Chapter Text
Beth Greene wondered for many hours how she’d ended up where she never thought possible. She wondered how she’d been so blind. How her friend’s warning fell on deaf ears. She wondered when she had stopped listening to her gut.
Now, she was here, doing everything she could to make herself smaller. To make herself disappear into the wall or the floor. Anywhere, but here. For the second time in her life, she wondered if she was going to die. She couldn’t breathe. The rising panic restricted her airways, dragging her down into oblivion.
“I’m gonna tell ya a few things and you’re gonna listen to me. Alright? How could ya treat me like this, Beth? Huh?”
He crowded her against the wall in the apartment she’d gotten to know over the last year. It used to be her safe space. Her home away from home. She had so many memories here. Good ones. Now, it had become a nightmare. She couldn’t breathe.
He was everywhere, filling her senses, and Beth couldn’t look at him. She didn’t want to see his face. Every place he was touching her body made her want to rip her own skin off.
His hand came up around her throat and the disgust quickly dissolved into terror as he continued to speak, “’Cause I love you. I love you and what? That don’t mean anythin’?”
Beth found her voice, however meek, “You’re drunk. Please. Let me go.”
“No. No. Listen. I know there were some things that say you love me too, because there’s no way you could’ve said what you said. Did what ya did.”
“Stop!” Beth tried to push him away, pounding on his chest, but he was a concrete wall, “Stop!”
“There’s nobody here. Nobody. Just us. You love me. There ain’t no corner of this place you could hide. ‘Cause I’d find ya.”
~
Beth pulled her car into the parking lot of the Cherokee Rose Auto Shop. She jostled in her seat going over the pot holes as she carefully parked out of the way. The Georgian summer sun was scorching as she stepped out of the truck, hinges squeaking as she slammed the door closed.
It was a small shop, run down, but reliable. The sign above the door to the office part of the building was composed of chipped white and yellow paint, weathered with age.
She walked towards the open garages slowly, eyes darting to any and all movement inside. Surprisingly, she didn't recognize anyone working. Maybe, it’d been longer than she truly realized and she just didn’t want to study that too closely.
Her eyes caught movement to her left and on the far side of the garage she saw him. His back was to her, but she'd recognize him anywhere. He was fiddling with something at the tool bench and by the way he was throwing things around, he looked pissed. She could see the tension in his shoulders and the way his arms strained.
Her breath caught in her throat when he nearly turned around and saw her. Beth gathered all her courage and shoved down her nerves, not sure why she needed courage at all. He was her best friend after all. But you haven't seen him in a year and a half. They talked on the phone, but that wasn't the same and she knew it. She felt his absence over the last year and a half like a gaping wound.
Beth was closer to him now. And she finally called out, "What's a girl gotta do ta get sum service 'round here?"
Daryl froze, wrench still in hand. A couple of the people working stopped to look at the exchange obviously about to take place. Many of them seemed flabbergasted by her audacity to talk to Daryl like that. They'd soon find out she was the only one who could without getting her head bitten off in the process.
When he turned around to look at her, suddenly, she was hit with how long it had been since she saw him. Almost two years was too long. He looked the same, maybe a couple more grey hairs in his facial hair, but otherwise he still looked exactly how he did the day she met him almost five years ago.
He had grease stains all over his hands and arms. His shaggy hair obscured a lot of his forehead and fell over his eyes. He was covered in sweat. The whole picture made her face break out into what she would assume was a blinding smile.
Daryl seemed to be stuck in place and if Beth had to put a word to it, he looked like he was buffering. But she waited and as his face softened and his lips quirked up at the sides, she knew it had been a good decision to come here and see him. Surprise him, more like.
"Gonna have ta wait in line like everyone else, girl," he replied, his voice dripping over her. Hearing him on the phone was a lot different than in person. She'd forgotten. His tone was hard, but she could see the glimmer of amusement in his eyes.
She took a couple steps towards him. He couldn't have been more than ten feet from her. So close. "Even if I know a guy? Probably runs this place by now. Said I'd have a free spot whenever I wanted."
