Author's Note: This is based off Riley Roth's song "Friendly." I highly recommend listening to it. Enjoy the fluff.
It all started a couple of months ago when my sister, Maggie, started dating Glenn. She begged me to come out to the bar to meet her new boyfriend. Begrudgingly I agreed. One because I was curious to meet the new man who my sister was falling head over heels for. If you know Maggie, you know she is hard to impress. She typically dates a guy then gets bored with him and moves on. Not with Glenn. She met him a couple of months ago and for her to call him her boyfriend was huge a deal. Two because I hadn't gone for a night out with Maggie in a while. Nights with Maggie are fun, but I prefer to stay at home. Once a month she and I go out for girls night and that suits me fine. Maggie, on the other hand, says I stay at home too much. She and I moved in together after she graduated college almost a year ago. She is constantly running to and fro while all I ever do is go to class, work, and home. The night I met Glenn, all I wanted to do was take off the dress Maggie talked me into, throw on some sweatpants and curl up and watch a movie... until he introduced me to his friend, Daryl Dixon.
"Beth, stop fiddling with your dress. You look great." Maggie insists. Honestly, I feel ridiculous. The dress itself is gorgeous but it's low cut and paired with my barely B cup boobs, I don't exactly fill it out properly.
"Oh, there he is." Maggie waves over a cute Asian guy. "Beth, this is my boyfriend, Glenn. Glenn, my baby sister, Beth."
We smile at each other and do the nice to meet yous. Maggie kisses him on the cheek, "Where's Daryl? I thought he was coming?"
"He's on his way. He should be here soon." Maggie nods along while I just stand there having no clue who they are talking about. Maggie's always trying to play matchmaker with me and I fear this is another set up. "You guys want a drink?" Glenn asks. I decline already having one long island iced tea for the night. I've never been much of a drinker. Daddy never allowed alcohol in the house and I just didn't really care for it.
Maggie whispers her drink order in Glenn's ear flirtatiously making him blush slightly. When he disappears, I immediately ask her, "Who's Daryl? You're not try to set me up again are you?"
"Glenn's friend. And no I'm not. I've given up on that." I roll my eyes as she continues, "I told you about him. I have only met him once. He's the friend that Glenn is staying with while they fix his place." I vaguely remember that conversation. Glenn called Maggie one night all upset. His apartment building was having plumbing issues. His apartment and six others flooded. He was packing up his stuff going to stay with a friend.
Maggie grabs my hand and pulls me to the dance floor. "C'mon let's dance."
We dance and giggle for a song or two and then set off to find Glenn. He's over by the bar, drinks in hand. Maggie takes it and takes a sip. Glenn smiles at her and I really take a look at the two of them together. Glenn's cute and little taller than Maggie. You can tell by the look in his eyes, he's crazy about her. She genuinely looks happy with him. It makes me smile because as crazy as my sister can be, I know she dreams of finding her prince charming just like I do. Who knows maybe Glenn might be hers.
Glenn's eyes leave Maggie's and I can tell he spotted his friend. My eyes follow his and land on a tall, dark and gorgeous man. He's got long brown hair that falls in his eyes a little. He's got some scruff on his face and he's tan. His t-shirt hugs his broad chest and shoulders. He's very rugged and so sexy.
He walks up to Glenn and claps his back. "Hey man sorry I'm late. Maggie. " He nods her way as he gestures to the bartender for a drink, not seeing me yet. Up close, I notice he is almost a foot taller than me and several years older.
He grabs his drink and takes a generous swig when Glenn starts talking. "Daryl. This Maggie's sister, Beth." His eyes meet mine and he chokes on his drink a little. He rights himself quickly and nods at me. I smile back trying to play it cool. The guys start into a conversation and I remind myself to thank Maggie later for dragging me out tonight.
