Fire
(The song is "Tell Her" by the group Lonestar)
So you say that your love is about to end
You say you can't take no more
She's out the door
And you're looking for a friend
Who am I to tell you why
Cause I am just curious were you furious
Or did you swallow your pride and look her in the eye
And tell her that you love her
Tell her that you need her
Tell her that you want her to stay
Reassure her with a kiss
She may never know
Unless you show her what you're feeling
Tell her your believen
Even though its hard to say
Cause she needs to know you're thinking of her
So open up and tell her you love her
Brother I've been right where you are now
And my heart was broke
Cause I never spoke
Those healing words out loud
But I've learned my lesson well
And now every night
Before I close my eyes
I look at my woman
And ask myself
Did you tell her that you love her
Tell her you need her
Tell her that you want her to stay
Reassure her with a kiss
She may never know
Unless you show her what you're feeling
Tell her your believen
Even though its hard to say
Cause she needs to know you're thinking of her
So open up and tell her you love her
Tell her that you love her
Ohhhhhhhhh
Tell her that you love her
Tell her that you need her
Tell her that you want her to stay
Reassure her with a kiss
She may never know
Unless you show her what your feeling
Tell her your believen
Even though its hard to say
Cause she needs to know you're thinking of her
So open up and tell her you love her
Tell her that you love her
The song ended and Mac was brought back to her world. Mac looked up and saw Billy staring at her. She quickly looked away and finished cleaning the table. She took her tray to another table and cleared it as quickly as possible. Her shift was almost over, and the less time she spent around Billy the better. She walked over and handed her tray to Cody.
"All finished?" he asked.
"Yeah." she replied.
"Well then you're free to go home." he smiled.
"Yeah I guess." she replied with a frown. 'What am I saying?' she asked herself. 'I don't want to stay here do I?' She turned back to Cody and said, "I'll see you tomorrow." He gave a little wave and then turned to help some customers. Mac picked up her bag and then walked toward Billy. She stopped briefly in front of him, but when he glanced up she changed her mind and quickly headed out the back door. Billy frowned sadly and then sipped his coffee letting his thoughts wander. 'What was that about?' he wondered as Mac walked past. 'What had she planned to say?' Suddenly Brittany walked in and looked around the room. She spotted him and smiled brightly. 'Oh great!' he thought. 'Just what I need!' She walked over to him and smiled again.
"Hey you." she said.
"Hey." he replied.
"Can I sit down?" she asked.
"Sure." he responded flatly.
"I just wanted to say I had a great time yesterday at the wedding." Brittany said.
"I am glad you had fun, but we need to talk." he replied.
"About what?" she questioned with another fake smile.
"About you kissing me." he answered.
"What about it?" she asked. "Didn't you like it?"
"Not really Britt," he replied. "Right now we can't be more then friends, a friend is really all I need!"
"Are you sure?" she asked. "You know I care about you don't you?"
"Yeah I know, but you know how I feel about Mac." he said.
"But Billy she doesn't want anything to do with you...." Brittany pushed. "Where as I on the other hand....."
"No Britt!" he snapped. "We're nothing more then friends. That's all we'll ever be!"
"Okay Billy," she said flashing an understanding smile. "I understand."
"Good now I should be going," he sighed. "I'll see you later."
"Okay." she said quietly. Billy stood and grabbed his coat. Brittany smiled up at him but frowned slightly as he walked out the door. 'We'll see about that Billy.' she thought. 'We'll be more then friends soon, just as soon as I can get Little Miss Prom Queen out of your head!"
Mac stood just out of sight on the back patio. She had been on the verge of going back to talk to Billy when Brittany had walked in. She hadn't heard the conversation, but the look on Brittany's face had said it all. She had been all smiles, so whatever Billy was saying must have been good. 'I've had it' she said to herself. 'If fighting fire with fire is what it takes then that's what I'll do!' She smiled to herself and then headed out to catch the bus. 'As soon as I get home I'll call JT' she thought. 'He'll know exactly what to do!'
The next afternoon Mac walked into Crimson Lights and over to a booth. She sat down and ordered a coffee from Trevor.
