What the fuck did I just agree to? Daryl wondered. Dinner? With her? It wasn't that he didn't want to have dinner with Carol, it was just, well… Daryl was afraid he would screw it up somehow. He didn't eat out much. He didn't really go on dates. Wait, it's not a date, he reminded himself. It's a thank you dinner. An unnecessary thank you dinner. But it's also a celebration of her new job. Why the fuck would she want to celebrate with me?
He was completely perplexed and lost in thought. The embarrassing sound of his straw slurping the last of the sweet tea from the glass brought him back. "Oh… whoops," he muttered. It was loud. People from other tables looked at him. Daryl was nervous to see the look of disapprovement on Carol's face. With any luck she'd realize her mistake and rescind the dinner offer. He was surprised by her smile when he looked up. She had obviously noticed the glares from the snobs in the next booth. "Sorry," Daryl said sheepishly.
Carol gave him a knowing look and took a long drink of her tea. She paused when the glass was almost empty and then finished the last of it with same loud slurping sound he had just made. When the couple looked over again she smiled sweetly and batted her eyelashes. Daryl snorted and smiled back at her. "Thanks," he grunted sincerely.
She seemed so down to earth for someone who clearly had some very important friends and was about to set foot into the local film industry. Not that Daryl had any other female friends to compare her to. "You wanna have one more glass before we head back?" Carol asked him. "I'm a coffee girl, don't usually drink much tea either sweet or hot, but this stuff… is spectacular."
Daryl was glad she liked it. "Sure, one more," he agreed motioning for the waitress.
"So, your brother…" Carol started, smirking at him. "He's a peach, huh?"
Daryl tensed. If Merle ruined this for him in any way he would seriously consider committing his very first homicide. Daryl always thought if he were ever to murder someone it would be the abusive fuck of a dad he had. Now that he wasn't under the same roof and rarely saw the man, things were improving somewhat. "Uh, yeah… I really am sorry," Daryl said, hoping she wasn't too annoyed with him for Merle's 'charm.'
"Don't apologize for him," she replied. "I'm a pretty good judge of character and I'm willing to bet that he's really quite harmless."
"He's a perverted fuck, a recreational druggie, a complete asshole when he's drunk and stubborn as a mule, but he's loyal, protective and yeah, pretty harmless when he cares about you," Daryl explained. He loved his brother. Didn't always agree with his choices, was often annoyed by his constant teasing, and sometimes wanted to punch him right between the eyes but Merle always had his back and would fight to the death to protect him. Daryl wondered if it was smart to admit his own kin was a pervert, a drunk and a drug user. "I'm nothing like him," Daryl added quickly. "I, uh, I mean the bad parts... The other stuff is me too... I mean, I am... I mean... Oh nevermind," he muttered, feeling his cheeks go red.
"Do you want to know what I see in you?" Carol asked, staring at him with those eyes, so blue and full of expression.
"Sure," he said quickly, already getting nervous before she even spoke.
"I think you are looking at the world through tainted glasses. I think you've dealt with some pretty crappy circumstances and they've left you… bitter. Pessimistic," she spoke slow and thoughtfully, like she had taken time to consider her words previously, but still wanted to make sure they came out right. "I think you look at other people and you see them all above you. And you are completely blind to all the good things you keep hidden inside." Daryl was getting seriously creeped out at how close to home she was hitting, without even knowing much about him. "What you don't realize though, is that even though you're trying to keep things hidden… you're not very good at it," Carol finished.
"Hmph," Daryl grunted.
"Come on, be honest," she prodded him. "Am I close?"
Daryl shrugged. He didn't want to admit she'd read him to a tee because it annoyed him. But he wasn't much of a liar either. "You might of got a few things right."
"Daryl… there's a sky full of stars, every night… you just need to learn how to see them," she said, letting her words hang as she finished the last of her tea. "Don't worry, there are nights I don't see them either," Carol added. He caught a flash of something dark in her eyes and he knew her life hadn't always been perfect. As quickly as it came, it was gone and she reached for her purse and pulled out some cash. "Ready to go?" she asked, standing up.
"I could have paid…" Daryl muttered, trailing after her. He was learning quickly that she wasn't a woman who backed down easily. Carol was stubborn. If he thought before that he was a stubborn guy, he had nothing on her.
