When he got home that evening he was wore out. He was covered in grease and sweat. Not only that but Merle was still talking and it was exhausting him even more. He just wanted shower and eat before getting some sleep. He wasn't use to having to interact with so many people in a day anymore.
Sure he worked with others but they were generally quiet like him and focused on what they were doing. Yeah they bullshitted together but it was more than just strangers. He'd went through bootcamp with these men. Trained with them and built a brotherhood with them. He wasn't in forced conversations with them.
"So Carol asked Dale about you." Merle stated. "Guess you got her attention."
Daryl raised a brow and glowered. "Why does this matter?"
"Maybe you'd want some pussy." Merle laughed.
Daryl rubbed his face almost violently. He sighed and pushed his hair back, he needed a hair cut, and glared. Merle was smiling at him all teeth and blew a kiss.
"Come on baby brother loosen up."
"Fuck you Merle." Daryl barked. "I don't need you or Dale's help."
"OF course not. SHe asked us about you on her own."
"My god." Daryl mumbled as he stormed away.
While showering he heard the doorbell ring again. He just ignored it and scrubbed harder at the grease that somehow got into his hair. When he got out he knew whoever it had come by was still here. Merle's loud mouth gave that away.
"Yeah he'll be out in a few." Merle said.
Daryl paused and glowered at the door. He didn't want company. HE wanted a beer and sleep. Maybe some food while he was at it. But instead Merle was out there being a fucking chatty cathy.
Daryl decided to get it over with and opened the door after dressing and made his way down the hall. He was greeted with a man he didn't know. He was curly haired and in uniform.
"Officer Friendly meet my brother Daryl." Merle tilted a beer towards Daryl. While tossing another beer at him. "Daryl meet friendly."
Daryl caught the beer and nodded at his brother. "You have a real name?"
The man laughed and stood to shake Daryl's hand. "Rick Grimes."
Daryl shook his hand and took a seat in a corner chair. Both men watched him and he waited to see what they wanted.
"We're having a cookout this weekend and you're invited as well Daryl. Merle usually ends up there and I know Lori invited you but I wanted to extend the invitation as well."
His uniform almost comforting to Daryl. When he was younger the site of a cop in his house would have scared him for what had happened and what was going to happen. He didn't come from a good family. After so many years himself in uniform though he was more use to that then he'd ever thought he would be.
"I'll think about it." Daryl tried to smile.
Merle beamed behind Rick and Daryl wanted to hit him. He just wanted Daryl there for the drama he hoped would unfold. He didn't know what his brother expected but he knew something was up. It always was with his brother. Besides his brother said this was good for gossip and drama. Daryl didn't want a part of that.
"Well I best be getting home before Lori has my hide." Rick laughed and showed himself out.
"What the fuck are you up to?"
Merle swiveled around, "Not a damn thing. He showed up on his own."
Daryl sighed. "Then what is going on?"
"You're a single man just back to town and that party has sharks that will be out for blood." Merle shrugged, "I have a time fending off those women too. Even the married ones."
"You're trying to use me as a buffer."
Merle grinned. "So is Rick." Merle's grin spread to a full smile. "His own wife is there and women still come on to him. Not many good looking single men in this town."
Daryl decided right there he was going to avoid the party. He wasn't ready for something like that. Sure he'd had his share of women but he didn't want to deal with a horde of women coming after him. He'd rather meet someone that wasn't just a fuck. He was ready for a life that didn't deal with one night stands. He wanted a woman that was more than that and seen him as more than that. He wanted to build a life.
