Blame

Chapter 6 (Him)

        "Okay, here we are." Max stopped at Room 411, and began rummaging in her purse for the keys. Her slight drunkedness was taking over and she leaned against the wall. Dan couldn't help it and began laughing.

        "Here, let me help." He pulled the purse away from her and took out the keys from an inside pocket.

        "God, I'm so helpless. This is embarrassing." She sighed and he unlocked the door, motioning for her to walk in.

        "No need to be embarrassed. Getting a little bit of help once in a while never hurt anyone." He walked in after her and placed the keys on the counter. She shrugged off her jacket and fell onto the bed. Dan stood awkwardly in the doorway with his hands in his pockets.

        "You can come in, you don't have to be shy." Max smiled at him, unlacing her boots. Dan slowly walked in, shut the door and sat on a chair beside the bed, facing the TV.

        "Nice place Martin got for you." He cleared his throat and looked around the room, as if he had never been in a hotel before. It was Max's turn to laugh and she said, "Dan, has anyone ever told you that you're awkward?" She laid down at the foot of the bed, looking up at him.

        "Yes, that may have come up a time or two." He smiled softly and looked at her. There was a small silence and then he said, "It's getting late. I should let you get some rest. You said it yourself, you're going to need to get up to see Martin first thing tomorrow." He got up from the chair and Max quickly sat up from her lying position, "But..." Dan stopped in his tracks and met her gaze. He realized right then and there that he didn't want to leave. He could've swore that he saw the same thing in her eyes, but then she said, "I'll walk you out." Max slowly scrambled out of bed and quietly followed him out.

       "I guess I'll see you tomorrow, then." Dan stood in front of her, still hiding his hands in his pockets. She was looking right at him and nodded. The two seemed to have an unspoken conversation, and Dan cursed at himself for being so uncertain and so indecisive. Why was he having an urge to stay with her?

        "I...," before he could finish, Max had taken a swift step in front of him, and cupping his face in her hands, she landed a fierce kiss on his lips. The two lost balance and Dan's back fell against the wall. He was utterly shocked at what was happening, but didn't want it to stop. His hands found her waist, and then Max pulled back.

        "I was going to do that." Dan said breathlessly, with a smile. 

        "Oh I knew you were. That's why you looked so confused." Max giggled and pulled him closer again. They stood chest-to-chest kissing, as if tomorrow would never come. But she pulled away again, this time for good and said, "I'll see you tomorrow then?" She smiled at him and he couldn't believe it was over. He nodded and said good night. Max closed the door behind him and Dan just stood in the hallway, staring at the metal 411 on the door, wondering what the hell he was going to do now.

*        *        *

       "Come on mate. We're already late and Martin called." Woody was shaking Dan's shoulder, trying to get him up. Dan groaned and buried his head deeper into the pillow. He felt the onset of a hungover headache and cursed the multiple bottles he had drunk from the night before. 

        "Fuck Martin. Leave me alone." Dan grumbled and tried to push his bandmate away.

        "This won't do pal. Let's go." Woody tried a little more forcefully, but it was to no avail.

        "I'm so bloody tired of playing a fucking babysitter. This has got to stop, mate. Get your shit together!" Woody hit Dan across the back of the head, causing Dan to yell out in pain.

        "What is your fucking problem?" 

        "What is my fucking problem? What is your fucking problem?! I realize that you're in a bit of a shithole right now, but you've got responsibilities, Dan! You can't just walk out on all of us like that!" Woody yelled at Dan, raising his hands in the air. There was an awkward silence in the room and Dan knew that his friend was right, but he couldn't bring himself to admit it. He slowly sat up, rubbing the back of his head.

        "Look...,"Woody lowered his voice and tried a calmer approach, "I realize last night shouldn't have happened like it did, and you shouldn't have called Max--,"

        "Wait, I called Maxine?!" Dan stared at Woody in complete horroor. Woody slowly nodded and replied, "Yes, she didn't pick up, but you left a message...,"

        "Why in the hell...," Dan whispered to himself, shaking his head.

        "What did I say?" 

        Woody sighed, feeling more pity than anger for Dan now.

        "You told her you loved her." Dan sat in silence, racking his brain for any recollection from last night. But he had nothing. A part of him felt utterly idiotic for trying to reach out to his ex, but another part was upset that she hadn't picked up. 

        "Come on, mate. Get showered and dressed. We'll grab some breakfast on the way." Woody said. Before he walked out of the room he added, "Everything will be ok, Dan. Give it time."

        Dan wished it could've been true, but everything seemed to be setting him back. Although he didn't remember much from last night, he did remember making up his mind about moving on. He knew he needed to look beyond what had happened and move forward; he couldn't jeapordize the band's future because of himself. 

        With that mentality in mind he picked out a new set of clothing and made his way to the washroom. 

*        *        *

        "You alright, mate? We thought you had died." Kyle grinned at Dan, slapping him on the back. 

        "Yea, uh. Woody and I had a bit of a rough night." Dan tried to play it off and it seemed to work because Kyle and Will seemed to believe it.

        "Okay boys, we good to go?" Martin came into the room and ignored Dan's tardiness. The band eagerly nodded and filed into the recording room. 

        "Alright, so we need to make up from yesterday and catch up on a few things. Dan, you ready?" Martin addressed the boys but spoke to him. Dan nodded and he almost believed it. With a quick glance at the other three guys, Dan knew he needed to do this for them, for his mates. No more pity parties, no more drunk calling; Dan Smith was moving on.