Rachel felt self-conscious, as she entered to coffeehouse, dressed in her short skirt and cape complete with a capital 'S' in the front print of her Halloween costume. As she looked around for someone she knew she heard a familiar voice. "Oh, I love it!" Tessa said.
Rachel looked to see Tessa, in her costume. "You look great too," Rachel said.
"A woman with superpowers," Tessa said, "It's perfect." Turning to Mariah, Tessa said, "Doesn't she look great?"
"It's a great costume," Mariah said.
"You said, since it was your day off, that you weren't coming here," Tessa said, "And you weren't going to dress up."
"I figured, I missed a few Halloween's and it was time to catch up," Rachel said.
"So you decided to dress up and you're here alone?" Mariah said.
"Is that okay?" Rachel said.
"It's just an interesting coincidence," Mariah said, "You're costume matches someone else's." She gestured to the patio where Kyle was chatting with a friend.
"Is he dressed as…" Rachel started.
"Yes, he is," Tessa said.
Noticing Rachel was watching Kyle, Tessa said, "Well, what are you waiting for?"
"What do you mean?" Rachel said.
"Aren't you going to go over and say hello?" Tessa said.
"I can't," Rachel said, "Maybe I should just go, I'm starting to realize how short this skirt really is."
"Go over there and talk to him, or I'm going to call him over," Tessa said.
"Alright, I'm going," Rachel said.
As she walked over to Kyle, he was finishing up his conversation. His friend walked away, so Rachel slipped up behind him and reaching around him she covered his eyes with her hands. "Trick or treat," she said.
Kyle smiled and said, "Oh, I'm going to have to say treat."
Rachel removed her hands and he turned around. "Look at that I was right," he said, "You look incredible."
"Great minds," Rachel said, gesturing to the similarity in their costumes.
"I can't take credit for it," Kyle said, "Tessa helped me throw this together. It was very last minute."
"She did a good job," Rachel said, "Simple but sexy."
"You think so?" Kyle said, "I could say the same for you." Leaning his head to the side he said, "It's just the right amount of short…"
"Okay," Rachel said, patting his shoulder.
Kyle took both her hands and said, "Not that it isn't great to see you, because it is, but I thought you weren't coming."
"I reconsidered," Rachel said, "And I'm glad I did. Now I get to spend the rest of Halloween with you."
"You'll get no arguments from me," Kyle said, as he leaned in to kiss her.
Watching them from across the room, Mariah said, "Wasn't he standing there, doing that, with someone else, less than an hour ago?"
"Yeah," Tessa said, "What's up with that?"
"I hope he's not up to what I think he is," Mariah said.
"You think he's two timing her?" Tessa said.
"I think he's two timing them both," Mariah said, "That's not going to end well."
A voice approached the two of them, "Hi, I'm glad you're still here."
Looking over her shoulder, Tessa exclaimed, "Lola?"
"I didn't know you were coming back," Mariah said.
Tessa moved to block Lola's view of the patio, as Lola said, "I misplaced my purse, did you happen to see it anywhere?"
Reaching behind the counter, Mariah produced one and said, "This it?"
"Oh thank you," Lola said, "I was panicking."
"I'm always messing up with stuff like that," Tessa said.
"Is Kyle still here?" Lola said, looking past Tessa, "Because if he is I…"
Lola bristled at the sight of another woman in Kyle's arms, stealing kisses. Tessa winced at Mariah, as Lola glared at the couple. Releasing some angry breaths, Lola turned to walk out the front door.
"Like I was saying," Mariah said.
As she reached the door, Lola stopped and turned around. Without hesitation she marched over to Kyle and Rachel.
Still holding her in his arms, Kyle was making Rachel laugh, before he drew her into another kiss. Standing beside them Lola said, "I don't mean to interrupt."
Cutting their kiss short, Kyle was startled when he saw her. "Lola…" Kyle said, letting go of Rachel.
"What is going on here?" Lola said.
"Uh…" Kyle was at a loss for words. This was the moment he had been dreading.
"Excuse me?" Rachel said to Lola.
"What do you think you're doing?" Lola said.
Rachel gave an insulted grunt as she said, "What we're doing is none of your business."
