Chapter Twelve

 

DARYL

 

I usually have to sneak glances at Jessie while we’re out, but watching her sleep gives me the perfect opportunity to just stare in awe like I want to half of the time I’m with her. She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, but she doesn’t seem impressed by her looks, and that makes her even more attractive to me.

She’s sprawled out, her auburn hair shining in the morning sunlight as her think pink lips silently call me. Leaning down, I kiss her gently and her lips curl into a soft smile. My stomach sinks thinking that she might wake up, ending my uninhibited gazing, but instead she just sighs and continues sleeping like the angel she is.

Never in a million years did I think I’d be so luck to have her, or that it would be as amazing as it was. After such a long build up, I guess I deserve it a bit, but that doesn’t take away from the incredible feeling racing through me.

She’s a dream girl, and when she first walked into the shop I thought for sure she was out of my league. When she kept popping up, with that innocent blush every time she sees me, I knew she was interested.

The way she acted last night, it seems I wasn’t the only one holding back, but I just didn’t ever want her to think I was showing her around or taking her places solely to get her in bed. Don’t get me wrong, I was interested in that, and thoroughly enjoyed it, but I genuinely like spending time with her and that was the only motivation for our time together.

Laughter rumbles in my chest as I recall how aggressive she was, her tiny arms tugging at me when I went to leave. And to think, I was scolding myself mentally, forcing my body to walk away when I wanted to ravage her, all the while she wanted it too. Shaking my head, I smile at myself, I guess it all worked out in the end.

The sun is just coming up, I don’t think I’ve been up this early since I graduated high school, but I barely slept last night, choosing to stare at Jessie instead. Careful not to wake her, I slide out of the bed and tip toe to her bathroom to drain the main vein.

Afterwards, I find myself being nosey as I look through her medicine cabinet. She doesn’t have a ton of makeup stashed in her bathroom cabinets like most girls I’ve met. Everything about her is just minimal and clean, I really like that. Glancing around, I rack my brain for ways to do something special for her.

The last thing I want is for her to wake up and regret everything that happened. She has to know that I still respect her and want to keep building our friendship. Hell, I want to be way more than her friend.

Glancing at the clock I notice the bakery has just opened, and she’s not far from it, so I quietly dress so I can sneak out and return before she wakes. I can tell she’s still in a deep sleep, so this shouldn’t be too hard.

Hoping not to wake her, I roll my bike three houses down the street before I start the engine. I have to laugh at the care I’m taking. You’d think I was robbing a bank, but I want it to be special, so a little extra attention is worth it.

With the wind at my back, it feels like the start to a great day as I cruise down the street. My chest is clear, and the deep breaths of fresh air feel relaxing and exhilarating at the same time. There’s a strange urge in my stomach, like I’m finally getting the fresh start I’ve always wanted, a chance at a new life.

Jessie is so different from everything and everyone in Danville, she’s my special glimpse into something larger. Although I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my life, I’m sure I don’t want losing her to be one of them. No, I have to do this right, and be sure not to muck it up like I’ve done so many other things.

“Hey, Daryl!” Mrs. Caldwell sings as I walk through the door to the bakery. She used to bake my birthday cake every single year when I was a child. Her twin sons were just a year younger than me, and we were close despite Caleb bullying them in high school.

“Good Morning, Mrs. Caldwell,” I smile, waving at the two older men at the counter having coffee. I know I’ve seen them around, but I can’t place their faces, so I don’t go over to make conversation.

“What can I get you this morning?” She asks cheerfully and I wonder how someone could be so happy this early in the morning.

“Let me see…” I fade out as I look at all the baked goods in her glass case. Maybe I’m hungry, because everything looks so good. I choose a few raspberry Danishes, two blueberry muffins, and a couple of glazed donuts, since I’m not sure which Jessie prefers. I know she’s not the type of girl to be on a diet, refusing to eat something, so she won’t mind options.

“Thanks so much! I’ll see you later, your grandma is taking me to bingo!” She smiles excitedly as she gives me my change. My grandma taking her to bingo means I’ll be picking her up and dropping them both off at the church. I smile and thank her before returning to my bike, feeling very domesticated as I carefully places the box of treats in my console.

Trying not to race back to Jessie’s so as to not mess up the baked goods, I take the long route, which is laced with traffic lights and stop signs that’ll force me to slow down. Glancing over at a red light, I notice the garden department outside of the grocery store, and think to stop and buy Jessie fresh flowers.

I can’t believe I’m really thinking of any and everything I can do for this girl, but it feels good and I knew the smile on her face when she wakes up will be worth it. Pulling to a stop, I hop off my bike and immediately go towards the sunflowers. I’m not sure why, but they just seem perfect for Jessie. Maybe because she’s got the yellow house, I don’t know.

Walking inside the grocery store to pay for the flowers, I think to pick up orange juice, and realize I might just be going overboard. I’d rather have too much for her than not enough, so I head to the back of the store, grabbing a bottle of Simply Orange Juice before returning to the checkout at the front of the store.

I’ve just received my change when the front door swings open and my brother walks in. My heart sinks at the sight of him, I can tell he hasn’t slept, his eyes are red and his jaw is tight. Something is definitely wrong, but now isn’t the time to handle it, so I try to look away, hoping he’ll head to the back, allowing me to slip out undetected.

“Daryl?” I hear his voice, exhaustion evident in his tone.

