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"I'm telling you, this is a bad idea," Carter muttered as we walked into the dog shelter.

"Why are you even here?" I scoffed back.

"I told him not to come but he insisted," Rory frowned with a shrug.

"Hello, how can I help you today?" A man behind the counter asked, capturing all of our attention.

"I'm looking to adopt a puppy," I smiled triumphantly.

"Of course, let me show you around," he smiled, gesturing to a door on the right.

We visited a few of the puppies they had as I explained a bit more about what I was looking for, but nothing seemed to click until we walked into a kennel with a small dog sitting in the corner with sad eyes. "Who's this?" I asked, my bottom lip jutting out at how cute he is.

"This is Ollie. I know you mentioned you have a child living with you and he is great with children," the man explained.

"Aww, hello cutie," I crouched down beside him, letting him sniff my hand before petting him on the head. He leaned into my touch immediately and that's when I knew he was perfect.

"Okay, I gotta admit, I think you should get him," Dion finally caved.

"Ollie, do you want to come home with me?" I asked him and just then he placed a paw on my foot making me smile widely.

＊＊＊

The minute Hazelee met Ollie, it was love at first sight. Not only was Ollie gentle with her, but she was gentle with him as well. As the night progressed, Hazey fell asleep next to Ollie on the couch and I put her in her bed before spending a little while longer with Rory and Dion.

"Ay, we're going out on the balcony," Dion announces as I came out of Hazelee's room.

"Coming," I followed them out of the doors, sitting on the few chairs that fit on the balcony. It's a nice area where I've strung up a few lights and have some plants. I sometimes come out here to watch the sunset, and the 5fth floor is perfect for that.

"So, can we discuss the other day?" Dion asked, pulling out a pre-rolled joint from his jacket pocket.

"Why? What happened?" Rory asked.

"Um, well Dion came to drop off shit and the girl I talked to you about the other day was here."

"Oh my god did you see them fucking?" Rory's eyes grew wide as she looked at Dion.

"No, actually she was hanging out with Haze," he pursed his lips, looking towards me for answers.

"Are you two a thing now?" Rory asked, growing excitement evident in her voice as Dion passed me the joint.

"Okay look," I exhaled the smoke before starting, "so we were just fucking for like a month, not even a hug. It was super casual. Then that day she randomly showed up without even texting me. I don't know why...but we ended up talking that night and she comforted me and I just...Ugh, I don't know," I grew more frustrated with myself. I don't know what she really wants and it's making me crazy.

"You're in love," Dion chuckled.

"No, obviously not but I do for sure have feeling for her," I admitted, passing the J to Rory.

"Damn, our girls got a crush. Who is she anyway?" Rory asked.

I trust Rory but she does have a loudmouth sometimes, especially when she's excited about something. "She's- You don't know her," I lied, making Dion hold back a laugh.

"I wanna meet her!"

"Woah, hold your fire, we aren't even a thing yet!"

After about half an hour, it had become golden hour, Rory and Dion decided to head home and I knew I needed to share the news about Ollie with Billie.

i'll be there in like 20 mins

perfect

＊＊＊

"He's adorable," Billie's bottom lip jutted out the same way mine did when I first saw Ollie.

"I know, I can't get over how cute he is," I agreed, watching as Billie sat on the floor, playing with a very excited Ollie.

"So, how are you?" I asked, wanting to have a genuine conversation. It seemed like for the past month we were just hooking up and the only thing we talked about was sex and when we could meet up next; that is until Billie showed up at my house randomly and now all we talk about is Hazelee. I want to know more about her.

"Oh, I'm good," Billie smiled, looking up at me. "Honestly exhausted though. Finneas and I have been working really hard."

"Finneas?" I questioned.

"My brother. He helps me write and produce all my music," she explained.

"That's sweet," I smiled back. I'll have to admit, I haven't even stalked her that much. I've been too busy. I don't even know much of her music, just a few of the most popular ones.

"I keep forgetting that you know nothing about me," Billie chuckled, lifting her body off of the floor, sitting next to me on the couch with her body facing me.

"Sorry?" I questioned, not sure how to respond to that.

"No, god no," she exhausted, "Don't be sorry. It's so refreshing but my stupid ass thinks everyone knows everything about me and I hate that." She took a moment to take a deep breath, making direct eye contact with me. "You treat me differently, I like that."

"Yeah?" A soft smile played on my lips.

"Mhm," she nodded her head, placing a hand on my cheek.

"I like it too," I admitted, leaning into her touch before pressing my lips against hers. I didn't attempt to deepen the kiss but keep it short. I sorta made a rule that I don't have sex in my apartment while Hazelee is here...due to past trauma.

When I pulled away, Billie cleared her throat, staring into her lap. "Want to sleep over?" I asked.

"I should really go home and take a shower."

