A/N: In an attempt to fix a mistake I made further along in the story, this is a chapter I've added AFTER I wrote what used to be chapter 35 (now chapter 36) "Out of Hand". It was written and incorporated into the story after THAT chapter. That's not to say skip this and go read used-to-be chapter 35 first. It's just so you are aware, just in case this chapter feels a little detached from the rest of the story.
PLEASE NOTE! Though this chapter is complete, it has not yet been written in a way that seamlessly fits into the rest of the story (or proofread) because I was trying to get this out to you as soon as I could. So for now, please disregard that.
Breaststrokes
The sound of something falling on the floor with a thud reached Max in the living room, followed by a muffled slew of curses. Max casually looked over her shoulder towards the hallway. The noise sounded like it came from Billy's room. She would have been curious or shocked by it if this were the first time it happened today. But for the past hour, Billy had been pacing about the house, clearly upset about something, constantly checking his watch or looking out the window. And sometimes in his restless strides, he'd stub his toe or knock over a phonebook or two.
Wonder what's got him so on edge.
Without even batting an eyelid, Max continued lounging on the living room couch with her comics, reveling in the peace–aside from what just happened–that enveloped the house. New Year's had been a blur of weariness, the smell of booze, and the sound of Billy's "Fuck yous". She stretched out, gaze falling on the vacuum cleaner propped against the wall. For the first time in a long while, she was happy to just stay at home and revel in the (almost) empty house; no parents to nag, and especially no Neil. But her happiness was short-lived when Billy strode out of his room, face set in what she liked to call his resting bitch face.
"Get your stuff. We're leaving," he barked, not even looking at her as he yanked on his leather jacket.
Max sat up, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion. "What? Like now? Where are we going?"
Billy let out an exasperated sigh, "Our fucking parents are taking way too damn long to get back, and I've gotta go to work. Obviously I can't leave you here alone, so you're coming with me."
Max smacked her lips. She wanted to complain and ask, "Why can't I just stay until they get here?" But she already knew the answer. "Oh, they wouldn't mind," wasn't something they had the luxury of saying or even assuming when it came to Neil.
However, her initial annoyance was quickly replaced by curiosity; Billy had always been tight-lipped about his job, and now she had a chance to find out what he did.
But still, she pretended to be reluctant when grabbing her coat, trying to mask her excitement with a sarcastic comment, "Oh, great. Nothing I wanted more than to spend the day with you and your charming coworkers."
He shot her a glare but didn't respond. Instead, he snatched a pen off the bookshelf, slammed a sloppily torn piece of paper on the dining table, and furiously scribbled, "HAD TO TAKE MAX WITH ME!" Max gave a small chuckle and an eye roll at the passive-aggressive nuance of "HAD TO."
They left the house, stepping into the biting cold. Max hurriedly pulled her hood up as they trudged to the bus stop. With every step, Billy's grumbling was a constant undercurrent, like a disgruntled soundtrack to their stroll as he muttered about his "stupid punishment." Ah, yes, the car; back to being locked away–holiday privileges revoked. The sweet taste of his Camaro after such long withdrawals only to be back to walking in the cold using public transportation must've been a serious blow.
Seeing him like this, Max couldn't help but make a jab. "Someone's excited about going to work," she said, her breath visible in the chilly air.
Billy shot her a look that could've melted the ice, but she smirked and shrugged. Despite her waning annoyance at having to tag along, she couldn't deny a flicker of excitement as they boarded the bus. If she were to be told she'd have to spend the day with Billy at his job in the past, she would have strangled herself. But now, it only excited her; this wasn't just another chance to spend time with him (forced or not), but this would be another thing she could learn about Billy–about her brother. The casualness of the thought felt a little strange, but the more she came to know Billy, the more she cared to notice more details about him. She wanted to learn as much about him as possible. For him to tell her something new, just as he had about baseball the other day.
Max found a seat by the window, watching the familiar streets roll by while Billy remained standing, his scowl deepening as the bus jolted to a start. For some reason, he had a duffle bag over his shoulder. This guy never even carried a backpack, so this was a little strange to see. Still, she glanced up at him, unable to resist one last jab.
"So, what's the big secret, huh? You some kind of secret agent or something?"
Billy snorted, lips curling slightly at one corner as he turned away, "Yeah, sure. Like I'd tell you, smartass."
Hearing the words, she settled back in her seat, patiently waiting for them to arrive at their stop. What she didn't expect was for them to get off the bus at a school. She followed Billy up to the high school building, her confusion growing with each step. What the heck are we doing here? she thought, tugging her jacket tighter around her.
"What, are you a janitor or something?" Max muttered under her breath.
Ignoring her, Billy continued leading the way inside. The school was eerily quiet, almost deserted, their footsteps echoing softly against the linoleum floor. Max's curiosity spiked as they walked through the empty hallways until they reached an isolated bench across from a natatorium.
Billy pointed to a bench by the wall. "Stay put," he ordered. His tone left no room for argument.
Max turned to him with an incredulous look. "What?"
"Stay. Put."
After giving her a stern, lingering glare, Max huffed but plopped down on the bench, her eyes tracking him as he disappeared around the corner. His footsteps faded until she heard a door creak open. Then, It was silent.
Max sat there, fiddling with the hem of her jacket. She wasn't sure how long she'd have to stay there, but she was determined not to move. She knew Billy would blow a fuse if she did.
Her eyes wandered around the dimly lit hallway. A person or two would occasionally saunter past her, either going around the corner like Billy had or into the natatorium. When a few minutes passed, Max let out another huff.
How is this supposed to be watching me? she thought. It's just like how he left her waiting in the car at the party. Was he planning to leave her there all day? Max slammed the back of her head against the wall, irked at the thought. So much for getting to know more about him.
"Hey, I remember you."
Max straightened to attention. A pale, stocky guy stood over her with an odd friendly smile, his bright whites like a beacon in the dark hallway.
"Aren't you that one girl… Billy's sister? You remember me, right?"
Yeah, she remembered him. A little too much for him.
Max shuttered at the thought of the fluffy pink scarf tailing behind as he streaked about the party. She hoped she wouldn't have to think of that horrifying sight again, but here she was…
"What are you doing here?" the streaker continued. He spoke as if they were old friends; though, Max was sure they had never even exchanged two words before now.
"I'm waiting for Billy," she finally said.
"Out here?" He glanced back at the natatorium, then at her, pointing a thumb at the door. "But he's inside. Come on. I'll show you."
Max suddenly tensed. "Uh… I don't think Billy would like–"
"Right in here."
