Darkest Desires [Joel Miller]

8

The next weekend, we drove out of town to celebrate our 24th birthdays. Joel booked us a house with a pool in a private, quiet place. I looked next to me, where Sarah was already half asleep because she stayed up last night, studying for her big exams. College has been tiring for her recently but she enjoyed it nonetheless.

Joel was driving with a serious expression on his face, glancing at us a couple of times through the mirror. Tommy was messing with the radio, trying to find a perfect radio station. Tommy gave up, leaning back on his seat.

"How does it feel? 24, Daisy,"Tommy asked, smiling at me.

"Weird to be honest,"I answered, chuckling.

"I remember when you and Sarah were still little girls,"Tommy said, sighing. "Everyone adored you two."

"Don't start with the I-remember-when-you-were-little talk,"I said, rolling my eyes. "I hear this every year."

Tommy laughed. "Sorry, I couldn't help myself."

I don't know if I saw it correctly but even Joel was slightly smirking. I don't see him smiling often but when I do from time to time, it always surprises me. I'm used to seeing his grumpy side but smile looks nice on him. I glance over at Sarah who was still deep asleep. 

I take out my book and the rest of the ride passed in silence, with only Sarah snoring a little bit in her sleep.

✻✻✻

After three hours and one gas station stop later, we arrived at the cabin that Joel had booked for us. I grabbed my bag from the seat and opened the car door, looking at the cabin in front of us. The cabin was huge with massive windows, from floor to the ceiling, inviting in the evening sunlight. Even just standing outside, it looked cozy and warm. Sarah stood beside me yawning, looking at the cabin in front of us.

"What do you think?"Joel stood next to Sarah, putting an arm around her and giving me one glance.

"It's perfect, dad,"Sarah smiled.

"Wait til you see the backyard,"Joel commented. "There's a pool I promised you."

Sarah dragged me along and we entered the backyard, seeing a huge pool. Sarah loved swimming but me on the other hand, wasn't really good at it. I only knew the easiest swimming movements. Joel had picked the perfect spot to celebrate our birthdays.

When we got inside, we picked our bedrooms and went on with the celebrations. Tommy brought out a cake and Joel brought gifts. After Joel hugged Sarah and handed her gifts, he came up to me, handing me a gift bag as well. I was surprised - I didn't expect any presents from him.

"Joel, you didn't have to buy me anything,"I said, opening my present.

"It's your birthday, Daisy,"Joel said. "I've always gotten you presents."

I sighed. "I know but you already let me live at your place and that's enough."

Joel gave me one of his rare smiles. "It's okay, Daisy. Open it."

I opened my gift bag, finding a large, comfy blanket inside. The bag also contained a book store gift card and a packet of tea. Green tea, which I loved to drink in the evenings. I smiled, grateful that he even thought about me in the first place.

"It's perfect. Thank you,"I smiled, wanting to hug him but I knew he wasn't really a hug person. Except with his daughter. 

"Sarah gave me hints,"he explained.

I chuckled. "Of course she did."

✻✻✻

I didn't think I would get this drunk but apparently, I did. Tommy was mixing cocktails for us all night and at one point, when Sarah was getting too drunk, Joel gave Tommy an irritated look. Sarah was an adult but he was still looking out for his daughter. Tommy was too drunk himself to even notice Joel's sudden change in his mood.

I was sitting by the pool, moonlight reflecting it, my white dress tucked up and my feet dipped into the water. It was around one 1 PM and everyone else was asleep. Everyone, except for me and Joel. I took a sip of my last drink, playing with water.

"What are you doing here alone?"

I shuddered.. Joel was standing next to me and I looked up at him. He was 185 cm tall, which means I always had to look up at him. He was 185 cm tall, which means I always had to look up at him. It doesn't sound that tall but I guess his muscular build makes him appear taller than he actually is.

 "Celebrating, I guess?"I shrugged my shoulders.

"It's dangerous to be alone by the pool,"he said, crossing his arms. "Especially when you're drunk."

"Did you come here to lecture me?"I asked, chuckling.

Joel rolled his eyes. "No, I'm just stating facts."

You're boring,"I said, rolling my eyes this time.

Joel scoffed. "I'm boring?"

I looked up at him again. "Well... a little bit."

Suddenly there was a playful expression on his face. He pushed me gently into the water and I gasped, not expecting this move from him at all. He crossed his arms again, smirking a little bit. But I had an idea how to pay him back. 

"What the hell, Joel?"I asked him, acting irritated.

"You wanted fun, didn't you?"

"Not like that!"I exclaimed. "I'm not having fun."

Joel's smirk grew wider. "Well, I'm having quite fun over here."

"Help me out? Would you?"

I held out my hand, hoping he would grab it and I could pull him into the water with me. That was my plan at getting back at him but I wasn't sure if he would go along with my plan. To my surprise, he went along with the plan and I pulled him to the water, using all the strength I had.

 "Is it funny now, Joel?"I asked him, smirking.

"That was your plan to get back at me?"he laughed, brushing his hand through his wet hair.

"It's silly but it's the best I had,"I laughed along with him.

He stopped laughing and his gaze went over my body. This moment I realized how see through my white dress was now, exposing my underwear to Joel. My heart started to beat faster and there was the same tension between us, just like the other night in the kitchen. Maybe I was drunk and fantasizing all this tension. But I liked the way he was looking at me. I was nervous but it was a good kind of nervous.

He came closer to me, tucking one of my loose hair behind my ear. I closed the gap between us, his gaze still lingering on me. I swear, his gaze rested on my lips for a moment and I was hoping Joel would take the step and kiss me. Instead, he pressed his lips on my forehead, holding them there a little longer then he should.

Just as I started to enjoy this moment between us, a light went on on the second floor, meaning someone was up. We both stepped away from each other, not knowing what to say. Joel didn't say anything and he left me alone, wishing there would have been something more...