In The Shadows

Chapter 4

Later that afternoon Harry and Billie were sitting in a booth, pushed tightly together, by everyone else trying to crowd in. Harry didn't mind but it made breathing a little difficult, turning slightly so he could lean again the wall, Harry picks Billie up and moves her so she's sitting between his legs, giving the others a little more room.
Billie glances back at Harry, then leans against his chest, putting her head on his shoulder.

"This is comfortable." Billie whispers.

Harry smiles as he rubs small random patterns on her leg. "Yeah, at least I can breathe better, I was starting to get a better understanding on what a sardine feels like." He chuckles as he picks up the strawberry shake they were sharing and takes a sip.

Billie is about to comment when suddenly she gasps, she then crawls across the table, knocking several things over as she did, jumps off the edge and runs toward the door. "Oh God, you're home." Billie sobs as she launches herself through the air into the arms of a tall, good looking guy.

Harry just sits there shocked, why would she agree to be his girlfriend if she was in love with a guy that looks like that? Swollowing he has the other let him out of the booth, he needs to get out of there. He didn't want to see the girl he's falling for hug and cry all over another guy. Just as he's about slip past the couple Billie reaches out.
"Harry, I want you to meet my brother, Luke, the Marine." She says with tears still rolling down her cheeks and huge grin on her lips. "Luke this is Harry, my boyfriend."

Luke looks down at his sister. "Boyfriend? You? Since when do you date?" Luke asks, surprising Harry. "Shrimp, you've never had a boyfriend, ever, you said you've never met anyone worth spending that much time with, everyone is to boring." He says.

"Luke, Harry is so different than the stupid guys here." Billie says.

Luke looks over and slightly up at the guy next to him. "Nice to meet you. If my baby sister is dating you, you must be one special dude." Luke says as he shakes Harry's hand. "This little lady is picky as hell." He says.

Harry smiles. "Well, I don't know if I'm special or not." He says as looks at Billie, unaware of the look of total infatuation shining in his eyes. "But she sure is."

Luke nods, already liking this kid. "So, I'm assuming you and your little band of delinquents are going camping like usual?" Luke asks.

"Of course, are you going too now that you're home?" Billie asks.

"No, I'm going to spend time with pops and the guys. But don't worry I'm home for good sis." Luke says causing her to start crying again.

Harry now feels like an ass, knowing he was about walk out on the girl he likes, just because she was hugging some other guy. He's never been jealous before, it's a feeling he's unfamiliar with. Harry should have given her a chance to explain, he's never seen Billie hug random guys like that, only her brother's do that, he's just glad she didn't notice. Feeling a hand on his leg, knowing it can only be one person, Harry looks down into the beautiful golden brown eyes looking up at him.

"You want me to give you directions to my house or just wait until you get your things together so you can follow me?" Billie asks after they've been sitting again for a couple of minutes.

Harry runs his fingers through her hair as he answers her question. "Why don't you just follow me to my place, I'll just ride with you instead of driving my car up the mountain." Harry whispers.

Billie smiles and nods. "Okay." She then turns and looks at the others. "Guys were going to head out. Harry and I will meet you at my place." Billie says. "Dana, are you bringing your brother?"

"Of course, that little rascal is in love with you and your mountain home." Dana laughs. "And everyone here treats him like an adult not a four year old." She adds making Harry relax again.

Billie giggles, causing Harry to grin. "I love that kid, he's just so cute." She says as she slide out of the booth, holding her hand out to Harry.

Harry takes Billie's hand, let's her pull him out of the booth so he's standing next to her, when he is he wraps his arm around her waist. "We'll see you guys later." Harry says as they walk toward the door, right before they walk out Billie's sister-in-law stops them.

"Billie, I had Vance and Luke load a couple of cooler into the back of your truck with your favorite drinks and snack foods. Ya'll have fun." Josey says.

"Thanks Josey, Vance I take you'll be catching up with Lulu now that he's home?" Billie asks before walking out the door.

"Yeah, I'll camp next weekend." Vance says as Billie nods and waves as she and Harry walk out the door.

"One of these days I'm going to drive this beast." Harry says as he helps Billie into her truck, shuts her door and walking to his car. When they get to Harry's house, he takes Billie's hand and they walk into the kitchen, they see his mom standing at the stove.

"Oh, hello." Anne smiles when she sees the beautiful girl with her son.

"Mom, this is Billie Morningstar, my girlfriend. Billie, my mom Anne Twist." Harry says. "We're not staying, I'm going to grab some things to spend the weekend with her and some friends." Harry tells his mom. "We're going camping."

"Oh that sounds fun. Oh Harry some girl came by here earlier, a Tamera, said she was supposed to meet you at the park later. Now before you start getting upset, I could tell she was lying." Anne chuckles. "She kept looking around, like she was trying to see who could hear what she was saying, and she was talking way to loud. The girl has trouble written all over her."

Billie laughs. "Yeah that's Tamera, she's pissed because I'm always putting her in her place."

"And I picked Billie over her, when she thinks she's the better option." Harry continues.

"Oh, she's one of those." Anne laughs. "Well, looks like Billie here is the best choice. Well you two have fun this weekend, Robin and I are just staying in watching movies." She says as she turns back to what was on the stove.

Harry just nods and pulls Billie out of the kitchen, up the stairs and into his room so he can pack for the weekend.