The streaker was already holding open the door for her, gesturing inside with the other hand. For a moment, Max sat unmoved. She looked about, as though Billy's eyes were somehow watching her. But wasn't that the point? For him to watch her?
Eventually, she stood, though still hesitant. She stepped through the doors, immediately met with the smell of chlorine and the sound of splashing water.
"You can sit over there. He'll be out in a sec," the guy said. Then, he walked back out the doors.
Max went over to the benches tucked in the corners of the room where he pointed and plopped down.
Her eyes wandered around the pool area, taking in the scene. By now, a few people already occupied the space. She turned her gaze to look at them. There was another guy from the New Year's party she recognized, one of the people who heckled her. He was casually chatting with a bunch of women—some moms, she assumed based on their lack of swim attire—who seemed unusually giddy. They kept glancing towards the locker rooms. Max's curiosity got the better of her.
Her eyes wandered around the pool area, taking in the scene. By now, a few people already occupied the space. She turned her gaze to look at them. There was another guy from the New Year's party she recognized, one of the people who heckled her. He was casually chatting with a bunch of moms who seemed unusually giddy. They kept glancing towards the locker rooms. Max's curiosity got the better of her.
She followed their gazes, shocked when Billy emerged from the locker rooms wearing red swim trunks. Max's eyes widened. The hell?
Max trailed him as Billy swung his arms, then crossed them over for a stretch.
I thought he said he had work… Did we seriously come all this way so he could swim? But then, she realized that wasn't the case.
"Hey, Billy!" one girl said. Another guy swiveled when he heard her.
"Hargrove! There you are. Finally made it."
Max watched with awe and surprise as Billy and everyone around greeted him so warmly. Billy smiled, his charm on full display. The moms ogling wasn't surprising—hair down, chest bare, his natural talent for captivating others… Of course they'd drool over him. And those swim trunks weren't helping. He looked every bit the rockstar, a stark contrast to the person she knew at home.
It really did feel like two different worlds, two different Billy's. But there was one thing Max couldn't help but notice—the people surrounding him were lifeguards. And Billy was wearing the same uniform.
Billy's smile suddenly vanished when a dark-haired, freckled guy approached, snickering. Billy parted the chattering group, his expression darkening with each step closer to the guy.
"Tommy, you little fucker," he spat. His voice was low. Menacing. Billy was close enough now for Max to hear the low conversation. Still, she scooted to the edge of the bench and leaned a little closer. "I know you're the one who put that thing in my car."
Tommy shrugged, his smirk unfazed. "Lighten up, man. It was just a joke."
Billy's eyes narrowed. He took a step closer. Tommy instantly threw up his hands in surrender, but that smile still hadn't vanished.
"OK, OK, I'm sorry. But you have to admit" —he shrugged— "it was kind of funny."
The balls on this guy, Max thought.
Max shuddered when Billy snarled. He took another step, his voice dropping even lower. "Oh, you'll see just how funny it is. And you'll see when you least expect it."
And Max knew he meant it. Those weren't just threats, that was a blatant promise if their little prank war had been any indication. And he was relentless.
Tommy gave a nervous chuckle and looked away, his eyes landing on her.
"What, you brought her here too?" he said cheerfully, quickly veering from Billy's flaming gaze. But that fiery look snapped to her, eyes widening for just an instant before trading it with a hardened scowl.
Max suddenly stiffened when Tommy began to approach, ignoring Billy's obvious protest. The moms around the pool became even giddier when Billy followed him, coming closer.
"Your Billy's twerp sister, right?" Tommy sneered, a mocking grin spreading across his face. He looked back at Billy. "Is this the annoying little brat you keep talking about? Why don't you introduce us?"
In truth, there was no need. Max remembered him all too well. He was the asshole who'd gotten in her face at the party, yelling "Boo" while she was trying to get Billy out of there. She instantly disliked him then, and she definitely disliked him now. Seemed he was a jerk when sober too.
Like attracts like, I guess.
Max looked at Billy. His eyes were narrowed into daggers, his silent fury speaking volumes as he stared. Not at Tommy, but at her. Unspoken words were seeping from the gaze, saying: "I told you to stay put. What the hell are you doing in here?"
Tommy suddenly leaned in, putting his hands on his knees like she was a freaking toddler. He got closer to her face. "Well, are you going to introduce us or not?"
Billy's gaze suddenly snapped to him. Before he could say anything, Max shot back. "Aw, Billy's got you talking about me? I'm so flattered. But where are my manners." She stood up and held out her hand. "I'm Max, and let me guess—you're the one he brings along to make himself look smarter?"
Tommy's expression faltered, clearly not expecting her quick retort.
A small smirk tugged at the corner of Billy's mouth. "Come on now, Max," he suddenly chimed in. "That was supposed to be our little secret."
Tommy frowned, looking between the two. But before he could come up with a comeback, Billy stepped in front of Max and crossed his arms. "'You got something to say?" When Tommy said nothing, Billy shooed him away. "Go bother someone else."
With one final lingering scowl, Tommy went away. Billy chuckled.
"I guess being mouthy has its perks sometimes," he said. But as soon as he saw Max's sly grin, his smile quickly fell.
"So… a lifeguard, huh?" she teased. "Just going for the girls, I bet. Or the moms…" She glanced over her shoulder at the ogling mothers.
Billy gave her a light shove. "Shut up and go sit back on the bench," he said, clearly annoyed.
Seeing this, Max smirked. "Sure, sure. I'll leave you to your work. Must be tough, being such a heartthrob."
"You need hearing aids, Max? Seriously. Go sit."
She rolled her eyes but complied. "So, how long are we going to be in this water prison?"
"Four hours."
Max jerked, all playfulness gone. "Four. Hours?" She paused, snapping her neck in realization. "You mean you were seriously going to leave me out in that hall for four HOURS?!"
"Yeah, but you don't listen, now do you?"
Max shook her head in disbelief. "Well, can I at least get up if I need to use the bathroom?"
"Pee in the pool," he said, straight-faced.
She cocked her head and crossed her arms. "Very funny."
Billy ignored her annoyed look and took his post on the tall lifeguard stand. Once again, he left Max to settle back on the bench, wondering how she was going to pass the time. She didn't have to wonder for long because one of the moms approached her, a curious look on her face. "Are you two related?"
Max glanced over at Billy, then back at the woman. She nodded. "He's my brother." The words came out with a tinge of pride that went unnoticed. But the words rolled off her tongue, easy to say now. And saying it… It just felt right.
"I didn't know Billy had a little sister," the woman said, her eyes lighting up as she and the others fawned over this new information. "So, what's he like?"