He scoffed, "Sounds like an asshole."
Her smile was so big it was starting to hurt her cheeks, "Sure is."
With that, she couldn't wait any longer. She collided into him and wrapped her arms around his neck. The minute her body connected with his, she felt his arms wrap around her waist, crushing her against him. She buried her face into his shoulder, breathing him in. He smelled like sweat, motor oil, and cigarette smoke. It made her a little weak in the knees with how much she missed him and she melted even more. Beth knew she was going to have grease and oil all over her white shirt, but she couldn't care less. She'd dreamed about this moment for so long and it was finally here.
"Hell're ya doin' here, Beth?"
A breathy laugh escaped her chest as he let her go and pulled back to look at her. His eyes were narrowed in on her, making her tingle all over. "Here at the shop or here in Senoia?" Beth asked, clearly teasing still.
"Girl, ya know what I mean," Daryl grunted.
Her smile never left her face as she said, "I'm done. Movin' back. Already got a job an' a place an' everythin'. Got here last night. Think I ‘bout gave Daddy a heartattack."
Daryl's eyes swam looking at her. The hints of a smile forcing their way onto his face. "Ain't your graduation not 'til next weekend?"
His accusatory look pinned her to the spot. Beth was about to answer, but nearly stumbled and rerouted when she realized, "How'd ya know when I was graduatin'?"
His eyes dropped to the ground before it seemed like he forced himself to look back up at her. He righted his shoulders and stood up to his full height, "Asked your dad. Think I woulda missed it?"
Her heart started beating a little bit faster and she wanted to touch him again. The urge hit her so violently it nearly took what little breath she had out of her lungs. "Never said anythin' 'cause I'm not goin'. Had too much waitin' for me at home."
She let the implication behind her words hang in the air. Yes, she wanted to see her daddy and Maggie again. She had missed them so much. Missed the farm. But she wouldn't lie and say Daryl wasn't the biggest reason she was skipping out on graduation so she could get home sooner. Or at least, one of the biggest reasons…
Beth added, because Daryl seemed just as affected by her words as she was to admit them, "Woulda dragged ya all the way to Savannah if I was." It was a joke, but not really. If she was going to graduation, she would've wanted him there with her family and it was important to her he knew that.
"What's your boyfriend gotta say 'bout that?" Daryl asked. He turned away from her as he asked, wiping the back of his neck with the bandana he kept in his pocket, but she already saw the grimace that tugged on his lips.
And Beth winced as her stomach sunk. She should’ve known Maggie wouldn't keep her mouth shut unless she explicitly asked her not to say anything. She felt the need to downplay it because of all people she didn’t want Daryl thinking… She didn't want him thinking what? That she had a boyfriend. Why? Beth knew why, but was too chicken shit to admit it to herself.
"Ain't got one. Tell Maggie she's workin' off'a old news," Beth replied, trying her best to seem casual, but something in her chest was fluttering.
Daryl's head snapped back towards her, "What?"
It was old news, but maybe not as old as she had let on. She broke up with him a month ago and if she was being honest, she should have done it a lot sooner. Whatever they were was fleeting and unnecessary. Beth wasn't sure she'd even call him a boyfriend. He was a mistake. A massive four-month mistake.
Beth barely told Maggie about him and she was pretty sure her sister thought he was some college boy she'd met in one of her classes. Not an older man, police officer no less, who she met at a twenty-four-hour convenience store connected to a gas station after a long night out.
She shook her head, a small smile on her face at his reaction and subsequent relief, "Was never really anythin' in the first place. Ya know how Maggie likes ta embellish. He…he wasn't for me." Her eyes held his as she punctuated her last statement with some necessary intensity. She wanted him to read between the lines. But you are.
Daryl hummed, coincidently a lot more relax, "M'sorry."
She laughed, "No, ya ain't, but thanks for tryin'."
He grinned at her then and shook his head ever so slightly, "Alright, Greene, should be celebratin'. Gonna be 'round later?"
She knew where this was going and she felt a giddy burst of energy go through her, "Diner?"
