#Like Austin and Texas have their compromises

[doueverwonder]

ngl I’m surprised we haven’t gotten a “the more north you go the more south you get” bit with Florida yet. He’s done different parts of other states as individual personifications and I think it’d be so funny for Gov to walk into a meeting and Florida not be the usual Florida. Throw him for a loop.

[ilikeevilblondes]

Team Effort

18+ MDNI!

Summary: Your roommate, Joel, is normally not a nuisance, but one evening, he barges into your room because his laptop broke and he needs to borrow yours for unspecified reasons. Of course, what he didn’t know was that you were already using it for the same thing. You manage to reach a compromise by sharing your screen and fulfilling your respective needs alongside one another. As you do.

TL;DR: Roomies who watch porn together, jack off together. And jack off each other.

W.C: ~4.2k

Warnings: roommate!joel x reader, mutual masturbation, porn imagery, age gap (10 ish years??), fingering, blowjobs, sixty-nine, healthy dose of praise, this is really horny icl (no outbreak au!)

Note: no clue how my brain cooks up this shit, not even ovulating so i have no excuse. @whaddupbaby

Living in Austin, Texas, wasn’t cheap.

Of course, you were very well-acquainted with this fact as you happened to be a young woman with a less-than-generous salary. A salary that wouldn’t have allowed you to live comfortably by your lonesome if it weren’t for your roommate.

Enter Joel Miller.

Joel was a mild-mannered guy. A creature of routine. He’d get up at the crack of fucking dawn to enjoy a nice cup of coffee—black, always black—before work, and come home just before seven o’ clock to sit with you for dinner.

Your entire friendship and housing situation was coincidentally built on a chance Craigslist ad looking for a non-axe-murdering roommate that was posted in sheer desperation that you fatefully responded to in similarly sheer desperation. 

Despite being a decade and some change older than you—and despite the two of you being polar opposites in nearly every way—you got on surprisingly well. He was gruff and guarded, a habitual pessimist, while you were easy-going and irrepressibly sanguine. He was the rain-heavy cloud that dimmed the crystal-blue sky; you were the sun that oft broke through his storm. Strangely enough, you complemented each other—like mismatched puzzle pieces that somehow still fit, edges worn down just enough by time and circumstance to click into place.

It had been nearly eight months of your arrangement, or, as you had joked to him a week before, nearly a full gestational term of pregnancy. 

“Your mind works in strange ways, you know that, sweetheart?” He had shaken his head through a small, easy laugh.

And, in those eight months, you had not experienced any major conflict, insofar as typical roommate dynamics went, or anything to upset the carefully-built foundations of your living arrangement.

That was, until, one night.

You sighed in frustration as you stared blankly at the screen of your laptop.

The sketchy porn site you frequently employed had crashed amid your approaching climax, which, at the frozen sight of the actress’s faux gape of pleasure and her scene partner’s terrible handling of her clit, quickly withered away into a feeling of unsatisfying incompletion. 

“Fucking perfect,” You scoffed, bringing your hand out from under your panties.

As far as porn videos went, the one you had carelessly chosen was not very good, anyway. You caught your mind wandering several times in between the five fake orgasms the starring actress seemingly experienced.

Maybe porn by itself wasn’t enough for you anymore, these days. 

So, you splayed yourself over your bed to reach down toward the bottom-most drawer of your nightstand where you kept the vibrator you used only in dire times of need. Like tonight.

But, just as you brought it under the covers and switched the thing on to the lowest setting, a knock came at your door.

Your eyes went wide as you hurried to turn your vibrator off and slam your laptop shut.

“J-Joel?” You called out, praying he hadn’t heard the faint hum under your bed sheets.

His slightly muffled voice came through: “Yeah, sorry, sweetheart, got a favour to ask.”

You gulped. “Come in.”

Tentatively, the door to your room creaked open, and your roommate poked his salt-and-pepper head through. One of his hands was still wrapped around the doorknob, ready to shut the door if you had indicated such was necessary in light of his impromptu visit.

“Hope I’m not interruptin’ you, darl’,” Joel said sheepishly.

Yes, he was.

“Not at all.” You forced a small smile, shoving your vibrator further down your bed from under the covers. “What’s up, Joel?”

“Well, ah,” Joel clicked his tongue and stepped forward, leaning on your doorframe. “My computer broke. Spilled lo—water. Water all over it.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. Real shame. Um, but, I was wonderin’ if I could borrow yours…?” He crossed his arms, his brows knitted.

“Mine?” You glanced at the device sitting atop your sheets.

“Just for an hour or two. Promise it won’t be too long.”

Your eyes flickered over to the digital clock on your nightstand. It was nearly eleven pm. You were vaguely aware that his job as a contractor was demanding, but surely, this was way after hours.

“You still doing work this late?”

“Somethin’ like that.” He cleared his throat, looking away.

“I mean…” You sighed, mulling it over internally. Well, it wasn’t like you were getting very far with fucking yourself before he had barged in. “Sure. Sure, you can borrow it, let me just—”

And right when you lifted the sleek lid of your laptop, the damn thing chose that exact moment to stabilise your connection.

“Oh, right there—right there! Feels so goooood!” Came the exaggerated, musical timbre of the actress’s voice, accompanied, of course, by obscenely wet slaps.

You instantly slammed it shut.

Expletives of every kind circulated in your internal monologue. Including, but not limited to; fucking shit, piss, balls, goddamn motherfucker.

Your eyes were wide.

Joel’s eyes went wider.

The two of you were locked in a deeply uncomfortable staring contest. And the longer your eyes met, the more heat you felt creeping up your neck.

Your roommate had just heard your porn. Your roommate had just heard your porn. Joel had just heard your porn.

Don’t say anything stupid. Do not say anything stupid.

“That was my porn.” 

God fucking damnit.

Joel let out a strangled sound, something between a choked laugh and a dry cough.

“...I figured.” He cleared his throat, pink dusting his cheeks.

“Sorry,” You whispered.

“Don’t be, darl’,” Joel sighed. “‘S, uh, perfectly normal.”

God, this was awkward.

“I wasn’t… I wasn’t, like, touching myself.” And now you were explaining yourself. Great. “Well, I was—but, um, the thing froze, and I got antsy, so I got the vibrator from—”

Joel’s eyebrows shot up. 

You decidedly cut yourself off. Maybe your possession of a sextoy was not necessary information to bestow upon your older roommate. 

The look on his face—a little pale, mouth slightly hanging open—confirmed your hunch that you had just irreparably overshared.

He was shocked. Maybe a little more than shocked.

Sweet baby Jesus, what if he got a heart attack from your words? 

What if he died where he stood and you had to explain to his family that you had caused his heart failure—death by TMI?

No, Joel was too young to get heart attacks … right?

“Please don’t have a heart attack.” You whispered, pleadingly.

“I’m not—” Joel exhaled and rubbed his hand down his face. “I’m not having a heart attack.”

“Tell your family not to sue.” You breathed.

“I’m not having a heart attack.”

“Okay. Good.”

Joel squeezed his eyes shut, sharply inhaled, and began to pivot towards the hallway. “Look, I’m sorry for intrudin’, I’ll leave you … to it. We don’t gotta mention this ever again.”

Was he intruding, though?

Suddenly, as if a lightbulb had flickered to life above your head in true cartoon fashion, an idea sparked in your mind.

“Wait!”

Shit. Was this even a good idea?

Joel stilled and slowly craned his head toward you, unsure if he had heard your protest or if it was purely imagination.

“Um. You don’t have to leave.”

Too late. You were following through.

“I don’t?” Joel furrowed his brows.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but you weren’t going to work on my laptop, were you?” You bit the inside of your cheek.

“I—”

“I know you didn’t spill ‘water’ on it, because, well … you hesitated, firstly. And secondly, the communal lotion bottle from the half-bath went missing two days ago.”

In the pregnant silence that rose from your Sherlock Holmes-esque declaration, you were left to wonder who the hell was running your mouth because it sure wasn’t you.

“Fine, no. I was not goin’ to work on your laptop. Happy?”

“What if… what if I were to make a proposal?”

Joel arched a brow, then dryly responded, “I ain’t too keen on having a second wife just yet.”

“Not that kind of proposal.” You shifted in your seat on your bed. “We could help each other out.”

“Help each other out?” He parotted, pursing his lips.

“Yeah. I mean, we can, y’know, share the laptop.”

Joel scoffed. “Sweetheart, are you suggestin’ we…” He trailed off, gesturing vaguely with his hands. “...together?”

“I am. I mean, what’s the harm in that?”

“Besides the obvious? I can give you about a dozen reasons.”

“Look, you wanna jerk off—”

Joel visibly cringed at your indelicate phrasing. Bluntness was always your default, to his dismay.

“—so do I. But I wasn’t getting very far on my own.” You glanced at your folded laptop, then back to meet Joel’s gaze. “And don’t tell me that a girl beside you wouldn’t help you out.”

He opened his mouth, presumably to deny your suspicion, but closed it shortly afterward.

Joel would be a big fat liar if he’d said the thought of such a thing didn’t already leave him half-hard in his sweatpants—which you noticed. Of course, you noticed. Those damn grey sweatpants never left anything to the imagination. Even on normal days, when he waltzed around at home in them, you were always treated to the sight of his generous bulge.

The thought brought warmth to your face.

You continued, somewhat casually, “this’ll be no-strings-attached. I won’t ask to meet your parents after, or make you go ring-shopping. This is purely transactional.”

Joel let out a heavy sigh. “And this won’t make it weird between us?”

“No.” You hoped, at least.

And that was how you found yourself sitting beside your roommate—practically shoulder-to-shoulder—on a Friday evening on your floral-patterned queen bed, staring at the home page of pornhub.com. 

Your finger scrolled idly on the trackpad of your laptop, watching as thumbnails and their respective titles cruised by. 

Lame. Overdone. Gross. 

Jeez, when did they stop making good shit? You were one ‘gangbang’ away from dragging Joel’s ass to an adult video store and choosing from a more refined selection.

“Indecisive, are we?” Joel grunted from beside you, sending you a sideways glance.

“You choose, then.” You relented, tilting the device toward him.

“Gladly.”

In less than a minute, Joel had settled on the aptly-titled flick, ‘Babysitter Gets Fucked By Big Cock’. Coincidentally, the male actor shared several features with Joel, as did the female actress with you.

Or maybe that was on purpose.

In any case, you kept your mouth shut.

The video began with a horribly cliché scenario: the supposed ‘dad’ walking in on the ‘babysitter’ getting stuck in the washing machine.

But, with the way her barely-covered ass was sticking in the air, you had to admit, you were intrigued.

Joel definitely was, seeing as how his large hand began palming himself through his sweatpants beside you, his dark eyes intently focused on the screen in front of him.

You were unable to look anywhere but the sight of him pressing down and rubbing his clothed bulge. Unable to hear anything except his breathing—now slow and strained. Unable to do more than gawk at him at his most undone.

Fuck, you could swear there was even a patch of precum staining—

With incredible resolve, you directed your focus back on the video.

The girl was on her knees now, coaxing the dad’s erection from his slacks and taking it in her mouth. He was, of course, muttering praises befitting the situation and appealing to your praise kink worse nature.

Your fingers slipped beneath the waistband of your sleep shorts, finding your underwear drenched with arousal. It was very possibly caused not by the provocative scene playing out before you, but by the man currently working his clothed hard-on to your left.

Soon, you began lazily sliding along your entrance, feeling your whole body shiver as you swiped up to your clit, then back down again. And, just as the girl on your screen had begun deepthroating her employer, you sunk a finger in.

Which, evidently, wasn’t enough to appease the coil in your stomach, so you added another.

Still not enough.

You huffed frustratedly.

“You … you, uh, alright there, sweetheart?” Joel shot you a quick sideways look, his gaze dipping down to the improper sight of your hand stuffed inside your shorts.

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine. Just not…” You sighed, shaking your head. “Can I take off my clothes?”

Joel blinked at you, his hand frozen.

“I mean, I certainly won’t object to that.” His voice was low and dripping with something dangerously hot and raspy.

Lifting your hips, you were able to shimmy your shorts off, leaving you in your soaking panties.

“Fuck,” Joel exhaled breathlessly from beside you, unaware the word had even left his lips.

Out of the corner of your eyes, you spotted him watching you instead of the the babysitter going to town on the dad’s cock. 

Because, fuck, you were gorgeous.

Joel watched you slowly reveal your puffy folds; slick and shining and fluttering ever so slightly. And, whether he knew it or not, his hand started palming himself again, almost desperately, as little breathy noises escaped his throat.

Heat raced to your cheeks, but you donned a false mask of indifference and fully pushed your underwear to the side to allow you unobscured access to resume your ministrations.

You rubbed a few fingers down your seam, arousal collecting on your skin and easing your motions.

Beside you, Joel had relinquished his attention back to the porn on your laptop, but—to your absolute delight—had pulled himself out of his sweatpants.

And fuck, your suspicions were confirmed. 

He was big. And tanned. And glistening with pearls of precum dribbling down his frustrated, flushed head, down his long, thick length.

With his eyes still glued to your screen, he began lazily pumping himself with his left hand. Once, twice, thrice…

Your cunt pulsed.

Seeing no other reason to delay your pleasure, you slipped two fingers inside your weeping mound, crooking them at a relaxed rhythm.

“Mm,” You sighed under your breath.

Joel’s unoccupied hand—which you had only noticed was lying right next to your leg—twitched against your thigh.

You added a third finger, but to your displeasure, you were still left unsatisfied. You let out another huff of annoyance.

And then Joel's hand slowly skated up to the top of your thigh, resting on your heated skin.

Your breath caught in your throat. “Joel…?” 

“‘S okay, sweetheart. Let me.”

And he glided his hand down your inner thigh, goosebumps rising in his wake. He stopped in front of your soaked entrance, his palm lightly brushing against the back of your hand.

“Move your hand, baby.” He sighed.

So you did. With a lewd squelch, your fingers slid free from the grip of your aching mound.

Joel hummed, eyes darkening even more, “attagirl,”

He ran his hand slowly down your seam, humming at the feeling of your slick arousal, momentarily finding your clit, before sliding back down.

“Mm, you’re dripping, baby. This all for me?”

Then, one of his thick fingers pressed inside, tentatively dragging down your walls.

You gasped, which Joel evidently took as an invitation to insert a second finger to accompany the first.

Your vibrator was long forgotten under the covers of your bed when he added a third impossibly big finger, stretching you out deliciously.

And then, ever so slowly, he began crooking his fingers—each flex sending white-hot pleasure to pool in your gut.

Once, twice, a third time—

“Joel!” You gasped, your hand coming up to clutch at his wrist.

In a moment of vulnerability, your eyes met. His half-lidded, cloudy stare was quickly overrun with realisation.

“Shit,” He stilled inside you. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have—” He started withdrawing his hand, but your grip remained determined around his wrist.

“Don’t.” You pleaded, your voice barely above a whisper. “Don’t stop.”

You saw how his eyes lost focus. How tiny creases formed in between his eyebrows. How the reasonable part of him fought an uphill battle to retain at least a modicum of his morality.

Evidently, that part of him lost.

Joel crooked his fingers languidly, lagging behind the pace set by his other hand, which was still slowly pumping his eager cock. But, every curve of his fingers was able to reach places you thought unreachable by anything other than a dick.

All things considered, you were glad to be proved wrong and even more glad to be proved wrong by your roommate, specifically.

Because he sure knew what he was doing.

“Joel,” Your back arched slightly off your headboard.

“That feel good, sweetheart?” He hummed lowly next to you. He continued, his voice absolutely wrecked, “fuck, y’feel so … tight.”

A glance at your laptop informed you that the babysitter was now letting the dad throat-fuck her, gagging prettily as his length drove in and out of her mouth.

Not a bad idea.

You slowly leaned over Joel’s right arm—you know, the one knuckles deep, finger-fucking you—to plant sloppy, open-mouthed kisses down his length, tasting his precum-tanged skin.

A choked noise slipped from his throat.

“Oh, baby–”

Your hand wrapped around his, pushing his grip to his base to allow ample room to praise his big fucking cock.

After planting a wet kiss to his tip, you took his head in your mouth and swirled your tongue around it like a lollipop. And, goddamn, it could’ve been, because his taste was addicting.

“That’s it,” Joel exhaled. “Oh fuck, that’s it, baby.”