Max fought to keep her eyes from rolling. These women were too damn old to be fawning over a high schooler, and Max wasn't in the mood to answer all of their questions about him. But, not trying to start anything, she said, "Billy's just Billy. We don't get to hang out that much, so it's nice to spend some time together here. Anyway, what brings you all here?"
After her successful redirect, she talked with them for a while—most of them pointing to which child belonged to them in the pool. Some tried to bring up Billy again, but she'd just smoothly steer the conversation. Eventually, they waved goodbye and stepped away.
For the first hour, Max watched as Billy keenly scanned the pool. Adults used designated lanes to swim laps while some teens and smaller kids played in the water. But whenever they splashed each other or did something they weren't supposed to, Billy was quick to step in and rip them a new one. Not caring who was around.
"You little shit," she heard him mumble as he picked up a kid who pushed the other in the deep end. Billy dragged him to the side and planted him on the bench, no doubt a barrage of insult-induced scolding about to rain down on the poor soul.
It was classic Billy—tough and uncompromising.
Max was still in awe, not just about discovering his job, but surprised she wasn't bored watching him for the entire hour. But still—Billy, a lifeguard? There had to be some sort of irony in there somewhere, right? Max had been living with him all this time, and she didn't even know he could swim, let alone save someone's life. But why the heck was it so hard for him to tell her about his job? There wasn't anything embarrassing about it from what she could tell. Just doing it to be a jerk I bet, as usual.
Eventually, Billy blew his whistle and was promptly replaced by a girl named Hailey, a brunette with eyes so large and dark they looked like they could stare into your soul. As Billy stepped down from his post to stand near the shallow end closest to Max, a batch of swimmers and bystanders left, including a few moms who refused to leave without telling the heartthrob goodbye.
"Your sister is adorable," one of them said.
Billy hid an opposing look under a charming smile. "She'd like you to think that."
For a moment, Max was taken aback. But not by the obvious jab. Before, he'd always make sure to correct the others by saying 'step-sister,' but this time, there was no such correction. Max's chest feels warm. That made her so giddy she couldn't help but hide the grin on her face. In a way, that just made the title of her being his 'stupid sister' more official.
The group of moms wished him good luck, just as another group of even giddier moms entered.
"Oh, brother," Max muttered under her breath. "A bunch of cougars finding their next meal…" And here I thought cats hated the water.
Billy shot her another stern glare, and she raised her hands in a surrender motion. The unrepressed smile on her face defeated the purpose though.
But then, she sat up confused when she noticed him throwing wary glances her way. Suddenly, she understood why.
Kids no more than six or seven flooded into the natatorium with colorful towels and cheap goggles, chatting a giggling with one another. But what nearly knocked Max from her seat was when one yelled, "Coach Billy!" at the top of their lungs.
Max slowly turned to him, her mouth a wide 'O'. "Coach Billy…?" She blinked, leaning forward. "You teach swimming lessons… to kids?" Her voice dripped with amazement as a wide grin spread across her face to Billy's displeasure. "Oh, I feel so bad for them."
Billy opened his mouth to retort, but stopped when another kid yelled, "Coach, do we get snack breaks?"
Max turned to Billy again, her eyes gleaming. "Snack breaks, Coach Billy? Are we passing out milk and cookies after swimming too?"
If looks could kill.
Billy shot her a warning look, but she was on a roll.
"Do we also teach them cannonballs, or is that too advanced?"
"See, this is why I don't tell you shit," he snapped, clearly annoyed. But Max could only laugh.
Now it all made sense. He never told his job because he knew she'd never let him live it down. And he was right.
Max continued to laugh, having a field day making her nips and jabs. But then a revelating thought suddenly dawned on her—the blowup doll dressed in a red swimsuit, and that night so long ago on Christmas Eve… When he snuck inside the house through the window, she had wondered where he'd been. And the smell of chlorine…
Max stopped laughing, her face serious. "Wait... so that night you snuck back in… when I asked where you were... you were telling the truth?!"
Billy shrugged. "You asked."
"So then… when you were talking about breaststrokes…" she trailed off, watching a slight smirk slither across his face. "Aw, you're such a dick."
"Hey, not my fault you misinterpreted."
She scoffed. He knew EXACTLY how she'd interpret it. Was it even possible not to misinterpret it without knowing the context?
Billy suddenly blew his whistle, making Max flinch. "Alright, rugrats, line up!" he yelled. The kids immediately formed a line along the pool.
Ears ringing, she watched with a focused gaze as he taught the basics of swimming before stepping into the pool and giving a practical demonstration. All the kids followed him around like chicks following mother hen as he straightened and corrected their forms.
"You're so good at swimming!" one of the kids exclaimed when they saw Billy swim a little ways.
"Yeah, big brother Billy, you're so good! Teach me too!" Max imitated a childlike voice. Billy shot her a deadly glare, but he continued to ignore her. Despite that, Max continued to tease him from time to time, legs swinging back and forth as she did.
It was surprising really, how patient he seemed to be with them. It wasn't something she thought she'd ever get to see.
One of the kids, a little boy with a curious expression, suddenly pointed to the faded bruise on Billy's cheek. "What happened to your face?"
Max suddenly tensed at the question, but Billy didn't miss a beat. "I got in a fight with a shark."
"There are no sharks in Hawkins," the boy said, clearly skeptical.
"Of course there are. You just haven't bothered to look. Now, in you go."
Max stilled herself, but her thoughts drifted to Neil, to the hits Billy had taken, to his mumbles about the necklace that he still wore even now… Like any time her thoughts strayed to that night, Max shuddered at Neil's drunkenness, at how her mistake produced those bruises on Billy, at how she could do nothing but watch... But she didn't want to think about that.
Not now.
"That's it, Emma. Keep it up!"
The compliment snatched Max right out of her trance. Did she just hear that right? Did Billy just compliment someone? Max turned to see the kids in the pool gathered around Emma, who floated on his back as Billy hovered his hands at the girl's sides.
She stared, wide-eyed. Never in all her years had she been so horrified to see Billy so… nice. I must be seeing things.
As the lesson continued, Max watched in astonishment. At times Billy gave the kids encouragement, even high fives. It felt like she was in a twilight zone, or hallucinating. This can't be real. Maybe I'll wake up soon.
A wail ricocheted from the side of the pool. Max turned to a blond boy kicking and screaming, throwing a tantrum. Up until this moment, he had been sitting on the side of the pool, refusing to get in. But now, after his mom tried to nudge him in, the kid finally broke,
"I don't want to swim. I want to play with the Legos I brought!" he cried. Which Max didn't understand, just why.
The child's mom looked down at her flailing child, clearly embarrassed by all the judging stares from the other parents. She knelt down. "Jake, please calm down. We came here so you could swim. You can play with Legos at home."
