For those of you who are fans of this story, I am SO sorry for neglecting it for so long. The Bethyl story I started that was originally supposed to be a side project ended up being much more successful than this one, and I started devoting all my attention to that story. I apologize for leaving this one hanging for so long, and if you're here reading this update, you're amazing. I'll try to update this story more often.
July 12, 1925
Daryl tread lightly through the woods, his eyes peeled for any signs of potential prey. He held his Winchester hunting rifle in his hands. It was an old, beat up thing, one his father had used for many years, but it did the job. So far that day, though, he had yet to find an occasion to use it. Usually he was able to find something worthy of a meal in a few short hours, but today, he hadn't been able to find anything. He wasn't sure if there was truly a lack of game in the woods or if it was because his head wasn't really in it. It was probably the latter.
Zora had come by the day before for another order. Her visit was much like the last one had been: short, tense, and awkward. Her usual sass and teasing banter were notably absent, and Daryl knew he was the one to blame for that. Two weeks ago he had told her he couldn't extend their relationship beyond its professional limits, and she was sticking to what he'd said. But even though he had been the one to put a stop to furthering their relationship, he was starting to realize that he regretted doing so.
He missed Zora. The real Zora. She was charming, funny, and wild, but he had seen none of that side of her since she had come knocking at his door at 7 a.m. the morning after their kiss in the alleyway. Her past two visits had been terse and to the point. Daryl knew he should try inviting her in for coffee or at least pursuing a casual, friendly conversation with her, but his frustration with the situation and himself made him just as tight-lipped and unfriendly. He was in defensive mode against something his own actions had created. It just made him even more frustrated.
Why couldn't things just have stayed how they were? Two friends with nothing more complicated between them? He admitted that he was very attracted to Zora—who wouldn't be? She was a beautiful woman—but taking their relationship to a romantic level was not something he had been ready for. But now that he had been forced to think about it for so long, he realized that despite his fears and reservations, maybe he really did want something more with her. Maybe if he wasn't so fucked up and scared of letting someone else make him happy, he wouldn't have pulled away from her that night in the alley. Daryl was just so accustomed to people letting him down and hurting him that his automatic reaction was to put up walls that wouldn't let anyone get close to him. If he didn't let them in, they couldn't hurt him. But it was flawed logic, because now he was only hurting himself.
He growled in frustration and kicked at a tree before deciding to give up his hunt and head home. His head wasn't on straight, and as much as he wanted to blame Zora, he knew that he was the only one to blame. Daryl didn't like admitting that he was wrong, but this was a time that he had to admit it. He regretted pushing Zora away, and now he was paying the price for it.
The knocking on Zora's door grew more hurried and impatient. She sighed and jogged the last few steps to the door, wrenching it open to reveal Molly in her doorway, decked out in very flattering beaded glad rags and looking like she was ready to take on the town.
"Hey there sugar," she said with a wink, slipping past Zora and coming inside.
"Please do come in," Zora said sarcastically, shutting the door.
"Come out with me tonight," Molly demanded as she leaned against one of Zora's elegant loveseats. "I was supposed to go out with Rose and Ellie, but they bailed."
"So I'm your last resort," Zora teased with an eye roll.
"Naw, I just haven't been out with you in a week or so, that's all," Molly retorted.
"What are you thinking?" Zora asked. She made her way into the kitchen and grabbed a jar of Daryl's moonshine from one of her cabinets. His face flashed into her mind the moment she touched it, but she pushed the thoughts of him away. Based on their last few encounters, Daryl wanted nothing to do with her outside their business relationship, and she was determined to let her attraction to him go, no matter how difficult it seemed.
"Let's go to Peachtree," Molly suggested. She graciously accepted the small glass of shine that Zora handed to her. "They've got a good band tonight. Traveled here all the way from New Orleans."
Zora hummed and took a sip of the glass she had poured for herself. Maybe going out on the town would be a good way to distract herself from her near misery over Daryl. Yesterday's visit had put her in a sour mood that she hadn't been able to shake.
