Darkest Desires [Joel Miller]

5

To my surprise, I was off from the bar for the weekend. I had earned pretty good money my first week at the bar - I could pay rent for Joel and put some money aside for the future. I put on leggings, a cozy jumper, brush my hair and head downstairs where I find Joel cooking while Sarah drinks her morning coffee.

"Morning,"I greeted them, sitting in front of Sarah. 

"Morning,"Sarah smiles. "I knew the smell of coffee would wake you up."

I smiled and I tried to reach for the mugs on the top shelf. I sighed, ready to grab the chair but I suddenly felt Joel appear behind me, grabbing the mug from the top shelf. His body pressed on me lightly and I blushed, remembering how he comforted me a few nights ago. I  take the mug from him, our hands slightly brushing against each other.

"Thanks,"I mumbled, turning away from him quickly. 

"No problem,"he said, turning back to cooking.

I made myself coffee, sitting back in front of Sarah. I couldn't help myself but notice Joel as he was moving around the kitchen. I noticed every muscle under his T-shirt, which was inside out but I didn't mention it. I watched his arms flex when he put food on to the plates, getting ready to wash the frying pan. I knew perfectly well that I shouldn't even look at him that way but I just had to take at least one glance. 

"Hey, earth to Daisy!"Sarah waved her hands under my nose. "You okay?"

"Yeah, sorry,"I smiled, coming back to reality. "Did you say anything?"

Sarah sighed. "Dad is having his barbeque evening tonight. Uncle Tommy is coming and a few other neighbors."

I looked at Joel, who turned off the stove and handed us our meals, sitting next to Sarah.

"Don't you usually do these in the summer?"

"Yeah but..."Joel shrugged. "Think of it as an end-of-summer party... or something like that."

Just as he finished his breakfast, his phone called and he stood up. Joel washed his plates in a rush, taking his phone from the table.

"Dad, your shirt is inside out, by the way,"Sarah said, chuckling a little bit.

I chuckled along with Sarah, noticing Joel's annoying look. He mumbled some curse words under his breath and took his phone, leaving us alone in the kitchen. 

✻✻✻

Later that day I helped Joel prepare for the guests. I set the table outside and helped him with whatever he needed. Sarah was sitting on the terrace, a wine bottle in front of her that we shared. Joel was preparing burgers, sipping some beer.

"Oh, I forgot!"

I stood up and went to my room, taking the money I put aside for Joel. I knew he was probably not going to take the money but at least I had offered out of politeness. I grabbed the money and went back outside, standing by the grill, handing Joel money.

"Here's the money. For rent,"I explained, after receiving a confused look from him.

Joel shaked his head. "I told you, I'm not gonna take rent from you."

"It's only fair,"I sighed, putting the money into his jeans pockets. "I'm not gonna fight with you on this."

Joel raised his hands in surrender. "Fine, you win this time."

I smiled and I went back to Sarah, taking a sip of wine. The rays of the late evening sun caressed our cheeks and it was hot - it was the kind of hot where you wish the weather would calm down so you could wrap yourself comfortably in a blanket and enjoy a hot chocolate on the couch. I was longing for these autumn days. 

"Hey!"

A familiar voice brought me back to reality and I turned around, noticing Tommy standing at the patio door. To my surprise, he was accompanied by a woman whom I haven't met before. Her name was Maria, as she later introduced herself. Maria handed Joel a homemade apple pie and I took it from him, since he had to turn back to the burgers, and I placed it on the table.

"Uncle Tommy!"

Sarah hugged Tommy and I offered Maria some wine. Just as I was handing her the glass of wine, my phone rang in my pocket and my heart started pounding the moment I saw Marcus's name on the screen. I was hoping that Joel had scared Marcus off but it didn't seem like that.

"What's wrong?"Sarah asked quietly.

I haven't told her about the incident between me, Marcus and Joel just because I didn't want her to worry but now I had to.

"Why didn't you tell me?"Sarah asked, pouring me more wine.

"I didn't want you to worry,"I sighed, putting my phone back into my pockets. 

"That's what friends are for, Daisy,"Sarah sighed, taking a sip of wine. "You shouldn't come home from work alone."

 "Sarah, it's fine. It was just one time..."

"It's not fine. Someone should pick you up after work,"she said, giving me a worried look. "Actually, I have an idea who it might be."

Sarah stands up and walks over to Joel and I already knew she is trying to talk Joel into it. I sip my wine and I can already tell Joel doesn't like the idea one bit. I wanted to walk over there as well and say that it's not necessary but I also didn't want Tommy and Maria to know about my problems.

 As always, Joel gave into his daughter's wishes and agreed to take me home after work. I could only hope that Marcus would come to his senses and leave me alone, eventually.