This is a one shot about Kyle and Tamara being in a relationship when a new waitress joins the diner. Tamara suggests that Kyle give her a tour around the Bay, as she had recently moved there, not knowing it would lead to Kyle and the new girl in town falling in love. Kyle tries to hide his feelings so he doesn't hurt Tamara, but then she proposes in front of his entire family and he's torn over what to do.
Ever since Casey had gotten into a relationship with Denny, Kyle and Tamara had rekindled their relationship and were still going strong months later. Casey was genuinely happy for both of them because he loved Denny too much to mind whether Kyle was back with Tamara or not. He knew things might be very different if Denny wasn't in the picture, but he had put his feelings aside to focus on his new ventures in life.
As for Kyle, he was feeling great about how his life was going. Brax had started giving him a lot more responsibility around Angelo's, and was even letting him take control over more of the meetings. There were times when he'd made small mistakes with things, but Brax laughed it off as he knew his brother was still learning the ropes. Tamara didn't help when she joined in, but he loved it when she also managed to blag him a little more time off work.
"We can grab a quick coffee but then I promised Brax I was going to cover a shift for him so you wouldn't have to. You've worked so hard lately, so I'm going to let you have the day off instead." Tamara says as they both walk into the diner for a coffee.
"You know I was happy to go in and work it. It's only an afternoon shift, so I would have been fine." Kyle says, smiling down at her.
"I know, but I love you and thought you could do with some you time. You've worked so much lately, plus I needed the extra money." Tamara shrugs as they walk up to the counter, where Irene was standing off to the side with someone they didn't recognise, and Marilyn was closest to them. "Hey Marilyn, can we get two flat whites please?"
"You sure can." Marilyn smiles as Kyle hands her a ten dollar note before Tamara could get her purse out.
"Hey, I said I was going to pay for this!" Tamara shakes her head as she looks up at him.
"I've already done it now, it's my treat for a change." Kyle smiles as Marilyn starts making their drinks for them. "And maybe then you won't be making yourself sneaky drinks throughout your shift before being caught by Brax."
"I was thirsty!" Tamara laughs. "Maybe we could watch a film after my shift finishes?"
"As long as it's not a chick flick or rom-com." Kyle says.
"Okay, I'll have a think during my break." Tamara nods.
"Here's your two flat whites. No shifts today?" Marilyn asks them.
"Nope, got a few days off. Tam has a shift soon though." Kyle says.
"Did I hear that right, darl, you've got some spare time?" Irene asks Kyle as she walks closer to them.
"Yep. Heath hasn't been complaining about me not doing something for him, has he?" Kyle lightly rolls his eyes, knowing that's something his brother would do.
"Not quite. Elena here has just moved to the Bay and is due to start work here in a few days. I was going to give her a tour of the area, but now I have to work. There's no chance you could do it instead, is there?" Irene asks, knowing it was a long shot but she thought she'd ask anyway.
"That sounds like a good idea. It would give you something to do if you're still avoiding Heath." Tamara smiles.
"I'm not avoiding Heath." Kyle frowns.
"He'll do it, Irene." Tamara smiles before turning to Elena. "I'm Tamara. If Kyle sounds a little confused while showing you around, ignore it. He's not the best tour guide."
"Note taken." Elena laughs.
"Anyway, I've got to head off. Have fun." Tamara smiles, leaning up to kiss Kyle before leaving for her shift.
"So, where should we start on this tour then?" Kyle asks, not sure where the best place would be.
"Well Marilyn mentioned a really nice hiking route to the lighthouse, maybe we could start there." Elena suggests.
"Sure, sounds like a plan." Kyle nods before they leave the diner and head towards the lighthouse path. "So, what made you move to the Bay?"
"I came here on a trip with some friends a while ago, and I just fell in love with the place. What about you?" Elena asks.
"I found out I had three half brothers living here, so here I am. This place kinda grows on you after a while." Kyle says, surprised he stuck around for so long.
"Where did you live before moving here?"
"I lived in Melbourne my whole life before this."
"No way, so have I!" Elena exclaims. "How weird is that?"
