Carol returned to the kitchen table with two mugs of coffee. She drank hers black but she brought milk and sugar to the table in case Daryl wanted it. She noticed he didn't touch it, simply drank the coffee black, just like her.
After a few minutes of awkward silence they both attempted to talk at exactly the same time. "You go ahead," Carol said with a chuckle.
Daryl nodded. "Just wanted to thank ya for inviting me in, drying the clothes, coffee too," he added holding up the mug. "Didn't have to go to the trouble, but I appreciate it."
"It's really no trouble," Carol said, giving him a genuine smile. She noticed he blushed and wondered if she had ever met a man who turned red as often as him? "I would feel very guilty if my savior were to get in an accident because I delayed you long enough that the storm started before you got home." Carol knew she was going to make his cheeks even more red, but she couldn't resist. It wasn't really a flirt, she was merely speaking the truth, but the fact that she did it purposely just to watch him squirm actually made the act itself a bit flirty.
"Woulda been fine," he mumbled.
One of Carol's cats, Savannah, chose that moment to leap onto the table, gracefully, though she just missed tipping the sugar bowl. "Oh no you don't," Carol said, jumping up to reach for her. The cat decided to take her chances with a stranger and hopped right onto Daryl's lap. She turned on the charm instantly, purring and rubbing up against him.
She made a move to shoo the cat, but Daryl stopped her. "It's okay," he said, scratching behind Savannah's ears. The cat gave Carol what she could only describe as a smug look and settled into his lap to enjoy the attention. She watched for a few minutes. Daryl seemed mesmerized, truly enjoying the mutual affection.
Before long Carol's mind wandered off to the reason she had opted to take the scenic route home that night. She had received a call at the office that afternoon from a good friend she had worked for in the past, offering her a position in a new business venture. Before she had a chance to say no he made her agree to read the contract and pilot script of the TV Series he would be producing. The job was an admin type position like she was currently in, but it paid significantly more. The problem was… her job security depended on how well the TV show did. It could tank in one season and she would end up unemployed, having given up her job in Atlanta that she loved and had been doing for over a decade. The filming industry in GA was booming and lots of new shows were shooting there… which also meant the competition was high.
Carol hoped she would flip through the script, hate it, and say no very easily with the confidence it was going to tank quickly. But that didn't happen. It was quite the opposite. She loved the script. The show was something very different from what was currently out there and it was picked up by a major cable network. Carol could tell from what she'd read that it had great potential to be very popular and mainstream. The script was great, but the contract was better. Filming only took place for 6 months of the year, but she would be on salary all year long. She would still work the other 6 months, but it was minimal and sporadic. The salary was more than double what she was making currently for essentially half the work.
Her friend had listed off some of the main parts they had cast so far and Carol recognized several names. It was clearly an amazing and talented cast already and she was very intrigued.
But Carol was comfortable really in her role in Atlanta, and she wasn't sure if she wanted to give it up. He had already admitted the role had no job security. She could put in one full season then find herself unemployed. Was it worth the risk?
She really did want to give it a try. She would be so much closer to home for one, and there was something exciting about being a part of the entertainment industry, even if it was just an admin position. But Carol was the type of person who could get comfortable somewhere and just be happy there. She wasn't a huge fan of change and this job, if they happened to be lucky enough that the show took off, would be a massive change from the low key insurance agency she'd been with for so long. Could she handle that?
"You alright?" Daryl spoke up, bringing her back to the present.
"Yeah," Carol replied, without much certainty.
"You sure?" he pressed.
She sighed. "I have a huge decision to make. That's why I was taking the back roads home. I only have a few days to decide and it will mean a lot of changes that I'm not sure I want or can handle." Daryl nodded. He really couldn't say much because she hadn't given him a whole lot to go on. Carol decided to elaborate. What would it hurt? Maybe somewhere under his rough exterior Daryl had some good advice hidden. "I was offered a position with a new television series being filmed in the area."
"Oh, like a... What do they call it? Uh, extra? Or something bigger?" Daryl looked to her for confirmation. He actually looked a bit nervous all of a sudden.
Carol smiled. It was sweet and flattering that he thought she might be an actor. "Oh Gosh no," she shook her head. "It's an office job, preparing contracts, some advertising stuff… things like that. No acting involved."
"Oh, I thought for a second there that you were some kinda celebrity." The nervousness seemed to ease a bit.
"No," Carol laughed. "Not at all. I have an old friend I used to work for who has done really well for himself. He likes to surround himself with people he trusts and he called me up with the offer."