With that bit of encouragement, you folded forward even more to take the rest of him in your mouth, not satisfied until his head hit the back of your throat. All while his fingers continued fucking into you, because he hadn’t stopped for a even second. If anything, he sped up.

The hand not fingering you shot up to grasp your hair, guiding you gently on and off his cock. And you happily let him, moaning around his length, flattening your tongue against the underside, and sucking.

“Yeah, there we go. That’s my good girl,” Joel’s voice was breathless. “Takin’ my cock so well, hm?”

Your cunt fluttered around his ceaseless fingers.

Joel Miller had a filthy fucking mouth. Fact noted. Memory stored. Future wet dream material created.

And then he pulled you off him. His dark, wild, ruined eyes catching yours.

“I don’t want you to stop,” Joel admitted, panting slightly. “But … shit, I need to taste you.”

You felt your lips tug upward. “Yeah?”

“Please, baby.” An almost pained look crossed his features.

“Well, I don’t have to stop.” You breathed, a certain two-digit number promising a solution to your dilemma. “We can … we can multitask.”

“Can we, now?” Joel shook his head, smiling slightly. “Fuck are you waitin’ for, then? C’mere.”

Taking care not to hit your laptop, you swung your legs over to straddle Joel’s torso, your back facing his chest, giving him a good view of your ass.

“Mmm, look at you.” Joel sighed from behind you, caressing the globes of your ass with his calloused hands. “Fuckin’ hell,” He muttered to himself.

“You gonna pick your jaw off the floor anytime soon, Miller?” You mused, bending slowly to take his cock in your hands, trailing unhurried kisses up to his head.

“Cocky now, are we?” Joel chuckled.

Without warning, Joel pulled your thighs toward him with surprising ease, sending you to lay flat on your stomach on top of him.

“Joel!”

He ignored you, and instead, pressed a messy kiss to your dripping cunt.

Even more caught off guard, “Joel!”

You felt him smile against you. And then, holding you to him with an iron grip on your hips, he slowly licked up to your bud, circling it with his tongue.

Jolts of electricity sparked through you with every second that passed of Joel’s mouth connecting to your pussy. Devouring, sucking, humming into your seam like it was a five-star meal.

And to him, it was.

“Sweetest fuckin’ thing I’ve ever tasted.” Joel groaned into your cunt, short of breath.

His tongue laved downward, finding your wet seam. Then, with a salaciously wet noise, delved inside. Your moans of pleasure graduated into outright screams from the sensation of him pushing his tongue completely through your opening and into your tight, warm, drenched walls.

You were so distracted by the sensation of Joel keenly eating you out that you had almost forgotten about your end of the bargain.

In front of you, Joel’s rock-hard cock had bounced to his stomach—still leaking trails of precum and still impossibly hard.

Delicately, you took him in your hands, pumping him once or twice as you brought him to your lips.

Without wasting another second, you sunk your mouth, licking over his head and probing against his slit. You lapped at his cock desperately, intent on bringing him closer to his release. You were undoubtedly very far ahead of him in that respect, owing to how well and desperately Joel was licking into your cunt.

“Shit,” Joel pulled away ever so slightly. “Slowly, baby, I ain’t goin’ anywhere.”

You released him with a wet pop, then turned your head over your shoulder to meet his gaze.

His hair was slightly dishevelled, his eyes were blown out with desire, and the lower half of his face was very evidently slick with your arousal.

Fuck, he was a sight for sore eyes.

“Joel, if I come soon, there’s a very good chance I’ll be too fucked-out to make you finish. And believe me, I want you to finish in my mouth.”

He inhaled sharply.

“Then, by all means, baby. Do what you gotta do.”

Back down you went, sliding your mouth further down his shaft until his head reached the back of your throat. Then, you began a rapid pace of bobbing up and down on his cock, moaning around it as you did so, filling your room with the most obscene, wet sounds. Even more obscene than the fucking porno playing on your laptop.

Behind you, Joel resumed pressing messy, open-mouthed kisses on your cunt. His tongue flicked inside you as he did and dragged down the roof of your channel, coaxing you to rut your hips against his face and feel his scruff against your inner thighs.

Seeing as how you were recklessly tumbling toward a mind-melting orgasm, you decided the best course of action was to double-down and suck the man’s dick dry as much as possible.

Your mouth lifted on and off his length in a frenzy, all while your hands gripped his base. Joel groaned into your weeping cunt as you did so, and began uncontrollably driving his hips up into you.

A garbled, broken moan vaguely resembling his name was muffled by the weight of his length in your mouth.

If your mouth wasn’t otherwise occupied, you were very sure that if your neighbours were unfamiliar of his name, they would have been very sure of it by now.

Joel uttered something incoherent and barely lifted his face from your entrance.

“If I’d known you took my cock this well, I would’ve fucked you sooner.” He sighed, kissing up your seam and humming against your sensitive skin. You felt the warmth of his breath blow onto you. “Fuck, why didn’t we do this sooner?”

Clearly, it was a rhetorical question because Joel didn’t wait for an answer and, instead, dove right back into worshipping your sex with his tongue.

And he was relentless in his pursuit. Lap after lap came with him barely breaking for air.

The familiar warmth that had been pooling in your gut now threatened to hurl your climax at you at any second.

As if reading your mind, Joel purred, “can feel you getting tighter, baby. You gonna come for me?”

His tongue fucked into you harder as his grip on your hips trapped you against him, causing a shattered moan to escape your throat with his cock still in your mouth.

And you came.

Holy fuck, you came.

You gushed around his face, your legs clamping down around his head, but Joel didn’t falter in the slightest, swallowing your release and continuing to eat you out like a man starved.

Very soon, Joel followed. 

Following a few erratic jerks of his hips, hot spurts of his come sprayed inside your mouth and you all but happily lapped up his seed, tasting rope after rope of its salty tang down your throat.

Certain he had rode out the extent of his high, you slowly lifted yourself off him, panting deeply.

“Fuck, baby,” Joel said breathlessly. 

He took you by your waist and practically manhandled you like a ragdoll to face him properly before smashing his mouth against yours, tasting each other’s release on your tongues.

“Definitely should’ve done this sooner,” He mumbled against your lips.

You sighed into his mouth in agreement, and your hands came to hold either side of his face as you lazily moved your lips against his.

The two of you were so consumed by the bliss that came with the post-orgasm haze, you barely noticed that the porn video Joel had initially selected was long gone and another had automatically replaced it.

“OHHH!”

An almost theatrical, high-pitched moan from your laptop caught your attention.

Both of you turned to find your screen displaying a girl on all-fours eagerly letting some guy’s dick ram repeatedly into her at a brutal pace from behind.

“Harder, daddy, harder!” She mewled.

Joel let out a quick huff of air, then sheepishly met your eyes. “You, uh, wanna try that next?”

[xoxoluka]

hey! can i put in a request about long distance friends (maybe theres a lil summin going on but who knows?) reader and schlatt?

just have an idea of reader living in brighton or something and schlatt comes to visit...

sorry for the wait anon, pls enjoy!

jschlatt x reader

summary: schlatt has a crush on you, but you live in an entirely different country. he’ll find a way to make it work.

warnings: uhhhh

a/n: i got this request in a group of other notifications while i was at prom, i almost didn’t notice it :p also idk how school works in the uk sooo lmao

"listen, jay, we can meet up as soon as this semester ends, alright?" you say, trying to compromise with him. "as soon as I get back, I'll hop on a flight to Austin."

It's not like you wanted to put such a big wedge between the two of you, but you had gotten such a big offer from University of Brighton (full ride, you couldn't turn that down) towards your Art and Design degree, that there was absolutely no way you were going anywhere in the US. You lived in New York originally, you and Schlatt grew up together. It was weird being so far away from him.

"you can't just come now? take a week off or something?" he groaned.

"you know I can't," you sigh, sitting down on the bed in your dorm. "it's may. i'll be there in a few weeks, the term isn't much longer."

it was always odd having this conversation with him. something never felt right. you understood wanting to see him as a friend, but you always wanted to see him more than that. you chalked it up to being so close, but you knew in some small part of your mind that it wasn't the reason.

"alright, fine. but you're coming straight here when you're done."

"deal."

~

schlatt nearly lost an arm and a fucking leg trying to get here. first, the airport in Texas wasn't accepting his passport, then there was an issue with his luggage, and he almost missed his flight. and if that wasn't enough, he couldn't find the correct exit in the airport in Brighton, and there were no taxis available, making him stand there and wait for 45 minutes. thankfully, you had told him the time of your graduation in a phone call a few nights ago when you were complaining about how late it was.

he finally made it to the college after his many issues, and was just in time to watch you walk the stage.

"Y/N L/N, graduating with honors and a bachelor's degree in Art and Design." The crowd clapped as you stepped up on stage, from your seat down on the floor, taking the diploma and shaking the hands of the many people on stage. on your way back down, you think you pot a familiar face, but psych yourself out of the thoughts before you think about it too hard.

the ceremony ends a while after, and the crowd and graduates are dismissed. you planned on just going back to your dorm to pack, taking your cap off and holding it and your diploma under your arm as you walk, staring down at your phone.

"leaving without me?" you hear from behind you, making you perk up and whip around, seeing your favorite person standing behind you.

"oh my god!" you exclaim, jumping into his arms excitedly. tears of joy brim your eyes, laughing as he hugged you back.

you stayed like that for a good minute or so before he put you down and you separated.

"when did you get here?" you ask through laughs, wiping your eyes.

"just a while ago, made it right on time." he answers.

"jesus christ, i love you." you say before even realizing your mistake, and it took you a moment to register his silence.

you look up at him once you realized, a look of terror and guilt on your face. he looks serious, making you question if you had just blown it all. you hadn't even planned on telling him at all.

thankfully, he breaks and laughs, pulling you into a hug again. "love you too, toots."

you let out a breath of relief and laugh, holding him as tight as you can. "you came at the perfect time, I need someone to help me pack."

schlatt playfully groans in response to that, but looks down at you. "i guess i'll help you."

a/n: i crave the schlanket can someone buy me one

© property of xoxoluka. do not repost.

[emisprocrastinatingbywriting]

To Break Free

Summary:

After a lifetime in the big city and a brutal break up, you decided it was time for a change. Austin was everything you expected it to be; quiet, warm, and totally different from the fast paced environment you were used to, but what you hadn’t expected was the particularly handsome stranger that lived across the street to catch you in a compromising position. Although you had hoped to put the experience behind you, the spark between the two of you was hard to ignore, especially when his two teenage daughters quickly became regular guests in your home. After years of heartache, will you be able to keep a kind and devoted man like Joel Miller at arm’s length?

Warnings: NoOutbreak!Joel Miller, Sarah and Ellie as siblings, Neighbour!Joel, The Miller Girls Being wingmen, Reader is just getting over a break up, Mentions of Reader's Shitty Ex, Soft!Joel, Protective!Joel, Eventual Smut, Eventual Fluff, Angst, Eventual Romance.

A/N:

Hey y'all, my name is Em and if you haven't read anything I have posted before, welcome! <3

This fic includes NoOutbreak!Joel as a single dad to two teenage girls, living in Austin when reader moves across the street. This is going to be a fluffy fic, not necessarily a slow burn but it will have all the angst you need to yearn for the handsome Texan. Reader is in her early 30s, while Joel is in his mid 30s. She is just getting out of a marriage that was undoubtedly emotionally abusive, so there will be brief mentions of that throughout the story. I will be sure to leave a note at the beginning of the chapter in case any of you wish to avoid it. Anyways, I love writing for fun and I hope you enjoy the result of that haha. Enjoy! :)

Chapter 1/10 - More to Come!

Chapter 1: Don't Be Ridiculous

Sweat poured down your face, stinging your eyes as box after box got loaded into the bare bones of what would be your new life. This was not how you expected your thirtieth birthday to go, trying to ignore the resentment that clogged the valves of your heart as you tried not to collapse under the Texas heat. It only made you hate the man you had once called your husband all the more. Every twinge in your back from a particularly hefty box, or momentary pause to catch your breath, all brought you back to him. 

Two months ago, after an entire year of couples counseling sessions where you were forced to put on a brave face while he practically dozed off, after a year of scheduled date nights where he dragged you around the city like a some sort of prized hog, you had found him in bed with one of his research assistants. You gagged thinking about it, shaking your head as you slammed yet another unreasonably heavy box down on the living room floor. The hot shot professor banging his pretty research assistant was so cliche and yet, you had fallen for every lame excuse he had given for six years. That is, until the truth of your unholy union had smacked you dead in the face. It made you want to scream, especially since you had been that same research assistant once upon a time but stupidly, you had assumed that what the two of you had was different. 

Which led you to the place you were, in the first reasonably affordable home you could find on such short notice, lugging all of your worldly possessions in by yourself because the person you had given up everything for had turned out to be a stranger. Betrayal had been coiled around you for two months after the grand reveal, imprisoning you in the carcass of a marriage way past its expiration date. For two months you had stayed silent, shocked into a void by the audacity of your ex as he begged you to stay, but it had all come to head after you found the messages that proved he was still seeing the other woman. 

To call her a woman was generous. She was barely an adult really, twenty years old and filled with so much hope, just like you had been when you met him in an intro course during your first year of undergrad. It broke your heart to see the same lines being used on yet another fresh face and finally, a lightbulb had gone off in your head. A week after finding the messages, while he was at work, you vanished without a trace. Austin held the only home you could actually afford without his help, so Austin would be your new start. 

“Fuck me,” you groaned, dropping the final box in the entryway in lieu of dragging it all the way to the kitchen. 

With heavy limbs, you wandered over to the couch that you had almost dislocated a shoulder trying to shove in through the front door and plopped down on it with a grunt. There was still the bed and a couple other big things left in the moving truck but you couldn’t find it in yourself to care. After a morning filled with nothing but emotionally draining goodbyes to the city you once loved and the beautiful apartment that had served you since grad school, followed shortly by the workout of a lifetime, you were wiped. Plus, there was much else left to do, like setting up the AC and grabbing one of the beers you had shoved in the fridge upon arrival. You could practically taste the ice cold Coors Banquets and feel the frigid air sputtering out of the air conditioner that you hadn’t used since undergrad, but you remained glued to the couch.  

The weight of the day came down hard, pressing you into the soft cushions until you were sure that your body would become fused to them. It was like you were trapped, shackled to the seat with nowhere to go but further down. No matter how hard you tried, your limbs refused to cooperate and so you sat, admiring the first space you could truly call your own. As the sun filtered in through the big bay windows, illuminating the tiny home in a warm glow, you supposed there were worse places to be trapped. All in all, the house itself wasn’t all that bad. Sure, it had some years on it, but with a few fresh coats of paint and some much needed updates to the appliances, you were sure that it would do just fine. 

The big windows along the front of the house called to you through the ugly wallpaper and carpeted staircase when you saw it online, along with the hardwood floors that only needed one good scrub before they gleamed once more. The apron front sink in the kitchen, the clawfoot tub in the bathroom attached to the master suite, the built-in shelves in the living room where you could imagine organizing all of your many books, they all spoke of a life worth living, a life where he wasn’t around to ruin it. You could make this work, you had to. If anything, just to prove him and everyone else in your former life wrong. 

“Uh - Hiya,” came from the front door, snapping you out of the pit of loathing you were so prone to these days. 

The voice was light and sweet, the sound of it caressing your ear drums as you turned to examine its owner. The girl it came from was young, probably somewhere in her early teens if you had to guess, with beautiful bouncing curls and big eyes that reminded you of a puppy dog. She smiled brightly as you muscled through the pain to stand, taking that as her cue to dart into the house. 

“Um, hey there,” you chuckled awkwardly, unused to being in the presence of teenagers outside of working hours. 

“You must be new! Well, I mean obviously, you’re not Mrs. Thompson. She was like a hundred years old or something,” the stranger chirped, her curls lightly bouncing as she spoke. 

“Yeah uh, I think she went to live with her son in Boston. She gave me a good price, so everyone wins I guess,” you said, wincing at how boring you probably sounded to the young girl. 

“That’s great!,” she smiled, the sincerity nearly knocking you off balance, “Anyways, Ellie said she watched you move in today all by yourself. Ugh, don’t worry, I already gave her hell for not helping, she’s always hanging out with her girlfriend. But I felt bad, so I made you these.” 

