New chapter, YAY! I've been soooo excited about writing this chapter so I hope you guys enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
I'd also like to give HUGE thanks to everyone who has given me feedback and support. It really makes me feel good to know that people are enjoying reading my story. So THANK YOU! :)
"You sure you don't want to come to the party tonight?" Nicole asked her brother one more time.
"No," he called back.
She walked into the living room where her brother was sprawled out on the sofa with the remote in one hand and a bowl of candy in the other.
"Don't eat all of that. If you're going to be here you're going to have to pass out the candy."
He looked up at her and immediately burst out laughing.
"Is that your costume?"
"What? You don't like it?" Nicole hadn't felt like going out to buy a costume so she came up with one at home. She'd taken an old white bed sheet and pinned it around her like a toga. Granted it wasn't the cutest costume, but it was a costume none the less.
"Are you going as Caesar?"
"It's the only thing I could think of last minute. You should be happy I'm not wearing some slutty school girl uniform like every other girl out tonight."
"That reminds me, I'm going out tonight so I'll just leave the candy on the porch."
"Where are you going?"
"Out with Joe, we're picking up girls in slutty school girl uniforms." He grinned devilishly and Nicole threw a pillow at his head.
Tina swung by to pick Nicole up on her way home from the store. The last thing Nicole wanted to do was ride the bus dressed in a toga.
"Is that your costume?" Tina asked as nicely as she could.
"What? I didn't really have time to go out and get one. A costume is a costume, and that's all that matters."
Tina shrugged her shoulders. "If you say so."
Nicole helped Tina rearrange furniture, set out drinks, and put up "spooky" decorations. By the time they were done her apartment looked unrecognizable.
"The dry ice is a nice touch," Nicole commented. It created a white fog that was coating the floor of the apartment.
"Thanks. I got the idea from my little cousin's school Halloween party. They put the dry ice in punch and it smokes like a witches brew."
"Cute."
"Speaking of cute, we better go get ready before people start arriving. Jenn and Marcy said they would be here at 7:00."
"What do you mean we? I'm already in costume." She shooed her. "Go get ready, I'll answer the door."
"You know there is no way I am letting you wear that frumpy toga. I invited some hot single men."
"I hope by hot single men you aren't referring to your brother and his friends, because they're already over at my apartment all the time. Hell, Bodie walked in on me in the shower about a week ago."
Tina's jaw dropped. "What did you do?"
"I didn't have to do anything. He ran out so fast I hardly had time to react. It was kind of insulting actually," she joked.
"Well you won't have that problem tonight, I promise."
Nicole rolled her eyes, but followed Tina nonetheless.
Tina's costume was already laid out on her bed. She was going dressed as Pocahontas or at least the Disney version of Pocahontas. It was cute and surprisingly low key. However, the outfit she pulled out for Nicole was anything but low key. It was a naughty nurse costume, complete with a bustier and an outrageously short skirt.
"I can't wear that!" She exclaimed. "My coochie will be hanging out!"
"It will not. You can wear some cute underwear. Come on Nic, you need a man."
"I have enough men right now, in fact I think I have too many."
Tina huffed, but continued rustling through her closet. She stepped back, analyzing the situation.
"I have an idea. What if we keep the nurse thing, but go with a vintage, 1940's kind of look? You know, red lipstick, cute updo, stockings with a seam running down the back of your leg."
"What about the dress?"
"Oh you can just wear a simple white, button down pencil dress. It'll be great."
Nicole couldn't deny that Tina was right. She looked a lot better without the toga. Tina helped her with her hair; throwing it up into a loose bun with some stray curls falling delicately out topped with the nurse's hat from the other costume. Nicole did her own make up, a simple red lip and winged out eyeliner. Tina slipped on her own dress and was snapping her necklace into place when Nicole came out of the bathroom.
"Almost perfect, just one more thing." She pulled out a pair of white, peep toe heels.
Nicole took them, knowing it was useless to fight it.
When Tina was finished with her own costume Nicole was pretty sure she was the best looking Pocahontas she had ever seen.
"Hey, where are you guys?" Marcy's voice came from the hallway.
"We're back here," Tina called back.