"Thanks." she smiled before he walked away. She sat there for a moment then looked around the room. 'Things are slow today' she thought to herself. Just then J.T. walked in and looked around for her.
He spotted her and smirked, "Hey babe." he said when he approached her table.
"Hey." she frowned.
"Hey now!" he said when he saw her frown. "Is that anyway to greet a guy who is going to help you win back Abbott?" She just frowned at him again and then he sat down. "So he said you've finally come to your senses huh?"
"So what if I have?" she asked.
"Nothing wrong with that but....." he started.
"But what JT?" she glared.
"Never mind." he said.
"So what do I have to do?" she asked nervously.
"First of all quit being so nervous," he replied. "You want to look natural as if you want to be here." She straightened up and tried to relax. It worked to some extent but then Billy walked in and all her nervousness came rushing back.
"I don't know if I can do this!" she said.
"Of course you can, just think about Brittany hanging all over Abbott!" That thought crossed her mind and all her nervousness disapeared! "That's better." J.T. smirked. Billy spotted them and questions filled his eyes, but he said nothing and walked to sit at a table. "Did you see that?" J.T. asked. "He's already wondering why you're sitting with me! And he sat down were he can keep his eye on on you!" Mac smiled slightly then jumped when J.T. reached over and took her hand.
"What are you doing?" she whispered.
"Turning up the heat." he smirked over at Billy who was watching the whole scene.
Billy sat down at a table where he could keep a close eye on Mac and JT. 'What's she doing with a jerk like that?' he wondered to himself. Just then J.T. took Mac's hand in his and then smirked at Billy. 'I'll kill' him he thought. But just as he was about to stand up, Brittany walked in and smiled at him. 'Not again' he thought. She walked over to him and nearly took a double take at Mac and J.T.
"What's going on with those two?" she asked when she walked up to him.
"I have no clue, but I don't like it!" he replied.
"It doesn't take her long to move on now does it?" she asked with a smile.
"Don't start Britt!" he snapped.
"Okay sorry!" she replied as she sat down. "I am just curious as to why she's with J.T."
"That's what I'd like to know." he replied between clenched teeth.
"You're not jealous are you?" she asked.
"Of course I am!" he snapped as he glared at a smiling J.T.
J.T. smirked again and said, "Come on let's go."
"Go?" she asked. "Go where?"
"I don't know, but we've got him worked up enough." J.T replied. "Look at him, he's about to blow his top!" Mac glanced over her shoulder and saw Billy's face.
'He's jealous' she thought happily.
"Okay now when we walk out the back door, smile at him!" he ordered.
"What......" she gasped.
"Do it!" he said as he pushed her toward the door. He wrapped an arm around her waist and she gave a bright smile as she walked past Billy and Brittany! They walked out onto the patio and then JT pulled his arm away. "Nice job Mac!" he commented.
"Yeah I guess," she replied. "But I don't see how this is going to get Billy back?"
"It's just a little thing," he replied. "At least for right now!"
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"You'll see when the time comes," he replied. "As for now, he's pretty jealous and we hardly did anything!"
"Yeah I guess you're right." she replied.
"Now come on before he sees us." he said. He took her by the elbow and they disappeared through the gate.
Mac walked by Billy and smiled brightly at him. Billy only stared at her in disbelief! She and JT disappeared out onto the patio and Billy could barely contain himself!
"I don't get this!" he hissed.
"Face it Billy, she's moved on!" Brittany commented.
"No, I don't except that!" he insisted.
"Well I've got an idea for you." she replied.
"And what's that?" he asked curiously.
"Fight fire with fire!" she replied.
"What do you mean by that?" he asked.
"I mean make her jealous too." Brittany replied. "That's what she's doing to you, isn't it?"
"I don't know Britt." he said.
"Just think about it." she said.
"Sure," he replied. "But I have to go!"
"Okay," she smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow!" She watched Billy walk out the door and then smiled to herself! 'You'll fight back Billy, I just know it' she thought. 'And when you do, I'll be here!'