His hand twitched at his side like he wanted to reach out to her, an amused expression on his face, "Where else?"
"I can meet ya there at eight?"
"Nah, come here. Should be finishin' up by then. Can walk there," he said and then added a bit more quietly, "Don't want ya sittin' there, waitin'."
This time it was her that hummed, "Ya worried 'bout me, Dixon?"
She'll admit the diner and the mechanic shop weren't in the best part of town, or even in town at all, but it wasn't nearly as bad as it could be. Some of the people were a little rough around the edges, but they were good people. It was sweet he worried about her being safe, but she knew this town like the back of her hand. Knew the people. And she could take care of herself if it came down to it, but that didn't mean her stomach didn't flip at his protectiveness.
He feigned indifference, "Nah, just don't need your daddy comin' after me if somethin' happens to ya."
"You're right," A look of mock serious pulled her features into a frown, "But don't worry Maggie'll get to ya long 'fore he does."
"That what you think?"
"Oh, that's what I know," she finished with a teasing smile.
"Gone for two years an' ya already gettin' me in trouble."
"Ya missed it. It's alright. I won't tell anyone," Beth lowered her voice like she was telling him a secret.
Daryl grunted, "Mhm." But she could see the smile swimming in his eyes. He missed her. She knew he did, because she ached with how much she missed him and sometimes she wondered if their souls were made of the same thing.
Beth started to back away towards her truck, "See ya at eight."
He nodded. As she walked away, she felt his eyes tracking her every move. Only when she was behind the wheel of the truck with the doors locked, did he nod at her again and turn back to the garage.
As much as Daryl loved to joke about how he was a dirty redneck, Beth knew he was anything but. She'd met dirty and she'd met redneck and he didn't fit into either of those categories. No dirty redneck would watch her until she got back into her car to make sure she was safe. They wouldn't walk with her thirty minutes out of the way because night had fallen. They wouldn't pretend to be her boyfriend to keep creeps off her when she just wanted to have fun.
God. She'd been back barely a whole day and she was already screwed.
~
The Live Oak Diner was surprisingly empty. Beth remembered the dinner crowd being such a pain in the ass when she was the only waitress working, but now she could hear the buzzing of the crickets outside without even having to step out the door. It was bizarre being back. Everything looked the same, but it felt different somehow.
The red vinyl booth seats were still shredded to hell. It still smelled like burnt coffee and cigarette smoke mixed with the smallest hint of maple syrup. The large florescent sign outside still reflected on the many windows, casting a colored glow on the customers sitting in the booths. The high chairs lining the counter were still squeaked every time someone sat in them.
It was odd, but it was home.
"What happened ta this guy your sister told me 'bout? I needa kill him?"
Beth nearly choked on her milkshake, but held her composure as she was torn from her reminiscing, "Hardly. It was a mistake. Barely anythin'. But if it'll make ya feel better, go right ahead."
Daryl stared at her across the booth, his head tilting in question like he knew she wasn't telling him everything. She sighed through her nose, squirming a bit under his intense gaze, "He wasn't…good. He—"
"He hurt you?" Daryl asked suddenly, his voice dropping.
Her head snapped up and the minute her eyes made contact with Daryl's fiery ones; Beth knew she was screwed. Somehow, he'd seen through her practiced indifference. Seen through her for how it really was. She wondered what gave her away. Was it because she couldn't make eye contact with anybody when he was brought up? Was it her body subconsciously tensing up even at the vague mention of him? Was it how she danced around the topic?
Beth shook her head, as she fidgeted with the hair band on her wrist, "No, but I could see where it was headin'. Knew I needed to get out. He was sweet at first. Then, he turned into— He was always around. Would see him outta the corner of my eye, 'round a corner, in the reflection of windows. Became harsh. And I knew he was bein' rough 'cause he wanted to hurt me. I could see it in his eyes. He wanted to show me who had the power. Make me feel like nothin'. Like he'd reduced me ta nothin'."
