September, 2011

Daphne was rudely awakened that morning by Zacky’s obnoxious yelling.

“Shut up Zack!” she yelled as she buried her head underneath her pillow.

When his yelling didn’t cease, Daphne groaned and took the pillow off of her head. She looked down at Misty’s side of the bed and found it empty. Furrowing her eyebrows, she climbed out of the bunk and walked into the lounge. She found Misty sitting on Brian’s lap watching cartoons on the flatscreen.

“Hi mommy!” Misty smiled.

“Hey baby. Are you hungry?” she asked as she reached for a box of cereal.

“No, Brian made me breakfast.”

Daphne placed the cereal back and skeptically looked at Brian.

“Oh well thanks Bri,” she muttered.

He nodded, not taking his eyes off the TV. Daphne huffed and sat at the booth in the small kitchen. She crossed her arms over her chest and pouted like a five year old. Ever since their heated moment, Daphne and Brian had barely said two words to each other. Every time Daphne tried to talk to him, Brian would ignore her. The tension was so thick and obvious; everyone noticed it. They were all too hesitant to ask though.

Daphne was brought out of her thoughts when Zacky stormed into the lounge, mumbling obscenities under his breath. He angrily ducked down into the fridge and pulled out a beer. He slammed the door shut and gulped it down as Daphne, Brian and Misty curiously watched him.

“Um, what’s wrong?” Daphne asked hesitantly.

“Fucking Abby!” he spat as he sat across from her.

She opened her mouth to correct him for his language, but Brian beat her to it.

“Watch the language Zack; Misty can hear you!” Brian spat.

Daphne glanced at him before turning back to Zacky.

“What’s wrong with Abby?” she asked.

“She’s being fuc…freaking annoying,” he corrected when Brian gave him a dirty look.

“What’s she doing?” Daphne asked.

“She keeps complaining about not getting any younger and wanting to settle down and all that crap. I keep asking her what the heck she’s talking about but then she gets even angrier! She keeps saying I should know what she’s talking about. I’m not gonna lie; I’m clueless!” he groaned.

“Is that all?” Daphne laughed.

“Why is that so funny?” he grumbled.

“Dude you are so stupid,” Brian smirked.

“Even Brian knows what’s going on; come on Zack!” she laughed.

“What’s going on? Just tell me Daph!” Zacky whined.

“Abby wants to get married you idiot!”

“What? That’s it; she wants to get married?”

“Obviously!” Brian laughed.

“Do you want to marry her?” Daphne asked.

“Of course I do; I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I thought she knew that though,” he muttered.

“Well obviously she doesn’t. You need to propose Zack or you’re going to lose her,” Daphne sympathized.

“That’s really all I have to do?” he asked.

“Yes, I promise. Everything will be better as soon as you propose,” she smiled.

“I can’t do it over the phone can I?” he joked.

“I’ll kill you if you do,” she laughed.

“Let me go call her and apologize for yelling. Thanks baby girl,” he smiled as he stood up and kissed her forehead.

“No problem,” she smiled.

“Mommy will you do my hair?” Misty asked.

“Sure,” Daphne smiled.

She grabbed her comb and hair ties out of her bag and sat next to her on the couch. Brian watched as Daphne and Misty interacted and played with each other. He found himself smiling as they joked around with each other. Even though he was still angry at her, he admired Daphne for how great of a single mother she turned out to be. Even though he wasn’t her father, he couldn’t help but feel protective and father like towards Misty. Oddly enough, he secretly hoped he could permanently step in as Misty’s father figure and raise her by Daphne’s side.

“I’m going to go get changed. I’ll be right back,” Daphne smiled as she kissed Misty’s head and made her way to the back.

“Brian do you love mommy?” Misty asked out of the blue.

“Uh, what?” Brian asked once he got over his initial shock.

“Do you love mommy?” she repeated.

“Of course I do,” he said, playing it cool.

“Daddy said he loved mommy and he always made her cry. Are you going to make mommy cry?” she asked.

“I hope I don’t and I’m not like your dad kiddo,” he told her.

“Are you going to forget about me like daddy did?” she sniffled.

“Come here princess,” he sighed as he placed her on his lap.

“I’ll never forget about you baby girl, or mommy. I’m not going anywhere; I promise. I’ll always be here for you. Okay?” he smiled.

Misty smiled and nodded.

“I love you Brian!” she smiled as snuggled into his chest.

“I love you too princess,” he smiled as he kissed her head.

