California Secrets (Billy Hargrove)

- 𝚏𝚒𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚎𝚗 -

- Katherine Witherfield -

I wrap the Mickey Mouse towel around James' shoulders before he sits down in the plastic chair. I go back towards the pool and grab the few action figures he brought into the water from the edge of the pool. I bring them back to our table under the umbrella and put them back in the tote bag. I look over and see that Billy is pulling something out if his small black bag. I peak in and see that he had made a makeshift cooler, using bags of ice as ice packs to keep the otter pops he brought frozen. He pulls a blue one out, opening it with his teeth before handing it over to an eager James.

"Blue is my favorite," he thanks Billy before sucking on the popsicle.

"Mine too," Billy smiles back at him before looking over at me.

"No thank you."

"Your loss," Billy replies to me before taking out another blue one for himself, ripping the top open and digging in.

"What do you say?" I ask James.

"Thank you!" James says enthusiastically with a mouth full of flavored ice. Billy smiles wide at him, then taking a bite out of his popsicle. I don't know how, since it usually hurts my teeth when I do it, but whatever floats his boat, I guess.

🌊🌊🌊

James demanded that Billy should come home with us after the pool. Billy, as gullible as he has become to this kid, begged me to let him. And I, as gullible as I have become to Billy, let him.

I get James all cleaned up in the bath, and I insisted that Billy shower afterwards. Once the boys are all cleaned up, I get in the shower after them. I wash my hair with my shampoo and conditioner before washing my body with my favorite rose scented body wash. When I get out, I head back into the living room to find a scene that melts my heart.

Leaning back on the couch, Billy is fast asleep with his head resting on the top of the cushion. He is snoring loud into the house, the sound mixing with voices from the cartoon playing on the television. His feet are kicked out and resting on the ottoman, and his right arm is wrapped around James, who is fast asleep and tucked into his side. I look at how James has his mouth wide open, completely wiped out. I notice how both the boys have their wet curls resting on their foreheads.

A single tear runs down my cheek as emotions begin to flood my whole being. Billy and James have become close, and I'm scared that it will all change when I tell Billy the truth.

The truth about James, the truth about us, and the truth about our past.

🌊🌊🌊

Billy had to leave later that night since he didn't want to piss Neil off, but on Sunday, he said he had a surprise for me. I made sure that Ma could watch James before jumping at the opportunity and saying yes. I decide to dress in shorts and a flannel to go over my black tank top underneath.

"So where are we going?" I ask Billy as I step into his Camaro. I close the door and turn to him, my smile big and I'm sure I look way more excited than I should be.

"You'll just have to see when we get there," he answers, pressing his foot a little too hard on the gas and starting to head down the road.

"I hate surprises," I remind him.

"Too bad."

I throw my head back on my seat as I groan, causing Billy to let out a laugh that has my stomach doing a flip. It feels wrong to feel this way with him, but it also makes me feel the type of thrill that's addicting- the thrill that keeps me on the edge of my seat. It's new, something I haven't felt in a long time.

The drive to get to the mystery destination feels entirely too long, but I assume that's because of my anxiousness. After the torturous wait, we finally pull up to Lover's Lake. Billy grabs a blanket and a bag from the back seat and we get out. He leads us over to a hidden spot under a tree that leans over it, giving us the perfect amount of shade. He lays the blanket down, and we both sit on it.

"I brought us a feast," Billy grins at me. "Well, not really a feast, but..." He trails off as he opens the black bag that he had brought to the pool. He shuffles through it before pulling out two sandwiches that are perfectly wrapped in plastic wrap. "I know it's not much, but it is what I could find."

I gladly take the sandwich. "Thank you," I say as I unwrap it, opening it up and immediately smelling the sweet aroma of peanut butter and jelly. I take a big bite and Billy does the same.

We enjoy our sandwiches as we take in the landscape around us. The sky is clear, spare for a couple white clouds dusting the sky. Birds fly through them, and their chirps can be heard all the way from the ground. The lake is mostly still, and it ripples with the wind. A fish jumps out of the water, and you can hear the splash as it hits the surface and dives back in. The whole scene is so peaceful, and for a moment I get lost and forget of all my stress in the world as I eat my PB&J.

"Lets get in," Billy says, getting up and peeling off his shirt.

"Absolutely not," I argue. "It has to be freezing!"

"Oh come on," he smiles, taking off his shoes before grabbing onto my arm. I try to fight back, but his strength is far greater than mine. He pulls off my flannel for me. He pulls me up and I stumble, causing my flip flops to go flying as Billy pulls me towards the water. He reaches the coastline and the water hits my toes. It is absolutely freezing.

"Billy, no!" I yell at him, trying to resist getting into the water any more. I almost get out, but my efforts turn out to be completely meaningless. He yanks on my arm, turning to toss me into the water. The frigid water hits my whole body, and I rise up from the water, brushing my hair from my face. Anger fills me, and I give Billy a murderous stare. For a slight moment, I see a look of fear before I act upon him. I grab his arm and pull him in, soaking his body and his curls in revenge. He gets out of the water, gasping for air before pulling me back down on top of him.

I push his body back down into the water, trying to keep him below me to prevent getting any more into the water. I struggle, though, since I am shaking from the cold. Eventually Billy gets up, grabbing my arms. Instead of throwing me, however,  he holds them still as I shiver in his touch.

"You're such an asshole."

He laughs at my remark, causing me to slap him in the arm. "Ow," he complains, stopping mid-laugh and looking me in the eye. 

I shrug. "Sorry not sorry."

Billy looks at me, and despite our bickering, he smiles at me. I look into his eyes, and they match the color of the ocean blue water. His grin brings energy to his face and his eyes look alive, more alive than I have ever seen them before.

I push him back down, completely ruining the moment and the romantic atmosphere we created. He gets back up and gives me a scowl. I smile at him and he rolls his eyes at me. I continue to shiver, and Billy takes that as the cue to get out. He grabs me by the hand as he leads us up and out of the freezing cold lake.

"You drive me crazy," he tells me as his fingers thread between mine. I turn my head to look up at him, and his face seems sincere.

"You drive me insane," I return with a laugh. He stops me, our feet still in the water. He takes his hands, bringing them up to cup my cheeks. I shiver, partly from the cold of his hands and partly from the intimacy of the touch. We stand there, our clothes soaking wet and our hair dripping into the water under us.

"You make me wild," he whispers to me, his gaze wandering all over my face. I take a deep breath and hold it in as I close my eyes. Billy lowers his lips and brings them to mine. My body fills of warmth, and it makes me forget how horribly cold I am right now. His soft lips feel perfect on mine, and I never want to leave this moment.

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I'm so single.

-Liz <3