The nausea was just starting to fade when Carol pulled up to the shop in a taxi the next day. It wasn't even noon. The car likely wasn't even ready yet. But she couldn't wait any longer to see Daryl. Her heart sunk when she didn't see his bike parked out front. Honestly, she hadn't been expecting to, but he said he worked at the shop sometimes, so there was always a chance.
Carol paid the cabby and stepped out. She took a deep breath and prepared herself to deal with Daryl's obnoxious big brother. She walked into the office, rang the bell to call someone and waited. She didn't bother to remove her sun glasses - no one needed to see her bloodshot eyes. She actually had to throw up from the hangover, which was rare. She attributed it to the stress of the situation with Daryl in combination with the alcohol.
"Good morning beautiful," Merle said, sauntering in with the same grease covered rag he'd used before. "You're here just in time. Got your girl runnin' and ready to go." He looked her up and down, "Unless you want to hang around here a bit, maybe grab a bite to eat with me on lunch break?"
"Uh, yeah… no thanks," Carol replied. She started to dig in her purse for her credit card to pay. "Is, uh, is Daryl around?" She tried to keep her voice calm and nonchalant.
"Nope, he ain't here today," Merle replied, giving her a knowing smirk.
Carol ignored the look. "Is there a number where I can reach him?" she asked, hoping Merle would cooperate without being too annoying.
Merle scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed it to her. "Doubt you'll get him though," he said. Carol eyed him. "Came in last night in a pretty foul mood, grumbling somethin' bout being stupid. Drank almost every beer I had in the fridge and stormed off to bed." Merle looked at her as if he was hoping she would explain something. "Candy said you two had a date..." His words hung in the air when she didn't respond. "Anyway, saw him throwing his crossbow in the back of my truck and takin' off first thing this morning."
"Taking off?" Carol finally spoke.
"Yeah, he's likely deep in the Georgia woods right now," Merle replied. "Hopefully rounding up some rabbit or squirrel for supper."
Carol tried not to cringe at the squirrel comment. Did they really eat squirrel? She wondered. "Oh so you think he'll be back later tonight?"
Merle shrugged and handed her a paper to sign for her credit card. "Hard to say. Sometimes he just camps out there, but if he shoots up some grub he might be in by dark." She handed him back the signed paper. "I know my little bro's a bit of a dip shit with women, but I ain't seen him like that in a long time. What'd ya do to him?"
Carol gave him a stare but didn't answer his question. "Thank you for looking after my car," she said politely.
"My pleasure," Merle replied with a slimy grin. "I'll pull it out of the garage for ya now."
"Shit," Carol cursed as she walked outside. She still had Candy's motorcycle helmet at her place, she'd forgot to bring it. She told Merle when he climbed out of her car, "I forgot your girlfriend's helmet. What time do you close? Maybe I can bring it back here tonight?"
She had some things she needed to take care of and a bunch of work piling up. She wanted to head into the office for a few hours but figured she could zip home after and loop around to return the helmet.
"Be outta here by 4 today," Merle said. "Drunk by seven," he added, reminding her it was Friday. "You could, Uh, bring it by the house... Someone might be home."
Carol nodded quickly. "I'll be there by 5. Address?" Merle recited the address and she added it to her phone.
"Don't be late, 'kay Sugar? Candy's gotta be at work on time and I need to get my drink on."
"Of course," Carol replied. "Thanks again." She climbed in and took off with a wave before he could reply with something perverted. All in all, it hadn't been too bad dealing with Merle. She got the information she needed and her car back in less than 15 minutes.
Carol couldn't resist driving by Merle's house. She slowed as she approached the driveway. Daryl's bike was there, but no truck. She saw Candy bent over digging around in the garden, wearing next to nothing, and sped up, driving by quickly in case she turned. She headed towards the city hoping that Daryl would be out of the woods by the time she returned later.
After a couple hours getting caught up at her desk Carol realized that she really should tell her boss she was leaving. But she just wasn't in the mood to see sad faces or listen to people wish her well. Monday, she decided, first thing Monday morning she would tell him. She finished up a few last minute things and hit the road, knowing traffic would be an issue and wanting to make sure she returned the helmet on time as promised.
As expected the traffic was awful, but she managed to make it home, change her clothes and grab the helmet and get back to Merle's before 5. She noticed the truck was back and felt herself swell with excitement, until she also noticed that the bike was now gone. Candy answered the door holding a bottle of Bud Light when Carol knocked. She handed Candy back her helmet. "Hey, thank you," she said kindly. "You wanna come in? Have a couple beer?"
"Oh, no thanks," Carol replied, wondering if it was standard practice for strippers to drink before work. No judging, she told herself. You've never walked in her shoes. She peeked inside. "Is Daryl home?" she asked, knowing the answer.
"No, you just missed him. He brought back some meat, threw it in the freezer, showered and changed, grumbled something about getting wasted and took off again," Candy said with a shrug. "What did you do to him?"
There it was. That question again. As if it was her fault that Daryl was so angry. Well it kinda is, a little voice said. But if he just had of waited and let her explain… "Tell him I said hi," Carol replied. "I'll try to call him tomorrow."
"You sure you don't want a beer?" Candy asked again. "You look like you need a drink."
"Oh I'm sure," Carol nodded. "Maybe some other time. Thanks again for letting me borrow the helmet." She waved and took off for her car.