“What’s going on?” Daphne asked skeptically as she walked back into the lounge.

Brian shook his head and loosened their hug.

“So what’s on the agenda today bro?” she asked as Matt walked into the lounge.

“Do you ever pay attention to me? I told you yesterday,” Matt replied.

“Well tell me again,” she grinned.

“We have a show here in a couple days so we’re going to stay in town at a hotel. Now don’t ask me again,” he huffed.

Daphne stuck her tongue out at him as the bus came to a stop outside of a fancy looking hotel.

“Good morning!” Jade smiled as she walked out into the lounge.

“Morning sis, how’s my niece or nephew?” Daphne smiled.

“He or she is doing fine. How’s my favorite niece?” Jade smiled as she swooped down and kissed Misty’s cheek.

“She’s your only niece dumbass,” Brian laughed.

“Shut it Haner,” Jade snarled as she flipped him off.

Within a few minutes, everyone filed off of the bus and into the hotel. Misty and Daphne sat in the lobby while everyone got their room keys.

“Hey beautiful,” Arin smirked as he plopped down next to Daphne.

“Hey kiddo,” he smiled at Misty.

“Hi,” Misty muttered, not paying attention to him.

“So how about I take you out tonight?” he suggested as he slung his arm around Daphne’s shoulders.

“I’m going to have to pass,” Daphne muttered.

“And why’s that?” he asked.

Daphne opened her mouth to speak but she was cut off by Brian.

“Get up, Matt wants you,” he snarled at Arin.

Arin glared at Brian before turning back to Daphne.

“The offer’s still open,” he smiled as he kissed her cheek and stood up.

“What is with you two?” Brian snarled once Arin walked away.

“Why is it any of your business?” Daphne spat.

“Because we obviously have feelings for each and I don’t appreciate you going out with him after you basically told me your feelings for me,” he growled.

“I never told you anything!” she snapped.

“You made out with me and you know it would’ve gone farther than that if we weren’t interrupted!” he exclaimed.

“Keep your voice down; you’re married remember?” she spat.

“Stop saying that; don’t you think I know I’m married? I’m the one who married her remember? Hell the only reason I did it was to get over you and guess what Daph; it obviously didn’t work!” he exclaimed.

“What did you say?” she muttered.

“You heard me. I loved you then and I still love you now. Why can’t we just be together? I know you love me, you’re making things complicated!” he spat.

“I’m not making anything complicated! You’re the one insisting that I love you and I don’t!” she lied.

“God you’re so fucking impossible!” he spat.

“Fuck you Brian!” she barked as she grabbed Misty’s hand and walked off towards Matt.

“Which room is ours?” she muttered.

“You and Misty have your own room, my treat,” he told her as he handed her the card key.

“You didn’t have to do that. We could’ve shared with someone,” she told him.

“Don’t worry about it. Are you okay? You seem upset,” he frowned.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just not feeling too well,” she lied.

“Well get some rest and feel better,” he muttered as he kissed her forehead.

She nodded and made her way to the elevator with Misty. They rode it up to their floor and found their room. Daphne plopped down on the bed and buried her face in her pillow.

“Mommy are you okay?” Misty frowned.

“I’m alright baby, I’m just a little angry at Brian. Why don’t you put on some cartoons?” Daphne suggested and handed her the remote.

A few minutes later, the door opened and Daphne’s blonde and brunette best friends walked in.

“We overheard you and Brian,” Jade started.

“Hey cutie!” Sadie interrupted as she kissed Misty’s cheek.

“You heard all that?” Daphne groaned.

“Of course, Brian isn’t the quietest person,” Sadie laughed.

“So?” Jade smiled.

“So what?” Daphne asked.

“Do you love him back?” Jade asked.

“He’s married,” Daphne muttered.

“That’s not what she asked. Brian obviously doesn’t care that he’s married; he really loves you,” Sadie smiled.

“And you heard him; he only married Zoey to try to get over you. Whooh, Zoey would go nuts if she heard that,” Jade laughed.

“I can’t believe he admitted it,” Daphne muttered.

“Are you that surprised? You know Brian isn’t one to hold back,” Sadie laughed.

“Why don’t you want to be with him Daph?” Jade asked.

“I do, I really do. Its just that I don’t want to be the cause of their divorce and plus things are complicated right now. I’m a single mom, I only left Derek like two months ago and I don’t even have a job. I need to get back on my feet before I can even think about a relationship with anyone!”

