the warehouse air was thick with dust and sweat. somewhere behind you, you could hear the water dripping from a busted pipe and the floor under your shoes had blood stains

tonight it was all about billie.

she was standing with her arms crossed. she looked messy like she hadnt let herself sleep

"i dont take orders from you anymore" billie spat. her voice was low but stern "youre not my fucking boss."

you laughed but it was dry and humorless "i was never your boss. you just liked pretending i was."

her eyes were glued on you, something desperate bubbling under the surface "screw you."

"you already did" you muttered

after that the silence was louder then your voices. her mouth twitched from how tight her jaw was and she took a step closer

"you think you know everything. you think just cause youve got a gun in your waistband and a crew waiting on your call you get to treat me like im disposable?"

you stepped towards her. you had that look in your eyes that she used to call reckless but beautiful when she was still wearing your clothes and kissing you

"i never treated you like that. you left billie."

"because i had to." she shoved your chest "you were out of control. every time you walked out that door i didnt know if i would see you alive or in a fucking body bag. thats not love."

"you dont get to define what love is to me." that made her breath catch and you watched her bite her lip like she was stopping herself from saying something she would regret

you leaned in with your lips near her ear and your voice like gravel "tell me you dont miss me."

she didnt pull away as she whispered "youre such an asshole."

you smiled "still not a no"

billie turned, walking like she wanted to scream or throw something or kiss you until her mouth went numb "youre the same arrogant prick you were four years ago."

"and youre still in love with me."

"i hate you."

"you dont."

she spun around "why does everything have to be a fight with you?"

you stepped closer again with your fists clenched at your sides "because when were not fighting were fucking and either way someones walking away with bruises."

the tension was so tight that you would be able to taste it. her eyes flicked to your lips and back while her fingers twitched at her sides like she didnt know whether to slap your or pull your in by the collar

"i hate that i still want you" her voice cracked

"then dont leave" your voice was soft now

"i wasnt planning to."

she moved first, it was just a twitch like her body was betraying her, you grabbed her wrist just enough to make her pause "im not saying sorry"

"good id hate you more if you did"

you smiled lightly "i shouldve let you burn me alive"

"i tried. you just liked the heat" her voice was bitter like honey