Middle Fingers Up // Billy Hargrove x Reader

𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝑻𝑯𝑰𝑹𝑻𝒀-𝑺𝑬𝑽𝑬𝑵

You briefly remember in the morning that there'd been arguments in the night across the street. Billy had obviously gotten home and been met with his father after Neil had seen the damage you did to the boys car. The cops had shown up but left shortly after, so you figure you were in the clear for now.

Then a tow truck came around eight to, you assume, collect Billy's destroyed car for repairs. You were still laid on the bed, fully clothed, listening to it all through the open window as you stared up at your ceiling. 

More tears had been and gone, and none of them did anything to soothe the deep ache in your chest. A whimper slips free now as you clutch to your stomach, your tear-stained cheeks soaked once more as last night begins to replay again.

Your body screamed for sleep, begged for the reprieve of rest, but you just couldn't bring yourself to close your eyes. Every time you attempted to, you just saw Billy's tongue down the girls' throats.

You kept going through stages of complete anguish to total fury. The betrayal was as heartbreaking as it was infuriating and it was like your body couldn't decide which it should be. 

There's a double knock on your bedroom door but you don't bother to move. You can't even feel your limbs right now to move, even if you wanted to. "Honey?" It was your mom, speaking low as she comes in. "Billy's car was trashed, I just wanted to check you were okay-- oh my god, (Y/N) what is it?" She cuts herself off as she finally catches sight of you, rushing to perch in the space beside you on the bed after closing the door.

"Me and Billy broke up." Your voice was hoarse when you spoke, crackling from the tears you'd shed. Your gaze doesn't shift from the ceiling because you're worried you might fully break if you look at her. 

"So... I take it that you're the one to blame for his car?" She asks, taking your silence as all the answer she needs. "Oh, honey..." She whispers, shifting as best she can to lay down next to you and pull your head onto her lap. Her fingers glide through your hair, though she doesn't say anything else. The tenderness of the moment almost has you breaking, but you somehow manage to hold it together. 

"I think I'm gonna stay with Eddie for a few days..." You grumble after a long period of silence; yearning for the quietness of the trailer park and the support of your friend and his uncle. Besides... Billy living right across the street from you was making things even harder. Knowing you couldn't step out for fresh air for fear of seeing him, couldn't even go to your window in case he saw you. You just wanted to leave and never come back.

"Sure, I get that. Want me to take you?" She responds, still caressing your hair and relieving a tiny shred of the tension in your forehead. "No, I can do it. Thank you though."

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You're packing a few things after confirming with Eddie over the phone that you could stay there. It was a no-brainer in truth; Wayne and Eddie were stoked if anything that you'd asked which was sweet. 

Heavy breaths sound behind you and you whip around, scared of the sudden noise but it was just Winston peeping into your room to say hello. What's left of your heart melts and you sit down on the floor, pulling the dog into a big hug that he tries to struggle out of but you definitely needed it so you regretfully keep him in your grasp. He settles after a moment and cranes his neck to pepper you in sloppy kisses. "Gross. Stop." You tell him but he continues which draws an echo of a smile onto your lips. "Get out, fatass. See you in a few days." You tell him, patting him on the backside as he heads out of your room. 

When you're done packing, you load the car in record time so you're not spotted by any mullet-having assholes and clamber in. Your parents see you off and the car engine splutters to a start. 

With one last look at Billy's place, you sigh and put the car in gear before taking off. The sun was beginning to set by the time you reached Eddies; having procrastinated all day and packing at the last minute. 

Him and his uncle come outside when you pull up, the latter drawing you into a big warm hug as soon as you're out of the car. "Give me the word, darlin', and me and the boys can pay him a visit. Rough him up a little." His tone was light, but you knew Wayne actually would if you asked. He was sweet on you and treated you like you were one of his own children.

"Just having me here is good enough, Wayne." You tell him as you pull apart and another pair of arms claims you for their own. "How you holdin' up?" Eddie mumbles into your ear and you just shake your head, hoping that explains well enough that you weren't doing so great.

You could pretend you were fine, it was easy enough, but on the inside he could see how crushed you were. Still, the brave face helped to trick even you into believing you were okay. 

When you pull back, Wayne's smile shifts into a broad grin. "Hey, at least we got some good news. My nephew's gonna be a star, did ya hear? I couldn't be prouder of him," He states, planting a hand on Eddie's shoulder like a proud father. It warmed you to see and the topic change was definitely welcome. 

"I couldn't be prouder either, Wayne. He deserves it all."

"Alright, stop it. I'm gonna start blushing." Ed's complains but still grins at the appraisal, taking you under his arm and heading towards the trailer. "Come on. Lets get you some food."

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Eddie had the only room in the trailer - Wayne normally crashed on the couch since he worked nights. He was at work now, leaving the pair of you to listen to Eddie's tapes while you both lounged on his bed. Soft rock music filled the empty air between you and his fingers were working behind you where he sat to pull your hair into a braid as best he could. You still felt so sick, so nauseous about the whole thing any time you thought about it and you couldn't even eat your dinner for fear you might bring it all up again.

"There, that's better. Now if you're actually sick I don't have to worry about picking it out of your hair later." Eddie snorts. You'd complained about the shift in your stomach and this was apparently all he wanted to do to help. Still, it was appreciated and you felt better once you got into your pajamas. 

When you climb beneath the blankets, Eddie does the same and lays on his side so he can look at you. "Am I just hideous to be around? Like, what's actually wrong with me?" You pout, lower lip quivering with more threatening tears.

Eddie sighs as he watches you, shaking his head against the pillows. "You're beautiful, baby. Hargrove's just an asshole. Don't ever think it's about you because I can guarantee you he's just acting out on his own. It doesn't have a thing to do with you, he's just a shitty person."

You sniffle and bury your cheek into the pillow, trying to get comfortable. Around Eddie you definitely felt a lot calmer and relaxed - especially since you knew Billy wasn't close by. You felt safe here, supported no matter how desperately sad you felt. "I just want to get away, you know? This town is too small. I'm gonna end up seeing him everywhere."

"Well, I mean... You could always come on tour when we go. I can't stand the idea of leaving my best friend behind, and if you're serious about getting out of here... lets go." He suggests, his expression full of apprehension as he waits for you to respond. 

"Wait, you're serious?" You ask, brows furrowing together as you prop up on an elbow and look down at him. 

"Yeah, why not? It's not like we have anything to stay here for except our families. We can visit on holiday's like normal adults."

"Gross, we're adults?" You joke, cracking a real smile for the first time since yesterday. 

"Yeah, unfortunately." He rolls his eyes playfully before he continues, "What do you say, though? I don't have dates for it yet, but it'll be a long time away from home. Plenty of time to get your head together and just have some fun." He shrugs nonchalantly, brow raised in expectation. 

In truth, it sounded like heaven. You despised the idea of having to be here a moment longer as soon as the suggestion left his lips, and it was exactly what you needed to escape. Your relationship was in ruins, you had a shitty job that you couldn't wait to get out of and your family, you knew, would be supportive. 

They wouldn't be exactly happy about it, but they would definitely be supportive.

"Sure, yeah. Let's do it."