55. Chapter 55

I hope I'm doing Billy's character justice, ya'll! Since I'm fleshing it out a little and digging into it and all. And this is still not going to be a love-triangle.

Chapter Fifty-Five

Working with Billy on the project didn't cause as much of a stir as Jessica and Steve had thought it would. She didn't have to have him over again until Tuesday, so Sunday she was able to spend the majority of her time with Steve, and on Monday she had to work after school so he wasn't able to come over.

She made plans with Billy again Tuesday morning for him to come over after his practice that day.

"I have to watch Max," Billy said. "Dad and Susan are working late."

"Well, just bring her with you," Jessica said. "She can keep Dustin occupied, or they can go to Mike's or something while we work."

"You don't mind her coming along?"

"Why would I? Max is great." Jessica shrugged. "I can take her home with me, if that makes it any easier. You won't have to track her down after practice that way."

She noticed that Billy actually hesitated while he was deciding what to do about Max. She didn't know why.

"I promise she's in good hands with me," she said softly.

"I know that. It's just . . . my dad wouldn't like her getting a ride from you. He doesn't know you."

"Well . . . as long as no one tells him, he never has to know. For all he'd know, she came to my house with you."

Jessica waited patiently for Billy to make up his mind and he finally did.

"Fine. She better keep her mouth shut, though. She's always getting me in trouble."

Jessica hid her face to keep him from seeing her grin.

"I'll talk to her. She's better at keeping her mouth shut than you probably think."

"Hm." She saw his shoulders stiffen as if he was preparing himself for something. "Thanks?"

She noticed that he'd phrased it as a question and not an actual statement of thanks, but she didn't mention it. Billy seemed to be the type of person that wasn't used to showing gratitude for anything.

"Okay, so now that that's settled . . . Mom is going to want to feed you again. Probably actual dinner this time, so . . . what do you guys like?"

Billy's voice was uncomfortable when he spoke again. "I mean, whatever is fine. Don't make a big deal out of it."

"Okay . . . We'll think of something." She waited a few seconds and then, "It's – it's okay to accept things from people, you know? It's just my mom being nice. It's okay to let people be nice to you."

"Nice people usually come with strings attached," Billy said.

Jessica really didn't know what to say, but that was a pretty bleak outlook on people. She shouldn't even care, but she didn't like that he felt that way.

"Well, I can promise there are no strings attached when my mom is being nice. She's gonna feed you because you're gonna be at our house at dinner time. The end."

She didn't say much more until the end of class and then it was only, "So your dad's pretty strict, huh?"

"I guess you could call it that. He's definitely . . . set in his ways." He gathered his things up. "I gotta go."

The rest of the day went by smoothly. Steve was even more accepting of Billy coming over to her house once he found out Max was going to be with them. He wasn't very happy with who he'd been paired with, though. Jessica wasn't either when she found out that it was Carol. It wasn't really because of who it was because Carol had been fine since she'd broken up with Tommy. She was still catty as anything, but she'd left them alone.

No, she didn't like it because she knew Carol wouldn't take the assignment seriously and so Steve's grade would suffer as well. That was the worst thing about having to do partnered assignments or group projects.

"After Billy and Max leave tonight, I'll probably come over," she said. "We usually spend the days I have off together and we can't really today because of the stupid assignment, so . . . I'll come spend the night. If that's okay?"

"Obviously," Steve said from his place beside her in the lunchroom. "It's always okay."

She smiled and leaned over to kiss his cheek. Across the table Nancy smiled their way and Jonathan turned his head. He was always uncomfortable with public displays of affection . . . even between himself and Nancy.

"I have to have Carol over," Steve said, "but she'll be gone by the time you get there."

"Good luck with that," Jessica said. "Don't strangle her or anything. You're too pretty to go to jail."

Steve nudged her in the side gently. "I love you too."

Steve and Jessica met at her locker at the end of the day and walked outside to head over to the middle school. She knew the kids would wonder if something was wrong once they saw her and Steve waiting for them, so she was quick to assure them as soon as they came out.

