Hinder • {Bill Skarsgård}

||Chapter Seventeen||

After some discussion, Bill decided it was best for Ella to drive. She had only had two glasses of wine, and that had been two hours prior. Bill on the other hand, had approximately an entire bottle of wine; he and her mother had split two whole bottles.

Ella's gaze shifted to Bill every so often; he was leaning back in the seat, his long legs spread apart with folded arms. She smiled at the sight, turning her attention back to the road.

"What are you smiling about?" Bill smirked, knowing each time she looked at him.

"It's a nice change, you know. You're drunker than me." She giggled; a inward chuckle getting lodged in her throat.

"I'm not drunk, I've just had too much to drive." Bill sat up, pulling the seatbelt over his chest away from his neck. He groaned, shifting uncomfortably. "I could sure use a cigarette right about now."

"What's stopping you? It's your car, smoke up, I don't care."

"It won't bother you?" Bill asked, already reaching into his light wash jeans for his pack of cigarettes and lighter.

"Nope."

Bill placed the filter between his lips, cupping the tip of the cigarette as he lit the end. He rolled down the window; the sound of the automatic motor rotating the glass barrier down. Smoke billowed out of the cab, flowing out of the quarter cracked space.

"So I was thinking you could just stay at my place." Ella said, looking to Bill nervously. "You can sleep this off and just go to the hotel when you woke up. It would be easier, right?" She swallowed hard; her saliva had thickened from nerves. It was the logical thing to do—for Bill to crash at her place. He wouldn't have to call a cab tomorrow to pick up his car.

The back of his head hit the headrest with a thump as he exhaled loudly. He was practically groaning at the suggestion.

"What, you don't think that's a good idea?" Ella knew it was the better idea—less hassle would be involved come morning.

Bill shook his head subtly, flicking ashes out the window while rubbing his lips together.

"Okay... then what do you suggest we do then? It just seemed easier, that's all I'm saying."

"I can't..." he sighed heavily, lifting his head from the headrest. "I can't stay at your place. I don't feel comfortable there."

Ella scoffed. "What's wrong with my house?"

"Just- just take me to the hotel." Bill demanded; his large pale eyes shifting to Ella in seriousness.

"Okay, so you want me to drop you off at the hotel and what... you want me to call a cab?"

"No." Bill took a draw of his cigarette, the filter clasped between his fingers when placing his hands on his thighs.

"So you want me to take your car? Are you gonna pick it up tomorrow?"

Bill exhaled loudly; seeming to be annoyed by all of Ella's questions. She took offense—she was simply trying to come up with a plan, one they both agreed on.

"I told your mom." Bill's voice broke through the annoyance; she was thrown back by his confession.

She was relieved—it was one less person she herself had to let down. She was glad Bill had taken the dive and decided to tell her mother about their well kept secret. It was one less headache—one less confrontation she no longer had to run from. Although she wasn't exactly sure if Bill had confessed at his own will, or if he had drunkenly spoke too much and gave one too many details. The latter seemed more likely.