Bree and Kyle could be friends. I mean, they had some mutual friends and they both posed a puzzle to others, often being strong opinionated, difficult and remote at times. But, no, they almost didn't talk to each other; each one considering the other impossible. That's a shame because they both were trustworthy friends.
Bree and Kyle were the same age and had the same love for exploring mountains. As I said, it is a shame they acted like they were competing with each other, offering conflicted views on each subject and finally just nodding 'hi' when they met.
Bree had months in a row when she was meeting with her friends every day and months she was gone, probably living the love of her life, with a strange looking boyfriend, ranging from Italians to shy IT guys to handsome self-centered ones. No one had ever seen her with one but the shift in her mood and attitude betrayed her.
Kyle was almost always with a girlfriend or just a woman, no 'friend' to that. As much attention as he was willing to give them when they were alone, he wasn't giving them any in front of others; one of the things that made Bree furious, but, who was she, anyway? Her opinion didn't matter to Kyle at all. In fact, it made him furious.
Bree was beautiful, porcelain beautiful, a bit untouchable beautiful with a witty, warm personality that could turn into an ice cube in nano seconds. Not Kyle's type by far.
Kyle wasn't as handsome or as warm or as interesting but he was a strong man, sexy as hell when he wanted and ready to emit this sexuality whenever he saw a woman he liked, which was often. An arrogant male if you asked Bree.
Time passed and their friends were changing, as they were also themselves; some getting married, some leaving for another part of the globe, some just drifting away. There came times when only Bree, Kyle, Kyle's best friend James and a random member of friends were present in a bar on someone's birthday or after a long day at work, to shake the day off.
Bree and Kyle were actually saying their 'hi's verbally now, maybe exchanging a word or two when it came to a movie or a book they both agreed on.
James was secretly, or not so secretly, in love with Bree all those years, from their twenty somethings through their thirties. All his confessions to Kyle went down the drain as Kyle preferred to introduce him to his own army of lovers; without much luck to say the truth, James couldn't get over Bree. He was a fine, sentimental guy. It was to Bree's wonder how the hell he was Kyle's best friend.
Kyle was working at a big sports agency, his big passion and work combined. Well, having trouble being diplomatic or gentle or ready to compromise, there came a day he was fired unexpectedly. Being a capable guy like him, it was a big hit, a blow that showed. James talked a lot to Bree about that and Bree, reckless, in her own safe way, and spontaneous, in a non-approved by Kyle way, took the matter in her own hands. Although a part-time reporter, she didn't use any names or connections but went straight there, let her hair loose and wore a naïve, light yellow summer dress with ankle boots and a warm, soft brown woolen jacket and talked to the manager. She didn't say much to James, only that she got a great reference letter for Kyle and a new job. She kissed James on his cheek and made him promise that Kyle was never to find out.
On this new job Kyle was more cautious as he had grown up in a couple of months. He was missing from gatherings but he was happier albeit busier. He was in a steady relationship with a woman Bree disapproved of, as always; a Kyle look alike, prone to indulgence but slutty and opportunist, lacking Kyle's depth when he wanted to get serious. Kyle didn't seem thrilled and he never talked about her when he was with James or other friends that didn't know about her existence.
James was trying to spend more time with Bree, especially when she was obviously single at the time, having time to spend and being around more often. James was telling Kyle about little things he was discussing with Bree but Kyle seemed submerged into his own worries and maybe, just maybe, intentionally looked the other way. He never urged James to go on and talk to Bree and he never seemed to be fond of her either.
One day, rather one late afternoon, Bree found them at the parking of a local diner, the one that Kyle was fond of. She turned mostly to James, as Kyle seemed nervous to leave and actually not happy to have someone delay him. James sensed there was something bothering Bree and made a move to hug her. She lifted her head just enough to make it obvious she'd been crying.
"Hey, Bree, what's up girl?"
She looked sideways to an impatient Kyle.
"It can wait... I'll call you James. Kyle needs to go..."
