral was over, everyone went to Brian’s house. Kevin stood by a window. Nick came over to try to talk to him but Kevin yelled at him. Nick ran upstairs. Brian came over to him.

     “Kev, you don’t have to yell at him, you are not the only one who lost someone here, yes, I know she was your wife, but she was also Nick’s best friend, you should talk to him,” Brian said. Kevin went upstairs and found Nick lying on a bed, crying.

     “Nick,” Kevin said. Nick sat up and looked at him. Kevin sat down on the bed.

     “You are not the only one who lost her, Kevin, she was the only one who knew me, the real me, she knew me better than anyone, she was always there for me when I needed her, she always protected me, she always made sure I made the right choices, god, Kevin, she was my first, but you know that,” Nick said.

     “You loved her, didn’t you,” Kevin said.

     “Yeah, I did, she was very special to me, I couldn’t have a better best friend than her, she told me she was going to stop taking birth control because she wanted your child, I knew how much she wanted your child,” Nick said. Kevin hugged him as they cried. They went downstairs and talked with everyone else. After everyone left, Kevin stood at the window and told himself to keep believing that he could go on without Hayley. He knew she was watching over him.

THE END!