Kyle was very proud of Kay. Over the next two months, her progress had been unbelievable. After the Santa Venusia incident, he'd realized two major things. One, Kay was much tougher and more adaptable than he'd ever thought, so he'd pushed her into trying a whole lot of different things.

She'd said she wanted to play the drums again, so he started taking her to band rehearsals. Sonia would then give her a few lessons and let her practice. Kyle had stayed in on a few classes and Kay really had potential.

She'd said she wanted to dance, so two hours a week, he took her to dancing classes with him. She'd been shocked that he took dancing classes, but took it in stride and he finally had a permanent partner. Of course, at the beginning she stumbled a lot, but after a few weeks they actually did something that looked like proper dancing.

They even took a cooking class together. Kay really liked it and was still doing it, but he'd been kicked out after the first class for setting his station on fire. Not that he minded. He hated cooking.

He'd also insisted that Kay learned how to ride a motorcycle. That had been painful to watch. She'd started on the Harley because it wasn't as temperamental as the Ducati, but he still cringed every time she almost drove it into something. Finally, after three excruciating weeks, she got the hang of it.

Target practice, the course and fighting training were going great. And as an added bonus, he hadn't seen her sad in weeks. She was always excited and full of life, laughing every time she fell, every time he cringed at her lousy first attempts. But she had guts and perseverance and he found himself staring at her for hours, which was slightly problematic.

Because the other big thing Kyle had learned after Santa Venusia was that he never wanted to fake-kiss Kay again. Which was the main reason he never brought her back there as much as both her and Chucho asked. But this way, he could dodge going there as well. With Kay there, he had enough adrenaline in his life, and Chucho was appeased enough to continue guarding Max's warehouses.

And he and Kay could continue doing new things together. They were both in a great place right now. Friends and partners, Kay healing nicely, him trying to figure himself out. He didn't need the tension, his crazy imagination taking over and screwing everything up.

Because that kiss had almost driven him crazy. He'd been seconds away from driving to Cecily's place that night and making out with her just to get Kay's taste off his lips. It was beyond stupid because it had been absolutely nothing, but he was also sure that another second of contact would have been all it took for him to lose his mind and destroy their friendship.

Why, he couldn't understand. Because he liked hanging out with Kay, talking to her, the familiarity between them, and everything was great, normal, platonic. Until something like Santa Venusia or the cabin happened and he temporarily lost his mind. His body was stupid as fuck, not to be trusted. And wanted something completely different than his mind.

Fortunately, for the past months, everything had been great, normal. Platonic. At least between them. Joey and Kelly on the other hand... Kyle could almost hear church bells ringing and babies crying. But he didn't mind, because he spent Joey and Kelly's dates with Kay.

Like right now, at the cafe, at the bar, with Joey and Kelly displaying too much PDA somewhere behind them. But he didn't care, he had ice cream.

"You're looking indecently excited about that sundae," Kay said, scooping up a spoonful of cream off her hot chocolate.

"That's because it's delicious and has no coffee in it." He took a mouthful and his tongue almost froze over.

"It's almost Christmas and you're eating ice cream." She shook her head and threw a glance over her shoulder. "How long do you think Jelly needs until they get their fill?"

"Um, forever and ever?" He took another spoonful. Damn, this cafe had perfect everything.

"I don't want to be late for dance class." Kay watched him, frowning. "God, that look on your face. It's like you're having an orgasm or something. Is it really that good?"

He choked on the spoon. Both because he was ditching dance class without telling her and because of her unfortunate use of words because he was now thinking about her, sex and ice cream at the same time and that was a big no no. He needed a distraction.

"Yeah, it is." He reached out a filled spoon before he realized Kay had her own. She didn't hesitate and ate the ice cream as if him feeding her sweets was the most normal thing in the world.

She closed her eyes and hummed. "You're right, it is good." To Kyle's shock, she opened her mouth, waiting for another.

He complied, watching her nose wrinkling from the cold, the satisfied expression on her face, the bliss surrounding her and tried to remember her like this, because in a few hours, she'd be raging mad at him.

"Hey, let's head out," Joey said from behind them. "What are you guys doing?"

Kyle pulled the spoon back loaded it again and led it towards Joey. "Want some?"

"Ew, no, I'm not eating after you. And Kay."

"Aw, that's adorable," Kelly said, clasping her hands together. "I'm going to call you Kale."

Kay blushed furiously once Joey started laughing his head off.

"Shut up, Jelly," Kyle said, punching Joey's shoulder. "Let's go or we'll be late."