A tin container was thrust into your face, the faded faces of Sesame Street characters on the side of it making you cock an eyebrow at her. With a hesitant smile, you took the box. Peeling the lid back, the pile of chocolate chip cookies that greeted you made your throat grow tight. Not one happy birthday had been sent your way, much less any sort of treat. Looking down at them, your stomach rumbled, a ferocious sound that made you bypass all social niceties and cram one of the chocolatey treats into your mouth before the organ caved in on itself.

“Jesus Christ, that’s fucking good,” you moaned, closing your eyes to fully savour the taste.

It was only when you opened them that you were reminded of the child that stood in front of you.  

“Oh don’t worry about it” she giggled, waving off the panic that undoubtedly spread across your face, “Dad is in construction. I’ve heard him and Uncle Tommy say way worse than that.” 

“I bet,” you laughed, shaking your head as you put the container down. 

“I’m Sarah by the way, I live over there,” Sarah said, pointing towards the home across the street that seemed to radiate the same warmth that she did. 

There were two kinds of people that owned a home like that; the kind that paid someone to meticulously craft it and got mad at anyone in the neighbourhood who seemed bad for their brand, or the kind that simply enjoyed the art of architecture and wanted their home to reflect it. With how much TLC your well loved bungalow was in need of, along with the measly salary you were about to be making at the local library, you hoped like hell that Sarah’s parents were the latter. The last thing you needed was a member of the PTA banging down your door because the bushes weren’t trimmed to perfection. 

“It’s nice, your parents have really good taste,” you said, admiring the stone pathway. 

“Oh no, that’s actually all dad. He owns a contracting business. Pretty boring stuff really, but it means me and Ellie get to order take out whenever he has to stay late at the jobsite,” she said mischievously, making you grin in return. 

Sarah had a way about her, a magnitude that came from being the purest form of extrovert. It made you wonder about the rest of her family. With most of the hyenas that you had once called your friends miles away, you hoped her parents were as friendly as their chatty daughter. The thought of having another grown up to talk to, one that didn’t expect anything from you other than a glass of wine and laughter, was incredibly attractive. Maybe her mom had a group of girlfriends she could introduce you to, perhaps even a book club that had room for one more. You sighed, a girl could dream. 

“So, what about you newbie? What’s your story?,” she asked. 

Loosened up by the sweet treat, you found yourself telling Sarah your name, some censored details of your past life, your future gig at the library, and even the fact that it was your birthday. In return, you listened as the teen chirped excitedly about her favourite books and even agreed to help her find a few things in the stacks once you got your bearings. The conversation was nice, uncomplicated and cheerful, making you completely forget about the disaster that surrounded you. 

For weeks, all of the people in your life had hung you out to dry. The men who were likely cheating on their own beautiful brides scoffed at what they thought to be a theatrical reaction to your ex’s betrayal, while their polished wives asked through thinly veiled humor if you actually thought you could do any better than him. And the worst part was that you had started to believe them, entertaining the idea that maybe they were right, maybe all you were meant to be was a pretty face for him to drag to stuffy parties or university sponsored fundraisers. After all, you were nothing but a stray that he had picked up along the way. And him? Well, he had always held all of the power. But in that moment, in your own home with a bubbly teen chattering about the joys of YA novels, you finally felt like you could breathe again.  

“I don’t want to talk your ear off when you clearly have some stuff to unpack, but maybe later tonight you could come over for supper? My dad always makes way too much and Ellie is probably out with Riley, so…,” Sarah trailed off, looking up at you with her best puppy dog eyes. 

“Ah well, as much as I’d like to, I really need to hose this stench off and I’ve still got a couple heavier things in the back of the truck that need to come in before it gets dark. How about next time?,” you tried. 

Sarah smiled at that, nodding excitedly despite the rejection. Although you were curious about her proposal, there was no universe where you would accept a dinner invitation from a random child. No matter how cool her parents might be, you were pretty sure it would be weird for their teenager to come home with a random woman in tow. What would you even say to her father? Her mother? You could practically see them in all of their middle-class American glory, the father pot bellied and wary of any woman who was educated, and the docile wife that had settled for him once those dreaded blue lines had shown up. There was no way you were going to sit through a dinner with the embodiment of your living nightmare for anyone, much less a teenager you barely knew. Although, her enthusiasm did make you hesitate. 

“Of course! Go! Take your shower and let me worry about the rest,” Sarah exclaimed, practically bouncing out the door with a cheeky grin. 

“What? Wait! What do you mean you’ll ‘worry about the rest’?!,” you called after her, but she was already out the door. 

Weird, you thought, shrugging it off as you turned back towards the disaster spread across your home. It would take hours to unpack it all and with the bigger things still loaded into the truck, you decided that there was no use in worrying about making the place look homey quite yet. What needed to be addressed immediately was the acrid stench wafting from your pores. It was as if the last few years of your life were literally oozing out into the tiny space, the move itself cleansing you of the toxins that had been building up for far too long. 

Sighing, you dragged yourself up the stairs and into the ensuite, thanking the heavens that you had thought to label the boxes so that you didn’t have to pilfer through the mess for a towel. After finding the expensive shampoo and conditioner that you had swiped during the escape, you turned the valve as cold as it would go and stepped in. The frigid stream rained down on you, banishing every thought from your mind as all of your muscles tensed in displeasure. Goosebumps erupted all over, your nipples hardening up so fast that you were sure they could cut through glass, but you powered through it. The cold water was as invigorating as it was uncomfortable and you wanted to revel in it for as long as possible. 

However, just as you had finished going through all of your hair care and scrubbing down your body for a third time, you heard it. The sound was small, so small that you might’ve ignored it if you were in your previous home, but this was different. No longer were you in a high rise filled with other tenants that shared the same building. And no longer were you subjected to a husband that ungraciously crashed in and out of the home at all hours. You were all alone, in a home that had no other owner. A home where any vaguely masculine sound could not go unchecked, especially when you were naked and it was coming from inside of your bedroom. 

“Shit,” you cussed, quickly shutting off the stream of water that pounded against your backside. 

With shaky hands, you slid the door to the shower open, stepping out onto the tiles carefully so as not to make any noise. Had you locked the front door before coming upstairs? You couldn’t remember, but it hardly seemed important at that moment. Not when there was an unknown assailant in your bedroom, doing god knows what as he grunted from exertion. With most of your pointy things downstairs and the clothes you were wearing somewhere in the bedroom with him, there weren’t many options. Either you stayed in the bathroom and prayed he didn’t bust the door down, or you covered up as much as possible and ran for it. 

With no other option, you gulped and wrapped a towel around yourself as tight as it would go. You couldn’t remember the last time you ran anywhere. It must have been the rugby tryouts a college roommate dragged you to during your first year. Shivering, you tried not to think about how you had gotten your ass kicked that day. Athletic was not a word you would use to describe yourself, you had always been the girl who had lunch with the English teacher because she didn’t have any friends, but this was life or death. Taking a deep breath, you eased the door open and slipped out, eyes trained on the sweaty back of a stranger. You were just about to start running when the man grunted, lifting himself from the floor with a huff. Frozen, you watched in horror as he turned around, his big brown eyes falling on you instantly. 

“AH!,” he exclaimed, his booming voice catching you off guard and making you drop the towel that was already doing a horrible job at containing your curves. 

A beat passed, one where you wanted nothing more than to sink into the floor and cease to exist. Whoever the home invader was, he was handsome. Handsome and staring quite plainly at your exposed breasts like he was trying to burn them into his memory. Your face burned, cunt clenching from his quiet reverie. If you were a stronger woman, or at least a woman who had been given regular orgasms from her partner, perhaps then you would have tried to escape him, but you weren’t. With your heart slamming against your ribcage, you stood there in complete silence, trapped by those dark eyes that took in every inch of your damp skin. 

“Please,” you whispered, unsure whether it was his mercy or ruthlessness you were asking for. 

Either way, the stranger seemed to know what you needed. Before you had a chance to even think about elaborating, he had already stepped into your space. For a moment the most twisted fantasies, along with the most terrifying thoughts, bubbled up from deep inside of you. His scent engulfed you, a delicious mixture of sawdust and the spiciness of his cologne, and it made you rub your thighs together to ease some of the pressure gathering there.  

“M’sorry sweetheart,” he mumbled, the gentleness catching you off guard entirely.  

It was soft, the low cadence of his syrupy drawl similar to that of a lover whispering sweet nothings after a particularly passionate night. All at once, you felt that electrified pull beneath your navel, an animalistic draw that you could tell he felt as well, and suddenly it didn’t matter that he was a stranger. Who were you to look a gift horse in the mouth? Especially one with such kissable lips. He stepped even closer and your heart stuttered, the proximity forcing your gaze up towards his face to gauge his intentions. 

However, just as you thought that the gorgeous stranger might swoop down and take you, he averted his eyes, stooping down on creaky knees to grab the towel off the floor for you. All you could do was stare at him, watching as a bit of red crept up the side of his neck and brightened the highs of his beautiful cheekbones as he held it out. It truly was a shame that your burglar didn’t want to fuck you, especially since you were more than happy to let him take whatever he wanted once he made you cum, but reality wasn’t like the smutty novels you had lived off of. Trying to keep a petulant whine from spilling from your lips, you snatched the towel from his grasp and wrapped it around yourself once more. 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to give ya a fright by hollerin’ like that. My ears are mostly for show these days darling. Fifteen years of construction will do that I suppose,” he awkwardly joked, sheepishly rubbing at the back of his neck. 

“Um, okay? Who the hell are you? Why are you in my house?,” you asked, sounding more confused than angry.

He straightened up at once, brow furrowed as he tried to make sense of what you had just said. 

“What?”

“What do you mean what?! I don’t know about you sir, but I don’t just walk into other people’s homes uninvited while they are in the goddamn shower,” you sassed, rolling your eyes at the way he was suddenly so keen to stare at the walls instead of you. 

“You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me,” he said under his breath, shaking his head. 

“Excuse me?,” you snapped, the illusion of a steamy fantasy shattered.  

He held up his hand, which made you want to rip the limb clean off his body but with no other option, you let him finish. 

“My daughter sent me over here to help ya move the last little bit of your stuff in,” he sighed, his hands scrubbing at his face, “She said you knew I was coming and that I could just go in. Fuck, I know that sounds stupid but the kid is kinda the master at convincing people to do stuff for her.”

“You must be Sarah’s dad,” you laughed, suddenly noticing a couple of the features they shared. 

He nodded, flushing even more as he chuckled alongside you. Looking at the man’s side profile, you couldn’t help but feel a bit bummed. When you thought of construction guys, men like Sarah’s dad didn’t exactly come to mind. But this man was something else, a unicorn hidden in a field of goblins that drank too much and had terrible political views. With a nose that you’d love to smush your clit against as you took his face for a ride and thick thighs that you knew would be more than capable of administering mind breaking thrusts, you were sure that proof of your arousal was about to start dripping down your thighs. It was unfair for a man like him to be so attractive, yet so off limits to you in a time of need. But before you could dwell on it too much, he started talking again.

“Listen, I uh… I’ve got that death trap that you call an AC set up downstairs, the kids are lugging in some of the other stuff right now, but I just thought that with a fancy ass bed frame like this, you might need a hand. I really didn’t mean to uh…,” he trailed off. 

So this was what Sarah had meant when she said she’d take care of things. You sighed. She had been trying to help you, that much was clear as your eyes landed on the dresser and vanity that had been dragged upstairs as well, but all the teen had truly accomplished was embarrassing you in front of her absolute smoke show of a dad. Even now, with his eyes elsewhere and his jaw set, you could tell that just one glance from him was going to have you weak in the knees. 

“I mean, she mentioned leaving it up to her. Never said how she planned to help though,” you chuckled, “You can turn around now too by the way, I’m decent.” 

And just as you thought, the second that he turned around you had to lock your knees so that you didn’t keel over. Fuck, you hated that you were right. Sarah’s dad was broad, the type of broad you knew came from a lifetime of working with his hands. His hair was a mess of mussed curls, with just a couple slivers of grey peeking out to show his age amongst the usual brown. But his eyes, god damnit his eyes, shot straight through you. 

The way he loomed over you, his gaze seeming to predict every mood, every whim, every desire without ever proding, made you want to jump him. And weirdly enough, you knew he felt the same, could practically taste the chemical reaction that he was having alongside you. His pupils were fully dilated, nostrils flaring like he was savouring the warm smell of vanilla that wafted off of you. He licked his lips as he stared down at your own and you wondered how he would taste if he gave himself permission to lean in. 

There was a part of you that wanted to shrink away from it, from the unwavering glance of someone whose vibrations seemed so aligned with your own, but you didn’t. It was strange. For years, despite the fact that you were literally married, nobody had looked at you like Sarah’s dad was in that moment. To be vulnerable, to be known,  was a burden by all reports and running from the past had become something of a sport to you as of late. Nevertheless, for some reason, even though you were half naked and incredibly flustered, you had never felt more rooted in place. 

“I’m Joel by the way,” he drawled as he shoved one of his big bear paws out towards you, “Joel Miller. I live across the street, but I’m sure my knucklehead kid already told ya that.” 

The way Joel’s hand swallowed yours when you took it, his thick fingers warming your freezing skin as you barely managed to stutter out your name, was not lost on either of you. Something hummed underneath your skin, making you want to reach out and yank his face towards yours. An electric current lit up every single nerve ending in your body, while warning bells went off in your head. 

For the sake of human decency, you tried to be reasonable. A man this hunky definitely had a wife, a girlfriend, or several more casual flings, and you were not in any position to be looking for anything. But that didn’t stop the uncensored filth that flashed through your mind. All you could think about was tearing his shirt off, licking the bead of sweat that dripped down his neck, and grinding against what you knew would be a devastatingly huge bulge. You bit your lip, shifting a bit uncomfortably as you felt your clit pulse with desire. 

Joel flicked his gaze down towards your bare thighs, a ghost of a smile twitching at the corners of his mouth. He knew. You wanted to run from him, to bury your head in the sand until the hot flash of embarrassment fizzled out, but you didn’t. Instead you stayed put, letting his scent dizzy you as he shifted imperceptibly closer. One more step and your nose would be brushing Joel’s chest, one more step and you knew that you would be climbing him like a tree. The situation itself was insane, but you couldn’t help but imagine what his rough palms were going to feel like against your hips as he speared you down on his thick c-

“Well, I’m real sorry about the miscommunication darling. I truly thought that she told you. Christ, I can’t even imagine how scared I must’ve made ya. The last thing you needed was a dumbass like me welcoming you to the neighborhood with a heart attack,” Joel joked, gracefully extracting his hand from your grasp. 

You didn’t even realize you were still holding it. His awkward smile brought you back down to earth, halting any internal debates about whether the strength he so clearly used at his job would translate in the bedroom. Instead, you waved him off and turned towards one of the boxes, grabbing whatever clothes you could find to cover yourself. 

“Don’t worry about it Joel, just maybe call first next time… Or at least knock, I’d like to know in advance if I’m gonna give someone a show,” you shot back, the humor in your tone catching him off guard. 

“Shit, alright then darling. Will do,” Joel chuckled, running a hand through his hair as he grew even redder than before. 

The two of you laughed for a second, completely locked in one another as the unbearable tension melted. It was incredibly comforting and extremely odd all at once. Despite the fact that you were exhausted, your mascara undoubtedly smeared beneath your eyes due to the elusiveness of your makeup wipes, you didn’t feel any particular urge to get dressed. 

Anyone with eyes could see that Joel Miller was a certified DILF, but the comfort you felt had nothing to do with his attractiveness. It was his presence, a steady flow of calm that radiated off of him and soothed the usual restlessness that drove you to the point of madness everyday. That and the way he looked at you, his eyes no longer widened from the sneak peek he had received, falling upon you as if you were someone he had known for years. It made you want to stay right there, drilling him about his life in nothing but a towel as he put together your bed, almost like it was the most normal thing in the world. 

“Hey, where do you think she would want this - Oh fuck, what the hell?,” a voice said from behind you, forcing the two of you to finally break eye contact. 

