Whatever It Takes

Cowboys

My eyes shot open as I heard someone moving around the kitchen. I stayed still, listening for a clue as to who it was – I was not about to get up if it was Dustin. I smiled when I heard humming that was distinctly female, and I leapt out of bed. I raced to the mirror above the dresser, smoothing my hair out and doing my best to look casual. I took a deep breath and left the room.

I tried not to race to the kitchen, wanting to seem like I was just running into Dovey in the kitchen by happenstance. I got to the kitchen, grinning as I watched Dovey bustle around, making breakfast. I leaned against the door frame and crossed my arms.

"Morning, Bird!" I greeted. She jumped, scared by my sudden appearance. She turned to be, glaring daggers. I wanted to kick myself – she was going to think I wanted to scare her on purpose.

God, she looked good. Her hair was still wild and messy, and she was in a set of striped pajamas that clung to her. She rolled her eyes.

"I'm surprised you can even go out in daylight," she snapped. I smiled wider.

"Ooh, so mean," I teased. It was silent as she continued to cook eggs. I cleared my throat. "So, how's Texas?"

She tensed her shoulders, staying silent. She looked at me, glaring at me. My eyes widened.

"What?" I asked.

"I'm pissed because I just realized that you're the first person to ask me about it," she seethed. I smiled at her.

Dovey moved to Dallas about four years ago – this had been absolutely crushing to me, because it meant that she would no longer be in attendance for the Sunday night Henderson dinners that I would always crash. It meant I only was able to see her for certain holidays throughout the year. I was grateful that Mrs. Henderson liked me so much and allowed me to be part of their family, much to Dovey's chagrin.

"Well, how is it?" I pressed. She plated the eggs she had cooked.

"It's fine – here," she snapped, shoving a plate into my hand. My heart skipped – she made me eggs.

"Thanks, Birdie," I said, grinning at her. She rolled her eyes and stormed past me.

"Dustin would give me shit if I refused to feed you," she shot back, giving me an explanation. I would still take it – it meant she cared if I starved or not! I followed her to the dining room table, sitting across from her.

"Do you think you'll stay in Texas for a while?" I asked, fishing for the information I really wanted. When was she going to come back home to me?

"Probably," she answered tersely. I frowned. I did not like that answer.

"Bet you get around with a lot of cowboys," I snarked, annoyed that she was going to stay in Texas. I started in on the eggs she made, trying not to spiral into a bad mood. I looked up and noticed she was glaring at me.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" she hissed. My eyes widened and I shrugged.

"Exactly what I said," I sniped. She rolled her eyes.

"Fuck you, Eddie," she snapped.

I suddenly felt panic – I needed to stop shooting myself in the foot. I cleared my throat.

"I'm just kidding, Bird," I insisted. I smiled brightly at her in spite of her glaring. "Besides, it's obviously not working out with the cowboys since you don't have a date for the wedding."

I was obviously fishing. I would have been embarrassed if I wasn't so desperate to make sure she was still single. She continued to eat her eggs, shrugging at me.

"Who said I don't have a date?" she quipped.

I felt like I had been punched in the stomach. I tried to get my face under control.

"O-oh, so y-you do have a d-date?" I stammered. She watched me for a beat, chewing her breakfast.

"No, but either way, it's none of your business," she snarked. A wave of relief crashed over me. I don't know what I would have done if she had a date. Probably try to ruin things like I normally did with the guys she dated.

In my defense, she had terrible taste in men. They would never appreciate her how she deserved to be appreciated – Dovey was smart, and funny, and needed someone who could keep up with her. But she would date guys that would talk over her or try to make her smaller than them. And I hated it. So, when she would bring them around to the events I would crash, I would do everything I could to knock them down a peg. And if they had been good guys, it wouldn't have been so easy.

"Oh, Birdie – we've known each other for almost a decade at this point. Some part of your life has to be my business," I teased, finishing the breakfast she made. I grinned at her, and she rolled her eyes.

"God, I can't wait for the day that Dustin finally wises up and dumps you as a friend," she sniped, standing up and taking her plate to the kitchen. I immediately jumped up, following close behind her.

"You'd never be so lucky," I shot back.

She turned to me, trying to force down a smile. I felt a surge of pride that I had almost made her laugh. She held her hand out, prompting me to give her my plate. I handed it to her and leaned against the doorframe. I watched her as she washed the dishes, and I tried hard not to think too hard about going up behind her and wrapping my arms around her. Part of me wondered what she smelled like. She turned back around and furrowed her brows, surprised by me.

"God, lurk much?" she snapped. I cleared my throat, brought out of my daydreams.

"What are you doing today?" I chirped, following her back out through the dining room to her living room, watching her as she plopped down on the couch.

"Staying far away from you," she snapped. I rolled my eyes.

"Come on, Bird, we're both in the wedding – I'm sure I could help!" I insisted, desperate for an excuse for more facetime with her. She shot me a glare and flipped the TV on.

Although she was back in Hawkins for a couple weeks leading up to the wedding, I knew she would make herself scarce if it meant I was around. She was incredible at getting herself out of agreed-upon plans, much to my dismay. She would show up, dazzle everyone for about fifteen to thirty minutes with her bright smile and hilarious stories, and then once everyone had their Dovey-fix, she would stand, making up an excuse as to where she needed to go and exit gracefully. Everyone always felt like they had gotten time with her, so she was never questioned.

Except for me – she was incredible at ignoring me, and then snapping at me when I asked why she was leaving so soon. I would be left with an ache in my chest, wanting to be bold enough to ask her about her life, if she would want to grab a drink and catch up over a gin and tonic (her favorite).

"Nancy's taking me to go look at bridesmaid dresses, so go bother Jonathan with that question," Dovey replied tersely.

I flopped down next to her, watching her as she stared ahead at the TV. She had her legs crossed on the couch and was gnawing on her thumbnail. I wanted to reach out and take her hand. I sighed. I had no idea how I was going to break through with Dovey before Jonathan and Nancy got married, and Dovey was back on the next flight to Texas.

I felt a light bulb go off and jumped up, scaring Dovey.

"What's your problem?" she hissed. I smiled awkwardly, walking backwards towards the kitchen.

"I'm going to call Jonathan and ask him, like you said!" I quipped back, off to call my friend.