Flirty Messages

As Lyndsay got the chicken dinner ready, I went to my room to message Darrin. I wanted him to know it was never my intention to fully ignore him—that is, if he really felt like I did it on purpose. Whatever he thought wasn’t really the case.

Taylar: Hey, it’s me. So sorry I’ve been a ghost for so long! How’ve you been?

Darrin: Hey, it’s nice hearing from you, Taylar. I’m getting along just fine. How are you doing?

Taylar: Great. A little busy, working at the salon and occasionally meeting with Liza to plan the wedding for Yancey.

Darrin: Remind me again who Liza is🙂

Taylar: You’re adorably funny, you know that? Liza is the wedding consultant who’s helping Lyndsay and me plan Yancey and Christian’s wedding.

I knew he’d had a lot on his mind, so he couldn’t have remembered, and that was absolutely fine. I was relieved to know he understood I’d been busy. It seemed like he respected my space, and that’s one of the qualities I looked for in a guy—someone who respected my boundaries and understood how crazy life is sometimes.

Darrin: Lol, duh, I knew that! Sorry, just had a lot of stuff on my mind lately.

Taylar: No, it’s totally okay. I hope you understand I haven’t been ignoring you on purpose. You know that, right?

Darrin: :) I knew that. I’d been a little busy, too. And why would I think you’d ignore me on purpose?

Taylar: I don’t know… Because you told me about your traumatic childhood experiences. It was brave of you to share all that, and I’m not turned off by you, if that’s what you’re thinking.

Darrin: I know that, Taylar, and thank God you’re not repulsed by me. I’m really glad you understand where I’m coming from. I hope you understand I wasn’t trying to defend Julia or justify her attitude toward you.

Taylar: I get it now. Really.

Darrin: Thank you for saying that. When she slapped you at the hotel the other time, it was just her way of unleashing her rage and everything she’d grown up learning from Uncle Dave. Lashing out at others as a way to express intimidation. I know, it makes no sense, right? As kids, we learn what we’re taught by adult influence, so for Jules… Sometimes she just wants to let it all out. Maybe not in the best way, but she really wants to let out all the frustration. She’s seeking help for it, okay? That’s why I can’t keep my 32yo sister “on a leash” or in a cage like you suggested, Taylar. I told you she’s an emotionally complex person, and being a childhood victim of abuse can do that to you sometimes. If you’ve ever taken psych classes before, you’d understand.

I understood fully well, and that’s why I wanted him to know I’d be glad to show the rest of the family some grace, should they still see these weddings as a competition. I didn’t see anything as a competition anymore. For me, it was only about making things perfect and memorable for Yancey.

Taylar: Is this why you became a cop? So you can help people who’ve been through what you, Hayden, and Julia have?

Darrin: Yes, exactly. I want to bring people like Uncle Dave to justice for their crimes and hold them accountable for the shit they do to vulnerable people, such as children, the elderly, what have you. I can’t let people like him get away with murder and continue living their lives like it’s nothing.

That’s a strong motivation. It gave me a lot more respect for Darrin Schroeder I didn’t think I’d ever have for him.

Taylar: That’s so cool. What about Hayden and Julia? What motivated them to become what they are now, career-wise?

Darrin: Julia’s always had a soft spot for kids, so she uses her experience to help mentor kids in the best possible way: teaching them how to swim and being certified to administer CPR when necessary. She wants to be a lifesaver of children, as opposed to Uncle Dave, who was a destroyer of 3 young children’s lives.

That made perfect sense.

Taylar: And what about Hayden?

Darrin: Ever since Hayden started playing with the toy airplanes in Uncle Dave’s basement, he’s found them to be therapeutic, I guess, in helping him to “mentally escape” from all the abuse, the shitty environment that was Dave and Arla’s house. Yeah, it’s a little silly, right? Flying away from all your problems, as if that should help to solve them, right?

I smiled; I didn’t think it was silly. I thought if it was helpful for Hayden, then so be it.

Taylar: It’s not “silly”, Schroeder. That’s actually very sweet.

Darrin: Thanks. You’re sweet, too, Barrenfeld.

Taylar:😊

I could tell when he was flirting, and this was one of those times.

Darrin: So, what are your plans for tonight and the weekend as a whole?

Taylar: Tonight, I’m about to enjoy a nice small dinner with Lyndsay after an 8-hr shift at the salon. We had a busy day today. We woke up early this morning to meet with Liza at the hotel to discuss seating arrangements at the Plaza Ballroom, and that went well. We’ll meet with her again on Sun. to talk about the catering menu and the cake.

Darrin: That’s really nice. Why won’t you meet with her again tomorrow?

Taylar: Tomorrow, we have more plans: going to Angela’s Bridal with Yancey so she can start searching for the perfect dress to say “yes” to. We have an appointment at 1, so it’ll be during our break from the salon.

Darrin: A way to kill 2 birds with 1 stone: taking care of your sister’s wedding needs during your work break.

Taylar: Exactly👍. And one of our co-workers, Fabio, has offered to bake the wedding cake.

