Burning Love ~ Billy Hargrove ( +18)

Chapter 9

Maddie's POV

Billy, the idiot, was completely wrong if he thought I was going to listen to him, I would meet with Steve anyway. Although I was also aware that Steve shouldn't pay for Billy's mistakes, so I would find a way to meet with him without Billy finding out.

I lit a cigarette and waited under a tree for Max to come out of school, she was running a bit late. But thanks to the huge argument I had just had with Billy, she would be spared a scolding today. A few minutes later, I saw Billy heading to the parking lot to find his car, but not before giving me a look of pure malice and hatred, I simply rolled my eyes and sighed. No matter how hard he tried, I wasn't afraid of him when it came to myself, the only thing that scared me about him was his ability to hurt any guy around me or Maxine, and I wouldn't let that happen.

Even so, something inside me wouldn't let me take my eyes off Billy, it seemed like he was waiting for someone. And I wasn't wrong, out of nowhere appeared Tina, Carol, and another girl whose name I can never remember. Billy said something to them, and the three of them smiled like fools. Before getting into the car, Billy's eyes met mine again, just to wink at me because he was going off with those three girls.

I crossed my arms over my chest and huffed, watching as the four of them drove off in the blue Camaro. Anger filled me as they passed by, the three girls giving me a mocking look. I was sick of Billy showing off in front of me by being with girls when he always got in the way of my potential flings, it was really annoying and frustrating. Stupid Billy, I hate you.

Are you sure it's not jealousy you're starting to feel?

"Did your brother just leave you stranded?" Steve's voice brought me back to reality.

"Not at all. I didn't want to go home with that idiot, I told him to get lost." I took one last drag from my cigarette and threw it in the trash.

"Totally agree that he's an idiot. You must have enormous patience..." he said, putting his hands on his hips and squinting.

"The problem is the exact opposite, I don't have a bit of it, and sometimes I run out of strength from telling him to go to hell." Our eyes met and we both smiled at each other.

"I can give you a ride if you want. He's already gone, so he won't find out. I save myself a beating, and you save yourself a fight and a walk." he winked.

"Thanks, but don't worry. Besides, I have to wait for my sister. Although she's old enough to walk home alone, my mom doesn't like it too much, so here I am, the babysitter Madeleine..." I joked.

"It's no trouble, at least you'll accompany me part of the way." he insisted.

"And Nancy? Won't she mind if you take us too?" I asked. Maybe I shouldn't have, it was clear something wasn't right between them.

"I don't think I'll take her home today..." he looked down at the ground, his face reflecting some sadness. "Nancy... Well, Nancy and I..."

I saw him swallow hard, still not looking at me.

"It's okay, you don't know me at all, you don't have to tell me anything. Besides, I'm a bit rude, I understand your discomfort." I tried to joke to lighten the heavy atmosphere. I put a hand on his shoulder, and he looked up at me. "It's not necessary, just..."

"What's not necessary?" Max appeared out of nowhere, interrupting the conversation. I was so focused on my conversation with Steve that I hadn't even noticed she had arrived.

"Damn, Max! How are you so quiet?" I couldn't help but be startled.

"Or you're just inattentive." she laughed, raising an eyebrow, not stopping looking at Steve before looking back at me. She seemed relaxed, probably seeing that Billy wasn't around.