A growling in her stomach reminded her that she hadn't taken a break to eat all day. She found a little restaurant and went in for a long, relaxing dinner. She pushed everything out of her mind and just enjoyed the peace and quiet, alone in her booth, while she ate. By the time she was finished it was getting late and already dark outside.
Carol started the car and pulled out of the parking lot to head home. She couldn't help but wonder where Daryl had gone to drink and something clicked. He mentioned drinking at the bar that she wanted him to take her to so she could play pool. It wasn't much of a detour so she made a Uturn and a quick left. The bar was packed and there were several bikes parked out front. She didn't know Daryl's well enough to pick it out.
Without a second thought she signalled and turned into the lot. She had to drive a long way from the entrance, to find a parking spot. Suddenly it didn't matter if Daryl was in there or not. She had always wanted to play pool there and that's what she was going to do. Carol grabbed some money from her purse, thankful she always kept a decent amount of cash on hand, and then tucked the purse out of sight. Once she cut the car lights the area where she parked was fairly dark.
Carol climbed out, locked the car, shoved the keys in her pocket and turned to walk towards the entrance. "Well, well, what have we here?" a voice slurred. There was a man right smack in front of her, clearly drunk.
"Excuse me," she said, trying to duck around him.
"Nah, nah, pretty lady," he blocked her way and took a step closer, backing her against the car. "I think you and me should get to know each other a little better."
Carol froze. Was this really happening? "Please, I just want to go in for a drink and a couple games…" she said, hoping that being kind and polite might deter him.
"Oh you can head on in… as soon as I'm through with you…" His breath reeked of alcohol and Carol cringed. Fuck, what do I do?
He started to push himself against her and she yelled, "Stop. Stop. Someone, help me, please…" The man had her pinned so she couldn't move and grabbed her wrists to keep her from hitting him. "Help," Carol screamed again. It was bringing back memories and taking her to a place she hadn't gone in a long time, but Carol fought off heading down that path. She wasn't that weak girl anymore.
Just as she was about to fight back help arrived. "Hey, what's going on over there?" a voice yelled. It was a familiar voice.
The man immediately released her. "Ain't nothing going on Merle," the man said. "I was just introducing myself to this pretty lady here."
Merle approached. "Get the fuck away from her Ronnie," he hissed, when he realized who it was. Merle grabbed him be the shirt, pulled him away and gave him a shove in the other direction.
"Okay, Okay, she's all yours," the man said, stumbling off.
"What the fuck are you doing out here?" Merle glared at her. "You just about got your ass pounded."
"I'm going in to play pool," Carol said stubbornly, taking a step towards the bar.
"Oh no you don't," Merle cut her off. "This ain't the kinda place a woman walks into alone. You'll never get out without someone like Ronnie followin' ya to your damn car."
"I'll be fine," Carol insisted, trying again. "I'm going in there."
Merle sighed. "I'm just on my way to watch Candy at work but... " He gave her a look. "Get in your car, lock the doors and don't get out until he gets here."
"Until who gets here?" she asked.
"Don't pretend you're stupid, you ain't. Neither am I," Merle snarled. "I know you came here to find him. He's in there gettin' plastered over you. Don't know what happened, but I ain't seen him like this since his high school sweetheart fucked the quarterback at prom." He took a deep breath. "Get in the car. He'll be out soon."
Carol nodded and did exactly as he instructed. She watched out the window and eventually saw the brothers walking out of the bar. They were clearly arguing and Daryl looked pissed. Merle said something to him and headed in the other direction, likely to get in his bike and head for the strip club.
Carol waited until Daryl was close before getting out of her car. "Hey," she said gently when he approached.
"Get in your car and go," was Daryl's angry response. "You shouldn't be here."
"I'm going in, whether I go in with you or I go in alone," she said, crossing her arms.
"This isn't the kind of place for a woman like you," Daryl spat, his eyes flashing.
"A woman like me?" Carol hissed back. "Why the hell not?"
"Because, that place… that place," he pointed angrily at the bar. "It's filled with guys like me. We gamble what little money we have and get drunk on the winnings." He looked so hurt and sad that Carol just wanted to hug him. "We don't all have jobs, no movie star friends, we hunt our food, and have terrible table manners. We don't get manicures or buy designer jeans. We come from fucked up families and we make our own fucked up families later on." She wanted to stop him, but she knew he had to get it out. "And we aren't dumb enough to think we have a chance with a girl like you."
When he finished talking there was a moment of silence before Carol spoke. "You don't know me," she said simply.
"Yeah, well I know enough," Daryl shot back. "I know you ain't interested. And I know I was stupid to think you were for a split second."
"Do you? Do you really know that?" Carol asked, her eyes boring into his. "Did you wait around to hear what I had to say? Or did you run off like a stubborn asshole and hide in the woods all day so you didn't have to see me at the shop?"
"Just get in your car and go," Daryl yelled, getting right up in her face. "I don't need you. I was doin' just fine and then you come along with your broken car and pretty eyes…Just go," his voice softened and cracked with emotion.
"Daryl," she whispered, placing a hand on his cheek, surprised when he let her. "I'm sorry about last night." He reached to pull her hand away but Carol fought him off until he finally won and broke away.
"Don't…" he looked at her sadly.
"No. No more running away. You're gonna listen to me," Carol insisted.
"I can't," he yelled, scaring her with the outburst.
She gathered herself as he turned away. If he wasn't going to listen she would have to try plan B. She grabbed his arm and spun Daryl to face her, then reached her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his.