Wheelsy AU ~ Hollywood Nights

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The airport was crowded an d bustling with tourists, the sunlight outside pooling through the plate glass windows like honey. Starla didn't mind the wait. Security meant she could meet him off the plane, but she could stake out the baggage claim where he was suppose to come out!

She was dressed simply in a blue sundress and sandals, nothing fancy, that was for late tonight at the premier. For now she was just a country girl waiting for a country boy and hoping he hadn't managed to get himself lost in the bowels of the airport.

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[noteasytobepink]

"You'll be happy to know," she responded stiffly. "That my drug bill has gone down incredibly since I moved." So there Sheriff. So there. "First step was to wean me off some of the things I was on, figure out why I cracking like I was, and then work from there." Just so he could be reassured.

"I ain't seein no glory hound Sheriff, so don't you worry none. Now are you done so I can get you to a hotel? I take it you won't be wanting my guest bedroom."

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

God, he ruined this.

"Starla... I'm sorry. I didn't mean-- "

He set down his fork and shook his head, apology plain on his features.

"I shouldn't've said that."

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"Yeah, well, you did didn't you?" She set her fork aside and waved for the check. "Just because you're strong Bill, don't mean all of us are. I didn't like taking all the pills I was, and I like being here. I feel safer, and I know I'm healthier, so sorry if it ruins your plan for rebuilding Wheelsy but I can't."

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He automatically reached for his wallet, shaking his head at her.

"This ain't about Wheelsy, Starla. What about-- "

His words cut off, as fear and nerves jammed up in his throat, and he swallowed hard to force them down.

"What about me?"

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She passed her card to the waitress before she even got to the table, then blinked. "What about you Bill? I said you could come here and you told me no. I can't go back, not really. You're a stubborn man and I'm your friend but I can't make up your mind about your future for you." She thought he might sleep better ta night away from Wheelsy too, but she couldn't be sure after all.

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He flinched, the 'what about you?' might not have been meant as a blow, but it landed like one.

She beat him to paying, so he tucked his wallet away and stared at the table top.

"It's not stubborn, Starla. My whole life is in Wheelsy, I can't just-- "

He shooks his head, and his hand resting on his thigh tightened as he drew in a deep breath. He couldn't look at her as he said it, but it had to be said.

If this was his last chance with her, he needed to act on it, to try and save this sinking boat.

"An' I'm not talkin' about just friends... "

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"Can't give up on something even when the world ends huh?" She offered, a touch bitterly. That was alright, he'd always been stronger than her. It was why he was sheriff when she only managed to be a teacher despite her dreams.

She watched him tense, then blinked ta the next bit. "Bill...ah..." What was she suppose to say? "Bill, you're my friend."

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"The world didn't end, Starla. It might've been flipped upside down an' shaken, but we're still livin' an' breathin', so it can't be over."

Her emphasis on friend stung, but he soldiered on.

His heart was beating too hard in his chest, but he forced his voice to come out steady, lifted his eyes up meet hers.

"What if, I wanted to be more than just a friend?"

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"Maybe yours didn't Bill." She'd give him that much. "And i"m happy you still got somethin don't get me wrong." She didn't feel like she did though. It was just the way it was.

Ah, her therapist had mentioned this possibility. Just like she'd wanted to jump Bill's bones for the first few weeks after the whole ordeal, fear and adrenaline made people need to feel alive, and that was fine. It had faded though and she was glad she hadn't made a fool of herself. That didn't fade easy with some though, especially folks that got to be the hero.

And he'd always been protective.

"I"m not seein' that workin' Bill." She did say it gently?

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"Why not?"

It was a question, honestly asked. He wasn't defensive, not yet.

If it was the distance they could work on that; he could convince her to come home or... maybe he could try the L.A. thing.

If it was anything else, he needed to know why. Needed the chance to change her mind.

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"Well, there's the 'I'm not goin back to Wheelsy' thing for starters." She pointed out, holding up a finger. "But the main reason bein I'm not goin to do the romantic relationship with someone I'm not that attracted to thing again." After all, look where that had got her.

"You're my friend, maybe my best friend, but I just don't see you as someone I want in my bed." She even managed to say that without blushing! It was just...truth. "For awhile we were the last people alive, almost on earth as far as I felt, and that almost, almost worked for me Bill, but that didn't last."

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Her words were a kick in the gut and the stones, and it left him reeling without any response. He dropped his head and sat there feeling her sharp blade carve the heart out of his chest.

All this time, all those years of carrying a torch for her, and it all came down to her just not finding him attractive enough?