"That's where you're wrong," Lola fumed, "It's very much my business."
"What are you talking about?" Rachel said, "Kyle?" She looked up at him.
Kyle was nervously eyeing both of them.
"Do you want to tell her, or should I?" Lola said.
Kyle was still trying to find the words to explain.
"He's my boyfriend," Lola said.
Rachel gave another frustrated laugh as she said, "No, he's my…" She trailed off, "Kyle, what is she talking about?"
Both sets of eyes were on Kyle as he stammered, "Okay, the thing is…I um…"
"Don't keep us in suspense," Lola said.
"Alright," Kyle started, "I did something I probably shouldn't have. You're likely both going to hate me for this, but here it goes. I have..." Kyle took a deep breath before he continued, blurting out the rest, "I have been dating you both…at the same time."
Rachel stared at Kyle in shock, while Lola angrily shook her head.
"You have some nerve," Lola said.
"Kyle, how could you?" Rachel said, the hurt behind her words making him wince.
"I thought you were different," Lola said, "But you're just like all the other scum out there, playing games."
"This wasn't a game," Kyle said, "I'm sorry, I know I've let you both down."
"Betrayed," Lola said, "That's a better term for it."
"I thought," Rachel started, her voice breaking, "I thought you wanted to be with me." Kyle could see the tears welling in her eyes.
"And I thought you wanted to be with me," Lola said.
"I met you both at the same time," Kyle said, "And I liked you both so much, I didn't want to stop seeing either of you. I know it was wrong, but I didn't know what to do."
"The truth would have been nice," Lola said, "You know, maybe if we had talked about it, we could have figured it out. But instead you chose to deceive us both."
"I never meant to hurt anyone," Kyle said.
"It's a bit late for that," Rachel said, a few tears slipping down her cheeks.
"It all make sense now," Lola said, "Working late, how stupid was I to believe you. Your working excuse, was just that, an excuse to spend time with her."
"Lola…" Kyle started.
"Our entire relationship was based on a lie," Lola said, "I should have seen it coming. I gave you a second chance and this is how you treat me? Well, that's it then. I don't want to see you ever again, do you hear me? Don't call me, don't expect to hear from me or see me anymore."
"Lola, please just…" Kyle said.
"No," Lola cut him off, "We are completely over." She stormed off.
Kyle sighed as he watched her walk away, before turning his attention to Rachel. The tears were spilling down her cheeks. Kyle felt extremely guilty that he had made her cry. Reaching out he touched her arm, but she flinched away from him.
Rachel held her arms close to her, hugging herself as she tried to settle her tears.
"Rachel," Kyle said, "I'm really sorry."
Dropping her arms and resting one hand on the table, she couldn't look at him.
"Rachel?" Kyle said "Can we talk about this?"
Rachel picked up a salt shaker and turning around she whipped it past Kyle. Even though it wasn't close enough to hit him, he still ducked away.
"Whoa," Mariah said.
"I can't watch this," Tessa said, turning away from them.
"I get that you're angry with me, but…" Kyle started.
"You want talk," Rachel said, trading in her tears for anger, "I believed you when you told me how much you wanted to be with me. I thought you cared so much about me."
"I do care," Kyle said.
"You have a funny way of showing it," Rachel said, "You were so charming and nice to me when I first met you. It didn't take long for me to think you were the perfect one for me. That whole time you were interested in someone else. You used the 'working' excuse on me too. I was actually proud of you for being ambitious and working so hard, but the only thing you were working on was Lola."
"I wasn't completely honest with you," Kyle said, "But the time we spent together meant something special to me."
"The time we spent together you lied to me," Rachel said.
"It wasn't like that," Kyle said.
"What in your mind made you think that this was okay?" Rachel said, "Did you really want to be with me, or was I just the one you could use for sex."
"You know that's not what that was," Kyle said.
"How do you expect me to believe anything you say anymore," Rachel said, "You asked me if I regretted that night and I said no. But now I do."
"Rachel…" Kyle said.
"I regret that I trusted you that much!" Rachel yelled, "I thought you were always going to be there for me. I defended you to people. I thought you were someone special, not just my boyfriend, but my friend. Someone I could depend on, who I was falling in love with."
