Threshold

It's been ten years since Jane and Billy have spoken. Graduation day was supposed to be the start of their new lives outside of Whitemarsh. Not the start of their new lives where they don't speak.

Notes:

A/N: Since it's been ten years that we got to see the last episode of Jane by Design, I decided to write a little one-shot.

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Chapter Text

“Why am I here?”

She stared at the sign of her old high school gym and sighed. “How could you lead me astray?” She all but yelled at her feet before looking at the lights flashing in the gym. It had been ten years since she graduated from these halls, ten years since she left her crazy double life behind.

“Jane?”

Jane Quimby turned around at the voice. There stood the handsome, buff as ever Nick Fadden. “Nick Fadden? You haven’t changed a bit.” She replied with a relieved smile.

Nick returned her smile with his gorgeous grin and nodded. “Yeah, I was just about to say the same thing about you. How are you doing, I hear you’re some star designer now?” He replied as he walked up to where she stood frozen in her tracks.

Jane chuckled and shook her head. “I’ve only had one design that went over well, I wouldn’t call that some star designer. But I’m doing alright. How about you? I heard you’re making your way back into baseball, Mr. soon-to-be major leaguer.” She replied, elbowing him in the arm.

He rubbed the back of his neck and shrugged. “I’m just happy I can continue to play after my injury in high school. I think I’ve honestly just got lucky and have been doing lots of therapy. Nothing big. So, what are you doing out here instead of going inside? You are here for the reunion, right?”

Jane’s face fell and she turned once again to stare at the gym doors. Music could be heard pumping inside and Jane was relieved for this as she was sure Nick could probably hear the beating of her heart. “I haven’t decided honestly.” She said quietly which earned her a concerned look from Nick.

“Why did you come here if you weren’t going in?” He asked, narrowing his eyes in a questioning way.

Jane shrugged. “Habit? Honestly, I was just going for a walk. I didn’t even know the reunion was going on this weekend until I got here. I came into town for Ben and Rita’s anniversary party. That’s when they told me that the reunion was going on. I’ve been so busy lately that I didn’t even notice that it’s been ten years since we all graduated. When they told me, I had to get some air, and my treacherous legs brought me here.” She rambled and ran a hand through her now longer curly hair. “I’m honestly not even dressed for a reunion, let alone a dance apparently. I should probably just go.” She said turning away yet again and started walking away. That was until Nick’s hand thrust out and grabbed her wrist.

“What’s really going on Jane? You know you look beautiful and you’re always dressed for any occasion honestly.” Nick said and took in her appearance more for the first time since he had been there. She was dressed in a very classy, yet subtly sexy, little black dress with black tights and red high heels. She looked immaculate, probably better than any women in the gym currently, which wouldn’t surprise him as she had always dressed better than the other women he had been around.

Jane seemed to relax a little, but he could tell that she was very tense about something right now.

“He’s in there. I know it. I can’t see him.” She said so quietly that she wouldn’t be surprised if Nick had not heard her.

“Who?”

But of course he had heard her and her head dropped. “Billy.”

Nick closed his eyes in understanding and nodded. “Still haven’t talked with him?”

Jane turned around, her eyes stinging and she could tell she would probably have a few tears drop. They had not spoken for the last ten years. It had been the worst time of her life. Ever since graduation day, she had not been able to contact him at all. After seeing him leave with that awful look of resentment, she couldn’t get the courage to say anything to him. And she had tried so many times. From the countless dials and redials of his number, to writing emails and deleting them, to texts of I’m sorry, to so many times of walking to his door and never knocking when she was in town. She still could not get enough courage to reach out.

“No. We have not talked or seen each other since Graduation.” She said flatly and felt a tear fall. “I still can’t believe I’m here.” She said, wiping the tears away and chuckling a little.

Nick nodded. “I can. The Jane I know would never feel right knowing that Billy Nutter was in the same town as her and he was angry with her. Honestly the Jane I know would’ve never let it go this long.”

“I tried for a while, Nick. The first year I would constantly call him, only to get voicemail. I would go knock on his door to have it shut in my face, and I would send texts or emails to never have them returned. Sure, he was golfing, but it doesn’t take that long to reply somewhere you know? Then as time went on, I figured he really did just want some space, and so I gave it to him, who knew that space would be ten years. They’ve been a terrible ten years without my best friend by my side.” She said not looking at the kind, sympathetic eyes of Nick Fadden. “I constantly am on the threshold of taking a leap and staying where I am safe. I don’t think I can make myself go in.”

“Do you want to go in though?” He asked.

“I do. I want to get back to myself again. I want some kind of closure. I can’t go on wondering why we haven’t spoken.”

“Then go in with me.” He extended his elbow for her to take. She hesitated for quite a while before slowly raising her hand and placed it on the crook his elbow made. She took a big breath and nodded. “Let’s go, Fadden.” She said, staring straight at the gym door. He slowly led her to the door and opened it for her. Once inside, he could once again feel the tension in her body, it was there even more so now.

“Are you ready?” He asked and all he received was a curt nod and they headed to the check in table before getting their name tags and walking on the gym floor. Inside there were groups of people all over the place. Some were dancing, but most people were sitting at the tables spread throughout the gym talking and laughing about the good ole’ days. Nick was busy scanning the floor for the guy in question when his eyes turned toward Jane and noticed her eyes were locked. He followed her gaze, and sure enough Billy Nutter was standing by the refreshment table surrounded by some of the women that they went to school with. Including Lulu Pope.

As soon as they walked onto the floor, her eyes found him. He was unmistakable. He was the same. His sandy blonde hair was styled in a messy fashionable kind of way, but long gone was the faux hawk and chains. Instead he was in a clean navy suit with a white shirt open at the neck with no tie. Although it wasn’t what she was used to seeing him, it was him. The rebellious side he had was shown with no tie and opened shirt. What displeased her was seeing him surrounded by so many women, especially Lulu Pope. Jane was hoping she really didn’t have to see her tonight.

She wasn’t sure how long she and Nick stood there, but it was long enough for most eyes to have gravitated toward them, including his. Nick said something that she didn’t register and suddenly she was being led away from him. Which broke her staring at him. She turned to Nick with raised eyebrows and Nick chuckled. “I said, maybe we should move, we’re attracting a lot of attention.” Jane nodded and let him lead them to a semi empty table. She sat down and sighed. Just that amount of eye contact from Billy made her legs wobbly. She really wasn’t used to feeling so tense all the time.

“Do you want a drink?” Jane nodded and Nick went off to fetch something to drink. She pulled out her phone and stared at the text from her brother until finally replying that she would not be returning for a bit as she was at her reunion. She then replied to a few work emails while she was waiting. After what seemed like forever, a drink was placed in front of her.

She thanked him and took a drink. It took a moment to realize he hadn’t said anything and she looked up to find Billy Nutter sitting in Nick’s seat. “Hi Janey.”

Jane was so surprised that she spit what was left of her drink in her mouth out and all over herself. She grabbed napkins instantly and started dabbing away at the spots on her dress and wiped her mouth. She noticed that he was also helping clean up, but avoided any contact with her, and mostly cleaned the floor around her.

“Hi Billy.” She said quietly and looked up to see an amused look on his face.

“It’s been awhile.” He replied and she nodded. “Yeah, how have you been?” She asked and wished she could get over what awkwardness she felt right now.

He shrugged. “I’ve been alright. You?”

“Yeah…alright.” She said quietly and couldn’t bring herself to look in his eyes.

“How’s Ben and Rita?”

“They’re good. Celebrating five years married now.”

“Yeah, I heard they finally tied the knot a while back.”

“Yeah after a four year engagement it was about time.” She said and let out a small breath. She didn’t know what else to say. What do you say to your best friend of your whole life and someone you hadn’t talked to for ten years?

“I also heard you were doing pretty good with your designs.” He said and she could tell he was feeling awkward as well.

“Yeah, doing alright. And I heard about your big win at the U.S Open this year. That’s got to be exciting.”

He nodded and scratched his neck. “Yeah…It was cool.”

“What are we doing here Billy?” Jane finally asked after minutes of awkward silences and awkward small talk.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean what are we doing here? We haven't talked in ten years, and now we’re having the most awkward small talk ever, as if we barely knew each other and are just acquaintances from high school.”

“I’m not expecting anything from you Billy. However, it seems like you really didn’t want to come talk to me. Especially considering how much I reached out with nothing in return. Why did you even come over here?”

Billy’s eyes flashed in irritation for a second before returning to the calm that he usually had in his eyes. “I came over here to see and talk to an old friend. To someone I have missed talking to and being around. To Jane Quimby who I have always considered to be my best friend.” He said, looking at her seriously.

“You missed me?”

Billy chuckled and nodded. “Of course I have Janey.”

“Then why didn’t you ever return any form of contact?”

Billy sighed and rubbed his neck. “I think this conversation is better when I don’t have to yell to talk to you.” He replied and pointed to the doors. Jane followed his finger and nodded. They got up and made their way outside the gym. When they were out in the fresh evening air Billy took a stretch and sighed. “Finally free of that god awful pop music.”

Jane chuckled and wrapped her arms around her stomach. Although it was early July, it was still fairly chilly when the sun went down and because she wasn’t expecting to come here she hadn’t brought a jacket. “Okay, so why didn’t you reply?”

“Honestly?” He said, shrugging off his jacket and draping it over her shoulders. He knew she was cold. He knew all her tells from their time of being such good friends.

“That would be nice.”

“It was awkward after such a long time. The first year after high school I was wrapped up in Zoe and was still pretty angry at you. Then everything just stopped from you. I never heard anything about you or from you after that first year. So, to me the longer it went on, it got more awkward. Then I could bring myself to call or text you. I didn’t know what to say, so, I pathetically just didn’t.” He said and Jane could hear the sadness in his voice.

Jane still wasn’t very satisfied with his answer, but at the same time she could understand him. She had done the same all those years and felt awkward when she wanted to contact him, and just didn’t. Maybe it was all just a misunderstanding. Maybe they could get past all this and be friends again. “I missed you too.” She said and pulled his jacket on.

Billy nodded. “Sorry for not contacting you.” He said quietly and Jane shook her head. “It’s okay. I didn’t contact you either. I mean it’s been ten years, if we can’t forgive each other for something as trivial as that then could we even consider ourselves friends?”

“I mean, true.” He replied and chuckled a bit.

“So, how’s Zoe?” She asked cautiously and Billy stopped walking. Jane turned to him and bit her lip. “Zoe? I have no idea. Haven’t seen her since she ran off with some rando four years back.” He replied darkly and Jane’s face fell.

“I’m sorry Billy.”

Billy shook his head and resumed walking. “It hurt at the time, but I’m better off. We weren’t really a couple for the last two years anyway, more like roommates. Which is why when she ran off, I wasn’t really surprised. Just pissed she didn’t have the courage to talk to me. I was getting busy with the PGA at the time, so I just focused on my game.”

Jane nodded listening to him and smiled at his last sentence. “I still can’t believe you’re a professional golfer. I mean I knew you were good, but I just never expected you to go down that path.” She said proudly.

Billy grinned and turned to her. “It was because of you that I followed my dream.”

“Me!?” She gasped out, trying to find how she could have anything to do with it.

“You inspired me. After watching you go for your dream job in high school, I figured it was about time to follow my own. Especially when I didn’t have you around, I found myself with a lot of free time, and I filled it up with Golf. When I wasn’t at college, I was golfing. It was when I was playing in an amateur tournament at Oak Hill in New York where I was discovered by my coach. Since then, it’s been a world wind. Dropped out of college and am now focusing on golf full-time.”

“That’s amazing Billy. I’m so happy for you.” She said smiling. “Now I can tell people I know the winner of this year’s US Open.”

Billy grinned and nodded. “Yeah, that was insane. Still can’t believe it, even though the trophy sits on my living room shelf in plain sight everyday. It’s crazy Janey.”

Jane’s breath caught in her throat and she tried not to show it. He still was the only person to call her that, and hearing it again just reminded her of all the good times they had. She had a hard time getting her voice back to normal when she asked the next question. “So, did you come here with Lulu Pope? I saw you were with her earlier.” She asked and instantly regretted asking it due to the stiffness that showed in his body now.

Billy shook his head. “No, Lulu was asking me if I could introduce them to Tiger Woods when you walked in. As were the rest of the girls around me. Totally annoying. That’s all I get asked anymore. I don’t even know him.” He said, chuckling a little.

Jane grinned alongside him, but she could tell that he wasn’t back to his normal self. Something about her question had really put him on edge.

“What about you and Nick?”

Jane stumbled and turned to him with surprise. “What about me and Nick?”

“Are you two…you know….like together?”

“Oh, Oh God no. We just happened to meet each other outside the gym, and he walked me in since I was having a difficult time walking across the threshold.” She said and turned away from him.