Will had started coming back to school the Monday after Thanksgiving break, and he just seemed to be happy to be back in school with his friends.

"Hey, so . . . I'm bringing you with me," she said to Max. "That way you don't have to wait around for Billy to get done with practice."

"That's cool," the red head said. "Thanks."

"I still can't believe I have to deal with this all week," Dustin said as they began walking to the bike rack.

"It's literally only today, Thursday and Saturday. And maybe one day next week so we can practice our arguments out loud. And, honestly, I have no problem arguing with him."

Max scoffed, real amusement in her eyes. Mike and Lucas didn't find it that funny, but they both nodded at the fact that she would stand up to Billy if she had to.

"You shouldn't fraternize with the enemy," Mike said, but he was teasing so she didn't really get mad.

"Hey, there is no fraternizing," Steve said. "In fact, Dustin and Max are going to be buffers while he's there."

"Absolutely," Dustin said. "I'll watch him like a hawk."

Jessica rolled her eyes. "Are you still riding your bike home, or do you want to put that in the trunk?"

"I'm riding it home."

"A'right, see you there."

She, Steve and Max walked to the high school parking lot and to Jessica's car, where Max hopped into the passenger seat and waited for Jessica.

She didn't take long, but she did kiss Steve once before letting him know she'd call before coming over but it would probably be a little after seven. Steve headed to his car once she got in the driver's seat.

"Okay, so we've gotta talk," Jessica said, and Max turned to her. "I don't know why, but Billy is really worried about his dad finding out I drove you to my house and not him. So . . . don't say anything to his dad about it?"

Max rolled her eyes. "I wouldn't have. I don't know why he thinks I'm always trying to get him in trouble. It's not my fault his dad can be a jerk."

"Billy said he's really strict."

"Try drill sergeant. He wants a perfect little family, which doesn't allow much room for us to mess up."

"Hm. I'm sorry." Jessica started the car. "Okay, so . . . now that that's out of the way. What do you want for dinner? I tried to ask Billy what he liked, but he wasn't cooperative at all."

"Not surprising. Anyway, tacos are good. We haven't had any since moving here and Billy and I both like them. There was this place back in San Diego that we used to go to when we wanted them. Neil doesn't like tacos and Mom isn't crazy about them either."

"Tacos it is." Jessica grinned at her. "Don't tell Billy we had to go to the store for dinner, okay? He said not to make a big deal, which we aren't, but I think it would be to him."

"Sure."

Things were quiet as they headed into the actual town part of town. There was music playing in the background, but it was nowhere near the volume Max was probably used to from Billy.

"You know . . . I get why Billy likes you."

"What?"

"I get why he likes you. I mean, he hasn't said anything, but I know he does."

Jessica couldn't help it. Her shoulders tensed up.

"How – how can you tell?"

"Well, he's actually doing this project with you, for starters. He hates working with people. He doesn't play well with others, in case you hadn't noticed."

"Oh, I noticed."

Jessica really didn't know what to say. She knew Steve thought that Billy liked her, but she could chalk that up to Steve being a possessive boyfriend or maybe even a little insecure. But if Max, who spent a lot of time at home with Billy, thought he liked her too . . . Maybe Steve wasn't being possessive and insecure.

"I know you're with Steve. He knows it. But . . . don't, you know, hurt him," Max said. "Not that I think you would, just –"

"I know what you mean," Jessica said.

As long as Billy never acted on his feelings – or whatever they were – Jessica didn't care how much he liked her.

After picking up what they would need for tacos that night, Jessica and Max headed to her house. Dustin was already there and he'd been wondering what was taking so long. She let him know by making him get one of the bags of groceries.

Max had been the one to pick the things out. She'd suggested hard and soft shells, shredded cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes. She'd asked for hot sauce, so Jessica had given in and gotten it. Max had even picked out the taco seasoning because apparently different ones had different tastes.

"Hey, so . . . Mom got her a new cat today," Dustin said before they'd made their way into the house, before they'd even gotten to the porch steps.

