Daren drove us to a drive-through for lunch. We’re parked in the parking lot of the restaurant.

He’s eating his food angrily.

I can barely eat, I feel bad, I’m not sure why. Something feels so off about everything.

“Why was he there?” Daren breaks the silence.

What should I tell him? I don’t want him to yell at me if I tell him the truth. He’ll probably make me stop hanging out with Sebastian and Lennon. Maybe if I figure out why he doesn’t like Marcelo I can figure out how to fix this, Or at least not make it fall apart further, Or maybe understand what’s going on.

“Um- he- Lennon knows him,” I stay fairly neutral..

Daren sighs, “Okay, but why was he there?”

…

“Lennon was introducing us to him?” I take a bite of my sandwich.

Daren looks straight into my eyes, narrowing his own, “Why?”

“I’m not-”

“You texted me saying Bastian and Lennon were talking about relationship stuff, and I arrive to find you all with that guy,” He scowls, “What were they talking about?”

I look down, I can’t look him in the eyes any longer, “Ask them yourself.”

He turns away and exhales deeply. He seems like he’s trying hard not to yell at me, “I just want to know if you were involved. You said you weren’t, but you were talking with all of them when I got there.”

I nod slowly, “They just wanted to know if I approved of Marcelo, I’m not sure why.”

“Approve of him how?” Daren questions.

Uh-

I fluster, “Um- I don’t know- If I thou-”

“Were they trying to bring him into their intimate relationship?” He interrupts me.

“Uh- Sort of, they were talking about Lennon having Marcelo as a second partner so Sebastian wouldn’t have to be intimate with him as much,” Should I have said that? It’s not Daren’s business and I don’t know if Sebastian and Lennon want anyone to know yet.

Daren pauses, “Then why would you need to approve of it?”

I shrug, “I don’t know”

He sighs, “Whatever, if Marcelo ever does anything that makes you uncomfortable, tell me... And Bastian... And probably Lennon.”

He points at me, “I don’t want you to be left alone with him either, also he’s a kinda shitty person so being his friend isn’t worth much, so staying away from him, in general, is probably best.”

“You really hate him..” I mumble.

Daren turns to face me again, looking serious, “Yeah, I do.”

I want to know why but I don’t want to push him.

“Was he your romantic partner?” I ask, voice hushed.

He scowls, “Yeah, ten months ago. He’s dog shit on my shoe now.”

I nod.

Daren shrugs, turning the key in the ignition, “We should just go home, I need a nap.”

He backs the car up and we leave.