"Okay, you've convinced me. Just sit tight for a bit while I get dolled up."
Molly let out a triumphant whoop and settled herself comfortably on the loveseat to wait. Zora put some jazz on the gramophone and made her way to her closet to find something to wear. She felt like being glamorous, and since Molly was dressed quite elegantly, they would be a pair. She chose a forest green dress that fell to her knees. It had intricate beading and a layer of chiffon on the bottom half that gave it a little something extra. The color of the dress brought out her eyes, and paired with some dark lipstick, would be certain to exude class and sex appeal.
It didn't take her long to apply her makeup and style her hair, and she was soon ready to head out with Molly. The pair of them downed another quick glass of moonshine before leaving the apartment and walking toward the Peachtree.
"I saw Daryl again yesterday," Zora stated in a flat tone as they walked.
"Is he still being stiff?"
"Oh yeah," Zora sighed. "He seemed like he couldn't get rid of me fast enough. I just don't know how things could get so balled up from one stupid kiss."
"Beats me," Molly shrugged. "Never known a man to run like that from a simple kiss."
"I just don't understand. Guess there's no sense in thinkin' on it though. At least I can still sell his shine."
"Yes," Molly said with a grin. "Glass half full. At least Dixon's Vixen is still alive, even if the Dixon is an ass compared to the Vixen!"
Zora giggled and joined arms with Molly. They soon reached the Peachtree and found it brimming with customers. Zora was glad that the joint was hopping; the busy atmosphere would surely help to distract her from her blasé mood. She made her way over to the bar with Molly in tow and ordered two drinks, both for herself. Molly arched an eyebrow at her as she quickly knocked back the first drink and started working on the second.
"Just trying to loosen up," Zora shrugged. Despite the upbeat music and buzzing atmosphere, she still felt a little put out. It was annoying that one man could affect her so much. Usually this was exactly the kind of atmosphere she felt at home in, but so far, the crowded juice joint wasn't helping to improve her mood. She sat down on a bar stool and tried to focus on the band. The music was really very good, but her usual desire to dance wasn't there. She stared blankly at the other bar patrons as she sipped on her drink, trying to force herself into a better state of mind.
"You sure you wanna be here tonight?" Molly frowned. "Seems like all this nonsense with Daryl is killing your mood."
"And how!" Zora agreed with a sigh. "I don't even know why I care so much."
"I dunno either, but you've gotta let it go, doll. If you're gonna keep doing business with him, you gotta be able to let it go."
Zora nodded. "I'm working on it."
Molly gave her a sympathetic look before turning around to call at the bartender. When she turned back around, she had two fresh cocktails in her hands. She handed one to Zora with a pointed look. Zora finished the rest of her other drink in one gulp before accepting Molly's offering. The hooch was working to relax her, but she still couldn't seem to shake her heavy mood.
After a few minutes, she felt Molly nudge her. She followed Molly's gaze to two men who were approaching. Zora instantly recognized one of the men as Frank, the handsome dark-haired cake-eater she had necked with at Walton's two weeks prior. She groaned internally; it wasn't that Frank was a bad guy, but she had been hoping she wouldn't have to see him again. Her spontaneous decision to make out with him had been purely a ploy to forget about Daryl giving her the brush off, and she wasn't eager for a repeat, especially tonight. However, she noticed the way Molly was eying the blonde man next to Frank and plastered a fake smile on her face for her friend's sake. Molly and her boyfriend Charlie had had a bit of a falling out, and she figured her friend could use the distraction.
"Evening, gentlemen," Molly greeted the two men with a sultry smile.
"Hey, stranger," Frank said suavely as he sidled up next to Zora.
"Hey, fella," she replied, her tone flat despite the effort she was making to sound cheerful. Frank didn't seem to notice, however.
"Well, I know we know each other," he said, gesturing to himself and Zora with a confident smirk, "but allow me to introduce my buddy Richie. Richie, this is Zora."