Jenn and Marcy rode together and were already in costume when they arrived. Marcy ran up and gave Nicole and Tina hugs. She was dressed as a flapper girl. Her short brown hair was styled in finger waves and several long strands of beads hung around her neck. Jenn however hung back in the doorway, and when Nicole finally noticed her she almost died. She was leaning up against the door frame swinging a whistle in a high cut, one piece red bathing suit with a pair of aviator sunglasses. When she noticed Tina and Nicole's reactions to her costume she cracked a smile.
"There a problem here ladies?" She asked in an authoritative tone.
Nicole held her sides as she doubled over laughing. Jenn finally broke character and laughed along with everyone else.
"Isn't it great? I had it lying around from when I used to be a lifeguard."
"You look like you should be on Baywatch!" Tina laughed.
Guests arrived in staggered intervals. Most of the people that Tina was close friends with showed up early, but as the night wore on more people she invited out of general politeness showed up. Nicole recognized most of the people from Tina's birthday party, but there were a few she had never seen before and some of them were very attractive.
"Hey T," she pulled Tina over to the kitchen area, "who's the guy in the jeans and t-shirt?"
Tina glanced over to where Nicole was looking.
"Oh that's Grayson." She gave her friend a knowing look. "Cute isn't he."
He was about average height, slightly lanky, with a mop of fine, light brown hair that barely dusted his ears. He had a very boy next door look to him, and Nicole liked that. He seemed safe and she liked that even more.
"You want me to introduce you to him?"
"Is that weird?"
Tina gave her friend an incredulous look. "You really haven't dated in a long time have you?" She led the way over to where Grayson was chatting with two other guys, one was a pirate the other was wearing a Chippendale's uniform. "Hey guys, how's it going?"
They all gave the generic responses of "great", "awesome", or some other form of pleasantry.
"Glad to hear it. This is my friend Nicole. Nicole this is Grayson, Corey, and Luis."
"Nice to meet you." Nicole smiled, hoping she wasn't being awkward, but the guys smiled back and returned her greeting.
After a few minutes of general chit chat, led mostly by Tina the social butterfly, Nicole leaned over to talk to Grayson.
"Nice costume. Let me guess, you're a bored college student."
Grayson held up one finger, telling her to hold on as he pulled out a pair of round, wire rim glasses. He slid them on and held his hands up as if to say "ta-da". Nicole laughed and shrugged, not getting it.
"I'm John Lennon." He grinned
"Clever," she giggled.
"So how long have you known Tina?"
"About a year, we met right after I moved here from Detroit."
"Wow, Detroit. So you moved from one shithole to another."
Nicole laughed. "Pretty much. But what about you, I mean what's a guy like you doing in a place like this?"
"Born and bred sister. I've been here my whole life. In fact, me and Tina went to elementary school together."
"Yeah, he used to push me down on the playground. Luckily he got nicer in high school."
"More like cuter. She had such a crush on me; she used to chase me around all day."
Tina smacked him on the back of the head. "You wish. As I remember it was you who did the chasing. That is until my big brother tracked you down and put your head into a locker."
He grimaced a little. "Yeah, your brother never did like me."
Nicole leaned over close to his ear, "well there's something we have in common."
He raised an eyebrow. "Really? A pretty girl like you is on a guy like that's shit list?"
Several guys like that actually.
Nicole shrugged her shoulders. "It's a long story."
He nodded and she saw his eyes flick towards the door.
"Uh oh, speak of the devil and it looks like he brought his band of merry men too."
Nicole turned to see Tommy walk in with Billy and Spink along with some girl dressed in a skimpy red devil costume.
Tina mumbled next to Nicole. "That's Gina. I can't stand her. I can't believe they brought her."
"Who is she?"
"Some bitch who thinks she's better than everyone else because she hangs out with big, scary men and gets paid to take her clothes off."
"She thinks she's better than people because she's a stripper?"
Tina laughed. "No, I mean she's part of some online thing, like naked modeling shit."
"I like her already."
Billy, Spink, and Tommy slipped into the kitchen to grab a few beers.
Tommy cracked the top off of his. "You picked a popular date this evening. Did you see all the heads turning when you walked in with Gina?"