"Huh, well that's a relief because I was worrying I should be feeling like a dick for not recognizing your name," Daryl said.
"Nope, you'll never have to worry about that," Carol laughed again.
"You should take it," Daryl said. His voice sounded confident, not the least bit shy, hesitant or embarrassed.
"Why do you say that?" she asked, very curious to hear his answer.
Daryl shrugged, "I ain't that good at readin' people, but I've got pretty good at knowing when someone really doesn't want to do something." His voice still sounded confident and he had her full attention. "You don't look like this offer is something you don't want. You look the opposite. When you mentioned it... You looked happier for a second." He paused. "You ain't gotta take my advice, but I think you want it. And if you want it, you should do it."
"Hmm," Carol replied, thinking about his words. Did she trust the advice of a stranger? Someone who didn't know her at all? Perhaps someone who didn't know her was the best person to be taking advice from - no bias.
"Like I said, I ain't so good at figuring out what others are thinkin' but..." he shrugged. "It seemed pretty obvious in your case."
Carol studied him wordlessly until Daryl flushed and looked away. He was very interesting, intriguing even. There weren't many people who piqued her curiosity so quickly. If she were to judge a book by its cover she would chalk Daryl up to some gruff backwoods Georgia redneck, who likely drank too much and spent more time hunting than anyone should. But she picked up a strange vibe from him. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but it was almost as if there was a vast pool of potential, just under the surface, trying to claw it's way out, but something had hardened his skin too much to let it break free.
"You're interesting," she said, breaking the silence and admitting what was going through her mind.
Daryl shook his head. "I ain't, promise you that." He licked his lips nervously and Carol was met with a strange desire to know what they felt like. She pushed it away, chalking it up to the fact she hadn't been laid in quite some time. This was definitely not the time to even think about getting involved with someone, Carol reminded herself. But a good fuck and a shove out the door wouldn't hurt, would it? It's your hormones talking, her inner voice confirmed.
There was entirely too much conversation going on inside her head. Carol needed a distraction. "You shoot pool?" she blurted out.
"Uh.. Yeah, I ain't great but I play," Daryl said, looking confused.
"Well darn... I was hoping for a challenge, but any old opponent will do," Carol teased him. "Come on, tables in the rec room." She led him down the hall into a room that contained 2 cat beds and a full sized pool table. She turned to billiards any time she needed a break from the world - which was quite often as of late, but had really been the worst when she was much younger, feeling trapped in a bad, abusive marriage. Carol had always had a natural talent for the game, even back then, but lately she had gotten a lot better to the point where it was rare to lose to any opponent.
Daryl was far better than he led on, almost beating her twice. "This is fantastic," Carol gushed. "No one has come that close to kicking my ass in a very long time. And you almost won twice."
"Almost doesn't count," Daryl muttered, looking a bit pouty.
"How often do you play?" Carol asked, crossing her arms.
Daryl shrugged, "Maybe once, twice a week. There's a little bar just outside of Newnan, stop for a beer and a few games after work some nights."
Carol actually knew the exact bar he was talking about. It was a sleazy joint with not much more than a dingy bar and a few tables, but the tables were in incredible shape. It made sense that Daryl had some skills because she knew every hustler in the burbs of Atlanta frequented the place. She had always wanted to go, see how she measured up against a real deal player, but it wasn't the kind of place a woman goes alone. "Will you take me there sometime?" Carol asked, not completely kidding.
"Huh?" Daryl looked at her strangely and she knew he didn't think it was the kind of place a 'girl like her' would go to. But he really didn't know where she'd came from way back when and what she'd survived. There weren't too many places out there she couldn't hold her own these days.
"To a billiard player... That place is legendary," Carol explained. She could tell he knew exactly what she was talking about. "I mostly play here, but I've been out to a few places and everyone says that's where you go for a real game."
"But it's dirty... And loud... Lots of fights..." Daryl stammered.
"Listen," Carol gave him her best smile, yet again. "I don't know if I'll ever see you again once I get my car back... But just say yes, okay? And I'll always be able to hold onto hope that one day you'll take me to the big leagues." She was pretty sure after picking up her car the next day, the chances of running into Daryl ever again were slim.
"Okay," he nodded, understanding and likely thinking the same. "I'll take you some time."
"Good," Carol replied. "It's still storming and I haven't heard the buzzer from the dryer, so how about a rematch? I'll need to keep my skills sharp." For the first time since she'd met the man, Daryl gave her a true and genuine smile. It was surprising and unexpected, but Carol decided right then that he had one of the most beautiful smiles she had ever seen.