Playing the Part

20. crush: the sequel

Allie

"So you're telling me in the span of the three days since we talked about this, you like Everett now?" Alex is eating Ben & Jerry's straight out of the tub and I'm wrapped in two winter blankets, curled up on the couch because my nervous ass forgot to bring a trench coat out. 

And I walked in the cold for twenty minutes in a tiny dress.

"No I think it was way before but I...yeah." I squeak out before my teeth start chattering. 

A slow smile creeps up her face before she licks her spoon. "I called it, didn't I?"

I roll my eyes, "yes. You did." 

"You can't outrun my wits. I'm mini Curie." 

"Also, I caught Zach staring at a lady's ass." I say and sip some hot tea. 

She stops mid bite, "he what?" 

"And I called him out for it-"

"As you should." Alex interjects. 

"-and he said something along the lines of he can't help it." 

She opens her mouth in shock and scrunches her eyebrows, "ew, what? Boys will be boys." 

"But honestly, I don't care that he's a douche. I haven't thought of him all that much since I started spending time with Everett. And I'm fucking scared, Alex. It's only been like three weeks and I...I don't know." I burrow deeper into the couch. 

She puts aside her ice cream and wipes her wet hands on my blanket. "This might be TMI but since the rip age of eighteen, Everett has never — and I do mean never — gone without sex for a full week." Alex raises her hands in surrender before adding, "I'm just relaying Conor's words; I'm not Joe Goldberg." 

"Are you saying he's sleeping around behind my back?" 

She facepalms and exclaims, "no you doofus. It means he really really likes you. And yeah, I was skeptical at first when you told me about it but after seeing the way he looks at you? Missy, he's into you." 

No way. 

I narrow my eyes at her, "are you sure you're not just delusional?" 

She lets out a sarcastic laugh. "I'm just gonna pretend you didn't just ask me that." 

Alex is right. 

She's as blunt as they come. 

"Maybe he's just a very convincing actor." 

She sighs and pulls at her hair. "You're never going to believe me because you're so in denial. Seriously, you're amazing Allie. Whatever Tori said to you in high school, fuck that. Stop selling yourself short." 

"I'm trying," I say softly, "how'd I get so lucky with you?" 

Alex shrugs. "The Universe knew you needed a smart, wickedly talented, funny, awesome person in your life." 

I throw my head back and laugh. "So what do I do about my little crush?" 

"I think you should tell him. You miss a hundred percent of the shots you don't take." 

 I toy with the hem of my graphic tee. "You sure he's not just playing with my feelings?" 

"I mean I can't be sure, but I am sure that somewhere beneath all that skin, tendons and shit tons of muscles, he's a nice guy. Plus, he's like really good at fixing things. Might wanna ask him to take a look at our ancient humidifier."