“Why did you have a difficult time?”

Jane sighed. “Oh I don’t know…probably because I knew you would be in there, and because I didn’t even know about the reunion until I got into town, so I really didn’t feel comfortable walking into the gym to a reunion where a bunch of people hated me.” She was a little irritated at her word vomit, but she couldn’t help it around Billy, he always made her comfortable enough to talk about anything, even if it was embarrassing, and after ten years, it was embarrassing to talk to him about this.

“Who hates you?”

Jane scoffs and motions back to the gym. “Pretty much everybody in there. Luly definitely, you, and to the other people I’m perfectly invisible.”

“I don’t hate you Janey.”

Jane sighs. “Well, I didn’t know how you felt about me since I haven’t talked to you for ten years. And, I was extremely nervous with how tonight was going to go, and I didn’t feel like it was going to go very well. So, I was not expecting this reaction."

"Janey, it was ten years ago! I don't even really remember what the fight was about or what made me so angry. I told you I've tried to contact you in the past, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I've never once hated you. I could never hate you."

Jane smiled and nodded. She was glad he didn't remember. She wished she could forget.

***

"Happy Graduation day Janey!"

Jane whipped around at his voice and ran into his outstretched arms. It had been a crazy year of ups and downs for her and Billy, and the fact that he was now here waiting for her on their graduation day meant everything to her. Even if that meant that she had to share it with Zoe. Nothing could ruin her day with Billy. They had been looking forward to it their whole lives.

"Happy Graduation day Billy!" She said as she jumped up and down in his arms and he started laughing.

"Ready to go?"

"Yep! Just need to grab my bag. Ben will meet us there. He had to go pick up Rita."

Billy nodded as he watched his best friend scrambled around the house picking up stuff here and there before finally putting it all in a bag and smiled. "Now are you ready?" He asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Jane shrugged and took one last look around. "I think so! Let's go!" She said, running past him but grabbing his arm and pulling him along.

They got in the car and drove to the school. Once there, Jane and Billy put on their cap and gown and walked up to the gym where they would be gathering before the actual ceremony. There they found the people that had impacted the last few years of their lives; Lulu, Nick and the girl currently walking toward them, Zoe.

Part of the reason why Billy and Jane had such an up and down year was in part because of said girl. She was constantly getting in between them because Zoe and Jane were not friends and it was obvious. Billy was always caught in the middle and at times he would get irritated by it and would get in an argument with both. Usually it would be Jane who would get the short end of the stick.

That was until one day Jane was complaining to Rita and Ben about it, and Rita gave her some advice that she actually took. Rita told her that Billy would do anything for her, as she would do for him, but as his best friend shouldn't she want him to be happy? Which, of course, Jane wanted that more than anything. So she did what she could to make sure Billy stayed happy. Including playing nice with Zoe.

Billy smiled at his girlfriend and gave her a kiss as a hello. Jane nodded to her and said hello, which was ignored but she didn’t really care. It was the attempt that counted. They lined up for the ceremony and all walked together. Since Billy chose to walk with Zoe, Jane had to walk with some random guy that she barely knew, but at least she got to walk in and out with Billy.

Sitting through the ceremony all Jane could think of was how Billy and her were going to be splitting up for the first time in their lives. She would be going to Parsons and he would be staying around here for community college and to play golf. They both promised to keep in touch with each other, but Jane couldn’t help but wonder if they really were going to keep that promise. To be fair neither had broken a promise made to each other, but it was still there in the back of her mind that they could potentially get too busy. Plus with Zoe sticking around, Jane was sure that Billy would be too busy for her.

She realized then that she needed Billy, she would do anything to keep him in her life. She had already realized her feelings for him long ago, and since then hadn’t dated anyone. She honestly thought he had feelings for her as well, but nothing ever worked out with them. They were like two trains running head first into each other, but then veering onto other tracks every time they seemed to be getting too close. It was frustrating for her, but she knew the only thing she could do was tell him her feelings, and with him being with Zoe, she would never do that. It was one of the biggest secrets she had ever kept from him, and every day it ate her up inside.

The ceremony went rather quickly, even when Jane stood up to give her co-Valedictorian speech, she kept it short and sweet, and of course Lulu didn’t. By the end of it, everyone was ready to leave the graduation. Afterwards, Jane was hugged by Rita and Ben and they were soon going to be heading out for Jane’s dinner celebration. They were just waiting for Billy to be finished with what he was doing.

“Janey!”

“Ah, there you are, are you ready to go?” Jane asked as Billy walked up to her but stopped short when she asked the question. “Uh, listen about that…Zoe had to move up her party for tonight due to some family leaving early tomorrow, so…she kind of wants me there.” He said quietly and Jane’s mood fell quicker than it ever had in her entire life.

“Billy, can I talk to you in private please?” She asked and they walked away from anyone in ear shot, which left them under a flight of stairs in a small cubby where no one could see them.

“Are you seriously going to blow off the dinner celebration that we moved around for you so you could attend Zoe’s party?”

“Janey, don’t be like that. I didn’t know anything until just a few seconds ago, and I already feel terrible about asking you to go to her party. But, Zoe really wants me there, and what else am I supposed to do?”

“Maybe go after the dinner like we planned on in the first place?” Jane said, putting her hands on her hips. She knew she must sound pathetic right now, but she couldn’t help it, she was upset as they had already moved things around once for him.

Billy sighed and put his head down to where his chin met his chest and then brought his head back up to look at his best friend. “But, she wants me to meet her family, and they’ll be driving back home tonight, so they can only be there for a little bit. Please, don’t make this hard on me. I know you don’t like Zoe, but let’s not make this about that.”

Jane scoffed and shook her head. “This is not about that, and I do like Zoe, for the most part.” She said the last bit under her breath. “This is about our last night as high schoolers and celebrating that. It was also supposed to be a celebration for you, Rita and Ben got you a cake and presents because they wanted to celebrate us both! Now, suddenly you can’t come?” Jane could feel herself getting irrationally angry, and knew that she looked really petty right now, but she couldn’t help it. She took a deep breath and shrugged. “You know what, forget it. Go to the party at Zoe’s. It’s fine. We’ll do it tomorrow or something.” Which has become a habit for her now, every time she had something planned for Billy, Zoe would come up with some reason for him to spend time with her instead. So, in order to keep her friend, Jane would constantly bend over backwards to keep him.

“Thank you Janey.” He said and kissed her forehead. He had become a little more affectionate toward her lately, and it really was hard for her. “We’ll see you there later right?” He added as he pulled away.

“I don’t think so Billy.”

He stopped pulling away from her and his hands lingered on her shoulders. “Why not?”

“I’m not really in the mood to celebrate.” She said honestly.

Billy sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Come on Janey. I want you there.”

Jane sighed and nodded. “Yeah you’re the only one. I think I’m just gonna spend the night with Ben and Rita until the party at Nick’s. See you later tonight.” She said and broke from his grasp before starting to make her way out. She was quickly grabbed and pulled back to the wall behind her and Billy cut her escape off by putting both hands next to her head. “Oh no, you don’t get to get away that easily. What is up with you Janey? All because I have to go to Zoe’s now you don’t want to spend any time with me today?”

“She’s my girlfriend Janey, besides you, she’s the only other person that is important to me. I’m not taking advantage of you, I thought you were cool with everything. I know you don’t particularly like her, but I also know that you were doing everything in your power to be nice, don’t think I haven’t noticed.” He said clearly trying not to get angry also. “I just…I don’t know, I just thought you understood. I’m trying to keep you both happy. I don’t want to be put in the middle of your little squabbles anymore Janey. You were just the easier person to deal with, because Zoe gets so angry if I decide to do something with you. You, you just let it go, so I guess…maybe I did take a little advantage of you. I’m sorry.” He replied

Jane shook her head and tried to not think about how close Billy was to her. She had been in positions like this before, but never with someone she had feelings with as much as him. “I’m not trying to put you in the middle. I’m just sick of getting the short end of the stick in this friendship. Billy, I have said this before, but I can’t do life without you. I think that’s obvious with how much I relied on you to help me with my job and this crazy double life. But at some point I think you’re going to have to think about what you really want. I know what I want. I know who I want to be by my side for the rest of my life. I’ve always known, but it won’t be me that makes you choose. I will be here for as long as you want me to be, but not like this. Not as we are now. I can’t do that to myself.”

“What do you mean I have to think about what I want?”

“I think you know Billy.”

Billy straightened and narrowed his eyes at her. She could tell he was trying to think about what her statement could mean. She could see the varying emotion on his face as he thought through it, and finally realization dawned on him. “Janey…is there something you aren’t telling me?”

Jane bit down on the inside of her cheek and shook her head. “No.”

“Then why do I have to think about what I really want?” He asked again slowly and Jane continued to bite down on her cheek, trying hard not to say anything.

“Because I don’t think you know what you really want. I think you’re scared of what you really want.”

Billy raised an eyebrow. “Oh really, and what is it that I want that I’m so scared of?”

“Me.”

Billy seemed to freeze for what seemed like forever before he finally had some kind of reaction. At first it was his eyes widening, then it was them narrowing, then it was his mouth opened and closed over and over before he finally just stared. “You?”

“Am I wrong? Have you never had feelings for me?”

Billy stepped back and shook his head. “Why are you doing this, Janey?”

“Because I need to know. I need to know if I’m right. I feel it sometimes, or at least I think I feel it.”

“No.”

“No?” Jane asked, looking up to him with her big eyes.

“No.” Billy repeated simply but he couldn’t look her in the eyes.

Jane tried to get him to look at her but he was avoiding her eyes. “Billy, I know you. I know you’re lying to me.”

“Jane, this really isn’t an appropriate time to talk about any of this.” He said as his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw it was a call from Zoe. “Hello? Yeah, I’ll be right there. Just talking to Janey. Yep, bye.”

Jane slumped back against the wall and nodded. “Guess you better go.”

“Yeah, I guess I better. I’ll talk to you later, Janey. We’re not done.” He said starting to turn away.

What Jane did next still haunts her ten years later. Her body moved on her own and she reached out and grabbed his wrist, much like he had done a few minutes before. He stopped, and looked at her wrist, but that didn’t stop her, for some reason she pulled him back into her and grabbed onto him. “Please don’t go.” She said quietly holding on to him with her head on his chest. She felt it when he sighed and she knew what he was going to say. “I have to Janey. You know this.”

Jane nodded, but still wouldn’t let him leave. She held on for as long as she could without him getting irritated with her. “I like you Billy. Not just as my best friend. As more. I think I always have, and I’m sure you know it.” She whispered.

Billy closed his eyes at her words and took a deep breath before breaking the embrace. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that. Because I know my best friend wouldn’t be that unfair to me. Because I know Jane. I know how you feel about me, but I know that as long as I’m happy you won’t act on it. Because I know you. I’m happy, Janey, you know this. But what you’re doing right now…It’s unfair to me.” He said quietly but with enough force that Jane knew he was very serious.

Yet, she couldn’t stop herself. She had to get this off her chest. “I know you’re happy, Billy, but I need you to know. I can’t help but feel that when I go off to Parsons, we will never be the same. I have this growing dread that our relationship will change, and I don’t want that.”

“I don’t plan on changing anything Janey, I still am your best friend. I always will be.”

“But, I’ll be gone and you’ll be with Zoe all the time. I feel like I don’t fit into your life anymore.”

“Of course you do, you always will. I will always make time for you. Try to bring down your jealousy of Zoe a bit, and I bet you would be friends too.”

“Billy, I don’t like Zoe, I never will. Not because I’m jealous of her, but because of how she treats me when you’re not around. But that’s not what this is about. This is about us, Billy. You and I. I didn’t want to ever do this to you, but I have to get this off my chest before I explode.”

“Great, I’m glad you got it off your chest, but you’re being so incredibly selfish right now. You don’t even realize how unfair and selfish you’re being.”

“Me? Selfish? Billy, I have been sacrificing everything in our friendship since you got with her.”

“You’re the only one who has sacrificed? Do you even know how many times I left her so that I could help you with your job? Do you even know how many nights I had to suffer while Zoe yelled at me for helping you? No, you have no idea. And I never told you because I didn’t want to make you feel bad. Because I didn’t want to lose you. Because I didn’t want to have to choose between the two most important people in my life. And sure, that might be a little selfish, but I couldn’t lose either of you. I would never make you choose, and now you’re doing the exact thing I’ve been trying to avoid.” He said and Jane could tell he was getting angrier the more he spoke, but she kept pushing.

“I’m not making you choose, I will still be your friend no matter what, and I will continue being civil with Zoe for you, but I had to let you know. I needed you to know how I feel about you.”

“No, you don’t need to let me know. I already know Jane. Hell, you already know how I felt about you at one point, because we know each other. But, what is that going to change now that you spoke the words? Nothing. It changes nothing. I’m still with Zoe, and you’re still leaving for Parsons. There was no need to say it.” He started to really feel angry. The last thing he wanted to do was have a fight with his best friend on his graduation day.