“Now you know Brian thinks of Misty as his own daughter so that’s covered. Brian doesn’t care if you have a job or not and you know you loved Brian way before you even met Derek. This isn’t as complicated as you think Daph,” Jade explained.

“This is just too much to handle right now,” Daphne muttered as she rubbed her temples.

“How about we all go out for drinks tonight?” Sadie suggested.

“I can’t do that; I have Misty,” Daphne said in a duh tone.

“Your brother and I will keep her tonight. We were going to stay in anyway,” Jade brushed off.

“Come on, it will be fun. We’ll round the guys up and maybe you can tease Brian tonight,” Sadie winked.

“I have nothing to wear though,” Daphne whined.

“Say no more; I got this!” Sadie smiled.

***

“Are you guys sure you’re okay with keeping her tonight?” Daphne asked hours later as she walked out of Matt and Jade’s bathroom.

“Mommy you look pretty!” Misty smiled.

“Yes, I haven’t gotten the chance to spend time with her anyway. Please go change into something less… revealing,” Matt whined.

“Don’t listen to him, you look beautiful,” Jade smiled.

Daphne smiled and checked her appearance one last time. She touched up her light pink eye shadow and coated her lips with light pink lip stick.

“Daph you ready?” Sadie asked as she walked in the room.

“Yup, lets get this over with,” Daphne teased as she grabbed her clutch.

“Bye baby, I love you,” she smiled as she kissed Misty’s cheek.

“Love you too,” Misty smiled.

“Thanks a lot guys, I’ll see you in the morning,” Daphne smiled.

“The guys are meeting us down in the lobby,” Sadie told her as they made their way out of the room.

Daphne nodded and pressed the down button for the elevator.

“So what’s with you and Arin?” Sadie asked as they stepped onto the elevator.

“He just likes me and he asked me out today,” Daphne shrugged.

“You gonna hit that?” Sadie smirked.

“God no! He’s too thin; I feel like I’d break him. He’s a little weird too,” Daphne laughed.

Sadie laughed with her as the elevator stopped in the lobby. They strutted over to the guys and Daphne couldn’t help but notice Brian’s eyes going up and down her figure.

“You look really sexy,” Arin smirked as he stepped into her line of view.

“Thanks,” she smiled lightly.

She linked her arm through his outstretched one and the group made their way down the strip to an upbeat club.

“So how about I buy you a drink?” Arin smirked as they approached the bar.

“Are you even old enough to drink?” Daphne teased.

“Yeah, and I’m old enough to do other things,” he winked.

After Arin bought Daphne several drinks, she grabbed Sadie’s hand and drug her out to the dance floor. Brian turned around with his beer in his hand as Johnny approached him.

“Where’s Sadie?” he asked.

“Dancing with Daphne,” Johnny laughed as he watched his wife and best friend grind.

Brian couldn’t help but smile and laugh as he watched Daphne.

“Man she’s great,” he smiled.

“Go dance with her man, you know you want to,” Johnny smirked.

Brian hesitated before gulping down the rest of his beer. He placed the bottle down and went to walk out to the dance floor when he caught sight of Arin walking towards Daphne. He clenched his jaw as he watched Arin place his hands on Daphne’s hips. Daphne turned around and smiled up at him as she began dancing with him. This was the last thing he wanted; Daphne being with or anywhere near Arin.

“She is so getting laid tonight,” Sadie laughed as she approached him and Johnny.

Brian growled and turned back around to order a harder drink.

“God I’m tired,” Daphne giggled as she made her way off of the dance floor with Arin.

“Do you want to go back to the hotel?” he asked.

“Take me back,” she smirked as she grabbed his hand.

After telling Johnny and Sadie they were leaving, the two made their way out of the club and back down the strip.

“I hate heels,” Daphne huffed as she took her shoes off in the elevator.

She stumbled a bit and bumped into Arin.

“I think you’re a little drunk,” he laughed as he wrapped his arm around her waist.

“Just a little. And you are too,” she giggled.

“Just a little,” he mocked.

They made their way off of the elevator and to Arin’s room.

“So this is your room,” Daphne awkwardly pointed out as they stood at the door.

“You know what, I’m just going to go for it,” Arin announced.

“Go for what?” she asked.

She was answered when Arin cupped her face and pressed his lips to hers. She knew she’d regret this as she wrapped her arms around his neck and moved her lips with his. Through her drunken haze though, the only thing she could think about was how good of a kisser he was.