Another girl, this one interestingly also around the same age as Sarah, stood in the doorway with her hands on her hips. Based on the way she cocked an eyebrow at the man behind her, looking like she was about to make his life a living hell with all of the jokes she had conjured in that instant, you had no doubt that this was his other daughter. Ellie looked different than Sarah, with lighter skin and wavy hair, but their expressions were pretty much the same. With how close in age the two teens were, it seemed as though the devilishly handsome man in front of you had been blessed with a ridiculously busy year around fifteen years ago. You wondered which one of their moms Joel had raised his daughters with and sighed. Both of them were beautiful, which left no doubt in your mind that their moms were models of some sort. 

“Oh, I see how it is,” Ellie started, already drawing an exasperated sigh from her father, “Go help Sarah with the rest so that I can get this shit put together Ellie. Puh-lease! If you wanted some alone time with the hot new neighbour lady then you could’ve just asked us. That would have been a lot less weird than this.” 

“Damnit Ellie, that’s not -” Joel stopped, rubbing his eyes as he grew more flustered, “I was just putting her bed together and she came out of the shower, that’s all. Cut it out, would ya?” 

Ellie rolled her eyes, forcing you to bite back a laugh as her father floundered behind you. 

“Sure yeah, just putting her bed together so that you can get her pregnant on it,” she mumbled as she backed out of the room. 

“Hey! Watch your mouth kid,” he called after her, getting nothing but a cackle from down the hallway in response. 

Joel looked upwards, as if he was asking for assistance from a higher power before his gaze came back down to meet yours. Embarrassed didn’t even begin to cover how the man looked at that moment. Something akin to a fondness blossomed in your chest and you tried to shove it down but he was making it impossible. He looked cute all riled up, like a twelve year old boy rather than a man in his mid thirties. 

“Fuck’s sake, m’sorry about her too. That’s my other kid, Ellie. She thinks she’s a goddamn comedian or something, but I’m workin’ on it,” Joel groaned. 

“She IS funny Joel, you just don’t think so because the joke was at your expense,” you pointed out with a sly grin. 

“Yours too.”

“Yeah, but I’ve got a sense of humor,” you teased, giving him a cheeky wink for good measure. 

Joel laughed, throwing his head back in a way that you couldn’t help but find endearing. His Adam's apple bobbed as the boisterous sound escaped his lips and you longed to nip at it until he whined. Did Joel Miller ever whine? God, you hoped so. Or perhaps he growled, muttering twisted promises in his lover’s ears as he fucked them into the mattress. You stopped yourself as Joel’s laughter petered off, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that he would notice how close you were to exploding in an instant. All of it was so ridiculous, you were just two adults having a normal conversation, nothing more. 

“Well, anyways I uh-,” you cleared your throat, “I should get dressed. You don’t have to finish all of this Joel, but I really appreciate the help. I’m sure you have stuff to be getting back to at home and I don’t want to be a pain. I’ve got the rest of this.” 

“With all due respect sweetheart, considering the fact that I ain’t seen a single box of tools anywhere and you’re on your own, I’m pretty sure you could use all the help you can get. How about I finish up while you get dressed? If you still want to kick me out after that, then by all means,” Joel proposed. 

“Fine, but I’m a speedy dresser so chop chop,” you said, pointing a finger at him. 

He laughed and gave you a mock salute, “Yes ma’am.” 

And while it was usually true that you were a speedy dresser, the shredded muscles that weighed you down ended up working in Joel’s favor. Plus, it had taken you nearly fifteen minutes to dig out your deodorant from one of the boxes. If it had been anyone else, you would have left it for later, but there was no way you were going to smell bad in front of a man that had turned you into a horny teen again. Once you were done, you slipped back out into the bedroom, coming to a halt when you saw the progress of Joel’s work. Although you were sure that he would likely be done getting the frame together, and perhaps even setting up the headboard, nothing could have prepared you for the amount of work he had accomplished. 

The bed was fully set up. The only task that was left was to cover it in sheets. Meanwhile, your bedside tables were in place on each side, the lamp and alarm clock set up on the one closest to the window. Even the rug you typically placed at your bedside for the chillier mornings was exactly where it should be. It was as if Joel had delved into your mind to find the exact layout you desired in a home. You smiled as you looked over his work. Who would have thought that such a man, or any man for that matter, could possess such attention to detail? You smiled, deciding that you needed to thank him, but as you looked around, you realized he was gone. 

A bit peeved from Joel’s sudden absence, you moved down the hallway in search of one of the three Millers you had been acquainted with so far. The spare bedroom that you planned to make an office now held your desk and your monitor, another clue of the man you had wanted to climb like a tree just moments before, but the culprit behind the set up remained elusive. As you drifted down the stairs, you felt the cold air being pumped out of the clunky air conditioner in the living room and sighed. The kitchen table was in place, the loveseat, the armchair, even your many plants that had been strapped into the passenger seat of the truck were shoved along the wall of the big bay windows, soaking up the last bits of the Texan sun. 

The kindness that the Millers had shown to you today was not lost on you, especially with how shitty of a day it had been thus far. Today was supposed to mark your thirtieth year on this earth, a cause for celebration that you had actually been looking forward to and yet, you had commenced it with a hasty escape and ended it with a difficult move. Still, you supposed there was a good side to even the worst endings, and maybe the good side was getting to fluster a ruggedly handsome contractor in your bedroom without really having to try. Even with your unshaved legs and melted makeup, he had still looked at you like you were some sort of nymph. That had to count for something. Stepping into the kitchen in search of the beer you so desperately needed, you decided to count the experience as a win. 

So what if the hunk across the street had seen you but ass naked? The thinly veiled desire in Joel’s eyes for those few split seconds after the towel had fallen was the perfect balm to an itch that hadn’t been scratched in quite some time. For years, your ex had barely glanced in your direction, which made sense now that you knew that he had been cheating on you for the entirety of your marriage. Stupidly, you had assumed it to be your own fault that he wasn’t interested. As if his lack of desire for you and your body was somehow proof that you were not only unattractive, but a burden to him as well. 

The rejection had made you do incredibly ridiculous things like signing up for pilates and trying every bogus crash diet there was, but this absolute stranger had been interested in your curves in an instant. A stunning man that any sane woman would happily ride into the sunset had stared at you like you were a four course meal, never once frowning at any of your imperfections. There was power in that, a power you had completely forgotten until the moment that the towel fell. Fuck your ex, you thought as you uncapped a cold beer, you would be fine without him. 

-

Life in Austin had started off a bit hectic, as you found yourself distracted for days after the encounter with Joel, but it slowly started to take shape as the days turned into weeks. More of the boxes were unpacked, a fresh coat of paint eventually covered the walls of your living room and kitchen, and even the weeds in the little garden out front had been dealt with. With the few art pieces you owned hung on the walls and your plants crowding every windowsill of the house, the place was finally a solace. Even your job at the library, despite the disarray everything had been in because its former director, had become easier with time. The staff slowly learned to accommodate your managing style, along with the much needed updates in the form of a functional filing system and actual advertising for the small events that the library held. 

By the end of your first month, Austin no longer felt like a holding place for something more, it felt like home. And although you had still not made any friends outside of the two teenage girls that somehow always sweet talked their way into a night of movies and junk food in your living room, you were happy. Originally, you had hoped for girlfriends to drink wine and chat with, but if the best that Austin could offer you was hanging out with your neighbour’s chatty kids, you’d take it. The girls were good company, which was more than you could say about the previous crowd you had ran with. Plus, you had managed to greedily squeeze some information from the two about the handsome man that they lived with, the same man who had since vanished from your life without a trace. 

Joel was a single father, a fact that you tried not to dwell on too much for fear you would do something stupid like try to seduce him. After Sarah’s mom had left he had taken on full responsibility for the newborn girl, all while juggling work and a brother who apparently had been known to get into a bit of trouble from time to time. That alone was worthy of respect, but it was his guardianship over Ellie that made your heart melt. Sarah was only a couple months old when a bundled up newborn had been found at one of his worksites and without knowing anything about the nameless child, Joel and his big heart had taken her in. 

Everything you heard about this man, whether it be his care over his daughters, or his apparent love for cooking, or the fact that he never missed an event in his children’s lives despite owning his own company, was enough to light a spark in your belly. You tried to suppress it, the cave woman instincts that screamed at you to find a way to get Joel alone so that you could pounce, but it was becoming harder the more his daughters told you about him. The allure of a man like him, a true provider that seemed to put everyone above himself, was getting harder to ignore. Which meant that as hard as you tried to not to be disappointed by his sudden absence, you couldn’t help the sour look on your face every time he managed to dodge you. 

Every morning when you heard Joel’s truck start, you found yourself racing to the window, hoping to get a sneak peak at him in his work clothes. Much to your dismay, he managed to escape in the nick of time every day, and you were left kicking your feet like a goddamn teenager as you watched his tail lights disappear down the street. It was probably for the best anyways, or at least that’s what you told yourself. The last thing you needed was to be caught drooling at him in his carhartt like some sort of creep. 

Despite the obvious crush that you held for the gruff stud, you continuously reminded yourself that Joel Miller was off limits. It didn’t matter that he was single, nor that he was obviously attracted to you. After a full ten years of being committed to only one man and eight years of a heart breaking marriage, with the last six of them being downright embarrassing, you knew that getting involved with someone so soon was a bad idea. What you needed was something flirty and fun, the fling you never got the chance to have in your twenties. All you wanted was someone who would call you pretty, someone who would take you on a few nice dates and maybe even fool around with you in the back of their car. And Joel Miller… Well, Joel Miller was a man through and through. There was no way someone with so many responsibilities would be interested in something so fleeting. 

Which was why when a handsome stranger had approached you at the coffee shop in town and asked you out, you had happily accepted. Brad was handsome and tall, with a smart blazer that had made him look incredibly sharp in the more casual environment of the cafe. In hindsight, that should have been the first warning sign, but you had ignored it in hopes that you might get a nice dinner out of him at the very least. How ridiculous you had been, hoping for a nice dinner from a man that was almost a carbon copy of your ex. 

From the moment you saw Brad in his flashy convertible, you knew the date was a mistake, but you had stupidly pushed it aside. But as you listened to him drone on about the thrills of working in marketing, you felt yourself beginning to drift away. All of the work you had raced home after work to accomplish, the makeup, the dress, the heels, the Pamela Anderson updo that you had spent nearly an hour trying to perfect; it had all been for nothing. 

“... And that’s when I said, you call that content creation? Are you in communications or something?,” Brad laughed, a nasally sound that grated upon your already thin patience. 

You granted him a fake laugh, too out of it to make it sound overly convincing but he didn’t seem to notice or care. 

“Anyways, so that’s just a little bit about me,” he sighed, as if he hadn’t been talking for ages, “And you? I think I remember you saying that you’re a school teacher right? Man, those little boys must love having you around all day. I know that I would’ve loved having a hot teacher like you when I was their age.” 

A sharp burst of frustration burned through you, igniting a fire inside of your chest that clawed at the backs of your eyes. Three times you had told him what your profession was and yet it seemed that your words still hadn’t permeated through his thick skull. And the comment about the boys in the classroom he thought you ran? That made you want to punch him straight in his overly smug face. You supposed you shouldn’t have been that surprised, especially since every bathroom break Brad took was followed with the tell tale sniffling that came from railing lines when he finally returned to the table. Every fiber of your being longed to get away, tears threatening to spill over as yet another man made you feel as though you were not worthy of attention. And still, your date was oblivious to it all, a nostalgic reminder of what you had dealt with for the last ten years. 

“Alright, well I gotta go take another leak. You stay here gorgeous, I’ll be right back,” Brad announced suddenly, clapping his hands together as he unceremoniously lifted himself from the booth and scurried towards the safe zone where he could delve into the white powder in his pocket. 

He shot you a wink as he waltzed away, making you shudder as you watched him disappear into the bathroom. The second Brad was out of view, you were up out of the booth, fumbling with the hem of your dress as you made your hasty escape. Patrons turned towards you as you went by, no doubt amused by the frazzled woman that was doing a horrible job getting out unnoticed. All eyes seemed to be on you as you bumped into waiters and busboys, but it was when your heel suddenly snapped just inches from the front door that you finally broke down.  

“No,” you croaked, the pitiful sound of it muffled beneath the upbeat pop music that the chic establishment was blaring through its speakers. 

The gazes of the entire bar, along with undoubtedly most of the restaurant, burned a hole into your backside and you had no other choice than to slip the heel off so that you could hobble towards the exit. You barely managed to make it just a few steps outside before the real tears came. Heaving sobs tumbled from your lips as you hobbled towards the sidewalk, making the smokers out front scatter like rats, but you couldn’t care less. You had already made a spectacle, what were a few more judgmental looks to someone so desolate? 

Brad had offered to drive and you, swept up in the fantasy of being treated like a lady for once in your god forsaken life, had stupidly accepted. With nobody to call, and no idea how to navigate the transit system, you had no choice but to take the thirty minute journey back home on foot. 

“Stupid, stupid, stupid…,” you muttered, berating yourself for even thinking that you might have a good time. 

The idea of a perfect date was so stupid, it was just a concept fueled by cheesy romance novels and hallmark movies. Every date you had ever been on was a flop but for whatever reason, there was still some childish part of you that dreamed of one day being knocked off your feet by someone who cared enough to try. It didn’t even have to be flashy, all you wanted was to have someone to plan something that you would actually enjoy, not some sleazy date at a place way above your paygrade. Upon accepting the invitation, you knew that Brad wasn’t the kind of guy that was going to dream up something life changing, but you had hoped that he would at least pretend to care about what you had to say, even if it was just to swindle you into some mediocre hand stuff in the car on the way back. But of course, no such luck. 

Wiping some of the smudged eyeliner off of your face, you leaned down and took off the other shoe, readying yourself for the long trek home. You sighed, heart pounding as you looked down at the get up you were in. The dress was beautiful, but it was also one of the more revealing items in your wardrobe and it would be dark soon. As a car full of young men slowed down as they passed, all of them looking at you like you were a piece of meat, you resigned yourself to running down the highway if you must. However, as you hastened towards the crosswalk, a fresh wave of panic propelling you forward, you heard someone call out your name. You sighed, thinking it was Brad hot on your heels, only to be met with the sight of none other than Joel Miller running after you as you turned. 

“Christ woman, you’re fucking fast,” Joel panted as he reached you, his hand rubbing at his chest as he struggled to catch his breath. 

“Joel? What are you doing here?,” you asked, so entirely bewildered by his presence that you briefly wondered if he was a panic induced hallucination. 

“I was meeting with a potential client back at the bar, some hot shot asshole that wants to put up a new subdivision. I was just about to leave but then uh…Well, I saw you come in,” he said sheepishly, his words only baffling you even more.

“Oh,” was all you could say. 

A beat passed, one where you tried to avoid eye contact despite the fact that his gaze was burning through the side of your face. The last person you wanted to see at that moment was Joel, especially when his hair was slicked back from his face and his well built physique was practically bursting through the seams of his button up. You were a complete mess, as was your life, and the truth of it was laid bare for him on the filthy sidewalk as cars passed by. You were mortified. 

As to why Joel would stay at a place like that on account of you? You couldn’t say. It certainly didn’t seem like the type of restaurant he would be caught dead in, but you supposed that was just the type of man Joel was. Hell, he probably sensed the time bomb your date was going to be and felt obligated to make sure that the strange woman his kids seemed to like hanging out with made it home safe. The thought of it made you nauseous. 

“Here, you left this. I uh, I figured you’d need it,” Joel mumbled as he shoved your purse at you. 

The act was nothing really, something any normal person would have the decency to do if they saw someone leave behind their things in a public setting, but it shattered the last bit of resolve that you had been desperately clinging to. A strange noise came from you, the sound somewhere between a choked whine and a garbled apology, then the dam broke. The first sob was harsh, all of the pain of having yet another man disappoint you bubbling up and slapping Joel straight in the face with its volume. And yet, as you tried to grab the purse from him so that you could run from him and the terrible night, he snatched it back. 

“W-What?,” you squeaked, unable to stop the shaky cries that slurred all of your words.  

“C’mon sweet girl,” Joel sighed, pulling the broken heels from your shaky hands as well, “Let’s get you home.” 

You barely had time to think before one of his hands was pressed against the small of your back, leading you towards the parking lot like it was the most normal thing in the world. He didn’t say anything else despite your incoherent attempts at refusing his assistance, he simply continued to coral you towards his truck with his soft touch. Joel wrenched his passenger door open, throwing your heels into the back of the truck and carefully placing the purse on the center console before he held his hand out to you. 