“It could change everything! If you would just take a leap with me.”

“Stop, Jane. It doesn’t change anyth…” He was cut off by her lips on his. It was an urgent, desperate kiss from her, and before his mind could really register what had happened, he was kissing her back. He couldn’t help it. To deny that he had dreamed about kissing his best friend would be an understatement.

However, it did not take long for his mind to catch up with his body and he pushed her away. The look he gave her could kill. “I can’t do this Jane…I…I…I need some space.” He said and all but ran from the room.

***

Ten years later Jane could still remember every detail of that day, every word, every touch, every look. How could he not remember that? Was she forgettable to him?

“You really don’t remember?” She asked disappointedly.

Billy shook his head. “I mean kind of, but not really. Besides, it doesn't really matter anymore. It’s been so long. I just want to forget that happened and the fact that I haven’t spoken to you in ten years. I missed you Janey, and that’s all I want to remember.” He said, looking at her seriously.

Jane took his words in and nodded. “So, you’re going to forgive me when I kissed you and told you my feelings for you when you had a serious girlfriend?” She prodded.

He crossed his arms over his neck and sighed. “Oh, yeah, that’s what happened. Of course I will forgive you. I was a dumb hormonal teenager. I can forgive you for wanting me to know. I get it, now. But back then everything was blown out of proportion you know?”

Jane nodded. “Yeah, I know. Everything is more dramatic when you’re a teenager.” She said, biting her lower lip.

Billy nodded and started walking again. "So, how is life as a big New York fashion designer?"

Jane chuckled a bit and shrugged. "It's stressful. I love it, but recently I've been really struggling with finding new inspiration lately. All my designs look the same."

"Well that's not like you."

Jane nodded. "Yeah, Jeremy and Gray say it happens to everyone, but it still sucks. I don't want to lose my job because I'm in a funk."

"You won't lose your job, Jane. Like you said everyone goes through it. If that was the case, Gray and Jeremy wouldn't be in their positions."

Jane chuckled. "Yeah, I suppose you're right. Thanks."

"Anytime."

"How's life as a professional golfer?"

Billy ran a hand through his hair and shrugged. "Pretty much how I thought it would be, great when it's great, and bad when it's bad. You know?"

Jane grinned and nodded.

"Golf is such a mental game. If you get down on yourself, you're ruined. But when you're feeling good and your mind is good, your game is great. It's also such an individual game. You're literally competing against yourself. I love it." He said with a small smile, but Jane could tell he was holding that smile back.

"I noticed you're no longer wearing converse when you golf."

Billy laughed. "Of course you would notice what I was wearing. Yeah, well golf spikes aren't made for converse. Although that would be pretty cool if that ever happened. I wear them when I'm not training, and just playing for fun. Which is not very often anymore."

"Have you ever contacted converse about custom golf shoes?"

"Converse doesn't make golf shoes, and I doubt they would just because I asked."

"Well, you never know until you try."

"True. Wait, you've been watching the tournaments? You used to hate watching them with me."

Jane felt her cheeks flush in embarrassment. "Well, you weren't a part of them back then, and golf is boring to me. But, it was the only way to see you. I've watched every tournament you were in on TV, and when they weren't televised, I would keep tabs on how you were doing." She said, shrugging hoping that he didn't think it was stalker-like.

"Every one?" He asked, stopping in his tracks.

Jane nodded. "Yep. Every one. Is that weird?"

Billy shook his head. "No, just surprising."

"How so?" She asked stopping and turning when she realized he had stopped.

"Because of everything. It's surprising you kept tabs on me, even after I didn't talk to you."

Jane pulled his jacket tighter around her and looked down at her feet. "I am proud of you. You went after your dreams and although we weren't the friends we used to be, I still considered you my best friend. So, I supported you in ways that I could. I don't know if you knew this, but that shirt you wore in your first tournament, the one that Ben gave you… That was me. It was the first time I ever created golf attire, but I was happy to see you wear it for your first round as a pro."

Billy took a step toward her. "You know, I kind of had a feeling that it was you. Which is why I wore it. It's still one of my favorite shirts. If you ever want to make more, I would love that." He said genuinely happy.

Jane looked up at him and she noticed they were a lot closer than they had been all night. "I think I could manage that. Because what you have been wearing has been terrible."

Billy chuckled and nodded. "Yeah, I agree, my stylist doesn't think so."

"Oh, right, Mr. Big Pro Golfer has a stylist now. I think you should fire them." Jane said, laughing lightly.

Billy shrugged. "Maybe so." He said taking another step forward. At this point the tips of their shoes were touching and Jane couldn't help but feel a little weak in her knees at the closeness. She hadn't been this close to anyone since their fight ten years ago.

"So…" She said as the silence between them started to get slightly uncomfortable.

"Yes?"

"John Hughes and Thai food?"

Billy laughed and looked at his watch. "I don't think Rita and Ben would be happy with us having an all night movie fest like we used to. You know they aren't as young as they used to be."

Jane laughed and nodded. "Very true. There's always your place."

"My hotel? Mom let the apartment go and left town a long time ago."

"Oh, I didn't know. But yeah, your hotel room would work, as long as you're game. I just have to stop by my house and change, and grab the movies."

Billy swallowed and nodded. "Yeah, sure, why not? I'll drive you."

About an hour later, they arrived at his hotel room. Jane had changed into something more comfortable, and she was currently sitting on the bed while Billy was changing in the walk-in closet. He came out pulling his shirt over his head, and Jane was able to get a glimpse of his abs. All Jane could think is that golf really did her friend some good. Billy picked up his phone and asked her what she wanted. She told him that she wanted some Pad Thai and he ordered it for her.

He flipped on the TV and through the movies. “If you’re going to make me sit through these movies again, then we’re starting with my favorite.” He said putting it in the dvd player and sat down on the bed next to her.

“Let me guess, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off?”

Billy put his finger up to his nose and tapped it three times. “That is correct. Now let us watch, it has been a long time since I have seen this movie.”

Their food came shortly after ordering it, and Billy pulled a couple of beers from the mini fridge. They ate in silence while watching the movie and it was about halfway through the film before Jane spoke again. “I’m sorry Billy.”

Billy turned to her with furrowed brows. “About what?”

“About our fight ten years ago. About kissing you, and being unfair to you.”

Billy grinned and shrugged. “It’s really okay Janey, I told you I forgave you a long time ago. I get it. You needed to get it out, and felt like that was your last chance. It’s really okay. I was being unfair to you also, and I apologize as well. Can we move past this now? I missed you.”

Jane grinned and turned on her side to face him. “I missed you too.”

Billy grinned and turned over to face her as well. A strand of hair had fallen into her face, and Billy pushed it aside and back behind her ear. He lingered there for longer than he probably should have, but he doubted that Jane would think anything of it.

“Billy?”

“Yes, Jane?”

“Do you have a pen?”

Billy chuckled and nodded as he turned around and opened the bed-side drawer and gave her the pen inside. She in turn, jumped up and pulled out a sketch book in her purse, quickly drawing a rough sketch. “Had a sudden idea did you?”

Jane nodded. “Yeah, just give me a second.” She continued to draw and Billy walked over to the table to look over her shoulder. She was drawing a dress, the details looked rough, as it was a very quick rough draft, but she was writing notes about what details she wanted and what she was planning so she could finish it later. Billy grinned as he watched her work, he had gotten used to it over the years, and this was no different.

He sat down on the edge of the bed and rested his elbows on his knees, and his head on his fists. He watched her as she drew, the way her hand moved quickly all around the page, to the way her legs were pulled up in the chair and up to her face where her eyebrows were furrowed in concentration and her lips pursed. This was a very normal position he would find her in all those years ago, that or in her room at her sewing machine. Jane had always had amazing concentration when she was thinking of new designs.

Jane could feel him staring at her, and for some reason it was not as easy to ignore as it used to be. Her eyes shifted toward him and his eyes were so intense that she looked away just as quickly. She quickly wrote one last note and then put the pen down and turned toward him. Her eyebrows went up in question and Billy continued to stare.

“Sorry, was I bothering you?” He asked after a moment of silence.

Jane shook her head. “Not necessarily bothering me, just it’s been awhile since someone watched me while I am drawing. Guess I’m a little out of practice ignoring it.” She said, chuckling.

Billy nodded. “Others have watched you draw?”

Jane shook her head. “Just you and Ben.”

“Only me and Ben? Then, you are really out of practice.”

Jane nodded slowly and pushed the chair out a bit but continued to hold her legs to her chest. “You could say that.”

Billy sat back on the bed with his arms holding him up. He turned his head to the side as he studied her. “But at least you seemed to get out of your funk. You said you haven’t been able to design anything lately. Looks like you’re doing just fine to me.”

Jane took in his words and looked down at the dress she had quickly sketched. “Yeah, I haven’t been able to do that for months.” She said dating the sketch as she had become accustomed to doing.

"So none of your boyfriends watched you work?" Billy asked quietly.

Jane scoffed. "What boyfriends?"

"No boyfriends then... Girlfriends?"

"What? No! I'm straight Billy."

"Then you haven't had a boyfriend in awhile?"

Jane looked down at her hands. "Not since Eli, and you know how that ended."

"In ten years, you haven't had a boyfriend!?"

She shook her head slowly.

"Why not?"

Jane shrugged. "Haven't really found someone I truly liked. I mean there have been guys, but nothing that lasted more than a month."

"Wow…"

"Well what about you?"

"What about me?"

"Any girlfriend that watches you train or your tournaments?" Jane asked, rolling her eyes.

"Haven't had a girlfriend since Zoe and I broke up." He replied as he sat up and crossed his arms across his chest.

"Really?"

He nodded. "Yeah, haven't had the time, you know. I really started focusing on my game, and haven't really thought about it."

"No one since then?"

Billy shook his head. "Nope, none at all."

"Wow. That's surprising."

"Oh is it now?"

Jane nodded as she looked up to him. "Well yeah, I mean in high school, you were always with either Lulu or Zoe. It was rare when you were single. So, I guess I'm just surprised."

Billy shrugged. "Different time. I thought I needed someone to feel truly happy then. Now, I know that's not true. I'm happy now, because I found a way to be happy by myself. Being with someone I like would be an added bonus, you know?"

Jane looked at him impressed. "That was oddly profound for you Billy Nutter." She teased.

Billy chuckled and shrugged. "What can I say, I'm older and wiser now Janey." He said getting up and touched her shoulder before going to the mini fridge and pulling out two more beers. "Taking time and figuring out what I really want, it really gave me peace of mind."

"And staying single focusing on golf is what you really want?" Jane asked, taking the second beer from him and taking a swig. She was a little nervous talking about all this with him after so long.

Billy shook his head. "No, I mean yes to the focusing on golf, but no to the single part. I do want to be with someone, but the right someone you know?" He said and looked right at her before drinking more beer. He had almost downed the new bottle as he was also nervous with this situation. "I can take my time finding that person. I'm in no rush." He added laying back on the bed again and putting his hand behind his head.

Jane took in his words and nodded. "I think that's smart." She said standing up and laying down on the bed next to him once again.

Billy chuckled. "I know, you're the one who told me to figure out what I want."

Jane grinned. "I knew you remembered that fight."

Billy nodded and turned to her. "I remember everything you've said to me, Janey."

Jane turned to him with her eyebrows raised. The look he was giving her was so intense she had to look away. She cleared her throat and turned back to the TV.

The rest of the night went without accident and Jane hadn't had that much fun for a long time.

*****

Two months had passed and Jane and Billy had talked every night unless Billy was away for a tournament, and then Jane would pay attention to his tournaments like she had for the last ten years. She watched him on TV and loved the fact that he wore his shirt she had made for him on his first day.

Jane was having an abnormally annoying day at Donovan Decker. "Jane, pick up my phone, will you?" Gray had asked her at the morning meeting and Jane had to remind her once again that she was not her assistant anymore.

Carter had been asking her for tons of favors today, and she couldn't say no to him, but it was pushing her deadline back and back and she felt like she was failing today. Then Eli was poking at her annoyance all day as well.

To say she was elated when Billy showed up at the end of the day to surprise her was an understatement. “Billy!” She exclaimed and ran into his arms. He easily caught her and held her tight. “When did you get in? I thought you weren’t scheduled to be in until tomorrow?”

“I literally just got off the plane, and came straight here. I couldn’t think of anyone else I wanted to celebrate my win with, so I came here. Looks the same as in high school.” He said, looking around at the hustle and bustle of all the people inside.

“You won!? I was just about to look and see, but congrats! That’s so exciting.” She said, giving him another squeeze. “Yeah, you would think it would change a little, but Donovan doesn’t really like to change it up here very much I guess. He doesn’t mind changing the people though. The only people still here are me, Gray, Carter, and Eli.” She added.

