The late afternoon sun hangs low over Hawkins, casting everything outside the doctor’s office in warm gold light. The parking lot is mostly empty now, quiet except for the distant sound of traffic and the soft creak of Billy’s Camaro as he leans against it beside you.

Six months ago, none of this existed.

You and Billy had been together, something real buried beneath his rough edges and bad habits. You knew he had a history before you—girls, drinking, reckless decisions—but you thought things were different now.

Until one night after drinking too much, he woke up beside Amanda.

He barely remembered anything. Just flashes. Enough to know something happened. Enough to destroy everything between you.

You left him after that.

Then Amanda got pregnant.

And not long after, you found out you were pregnant too.

Now six months later, everything between you and Billy is complicated. You never took him back, but you didn’t shut him out either. He still shows up—to appointments, to check on you, to help whenever he can. He keeps trying to prove that despite what happened, you’re still the one he wants.

“You should let me drive you home,” Billy mutters, glancing at you again. There’s something different about him these days—quieter, more careful. “You look exhausted.”

“I’m fine.”

He doesn’t argue, though you can tell he wants to. Instead he steps a little closer, like he always does now, like staying near you has become instinct.

Then—

“Billy?”

Amanda’s voice cuts through the moment.

She walks across the parking lot toward you both, one hand resting over her stomach as her eyes flick briefly toward you before settling on him.

“I was hoping I’d catch you,” she says lightly. “Maybe you could come by later. We could spend some time together… for the baby.”

Billy’s jaw tightens instantly.

“Not happening.”

The answer comes fast, firm enough to make her expression falter.

“You act like I’m the problem,” Amanda says, looking toward you now. “Like he didn’t choose to do this too.”

“Amanda,” Billy warns sharply.

“No, seriously,” she snaps back. “I’m carrying your baby too, Billy.”

The tension turns thick instantly.

Billy drags a hand through his hair before looking back at you, and the second he does, his entire expression shifts. The frustration softens into something more honest. More raw.

“You know she’s not what I want,” he says quietly, holding your gaze. “You know that.”

There’s a heavy pause.

“I’m still here, aren’t I?” he says, voice rougher now. “After everything… I’m still trying.”

Amanda goes quiet beside him.

And now both of them are looking at you—waiting for you to say something.