recognizing the poison in my heart

Derrick wasn't sure what Max was getting at. His day was done at the grocery store and Max was still hanging around at his car. All Derrick wanted to do was to get over to Zac's. It was band practice. Sort of.

"I want to know." Max glared at him. "Was there anything going on with you and Daisy?"

"What?" Derrick's voice cracked in a laugh. He couldn't be sure Max bought it, but he wouldn't back down.

"Its..its what, Hansen said."

"Hansen?" Derrick jumped in. "What the hell?" Derrick kept squinting, perhaps a little defensive. "He's just trying to pull your chain." Derrick shook his head.

"He wouldn't do that." Max kept looking at him as if he were keeping something from him. "What's going on with you and Daisy?"

"Nothing." It was more like a yelp. Perhaps they had some unfinished business, but Derrick was seeing Sunny now and Daisy was with Hansen.

Max swelled an ominous frown. He didn't believe a word he said.

"Stop it!" Derrick was starting to squirm. It was too cold to get in a fight with his brother who was a lot taller than he was. "Just don't worry so much. You and Sara are tight. Right? What the hell does it matter what Hansen said? Maybe things aren't as hot and heavy as he wants them to be with Daisy."

Derrick's lips tighten as he remembered she was not exactly happy with him, but never the less...He would not think of it... as wrong. He breathed in the cold air. Max said nothing. He walked away.

Derrick stood by his car for a moment. His nose started to drip. He thought about being with Daisy. He didn't believe he forced her into anything. He unlocked the car door, started up his cold car. There was ice on the windshield. He wasn't going anywhere very fast.

He didn't want to think he was the worst that could have ruined her life, but he was starting to doubt himself. The cold only made him numb as he thought about her now.