1Chapter 7: Warnings
"Billy," Celes giggled as his lips brushed against her neck. She lightly shoved him away, but he hardly budged. "I'm at work." She knew she was blushing, but that was the main reason why he was doing it.
"You're on break," he whispered in her ear as his hand went under her shirt. Her eyes popped as she jumped back, trying to hide her smile.
"Stop," she said her hand now grasping his. "You're going to get me in trouble." He grinned at her, leaning back in the booth, pulling her with him. "I've got to get back to work."
"No one is looking," he stated as Celes could get a whiff of whiskey on his breath.
"I still have customers," she said as he started kissing her neck again. "Okay stop!" He let out another laugh as she unlocked his arms from her waist sliding out of the booth. She glanced over at Evie who was making gagging noise while shoving her finger in her mouth. She couldn't help but let out a little laugh as Billy shook his head.
It had been a month since the night she left with Billy from the bar. Since then, Billy had decided to stay in her life. She never knew when he was going to show up. Some days she would only see him for ten minutes before she had to pick up Savannah. Or other days, he'd pick her up on her lunch breaks, going to his apartment. She'd come back into the diner, smooth out her shirt or fixing her hair and Evie would pretend to gag, like she was doing now. Evie had made her feelings clear of what she thought, in her words, 'Billy and his gang of idiots'. She had one main rule. Billy was not allowed at the house. Which didn't bother Celes really, because of Savannah. She didn't want to be one of those moms that brought a guy into her kid's life when she knew they wouldn't stick around. Every time he would show up, her heart would start to race. She kept reminding herself that he wasn't the type of guy to stick around. But then he would show up suddenly. What surprised her more, was not that he kept showing up, was how he handled Savannah. Some days she would be at the Diner if Celes couldn't find a babysitter. Billy would sit with her for a while, letting her ramble on or just watch her as she colored. He always made sure that her cape was tied for her.
Celes rounded the corner of counter, giving a Evie a light shove. She rolled her eyes then looked over at Billy. She had no clue what her friend saw in him. She understood Joni's reasons, Joni would date anyone. She was beginning to think that Celes must have a saving complex. Trying to tame the bad guys, make a difference. Or perhaps her friend had really just lost her mind.
"Hey Celes," Big Mike called out from the back. "Do you care to run to the store? We're out of hamburger buns."
"Yeah," Celes said grabbing her purse from under the counter. "Register or the safe?"
"Already got it for ya," he said handing her cash through the small window. "And buy all the packages they have, the truck is not coming in for another four days. Somebody has been slacking on ordering." He looked over at Evie who started shaking her head.
"If you want me to do more duties other than look pretty and serve food; then you need to give me a raise," Evie stated. Big Mike rolled his eyes as Celes laughed heading to the door. She looked over at Billy mouthing "be back" to him as he nodded. He turned around watching her in the window as she got into her truck and drove off. He glanced up at the clock, the boys should have been there fifteen minutes ago. It was already seven, and he still had to go by Bone's shop to turn in last night's earnings. He had left the bag at his apartment, telling Joe to swing by and get it before he came to the Diner. He was hoping Joe wouldn't forget, but knew that he should have told Bodie instead. Joe wasn't the reliable one, hell, none of them really were besides Bodie.
The chimes went off as Joe, Bodie, and Baggy walked into the Diner. They were all laughing as Billy threw his hands up.
"Sorry man," Joe said throwing Billy's bag at him and sliding in the booth. "We had to make a quick stop."
"I am fucking starving," Baggy said sitting across from Billy as Bodie slid in next to him. "Do we have time to eat?"
"Yeah," Billy replied lighting a cigarette. "About fifteen minutes ago you did."
"Oh c'mon man," Bodie said. "It's not even past seven yet, we've still go the whole night."
"Just hurry it up," Billy grumbled. It didn't matter what time he showed up at Bones's, he would still yell. Billy could give him grand after grand and he's still try to take a swing at him. The boys were ready to order five minutes later, but Evie was taking her time before heading to their booth. Billy started tapping his finger on the table, he was getting irritated. He knew that Evie didn't like him, but they had shit to do for the night.
Ten minutes later, Evie spotted the boys out of the corner of her eye staring at her. She was hoping that Celes would get back by now. It wasn't like they were going to tip her well any ways. She went around the counter, grabbing a bottle of Ketchup for a customer, when she felt someone's hand on her shoulder. She turned around quickly, seeing Baggy smiling at her. He looked her up and down as she jerked away from his hand.
"What do you want?" she asked an eyebrow raised.
"Well..." he started to say with a sly smile on his face.
