The Defendant ✧ (Bill Gambini x reader)

7.

I felt like I was melting as I leaned my head against Bill's shoulder. We were slumped underneath a shelter but even still we couldn't escape the heat as the sun beat down, the smell of the nearby hotdog stand wafted up to our noses.

"What time does the bus arrive?" I asked with a small yawn. Bill cocked his head upwards, reading the timetable. "Two-thirty, so in about ten minutes" he replied. Stan was visiting Scranton for the day so we agreed to meet up with him. He didn't have his own car so we had to wait for him at the coach station.

Ten minutes felt like it dragged into forever, causing me to almost fall asleep. The loud roar of an engine made me jump slightly as the coach finally arrived. "About time" Bill muttered as we stood up. The bus parked up and we watched as a sea of people flooded down the steps. Last but not least, we saw Stan.

He looked different than I last remembered. His face was completely overtaken by dark facial hair that looked freshly trimmed. His hair was a frizzy mess and his clothes were so baggy you could probably fit another person in.

"Ay look it's Stan the man" Bill greeted excitedly. Like little kids, the two embraced into a very playful hug, Stan even swung Bill around in the air with a laugh. When Bill was back on the ground, Stan turned to me. "No way, Y/n?! You look great" he said, placing a kiss on my cheek. 

"Aha thanks, Stan. You look good yourself" I smiled. The three of us being reunited again was like a fever dream. We then headed back to Bill's house for drinks. "So man, how's everything at home?" Bill asked as we all took a seat in the living room.

"Ain't too bad. Ma's trying to get me back into dating but I haven't had any luck. I just spend most of my time playing battlefield with the guys. Cassie broke my heart" Stan sunk down against the couch, his lips pouted. He chugged the remaining liquor from his cup in a split second.

Bill and I exchanged pitiful glances. "I'm sure you'll find someone Stan, I haven't had much luck either," I said with a smile, trying to lighten the mood. I caught Bill still staring at me but I couldn't figure out his expression.

"I'm surprised, a pretty woman like you should be taken-" Stan replied, he was simply being nice in a friendly way. "-Anyway how's the job search" Bill suddenly cut in. Was he jealous? There's no way he could've been jealous...

Stan didn't even notice it. "Meh, I'm trying out for some gaming companies but I'm waiting for a response. What about you guys?" 

"We work together. Y/n just showed up one day" Bill chuckled. I could've sworn he even shuffled a little closer to me as he took a sip of his beer. "That's awesome, it's been what? Like ten tears since we all last saw each other" Stan beamed.

I nodded. It felt crazier hearing him say it out loud. We lounged around and caught up with each other, eventually finishing the bottle. "Shittt. No worries, there's more in the basement" Bill chuckled as he stood up. He stumbled away slightly, leaving Stan and I alone.

"You like him."

I was taken aback by Stan's bluntness. "What? Of course, I like him, he's a close friend."

"No I mean you really like him. I can see it" Stan smirked. I gulped nervously. Was I that transparent? "He's with Blair, they're engaged. Don't be ridiculous" I stated, putting on a brave face but he saw right through.

"I know you Y/n. You were in love with Bill ten years ago and to this day you still are" he leaned close to me, keeping his voice low in a hushed whisper "And if you ask me, you're much better suited than her."

My eyes widened, I couldn't believe Bill's own best friend was saying this. "You don't like her?" I asked quietly, I was on alert mode making sure Bill couldn't hear us. "Let's just say she's not as perfect as she comes across" he replied with a shrug but Stan wouldn't elaborate more. As Bill came back with a new bottle, we leaned apart and didn't speak any more on that topic.