Shadows In Durango

Chapter 35

*:kkxG0fig's POV*Fkkx

"Oh this place is cute!" | compliment, as we approach the little ice cream shack by the water.

I always loved being close to the water, it was where | would go if | ever needed to collect my thoughts, finding

something calming about the way it gentle moved. "Con." Daryl smiles, motioning for us to get out of the

car as | excitedly follow his lead.

It seemed that this little ice cream place was a dating hot spot, with many cars and everyone around seeming to

be in couples.

"That's the owners." Daryl explains as we enter through the jingling door pointing at a young girl with bright pink

hair and a young guy with wispy curls.

| was expecting the owners of the place to be middle aged or elderly, but | was pleasantly surprised to see a

young guy and a girl standing where Daryl's finger pointed. "Really? They seem young." | smile, as we join the

queue for ice cream.

Daryl nods, folding his arms comfortably and holding his head high as he surveyed the spot, eyeing up each

couple curiously as | watched him.

It was strange to see him squaring himself out whenever other males were around, as though he was attempting

to live up to his tough boy act. Especially considering that whenever it was only Daryl and I, he was a complete

softy - the opposite from Vincent.

The queue began to move forward, as we got close enough to the cabto look other the flavours.

My eyes grew when seeing that it wasn't just average flavours like vanilla or chocolate but instead, the cabinet

consisted of creative inventions such as "Electric Candy' which was a popping candy mix up with a vibrant blue

ice cream or the 'Chocolate Explosion’ which was a variety of different chocolate chunks and sauce whipped

through the chocolate ice cream.

The presentation of each was enough to make your mouth water just from the sight... how would | ever decide

what flavour?!

It had been a long tsince | had even had ice cream, so | was definitely looking forward to it probably more

than the average person.

"What do you fancy? The 'Beach Day" is my favourite flavour." Daryl points to the one he usually gets, as | eye up

the mixture of vanilla ice cream with a mix of sprinkles, raspberry sauce and frozen berries through it.

"Looks good, but I'm more of a chocolate person." | smile at him, scanning over the different flavours that

incorporated chocolate.

"Well then I'd go for the 'Rocky Riot' in that case..." Daryl laughs, as | glance towards the one at the end of the

case moving slightly to see it properly.

Oh wow, it was chocolate ice cream, with dark chocolate chunks, cookie bites, brownie bites and hazelnut

chunks through it complete with a hazelnut sauce. That sounds to die for!

"Yeah I'll do that one!" | nod finally settling on my choice as he chuckles.

We step up to the counter, as the guy smiles and reaches his hand out to greet Daryl.

"Daryl my boy, where's Vin?" The guy asks, as Daryl rolls his eyes playfully but I couldn't help but feel sreal

irritation behind the action.

"That ass? He's been ditched today Kip, I'm on a date!" Daryl responds to 'Kip' keeping his tone light and airy as

the guy just shakes his head in amusement. A date...

Did he officially say that this was a date?! | thought it was just an apology ice cream for friends!

"Well what will it be anyway little lady?" Kip smiles atnext, leaning on the counter as | glance back to the

growing queue behind us which we were now holding up. "Thee um... thee..." | try to remember the name,

suddenly being put on the spot.

"Hurry it up!" | hear another dude holler from the back of the line, causingto tense and turn wide eyed to

find the culprit.

A stocky guy who looked somewhat dirty and hard worked... around his mid twenties if | would have to guess.

Just as | am about to apologise for upsetting him and holding everybody up, Daryl beatsto answering, as |

pray for the ground to open and swallow me...

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"Shut the fuck up pig!" Daryl steps out of the line and makes himself known to the guy, causing for his eyes to

suddenly widen ever so slightly.

"Shit sorry Daryl! Didn't know it was your chick!" He quickly responds, as Daryl looks furious for the first time

since | had met him.

"Don't apologise towhen it's her that you've just offended! You can fucking wait five minutes for your ice

cream like any other person and besides, it's probably for the best that you're last in the queue because there

would be fucking nothing left for anybody else if you weren't!" Daryl continues to get more angry, as | grow

flustered and glance over to Kip, expecting him to step in.

It was his store after all but to my great surprise, he just shrugs and smiles as though it was regular for him...

"Look I'm sorry, take your time." The guy babbles, now looking directly atas | nod once slowly and breathe.

I only wanted an ice cream, | didn't mean to upset anybody...

"It's the 'Rocky Riot' she's wanting and I'll have the 'Beach Day"". Daryl asks Kip, as | swallow the lump forming

in my throat, thankful that he had took the stress away fromby asking for what | wanted.

| was surprised to see Daryl so short tempered for the first time, although it was nice to see him defending me

after being harassed by that guy.

But maybe Emma was right, Daryl was in with Vincent because they were more similar to what Daryl lets on.

Compared to Vincent, Daryl always seemed like the saint, but | just witnessed first hand how sharp and reactive

he can be. What was more worrying, was the way the guy had acted when recognising him...

What had he done that was so bad to make others around this whole town bow to him?

Was the gang stuff true? The way Emma had said they run croperations and do illegal shit around town? Or

was it all rumour?

I hadn't seen anything like that yet, but | feared that with spending more twith them, | would be sucked back

into a world full of danger and darkness...

"You good? Just ignore him, he's a bastard!" Daryl talks, leaning down to my ear as | nod and force a smile.

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Kip returned with our little tubs of ice cream, having them fully decorated with extra sauces and toppings. We

thanked him, as Daryl said a goodbye and motioned forto go first towards the door.

The larger guy didn't even look up when we passed by, remaining silent and nervous as | suddenly felt almost

bad for how Daryl had scolded him.

But | guess he was the rude one first... right?

We get back into Daryl's car, getting comfortable as | look out at the water facing us, sighing in relief.

"Sorry for blowing up in there, | just didn't like how he spoke to you." Daryl breathes out steadily, returning to his

normal tone as he goes in for a taste of his ice cream.

"It's ok, thanks for defending me. Speople are just really inpatient." | comment, acknowledging his apology

for makinganxious.

At least he was aware of his reaction... Vincent would have just shrugged it off and toldto get over it in that

case. No scratch that, Vincent would have probably attacked the guy and caused a way bigger scene so Daryl

wasn't all bad, was he?

"You know, this is nice, I'm really glad that you said yes to coming tonight." Daryl hums, as we enjoy the sweet

treat together in the confines of his car.

"Thanks for bringing me... oh and how much do | owe you for this? | brought cash with me?" | suddenly

remember wide eyed, fishing into my side pocket.

During my attempts, | feel Daryl's hand on my forearm, halting my action as my skin begins to tingle under his

hold.

"Wait what's that on you?" He squints at my face, as | offer him the slook of confusion back.

"What?" | bubble, praying that my whole face wasn't covered in chocolate - how damn embarrassing would that

be?! "Right... there..." He leans in, and before | know it, his lips are on mine, slow but soft.

What. The. Hell!

Wait until | tell Emma about this one...