Darrin: Oh, what a nice guy! That’s so sweet of him to offer.

Taylar: Yeah, baking is his side gig to earn extra money while working at the salon with us. Guess which flavor Yancey’s asked for?

Darrin: Lol, I’m terrible at guessing games… But chocolate??

Taylar: Nope😀. She wants lavender honey!

Darrin: Okay, then! Your sister’s sure got some taste in sweets.

Taylar: I’m HOPING that’s a compliment, Darrin Schroeder!

Darrin: What else would it be, Barrenfeld? ;)

Okay, I hated to admit it, but he and I were getting pretty cute with each other via text. I wasn’t expecting this from Darrin, but I didn’t mind. I needed his company more than I even realized.

Actually, he was the one I needed… His whole presence, next to me…

Taylar: If I didn’t know any better, Schroeder, I’d say you’re “flirting” with me ;)

Darrin: Me, “flirt”? Haha, in your dreams, Taylar!

Taylar: So, we’re not even denying it, huh?😉

Darrin: Denying what?😀

Yeah, he’s still playing that game. No worries; so was I.

Taylar: I think you know very well what I mean, Darrin.

Darrin: What if I don’t?

Taylar: That would mean my instincts are wrong, which is impossible because we women have the best instincts ever.

Darrin: You sure as hell are right about that, women having the best instincts.

Me: Right🙂. So, if my instincts are wrong, then it means you’re NOT flirting with me, right?

Darrin: Okay, I admit it… I am😉.

Thank God he finally admitted it. Otherwise, I would’ve spent all of eternity wondering what we could have been, had we been given the chance—and now’s that chance.

Taylar: We’re becoming a little more friendly, aren’t we? I don’t mind, but are you okay with it?

Darrin: I am if you are. But I’d never wanna make you uncomfortable.

He was decent enough to respect my feelings, and as long as that’s the case, I didn’t see any harm in it. He was single, and so was I. I knew who he was now, and I understood everything he’d been through in his past, as well as what he’s going through now with his mom’s diagnosis. I needed to be his companion, his confidant… I wanted to be his everything.

Taylar: You’re not making me uncomfortable. I want this, Darrin.

Darrin: I’m relieved to hear you say that. Thanks again for reaching out to me. I understand how busy you’ve been. I’ve been busy too, focusing on work and trying not to lose my shit thinking about my mom’s surgery next week.

Taylar: I meant it when I said I’m here if you ever need anything between now and next week. Would you like me to come over and keep you company, or what?

Darrin: I wouldn’t wanna interfere with whatever plans you’ll have in store next week. You can just text me then. You don’t have to come over. My family and I will be at the hospital while she goes for the surgery.

Taylar: What time is the surgery next week?

Darrin: Next Wed, somewhere around 11 in the morning. Will you be at work then?

On Wednesdays, the salon was open from ten to eight—which, unfortunately, meant I wouldn’t be available to meet with him, if needed.

Taylar: Yes, I will. The salon opens at 10 on Wed and closes at 8.

Darrin: Okay, that’s totally fine. I wouldn’t be at work at the time, I’ll probably be at the hospital with my dad, Hayden, and Julia. We all agreed to be there for my mom at that time, so I couldn’t ask you to come over if you wanted to.

Taylar: Are you sure about that?

Darrin: I’m sure. But what you CAN do, though… Owen’s gonna spend the night with his family, so I’ll just be alone in the house. I’d like you to come over so we can spend the night together ;)

Okay, now there’s an invitation!

Taylar: I’ll think about it! ;)

Darrin: And I’ll be right here, awaiting your response, Barrenfeld.

Taylar: You got it, Schroeder.👍

Darrin: Anyway, it was nice hearing from you. Just hit me up whenever you feel like you’re available to meet with me at my place next week.

Taylar: I promise!

Darrin: Now who’s a good girl? ;)

And there he was again, with the flirtatious messages. I wanted to play along.

Taylar: I’m the good girl, and you’re the officer. If I turn out to be the bad girl, I want YOU to put me in your handcuffs so I can get closer to you and see you in your uniform.

And I took it too far… Way too far.

I was drunk when I wrote that, taking a chance by sending out that risqué message… But what harm could it do?

Darrin: So, now this is one of those moments where you don’t mind I’m a cop, huh?

Taylar: Nope. Doesn’t bother me at all, OFFICER SCHROEDER.

Darrin: Haha, you’re hilarious and adorable. Well, let’s chat again soon!

Taylar: Let’s do that🙂

With that, we ended our chat for the evening. I could feel my face blushing from that sexually provocative message I’d sent him about “wanting to be in his handcuffs” and seeing him in his uniform. Sure, I clearly wanted nothing more than to see him in his sexy uniform and badge, but still…

Out of all the things in the world I could say to him…

I slapped myself in the head. Tay, you’re such an idiot; what are you thinking? I took a deep breath to calm myself down; it’s not like he’d show anyone else our messages… Well, besides Owen. I didn’t know Owen personally, but let’s hope Owen didn’t rat me out—or our secret messages—to anyone else in the family.