"And I'm Molly," Molly said quickly, holding her hand out to Richie without so much as a glance at Frank.
"Well aren't you a doll," Richie commented, and Molly giggled flirtatiously. Zora felt the corners of her mouth tugging upward in an amused smirk, and she bit her lip to prevent herself from laughing at her friend's obvious infatuation.
"I think it a crime that a baby vamp like you isn't on the dance floor," Richie continued. "What do ya say? You wanna dance?"
Molly glanced at Zora, who nodded encouragingly.
"I just hope you can keep up," Molly replied with a wink, and she and Richie made their way out on the dance floor. Frank slid onto Molly's now unoccupied bar stool. He wasted no time in leaning close to Zora and placing a hand on her knee.
"You wanna join them?" he asked. Zora shook her head.
"Nah. Not really in a dancin' mood tonight."
Frank gave her a smirk, and Zora had to fight the urge to roll her eyes.
"Plenty of other things we can do to occupy ourselves," he said lowly, his hand rising a little higher on her thigh. Zora forced a smile and pulled back from him.
"Yeah, we'll see," she said flatly.
"Not here?" Frank asked. "Cash or check?"
Zora sighed. One drunken encounter and now Frank thought she was some sort of cuddler who would always be open for action. She shook her head and stood from her barstool.
"Not tonight. Sorry, Frank. Bank's closed."
Zora glanced at the dance floor to see Molly seemingly having a great time with Richie before making her way toward the exit. Molly would be fine, and she would understand Zora's desire to leave. She had been having a hard enough time enjoying herself before Frank had arrived, and now she just wanted to get out of there.
The night air was humid and warm as she exited the building, but the fresh air still felt nice after being in the stuffy juice joint. Zora leaned against the wall for a moment and closed her eyes, enjoying the slight breeze that filtered through the alleyway. She heard the sound of the door opening and closing, and soon her moment of peace was interrupted by the presence of someone standing uncomfortably close to her. She opened her eyes to see Frank leaning against the wall next to her, his ever-present smug expression still on his face. Zora huffed in annoyance.
"You playin' hard to get or something?" he asked smoothly.
"No," Zora replied shortly. "I'm not interested. I thought I made that clear."
Frank moved directly in front of her, placing both hands on the wall on either side of her head.
"I don't see why that is," he said. "You were more than willing last time."
"That was a mistake," Zora sighed. "Now beat it."
"I don't think so," Frank smirked, pressing his lower body against Zora's. "I say we finish what we started last time."
"Go chase yourself," Zora snapped, but Frank only pressed himself harder against her. Zora decided she had had enough. She reached down and hiked up her dress, prompting Frank's eyes to light up momentarily until he realized that she was retrieving a small handgun from a holster strapped to her upper thigh. His eyes widened and he backed away from her suddenly. Zora pointed the weapon at him, her hold steady and her finger lightly touching the trigger.
"When I say I'm not interested, you should know that I mean what I say. I'm not playing hard to get. I suggest you take a hike before my finger gets twitchy."
"You're off your nut, you know that?" Frank exclaimed. He hurried back inside and slammed the door behind him.
Zora sighed heavily and let her arm drop, the gun still in her grasp. She pinched the bridge of her nose and tried to calm herself down. This whole thing with Daryl was affecting her much too deeply. She had had to give men the brush off in the past, sometimes aggressively, but she had never pulled a gun on a suitor before, no matter how persistent he had been. She felt like she was losing her mind.
She quickly stashed the gun back in its holster before beginning her walk home. She had no idea how she was going to let the issue with Daryl go, but she had to figure something out soon. Things were getting out of hand, and she wanted her old self back.
There will be lots more Daryl in the next chapter! PLEASE review! It's disheartening how few reviews this story has. Take pity on me and review! ;)
Also, as I stated in my other story, I have started using my Tumblr, which will occasionally have Dixon's Vixen-related posts. My username on Tumblr is ElsaEditorial, same as on here. There's a link on my profile page.