Billy looked down at her as he let her down. “Ah, Eli is still here huh?”

Jane nodded and gave him a skeptical look. “Yes, he’s Gray’s nephew, I doubt he would be fired very easily.”

“Well, that’s true. What do you say to dinner? I’m starving.”

Jane nodded. “Sounds perfect, I just have to finish up something real quick, but then I’m good to go.” She said pulling him along to her office. They passed multiple people on the way including Eli, who came in behind them.

“Hey, Jane, can I get your help on this collab project? I’m having difficulty with what accessories to pair with the outfits.” He said and Billy noticed Eli eyed him oddly. They had never officially met, but after Eli had cheated on Jane with India, Billy didn’t like him.

“I’m sorry Eli, I’m going to be leaving really soon, got a date.” She said, giving a wink to Billy and he grinned.

“Billy…Oh! Aren’t you Jane’s complicated best friend?” Eli replied.

Billy raised an eyebrow and turned to Jane. “Complicated?”

Jane shook her head. “Oh, don’t worry about it. Anyway, I’m done, let’s get going.” She said, grabbing his hand and leading him out of there again.

“Jane, make sure to have those designs ready to go by Monday!” Gray yelled as they went past her office. “Will do!”

“Wow, sometimes I forget how busy this job kept you.” Billy said once they were outside again. Jane laughed. “You have no idea. This was a particularly bad day though. I’m so glad you’re back Billy. Where would you like to go to eat?”

Billy shrugged. “I don’t know, I figured a New Yorker like yourself could recommend some place.”

“I know just the place! There’s a great little Korean place around the corner from my apartment. You’ll love it.”

“Sounds great.”

They were sitting down in her apartment after grabbing their food to go and were eating on her couch in front of the TV. They were watching the replay of the final day of his tournament, which Billy thought was cringe, but Jane wanted to see it. “Oh please, I have watched every other day, it’s only right that I finish it. Plus now I know how it ends.” She said with a wink and he finally relented.

“Jane, I got to ask you something.”

“Of course, you can ask me anything.”

“What did Eli mean when he said ‘I’m your complicated best friend?’” He asked in air quotes and Jane rolled her eyes. “I don’t think he really meant anything by it. He used to call you that when we were dating back in high school. Guess he never really forgot it.”

“But why does he call me that?”

Jane sighed and turned to him. “Because whenever there was a complication in Eli and I’s relationship it usually had to do with you. Like when you had just got out of the detention center, I was having a hard time getting you to talk to me, and Eli and I had just started getting close. Then when he thought I was keeping things from you, he thought it had to do with you. Which, it kind of did because that was when I had started to realize my feelings toward you, so he just started calling you my complicated best friend.” She shrugged.

“Feelings?” He asked with raised eyebrows.

“Well yeah, you knew how I felt about you back then cause I told you.”

“But you said feelings, not that you felt for me.”

“Did I? Oh, well you know what I meant.”

Billy narrowed his eyes. “Yeah…totally knew what you meant. However, why does he still call me that?”

Jane huffed and shrugged. “I don’t know Billy, Eli and I don’t really talk about anything but work any more, so he probably thinks we still have that dynamic.”

Billy put his hands up in a surrender pose. “Sorry, Janey. It's just weird, that's all.”

“Well what can I say? Eli is weird.”

“That’s not exactly what I meant, but yeah he’s weird. I don’t like the guy.”

“Well I don’t think he likes you either, so the feeling is mutual.”

“I don’t like him because he hurt you, I have never done anything to him, so it doesn’t make sense as to why he doesn’t like me.” Billy said, shaking his head.

“Well he didn’t like you from the moment I started talking about you. At least that’s the vibe I got off of him.”

“Yeah, that’s the vibe I got also when he grabbed my hand so tight, like he wanted to break my fingers. Which, if he had done that, I would be suing. I need my hands for my profession, you know.”

Jane chuckled and nodded. “No way! Do you need your hands to play golf? I never would have guessed that one.” She said sarcastically and Billy playfully pushed her, making her laugh even more.

“You ever notice how others always seem to think there is something going on with us? First Lulu, then Eli, then Zoe. It seems like our significant others always think that.” Jane said, after calming down and righting herself.

Billy nodded. “Well Zoe only thought that because Lulu put it into her head when we first started dating. But, yeah it does happen a lot.”

“Even one of the guys I saw about a year ago said it was weird how much I liked watching you play gold, when I don’t even like the support.”

“Well to be fair, you don’t like the sport and we weren’t the friends last year that we have been in the past. I can see how he thought it was weird.”

“True. That one was a bad example.” Jane chuckled and rubbed the back of her neck.

“I was running to help you alot back in the day. I can see now why people thought we were more than just friends.” Billy said after a few moments of silence.

“I was really appreciative of it back then. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” Jane said, putting her hand on his hand and giving it a tiny squeeze. “Thank you Billy, for all that you have ever done for me.”

“Any time Janey. So, I have to go to Georgia in a couple of days for the Tour Championship, but I was hoping we could spend some time together before then. Maybe I can stay here this weekend, you could show me around your favorite spots in the city. I mean if you aren’t too busy.” Billy said, rubbing his thumb over her fingers in his hand.

Jane focused on his thumb as she nodded. “Yeah, of course! That would be great.”

So, the weekend went on as they traipsed around New York. Jane took Billy to all her favorite shops, mostly thrift stores, and took him to her favorite places to eat. Jane was having so much fun, but could tell something was up with Billy. She had asked him many times over the weekend, but he would say nothing until finally Sunday night he said something.

“Okay, fine, there is something I’ve had on my mind the past few weeks, but I don’t know if it’s a good time to say anything.”

“Billy, you know you can tell me anything.”

“Yeah, I know Janey. I want to tell you, I do.”

“Then say it. Nothing you will say is going to upset me.”

Billy took a deep breath and looked down at her. She had just come out of a marathon shower and she was drying her hair with her towel when she asked him if something was the matter. He had promised himself that he would be more open with her this time around, but he was nervous to tell her what had been bothering him.

“It’s you, Janey.” He finally said and suddenly his nerves were endless.

“I know, I’m your best friend. You’ve said that to me before.” Jane said, slightly shaking her head. She wasn’t going to get her hopes up like the last time he had said that. She had spent months waiting to hear what he had meant when he said it last time, and she wasn’t going to wait to hear him say she was his best friend again and get shot down.

“No, I mean it’s you Janey, the person I’ve been waiting for.”

“Geez I know I took some time in the shower, but it couldn’t have been that long.” Jane replied, jokingly

Billy facepalmed and looked at her seriously. “Will you take this seriously. I’m trying to tell you that I like you, Jane Quimby.”

Jane stood there speechless for what seemed like forever. Her mouth slightly agape and frozen in place, Billy thought it was very cute, but he was too nervous to really care at the moment. “You like me?” She finally asked quietly.

Billy nodded. “Yes, I like you. As more than a friend. It’s you, Janey. It has always been you.”

She blinked a few times, her mind trying to register what he had said completely and she finally let out a breath before replying. “I…Are you sure?”

Billy chuckled slightly and nodded. “Yes, I’m very sure. These last few months have been some of the best of my life. Even though we haven’t been right next to each other, getting to talk to you in any way has made my life so much better. I started realizing I had feelings again for you a few weeks ago, and this weekend I’ve been struggling with not telling you.”

“Wait, feelings again?”

“Yeah, I had feelings for you back in high school. I was going to tell you when Jeremy showed up to take you somewhere after that fashion show.”

“You mean the last time you told me that it was me?” Jane asked, taking a step toward him.

“Yep, right before I was going away for a couple of months, and that’s when I realized I shouldn’t tell you as it wasn’t fair to you, and I thought you were with Jeremy.” Billy said itching the back of his head. It was more of a nervous tick he had picked up then it really itching.

“Billy, I don’t know what to say.” Jane said after a few minutes of trying to figure out what she wanted to say to him.

“It’s okay, I didn’t think you felt the same anymore, I just had to say it.” Billy said, bending down to pick up his bag from the floor. “I should probably get going anyway, my flight leaves in an hour.”

"Billy, wait…" Jane said, moving toward him.

Billy hesitated at the door and turned to her. "Yes?"

"I don’t want you to go.”

Billy nodded. “Yeah, well, weekend’s over Janey. Got to get back to the real world. It was a great weekend though. Guess I’ll see you after the Tour Championship.” He said walking out the door. Jane didn’t stop him. She was so stunned from everything that she couldn’t get herself to move.

It took her a moment to react. A moment to cross the threshold of her door. A moment behind him which gave him a huge lead. That one moment was the longest moment of Jane’s life.

It took her even longer to find him. He was hailing a cab and just getting in when she finally caught up to him. “Billy, wait!” She yelled just as his head was disappearing behind the yellow car door.

He popped up from hearing her voice and told the driver to give him a minute. She was running to him, “What is it, Janey?” He asked, but only just got it out as her lips were on his in an instant.

She threw her arms around his neck and stood on the tips of her toes to reach him. She felt his arms curve around her body once he recovered from the shock. She knew he wasn’t expecting her to kiss him, and she was happy to feel him respond. They continued to make out until they heard a honk from the cab driver. Jane, shocked, pulled away and could feel her cheeks turn red. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t let you get away again. I was just shocked.” Jane whispered.

Billy rested his forehead on hers and smiled. “I’m so glad you ran after me.” He said quietly and turned to the cab driver. “I’ll be right there. This is important.”

Jane chuckled and nodded. “Yes, but you have to go to Georgia. Your team wants you there in a few hours. You should probably get going. Don’t worry, we’ll talk.”

Billy nodded. “Yes, we will.” He said, kissing the top of her head. “Now, I really don’t want to go.” He sighed.

Jane smiled and gave him a little push. “Time to get back to reality Nutter. Go win the Tour Championship.” She said as he got in the car, and she bent down to give him one last kiss before closing the door. She waved as the cab took off.

****

Four days later Billy was standing on the 18th hole of the East Lake Golf Club and had a short putt to win. Easy right? Yeah, not so much. He was bent down behind the ball trying to read the line and all he could think of was returning to New York later that night to see Jane once again. They had talked, it went well, and they were now dating, but obviously they had not been in the same city since. All he wanted to do was make this putt and get on a plane to surprise her, as he wasn’t due back for another couple of days. He had canceled his plans in Georgia though the minute they were done on the phone.

He shook his head as he tried to focus on the line. He knew he was taking too long, but golf was all about focus, and he was somewhere else. Finally, he stood up and took his stance over the white ball. He glanced to the hole and back to the hole before he pulled his putter back and pushed it through to send the ball on the line that he read. It felt like an eternity as the white ball rolled and rolled. This one putt could cost him the championship if he missed it.

He looked up and saw big round eyes staring at him and his mouth grew into a wide smile. He knew he missed it only because of the crowd reaction. He broke away to see the ball just a mere inches from going in. He dropped his head and walked up to his ball and tapped it in. He picked it out of the hole and tipped his hat to the crowd as he stood at the edge of the green. His opponent tapped in the winning ball, and as soon as it was respectable to move, he ran to the girl with the big round eyes.

There she was, waiting at the edge of the roped off section. He ran up to her and pulled her into a kiss. “Hi Jane.” He whispered and he heard the collective gasp from the people around him.

“Surprise.” She said and smiled into their kiss. “I’m sorry you didn’t win.” She added.

Billy shook his head. “I did win. I got you.”

Jane rolled her eyes and smacked his shoulder. “I see that you have gotten cheesier in the last ten years.”

Billy chuckled and shrugged. “Can’t help it. Come on, let’s get out of here.” He said and pulled her under the rope and off the course.

****

Ten years later, Jane and Billy stood outside their high school gym. “Did we really have to come back here?” Jane said, taking a deep breath.

Billy nodded. “Of course we did Jane! We aren’t the outcasts anymore. We’re the people everyone wanted to see this weekend. So, let’s go!”

Jane rolled her eyes. “You are way too excited for this.”

Billy chuckled. “Oh come on Janey, if it weren’t for our high school reunions, we wouldn’t be married now. You wouldn’t be the youngest creative director of Donovan Decker, well actually that probably still would have happened, but we wouldn’t be married!”

Jane laughed and nodded. “That’s true. We would probably still not be talking.”

“Jane, Billy?”

The couple turned around to see Nick Fadden standing behind them with a smile.

“Well it’s about time you two.”

Jane and Billy both laughed and nodded. “We have a lot to catch up on Fadden.”

“Seems we do.”

******

Chapter 2: Billy POV

Notes:

I know this was a one-shot. It really was, and I was going to leave it at that... but one of my readers (you know who you are) asked me about Billy's POV, and it got me thinking. So HERE you go! Three years after Billy's POV of Threshold.
Hope you all Enjoy!

