the road not taken

Who did Josie think she was? It was unnerving to Derrick to see Daisy with them at the concert. He knew right away Daisy wasn't having any fun with that guy, Josie set her up with.

Perhaps, that was why he couldn't leave her alone with him. In his head, he thought he might be saving Daisy from something. Before he turned around, there was Max and Sara, he knew Daisy was buckling fast.

Yet, it seemed they were suddenly coupling. Daisy was with Zak. Of course, Josie and Ian and there was Hansen and himself. Thankfully, Hansen was oblivious to this fact. He went outside to have a smoke.

"Are you sure it's just a smoke?" Now Daisy was on his case.

"Chill." He winced hard with a silly smile. "Its only a cigarette."

"I bet its homemade." She stood close to him, arms crossed. They were by the posters and Tee-shirt venders. He scooted her close to the exit. The others were near the mosh pit. Nothing intense was happening yet on the floor, swirling lights to the music. As it was they were in the dark.

"I couldn't tell you." Derrick shrugged. He wasn't that big of a smoker. It was something he could take or leave and he'd been leaving it alone, a lot, lately. He'd been going to AA's. The doctor still wanted him to put off using any meds yet for the alcohol. He was going to have to use will power. Evidently.

He blew a breath, taking a look at Zak. He hated to ask. He knew she wasn't in to this guy. Besides, Max showed up, and he knew that couldn't be easy.

"What do you say? We get out of here." He nursed his bottom lip, thinking she'd say no.

"What about Hansen?" She looked him in the eye.

"What about him? We just work together. He drove himself." He winced slightly thinking she couldn't possibly think they were together?

"OK." She shrugged.

"Are you going to tell them?" Derrick wouldn't have, but he supposed the correct protocol would be to excuse herself.

"I'll tell them I don't feel well." She was even lipped.

"OK, I'll wait for you, outside." He definitely didn't want to cause a scene, but he was glad she didn't want to be with Zak. He bit his bottom lip to keep from smiling for too long.

Except, as soon as he got outside, Hansen was coming back in.

"Dude, what's up?" Hansen was all smiles. "This concert blows." He wasn't in to ski, evidently. He wanted something more RUSH. He said he was old school when it came to rock. That was real rock.

"I'm taking this friend home." He shrugged. "We might hang out for coffee or something."

"I could use some caffeine, myself." Hansen grinned. "Can, I come with?"

Derrick let out a breath. Wasn't exactly what he had in mind. But he couldn't say, no. "I guess you could kill a little time with us. But you gotta drive yourself."

"Totally." Hansen smiled as if he were down with that.

Finally, Daisy made it to the parking lot. Derrick opened the door for Daisy. Of course, she stared at him as if this was really different. He guessed it was. He generally didn't open a door for anyone.

"Are they mad?" A part of Derrick hoped Josie was. Control freak, he said silently to himself.

"I dunno. Possibly. But Zak was being all quiet and listless, you know. I don't think he likes me." She fretted as he drove toward the diner that Hansen was following them too.

"You weren't exactly being charming." He remarked.

"I get this bad vibe." Daisy hugged herself. "Like he'd jump me, if..if we were alone."

"Really?" Derrick didn't get that. "I just thought he was gay."

Daisy looked at him as if he had to be wrong. Before long they were at the diner, and there was Hansen waiting on them.