"So weird! Everyone around here seems to be local, apart from a few who never stick around. Now I'm not the only one who knows what it's like to come from a big city to a tiny town." Kyle smiles, having been teased about it a lot from his brothers.
"When I first moved here the other week, it was so weird, but living so close to the beach makes up for it massively." Elena says. "There's also not a huge deal of clothes shops around here, but Yabbie Creek isn't as bad as I was expecting, it's still fairly big."
"There's a lot to get used to, but you will soon enough. And if you ever feel like some company, then you're always welcome to hang with me and Tam." Kyle says.
"Thanks, I'll certainly take you up on that." Elena smiles.
Over the weeks since Kyle and Tamara had met Elena, they'd hung out a lot during their days off. It was during that time that Kyle had started to realise that he was developing feelings for Elena, despite loving Tamara. It wasn't something he'd ever imagined to happen, so was completely stuck on what to do. He loved Tamara, he didn't want to hurt her, but he had fallen in love with Elena.
In the beginning, things had been rocky with Tamara. She had broken up with Casey and almost immediately gotten with Kyle. But with Elena, Kyle felt like they had this deep connection and they also had loads more in common than he did with Tamara. He didn't want to hurt either of them, but he also didn't want to lead either of them on.
"Can I ask you something?" Kyle asks his eldest brother as they stood behind the bar at Angelo's, hoping it would somehow help him.
"Sure, what is it?" Brax asks as he turns to face him.
"Say you were in a relationship with someone but had started to get feelings for someone else, what would you do about it?" Kyle asks.
"You've got feelings for someone else?"
"No, I'm asking for a friend." Kyle mutters, not convincing Brax, but he didn't want to get involved in something that could turn messy.
"I'd do something about it whether it's breaking up with the girlfriend, or telling the other girl to back off." Brax says.
"Right." Kyle frowns. "That's not really helpful."
"Then what did you want me to say?" Brax asks, knowing Ricky would kill him if she found out he was getting involved and didn't tell her something so serious.
"I don't know." Kyle shrugs.
"Anyway, family barbie tonight, don't be late." Brax says, not knowing what else to say on Kyle's love life.
"Is there an occasion I've missed?" Kyle asks, trying to think if there was.
"Nope, the girls want the family together, so I've got to make sure you all go." Brax says, having been forced into making his brothers go by Ricky when he saw her earlier that day.
"But I'm on a close tonight."
"Not anymore, I've had to swap it." Brax says.
"Okay, so what time am I on until?" Kyle asks, hoping he'd be able to talk to Tamara before the barbie.
"We have to be home by six, so anytime before that would be fine, as long as it's not hours before." Brax says. "Anyway, I've got some stuff to sort out with the suppliers, will you be good here?"
"Yeah, go ahead." Kyle nods, knowing he wouldn't get time, but he was now hoping to do it before the family barbie properly started.
A few hours later, Kyle had returned home after managing to get out of Angelo's just after five. He hadn't seen Tamara when he got back as she'd been occupied in the flat with the girls. When he did eventually see her, he was blown away by how gorgeous she looked. She wore her hair up in a messy bun, and a small red dress that she'd worn on their first proper date, and it just made it harder for him to talk to her.
"I'm glad Brax was able to let you finish your shift early, things might not have gone to plan else." Tamara smiles as they stand to the side of everyone else, who were chatting between each other.
"Before I find out what this is about, could we talk?" Kyle asks.
"Can it not wait? I need to do something." Tamara says, grabbing his hand to lead him closer to everyone else.
"Uh, sure." Kyle lightly nods, glancing at Brax, who looked a little awkward after his chat with Ricky.
"So, thank you all for being able to make it to this last minute family barbie, I know I should have given more warning, but I didn't really plan this to happen so soon." Tamara smiles at them all. "As you know, things have been tough for me and Kyle during our relationship, but we've come out the other side a lot stronger and we love each other. Kyle, you've been amazing to me, and you've helped me become who I am today. I love you so much, more than I thought I ever would and I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Tamara smiles.
"What're you saying?" Kyle frowns, his heart starting to beat out of his chest, he didn't want to know what she was trying to say, but he couldn't stop her.
"Kyle, will you marry me?" Tamara asks, Kyle too taken by surprise to do anything. "Say something." She mutters, her smile starting to fade.
