Pedro Pascal Characters one shots & short stories

Not Just Me (Joel Miller)

Warning:

Summary: Pt4 of - Could Sure Use Your Company. Joel is in conflict with himself over whether to ask you out or not and Tommy isn't making it easier. Inspired by - Rascal Flatts' - It's Not Just Me.

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This was far more difficult than he thought it would be, it had been decades since Joel had asked a woman out and he was at a complete and utter loss at how to go about it. It wasn't the act of asking that made him anxious, it was the possibility of you turning him down as well. What would someone as young and beautiful as you possibly want with an old man as he. You were so filled with life and light even in this damned world, and he was nothing but worn out and broken. You could have your pick of any man in Jackson, so why would you someone like him. Even so, Joel couldn't help but yearn for you to be his.

The more he was around you, the stronger the yearning became, and Joel knew eventually something's gotta give. Either he had to man up and ask you out or he had to distance himself from you. Joel really didn't want to lose your presence in his life, even if was only in a friendly manner and it was a huge possibility that could be the outcome either way.

Tell me you've had trouble sleeping
That you toss and turn from side to side
That it's my face you've been seein'
In your dreams at night

Tell me that you wake up cryin'
And you're not sure exactly why
Tell me that something is missing
In your life, in your life, baby

Tell me that you live for love
That forever is never enough
That you've waited all your life to see
That you want so badly to believe
Tell me that it's not just me

*

"So, have ya asked...?" Tommy voice snaps Joel from daydreaming as his gaze silently followed you working the bar floor.

"What?" Joel turns scowling at him.

"Y/N" Tommy tips his head in your direction, "have ya asked her out?"
Joel's scowl deepens for a split second, heading dropping with a heavy sigh; he shakes it in response. "No."

Tommy frowns, "why not?"

"She ain't interested in someone like me" Joel utters in response.

"Says who?" Tommy scoffs at his words.

"Me" Joel grunts in reply.

"Ya gotta be shitting me?" Tommy chuckles in disbelief. "That girl likes you and we both know it. Ya just too chicken to ask her."

"Tommy..." Joel's head slowly raises as he glares at him.

"You want my help?" Tommy offers, "know it's been a shit long time since ya asked a woman out. So...?"

"Don't need my kid brother to get me date" Joel scoffs in response.

"Yeah, yeah..." Tommy shrugs his words off, calling out for your attention then. "Y/N! C'mere for a sec!"

Could've sworn I saw you smile at me
Standin' in the pouring rain 
At loss for words and runnin' out of time
I said this crazy thing,
Crazy thing, I said

Tell me that you live for love
That forever is never enough
That you waited all your life to see
That you want so badly to believe
Tell me that it's not just me

*

"Tommy..." Joel growls at him in warning, but you were already standing in front of them before he could say or doing anything further.

"What's up...?" you stop right next to Joel, seated at the bar. There's pregnant pause, where all three stares at each; Joel's is more of a glare in Tommy's direction, while yours is one of utter confusion at the two.

"Joel has something he wants to ask ya" Tommy blurts out, making a run for it then.

Your eyes widen at his behavior, "what's gotten into him?"

"My foot up his ass soon..." Joel mutters under his breathe.

"Pardon...?" you stare in wide eyed confusion at Joel.

"Nothing, Sweetheart..." Joel flashes you an awkward grin, "he's just being a shithead."

"K..." you shrug, more confused as ever and change the topic. "What did ya wanna ask?"

Joel finds himself breaking out in a nervous sweat as you stare all innocent-eyed at him in curiosity.

"I..." Joel stammers. "Shit was more difficult than he thought it would be."

"You...?" you attempt to help him convey his words.

Joel's mouth opens but no words are spoken. Dropping his head, he lets out a disappointed breath, "I was wondering if the kids wanted another guitar lesson."

"Oh" you respond, a bit disappointed. "For second you had hoped he was going to ask you out."

Doing your best to suppress the disappointment, you weakly smile at him. "I'm sure they'd love it."

Joel scratches his head, nervously grinning, "that's why thought to ask."

"Ok..." you nod, lips pursed, "let me know when ya wanna drop by class."

"Sure thing" Joel nods in agreement.

"I have to get back" you point toward the busy room, walking away filled with utter disappointment.

Joel watches you walking away, silently shaking his head disappointedly at himself.

"Idiot. Tommy was right... he was chicken."

Hold me now and tell me
That you do believe in a soul
A soul mate
Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me

Tell me that you live for love
That forever is never enough
That you waited all your life to see
That you want so badly to believe
Tell me that it's not just me