That next morning Mac walked into school and headed to her locker. She opened it and pulled out a book. As she close her locker, she saw JT walking towards her and she groaned inwardly. 'He may be helping me' she thought. 'But he's still a jerk!' He walked up to her and leaned up against the locker.
"Hey babe!" he smirked. "How's it going?"
"I'm not sure." she replied.
"What do you mean by that?" he asked curiously.
"Well I'm not really sure this plan of ours is going to work!" she answered.
"You worry too much," he replied. "Just do as I say and everything will work out perfectly!"
"We'll see about that!" she whispered. Just then Mac spotted Billy walking towards her. "Oh no, what do I say?" she asked.
"Just tell him we were hanging out, getting to know one another better." JT replied. "Look I gotta split, but I'll find you later!"
"Okay." she replied.
"And remember to smile." he said as he walked down the hall.
"Easier said than done." she mumbled as Billy walked up to her.
"What did you say?" he asked.
"Oh it was nothing," she blushed. "Did you need something?"
"I just wanted to say hi," he replied. "And I wanted to ask you something?"
"Okay, what?" she asked.
"What the hell were you doing with JT last night?" he questioned.
"We were just hanging out, getting to know one another," she replied with a shrug. "What's it to you?"
"Well....I just want you to be careful!" he replied nervously. "He's a jerk, but I thought you already knew that!"
"He's not so bad once you get to know him." Mac replied with a fake smile.
"If you say so," Billy said sadly. "Just be careful!"
"I will," Mac replied. "Don't you think I can handle myself?"
"That's not what I meant and you know it!" he responded.
"I do?" she asked. "You could have fooled me!"
"Whatever!" he snapped. "Why do I even bother?"
"Only you know the answer to that!" she snapped. "I can't read your mind!"
"If you only knew." he replied.
"Why don't you tell me?" she asked.
"Well...." he started.
"Billy, there you are!" Brittany smiled as she walked up to them. "I've been looking everywhere for you!"
"You have?" he asked.
"Yeah, I wanted to talk to you." she said. Brittany looked at Mac and asked, "Do you mind? I need to talk to him alone!"
"No, not at all." Mac replied sadly. "I was just leaving anyway!"
"No wait Mac!" Billy called as Mac rushed down the hall.
"What was that about?" Britt asked.
"I was making an attempt to talk to her." he replied.
"It didn't look like it was going very well." she said.
"It was until you came along!" he snapped.
"Sorry!" she whined. "But I wanted to talk to you!"
"About what?" he asked.
"About what we talked about last night," she replied. "You know, getting even!"
"There was never any talk about getting even." Billy said suspiciously.
"Oh sorry, I mean making Mac jealous!" she said nervously.
He eyed her quietly and then said, "I don't know Britt....."
"Come on Billy!" she pushed. "I know it'll work!"
"Well...fine Britt!" he sighed. "We'll give it a try, but what exactly do you have in mind?"
"Well...for starters Mac has to see us together alot more!" she beamed. "You know, she has to think there's something between us!"
"I don't know about that," he said. "It might push her away completely!"
"Oh don't be silly!" she laughed. "It'll work I promise! Just trust me!" She smiled up at him and then frowned. "You do trust me, don't you?" she asked.
"Of course Britt." he replied.
"Good," she smiled. "I should be getting to class, I'll see you later though!"
"Yeah sure." he said with a fake smile. He watched her disappear down the hall. 'There's no way I tust you Britt!' he thought to himself. 'I don't need you to get Mac back! I do however need you, in order to find out the truth about the last night in the pool house! And believe me, I will find out the truth!' He smiled to himself and then headed off down the hall.
Mac sat on her bed that night thinking of Billy. 'Was this plan really going to work?' she wondered. 'Maybe I should just tell him how I feel?' Just then the phone rang and Mac's heart skipped a beat. 'Billy!' she thought excitedly.
"Hello." she answered on the third ring.
"Hey babe!" JT said. "What's up?"
"Nothing much!" she replied.
"Why do you sound so sad?" he asked. "Are you thinking about Abbott?"
"Yeah!" she admitted.
"I can't have you doing that," he said. "Get ready, I'm coming over!"
"What?" she asked.
"I'm coming over and then we're going out." he replied.