Billy smirked and sipped his beer. "Three feet of fabric never looked so good."
"Cheers to that," Tommy said as he clinked his bottle against the other two men's.
Spink nodded towards the living area. "She's not the only one turning heads. You see Nicole?"
Billy glanced at her. "Just wait till Baggy gets here. His head will probably snap right off."
"So Grayson, tell me about yourself?" Nicole pulled his attention away from the four newcomers.
"Well I like long walks on the beach and getting caught in the rain. I'm studying to become a high school math teacher and my favorite color is blue."
Nicole smiled. She liked his playful sense of humor.
"And what about you?"
"Well in between law school and med school I work as a waitress and take care of my younger brother. Oh and my favorite color is green."
"Law school and med school, you're such a slacker," he teased.
"What about you? What kind of jerk wants to be a math teacher?"
He held his hands over his heart and gave her a pained look. "Ouch, you cut me deep."
Nicole giggled, but before she could respond she was interrupted by Billy who appeared behind her.
"So where's Paul at?" He asked. He had one arm draped around Gina and his free hand was holding a beer.
"He's out with Joe. I believe he said they were picking up girls in skanky costumes." Nicole had to force herself not look at Gina when she said the last bit, but in the end it didn't matter because Tina said what Nicole was thinking.
"It must run in the family."
Nicole tried not to spit her drink out.
Gina's eyes narrowed and she stared down Tina.
"Excuse me?" She hissed.
"I said-" but Tina was cut off by her brother yanking her away by the elbow and muttering furiously in her ear.
Nicole was left with Grayson, Spink, Billy, and a pissed off Gina.
"Well, I think I could use another drink. Grayson?"
He looked down at his practically full beer. "You know, me too."
She led the way and once they escaped to the safety of the kitchen they both burst into peals of laughter.
"Did you see her face?" Grayson's own face was turning a vibrant shade of red he was laughing so hard.
"I'm sad Tommy pulled her away! Can you imagine a Tina/Gina throw down?"
Grayson was sent into another wave of laughter.
"I need another drink. This night is going to be awesome, I can already tell." Nicole grabbed a beer from the fridge.
Baggy, Bodie, and Dog walked in shortly after Nicole and Grayson left for the kitchen. Spink waved them over.
Billy and Gina were in the corner. Gina was talking animatedly about how angry she was and how she couldn't believe the nerve of some women and that Tina was just jealous. Meanwhile Billy was simply nodding his head every now and then in between swigs of beer. He was perfectly indifferent to the whole situation.
"Why are you assholes here so late?" Spink greeted the three men.
"We had to drop Heco off under the bridge and pick Bodie's ass up." Baggy jabbed his thumb at Bodie.
"Where's Jamie?"
"Doing shit with his chick or something, I don't know."
"That's fucking weak. But you guys missed some funny shit man. Earlier Tommy's lil sis almost got into it with Gina, called her a skank. Funny ass shit."
"Maybe they'll get into it again later, hot chick fight," Dog joked.
"Yeah, but I wouldn't let Tommy hear you talking about his sister like that."
"Whatever man, hey where's the beer?"
"Kitchen's that way," Spink pointed, "Oh hey Baggy, you gotta go check out Nicole tonight man. She's in there now with some scrawny fucker."
"Yeah? Well in that case, you guys want some beer? I'll get it." He grinned as he made his way to the kitchen.
"Sis!" Baggy surprised Nicole by coming up behind her and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Hey how's it going? Nice costume. Where's your brother?" Nicole opened her mouth to speak but he continued on. "Speaking of which, do you think your brother would want you hanging out with this punk? Do you even know this kid?" He turned his attention to Grayson. "Get lost string bean."
Nicole's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Baggy!"
"What?" He asked innocently. Grayson still stood there looking confused. "I said get lost," Baggy barked. "Or am I gonna have to call her big brother up and get his ass down here?"
Grayson shook his head and scurried out of the kitchen amidst Nicole's protests that he should stay.
"I can't believe you just did that! First of all, I'm older than Paul. Second of all, you're going to kill my dating life if you threaten to call my brother whenever I talk to a guy."
