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It had been four days since the blow up, and Chase was making sure that his mother knew it. He didn't want to talk or listen to her that night and had barely acknowledged her since. They went through the routine everyday, but it was tense between them, to say the least.
She had not heard a word from his school so she only hoped that he was taking things out on her. If he reverted back to his old behaviour, she was certain that therapy and medication would be the next step and she really didn't want to go there. She already felt terrible about what happened, and if she tried to push meds on him, she worried she would lose him forever.
On top of her stress with Chase, she was also worried about her relationship with Daryl. She saw the hurt look on his face when she spoke about her and Daryl never being in a relationship. She had a strong feeling that he too felt something for her but she was trying to protect her heart and her son's. Regardless, her plan backfired when she admitted nothing would ever happen.
She had been texting and calling, hoping they could talk and discuss this but he was choosing to ignore her. She even tried calling from her work phone, just to see if he was screening his calls. Sure enough, no answer and his voicemail was full; probably from all her messages she left him.
She was tired of feeling like this and wondering where she stood with the two boys in her life. She was pretty sure if she didn't fix things, that she was in for a more miserable life ahead of her.
Beth had been at work, adding some new books into stock, when an idea hit her that she hadn't thought about yet. She checked her phone and sure enough, there was the information she needed. It was a long shot but this was her last chance.
She heard a truck pulling up the road and she stood up from where she was perched on the staircase. She could tell that he had noticed her from the cab of his truck and was reluctant to talk to her. It was pretty dark out but she could see the frown on his face. He eventually got out of the vehicle and started towards his front door.
"Whatchu' doin here Beth?" Daryl grunted, clearly not in the mood to deal with her.
"We need to talk," Beth pleaded. He stopped in his tracks.
"Who's got little man?"
"I got a babysitter." Beth replied. "I've been sitting here for almost two hours, waiting for you to come home, so I hope you would just hear me out in consolation for me waiting in the cold."
Daryl pondered her request and she almost assumed that he was going to leave her out here, when he unlocked the door and held it open for her.
"You want something to drink?" he asked, his hair dropping down over his eyes. Beth nodded and made her way in. As he put his things down and started grabbing some mugs from the kitchen, Beth looked around the small space.
It was a small trailer, only one bedroom in the back. There was a bathroom door right next to it, and an open living room and kitchen area. There was a small table with two chairs on either side and a tv between the two rooms. It was what one would expect for a bachelor, and it didn't leave any surprises for Beth.
She sat on the couch, watching Daryl move around the small kitchen area. He had boiled some water in a pot and had two mugs sitting on the counter. He was hunched over, looking deep in thought, almost pained from the way his hands were gripping the counter. He was at war with himself, she could tell, and she didn't blame him. She kinda sprung this meeting on him, and he had no way to prepare himself.
The water eventually boiled and he pulled it off the stove and filled the two cups. He stirred them both a few times and brought them over to where she was sitting. He only had one couch and she already sat on the one end. He chose the other end. She looked down in the cup in front of her and noticed the frothy brown liquid. She held the cup, feeling the warmth creep up her hands and inhaled the chocolatey scent inside.
"Didn't take you for a hot chocolate kinda guy," she said, taking a sip to warm her bones. He never looked up, just kept his eyes downcast towards the mug in front of him.
"Chase's favourite. Bought it for him after our trips together."
Beth could only nod. She knew how much Chase loved the chocolate drink. It was because of her that he enjoyed it so much. It warmed her heart to know that Daryl wanted to make Chase happy with something so simple as his favourite drink.
They remained in silence for a few more minutes, Beth continuing to drink. She could see the way that Daryl was getting anxious with her being there, and before he kicked her out, she should probably explain why she was there.
"I wanted to say sorry for what happened the other night," Beth started, looking over to Daryl to see him still staring at his cup.
"Already apologized. Wastin your time."
"I need to explain things though. I can see what you're doin' now."
"And what am I doin?" Daryl raised his voice slightly, finally taking a look at her. She could see that hurt look in his eye again and immediately felt terrible.
"You're pushing Chase away."
Once Beth spoke, Daryl immediately stood up from the couch and pulled at his hair.
"I didn't ask for this Beth. I was just trying to help the kid out, but then he got it in his head that I was gonna be his daddy."
"I should have explained things better to him. He's just confused," Beth tried to explain.
"Yeah, you should have," Daryl stated angrily. Beth rose from the couch, anger starting to rise in her.
