In The Shadows

Chapter 2

Throughout the day, Billie and Harry realize she can't walk around all day with her hand on his arm, so halfway through the day they modify their warning system, which seems to work just as well.
By lunch Harry had met everyone in Billie's group of friends, he knew which ones were real friends, which were the fake friends, even though he probably could have figured that out on his own. He, Billie, Danaka, Vance, a friend of Billie's older brothers and a few others were just entering the cafeteria when Tamera walks up.
"So are we all going to The Hangout after school?" She asks.

Harry frowns and looks at Billie. "What's the hangout?"

"It's a small restaurant down on Main Street, we go there most days after school." Billie says. "My oldest brother and his wife runs it."

Harry nods. "I'm game if you're going." He says.

"Oh I'm going." Billie says.

Danaka slips her arm through Billie's. "I can ride with you, right?"

"Of course." Billie smiles. "You always do." She says as she sits down at their usual table, smiling as Harry sits beside her.

"Who's driving me." Tamera asks. When no one offers she looks at Harry.

"Oh stop it, Tamera." Billie snaps. "You know damn well you don't need a ride, you drove this morning. Your fucking car is on the parking lot."

Tamera throws Billie a dirty look. "So did Dana, and she's riding with you." She says.

"Yeah well people around here likes her and knows she clean. You ride in their car they'd have it steam cleaned to kill the germs." Billie says. "And you call me a bitch again remember to use Ms. in front of it, I've told you I'm the top bitch in this school." Billie says with a smirk causing Harry to snort. "I've earned the title Ms. Bitch use it." She says as they all laugh as Tamera stomps away.

"I don't know why she keeps sitting here, she know we don't like her." Karen says.

"Gluten for punishment." Lexi says. "For the longest time Tamera thought she ran this school, then Billie found her voice. When Tam found who she is, she's been trying to suck up to her every since."

Harry just shakes his head. "I have just one question." He says, when everyone looks at him, he looks at Billie. "How many brothers do you have? I've heard you say things about this brother or that brother and I've lost count." He chuckles.

Billie throws her head back and laughs, and Harry thinks he just fell in love, damn she's beautiful. "I have, now don't have a heart attack." Billie laughs, placing her hand on Harry's arm. "Eight brothers." She giggles.

Harry's eyes widen. "What the fuck? You're joking, right?" He asks, staring st Billie like she's grown a third eye.

"Nope." Billie giggles, raising her hand. "I swear, there is nine of us. Brian, Jessie, Joseph, John, David, William, Greg, Luke and me. Oh and of course my dad Alex. My mom Mary, died when I was ten." Billie says.

Danaka smiles. "Your mom was amazing, so sweet and patient. She never yelled, even when those trouble making brother's of yours would tease us all the time." She says.

"Yeah, it's a good thing you took after her instead of your dad like your brothers did." Lexi laughs. "They're not as tall as you, Harry but almost. Billie Jo there is about 4'8 like her mom was."

Harry chuckles. "I was thinking five foot even." He says. "When your 6'5 it's hard to judge."

"I'll take it." Billie says quickly, making everyone laugh, and pissing off a watching Tamera.
.................

At the end of the day Harry walks along side Billie, Danaka, Vance, Lexi and a few others, as they head toward the exit so they can all head to their vehicles and go the The Hangout.
"Your car is parked in front of my truck." Billie says. "We saw you pull in this morning, you can follow me if you want."

"Well, since I don't know where I'm going, sounds like a good plan to me." Harry says as he head to his car, watching Billie climb into her jacked up 4x4. Harry is about to start his car when he suddenly hears and feels a low, deep rumble, looking up he sees Billie pulling forward, with her window down.

"Well, you going to sit there and stare or are we going?" Billie yells over the loud rumble of her truck.

Harry grins as he starts his car, he hopes like hell his hard on goes away by the time they get to where they're going, he chuckles to himself, he'd hate to meet her brother like this and have to explain why he's in the condition he's in. Minutes later Harry parks his car next to Billie's truck, getting out, he meets her at the door to the restaurant. As soon as they walk in Billie is lifted off her feet by a guy almost as tall as he is.

"Shrimp, Josey is waiting for you in the kitchen." Brian says. "Go see her while your friends get their drinks."

Billie smacks her brother's arm. "Asswipe, one of these days you're going to break my ribs do that." Billie gripes as she walks toward the kitchen, grabbing Harry's arm as she does. "Come on you can meet my sister-in-law, she's more important than my brother." She giggles.

"Hey, I heard that." Brian yells as he turns to follow his sister wondering who the tall guy is.