The night continues on and I am having so much fun. Glenn is hilarious. The more I'm around him, the more I see why Maggie likes him. They seem to be really good together. Daryl is very quiet. He contributes to the conversation occasionally. He seems to be a private person from what I can gather, never revealing much about himself. At midnight, we decide to retire to the guys apartment which isnt that far from the bar.
"Anyone else hungry?" Glenn asks as we enter the apartment.
"Starving!" Maggie and I say in unison which makes us laugh. While Daryl orders the pizza, Glenn throws on a scary movie. He and Maggie cuddle up on the couch which leaves me to sit on the love seat with Daryl who is still on the phone. I hate scary movies. I've always been a big scariedy cat. When I do watch them, I watch them though my eyes and become super paranoid for a week thinking some psycho is going to pop out at any minute and get me. Thankfully, it's one I've seen before so I won't be so freaked the entire time.
Trying to avoid the movie, I look around the apartment. It's a nice two bedroom with a semi spacious living room. The furniture is not new but in good condition. There's a half wall dividing the kitchen from the living room. Daryl emerges from the kitchen and I turn back to the movie. He plops down beside me leaving some space between us. But being that it's a love seat, there's not much space. I glance at him and smile which eases the uncomfortable look on his face and he relaxes more into his seat.
Twenty minutes later, the movie in full swing. I'm hugging my legs to my chest trying to be brave and failing miserably. The scene is really intense and I remember something is about to jump out any second and I'm trying to brace myself. Suddenly Daryl's phone rings causing me to jump out of my skin. Of course, everyone sees and laughs as Daryl answers the phone and Glenn pauses the movie. Apparently, the pizza guy was lost in the apartment complex trying to find the apartment. Before Daryl can get up, Glenn is standing, "I will go get him."
Maggie's stands up to and stretches as Glenn leaves. "While we're waiting, I'm gonna go to the bathroom.
With that Daryl and I are all alone. I turn in my spot a little facing him, "I like your apartment. It's bigger than mine and Maggie's." He grunts a thanks and I continue, "You're a good friend. Letting Glenn stay with you."
"He'd have done the same for me."
"So what do you do for a living?" I ask.
"I work at Dale's Autoshop as a mechanic. You?"
"Oh I go to school and work part time at my family's Vet Clinic. I'm studying to be vet like my dad." He nods more. "You said work at Dale's? I might take my car there then. I need to get my car looked at. It's been acting weird and I'm still sorta new to the area and had no clue where to take it."
"Weird how?"
I shrug. "It's shaking and making a funny noise."
"That's because it's hunk o' junk." Maggie says as she settles back into her spot on the couch.
"Hey don't talk about Tink that way." I protest.
"Tink?" Daryl questions curiously.
"Her car. She named it that because Daddy and Otis had to constantly tinker with it. There's always something wrong with that car. It's old and need to be laid out to pasture." Maggie explains.
"No, she doesn't. She maybe on up there in years but she still gets the job done." I say defensively.
"If you want, I can take a look at it on Monday. I don't have many appointments that day. Here." He reaches for my phone and I hand it to him. He enters a number and hands it back to me. "If you break down between now and then, give me a call and I'll come check it out since the shop is closed on the weekends. If not, call on Monday and ask for me."
I smile. "Wow thank you so much. That's so nice." My mind is going a million miles a minute. He just gave me his number, and offered to help me over the weekend if I broke down. Does that mean he might be interested? Calm down, I tell myself, he's just being friendly.
He shrugs, "Ain't nothin."
Glenn comes in with the pizza and we resume the movie. Even though I've seen it before, albeit a long time ago, I still am scared watching it and jump a couple of times. Apparently, I never watched the movie in its entirety because I do not remember anything that's happening. Finally, I just cover my eyes, I'm terrified but I want to know what's going on. I'm too chicken to look through my hands. "What's happening?" I ask.
"Why don't you uncover your eyes and find out?" Dayrl teases.
"Because I'm too scared." He slowly chuckles. "I hate watching these kinds of movies."