"No, I want to play NOW!"
At this point, everyone was watching the ridiculous scene, even Billy and the other kids. Billy had tried to coax the boy at the start of the lessons but let him be after the third try. But now, he tried again. Still holding on to that foreign smile.
"Listen, buddy, how bout we swim first, then you can play with your Legos. Sound good?"
The boy glared at Billy, his tantrum escalating. "I don't want to do that! You're just a dumb lifeguard!"
Billy's eye twitched slightly, but he stayed composed. "Swimming can be fun too, you know. Might be even better than Legos."
Jake stomped his foot. "I said no! You're just a big, stupid bully with no friends who like to boss everyone around!"
"Jake!" Jake's mom sent Billy a horrified look. His expression seemed unmoved, but Max could have sworn she saw a glint of something that crossed his face for a brief second. "I'm so sorry about him," the woman continued.
Still, Billy stayed composed, nodding sympathetically as Jake's mom attempted to calm her child once more. "That's alright, Mrs. Carter," he said, his voice oddly normal. "But um… he wouldn't happen to have more toys in the car, would he?"
Jake's mom knitted her brows. "Well, yes, he does."
"Then here's an idea. Could you go grab his favorite? Maybe that'll help calm him down."
She nodded and quickly left the pool area. As soon as she did, Billy took a deep breath, his smile swiftly traded with a piercing scowl. "Now, you listen to me," he said after dragging the kid to the side away from the others. His voice was low and menacing. "I have been busting my ass and putting up with your crap all day. One way or another, I swear to god, you will get in that pool by the end of the hour. So we can do this the easy way, or the hard way."
For a moment, Jake stood frozen, taken back by the change in demeanor. But he was still reluctant, crossing his arms. "You can't make me."
Billy narrowed his eyes. Then his face suddenly lit up, a disturbingly sly smile slowly forming. He suddenly raised his voice loud enough for all to hear. "Oh, you want me to toss you in? If you say so!"
Before Jake could react, he grabbed the kid—Legos and all—and chucked him into the water. Max's mouth dropped.
"You better catch them all and bring them out," Billy scolded like he wasn't the one who just threw him into the water.
"Billy!" Max shouted, appalled.
"Don't worry," Billy said with a dismissive wave. "That kid already knows how to tread."
Max looked about to see if the parents or other lifeguards would do anything, but some just snickered or shook their heads, others too distracted in a magazine. And the kids in the pool just giggled.
Moments later, Jake's mom returned, concern written all over her face when she saw her son in the pool. Billy flipped like a switch. "Oh, hey buddy, you okay? Looks like you had a nasty fall. I told you those Legos were dangerous around the pool. Didn't I?" Billy gave him a stern look as he nodded. After a pause, the kid slowly nodded along. "Listen to me next time, little guy."
Billy quickly helped Jake out of the pool. As soon as the kid was on land, he ran to his mom, not bothering to get his Legos. When his mother's back was turned, Billy put two fingers to his eyes, then pointed them at the boy. It wasn't even a verbal threat yet the kid froze like his life was about to end.
From the side, Max shook her head in disbelief. It was like watching an actor play two roles simultaneously, and her brother was disturbingly good at it. She already knew this, of course, but it was still so shocking to see.
By the time the next group of kids came in, Max had an idea of how Billy operated. Similar to how he knew who to flirt with, Billy knew which kids he could be aggressive with, whether by their personality or by the parent who was around.
As long as the moms were around, this was the persona Billy switched to and Max was having the time of her life watching him switching back and forth. And the moment a child became difficult, his true colors showed.
Still, at times the ruthless Billy she knew re-emerged, barking orders the only way he knew how.
"I—I'm scared," one of the kids whispered when it was their turn to jump in.
"No, you're not." Without a second thought, Billy kicked the boy into the pool.
Max lunged forward, unable to keep a sharp gasp from escaping. But then, the boy emerged from the water, and the girl next to him giggled.
"You always say you're scared before Billy kicks you in," the girl said.
Max eased herself back into her seat. Huh. So this was the usual routine. Why am I not surprised? Maybe that's why no one freaked out when he threw that other kid in.
Well, at least she had some entertainment.
She had never imagined Billy teaching anybody anything, let alone kids. She was used to him doling out "lessons" in the form of threats or roughhousing. Yet here he was, commanding the attention of a group of five to seven-year-olds with surprising ease. His teaching style was unconventional... to say the least. It was a blend of tough love and intense drills.
At one point, Max found herself on the edge of her seat when Billy had a kid race against another in a mock "survival swim" game. He pushed them to their limits with loud, high-stakes commentary as only he knew how.
"Alright, Brandon, this is it! You're racing against the clock now. Imagine a shark's closing in—Don't you dare stop! No time for breaks, just pure speed! Push those arms like you're fighting for your life and don't even think about slowing down until you hit that wall! You hear me!"
"You gotta be so aggressive all the time?" Max asked at one point.
"They swam, didn't they?" he said nonchalantly. Then he blew his whistle and barked, "Hey, Lindsey, keep your face down!"
Max shook her head but chuckled. The way he taught oddly reminded her of a drill sergeant. He had the kids do shark attack drills, cannonball contests, and even a lesson he called, "Keep your face in the water and try not to drown." The winner of each drill got a whistle, which the kids surprisingly seemed to love. Somehow, to her sheer surprise, most of the kids were happy to be there. Even with the rough treatment from their coach, they seemed to fight for his attention.
Lounging on the bench, Max was both intrigued and amused on seeing this. She'd never gotten to see this side of Billy, and despite his tough exterior, he was surprisingly effective. She had to admit, even if only to herself, that he was a good teacher in his own unique way.
A stern-looking woman with a gray shirt tucked into khakis and a whistle around her neck emerged from one of the rooms with a frown on her face. She noticed Max sitting by the pool but paid her no mind as she approached Billy. Billy told the kids to keep practicing their breathing before getting out. From the side, Max watched as the two conversed, their voices low. But she was able to catch parts of the conversation from time to time.
"Sorry, Billy," she said. "I know Sarah couldn't come in to help you with the lessons today. How are you holding up?"
He shrugged. "Could be worse. No one died yet, so…"
The woman, and even Max, chuckled at that. But then, the woman sighed. "I keep telling them we need more staff. But who wants to work in winter?"
Billy scoffed. "Yeah, no kidding. But unless you've got someone hiding in your back pocket, I'm kind of stuck here."
Max's eyes widened as something just dawned on her. This whole time, Billy had been teaching the kids alone. With no complaint. And the only reason he had was because they were short-staffed. How often did this happen? Max let out a sound of awe, a bit of admiration for Billy growing a bit.
