*I genuinely apologize for any mistakes in this chapter. I wrote it while I was drunk on the beach. Have mercy.*

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Refugee

Chapter Eight

"Don't be aroused by my confession
Unless you don't give a good goddamn about redemption, I know
Christ is comin' and so am I
You would too if this sexy devil caught your eye"

-Rev 22:20 by Puscifer

I felt my stomach sink as I sat motionless in the front row, watching the girl I have a crush on take off her clothes for other men to give her money. And suddenly, with every cheer or whistle I heard coming from behind me, I grew substantially more upset and thought about strangling them one by one.

Molly had her back facing the crowd as she swayed her hips back and forth seductively. The smoke had now cleared away and there was no doubt that she would be able to see my face whenever she turned around. Quickly, I wondered if I should leave. I wasn't thrilled to know her occupation, but I certainly didn't want to embarrass her in the middle of a dance in front of other people. Plus, I technically wasn't supposed to be here either.

I let out a deep sigh and roughly clasped my hand over my mouth, stroking my unkempt facial hair in frustration. I needed to leave but I couldn't take my eyes off of her. Molly was twirling around on the pole with her legs sticking straight in the air and I decided that it was best that I go outside for a smoke break.

Ironically, the moment I stood to my feet to walk away was the same moment that Molly decided to glance down, and she spotted me immediately. I watched her mossy green eyes widen and her mouth drop ever so slightly as she stood completely motionless.

The douchebags behind me were staring at her with the same amount of confusion written on their faces as she had written all over hers. I took the que and headed out the door, pulling a single Marlboro from its pack and placed it tightly between my lips.

.::.

I took an especially large drag and exhaled a large puff of smoke, joining several other men outside of the club. I leaned against the brick wall behind me and casually glanced down at the concrete walkway, noticing the scattered bottle caps and cigarette butts. I was trying to clear my mind for a moment; trying to think about something other than what I just saw, but it was no use. And not long after that, the double doors next to me swung open and out came that little nymph in red. The men next to me looked completely dumbfounded that this hot little piece of ass was standing next to a guy in a grungy tee shirt and torn and tattered jeans.

She didn't say anything for a moment as she leaned against the wall next to me. But finally, the silence got the best of her. "I can only imagine what you must think of me."

I took another drag and scratched the itch on the tip of my nose. "I don't think nothin' different of ya."

She turned her head to look at me. She looked surprised. "You don't?"

"Nah. Shit, I used to come here a couple a times a week when I had the money. Can't judge. Surprised I ain't never seen ya before."

"You probably have."

"How long ya been workin' here?"

"Two years. When daddy was diagnosed with cancer they ended up spending all of their money on chemo treatments. Got in a lot of debt. It was all just a big mess. When he died, he wasn't able to leave my mom with a penny. So this helps."

"What's ya mama think about you doin' this?" I asked curiously.

"Doesn't know." She laughed shortly. "She'd kill me if she found out. She think I'm a waitress at a fancy restaurant."

I looked down at her as I took another puff of my cigarette, feeling pretty damn bad for her. "You're a good girl, Molly."

She looked up at me with the prettiest twinkle in her eyes and smiled. "Sounds kinda funny, considering I'm standing here in my underwear." She laughed.

"Shit, girl, we ain't complainin'." Some redneck to my right chimed in. I glanced over to find a heavy man and his two heavy buddies practically drooling over her like a buncha slobs.

"In fact, why don't you do whatcha do best and take off the rest." He took a particularly large gulp of beer and stumbled into one of his buddies who just laughed. I felt the hairs on my arms stand straight up.

"Ay, Farmer Brown, watch yer mouth." I cocked my head up and stared him straight in the eye.

He laughed heartily before replying, "She's a fuckin' stripper. That's what she does."

"Yeah? Well she's my friend. I want ya to apologize."

"Shit, boy, you done fell and bumped your head if you think I'm apologizin' to her ass."