Chapter Text

“Why did I think this was a good idea?” Billy muttered to himself as he walked down the stairs into the gymnasium where his ten year high school reunion was being held. Of course their high school couldn’t think of anything better than a dance in their old gym for a reunion. What could he expect from a class with little to no imagination or creativity?

He sighed as he walked over to the refreshment table, pop music flooding his eardrums with the noise he hated. Billy Nutter had never been a fan of the pop music of his high school days, and now he had to endure it all over again. Along with the people of his high school. Ten years ago most people would spread to let him through because of his attitude and punk looks. Now, they parted ways because he was a pseudo-celebrity. Winning the US Open would do that for you.

Never in a million years would his peers think he would make it as a professional golfer. Hell, even he didn’t think it would happen. If it weren’t for his breakup with Zoe, he wouldn’t have even tried. Six years of focusing on his game had really turned things around for him. Course his breakup was only four years ago, but the last two years of being with Zoe felt like she was more of a roommate than anything else. She must have felt that way as well considering she ran off with some person he had never met, nor did he want to.

“Billy Nutter, is that you?”

Billy turned his head to see the gorgeous girl standing behind him. “Lulu, always a pleasure to see you again,” he remarked with a smile. Lulu had at one point been the girl of his dreams. They dated for a short time in high school, but she hated his best friend, and he just couldn’t deal with that.

“Wow, you’ve changed,” she said, giving him a once over.

Has he really changed? He thought looking down at his attire, sure he was in a suit, but it wasn’t the traditional black, nor did he wear a tie. He never did. Even when it was requested. He was a rule breaker that way, and the PGA had fined him a time or two because of it. But he would never change that way.

“I guess,” he said with a shrug. “You haven’t changed a bit. Heard you’re some CEO of some company now.”

Lulu smiled. “So, you’re keeping tabs on me?”

He shrugged. “Ben told me a few years ago.”

She rolled her eyes. “Of course you would still be talking to Ben Quimby. I’m shocked you’re not brother-in-laws by now. Where is Jane by the way? I thought she would be the first one here.”

Billy’s jaw muscle ticked at the name of his best friend. He hadn’t spoken to Jane since graduation day. A day that he would rather forget than have it plague him almost everyday. “Ben is a friend.”

“Okay. So, Mr. Hot-Shot US Open winner, I have a favor to ask of you.”

“What is that?” He knew what she was going to ask. Everyone asked this of him.

“Could you introduce me to Tiger Woods? I would love to represent him. My company would be a perfect PR firm for him.”

Billy resisted the urge to roll his eyes. It was inevitable that someone was going to ask that of him. In fact the minute the question was out there, the crowd of women around him started asking him the same thing. His eyes shifted to each of the women who asked him to introduce them to a different golfer or Tiger Woods. It was starting to really annoy him. He didn’t even get a chance to turn them down before another would ask him about another golfer.

Just then his eyes shifted to the entrance where two people were walking down the steps. His eyes fell on her and stuck to her in an instant. It was like everyone in the room instantly drifted away. It had always been that way for him. Jane Quimby had always been the center of his universe. It seemed ten years had changed nothing. He zeroed in on her and everything else went away.

However, what he didn’t expect was to see her on the arm of Nick Fadden… of course they would be together. A star baseball player and a star designer. Yes. He had been keeping tabs on her. How could he not? She was his best friend and always would be. Billy Nutter was always going to go above and beyond for Jane Quimby. Even when they hadn’t spoken in ten years.

“Billy?”

He turned his attention to Lulu and grinned. “Sorry ladies, I don’t know any of them, so no I can’t introduce them to you. Now if you’ll excuse me. I need a drink,” he said as he somewhat forced himself through the circle of ladies he had found himself encased in. Then he beelined it toward the refreshment table. Once there he ordered a beer and thanked Lulu for the alcohol options available. It couldn’t have been easy to get the school to okay alcohol on the premises. He asked about the fruity options for no particular reason.

“Nutter.”

Billy turned to Nick who had just shown up to order drinks. “Fadden… order her a Pomegranate fizz. She hates wine and although doesn’t mind beer, she prefers something fruity. Fruity cocktails all the way, and that’s the only one the bartender can do.”

Nick raised an eyebrow and then turned to the bartender and did just that. “So tell me Nutter, what are you doing over here?”

“What does it look like? I’m getting a drink,” he said, his tone had a little edge to it. Even he could hear it.

“I meant.. Why aren’t you over there with Jane?”

“Aren’t you the one ordering her a drink? Why aren’t you over there with her instead of asking me questions that aren’t your concern?”

Nick sighed and pushed the pink drink into Billy’s hand. “Relax Nutter. I’m not here with her. Go, I think she wants to see you as much as you want to see her.”

Billy glanced down at the drink and then back at Nick, before his eyes zeroed in on her again. Nick didn’t come here with her? Then why did they enter the gym together looking like they were here together?

“Dude… Just go.”

“Shut up Fadden,” Billy mumbled, but his feet started moving before he could stop them. And before he could stop his body, he was there just behind her and setting the drink in front of her. And before he could stop it, it was in the seat next to her and saying the first words he had said to her in ten years.

“Hi Janey.”

Jane Quimby had taken the drink and drank it before she looked at him with round eyes and for a split second he wasn’t sure what to do. Then she spit it out all over herself. He and she both grabbed napkins and she was cleaning herself while he was cleaning up the floor around her. He refused to help her clean herself, he didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable.

“Hi Billy.” He smiled a little at the first words she had said. She said them so quietly that he almost missed it. Over the loud music, if he hadn’t already been looking at her, he would’ve missed it.

“It’s been awhile.” He replied and she nodded.

“Yeah, how have you been?” Billy could tell that she was awkward. They had never really done the small talk thing, it sort of amused him to think this is what they were reduced to. It also angered him.

He shrugged. “I’ve been alright. You?”

“Yeah…alright.” She said in that quiet tone of hers again. He had to keep his eyes on her to hear him. She wouldn’t look at him at all. That wasn’t going to stop him though. He came to this stupid reunion in hopes she would be here. Now that she was, he wasn’t going to let her out of his sight.

“How’s Ben and Rita?”

“They’re good. Celebrating five years married now.”

“Yeah, I heard they finally tied the knot a while back.”

“Yeah after a four year engagement it was about time,” she replied with a small smile.

“I also heard you were doing pretty good with your designs,” he said feeling awkward now as she was barely giving him anything to go off of.

“Yeah, doing alright. And I heard about your big win at the U.S Open this year. That’s got to be exciting.”

He nodded and scratched his neck. “Yeah…It was cool.”

“What are we doing here Billy?” Jane finally asked after minutes of awkward silences and awkward small talk.

“What do you mean?”

Billy sighed and shrugged. “I don’t know Jane. I don’t know how to navigate us now. We have never spent this much time apart and I don’t know you anymore. So, it’s hard to know what you are expecting of me,” he said. It was true, he had never spent more than a day apart from her and now they were here ten years away from each other. Their lives went in completely different directions with no interaction. Something Billy never thought would happen. Now it was hard to navigate that.

Billy felt a twinge of anger before he pushed it away. He didn’t come here to get angry with his best friend. “I came over here to see and talk to an old friend. To someone I have missed talking to and being around. To Jane Quimby who I have always considered to be my best friend,” he said, doing his best to convey how serious he felt about this.

“You missed me?”

Billy chuckled and nodded. “Of course I have Janey.”

“Then why didn’t you ever return any form of contact?”

Jane chuckled and wrapped her arms around her stomach. Although it was early July, it was still fairly chilly when the sun went down. Billy took note that she hadn’t brought a jacket. Knowing what he did about her, he was shocked. She was dressed in a sexy little black dress, and Billy couldn’t help but keep his eyes on her. . “Okay, so why didn’t you reply?”

“Honestly?” He said, shrugging off his jacket and draping it over her shoulders. He knew she was cold. He knew all her tells from their time of being such good friends.

“That would be nice.”

He had really missed her. He missed watching her when inspiration hit her. He missed watching her draw. He missed helping her on whatever task Grey had sent her on that day. He missed watching her in class as she tried to pay attention, but shifted to drawing more designs. He missed their movie nights. He missed spending time with her. He just missed Jane Quimby. She left a massive hole in his life, one that he had been seeking for ten years to fill. The minute he saw her again he felt that hole fill. He felt whole for the first time in a long time.

“I missed you too,” she said and pulled his jacket on.

“I mean, true.” He replied and chuckled a bit. She had called him a friend. Not her best friend. It stung a little, but at least she still considered him a friend.

“So, how’s Zoe?” She asked cautiously and Billy stopped in his tracks.

He watched as she turned to him once she realized he had stopped walking. Why was she bringing up Zoe? That was the reason they fought.He hadn’t thought of Zoe in years, so it struck him odd that she would bring it up. They had been conversing like old times, why did she have to bring up that now? “Zoe? I have no idea. Haven’t seen her since she ran off with some rando four years back.” He replied darkly and Jane’s face fell.

“I’m sorry Billy.”

Billy shook his head and resumed walking. Billy had to remind himself that to Jane she didn’t know what had happened, so bringing up Zoe was natural for her. The last time she saw Billy, he was all about Zoe. Jane had no idea what had happened between them. “It hurt at the time, but I’m better off. We weren’t really a couple for the last two years anyway, more like roommates. Which is why when she ran off, I wasn’t really surprised. Just pissed she didn’t have the courage to talk to me. I was getting busy with the PGA at the time, so I just focused on my game.”

Billy grinned and turned to her. He needed to say this to her before they changed the subject again. After all they had ten years of themselves to catch up on. “It was because of you that I followed my dream.”

“Me!?” she gasped out. Surprise shown on her expressive face.

“You inspired me. After watching you go for your dream job in high school, I figured it was about time to follow my own. Especially when I didn’t have you around, I found myself with a lot of free time, and I filled it up with Golf. When I wasn’t at college, I was golfing. It was when I was playing in an amateur tournament at Oak Hill in New York where I was discovered by my coach. Since then, it’s been a whirl wind. Dropped out of college and am now focusing on golf full-time.”

“That’s amazing Billy. I’m so happy for you.” She said smiling. “Now I can tell people I know the winner of this year’s US Open.”

Billy grinned and nodded. “Yeah, that was insane. Still can’t believe it, even though the trophy sits on my living room shelf in plain sight everyday. It’s crazy Janey.”

He watched as her expression changed to that of one he just couldn’t place. Some expression that he wasn’t used to seeing on her before the ten year difference. “So, did you come here with Lulu Pope? I saw you were with her earlier,” she asked.

Billy’s body stiffened. He wasn’t sure why but her tone of voice reminded him of their last conversation. Which was something he really wanted to forget. He had worked for the last ten years to forget how he treated her all those years ago. “No, Lulu was asking me if I could introduce them to Tiger Woods when you walked in. As were the rest of the girls around me. Totally annoying. That’s all I get asked anymore. I don’t even know him,” he said, chuckling a little but he didn’t feel like laughing.

“What about you and Nick?” he asked, desperately trying to rid his brain of the memory doing its best to surface. Why did he ask about Nick though? He already knew the answer. The man in question had already answered his fears.

Jane stumbled and turned to him with surprise. “What about me and Nick?”

“Are you two…you know….like together?” He needed to know. He needed to know her answer. Even if he already knew. He didn’t want to think of anyone around Jane. He never liked the idea of Jane’s boyfriends, and Nick Fadden was one that even though he liked him, he just didn’t see Jane with Nick.

“Oh, Oh God no. We just happened to meet each other outside the gym, and he walked me in since I was having a difficult time walking across the threshold.” She said and turned away from him.

Wait… what? He thought as he walked after her. “Why did you have a difficult time?”

He heard her sigh. “Oh I don’t know…probably because I knew you would be in there, and because I didn’t even know about the reunion until I got into town, so I really didn’t feel comfortable walking into the gym to a reunion where a bunch of people hated me.” She was rambling, and he loved it. It felt like old times. It felt like they were on their way back to being Billy and Jane.

“Who hates you?” He almost missed what she had said as he was feeling the nostalgia, but that one line brought his attention back to what she had said.

Jane scoffs and motions back to the gym. “Pretty much everybody in there. Luly definitely, you, and to the other people I’m perfectly invisible.”

“I don’t hate you Janey,” he said, seriousness dropping from every word. He needed her to know that what had happened was not because of what she had done. But because he hated himself for how he had treated her. Then and in the ten years since. He shook his head as the memory attempted to bear its ugly head again. He refused to think about it right now.

***

"Happy Graduation day Janey!"

Jane whipped around at his voice and ran into his outstretched arms. They had done it, and all felt right in the world as their graduation day had finally come. His best friend of his entire life in his arms felt right. He gave her a squeeze and let his head fall on the top of hers and took comfort in knowing his ride or die was right there along with him, no matter where their lives were headed now. He knew he would always have Jane Quimby by his side.

