Jerry stirred the pot on the stove, his eyes drifting out the window every few seconds. Sam, Tom, Christine and Angie were out there, only too aware he was watching them. They even waved when they caught him looking. He waved back, a smile on his face, trying not to appear like the silent chaperone he actually was. To be fair, he had nothing to worry about. His little brothers were tame.

Tom and Angie sat side by side, their backs against the trunk of the oak tree, and they appeared not to be touching at all. It was true that Christine sat in Sam's lap, but she wasn't straddling him and Jerry trusted Sam the most.

"Aren't they just adorable?" His mother came over to him, whisking egg whites.

"Yes," Jerry answered, returning his attention to the soup.

"I wish Kay would come over more often," Maxi said with a sigh.

Jerry just nodded, though he didn't agree. He liked Kay and wished he could see her more often, but he perfectly understood why Kyle kept her away. Freider. He glared at everyone when the girls were over, but he seemed to simply despise the idea of Kay's existence. So it was safer for Kay to stay as far away from the house as possible.

"Hi, Mom, Jerry."

Jerry jumped and turned towards the door where both Kyle and Kay stood. He shook his head and gawked at Kay, unable to believe she was actually there.

"Kay!" Maxi shrieked in delight. "It's so nice to see you! How have you been?"

"Very busy with school, Mrs. Grant," Kay answered with a shy smile.

"I hope so! I was starting to think he doesn't want us to see you anymore..." Maxi's voice trailed off as her eyes focused on her son. "Kyle! Is that how you went to school?"

"Huh?" Kyle looked down at his black leather jacket and black jeans. "Yeah, why?"

"It's too cold outside for that jacket! Starting tomorrow, you're wearing the winter jacket. You'll catch a cold! I hope you at least took your car and not the motorcycle."

Jerry smirked since he could practically feel Kyle trying his best not to roll his eyes or snap at his mother. He just pursed his lips and nodded, then slid out the back door towards the yard, with a discreet nod of his head. Jerry turned the stove off and followed him out and towards the others.

He shivered the moment he set foot out the door, even if he wore a sweater. His mom hadn't been wrong. The weather was much too cold for Kyle to be wandering around in a t-shirt and leather jacket. Though, as he walked towards their younger brothers, both wearing matching winter jackets, he didn't appear fazed at all.

"How was exam day?" Kyle asked as soon as he came close enough to be heard.

"It was awesome, of course," Christine answered, ruffling up Sam's hair. "Guess who was top of the class, as usual?"

"Me and Jessie," Tom answered with a grin.

"You two are giving me diabetes," Kyle said, nodding towards Sam and Christine. "How come you two are not?" he continued, turning to Angie and Tom.

"Ahem, the reason is right behind you," Tom said.

"Jerry? Come on, what a poor excuse."

"Hey!" Jerry said. "I resent that. I'm a very good excuse." That came out strange. "I mean reason. I'm a very good reason as you very well know."

"Yes, we know--" Kyle looked over his shoulder and did a double take. "Where's Kay?"

"I think Mom kept her inside for a chat," Jerry answered.

Kyle swore under his breath and headed for the house.

"Kay's here?" Angie asked, surprised.

Jerry nodded, narrowing his eyes at Sam who was trailing kisses along Christine's jawline. She giggled pleased, nestling herself in his arms. How could they be so comfortable around him? The rest of his brothers avoided him like the plague.

"I feel so sorry for her and Kyle, honestly," Angie mumbled. "Sorry, but your mom is cringey when it comes to her."

"I know, I've noticed," Jerry said, looking back towards the house. "Good thing Dad's not home or it would get even more awkward."

"You mean explosive," Tom corrected.

"Aren't you going to participate in the conversation?" Jerry asked Sam.

"What do you want me to say?" Sam asked, his dreamy gaze still on Christine. "Yes to all of the above."

"Don't you have swimming lessons in half an hour?" Jerry snapped. He had no idea why it bothered him so much that Sam and Christine were too comfortable around him.

"Oh, yeah. Completely forgot," Sam said, the dreamy haze turning into very uncomfortable longing. "You girls want to come?"

No! Not in a million years, since then he'd have to go and he had dinner and tomorrow's lunch to finish. He didn't feel like chaperoning swimsuit clad people, especially because there was the matter of Kyle and Kay who were both in the same place. Though if need be, his mother was a perfect mood killer.

"Nah," Christine said with a laugh. "I just washed and styled my hair. Maybe some other time." She stood from Sam's lap and leaned over to kiss him.

Jerry grumbled unpleased and turned to Tom and Angie who seemed to be having and argument comprised out of stares alone. At least they had the decency to act appropriate since he was there.

"Come on, Angie," Tom finally said, drawing out her name unnecessarily long.

"Sorry, but I promised Christine we'd go shopping together," she answered, raising apologetic hands.