"I'm sorry, I can't." Kyle says, hating how confused and hurt she looked, so had to leave.
"Thought I might find you here." Brax says as he walks over to Kyle, who was sitting at the end of the pier.
"Did you know about that?" Kyle asks, feeling like he humiliated Tamara, and also a little himself for letting it get this far.
"Not until just before it happened." Brax says as he sits down next to his brother. "I would have done something if I knew sooner."
"Tam hates me, doesn't she?" Kyle sighs.
"She's just confused, they all are. You're in love with Elena, aren't you?" Brax asks, having met her a few times when she's hung out with Kyle and Tamara.
"I never meant to fall for her, we've just got so much in common. I've not felt like this about someone before." Kyle says. "Don't get me wrong, I love Tamara, but it's different with Elena. I feel like she's the one I was always meant to be with."
"More than Tamara?" Brax asks, Kyle staying quiet. "Just tell me the truth, Kyle, why won't you do something about this?"
"Because I can't!" Kyle groans, Brax frowning at him in confusion. "You've all made it very clear that I was out of this family if I ever hurt Tamara, and that's exactly what I've done."
"That's what this is about?" Brax asks, he couldn't understand why Kyle was worried about something that was said months ago, when things were a lot different.
"I don't want to go back to not having a family. I don't want to go back to where I was before moving here because it's not worth living for, but I don't want everyone to hate me for this." Kyle says, and he didn't realise he had tears streaming down his face now. "I love Tamara, and I never meant to hurt her like this, but I also love Elena and I don't know what to do!"
"I'm sorry." Brax sighs, not having realised at the time how much his words would have affected his brother now this had happened. "I'm not going to kick you out, you're staying in this family." He says, pulling Kyle in for a side hug. "Things were different back then, Casey cared about her and I said it because I didn't want to deal with you two falling out again. He's happy with Denny now, and if you don't want to be with Tamara, then do the right thing and tell her."
"I can't do that to her!" Kyle mutters.
"So you'd prefer being unhappy just because you don't want to upset her?" Brax asks as he pulls away to look at Kyle.
"It's not just the relationship I'd lose, we have the same group of friends and they get on better with her. It's not like I'm massively popular around here anyway." Kyle says. "I'd lose everything."
"You wouldn't lose us, and I think family is more important than friendships." Brax says. "I get where you're coming from Kyle. I've been in a similar situation, granted that it wasn't really that similar."
"How?" Kyle asks as he wipes his eyes dry.
"I was torn between two people, Charlie and Ricky. I loved them both so much, apart from Charlie was dead and I felt like I was betraying her if I was to move on with Ricky." Brax says. "It's going to hurt for a while and you're going to question a lot but you need to do what's best for you. Now I'm not sure, but I think you love Elena more than you do Tamara."
"But what does that say about me? Tamara will accuse me of cheating on her and I haven't done that, I haven't done anything with Elena." Kyle says.
"You don't worry about that, I'll back you up." Brax says, knowing Kyle wouldn't lie about it. "Just remember that you're never going to lose us over this, family stick together and you're one of us."
"You really mean that?"
"Yeah, I do." Brax smiles. "Now come on, I think the sooner you talk to Tamara, the better."
"Yeah." Kyle sighs, both of them standing up to head home.
By the time Brax and Kyle got back to the house, everyone was already inside comforting Tamara. Kyle went to walk away when he saw them all there, but Brax grabbed his arm to make sure he stayed, wanting this sorted out sooner rather than later. When they all noticed them there, Kyle was relieved when Tamara led him into the flat to talk as he was expecting them all to have a go at him for what he did.
"I'm sorry." Kyle mutters as he sits at the counter opposite Tamara, staring down at his hands.
"I thought you loved me, that it's what you wanted." Tamara says.
"I do love you, I just don't… I don't feel the same love as when we first got together. I know it sounds bad, and it's nothing you've done, I…" Kyle couldn't carry on, tears were now streaming down Tamara's face and he just wanted to run from his problems.
"So you don't love me anymore?" Tamara cries, Kyle unable to give her the answer she wanted. "What's changed in the last few months that you don't want to be with me anymore?"