"Whatever, that kid was a coward anyway. He should have stood up for himself. Do you wanna date some spineless loser?"
Nicole glared up at Baggy.
"I didn't think so. Now come rejoin the party. I'll make sure no more creeps bother you."
She elbowed him in the ribs, but she had to admit she was amused.
Tina was back out in the living room and was receiving some pretty harsh glares from Gina. Baggy greeted her with a hug.
"I heard you almost laid down the law with Gina." He lowered his voice, "personally I can't stand her." He held his fist out for her to bump.
Tina laughed and touched her knuckles to his. "Thanks Bags. Glad to know someone's got my back." She eyed her brother with contempt.
"Don't be mad at him. He was probably doing it for Billy's sake. He's had a short fuse lately."
"Lately?" Nicole raised her eyebrows.
"Come on, this is a party. Let's not get started on all this shit." Dog intervened, holding his arm out to call peace.
"Did I hear someone say party?" Marcy appeared at Baggy's elbow. She squeezed her way into the group.
"Hey Marcy. You remember Baggy from my birthday right? Well this is Spink and Dog." Marcy gave Tina a curious look and she added "They're all friends of Tommy's"
Surprisingly the six of them made for an interesting group. Dog and Spink were reliving, what Nicole figured were extremely censored, stories from the street with Tina chiming in every so often, while Baggy was trying his best to flirt with Marcy. As time went on their group got louder and eventually Jenn and a few other people joined in, making for a very lively conversation.
Nicole flung her head back and laughed as Tina recalled the time she was in high school and got so drunk that she walked into her neighbor's house instead of her own.
"I almost pissed myself when he came around the corner with a baseball bat!" She practically yelled.
Nicole held onto Jenn's shoulder for support as she laughed. When she looked up she noticed their group had garnered some unwanted attention. Gina had a sour look on her face as she watched Tina reenact her escape from the neighbor's house to the enthralled audience. Nicole could see the wheels turning in her head. She was jealous of the attention Tina was getting. The next thing she knew Gina was beside her, followed by Bodie, Tommy, and Billy.
As Tina finished up her story Gina quickly made a grab for everyone's attention.
"Baggy, Dog, Spink!" She exclaimed. "When did you guys get here?"
Her voice was loud and high pitched, like the annoying, ditzy girls Nicole remembered in high school.
"Is that a new tattoo?" She pointed to Baggy's neck.
"No I've had it for-"
"That's so cool. You know I've been thinking about getting one." She looked around, as if to make sure everyone was watching her. "A lot of people have said that it would open a lot more doors for my modeling. You know give me that special something." She looked back at Billy, who Nicole couldn't help thinking looked rather annoyed. "What do you think babe?"
He shrugged his shoulders, clearly wanting the conversation to end.
But she continued on undeterred.
"I was think maybe something on my neck or like on my lower back. What do you think?" She lifted her dress up, exposing her itty bitty, red lace underwear.
Nicole exchanged knowing looks with more than a few people. Jenn simply rolled her eyes, but Tina seemed to be rather amused and gave her a look as if to say "can you believe this shit?"
Gina pointed to her lower back, right above her underwear.
"What about something like flowers…or oh something tribal like what Billy and you guys have!"
Nicole didn't even have to look to know that Tina's face was in her hand, and she was pretty sure she noticed Billy stiffen out of the corner of her eye.
"And now I am going to get yet another drink," Nicole tried to say it loud enough for Tina to hear. She knew that her friend would have plenty to say and she looked like if she didn't get it out soon she might explode.
"Yeah me too," she heard Billy's gruff voice from behind her.
Nicole stood there not knowing what to do for a minute, but eventually decided to follow him to the kitchen. Anything had to be better than standing there listening to Gina.
He opened the fridge door and grabbed two beers.
"I hope you have a ball gag at your apartment." She stated bluntly as he passed her a beer.
He looked at her for a moment before grinning. "You think duct tape will work?"
"I don't know. She might gnaw through it."
Billy clinked his bottle against hers before taking a sip.
"Why are you dating this girl when she clearly annoys the hell out of you?"
Billy raised his eyebrows. "Why do you care?"
Nicole studied him for a moment before shaking her head. "Just curious I guess."
