Kyle's promise to tell her some troubling news kept Kay on edge for the rest of the day, especially because mostly everyone headed out to the venue for rehearsals. Fortunately, she now had Kelly back, and her best friend was great at improving mood.

In her quest to keep Kay happy, Kelly insisted that they went shopping. Seeing as Kay hadn't packed many things before fleeing her home, it was a valid idea, so the two of them spent a few hours wondering the very familiar shopping mall. On some level, it felt like she'd never left, and she expected to see familiar faces at every turn.

What was even weirder was the thought that her previous home was still there. So even if Kelly was reticent about it, Kay convinced her to drive to her place. As expected, it was still there, abandoned, her truck still in the front yard.

A boulder settled itself into Kay's stomach, weighing her down even more. But she couldn't ignore this, pretend that she was not the person who'd left that house six months ago. Like in a dream, she asked Kelly to wait for her in the car, then got down and walked to the front door. The spare key was still hidden in a crevice between the wall and the window blinds. She unlocked the door and stepped inside.

The house was just like they'd left it. Except for the dust covering every surface, they could have never left. Though as Kay moved through the house like ghost, she realized that the lack of the knickknacks which usually decorated the surfaces, it looked strangely deserted. Like a relic of  past her parents had done her best to forget.

The house they lived in when they lost William. The house they lived in when she told them that Donnie had hit her, that their fairytale romance was in fact a nightmare. The house they lived in when she rebelled and turned from their Kathy into Kay.

The house that had become bitter because her family had fallen apart.

Kay stood in the threshold of her former room, glancing at the furniture with empty eyes. She'd been both happy and miserable in that room. The idea that she could technically sleep there instead of the hotel for the rest of their stay was strangely making her anxious. So she decided to get out of there.

But she could take her truck and drive around. It was a welcomed change from her mother's car which she had always hated. Kelly didn't say anything about her decision to take a trip down memory lane and continued to keep her busy until they could finally get to Club A where the band was set to perform that night.

"Isn't this exciting?" she said as the two of them settled in front of the stage.

"Yeah, it is." After all, it was in this very spot that she'd actually laid eyes upon Kyle for the first time, unaware that they'd spoken before, that he wasn't an ex-con or a jerk.  Of course, at the time she'd fought Donnie and was pretty miserable, but the memory was fond.

"I can't wait to see them perform again. I missed the band."

Kay nodded in agreement, wondering if Kelly would be yelling as loudly as last time. It was a time when she and Joey weren't yet together. It was so weird thinking that there had actually be such a time.

Jimmy came up on stage to do a finally equipment check. He gave Kay a small wave and a smile and she couldn't help but smile back. His appearance stirred a flurry of reactions from the nearby girls who were already wondering who he was an where he'd come from. She couldn't blame them. Kyle's family had unfair genes.

"It's so weird to think Kyle has some brothers he never knew about," Kelly said, her voice low.

"Yeah. What's even weirder is that they look exactly like the brothers he did know about."

Kelly didn't get to answer because the band came on stage, Joey doing the introductions as usual. It stirred a flurry in the crowd and Kelly did end up yelling just as loudly as last time. Kay couldn't keep in a grin especially as the energy of the crowd got her riled up as well.

"And as a special treat," Joey said, "Please welcome singing sensation Jessica Stefani! She kidnapped our main man and now it's time for her to pay! Let's see you singing our songs."

The crowd cheered and Kay had to admit that she was happy that this concert was all about Uncaged and their music, with Jessie pitching in for the vocals and the guitar but not making it about herself. It was amazing how she could be so humble. Everyone loved her, loved Kyle and the band and for the first time, Kay didn't feel the least bit sad that she wasn't on stage with the others. Just watching them was fine and brought her back to a time with a lot less complications.

Plus, she loved the way Kyle's gaze would rest on her, how he'd smile and wink at her, how the girls in the crowd would fan themselves thinking it was directed at them. But she knew. And what was even better was that for the first time, the show was not centered around Kyle and Jessie's supposed engagement, but the return of the band.

Once the band took their first break, the crowd grumbled in disappointment. Kay was glad though. She needed a drink and her throat was a little sore for singing along with the band. She wished Kyle could come to her, but they needed a break, too.

"Do you want me to get you anything from the bar?" she called to Kelly.

"Sure. Something fun and fizzy."

Sure, that sounded reasonable. Kay headed for the bar and ordered sodas for them both. As she waited, she was unpleasantly reminded of Donnie and Darla Hansen, and she wondered why she couldn't get over it even she didn't care what Donnie did anymore. Maybe it was the idea of being cheated on. She'd been so stupid thinking she could forgive something like that. It had been the crack in her relationship and she should've ended it the moment she found out. Not that it mattered anymore. She was happy now.

She made her way back to Kelly, trying her best to navigate between the piled up people and not spill the drinks. Finally, she reached her friend and passed her the glass.

"That was harder than I thought it would be," she said with a laugh. "You're getting drinks next time."

Kelly took her glass, looking a little stiff. Kay raised her eyebrows but was spared the question as a voice she hoped she'd never hear again made itself heard.