"You always have something better to do than me," he said with a pout, crossing his arms over his chest and turning away from her.

Angie giggled. "That came out a little wrong."

"It came out exactly how it should've," he retaliated, not turning to face her.

"Guys, come on, please. I'm right here," Jerry said before they could make him even more uncomfortable.

"Don't worry, Jerry," Angie said with a laugh. "He's just kidding."

"Am not." He pulled away from her when Angie leaned over to kiss him.

"Fine, you big baby," Angie said with an eye roll. "Come on, Christine, let's go."

"Call me when you get home," Tom said, still stubbornly facing the other way.

"Why do you keep asking that? You know I always forget."

"Because I'm an inconsiderate control freak. Now shut up and call me."

Angie rolled her eyes again and headed for the street after waving goodbye to Jerry and Sam. Christine finally detached herself from Sam and waved at Jerry and Tom before following Angie. And Jerry let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding.

"You're such a crappy boyfriend," Sam mumbled.

"What?" Tom asked, turning to him, shocked.

"You really are an inconsiderate control freak."

"Seriously? Because I want her to call? What if something happens to her?"

"Angie can take care of herself. Nothing is going to happen to her. Give her a break. Besides, you're doing this because you're jealous, not because you're worried."

Jerry turned his back on them, fed up with their bickering. He'd noticed Tom being jealous too, but that didn't mean he wasn't worried. Anyway, it was none of Jerry's business. Once the girls were out of the picture, he didn't see the point in freezing outside without a jacket anymore.

❄

Kyle watched Kay shivering before him and almost felt bad. Almost. Because she had to master her own body and not tremble like a leaf even if he had to agree it was cold outside. But it had been her decision to wear shorts, not his. He was perfectly comfortable in his sweats.

"You're a freaking psychopath, did you know that?" she asked between clattering teeth, her hands rubbing the goosebumps on her arms obsessively.

"If you're going to be a baby, you can get dressed and go home."

"I'm being a baby? It's below freezing level out here and we're both barefooted!"

Yes, mildly inconvenient, but he still didn't see the big deal. He fleetingly wondered if that magic serum had something to do with his resistance in extreme temperatures. That would explain why he wasn't even close to trembling.

"You know, if you attacked me, you'd warm up."

Her eyes flashed in that delicious way they always did when she wanted to murder him, and it was the biggest turn on. He wouldn't let it show, he just watched her with a bored expression, waiting for her to have her fill and explode with annoyance.

Three, two, one...

Kay charged at him, aiming a kick to his side. He hopped out of the way then dodged the punch she aimed at his face. Her speed was impressive as she followed that attack with another. Not only were her hits right on target, but she varied the locations so much, he found it difficult to keep avoiding them. When she aimed a side kick at his head, he had to parry the blow.

The satisfaction in her eyes had him lingering for a second to just admire her. And of course it was a mistake. Her punch collided with the side of his torso and it actually hurt. He blocked her second hit.

"Come on, hit me back," she said between her teeth, landing a knee to his side.

He so didn't want to hit her back, but he'd trained with her enough to know he had to. So being extremely careful to reign most of his strength in, he charged at her. Kay ducked his first hit, parried the next and scurried under his arms. Kyle turned on the spot and blocked an incoming punch.

"You're tapping me again," she growled, ducking a punch.

"What would be the point to hit harder?" he asked, catching the fist aimed at his face.

"I don't know. I'm kind of curious how bad it would hurt."

He caught her other fist and pulled her against him. "Stop talking. It makes you lose focus."

She made to knee him in the stomach, but he lifted his leg and parried, then twisted her in his arms and immobilized her against him. She struggled, but there was no escape.

"Come on, let me go," she said. "What's this supposed to teach me?"

"That you can be overpowered, sweetheart. So don't get too mad when I come to the rescue."

She stopped all movement for a second then turned to face him. The glitter in her eyes send his heart into a mad dance. He still had his arms around her, but loosened the grip enough to allow her to move. Maybe it was stupid and she'd end up kicking him and escaping, but he didn't care. This wasn't training anymore.

"I both hate and love it when you come to the rescue," she whispered, raising on the tip of her toes.

"How come?" he whispered back, his eyes fixed on her full lips.

"You get such a hot focus when I'm in trouble, but it also means I'm unable to take care of myself and I abhor the idea."

"Kay, sometimes it's impossible. Sometimes even I can't handle myself alone. The last time, if it wasn't for you, I would've gotten owned."

Kay shuddered at the reminder of their last fight and he tightened his hold on her. He had to admit that it hadn't been pretty, and they'd both came out pretty roughed up. She rose her hands from his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing herself against him.

Someone cleared their throat. Kyle raised his eyes, ready to flip Jerry off.

His blood froze in his veins. It wasn't Jerry. It was his father.