"Friends do eat each other's food, right?" Kay whispered to him as they followed Joey and Kelly out.

"Yes, of course. Don't mind them. They're just trying to screw with us because they're disgusting and we're happily single."

Kay giggled. "Okay. See you in an hour."

He smiled and watched her getting in the truck she'd finally managed to fix. It was going to be tough on her, but the fact that she'd been doing so well meant she was ready for the next step in her training.

Breaking free of Donnie didn't mean she should latch on to him instead. She had to learn to do the things she wanted on her own. She had to realize that she didn't need him.

She didn't need anyone.

🧩🧩🧩

Kyle Grant was the biggest ass on the planet. He'd ditched Kay for two whole weeks, barely speaking to her. At first she was confused, then angry, then worried and now angry again. Fine, if he didn't want to hang out anymore, he should just say so.

If he had a new secret girlfriend like the school rumors kept whispering, he should just say so. He was free to date whoever he wanted. She was his friend, he didn't have to hide from her.

And it wasn't like she couldn't continue what she had started without him. Though, she had been tempted to skip at first. They've been doing everything together for so long, it felt weird to be without him.

And people noticed they were no longer joined at the hip. She could tell from the satisfaction on Cecily's face. They hadn't interacted since Kay had tried to be a decent human being to her, and it was a blessing. Though she wasn't sure she still cared about Cecily's influence and school rumors, the icy silence was much better than a direct attack.

As if to make up for trying to be nice while dating Kyle, the queen bee made sure to set everyone who advocated her fall straight and regain her place and her crown. With the king out of the way, she also became the most sought after girl in school. It didn't stroke her ego enough, because she attacked people without mercy.

Erin seemed to be her favorite target, as she liked to complain to Kay in English class. And since Erin was an annoying gossip faucet, Kay couldn't really blame Cecily.

"Are you and Kyle actually together?" Erin asked on one rainy afternoon.

Kay had been busy debating whether to skip training, which was newly supervised by Max, just to show Kyle she was done with his shit, when the question registered. It felt like Erin had brain lag since this question would've actually made sense a couple of weeks ago. Not now.

"Um, no, not really."

Erin raised her eyebrows. "I figured that much. You don't really act like a couple."

Kay shrugged. "We're friends." Or at least they were until he started avoiding her.

"But you did sleep with him."

Erin was excruciatingly annoying, but the rumor about her and Kyle kept the stupid bet from happening, so Kay nodded.

"When? And how'd that happen?" Erin insisted.

Kay opened her mouth to tell her to mind her own freaking business and stop gossiping, but thought better of it. Whether she told her anything or not, Erin was going to spread something. So why shouldn't she spread the lie Kay made up instead of something potentially more harmful?

"Oh, it happened after I broke up with Donnie. We all went to Joey's uncle's cabin, and it sorta happened there." She shrugged as if it was no big deal.

Because it wasn't. Nothing actually happened there except inappropriate fantasies from her part. She'd felt fairly guilty about it until she found out that Kyle and Cecily had been on a break at the time. A break that had turned into a break up after everything.

"Hmm, so you never cheated on Donnie," Erin said thoughtfully, completely ignoring their English teacher who was glaring at her. "But the king cheated on the queen."

Kay cringed. Technically, since he broke up with Cecily, Kyle was no longer king. And he'd gained a reputation as a cheater which he totally didn't deserve. "I heard he and Cecily were on a break."

Erin rubbed her chin. "I heard that one, too, as much as the queen is trying to pretend otherwise." She started writing some of the words on the whiteboard into her notebook and Kay turned back to searching for definitions, breathing relieved.

She hated having to talk to Erin, but it wasn't like she could tell her not to sit by her and go away. Getting on Erin's bad side could cause a lot of trouble Kay didn't want or need. Kelly hated Erin so much, that she simply refused to talk to her.

"So," Erin suddenly said. "How is he?"

"What?" Kay asked, shocked.

"In bed. He looks like a million bucks. Is he as good as we all dream?"

"Why don't you just mind your own business, you lifeless twat?" Kelly asked between her teeth, and Kay had to agree that was exactly what she was thinking, too.

"Shut up, Joey's girlfriend, I wasn't talking to you," Erin snapped.

Kay glared at the girl, feeling a savage need to punch her in the face. But she could do something else instead. Screw with her big time.

"Oh, yeah," she answered even if what she actually wanted to do was shove her dictionary down Erin's throat. "Everything you're imagining, but a million times better."

Erin's eyes lit up with wild pleasure at the juicy piece of gossip. "Really?"