A warm hand encapsulated hers and she realized she'd drifted off. She focused back on Daryl, who's eyebrows were furrowed in concern, but she could see the rage boiling underneath his skin. Could see it in the thin set of his lips and the tension in his jaw. He was trying to be gentle for her.
"Why didn't ya tell Maggie? Hell, why didn't ya tell me?" Daryl asked, clearly trying to keep calm.
Beth turned the hand he was grasping palm up and curled her fingers around his. It surprised her how small her hands looked in his, but somehow it felt right. So right. Like that's where she always belonged. Hand in his, wrapped up in him. It didn't used to be like this. He used to flinch away from her. Over time and over the years, instead of pulling away from her he started to lean in.
She kept her eyes glued to their entwined hands as she spoke, "Got myself into it. I didn't want ya'll to worry. And I handled it."
"Fuck, Beth. How'd ya handle it?" His hand tightened around hers, "He put his hands on you?"
She could see just asking the question struck a nerve deep inside Daryl. She knew it was a bad idea to tell him, but a part of her wanted to. She wanted someone else to know so she wasn't carrying it around alone anymore. Telling someone made it real. It meant it happened and she wasn't just making it all up in her head.
"Told ya he never hurt me," Beth whispered, trying to pull him back from the edge.
Daryl shook his head, chin dropping, "Ya know that ain't what I asked."
She sucked in a breath, realizing her mistake. She wondered if she should just lie, but the minute the thought crossed her mind she knew she couldn't. Daryl would know immediately. So instead, she said, "I got out, Daryl…I got out."
Something in his eyes shuddered. Her reluctance to answer the question was enough of a confession. He looked ready to rip out of his skin, so she slid out of the booth, making sure to leave her wallet on the table so the staff knew they weren't dining and dashing. Although, the fact their food hadn't been brought out yet should be sign enough. Beth kept her hand in Daryl's and pulled him out of his seat. With him behind her, she walked outside into the humid night air.
She guided him towards the overgrown bench around the side of the diner overlooking a corn field. He watched her every move, eyes darting around her face like he was seeing her for the first time in a new light.
Beth patted his chest and felt the telltale outline of his cigarettes in his breast pocket. Her fingers reached in and grabbed the box. She carefully pulled out one cigarette and handed it back to him. She knew where his lighter was. Saw him pull it out of his pants pocket so many times. Like it was second nature she slowly reached into his pocket and clasped her fingers around his lighter. She kept her eyes glued to her hands, too afraid to look up at him fully.
He was so still, but his breathing had become shallower. And she wondered if his body was responding to her the way hers did to him. Or had she shocked him into fight, flight, or freeze, because this was bold even for her. It was bold for them. She shook her head lightly, remembering what she was doing in the first place.
The familiar click of his lighter filled the heavy silence between them as she placed the cigarette between her lips and lit it. In the dull cherry glow, she finally saw Daryl's intense, heated gaze as he watched her. So, she guessed it wasn’t fight or flight at all. Her entire body was buzzing with pent up energy, but all she did was hand him his cigarette and sit down on the bench.
It took Daryl a second to follow her, but eventually he sat down beside her. He drew in a lung full of smoke and blew it out of the corner of his mouth so it didn't come near her. They stared out at the cornfield. How it swayed in the light breeze. They listened to the symphony of cicadas and frogs, creating a lovely score for all the good memories playing in her head to drown out the shadows.
And she kept staring off into another world where the man she got away from never existed. Where she never met him. She stared until all she saw was corn and then she spoke, "He already ruined so much for me. Please. Don't let him ruin this too. I don't want him colorin' this… Us. We're celebratin' somethin' good. Can we just not talk 'bout it tonight? If ya still wanna know tomorrow, I'll tell ya everythin'."
When she turned to finally look at him, he was softer. The tension had left his shoulders and his face. He looked younger even in the florescent lights of the diner. Beth couldn't keep her words in as she whispered, "I missed you."
Daryl raised his arm and said, "C'mere." She immediately slid into his side, relishing the weight of his arm falling across her shoulder, "M'sorry. Shouldn't of come at ya like that. Ya don't gotta tell me shit."