"Still," the woman continued. "I know it's a lot to deal with. You sure you can handle the the remaining lessons on your own? If I need to end the lessons early, just say the word."
Billy went to say something, but as soon as he locked gazes with Max, his eyes lit up, a mischievous grin forming.
Max straightened. I'm getting a bad feeling about this...
Billy turned back to the woman. "Actually, my sister here is great with kids. She can help out today since we're so short-staffed."
Max's eyes widened in horror. "What?" She fluttered for words, but the woman—who at this point appeared to be his boss—beat her to it.
"Can she swim?"
"Like a fish," he said. He turned and waved Max over. "Max, get over here. You're helping me with swim lessons."
Max shot up furious stomping over as she sputtered, "No. No way. This is your job, not mine. And I… I'm not even dressed for this. So there."
Billy smirked, clearly enjoying the turn of events. "Come on, Max. It'll be fun," he said, slapping a heavy hand on her shoulder. "You're great with kids, remember?"
Obviously this was payback for her teasing him during his swim lesson. And possibly laughing about the blowup doll. Max shot him a glare. "Remember the party, Billy? I saved your ass," she whispered, trying to get out of it by any means she could.
His boss, however, seemed convinced. "We could use the help. You can borrow a swimsuit from the lost and found. Show us you can actually swim down and back, and we'll go from there."
Max groaned, her annoyance mixing with a touch of panic. She was going to be stuck here for the next two hours, and now she had to wrangle a bunch of kids too?! Billy's smirk only widened as she reluctantly agreed, knowing she had no real choice.
When she came back after changing into a shirt and some spare boys' trunks—a little big on her but she'd manage, the parrot color made her want to hurl though—she found Billy leaning against the pool's edge while he overlooked the kids. Determined not to let Billy see her ruffled, she set her jaw and straightened her shoulders, plastering a look of determination.
"How hard can it be to teach a bunch of kids," she said slyly, darting a glance his way as if teasing him by saying, If you can do it, so can I.
Billy's brow arched. He turned to her. "Alright, since it will be sooo easy, let's make a bet. If you help out and actually do a good job, I'll give you some of the money I earn. No, we'll split it."
Max hesitated, she wasn't planning to put too much effort into this since she'd just be an assistant, and she didn't too much care about the lure of money. But the chance to wipe that smirk off Billy's face was way too tempting. "Fine. You're on."
Max joined him in the water, which was not as cold as she thought. The lessons started smoothly enough—kids holding the wall to do kicks, holding their breaths underwater, standing in place to practice strokes—but it quickly became clear why Billy always came home exhausted. The kids were rowdy, splashing water everywhere. One kid, clearly feeling a bit to playful, swung a pool noodle with the precision of a toddler and hit Max smack dab in the face, making her stumble back.
And if that wasn't enough, another one decided that running was the best way to get around the pool area. Max quickly hopped out, yelling for him to "stop running" as she ran after him herself. But as she reached out to grab him, the kid accidentally tripped her. Timed seemed so slow as Max flailed, arms windmilling in a desperate attempt to keep her balance. But all efforts failed. With a large sploosh, she toppled into the pool. As soon as she came up, gasping for air, the first thing she saw was Billy's wide grin.
Ever the opportunist, he made a lesson out of it. "Alright, everyone get over her," he said. The giggling children gathered around their coach to watch Max sputtered, trying to look dignified as she stayed afloat. "See that, guys? She swam right to the top. That's how you do it. Perfect form!"
Wiping water from her eyes, Max spluttered as the kids giggled, trying to glare at her brother but the look of a wet rat didn't manage to make it seem intimidating. She tried to keep her cool, but chaos reigned—inevitable, considering she was dealing with kids here. A swimming board came out of nowhere, smacking her in the face when she was helping a girl float.
"Hey!" she turned to look at who did it but never managed to find the culprit because the kid she was helping started to blow bubbles and drown.
Oh shit!
At one point after that heart-stopping moment, Billy decided to stir the chaos further. "You all better swim for your lives if you don't want to be dunked!" Pretending to be a monster, he chased the kids around the pool. The children shrieked with laughter, swimming frantically towards Max. They climbed on her to stay afloat, tackling her in their panic. She ended up under a pile of screeching kids, gasping for breath as they clung to her. Billy caught one of the stragglers, flipping him into the water with an evil laugh.
"Alright, not get off of her before you drown her," Billy said. Which she was grateful for since she was nearly halfway under.
As she fought to catch her breath, Billy walked over, that mocking grin still on his face.
"Not so easy, is it, Max?" he teased, clearly enjoying her predicament.
Outwardly, she glared at him, but despite herself, there was a strange sense of enjoyment. The kids' laughter was infectious, and she found herself smiling even as she struggled to keep them under control, at least when she got past the initial annoyance. Yet somehow, it made her think of her friends and how she missed hanging out with them. By the end of the lesson, she was soaked and exhausted.
No wonder Billy comes home always looking like the walking dead, Max thought. But she had to admit, she had a bit of fun. Maybe Billy's job wasn't as easy as she had thought, but there was something rewarding about it.
Eventually, they called for a break, done with that group of degenerates. Max was completely drained, water still dripping from her fizzled hair, her clothes clinging uncomfortably to her. Just thinking about how cold the bus ride home would be made her shiver.
After a few minutes, Billy joined her at the side of the pool's deep end, that annoying grin still on his face. They both placed their feet in the water. She huffed with exhaustion, and Billy couldn't resist teasing.
"Not so easy wrangling the little rugrats now, is it? Looks like a bunch of six-year-olds got you beat."
Max rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. You got me."
"Don't worry. Everyone has their off days. I mean, who knew you'd be the one making a splash today."
Max kicked up the water, splashing Billy, but he was quick to return the favor tenfold.
She wiped her face with her already wet shirt. It reminded her of his treatment with the kids earlier. She huffed out a laugh, a sarcastic edge in her voice. "You know you're sooo good with kids. I can't imagine any of them leaving out of here traumatized."
"What can I say? I have a natural talent."
She rolled her eyes but chuckled.
They sat in silence for a moment, the water lapping gently at their feet. Then, she turned more serious. "Why did you choose this job, anyway?"
"Because I'm good at swimming," his tone was matter-of-factly—just like naming the color of the sky. "And they paid extra if I taught lessons. Figured I'd just be teaching adults. Didn't think they'd throw kids into the mix. That first day was brutal."
Max snickered. "Now that's something I'd pay to see."
He scoffed. "Of course you would."
"How'd you get so good at swimming, anyway?"
"You kind of have to be when you hit the waves."
