The Baker and the Butcher

Chapter 8

She was doing better.
He noticed the dark circles going away and her bruises were fading. She smiled more now too.
It didn't matter that most of those smiles were directed at him.

Alright maybe it mattered a little.

Everything was almost back to normal.

Well that was until the absolute shit hit the fan.
It was two weeks after Daryl's confrontation when he spotted him.
He didn't know what this Zach boy looked like, couldn't even guess, but by the way Beth tensed up and dropped a whole bowl of vanilla buttercream all over the floor, he was willing to bet the prick with the jacked up nose was the college boy.
He walked towards the bakery knocking over a stack of postcards on his way.
" hey babe I wanna talk to you outside, got something to tell you."
She turned towards him slowly and with false confidence whispered " Zach I'm not your girlfriend and I think you best be going."
Daryl must have blinked because the next second Zach was dragging her through the back door with a tight grip to her arm.
Daryl was never fast, never had a reason to move fast, but put him on the cross country team in that minute and he'd guarantee ya they'd make states.
He stood by the door. He didn't wanna give the kid a chance to try anything but he knew Beth needed to say something she'd been keeping in.
Zach started on her " you avoidin' me? Everything I do for you? You ain't got nothin without me and you wanna avoid me? You're dumb now too. Well add that to the list weak and dumb."
He noticed her take a deep breath
"I'm not weak zach. I'm.."
"What Beth? You're strong? You ain't strong honey, you're nothin'"
"I'm strong" it wasn't a shout but it was plenty loud it looked like Beth hadn't even realized she'd said it.
For the split second Zach was taken aback he quickly recovered by whipping a hand out and slapping her across the face "you don't talk back to me y'hear?"
Daryl was out that back door before Zack could finish his sentence grabbing him by the throat and throwing him up against the brick wall.
" you like beatin' girls? You think it's fun?, what a coincidence, so do I and I think I got the perfect one right here pushed against this brick wall wigglin' like a damn bitch." Daryl snarled his face pressed so close to zachs he could feel his breath.
"Lay off man" Zach choked out. " this is between me and my girl." His eyes were wide and he was scared shitless.
"Y'know something, I don't think she's your girl, I don't know who you got fooled but a girl that damn pretty wouldn't wanna be anywhere near somethin' so disgusting. You should be kissin' the ground that she even let's you smile at her"
He didn't quite know if he was talking to Zach or himself at that last part.
He felt that tiny hand rest upon it's usual place on his bicep when he finally turned around.
She was sporting a nasty bruise forming on her cheek and her eyes were teary.
Daryl tightened his grip around the boys neck.
" let him go Daryl it's over. He won't hurt me anymore."
She smiled at him gently taking his free hand in her own.
He couldn't help but return the smile.
Those damn things were contagious.
"Come on in and help me get some ice on this. I got cupcakes to finish and now I gotta bake a whole new bowl of buttercream. I'll let ya lick the spoon" she smirked
He nodded at her before pushing Zach against the wall hard one more time.
"I catch you touching her, looking at her , even breathing in her general area. I'll make you end up on my butchers block, got that?"
Zach nodded abruptly before Daryl dropped him to the floor.
Her hand was still in his when they made there way back inside
"Hey Daryl?"
He looked over
"Yeah?"
"Reckon I could go for some moonshine right now. Know anywhere I could get some? It's been a long day."
"I know just the place, c'mon let's go ice that cheek first"