Four thousand, three hundred and fifty dollars. That's how much she had saved so far. Billie smiled, proud of herself as she counted the prepaid cards. Her inheritance from her father was given to Sean to start his company. Royalties from the song were switched to an account by her attorney and most likely were accumulating. But it wasn't much. She had given him permission to choose the use of the song at his discretion for now. She didn't want to access that money because she didn't know if she was being tracked, so she was happy to work hard and make her own living, her way. She had been working for eight weeks and had paid her rent and bought only necessities and things to spruce up the yard which was was looking good. She had added bricks where they were missing and had spray painted the outdoor chairs and bench and had bought cushions for them. She strung outdoor lights in a cross shape over the back patio and planted some cacti and shrubs and succulents and grasses along the walkway in the front of the house and around the patio in the back. Most of her money went to the hot tub. She tried to get it working herself but she finally had to hire someone to come out. It was worth every penny to see it clean and lit up and running. The guy had educated her on maintenance as well and she had bought some chemicals for it. She sat at the outdoor table and smiled. He little out door fire place was working well and made the space complete. Nights were beautiful in Arizona. The sky was so clear and the stars looked like they were falling into you. It was cool at night as well. Really chilly. She had bought a fluffy Sherpa zip hoodie for nights like this. She poured a glass of wine and smiled. This felt like home. Finally.
++++++++++++++++++
The Roadhouse was packed, just as Gabe had said it would be. Billie found Abby, Kelsi and Amber at a table.
"Hey! You made it!" Abby said.
"Yeah. Turns out I live really close to here. I walked." Billie said.
"Hey. You came." Gabe said, standing beside her and putting his arm around her.
"I did. I live so close, I could throw a rock and hit my back patio from here. I figured I better stop by." Billie said.
"Ah, you only came because it's of the convenient location. I see how it is." Gabe joked.
"Everybody has reasons." She said back, smiling.
"Lily!" Pete said, hugging her. "Glad you could make it." Ricky smiled and nodded at her and Tommy just looked out at the crowd. They were an odd group but they were her friends. Although she got the impression that she wasn't Amber's favorite. Or Ricky's. Their first set was great. The crowd seemed to love them there. It was biker bar and the crowd was more rock n roll than the other place. Women once again were all over Gabe. He smiled and took off his shirt during the second set. It was warm in the bar but the shirt removal was unnecessary for practical reasons. He was doing it for the ladies. Billie knew it well. He was peacocking. It was his thing. He would strut all around the bar and show his beautiful attributes for attention. Sean was the same way, only a little less subtle. He had to be. After they were married, he never stopped dating. Gabe was way more out front about it. Sure, it probably helped the band but it was very much for him, all the same. It was almost comical. After the second set, Gabe finally made his way back to the table with a harem of women following him. They were practically fighting over who would buy him a drink. Billie had seen enough. She was tired after working all day and needed sleep. She was working the later shift the next day and would need to be at work until at least midnight.
"Well, what did you think?" Gabe asked, sipping his beer and wiping his brow with his shirt he was still not wearing.
"We laugh at gilded butterflies." She said. She thanked Abby for inviting her and said goodbye to everyone.
"Wait. Lily." Gabe said, following her to the door.
"Yes?" She asked.
"What did you mean by that?" He asked.
"It's nothing. Good show, thanks for inviting me." She said as she walked out the door.