Carol had chosen to meet her good friend Dale in the local restaurant, he had supported her when she started writing, and like Merle had been there for her when she needed him. After accepting their food she asked about his wife, as she looked up she noticed Daryl walking in with three other business men
"No" she whispered
Dale followed her eyes, "Friend of yours? " he asked
"Good question Dale" she no longer knew the answer to that
Daryl excused himself and strode toward's Carol's table. He looked angry, and she braced herself for trouble, surely he wouldn't make a scene.
"What the hell game are you playing?" he asked ignoring Dale, as he sat down on the chair closest to her "I told you it was over and here you are deliberately following me!"
"Me following you?" she gasped out
"How else do ya explain your presence in my favourite restaurant?" he growled, and his eyes accusing.
"Mr Dixon I am having lunch with my friend, not chasing after you. I do not chase after conceited men who think they are god's gift to women"
"Not very selective are ya?" he glared at Dale "Bit old for ya Carol ain't he?"
"Don't let the grey hairs fool you boy. I just graduated from high school" Dale said dryly, certainly not impressed with this man. Daryl felt the same and glared at Carol.
"For god's sake Daryl, grow up, I have nothing to discuss with you, now leave us the hell alone"She glared at him eyes sparkling hating everything about him at that moment, she didn't miss the two women on the next table openly undressing him with their eyes.
"This ain't getting us anywhere pixie, have lunch with me let's talk about last night!"
"No thank you" she informed him.
"But your going to ain't ya"
She smiled "If you insist. Here I will share mine" picking her plate up she poured it slowly in his lap, enjoying the tomato sauce ruining the expensive suit he wore. Standing up she grabbed her bag, and headed to the car park her head held high, Dale followed chuckling
"OH god Carol that was priceless. I forget how bad-tempered you can be when pushed. You sweetheart have made my day. Is there anywhere else we can go grab a bite to eat" They heard the sound of feet and both turned to see a red-faced Daryl behind them, tomato sauce pouring down his suit
"What the fuck are you playing at Carol? Look at the state of me"
"So you deserved it, go get little Beth to help clean you up, or even better Daryl there were two women in there who would love to strip you naked and clean you up" He moved closed, seeing the jealousy running through her body
"What if I want you to do it?" her face went red, in embarrassment
"Oh Daryl go find someone who cares" he grabbed her arm tightly his mouth by her ear
"You fucking bitch, you still want me . I can feel it, see it. Come home with me now, I can make it go away"
"What? go away"
"The ache you feel, you are driving me crazy woman, I need ya so fucking bad"
"Go find Beth" with that she turned away and climbed into Dale's car, without looking back
Daryl stood and watched them disappear down the road, he had enough of this little game, she had thrown Beth one to many times in his face. Maybe he should cut his losses and go pursue her. Taking his phone from his pocket he tried to call her, yet he called Carol, it was always her, always had been from the moment he set eyes on her, he wanted her. He had gone the slow road of being her friend, earning her trust, and now he wanted her mind, body and soul. Her phone went to answer machine which to be honest he wasn't surprised
"It's me, ya have me so fucking screwed up pixie, I don't want Beth I never fucking did and I will prove it to you over and over, until you believe me" feeling better in himself, he cancelled his lunch appointment and headed out to the ranch, not only to change, but to ride, he always felt better when he took the bike out.
Carol arrived back at Merle's a few hours later, after enjoying a light lunch at the diner instead, she placed her bag on the side and took her phone out to charge. Noticing she had a voicemail she was surprised it was Daryl, or more surprised at his words. Without thought she called him back, leaving a message when it clicked to voice mail
"I don't believe you, and no way could you make me" was all she left before hanging up, why would he not want a young child almost half his age?. blonde and stunning, to a mousey 40-year-old who at times really felt her age
"Carol honey you home?" she could hear Merle shouting her through the apartment, closing her computer down, she moved her glasses from her nose, placing them on the side. She had worked for almost four hours straight.
"Yes" she walked down the hallway to meet him in the kitchen.
"Hi sweetheart, just seen lil bro and he is sure pissed, now why would that be?" he saw her smirk
"What did ya do?"
"Oh come on Merle you know your brother, he gets mad over the smallest of things lately, and just because I was with Dale in his favorite restaurant"
"Hold it right there mouse, bet the dumbass accused ya of sleeping with Dale too didn't he?"