"Oh gross," she said walking back around the counter. "I'll be over there in a minute." She still didn't believe Joni when she said that she had actually made out with him. She had standards, even drunk, she still had them. Baggy went back to the booth mumbling she'd be there in a minute.
"Well," Evie said flatly as she approached their table blowing a piece of hair out of her face.
"Nice to see you too," Joe quipped.
"Are you ready to order or what?"
"You know," he stated. "I'm beginning to think that you don't like us that much."
"Gee," Evie said in a cheerful voice. "Whatever would give you that idea?" Billy looked up at her, his eyes stern. Evie narrowed her eyes right back at him. She wasn't in the mood for any of them tonight.
"Just take the fucking order," Billy growled looking back up at the clock.
"Then fucking order," Evie snapped back. Bodie made an "Ohhh" noise across from Billy as Billy's nostrils started to flare as he stared at Evie.
"You've got a lot of nerve," he stated sticking his hand into his coat. Evie took a small step back, not for sure what he was going to pull out. Billy pulled out a pack of cigarettes, and looked back up at her. "A lot of fucking nerve."
"Do you think you're someone to me?" The words flew out of her mouth before she could even stop herself. In seconds, Billy was on his feet as Joe scrambled to get out of the booth. He knew his brother well, and the look on Billy's face showed that he was going to do something rash.
"What is your problem?" he bellowed lurching over her, his face only inches away from her's.
"Billy man," Joe said reaching over to grab his brother. Billy wasn't going any where, and Joe could tell neither was Evie. He looked back at Bodie who was chewing on a straw and shrugged his shoulders. "C'mon man, chill."
"I asked you a question," Billy stated ignoring his brother. Joe slumped back against the booth, waiting.
"So just because you ask means I've got to answer?" Evie asked her eyebrows popping up on her face. The look on his face gave her the obvious answer of a yes. "You're my problem." He didn't respond to her, just stood there and glared. "Why the hell are you even interested in her? She's been through more shit then you could imagine, and she doesn't need your shit to add to it!"
"My shit?" he challenged. Evie's face was flushed now as her finger jabbed Billy in the chest.
"You better not hurt her," she said sternly. "And you better not put one damn hand on her or I will-"
"Are you threatening me?" Billy asked with a laugh. He looked back over in guys' direction. "This bitch is threatening me."
"Yeah," Evie snapped. "That just shows you how crazy of a bitch I am!" Evie felt someone brush in front of her, as Celes quickly slid herself in between the two. Her back was pressed against Billy's chest, feeling it caving in and out.
"Woah," Celes said her hands now on Evie's shoulders. She had seen this look before. The same look Evie had the night she came and got Savannah and her from Luke. The same crazy look she had when she was about to cross a line. She knew that Billy was quick to jump on his temper, but so was Evie. Celes quickly looked over at Joe, her eyes popping. He just shrugged his shoulders, not knowing what to say as he stood close to Billy. "What is going on?" Evie looked at Celes and removed her hands from her shoulders.
"Nothing," Evie snapped. "Nothing at all." She gave Billy one last glare and quickly walked off towards the counter. Celes watched her go, still confused as she turned around to face Billy. She looked up at him, and almost wished that she would have never turned around. His face was tense as he still glared in Evie's direction.
"Hey," Celes reaching up and placing her hand on his cheek. "Billy." He wouldn't look down at her, his eyes still glued on Evie. "Billy, calm down."
"Don't," he said ripping her hand off of his face. Her hand was still in his grip as he stared at her. She stared back at him in shock as she rip her hand out of his grip. "Just..." He shook his head and turned around, grabbing the pack of cigarettes off the table. "We've got shit to do." Joe nodded his head as Baggy let out a sigh.
"Every damn time I'm hungry," he mumbled. Billy either didn't hear or ignored his comment as he tried to walk around Celes. She didn't step out of his way, trying to block him. She wanted to know what had happened.
"Billy," she started to say, but found herself in a lost of words. He glanced over where Evie was standing behind the counter, her eyes burning a hole through him. He bit back his lip, and finally looked at her. "What..." He just shook his head, cupping his hand on the back of her neck. He leaned down, kissing her on the forehead.
"I'll see you tonight," he said quietly. She nodded her head, her hand on his chest. "Okay?"
"Okay," she mumbled as he let go of her neck. He nodded his head at the boys to follow him as he headed towards the door. He took one more look at Evie, who now stood behind the counter, her hand on her hip. She was still glaring at him, as he lit up a cigarette and walked out the door. Bodie approached the counter and she glanced over at him.
"What?" she asked annoyed. He pulled out a couple crumbled up ones, tossing them on the counter.