She turned to rejoin the party, but Billy grabbed her by the elbow.
"Hold up. Your friend in there, the one that's talking to Baggy?"
"Marcy?"
"Yeah. You need to encourage that shit. Get Baggy off your back."
"What? What do you mean?"
"Don't tell me you haven't noticed how much he's over at your apartment and how he's always flirting with you. He thinks you're hot, and it's starting to piss off Paul. So spare us all some drama and hook him up with your friend."
Nicole rolled her eyes. "I'll see what I can do."
"Billy?" Gina's voice called from the next room, "Where'd you go babe?"
Billy scowled.
Nicole looked at him and smirked. "You're being summoned Darley."
He shook his head. "You better watch. If she comes in here and sees that I've been alone all this time with another girl it won't be pretty."
"I think I can take Fun-Time Barbie."
"I don't know. She's tougher than she looks and she fights dirty. I saw her pull a girl's extensions out once."
"Than I guess it's a good thing my hair is real."
Billy chuckled.
"There you are." Gina smiled when Billy emerged from the kitchen, but her grin faltered when she zeroed in on Nicole behind him. "What took you so long?" She wrapped her arm around him possessively.
"Just getting a beer with a friend."
Nicole snorted. "He's using the term friend very loosely," she muttered under the scrutiny of Gina's jealous gaze. In the background she thought she heard Baggy groan in anticipation of another fight, but Billy just smirked.
"I thought we were getting along pretty well lately."
She smiled, surprised at his light hearted attitude. "Maybe so, but I think we're still a long way from being friends."
He thought for a moment. "Alright, how 'bout a truce, call it even." He held out his hand.
Nicole gave him a disbelieving look. She stepped closer to him and lowered her voice so the rest of the party couldn't hear her.
"You almost broke a car window with my head. I don't think a handshake will make us even."
Billy's good humor flickered for a second.
Tina was close enough to hear their conversation and could sense the tension rising from Billy. She quickly tried to diffuse the situation.
"Come on guys why don't we-"
"What, you wanna take a swing at me?" He sniffed.
Nicole backed away, sensing danger.
"Of course not. At least not while you have a glass bottle in your hand," she joked, trying to lighten the mood.
Billy shoved the bottle into Gina's hand. She looked at him like he had just handed her something offensive and vile.
"Alright." He held his arms up as if to say "bring it".
"I'm not going to hit you," Nicole said, stunned.
By this time most the people around them had started to take notice and were watching their exchange intently.
"Why not? One hit and we call it even."
But she shook her head, smelling a trap.
"I can guarantee I've been hit harder, come on."
Nicole hesitated but shook her head again. "No way."
"You're really going to turn down the chance to hit me in the face, no consequences?"
She had to admit it was a tempting offer and she cocked her head to side, contemplating if she should really do it.
"You know you want to."
She pursed her lips and thought for a moment.
Surely with all these people, these witnesses around…
"Alright, as long as you promise not to hit me back."
"I won't fucking touch you, promise."
She shrugged and handed her beer to Tina, who was looking rather anxious.
"Just remember you told me I could do this," she said as she stepped forward.
Billy was a good half a foot taller than her even with heels on, and the closer she got to him the bigger and more intimidating he seemed, but it was too late to back out now.
Here goes nothing.
She drew her hand back and slapped him across the face as hard as she could. The sound of her hand hitting his cheek resonated throughout the room and everyone suddenly got deathly quiet. Nicole stepped back, massaging her hand. She had to admit that it felt good, giving Billy Darley a good smack.
Billy rubbed his cheek.
"You hit pretty hard," he was shaking his head and grinning.
Nicole let out a relieved laugh as she took another step back towards Tina, but her relief wavered when Billy stepped forward, closing the gap. His smile was gone and his eyes lost all their humor. He looked just as menacing as ever. She swallowed hard and stepped back again.
"Billy you promised…" Tina warned.
Out of the corner of her eye Nicole could see Bodie move closer, ready to stop Billy if things escalated.
Nicole smiled nervously hoping that he was just messing with her, but Billy advanced on her. His eyes were dark, cold, and emotionless. He took each step slowly and deliberately, like a cat toying with a mouse.