Waves? Max's brows raised, her eyes widening. She cocked her head. "Wait, you surfed? Seriously?" Billy flashed a surprised look at her, like he said something he shouldn't have. But then, he simply shrugged. Max tilted her head, studying him. "I didn't know that."
There was a hint of something unreadable in Billy's eyes when he glanced at her. "You don't know a lot of things about me, Max."
And she considered that. But wasn't sure how to read into it. They had lived together for a while in California, sure, but she never once saw him with a surfboard. It was true they didn't get along or see each other every waking moment at all there, but still, this felt like something she should've known.
She barely swam, so she certainly wasn't at an expert level, but she wasn't terrible. Billy, on the other hand, seemed to excel at everything physical—baseball, basketball, weights, and now, surfing. He really is a fitness junkie, isn't he?
"Well, it seems like you've got a pretty varied skill set," Max said, a touch of admiration in her voice despite herself. "You're good at so many things."
Billy didn't respond immediately, just stared into the water. "Yeah, well. It's something I'm good at. Kept me busy. Kept my mind off things…"
Max noticed his tone falter. Did he not want to talk about surfing? She tried to lighten the mood. "Too bad the nearest body of water is hundreds of miles away. I'd pay to see you thrown from your board."
"Like you?"
Max splashed him again, but this time, he only smirked.
She looked around the natatorium, taking in the faded tiles and the smell of chlorine wafting in the air. "Why are they doing swim practices here?"
"Hawkins is so small, they have to use the school pool," Billy scoffed. He leaned back and stretched his arms, "At least until the outdoor one opens when summer hits."
Summer...
It felt so far away, especially for someone like Billy who absolutely hated the cold.
"Will you keep the job until then?" Max asked. "I figured you paid Neil back for the car repairs by now."
He shrugged. "We'll see."
They fell into a comfortable silence once more, their feet kicking lazily in the water as a new group of parents and children trickled in. It was nice having a normal conversation with him for once, without him telling her to mind her own business, just like that time in his room. It was possible he just humored her because of what she'd done for him at the party, but whatever the case, she was a bit… grateful.
Max glanced over at Billy. There was a gnawing of curiosity within her, hungry to learn more about him. "So, surfing, huh?" she started cautiously.
"What about surfing?"
She shrugged. "How'd you get into it? Did you start off hating it like baseball?"
Billy's eyes flickered with something Max wasn't completely sure of. Fondness? Melancholy? "There's nothing much to say about it," he said. "Saw some guys on the beach doing it, thought I'd give it a try. Sort of, self-taught… I'd just go to the beach to hang out and surf."
"With friends?" Max asked, though she already suspected the answer.
Billy paused, his gaze distant. "No… someone else would take me."
Max watched as he fiddled with his necklace. His mom.
She wanted to ask more but chose not to. It was clear from Billy's expression and vague answer that he didn't want to talk about it—didn't want to talk about her. And Max didn't want to bring up that pain. So they continued kicking their feet in the water. Max tried to imagine what surfing would be like, she couldn't help but compare it to what she knew. Now that she thought about it...
"It's like skateboarding," she said suddenly as if some grand realization had just revealed itself. "Just on the water."
Billy snorted, snapping out of his stupor. "No, it's not, dipshit. How could you even compare the two? They're completely different."
Max cocked her head. "How? You balance on a board, you maneuver around, and you do tricks. Pretty similar if you ask me."
"Yeah, except surfing is a lot more dangerous," he said, set on proving his point. "While you're wearing all your special little gear, surfers have to deal with sharks and the risk of drowning under waves."
"Well, skaters can break a leg or a neck on concrete, so…"
They launched into a heated yet oddly playful debate, their voices echoing slightly in the spacious pool area.
"Oh come on. Balancing on a board in the ocean waves that you can safely land in is nothing compared to going down a steep ramp or hill," she said.
"Safely?" he scoffed. "Ever heard of crashing against rocks?"
"Well, what the heck are you doing surfing in a rocky area?!"
"What the hell are you doing going down freaking hills?"
"Because it's fun!"
"So is being out on the water." Billy's were animated, like drawing the scene as he spoke. And Max couldn't help but lap up every word. "When you're out there, it's just you and the ocean. The power of the ocean beneath you, the rush of adrenaline as you ride to the shore. It's like… It's like a freaking dance with nature."
Max countered, her eyes lighting up as intensely as Billy's had. "That sounds pretty cool, but landing a trick on a skateboard? It's like flying. You're in the air for just a second, but it feels like time stops. And when you finally nail that difficult maneuver" —Max gave a chef's kiss— "it's just so… satisfying."
The too stared at each other, bright grins on each of their faces as they simultaneously realized that their sports might not have been so different after all. There was a thrill and challenge in each.
"Surfing is still a hundred times better," Billy said, flaring up the argument again.
"Is not! Try jumping while skateboarding."
"Oh please, I can ride waves higher than you jump on a skateboard," Billy boasted.
"Maybe, but I could jump down into a bowl seven feet without even breaking a sweat."
Max prepared for his retort, but for some reason, the sly smile on his face suddenly faltered. At first, she figured she might have won that round, but that didn't seem to be the case. Had she said something wrong?
"Seven feet, huh?" Billy huffed out a laugh, but the smile was faint, almost forced. "Seven feet."
The far-off look in his eyes didn't go unnoticed. Was he talking about the pool? She looked at it but it looked deeper...around 9 feet. Curiosity gnawed at her again, but she decided not to press him; that distant look in his eyes was all too familiar.
A whistle pierced the air, snapping them both back to reality. "Time to get back to it," Billy said, his usual cocky demeanor returning.
When the next group of kids arrived, an idea formed in her head as she watched them gather around for the lesson. She turned it over in her mind, excitement building before turning to look at Billy.
There was new determination flaring—her second wind. She wasn't sure if it was from their fiery conversation or if she was just motivated to get back to him for what he put her through earlier during the lessons. But, with a competitive glint in her eye, she said, "Alright, Billy, round two. Let's make a bet."
This caught his attention like she knew it would. "What kind of bet?"
"I bet I can teach one of these kids to swim by the end of the day. If I do, you owe me double," Max said. It was a fifty-fifty chance whether he would take the bait or not.
Billy seemed to mull it over, but being the overconfident guy he was, he agreed without hesitation. "You're on. But I get to pick the kid."
Max nodded, not backing down. She watched as Billy scanned the group, his eyes landing on a particularly stubborn-looking boy who seemed more interested in splashing water than listening to instructions.
"That kid has been here for weeks and hasn't even been able to even float," Billy said. "Think you can handle it?"
"Of course I can handle it," she said.
