Kay watched Kyle getting on his motorcycle and riding off, a knot in her chest. No matter what he understood out of it, sudden death couldn't be something pleasant.

"Cage's girl, come with me," the short Mexican guy said.

He seemed to be the boss there, which was weird since he was so unimpressive and actually wearing a wifebeater. But he bullied Kyle and the crowd parted when he walked. Plus, he'd promised Kyle he'd keep her safe, so she followed when he asked.

Santa Venusia was a weird place. Everything was so flashy, from the cars and motorcycles to the clothes. If she'd had a cotton bra on, preferably in neon colors, she could've fit in even without Kyle's shirt, though to be honest, she'd never give that up. The music, the raunchy people, the party atmosphere, it was all so different from what she was used to, and it felt like she'd landed in the middle of the Fast and Furious franchise.

She hurried to catch up with the guy. "What happens now?"

"Now, your boy Cage wins Chucho some motorcycles," he answered, rubbing his hands together.

He reached a rough iron ladder and started climbing. Kay followed him and the two stopped on a platform that gave them a great view of the area. That's when she noticed that the crowd and vehicles were actually displayed in a circle, leaving a long strip empty. Kyle had stopped his motorcycle on one end of the strip. Another guy had parked on the opposite end.

"So that's what Kyle does for you?" She cringed once the words were out. Since this dubious Chucho guy called Kyle Cage, maybe he didn't actually know his name and she'd just thrown it out there.

"Yes," Chucho answered. "He's my best."

"And how does he do that?"

"You'll see."

The roar of motorcycle engines filled the air and the crowd cheered. Kay leaned on the platform rail and watched Kyle and the other guy drive off at the same time. Towards each other. At breakneck speed. Her heart started pounding like crazy, faster with every second in which none of the riders changed direction. What the hell was Kyle doing? They were heading for full frontal impact.

"The guy has balls," Chucho comented as if they were watching a game of badminton. "But he has nothing on Cage."

Kay leaned forward, wanting to scream, having no idea what to do or say. Maybe a second before impact, the other guy swerved and avoided Kyle who continued his wild race towards the other end of the strip. Chucho cheered along with the crowd as Kyle turned the bike around and headed back.

Her knuckles had turned white and her entire body shook. A strange surge of elation coursed through her body as adrenaline started pumping. Sudden death. Adrenaline. Kyle was a freaking adrenaline junky. And crazy. Completely crazy.

"No time for congratulations. Two more bikes to win." Chucho turned towards the other end of the platform.

She followed, her eyes on the man who'd lost his Honda who threw his helmet to the ground. The crowd shifted and headed to the other side of the warehouse Kay was on, towards the abandoned iron skeleton of what looked like a multistory parking lot. Kyle was already there together with the guy with the BMW.

Some chick in tight neon-green daisy dukes and matching bra held a flag. Once she lowered it, the two motorcycles were off, racing each other on the narrow ramps of the parking lot. Kay could hear the screeching of the tires at every curb from where she stood.

"What happens if he loses?" she asked absently, her gaze trained on the red and black blur.

"The winner gets the loser's bike," Chucho answered with a shrug.

"But he gives the bikes he wins to you."

"Yes." He pumped his fist in the air as Kyle drifted on the last platform and overtook his opponent. "Muy bien, Cage! He's very talented, your boyfriend."

Kay nodded mechanically. Since Kyle was the first to reach the bottom again, she guessed he won. She wanted to ask why he did this for Chucho, risking his Ducati and getting nothing in return, but that was a question best saved for Kyle, not the crazy Mexican.

But Kyle was not done. The crowd shifted again as he lined up at what looked like a starting line next to his last opponent.

"We won't see this last one. The circuit is big, but knowing my boy, he'll be back in less than five minutes." Chucho turned to her and grinned. He had remarkably even teeth. "So... You and Cage, huh?"

She had no idea what to say to that, so she just nodded. Chucho was weird. He seemed protective of Kyle, but still put him up to things that could kill him. Like Max.

"You look like an upper class doña, so I'm a little surprised he brought you here."

Kay wanted to argue that she was as middle class as they came, but decided against it. Chucho didn't seem to need her to answer anyway.

"But that means a lot," he continued wisely. "To show you this part of his life, dangerous and illegal. I know who he pretends to be when he's not here. You must be the one."

The breath she took went down the wrong way and she coughed.

"Don't judge him over this. He's a good kid," Chucho continued as if he hadn't noticed Kay choking. "You look good together. Feliz."

"Thank you," Kay said awkwardly. "This place is pretty nice and friendly."

He grinned. "Of course, unless you're an outsider. Then we cut you up." He laughed.

She laughed along, though she had the distinct feeling he wasn't kidding. But it wasn't that which made her heart stutter, but the claim that this was the real Kyle and that the rest was just a cover. A mask. It was a frightening thought, but Kay couldn't deny that he was acing this.

At that moment, the two motorcycles came into view. She couldn't tell who was first until both riders crossed the finish line, but she wasn't worried. Kyle had gotten through worse, so she wasn't at all surprised that he won.

Chucho cheered on with the crowd. "Let's go down and congratulate him."

"Did he ever lose?" she asked as they made their way down the ladder.

"No." Chucho jumped the rest of the way just as Kyle came towards them, pulling his helmet off. "Good show, kid!"

Kyle tossed him three sets of keys, but otherwise ignored him. He headed straight for Kay. "Are you okay?" he whispered.

When she looked into his worried eyes, every bleak thought disappeared. Kyle had no mask. He was just the sum of so many things, it was hard to know all of him. Except... The realization that she was maybe the only person who knew all of him hit her like a truck.