When they got back to the shop he left Carol in the lobby once again to go see how the car was coming along. "Well I have good news for you Fuck Face," Merle said when he entered. "I have to order that fuel pump for your little lady out there. We're gonna have to keep her car at least another day." Daryl fought to keep the look of excitement off his face. "Look at you Darlene," Merle drawled. "You done got bit by the love bug… And here I was wondering if you might be gay."
"What are you going on about?" Daryl snarled at him, trying to put on his best grumpy face, but it was difficult given the recent turn of events. Merle didn't know Daryl had agreed to drive her home if her car wasn't ready. He also didn't know about dinner and Daryl wasn't about to tell him. "What do you want me to tell her?"
"I can go talk to her…" Merle started. "Wouldn't mind checking out that sweet ass one more time…"
"No," Daryl snapped. "I got this," he said with a territorial warning tone in his voice.
Merle chuckled. "Fuck, you've got it bad, Sunshine." He wiped his hands on a dirty rag. "I bet you're thinking about tapping that right now," he said. "Give her a little, uh, uh," Merle added, crudely thrusting his hips. Daryl's face was getting red from both embarrassment and anger. Merle laughed and backed off, knowing he'd pushed enough buttons. "Tell her I'll order that part tonight and pick it up in the morning. Her car will be good as new tomorrow afternoon." Daryl nodded and started to leave. "Hey, Pussy," Merle called after him. "She ain't your type. But you better not turn down a fuck if she's offering." Daryl tensed and took a deep breath. "Turn on the Dixon charm. She'll drop her panties so fast…"
Daryl didn't wait to hear the rest. He left Merle in the shop and rejoined Carol. "Bad news," he said, trying to look disappointed, but likely failing miserably. Daryl told her exactly what Merle had said.
"Hmm," Carol sighed. "Well I suppose I can work from home tomorrow," she said, thinking
out loud. "And you're gonna have to drive us to dinner," she added, looking at him.
"Oh…" Daryl stammered. "I only have my bike… is that okay?"
"Of course," Caro replied. "I was hoping you would say that. I enjoyed the ride home last night, more than I expected I would."
"I guess I should get you home and then go shower and change before I come back and pick you up," Daryl said. It was already after 5pm.
"Doesn't really make sense to do all that back and forth," Carol chewed her lip and Daryl couldn't help but notice how sexy it was. "Why don't I just come to your place and wait while you get ready and then you can come to mine and wait while I get ready? Savannah would love to see you again," Carol added.
"Yeah… sure… that works," Daryl agreed. What have I got myself into, he wondered, leading her outside to his bike. "Here, you gotta wear this again," he said handing her the helmet.
"When we get to Merle's place I'll borrow Candy's helmet for you, it'll fit better."
"Candy," she repeated, giving him a look.
"Merle's… uh… girlfriend?" Daryl said, wondering what exactly to call his brother's flavour of the month. He had to admit, though she had her faults, he really did like some of Candy's good qualities. She was a neat freak and the house was always spotless. And she was a good cook. Daryl often found himself ending such statements with 'for a stripper' but the truth was, the curvy blonde with big boobs, Merle's usual type, was just an all around great cook and kept them well fed.
"Okay, I'm just gonna come right out and ask it… Is she a…" Carol didn't even finish before Daryl started nodding. "Okie dokie."
"What gave it away?" Daryl asked with a snort.
"Hmm… Lucky guess I suppose," she teased, giving him a smile that made his heart rate pick up. She put the helmet on and took a step closer to him, waiting for him to do it up. Daryl reached for the strap and noticed his hand was shaking. Get a hold of yourself fool. He sucked a breath slowly, trying to calm himself and hoping she wouldn't notice. But it was only going to get worse with her sitting on the back and her arms wrapped around him.
Daryl knew it wasn't smart to feel this way about a woman like Carol. The good thing was, once she got her car back the next day the chances he would ever see her again were highly unlikely. And then he could just forget about her, how beautiful and smart and funny she is, the color of her eyes, her sweet scent… But how? Oh well, I'll worry about that when I have to, Daryl thought. Right now he had to focus on driving with her boobs touching his back.