"I feel the same way about you," Kyle said, "We can still have that special relationship, that connection. Just tell me what I can do to make it right. I'll do whatever it takes."
"It's all gone, Kyle," Rachel said, "You made sure of that."
"Don't say that," Kyle said, "I don't want to lose what we have."
"What we had," Rachel said, "It's over."
"You can't mean that," Kyle said, "You're upset with me. Maybe we should go home and talk about this in the morning."
"Kyle, it's over between us," Rachel said, "I don't want to see you anymore or spend any special time with you."
"Rachel," Kyle said, trying to take her hands, but she pulled them away.
"Don't touch me," Rachel said.
"Excuse me," Tessa said, "Pardon the interruption, but Rachel are you okay?"
Kyle gave a frustrated laugh, before he said, "We are in the middle of something if you don't mind."
"I do mind, she's my friend and she seems far too upset," Tessa said.
"It's okay Tessa," Rachel said, "We're done anyway."
"Please don't walk away like this," Kyle said.
"I can't trust you anymore," Rachel said, "I don't want to be with you for one minute longer."
Kyle knew there was nothing more he could do as he watched her walk away. Sighing Kyle closed his eyes and ran his hand across his face.
"That was a lousy thing to do," Mariah said.
"I feel bad enough already," Kyle said.
"Multiply that by ten," Mariah said, "That's how she feels. It's time for you to leave."
"I never meant to hurt her," Kyle said, "She has to know I wouldn't do that."
"But you did," Mariah said, "Kyle, just go okay?"
Kyle raised his hands in surrender. As he left he gave one last glance at Rachel, who was being consoled by Tessa.
Rachel entered the Abbott house shutting the door hard behind her. Billy looked up from his work folder when he spied Rachel still in her Halloween costume.
"That must have been some party," Billy said. Noticing, she looked upset, Billy said, "Is everything okay?"
"Your nephew is a lying, cheating, poor excuse for a human being," Rachel said.
Billy nodded. "Big fight?" he said.
"Big break-up," Rachel said, "I don't know what I was thinking. It had to be too good to be true. I have the worst luck with relationships, so why did I even try?"
"Sorry, it didn't work out," Billy said.
Kyle rushed through the front door. "Rachel," he said, when he saw her, "I know you're upset with me, but can we please talk about this."
"I've heard it all," Rachel said, "And I don't want to hear it again." She walked towards the stairs.
"Please…" Kyle started.
"Kyle, I told you to leave me alone," Rachel said, walking up the stairs.
Kyle put his foot on the bottom step, about to go after her, when Billy said, "Maybe you should give her some space."
Kyle sighed and walked back into the living room. As Kyle paced the living room, Billy said, "What did you do?"
"I screwed up," Kyle said.
"I can't say I didn't see this coming," Billy said.
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" Kyle said.
"She said you cheated on her," Billy said.
"It wasn't like that," Kyle said.
"What was it like?" Billy said.
"While I was with Rachel and was also dating Lola," Kyle said.
"That's cheating," Billy said.
"You know, you're not good at pep talks," Kyle said, "If I could just get her to talk to me."
"How is that going to fix it?" Billy said.
"I don't know," Kyle groaned, "I hate how she's this mad at me."
"What did you expect?" Billy said, "You had to know what you were doing would come out and there would be hurt feelings."
"That's exactly what I didn't want to do," Kyle said, "Now, I've messed up everything with both of them."
Rachel was wiping tables on the patio of Crimson Lights the next morning, when Lola came through the door. Rachel straightened up and they both paused when they saw each other.
Rachel was about to walk away, when Lola said, "You know, I don't blame you for any of what happened."
"I guess we both got blindsided," Rachel said, "I say who needs him?"
"Not us," Lola said. Holding out her hand she said, "Lola Rosales."
"Rachel Brantford," Rachel said, accepting the handshake.
"Did you break up with him too?" Lola said.
"Yes, I did," Rachel said, "I can't be with someone who lies that I can't trust."
Lola nodded. "Well, maybe something good can come out of this," she said, "You and I can be friends."
"Absolutely," Rachel said, "If you'll excuse me, I have some customers."