He felt robbed, cheated, like it was all just a twisted joke and they'd finally arrived at the punchline.

"So that's it, none of the rest of it matters, then?"

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"None of the rest of what Bill?" She asked, suddenly tired. "Am I suppose to say I'll try? Marry you like a good girl because once upon a time my best friend saved my life? What do you want me to factor in Bill?"

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This was worse than he ever imagined it would be. She was cutting him to ribbons.

"I-- "

He looked up and met her gaze, eyes full of hurt.

I love you.

I've always loved you.

He couldn't say the words, knowing how pathetic they would sound now.

She didn't want him. That was the truth of it, the end of the story.

"Nothin'. I guess I was just... tryin' t'get you to stay."

With no pride left to salvage, he just shook his head and waited for them to go.

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It would have been easier to buy if he'd told her.

If he'd EVER told her.

Even once when they were young and before so much tragedy came about in their lives.

"That ain't happenin' either Bill." Starla sighed softly and accepted the receipt so she could calculate a tip and sign off on it. "Not now. So, guest bedroom or hotel?"

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He almost went with the guest bedroom, just because he still had the weekend here, and didn't want the rest of it to be this awful.

Right now, though, he needed space. Space and privacy, and to get his hands on a big bottle of something strong so he could drown himself with it.

"Actually, I'm pretty tired. Don't think I'll be much company tonight. Hotel might be best, I don't wanna be puttin' you out."

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She had a feeling he was more hurt than she'd tell him, but she wasn't going to change her mind. Her offer of hospitality still stood but she could understand needing some space when hurting.

"I know a nice place, nearby even." No roach motels for Bill. "Even has a pool if you think swimmin or a hot tub might be nice." She stood and nodded to the door.

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

He was careful to avoid her gaze when he stood up, and held the door for her as they left the restaurant.

"Don't need nothin' fancy, but a pool sounds nice."

He could do this. He might be limping along, but he could play it off until she was gone; gloss over what just happened with a normal conversation.

"Just lemme know what time you'll be around tomorrow, an' I'll make sure to be ready."

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"Unless you want me sooner Bill I'll be by at seven to fetch you." And she'd come if he asked, or wanted to talk more, though she hoped not. She was pretty sure more talking before the premier just wasn't going to go well.

She unlocked doors, got them moving, and got him to a nice place called 'Sunset Inn' within a few miles. It even had a nice restaurant attached in case he got hungry again, or wanted more than store donuts for breakfast.

And luck held, they even had room!

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

"Alright, I'll be sure an' comb my hair."

He flashed a quick smile, then kept his head turned towards the window the rest of the way, watching the city go by.

He didn't plan on calling. If she wanted to spend the day with him she would have said so. He'd go to the premier with her, and by seven o'clock he'd have time to sleep off and get over whatever hangover tonight was going to leave him with.

The hotel was nice, and when he found out they had a room he pulled out his wallet.

"You were right, Starla, it is a nice place."

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"An look," she pointed. "You get cookies when you check in. I'm guessing you want the gooey chocolate instead of the oatmeal raisin?" She had wanted to spend time with him. To talk, to gossip even. See pictures of his mystery woman and speculate...

...but that wouldn't go over well now would it?

Maybe the day after the premier then.

"An I bet they even have decent sheets."

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

"Of course I want the chocolate."

He signed the paperwork and left his card info, and took the key card the lady at the desk handed him.

"As long as the bed has pillows on it I'm good."

With him all checked in that didn't leave much except for to say goodbye. Or goodnight, at least.

Turning to her, he adjusted the duffel bag on his shoulder.

"You got far t'get home?"

[noteasytobepink]

"I figured." She pointed out the oozing, warm cookies helpfully and the hotel manager chuckled and scooped them into a bag for Bill to take up to his room.

"Not far Bill, a mile or five at best. You have my number right? In case you need anything?"

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

"Yeah. An' I'm... " Glancing at his paperwork, Bill checked where they'd put him. "Room 235. Just in case."

He didn't wince, but it was a near thing as he realized how dumb he just sounded.

Tightening his grip a bit on the paper bag in his hand, he nodded towards the elevator.

"I guess I better let y'go. You... y'have a goodnight, Starla."

[noteasytobepink]

She pulled out her phone and made a note to herself about his room number...so she'd be able to find it if she had to drag him away from the mirror tomorrow. "You too Bill. You rest and unwind a bit, and tomorrow's gotta be better right?" That said she turned to head for the exit.