15. Beth
Chapter 15
Beth
W aking up, I felt a dull ache in my back. The couch wasn't exactly the most comfortable place to sleep, but the warmth radiating next to me made it worth it. Daryl and I had fallen asleep together, his arm draped over my shoulders in a rare display of affection. I kept my eyes closed, savoring the moment. His steady breathing, the faint scent of motor oil mixed with something uniquely him—it all felt so right.
I couldn't help but smile to myself. Despite his gruff exterior, there was something undeniably comforting about being close to him. The way he had reluctantly agreed to help me with my car, the soft hum of approval when he heard me singing—it all hinted at layers beneath his rough surface.
I liked him. I liked him a lot.
The realization hit me with both excitement and apprehension. Daryl Walker was a tough nut to crack, but every glimpse of his softer side made me want to know him even more. Maybe it was the challenge, or maybe it was just him—the way he carried himself, the hidden kindness he didn't want anyone to see.
Shifting slightly, I risked opening my eyes to look at him. His face, usually so guarded and stern, seemed peaceful in sleep. The lines around his eyes softened, and I noticed the faintest hint of a smile on his lips. It was a side of him I doubted many people got to see.
I wondered what he would say when he woke up and found us like this. Would he push me away again, put up those walls? Or had we made some kind of progress last night? Either way, I wasn't ready to move just yet.
So I closed my eyes again and leaned into him a little more, feeling the rise and fall of his chest against my side. Maybe this Christmas wouldn't be so bad after all.
Maybe there was hope for us yet.
I wanted to surprise him and make breakfast. Slowly, I pulled away from Daryl. At first, his grip tightened, but I murmured softly to him.
"Just getting up for a bit," I whispered.
He seemed appeased and relaxed his hold on me. Slipping off the couch quietly, I tiptoed into the kitchen. Opening the fridge, I frowned at the sight before me: nearly empty shelves with only a carton of milk that looked questionable at best and a lone stick of butter.
Moving to the pantry, my frown deepened. Ramen noodles and Pop-Tarts were all that greeted me. Shaking my head, I let out a sigh. No way was I going to eat Pop-Tarts for breakfast, especially not after deciding to surprise Daryl with something nice.
Determined not to let this minor setback ruin my plans, I started thinking of alternatives. Maybe I could make do with what little he had here or take a quick trip back home to grab some supplies from my own well-stocked kitchen. Either way, breakfast was happening.
For now though, I'd need a plan—one that didn't involve ramen noodles or Pop-Tarts.
I decided to head to the store. Grabbing a sticky note from the counter, I scribbled a quick message.
Gone to get supplies for breakfast. Be back soon. -Beth
I stuck it to the fridge, making sure it was impossible to miss. Pulling on my boots and jacket, I stepped out into the chilly morning air. The sun had just started to rise, casting a soft glow over the quiet town. I pulled out my phone and called Ellie.
"Hey, can you come pick me up? I'm at Daryl's," I said, trying to keep my voice low.
Ellie spit out whatever she had been drinking. "Did you?—"
"No!" I insisted. "We fell asleep talking."
"Is that what you kids are calling it these days?"
"You're literally my age," I pointed out.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming. I need an address."
"I'll text it." I sent her a quick text.
"Everything okay, though?" Ellie asked, playfulness gone for the moment.
"Yeah, just need to grab some things for breakfast," I replied, glancing back at Daryl's place.
"I'll be there in ten," she said before hanging up.
True to her word, Ellie arrived in no time. She pulled up in her beat-up old car, and I hopped in, grateful for the warmth of the heater.
"Morning," she greeted me with a yawn. "What's going on?"
"Long story," I said, shaking my head. "I'll fill you in later. Let's just get to Mistletoe Mercantile."
Ellie raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. We drove through the sleepy town, the streets almost deserted at this early hour. It wasn't long before we reached Mistletoe Mercantile, its festive decorations already twinkling despite the early hour.
Stepping inside, we were greeted by the familiar scent of pine and cinnamon. Old Man Willas was behind the counter, humming a Christmas tune and sorting through a box of ornaments.
"Morning, ladies!" he called out cheerfully as we entered.
"Morning, Willas," I replied with a smile. "Just here for some breakfast supplies."
"Help yourselves," he said with a wave of his hand. "Got everything you need right here."
Ellie and I made our way through the aisles, grabbing eggs, bacon, bread, and anything else that caught our eye. The store was stocked with all sorts of goodies for the holiday season.
As we filled our basket, Ellie finally broke the silence.
"So...you spent the night at Daryl's?" she asked casually but with a hint of curiosity.
"It wasn't like that," I said quickly. "We just... fell asleep on the couch."
She smirked but didn't push further. "All right, all right. Just making sure you're okay."
"I'm fine," I assured her.