"Y'know, I own a shower."

"Yes, and?" Billie laughed softly.

"So, just use mine. Towels are under the sink, feel free to use anything you find and I'll bring you some comfy clothes," I stated, not giving her a chance to decline the offer as I walked straight to my room.

Only a few moments later I heard the bathroom door shut and the shower turn on. I grabbed a large band shirt and some sweatpants I thought she'd like before knocking on the bathroom door.

"Yeah?" She called out.

"I'll just leave the clothes out here," I let her know before walking back to my room, turning off the main light and leaving just my lamp on.

＊＊＊

"How was your shower?" I asked as she walked into my room wearing the clothes I left out for her, running a towel through her damp hair.

"It was great. Your water is soft as fuck," she exclaimed, hanging up the towel on the back of my door.

"Huh? Girl, all water is the same," I furrowed a brow.

"It really isn't," she shook her head, climbing on the bed next to me and joining me under the covers but keeping her distance.

"So, what have you and Finneas been working on exactly?" I asked, staring up at the ceiling.

"We are working on an album," I could hear the excitement coating her voice.

"Really? Didn't you just put out an album?"

"Like, two years ago."

"Oh damn," I chuckled. "What else you got going on in you oh-so-famous life?" I turned on my side, facing her to find her already doing the same.

"Well, I actually have a shoot for Vogue in a few days," she lifted a brow, a smirk pulling on her lips.

"Yeah? What's the vibe?"

"Like..." she glanced up for a moment, "old Hollywood lingerie"

"Oh," my eyes widened slightly. "Have you ever done something like that?"

"Hell no," she practically shouted, "Yo, the most skin the public has seen is my damn shoulders!"

"Well, I'd say they don't deserve to see more of you. You're way too hot for them."

"Oh hush," her cheeks suddenly a dusty pink. "I'm so nervous but at the same time I'm so ready."

"That makes sense. I want to see it before anyone else does," I half demanded.

"We'll see about that," she winked, now turning my cheeks pink. After a second of comfortable silence, she suggested an idea, "how about we play truth or dare?"

"Oh, I'm so down," I smirked playfully.

"Okay, truth or dare?"

"Truth," I said, seeing how dirty this was going to get before choosing dare.

"Umm..." she thought for a moment, "If you could change one thing about yourself, what would you change."

"Well damn." Do I want to answer this truthfully or just skim the surface? "I guess I'd change who my birth father is."

Billie's facial expression changed to one of sympathy, "Okay, truth or dare?" I quickly asked, changing the topic before she even had a chance to question it further.

"Truth."

"What are your parents like?" I asked. I know nothing about her family or personal life really.

"They're amazingly supportive," she said simply.

"Tell me more," I stated. I could tell she was just keeping it simple because of my last answer.

"But I answered the question, truth or dare?"

I rolled my eyes playfully before answering "truth."

"You promise not to lie to me during this game?" Her voice was so genuine and I could tell this was about to get deep.

"I promise," I nodded softly. "Truth or dare?"

"Truth."

This was turning into a game of truth but I'm not mad about it, all I want to do is know everything about her. All her ins and outs, everything about her past, what makes her happy, what makes her sad, what makes her smile, what her pet peeves are, absolutely everything.

"Have you ever been with a guy?" I asked.

"I have. I actually didn't know I was into girls until my fans starting pointing out how I talked about girls and I gave it a second thought. This is gonna sound stupid but I always just thought girls were safe, hot, beautiful creatures that I loved and would maybe fuck around with one day but then I realized I actually could see a future with one," she explained.

"I think a lot of people are like that," I chuckled. "And I pick truth," I answered before she even had to ask.

"Hmm, okay. What are some of your hobbies? The only thing I really know about you is that you are great with your mouth and you take care of Hazelee."

"Um," I thought for a moment, letting out a deep breath. "I don't know... I used to have a lot of hobbies but now I just sorta work, parent Hazelee and every few nights hang out with Rory and Dion."

Her face turned to one of sadness, "Do you miss the freedom of not being responsible for a tiny human?"

"It's not your turn," I pushed her playfully as a yawn escaped my mouth.

"Okay, what do you want to know?" She asked.

"What's one thing you wish you could do but can't?"

"Honestly, just go to the mall or the fucking corner store. I don't care, I just wanna go somewhere without being mobbed. Who's like the one person you can talk to about everything?"

"I don't really have one of those. Do you?" My eyelids were starting to grow heavier by the second.

"I would say Finneas, but he doesn't know about you- Do you want to go to sleep?" She interrupted herself.

"Mhm," I nodded my head.

"Okay," she chuckled, reaching to turn my lamp off. "Sweet dreams Carter."

"You too Bil," I said, already half asleep.

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This is the longest chapter so far. Was it too long?

Word count: 2086