Twenty-One
Dallas
The clock could not move any fucking slower if it tried. I swear to god, I have been sitting here for over an hour waiting for Billie’s bus to roll in. The hot, midday sun beats down against my neck, and I can feel it burning my skin.
Annabeth’s voice chastises me in my head.
‘You should’ve worn sunblock.” Yeah, like I’m some unruly kid who doesn’t listen to his parents.
I stifle a laugh, knowing that I damn well was an unruly kid who didn’t listen to his parents.
Thinking about Colt’s epic win last night, I can’t help but laugh to myself, because he was, in fact, the unruly kid who didn’t listen to our parents, and it’s granted him nothing but success.
I don’t know why he gets so nervous before every rodeo, he’s probably the best rider our towns ever seen.
Dropping Annabeth home this morning damn near broke me. Have I mentioned that being away from her at this point feels like a chunk of my soul being ripped from inside me and completely discarded? No? Well, it does.
I’m racking my brain trying to figure out how the hell I’m gonna tell Billie that I’m seeing someone, let alone that someone being her favourite teacher.
Jesus fuck, Dallas. What were you thinking?
This is all kinds of not on, and here you are, driving straight towards a wall with the damn brake lines cut.
“Daddy,” my favourite voice rings out from across the lot. I didn’t even notice the bus pull in.
“Princess,” I call back to her. The smile on my face starts to hurt my cheeks as she rushes for me.
Billie-Mae leaps into my arms, her own wrapping around my neck as she squeals with delight.
God, I missed my little bumble. In true Billie form, before I can lower her enough for her feet to even touch the ground, she’s already rattling off a million-and-one stories without so much as taking a breath.
“Okay, okay, okay, breathe Billie,” I tell her, taking her suitcase.
She climbs into my ute, still yapping away as I pack her luggage into the tray before joining her in the cab. Her beaming smile is spread from ear to ear as she recounts the talent show from camp and tells me all about her new frenemy, Jacinta.
“What the hell is a frenemy?” I ask her.
“Ugh, Dad, you’re so old. A frenemy is someone who’s your friend, but you gotta keep an eye on ’em. Make sure they don’t mess with you,” she explains.
“You sound like your bloody Uncle,” I laugh.
“I can’t wait to show Ms Harrington the song I learnt at camp.”
Well, here goes nothing…
We’ve been sitting in the kitchen for what feels like an eternity. Colt arrived mid-conversation. I’m unsure if that makes this better or worse. Billie twiddles her thumbs, picking at the skin of her fingernails. She’s biting her lip and occasionally opens it to speak, but nothing comes out.
“Talk to us, Bumble,” Colt says.
She finally looks up at me, her blue eyes sparkling with what I swear is a hint of worry.
Her brow creases, a few rogue strands of golden curls wrap across her freckled cheeks.
I know she’s processing, and I’m trying to be patient; this is a lot to absorb for her, and I know I need to show her some grace.
I lift my hand slightly, pressing my fingers to hers in an attempt to put her at ease.
She doesn’t speak, just sits there and continues staring at me.
I know I’ve fucked up. My mind is racing faster than my heartbeat at this point.
Have I screwed this up? My heart is now pounding so hard I can hear it ringing in my ears, and I swear it’s going to beat out of my chest and smack me.
“Daddy?” she asks, softly.
“Yes, Princess?”
“You are the strongest person I know, and the kindest—”
“Billie—”
“Please let me finish,” she says, and I do.
“Ms Harrington is the luckiest girl in the world.”
“What do you mean?” I ask her, confused.
“Because she gets to be loved by my dad, and my dad is the coolest person in Hawks Hollow.”
I can’t hold back my tears. Grabbing her in a bear hug, I grip her into my chest, her soft breaths a quiet comfort that I hadn’t realised I’d missed so much.
Her hair smells like citrus and coconut – just like her mother’s used to.
I feel a sharp pang inside me, and I swear my heart is going to burst out of my chest, but with love this time.
Somehow, in the blink of an eye, my tiny, fragile little baby has grown into a wise-beyond-her-years little sass-pot, and she’s so pure.
I’m overwhelmed, completely in awe of my daughter.
Holding her here in my arms, her head on my chest as she looks up at me – her eyes sparkling like pristine pools of water from some island I will never visit – I almost forget Colson is standing beside me.
“I am so proud of you, Billie-Mae Northlane,” we say in unison.
I glance at my brother, his expression a mixture of trepidation and relief. He closes the small gap in one stride, before wrapping his arms around us. This is my family, the people I have fought so hard to protect, to provide for. The most important people in the entire world. My people.
“So, where is she?” Billie asks, releasing our hug.
Colt and I must have the same oddly confused expression on our faces, because she continues, “Where’s Ms Harrington?”
“Do… do you want her to come over?” I ask, hesitantly.
“Yes. We should have birthday cake,” she announces.
Colt chokes on a laugh as he asks, “Whose birthday is it?”
“Who cares!?” Billie replies.
My ute idles to a halt as we pull into Annabeth’s driveway.
Billie’s still belting songs from The Greatest Showman soundtrack in the backseat, the birthday cake she picked bouncing along with her knee.