"But why?" she asked.
"Because you don't need to be moping around and maybe we'll get lucky and find Billy!" he answered.
"Fine!" she sighed.
"Good, I'll see you in a minute!" he smirked. Mac held the phone for a moment and then sat it back on the receiver. She sighed deeply and then crawled off her bed. She pulled on a pair of tight jeans and then a dark sweater that showed her curves. She slipped on her brown boots and then grabbed her jean jacket. Before she headed downstairs she looked in the mirror and smoothed her hair down and dabbed on some lip-gloss. 'Perfect' she thought. She headed down the stairs and into the living room. No one was there so she scowled a note on a tablet and then left it on the desk. Just then the doorbell rang and Mac hurried to answer it.
"Hey babe!" JT smirked, when she opened the door. "You look great!"
"Thanks." she replied and then they headed down the steps to his car. As they drove down the driveway, the phone rang in the house and Esther hurried to answer it.
"Hello?" she answered.
"Hello Esther." Billy said. "Is Mac there?"
"Sorry Billy," Esther replied. "She left a note saying she was going to the coffee house with JT!"
"Oh!" he sighed.
"Would you like me to tell her you called?" she asked.
"No, no that's okay." he said. "I'll call back."
"Okay." she smiled. "Bye!" Esther hung up the phone and then disappeared into the kitchen. Billy hung up the phone and thought silently to himself. Finally he picked up the phone again and dialed a number.
"Hello?" answered Brittany.
"Hey Britt, it's me." Billy replied.
"Hey," she beamed. "What's up?"
"I just found out that Mac went to the coffee house with JT." he replied.
"So?" she asked.
"So I wanna go over there," he replied. "Do you want to come with me?"
"Sure!" she grinned.
"Great, I'll meet you there in fifteen minutes." he replied.
"Okay." she said and then all she heard was the dial tone. 'Perfect!' she thought.
"You never know." JT had said as he took her hand in his before they walked in. "Remember to smile," he reminded her as they sat down in a booth. Trevor walked up and took their orders. "I'll have a latte."
"And I think I'll have a black coffee." Mac smiled.
"Okay." Trevor said before he walked away.
"So, I've been thinking." said JT as he reached across and took her hand. Mac almost protested, but remembered what he'd said about being prepared at all times. She smiled over at him and listened. "We have to get to Britt somehow, we have to make her think you know more than you really do!"
"But how do I do that?" Mac asked.
"Well...do you believe me when I say I did sleep with her in July?" he asked. Mac thought about it for a moment and then shook her head yes.
"It sounds like something she would do." she replied.
"And do you believe she set you up to walk in on her and Billy?" he asked.
"I don't know about that one JT..." Mac said. "It's a little far fetched, even for Brittany!"
"I know it sounds hard to do, but she did Mac!" he insisted. "I don't have the proof, but she did tell me about it, I swear!"
"But..." she said as she thought about it. "Well...I guess she could have done it, it would've been hard to pull off it off alone though!"
"I know, but do you believe me?" he asked.
"Actually JT as weird as your story sounds, deep down inside I do believe you!" she admitted.
"Great!" he smirked. "We'll use your confidence in my story against her!"
"How?" asked Mac.
"It's easy," he said. "Somehow you'll have to drop hints that you know the truth!"
"But how?" she asked again. "That's the hard part!"
"I know, so let me think on it for awhile and I'll let you know what I come up with." he said with a smile. Just then Brittany walked in. She spotted them and frowned. 'Great!' thought JT. 'She's jealous too! This is working perfectly!' She smiled slightly and walked over to them.
"Hi you two," she said. "What's up?"
"Not much Britt," JT replied. "You?"
"Oh, I'm meeting Billy here for coffee." she replied. Mac stared at her in disbelief, but her smile never left her lips. "JT can I talk to you for a moment?"
"Sorry Britt, but I'm sorta busy right now." he replied as he ran a thumb across Mac's hand.
"Now please!" she insisted.
"It's okay JT." Mac smiled. "I'm not going anywhere!" He grinned at her and stood up to talk to Britt.
"What is it now?" he asked.