"Happy Graduation day Billy!" She said as she started to jump up and down, headbutting right into his cheek. He couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped him. She always made him feel right and whole.

"Ready to go?"

"Yep! Just need to grab my bag. Ben will meet us there. He had to go pick up Rita."

Billy watched as Jane took one more glance around her room. "I think so! Let's go!" She said, running past him but grabbing his arm and pulling him along, and he let her pull him all the way to the car. Her energy and love of life always had a healing effect on him. Though he wouldn’t tell anyone that.

Billy and Jane had a sort of tumultuous last year of high school, and at times he wondered if it was in part because of Zoe. Jane seemed to really retract from him this year, and it wasn’t until after Zoe had really become an integral part of his life that he noticed Jane distanced herself. There were times when he would leave Zoe to help Jane, and end up in a fight with Zoe. Or the opposite would happen and Jane would tell him how displeased she was with him, and they would fight. To be in between two girls who were so important to you, but clearly did not like each other was very frustrating. He knew Jane wouldn’t make him choose, but sometimes it felt like he was going to need to pick between them in order to keep either in his life. Thankfully Jane would end up saying it was okay and they would move on. Though sometimes Billy felt bad for Jane because he could tell it wasn’t really okay, but that was a whole other can of worms, he wasn’t sure he was ready to open. So, he would act like it was okay to avoid it.

Billy bent down and gave Zoe a kiss as a hello. Jane nodded to her and said hello, Billy noticed that Zoe said nothing. He narrowed his eyes, but didn’t comment. It was always this way between them. At least Jane tried for him. It was the attempt that counted. They lined up for the ceremony and all walked together. Billy chose to walk with Zoe, but he was able to walk with Jane as well for the in and out of the ceremony.

Sitting through the ceremony Billy did his best to not think about splitting up with Jane for the first time in their lives. She would be going to Parsons and he would be staying around here for community college and to play golf. Zoe and him had talks of moving in together and were planning to head to the same community college. Billy knew Jane and him would keep in touch like they promised. They had been too close for far too long to lose touch. They had never made a promise they had broken to each other, and he wouldn’t start now.

Billy needed Jane. He always had. Without her, his world was dark and lonely. He would do anything in his power to keep Jane in his world, because he was too selfish to not have her. Sure, he would have Zoe, and she helped keep him occupied, and he loved her. But Jane was his best friend. His ride or die. They were two sides of the same coin. Nothing would get between them. He truly did not feel right without Jane Quimby.

When the ceremony ended, Billy was pulled every which way, saying his goodbyes to random classmates, Lulu, and even Nick. Zoe caught him and pulled him aside. “Hey, I have a huge favor to ask. Is there any way you can come to the party tonight? I know it’s supposed to be tomorrow, but my family is leaving in the morning, so it got changed to tonight.”

Billy could feel his face fall. The Quimby’s had planned a dinner for him tonight because of Zoe’s party tomorrow. They had already moved it around once because Zoe had a change of plans, and now she was changing it up again. “When did you find this out?”

“Just last night. I’m sorry, I thought they were going to stay through the weekend.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “You know I have the Quimby’s dinner tonight. They already moved it once.”

“I know, baby and I’m so sorry, but I want you to meet my family. Please say you’ll come.”

Billy sighed and nodded. “I’ll see what I can do.”

As he walked to find Jane, his thoughts were all over the place. He hated having to ask the Quimby’s to move the dinner yet again and on such short notice. It had been like this all year, stuck between the two most important people in his life, and he had been hoping for one day no drama would happen. Seemed like that was too hard to do. He knew Janey would be okay with it, he just hated he had to keep doing this to her. He was really going to need to figure out a way to balance their dislike for each other better. He was worried what would happen if he didn’t.

“Janey!” He said the minute he saw her.

“Ah, there you are, are you ready to go?” Jane asked as he stopped short when she asked the question. “Uh, listen about that…Zoe had to move up her party for tonight due to some family leaving early tomorrow, so…she kind of wants me there,” he said quietly and he saw her face fall. Damn, he felt like an ass.

“Billy, can I talk to you in private please?” She asked and they walked away from anyone in ear shot, which left them under a flight of stairs in a small cubby where no one could see them.

“Are you seriously going to blow off the dinner celebration that we moved around for you so you could attend Zoe’s party?”

He knew this was how she was going to be. And yet, he couldn’t help himself as he said, “Janey, don’t be like that. I didn’t know anything until just a few seconds ago, and I already feel terrible about asking you to go to her party. But, Zoe really wants me there, and what else am I supposed to do?”

“Maybe go after the dinner like we planned on in the first place?” Jane said, putting her hands on her hips. She was angry. She had every right to be.

Billy sighed and dropped his head. He really was a jerk, he felt like it as he raised his head again. “But, she wants me to meet her family, and they’ll be driving back home tonight, so they can only be there for a little bit. Please, don’t make this hard on me. I know you don’t like Zoe, but let’s not make this about that.”

Jane scoffed and shook her head. Yep, he was a complete idiot. “This is not about that, and I do like Zoe, for the most part.” She said the last bit under her breath, and he knew that was a lie. “This is about our last night as high schoolers and celebrating that. It was also supposed to be a celebration for you, Rita and Ben got you a cake and presents because they wanted to celebrate us both! Now, suddenly you can’t come?” Billy could hear the anger in her tone. He knew she was going to be angry, but he didn’t expect this reaction. He felt like he was being scolded by his aunt or something.

“You know what, forget it. Go to the party at Zoe’s. It’s fine. We’ll do it tomorrow or something.” There it was. The okay but not okay dismissal of the situation he had grown accustomed to. Was it fair to her to take advantage of their friendship? Absolutely not. Did he feel terrible? Absolutely. Was he going to accept her dismissal? Unfortunately, yes.

“Thank you Janey.” He said and kissed her forehead. He had become a little more affectionate toward her lately. He felt the need to touch her more. Probably because he wouldn’t have a chance to soon. Yep, he was a dick. He knew it. And yet he couldn’t stop himself. “We’ll see you there later right?” He added as he pulled away.

“I don’t think so Billy.”

He stopped pulling away from her and his hands lingered on her shoulders. “Why not?” He expected it, but he couldn’t help the small twinge of hurt knowing he wouldn’t see her.

“I’m not really in the mood to celebrate.” She said, and suddenly he heard the hurt in her voice.

Billy sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Why couldn’t he stop himself as he said, “Come on Janey. I want you there.”

He heard her sigh. “Yeah you’re the only one. I think I’m just gonna spend the night with Ben and Rita until the party at Nick’s. See you later tonight,” she said and she broke from his grasp before starting to make her way out. He quickly grabbed and pulled back to the wall behind her and could’t stop himself as he pinned his hands next to her head. He knew something was wrong, and she wasn’t going to go anywhere without explaining to him what it was.

“Oh no, you don’t get leave that easily. What is up with you Janey? All because I have to go to Zoe’s now you don’t want to spend any time with me today?”

“It’s not because of that. It’s because you constantly choose to spend time with her over me, and I’m sick of it. I always just let it happen because I’m trying to be a good friend, but now I’m starting to think you’re taking advantage of that.” Jane finally blew. Honestly he was not at all shocked she clocked him taking advantage of her. He knew it and clearly she knew it. He was just shocked it took her this long. Even if he was doing it subconsciously, he knew he shouldn’t take advantage of their friendship like this.

“She’s my girlfriend Janey, besides you, she’s the only other person that is important to me. I’m not taking advantage of you, I thought you were cool with everything. I know you don’t particularly like her, but I also know that you were doing everything in your power to be nice, don’t think I haven’t noticed.” He said, doing his best to keep her from getting angry. “I just…I don’t know, I just thought you understood. I’m trying to keep you both happy. I don’t want to be put in the middle of your little squabbles anymore Janey. You were just the easier person to deal with, because Zoe gets so angry if I decide to do something with you. You just let it go, so I guess…maybe I did take a little advantage of you. I’m sorry.” He replied, feeling a little better saying it out loud.

Jane shook her head. “I’m not trying to put you in the middle. I’m just sick of getting the short end of the stick in this friendship. Billy, I have said this before, but I can’t do life without you. I think that’s obvious with how much I relied on you to help me with my job and this crazy double life. But at some point I think you’re going to have to think about what you really want. I know what I want. I know who I want to be by my side for the rest of my life. I’ve always known, but it won’t be me that makes you choose. I will be here for as long as you want me to be, but not like this. Not as we are now. I can’t do that to myself.”

“What do you mean I have to think about what I want?”

“I think you know Billy.”

Billy straightened and narrowed his eyes at her. He didn’t know. At least he wouldn’t let himself think like that. Jane had never shown interest in him in any way other than as friends. He refused to let himself think she might have some interest in him now. And yet, he had to know. He had to ask her, “Janey…is there something you aren’t telling me?”

Jane bit down on the inside of her cheek and shook her head. “No.”

“Then why do I have to think about what I really want?” He asked again slowly, trying to ask without asking. Was he really being selfish like this, attempting to get this information from her? Probably.

“Because I don’t think you know what you really want. I think you’re scared of what you really want.”

Billy raised an eyebrow. “Oh really, and what is it that I want that I’m so scared of?”

“Me.”

Billy froze. She said it. She spoke the words that he had done his best to keep to himself. He thought about how to go forward, should he say something? Should he not? What exactly did she mean? “You?”

“Am I wrong? Have you never had feelings for me?”

Billy stepped back and shook his head. No, she couldn’t be doing this now. Not when he was with Zoe and they were going to be splitting up. Jane wouldn’t make him choose. “Why are you doing this, Janey?”

“Because I need to know. I need to know if I’m right. I feel it sometimes, or at least I think I feel it.”

“No.”

“No?” Jane asked, looking up with him with big round eyes.

“No.” Billy repeated simply but he couldn’t look her in the eyes. Even his answer shocked him.

He knew Jane was trying to get him to look at her, but he refused. “Billy, I know you. I know you’re lying to me.”

“Jane, this really isn’t an appropriate time to talk about any of this.” He said as his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw it was a call from Zoe. “Hello?”

“Billy, are you coming?”

“Yeah, I’ll be right there. Just talking to Janey.”

“Oh… of course you are. Okay, just text me when you’re finished.”

“Yep, bye,” he said as he hung up the phone and turned to her.

“Guess you better go,” she said as she slumped back against the wall.

Billy rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. “Yeah, I guess I better. I’ll talk to you later, Janey. We’re not done,” he said as he started to turn away.

Just as he was reaching the door, she grabbed his wrist. He stopped, and looked at her wrist as she pulled him back into her and grabbed onto him. She was squeezing him as she said, “Please don’t go.”

He didn’t know what to say. Nor did he really want to say anything with her head on his chest. As much as he wanted to stay there he knew he had to go. That if he stayed, he would be in a dangerous situation. It already felt dangerous to him. He sighed and said “I have to Janey. You know this.”

He felt her nod, but she held on to him. They stayed that way for a few moments before she whispered, “I like you Billy. Not just as my best friend. As more. I think I always have, and I’m sure you know it.”

Billy closed his eyes at her words and took a deep breath before breaking the embrace. Nope, he didn’t hear it. She spoke too quietly for him to have heard it. At least that’s what he had to tell himself in order to not think about it. He had waited far too long to hear those words out of her mouth, but he refused to hear it right now. Not while he had a girlfriend waiting for him. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that. Because I know my best friend wouldn’t be that unfair to me. Because I know Jane. I know how you feel about me, but I know that as long as I’m happy you won’t act on it. Because I know you. I’m happy, Janey, you know this. But what you’re doing right now…It’s unfair to me.” He said quietly but with enough force to prove to Jane he was serious.

“I know you’re happy, Billy, but I need you to know. I can’t help but feel that when I go off to Parsons, we will never be the same. I have this growing dread that our relationship will change, and I don’t want that.”

“I don’t plan on changing anything Janey, I still am your best friend. I always will be.”

“But, I’ll be gone and you’ll be with Zoe all the time. I feel like I don’t fit into your life anymore.”

“Of course you do, you always will. I will always make time for you. Try to bring down your jealousy of Zoe a bit, and I bet you would be friends too.”

“Great, I’m glad you got it off your chest, but you’re being so incredibly selfish right now. You don’t even realize how unfair and selfish you’re being.” He felt terrible saying this considering how he had been treating her recently.

“Me? Selfish? Billy, I have been sacrificing everything in our friendship since you got with her.”

“You’re the only one who has sacrificed? Do you even know how many times I left her so that I could help you with your job? Do you even know how many nights I had to suffer while Zoe yelled at me for helping you? No, you have no idea. And I never told you because I didn’t want to make you feel bad. Because I didn’t want to lose you. Because I didn’t want to have to choose between the two most important people in my life. And sure, that might be a little selfish, but I couldn’t lose either of you. I would never make you choose, and now you’re doing the exact thing I’ve been trying to avoid,” he said, feeling angrier and angrier as he went on.