Beth found herself saying, "I want to. Just not tonight."
She suddenly felt the urge to cry. At first, she didn't understand why, then she realized it was because she felt safe for the first time in a long time. She wasn't walking on eggshells. Wasn’t feeling like she had to constantly look over her shoulder. Wasn't having to make up little lies just so she could live her life. She felt safe and protected and understood.
Daryl turned into her. His lips practically resting against her head, "Missed ya too, girl."
A sudden crashing sound had her nearly jumping out of her skin, one of her hands flying to grasp onto Daryl's thigh. The moment they were having was lost to the light breeze. Her head whipped to the source of the sound and it looked to be coming from around the corner, behind the diner. And from what it sounded like something, or maybe more frighteningly, someone had run into the metal trash bins she knew were back there from working here for almost two years.
"Hey," Daryl's voice drew her back to him. He wasn't looking at the source of the noise like she had been. He was looking at her, a vague alarmed expression on his face. She could practically see his brain whirling, putting two and two together. She was never jumpy before. And she was now.
Daryl stamped out his cigarette on the arm of the bench and stood up, pulling her with him, "Come on. Didn't bring ya here ta stare at corn."
Beth stayed close to Daryl's side as they rounded the corner to the front of the diner, because for a second, she swore she saw a shadow disappear around the back of the building.
"Damn, Greene, I'll buy ya another burger. Gonna choke if ya keep goin' like that," Daryl warned, but she saw the grin he was trying to keep off his face as he watched her scarf down the last of the burger and fries she ordered.
Beth's mouth was full and although she'd love to give him a piece of her mind, her polite southern manners still won out. So, instead, she lazily stuck up her middle finger in his general direction. Her mother would be proud she thought sarcastically. A familiar ache took a hold of her chest at the thought of her mama, but instead of it overwhelming her, it just made her contemplative.
Daryl huffed out a laugh at her insolence when Beth finally swallowed her food, "What? You’re allowed ta eat like a wild animal, but when I do it, it's a problem?"
"Girl, don't put words in my mouth. Ain't said shit about it."
"Oh, ya mean like the hundreds of times you've called me a pain in the ass?" She teased, trying her best to rile him up.
He grunted, “‘Cause ya are."
Beth didn't think. She just did. And the minute she did, she clamped a hand over her mouth. Her eyes widened in shock. Beth looked around to make sure no one else had seen and realized they were the only two left in the diner.
Daryl looked down at his lap, picking up the discarded french fry and holding it up in front of him, "Did ya just throw this at me?"
His voice was at a much lower pitch and if she hadn't spent years learning him, she'd probably be more than a little scared right now. Her hand dropped from her mouth, a wicked grin curling her lips, "No."
His eyes narrowed and his head tilted to the side like he was hunting, "Ya best start runnin'."
Run. She heard it in her head. Good thing he already paid for their food, because Beth was shuffling out of the booth and hastily making her way to the door. Fast enough to get a head start on Daryl, but not quick enough to draw attention from the wait staff.
Once she was out the door and the night air hit her, she took off. When she heard the twinkling sound of bells indicating the diner door opening behind her, a lightning bolt of adrenaline and fear went through her. But her fear wasn't real, because glowing right next to it was joy. Pure happiness. Beth knew she was safe, so even as she ran down the street away from Daryl, a breathless laughed escaped her. She was free.
Her blood pumped in her ears and she was breathing heavier. She didn’t dare look behind her. All she did was run, wild darkness coursing through her veins, because she loved the fear. Loved the panic, because she knew she was safe. She was safe with him.
Beth stole a look down the empty road and darted across the dark street. She could just make out the auto shop when she squealed as arms wrapped around her waist and hauled her into the air. She grasped onto his forearms, her back meeting his broad chest. Her laugh rang out into the night and she heard his soft one against her ear. Even in the humidity, goosebumps rose all along her arms at their close proximity.
It wasn't like they'd never been this close before, but since the last time, she'd uncovered all those feelings she'd been ignoring since she met him. Now, they were coming to the surface.