"I'm impressed," he said. She raised an eyebrow, grabbing the money and marking off his ticket. "No one talks to Billy that way."
"Oh really?" she asked even more annoyed.
"And no one has ever walked away from it."
"Is that suppose to scare me?" she asked slamming the cash register shut. Celes was now rounding the corner with an irritated look on her face. She threw up her hands at Evie who looked back at Bodie.
"It should," Bodie said then gave her a grin. Evie rolled her eyes as Bodie walked away. She grabbed a canister and popped the top of it.
"Don't try to ignore me," Celes said leaning on the counter. "You said you'd give him a chance."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Evie said walking off. "I've got customers."
"You can't ignore me all night," Celes warned.
"Oh I can try," she replied grabbing a few menus and heading to a table. Celes let out a huff as heading to the back to put up the hamburger buns up.
Billy got out of his car, slamming the door hard behind him. "Who does that bitch think she is?" he thought to himself. No one had said anything as he drove to Four Roses to drop the guys off before he headed to Bones's shop. He wanted to slam Evie against the wall, scare the hell out of her. He probably would have if Celes hadn't swept in between them. He walked past the beat up cars as the pit bull came flying around the side of one, barking its' head off. Billy kept walking though, ignore the yapping dog that was only inches away from his feet. He took a deep breath, keeping his posture straight, as he strutted into the chop shop. Bones's guys were inside working, taking apart stolen cars as he strided in with his head up. He walked straight through, keeping a calm look on his face as he approached Bones's office. Bones was sitting at his desk, his thick black glasses on, as he cleaned a gun. Billy stopped for a second, staring down at the gun. There was nothing scarier then knowing that he could possibly shoot him at any minute. Bones didn't look up as Billy approached his desk, until Billy cleared his throat.
"You're fucking late," Bones spat, spit flying out of his mouth. He looked up at Billy and squinted. "You got my money?"
"Yeah," Billy said holding out the bag to him. Bones ripped it out of his hands and stood up, dumping the bag on the counter. Packs of bills fell out on to the desk as Bones stared at it for a moment.
"This is your night?" he demanded. He picked up the bills, flipping through him and narrowed his eyes at Billy. "You're short." Billy shifted his eyes looking down at the bills. He shouldn't have been short. He counted it last night, they had made over two grand, best night that they had in a while. "Where's my fucking money?"
"What are you talking about?" Billy almost yelled. Bones chucked the pack of bills at him.
"Fucking count it," Bones demanded. Billy swept up the money, quickly counting it, and stopped when he hit the last bill. He was seven hundred short, and let out a huff. "Dammit Joe," he thought.
"Shits been slow," Billy said tossing the money back on the desk. He wasn't about to tell Bones that Joe had stolen the money. It didn't matter that Bones was their father, he would kill either one of them in a split second if he knew that they were stealing from him.
"I'm sorry," Bones said cupping his hand around his ear. "I think you just said that you don't have my fucking money. Which really couldn't be, because you know I'll kill you." Billy stood up straight as Bones glared at him. "Get me my money Billy boy." He sat back down in his chair, and picked up his gun. "In five seconds I'm going to load this gun and start using your ass for target practice, if you don't get the fuck out of my sight." Billy exhaled loudly as he quickly turned around knowing that he wasn't using a figure of speech on him.
"Hey Nazi," Bones bellowed. Billy stopped in his tracks, not turning around. "That fucking money better grace my presence by Sunday. Or someone's going to have to answer for it. Lord knows I've been patient." Billy didn't say anything, just nodded his head, and walked out of the shop. He ripped his car door open, chucking the bag into the back. His fingers drummed against the steering wheel. Joe knew better, he knew better than to rip Bones off like that. He hit the gas heading to the Four Roses.
Bodie sat in his seat, downing his beer when he saw Billy charging through the door. His eyes were locked right on Joe, his jaw clenched tight. Bodie had known Billy for years, and knew that look. It only meant one thing. "What the," he tried to say as Billy shoved past Heco and Dog, almost knocking them on their feet. "Joey boy you better-" Joe had his back turn towards Billy. He was in mid sentence, telling Baggy a joke when he turned around quickly to see Billy right behind him. He tried to get to his feet, but Billy grabbed the top of his shoulders, springing him to his feet. He couldn't even get a word in as his beer fell to the floor splashing at his feet. The next thing he saw was the wall, as he slammed into it.
"Dammit Billy!" Joe yelled his face pressed against the wall.
"You fucking steal from me?" Billy hissed ripping him back from the wall.
"C'mon man!" Bodie yelled jumping to his feet. He grabbed Billy back knowing that Billy could easily hurt Joe without even realizing it. "That's your little brother man, calm down."