He knew he shouldn’t be fighting with her. He knew she was right. He had feelings for her. He probably always had, and a little bit of him probably always would. But he was with Zoe. He loved Zoe. He was getting angry because he felt Jane was making him choose between them. Something he never thought his best friend would do.

“It could change everything! If you would just take a leap with me.”

“Stop, Jane. It doesn’t change anyth…” He was cut off by her lips on his. It was an urgent, desperate kiss from her, and before his mind could really register what had happened he was kissing her back. He couldn’t help it. To deny that he had dreamed about kissing his best friend would be an understatement.

But just as he registered that he was kissing Jane, he stopped it. He was livid, and shell shocked, and God he wanted to kiss her again. “I can’t do this Jane…I…I…I need some space.” He said and all but ran from the room.

***

“You really don’t remember?” She asked and he could hear the disappointment in her voice.

Billy shook his head. He refused to remind himself of the person he was then. “I mean kind of, but not really. Besides, it doesn't really matter anymore. It’s been so long. I just want to forget that happened and the fact that I haven’t spoken to you in ten years. I missed you Janey, and that’s all I want to remember.” He said, looking at her seriously.

Jane nodded after a few moments of silence. “So, you’re going to forgive me when I kissed you and told you my feelings for you when you had a serious girlfriend?” She prodded.

He crossed his arms over chest and sighed. “Oh, yeah, that’s what happened. Of course I will forgive you. I was a dumb hormonal teenager. I can forgive you for wanting me to know. I get it, now. But back then everything was blown out of proportion you know?”

Jane nodded. “Yeah, I know. Everything is more dramatic when you’re a teenager.” She said, biting her lower lip.

Billy nodded and started walking again. He chose to not look at her lips. He would not think of kissing her right now. "So, how is life as a big New York fashion designer?"

Jane chuckled a bit and shrugged. "It's stressful. I love it, but recently I've been really struggling with finding new inspiration lately. All my designs look the same."

"Well that's not like you."

Jane nodded. "Yeah, Jeremy and Gray say it happens to everyone, but it still sucks. I don't want to lose my job because I'm in a funk."

"You won't lose your job, Jane. Like you said everyone goes through it. If that was the case, Gray and Jeremy wouldn't be in their positions."

Jane chuckled. "Yeah, I suppose you're right. Thanks."

"Anytime."

"How's life as a professional golfer?"

Billy ran a hand through his hair and shrugged. "Pretty much how I thought it would be, great when it's great, and bad when it's bad. You know?" He said as he looked up at the night sky. "Golf is such a mental game. If you get down on yourself, you're ruined. But when you're feeling good and your mind is good, your game is great. It's also such an individual game. You're literally competing against yourself. I love it,” he added with a small smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

"I noticed you're no longer wearing converse when you golf."

"Have you ever contacted Converse about custom golf shoes?"

"Converse doesn't make golf shoes, and I doubt they would just because I asked."

"Well, you never know until you try."

"True. Wait, you've been watching the tournaments? You used to hate watching them with me."

He noticed the red in her cheeks. It was cute. "Well, you weren't a part of them back then, and golf is boring to me. But, it was the only way to see you. I've watched every tournament you were in on TV, and when they weren't televised, I would keep tabs on how you were doing." She said, shrugging.

She watched him play? He had no idea that she kept tabs on him, let alone watching all of his tournaments. He found it endearing.

"Every one?" He asked, stopping in his tracks.

Jane nodded. "Yep. Every one of them. Is that weird?"

Billy shook his head. "No, just surprising."

"How so?" She asked, turning to him.

"Because of everything. It's surprising you kept tabs on me, even after I didn't talk to you."

Jane held his jacket to her tighter. "I am proud of you. You went after your dreams and although we weren't the friends we used to be, I still considered you my best friend. So, I supported you in ways that I could. I don't know if you knew this, but that shirt you wore in your first tournament, the one that Ben gave you… That was me. It was the first time I ever created golf attire, but I was happy to see you wear it for your first round as a pro."

Jane looked up at him. "I think I could manage that. Because what you have been wearing has been terrible."

Billy chuckled and nodded. "Yeah, I agree, my stylist doesn't think so,” he said, shuddering at the thought of what his stylist wanted him to wear tonight. He gets sponsored items from clothing brands every once in a while, and there was a pink paisley shirt that they did whatever they could to get him into the shirt. Billy had told them to screw off. There was no way he would be wearing it.

"Oh, right, Mr. Big Pro Golfer has a stylist now. I think you should fire them." Jane said, laughing lightly.

Billy shrugged. "Maybe so." He said taking another step forward. At this point the tips of their shoes were touching and Billy didn’t want to admit how it was affecting him. He hadn’t been this close to Jane in such a long time.

"So…" She said after a few moments of silence.

"Yes?"

"John Hughes and Thai food?"

Billy laughed and looked at his watch. "I don't think Rita and Ben would be happy with us having an all night movie fest like we used to. You know they aren't as young as they used to be."

Jane laughed and nodded. "Very true. There's always your place."

"My hotel? Mom let the apartment go and left town a long time ago."

"Oh, I didn't know. But yeah, your hotel room would work, as long as you're game. I just have to stop by my house and change, and grab the movies."

Billy swallowed and nodded. "Yeah, sure, why not? I'll drive you."

About an hour later, they arrived at his hotel room. Jane had changed into something more comfortable, and Billy was changing in the walk in closet. The hotel his team had got for him was much better than his old apartment. It was almost bigger as well. He came out pulling his shirt over his head, and he noticed Jane watching his movements. He grinned as picked up his phone and asked her what she wanted. She told him that she wanted some Pad Thai and he ordered it for her.

“Let me guess, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off?”

Billy put his finger up to his nose and tapped it three times. “That is correct. Now let us watch, it has been a long time since I have seen this movie.”

Billy turned to her with furrowed brows. “About what?”

“About our fight ten years ago. About kissing you, and being unfair to you.”

Billy grinned and shrugged. He really wanted her to be able to let this go. He was a jerk to her just as much as she was to him. “It’s really okay Janey, I told you I forgave you a long time ago. I get it. You needed to get it out, and felt like that was your last chance. It’s really okay. I was being unfair to you also, and I apologize as well. Can we move past this now? I missed you.”

Jane grinned and turned on her side to face him. “I missed you too.”

“Billy?”

“Yes, Jane?”

“Do you have a pen?”

Billy watched as she started drawing. It was long before he stood up and looked down at the rough sketch. He watched her draw it out, and make little notes on the side to the details. Billy grinned as he watched her work, he had gotten used to it over the years, this felt normal. Safe. Right. Whole.

He sat down on the edge of the bed and rested his elbows on his knees, and his head on his fists. His eyes followed her every moment as she drew, the way her hand moved quickly all around the page. He took the moment to take her in. His eyes roamed her body, he lingered on her legs and how they were pulled up in the chair. The way her eyebrows furrowed in concentration. This was how he usually found her when he would enter the Quimby house, that or in her room at her sewing machine. Jane had always had amazing concentration when she was thinking of new designs.

He continued to watch her work. That is until she turned to him and her eyebrows went up. He grinned in amusement. “Sorry, was I bothering you?” He asked after a moment of silence.

Jane shook her head. “Not necessarily bothering me, just it’s been awhile since someone watched me while I am drawing. Guess I’m a little out of practice ignoring it.” She said, chuckling.

Billy nodded. “Others have watched you draw?” he said, feeling a twinge of jealousy.

Jane shook her head. “Just you and Ben.” Relief filled his body.

“Only me and Ben? Then, you are really out of practice.”

Jane nodded slowly and pushed the chair out a bit but continued to hold her legs to her chest. “You could say that.”

Billy sat back on the bed with his arms holding him up. He tilted his head to the side as he studied her. “But at least you seemed to get out of your funk. You said you haven’t been able to design anything lately. Looks like you’re doing just fine to me.”

“Yeah, I haven’t been able to do that for months.” She said and he watched as she dated her sketch. Something she had always done.

"So none of your boyfriends watched you work?" Billy asked quietly. He needed to know.

Jane scoffed. "What boyfriends?"

"No boyfriends then... Girlfriends?"

"What? No! I'm straight Billy."

"Then you haven't had a boyfriend in a while?"

Jane looked down at her hands. "Not since Eli, and you know how that ended." He did know how that ended, and he was also relieved when it did. He never liked Eli.

"In ten years, you haven't had a boyfriend!?"

She shook her head slowly.

"Why not?"

Jane shrugged. "Haven't really found someone I truly liked. I mean there have been guys, but nothing that lasted more than a month."

"Wow…" It was all he could think of to say. But inside, he was feeling much better. He couldn’t really explain why.

"Well what about you?"

"What about me?" he asked, running a hand through his hair.

"Any girlfriend that watches you train or your tournaments?" Jane asked, rolling her eyes.

"Haven't had a girlfriend since Zoe and I broke up." He replied as he sat up and crossed his arms across his chest.

"Really?"

He nodded. "Yeah, I haven't had the time, you know. I really started focusing on my game, and haven't really thought about it." Mostly because he couldn’t get Jane out of his head. He had wanted to reach out so many times, but just never did.

"No one since then?"

Billy shook his head. "Nope, none at all."

"Wow. That's surprising."

"Oh is it now?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. Trying to suppress the grin that was pulling at his lips.

Jane nodded as she looked up to him. "Well yeah, I mean in high school, you were always with either Lulu or Zoe. It was rare when you were single. So, I guess I'm just surprised."

Billy chuckled at the impressed expression on his best friend. "That was oddly profound for you Billy Nutter." She teased.

Billy shrugged. "What can I say, I'm older and wiser now Janey." He said getting up and touching her shoulder before going to the mini fridge and pulling out two more beers. "Taking time and figuring out what I really want, it really gave me peace of mind."

"And staying single focusing on golf is what you really want?" Jane asked, taking the second beer from him and taking a swig.

Billy shook his head. "No, I mean yes to the focusing on golf, but no to the single part. I do want to be with someone, but the right someone you know?" He said and looked right at her before drinking more beer. He had almost downed the new bottle, he was nervous talking to her about this after so long. Ten years ago, he didn’t really enjoy it, and now he just felt nervous. "I can take my time finding that person. I'm in no rush." He added laying back on the bed again and putting his hand behind his head.

Jane nodded. "I think that's smart." She said, standing up and laying down on the bed next to him once again.

Billy chuckled. "I know, you're the one who told me to figure out what I want."

Jane grinned. "I knew you remembered that fight."

Billy nodded and turned to her. "I remember everything you've said to me, Janey."

Jane turned to him with her eyebrows raised. He made sure that she knew he was serious. He meant every word, and remembered every word. He decided at that moment he would never let Jane go again. In whatever capacity she would accept him in. He would take it and keep it. Jane Quimby was the woman he would never let leave his side again.

For the first time in a long time, Billy had such a fun night.

*****

Two months had passed and Jane and Billy had talked every night unless Billy was away for a tournament. On his first tournament back, he made sure to wear the shirt she had designed for him.

Billy walked into the modern looking building that now housed Donovan Decker. The fashion design company that Jane has worked for since high school. Starting as an assistant to Grey, and working through Parsons to become a full designer once she graduated. Billy couldn’t be more proud of her and it felt really nostalgic walking in seeing everyone bustle about with so much fabric flying around.

Just as he was about to ask someone where Jane might be, he saw her. Her curls bounced as she walked and talked with her own assistant. He watched as she walked around the room holding her newest sketch out and pointing out the things she wanted her assistant to get for her. That is until she laid eyes on him.

“Billy!” She exclaimed and ran into his arms. He easily caught her and held her tight. “When did you get in? I thought you weren’t scheduled to be in until tomorrow?”

“I literally just got off the plane, and came straight here. I couldn’t think of anyone else I wanted to celebrate my win with, so I came here. Looks the same as in high school, well with a few modern touches. They didn’t really change much though when they moved to the new building huh?” He said.

Billy looked down at her as he let her down. He kept his hands on her hips though. He didn’t have the motivation to remove them, it felt right. “Ah, Eli is still here huh?”

Jane nodded and gave him a skeptical look. “Yes, he’s Gray’s nephew, I doubt he would be fired very easily.”

“Well, that’s true. What do you say to dinner? I’m starving.”

“Hey, Jane, can I get your help on this collab project? I’m having difficulty with what accessories to pair with the outfits.” He said and Billy noticed Eli eyed him oddly. He had never officially met Eli, but after Eli had cheated on Jane with India, Billy didn’t like him. Not that he really liked him before.

“I’m sorry Eli, I’m going to be leaving really soon, got a date.” She said, giving a wink to Billy and he grinned. He liked the sound of that.

