This is going to be a shorter story. Can't give exact chapter length but I've got plans for it and something else in mind. Think of this as a prequel of sorts. Big thank you goes to EnglishPoet18 and BluLcy for all their inspires they spammed me with to get me writing. I've got some big plans and I hope you all likes where this goes.
Carol and Daryl are in their early twenties. Carol and Stacey are twenty and Daryl is twenty-one. Merle is twenty-eight.
Carol smiled watching the bikes as they drove through town she always loved bike week here. The excitement, the leather, the chrome, and everything that went with it. Being the daughter of one of the best mechanics in the state gave her all the exposure she needed with as many people who came through the shop. They all knew she was Dean's daughter and for as rough as most of them were they all treated her with respect. You didn't disrespect the man or his only daughter when he was working on your bike.
"Carol Ann!" Dean's voice called from the inside of the bay doors.
Turning she walked back up the lane towards her waiting father. Smiling at him she raised a brow, "What?"
"You remember Will Dixon? Well him and his boys are gonna be in town and if they stop by before I get back I want you to call me." His voice was serious letting her know he meant business.
"Alright." She saluted him as he walked past shaking his head, "Get ya ass inside before someone tries to pick you up."
Carol laughed, "You act like I'm not an adult."
Dean looked at her thoughtfully, "Don't care how old your ass is your still my daughter. Too early in the day to think about murder."
Carol watched him pull away and moved inside the shop trying to find something to busy herself with. She tried to listen for sounds of anyone pulling up but the there was so much traffic with it being bike week that she couldn't make much out. Looking up at the sounds of boots she smiled broadly at the person making their way towards her.
"Didn't think you were going to be able to make it in!" Carol laughed.
"You think some waitress job is going to keep from all these leather clad men?"
Carol eyed her friend shaking her head, "Ace most of them are OLD!"
Licking her lips she leaned in, "Got a thing for older men Carol."
"Considering we just turned twenty and most are in their fourties or older I think you need to aim a bit lower." Carol grinned at her.
Stacey jumped up on the desk setting down heavily crossing her booted legs under her, "Where's your dad?"
Carol sighed, "He went on a run for parts."
"Wanna get out of here?" Stacey grinned her eyes twinkling.
Carol smiled, "I can't. He's expecting some men and he wants me to wait and call him when they get here."
As if on cue the thunderous sounds of bikes echoed close and Carol leaned looking out the door seeing three bikes on the lane. Carol stood moving out the doors towards the lead man who she immediately recognized as Will. She would never be able to forget what this man looked like for as long as she lived. Her father and Will had served in the military together and there were pictures of him with her father together over seas and even back here. He came to visit he father often over the years, they had formed a brotherhood in blood and battle. He was like family and his demeanor was calming to be around but there was no doubt that he could be a frightening man if he had the mind to be. The other two men with him though she couldn't say she knew. Maybe one was Merle but she couldn't be sure since it had been so long since she had seen him.
"Do my eyes deceive me or is that Carol Ann!" Will laughed walking towards her his heavy booted feet thudding.
Smiling broadly she was enveloped in a crushing hug that lifted her from the ground in not time. Her feet dangled as he held her supported against his solid frame. He laughed deeply it vibrating against his chest where her face was planted. He let her down holding her out at arm's length and whistling, "Grew up on us girl. Not sure I like that shit."
Carol blushed but he winked at her before holding his hand out to Stacey next to her, "Ma'am."
She blushed deeply and Carol smiled, "This is my friend Stacey."
"My pleasure." His deep southern drawl was gruff.
Carol could see one of the men behind him kicked back leaning on his bike but the other was blocked from her view. She was pretty sure these were his sons but wasn't sure. She'd met Merle a few years back before he shipped out but she couldn't remember the other one too much.
"Boys!" Will's voice commanded attention. "Get ya asses up here and say hello."
Carol met Merle's eyes and he gave her a smile before his eyes landed on Stacey his look turning wolfish. He was his dad made over in every bit. He was stocky and had the look of military about him his eyes pensive even when they changed. Turning her eyes back over she watched as his other son made his way towards them on silent feet. He was leaner, more lithe and whipcord built from what she could see that wasn't covered in his leather jacket. He was looking down obscuring his face from view as he stepped next to his father on the left just behind him.
"Merle you remember Carol Ann. Daryl don't think you met her then you were with Norman when I came down here." He spoke to the youngest.
His face lifted at Will speaking directly to him and Carol sucked in a breath and felt Stacey grip her arm tightly. Daryl licked his lips the dark sunglasses obscuring his eyes as he looked at the older man.
"Sounds about right." His southern drawl was more pronounced than Merle's and his words were like sandpaper covered in sin and honey. Just the right amount of burn to make it sweet.
His face turned to her and she got her first real glimpse of him and swallowed heavily feeling like she couldn't breathe. He was beautiful with his tossled wind-swept hair hanging haphazardly over his forehead just dark enough to not be considered blonde. She wanted to run her hands through it and see how soft she knew it would feel against her skin.
Will smiled at her clearing his throat, "Carol this is my youngest Daryl."
Stacey moved past her when she didn't speak, "Are y'all thirsty? Carol go ahead and call Dean." She elbowed her and Carol shook her head slightly blushing hard before nodding and turning to walk into the shop.
She made her way to the office feeling Stacey behind her after a minute. "Hey! There here dad." She nodded keeping her eyes on Stacey as she heard the men out front laughing. There was a deep barking laugh and a deep chuckle, but it was the softer laugh that got her attention. She just knew it was Daryl's.
