Chapter 43

Several rounds of cards had been played. Billie knew how John acted when he played cards and she was amused to see he was still the same, if not even more strict while playing with men, and the other guys were just as competitive. It was even more intriguing to see how John played. With a clear view of his hand she was able to witness his chances and his bets. She considered it a great advantage to know how he thought should she ever play him in cards again. John usually bluffed about thirty percent of the time and folded rarely. When faced with a decision like chancing a pair or straight, he usually picked the cards with the highest face value, but had taken to going with Billie's opinion.

He liked it when her thin finger would point into his hand, tapping her nail against the card she wished him to throw away. Amusingly, he thought that if anyone else had ever tried to do that to him he would loath it completely; with Billie, he found it cute. More than once her suggestion had worked in his favor. He continued to hold her waist, rub her back, or even lean forward and embrace her with both arms when his hands were empty.

The affection was electrifying. It was the first time they could show it publicly and yet they had to hold themselves back. Before, it was either all or nothing. Now, with little touches and looks it was like one big tease; Billie couldn't stop thinking about the next time they would be alone.

"That's such a nice dress," Jane said to Billie while the men were preoccupied with the game. Billie smiled politely, thanking her.

"You don't think it's a little...mature?" Mairy asked, eying Billie from where she balanced haphazardly on the stool. Again Jane looked over at her and made a face.

"Oh, stop."

Billie knew she was receiving another insult. According to Mairy her dress was either too young for her or too old, either assumption trying to point out Billie's attempt to look appealing and failing. She couldn't understand why the woman was picking on her, but Billie did her best to shrug it off. That was just one persons opinion, that seemed to come from no where, and the rest of the people around the table appeared to have no problem. Again she did not reply.

"Quit that yapping," Homer threw his hand in the direction of the women. To him and most of the other men at the table the girls were just chatting about woman things- hair, clothes, ect. It was distracting toward the game.

"Yeah, cut it out," Pete put in, giving a perturbed look to his girlfriend, perhaps the first real look he had given her all night. He turned back to the table. "Why don't we deal Billie in this time?"

If steam could have come from Mairy's ears it would have happened at that moment. Maybe it was the fact that her Pete was not only giving Billie attention but too much of it that really set her off. No one asked her for a drink, she couldn't sit on Pete's lap, and no one had offered her to join the game. Whatever resentment she felt toward Billie spilled out in a nasty remark. "Why would you do that? Can she even count?"

"Only in three languages, I'm afraid." Billie no longer stayed silent. At the same time she uttered this John had opened his mouth to, likely, give Mairy a remark of his own, but Billie was quicker. John recalled the same comment being made by one of the guys days before, and though it still probably stung he was glad Billie didn't have to hear it a second time. Mairy was a harsh woman, often times rude, and though he was used to this he wouldn't sit back and listen to her attack Billie. He was quite surprised, and then exceedingly aroused, when Billie stood up for herself.

It was enough to silence her. Everyone at the table seemed to exchange looks, suddenly very aware of the tense atmosphere between the women. John smirked, leaning in to wrap his arms around Billie again, his nose trailing behind her ear, she able to feel his smile on her skin. After such a tense moment she was able to feel goosebumps thanks to John. He lingered lower on her bare neck, she suddenly feeling him peck his lips against her skin. No one seemed to notice...or care.

"Why don't you get me another drink, huh?" Pete asked Mairy, lifting his glass toward her.

"While you're at it, me too," Homer said, reaching for his empty glass. More of the men murmured that they too would like another refreshment, and Mairy almost spit.

"Screw you."

"I'll get it," Billie sighed. John had tolerated her upon his lap a long time, he surely needing a break, and Billie herself wanted a break from the heated moment. She stood and scooted past John, taking a step toward the other room when abruptly many of the men from the table stood up.

"Let me help you."

"Yeah, I'll come too."

"Sit down!" Mairy snapped when Pete stood, this time yanking the back of his shirt. She only spoke to one man but when her voice echoed out the other guys sat as well. Billie retreated to the kitchen, several eyes watching her go.

At this time with Billie out of the room John turned his eyes toward Mairy, his expression hardening. Instead of being aggravated that the men were eying his girl, he was more disturbed by the woman pestering her. "Is there somethin' you wanna say?" he asked in a harsh whisper. Instead of replying Mairy merely starred him down. John wasn't one to threaten a woman or even speak to her in a crude manner, but if Mairy persisted he would do just that. He looked away from her and grumbled. "Control your woman, Pete."

When Billie returned she was carrying as many glasses as she could. It took her two trips, but everyone received another drink, very much appreciating her. As she set one glass down near Jane the woman gasped loudly. She had seen her ring and immediately wanted to know all about it.

"Oh," Billie smiled, holding her hand and looking at the jewel herself. "Johnnie gave it to me." Her voice was light, modest, and she looked over at John who was smiling proudly as well. Jane made a small fuss of it, Mairy suddenly huffing and storming out of the room. Apparently that was the last straw for her.

The gang watched her descent cautiously but Pete was indifferent. He waved off her absence and suggested they continue the card game.

- - -

For what seemed like hours the game did continue. It hadn't been that long, but when she wasn't playing Billie felt time moved much slower. She still sat in John's lap, but instead of facing the table and watching him play her back was to the crowd, her arms wrapped around his neck, her head on his shoulder. Occasionally she would close her eyes, weariness weighing on her, and she stroked the nape of John's neck. She was tired but she wouldn't interrupt his time with the gang.

John was fully aware of her fatigue and began to feel it in himself as well. Her gentle touches on the back of his neck filled him with insurmountable comfort. For the last few rounds of cards he didn't even play, but simply held Billie while he and the guys finished talking. Eventually he faced her, smiling, his voice soft. "Ready to go?"

She nodded and turned to face the others, giving them the brightest smile she could muster. Goodbyes were exchanged. Everyone expressed their pleasure at meeting and how they were sure to see each other again soon. It was easy to tell Billie had charmed the crowd without trying or even being fully aware that she had. John guided her out of the apartment, smiling, content. Even the antics of Mairy were not enough to rattle him.

The gang, then left to themselves, waited a few seconds until they felt safe to converse again. They exchanged looks and started smirking.

Someone whistled. "Did you see the gams on that girl?"

"Gams? What about her as-" the comment was cut off, Jane hitting the man in the chest.

"I can't believe he did it," said another. "He actually got a teenage girl into his apartment."

"That's not all he probably got her into."

"Hey, uh, you think she's got friends?"

"Yeah, maybe Johnnie'll let me babysit!"

"Really," Jane grumbled tiredly as she stood up. She held her and Red's glasses, taking them to the kitchen. "That girl only has eyes for John."