"Really?"

Her mom had mentioned maybe looking for one after Thanksgiving. Jessica guessed her mom had gone to the shelter earlier that day and had found a cat that she'd liked.

"Yeah. It's orange and white . . . like Mews."

"Great."

They made their way inside and there her mom was on one of the chairs in the living room, cat planted firmly on her lap. She was steadily petting it and the cat seemed completely content to stay where it was.

"Hey, mom," she said. "Uh, I brought Billy's sister over with me so she wouldn't have to wait for him to get done with practice. Her name is Max."

"The one you said is friends with Dustin?"

"Yup."

"Oh, nice to meet you, Max."

"Nice to meet you too, Ms. Henderson. I hope it's not too much trouble having us over for dinner."

"Absolutely not." She noticed the bags Dustin and Jessica were holding. "What are we having?"

"Tacos." Jessica smiled. "In fact, we're going to get started now."

"We?" Dustin complained. "I don't wanna cook for Billy."

Jessica scoffed. "So cook for Max."

"Hey!" Dustin and Max both exclaimed.

"I'm kidding. Cook for me. I'm not doing it all on my own."

Dustin and Max followed her into the kitchen, where Jessica pulled everything out of the bags and placed what they needed on the tables.

"Okay, so . . . how are you with a knife?" she asked Max.

"I know not to stab somebody with it." The red head shrugged. "I help mom sometimes. I can use one well enough not to hurt myself."

"Great. You want lettuce or tomatoes?"

"Uh, lettuce."

"Okay. Dustin, you're on tomato duty. Slice and dice."

She let Dustin and Max get started as she began to heat up a pan to cook the meat in. She was vaguely reminded of having to cut up all that raw meat back in November so they could lure Dart out, but she didn't really have to touch any of it this time. She just had to cook it.

Jessica split her time between watching the kids to make sure they didn't hurt themselves with a knife and making sure the meat cooked all the way through.

Max and Dustin put the lettuce and tomatoes in separate containers once they were done cutting them up and then cleaned up their work area. Once the meat was done and seasoned properly, she put that in a container as well.

It wasn't long after that that Billy showed up. His hair was damp from probably having showered after practice, and he stopped in the entrance of the kitchen.

"Hey," Jessica said. "Uh . . . Max suggested tacos, so . . ."

She gestured at the vegetables and meat.

"It's done. I just need to heat up the shells."

Dustin was oddly quiet for the short amount of time it took for the shells to get done. Jessica didn't blame him. It was probably weird for him to have Billy in their house.

She created a sort of assembly line on the counter with the plates first, then the shells, the meat, the lettuce, the tomatoes, the cheese, and then the hot sauce, which she would not be using.

"Mom, it's done!" she called into the living room. "What kind do you want?"

"Soft," her mom called back. "Two, please."

"A'right. I'm gonna fix hers first and then you guys can help yourselves."

Once everyone had their plates, they each took a seat at the table, although Jessica and Dustin's mom had opted to stay in the living room. There was something missing, though, and that was conversation.

Dustin was sitting there, not talking and looking awkward, and both Billy and Max seemed a little tense. The only one really eating was Billy – he was scarfing tacos down like they were going out of style.

"Uh, guys," she said to Dustin and Max. "Why don't you go watch TV? You can enjoy yourselves while you eat and Billy and I can start on our work."

"Buffers," Dustin muttered.

"I don't need a buffer. I can handle Billy fine on my own." She sighed. "Honestly, it'll take longer if you breathe down our necks the whole time."

"Mm," Billy seemed to agree through a mouthful of food. When he swallowed he said, "What she said."

Dustin looked between her and Billy suspiciously. "Fine."

Dustin and Max picked up their plates and took them in the living room.

"Finally, I can eat," Jessica said.

So she did, breaking up the shells on her plate and mixing the meat and veggies to make a taco salad.

"So . . ." Billy said quietly. She looked at him to find him smirking at her. "You know how to handle me, huh?"

