He doesn't even hear their continuing argument. You couldn't even stay safe. The words hurt more than he thought they could. He'd tried so hard, failed at so many things, but he thought at least he could do one thing right. He was wrong.

Stanley's squeaks grow louder in Susan's hand until finally she bites him for his attention.

Lauren wasn't trying to tell Susan what to do though, he'd just meant to ask. Susan had a right to his anger, but to direct it at someone else? He thought he'd taught Susan better than that. One more thing to add to the list of his failures.