1. Hit or Miss

Chapter Fourteen

Arin looked both of us up and down and no one still spoke. Suzy stood frozen staring at one particular thing and I followed her gaze. She was staring at Dan's neck. It was torn up and covered in hickeys. I gulped and heard Arin finally inhale.

"Wellp, uh, this has been fun? I don't, I mean, REALLY?!" Arin stumbled over where he wanted to start with this. Dan looked at the floor and sighed heavily.

"Where did you even do-" Suzy began to ask.

"YOU GUYS FUCKED IN THE ONLY ELEVATOR!?" Arin beat her to the answer to her question. I jumped as his voice boomed and Dan placed a hand on my lower back. Arin continued to look at us like he was a disappointed father. Suzy was pale and covering her mouth. I couldn't tell if she was laughing or not. I was busy examining my shoes. Dan sighed again and Arin backed away from the doors and motioned for us to step off into the hall. Dan and I awkwardly did and stepped to the side. Arin let the elevator close and pivoted robotically to turn and face us. I leaned against the wall and my legs started to shake from the elevator ride. Dan sighed one more time and finally looked Arin in the eyes.

"I don't, I don't know what to say here man. I'm sure you are waiting for later to come to talk and-" Dan's voice was raspy and sounded tired. Arin took two steps to get to him.

"No, Daniel, let's talk now. Shall we?" He had been holding his temper. Placing the sunglasses he had been gripping tightly on his head and pointing away down the hall, he nodded for Dan to follow. Dan stepped passed me and I reached for him. He squeezed my hand and shook his head. Still smelling like sex he shamefully followed Arin silently. I looked at Suzy whom had her arms folded and was not glaring at me, but definitely trying to find something to say. I leaned my head back and looked up at the ceiling. I was trying not to cry, I had no idea what this was going to turn into. I wouldn't even be surprised if she slapped me and left. I let myself blink for a moment and finally looked at her again.

"Do you have any idea how dangerous of a line you are walking?" She sternly asked me. I nodded and huffed.

"I didn't, there was no, agh, yes." I got out the only word I could remember. My anxiety sprang up on me and I felt sick.

"He is known for shit that I would love to condemn him for. Sadly, it is truly none of my fucking business. I have watched girls he takes out, end up damaged, because he can't handle being a boyfriend." She shook her head in the direction the guys had headed in. "He claims they never miss him. That they are just so understanding he has to just go with nothing left to discuss, but I know he is wrong. Arin has found letters, tons of them! All addressed to Dan from some chick we had to get to know and was sweet or-or friendly, begging, for him to just explain his absence!" She wasn't even mad at me. She was pissed at him and concerned for me. I was shocked and she must have noticed. She stepped to me and hugged me tight. "I will not let him do this to you after the time you've had. Understanding or not, you are not gonna be done this way by the time we board that plane. I and Arin are making sure of it. It's time Dan hears his close friends out and takes into consideration letting someone just in!" Her determining voice almost scared me more. I let her pull away and I turned toward my room's direction.

"You don't have to come, but while Dan is being, well scolded, I'm guessing, I need a shower." I looked away still sort of ashamed and Suzy smiled warmly.

"I will come. I still want to talk about this and also get to know you more. I been interested in you. Arin says I would really get along with you." She walked with me and I nodded. I didn't mind her at all as well. I felt bad for never making it a point to tuning into her more. Maybe I'll find a better level and her and I can bond. Hopefully.