"Oh, but one more thing," Billy chimed, obviously having something up his sleeve. "If you lose the bet, you get paid nothing and you have to shovel the driveway."
Max's mouth fell open. "Hey! That's free labor."
"You're the one who wanted to bet."
She didn't have anything to say that. But it won't come to that, she reassured herself. She'd definitely win this bet. "Fine."
"Alright, then you have yourself a deal," Billy said, crossing his arms with a smug look.
The other staff and lifeguards gathered around, clearly amused and excited by the sibling rivalry unfolding before them. Max felt their eyes on her as she squared up to the challenge, her determination stronger than ever.
As the lesson began, she focused on the task at hand. The kid Billy had chosen was going to be difficult (at least that's what she assumed from Billy's smug look), but she was more determined than ever to prove her brother wrong. The other lifeguards watched with interest, a few of them even cheering for her.
"You've got it, Billy's sis!"
"Why are you cheering for someone you don't even know..."
Max glanced over at Billy, who watched her with lips curled up in a mocking smile. Like hell would she give him the satisfaction of seeing her fail. With renewed resolve, Max continued her efforts, knowing that by the end of the day, she would have the last laugh.
The boy Billy had picked was standing at the edge of the pool, clutching his arms around himself.
"Hey there," Max said, crouching down to his level. "What's your name?"
"Zack," the boy said, darting his fleeting glances like he wasn't interested in the conversation.
"Well, nice to meet you, Zack. I'm Max. Do you like candy?"
That got the boy's attention. He stepped close.
Too easy.
"Great. How about this? If you try to swim with me, I'll give you some candy. And if you like skateboarding, maybe I can teach you a trick or two. Deal?"
The little boy hesitated but then nodded again, a small smile forming on his lips.
Max led him to the shallow end, gently coaxing him into the water. Before, she thought he was more interested in splashing water, but now she realized that he was scared of the water. Seeing the reluctance in his eyes, she tried to reassure him, "It's okay. We'll take it slow. You can hold onto my hand."
Zack clutched her hand tightly, knuckles white with tension. Max racked her brain for another idea to get him to loosen up. She glanced over at Billy, who occasionally glanced over from his own group with mild interest. This clearly wasn't turning out how he thought it would but he didn't seem disappointed by it.
"How about a piggyback ride?" Max suggested, hoping to make Zack more comfortable. The boy's eyes widened and he glanced at her shoulders, making her laugh. "Oh, not me. On Billy's back."
Zack shook his head vehemently. "No, that guy is scary."
Hmm… seems like Billy's methods have traumatized this kid. In that case…
Max leaned in. "Alright, we'll do it differently. You know what? You're brave just for trying. Let's do this together, but we'll go at your pace."
She felt a surge of hope when the grip on her hand loosened a bit. By making funny faces, telling jokes, and even promising he can wear those really cool flippers, she guided Zack through some basic movements.
He held onto the wall to practice kicks, turning his head left, then right, though never seeming to put his face in the water. The process seemed less intimidating this way and hope surged in her chest as Max watched him make progress at the speed of a snail.
But...
Despite her efforts, Zack still looked terrified. His body went rigid at the mention of her holding his hands so he could practice kicking.
"No," he said. "Cowering against the wall. "I don't want to."
"I'll hold onto you tightly and won't let go. I promise."
But he shook his head. Max sighed. Why is he so scared? she thought. Of course any beginner would be afraid of water rushing up their nose or possibly drowning, but maybe if she knew a little bit more, she'd know how to help him. It was time to take a different approach.
Sitting down on the pool's edge with him, Max grabbed hold of Zack's hands. "Zack, are you afraid of the water?"
He pursed his lips but slowly nodded.
"Why?"
"Um…" He thought for a moment. "Because it's scary." He paused to think. "I feel like I can get stuck under. I don't like sinking, or my face in the water."
Max gave the boy a soft smile. "Hey, Zack," she whispered. "Can I tell you a secret?"
He nodded, eyes wide with curiosity.
"I used to be scared of skateboarding. I was afraid to fall off. But then I thought about all the fun things I could do if I learned it. Like skateboarding with my friends or doing those little tricks. And guess what? It worked. I wasn't scared anymore."
"But that's skateboarding..."
"Exactly!" Billy shouted.
Max shot him an intense glare. "No one asked you!" When did he step close enough to listen to her conversation anyway? Billy cackled, putting his focus back on his group.
Max shook her head and turned back to Zack. "Don't listen to him. I'm telling you, it's the same for everything... If you want to get better, you just have to take the first step."
"But what if I can't get it?"
She patted Zack on the shoulder. "We won't know unless you try. Just think how excited your mom will be when you do."
For a moment, he said nothing. Just stared at the water before looking over his shoulder, then back at her. "Do you think I can do it?" he finally asked after carefully considering her words.
Max smiled warmly. "I know you can. Let's give it one more try, okay?"
They returned to the pool, and Max held his hand as they waded in. This time, Zack seemed more trusting, but his body was still a bit tense. He clung to her at first, but slowly, he started to relax.
"Five more minutes!" Billy shouted, his voice echoing through the pool area. Of course it was to let the other kids know, but Max knew the warning was meant for her.
"Come on, Zack. Let's show Billy what you've got," she encouraged her pupil. She stood beside him, but instead of facing him forward, she eased him onto his back.
Taking a deep breath, Zack let go of Max's hand.
"OK, now kick."
Zack started small kicks, the water splashing in all directions.
"Now, swing your arms like a windmill… Other way. That's it."
Max started to walk along the pool, taking him with her. Slowly, she let his back go until he was floating on his own. She stayed close, ready to support him if needed but it wasn't. Slowly but surely, Zack swam a short distance, his strokes shaky but determined.
"Oh my god, Zack, you're doing it. Yes, There you go!" she cheered, her voice filled with much pride and excitement. Zack began to falter, but she was right there to catch him before his face went under. Max swiveled the boy to face her, her face beaming as she grabbed the sides of his arms. "You did it, Zack! You did it!" She turned. "Did you see that, Billy? He did it! He did a backstroke!"
Billy looked over, a surprised expression on his face. He watched as Max bounced up and down. Excited and proud as she was, it seemed like she completely forgot about their bet.
Max lifted Zack out of the water and hugged him. "You were amazing. I'm so proud of you."
Giggling, the kid looked for his mother before shouting, "Did you see that, mommy?!"
His mother rushed over as she cooed about how proud she was, embracing him herself. All the while, Zack was still holding Max's hand, not letting go of the grip as he recounted how he overcame his fear and how good of a teacher Max was.