As Rachel walked away, Lola thought for a moment before she pulled out her phone and began to text.
Kyle sat at the bar of the athletic club, twisting the glass of a drink, between his hands.
"That's not a happy face," a voice said beside Kyle.
Kyle looked to his left and said, "Summer."
"Why the long face?" Summer said, "A little early for a drink, don't you think?"
Pushing the glass a little farther away from him, Kyle said, "I didn't really want it."
"Are you trying to convince me or yourself?" Summer said, "Come on, tell me what's wrong. I can tell something is upsetting you."
"I screwed up," Kyle said.
"At work?" Summer said.
"I wish that's all it was," Kyle said, "No, I lost the two best things that ever happened to me."
"Let me guess," Summer said, "Rachel and Lola? They found out about your dating habits where they were concerned."
"How do you know…" Kyle said.
"I have eyes," Summer said, "I could see what you were doing. I didn't think it was my place to say anything."
Kyle slightly laughed and said, "Since when do you not relish interfering."
"I knew it would all blow up on it's own," Summer said, "If I had said anything to you about it, would you have listened?"
"Probably not," Kyle said, "Now neither of them want anything to do with me. I just wish there was a way to fix this."
"I have an idea," Summer said.
"I'm almost afraid to hear it," Kyle said.
"Let them both go," Summer said, "Then you could be with me."
"Summer…" Kyle said, "We had this conversation."
"I know," Summer said, "Can't blame a girl for trying."
Kyle smiled, "You never stop."
"Maybe it will all work out for the best," Summer said, "You might end up with just who you want."
"That's the problem," Kyle said, "I love them both."
"That may be true," Summer said, "I think you might be more in love with one than you realize."
"Would you like to share her name with me?" Kyle said.
"No way," Summer said, "It's something you have to figure out for yourself."
"My head hurts just thinking about it," Kyle said.
"I do have to get to work," Summer said, "Promise me you won't sit here and drink that."
"Drink what?" Kyle said, standing up.
"Hang in there," Summer said.
"Sure," Kyle said, returning a wave as Summer left the club. Responding to the beep on his phone, Kyle was surprised by the text message. Intrigued he texted back.
Sitting at a table, Kyle waived to get Lola's attention as she arrived. Kyle stood up as she walked over, "Hi," he said, indicating for her to sit. As he did the same he continued, "I was surprised to get your text that you wanted to see me."
"I was surprised to send it," Lola said.
"So why did you want to see me?" Kyle said.
"I don't want you to think that I've forgiven you," Lola started, "Because I haven't. I'm still hurt by your betrayal and the lies. I've done nothing but think about what you did to me and to Rachel. Her and I talked and we've conceded to be friends. I know that she does not want to take you back and I am not ready to do that either. However, I might take you back, but only if you are honest not only with me but yourself."
"I'm not sure what you mean," Kyle said.
"You said you wanted to be with both of us," Lola said, "But it doesn't work that way. You can't have your cake and eat it too. You have to choose. If you want to be with me, then it's only you and me, no one else. If you find that you want to be with Rachel, then that's your choice and I won't be a part of it and no one else should either."
"No matter what I do, someone is going to get hurt," Kyle said, "And that is the last thing I wanted."
"You've already accomplished the hurt," Lola said, "That's all I came to say. You have some thinking to do. Whatever you do decide, at least have the courtesy to let the other one know your intentions."
Lola stood up as Kyle did the same.
"I can't convince you to stay for coffee?" Kyle said.
"I have to get back to work," Lola said. She left without further conversation. Kyle sat back down, pulled out his phone and texted "Got a minute?"
"Rachel, you got the last two customer orders mixed up," Tessa said, "Don't worry I took care of it."
"Sorry," Rachel said, "It's hard to concentrate, when you've been up crying half the night."
"He's not worth your tears," Tessa said, "If I were you I would just forget about him."
"Easier said than done," Rachel said, "I live in the same house with him."
"Mariah said you could stay at Sharon's or you could even stay with me, for a little while," Tessa said.
"I thought about moving," Rachel said, "But then I realized I am not going to let the likes of Kyle Abbott make me move from where I am settled."