Before she had time to react he lunged forward and threw her over his shoulder. She could hear his deep laugh as the room breathed out a collective sigh of relief. He spun her around, showing off to the crowd.
"Put me down Darley!" She squealed, trying to wriggle her way free.
"Like I said, you hit pretty hard…"
She saw his hand hovering above her rear.
"Don't you dare!"
"…but I think I hit harder."
WHACK!
The sound echoed about the room and was soon drowned out by laughter.
Nicole yelped.
"Put me down!"
"Nope." He twirled her around, trying to persuade other people to give her a smack.
She giggled and pounded on his back with her fists, but it was ineffective.
"Billy if you don't put me down I'll bite your back."
"I'll bite your ass," he chuckled, but he slid her down to the floor.
She slapped him on the arm playfully.
"You're such a jerk."
But she checked her laugh when she looked past him and saw Gina silently raging.
She leaned in closer to Billy and whispered, "I have this odd feeling your girlfriend hates me."
He didn't even try to be discreet as he looked over his shoulder.
"She ain't my girlfriend, just some chick that's a good, easy screw."
"Well either way you might want to go over there and take that bottle out of her hand before she chucks it at your head."
"She does look rather murderous huh?" Billy winked.
He sauntered his way back to Gina as if nothing happened, but her eyes shot daggers at Nicole.
Tina appeared at Nicole's side.
"I'm not sure what the hell that was, but it sure pissed Gina off. Good job."
She took her beer back from Tina.
"I think you have Billy to thank for that. I was as surprised as she was."
"I don't care who I have to thank, as long as I get to see that horse faced bitch upset, I'm happy."
The rest of the night passed with much less excitement. Baggy seemed to be working some sort of charm on Marcy, who was acting rather giggly as they chattered away, and to Nicole and Tina's amusement they watched as Bodie tried on multiple occasions to flirt with Jenn, getting shot down each and every time. Since the incident with Billy and Nicole earlier, Gina made sure not to leave his side, and the few times he joined a group of people with Nicole in it she found a reason to pull him away. Nicole could tell she was Gina's favorite person, and once for fun she actually joined Billy, Bodie, Tommy and Gina in a conversation just to see her reaction.
It was close to 2am when Baggy came around to say his goodbyes.
"You're leaving?" Nicole asked, slightly surprised that he would leave when he was doing so well with Marcy.
"Yeah, I gotta go let Heco off."
"Do you think you would mind dropping me off on your way? I hate asking but I also really hate taking the bus."
"Sure thing Sis, besides the bus will be full of creeps, especially tonight."
"Tell me about it, and I'd probably end up sitting next to the one with a nurse fetish."
He nodded.
"Alright well let me say goodbye and grab my stuff and we can head out."
She gave her friends all hugs goodbye and ducked into Tina's room to grab her sheet and purse. When she emerged minutes later Baggy was back on the sofa with Marcy. She started making her way over when someone tapped her on the shoulder.
"Come on, I'll take ya."
Nicole was surprised to find Billy holding his keys and motioning her towards the door, but she shrugged and followed him out.
"What about Gina?" She asked once they reached the parking lot.
He lit up a cigarette.
"She can take a cab. I told Baggy I'd cover for him. Maybe at least one of us will get laid tonight."
"Guess she wasn't too impressed with you smacking another girl on the ass huh?"
He exhaled smoke.
"No, that she got over. It was when I told her to shut the fuck up with her endless bitching about shit that she lost it."
He unlocked the passenger door and opened it for her.
"Thanks," she said as she sunk down into the seat.
He wrenched his own door open and plopped down. The car roared to life as he turned the key in the ignition and shifted gears.
They drove in silence down the deserted streets. Nicole gazed out the window as if in a trance.
"You can roll your window down if you want." Billy broke the silence, causing her to jump in surprise. He laughed at her reaction. "Did I scare you?"
She shoved his arm.
"Shut up, you didn't scare me. You just startled me." She rolled her window down, thankful that it was finally beginning to cool down outside.
They pulled up to a red light and Billy flicked his cigarette out the window. Nicole was resting her head in her hand with her elbow propped up against the door.
