She's not supposed to be giving the peas a workout too, damn it!
Todd thought as Liz left. This was going to be bugging him all freaking day, but he couldn't say anything. He didn't have a right to. He worked in a porn store for God's sake. He wanted to talk to someone about it, but should he? She may have been keeping it a secret. He hoped for the pain meds to kick in and send him back to dream land.
No such luck. The only solace was the continuation of the monster marathon. Todd would have to be soothed by Monsterwolf and Kraken. He tried to lose himself in the cheesy goodness, and did so for an hour or so. Then he got a phone call. He looked at the phone quizzically, then picked it up. "Hey Allen. What's up?"
"Not much," Allen said. "You OK?"
"Yeah. Thanks for checking, man. I'm on doctor's orders not to work, though, so if you're calling about a shift..."
"Nah. That's not it."
Todd was confused. Allen never called about anything other than work. "OK, Allen, you're officially worrying me. What is it?
Allen sighed and asked. "What should I wear?"
"To what?" Todd asked back.
"The party."
Todd was tempted to beat his head against the wall, but thought better of it. Talking to Allen was like pulling teeth a lot of the time. "What party, Allen?"
"The one on Saturday."
Todd had to think for a second, but remembered about the get-together Liz had mentioned. "The one at Ben's place? I didn't know you were coming."
"Your girl Hollie invited me," Allen replied.
Todd was a little surprised, since Hollie didn't even know Allen outside of the rescue on Sunday, but it made sense. If Allen hadn't been there, there was no telling what might have happened. "Oh, that's cool," he said. "I don't think it's anything fancy, so you can just wear whatever. Work clothes are fine if you have to work afterward."
"Thanks. Don't get invited often."
"Well I'll be glad to see you there, dude. You were an honest to God hero. Bringing a date?"
"No. Don't know anybody. Unless.."
"Unless what?β Todd was curious now.
"Your roommate coming alone?"
Todd was aghast. What crazy Twilight Zone episode had he stepped into. Liz flashing him and stripping. Allen going to a party and asking permission to ask her out. He realized that he hadn't answered Allen amid the chaos in his head. "Ummm, no I don't think she is Allen. Want me to ask?"
"No. OK if I do?" Allen replied.
Oh god. Allen was asking permission.
Todd's mind raced. Allen was odd, but a good guy. He'd protect her, already had. He for damn sure wouldn't talk bad about her. He barely talked.
And,
he had asked permission from him like he was courting her, and it was just a date, not an orgy. Todd could think of no legitimate reason to say anything but."Sure Allen. Go for it. Need her number?"
"Actually, yes. Thanks."
Todd gave it to him and said jokingly, "Just be good to her, OK Allen."
"Always. I know how to treat ladies," Allen said solemnly.
***
Liz joined the girls at Mary's...or at least, a girl. Hollie hadn't made it to 'practice' yet and Liz had arrived a few moments early. "Hey chick!" Mary greeted her, exchanging hugs.
"I'm about to bust!" Liz told her, dropping her pom poms to the side and flopping down on the couch. "You'll never believe what happened!!"
Mary quickly moved to take a seat, "What?! Did something happen with Todd!?" The pretty redhead was all a flutter and Liz shook her own auburn locks, giggling.
"Well, yes and no. We did take a shower together..." She let her voice trail off and Mary gasped.
"Do tell!"
Liz laughed, "Well, nothing really happened there. I was just helping him out, although I did flash him my boobs. That's when things got interesting."
"Jesus, tell me already!" Mary demanded, balancing on the edge of her seat.
"Well, I let it slip that I had 'practice' today and he asked me what was up. He began teasing me about working for a strip club, so because he even bothered to think that, I ran with it. So now he's under the impression that I'm taking dance classes to become a stripper and make more money." She giggled, "Oh god, Mary. The look on his face!!"
Mary and Liz giggled for some time until finally Liz lay back and took a deep breath. "Phew...god. I can't wait to see his face when he realizes I took him for a ride!"
"I can't believe you flashed him your tits!"
Liz shrugged, "Well, he'd already seen'em, so seen one set, seen'em all pretty much. He was trying to scare me off and I wouldn't let him. It's becoming more and more clear to me that he doesn't really feel the same for me." She turned on her side, her head propped on her hand for support and sighed softly, her pretty blue eyes sad. "But, could be worse. At least we're still friends. I'll have to find a way to squash these feelings and let him do his thing."
Mary gave her a reassuring smile, "It's okay babe. It'll work out, I have a feel for these things, and the idiot will pull his head out of the sand soon enough."
Liz sat up and smiled, but her eyes still looked solemn. "Well, maybe, but for now I'll just enjoy friends like you, right?" But her heart ached, making it hard to breath all of a sudden. Fighting the whirl of emotions, she was happy when Hollie came practically bursting into the room.
βYou girls ready to rock?!"
Liz giggled and forced on a smile, "Actually I am!" She gave Hollie a slow twirl, showing off her shorts and earning her a low whistle.
"You work that ass girl!!"
Suddenly her phone burst into song and Liz put a finger up. "One minute! Might be Todd!" Fishing her phone out of her bag, she gazed at the number and frowned at the strange digits that lit up her screen. "Hello?"
"Liz?" Came a strange, yet familiar voice.
"Yes? Who is this?"
"Allen."