"Daryl!" She exclaimed between bouts of laughter, throwing her head back against his shoulder.
He gently placed her feet down on the ground and she immediately turned in his arms. Suddenly, everything became a whole lot heavier. The way he was gazing down at her made her entire body light up with sparks, but what took her breath away was how he wasn't looking away. He was looking at her like she was the sun after years of rain. Like she was a flowing creek after a drought. Like he needed her more than he needed life itself.
"Beth..."
Bright lights suddenly lit up the side of his face, illuminating the conflict written on it for a split second before they both realized where the lights were coming from. Daryl yanked her into his chest and off the road into the thick grass.
An Oldsmobile raced around the bend past them. Daryl's chest was heaving against her, "Tryin' ta get us killed?"
She looked up at him, "Never. Just livin'." Those words had never been truer.
He hummed and reluctantly detached himself from her, but entwined their hands. She followed him the rest of the way to the shop, basking in the weight of his large hand wrapped around hers.
Once they got to the parking lot, she realized the night was coming to a close, but that was the exact opposite of what she wanted. She racked her brain for anything to keep the night going and blurted out the first thing that came to her mind, "Ya wanna see my new apartment?"
A blush crept onto her cheeks at what that question could imply, but she fell back on their quick banter to cover it up, "Nothin' in it, but since you're such a givin' person and you’re gonna help me move, might as well show ya."
He scoffed, "First, I'm hearin' 'bout it."
Beth shrugged, "Tellin' ya now."
"Thanks for the heads up," he said, drily. He scanned the parking lot they were still standing in, his eyes catching on something before he turned back to her, "Bike or truck?"
It was her turn to scoff, "That even a question?"
His lips quirked up, "Alright."
Daryl wasted no time in gearing her up. He handed her an old leather jacket of his he kept at the shop purely for her to use at times like these. Then, he placed her own helmet in her hands. Beth glanced at it in utter surprise. Normally, he just gave her one of his, but the one in her hand was brand new. It was a bit smaller, sleeker and had no scraps or dents like his did.
Her heart skipped a beat realizing he'd gotten this for her. "Daryl, ya didn't have to get me anythin'. This is...this is so thoughtful. I love it. Thank you."
He knew how much she loved riding with him. Loved the freedom. Loved feeling the places they drove through. It was a uniquely personal experience to share with someone and she never took for granted the fact Daryl wanted to share it with her.
Then, she was completely taken aback. Her brain deciding to conjure up images of her riding something else, or more like someone else. It flashed in her mind and threw her into a whirlwind. It wasn’t dissimilar to the feeling of someone landing a sucker punch to her stomach. She looked up at that person, who was staring at her with raised eyebrows. Not that she could really see them, but she knew his face well enough. Knew all of his micro expressions, even the ones he tried to hide.
She smiled at him, trying to cover up her traitorous thoughts and the way her body was suddenly reacting to his proximity.
Daryl was chewing on the inside of his cheek, making his cheekbone stand out sharply, "Gonna buy ya whatever I damn well want. Was gonna give it to ya next weekend, but since ya ain't goin'..."
Something in the air must have spurred her on or maybe she was just drunk on being with him for the first time in too long. She let her helmet dangle in one hand and reached out to grasp his hand. She raised it to her mouth and let her lips caress right where his skull tattoo was inked into his skin. Her stomach fluttered when his eyes shot up to hers and held her in place, so many emotions crossing his face.
"Thank you for this an’ for dinner," she said again softly, pulling him towards his bike. He squeezed her hand and halted her in her path.
“Don’t needa thank me, Beth.”
She was at a loss because the way he was looking at her felt like there were a thousand words behind just that one sentence. All she could do was nod, a blush rising on her cheeks. He let go of her hand so he could throw on his own jacket and helmet, because Beth would've bitten his head off if he was still riding without them. She withered on the inside thinking of getting a phone call one day telling her Daryl was in the hospital or...she didn't even want to think about it.
