“Hey! Sorry! I can sign for that.”
I knew what was inside the small box—and the excitement made my feelings of annoyance melt away. I couldn't wait to try the outfit on. I scurried back into the house, hiding the package from Todd, although he didn't look away from his videogame.
Tearing into the package, I pulled out the replica ice girl outfit and smiled. It was so cute!
The busty crop-top and the playful mini-skirt were a perfect fit. I might not have looked as good in those as that one girl that Todd liked, but … I could definitely pull it off. And hey. If anything could steal Todd's attention away from those videogames, I'd like to think it'd be his girlfriend in a small and sexy outfit.
I sneaked into the living room, walking lightly on my tip-toes.
“Oh, To~dd,” I called.
“Huh,” he answered.
Plastic buttons furiously clicked and clacked under his fingers, and explosions and screams blasted from the TV.BOOM! Aiiiie! Brat-a-tat-tat-tat! Boooooooom!
“I have something to show you, Todd,” I sang.
“Okay. Just—hold on. One minute.”
I waited, my brow furrowing, for a minute. And then a few more, until finally I grew impatient and stepped to the side of the TV.
“Hi Todd.”
He did a double-take. “Whoa.” He chuckled uncomfortably. “What, uh, what are you wearing there, Honor?”
“Oh, just a little something I ordered after we got back from the game.” I turned to the side, modeling it for him. “What do you think?”
“Hmmm.” He kept playing his game. “Well, what in the world did you wantthatfor?”
I sat by him on the couch and let my knees touch his. “I saw how much you liked those ice girls. I thought a little role play might be fun.”
Todd scoffed. “Honor. I told you earlier. I don't like the idea of you, wearingthat.”
I stared at him while he played his game like a zombie. Blood boiled in my veins. Didn't he realize what I was practically propositioning him here? Okay, maybe he didn't want me to be an ice girl, but—this was strictly role play! Andsex!Didn't he find me sexy? Shouldn't my boyfriend want me?
“Forget it.” I stood and left him in a huff.
“Hey! Honor! What's your problem?” he yelled after me.
I slammed the bedroom door behind me and changed out of the stupid outfit. Out in the living room, I heard him whine, “Aw, motherfucker—I died.”
When Todd finally came to find me an hour later, I was back at work on my painting.
“Sup. My match is over now,” he said quietly, shuffling behind me. “You changed out of that outfit.”
“Sure did.” I stared into my painting, just like he'd stared into that TV.
Todd ran his fingers up and down my neck—which was what he always did when he wanted to initiate sex. It made me shiver, but not in a good way.
“Please don't.” I shrugged his hand off my neck. “I need a steady hand for this.”
“Jesus—alright. You don't have to bite my hand off. I just thought you were in the mood.”
I added some careful brush strokes.“Well, Iwas,but I'm not anymore.”
Todd blew out a short breath. “Pft. Fine.” He stood silent, watching me paint, but I knew his anger was about to boil over. I knew he was about to lash out, same as he did anytime he got upset.
And then, sure enough, it came.