“Joel, I don’t need - ,” you stopped, cut off by the stormy look and sharp shake of the head that he sent your way.  

With no other choice, you grabbed Joel’s hand, quietly thanking him as you used it to lift yourself into the cab. Once you were in the seat, he stared at you for a moment, like he was trying to solve some sort of puzzle in his head. His eyes flicked over every inch of you, the warmth in them almost as palpable as the concern. Your heart stuttered when Joel’s eyes finally met yours again, the poor thing stumbling through its duty under his heavy gaze. He chewed on the inside of his cheek, warring with himself for a couple more seconds before he finally asked, “Are you okay darling?”

“I’m…,” you stopped, unsure how to answer him. 

The answer to that question was complicated. Were you okay? That was something that you asked yourself almost every single day since arriving in Austin and luckily, thanks to all of the ways your life had improved since leaving you ex, your answer was closer to a yes than it had been in years. 

“Almost… I’m trying to be at least,” you said quietly, “That’s why I thought it might be good to… I don’t know, try to get out there again? It was a stupid idea. That guy was clearly not the right person to try with but I just wanted to feel special I guess.” 

Joel nodded, a look of genuine understanding slightly softening his clenched jaw. His fists unclenched at his sides, his whole being deflating with the immediate danger out of sight. He started to say something, to answer the vulnerable admission you had made to him, but an obnoxiously loud voice cut him off. 

“Hey! There you are. Shit, I only left for like ten minutes babe and you ditch me? C’mon! What the fuck is up with that? I thought you were fun,” Brad laughed as he approached the truck. 

“God damnit,” you muttered, readying yourself for whatever bullshit argument this guy was going to force you to take part in because of his dented ego. 

“Stay here,” Joel grunted, a grim expression wiping any trace of compassion from his face as he began to close your door.  

“Wait, what? Joel, n-.” he cut you off, slamming the door in your face as he turned towards the man stalking towards the back of his truck. 

You turned, watching through wide eyes as Brad tried to keep his cool in the face of your kind neighbour that had just morphed into a frightening guard dog. Sure, Brad was just as tall as Joel, but Joel was undoubtedly stronger than him. Whereas the muscles your date had were for show, created in a gym with a million other douchebags that looked just like him, Joel’s were earned through back breaking labor. Next to your neighbor, Brad looked like a shrimp dick nobody and based on his nervousness, he knew it too. 

Their words were muffled, so much so that you could barely make out anything other than your name, but their faces said it all. While Joel remained stoic, Brad grew more petulant by the second, until he slowly began to take on the shape of a child who had gotten their toy taken away from them. You didn’t know what to do. The mess was yours and yet, there was Joel looming over your shitty date, looking like he was about ready to strangle the asshole if he said one more stupid thing. With how much the Millers had helped you on your first day, the last thing you needed was to feel more indebted to any of them, especially Joel. Sighing, you ripped open the door and turned on shaky legs to face the man throwing a tantrum over your disappearance. 

“Fine, what do I care? That bitch has probably fucked half the town by now,” Brad laughed, the words slamming into your chest so hard that you stumbled a few steps back. 

“I’m gonna give you one chance to walk that one back asshole,” Joel seethed, the veins in his neck straining as all of the kindness you were accustomed to seeing in him shifted into something much darker. 

Brad took one step forward, smugness oozing from his pores as he leaned in to say, “I’m just saying man, might want to get checked out if you’ve hit that. Do you know how easy it was for me to get a date with her? All I had to do was ask and that slut -”

The rest of that statement was lost, a sharp grunt replacing whatever scathing comment Brad had brewing as Joel’s fist connected with his face. You gasped, watching as your date fell back on his ass, groaning as blood spurted from his shattered nose. Brad didn’t even try to get up, the fear evident in his eyes as his attacker knelt down and roughly took hold of his collar. 

“You’re not going to call her, you’re not going to try to talk to her in town, and you sure as shit aren’t going to tell anyone about what happened here today. I don’t want to see you even fucking breathe in the same space as that woman, you got me?,” Joel hissed, giving the bleeding man a hard shake for good measure. 

“Shit man, I-I’ve got it! She won’t hear from me ever again,” Brad stuttered, sounding almost close to tears himself. 

“Good, now fuck off before I knock your goddamn teeth out,” Joel snapped, dropping your date onto the pavement and promptly turning back towards the truck. 

His eyes widened a little when he saw you standing near the bumper, seemingly unaware that he had an audience for his threats. You gave him a weak smile, something that earned you yet another shake of the head from him as he stomped towards you. Joel took your hand this time, grumbling about safety as he dragged you back towards the passenger seat, but you were too flustered by the scene to ask him to speak up. 

Joel had defended you, despite the fact that you were basically strangers. And not just that, but he had looked damn good doing it too. You tried to keep yourself in check, to remind yourself that he was simply a good man, but he was making it incredibly hard. A gasp fell from your lips as Joel mindlessly gripped your hips, forgoing the hand hold in order to lift you back into the truck. 

“Shit,” you whispered, unable to keep the cuss from tumbling out with his fingers digging into your curves, releasing a swarm of butterflies inside of your gut. 

Joel paused, his face just inches away from yours and his hands still placed on your hips as he looked you right in the eye. Neither of you said a word, the silence thick as your breaths slowly synced with one another. Once again, the rest of the world fell away and it was just the two of you. A tidal wave could rush past and you’d be none the wiser, too wrapped up in the way his dark eyes searched yours for something unknown. The warmth that radiated off of him soothed your nerves, until all of the shakes that had previously been wracking your body petered off. 

“M’sorry sweetheart, you shouldn’t have had to see that nonsense,” Joel said after a while, giving you another once over before he grabbed your seat belt and buckled you in. 

Normally if any man would have buckled you in, you would’ve lost it. But with Joel, it didn’t feel like infantilization. You weren’t even sure he was aware he had done it. The act was simply a part of his programming, the stress of the previous encounter making him move entirely on autopilot. At first you stayed silent, overwhelmed by his proximity and the feeling of his fleeting touch drifting away as he started to lean back out of the cab, but the void that his absence left broke you. Without even thinking about it, you grabbed his bicep, the thick muscles making you shiver as you felt them tense under your palm. 

“Thank you Joel,” you said softly, the sound of it almost getting lost under the hum of traffic, “I’m not… I don’t have anyone, or really anything except for my house and my job. This was… kind, more kind than someone like me deserves. Thank you.” 

Joel stared at you for another moment, his brow furrowed like he was trying to work out some sort of equation before he said, “Don’t be ridiculous,” and slammed the door in your face. 

The silence was deafening as Joel walked over to the driver’s side, the sting of rejection coming back with a vengeance. You couldn’t understand why he would shut you down like that, especially after risking an assault charge just because some asshole called you a slut. Embarrassment nipped at the heels of his rejection, warming your cheeks as you tried not to think about the visceral reaction you had to his touch just moments before. Joel was just being nice, that’s all there was to it. He wasn’t your lover, he wasn’t your friend, he wasn’t anything other than the neighbour who his kids happened to like. To hope for more was ridiculous. 

The second that the door to the driver’s side was yanked open, you looked ahead, not wanting to make the situation anymore weirder than it had to be. Joel eased himself into his seat, fumbling with his own seatbelt for a second before he started the engine. Without another word, he backed out of the parking space, even placing his hand behind your seat in a way you couldn’t help but find attractive. Every inch of the tiny space already smelled of Joel, but with his chest inches from your face and his musk in your nose, you suddenly longed for the walk home you had originally feared. 

The ride home was quiet, neither of you saying a word as the truck sped towards your culdesac. Joel fiddled with the radio a bit, putting on an oldies station that played stuff like Johnny Cash and Hank Williams to fill the silence. Meanwhile, you tried hopelessly to wipe some of the makeup off of your face, all while a few more tears slipped through to ruin the little bit of progress you made. Groaning as the final stretch of the ride came into view, you decided to give up on the task altogether. Soon you would be home, where the makeup remover awaited you in the upstairs bathroom. 

You sighed as Joel turned down your street, longing for comfier clothes and a pillow to suffocate yourself with. He turned into your driveway, ignoring your half-assed attempts to assure him that you were perfectly capable of walking across the street as he parked. Instead, he jumped out of the truck and rushed over to your door, yet again surprising you as he held it open. 

“Um, thanks,” you said, feeling particularly shy as he led you towards the front of the house. 

Joel said nothing in return, his meaty hand pressed into the small of your back again as the two of you walked up the pathway. He followed you all the way to the porch, only dropping his hand back down to his side the second you were in reach of the door knob. But you didn’t grab the handle, too busy staring up at him with your lip caught between your teeth. His words - Don’t be ridiculous - played over and over inside of your head, until all you could focus on was the hot sting that thickened the lining of your throat. He didn’t waiver when a fresh line of tears clouded your vision, steady in the storm as per usual, and you suddenly wondered how he could stand being in the presence of someone so emotional. 

“He’s not worth your tears honey,” Joel said after a moment, his tone laced with something akin to affection, “You’re too pretty, too good, and way too fucking smart to be datin’ a dumbass like him. Whoever gets to take you out on a date should thank their lucky stars, not be a dick.” 

The words were like a shock to your system, making your mouth fall open. He sounded almost wistful, like it should be him taking you out on the town and not someone like Brad, but that couldn’t be. Joel had already made it perfectly clear that he didn’t consider himself someone you could count on, so why would he say something so charming? Was he trying to further complicate your night or was he simply trying to stop you from crying? It had to be the latter. 

“I don’t know what to say Joel,” you confessed. 

He shook his head, staring down at his feet for another second before he looked back up at you. 

“Ain’t nothing to say, I’m just stating facts,” Joel said, pausing as his own words made him so flustered that he had to clear his throat so he could continue with, “Uh, you got anything other than beer in that fridge of yours? That meal you were picking at wouldn’t even be enough to feed a damn pigeon.” 

“I’ve been here for over a month Joel, so luckily I’ve gotten the chance to fill up my fridge since move in day, but it’s good to know that you snooped through it,” you chuckled, some of the tension dissipating. 

“Good, that’s uh… That’s good,” Joel breathed, shifting uncomfortably on his feet for another painfully awkward stretch of silence. 

“Look, I really appreciate what you did for me today. I know that this was not how you probably wanted to spend your Thursday, but you don’t have to stay. I’m fine, everything is great. You can go back to the people you’ve got and I’ll go back to… Uh, this,” you laughed bitterly, “I mean, this is all I’ve got, right?” 

The vague gesture you made towards the tiny home was pathetic, even to you, but you weren’t sure how else to get Joel to leave you be. He wanted to help, that much was clear, but his harsh words still hung above your head, shattering any illusion that the two of you could one day be friends. It had stung, but it was just the reality check that you needed. You were a big girl and your handsome neighbor could not be the answer to all of your problems. 

“Oh sweetheart, that’s not what I m-”

“Good night Joel,” you cut in, not wanting to hear another word. 

The weight of the day had caught up to you, pressing down on your shoulders as you swung open the door and closed it straight in Joel’s face. Perhaps it was harsh, but you were too tired and had been toyed with by far too many men as of late to care about his feelings. All you wanted was a steaming hot bath, a tub of ice cream, and perhaps a few rounds with the rabbit hidden in your nightstand before you promptly passed out. Was that so much to ask for? 

Leaving Joel and all of his confusing sentiments behind, you trudged up the stairs, trying not to think about the fact that Brad’s words had meant absolutely nothing in comparison to your neighbour’s. In fact, you could care less what that asshole thought. What truly irked you was Joel and his flagrant disregard for your feelings one moment and his caring words the next. Nevertheless, you tried your best to tamp it all down, focusing instead on filling the tub with steaming hot water so that you could finally put the day to rest. 

-

The next day came much too quickly and you found yourself thanking the universe that it was finally Friday. If things were slow, which they usually were given the fact that the local kids would rather be caught dead than in the library on their weekends, you decided that today would be the perfect day to sneak out a bit early. An extra large pizza, some beer, and one of your many rom coms called to you, forcing you to get out of bed with an exasperated grunt. It was much too late to go through your usual routine, so you quickly splashed some water on your face, hoping that the bit of mascara you put on afterwards would distract from the puffiness around your eyes. Forgoing pants, you threw on a semi professional violet dress that brushed your knees, the sweetheart neckline showcasing your collarbones perfectly. After pairing it with a strappy pair of heels and throwing a cardigan over your shoulder to combat the frigid AC in the library, you slipped out the front door. 

The sun sat high in the sky, the heat of the day already well underway despite the fact that it was only eight o’clock in the morning, but that wasn’t what you noticed first. What you noticed first was the wrapped sandwich that sat on the porch swing, along with the small note that peeked out from beneath the iced coffee that was sweating under the morning heat. You approached the swing carefully, as if at any moment something might jump out at you. Before you had even read a single line, you knew who the gifts were from, and you weren’t sure you wanted to know why he had left them. 

Figured you might need an extra boost this morning and Ellie told me what you liked at that fancy ass cafe in town. 

You giggled, the first line of Joel’s note already breaking through the walls that you had tried to construct after leaving him on the porch the previous night. 

There’s a barbecue at my house this Saturday and I’d love it if you came and I think you should come and meet some people. Plus, it would make the girls really happy if you came, they really like you  and so do I. 

If not, I understand, you probably already have weekend plans anyways but I thought I’d let you know. I also left my number in case you wanted to talk, in case anything came up. You never know when you might need someone. 

Hope to see ya on Saturday,

Joel 

(512) 765 - 9140

Although Joel had tried to cross out his original words, you saw straight through the thin layer of blue ink. He wanted you to come, despite everything that had happened the previous day. And not just that, but he had given you his number as well? To talk? You tried not to squeal like a schoolgirl. If that wasn’t enough to make you swoon, the fact that the cafe that you liked was on the other side of town, which meant that Joel went out of his way this morning to pick up your order, was enough to bring a giddy smile to your face. You shoved the note into your purse, standing a bit taller as you walked towards your car with a half melted iced coffee and a room temperature breakfast sandwich. 

It didn’t matter to you that the taste was a bit off as you dug in, shifting your rust bucket into reverse and ignoring the way the engine clanged as you sped towards your last workday of the week. A handsome man had left you breakfast, along with a sweet note that tied a helium balloon to your heart and lifted it from the confines of your chest, and he didn’t even expect anything in return. By all regards, that was a win. So, as you sipped on the slightly watery coffee and inhaled the sandwich, you found yourself distracted by thoughts of Joel Miller and the barbecue he had invited you to. 

Maybe you weren’t so alone after all. 

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Zach Despart at Texas Tribune:

BEAUMONT — Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, the top electoral target for a far-right faction of Republicans intent on controlling the Legislature, emerged victorious Tuesday over a well-funded challenger endorsed by Donald Trump and his allies.

Phelan defeated former Orange County Republican Party chairman David Covey, who also had the backing of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Attorney General Ken Paxton and former Texas Republican Party Chairman Matt Rinaldi. In doing so, he avoided the ignominious fate of becoming the first House speaker to lose a primary in 52 years. With all precincts reporting, Phelan was up 366 votes — within the margin that Covey can call for a recount. Covey, however, conceded in a speech to supporters at his election night party in Orange shortly after 9:30 p.m. Phelan, 48, who has seen his popularity plummet among Republicans since he backed the impeachment of Paxton on corruption and bribery charges exactly one year and one day ago, was defiant in his victory speech at JW’s Patio in Beaumont. “I will be your state rep for HD 21 and I will be your speaker for the Texas House in 2025,” Phelan said to a raucous crowd of more than 100 supporters. “This was a true grassroots effort — not the fake grassroots.”

Covey, a 34-year-old first-time candidate, not only forced Phelan into a runoff in March but secured more votes than the two-term House speaker. That outcome shocked many in the district, as Phelan was previously reelected four times without Republican opposition and hails from one of the most prominent families in Beaumont. Candidates for the Texas Legislature who trail after the first round rarely win their runoffs. Phelan carried the unique advantage of being a statewide leader with a prolific roster of political donors. Through May 20, his campaign reported spending $3.8 million on the runoff, more than double Covey’s $1.6 million. Their combined hauls amounted to what was almost certainly the most expensive state House race in Texas history. It was also an ugly contest — Phelan accused Covey of running on “lies and deceit” — where the candidates attacked each other in a flood of mailers and television advertisements.

