Thank you to everyone who took the time to review my last two chapters! Hugs and big love to you all. I'm having a lot of fun writing pre- ZA Daryl and Katie, and I hope to update weekly for you!
Updated and revised 2/21
THEN
Katie stared at her phone. She didn't know why she was hoping he'd text her again. He had just been a nice guy looking out for three girls who clearly had been in over their heads. Nothing more. So, why had she been constantly checking her phone for the past two days? She had even saved his number as 'Daryl from the bar'.
She pursed her lips in thought. I mean, who was to say that she couldn't be the one to text him?
She started typing into the small text box.
Erased.
Typed again.
Erased.
"Ugh." She put her phone down and dropped her head into her hands. "I'm an idiot."
Her dorm room was a mess of boxes and cleaning supplies. In the morning, she had to be out of her room, and all moved into the dinky apartment she had found in town. Katie begrudgingly looked around the small space. There was still had a lot to do and it was starting to get late. With a sigh, she turned up her music and resigned herself to finish. She picked up a t-shirt, folded it carefully and placed it in her suitcase.
Packing up her things only kept her mind occupied for so long, she was way too easily distracted by intruding thoughts of Daryl. There was something about him that stuck with her.
My god, Katie. Get a hold of yourself
No longer caring about folding things neatly, she tossed a rumpled pair of jeans into the suitcase. Maybe she could take a break and stop into Mick's for one drink. A beer might help clear her thoughts. Even though most of her friends had left for the summer, she was sure there would be a few stragglers like her hanging out.
She did a quick mirror check, shook her pony tail out, brushed her teeth and grabbed her purse. She had every intention of driving down the road to Mick's, but when she pulled out onto the road, she found herself heading away from the college bar and into the outskirts of town.
She had to be crazy. But, she remembered very clearly his answer when she asked if he was there often.
"Just about every damn night."
Inside, the jukebox was playing, but other than that Jake's was quiet. It was a Sunday night after all. Katie's eyes scanned the room. A few men sat at the bar, a couple in a booth.
And there he was- sitting alone at the end of the bar. His hooded eyes lifted at the sound of the door, and if he was surprised to see her, he didn't show it. He raised his glass, full of amber liquid, and took a sip while watching her walk towards him.
"Is this seat free?" She pointed to the empty spot beside him.
"Looks ta be."
She didn't wait for an invitation to sit, Daryl didn't seem like that kinda guy. "Hey."
"Hey." He responded and finished off whatever was in his glass.
The bartender came over and put a coaster in front of her. "Whatcha having, sweetheart?"
"Miller lite?"
Daryl snorted. "Might as well drink water."
She shrugged.
"Another one, Daryl?" The bartender asked before leaving.
"Yep." He slid his empty glass across the bar.
The drinks came and they sipped in silence. Katie picked at the beer label. What the hell was she doing? She gave Daryl the side eye. He was staring straight ahead, fingers drumming on the bar.
"Where's your friends tonight?" He finally asked.
Katie frowned. "Gone home."
The three of them had shared a tearful goodbye that morning. Julia and Emily's childhood home was only about an hour away, and Katie had visited many times. They were both moving back in with their parents until they figured things out, but that had never been an option for Katie.
"Not you?"
She shook her head, she had made the decision months ago to stay in the college town and put down some new roots. "I'm staying around here. Got a little apartment."
"Got a job?"
She huffed and continued picking at the beer label. "I'm working at a cafe."
"Is that what you majored in? Waitressing?" She heard a twinge of teasing in his tone.
She gave him a small smile. "No. Stop." She sighed. "I have a fancy ass expensive paper that says I'm ready for the world and it's all I could find right now."
"Gotta pay the bills."
"Ain't that the truth." She sucked down the last of her drink.
"Next one's on me."
She shook her head. "I can buy my own drinks."
Daryl held up her empty bottle. "Ain't gonna sit next to me drinkin' no pussy drink."
Katie shrugged. "I'll move then."
Daryl snorted. "Let me buy ya a real one. Ta celebrate."
She laughed. "Celebrate what?"
"Your fancy ass paper and shitty new job."
She gave him a wide grin. "I'll drink to that."
"Jamie!" Daryl called the bartender over. "We need shots."
He pointed to the shelf, and Katie followed his finger. Her brown eyes widened when she saw the tequila. "Good God. Are you trying to knock me on my ass?"
Daryl didn't answer her, instead watching Jamie pour them two glasses. He picked his up, nudging hers closer. They locked eyes, lifted their shots in a silent toast and tossed them back. Katie felt immediate fire in her throat and her eyes watered.