"When why did you agree to watch it?" He inquires.
I can hear in his voice that's he is amused by all this. "I didn't. They picked it out." I gesture with one of my hands to the couch where Maggie and Glenn fell asleep keeping my eyes covered with the other. "Just tell me what's happening? Please."
"She's walking down a narrow hall." I shift my feet under me and listen as the music grows. "The killer just walked in." He whispers. "She doesn't know he's in the house." Music grows louder and more eerie. "She's turning the corner. He's not there anymore." I release the breath I didn't realize I was holding. He chuckles. "You know it's all fake, right? No reason to be so scared."
"The fear I feel is real." I argue. "Now what's happening?"
The music suddenly stops. "She is looking outside. I think he is hiding in the shed." He whispers. I hear screaming and peak out from behind my eyes. "I think you're good. He's gone now. It's just her friend."
I uncover my eyes and relax back into my seat. Just then the killer comes out of nowhere and scares the crap out of me. I jump and curse under my breath then I look over to Daryl who is laughing. I swat his arm, "You knew that was going to happen, didn't you?"
He's still chuckling and waving his hand, "No I swear I didn't know." But the mischievous look in his eye tells me otherwise.
"I don't believe you." I huff playfully. "Jerk." I settle back down and I realize we are a lot closer than before. His arm which was on the back of the couch is now around my shoulder and I'm leaning against him slightly. It's nice.
He looks down at me. "Try to watch the rest of the movie. I promise I won't let nothin' get ya." Is he flirting with me? I sure hope so.
"Lucky me." I play along. We spend the rest of the movie like that. His arm around my shoulder and me leaning against him. I try to be brave and not cover my eyes. But when I do that, I tend I talk to the characters. "Oh no, no no, don't do that." Daryl doesn't complain and I try to keep the "Run hefers" down to a minimum. Anytime I hide my eyes, I cringe and turn my head into him and God does he smell good. Maggie and Glenn wake up right when the movie ends.
Maggie looks over at Daryl and I, "So how did she do?"
Daryl shrugs as he and I separate, and I try to find my phone. "Not too bad."
Maggie grins, "She hide her eyes the whole time and have you narrate it for her? Or did she fuss at the characters?"
"Little bit of both." Daryl shrugs.
Maggie looks genuinely impressed with me. She walks over to me as Daryl goes to the kitchen. "You two looked cozy."
I roll my eyes at her. "It's almost 3, we should head home."
"Actually, if you don't care I might stay the night. I'll give you the key to my car and you can take it home. I'll have Glenn drop me off tomorrow. That cool with you?"
"Of course. Stay. I'll be fine." She hands me her car key. I tell Glenn and Daryl bye and Daryl reminds me to call the shop on Monday. I hug Maggie good night and head home. What a night?! It was so fun and I truly hope to see more of Daryl. As I am driving home, I begin to think of throwing on my favorite pair of pis and getting out of this outfit. Oh no. I didn't bring my house key with me. They are in the apartment on my nightstand. I just assumed Maggie would be coming home with me and we'd use hers. I immediately turn around and call Maggie three times with no answer.
I get back to Daryl's and Glenn's and knock on the door. Daryl answers after a few seconds wearing sleep pants and a muscle shirt. He sees me and gives me a little half grin. "Miss me already?"
"Something like that." I smile back "Got halfway home and realized I don't have my house keys. I came to steal Maggie's." He lets me in as Glenn and Maggie emerge from his room. I tell them my predicament.
"Sorry my I left my phone in the living room." She grabs it and her keys. "And it's dead. Text me and let me know you made it home safely. I won't get it right away but I'll check my phone as soon as it has some charge."
When I get home, I text Maggie. Then I text I decide to text Daryl just in case. Well… I tell myself that's the reason, not that I'm just looking for any ole reason to text him.
B: Hey it's Beth. Home safe. Tell Maggie for me please. 😉
D: Will do. Night.
B: Night.