"I ain't playin'. Apologize or go ahead and ask your buddies if they don't mind pickin' yer fat ass off the ground." I tossed my cigarette down in front of me. My blood was startin' to boil real quick. I had been in more fights than I could even count and justabout all of them started because some dumbass would talk shit to a friend of mine.

I felt Molly grab ahold of my arm as Old MacDonald stumbled his way over. "You want me to teach you a lesson, boy?" He asked, pressing his chest to mine.

"Daryl, quit. Let's just go inside." Molly tugged on me, but I was focused more on the ugly motherfucker in my face.

"Listen to ya whore and get yer ass back inside." The redneck said, spitting on the ground just a couple centimeters from my boots. By the time he lifted his head back up I had cocked back my fist and clocked him right in the nose.

Molly gasped as Farmer Brown hit the ground hard and immediately clasped his hand over his bloody nose. His buddies reacted quickly and lunged towards me, but the bouncer was faster and blocked their move instantaneously.

"We have a problem over here?" The bald, burly man asked the five of us.

"Yeah, Farmer Brown over here needs ta learn how to speak to a lady." I responded, my chest still slightly puffed out like a gorilla defending its territory.

The redneck slowly pulled himself to his feet as his nose dripped a small amount of blood. "I don't know no lady who takes 'er fuckin' clothes off for every Tom, Dick, and Hairy."

"You're a real asshole. I bet your ass comes here because you couldn't pull a girlfriend with those pathetic manners you have." Molly started up.

"Listen, pal. You and your friends need to get lost. Find something better to do than come around here and start problems." The bouncer stated.

"I ain't leavin' 'till I'm good n' ready ta go."

"No, pal, you're gonna leave right now before you and your friends lose the rest of your teeth. And from what I can see you ain't got many left to start with."

"I paid $2 for this fuckin' beer and I ain't leavin' 'till this glass is empty." Damn, this motherfucker is dense.

Without thinking, I ripped the cup from his hands and poured the entire contents on his head. "There. Empty. See ya."

"Skidaddle." The bouncer folded his tree trunk arms in front of his chest and stared them down. I noticed his thick, Jersey accent.

Farmer Brown and his two little pigs must'a been smarter than I initially gave them credit for 'cause not a few seconds later they turned around and stumbled all the way to their car.

"Thanks, Joey." Molly placed her small hands on the bouncer's large biceps and patted him lightly.

"No problem. Who's your friend?" I watched as his dark hazel eyes narrowed in.

"This is Daryl Dixon. Daryl, this is Joey Holmes."

We shook and I near-about thought he was going to crush my hands. I mean, I've got pretty nice muscles myself but this motherfucker was built like a brick house.

"Thanks for your help." I said, taking a small step back.

"That's what I'm here for. Ain't the first time I've had to handle a bunch of drunk, ignorant assholes and it won't be the last. How do you know Molly?"

"Just moved across the street a couple days ago."

"Yeah, well you treat her good. I meant it. You seem like a nice guy but I won't hesitate to kick your ass."

Molly snorted. "Ain't gotta worry about it, brotha." I replied.

Just then, Molly smiled up at me and placed her arm around mind. "C'mon, let's go get a drink before I get my ass chewed out

for walking off the stage. Thanks again, Joey."

"No problem. Tell me if Keith gives you any trouble. I'll kick his ass too."

.::.

I took a seat on the barstool next to Molly and placed my empty beer on the counter just in time for the pretty blonde to get me another. She greeted us with a cheerful smile, showing off her pearly whites.

"Hey, girlie. You done for the night? I saw you hop off the stage." She asked Molly as she leaned into the counter. Her top was too low-cut for me to look elsewhere for a moment.

"Think so. You think Keith will be mad?"

"If he is, he'll get over it quick. You know that man's been in love with you since you started working here."

Molly rolled her eyes and waited for the bartender to return with a Yuengling. "Ya'll let me know if I can get you something else." She smiled, handing Molly her fresh beer before walking away to greet another customer.

