Summer Bay Beach
"So Emily's actually in the Bay?" Kyle frowns as they watch their brothers out surfing.
"Yeah, she told Tyler she's planning on getting back with you when she sees you next. I know I got on with her well after settling our differences, but after this, she's out of this family. If you want to get back with her, that's your choice but she's hurt you again and I don't want it to happen a third time." Brax says, never having expected this to be a situation they would be in again.
"I thought we'd get past this, that we could still be happy. She broke up with me and couldn't even say it to my face, she had to tell all of you first. I felt humiliated knowing everyone knew apart from me." Kyle mutters.
"We never wanted you to feel humiliated, we thought it was best you knew sooner instead of still thinking you were in a relationship." Brax says.
"And that's why I'm better off having family around instead. The fact that she couldn't tell me why she was breaking up with me, or even able to tell me herself proves how little she thought of me. It's weird, but I feel really good now." Kyle says.
"Because you're now single?" Brax asks.
"I don't know, maybe. Or maybe cause our family is now in a great place. I don't have to worry about my real mum showing up around town or what the next argument is going to be about. It's really nice."
"Yeah, I get that. Things are looking up, and if you're going to be happy single, then you've got my support." Brax says.
"Thanks. I'm going to focus on myself for a while, I think it's needed after everything that's happened, and I can do it better without being in a relationship that just makes me feel shit when stuff like this happens. Plus why do I need a girlfriend when I've got family?" Kyle smiles.
"Exactly, none of us are going anywhere. And it wouldn't have to be forever, just until you find a girl who really loves you." Brax says.
"Maybe it will be a while though. Things are looking up for us now. Heath's engaged and has Rocco, Lucas and Tyler feel like they're one of the family now, Casey is in a good place, and you're married with have a kid on the way. My good thing is that I survived after doctors didn't think I would." Kyle smiles. "I guess you can't get rid of me no matter how much you try."
"Good job we won't be trying then, isn't it?" Brax smirks.
"When can you find out the gender of your baby?" Kyle asks.
"We've still got a bit to wait. And don't worry, you'll be first to know." Brax laughs. "What about this counselling session you've got tomorrow, want me to go with you?"
"Only if you want to. I know you missed out on a few before I was discharged, you might get confused about some of the things brought up." Kyle says.
"Alex filled me in. I needed to know what was going on so I could keep an eye on you now you're home, so I can if you want me to." Brax says.
"Okay, that makes it easier." Kyle nods.
"You don't mind that we spoke about it? I know it was meant to be private, I just didn't think it would be a problem considering I went to all of your other sessions." Brax says.
"I'm fine with it, I would have filled you in either way, so it doesn't matter. And like you said, you went to all my other sessions, so it was more of a catch up for you. And least you know nothing would have been left out with Alex telling you, so that helps as well." Kyle says, glancing down the beach. "Here we go." He mutters.
"Huh?" Brax frowns, not having caught that part, so he follows Kyle's gaze. "Want me to give you a minute?"
"Uh… Yeah, I think that might be best. But if you see it getting tense, make up an excuse to get me out of here." Kyle says, smiling as Brax laughs before standing up to walk further up the dunes.
"Hey." Emily smiles as she walks up to Kyle, sitting down next to him. "How have you been since getting out of hospital."
"Really great, I've had my family around me giving a lot of support. It's times like this you realise who's really there for you." Kyle says.
"Yeah, they've always been great to you. Why did Brax blank me then, have I done something to upset him?" Emily asks.
"Geez, Emily! Why are you acting like nothing has changed?" Kyle groans.
"I don't know what you're on about." Emily mutters, something flickering in her gaze.
"So you didn't break up with me through my brothers instead of to me?" Kyle asks. "And you didn't lie to them about going to Perth with your family, even though they have been seen around?"
"I… I didn't mean to, I'm here now."
"Where've you been since I got out of hospital?"
"That's not important. I'm back now and I'm all yours." Emily says, about to lean in for a kiss when Kyle stops her.
"Don't. I am not your boyfriend anymore, you don't get to do that without telling me the truth. That's what our relationship was meant to have been built on after you cheated on me, but here you are lying to me all over again. I can't do it again, so just leave me alone. I don't want to hear any pathetic excuses you have because I won't even know if it's the truth." Kyle says, knowing this was the best thing for him now.
"Are you joking, after all that time I spent by your hospital bed?"
"I'm grateful you were there for me while I was in the coma, and then once I woke up, but you weren't there for me when I needed you the most, my brothers were. And then when I tried calling you, you never answered. I had such bad mental health that meant more counselling and being watched all the time, but you weren't there for me to talk to about it, Brax was. I said some mean stuff to him, but he came back and didn't leave. Where were you?" Kyle says.
"I was busy completing assignments." Emily says, Kyle scoffing as he shakes his head.
"I know you quit your course. Can you just go? You broke up with me, so don't try and make things right when you keep lying. I don't care if you want to get back together, I need space to work through some personal things." Kyle says.
"You need me, there was stuff you would never tell your brothers."
"That's where you're wrong. Well yeah, there's stuff I wouldn't tell my brothers, but there's stuff I would tell Brax. He's been there for me through every one of my counselling sessions, apart from when he was on his honeymoon, and he knows everything that has been tough for me. So don't tell me I need you when Brax is the person I need right now. I might have said he was the worst brother, but he's not, he's the best. Nothing you say will change my mind." Kyle says, still amazed at how much Brax had been there for him despite the things he said.
"Just so you know, you'll regret this. I was the best thing that ever happened to you." Emily hisses as she stands up.
"Were you? Cause you cheated on me just like my exes, so that doesn't make you any better than them. I wouldn't be surprised if you've been with another guy this past week." Kyle says as a joke, but Emily stayed silent, looking more shocked that he suggested that. "Is that really how little you thought of me?" He mutters.
"You said some horrible things to your brothers and I needed space. I get that it was a mistake now, but I wouldn't change what I did." Emily says.
"But I said stuff to my brothers, I never once said a bad thing about you, you just assumed I did." Kyle mutters, glancing over at Brax, who got the hint, so walks over to them.
"And you just assumed I was with another guy because of my past." Emily scoffs.
"You need to go." Brax says to her. "The things you had at ours will be left on the drive, I'd collect it before the bin men come if I was you. Although that's probably the best place for it." He smirks.
"Well I guess I'll go then." Emily mutters, walking away.
"You okay?" Brax asks as he sits back down next to Kyle.
"Not that you need an even bigger head, but you were right to not trust Emily in the beginning." Kyle says, glancing over at Brax who smiles at him.
"Oh yeah?" Brax smiles. "Got anything to do with what you were saying?"
"Did you hear all of that?" Kyle asks.
"I wasn't listening, I could just hear what was being said."
"So you were listening?" Kyle says, laughing at Brax's face.
"You didn't deserve her, let her go to the dogs. And plus, why do you need her when you've got me? You said it yourself." Brax smiles, gently nudging Kyle's shoulder.
"Only to prove a point." Kyle smirks, them both chatting more while they wait for their brothers to finish surfing.