Billy watched her for a minute before smacking her on the shoulder. She turned to look at him, confused.
"What was that for?"
"For earlier, you hit me first."
She rolled her eyes and turned back to the window.
A few minutes later and Billy was pulling up to her apartment. He stopped the car and Nicole turned to look at him.
"What?"
She leaned over in her seat getting closer to him.
"Thanks for the ride," she said in a breathy voice, moving even closer. She angled her head to the side and bit her lip seductively.
Billy leaned in and Nicole grinned.
Right before their lips met she pulled back and smacked him across the face.
She jumped out of the car quickly, and once she was safely on the sidewalk leaned down to look through the passenger window.
"That's for earlier." She grinned.
Even in the dark she could see Billy's eyes narrow. She heard him shift gears and watched as he flew through her parking lot. She didn't expect what came next. He pulled swiftly into a parking space and jumped out of his car. The slam of the car door rang out through the quiet apartment complex. At first she was worried she'd actually made him angry, but as he stalked towards her he walked under a lamp post and she could see the playful expression on his face. She started backing up and as she did so he broke out into a run. Nicole screamed and ran for her door. She made it but Billy wasn't far behind. She hastily pulled her key out and tried over and over again to stick it in the lock until finally she managed to get it. She could hear Billy's footsteps coming up fast. Her hand was on the doorknob and she turned it just in time for Billy to collide with her and the door, sending it flying open. She stumbled forward with the force of the collision but he had an arm wrapped around her. She giggled and tried to wriggle her way free but he whipped her around to face him. One hand was gripping the back of her neck while the other had her by the waist. He pulled her to him roughly and his lips slammed into hers. Nicole was shocked, but to her own amazement she found herself pulling closer instead of pushing him away. His lips were soft and warm against hers, and every now and then he'd nip her bottom lip, something which always drove her wild. He freed the hand around her waist and used it to hold the door open as he pushed her inside, the other hand keeping a tight grip on her neck. Once they were both inside Billy kicked the door closed and his hand was back at her waist, pulling her hips closer to his.
"Wait, wait!" Nicole pushed him away, something which required much force. "I gotta see if Paul's here," she whispered.
"Paul?" She called out louder.
Billy moved down to her neck, nibbling it as he allowed his hands to roam.
"Stop it," she giggled. "Paul are you here?" She called out again.
"Paul?" Billy chimed in, smiling as Nicole clamped her hand over his mouth.
"Shhhh," she laughed but Paul was nowhere to be seen.
She took her hand off his mouth and leaned up to kiss him.
"Come on," she murmured and grabbed him with both hands by the shirt collar, leading him towards her room.
Billy allowed himself to be lead, but once they were in her room with the door closed he took control.
Nicole's back slammed against the wall. Billy was everywhere at once: unbuttoning her dress, pulling her hair down, kissing her hungrily. Everything was happening so fast.
It took only a few agile movements for Nicole to kick her heels off and get out of her tights while still remaining pinned to the wall. Her hat was the next thing to go as she ripped it from her hair. Then she shoved him back roughly and began tugging at his shirt. He pushed her hands aside impatiently and pulled it over his head. In the dark she could still make out the dark lines of his tattoo and how it snaked from his arms to his neck. She reached out to trace the thick, black lines on his neck. Her fingers lightly grazed the tribal marks; what she had once found intimidating she now found mesmerizing.
Billy grabbed her outstretched arm and pulled her to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and their lips crashed into each other eagerly. He lifted her and she wrapped her legs around him. She could feel the muscles in his arms tense around her as he carried her. They reached her dresser and Billy cleared it off with one quick swipe of his arm. She heard the clatter of her things hitting the floor, but she didn't care. She could have had a million dollar antique vase on the dresser and she wouldn't have cared. He set her down on the dresser and immediately found her mouth again. Nicole ran her nails down and back up his back, pulling him closer, which earned her an animalistic growl. Billy began shoving her half unbuttoned dress up forcefully, caressing her thighs as he did so. Her hands dropped to his belt buckle and he stepped back for a moment, dropping his head to watch her hands working frantically to undo it. When she finally managed to get it unhooked she slid off the dresser. Billy backed up to give her room. Nicole began backing away from him and towards her bed, unbuttoning the rest of her dress teasingly. He took his time following her; he was enjoying the show she putting on for him. Once she reached the bed he moved in slowly and assuredly. She watched him, leaning back on the bed as she did so. When he finally reached her he lowered himself down on top of her, careful not to put too much weight on her. Her hands gripped his shoulders and pulled him closer. His mouth was on hers again, kissing her passionately.
