Nostalgia • Billy Hargrove (Sequel to No Good)

Chapter Eight

Steve

"So you and Hargrove?" I questioned both girls stopping their conversation and looking over to me. "What" Danica spoke maybe not quite hearing me, "Hargrove, are you guys a thing now?" I asked more upfront this time and maybe it wasn't the right thing to do, maybe I was exposing my feelings for her a bit. I felt a kick under the table glancing at Nancy who was glaring at me. I turned my attention to Danica who seemed a bit stuck, my question maybe was too unexpected for her. I watched her open her mouth to speak and I noticed hesitation, I was hoping she would say no. I wanted to have my chance with her before Hargrove came in and took his.

"I'm sorry that's none of my business" I spoke hoping to make her more comfortable I watched as she gave me a soft smile saying an "It's okay" She opened her mouth again to speak, "We aren't a thing"

"Why are you asking Steve?" Nancy questioned making me glare at her.

"It's just a question Nance" I spoke. There was this awkward silence that surrounded us before Danica started speaking, " I'm gonna start heading off guys, I'm taking Dustin to the arcade later" I watched as she packed her bag taking one last bite of a french fry and sip of her drink before leaving the food court area.

"What are you doing?" Nancy questioned me, I shook my head "Nothing" I replied. I watched as Nancy gave me a look crossing her arms over her chest, "Look she's happy whether if she likes you or Billy. Give her a chance to decide that on her own, besides it's been four years we aren't kids any more Steve we're adults she's looking for a partner, not a boyfriend she has to coddle all the time" she spoke as she grabbed her bag leaving me to eat alone.

Danica

"So did you hear?" Dustin asked as he slipped on his jacket and grabbed his bag, "No what?" I asked as I grabbed my car keys leather jacket slung over my shoulder.

"Mom said we're having Thanksgiving with the Hargroves this year" He spoke causing me to bite my own tongue, "Oh"

"Is that okay?" He asked I finished lacing up my boots taking a look at my kid brother and in this very moment I knew that he knew the real reason why I left. I sighed thinking of something quick to say "Why wouldn't it be?" I spoke, Dustin made a face causing me to give a small smile before changing the subject "Come on I'm pretty sure the boys are already there"

The ride was silent and I was sure Dustin wanted to ask some questions about why I left. My brother was smart too smart for his age and I knew that once he saw Steve and Billy coming to our home, talking to our mom would give him an idea as to why I left. "I don't want to talk about it Dus" I spoke causing him to look over to me, "Why?"

"Well because I would rather not tell my kid brother about my relationships. Besides I don't wanna drag you in the middle of anything" I spoke putting my car in park in front of the arcade, I pulled out my wallet taking out five dollars and handing it to him "Have fun" I spoke watching as he grabbed the money from my hand about to leave the car but looked back at me and asked "Are you sad?"

I stared at him "I'm okay bud, now go have fun" I replied. Dustin closed the door running off to the arcade I sighed leaning back into my seat, I pulled out a joint lighting it up and inhaling. My car becoming smoke-filled "Hot box" was the phrase we used in high school.  There was a knock on my window which caused me to put out my joint and open my window Max coughing as the smell of weed and smoke hit her in the face, "Sorry" I spoke giving her a cheesy smile, "Thought you were done with that stuff?" she asked waving her hand to get the smoke clear as she climbed into my car.

"It helps me keep an open mind. Relaxes me."

"Hm, Well can you drive me home. Billy's running late I guess my mom has him out helping her" Max spoke as I watched her put on her seat belt I chuckled a bit "What if I said I have stuff to do"

"You never have stuff to do" She snorted I rolled my eye at her teasing as I started my car on her way to the Hargrove house.

"Mom I'm home!" Max yelled out making me giggle at how open she has become. She was always closed off to most and it took a while to break her out of her shell. "And I have a guest for Billy" she added making me bump her slightly as she threw me a teasing grin. I watched as Susan appeared from the kitchen drying her hands as she pulled me into a tight hug. I always liked Susan but I could never understand as too how she could be with Billy's father.

"Look at you, Beautiful as ever" She spoke praising me as she spun me around, taking in all my adult features. "You're here for Billy?" Susan asked which led me to quickly reply with a "Max likes to joke a lot"

"Well, that sucks" I heard turning my head to see Billy leaning at the doorway. I looked down biting my lip before making eye contact with him and getting sucked in by his ocean eyes. "There's a pie in the oven, How about you stay for dessert? Susan spoke as she patted me on the shoulder, I nodded my head as I walked over to Billy. He did a ladies first gesture, his hand placed lightly on the small of my back as he led me up to his room.