"Well, that wasn't quite how he put it, but yes and I am sleeping with you too, but he does wear tomato sauce pretty well" she grinned, seeing his face drop
"Fuck, if my little darlin finds out about us then she will cut my damn balls off, Daryl knows full well I have seen Andrea for months now. Saying that his head is so full of you. I doubt he can see the damn woods for the trees", And what the hell ya on about tomato sauce he poured himself a cup of coffee, glancing at her
"Kinda tipped my food over him" that had them both laughing hard at Daryl's cost
"You honey are dangerous no wonder my brother wants you, now ya look shattered, shall we go nip out and grab some food?, then I will head over to Andrea's"
"That is the best idea ever Merle give me a few minutes to tidy myself up, can we go to the diner, its quick service and I just want to eat and crash" he nodded as he sipped his drink, watching her walk away, Daryl had really fucked up this time, treating mouse like he was would eventually back fire in his face, if it hadn't already.
They entered the diner a half an hour later, following after the waitress to a small booth near the front of the place. Carol loved the laid back atmosphere and most importantly she didn't have to get dressed up, choosing jeans and a short-sleeved black top, teamed with her boots, she was comfortable. Glancing round her eyes caught the striking couple that had just walked in. Damn why did he have to turn up with her and here of all places. Ignoring him she made a show of looking at her menu
"Don't pretend with me mouse, I saw ya face when he walked in with Beth. You love him, don't you?"
Her face went red, and she slowly nodded her head
"For all his faults Merle I love him so much and yet he hurts me by bringing her, in here of all places, he knows how much I love this place"
"Honey have you ever thought he has done it for a reason? Did you ever wonder why he reacted like he did when he saw ya with Dale? Mouse that man is as jealous as hell, when it comes to any other man being near you, me included."
"Don't be ridiculous, he can have anyone he wants, the younger the better by the looks of it"
"Mouse, as much as I love you as my closest friend, you sweetheart cannot see what is in front of you, the boy loves you has done since he met ya. He has waited for you, been patient, So tell me mouse what really happened that evening? Did he finally get you in his bed?"
"Enough Merle please" she could not even think about that night, without getting hot and aching, Merle's words confused her, no way would Daryl feel that way. Yet hadn't his message said he didn't want Beth and here he was flaunting the little bitch in front of her, no Merle was wrong, way off-line.
"Let's order mouse I will not push ya" he knew full well from her reaction that Daryl had taken her, yet now they were so far apart it wasn't right.
The moment Daryl walked into the diner, he could feel her presence, he didn't even have to look around, his eyes automatically found her, as if she was a beacon, and there was his brother. How many more men did she have wrapped around her little finger? and yes him included. He wanted to fuck Beth off, grab his pixie and take her home, make love to her, until she couldn't see straight, couldn't walk, then he would keep her in his arms, where she belonged.
Beth and Daryl sat further in the back, which suited him, he had a full view of Carol and Merle, he had only brought Beth out because she hounded him for the last 3 hours, this being the result. She bored him, to be honest, the conversation was stale, more so due to their age differences. Yet he knew full well why he had brought her here, he wanted to make Carol jealous, make her tell Beth he belonged to her. After ordering their food, he noticed Carol get up, she was going to the restroom and as luck ,would have it, she had to pass their table. Grabbing Beth's hand he pretended to be in deep conversation, yet his eyes were undressing his little pixie, she reached their table he deliberately looked up.
"Carol...what a nice surprise seeing you here" he said through gritted teeth.
"Daryl, Beth" she nodded to them as she walked to the ladies room, praying her face would not betray how she felt, hurt, rejected and depressed. After doing what she needed to do, she stood at the mirror washing her hands, she looked up as the door to the women washroom opened. Damn why did it have to be her.!. luck was so not on her side tonight.
"Hi Carol, you ok look at little pale there?" Beth asked as she checked herself in the mirror
"Yes thank you" how she wanted to rip this little whores hair out from the damn roots If she could
"Carol, you are friends, or should I say use to be friends with Daryl didn't you?" her stomach churned did Daryl tell Beth everything!, surely what happened between them was private.
"Er I hope we still are"
"Oh no, that could never be not now, when he asks me to marry him, he cannot have any other women in his life. You see I get very possessive of what is mine, you remember that Carol. Enjoy your meal" and with that she walked out, leaving Carol annoyed beyond belief.
Merle saw the way Beth came floating out, looking like a cat who had got the cream, he knew without a doubt Carol would have suffered from what ever had been said in the washroom. Slamming his hands on the table he got up, walking to Daryl's table he bent down into Beth's face
"If ya hurt one hair on her head bitch I will personally make ya life hell" turning to Daryl he moved into his personal space
"And if you don't grow a set and tell mouse how much ya fucking love her, then ya don't deserve her. Good night people and have a good evening" with that he walked towards the bathroom, catching Carol before she had to face Beth and Daryl.
"Sweetheart you look tired let's get ya home" her hand resting on Merle's arm, her eyes met his and she silently thanked him, for helping her out.