Beth followed suit. When he threw his leg over the bike, she was thankful her helmet blocked where her eyes drifted to as he readjusted himself. She climbed on the back and wrapped her arms around his waist. And like a thousand times before, she melted into him. Surrendering her safety and her life to him as the engine roared underneath her.
Daryl tapped her thigh letting her know he was going, but she swore his hand lingered longer than strictly necessary. She still felt his warm palm on her skin sinking and spreading through her. He pulled out of the parking lot and onto the dark road, speeding closer towards the middle of town.
As windy, back country roads turned into dully lit two-way streets, she sat up slightly and took in her surroundings. It was a ghost town and Beth wondered what time it was because from the looks of it, it had to be past midnight. The bike was slowing to one of the only stoplights in town when she realized she still needed to give Daryl directions.
She dragged her hand off his stomach and ran it down his thigh. His stomach hitched under her other hand and she smiled to herself. Beth knew she was pushing it with what could be considered necessary touches, but she found herself not caring. He'd been doing it too or at least she thought he might be. She tapped his thigh twice and pointed right. The minute the light turned green; he took off to the right. The jolt and speed made a delirious laugh burst from her chest.
When he started cruising through the residential part of town, he slowed down considerably, waiting for her to give him directions. They passed by closed coffee shops, outdoor stores, restaurants, and a grocery store by the time they reached the edge of town. A smaller apartment building stood bordering thick Georgian woods lining the main road out of town. It wasn’t exactly secluded, but it was certainly the less busy side of town. She could still walk to everything comfortably and best of all, it was a reasonable price.
Beth tapped his leg again and pointed. He turned down a side street that led to a parking garage connected to her building. He slowed at the automated gate, blocking their way. Beth rummaged through her wallet for her swipe access card and scanned it. The gate slowly slid open and Daryl drove down into the garage, her eyes squinted slightly at the fluorescent lights even with the shaded visor over her eyes.
Daryl parked near the door leading to the lobby and the stairs. He threw the kickstand down and pulled off his helmet. She watched him get off his bike in one swift motion and even though she’d seen it so many times, she was noticing the way he moved more and more. Everything was deliberate and almost calculated. He moved so quietly and thoughtfully, always aware of his surroundings.
Beth realized she was still just sitting and staring, so she removed her helmet and ran her fingers through her hair to get rid of the flatness. It was second nature now. When she tried to move off the bike, a twinge of soreness erupted in her legs and a small groan left her lips. She forgot how long it had been since she’d ridden a bike or a horse for that matter. Granted, it wasn’t a long ride, but it was enough to make itself known.
Daryl had a mildly amused expression on his face and she glared at him, “I don’t wanna her it, Dixon.”
“Ain’t sayin’ nothin’,” he replied, but he was walking back towards her and placing his helmet on the seat in front of her.
“Ya don’t gotta. It’s all over your face,” she argued, but the wind was taken out of her jab pretty quickly.
Daryl approached her, almost hesitantly, before reaching under her arms and lifting her up and off his bike. He placed her on the ground in front of him and she wobbled slightly, but it had nothing to do with her legs being sore. It had everything to do with the man in front of her.
He was unbelievable. She saw glimmers of it when she first met him, but it was unmistakable. No one had ever learned her like he did. He was in tune with everything. It was almost like they had their own unspoken language only they could speak and understand.
While she was away at college, she’d been searching for that language, trying to find it in other boys. Other men. And she never could, because it was theirs. Hers and Daryl’s. She’d never find it again and she wasn’t sure why it was just dawning on her now.
He was sweet and caring. And most people wouldn’t know it because of how gruff he came off, but he may be one of the most thoughtful people she’d ever met. He pushed her buttons, but when he did, it was like he was telling her he cared about her. Not like he was trying to knock her down a peg. She’d never seen him joke with anyone else like that, except maybe Carol. And his strength always took her breath away. Not just his physical strength. He’d been through so much and he was still here right in front of her.
God. She really was screwed.
