Something In Between: Sequel to On The Edge of Tomorrow

Chapter 57

"Why are we so serious here?" Billy's hand landed warmly on my shoulder, and I instinctively lifted a hand to brush over it, welcoming the touch.

Billy's eyes gently fell on mine and filled with concern at my expression. I picked his hand up and kissed it.

"Tim is always so serious. Has anyone ever told you to lighten up?" I faked a tease, which Tim quickly volleyed.

"That's me, Mr. Business." He stood as he spoke, but still shot me one last look of warning.

"Everything okay?" Billy asked as he held a hand out to me.

"Yes." I accepted his hand as he pulled me to the side.

"We're gonna light up the bonfire."

Once the surge of energy around the newly lit fire dispersed, so did the crowd of people. I settled on a log tucked into Billy's side, lost in thought as my eyes followed the dancing licks of the fire devouring wood. People descended into song around me, as I suppose was to be expected when musicians surrounded you. However, I had never been to a bar-b-cue of accountants where spreadsheets were created around a bonfire.

Billy kept his arm slung around me for longer than I had expected. I could feel him tensing with the mounting desire to join it. It wasn't a surprise that Going to California drew him out.

After a meandering of songs that bled into each other, Billy leaned close to my ear. "Tell me what you want to hear..." It wasn't a question; it was a requirement.

"You Really Got a Hold on Me," I murmured.

"I hope so," he whispered as he began to play.

I sunk back into his side and listened intently. The lyrics echoed through him and into me in soothing vibrations. It calmed the anger as he melted a bit to me. As the song finished, I felt him place a lingering kiss on the crown of my head before the music started up again. At some point, my eyelids fell heavy as my mind floated between awake and asleep.

"Hey, you want to head to bed?" Billy's voice was low and comforting, like the fire crackling.

"Mmhmm, but there are still people here," I mumbled.

"These animals will be here all night." His face was close enough that I could see his dimples easily. I let a finger slip into one, eliciting a laugh from his chest.

"What?" I sighed.

"Viv might be your mini-me, but Jackson's fascination with earlobes is terribly similar to your fascination with dimples."

"Not dimples, your dimples," I corrected, as a sleepy smile crossed my face and my hand dropped.

I reluctantly let Billy pull me up from the comfort of the fire and tuck me under his arm. I dazedly smiled as Billy said good night to a few people we passed. With each step from the warmth of the fire, the cool air woke me more. By the time we were upstairs, I felt a zap of energy.

"We smell like campfire," I noticed as I settled cross-legged on the bed and pinched my shirt so a puff of air rose across my face.

"I don't think that's bad; I've certainly been accused of worse." He flopped on the bed and curled around me.

"What?" I could see thoughts swirling in his head.

"I have many questions." His dimples pricked his cheek. "What happened today? What got you so lost?"

"I realized there's something I haven't told you, and while I didn't see it as a big deal, I probably should've shared." I tensed at the topic.

Billy sensed my discomfort and pulled his face up to inspect mine.

"A few years ago, I went to the doctor," I began.

It was the wrong way to begin as panic immediately filled Billy's eyes.

"I'm fine," I leveled, to only mild success at dissipating Billy's concern. "But, I can't have kids," I watched as the words struck him before adding, "biologically speaking."

"Years ago," he murmured to himself.

"It wasn't a big deal to me because kids weren't something I was chasing," I tried to explain.

"Was that why... you and Sam?" He instinctively tightened his grip on my hips as though he was prepared to throw me from harm's way, even though any injury inflicted by Sam had been years ago.

"Yes, and no." I sighed. "Sam wanted kids, and I didn't. It was a frequently discussed topic. I was relieved when I found out I couldn't have kids, and he was destroyed." I let my eyes drift from Billy, hoping not to see the look I'd seen in Sam's eyes all those years ago. "We weren't on the same page."

"Are you okay, though? Otherwise, you're healthy?" There was an urgency in his voice.

"Yeah, I have a slightly elevated risk for a few types of cancers and diabetes, but with my family history, the odds are no worse than anyone else, and I always go to my regular check-ups."

"You promise?" He prodded like Viv. "You're not just protecting me?"

"No, I wouldn't do that to you."

He pulled me back deep into him, so he spilled onto the pillows, and I scattered onto his chest. He kissed the crown of my head as his arms tightened around me.

"I wish you would've told me sooner," he murmured.

"I'm sorry. It just wasn't a thing to me, but...," I tried to explain again.

He was quiet for a long time, holding me in his arms as his fingers combed through my hair. His words came distant when he spoke again. "Lil, why now? What brought this up?"

"When I was talking to Tim, I realized he didn't know, which meant you didn't know. It felt wrong, like I was hiding it. I just... I just needed to tell you. I don't want any secrets between us."

"Lil," he lifted my face to his with a single finger, "I love you. This changes nothing." The words were soft compared to the weight of his gaze. It stole my words, so I just sunk back to his chest and focused on the beating of his heart as it lulled me to sleep.