Nicole pulled away with a sudden realization. Billy furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.
"Wait, what about Heco?" She asked, sounding slightly out of breath.
"What?" He snarled, not comprehending at first.
"The corner. Heco will be waiting for you."
"He owes me. Now shut up."
She took his advice and did exactly that.
Nicole rolled over the next morning and found her bed empty. It wasn't really a surprise. She didn't expect Billy to stick around, and truthfully she didn't want him to. The night before meant as little to her as it probably did to him. She just hoped her brother wasn't home when Billy snuck out.
She groaned as she stepped out of bed. Her room was a mess. Her clothes were scattered everywhere and all of the jewelry, perfume bottles, and picture frames that had been on her dresser now lay in a pile on her floor. She stepped over everything and pulled out a pair of sweatpants and a wife beater from one of her drawers, deciding to deal with the mess after breakfast.
Paul was in the kitchen eating a bowl of cereal when she walked.
"Morning," she said apprehensively.
"Morning," Paul replied and continued munching.
Nicole breathed a sigh of relief.
"So how was it with Joe last night?"
He shrugged. "It was fine."
She noticed a red tinge forming in his cheeks and she knew he wasn't telling her everything, but she let it pass because she knew she would have to lie too.
"How was the party?"
"It was fun. You should have come. You would have loved Jenn's costume. She was a lifeguard."
Now Paul's cheeks clearly flushed red. He had a crush on Jenn since the first time he met her.
"Har har," he muttered.
Nicole had just gotten everything put back on her dresser when the doorbell rang. She heard Paul walk down the hall and prayed to God that it wasn't Billy at the door.
"Nic," he called, "Tina's here."
Phew
"Come on in T, I'm in my room."
Tina came in and shut the door behind her. Nicole didn't like the mischievous smile on her face.
"So…"
"What?" Nicole tried to act clueless.
"Did my dress get you laid or what?"
Nicole turned her back to Tina and pretended to continue straightening the things on her dresser.
"You skank! I knew it!"
Nicole turned and motioned for Tina to keep her voice down.
"Shhh! I don't think Paul would find it quite so exciting."
Tina was giddy as a schoolgirl.
"So how was it?"
"Amazing," Nicole grinned. "It's been far too long."
"So what happened? Give me details woman!"
Nicole shook her head and blushed.
"I don't know what to tell you. It was quick and dirty."
"Did you use a condom?"
She rolled her eyes.
"Of course."
Tina continued prodding her for the better part of ten minutes.
"I don't know what else to tell you," Nicole finally said, "It was just a one night stand."
Tina sighed. "I figured. From what I hear Billy isn't one for sticking around."
"Trust me, for that I'm thankful."
"Oh but you should have seen Gina after you two left last night. She threw such a fit. I would have kicked her out if it wasn't so entertaining. I would watch out though. She's got it in for you now."
"Yeah yeah, Barbie's real scary," Nicole's response dripped with sarcasm.
Tina's face suddenly brightened with excitement.
"I almost forgot! You weren't the only one getting some last night."
"What do you mean?"
"Marcy left with Baggy."
Nicole's eyes widened.
"No way!"
"Yeah, I've been calling her all morning but she hasn't answered. I'm taking it as a good sign."
"So either she got laid or Baggy killed her?"
"Way to look on the bright side." Tina chucked a pillow at her.
Nicole just smiled and sat down on her bed next to her friend.
"I think a celebratory lunch is in order. Why don't we go out?"
Nicole ran a hand through her hair. She knew Tina wouldn't let her off that easy and lunch would just be an excuse to interrogate her more.
"Sure, why not," she relented. "Let me get dressed first. Maybe while we're at it we can get a hold of Marcy and she can join in the celebration."