Something In Between: Sequel to On The Edge of Tomorrow

Chapter 51

"As long as he needs. I can work remotely."

"You need help setting up an office? I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you commandeered his one upstairs. He mostly uses the one in the barn, anyway."

"Yeah, I should get things set up before something blows up at work, but we have to be quiet because he just fell asleep," I cautioned.

"Lil, have you slept at all?"

"Ah, sleep is for mortals. All I need is about seventeen cups of coffee, and I'll be ready for my morning huddles."

Tim had my equipment set up in under half an hour; it was impressive.

"If you ever want a job in IT, just let me know," I joked.

"Yeah, that's what Billy needs. Me ditching him for a career in IT," Tim shot back.

"Mmhmm, probably should let some wounds heal," I murmured, but I was already distracted as I escaped the physical office for my virtual world.

Meetings, emails, and chats filled my day. Billy didn't stir once. It wasn't until I was halfway through boiling pasta that he appeared in the kitchen. He pulled himself up on the counter and watched me work in silence for a little while.

"You didn't have to make dinner," his voice was low and clouded with sleep.

"I did if I wanted to eat," I playfully smiled.

"I was planning on ordering something."

"Ah, no need. You had pasta and a jar of your mom's sauce. Instant dinner, even I can handle boiling pasta. How are you feeling?" I absently added as I drained the noodles.

"Tired, depressed, lonely, sad, angry, annoyed...kind of horny," he let his words drift off.

"Really?"

"You asked." He shrugged.

"So, things are looking up?"

He let out a little laugh.

We ate in comfortable silence. Billy's appetite impressed me, and I was grateful his mom always kept him stocked with a few jars of her sauce.

"You want to watch a movie or something?" I offered as I cleared the plates.

"Sure, you have one in mind?"

"Host's choice."

"I don't feel like the host right now," he murmured. "Let's go with Duck Soup."

I didn't make it through much before I nodded off on Billy's shoulder and only mildly woke up as he was carrying me up to bed.

"Sorry," I mustered from his arms.

"Don't apologize. I don't know what I was thinking. I kept you up all night, and then you worked all day. You're going to make yourself sick." There was a scolding in his voice, but I knew it was at himself.

"Do you think you'll be able to sleep?" I asked as he gently set me on my bed.

"Yeah, I'm pretty wiped too." He kissed me on the forehead. "Good night, Lil. I'm glad you are here."

"Good night, Billy. I love you."

I was asleep before my mind could question if he was actually tired. If I had been more awake, I'd have doubted him. As it was, I awoke with a start before the sun had come up. I headed to the kitchen and found Billy passed out on the couch.

"Hey," I whispered while putting a hand on his shoulder. "Couldn't sleep?"

He opened his heavy eyes with a deep breath. The purple from insufficient sleep was already pooling beneath his eyes.

"Mmhmm, I guess I fell asleep finishing the movie."

"Come on," I prodded, "let's get you in your proper bed before you wreck your back."

He heavily heaved himself up and let me lead him by the hand up the stairs. But when we got to the door of his room, he paused.

"Are you okay?" I asked, as he lingered.

"I can't sleep in that bed."

He heavily leaned against the wall and looked like the scared boy from over ten years ago. Adrift in a career that was threatening to overtake him. But this time, it wasn't the success threatening to sink him; it was loneliness.

I didn't know what else to do, so I offered what I could. "Do you want to stay with me tonight?"

He didn't answer, but he again let me take his hand and lead him to my room.

There was an intimacy in our friendship that was unmatched by the intimacy of passion. Passion is alluring, flashy, and lustful. But the closeness of friendship can keep a heart from stopping and lungs from giving up. As Billy slumped to the bed, his eyes lingered on me while I crouched before him to untie his shoelaces. One after another, his shoes came off, followed by his socks. I stood before him again and didn't stop my hand from cupping his face. He looked like a young boy, lost and lonely. He let his cheek press further into my hand and lifted his own to cover it.

After a moment, I dropped my touch and tugged on his shirt. He lifted his arms so I could pull it off him. Then I set the pillows for him as he laid back. I paused for a moment, remembering for a fleeting moment what it was like to be in love with the broken man before me, and then reached for his belt buckle. There was no sexual charge between us. I unhooked the belt and then his pants' button before helping him out of them, leaving him in boxers.

After setting his clothes aside, I slid next to him and pulled on the surrounding covers. He pulled me to his chest like a child clinging to a stuffed toy and kissed the top of my head.

"Thank you, Lil," And then he was asleep.