"Not in the way you're implying." She was not going to let him get to her. "Eat your food so we can get started."

He stared at her for a few seconds and then looked down at his plate. Grudgingly he said, "Thanks for the tacos."

"They were Max's idea, since you weren't very helpful when I asked you."

Max's words about Billy liking her came to mind and though it didn't really affect how she felt about having to work with him, it did make her pay attention more to what he was doing. Sure, he was flirting with her, but he'd done that since day one. Plus, she'd seen him flirt with other girls too, even more aggressively than he ever flirted with her.

They continued eating in relative silence, interrupted only by Dustin and Max bringing their plates back in and laying them on the counter. She noticed they had three, so she assumed they had brought her mom's plate with theirs.

"Dustin, you know the drill."

"Yeah, yeah. You cook, I clean. I'm gonna wait until you guys are done first."

"Are you gonna want anymore?" she asked Billy, who looked at her in surprise.

"Uh . . . sure."

She probably shouldn't have, but she got up and went to the counter.

"How many?"

Billy's mouth was full, so he lifted his hand to show two fingers. At least he didn't talk with his mouth full.

She fixed his food while Dustin looked on, shaking his head. He seemed to be wondering why she was being so nice to Billy, but . . . honestly, no matter who he was, he was still a guest in their house.

"You weren't even in here when he fixed his plate. How do you know what he likes on his tacos?" Dustin accused.

"He's literally eating right beside me, doofus."

Max snorted. "Yeah, drama queen."

"Hey!"

"Well, you are," Jessica agreed.

Once she was done fixing the tacos she went to sit back down and placed them in front of Billy, who muttered a "Thanks," more easily than he had earlier.

"You're welcome."

Dustin scoffed and Jessica sent him a glare. What she focused on was Max looking at Billy, though, and noticed the girl had an almost smug expression on her face. Max probably thought the fact that Billy had said thank you was proof that he liked her or something. Maybe she was right, but it didn't have to mean anything if she didn't let it.

"Dustin, just do what's there. I can do the rest when we're done."

Billy was fine right now, but if he kept seeing Dustin glaring at him, he might not be fine for long.

Jessica finished eating before Billy did, not having as much to actually consume, so she went upstairs to get her book and index cards, before hurrying back downstairs. If Billy had been anyone else in her class, she probably would've invited him to work upstairs so they could have relative quiet, but Billy was definitely not allowed in her bedroom.

Billy was stuffing the last part of his taco in his mouth when she reached the table and then he was standing up to head towards the back door.

"Where're you going?"

"I smoke after I eat."

"Ew. Smoking can make you lose your sense of taste, you know."

Billy sighed. "Not really needing a lecture, Jess. I'll be quick."

"Fine. But it can cause cancer too. And it stinks."

He shook his head and pressed his lips together. Maybe he really didn't need a lecture.

Well, he probably did. He just didn't want one.

Billy inhaled deeply, nicotine from his cigarette hitting his system quickly, relaxing him like few other things could.

Dinner had been . . . strange. Or it had been until Jessica basically tossed the two younger ones out of the kitchen. Though to be fair, she'd mostly kicked her own brother out. Max had only been acting weird because the curly-haired kid had been acting weird.

Billy couldn't blame him. The only time he'd ever spent around the kid had been when he'd raged the hell out and almost killed Harrington. He'd also freaked out on the other kid, the one Max seemed to like . . . the one Neil would not want her hanging out with. If Neil ever saw them together alone . . . well, Billy wouldn't be the only one getting it for that.

Billy still couldn't fathom why Jessica was being so nice to him, cooking him dinner and all. Sure, he was here during dinner time, but she hadn't had to do that. Sandwiches would have been fine. Not that he didn't appreciate the food, he did, but it was still weird. She had no reason to be nice.

Maybe it was because Max had asked for them. She hadn't grown up hearing the word no from her mom very often. Billy had heard it so often from Neil that he had pretty much stopped asking for things that he wanted. If he couldn't get it himself, he just decided not to bother.