Eli nodded. “Oh, I didn’t realize, sorry. I’m Eli Chandler by the way.” He said, offering his hand to Billy and Billy took it. “I’m Billy Nutter.” He replied and gave Eli’s hand a squeeze. Eli was trying to crush his hand, so Billy made sure to squeeze the other man’s hand a little tighter than necessary.

“Billy…Oh! Aren’t you Jane’s complicated best friend?” Eli replied.

Billy raised an eyebrow and turned to Jane. “Complicated?”

Jane shook her head. “Oh, don’t worry about it. Anyway, I’m done, let’s get going.” She said, grabbing his hand and leading him out of there again.

“Jane, make sure to have those designs ready to go by Monday!” Gray yelled as they went past her office. “Will do!”

“Wow, sometimes I forget how busy this job kept you.” Billy said once they were outside again.

Jane laughed. “You have no idea. This was a particularly bad day though. I’m so glad you’re back Billy. Where would you like to go to eat?”

Billy shrugged. “I don’t know, I figured a New Yorker like yourself could recommend some place.”

“I know just the place! There’s a great little Korean place around the corner from my apartment. You’ll love it.”

“Sounds great.”

“Jane, I got to ask you something.”

“Of course, you can ask me anything.”

“What did Eli mean when he said ‘I’m your complicated best friend?’” He asked in air quotes.

Jane rolled her eyes. “I don’t think he really meant anything by it. He used to call you that when we were dating back in high school. Guess he never really forgot it.”

“But why does he call me that?”

“Feelings?” He asked with raised eyebrows. His focus shifted the minute he heard her say that word.

“Well yeah, you knew how I felt about you back then cause I told you.”

“But you said feelings, not that you felt for me.”

“Did I? Oh, well you know what I meant.”

Billy narrowed his eyes. “Yeah…totally knew what you meant. However, why does he still call me that?”

Jane huffed and shrugged. “I don’t know Billy, Eli and I don’t really talk about anything but work any more, so he probably thinks we still have that dynamic.”

Billy put his hands up in a surrender pose. “Sorry, Janey. It's just weird, that's all.”

“Well what can I say? Eli is weird.”

“That’s not exactly what I meant, but yeah he’s weird. I don’t like the guy.”

“Well I don’t think he likes you either, so the feeling is mutual.”

“I don’t like him because he hurt you, I have never done anything to him, so it doesn’t make sense as to why he doesn’t like me.” Billy said, shaking his head.

“Well he didn’t like you from the moment I started talking about you. At least that’s the vibe I got off of him.”

Jane chuckled and nodded. “No way! Do you need your hands to play golf? I never would have guessed that one.” She said sarcastically and Billy playfully pushed her, making her laugh even more. He loved the sound of her laugh. He would make it come out all day if he could.

Billy nodded. “Well Zoe only thought that because Lulu put it into her head when we first started dating. But, yeah it does happen a lot.”

“Even one of the guys I saw about a year ago said it was weird how much I liked watching you play golf, when I don’t even like the sport.”

“Well to be fair, you don’t like the sport and we weren’t the friends last year that we have been in the past. I can see how he thought it was weird.”

“True. That one was a bad example.” Jane chuckled and rubbed the back of her neck.

“I was running to help you alot back in the day. I can see now why people thought we were more than just friends.” Billy said after a few moments of silence.

He noticed she couldn’t take her eyes off their hands. “Yeah, of course! That would be great.”

So, the weekend went on as they traipsed around New York. Jane took Billy to all her favorite shops, mostly thrift stores, and took him to her favorite places to eat. Billy was enjoying his time, but he felt off. He wanted to say something to Jane, to tell her how he felt, but every time he felt like it was a good time, something seemed to get in their way. It was really starting to annoy him. It didn’t help that she had asked him many times over the weekend if was okay. It wasn’t until Sunday when he finally spoke.

“Okay, fine, there is something I’ve had on my mind the past few weeks, but I don’t know if it’s a good time to say anything.”

“Billy, you know you can tell me anything.”

“Yeah, I know Janey. I want to tell you, I do.”

“Then say it. Nothing you will say is going to upset me.”

“It’s you, Janey.” He finally said and suddenly his nerves were endless.

“I know, I’m your best friend. You’ve said that to me before.” Jane said, slightly shaking her head.

“No, I mean it’s you Janey, the person I’ve been waiting for.”

“Geez I know I took some time in the shower, but it couldn’t have been that long.” Jane replied, jokingly

Billy narrowed his eyes and ran a hand through his hair. He looked at her seriously. “Will you take this seriously? I’m trying to tell you that I like you, Jane Quimby.”

Billy nodded. “Yes, I like you. As more than a friend. It’s you, Janey. It has always been you.”

She blinked a few times, before saying “I…Are you sure?”

“Wait, feelings again?”

“Yeah, I had feelings for you back in high school. I was going to tell you when Jeremy showed up to take you somewhere after that fashion show.”

“You mean the last time you told me that it was me?” Jane asked, taking a step toward him.

“Yeah, right before I was going away for a couple of months, and that’s when I realized I shouldn’t tell you as it wasn’t fair to you, and I thought you were with Jeremy.” Billy said itching the back of his head. It was more of a nervous tick he had picked up then it really itching.

“Billy, I don’t know what to say.” Jane said after a few minutes of silence.

"Billy, wait…" Jane said, moving toward him.

Billy hesitated at the door and turned to her. "Yes?"

"I don’t want you to go.”

Billy nodded. “Yeah, well, weekend’s over Janey. Got to get back to the real world. It was a great weekend though. Guess I’ll see you after the Tour Championship.” He said, walking out the door.

He was an idiot. To think that Jane would still have feelings for him, or to think maybe they had returned. Of course, she still thought of him as a friend. It would always be the right person, wrong time for them wouldn’t it? He walked as quickly as he could to his taxi that was waiting for him. He couldn’t get out of there fast enough. At least he had some time away to clear his head before having to see her again. He promised himself, no matter what, he would not let Jane out of his life again.

“Billy, wait!” She yelled just as he was getting into the cab.

She threw her arms around his neck and stood on the tips of her toes to reach him. Once he recovered, he moved his arms around her waist. He was not expecting this at all. He was going to kiss her all day. It felt right, it felt amazing, it felt…HONK! Billy narrows his eyes at the driver as soon as Janepulled away. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t let you get away again. I was just shocked.” Jane whispered.

He turned back to her and rested his forehead on hers and smiled. “I’m so glad you ran after me.” He said quietly and turned to the cab driver. “I’ll be right there. This is important.”

Jane chuckled and nodded. “Yes, but you have to go to Georgia. Your team wants you there in a few hours. You should probably get going. Don’t worry, we’ll talk.”

Billy nodded. “Yes, we will.” He said, kissing the top of her head. “Now, I really don’t want to go.” He sighed.

****

There she was, waiting at the edge of the roped off section. He ran up to her and pulled her into a kiss. “Hi Janey.” He whispered and he heard the collective gasp from the people around him.

“Surprise.” She said and smiled into their kiss. “I’m sorry you didn’t win.” She added.

Billy shook his head. “I did win. I got you.”

Jane rolled her eyes and smacked his shoulder. “I see that you have gotten cheesier in the last ten years.”

Billy chuckled and shrugged. “Can’t help it. Come on, let’s get out of here.” He said and pulled her under the rope and off the course.

****

Ten years later, Jane and Billy stood outside their high school gym. “Did we really have to come back here?” Jane said, taking a deep breath.

Billy nodded. “Of course we did Jane! We aren’t the outcasts anymore. We’re the people everyone wanted to see this weekend. So, let’s go!”

Jane rolled her eyes. “You are way too excited for this.”

Jane laughed and nodded. “That’s true. We would probably still not be talking.”

“Jane, Billy?”

The couple turned around to see Nick Fadden standing behind them with a smile.

“Well it’s about time you two.”

Jane and Billy both laughed and nodded. “We have a lot to catch up on Fadden.”

“Seems we do.”

Notes:

A/N: So, there we go. This one-shot turned out to be a lot longer than I had originally planned it to be, but I’m happy with how it turned out. I really miss Jane by Design, and wished we could have had more than one season. The plans for season 2 seemed so fun, but alas, ABC Family (Now Freeform) canceled a good show way too quickly.

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monkey_d_sai, GirlsLoveShips8, Zorra101, copoutcopilot, wereadtoliveathousandlives, CiNiK, Bug14014, Eellie, bex2313, and QueenofKlonnie_20 as well as 6 guests left kudos on this work!

Comments

Eellie on Chapter 1 Fri 28 Oct 2022 05:05AM UTC

Loved it! ❤️

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1. VStarlightX on Chapter 1 Fri 28 Oct 2022 10:39PM UTC
  
  I'm so glad you enjoyed it. :)
  
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GirlsLoveShips8 on Chapter 1 Sun 12 Jan 2025 09:08AM UTC

This was EVERYTHING!!! Totally perfect!

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1. VStarlightX on Chapter 1 Mon 13 Jan 2025 09:23PM UTC
  
  Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :) I missed Jane by Design so much, and this story had been going through my head through a rewatch. Thanks for taking the time to comment on it! <3
  
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2. 1. GirlsLoveShips8 on Chapter 1 Tue 14 Jan 2025 06:37AM UTC
    
    Of course! Would you ever consider a second chapter in Billy’s POV? I can just imagine him remembering everything Jane said to him on graduation day the second he sees her in the gym!
    
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  2. 1. VStarlightX on Chapter 1 Wed 15 Jan 2025 02:15PM UTC
      
      Oh, I hadn't thought about it, but I'm thinking about it now! You got my wheels turning for something. :)
      
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    2. 1. GirlsLoveShips8 on Chapter 1 Wed 15 Jan 2025 04:22PM UTC
        
        Yay! I can’t wait! Will 💯 subscribe to the story so I know when it’s updated!
        
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      2. VStarlightX on Chapter 1 Wed 15 Jan 2025 05:06PM UTC
        
        Thank you for subscribing. <3 It will probably take me a bit. I'm in the middle of a big fic right now, and all of my focus is on that. But I won't forget.
        
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        GirlsLoveShips8 on Chapter 1 Wed 15 Jan 2025 08:04PM UTC
        
        Of course! And no worries. It’s been too long since I’ve updated my stories.
        
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GirlsLoveShips8 on Chapter 2 Wed 18 Jun 2025 08:06PM UTC

I’m so excited to read this! I’ll comment again when I have! And for anyone who doesn’t know, it’s me! I’m the reader! Thank you!

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1. VStarlightX on Chapter 2 Thu 19 Jun 2025 02:37AM UTC
  
  I really hope you enjoy it!
  
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2. 1. GirlsLoveShips8 on Chapter 2 Thu 19 Jun 2025 05:01AM UTC
    
    I love it so much! The yearning is amazing! Kinda wish there could be more one-shots in this universe you’ve created!
    
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  2. 1. VStarlightX on Chapter 2 Thu 19 Jun 2025 01:14PM UTC
      
      There may be! It's been fun to revisit this three years after the first.
      
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    2. 1. GirlsLoveShips8 on Chapter 2 Mon 23 Jun 2025 10:58AM UTC
        
        Not sure how I just got this! 🤷🏽‍♀️ I just have a one-shot collection for my most precious ships! It’s never gonna end (technically) and I make it clear in the title!
        
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Threshold

VStarlightX

Summary:

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Chapter 1

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Chapter 2: Billy POV

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Chapter Text

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Eellie on Chapter 1 Fri 28 Oct 2022 05:05AM UTC

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VStarlightX on Chapter 1 Fri 28 Oct 2022 10:39PM UTC

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GirlsLoveShips8 on Chapter 1 Sun 12 Jan 2025 09:08AM UTC

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VStarlightX on Chapter 1 Mon 13 Jan 2025 09:23PM UTC

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GirlsLoveShips8 on Chapter 1 Tue 14 Jan 2025 06:37AM UTC

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VStarlightX on Chapter 1 Wed 15 Jan 2025 02:15PM UTC

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GirlsLoveShips8 on Chapter 1 Wed 15 Jan 2025 04:22PM UTC

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VStarlightX on Chapter 1 Wed 15 Jan 2025 05:06PM UTC

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GirlsLoveShips8 on Chapter 1 Wed 15 Jan 2025 08:04PM UTC

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GirlsLoveShips8 on Chapter 2 Wed 18 Jun 2025 08:06PM UTC

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VStarlightX on Chapter 2 Thu 19 Jun 2025 02:37AM UTC

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GirlsLoveShips8 on Chapter 2 Thu 19 Jun 2025 05:01AM UTC

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VStarlightX on Chapter 2 Thu 19 Jun 2025 01:14PM UTC

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GirlsLoveShips8 on Chapter 2 Mon 23 Jun 2025 10:58AM UTC

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