I can’t help but wonder what state of disarray the cake is going to be in by the time we get home.
“Aright, princess, I’ll be back in a minute,” I tell her.
“I wanna come,” she replies, discarding the cake box on the seat next to her and unbuckling her seat belt. I know there’s no point arguing with her, I’ll never win.
She climbs out of the vehicle, skipping around to the front before I can even get up.
The smile on her face is nothing short of ecstatic as she giggles, making her way up the driveway.
I scramble out of the cab, nearly running to catch up, but I’m not quick enough.
She’s already knocking on the door. I make it to the entryway just as the door creeps open from inside and watch as Ella’s face takes in the sight before her.
“Well, well, well, I assume you pair aren’t here to take me to dinner,” she says warmly.
Billie’s eyes light up as she politely asks, “Ms Ella, may you please tell Ms Harrington to put on a pink shirt. I am wearing a pink shirt, and I want to match.” She dramatically gestures to her outfit, adding a little twirl for extra flair.
“I think I can do just that, Billie-Mae. Come on in,” Ella replies, tousling Billie’s curls affectionately as she widens the door, allowing us to enter. My entire body tingles with nervous energy.
Billie doesn’t skip a beat. She’s already waltzing inside, dragging me along behind her. My chest tightens, and I realise I haven’t actually been inside of Annabeth’s house. I immediately regret every decision I’ve made today, and panic rises through my body.
“Annnnnaaaaa,” Ella calls, a hint of delight in her voice.
“She’s home today. I’m shitting bricks, Ella. What if she gets upset? Oh god, what if Dallas gets upset,” Annabeth’s voice carries in from the kitchen.
“I think you might be safe there, honey,” Ella shouts back.
We continue through the hallway just as Annabeth turns the corner and comes face to face with the Ella, whose holding hands with Billie, whose holding hands with me, and I instantly realise this probably looks like a fucking ambush.
Billie immediately drops both of our hands, squeezing past Ella to launch herself at Annabeth. The unexpected impact makes her stumble back as she catches Billie in her arms.
“Billie,” she exclaims.
“Daddy said you have to wear a pink shirt and come to dinner,” Billie announces.
“Did he now?”
I shake my head, mouthing the word ‘no,’ while giving her my best, slightly panicked, apologetic expression.
“You better come help me pick one then,” Annabeth continues, taking Billie’s hand as they make their way towards what I assume is her bedroom.
Ella turns back to me. “Want a whiskey?” she asks.
“Yeah,” I reply, letting out a long sigh.
I hear Billie and Annabeth chatting in her room as I wander into the kitchen.
Taking a seat, I allow my eyes to roam my surroundings.
Their home is simple, tidy, exactly what you’d expect from two single women in their late twenties.
There’s artwork lining the walls, a small stand in the corner that houses several guitars, throw pillows on the couch, and there seems to be a lot of plants.
The kitchen is a pale blue, with a matching splash-back that has a floral print scattered around it.
There’re empty bottles of wine in the corner of the bench, and several flyers for Lee’s Asian Takeaway lying around in various places.
I find myself smiling as I imagine the nights Annabeth and Ella must have here together.
“On the rocks,” Ella says, sliding a crystal glass in my direction.
She cocks her hip against the breakfast bar, a knowing smirk creeping across her face as she asks, “You okay?”
I shoot her a questioning stare and she continues, “Colt’s only told me bits, but I can’t even begin to imagine what this has been like for you, for all of you. Seems Billie’s stoked though. Anna’s always talking about her. I think you’re gonna be fine.”
“Thank you, I’m shitting myself,” I confess.
“Don’t. She’s not going anywhere. And if I know anything about you, you aren’t either. You guys will be perfect together.”
I smile at her, grateful that she’s part of the bizarre little group we’ve somehow created over the years. Ella’s always been important to Colt, despite neither of them acting on what is so obvious to everyone around them.
“Are you gonna’ run off into the sunset with Colson, or what?” I ask through a stifled laugh. Ella frowns, which only makes me laugh harder.
“Your bloody brother wouldn’t take a hint if it jumped up and bit him in the ass.”
“Daddy, we’re ready,” Billie’s voice rings through the hall as she enters the kitchen.
She’s holding Annabeth’s hand, the pair of them are, in fact, wearing matching pink shirts. My heart skips a beat as I’m mesmerised by what can only be described as the most beautiful sight that could ever be seen.
“Princess, Firefly, where are we off to?” I ask them.
Billie’s face lights up like a Christmas tree. She giggles and says, “Hey, Uncle Colt and Daddy call me Bumble, and you’re Firefly! We both have glowy bums!”
Annabeth laughs, shaking her head as she says, “Billie, sweetheart, bees have stingy bums.” Billie frowns, clearly unimpressed.
“Don’t stay out too late,” Ella coos, flicking her wrist in a wave before heading to the living room.
I extend my hand to my girls, taking Bumble’s in mine, her arm curled around Annabeth’s as she tucks in behind her and I lead the girls back out to the ute. I don’t know where I’m taking them, but I know it’s going to be perfect. Plus, we have cake.