"What are you doing with Litte Miss Prom Queen?" Britt hissed.
"What's it to you?" he asked.
"It's just she's not your type and...." she said.
"And what?" he asked. "Who says she's not my type? Maybe my type has changed?"
"Whatever JT, but I'm on to you!" she whispered.
"What are you talking about?" he asked.
"I know you're doing this to make me jealous and it's not going to work!" she insisted.
"Think what you want Britt, but if I were you I'd stop being so full of myself!" he snapped. "Now if you'll excuse me."
"Wait just a minute!" she hissed as she grabbed his elbow. "If you even think of saying one word to Mac about what you know, you'll live to regret it and so will she!"
"You know what Britt?"
"What?" she questioned.
"Back off or else!" he glared. "You're a little too big for that high horse you're on, don't you think?"
"Whatever JT, but I'm warning you!" she snapped. "The axe will fall when you least expect it!"
"Same goes for you babe!" he smirked.
"What's that suppose to mean?" she asked with concern.
"Stick around and find out." he said with a grin. Before she could say another word JT walked back over to Mac and slid into the booth next to her. He slipped his arm around her shoulders and smiled at her.
"What was that all about?" Mac asked in a whisper.
"Oh Brittany was laying threats, but she doesn't scare me." he said as he grinned at Brittany across the room.
"Well to be truthful she scares me." Mac replied.
"Don't say that," he said. "Don't you know that she can smell your fear?" he asked.
"Isn't that what a dog can do?" Mac asked.
"Exactly!" J.T laughed and then Mac giggled and then stopped short when Billy walked through the door. "Show time," J.T whispered as he tightened his grip on Mac's shoulders. "Simle." he said through clenched teeth. Mac brightened her smile and leaned her head against J.T's shoulder.
Billy walked in and spotted Mac immediately. She looked beautiful, but there was only one thing that bothered him, was the fact that J.T. was sitting next to her instead of him. 'I hate that guy,' he thought as he spotted Brittany waving him over. 'Here we go!' he thought sadly. 'Just remember it will be worth it in the end once Mac was back in my arms!' He walked over to Brit and tried to ignore Mac and J.T. "Hey Britt!" he said as he approached the table.
"Hey Billy!" she cooed. She stood and wrapped her arms around his neck. He tried to hug her back, but he gave it little effort.
"I don't know if I can do this." he whispered when they sat down.
"Of course you can." she said as she placed her hand on his. Billy watched as Trevor delivered their drinks and then glanced back at Brittany.
"So now what?" he asked.
"Just talk to me." she replied.
"About what?" he asked.
"Um... how about the Christmas dance?" Brittany suggested. "Who are you taking?"
"Well.....I am hoping to take Mac, but who knows." he replied with a frown.
"Stop frowning!" she scolded. "Mac needs to see you happy."
"I know, but it's hard!" he sighed.
"Be tough!" she teased. Billy smiled at her remark and then reminded himself he had to make an effort to wrap Brittany around his little finger.
"Well I guess I should be telling people we're going to the dance together huh?" he asked.
"Oh really?" Britt asked in surprise.
"Well sure, if we're going to be convincing." he smiled.
"That's a great idea why didn't I think of that?"
'Because you don't think past getting........' he thought grinning.
"What's that grin for?" she asked couriously.
"Oh nothing," he lied. Just then Billy's eyes grew wide. Brittany turned her gaze where he was looking. "Oh my G**!" Billy whispered barly holding control. "I can't believe it!" Brittany grinned as she watched J.T. lay a hungry kiss on Mac's lips. 'Things just keep getting better,' she thought!
Mac watched Billy and tried to pay attention to J.T. at the same time.
"Hello!" JT called as he waved a hand in front of her face. "Anyone home in that pretty little head of yours?"
"Huh what? Oh sorry, J.T!" she said blushing. "I am listening. What were you saying about the Christmas dance?"
"We should go together." he suggested.
"But what if I am with Billy by then?" she asked.
"Then you'll go with him," he replied. "I'll have no problem with finding another date!"
"Are you sure?" Mac asked.
"Positive." he answered.
"They sure look happy." Mac commented when she looked over at Billy again.