"Whew!" She slammed the glass down.
Daryl chuckled. "Ain't no Miller Lite."
"No." She coughed. "Definitely not."
Daryl wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and leaned into the bar, elbows propped. Jamie came over to clear their glasses.
"Can I get a water?" Katie asked, she could already feel the warmth of the alcohol creeping up her face.
"And another round." Daryl ordered, holding up two fingers.
Jamie nodded. "Be right back."
The pair fell into an easy silence as they waited for their drinks. On the jukebox, the first few notes of a song Katieloved started to play, and she closed her eyes. The booze was starting to take effect and she let the music take her away, swaying in her seat.
"Ya like this song?"
"Mmmhmm." She opened her eyes. He was looking at her in a way that made her shiver.
Eyes locked on her, he nodded. "'S a good song."
"You like country music?"
Daryl shrugged. "Don't hate it."
"It's all I listen to." She had no idea what came over her when she grabbed Daryl's hand. "Dance with me!"
He jerked his hand back like she was on fire. "Nah."
Katie wasn't phased and hopped off her stool. "C'mon!"
He recoiled. "Don't dance."
Katie pouted in jest, but didn't take his rejection personally. She let her hips sway, and started singing along. When she raised her arms up Daryl caught a glimpse of the smooth skin of her midriff.
Jamie set two more shots on the bar in front of Daryl. "Here ya go my man."
Daryl didn't hear him though, he was too busy watching the girl dance beside him. He ran a hand down his mouth and over his chin, smoothing the slight stubble there and then shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Any of the regulars in there could tell he was out of his element.
She didn't care that no one else in the bar was dancing. The beer and tequila were doing their job and had completely loosened her up. She was warm and her limbs felt free.
The last notes played. Katie opened her eyes and let out a sigh before plopping back into her seat.
She saw the next shot. "Is that for me?"
Her words pulled Daryl from the trance of watching her. "Yeah."
She smiled at him. "If I didn't know better I'd think you were trying to get me drunk."
He picked up his glass. "Jus' celebrating."
Katie held her shot in the air. "A toast!"
Daryl's eyebrow raised.
"To a shitty job and new friends!"
They clinked glasses and threw back the drink.
Katie tilted her head back and moaned. "Shiiiiit."
"Wha?"
"I think I really like tequila."
Daryl couldn't help but laugh. The girl was a lightweight for sure.
"Where's your friends tonight?" She turned the question back onto him.
Daryl shrugged. It was no use telling her that Merle had found himself back in the clink. "Dunno."
"Good thing I showed up to keep you company."
Damn, she was cute. Daryl couldn't help himself and laughed. "Yeah. Good thing."
xXx
He'd shown up that night just looking to catch a buzz and forget the last long 24 hours. Merle had gotten picked up again. More drug and assault charges bullshit. Daryl had gone that morning to pay bail, but this time the price was too much. He'd had to leave Merle there, and was sure he was sitting in his cell cussing up a storm about not getting out.
His brother spent more time inside the bars than out these days. Daryl could never admit it aloud, but he always did better when Merle was serving time. He could keep a steady job, stay out of trouble and live a little more quietly. He loved his brother, but Merle had a way of always fucking things up.
Then she showed up. Talk about trouble.
Fuck- was his immediate thought when he saw her walk through the door. He had deleted her number from his phone as a precaution to keep him from making a huge mistake. He figured he'd never see her again. She'd graduate and leave town like the rest of the college kids and he'd have nothing to worry about.
When she caught his eye from across the bar and gave him a big smile he wanted to get up and leave. Yet, something kept him practically cemented to his bar stool. He couldn't leave even if his life depended on it. Daryl was sure that girl had showed up in cut-off shorts and a tight t-shirt just to mess with his head.
He was in trouble for sure. And when the hell had he started buying shots for girls?
XXX
Daryl was quiet, but easy to talk to and Katie liked that. He didn't talk just to hear his own voice, he listened and observed. Even though he didn't say much, she could tell that he was always thinking. Her brother Joe was similar like that.
When she was younger, her mom told her that one of Katie's gifts was that she was able to read people quickly. Albeit, that gift hadn't gotten her very far with Zach, but Zach had reminded her of her dad. And damn- that was a whole other set of issues.
After the second shot of tequila, she had officially given up on finishing her packing for that night. Her current situation was far more interesting than a lonely, empty dorm room. She could talk to Daryl all night if he let her and had high hopes that they could be friends. He felt safe.