"You fucking steal from me Joey!" Billy screamed. Joe stood there dumbfounded. He had planned to be out of the bar before Billy even showed up. Joni was running late, as usual. He took the money, not thinking that Bones or anyone would really notice. Some nights were slow, and he was hoping that Billy hadn't checked the bag before he left it in the apartment. "You let me walk in there like that?" Billy was shoving past Bodie and Baggy now, as they tried to stop him. Joe quickly side stepped him, almost knocking over a chair.
"What are you talking about?" Joe yelled not wanting to admit that he actually stolen from his brother. He had good reason though, something he didn't want to tell Billy. Not yet any ways.
"I'm going to-" Billy stopped now, slamming his fist hard into the wall. "I knew you weren't cut out for this shit. You're done! Get your ass home!" Joe stared hard at his brother now. It was always Billy who called the shots, watched after him. But he wasn't a kid anymore, he was twenty-three, and he was tired of getting bossed around.
"I'm done?" Joe yelled as he headed to the door. "Fuck you!" He kicked open the door, his face red from being so mad. He grabbed the cigarette pack out of his red jacket, putting a cigarette in his mouth. "Where the hell are you?" he mumbled looking around the parking lot for Joni. He didn't hear Billy come up behind him, but he heard Bodie yelling. Billy slammed his hands into Joe's back as he flew down on the pavement.
"Fuck me?!" Billy yelled grabbing him by his shirt pulling him off the pavement. "You gonna say that shit to me? Huh? Who's been protecting your ass all these years? Huh Joey?"
"Get off of me!" Joe yelled stumbling backwards. When he looked up at Billy as he took steps toward him, he regretted ever telling him that. "Don't hit me-" Before Joe could get the rest of his sentence out, Billy's fist popped him so hard, he hit the pavement. Billy was on him now, throwing punches as Bodie and Baggy grabbed him, pulling him off of him.
"Chill!" Baggy yelled.
"Get off of me!" Billy yelled going back towards Joe as he scrambled again to get on his feet. Heco, Tommy, and Dog were outside now, running to help break up the fight. Through the commotion, no one noticed the black SUV creeping down the street. While Tommy helped Joe to his feet, they didn't see the windows roll down. Or the two men on the passenger side sticking their guns out. Bodie shoved Billy hard, getting him away from Joe. That's when Billy looked up, his mouth dropped as he tried to yell out at Joe who's back was to the SUV. Pop! Pop! Pop! Billy came charging as Bodie knocked him down, making him take cover.
"See you girls tomorrow!" Big Mike yelled across the parking lot as Celes and Evie got into Celes's truck. They waved goodbye, getting into the truck, and heading to Joni's mom's house. Celes lit a cigarette up as Evie rolled her eyes.
"Hey," Celes warned. "You can't even start with me with what happened before."
"Me and Billy just had a nice conversation, that's all," Evie said innocently. Celes let out a huff. "I just don't want you to get hurt is all."
"I know you don't Evie, but he's not-"
"A psychotic drug dealing killer?" Evie quipped in. Celes sighed as Evie mumbled out a sorry. It was always going to be an ongoing battle between the two, and Celes knew it. She just wished that Evie could see what he saw in him. There was something there and she knew it. Celes pulled up in the driveway, getting out of the truck. She went to the door and knocked on it. She was hoping Savannah was already asleep. Joni's mom open the door, and stepped aside to let her in.
"She's in the back room," she said smiling. "Already asleep." Celes started down the hallway then jumped back when Joni came flying out of the room.
"Hey," she said cheerfully. "Sorry I've got to go pick up Joe. He's going to be pissed, I'm already late." The phone rang as Celes could hear Joni's mom's voice in the living room. Celes was about to say something else to Joni when her mother came rushing down the hall, the phone in hand.
"Girls," she said with a concern look on her face. "Joni, honey there's a man on the phone...and..." Joni grabbed it, rolling her eyes, knowing it was probably Joe. Celes stared at Joni as her face turned white, tears burning in her eyes.
"Joni," Celes started to say as the phone hit the hallway floor. "Joni, what's wrong?"
"It's...they've...they've been shot!" Joni choked out.
"Who's been shot?" Celes asked quickly, her hands on Joni now. "Joni, who's been shot?"
"Joe...and...and..." she tried to say as she started to sob. "Baggy said they're in the emergency room..we've..." She couldn't finish her sentence as her mom grabbed her as Joni cried out.
"What about Billy?" Celes asked quickly. Joni turned around nodding her head as Celes's face dropped. "C'mon we've got to get to the hospital."