"Hello there, Kathy."

"It's Kay," she said automatically, turning to her left.

Cecily Howard stood there, as beautiful as ever with her flowing mahogany hair and almond-shaped eyes, a smile lifting her full lips. If there was any joy behind that smile, Kay might've thought they could put the past behind them.

"Yeah, whatever," the former Queen Bee said, her eyes drifting for her to the stage. "Didn't think I'd find you here."

"That goes both ways. Weren't you supposed to be in college?"

Cecily's attention returned to her and she narrowed her eyes. "Aren't you? But that's not what I meant. After all, if you know about the reunion tour, could you really not come and see him again?"

Kay's gaze automatically turned to the stage where the members of the band had reappeared and were equipping their instruments. Cecily had a point. She wouldn't miss seeing the band again, no matter the circumstances.

"Though, it's not really a reunion tour, is it?" Cecily continued and fixed her with a malicious gaze. "It didn't take him long to forget about you, did it? I mean, I think you two were together for a shorter time than me and him. Don't worry about it, that's how he is. He doesn't love. He'll probably divorce the new one soon enough."

"Why don't you mind your own business, Cecily?" Kelly asked.

"Oh, relax. This is my business. What better thing to bond over than being dumped by Kyle Grant?"

"You cheated on him," Kay pointed out. 

Cecily's words shouldn't matter. After all, she and Kyle were together, the whole thing with Jessie was a sham. Then why did the entire conversation hurt?

"Which makes your own breakup even more tragic. Did you at least get to sleep with him?"

Heat filled Kay's cheeks as her mind spun, throwing different potential answers at her.

Yes, that very morning.

It's none of your damn business.

No, and it's so tragic. Throw me a pity party.

Did you?

It was that last question that she tried to ignore the most. She'd never asked and she didn't want to know. "Seriously? We're doing this?" she asked instead. "You're no longer the Queen Bee of anything. You don't matter and you can't bully me."

Cecily let out a laugh, but it had an obvious edge. "I'm not even trying to bully you. I'm just having a conversation."

"Well, it's a stupid conversation, so nice to see you, but bye."

"Fine." Cecily openly glared at her this time. "I just wanted to make it clear that I was right. You were nothing but a temporary distraction and now you'll have to live with it. With having him and losing him." She turned to the stage again and the 'Just like me' lingered in the air between them.

Kay gritted her teeth and ignored her as the band began playing again. Cecily slunk away into the crowd, but Kay's jaw stayed clenched and her hands balled into fists. It didn't matter. What she said didn't matter and Kay wouldn't let it get to her. Except Kyle's ex had taken the fan out of the night for her.

After all, why did Kyle and Jessie still have to pretend? They were a big group now, traveling across the country according to an itinerary Jessie set as she pleased. Plus, she was in love with Jimmy. She didn't want to be tied to Kyle any more than he wanted to be tied to her. Why couldn't they be honest? Their concerts sold out anyway. No one would care if they broke up.

Her sour mood persisted even as the concert ended, so of course everyone noticed.

"Were we that bad?" Kyle asked, sounding amused.

She bit her lip. "Of course not. You were great. And hearing the songs of the band again was great. So much nostalgia."

"Hopefully not too much." It was like he read her mind.

"Your music is amazing," Jessie said. "I wish Uncaged could come with us on tour."

"Yeah, I spoke to Joey about that, but they're all in college and they can't really disappear like that. But we still have a few concerts here so let's enjoy those."

"Can I play drums next time?" Tom asked. "I mean Sonia is great and everything, but... Or better ye! Two drum sets!"

"That could actually sound amazing," Jessie said, clasping her hands together. "Jimmy, how will the sound work? Should we put them together or in separate corners of the stage?"

"I'll need to see the venue, but we can test it out. I think it will sound amazing."

"Kay?" Angie stayed with her eyes on her. "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, sure. I was just thinking..." This was killing her, so she had to let it out. "Do you still need the fake engagement?"

Kyle and Jessie looked at each other, worry on both their faces.

"I mean," she plunged on before she lost her nerve, "you're far away from your parents, and it's not like you want to keep up appearances when I'm thinking you'd just want to be honest."

"Sweetheart..."

"No." Jessie cupped her cheek with her hand. "She has a point. It might no longer be needed. I mean we didn't even have to use it here and it was fine. Maybe we could give it up."

"Are you sure?" Jimmy asked, though there was a definite hopeful note in his voice.

"Yeah, sure." Jessie smiled, but it was a little strained. "We could announce an amiable break up and that we'll continue the tour and then we'll no longer need to hide and pretend."

Her words lessened the tension in Kay's chest and she smiled. "That sounds amazing."

"Okay, we'll do it then."

And once they did, they could all be themselves. Kay had never looked forward to anything more in her life.

She'd prove everyone wrong. Cecily Howard could choke on it.

🌗🌗🌗

And it's the end of the lie. Jessie and Kyle are coming clean. Now, let's see how well that will go for their careers and their tour. I'm sure Macy won't burst an artery or anything.

Hope you enjoyed this little throwback chapter and are ready for more.

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