Pedro Pascal Characters one shots & short stories

When You Walk In The Room (Joel Miller)

Warning:

Summary: Pt3 of Could Sure Use Your Company. While you battle with your attraction to Joel, Tommy is doing his best to make the two of you see the obvious. Inspired by - Pam Tillis' - When You Walk In The Room.

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You felt like a fool, lusting over a man like Joel Miller; there was no way he would ever be interested in you, not when he could have his pick of more suitable women in Jackson. He probably thought you too young to please a man of his age; there were others closer in age to him and to tell the truth, it pissed you off to know that you'd never stand a chance. Yes, you were barely a teenager when the world went to shit but that was twenty years ago, and you were grown woman now. One that knew what she wanted and by God, did you want Joel Miller. Thing was, Joel wasn't like other men; he wasn't one for sweet talk, wasn't the kind to openly woo a woman. No, he was a hardened man, a rough exterior yet from time to time you've caught a hint of the softer side of the man, and it made you want him even more. Problem was, you were too afraid of rejection to muster up the courage to make your feelings known to him, so instead; you admire him from afar whenever he's in the bar and a bit more openly when he gives your students a demonstration with his guitar.

I can see a new expression on my face
I can feel a strange sensation taking place
I can hear the guitars playing lovely tunes
Everytime that you walk in the room

*

The bar was buzzing as usual for a Friday night, and you were running from one corner of the bar to the next while attempting to keep up with the pace of things. Finally, there's a slow down at one point as Tommy and you learn against the back shelves of the bar to stare at the crowed room.

"So, how's the guitar lessons goin'?" Tommy enquires out of the blue.

"It ain't lessons" you remark with a shrug, "Joel was just kind enough to demonstrate a bit for the kids."

"Maybe ya should ask for private lessons then" Tommy remarks with a knowing smirk.

"Don't think your brother would be up for that, he's already done me a huge favour" you stammer with a nervous chuckle, "besides, think he has better things to do than spend his time giving me guitar lessons..."

Tommy nudge you in the side, tilting his toward the door, "why don't ya ask him." And as if being summoned by though, there stood in all his rugged glory.

I close my eyes for a second and pretend
It's me you want
Meanwhile I try to act so nonchalant
I see a summer night with a magic moon
Everytime that you walk in the room

*
"Brother..." Joel nods in greeting toward Tommy, turning toward you then with dimpled smirk as you stared bug-eyed at him, "evenin' Ma'am."

Your expression turns to a frown of disapproval at hearing his words, "didn't I tell ya to call me by name?"

Smirk turning into a full-blown smile, Joel shyly tips his head downward, "that you did."

Resting your hand on your hip, you flash him a satisfied smirk, "good... or else I'll start callin' ya, Uncle Joel."

Joel smile instantly drops at your words while Tommy chokes on air with laughter next to you. Joel and you both turn to him scowling in disapproval.

"What? It's funny" he shrugs, whipping tears of laughter away.

"Not that funning" you drawl with an eyeroll, turning to Joel.

"Don't take it to heart" you place hand over his, shooting him a wink, "you're far too handsome to be my uncle."

Joel's mouth drops at your remark and your eyes widen at the realization of what you had spoken out loudly.

"I...I should get back to work" you splutter out, turning abruptly to flee from behind the bar.

Maybe it's a dream come true
Standing right alongside of you
Wish I could show you how much I care
But I only have the nerve to stare

*
"Just ask her out already" Tommy's remark snaps Joel out of daze he was in while watching you work the floor.

"What?" Joel turns to shoot him a surprised scowl.

"It's sad watchin' the two of ya dancin' around one another..." Tommy drawls matter-of-factly, "ya like her, she likes ya. Just ask her out."

Joel frowns, shaking his head in denial, "she ain't interested in me."

Tommy scoffs, softly chuckling, "says who?"

"Me" Joel grunts out, "I'm no good for her."

"Joel..." Tommy stares him down and he silently shakes his head in response.

"Just pull the stick out ya ass and ask her out before the chance passes."

Joel lets out a sigh of defeat, silently turning in his seat to look in your direction at the exact moment that you had been staring toward his.

"Can't believe I said what I said..." you silently chastise yourself, flashing Joel a broad smile to hide your inner turmoil when noticing he was watching you. Joel returns it with a faint dimpled one and you exhale in relief.

"Thank God."

I can feel that something pounding in my brain
Just anytime that someone speaks your name
Trumpets sound and I hear thunder boom
Everytime that you, every time that you
Everytime that you, walk in the room