Open Wound | Billy Hargrove| Book 2

ten

March 24th 1985 ~ Hargrove Residence

Neil Hargrove had his usual scowl etched onto his face when he entered the house, with Susan coming in behind him Billy let out a shaky breath and turned to face them.

"You're early." He said nonchalant.

Neil didn't acknowledge his son, he just headed for the kitchen to get himself a beer.

"I wanted to give you this before midnight." Susan said nervously as she handed Billy a box that was about the same size as his hand.

"Happy birthday kiddo." Billy took the box from her and opened it.

Inside he found three cassette tapes, each having the names of his favorite bands, Queen, Metallica, and Led Zeppelin. He fought back a smile and simply thanked his step mother.

"Thanks Susan." All the while he could feel his father boring holes into his head as he watched him.

~

Seven was asleep when Billy went back to his room. He smiled when he saw her curled up under his covers, he made his way to the foot of he bed and took off the sweatpants he wore, and went in beside her.

When he tried to get some of the covers, Rose simply pulled them back to her causing Billy to chuckle at her cuteness.

"Are you going to let me freeze to death babe?" His voice was light and had a certain playfulness that no one would expect from him.

In response, Rose loosened her grip on the covers and Billy went under with her. He lied on his back and pulled Rose to lie on top of him, he felt her place one of her hands on his chest and the other on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her torso and let out a sigh of contentment.

~

The two teens were fast asleep when Neil pounded on Billy's door, causing them to jump awake. They looked at each other in worry, Billy motioned for Rose to hide and that's exactly what she did.

Billy waited until she closed the closet door before he opened the bedroom door. The moment the door opened he was met with his father who wore an angry expression.

"Bring your ass downstairs, now." Neil's voice was calm yet stern and that had a sliver of fear run down Billy's spine. His father walked away without saying another word so Billy followed him without hesitating.

When they made it downstairs Billy was shocked to see Chief Hopper standing with his arms folded while he wore an angry expression.

"Now son, this man here believes you might know where his daughter is." Neil said menacingly. Billy gulped visibly as he looked in his eyes, he was going to lie but he didn't get a chance too.

"Hey dad." Seven said nervously as she came down the stairs. Hopper glared at the Hargrove boy and sent a relieved look to his daughter.

Billy looked at his own father and he felt his blood run cold at the way he was looking at him, he was in trouble. He looked back to Hopper and Rose and she sent him a worried glance, he smiled discreetly as a sign to not worry.

"I'm sorry for the trouble, you folks have a good night." Jim tipped his hat after he spoke and headed of the house with Rose.

~

The car ride back to the cabin was silent except for the tapping of Hopper's thumbs on the steering wheel. She could tell he was angry and she know she would get scolded when they got home, but all she could think about was Billy. She didn't want him to get hurt because of her and she felt terrible, because she knew it was inevitable.

"I'm not mad y'know." She was surprised at Hopper's words but she didn't quiet believe them as he tightened his grip on the steering wheel and stopped his relentless tapping.

"Really?" Seven asked in disbelief.

"No, I was worried sick."

"I'm sorry I didn't call, we just, got caught up." She said with a blush as she recalled the events that happened just a few hours ago.

"Doing what exactly?"

Shit. Seven said to herself as Hopper's voice raised slightly and when she looked at him she could see the vein throbbing in his neck.

"Nothing to crazy." She tried to be vague, but Hopper kept pushing.

"Where did you go today?" His voice was strained and she knew he was on the verge of snapping. She wanted to lie but her conscious wouldn't let her.

"I took him to California." She said timidly, hoping that would cause his explosive reaction to lessen.

"I'm sorry, you went where?!!" Seven flinched at the loudness in his voice and she knew she was in big trouble.

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797 words......

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