[...] Phelan’s win is a major blow to the party’s ultraconservative faction that is led ideologically by Patrick and Paxton and financed by megadonors like West Texas oil magnate Tim Dunn. It is a group that rejects compromise and bipartisanship, demonizing Democrats and the Republicans willing to work with them. This ascendant wing has supplanted the party’s traditional focus on taxes and regulations with highly divisive social issues like transgender rights and book bans. In defeat, that group did not go quietly. Covey called Phelan an "Austin swamp creature" who only secured reelection through the support of Democrats, which he said was a "brazen act of betrayal." Paxton, an early endorser of Covey who had campaigned for the challenger as late as Tuesday afternoon, echoed the claim. The attorney general, who had vowed revenge against Phelan for supporting his impeachment, said the speaker had "blatantly stolen an election from the hard-working people of his district" by courting Democrats. Paxton said Republicans should move to closed primaries — a priority of the far right — and he issued a warning to members of the House.

[...] But whether Phelan can hold on to the speaker’s gavel is unclear. One of his own committee chairmen, Republican Rep. Tom Oliverson of Cypress, declared his candidacy for speaker in March. But no members have publicly endorsed Oliverson, and while his reelection was in doubt, Phelan was able to keep the rest of his caucus from open rebellion. [...] Attacked by his enemies as a RINO, Phelan was also widely considered more conservative than his predecessors, Phelan secured passage of the state’s near-total ban on abortion, permitless carry of handguns and several first-in-the-nation border security bills. Phelan was easily reelected speaker in January 2023 with all Democrats and almost all Republicans in support; conservative rumblings of dissatisfaction amounted to a paltry three votes for another candidate. And he batted away far-right criticism of the House’s longstanding practice of appointing Democratic committee chairs, appointing them to lead eight of 34 committees.

Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan (R) staves off MAGA wing/Farris Wilks/Tim Dunn-funded candidate David Covey to narrowly keep his seat and his Speakership gavel.

[weather-usa]

Texas requires funding to ensure continuous electricity supply during severe weather conditions. As a result, it is allocating more resources to support fossil fuels.

Ensuring continuous electricity can mean the difference between life and death, a reality underscored this week in Houston. As temperatures soared, hundreds of thousands endured brutal heat without air conditioning.

The city faced consecutive severe storms: first, a powerful derecho in May shattered skyscraper windows and plunged downtown Houston into darkness. Then, an early-season Category 1 hurricane, Beryl, knocked out power for over 2 million customers.

See more:

Texas's electric grid struggles to keep pace. Downed trees and strong winds toppled local power lines, and the May derecho even twisted massive transmission towers into mangled metal. Despite these challenges, instead of bolstering grid resilience to maintain lights and A/C during increasingly extreme weather, Texas is investing billions in new natural gas-fired power plants.

Doug Lewin, a Texas energy expert, acknowledges the necessity of adding electricity capacity due to rising demand. However, flooding the grid with fossil fuels won't fortify power lines against severe storms. "Large-scale gas generation offers no help in hurricane scenarios," Lewin explained to CNN. "The issue lies with transmission capacity. Having surplus power means nothing if it can't reach those in need."

This push for natural gas plants follows the devastating February 2021 deep freeze that claimed over 200 lives and left millions without power or heat. Despite political rhetoric against wind energy, it was natural gas plant failures that caused most outages.

Recent mass outages, including those from downed lines, highlight vulnerabilities. "The weak link has always been the wires and poles," noted Michael Webber, an energy expert at the University of Texas at Austin. "Yet, the state prioritizes natural gas power over grid hardening."

Just months before Beryl struck, Houston's Centerpoint Energy projected needing $2 billion to weatherproof its system against worsening weather extremes. Since 2015, the city has weathered multiple hurricanes, tropical storms, and other severe weather events, stressing its infrastructure.

Weather Forecast For 05446 - Colchester VT:

Joshua Rhodes, an energy research scientist at UT Austin, pointed out the cumulative toll on aging infrastructure from successive storms. "This region has endured three major events recently," Rhodes said. "Each storm leaves its mark, potentially compromising infrastructure still recovering from previous hits."

In essence, while Texas faces mounting weather challenges, its focus on natural gas expansion over grid fortification raises concerns about its readiness for future storms and extreme conditions.

According to Rhodes, much of Texas's electrical infrastructure dates back to the 1970s and 1980s, a time when weather conditions were less severe. A significant portion of the electrical poles are constructed from wood, which becomes increasingly brittle under extreme heat and subsequent flooding. With Texas now experiencing consecutive storms, this infrastructure is showing signs of strain.

"It's not surprising that infrastructure designed for milder weather is failing more frequently," Rhodes noted. Some utilities are beginning to replace wooden poles with stronger fiberglass materials, while others are considering the costly option of burying electrical lines underground.

CNN's conversations with experts highlighted another issue among Texas officials: a reluctance to acknowledge the significant impact of a warming climate on intensifying storms.

State authorities have mandated that utilities like Centerpoint draft weather resilience plans but have provided limited financial support to implement these improvements.

Climate and Average Weather Year Round in 44067-Northfield-OH:

https://www.behance.net/gallery/200370647/Weather-Forecast-For-44067-Northfield-OH

"Since Texas's political leadership does not acknowledge climate change, utilities can discuss extreme weather events but cannot explicitly tie them to climate change or outline proactive measures," explained Alison Silverstein, an independent energy consultant in Texas. "Addressing these challenges requires substantial investment, ultimately funded by customers."

Lewin emphasized one potential solution: microgrids powered by a combination of solar energy and natural gas. These smaller, independent power networks can supply critical facilities such as nursing homes and hospitals during major events like hurricanes.

Despite being allocated over $1 billion alongside funding for natural gas plants, Lewin highlighted that these funds have remained untapped at the Texas Public Service Commission.

"We must ensure that vulnerable populations, like elderly individuals during extreme heat, have continuous access to power," Lewin stressed. "This is non-negotiable. Anything less than complete reliability is unacceptable."

See more:

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-80013

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-80014

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-80015

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-80016

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-80017

[growclothingf]

Fresh Fits Online: Your Texas Style Upgrade

In the ever-evolving fashion scene, Texas has carved out its own space with bold choices, comfortable fabrics, and a love for timeless classics. If you’re looking to upgrade your wardrobe without stepping out of the house, you’re in luck. These days, you can easily find online hoodie in TX USA retailers and shops that offer polo shirts for men online Texas with just a few clicks. Whether you’re chasing warmth, style, or something that represents your laid-back, Southern confidence, the right pieces are just a scroll away.

The hoodie is no longer just an off-duty essential—it’s a fashion statement. Especially in Texas, where the weather shifts quickly, hoodies provide the perfect balance of comfort and function. Shopping for an online hoodie in TX USA gives you access to a range of colors, fits, and materials that you might not find in-store. You can go classic with solid shades, or opt for prints that reflect your personality or rep your hometown pride. And with Texas’ diverse climate and culture, hoodies serve both as streetwear and loungewear, making them a staple in any man’s closet.

On the other hand, nothing says “versatile and polished” like a good polo shirt. It's that go-to piece that works for brunch, work, or even a night out in the city. If you're searching for polo shirts for men online Texas, you'll notice a wide range of styles tailored for every taste—from slim-fit modern designs to relaxed, breathable cotton options perfect for the Texan heat. Shopping online makes it easier to find options that fit your frame and your lifestyle without compromising on quality or comfort.

When it comes to curating your look, online shopping offers the convenience of comparing styles, prices, and brands in one place. This is especially helpful in Texas, where cities like Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio each have their own fashion cultures. You might be dressing for a rooftop concert in Austin or a barbecue in El Paso—either way, the right hoodie or polo shirt can bridge style and occasion effortlessly.

One of the main advantages of buying your clothing online is access to emerging labels that understand local tastes. For instance, Grow Clothing Co. has been gaining attention for offering fashionable yet functional apparel that fits right into the Texan lifestyle. Their pieces strike a balance between trend and tradition, allowing you to express your individuality while keeping things practical and wearable.

Another reason online shopping is winning hearts across Texas? Size and style variety. Physical stores often carry limited stock and standard fits, but online, you can find extended sizes and multiple colorways. This means you’re more likely to find that perfect hoodie or polo that feels like it was made just for you. Plus, with user reviews, fit guides, and customer photos, you can make confident buying decisions.

Of course, fashion is personal. In a state as diverse and dynamic as Texas, what you wear is a reflection of your roots, your aspirations, and your daily rhythm. Hoodies and polo shirts may seem basic on the surface, but they’re foundational. They adapt, evolve, and reflect your unique style with just a few tweaks. Want to pair a hoodie with chinos for a smart-casual dinner look? Easy. Want to layer a polo under a blazer for a business meeting that doesn’t feel too stiff? Done.

As more people turn to the web for style inspiration and shopping, brands like Grow Clothing Co. are stepping up to meet the demand with collections that feel local, look global, and wear effortlessly. Whether you’re browsing late at night from the comfort of your home or catching a quick break during lunch, your next favorite outfit is likely just a few taps away.

[transparentyouthtraveler]

Eco-Friendly Living: Residential Cleaning with Natural Products in Austin

In recent years, Austin has seen a significant shift toward environmentally conscious living. From solar panels on rooftops to farm-to-table dining, Austinites are embracing green choices in every aspect of their lives—including how they clean their homes. For many, making the switch to residential cleaning with natural products in Austin is more than just a trend; it’s a lifestyle rooted in health, sustainability, and a deep love for the environment.

The harsh chemicals in conventional cleaning products can leave behind more than just a shiny surface—they can also emit fumes, irritate the skin, and harm the respiratory system. This is especially concerning for households with children, pets, or individuals with allergies or sensitivities. Natural cleaning products, on the other hand, use ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, essential oils, and citrus extracts that are both effective and non-toxic.

Many local Austin cleaning services are now offering eco-friendly alternatives, tailored to clients who are conscious of what goes into their homes. These companies don’t just swap out products—they adopt a completely different approach to cleaning that prioritizes health, safety, and sustainability. The growing demand has led to an increase in availability, variety, and affordability, making it easier than ever to maintain a clean home without compromising on environmental values.

When considering a professional service, it’s important to ask what types of products and techniques are being used. Do they bring their own natural supplies? Are the products biodegradable and cruelty-free? What kind of training do their cleaners receive to ensure thorough, eco-friendly service? These questions help you align your cleaning goals with a company that shares your values.

Right in the heart of Texas, there’s a growing number of businesses that specialize in residential cleaning with natural products Austin, offering everything from standard upkeep to more specialized services. Whether you’re seeking a weekly refresh or a full-scale seasonal overhaul, there's an eco-conscious option to meet your needs.

Another aspect gaining traction is deep cleaning services for apartments, especially for renters preparing to move in or out. Traditional deep cleans can involve a wide range of strong chemical agents that not only linger but also pose risks to sensitive populations. By contrast, natural deep cleaning focuses on creating a truly clean space without polluting your indoor air or the surrounding environment. Natural ingredients can power through grime just as well—sometimes better—when used correctly and consistently.

Natural deep cleaning services can address everything from greasy kitchen surfaces to dusty baseboards and mildew in the bathroom. These thorough services are ideal for those who may not have the time, tools, or experience to give their space the detailed attention it needs. And the best part? You get that satisfying deep-clean feeling without the chemical cloud that typically comes with it.

For Austin residents who care about their impact on the planet, choosing green cleaning options is a meaningful way to live in harmony with the environment. And as more people make this shift, the community benefits too. Cleaner indoor air, reduced plastic waste, and fewer toxins going down the drain contribute to a healthier ecosystem—right down to Austin’s beloved lakes and trails.

So whether you're a longtime local or new to the city, there’s never been a better time to make the switch. With the abundance of professional services available, maintaining a clean, safe, and sustainable home has never been easier. Make the conscious choice today, and enjoy peace of mind knowing that your home is not only sparkling—but also contributing to a cleaner, greener Austin.

[truboybbq]

Halal Texas BBQ Near Me: A Flavor Guide for Smoky Cravings

If you're thinking about that smoky BBQ that's been cooked all day, but you're following halal, then your dreams are about to come true. Halal Texas BBQ is gaining ground with uncompromising bold flavor—the same juicy brisket, ribs, and chicken, just with clean, halal-certified meat.

Start your halal BBQ journey by doing an online search. Type phrases like halal Texas BBQ near me or check out halal food apps. Zabihah is good; Google Maps will help point you in the right direction for verified places. If you want to hunt BBQ spots on Instagram, check the feed for drool-worthy trays of smoked brisket, jalapeño sausage, and spicy halal rubs.

Finding a halal Texas BBQ near you requires one to know where to look. Newly opened halal smokehouses now serve conventional Texas cuts. Join us for halal brisket, halal beef ribs, and smoked chicken. All slow-cooked for long hours, like the Central Texas way, but all done according to halal requirements- ethical sourcing, proper slaughter practices, and no cross-contamination whatsoever.

How can I find real halal Texas around me?

Start with an online search like halal Texas BBQ near me. Check out apps like Zabihah or HappyCow for halal-oriented restaurant listings. Google Maps is another option wherein you can check reviews and see if anybody mentions any halal items.

Check social media for local BBQ joints' Insta or TikTok updates for menu changes or behind-the-scenes content. These could include halal brisket or halal smoked beef, but just ensure to double-check if it is truly halal or not.

What can I expect from a halal Texas near me?

 You should expect robust, smoky flavors with completely halal meat. Halal Texas BBQ smokes its meat according to the age-old slow smoking technique- usually oak or mesquite.

The difference lies in the Islamic slaughtering procedure, ensuring cleanliness and humanity. Popular dishes include halal briskets, beef ribs, smoked chicken, and many more. Most of them have homemade rubs and sauces, all of which are Texas BBQ.

What makes Texas quite different from anything else? Putting it more colorfully, Texas barbeques are all about raw flavor with serious low-and-slow cooking and even heavier-duty meat wizardry. By convention, T. Bay is broken into four

regional styles: Central Texas, East Texas, West Texas, and South Texas. Brisket reigns here, but beef ribs, sausage, and turkey cannot be neglected.

In halal BBQ:

Certified halal meat sources

Separate prep and cooking areas

Clean handling without cross-contamination

So the bottom line is: Yes, you can relish smoked meat with a clear conscience.

Hot Spots for BBQ, Halal Style

1. Smoky Bites BBQ – Houston, TX

 Local favorite with a full halal menu featuring smoked brisket, beef ribs, and BBQ chicken. They are famous for their house rubs and sauce, which balances sweet and tangy like no other.

2. Texas Tandoori Smokehouse- Dallas, TX

Well, smokey brisket with a kick. Fusion of good old Texas BBQ with the spices of South Asia. Everything is halal and prepared in small batches for maximum flavor.

3. Grill for BBQ Brothers Halal - Austin, Texas

This food truck is created by two self-taught pitmasters making it big. Their brisket is smoked for 14 hours and melts in the mouth.

4. Lamb & Brisket – San Antonio, TX

This kitchen offers halal, pasture-raised lamb and heavenly briskets bursting with flavor. Check their IG for current locations.

Conclusion

Truboy BBQ embodies the next level for Texas BBQ, uniting smokehouse flavor with halal excellence. From brisket to ribs, satisfy your smoky craving without compromising deliciousness and respect. The mythical Halal Texas BBQ no longer prides itself as one. Muslim pitmasters are adding their twist to Texas barbecue with a variety of offerings. So, get out there and fulfill that smoky craving in a halal way.

[jamesvince9898]

Elevate Your Jewelry Journey: Seamless Virtual Diamond Consultations with Bova Diamonds

Introduction:

In today's fast-paced, tech-driven world, luxury experiences are no longer confined to physical showrooms. Bova Diamonds, a premier name in the jewelry industry, brings its signature service to the digital realm with an exceptional virtual consultation experience. Whether you're designing a custom engagement ring or seeking expert advice on a timeless diamond piece, our virtual services make it easier than ever to connect, design, and purchase from the comfort of your home. With our state-of-the-art approach to jewelry shopping, clients can now enjoy face-to-face online diamond consultation, real-time design meetings, and curated shopping appointments—all just a click away.

