To Know Him

part nine

It was raining hard, reminding Bill of Spring. If the winds picked up any stronger than it was blowing it could probably muster up a tornado, Bill thought as he sat on the porch with his brothers' chain-smoking and watching the lightning strikes in the distance. It was a nice break from the Texas heat but he couldn't enjoy the storm like he usually would. It was getting later and later into the night and he was close to taking the truck to Gloria's house and to take her away from whatever situation she was currently in. They were already found out anyway it wouldn't be a problem showing by this point.

"Maybe she's alright?" Gus said handing Bill another beer.

"Or they've got her locked in her room," he said twisting off the bottle cap.

"We can bust Rapunzel out in the morning then," Ace said with a yawn and stretching his long legs in front of him. "It's pissing rain right now."

"If you're all tired, be my guest, and go to bed," Bill tipped the bottle back taking a sip. "I'm staying up."

"We're forgetting she's his fiancée now," V lightly laughed as he leaned against the porch rail, "It's his diligent duty to wait for his missus."

Bill rolled his eyes but he couldn't help but laugh a little bit. They loved to bust his chops but it was in good spirit. Gloria had said yes to his shitty proposal but it was a yes none the less. A bright flash of lightning had all the brothers turning their heads towards the road. The storm was only just getting worse and the wind was picking up causing the rain to shift sideways, sending a cool mist over them occasionally.

"Hey..." V said his attention still on the road, "is that Gloria?"

Bill looked out again squinting his eyes having difficulty seeing past the thick sheets of rain until a flash of lighting branched across the night sky illuminating her for just a moment. "Holy shit," he said getting to his feet.

"We, we'll get some towels," Ace said snapping his fingers at the rest of his brothers ordering them to follow him inside.

Gloria had pedaled on to the yard, snatching her tote she hopped off the bike sending it crashing down. She was so hopped up on adrenaline she couldn't even feel the bike pedal snag her pantyhose and dig into her shin. Bill was just about to step out into the rain but she had sprinted, slamming into his chest before he could. She was soaking wet, her usually curly hair laid flat and drenched. He held onto her, not caring that the rainwater from her clothes was seeping through his.

"What happened," he lifted her from her feet, bring her up the porch and setting her down. He pushed back the hair that stuck to the sides of her face. Gloria shook her head looking into his worried eyes, her bottom lip quivered as she frowned.

"I... I think I got kicked out?" Her voice wavered.

Bill sighed, this was all his fault and he wished more than anything to fix it but he knew there was no way he could. "I'm so sorry," was all he could say and kissed the top of her damp forehead.

Ace cleared his throat announcing himself. "Some towels," he said with his arm stretched out the cracked open screen door. "I turned the heater on in your room too," he said before shutting the door halfway.

Bill wrapped the towel around her, rubbing her shoulders. "We should go inside, yeah? You're ice cold." Gloria replied to him with a simple nod.

Bill took her hand and lead her inside. His brothers and sister were all chatting and occupied playing cards to look busy but Gloria could tell it was an act to make her feel comfortable by their presence. It helped, it was a lot better than meeting four pairs of light eyes all staring at her. Still, she hid behind Bill, peeking around his arm feeling shy. Bill turned his head, looking down to give her a small reassuring smile.