James turned to Kyle, "You can go, I'll catch a cab home."
Kyle instantly knew he had to stay. "No, I will stay."
"So," James started again, "what's wrong?"
Bree started saying in a broken voice about how a so-called friend at work stole her story and her ideas about an important submission.
Kyle looked the other way but his ears had her voice replaying and her breathing as it stopped and returned. He felt a tingle in his body and looked at her, maybe for the first time he stared at Bree and saw her juicy, soft lips quivering under the emotional stress, her chest going up and down, her eyes frustrated, desperate, shining and ready to cry. 'Stop it,' he ordered himself. He wasn't used to being seduced by factors that didn't include breasts or ass exposed. He looked away, but damn, her voice, still resembled an oncoming orgasm, as she was trying to hold back tears and anger.
Kyle wasn't listening to Bree but was inhaling the new turn in the air around him. Fuck. He was always inclined to a sexy woman and this was a turn he never suspected, wanted or intended.
James had a hurried look at his watch. Kyle knew he had this meeting he shouldn't miss. Kyle offered "Bree, do you have a car?" She nodded yes and Kyle turned to James, handing him his car keys "Here, take my car. I will return with Bree."
James looked a long moment to Kyle then turned to Bree, hugged her warmly and left with a quick pace.
Kyle hated vulnerable people in general so he asked for Bree's car keys and drove without a word to his place and got out of the car. "Can you find your way to your home or need directions?" asked Kyle, looking at her for the first time after he got in the car, her flushed cheeks and her cherry colored lips from all the biting she did to stop herself from crying in front of Kyle.
She nodded yes, not trusting herself to talk and moved to the driver's seat. Doing that Kyle caught her shirt lowering dangerously and her skirt rolling up her thighs. He wasn't immune to that sight and the curve of her breasts was very promising. Still, his face was indifferent and his voice flat. Bree left but flashes of her exposed skin were returning to Kyle's mind a lot that evening.
Next week James was wrapped up in work and Kyle, well Kyle just happened to have two days off. A night out was fixed but that night only Kyle and Bree attended the cold bar. It was awkward at first but Kyle, being practical, started small talk consisting of small, harmless questions and Bree responded with lengthy answers. That was fine by him. What wasn't really fine, was the fact that Bree was leaning over the bar on her arm as she was talking, playing with her hair and tucking it behind her ear, having no idea how sexy some of her movements were. Kyle narrowed his eyes; this couldn't be happening...
A couple of days later Bree got a text from Kyle asking her if she would join a reunion of old friends that Friday. She would, oh, and could he find some time to tell her the rules of volleyball to use in a story she was about to post in the paper?
Acceptance was what Kyle would call this change of heart towards Bree. Life would call it otherwise.
Bree was a creative, artistic spirit and she could make herself familiar with her friends and people she liked by adapting to their likings. That night, her usual long dresses were replaced by a short jeans skirt and knee-high boots with a black, button down blouse that won her a second look from Kyle. Still her face was bare from makeup but she was cheerful and the alcohol accentuated her already pink cheeks and helped her juicy lips get redder.
By coincidences and a subconscious twist, Kyle was to escort Bree again to her car. As they got out in the chill air he saw her wrapping her hands around her ribs to make herself warmer. Kyle got closer and said "Do you realize how dangerous it is for a sexy girl to walk alone at night like that? You have to be more careful Bree..."
A tipsy Bree stopped, turned to look at him and laughed ironically saying "I doubt that Kyle... Even if I were to unbutton my blouse, no one would ever push me against a wall to kiss me..." And actually unbuttoned two more buttons as she was laughing bitterly at her comment.
Kyle tried not to stare but, God, the soft light of the street and the white of her skin as she revealed what seemed a perfect breast... She had no idea.
"Cut it out Bree, it's not funny," Kyle tried to make less of the incident.
Bree kept laughing and unbuttoning.
Kyle's strong hand held hers behind her back and she was pushed on a rough wall that tore her skin to bleeding.
