Spiced Molasses

Chapter 36

"Beth, honey, you're shaking!" Karen exclaimed drawing Beth in against her body with her good arm.

Haley glanced up from the already full glass of wine she was holding, her eyebrows drawing together when she looked at Beth.

"And you're pale," Haley added. "Like, more than usual."

"I just told him I loved him," Beth managed, feeling a little shell shocked now that the rush of adrenaline was leaving her.

"What?" Haley gasped, eye lighting up.

"So?" Karen asked at the exact same time.

The two women blinked at each other and then Haley giggled which relaxed the situation slightly.

"Well one of us reacted the wrong way and it's usually me." Haley shrugged and took a sip from her wine. With her unoccupied hand, she gestured at Karen to take the lead.

"What's the big deal? Was it the first time?" Karen pressed.

"Yes," Beth replied, mouth dry. She eyed the glass of wine Haley held with envy. Haley caught the direction of her gaze and pointed at her own glass with a questioning expression. Beth nodded with relief. Haley grinned wickedly and pushed herself upright.

Karen squeezed her shoulders to reclaim her attention. "While I agree this is a conversation for wine, you need to dish the dirt already."

Beth sighed suddenly wishing very much that she had waited for his answer before running away. "I was worried and I didn't want him going off not knowing."

Haley returned with a glass that was so full that it was practically spilling over the edges. Karen waited until it was firmly tucked into Beth's hand before speaking.

"First, they aren't in any trouble. They're going to be just fine. Second, if you think he didn't know than you're stupider than you look." It was said with an affectionate smile that took the sting out of the final insult.

"But Daryl is-"

"Socially awkward and devoid of any understanding of what constitutes healthy human relationships?" Haley filled in with an innocent look on her face.

Beth wrinkled her nose in Haley's direction and fought off a smile. "No! I was going to say different."

"Yeah, what I said."

Karen shushed Haley with a barely concealed grin. "I think even Daryl could figure it out. He's not stupid. Though maybe he was too caught up with coming to terms with being in love with you."

Beth's heart lifted dramatically. "You think so."

Karen nodded while Haley rolled her eyes. "It was super obvious," she said.

Beth was so relieved her knees felt weak. There was still fear that Daryl wouldn't be alright but she was nothing if not hopeful. Haley and Karen's complete lack of concern was also reassuring even if it was only an illusion. After all, they didn't know what Beth knew. That thought gave her a sharp stab of guilt. It wasn't fair that they didn't understand the extent of the danger the men they loved had walked into.

Beth took a large gulp of wine to smoother the suddenly overwhelming urge to share all of her secrets. It wouldn't help anyone and she would just be damaging Daryl's safety in the long run, which was the very last thing she wanted in the world.

...

Merle slid out his phone next to Daryl and checked the time. The sudden glare of light attracted Daryl's attention.

"What're you doing?" Daryl hissed at his brother.

"They're late," Merle replied unapologetically, not bothering to keep his voice low at all.