"I can get his attention." J.T. said.
"How?" Mac asked.
"By turning up the heat another notch." he replied.
"And just how are you planning on doing that?" Mac asked.
"By doing this." he whispered as he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. Mac's eyes grew as she tried to pull away J.T. laced a hand through her silky hair and held her head in place. After a few moments he broke the kiss and smiled at her. Mac glanced over at Billy and blushed. He was staring, but what she saw surprised her. Along with surprise and jealousy there was a mixture of hurt and sadness in his eyes.
Mac quickly looked back at J.T. and said, "I can't believe you just did that!"
"Well get used to it." he replied.
"But...." she stammered.
"What, you didn't like it?" he asked.
"I don't want to hurt your ego J.T., but you know I would only enjoy Billy's kisses." she replied.
"I should have known," he laughed. "Well get used to it Mac, cause it worked for us!" Mac frowned slightly and J.T. said, "I think they've seen enough for tonight!"
"Yeah." Mac agreed.
"I should be getting you home anyway," he said as he stood up. He went to pay the check and quickly returned. "Come on." he said as he wrapped his arm around her waist. They smiled at Billy and Brittany on their way out and Billy stared after her until she disappeared.
"I can't believe him!" Billy cried.
"Look who you're talking about!" Brittany pointed out. "It's J.T!"
"Yeah I guess you're right, but I could kill him for even touching her!" he glared. "I gotta go!" he said suddenly. "I'll talk to you tomorrow okay?"
"Sure," she said. "Thanks for inviting me, I guess..."
"Sorry I am leaving so soon, but I have to....do something!" he replied. She waved and then watched him hurry out the front door. 'This is going to be harder then I thought!' she thought to herself. 'But what Mac doesn't know is that her little game is helping me move my plan right along!'
J.T. walked Mac to the door and said, "Night beautiful!" Mac's eyes grew wide and then tears filled them. "What?" he asked.
"Don't ever call me that again!" she snapped.
"Why?" he asked.
"Billy is the only one that can call me that," she said. "That's why!"
"Okay sorry I didn't know," he replied. "Look I'll see you tomorrow bye."
"Bye." Mac whispered as she watched him walk down the steps to his car. She watched him drive away and then hurried into the house and up the stairs. 'What happened tonight might change things forever,' she worried. 'And it may not have been for the better!'
The next afternoon Billy spotted J.T. down the hall walking towards him.
"Hey J.T, can I talk to you for a moment?" Billy asked.
"What do you want now Abbott?" J.T. asked rudely.
"I just want to warn you that if you hurt Mac in anyway I'll kill you!" Billy threatened.
"You know I don't think it's such a good idea to say things like that!" J.T. replied. "Those types of threats can be taken very seriously!"
"That's the way I was hoping you'd take it!" Billy glared.
"Look man, she's over you." J.T. smirked. "Move on, but then again it looks to me like you already have."
"Shut your face!" Billy snapped. "Or else!"
"Or else what?" J.T. mocked.
"Don't tempt me!" Billy replied.
"Look Abbott I know you're jealous, but face it she's over you!" J.T. said.
"We'll see about that!" Billy replied and then he walked off down the hall.
'You have no idea what's happening around you...do you Abbott?' J.T. thought with a grin.
That night Billy was sitting on his bed looking at his picture of Mac. 'God I miss you,' he thought. Just then the phone rang. 'Mac!' he thought.
"Hello?"
"Hey Billy!" Brittany cooed.
"Oh hey." he replied.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Oh nothing." he replied.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"Yeah," he said. "What did you need?"
"Nothing really," she replied. "I just wanted to talk."
"About.....?" he asked.
"Well actually Billy, I want to talk about us." she answered.
"Brittany, there is no us!" Billy replied. "You know that!"
"Not us as a couple Billy, but us as friends. I know you still love Mac, but aren't we friends?"
"Of course Brittany." he replied.
"Good." she smiled.
"So what did you want to ask me?" he asked.
"Well..." Brittany started. "We're getting closer aren't we or.....is it just me?"
"No Britt, it's not just you." he replied with a slight smile.