Kay nodded wisely. "All that crap about the first time being awkward and painful? Not with him. He's amazing. It was hot and smoldering and passionate and I couldn't get enough. Not even after five times."

"Five times?" Erin's eyes looked ready to pop out of her head.

"A night. We were there for four nights, so we did it about twenty times if not more. I lost count because he screwed my brains out." Kay elbowed Kelly in the ribs to stop her silent giggles.

Erin's jaw hit the desk. "And after all that, you're not doing it anymore?"

Kay shrugged. "We decided our friendship would get kind of awkward if we keep screwing instead of talking. Because we'd be in the same room and bam! Sex. We wouldn't even say hello. It's better this way."

"You're killing me," Kelly whispered, choking on silent laughter.

Fortunately, the bell rang announcing the end of class, and Kay could make her exit, leaving Erin with her mouth hanging open. She and Kelly then spent the next few days giggling about the stupid rumors flying around.

It was suddenly not funny when guys started asking her out. Insistently. Apparently the words 'I don't date' were very hard to understand. Especially for someone like Malcom Davis who knew he was a catch and every girl's dream.

"Come on, Kathy, why not?" he insisted, leaning his elbow on her shoulder.

"You're calling me Kathy, for one thing," she said, shoving his arm off. "And I don't have to give you a reason."

"I'd like one either way."

"Give it a rest, Malcom." Kyle appeared by her side and wrapped an arm around her neck.

Kay tried to wriggle out of his hold, but he only tightened his grip. This was the first time he'd touched her in weeks and she'd forgotten how hot his body was. Literally.

"Come on, Kay, let's go." He turned her around and led her towards the exit.

"Where are you going?" Malcom asked indignantly.

"To screw her brains out five times because I miss it," Kyle called over his shoulder.

Kay's face caught fire. Her little stunt with Erin didn't seem so funny anymore.

"Funny rumors going around school," Kyle said joyfully. "Apparently I'm amazing in bed, because I see no other reason all these girls are throwing themselves at me. Oh, that and the fact that they know we're not together."

"But we're not. Maybe you want to start dating," Kay said innocently.

Kyle stopped and finally let her go. "If you want to go out with Malcom, I'm sorry I got in the way."

"Of course you didn't, I was trying to ditch him." She bit her lips, wondering if she should apologize for starting the silly rumors or yell at him for ignoring her for so long. "I'm sorry about the rumors."

"They're actually pretty funny. And you made me into a bit of a stud." He laughed when she punched his shoulder. "But I do hope you realize it goes both ways. Girls want to get with guys who are up for a marathon, but guys also want to get with girls who'd let them in as many times as they want."

Kay's insides froze over. She hadn't thought about that. And it explained why all those guys were suddenly interested in her. She slapped her forehead. She didn't want that sort of reputation.

"Can we go back to pretending we're together?" she mumbled.

"Nope, I'm done pretending when it comes to you."

"It's that why you've been ignoring me? Because you're done pretending that you like me?"

Kyle's smile was so tender, she almost melted. But it was also weirdly timed.

"I'm done pretending to ignore you, too. Because you've graduated the next step of your training with flying colors."

Kay shook her head. "What are you talking about?"

"Independence. You kept to your schedule without me. You are strong and independent on your own and you don't need me around to do what you want." His smile widened and it totally made sense now.

Yes, over the past weeks she'd battled herself whether to quit all her extra activities or keep going. She'd finally decided to keep going without Kyle and even if it was less fun, she still enjoyed them. It had become something she did for herself. And the realization made her feel so much stronger.

"So," he asked shrewdly. "Are you still mad at me?"

"No, but I do feel a little dazed. What's the next step in the program?"

Kyle shrugged. "You took off brilliantly. I'm not sure I have anything left to teach you. So, from now on, I'll just be your friend."

Kay didn't have an answer to that. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him as hard as she could, burying her face in his chest. He hugged her back, kissed the top of her head and leaned his cheek on her hair. And at that moment, none of the rumors or the tests in the world mattered. She liked the person he brought out in her. She liked that she was independent, but she liked being with him a little bit more. Because everything was much more fun with someone by her side.

And as he pulled away from her and looked down at her, he said the magic words.

"Wanna spend Christmas at my place?"

🧩🧩🧩

My dear, dear readers...

I'm going to start jumping huge periods of time from now on, focusing on small scenes or bigger scenes. So, my big question is... Did it work? Was it boring?

I promise much drama in the next chapter;)

Thanks so much for reading. Vote and comment and if you have a friend who you think would enjoy this story, why not tell the, about it? ;