The Reason I Can't Help But Love You.

Renovations and Relationships

Steve's pov

I got assigned to help Nancy with redecorating the inside of the shed with a black tarp.
Staying quiet as I did so.
"Hey," I heard, looking down at her as I stepped off the stool. "What you did.. uhm- helping the kids. That was cool." Was she thanking me?
God this 'special' type of woman is so confusing.

My heart beat against my chest, I couldn't tell if I yearned to see her smile the way she is currently, or if I never wanted to see it again. A lot of emotions fell on my chest. Guilt. Anxiety. Jealousy. Anger. Sadness. Heartbreak. Fear.
Why did it have to be this confusing?
"Yeah well, it wasn't just me. Munson saved my ass at least ten times tonight both from creatures and the kids." I said letting a sense of relief wash over me as I remember the times she's had patience with me or cracked a dumb joke.
"Yeah of course." She said nodding.
"The little shits are real trouble, ya know? Helped to have her there."
"Believe me, I know." Nancy agreed.

A couple of minutes later Josie walked in with the rest of the kids, cardboard filled her hands.
She gave me a joking look with widened eyes and puffed cheeks before helping the kids cover the surfaces.
Yeah. I wouldn't have chosen anyone else to babysit with.

Josie's pov

After helping the kids, Nancy and I started outside with getting rid of the trash pile.
I was dragging more items over when she asked me a question abruptly.

"So you and Steve?"
I whipped around at her with raised brows. "Sorry?" I asked confused.
She just raised her brows in return.
"No. God no." I said after a thought, "you guys are a thing and after the shit he pulls over and over... no."
"Yeah, I'm not sure about us anymore. But I never really knew what happened."

I shrugged, flipping an old box over, "We were best friends at a time, he chose quantity over quality. He's a guy that lets you see what he could be only to show you that he's not. And I refuse to try to fix or change someone. Not even my right to, so I just don't care- sorry." I said realizing I had overshared.
"Nono! I get it. Like deeply get it. But if it's any consolation, the Steve I knew wouldn't have stuck around the way he did when you first showed up to save us. I mean you saw him flee, and then suddenly he was.. back. I think people might just be able to...- learn."
She said before going back into the shed, leaving me with a million questions and not a single answer to my racing thoughts.

After finishing the shed, we left the inner circle to their selves.

I sat smoking one of my last cigarettes in the carton out of the open window, I sat in the room with Steve as he aimlessly swung the bat again.

With his stupid concentrated face. Ugh I gotta get out of here. I stood up fast.
"Hey, where you going?" He asked.
"Gonna go check on the kids." He nodded slowly before I eased away. "That okay with you Sargent ?"
He rolled his eyes and scoffed, "if I said no would you stay?" He asked softly, unsure.
I was extremely taken back. "I... uh-."
"Just don't wanna be alone.." he said with a look in his eyes I haven't seen in a quite a time.

"Come with me?" I offered.
He nodded, "yeah in a bit."

I made our way down the hall, hearing Max talking to Lucas with worried thoughts.

"Yeah, but if he does find us."
I walked in the hallway, "we'll beat him back to hell." I kneeled to the two.
"Nothing is gonna hurt you guys. Over my dead. Body. Okay?" Max nods and swallows harshly.

I stood up just as the lights began to flicker, "Steve." I said just as he appeared leaning on the door frame, "Get your bat ready."
He nodded as I picked up my ax.