Turning, I feign surprise as I take him in, forcing a half smile as I walk in his direction.

“What’s up?” I try to sound casual as I greet him.

“I was gonna ask you the same thing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you up this early,” he furrows his eyebrows suspiciously.

“I don’t usually see you this early either,” I challenge.

“Oh, I just haven’t been to bed yet. Technically, this is a late night,” he jokes and we both chuckle as I look towards the front door, trying to signal my need to leave.

“You heading to the shop?” He asks, looking me up and down.

“Yeah, I’ll be there today,” I answer a bit ambiguously, not revealing that I’m not heading there now.

“Oh, okay…” He nods his head. I can see the wheels in his mind turning, and know it’s best I make my way out before he arrives at his conclusion.

“Alright, I’ll see you later,” I slap his should and make my way to the door.

“Oh, Daryl!” The cashier chases after me just as my hand touches the handle. “You forgot these!” She yells after me, holding the sunflowers in her hand.

“I can feel Caleb’s clear even though I can’t see him. My shoulders sink knowing what’s to come, but I’m not ready to face him, so I just take the flowers and walk out the door as if nothing is wrong.

“Are you serious?” I hear his dry tone behind me. I know his face is contorted in disgust before I even turn to face him.

“What do you mean?” I ask, already exhausted by his dramatics.

“You’re up at the butt crack of dawn to get some flowers for that bitch?” He sneers.

“Don’t call her that,” I warn him sternly, and his eyes fly open like I’ve disrespected him.

“Daryl, you’re my little brother! I’ve taken care of you your whole life! Don’t get funny over some chick you met two days ago,” he glares at me, taking a step forward to close the gap between us.

“I’m not getting funny, Caleb. I’m just saying she’s not a bitch, so don’t call her one.” I state flatly, trying to strip the emotion from my voice.

“Fine. But you know she’s against me,” he says in that passive aggressive tone he loves so much. He’s baiting me to ask him how she’s against him, but I won’t. Forcing him to finish his statement, I stare on in complete silence.

“Daryl, I’ve got some big shit happening,” he glances over his shoulders, stepping forward until there’s only a foot left between us. “Some shit that people like her ain’t gonna be too happy with,” he raises his eyebrows as if he’s talking in code and I should catch his drift.

“And what’s that got to do with me?” I shrug my shoulders, looking on to my bike. It’s like the only thing stopping me from getting back to Jessie is the space between me and my ride, and I wish I could just teleport away from my brother to go back to the happiest place I’ve ever been, in Jessie’s arms.

“What do you mean, ‘what’s it got to do with you’?” Caleb yells, he’s infuriated now. He’s always forced me to be involved with everything he’s got going on, whether I want to or not. I’ve never been that way, but he’s much more controlling than me.

“You may not be a Marauder, but you are a Hayes! You’re my brother, and if I tell you it’s a war, you better pick the right side,” he cocks his head in a threatening manner.

“Caleb, there’s not a fucking war,” I bite out, frustration bubbling in my throat.

“If I say there’s a war, there’s a war, Daryl! And I’m telling you a fucking war is about to go down!” He’s yelling so loud people are turning to look at us. Embarrassed doesn’t even begin to explain how I feel. Caleb has always enjoyed any type of attention – good or bad never made a difference. I prefer to go unnoticed at all, so this interaction is growing unbearable.

“Alright, Caleb,” I nod, trying to just end the conversation, but he’s not having it.

“No, don’t ‘Alright, Caleb’ me. I’m telling you what it is, and I want to know where you stand,” he roars, crossing his arms in defiance.

“What does that even mean?” I ask, exasperated by his immature antics.

“It means it’s me or her.” He declares bluntly and I gasp at his absurdity.

“You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me,” I mutter, walking off, but he grabs my forearm before I can leave.

“That’s what it is? You’re choosing this girl over your own flesh and blood?” He barks.

“You’re serious?” I blurt, unwilling to believe his rant has any merit.

“As a heart attack! Choose, Daryl. Right here, right now!” He demands and I grit my teeth in frustration.

Every time I feel an ounce of freedom he always finds a way to ruin it for me. Honestly, I shouldn’t even be shocked, he’s done this my whole life, but that doesn’t dull the pain in my stomach as I look up to meet his red glare.

“Fine, Caleb. I’ll cut it off,” I assure him, looking away, unable to stomach the look of accomplishment in his eyes.

“I mean, over for real, Daryl. You can’t even be seen with her,” he clarifies and I shoot him a look that lets him know he needs to shut his mouth.

I’ve already agreed to stop seeing the girl, and although he might not know how strongly I feel for her, he knows it’s difficult for me. Part of me thinks it may even be the reason he’s doing it, but she did have the altercation with him at Donna’s so I know there’s a truth to his feelings.

“I’ll see you later,” I grumble as I walk off.

“Alright, baby bro! I’ll see you at the shop!” He calls after me, and I clench my jaw to stop from charging him with all my strength.

Passing a trash can, I throw the orange juice and sunflowers into the container so hard they split apart, and hop on my bike before speeding out of the parking lot.

There’s no easy way to break the news to Jessie, but I know I have to let her know. By the time I make my way to her street, I realize I don’t know what to say to her, and decide it best to not say anything at all. We’ll have to see each other at some point, and hopefully by then she’ll have forgiven me for mucking up yet another perfect opportunity.