The Future of Fine Jewelry: Virtual Consultation Excellence

At Bova Diamonds, we understand that shopping for jewelry is not just a transaction—it’s a deeply personal journey. Whether you’re preparing to pop the question or marking a milestone, your jewelry should reflect your story. With our Virtual Jewelry Consultation in Dallas, you no longer need to schedule a trip downtown or navigate busy traffic. Instead, we bring our expert jewelers directly to your screen, guiding you through every step of the process via Zoom.

Our remote consultations offer the same quality and precision as in-store visits, ensuring that distance never compromises detail. Our goal is to replicate the warmth, knowledge, and personalized experience that has made Bova Diamonds a trusted name in Texas.

A Click Away from Luxury: Booking Your Zoom Jewelry Appointment

Looking to explore engagement rings, wedding bands, or custom jewelry in real time? With the Book Zoom Jewelry Appointment Bova Diamonds feature, you can schedule a personalized session with one of our seasoned gemologists. These online appointments are interactive and immersive, offering high-resolution visuals, 360-degree product views, and a transparent conversation about your preferences, style, and budget.

Whether you're shopping solo or with your partner, our Zoom appointments ensure a private, uninterrupted space for making important decisions. We’ll walk you through different cuts, settings, and stones, and provide expert guidance tailored to your vision.

Custom Creations, Personalized Online: Virtual Custom Ring Design

One of the hallmarks of Bova Diamonds is our expertise in creating one-of-a-kind jewelry. Our Virtual Custom Ring Design Meeting is designed for those who want to be a part of the creative process from start to finish. You’ll work closely with our design team via video conference to bring your ideas to life.

From initial sketches to final renderings, each design phase happens in real-time, with instant feedback and adjustments. Whether you want a vintage-inspired halo setting or a modern solitaire look, we ensure the final piece is an authentic representation of your style and story.

Shopping Smart: Online Jewelry Shopping with Expert Guidance

Online shopping can be overwhelming—especially when it comes to high-value items like diamonds. That’s why we offer Online Jewelry Shopping with Expert support. Unlike browsing solo, our team provides curated options based on your tastes and lifestyle. We go beyond showing images—we educate.

You’ll learn the Four Cs (cut, color, clarity, carat), diamond grading, metal types, and design options—all explained clearly so you can make informed decisions. Our experts are available throughout the shopping experience, ensuring that your selections meet both your aesthetic and financial goals.

Connect from Anywhere: Face-to-Face Online Diamond Consultation

You don’t have to be in Dallas to experience the Bova difference. With our Face-to-Face Online Diamond Consultation, we’re bringing exceptional service to clients across Texas and beyond. Whether you're in Austin, Houston, or anywhere across the globe, you can engage with our gemologists as though you were right in our showroom.

These consultations include live video analysis of diamonds under magnification, side-by-side comparisons, and in-depth education about diamond sourcing and value. It’s all about clarity—both in your stone and your buying process.

Virtual Engagement Ring Appointments: Celebrate from Afar

Planning a proposal? Our Virtual Engagement Ring Appointment service helps you create the perfect ring remotely. From choosing the right stone to selecting a symbolic setting, every detail is handled with care and expertise.

Our consultants take the time to understand your partner’s style, lifestyle, and preferences to guide you toward a ring that will make hearts skip a beat. You’ll receive visuals, suggestions, and digital mock-ups until the final design is just right.

Book Jewelry Appointment Dallas: Convenience with Class

For Dallas-based customers who prefer a hybrid approach, we offer the Book Jewelry Appointment Dallas option that allows you to start your journey online and transition to an in-store visit if needed. This flexibility ensures that your time is respected while providing the opportunity for hands-on inspection before final purchase.

Whether you’re finalizing a decision or need additional support, this option bridges the gap between convenience and craftsmanship.

Zoom Jewelry Shopping Experience: The Digital Showroom

Shopping for fine jewelry has never been more immersive. With our Zoom Jewelry Shopping Experience, clients enjoy the convenience of browsing hand-selected pieces in a live setting. From statement necklaces to custom earrings, every item is showcased in detail with guidance from a knowledgeable specialist.

You can ask questions, see pieces from multiple angles, compare designs, and request additional photos or information post-call. It’s a personalized journey tailored to your pace, preferences, and passion for fine craftsmanship.

Remote Jewelry Consultation Dallas: Jewelry Without Borders

Whether you're local or remote, Bova Diamonds offers comprehensive Remote Jewelry Consultation Dallas services for clients who want to shop with confidence. This service includes consultations on existing jewelry, redesign projects, custom pieces, and upgrades.

Send us photos or videos in advance, and we’ll review your jewelry during the call, offering professional recommendations and options. You’ll gain insights from top industry experts—all without leaving your home.

Book Virtual Appointment Bova Diamonds: Tailored to Your Schedule

Your time is valuable, and so is your jewelry experience. With Book Virtual Appointment Bova Diamonds, scheduling your session is simple and flexible. Whether it’s morning, afternoon, or evening, our calendar offers a variety of slots to accommodate your schedule.

Appointments are available for individuals, couples, or even small group shopping sessions. No matter your goal—buying, designing, or simply learning—our virtual appointments are structured around your needs.

Online Diamond Consultation Texas: A Statewide Standard in Excellence

Our commitment to service extends across the Lone Star State through our Online Diamond Consultation Texas offering. We proudly serve clients in every corner of Texas with professionalism and integrity. Whether it’s a surprise engagement, anniversary gift, or investment piece, our digital consultation ensures the process is smooth, secure, and deeply satisfying.

You’ll experience the same trust, transparency, and expertise that has defined Bova Diamonds for years—now available through a screen, with no compromise in quality or connection.

Why Bova Diamonds Leads in Virtual Jewelry Services

Decades of Experience: Our gemologists and designers bring years of industry knowledge.

Unparalleled Quality: Each piece is meticulously curated, certified, and customized.

Client-Centered Service: We focus on your story, style, and satisfaction.

Secure Digital Process: Every transaction is safe, and consultations are held through encrypted platforms.

Global Reach, Local Heart: Based in Dallas, trusted worldwide.

[dankusner]

STATE CAPITOL Trump backing Patrick

Lieutenant governor starts bid for 4th term with endorsement

AUSTIN — After getting a much-coveted endorsement from President Donald Trump, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced Friday his reelection bid for 2026.

Patrick leads the Texas Senate, making him the most powerful lawmaker in the Capitol, and a fourth term would allow the Houston Republican to continue dictating the legislative agenda through 2030.

“The campaign will begin soon enough, but with seven weeks still to go in the Legislative Session, my focus remains on the work to be done at the Capitol for the people of Texas,” Patrick said in a statement.

Since taking office in 2015, Patrick has steered the Senate rightward by working to unseat those he deemed insufficiently conservative or disloyal to his agenda.

He’s championed increasing homestead exemptions, dismantling university DEI programs and adding voter ID requirements.

Tight Senate control

Patrick tightly controls the Senate, where Republican members hold a 20-11 advantage over Democrats.

It’s allowed him to pass GOP-favored policy with little deliberation or compromise.

While running for a third term, Patrick, now 75, said that he would not seek a fourth term.

He reversed course shortly after his inauguration.

Still, several at the Capitol continued to speculate that this year’s legislative session might be his last.

“Walking away from it’d be pretty hard to do,” said Bill Miller, a veteran lobbyist and political consultant.

“He likes the legislative process. He’s taken control of it. So, what’s not to like?”

Patrick has touted this year’s Senate wins that include red-meat GOP policy, such as protections for prayer in schools, requiring the Ten Commandments be displayed in every classroom and proof of citizenship requirements for voter registration.

Patrick won reelection in 2022 after beating Democrat Mike Collier by 10 percentage points.

No prominent Democrat has thrown their hat into the 2026 race so far.

Any Democrat would face a steep challenge against Patrick even if 2026 emerges as a favorable midterm for liberals.

“Down in Texas, I think that there’s enough of a red cushion that you don’t worry about that,” said Cal Jillson, a political scientist at Southern Methodist University.

Any opponent would enter the race at a financial disadvantage to Patrick, who had $33.5 million in his campaign coffers, according to his latest campaign finance report.

Democrats, who have not won a single statewide race in Texas since 1994, would likely be unable to match that financial support.

“They’ve been beaten so many times that their donors are no longer willing to put up the money,” Jillson said.

Campaign kick-start

Trump kick-started Patrick’s reelection campaign Thursday when he announced his endorsement on social media among a slate of other candidate endorsements.

A Trump endorsement is no surprise — Patrick chaired Trump’s Texas campaign in 2016 and 2020 — but almost certainly was welcomed.

“Trump is kingmaker in Texas, and although Patrick himself has a lot of sway, Trump definitely can motivate Republican voters and be a big boon for the leading Republicans,” said Brandon Rottinghaus, a University of Houston political scientist.

Trump said Patrick would be a strong ally to his administration and its policy goals for border security, immigration, taxes and the use of public dollars for private school education.

“Dan Patrick has my Complete and Total Endorsement — He will never let you down!”

Gov. Greg Abbott has said he will seek a fourth term in 2026.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Ken Paxton is challenging Sen. John Cornyn for the Republican nomination to the U.S. Senate seat.

[reliableauto]

Affordable Lexus Windshield Replacement in Austin

A damaged windshield can compromise your safety and the performance of your Lexus. Whether it’s a small crack or a shattered windshield, getting it replaced promptly is crucial. If you’re searching for Lexus windshield replacement in Austin, Texas Reliable Auto Glass is your trusted solution. With our expert technicians and high-quality glass, we ensure your Lexus stays road-ready with a flawless new windshield.

Best Lexus Windshield Replacement in Austin

When it comes to Lexus windshield replacement in Austin, quality and precision are essential. Texas Reliable Auto Glass is dedicated to providing top-tier auto glass services, ensuring that your Lexus receives the best possible windshield replacement in Austin Tx. Here’s why we stand out:

Expert Technicians: Our team is highly trained in handling luxury vehicles like Lexus, ensuring precision installation.

OEM & High-Quality Glass: We use OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) or high-quality equivalent glass to maintain your Lexus’s safety features.

Quick Turnaround: We understand your time is valuable. Our process is efficient, getting you back on the road quickly.

Mobile Services Available: If you can’t make it to our shop, our mobile service can come to you in Austin and surrounding areas.

Affordable Pricing: We offer competitive rates while maintaining the highest standards of service.

Advanced Technology Compatibility: Our replacement process ensures that safety features like rain sensors, lane departure warnings, and heads-up displays function correctly after installation.

How Long Does It Take to Replace a Lexus Windshield?

One of the most common questions we receive is, “How long does it take to replace a Lexus windshield?” The process typically takes between 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the model and complexity of the installation.

Steps Involved in Lexus Windshield Replacement:

Assessment: We inspect the damage and determine if a full replacement is necessary.

Removal of the Damaged Windshield: The broken windshield is carefully removed without affecting the vehicle’s frame or sensors.

Preparation: The frame is cleaned and prepped for the new windshield.

Installation of the New Windshield: A high-quality adhesive is applied, and the new windshield is set into place.

Curing Time: The adhesive needs time to bond properly, typically requiring about an hour.

Calibration (if needed): If your Lexus has ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), we ensure that the camera and sensors are recalibrated properly.

Final Inspection: We conduct a thorough check to ensure proper alignment, sealing, and functionality of all integrated features.

For a fast and reliable Lexus windshield replacement in Austin, contact Texas Reliable Auto Glass at 737-346-1350 today.

Lexus Windshield Replacement Cost

The cost of a Lexus windshield replacement varies based on several factors, including the model, year, and any advanced features your vehicle has. On average, you can expect the following price range:

Standard Lexus windshield replacement: $250 – $600

Lexus windshield with ADAS calibration: $600 – $1,500

Luxury models (Lexus LS, RX, LX, etc.): $800 – $2,000

Factors That Affect the Cost:

Model & Year: Newer Lexus models with advanced technology cost more to replace.

ADAS Features: Vehicles with driver-assist features require calibration, increasing the price.

OEM vs. Aftermarket Glass: OEM windshields are typically more expensive than aftermarket options.

Mobile vs. In-Shop Service: Mobile replacements may have additional service fees.

Special Features: Heated windshields, heads-up display capabilities, and acoustic glass can impact pricing.

Are Lexus Windshields Covered Under a Warranty?

If you’re wondering whether your Lexus windshield is covered under warranty, the answer depends on the type of warranty you have.

Lexus Manufacturer Warranty:

Most Lexus vehicles come with a basic warranty that lasts for 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The warranty does not cover windshield damage caused by road debris, accidents, or weather-related incidents.

Factory defects may be covered, but this is rare for windshield replacements.

Insurance Coverage:

Many comprehensive insurance plans cover windshield replacement, especially if you have glass coverage.

If your Lexus windshield was damaged due to an accident, your auto insurance may cover the replacement costs.

Some policies even offer zero-deductible windshield replacement, depending on your provider.

Texas Reliable Auto Glass Warranty:

At Texas Reliable Auto Glass, we stand by our work. We offer a lifetime workmanship warranty on all windshield replacements, ensuring you receive a flawless installation with no leaks or defects.

Get Your Lexus Windshield Replaced Today!

A cracked or damaged windshield can be a safety hazard, especially in a luxury vehicle like a Lexus. At Texas Reliable Auto Glass, we provide fast, reliable, and affordable Lexus windshield replacement services in Austin. Whether you need a simple replacement or ADAS calibration, our team has the expertise to get the job done right.

Why Choose Us? 

✅ Expert Technicians ✅ High-Quality OEM Glass ✅ Fast Turnaround Time ✅ Competitive Pricing ✅ Mobile & In-Shop Services Available ✅ Lifetime Workmanship Warranty ✅ ADAS Calibration & Safety Feature Integration

Don’t wait! If your Lexus windshield needs replacement, contact Texas Reliable Auto Glass today at 737-346-1350 or visit us in Austin for professional service.

[profile-234]

How ATX Taxi is Revolutionizing Quick Ride Services in Austin

ATX Taxi is a name that’s becoming synonymous with convenience and efficiency in Austin, Texas. With the fast-paced life of this vibrant city, getting a reliable, quick, and affordable ride is crucial. That’s where ATX Taxi is stepping in, revolutionizing the way people move around the city. Among its impressive range of services, one that truly stands out is their "Quick Ride" service. If you're looking for a fast, reliable, and affordable way to get around Austin, Quick Ride by ATX Taxi is hands down the best choice.

First, let’s talk about the growing need for a dependable quick ride service in a bustling city like Austin. Austin is known for its dynamic music scene, booming tech industry, and overall cultural vibrancy. With so much happening, locals and visitors alike are always on the go. Whether it’s getting to work, heading to a meeting, or catching a flight at the airport, the demand for efficient and rapid transportation is ever-present. In response to this need, ATX Taxi has introduced Quick Ride, a service that ensures you can get from point A to point B as quickly and smoothly as possible.

What makes the Quick Ride service stand out? Well, for starters, it offers unbeatable convenience. Unlike traditional taxi services where you might have to wait for a ride, Quick Ride ensures that a vehicle is available to you almost immediately. Whether you’re in downtown Austin or further out in the suburbs, you can easily book a ride through ATX Taxi’s user-friendly app or call their service center. No matter what time of day or night it is, Quick Ride guarantees a ride that will have you on your way within minutes.

One of the key features of Quick Ride is its speed. We all know how frustrating it can be to waste time waiting for a ride, especially when you have a tight schedule. With Quick Ride, you don’t have to worry about that. ATX Taxi’s fleet of cars is strategically placed across the city, ensuring that the closest available vehicle can reach you quickly. The result is an average wait time of just a few minutes, so you can rest assured that you’re not losing valuable time.

Quick Ride also offers transparency when it comes to pricing. One of the biggest concerns for customers when it comes to ride services is unpredictable fares. Thankfully, ATX Taxi has a clear and straightforward pricing model, meaning you won’t be hit with surprise charges when you reach your destination. Quick Ride is an affordable service that ensures you're getting the best value for your money, without compromising on the quality or speed of the ride.

Another aspect that makes Quick Ride so popular is the quality of its vehicles. ATX Taxi maintains a modern and clean fleet, ensuring that every ride is comfortable and safe. Whether you’re hopping into a sedan or an SUV, you can trust that the vehicle will be well-maintained, air-conditioned, and ready for you to enjoy a smooth journey.

Customer service is another area where ATX Taxi excels. The team is friendly, helpful, and always ready to assist you, whether it’s during booking, pickup, or at the end of your ride. The company’s commitment to customer satisfaction is clear, and it’s part of what makes Quick Ride such a reliable choice.