From the side, Billy reluctantly admitted to himself that Max had done a good job. But as he watched her celebrating with the kid, he couldn't help but remember when he was taught how to swim. The words of encouragement by her still echoed in his mind as he was patiently but gently guided. And in the ocean of all places… Wasn't that person also like Max when it came to teaching? Or maybe it was seeing Zack running to his mom that reminded him of her.
When the day came to an end, one of the lifeguards clapped Max on the back. "You're not too bad, Max."
"Yeah, Hargrove made you sound like a freaking goblin," another teased, making Billy roll his eyes.
But that's not what had Max taken aback. She turned to him. "Aw, you talk about me at work? Must have rubbed off on you."
"Ok, that's enough of that," Billy said, shoving Max towards the locker room.
Once all cleaned up and dressed, Max met Billy out in the hall. He had that duffle back again, but this time, it looked much lighter than before.
"You know," he said. "Technically by 'get him to swim,' I meant freestyle. Not backstroke."
"Hey, you never specified that!"
Billy chuckled and pulled out a wad of cash and handed it to her. "This will have to do for now," he said begrudgingly. She looked at the cash, immediately realizing this was his way of admitting she'd done a good job because no way had he gotten his paycheck already.
Max smiled, taking the money. "Thanks, Billy."
"Yeah, yeah…"
"You know, this could be the start of something new. Future deals, bets…"
"You volunteering to be the kids punching bag."
Max looked horrified. "No, I think I'm good. Besides, you're the one who volunteered me."
Billy chuckled. "Don't worry. You at my job for one day is enough. Now come on before we miss the show."
Max crinkled her brow, following Billy down the hall. "What show?"
"You'll see."
They stepped outside, and it was dark now. A crowd had gathered around a Ford Capri, laughter ringing out.
What's going on?
In the parking lot, everyone who had been inside was there. Even that asshole Tommy. In fact, Tommy looked frantic, like he was ready to blow a fuse. He was tearing something off his car, yelling for others to go away and stay back. At times he yanked on the car doorknob to no avail.
Billy and Max approached the scene, cutting through the crowd. Billy slipped something into Tommy's pocket so smoothly that even Max wouldn't have known he did it if she wasn't standing right next to it. It was a… toy. In fact several of them. Right before her, flooding the interior of the Ford Capri and even sticking all over his car with images of women and men at all angles that were never meant for Max's eyes.
She quickly glanced away, a blush forming on her cheeks. They stepped away and merged into the crowd. And Max looked over just in time to see Billy pull out a small remote.
He clicked it.
The parking lot was filled with a cacophony of rattles and vibrations. Tommy, and even some in the crowd, jumped. He shimmed, kicking at his side before reaching into his pocket. Soon enough, the toy Billy had planted was yanked out in a tight grip. The crowd gasped, then broke out in a roar of laughter. Tommy quickly threw that monstrosity to the ground as people pointed and jeered about how unbridled he was. Tommy looked absolutely mortified, his face flushing crimson.
"Shut up, all of you!" he shouted to the crowd.
Of course Billy couldn't let this go silently and made a snide comment loud enough for everyone to hear. "Hey, Tommy, looks like you left your little friends in the car. Didn't know you were into that kind of thing."
The crowd laughed louder.
Tommy's gaze snapped to Billy's. He fished him out in the crowd and rampaged through them like a charging bull. His face turned red. Billy quickly pocketed the remote.
"Is this you, Hargrove?!" Tommy blared, only a foot from Billy's face.
Billy pretended to look aghast. "Me? Why would I do something like this? I just got here."
"This isn't funny, man! And give me my damn car keys!"
"What keys?"
Tommy let out a heated breath. "Seriously, Hargrove. Where are my damn keys?"
"Dude, I don't know what you're talking about or where your keys are. But I do recall seeing some keys at the bottom of the pool. I don't know. You might want to check to be sure. And while you're at it…" Billy leaned in close, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper, "don't you ever mess with me like that again, or you'll find more than just your keys at the bottom of the pool. Got it?"
Tommy's eyes widened, his fury faltering as the threat sank in. Even Max shuttered at the tone, flashbacks of his threats to her rushing to the surface.
Tommy nodded stiffly, backing away slowly. Billy's piercing gaze followed him, making sure the warning was clear. Soon, Tommy swiveled around, rushing back inside. The crowd dispersed, still in fits of laughter.
Max stared at Billy like he was an apparition. "That was… an interesting show, Houdini," she said, still taken aback. "He looked ready to shrivel away. Maybe next time you can make him disappear."
"He had it coming," Billy said nonchalantly, the tension ebbing from his shoulders.
Max simply nodded. "Remind me never to get on your bad side… again."
He chuckled at that.
Max smiled, but then raised her brow. "Here's what I don't get… It's only been a couple of days since he pranked you."
Billy snorted. "Yeah. What about it?"
"Well, how the heck did you have time to pull this off? You must have been real determined to give him the Billy special so soon."
"It was too easy," he said with a cocky smile. "The guy always leaves his pants lying around in the locker room. Just one swipe of his keys during break, five minutes, and boom. A masterpiece."
Max nodded along, letting the info sink in. And to her horror, she realized… the duffle bag Billy had been carrying must have been filled with all of those… toys. Which meant he had taken the time to go into a shop or find some lucrative way of procuring them within a short amount of time.
Damn, Max thought. He really is relentless.
"Next up is to call his old man so he can 'accidentally' find this… incriminating thing."
Billy's words snapped her out of her thoughts. "You're still not done?" It was a stupid question. Of course he wasn't. She would know from experience.
"Fuck no. That little dickwad needs a little reminder of who he's dealing with."
"Won't we miss the bus?"
Billy slowly turned to Max, giving her the most mischievous smile she'd ever seen. "Who said anything about taking the bus?" Billy reached into his pockets and flashed Tommy's keys, the same ones the poor boy had just gone to search for.
Max's mouth fell wide open, unable to stop the cackles from coming through. "You're diabolical."
"Just keepin' my promises. Now let's go."
As soon as they hopped in, he sped off, leaving Tommy stranded, searching for keys that weren't there. When they were a few minutes walk away from their home, Billy stopped the car near a phone booth and called Tommy's dad, a number he of course looked up and had memorized for this occasion. Billy picked up the phone, pinching his nose and making a high-pitched impression that made Max fight to hold back her laughter as soon as she heard him speak.
"Hi, yes uh... I found your son's car on the side of the road and uh…"
The toys and magazines were left in the car, knowing Tommy's dad was going blow a fuse when he saw it, and Billy was looking forward to how it'd put the boy in trouble.
When he was done, Max finally burst into laughter. In fact, they walked the rest of the way home, laughing, the cold night air biting at their cheeks, but feeling lighter than they had in a long time.
To be continued…