Better Than Nothing: Part 3 of On the Edge Series

Chapter 33

"You ready?" Billy shot out to no one in particular as we entered the living room. His voice was higher, and the cling of his Midwest accent came soaring through. He was happy, and it rewound the clock twenty years to his younger self. Before anyone answered, he added, "Lil's ready." His hand dropped mine and fell to the small of my back.

"I'm not going," Viv stubbornly announced.

"That's fine, but you have to stay here," Billy conditioned.

"James is on his way over," Tim offered, unprompted.

"Are we waiting for him, or is he coming to hang out with Viv?" Billy absently asked as he held my coat open for me.

"He's coming for me." Viv's voice was still curt.

"Okay, you two have fun. We'll be back in a couple of hours. Remember, your mom is coming for dinner; family dinner, no James," Billy reminded in an extremely parental tone.

"Oh, I remember. Family dinner means no flowers, too," Viv murmured.

"Viv," Billy began, but I raised my hand to his shoulder before he could continue. He met my eyes with anger flaring in them, but it cooled when he gazed at me. "Have fun with James," Billy sighed in defeat.

Tim filled the silence that was trying to push into the car as we drove to the store. Jackson reluctantly volleyed the conversation as Billy's hand slipped to my knee. I watched Duluth pass by my window while my mind clung to Viv. She was stubborn and protective. She would come around with time. I just wasn't sure if Billy's stubbornness and protectiveness would give her the time she needed.

As Tim and Jackson headed inside the store, I hung back by the car. Billy would pause for me.

"You okay?" He asked as he pulled me to him.

"Mmhmm, are you?" Accusation filled my tone.

Billy shook his head as his thoughts swirled.

"Billy, give her time and forgive some of her rudeness. She's young and feels like I'm being forced on her."

"I'm not forcing you on her." His back stiffened beneath my hands.

"Hey, I'm not saying you are, and I'm not saying you aren't. I'm saying that's how she feels and how she feels is just as important as reality."

Billy looked down at me. "You sound a lot like a parent right now."

"I sound like a human being and a former teenage girl."

"How did I survive ten years without you in my ear?"

"You didn't. You thrived; as a dad, as a son, and as a friend; you thrived. You made a wonderful life, Billy Collins, and I'm so thankful you're willing to let me back into it."

"Lil, I built this life for you, for us." His forehead leaned against mine as our hands knotted. "Every day you were away, I knew you'd be back. I wanted to be ready. I just..."

"Forgot about you. You always forget about you." I smiled up at him. "But don't worry, I'm here now. I'll remind you."

"I love you." He kissed the top of my head.

I pulled away from him and added, "I know," as I headed to the store.

"You know," he mumbled to himself, before following behind me. His hand caught the door before it could swing shut on me. "And I'm here for you now," he murmured as he held the door.

Tim had a flutter of people around him, but when Billy entered the record store, the focus of the handful of patrons and employees shifted to him. I slipped away to the back corner where Jackson was flipping through albums.