Hanging up she blushed again as Stacey gave her a knowing smile, "Did you just have a stroke out front?"
Carol looked away, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Then you're the only one. If you'd stared at him any harder than you would have died from not breathing." Stacey smiled at her.
Carol shook her head meeting her eyes, "I don't know what happened."
"Carol Ann Halcomb. That is the first time I've seen you speechless and seen you any bit interested in a man. It's the leather isn't it? Or is that mole just above his lip...I just wanna lick it." Stacey teased.
Carol's mind recalled his face rapid fire in her mind and she let herself focus on his face. It was sculptured in a way that made you wanna investigate every peak and valley. His high cheek bones and smooth lips with that mole just made your mouth drool and your thighs tighten against the ache. He was the type of man you could get lost looking at if you weren't careful. She was nervous to see what he would look like without that leather jacket on after it exposed more of him and those sunglasses. She was hungry to see his eyes in a way she didn't quite understand.
Carol huffed, "Shut up."
Stacey elbowed her and they made their way back outside just as Daryl straddled his bike laughing with Merle. His face was split into a wide grin showing off perfectly straight white teeth and Merle was speaking low, and from what she could recall of the man he was no doubt saying something filthy. Daryl shook his head looking down as Merle made lewd gestures while Will wasn't looking at the pair of them.
"Oh come Darylina act like you wouldn't!" Merle laughed.
Will turned looking at them, "Merle quit startin' shit."
"Aint startin' shit, statin' facts here!" Merle grinned. Will winked at him and Daryl sighed as they got closer.
"Can't you just leave shit alone. And by that I mean me! Leave me the fuck alone." Daryl snapped.
Carol and Stacey set back watching both men sneakily as they set talking lounging on their bikes. Will was shaking his head stepping in between them ever so often breaking up would be fights before they could start.
"You know maybe you're right...maybe I should look at younger men. Merle seems like a good start." Stacey quipped. "I would have said Daryl but I think you're already about to combust sexually just being around him."
Carol raised her eyebrows, "Why does this not surprise me?"
"Cause I'd ride him into the ground." Stacey grinned at her.
Dean pulling up distracted them all and he was off his bike in no time grabbing Will and hugging him. "Brother! How the fuck you been?"
Will smiled stepping back, "Good if I could keep these two from tearing each others throats out."
"Aint that what brothers do?" Dean laughed, "Merle aint you to old to be fuckin' with your baby brother?" He moved closer to the pair of them pulling each into a one-armed hug. "Goddamn Daryl you've grown up. Makin' my ass feel old."
"Cause your ass is old." He grinned at him.
"How old are you now?" Dean questioned smiling at his quip.
Will stepped next to him his arm going around Daryl's shoulders, "He's just turned twenty-one."
Dean whistled, "Think we can do something about that...What day was it?"
Daryl shook his head ducking away from the attention being on him. Shaking his head Merle laughed stepping closer, "It was just three days ago. Been on the road the entire time tough."
"Carol!" Dean whistled. Carol walked over looking at her father, "Karen's still open?"
Carol raised her eyebrow, "What time is it?"
"Just after four." Merle smiled at her.
Carol nodded her head, "Yeah she'll be open later cause of the rally this week."
Dean shot her a look, "Get ya shit and show these two where it is and let Karen know it's for his birthday."
Carol raised an eyebrow at him but he pursed his lips not looking away. She sighed and turned getting a wide grin from Stacey whose eyes were so bright and full of amusement Carol had to forcibly hold in a groan. Walking towards the shop she walked in the office getting her purse as she let it fall around her body as Stacey walked in.
"Soooo...what are you taking?" Stacey quipped with a wide smile.
Carol growled walking by her as she dug her keys from inside her purse. She walked back out about the time both men kicked started their bikes Merle letting his idle loudly on purpose. Merle's bike was clearly set up in a way to attract attention with the pipes he'd had installed and the engine he was sporting. Daryl's though was no less powerful but quieter, sharper, and built for speed.
Dean smiled at her as she neared pulling his wallet out as she walked close by. Stopping her with a look he handed her bills and nodded at her not speaking since Merle kept revving his engine. Will shot him a look and Merle's loud laughter died down with the engine to an idle. Daryl shook his head hot boxing the rest of his cigarette while they waited.
Will looked at Daryl then at her, "Make sure he doesn't try to take off on you. Merle is likely going to show his ass and Daryl hates attention being on him. The less said about his birthday to them there the better." Will sighed.
Carol nodded chewing her lip shooting at look at Daryl, "Alright."
Dean smiled at her, "Carol Ann and Stacey, don't you let them boys one up you. Give as good as you get."
Will snorted and Carol eyes widened knowing Stacey was getting ready to embarrass her father.
She stepped closer to him her hip bumping his, "I always give as good as I get Dean." She purred before sauntering off toward Carol's car.
Carol followed after her and she stopped when Stacey did, "Are y'all riding your bikes or with us?"
Merle and Daryl shared a look both grinning, "Sugar four wheels move the body but two wheels move the soul." Merle cooed.
Neither said anything else as they walked the bikes backwards waiting at the lane for the two women to take the lead. Carol smiled at his words and the easy way they had about them. It was nice to see someone younger around here instead of all the older men her father usually had around. She smiled to herself already thinking about what could be in store for this week.