"Good," she said again. "Because I like where things are going."
"What do you mean by that?" he asked.
"Oh just that we're getting to know each other better." she replied.
"Oh," he said. "Anyway Britt, I gotta go!"
"Okay," she said. "I'll see you tomorrow!"
"Yeah, bye." he replied before hanging up the phone. Billy put the phone back on the receiver and then stared at the phone. 'I want you to call so bad Mac!' he thought. 'But should I?' Billy picked up the phone and dialed Mac's number.
"Hello?" she answered.
"Mac, it's me." Billy replied.
"Oh," she said nervously. "Why are you calling?" she asked.
"Actually I was wondering if we could talk?" he said.
"About?....." she asked.
"Well I don't want to get into it over the phone," he said. "So....can we meet at our place?" he asked.
"I don't know Billy." she said.
"Please Mac!" he begged.
"Billy I just don't think it would be a good idea, what would Brittany think?"
"Brittany?" Billy asked in surprise.
"Well yeah, I know you two are seeing each other again." she said. "I wouldn't want to cause more problems!"
"Believe me you wouldn't be!" he replied.
"But...." she started.
"Please Mac!" he interrupted.
"But I am not sure J.T......." Mac started.
"Oh don't start with him." Billy said.
"But Billy this could concern him too." Mac replied.
"Mac don't be silly," Billy pushed. "You and I both know he's only after one thing!"
"Billy I admit he's after something, but I promise you it's not what you think!" Mac insisted.
"Mac please meet me at the playhouse!" he begged.
"Fine, I'll meet you there." she sighed.
"Great," he said with a smile. "I'll see you soon!" Mac hung up the phone and sighed heavily. 'Is this a good idea?' she asked herself. 'There's only one way to find out.'
Mac walked down the dark path toward the playhouse. She approached the playhouse and held her breath as she turned the knob. But all was dark inside when she entered and she wondered why Billy wasn't there yet! She lit several candles around the room and a dull yet romantic light lit up the room. She sighed and went to sit on the settee while she waited for Billy to arrive. She glanced around the room and memories floated in front of her eyes. She saw her and Billy eating the picnic lunch he had made, she saw Billy comforting her so many diffrent times, and she saw her and Billy dancing to their song. These memories brought tears to her eyes, but she quickly wiped them away. She glanded at her watch and wondered were Billy was! Suddenly the door opened behind her and she turned to see Billy looking at her. She smiled slightly and he smiled back. He walked over to her and sat down next to her.
"Mac," he whispered. "I am so glad you agreed to come!"
"What did you want to talk about?" she asked.
"Well Mac....." he started to say. Just then Mac's cell phone rang and she frowned.
"I have to answer this." she told Billy.
"That's okay go ahead." he replied.
"Hello?" she answered.
"Hey babe," J.T. said. "Where are you? I've been looking everywhere for you!"
"You have?" she asked.
"Yeah I need to talk to you." he replied.
"Well now is not the best time!" Mac insisted.
"Why?" he asked.
"I am just busy." she said.
"Are you with Abbott?" he questioned.
"Actually I am." she answered.
"You shouldn't be there." J.T. said.
"Why not?" she asked.
"It's just not a good idea," he insisted. "I need to talk to you about something that happen today!"
"Can't it wait?" she asked.
"No it can't," he said. "Now are you going to meet me or not?"
"But....." she stammered.
"Please Mac?" he said. "We have to talk!"
"Fine, I'll be right there!" she sighed. She turned off her phone and stood up. "I have to go," she said sadly. "I have to meet someone!"
"But Mac, you just got here!" Billy responded.
"I know, but it's important." she sighed. "At least it better be!"
"Fine," he frowned. "Just go!"
"Billy, I'm sorry." she said quietly.
"Yeah, whatever!" he said. "Look just go!"
"Wait!" she called. "What was it you were going to say to me?"
"It was nothing." he said and then he walked out the door. Tears slid down her face, but she wiped them away and headed up the path herself. 'Whatever J.T. had to say had better be good cause he may have cost her Billy forever!'