"Are you sure that's the only reason?" Tessa said.
"You think I still want to be near him," Rachel said.
"Do you?" Tessa said.
"No," Rachel said, "He and I are over."
"Have you gotten any sleep lately?" Mariah said, arriving at the table where Kyle was sitting.
"Not too much," Kyle said, "I wasn't sure you would come, if we were still friends."
Sitting across from him, Mariah said, "I was a little harsh with you last we talked. I still think you did a nasty thing, but we are always friends."
"Thank you for that," Kyle said, "I need one right now."
"I don't think I have to guess what's on your mind the last few days," Mariah said.
"I don't like the way things are with Rachel and Lola," Kyle said, "I know it's my fault, but I don't know what to do from here."
"I hear apologies work wonders," Mariah said.
"I've apologized but they won't forgive me," Kyle said, "Rachel won't even talk to me."
"I can't blame her," Mariah said.
"I did talk to Lola," Kyle said, "She gave me an ultimatum."
"Her or Rachel," Mariah said.
"She said she would take me back, if I break things off with Rachel," Kyle said.
"It sounds like you and Rachel may already be broken up," Mariah said.
"I hope not," Kyle said.
"Maybe you should give them both up," Mariah said.
Kyle laughed and said, "You're the second person to say that to me. I think about Lola and how special she is and she's beautiful and funny, so easy be around and talk to, be with. So, I think okay, it's Lola, but then I think about Rachel, who is so beautiful, with a great sense of humor, the magical time we had on our big date."
Kyle had a far away look in his eyes. "Kyle?" Mariah said, "Are you still with me?"
Coming out of his trance, Kyle said, "Yeah, I'm here. It's just thought of never being with either of them, I couldn't stand it. I feel like I'm going to go crazy, trying to work this out. Mariah, please just tell me what to do."
Mariah could hear Kyle's voice breaking, she feared tears wouldn't be far behind. She reached across the table and took his hand. "Okay," she said, "Let's just forget how horrible any of this is for now. Take your guilt out of the equation. No one can make this decision for you. I will tell you this. I hear you talk about Lola and how special she is, and I hear you use the word magic when you describe Rachel. You don't have to tell me, but have you ever had the same magical feeling with Lola?"
Kyle sighed in frustration.
"I know this is hard," Mariah said, "You feel like you got yourself into an impossible situation. The key is in there," she pointed to his heart, "Listen to it and you will have your answer."
Kyle walked down the stairs the next morning to find Rachel in the living room. Walking towards her, he hesitated before he said, "Good morning."
"Morning," Rachel muttered without looking at him.
Pouring a glass of orange juice, Kyle handed it to her. "Here you go. I know how you like to have orange juice in the morning."
Rachel looked at Kyle and took the glass from him. "Thanks," she said.
"It looks like it's going to be a nice day outside," Kyle said, "Care to share it with me over lunch?"
"No, I don't think so," Rachel said.
"We haven't talked in awhile," Kyle said, "Might be nice if we did."
"I have to go," Rachel said, putting her half full glass down.
"Rachel, are you determined to hate me forever?" Kyle said.
"Sounds about right," Rachel said, walking away from him. Reaching the door, Rachel sighed and still not looking at him she said, "I'm sorry about that… I don't hate you." Kyle watched her as she hastily left the house.
Summer walked into the coffeehouse, spying Rachel working at the front counter, she walked over. "Could I have a latte please?" she said.
Rachel looked at Summer and without a word prepared her order and put it in front of her. "So," Summer said, "How are things with Kyle?"
"I get the feeling you already know," Rachel said, "We broke up."
"Yeah, I heard," Summer said.
"Then why did you ask?" Rachel said.
"I wanted to know if it was true," Summer said, "Do you think you might get back together?"
"Not in this lifetime," Rachel said, "I know you harbour this everlasting love for Kyle, so by all means, if you want him, you can have him. Be my guest."
"Okay," Summer said, "I'll try to be nice when you're in a better mood." She took her coffee and walked to the patio. She was about to sit down when she spotted Lola. Taking her coffee over to Lola's table she said, "Hi."
Looking at her, Lola said, "What can I do for you?"
"I thought you might want to hear the good news," Summer said.