"Well I'm sorry that my life is so messed up that I have a fatherless child, who got confused when a man took interest in him," Beth started yelling back at him.
"And that's my fault? Kid is practically begging for someone in his life to take care of him."
"Who are you to decide what my son needs? You spend a couple weeks with him and you're suddenly his father?" Beth questioned.
"That ain't what this is about. I don't need some kid latching onto me cause he's got daddy issues. Was just trying to help you out but it seems you got bigger issues," he yelled.
Beth huffed and got right in his face. "My issue is that I ever believed that this could work. All I was trying to do was protect myself and my son from getting hurt but it seems that happened anyway," she could feel the tears stinging her eyes, and she tried to keep herself composed.
"Do you realise how hard it's been for me to let someone in? I've been abandoned, and I'm sorry that I thought that I could finally put my trust in someone," Beth admitted.
"Abandonment issues are your excuse? Sorry to break your bubble princess, but life ain't fair. You ain't the only one with problems."
"Oh yeah. I can see right through you Daryl. You're pushing people away because you're afraid to let people in."
"Exactly what you're doing. You won't let anyone get close to you."
"It's not just me I have to worry about. My son is the most important thing in my life, and I have to put his needs before my own."
"So you hide behind him?" Daryl asked.
"I'm not hiding," Beth growled.
"You ain't willing to trust someone and that's what your problem is."
"Trusting people has done nothing but hurt me. Trusting you will only hurt me."
Daryl could only huff around, trying to get away from Beth who still stood right in front of him, "You're the person doing the hurting, Beth."
"You don't think I know that? I saw that look pass over your face when I told Chase we weren't going to be together. You said you ain't my boyfriend, but I really wish you could be."
Daryl's whole demeanor changed and he almost stumbled at her admittance.
"I'm tired of acting this way, but I have to protect myself. As badly as I want you, I can't do that to Chase," Beth could feel a tear slide down her cheek, and she didn't care to brush it away. "He adores you, and I see how much he means to you. I can't let my feelings for you interfere with your relationship. But I'm afraid it already has," Beth fell into the couch, hiding her face in her hands, finally letting it all come out.
She felt strong arms come around her body and hold her tight. She enjoyed this feeling, being in his arms. She felt safe and protected and soon wondered why she would push him away. Every moment that she kept away from him, just made her feel even more empty. This, right now, made sense.
His head was resting on hers and she pulled away to look him in the eyes. Her hands slid up his cheeks and caressed his face. She couldn't deny this anymore, and she was ready to start moving on. She pulled his face towards her, allowing their lips to touch. There was no movement between the two, just the slightest touch between them. Daryl's hands slid from around body, to hold her at the waist. He applied more pressure to her mouth, and he soon responded with his own movements. It wasn't a kiss filled with passion or fire; it was simple.
It was nothing more than a few minutes, and when he pulled away, he didn't go far. He rested his forehead against hers and Beth could only look down at his lips which were slightly red and swollen from where they kissed.
She could still feel wetness on her cheeks from the tears and his hand came up to brush them from her face.
"You can't keep running Beth. Gotta let people in," he whispered. She could smell the chocolate on his breath, and it made her heart bubble over in comfort and warmth
"It's really hard," Beth mewled. "My heart can't take anymore hurt."
"Can't promise ya anythin' Beth, but I would try to not hurt you or Chase."
Beth lifted her head to look into his eyes, and she could see how sincere he was being with her. She snuggled into him, laying her head against his chest, and she could feel how his heart rate increased when she held him close. He was just as scared as she was, but was trying to be strong for her.
She couldn't let go of him but she knew that she needed to get back to Chase and let Sophia get home. She pulled away and took a step back from Daryl. Already feeling the loss of his arms around her, she came to realize what was important.
"I gotta' get home to Chase before it gets too late but I'd really like if you could come over for dinner this weekend, and maybe you could stay for a movie or something after?" Beth questioned, biting her lip. Daryl gave a little smirk, knowing what she was asking and seeing his smile, made her know that things would be okay.
"Mmmhhhhmm," he mumbled. She smiled back and he escorted her to the door. She gave him one final kiss and made her way back to the car. She could feel him watching from the door of his trailer as she got into her car and drove away. She felt a million times better now than she had since this morning, possibly better than she had in the last 6 years, and that made her smile even wider.
Told you to trust me ;)
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