Fate, After All | Joel Miller — Part One
warnings: pure fluff, a and a teensy bit of cursing. No use of y/n.
word count: 2.3k
series masterlist
-
You sigh as you begrudgingly look down at your watch-clad wrist for what seems like the hundredth time in twenty minutes.
Forty five fucking minutes late.
Unbelievable.
You scoff to yourself as you close your eyes, trying your best not to lose it in the middle of this restaurant. Yet again, another failed blind date.
You had no fucking idea why you kept accepting these invitations from your mother, because each and every one of them have turned out to be a complete disaster.
This one didn't even bother to show.
You can't believe you actually took the time to look presentable for this date—wearing some makeup that defined your naturally beautiful features, doing your hair up real nice, picking out your favorite baby blue halter-top sundress to wear, and even wearing your fancy perfume that was only reserved for special occasions.
How could you be so foolish? Why'd you think this time was going to be any different?
It's not like your mom did this on purpose. You knew she only had the best intentions when it came to setting you up on these blind dates, but they always never went smoothly.
Your mom felt bad that you were the only one out of your siblings who wasn't married and didn't have children. Sure, you could get lonely at times, but when shit like this happened, it was just a constant reminder of how pathetic your dating life was.
It was times like this that you'd dramatically come to accept that you may be alone forever.
You were just about to get up from your seat after leaving the server a ten dollar tip for wasting their time and taking up a table, until a voice called your name.
Your head snapped in that direction, eyes settling on a tall, tan, handsome man. He looked so familiar, but you couldn't put your finger on where you'd seen him before.
"Yes?" You say back, eyes wide with astonishment. You swallow nervously, your throat suddenly dry.
Was he your blind date?
Surely not, he didn't look dressed for a date. He wore a soft looking gray t-shirt that clung to his biceps and dark wash denim jeans that seem to fit his thick thighs perfectly.
What a hunk.
"Wow, it's been so long since I've seen you." He chuckles as he approaches you, the smile on his face bright.
Your confused look had his smile faltering a bit, and you step back in embarrassment.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" Your shyness suddenly overcomes you, rightfully so.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I forget it's been like, what, fifteen years? It's Joel. Joel Miller." His smile returns to his face as he sees the gears turning in your head, the little lightbulb going off.
"Miller? No way! How are you?" You laugh, bringing him in for a hug. You'd been good friends with Joel in high school, but sadly lost touch after you moved out of state to go to college.
"Good! Good. In the contracting business, as promised." You grin at him, always remembering that he loved to build the most intricate things from scratch.
"That's amazing to hear. You look good. I swear I didn't recognize you." You laugh as he mocks being offended.
"Thank you, sweetheart. You do too. All grown up now." He chuckles, stuffing his hands in the front pocket of his jeans. His eyes naturally skate over your figure, really loving the way that blue sundress hugged your curves.
Your stomach fluttered at the old nickname. Joel used to call you sweetheart in school all the time. It was his special nickname just for you.
"Couldn't help but notice you were all alone," His grin doesn't reach his eyes, probably in empathy, "Were you waiting for someone?" His head tilts a little to the side, and an inevitable blush creeps across your cheeks.
It's embarrassing enough to be stood up, but to admit it? Out loud? Mortifying. But, you knew Joel was a sweet person—or at least, he used to be. Worst he could do was laugh about this to your face.
"Um, I was, yeah, but they never showed." Your gaze hits the floor as the reminder of how your love life was a shit show hit you all over again.
"You got stood up?" His voice is soft, laced with concern as his eyebrows furrow.
You offer him the smallest of smiles before nodding.
"Well to hell with them, they're missing out on a wonderful person," He starts, a hand moving from his pocket to your arm. His touch was warm and inviting, and it sent tingles down your spine. "I was gonna get takeout anyway from here, just for myself. Did you wanna get some and maybe join me back at my place?"
His offer makes you subtly perk up, but even he noticed it. The scene before him made him smile.
"I don't want to be an intrusion." You say, but he's already shaking his head.
"You're not, sweetheart. I was offering. Plus, I'd love the company. It's just me at my house tonight." And with that, you knew you couldn't refuse his offer.
-
You followed Joel back to his house in your car, butterflies going wild in your stomach the whole time. You always had a major crush on Joel back in high school, and seeing him as a grown man that had clearly aged like fine wine was the cherry on top of the damn ten-tier cake.
God, pull yourself together, you scolded yourself as you parked on the street in front of Joel's house. It was a nice neighborhood with quaint houses; ones that looked like they belonged on a friendly neighborhood magazine.
You stepped out of your car and met Joel in his driveway as he parked his truck, grabbing the bag of food he insisted he'd pay for.
So, instinctively, you told him you'd get him next time around, and his heart secretly flipped with joy at the mention of next time.
"Beautiful home you have." You comment to him as he rustles with his keys, finding the right one to unlock his front door with.
"Thank you, darlin'." He grins at you as he opens the door, motioning you to walk in before him. You thank him softly as you walk into the two-story home, admiring how cozy and warm it looked.
There were plenty of pictures on the wall, slightly worn but beautiful furniture pieces adorning the room before you, and the smell of teakwood lingering in the air.
You took a closer look at a photo hung up adjacent to you on the wall, seeing it consisted of Joel, a younger man probably in his mid to late twenties, a young girl, and two elderly people all matching and smiling at the camera. You admired how they all displayed genuine smiles that actually reached their eyes in the photo.
"Cute picture." You nod your head to the frame, Joel coming back to you from setting down the bag of food on the coffee table in the living room just before you.