"What news?" Lola said.
"You won," Summer said.
"I haven't the slightest idea what you are talking about," Lola said.
"Kyle," Summer said, "He chose you. He and Rachel are definitely over, for good. He wants to be with you."
"Why is this any of your business?" Lola said.
"It's true," Summer said, "The next time you see Kyle, he will be getting back together with you. Don't tell me that's not what you want, because it is."
"You're sure they broke up?" Lola said.
"I got the news straight from Rachel herself," Summer said, "So, congratulations. Kyle is all yours."
Lola watched Summer, leave the coffeehouse and then smiled to herself.
"What's that smile about?" Rachel said, "Good news?"
"I was just thinking about something," Lola said, "I was wondering, are you and Kyle still broken up?"
"Yes, we are," Rachel said.
"You don't think there's any chance you'll take him back," Lola said.
"Why would I?" Rachel said.
"No reason," Lola said.
"Are you telling me that you would?" Rachel said.
"I don't know," Lola said, "I'm thinking of it. I might. I miss him."
"And I don't?" Rachel said.
"I didn't say that," Lola said.
"I know you and I said, we would be friends," Rachel said, "But if you are stupid enough to take him back, you deserve each other." She stormed back over to the front counter. Rachel closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead, kicking the back of the counter.
Approaching the front counter, Lola said, "Rachel?"
Rachel paused before she looked at her.
"I didn't mean to upset you," Lola said, "You say you don't want Kyle back, but the way you reacted just now, tells me maybe you do."
"Sure, I would like things to go back to the way they were," Rachel said, "But it wouldn't be the same. It wouldn't work out."
Recalling what Summer had told her, Lola said, "So, if I decided to be with him again, would you be okay with that?"
"I guess I'd have to be," Rachel said, "Would you be okay if he ended up with me?"
"I thought you didn't want him," Lola said.
"I don't," Rachel said, "Why don't we talk about something else?"
"Sure," Lola said, "We could do something together, hang out, see a movie. We could invite Tessa and Mariah to join us, make it a girls night out."
"We could do that…" Rachel said, trailing off as they saw Kyle walk through the front entrance of the coffeehouse.
Kyle strolled over to them, pausing before he said, "Hi."
Rachel didn't respond, but Lola said, "Kyle."
"I'm glad you're both here," Kyle said, "I made a decision." Turning his attention to Rachel he said, "I would like to talk to you." Focusing on Lola he continued, "But I would like to talk to you first, privately."
Lola nodded and walked towards the patio. "He's going to tell me he wants to be with me," she thought to herself, "We are about to be back together."
"I'll be back," Kyle said to Rachel, before he followed Lola.
"So, you made a decision," Lola said, turning to face Kyle.
"Yes," Kyle said, "After a few sleepless nights, a lot of thinking and soul searching I realized something."
"What's that?" Lola said, anticipating Kyle's profession of his love for her.
"I'm in love, fallen in love, more deeply than I was even aware of," Kyle said.
Lola smiled and said, "I know what you're trying to say."
"You do?" Kyle said.
"You want us to be back together," Lola said, "And I want the same thing. I'm delighted that you chose me." She drew him into a kiss.
The kiss was short, Lola pulled out, noticing Kyle was holding back. Looking into his eyes she saw the truth.
"But you didn't choose me," Lola softly said, the disappointment evident in her voice.
"Lola, I'm sorry," Kyle said, "I care about you, I really do."
"Don't," Lola said, "Don't give me a bunch of excuses." There were tears in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall, "You said you're in love," Lola said, "It's her that you're in love with."
"I am," Kyle said.
"She doesn't want you back," Lola said.
"I'm hoping to change that," Kyle said.
"Well, that's it then," Lola said.
"Are you okay?" Kyle said.
"I will be," Lola said defiantly, "I always am. I hope you and Rachel are very happy together."
Kyle paused from walking away. "What are you waiting for?" Lola said, "I know you want to tell her the good news."
Lola quickly walked away through the patio doors, where she nearly walked into Rey.
"Lola," he smiled.
She looked at him unable to hold back her tears.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Rey said.
Lola fell into her brother's arms, crying on his shoulder.