He was looking down at her, an obvious question in his eyes, and Beth found herself wanting to answer yes. Yes to him, yes to this, yes to whatever he wanted. He cleared his throat, but didn’t step away, “Don’t need ya fallin’ over.”
She smiled at the fact he was giving her an out and all at once it became clear. This wasn’t just some fantasy she locked behind a safe in her mind anymore. It could be real. He was showing her it could be real. Beth rocked forward, letting her head fall to his chest for a brief moment before pulling him towards the door to the stairs.
“You’d never let me fall,” Beth said, her voice breathy, but confident. She felt his reaction before she saw it through the way he squeezed her hand and his sharp intake of breath.
His chest heaved as he looked at her. The florescent lights cast sharp shadows on his face, making him look a little more than dangerous, but he was speaking to her and she could hear it loud and clear. His gaze lingered on her mouth, tracking a path from her eyes to her lips and back. Beth wanted to remember the way he was looking at her for the rest of her life. Hell, not just remember. She wanted it. Craved it. She wanted to see it for the rest of her life.
Instead of disturbing the moment with a teasing remark like she normally would to diffuse the tension, she let the moment stir and grow as she led him into the stairwell. She wondered if her eagerness showed. If he knew it meant she wanted him.
Beth practically jogged up the two flights of stairs to her floor. When she pushed open the door, the dimly lit hallway was a stark contrast to the jarring lights of the stairwell and the parking garage. In fact, it felt like stepping into a completely different time. The building was old, but the parking garage and subsequent stairwell were only a few years old. Built because the residents were constantly complaining about parking.
Small balls of warm light hung from the ceiling every ten feet or so. Her and Daryl’s shoes thudded against the black and white tiled floor as she navigated to her apartment. The dark crown molding ran along the length of the hallway, only broken up by the ancient elevator and another set of stairs, guarded by wrought iron that led down to the lobby. It was a beautiful old building and she fell in love with it the minute she stepped foot inside.
B17. Her door loomed in front of her at the far end of the hall, tucked away in the corner of the second floor. There were a few rooms up for rent, but she chose this one because of the windows. She pulled her key from her pants pocket and slid it into the lock. The click resonated loudly, pinging around in her head.
She felt the significance of the moment. The weight it held. And she wasn’t afraid. Not anymore.
Beth pushed the door open and walked inside, pulling Daryl with her. She flicked the lights on and the room lit up. Pride bloomed within her as she looked at the new start in front of her. She turned her grin on Daryl, who was looking down at her with the same pride, but she was sure it was for a different reason.
“Should see it in the mornin’. It’s so bright from the light comin’ through,” she said, gesturing towards the windows in the kitchen on the right.
There was a small round table just next to the kitchen and when she turned her gaze to it Beth’s heart stopped. Everything ceased and white noise filled her head. She was rooted to the door as terror flooded her veins.
Sitting pretty on the middle of the table was a bouquet of flowers. Yellow and white daisies tied together by a white and yellow checkered ribbon. There was a card propped up against the stem of the flowers. And even from where she was standing, she could see the sharp ‘S’ written on it like it was carved by a knife.
Shane.
“Beth,” Daryl called, clearly alarmed by her sudden change in demeanor. His voice cut through the white noise, but it did nothing for her coursing terror as it sunk deeper and deeper into her bones.
She couldn’t think. All she could focus on was her chest getting crushed and the writhing in her gut threatening to rip open her stomach. She couldn’t breathe. Her surroundings zoomed in and out of focus and she preferred when it was out of focus, because then, she couldn’t see the flowers. She could convince herself they weren’t actually there. That this was all just some elaborate nightmare she somehow stumbled into.
The flowers were such a small beautiful gesture. How filthy a lie. How vile and wicked to turn something innocent and hopeful into a depraved sign of despair. How could something seemingly so beautiful shatter her entire world?
“Beth, look at me!” Daryl’s hands grasped her face and turned it up towards him. Tears were streaming down her own face and she felt on the verge of passing out. The strength in his arms and body anchored her and the fear in his eyes sobered her up enough to speak in shattered gasps.
“He…he found me.”