Beyond his control, his entire body tensed. Kay pulled away and glanced over her shoulder. He could feel her tensing too as her eyes fell on Freider who was gawking at them with the look of a man facing a very complicated math problem. His facial expression went from the loathing Kyle was already used to, to some form of primal shrewdness, just to settle on fatherly concern.

"Kay," he finally said, his voice holding the slightest tremor. "What are you doing outside dressed like this? You'll freeze to death!"

Kyle felt the need to slap himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming. Kay pulled away from him, switching her weight from one foot to the other, obviously as confused as he was.

"Get inside before you catch a cold," Freider continued on the same weirdly friendly tone.

Kay looked back at Kyle, a question in her eyes. He nodded shortly and she darted towards the back door. Freider followed her with his gaze, acting as if he were truly concerned about her wellbeing. Kyle wasn't fooled, not after months of constant nagging about them breaking up already.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"What are you doing?" Freider retorted. He eyed his son up and down. "You'll catch a cold, too."

"Since when do you care?"

"You're my son. Of course I care!"

Kyle fought the impulse to laugh at his father's stupid statement. Freider had never once shown any sign of affection towards him. Even if he wasn't all bad or hateful, he disagreed with most of the decisions Kyle had made in his life, Kay being their primary source of discord.

"Look, come on, give me a break," Freider said, rubbing the back of his head. "Your mother and I messed up so much regarding you. But you're not even letting us try to make it up to you."

"So not true. I totally take your constant jabs at my relationship as an opportunity to bond."

Freider cringed and Kyle almost felt bad. Almost. Because this was all some kind of hidden ruse to get rid of Kay. He could practically see the cogs inside his father's head spinning madly as he tried to navigate the dangerous waters of his shallow plan.

"I'm working on that too, obviously," Freider finally said.

"No, you're not. Come on, spit it out, what is it? The least you can do is be honest with me."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"If you expect me to believe that you suddenly have nothing against Kay, you have another thing coming. So what's the plan? To lull me into a false sense of security?"

Freider's face went red and it was a color that didn't suit the muddy brown of his complexion. "I'll be honest. I have nothing against your girlfriend. She seems like a sweet girl."

This time, Kyle couldn't keep the laughter in. "Seriously now? A sweet girl?"

"But," Freider continued, cutting him off, "I do think she's not the right girl for you."

The affirmation ended all form of amusement. Kyle narrowed his eyes at his father. "Why not?"

Freider shook his head. "You don't see yourself with her. She turns you into nothing. She can use you any way she wants and you wouldn't bat an eyelash. That's not healthy."

That was a surprisingly devious approach. It would maybe even faze him if he gave a shit about Kay using him. As far as he was concerned, she could do whatever she wanted with him. He knew her. He trusted her. He loved her more than anything else in the world.

"Hasn't it ever occurred to you that she might be using you for your money?"

"Nope. And even if she was, I don't really care. As you so deftly demonstrated, I'm dirt poor. It's you who has the money." That statement wasn't true anymore, but his father didn't need to know the agency was actually paying them for risking their necks for dubious jewelry.

"That's fair," Freider said with a wise nod of his head before scanning him up and down. "But there could be other things she might want to use you for."

"Like what?"

"Face it, Kyle, you're not exactly average looking."

For a second, Kyle just stared, then he started laughing hysterically. "I think this is the first time you've ever paid me an straightforward compliment. And I honestly wish Kay would want to use me like that." Hell, maybe that way they'd finally get to it. After the whole pool incident in Malta, he'd thought living and getting home would make sure they took it even further.

Unfortunately, it was insanely hard to get any alone time. Kay lived with two other people, his house was full of his parents and Jerry and just taking her to a hotel seemed seedy as hell, as was the backseat of his car. He'd honestly started considering getting his own place if only for that.

"Why can't you see I'm just looking out for you?" Freider said, pulling Kyle out of his analysis of all the potential places he could take Kay.

"Look, Dad, I appreciate you trying to look out for me, but trust me on this. I know Kay. She's not using me. Why is it so hard for you to believe she loves me?"

"Because girls like her don't love, son," Freider said with defeat in his voice. "They just break hearts." And without another word, he turned around and headed for the house, his shoulders slouched.

Kyle tilted his head, watching his father's retreating back. He had no idea what was going on, but that was one weird assumption to make by a man who had been supposedly happily married for over twenty years. And for the first time in his life, he actually felt a twinge of sympathy towards his father.

❄❄❄

I know everyone missed Jerry so you're welcome. 😁 Also, more coverage of what's been going on over the past months. I hope you enjoyed this normalcy because I'm taking it away.

What do you think Freider's up to? Is he honestly trying or cooking up something? Curious about your thoughts on his interaction with Kyle.

And starting this chapter I'm done being nice. Time to get down and dirty! Put on your drama hats!

Also vote, comment and share.