He was quick, as he'd told Jessica he would be, and when he went back inside she was putting dishes in the drainer so they could dry.

"A'right. You ready?"

"Yup."

Billy could hear the TV coming from the living room, but it was low enough not to be a problem.

They didn't really have much to do other than flesh out the points they had made so that they would actually have enough material to debate each other in class next week. They had basically already done that the day the assignment had been given out, but talking privately was not the same as debating it in front of the whole class. Hence, note cards.

He and Max were out of there by seven-thirty, which was good. The later they came home, the more of a problem Neil would be even if he knew where they were and what they were doing.

Once Billy and Max were gone Jessica hurried to ask her mom if she could go see Steve, which her mom was obviously okay with.

"Can I stay over or, if not, can he come here?"

"His mom is still home, so it's fine."

"Thanks."

She began to head to the stairs, but her mom's voice stopped her again.

"Those kids need winter coats."

"What?"

"Coats. They need them. Max was wearing a light jacket, and all Billy seems to have is the jean jacket and the leather one. They need something with insulation."

"Uh . . ."

Jessica and Dustin shared a look, their eyes widening.

"Usually all I have is a leather jacket, and I'm fine," Jessica said.

Sure, she complained about it to Steve a lot, but that was because he'd always pull her closer if she mentioned she was cold. It wasn't actually a problem for her.

"Yes, but you're used to the cold. They're from California."

Billy did complain about having been cold since he'd come here, but still . . . if he wanted a coat, he had a dad and a step-mom who could get him one. Same for Max.

"Mom," she said gently, "if you're thinking of getting them coats yourself, don't. Billy would just think of it as charity, and . . . well, I don't know what Max would think, but –"

"She'd be fine with it," Dustin said. "She hasn't really complained about the cold, though. She's actually been wanting to see some snow."

The thought of snow and Billy brought a grin to Jessica's face. He would hate it. If there was a way to fight snow, he'd fight the snow he would hate it so much. And – oh, God – he'd probably wreck his precious car because he already drove like a maniac anyway. Add in icy roads and it was pretty much a given that he'd wreck.

She wasn't grinning anymore. She didn't want Billy to wreck, no matter how much of a nuisance he could be.

It was while she was getting her things ready that she received a call from Hopper. She took the call in her room, since that was where she was when he called, and sat down on her bed to talk.

"Hey, Hop. What's up?"

He'd never really called her before. He'd come over a few times to talk to her and Dustin; he'd met her outside school before; she'd even gone to the station to talk to him before. She hoped nothing was wrong.

"Hey. I have a favor to ask."

"Okay . . ."

"I didn't want to say anything and get anybody's hopes up in case it fell through, but Dr. Owens has helped me get papers on El. She's officially my adopted daughter."

Jessica couldn't help the smile that took over her face. "That's great, Hop!"

"Yeah. He said I should probably still keep her under wraps for about a year, make sure she's nowhere too public, but I know there's a dance coming up at the school . . ."

"Yeah. The Snow Ball."

She'd actually forgotten about it until just then. She knew Dustin was planning on going, and the rest of the boys, but he hadn't really talked much about it.

"Yeah, that. Would you be willing to help El get ready for it? I can – I can buy her a dress, but I don't know anything about how to do hair or make-up or any of that stuff."

"Oh, I – sure. I'd love to."

She was actually really touched because he could have asked Joyce to help. Maybe he would have if Joyce hadn't recently lost someone and didn't want to bother her with this.

Jessica mentioned that and all Hopper said was, "She actually asked for you."

Now she was even more touched. El had specifically asked for her help. There was no way she could say no.

"If you give me the directions, I can come over this weekend and introduce everything to El, see what colors she likes and all that."

"That would be great."

The dance was two Saturday's away. They had plenty of time to help El get ready.

Once she had the directions to the cabin Hopper was now living in with El – along with the instructions to wait for him outside in her car when she came over because there were traps and tripwires set up to keep people out – Jessica got off the phone with him and continued getting ready to go to Steve's.