"Damn!" Billy cried as he walked into the house. "What was that about?" He walked into the living room and found the house quiet! 'That's right' he remembered. 'Everyone's over at Ashley's visiting the baby!' He walked over to the fireplace and glanced in the mirror. 'Why does she do this to me?' he asked himself. He ran his fingers through his hair and glanced around the room. His gaze landed on the wet bar and he walked over to it. 'No!' his head screamed. He picked up a glass and poured scotch into it. "This one's for you beautiful!" he said aloud. He tipped his head back and swallowed the burning liquid down his throat. 'God I hate this stuff' he thought as he poured himself another glass. After he swallowed another glassful he took his cup and the bottle out towards the pool. He walked out by the pool and gazed up at the cloudy sky. 'No stars tonight' he thought. His mind traveled back to a night when the stars had been bright and when Mac had been in his arms. 'Will there ever be another night like that again?' he wondered. 'There will if I have anything to say about it!' He walked over to a lounge chair and stared up at the sky. 'Please God!' he begged. 'Bring Mac back to me! I'll do anything if you'll just bring her back to me!' He sighed heavily and suddenly a light snow began to fall. 'Just great!' he thought. He stood quickly and stumbled back into the house. He walked back into the house and set the bottle back where it belonged. 'Don't want to get in too much trouble' he thought and then headed upstairs to bed.
Mac walked into Crimson Lights and spotted J.T. sitting at a table.
"This had better be good!" she said as she walked up to him.
"Trust me babe, it is!" he smirked.
"Okay, so spill it." Mac said as she sat down.
"First things first." J.T. said. "What were you doing with Abbott?"
"What do you care?" Mac asked.
"I care because I'm involved too." he replied. "We're working together remember?"
"Well I was sort of talking to Billy." she said.
"Wait, what do you mean sort of talking?" he asked.
"Well he was about to tell me something and then we were rudely interrupted by a certain phone call." she frowned.
"Okay, sorry." he said.
"Anyway I think we were about to make up, but now he's mad at me for leaving." she replied.
"Does he know you left to meet me?" J.T. asked.
"No, I just said something important had come up." she answered.
"Good." he responded.
"But I think we'll be together soon, your plan is actually working!" she said excitedly.
"It may be working for you, but you're not getting back together with him yet!" he argued.
"What? Why not?" she cried.
"Because the plan hasn't worked all the way yet." he said.
"What do you mean by that?" she asked.
"Because this plan is supposed to bring Britt to me as well as bring Billy to you." he said.
"What?....." she asked. "I thought....."
"You thought wrong, so if you want Billy we'd better work on Britt!" he smirked.
"You jerk!" she cried.
"Oh such harsh words!" he mocked.
"Don't even go there!" she snapped. "If you think I'm going to be used, you've got another thing coming!"
"Oh you say that now, but wait till you hear what else I have to say!" he smirked.
"Fine, what else do you have to say?" she snapped.
"Let's just say that if you don't stay and continue our little charade, then I'll just have to tell Billy everything!" he smirked.
"Oh so you think telling Billy would ruin my chances with him, do you?" she asked. "Well think again cause Billy hates you and he cares deeply for me!"
"Yeah I know Abbott cares for you," J.T. replied. "That's why he threatened to kill me if I hurt you in anyway and I mean anyway!"
"Really?" she asked.
"Yeah, so I think you owe me in a big way." he replied.
"Maybe I do, but don't threaten me because you'll loose, in a big way!" she smirked.
"So are you going to stick with me or leave me high and dry?" he asked.
"I guess I owe you this much, so yeah I'll help you, but if I start to lose Billy it's over!" she replied.
"Great!" he smiled.
"So, what was it you interrupted my conversation with Billy for?" she asked.
"Nothing!" he smirked. "I just told you why I didn't want you getting back together with him just yet!"
"Ugh!" she cried.
"Oh come on," he smiled. "Let's not start again!"
"Fine, but the only reason I'm not fighting with you again is because it's late and I want to go home!" she laughed. "So I'll see you tomorrow!"
"Sure," he said. "Bye!" Mac stood and then walked out the front door. 'I knew you'd come though for me!' J.T. thought. 'And you're the only one!'