He chuckles softly and reaches to scratch the back of his neck, a nervous habit you could tell he had.
"Thank you. 'S my parents, daughter and brother." He explains, and your eyes widen.
"Wait, that's Tommy? No way." You let out a loud laugh, making Joel's heart do those damn flips again.
Just like his brother, Tommy was almost unrecognizable. Your eyes run over his daughter's face once more, bringing a soft smile to your lips.
"Your daughter is beautiful," You look up at Joel, then back to the picture, "She has your eyes." You almost consider asking him if her mom was in the picture, but obviously she wasn't if Joel has you here with him tonight. You sweep the pressing matter to the back of your mind, Joel's touch on your lower back distracting you.
"Let's go eat our food." He guides you to the dining room and pulls out a chair for you. He retrieves the food from the coffee table and brings it to you, and goes to his cupboard to pull out a glass.
"Would you like some wine?" He offers, and you eagerly nod. You definitely needed a drink after the day you've had. Not to mention, it'll ease your damn erratic nerves. Joel made you nervous even 'til this day, and maybe it was his southern charm or dark brown eyes that you could easily get lost in, but it was driving you fucking nuts.
He pulled out a beer from the fridge for himself after pouring you a glass of wine, bringing both beverages back to the table. You thank him as you take the glass, clinking your glass with his bottle to cheers.
"Thanks for saving me from complete embarrassment back at the restaurant." You laugh, shaking your head. You take the first bite of your food, humming in delight at how good it was.
"Was it a blind date or somethin'?" He asks, his curiosity piqued. You slowly nod in embarrassment and shame, barely even wanting to admit it.
"Yeah. My mom has this whole thing in her head that because I'm the only one out of my siblings that isn't married, doesn't have kids, or isn't even seeing someone, that I need to be kept company and I need to 'not be lonely'." You air quote your mom's words, pulling an eye roll from you.
Joel chuckles and shakes his head, "I know what you mean. My mom's been buggin' me about puttin' myself out there again. Sh'says it's been too long for me, since Sarah's mother left."
"Oh, Joel, I'm sorry." Your sincere condolences don't skip past him, but he shakes his head.
"It was a long time ago. I've moved on. Been on a few dates here n' there, but never genuinely clicked with anyone. I think I've forgotten how to date." His boisterous laugh fills the room; an infectious one that had you giggling yourself.
"It's been a long time since I've felt a spark with someone, for sure." You nod your head in agreement, taking a sip of your wine. Joel's eyes linger on you for a second longer, and you blush underneath his stare.
He lets out a small chuckle, "Wanna know something crazy?" He asks, looking at you with gentle eyes.
"Hmm?"
"I used to have the biggest crush on you in high school." He confesses, and it nearly causes you to choke on your food as your eyes widen.
"Wait, what?" Your voice is meek, and again, he scratches the back of his neck.
"Yeah, I just never did anything about it because I was always out of your league. Tommy'd always push me to ask you out on a date, but I was too much of a chicken to do it. Then I found out you were moving away after high school, so I kinda just pushed it to the back of my mind. Truthfully thought I'd never see you again." There's a lightness in his voice that makes your heart melt at his confession.
"Y'should've. I would've said yes." You feel like a giddy high schooler again with this new information you've given and reciprocated.
"Are you serious?" He laughs, groaning as he tilts his head back, "No way."
"Absolutely. I had the biggest crush on you, Miller. I'm surprised you didn't know. I thought it was pretty obvious."
"Maybe that's why Tommy pushed me so much to ask you out." He sighs, grinning down at his plate of food.
"Maybe." And then it was a comfortable silence. You two finished your food, relishing in the thought of what could've been. Everything definitely happens for a reason, though.
After you two cleaned up, he offered to make some popcorn so you two could watch a movie. He showed you his rather massive VHS collection, and you chose Jurassic Park. He popped the movie in the VCR before plopping himself next to you on the couch, draping a blanket over both of your laps.
He rewinded the movie to the beginning, and you two snuggled in quickly. You couldn't help but think about the domesticity of this, and truthfully, this is something you wouldn't mind getting used to.
Throughout the movie, Joel subtly kept moving closer to you, until eventually his arm found its way over your shoulder as he pulled you in close to him. Your heart swelled at his warm embrace, so content that you truly didn't want this night to end soon.
You felt Joel's eyes on you about halfway into the movie, and your gaze shifted to his. A small smile crept up on your lips, your heartbeat picking up as you finally noticed the small proximity between the both of you.
"You're so beautiful, y'know that?" Joel whispers to you, moving a hand to tuck some loose hair behind your ear. He rested his palm against your cheek, and you instantly melted into his touch. Though his hands were calloused and a bit rough, his touch was so gentle, so sweet.
"Wish we could've met again sooner." You quietly admit, closing your eyes briefly. They flutter open again when his thumb swipes back and forth against your cheekbone.
"Me too, darlin'." He leans in slowly, nose brushing against yours before his plush lips found your own.
The kiss was soft, sweet, and gentle—everything you'd hoped kissing Joel Miller would be like. He exceeded those expectations by a lightyear.
You both reluctantly pulled back from the sweet moment, your lips tingling and suddenly cold from the loss of contact.
"By the way, you were never out of my league, Joel." You whisper to him, and he smiles at you before leaning in once more to give you a kiss that you'll never want to forget.
For once, you were so grateful that a blind date didn't work out the way you expected it to.
Fate has a funny way of working itself out, after all.
357 notes
·
View notes