“I can’t do that.”
“But…”
She was about to cry, and in all the years he’d known her, he rarely remembered seeing her cry.
“I can’t lose you, Billy. You mean too much to me.”
“What makes you think you’re gonna lose me?”
“I can’t be one of your pack of girls that follows you to rodeos.”
“Irene Fairchild, you’ve never been one of a pack of anything. Not ever.”
“You should go home.”
“Nope. I’m not goin’ anywhere. We gotta work through this.”
She bit her lip and shoved her hands in her pockets.
“I’m not sayin’ anything is gonna happen between us tonight, I’m just sayin’ that I’m not goin’ home.”
What would she do if he reached out, pulled her to him, and held her close? She looked scared. He understood her being nervous, but her fear threw him.
He held out his hand, but she didn’t budge. He stepped closer, his hand still extended in her direction. “Take it.”
“Why?”
“Cause.”
“I can’t—”
“Take my hand. That’s it. That’s all you gotta do.”
She took one hand out of her pocket.
“You’re gettin’ closer.” Billy took another step forward.
When she put her hand in his, he pulled her to him. He put his arms around her, and rested his head against hers.
“Tell me what you’re afraid of,” he whispered.
“You’re gonna break my heart, Billy.”
“Nah, I’d never do that to you, Renie.”
“You can’t guarantee it.”
“Never. I promise.”
He put his hands on her cheeks, and looked into her eyes. “We’re gonna go to bed now, Renie. I’m gonna sleep with you tonight, but that’s all we’re gonna do.”
Billy opened the door to the bedroom, and Renie went in the other door, to the bathroom. He took off all his clothes. He usually slept naked, but considering he told her nothing would happen between them tonight, he put his boxer briefs back on.
He wondered which side of the bed she slept on. Whichever it was, that’s where he wanted to be. He settled on the middle.
She came in wearing a sweatshirt, that he swore used to be his, and flannel pajama bottoms. He could see less of her now than when she was fully dressed.
She saw where he was and shook her head, sliding in next to him.