"I've fallen for someone else." Kyle mutters, and Tamara just cried more.
"You've been cheating on me?"
"No! No, I haven't cheated on you." Kyle shakes his head, wanting to make it clear.
"You're a liar!" Tamara shouts, shooting up for her chair. "Just admit it! That's why you're doing this, to try and make yourself feel better! You've already admitted to being in love with someone else-"
"I haven't cheated on you, Tamara, I swear on my life!" Kyle says as he stands up.
"You cheated on her?" Casey frowns from the doorway, taking some threatening steps towards him.
"I haven't! You're twisting what I'm saying. Just because I've fallen for someone else, it doesn't mean I've cheated. They don't even know!" Kyle panics, feeling some relief as Brax rushes in, blocking Casey from getting to Kyle.
"And you think that makes it okay?" Casey glares.
"Can you just let me and Tamara talk? Why are you getting involved?" Kyle groans, feeling like things were just getting worse for him and he didn't know how to stop it.
"I love Tamara, but I pushed those feelings aside because she was in a relationship with you. I warned you to keep her happy!" Casey hisses.
"You're in love with Tamara?" Denny asks from the doorway, staring at Casey before running down the path.
"Denny!" Casey sighs, turning to Kyle. "You just love ruining relationships, don't you?" He glares before running after Denny.
"Please believe me, Tamara. I haven't acted on it ever." Kyle says.
"He's telling the truth." Brax says, Tamara turning to him.
"You knew?" Tamara asks him.
"Kyle asked me what he should do about it, so I gave him some advice." Brax says. "You can be angry at me all you like, just hear Kyle out and believe that he didn't cheat on you."
"Who is she?" Tamara asks Kyle. "Don't even think about playing the silent treatment now. You owe me an explanation."
"It's Elena." Kyle mutters. "But she doesn't know how I feel. I was going to tell you all of this earlier, but then you proposed and I didn't know what to do. I'm so sorry."
"So am I." Tamara mutters, heading towards the door.
"Where are you going?" Kyle asks.
"To pack my stuff, I'm moving out." Tamara says, not bothering to stop.
"Could've gone worse." Brax says, Kyle looking at him.
"What do I do now?" Kyle sighs. "I've got nothing."
"What have I said about you still having us?" Brax says.
"Yeah, cause that went so well after Casey got the wrong end of the stick. Everyone will side with them because they're liked. Just admit it, Brax, everyone around here only puts up with me because I'm one of you. Well maybe I don't want to live like that." Kyle snaps.
He didn't even mean to snap at Brax like that, but he knew how things were going to end for him, and that was everyone hating him. Instead of trying to apologise to him, Kyle just walked out, not even sure where he was going to go, he just needed to get out of the house before anyone else could have a go at him.
Hours later, Kyle still hadn't returned home and he wasn't answering his phone either. Everyone else was home, the topic of conversation still being the failed proposal between Kyle and Tamara, who'd moved in with Irene now. The only person who was actually against Kyle was Casey, who hadn't been able to make things right with Denny yet. It was his brothers and their girlfriends who were on Kyle's side, understanding where he was coming from.
"I warned you when you first got with Denny that you needed to focus on her. No wonder she's done a runner when you admit in front of her that you still love Tamara." Brax shakes his head.
"I didn't know Denny was standing there! And it's not my fault Kyle has to ruin everything around him. Things would be a hell of a lot better if he wasn't around, just admit that." Casey glares. "You only let him stay to get me out of a jail sentence, you should have kicked him out the second he started having feelings for Tamara, actually no, when the trial was over."
"I don't care what you say, Kyle wasn't going anywhere after that trial unless he chose to, and I'm not letting him leave now. He is our brother and you need to accept the fact that not everything goes your way. He developed feelings for someone else, so what? He shouldn't live a life he doesn't want just to keep the people around him happy. If he wants to be with Elena, and she wants to be with him, they've got my blessing." Brax firmly says, not wanting to give into Casey any longer.
"And mine." Heath says, Ricky and Bianca agreeing with them.
"What if Elena is Kyle's soulmate? She could be the one girl who will make him the happiest man alive, and you want to stop that. Just let your brother be happy." Ricky says. "We've found the love of our lives, give Kyle that chance."