"So…" Molly tucked a hair behind her ear and I watched the condensation from her bottle drip lightly to her fingertips. "How was dinner tonight?" She winked. I thought it was cute as hell.

I couldn't help but chuckle as I scratched the scruff on my chin nervously. Suddenly, I felt a harsh tap against the back of my head. "Woo, little brother, you missed one helluva show!" Merle exclaimed with excitement as he and Jimmy took a seat next to me. It didn't take but a minute for them to notice her sitting next to me, and my brother didn't hesitate to stare at her as if he were hunting his next prey. "Well, shit. Looks like ya did just fine on ya own."

"Molly, this is my brother Merle and my buddy Jimmy." I introduced them to go ahead and get it outta the way.

Molly straightened her back and held out her hand to shake each of theirs

"Molly Millar. Nice to meet you."

Merle shook her hand and folded his arms on the counter in front of him. "You work here, baby girl?" Baby girl, my ass. I scoffed mentally. The thing about Merle is that he can be a sweet talker when you first meet him, but then ya get to know him. Runs around on every girl he gets. Dumbass.

"Yep. For about a year."

"How much you charge for a dance?"

"Oh, uh, well…"

"Ain't happenin', brother." I interrupted.

"I wan't askin' you." He narrowed his eyes at me.

"Yeah, but I'm tellin' you. It ain't happenin'."

"You got some kinda claim on this'n?"

"Maybe. Regardless, it ain't happenin', ya old coon. Now finish yer damn beer. I'm ready to go." Seemed like leavin' would be the best decision. I know Merle and I know that he don't back down from somethin' he wants.

Surprisingly, he dropped the issue with Molly and already had his sights set on the bartender. "Shit, we gon' be here all damn night, little brother. We only been here for 45 minutes." Merle took a large gulp of beer and slammed it back down on the counter.

"I'll take you home, Daryl." Molly offered.

"Ain't you gotta get back to work?"

"I've already been off the stage for 15 minutes. Keith's got Georgia up there now." She pointed up at the stage to a topless brunette. "Plus, now that I know you're here I'm not dancing." She said shyly.

"That ain't fair. Thought we was friends?" I prodded her.

She laughed in return and shook her head. "That's my point." She stood to her feet and adjusted her underwear on her hips. Damn hips drive my ass crazy. I love a thick woman and she fits the bill. "Lemme' go tell Keith I'm heading out and grab my clothes."

"You sure you wanna take me? I don't wanna get ya in trouble."

"You won't. He'll get over it." And with that she walked off and I got to enjoy the view until she disappeared behind a STAFF door.

"Damn, Daryl. Here I thought you ain't nuttin' but a pussy when it comes to women and you gotta fuckin' stripper takin' your ass home."

I shook my head and smiled at his sheer idiocy. The man drives me crazy as hell but I can't help but love his stupid ass. "Yeah, Merly. Maybe I can teach ya a thing or two."

The two of them laughed and Merle finished off his beer along with me. "The day I take advice from you is the day I'll dig my own goddamn grave."

"I dunno, Merle. He had his neighbor makin' him dinner the other night and now he's goin' home with a dancer. Gotta give his ass some credit."

"That's my neighbor." I tilted my head in the direction of the door she disappeared behind.

"You're shittin' me." They said simultaneously.

"Nah, I'm serious."

"Your neighbor's a fuckin' stripper? Molly?" Merle narrowed his glazed, blue eyes for the umpteenth time.

"Told ya, ya need to let me give ya a couple tips on datin'." I watched as Molly emerged from the room, dressed in jeans and tee-shirt, and started making her towards us.

"Shit. Ya lost ya damn mind."

I stood to my feet and left a couple bucks on the counter in front of me before pattin' the two of 'em on the back. "Have fun usin' yer hand for the rest ah yer life."

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So sorry it took so long for an update! I usually like to update at least a couple times a week, but sometimes life has other plans. Again, thank you for taking the time to read my story and THANK YOU for amount of love I get in your reviews, follows, and favorites! You guys are fuckin' awesome!