For those who value flexibility, ATX Taxi’s Quick Ride service offers the option to request a ride for immediate departure or schedule a ride in advance. Whether you're planning ahead or need a ride last minute, Quick Ride can accommodate your needs. This adaptability sets it apart from other ride services in the area.

Lastly, ATX Taxi’s Quick Ride service is perfect for anyone in Austin looking for a safer alternative to other modes of transportation. With rigorous driver screening and vehicle inspections, you can feel confident that your ride will be in good hands. Plus, the app provides real-time tracking, so you know exactly when your ride will arrive and can share your ride details with family or friends for added peace of mind.

In conclusion, ATX Taxi is truly revolutionizing quick ride services in Austin, and Quick Ride is the best example of what they do best: fast, affordable, and reliable transportation. Whether you're a local looking for a quick trip across town or a visitor needing a ride to the airport, Quick Ride is the service you can count on. Next time you need to get somewhere quickly, don’t hesitate—choose Quick Ride by ATX Taxi. You’ll be glad you did!

[jeffreyelder]

The Importance of Confidentiality Agreements for Business Buyers and Sellers

In the competitive landscape of buying and selling businesses, confidentiality is paramount. Whether you are a business buyer or seller, maintaining discretion throughout the transaction process is essential to protect sensitive information and ensure a smooth sale. This is where confidentiality agreements come into play. For those working with business brokers in Austin, TX, understanding the importance of these agreements is vital to achieving a successful outcome.

Protecting Sensitive Information

When business owners decide to sell, they often need to disclose sensitive information, including financial records, client lists, and operational strategies, to potential buyers. Business brokers in Austin, Texas, understand that revealing this information without protection can pose significant risks. A confidentiality agreement, also known as a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), ensures that the buyer cannot share or misuse the seller’s proprietary information. This legal document creates a secure environment for both parties, allowing the seller to present their business without fear of compromising its integrity.

For business buyers, signing a confidentiality agreement demonstrates professionalism and a serious interest in the acquisition. It signals to the seller that they respect the confidentiality of the information shared and are committed to a fair negotiation process.

Building Trust Between Parties

Trust is a fundamental element in any business transaction. When sellers feel confident that their information is protected, they are more likely to engage openly with potential buyers. Business brokers in Austin, TX, facilitate this trust by ensuring that confidentiality agreements are in place before any sensitive discussions take place.

By establishing a framework for confidentiality, both buyers and sellers can approach negotiations with peace of mind. Buyers can conduct thorough due diligence without worrying that sensitive details about the business will be leaked to competitors or the public. This trust fosters a more collaborative atmosphere, leading to more fruitful discussions and negotiations.

Mitigating Risks and Liabilities

Confidentiality agreements help mitigate risks associated with business transactions. Without these agreements, a seller’s sensitive information could fall into the wrong hands, leading to potential financial losses, damaged relationships with clients, or harm to the company’s reputation. For business buyers, a breach of confidentiality could undermine their ability to conduct effective negotiations and could result in the loss of future business opportunities.

Business brokers in Austin Texas are adept at drafting comprehensive confidentiality agreements that outline the terms and conditions of information sharing. These agreements typically specify the types of information considered confidential, the duration of confidentiality, and the repercussions for any breaches. By establishing clear expectations, both parties can navigate the transaction with a lower risk of conflict.

Facilitating a Smooth Transaction Process

The presence of a confidentiality agreement can expedite the transaction process. By ensuring that both parties are on the same page regarding information sharing, business brokers in Austin, TX, can focus on the critical aspects of the deal, such as valuation, negotiation, and closing. This streamlined approach allows for a more efficient process, reducing the chances of misunderstandings or disputes arising from miscommunication.

Ensuring Compliance with Legal Standards

In many cases, confidentiality agreements are not just best practices; they are also legal requirements. Certain industries may have specific regulations concerning the handling of sensitive information, making confidentiality agreements essential for compliance. Business brokers in Austin Texas are knowledgeable about these legal standards and can help sellers navigate the complexities of confidentiality to ensure that all legal obligations are met.

In Conclusion

Confidentiality agreements play a crucial role in the business buying and selling process, providing protection, fostering trust, and facilitating smoother transactions. For anyone engaging with business brokers in Austin, TX, understanding the significance of these agreements is essential. They not only safeguard sensitive information but also contribute to the overall success of the transaction. By prioritizing confidentiality, both buyers and sellers can navigate the complexities of the business world with confidence and security.

Source Link : https://jeffelderbusinessbroker.com/the-importance-of-confidentiality-agreements-for-business-buyers-and-sellers/

[fangirlmary]

"Standing Up for a Friend"

Summary: When Paul Bearer says Ashley is weak for having been friends with the Undertaker and Kane when they were children, the Deadman stands up for her. 10th installment of Two Brothers, One Friend, Many Stories series. Kayfabe details used only.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the pro wrestling gimmicks/characters used here. I only own my original characters.

Ashley McCormick had quickly gotten used to being the manager of her childhood best friend. This was impressive when one considered the fact that her first official day on the job was July's In Your House pay per view. TV show taping days, constant traveling by plane and rental car, and live TV appearances on WWF programming were tiresome; copious amounts of caffeine were occasionally needed. Nonetheless, the Undertaker knew that he had made the right choice to put in a good word for his best friend to get her this job. The single mom not only knew how to keep them on budget, she listened to his opinions on plans for what he would want to do in each match, was willing to compromise, and was happy that she didn't have to wear "sexy" clothing; she usually donned jeans and t-shirts with sneakers or more business casual clothing and shoes as needed depending on whether she was accompanying him to a match or meeting with higher-ups, respectively. The everyday clothes were meant to show off her tomboyish nature. Ashley didn't wear very much make-up at all but never complained about any of the female wrestlers who wore more of it; she wasn't one to complain about choices others made when it came to their looks. She had other things to think about.

On July 14th, 1997's episode of Raw, the Undertaker had a dark match against Bret Hart and Stone Cold Steve Austin in a triple threat match for the WWF championship that would only be seen by the live audience in the Freeman Colosseum in San Antonio, Texas at the very end of the show. What would happen that night after the match was something that Ashley couldn't forget. Like clockwork, she heard the sound of the Undertaker's music and would follow him out as Tony Chimel announced, "Making his way to the ring accompanied by Ashley McCormick! From Death Valley, weighing in at 305 pounds, he is the World Wrestling Federation champion, the Undertaker!"

Many people cheered for the Deadman; Ashley spotted a sign saying "Ashley + Taker=Odd Friendship" in the audience as they walked. That person was correct, but she didn't care. She was not to get involved in this match as it was a triple threat against two individuals whom she would have no chance against in any kind of fight. She could still cheer for her friend and give him encouragement, though. "Come on, Undertaker! You've got this!" She had shouted at one point.

Of course, the Deadman retained his championship, and the crowd would go home happy. He and Ashley had soon driven back to the hotel they were staying in.

"You did great tonight, Undertaker." Ashley said as they walked through the lobby and down one hall to get to an elevator. She couldn't help but smile, more than happy enough for the both of them. After all, she wore her heart on her sleeve. "Do you want any snacks before we go to sleep?"

"No, thank you, but I appreciate the offer." He replied. He was exhausted but not showing it.

The Undertaker also didn't seem to visibly react when he heard a young boy who was heading back to a room with his parents not far from him saying "Isn't Ashley McCormick really brave to be friends with the Undertaker, Mom? Look at her!"

"I'm sure she is, but please leave them alone. They need sleep just like you do." The boy's mother could be heard saying as she opened the door to the room her family was staying in.

Ashley sighed as she and her childhood friend got into the elevator and went up to the second floor. "It's taking me a while to get used to those kinds of comments. I suppose that comes with fame regardless of what one is famous for."

"You are not the only one who has struggled to deal with that." The Deadman replied as they got out of the elevator and went to a vending machine so that Ashley could get a package of two Reese's peanut butter cups for herself; she did want a snack before going to bed. "By the way, there's a camera crew here."

"They film the most random stuff, don't they?" Ashley joked; she knew the possibility of this happening was likely as it had been mentioned in her contract. "I might be able to handle it." She knew whatever they caught on camera would likely be put on WWF TV shows, so she needed to be a good example for younger family members of hers who would see it.

That was when she heard a not so shrill but still familiar voice saying, "I thought you were tough enough to face anything, Ashley McCormick!"

Ashley rolled her eyes as she saw Paul Bearer in front of her. "Oh, shut up and jump in a lake, Paul!" She wasn't saying anything worse just in case kids were in nearby rooms as she put some coins in the vending machine and selected the snack she wanted, retrieving it the moment it dropped down. She then walked away.

"You're a coward and weak for being friends with the Undertaker and Kane as a little child! You ruined everything for me!" The mortician turned manager called after her.

The Undertaker immediately grabbed Paul's neck. He was glaring at his ex-manager but keeping himself calm. "You are absolutely wrong. Ashley being kind, loving, and many other things considered virtuous in a world in which cruelty, hatred, and other vices seem to be the norm makes her much stronger than one might think. She doesn't let others walk all over her despite this and could never be called a doormat. Being a good example to her children and other younger family members is not a weakness either as it shows that she has hope that her loved ones can also make the right choices in life by being inspired by her. I respect Ashley for holding onto her beliefs despite every horrible thing she has dealt with because she knows the difference between courage and recklessness. She has shown more courage in walking away from you than she would have in fighting you because she knows you are not worth getting herself hurt over. You betrayed me for Mankind and that plus the other awful things you did were all your fault, not anyone else's. Ashley, on the other hand, has always taken responsibility for her actions, and that is why I gave her the chance to work with me. She is a much better manager than you, and if she didn't have to go home in September, I'd be happy to have her work with me for much longer. I can not say anything similar about you. If you do not leave her and her loved ones alone, then there will be hell to pay." Then the Phenom delivered a choke slam to Paul before heading to his and Ashley's room. At that point, the camera crew had stopped filming.

Ashley went in as soon as her friend had caught up with her; once both of them were in the room, she locked the door. "Thank you for standing up for me, Mark." She said, the gratitude made obvious by her tears of relief as she sat down on the bed closest to the window. She quickly wiped them away with a tissue from her purse and then ate her peanut butter cups. She then threw her trash away and sat back down.

"You're welcome. I meant every word that I said, and Paul Bearer knows it. I hope the creatures of the night and others know it as well." He replied calmly as he sat down on the other bed.

"Same here. Did you want to take a shower before we go to sleep? I don't need one right now." Ashley quickly changed the subject.

"I'll let you brush your teeth first." He insisted.

Ashley went into the bathroom, closing the door. She brushed and flossed her teeth and washed her face as she had already had a bathroom break before leaving the arena. She then left the bathroom and got into the bed she would sleep in for the night after taking her socks and shoes off. She was wearing a dark blue t-shirt and black shorts as they would be comfortable to sleep in.

By the time the Deadman had finished his shower, dried off, and put on clothing that would be comfortable to sleep in, Ashley had fallen asleep. He turned off the bathroom light and the light in the main room before getting into bed. It had been a long night, and they would have to get up early to catch their next flight, but for now, the unusual pair of friends could get some much needed rest.

[flagstoneroofing]

The Ideal Time to Replace Your Commercial Roof

Welcome to Texas, where our love for commercial properties rivals our passion for cowboy hats and BBQs. As a business owner or commercial property manager, you understand the crucial role of a robust, dependable roof in safeguarding your establishment from the unpredictable Texas weather. That's why we're here to guide you on the perfect timing for replacing your commercial roof, ensuring your business remains secure and cowboy approved Discover More About Commercial Roofing

Why Commercial Roofs Matter

Before we delve into the best time for a commercial roof replacement, let’s talk about why commercial roofs are as important as having a trusty steed on the ranch. Your commercial roof is more than just a cover over your head; it’s a vital shield that guards against rain, hail, sun, and even the occasional tumbleweed.

In the bustling cities of Austin and San Antonio or the charming towns of Katy and Sugarland, your commercial roof withstands the heat of a Texas summer and the chill of a rare winter storm. It ensures your customers and employees feel safe, comfortable, and ready to enjoy a good ol’ time at your establishment.

The Texan Timing for Roof Replacements

Alright, now that we know why commercial roofs are so darn important, let’s lasso the right timing for a roof replacement. You don’t want to wait until your roof is leaking like a rusty bucket during a rainstorm, but you also don’t want to replace it before it’s truly needed.

Age Aren’t Nothing but a Number

In the Lone Star State, commercial roofs typically last anywhere between fifteen to twenty-five years, depending on the materials used and how well they’ve been maintained. So, if your roof has been around for more than two decades, it might be time to bid it farewell with a “yeehaw!”

Cracks and Tears – A No-Go

Just like a snake in the grass, small cracks and tears in your commercial roof can lead to big ol’ problems if not taken care of promptly. If you notice your roof looking a bit worse for wear, it’s best to call on a friendly commercial roofer to assess the situation before it escalates.

High Winds and Hailstorms

In Texas, we know a thing or two about high winds and hailstorms. These can be harsh on your commercial roof, causing damage that might not be visible right away. After a particularly rowdy storm, it’s wise to have a roof inspection to ensure there are no hidden surprises up there.

Pesky Pests and Critters

Bugs and critters are part of Texas life, but they have no business setting up camp on your roof. Their presence can cause damage over time, so if you spot any unwelcome guests or signs of their visit, it’s time to consider a roof replacement.

Rising Energy Bills

If your air conditioning is working harder than a Texas Longhorn to keep your property cool, it might be a sign that your roof’s insulation isn’t up to snuff. A new commercial roof can improve energy efficiency, keeping your bills low and your customers happy.

Ponding Aren’t Good

If you notice water puddling on your commercial roof after a good rain, it’s a sign of poor drainage. In Texas, where we experience heavy downpours, proper drainage is crucial. Ponding water can lead to roof deterioration and unwanted leaks, so it’s best to address this issue before it becomes a real headache.

Shingles Gone with the Wind

We love a good breeze in Texas, but when your commercial roof starts losing shingles faster than a tumbleweed rolling in the desert, it’s time to take action. Missing or damaged shingles compromise your roof’s ability to protect your property from the elements, making it a prime candidate for replacement. Learn More About Keeping Your Business Roof in Top Shape!

Safety First, Y'all

Last but not least, if you’ve found yourself calling the commercial roofing services crew one too many times for repairs, it might be more cost-effective and safer in the long run to invest in a new roof. Continuously patching up an aging roof can lead to potential safety hazards and mounting repair costs.

Flagstone Roofing & Exteriors – Your Trusted Partner

Replacing a commercial roof might sound daunting, but with the right team on your side, it’s as smooth as two-stepping at a country dance. That’s where Flagstone Roofing & Exteriors comes in – our friendly crew has been serving the great state of Texas for years, from Austin to San Antonio and all the way to Katy and Sugarland.

Our team of expert commercial roofing contractors knows every nook and cranny of a Texan commercial roof, and we pride ourselves on top-notch service that’ll leave you shouting “Yeehaw!” in delight. We use superior-quality roofing materials and the latest techniques to ensure your new roof can weather any Texas storm with ease. Learn More About Our Expert Commercial Roofing Services!

Conclusion

There you have it, folks! Your guide to determining the ideal time to replace your commercial roof in the great state of Texas. From the lively streets of Austin to the historic charm of San Antonio, the flourishing towns of Katy and Sugarland, and all the other nooks & crannies of the Lone Star State, we know how important it is to have a roof as sturdy as a Texas oak.

When you’re ready to bid farewell to your old roof and say “Howdy” to a new and reliable one, look no further than Flagstone Roofing & Exteriors. Our friendly team of expert commercial roofers is here to serve you with a smile, just like a warm Texas breeze.

With years of experience under our belt and a commitment to top-notch service, we proudly cater to businesses big and small, from Austin to San Antonio and all the way to Katy and Sugarland. Whether it’s fixing pesky leaks, addressing shingle issues, or replacing your entire commercial roof, we’ve got the skills and dedication to get the job done right.

So, don’t let storm clouds hang over your business’s future. Reach out to Flagstone Roofing & Exteriors today, and we’ll have your commercial roof ready to weather any Texas storm that comes your way. From our team to yours, we’ll be there with the tip of our cowboy hats, ready to keep your establishment safe and sound. Y’all take care now!