Risky Business.

013. bloody knuckles

chapter 013,
bloody knuckles

                            LUCY TRIED TO RECALL WHEN SHE HAD FIRST MET BILLY HARGROVE, and realized in a split second that she had never truly done so. She'd heard stories, sure; knew of his complete and utter jerkiness. But she had never seen him in action before then.

"Lucy Andrews," he said loudly, his voice booming over the loud stereo of his car. Lucy hated the way he drew out the second syllable of her first name. "My, my. I never thought I'd get the pleasure."

"Don't get too excited," she replied, leaning against the wooden beams of the porch. Playing it casual was the best she could do. Otherwise, she had no idea what could get him to go away. "What are you doing here, Hargrove?"

His lips split into a sickening grin and he spread his arms. "Why, I'm only looking for my step-sister. Is that so bad?"

"You aren't gonna find her here," Lucy replied. "In fact, I'm the only girl here. Even Mama Byers is gone for the night."

Shit. She shouldn't told him that. Now he knew there were no adults in the house.

Billy's eyebrows shot up on his forehead and his lips parted, but the smile remained. Lucy could tell he recognized her slip-up. He lifted his fingers to his lips and removed the cigarette from between them, dropping it to the ground to stomp it out with his foot.

"Really?" he challenged, taking a few steps forward. "Little birdie told me all the kids were here. Now, was she lying, or are you?"

Lucy couldn't let him get any closer to the house, so she met him in the middle, growing unfortunately close to him. "I don't even know your sister."

"Small? Redhead?" Billy listed, gesturing vaguely to around Max's height. "Bit of a bitch?"

"Not ringing any bells," Lucy spat, trying not to get onto him for calling Max a bitch. "Now hurry on home, Hargrove. It's getting late."

"Oh, yeah?" He smiled again—a shitty smile that reeked of predatory implications. His voice lowered, growing husky and, frankly, repulsive. "Well, why don't you join me, sweetheart?"

Lucy sneered, trying not to gag. "I'll have to pass. You have a... nice night."

As she turned and began to head back inside, Billy's voice stopped her in her tracks: "Tell me this one thing, Andrews."

She faced him once again, arms crossed. "What?"

"There a reason you're lying to me right now?"

Lucy raised her eyebrows, her lips parting in a momentary falter. "How many times do I have to say it before it gets through your thick skull, Hargrove? Max isn't here."

Billy barked a laugh right in her face, and Lucy's stomach dropped. She'd fucked up.

"So then how could you possibly know her name?"

Lucy rolled her jaw. "I've... I've seen her around."

Shitty lie. She knew it. He knew it.

Billy scoffed lightly, dropping his head. He took a few steps in, bridging the gap between the pair of them, his eyes dark. He jerked his chin over to the front window. "Then who is that?"

Lucy glanced over her shoulder in time to see all of the kids' heads ducking as quickly as they possibly could. Max's long red hair caught on the top of the couch and kept in view, revealing her even after she'd ducked away. Lucy bit back a curse and turned back to Billy.