She caught him checking out her bruise. It had started to fade, but was still faintly visible under her makeup. "I filed for a PFA"
Daryl just nodded. "He come round again?"
"No," she gave a little shrug of her shoulders. "Not like it will do much good."
"Why not?"
She stared at her drink. "His family is loaded. They make everything go away."
Daryl snorted and took another drink. He wondered how much it would take to Merle's problems to go away if he had money. "Must be nice."
"Maybe. I'd rather be happy than rich."
Daryl narrowed his eyes. "That's something only rich people say."
Katie let out a loud laugh, then sobered. "My dad is rich. And he's a miserable asshole."
"They can give it ta me. A couple mil would make me pretty fucking happy."
"When I make my millions in tips at Morning Glory, I'll be sure to remember you." She laughed and took a sip of her beer.
Daryl's ears perked up. "Morning Glory's, huh?"
She looked at him, curiously. "Yeah. You know it?"
He knew it. Merle dealt with one of the cooks. Daryl had tagged along on a few exchanges. He debated on whether or not he should warn her about the back door dealings, but decided against it. It was probably best she didn't know. "Yeah. I do. They have good waffles."
Katie nudged his elbow. "You should come in sometime. I'll try to hook you up."
He stiffened at her touch and looked down at the bar. "Maybe."
Katie didn't miss his uncomfortableness with her touches. She just chalked it up to what his brother had told her. Daryl was gay.
She pulled her phone out and checked the time. "Fuck. It's late. I really need to get going."
She stood, wobbling a little, and laughed at herself.
Daryl caught her arm, steadying her. "Ya ain't driving."
Katie swayed and laughed. "Yeah. Probably a good idea." She sat back down. "I'll just sit and dry out a bit."
Daryl shook his head. "I'll take ya back."
He threw a pile of bills on the bar and grabbed her elbow, lifting her off the stool.
"What about my car?"
"Get it tomorrow." He led her outside, hand still in her elbow and helped her up into a beat up Ford. "Put yer seat belt on."
Katie gave him a salute and buckled up.
xXx
"Honey, I wish you would let your dad help you." Katie's mom had called her still sleeping and hung over daughter at 8am the next morning.
"I'm not taking his money mom." She rubbed her bleary eyes. "I will be fine."
Her mom sighed. "I just wish I could do more."
"Mom, don't do that. Honestly. I'm excited to be on my own."
They'd had this same conversation so many times that Katie knew it by heart. Her mom felt overly guilty that she didn't have a place for Katie to crash. Her sophomore year, Katie's mom had remarried and moved to Washington with her new husband. They managed a campground, and lived in a small camper on site. She had finally found her place and Katie was happy for her.
Her mom had been through hell during her first marriage to Katie's dad. Katie had cut ties with her dad years ago, but her mom was always encouraging her to reconcile. Katie wasn't interested. She never heard from the man except for birthday and Christmas cards that always contained two 100 bills. She'd never spent a dime of that money. He couldn't buy her love.
The day before graduation, an envelope with his handwriting had shown up.
Congrats, Katie. Proud of you!
It contained 500. She had snorted and stuffed it in a bag somewhere.
"Hows Ron?" Katie asked, changing the subject to her mom's husband.
Her mother launched into details of the campground and stories of what they'd been doing lately. Katie half listened, dragging herself out of bed and grabbing water from her fridge. God, her head was pounding.
She rattled two painkillers out of the container, washed them down then grabbed clean clothes from the top of her suitcase.
When her mom finally paused to take a breath, Katie jumped in. "Hey mom. I gotta get going. I have a lot to do today."
"Oh, sure sweetie. Sorry, I was rambling."
"It's okay. Love you. Tell Ron I said hello."
"Love you too. Text me when you get all moved in."
"I will."
She hung up the phone, but before heading to the showers she sent a quick text to Daryl.
Thanks for the ride last night. You keep saving me from sticky situations. I owe you. Waffles on me soon.
It wasn't until she was shampooing her hair that she remembered her car was still at the biker bar. She quickly ran through a list of friends she could call on for help. Literally everyone was gone for the summer.
Shit.
xXx
Daryl was packing up to go fishing when he got her texts. He ignored the first one, but would feel guilty as hell if he ignored the second one.
I'm sorry to ask, but there's not really anyone around here. Could you help me pick up my car? I'll REALLY owe you.
Fuck him. He threw a fishing pole in the bed of his truck and angrily punched the keys on his phone.
Be there in 15.