"I can't believe you're all siding with him." Casey scoffs.
"It's Kyle's life, and he shouldn't have to suffer just to make others happy. Grow up, Casey." Heath glares at him before standing up. "I'm not waiting for Kyle to come home any longer, I'm going looking for him."
"I'm coming as well." Brax says as he also stands up.
"I'm right here." Kyle mutters from where he was now standing in the doorway.
"Mate, are you okay?" Brax asks.
"Does it even matter?" Kyle asks, staring at Casey before walking to his room.
"Kyle-"
"I want to be alone." Kyle says before carrying on to his room.
"Kyle, you've got a visitor." Brax says from Kyle's bedroom door, not getting anything back. "Kyle?"
"I said I want to be alone." Kyle groans.
"Tough, I'm not taking no for an answer, and she's refusing to leave until she sees you." Brax says, Kyle turning to face him.
"Who?" Kyle frowns, Elena walking into sight.
"Hey." She lightly smiles, Brax leaving them to it.
"What're you doing here, aren't you meant to be working?" Kyle asks.
"Yeah, I am." She nods. "Tamara came into the diner and started saying I've ruined her life and I'm a 'home wrecking bitch'. Her words, not mine. Irene sent me home, but I needed to find out more. Care to explain?"
"We broke up after she proposed to me." Kyle says as he sits up, Elena sitting on the end of his bed.
"How come?" Elena frowns.
"I didn't see a future with her, because I've fallen for someone else." Kyle says.
"Would that someone else be me by any chance?" Elena asks. "It would explain why Tamara had a go at me in front of the entire diner, and also calling me a homewrecker."
"Yeah, it is." Kyle sighs. "I know you and Tamara became good friends, so I'm not going to get in the way of that. I'm going to keep out of both of your ways so you can both still be friends, if you still can. I didn't mean to make things worse for you."
"I don't want that, Kyle." Elena mutters, shaking her head.
"Why?" Kyle asks.
"Ever since we first met, and you took me on that terrible tour around the Bay, I've fallen for you. We have so much in common, and you always know how to put a smile on my face. I know the timing couldn't be worse, but I love you as well." Elena smiles. "I'd understand if you didn't want to try things at some point, but just know that I feel the same and would love to see where things go if it was an option for us."
"I can't do that to Tamara, she hates me enough as it is." Kyle says.
"Do you want to be unhappy for the rest of your life? Cause I won't be waiting months on end for you to get over her." Elena says.
"Right, who've you been talking to?" Kyle asks, knowing those words wouldn't have been hers.
"Your brothers and their girlfriends." Elena grins. "Heath said he couldn't wait to have a niece or nephew from us as we've got more chances of having one before your other two brothers, but I said that was impossible considering we're not even together yet."
"Ignore Heath, he's always like that." Kyle says, briefly glancing down at his hands before looking back up at Elena. "I do want to be with you, but the timing is so bad. Tamara already thinks I've cheated on her with you, what if us getting together proves something that is untrue?"
"What if this is our chance to be happy? Who cares what anyone else thinks, we love each other." Elena says. "So what do you reckon, want to give things a go?"
"Yeah, I'd love to." Kyle nods, surprised as Elena jumps in to kiss him.
"I've been waiting so long for this moment." She smiles. "And we don't have to go public for a while if you don't want to, we don't even have to put labels on this yet. We could just date and see where things go."
"Sure, that would be great." Kyle smiles.
"Great." Elena smiles. "Well I can't wait for our first date, it's going to be so special whatever it is."
"Do you wanna hang out now?" Kyle asks.
"I would love to. What do you have in mind?" Elena asks.
"I'm not sure. We could watch a film here or something." Kyle suggests.
"Ooh, can I pick the film?"
"Am I going to regret saying yes?" Kyle smirks.
"Yes you are." Elena grins.
Grabbing his laptop from the side, he couldn't help but smile. Although he was still upset for hurting Tamara's feelings, he loved being in Elena's company. He knew his brothers were right about doing what's best for him, he just didn't want people to take it the wrong way, but for now, he was going to put himself first.