Daryl focussed on anything and everything but how good it felt to have her arms around him. He drove a bit faster than he should have, but he really needed to get to the house and have a cold shower. He blamed Merle for mentioning sex in the first place. Not that it hadn't been on his mind, but it was in the back until Merle brought it right to the forefront. It was a fantasy that was never going to happen. Besides, Carol wasn't the type of girl you just fucked and moved on. There was something special about her. Maybe it was because he knew she was so high above him, out of reach, out of his league - yet she didn't make him feel that way at all. She was kind, polite and patient. She didn't look at him like a big pile of white trash, like most people did. Carol made him feel like he was a good person and she made him want to be a good person. All that in less than 24 hours.
It's just because you helped her when she was stuck on the road, Daryl told himself. He couldn't allow himself to believe it was anything else. He'd helped her out. She's a kind person who is thankful for the help. Nothing more.
He pulled the bike into the drive and killed the engine. If Candy hadn't been living there Daryl would have been completely ashamed to bring anyone to the house. Merle was a disaster. And Daryl gave up on cleaning up after him a few weeks after he moved in. But Candy just kept going like the Energizer bunny. Daryl wondered if she had some mental thing, OCD or something, because the second there was a mess she was cleaning it up.
"Wow," Carol said, when she stepped inside. "Makes me want to go home and dust or something," she muttered, looking at the spotless house.
"Hiiiiiiiiii," a voice squealed as the blonde met them in the hallway. "Oh my, what is this?" she giggled. "Daryl bringing home a girl?" It was obvious to Daryl that she was on something. But he hoped Carol wouldn't notice.
Daryl ignored her and made introductions. "Can I get you a drink or something before I go get ready?" he asked Carol. She declined. "I need to borrow your helmet," he said to Candy.
"Come get it now," he grabbed her arm led her out of the living room where Carol was sitting to wait. When they were out of earshot Daryl spoke. "You need to find me something to wear. I know Merle has some expensive shit. I need to borrow something. I ain't got nothing nice enough to wear out to dinner with her."
"You really like her…" Candy said, eying him. Daryl gave her a glare and she didn't press.
"What kind of restaurant? I don't think Merle has a suit or anything like that…"
"No, jeans are good," Daryl said. "It's just I ain't got any without holes or grease marks. And one of those nice sweater things Merle wears when he's picking up." He stopped in front of Merle's door. "Can you leave em on my bed? Helmet too?"
"Yup. But you owe me one…" Candy said, with a wink.
Daryl went into the bathroom, stripped off his clothes and showered. He got out and toweled off and then wrapped the towel around his waist. He shaved and eyed Merle's aftershave. "Oh what the hell," he mumbled, putting a bit in his hands and dabbing it on his face. It stung a bit. He could remember Merle telling him once that you need to put a little smell good on, draws the chicks like a bee to honey. Daryl brushed his teeth and combed his hair. Then combed it again in the other direction. Then combed it forward. Then combed it backwards. Then gave up with the comb and ran his fingers through it. Eventually he was satisfied. Not that it mattered, the bike helmet would just mess it up anyway.
Daryl's room was right next door to the bathroom. He just had to open the door, take a few steps and he would be in his room. He tightened the towel and yanked open the door. Carol was standing there, staring at him. "Oh," she said in surprise. "I had to use the washroom… I thought you would be done by now…"
Daryl started to panic, but he had nothing to cover himself with. He couldn't let her see his back. It was covered with scars. Even Merle had never seen it. "Oh… uh… done now…" he stammered, stepping awkwardly sideways out of the doorway, trying to keep his back away from her. "All yours," he waved an arm and waited. Carol was looking at him strangely. "I just gotta get dressed and we can go," he explained, taking one step backwards.
"You okay?" she asked finally, still not moving.
"Uh, oh… yeah," Daryl said, blushing. "It's just, ya know…" he motioned to the towel and his bare chest, hoping she would buy the fact he was just being bashful because he was wearing nothing but a towel.
"Oh Geez, sorry," she apologized. "I… uh… Oh nevermind." Daryl noticed her cheeks were flushed as she rushed into the bathroom and shut the door.
Daryl quickly fled to the safety of his room. Was she actually blushing? he wondered as he dropped the towel and put on a clean pair of underwear. He tried to tell himself he was imagining things, but the whole time he was getting dressed all Daryl could think of was the way her eyes had drifted to his chest and the way her cheeks went pink before she disappeared out of sight.