As Ellie and I made our way through Mistletoe Mercantile, I couldn't help but think about how Daryl's place could use a bit of holiday cheer. The idea struck me as I reached for a carton of eggs. His garage, his house, they had been so cold and impersonal, almost as if he wanted to keep the world at bay. Maybe some Christmas decorations could soften the edges, bring a little warmth to his space.
I wandered over to the aisle with the holiday decorations, scanning the shelves for something that might suit him. There were all sorts of things: garlands, ornaments, twinkling lights. I settled on a simple string of white lights and a small, tasteful wreath. Nothing too flashy or overwhelming—just enough to add a touch of festivity without intruding on his solitude.
Ellie watched me with an amused look as I added the items to our basket. "Really going all out for this guy, huh?" she teased.
"He's been through a lot," I replied, feeling a pang of empathy for Daryl. "And besides, everyone deserves a little Christmas spirit."
With our basket now filled with both breakfast supplies and some holiday cheer, we made our way back to the counter. Willas rang up our items with his usual friendly banter before sending us on our way with a couple of free candy canes each—a holiday tradition he never skipped.
With bags in hand, Ellie and I headed back to her car.
"Hey." Ellie glanced over at me as we drove back to Daryl's place. "You know how this town can be. People are talking…"
I didn't respond, focusing on the passing scenery instead.
"Daryl isn't exactly… Prince Charming," she continued.
"Well, good thing I always liked Flynn Rider," I shot back, trying to keep the mood light.
Ellie sighed. "Look, I like the guy. He's quiet and brooding, but he is older than you, Beth."
"So?" I asked, my patience thinning.
"So, it's just…" Ellie tilted her head, searching for the right words. "I just want to make sure you know what you're doing."
"Are you telling me I don't know —"
"Don't twist my words," she interrupted. "His brother Connor is in and out of jail for drugs and bar fights and public drunkenness."
"Is Daryl?" I challenged.
"Beth, Connor is Daryl's brother?—"
"So he has to pay for Connor's sins?" I asked sharply.
"It just... it doesn't look right," Ellie said quietly.
"Really, Ellie? This coming from you?"
"I… Look, I support you," she said with a sigh. "But I'm protective too. Sometimes, when we're alone, we cling to people we think need us. We like being needed. But Beth, you deserve to be wanted. You deserve to be with someone you don't have to fix."
"I don't have to fix Daryl," I insisted.
She gave me a long look before glancing out of the windshield. The rest of the drive was filled with a heavy silence that neither of us seemed willing to break.
She kept her eyes on the road as she spoke. "I did a little digging into the guy. His father was abusive. At least, that's what police reports indicated though they could never prove it."
"You looked up police reports?" I asked, my voice tinged with surprise.
"I did a public records check to make sure he wasn't a criminal, Beth. Come on."
"And is he?"
She shook her head. "No, but?—"
"No buts!" I interrupted, frustration bubbling up. "I don't know why you're telling me all of this."
"Because you need to know who he is," she said softly. " Before you fall in love with him. Beth, you see the good in everyone. I just… I don't want you to get hurt."
I looked away, staring out the window at the passing trees. "I'm already in love with him."
"What?" Ellie glanced over, her eyes wide.
"I'm already in love with him, Elle," I repeated, feeling a lump form in my throat. "So, I'm going to get hurt no matter what. Probably. Maybe. I'm hoping he'll let me in."
"And if he doesn't?" she asked quietly.
I shrugged, forcing a smile. "I'll bake a bunch of cookies and eat the crap out of them and then write the saddest songs ever, get YouTube famous, and make him regret breaking my heart in the first place."
She laughed softly; the tension easing from her shoulders. "I could get behind that. Especially the cookies."
We fell into a companionable silence after that, both lost in our thoughts as we neared Daryl's place again. The sun had risen higher now, casting long shadows across the ground.
I stayed in the car for a moment, letting everything sink in. In didn't care what people thought. I didn't care that Daryl was older, or that he was abused or that his brother was a petty criminal. He was more than all of that. I knew it. Deep down, I knew it.
"Thanks for the ride," I said softly before getting out of the car.
"You know I'm here for you, right?" she asked.
"Always."
She smiled. "Call me if I need to pick you up."
"Will do," I replied.
I took a deep breath and gathered the bags from the backseat. Ellie watched me silently as I walked up to the door, her words still echoing in my mind.
I watched her pull out for a moment before turning back to Daryl's door. With a determined nod to myself, I took a breath. As much as I appreciated Ellie's concern, she didn't understand the connection I felt with Daryl—the way he looked at me sometimes, like he was seeing something he couldn't quite believe was real.
I wasn't going to give up on this feeling just because people didn't agree with the aesthetics.
If Daryl didn't want to be with me, fine, that was his choice. But I wasn't going to give up on him.
And I wasn't going to give up on my heart, either.