Outlaws in Time - Billy the Kid x !Reader

Chapter 10. The Word "Business"

"Are you okay, Rue?" Catherine's voice held a note of concern as she studied your expression, hoping for a more positive reaction to the news.

"He changed his mind?" You questioned Billy, your tone betraying a mix of surprise and skepticism. "Matthew decided to hire you after all the fuss he made?"

Billy's eyebrows knit together in a puzzled frown. "Why do you ask? You think I'm not good enough to get a job?" The frustration in his voice is clear.

"I didn't say tha—" you began, but Billy cut you off before you could finish.

"Then why question it?" His interruption only added fuel to the growing tension between you.

Catherine sensed the rising conflict and attempted to diffuse the situation. "Come now, we should celebrate—" Her words were cut short by a fit of coughing, prompting Billy to rush to her side and offer comfort.

"Don't think you're in any condition to celebrate, Ma," Billy remarked, his attention shifting to you. "And it seems Ruby is in no mood to."

Feeling a flush of embarrassment, you were not in any mood to talk to Billy, even though you spent the whole day looking for him. "Excuse me I'm not feeling well," you said before retreating to your room, closing the door with more force than intended. The walls vibrated slightly from the impact as you flopped onto your bed, burying your face in the pillow. Your chest tight and your breath came in heavy, ragged gasps as you struggled to calm yourself. You never looked down on Billy, and he dared to accuse you of it.

The timing was just off, what happened last night, how did he rush off, and suddenly get a job? Especially from someone who embarrassed and disrespected him and was adamant about not giving him a job before.

Of course, you wanted to be happy for Billy's new job. After all, he had struggled for so long, and landing a well-paying, respected job should have been cause for celebration. But something about the news just didn't sit right with you. Your mind raced with the worst-case scenarios: What if Billy was being lied to? What if he was being taken advantage of? What if it was all a scam? Or perhaps it was just your extreme anxiety getting the best of you. You should have congratulated him instead of letting your tone turn accusatory. If you were truly worried about the situation, you could have simply asked him for more details.

Sitting up on your bed, you ran your fingers through your hair, tangled from running, a nervous habit that you have while deep in thought. Regret flooded your mind as you considered your actions, realizing they were driven by a momentary lapse in judgment. You may have unintentionally hurt Billy, and now you debated whether you should swallow your pride and apologize. But then again, shouldn't Billy be the one to apologize first?

You let out a frustrated sigh and you fell on your back, the bed cushioning your fall. Mixed feelings in your chest, like a weight on your lungs, making it difficult to breathe. Guilt, anger, and confusion are not a good combination. 

You remembered your encounter with Jesse, he was with Billy, "for business," he had said. That meant Jesse might know more details about Billy's new job. An idea sparked in your mind. You removed the jacket that Jesse had generously lent you, admiring its quality craftsmanship. As your fingers traced over the smooth leather, you realized you needed to return it to Jesse tomorrow. Maybe, during this return, you could pry some information out of him. Satisfying your curiosity as well as maintaining your pride.

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You woke up early, the anticipation of finding Jesse fueling your determination. Yet, as you folded the jacket neatly, your mind couldn't shake the worry of aimlessly wandering the town like a lost puppy, hoping for a stroke of luck to stumble upon Jesse.