"Kay?" He put his hands on her cheeks and raised her face.

"Yeah, I'm okay. Chucho was actually really nice to me," she whispered back.

"Ay, tanto amor," Chucho breathed from behind.

"Good. We're getting out of here," Kyle said, taking her hand.

"It's not that bad."

"It's past midnight. You'll be in a shit ton of trouble."

Shit. She'd completely forgotten she hadn't told anyone she was leaving. The fear must've shown clearly in her eyes because his expression softened and he put his hand on her cheek again. Stupidly enough, she found herself wishing he wasn't wearing gloves. The crowd cheered and started chanting.

Kay frowned. Okay, she was late, really late, but she had other, more pressing things to deal with right now. "Does the boyfriend-girlfriend lie keep me safe here?" she whispered.

"Yes," Kyle said warily.

"So it's important that we keep it up?"

"Pretty much. I think even more so than the lie at school. High school kids don't carry knives."

She'd figured that much. That's why what came next was difficult. "You do understand that they're chanting for us to kiss, don't you?"

The slightest widening of his eyes screamed that he didn't. "I could tell them to get lost."

"Would that be wise?"

He leaned in a little closer to her. "Not really."

"Then do it. It's just a kiss for show." Then why did her heart start hammering in anticipation? It drowned out the sound of the crowd.

Kay watched Kyle leaning towards her, the question once again burning in his eyes, but she had no idea what to make of it this time. She'd already told him it was okay. The innocent curiosity on his face sent flutters to her stomach. Which wasn't right or normal or appropriate right now. In their game, she was supposed to be the loving girlfriend congratulating her man for winning three motorcycles for Chucho. So she should be the one kissing him.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him to her. His mouth crashed against hers. An electric bolt went from her lips to her entire body, making her hum with energy. He was hot, soft but powerful, tender but wild. He pulled away the tiniest bit to release some of the tension and another current shot through her because now it was the tenderest touch she'd ever felt.

What felt like the blink of an eye or maybe an eternity later, he pulled away to a cheering crowd, a silly grin on his face. Everyone seemed satisfied, including Chucho who was already offering himself as godfather to their first child. The two of them waved and headed for the motorcycle.

The world seemed to blurr around her in a cacophony of colors and sounds. She just moved, letting him lead her away, much like he had the day Donnie hit her. Only that this time, the numbness was positive and she never wanted to come out of it.

Without a word, she took the helmet he offered, climbed behind him, and they were off, leaving the lights and craziness of Santa Venusia behind. Her brain was stuck, her surroundings zooming by without meaning. The only thing she could focus on was the pleasant warmth on her lips, as if Kyle was still kissing her.

The cold air broke easily through the holes in her new outfit, but she tightened her hold on Kyle and the heat of his body made it all better. She dug her fingers deeper into him. He was still there, real. It wasn't a dream.

When they reached her house, everything was thankfully dark. Maybe her parents hadn't actually realized she was gone, or they'd be up waiting for her. Maybe, just maybe, she had a chance to avoid getting grounded forever. If only she'd manage to get in and up to her room without making any noise... But all she wanted was to ask Kyle to drive off into the unknown.

"Where's your room?" Kyle asked, breaking the spell.

"Over there," Kay whispered pointing to the window above the garage.

"I hoped so. You left the window open."

That was a fortunate observation. Breaking into her own house it was. "Help me climb on the garage."

They tiptoed to the corner of the building and he gave ger a boost. Kay grabbed the edge of the garage's roof and struggled to pull herself up. Kyle put his hands on her butt and pushed her higher. She managed to scramble soundlessly to her window and pry it open wide enough to squeeze through. Her room was fortunately dark and empty.

"Kay," he whisper-yelled from outside.

She stuck her head out the window. "Yeah?"

"I'll see you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow's Saturday."

"I know, but I think it's time we got started on more of the stuff on your bucket list."

She couldn't suppress a smile. Seeing him was never a bad idea. "Okay, call me."

He nodded and waved. "Good night. And thanks for coming with me. You were right, you being there really helped."

"Anytime. Good night."

She stayed by the window and watched him leading his motorcycle away from the house before getting on and driving off.

And as she stared at the night sky, she focused on pleasant tingle in her lips. How could it still be there? She knew it was stupid, that it meant nothing, that it was nothing, just the light touch of lips on lips, but she felt happier and more alive than she had in years. Because when he'd pulled away, she was pretty sure he'd lingered a little on her lower lip, as if he'd wanted to bite her, and the thought was enough to warm her up.

And even if it was crazy and impossible, she wondered how it would have felt if Kyle had really kissed her, the way he'd been kissing Cecily when she'd walked in on them.

"Come on," she said to the night. "Get it out of your system."

So she closed her eyes and let her imagination take her back to Santa Venusia, to the moment she'd wrapped her arms around his neck. Only that this time, Kyle crushed her against him, kissed her so hard her knees gave way, picked her up and took her to the motorcycle where they continued to make out.

"As if," she mumbled, opening her eyes. Her imagination wasn't enough, because it couldn't replicate the heat of his body, the feel of his skin against hers, and that's what she craved most. Her chest tightened and she realized that she missed him already. She hugged herself. She still wore his t-shirt and it smelled like him.

"You're freaking crazy," she said with a sigh. "Probably imagined everything."

The tingle on her lips was still there. She smiled because it was proof that she hadn't imagined everything.

🧩🧩🧩

So... I'm so curious what you think about this chapter, especially the big thing. I promised I would deliver. Poorly, but still... Can we start throwing the big L word around now?

This chapter would be dedicated to MegHahn if I could actually dedicate on the app, but alas, you only get a mention.

Thanks for reading and don't you dare not vote and comment!