SVH06-Dangerous Love (9 page)

grazed her shoulders. Compared with their friends, who were flitting about the room in cute dresses or skirts and tops, Jessica looked truly sophisticated. Plus she had on her arm a six-foot-two, blond-haired hottie who totally complemented her. Together they looked like a walking, talking Ralph Lauren ad. Elizabeth only hoped Jessica would remember to thank Enid for changing her mind.

"Why don't we chase down one of those waiters?" Brian suggested. "I'm starved."

"I could go for a crab cake," Jessica agreed as Brian took her hand. "You coming, Liz?"

"I think I'll just wait here for Todd," Elizabeth said, glancing behind her. "He should be here soon."

"Okay. If I don't see you, just find us at the end of the night and we'll give you a ride to the club," Jessica said. After a little prodding, Jessica had agreed to let Liz horn in on her date again later, when the country club emptied out and everyone headed to Caravan--a downtown club--for the after-party. Todd, after all, would not be able to take her.

"Thanks," Elizabeth said.

"Even though I don't understand why Todd couldn't have taken his car for one night," Jessica added pointedly.

"Do we really have to talk about this again?" Elizabeth

asked. "He's trying to sell it. He doesn't want to put more miles on it now."

"Whatever. Have fun! I'll see you later!" Jessica called as she and Brian turned and disappeared into the whirl of partygoers and waiters.

After about two minutes, Elizabeth started to feel awkward standing in the entryway alone, so she wandered outside. It was a warm night, so she decided to wait for Todd under the grand pillars out front and watch the cars as they pulled up to the valet stand. From her vantage point, she saw nearly everyone from school arrive: Cara, Ken, Lila, Bruce, Winston, Mandy, Caroline Pearce, Tom McKay, John Pfeiffer. It was like a yearbook parade. And soon she heard Valley of Death take the stage inside and launch into their first song. The party was already picking up, and still no sign of Todd.

She reached into her small clutch purse to check her phone and see if he'd tried to call her. Nothing. Suddenly, her pulse started to race.

He's just running late after his grandfather's party, Elizabeth thought. There's nothing to worry about.

Still, she decided to head back inside. At least she would be distracted. Standing there watching the driveway wasn't helping her nerves.

"I've been looking all over for you!" Enid exclaimed,

grabbing Elizabeth's wrists the moment she was through the door.

Elizabeth's jaw dropped. "Enid! You look incredible," she said. Enid was wearing the dark blue strapless dress Elizabeth had helped her pick out, and for once her dark hair was pulled back from her face, showing off her eyes and cheekbones.

"Thanks. You think?" Enid said, looking down at her dress as she blushed.

"Stunning," Elizabeth said, borrowing Jessica's word. "Are you having fun?"

"Definitely! I can't believe how many people are here," Enid said, looking around, her eyes sparkling. "I feel like Cinderella or something."

"Good. I'm glad it all worked out," Elizabeth told her.

"So, are you okay? I saw you come in with Jessica and Brian," Enid said, lowering her voice. "Todd's still coming, right?"

"Oh, yeah," Elizabeth said casually. "I'm sure he just got hung up at his grandfather's party."

And that he's not lying unconscious on the road somewhere, she added silently.

"Well, don't just stand around. Go check out the food," Enid suggested. "My mom really outdid herself."

"Any caviar?" Elizabeth joked.

"No, thank God." Enid laughed. "But there are these

amazing shrimp and these cheese things that are to die for. Oh! And fries in truffle oil. They're totally addictive. You have to try some."

"I'll get right on that," Elizabeth agreed.

"Oh! My mother's flagging me down," Enid said, jumping up to her tiptoes. "I have to go say hello to some relatives. I'll catch up with you later?"

"Sounds good," Elizabeth said. "Happy birthday, Enid," she added, giving her friend a hug.

"Thanks!" Enid ran off to join her mother on the other side of the room.

Left alone, Elizabeth checked her watch. Todd was more than forty-five minutes late. Where could he be? And why hadn't he called? She found a quiet corner, pulled out her cell, and speed-dialed him, but it rang four times and went to voice mail. Not wanting to sound like a nagging girlfriend, she decided not to leave a message. At the very least he would see he'd missed a call from her and hopefully he'd call her back.

In the meantime, Elizabeth decided to distract herself and have a little fun. She tried the fries, which were every bit as yum as Enid had proclaimed them to be. Then she found Robin, Allen, Winston, and Mandy on the dance floor and joined them for a few songs. Every once in a while, she checked the door, but Todd was never there. Before long, dinner was served and Elizabeth found

herself sitting next to an empty chair with Todd's place card in front of it.

"Wilkins stand you up, Wakefield?" Bruce joked as he strolled by her table.

Right about then, her fear started to be tamped down by annoyance. Elizabeth looked around at her friends at the table and tried not to appear as hurt, worried, and irritated as she felt. She had been looking forward to Enid's party for weeks, and now the whole night had a negative twist, thanks to Todd. He'd practically missed the whole thing already. If he showed up now, he'd basically be there for the cake and the goodbyes.

But he didn't even make it for that. Before long, the "Happy Birthday" song had been sung, the exquisite cake had been devoured, and all the SVH students were crowding toward the door. Elizabeth hovered near Enid as Enid hugged every last guest goodbye. When the place was practically empty, Enid turned to Elizabeth with an expression of pity that made Liz feel even worse.

"He never showed?" Enid asked.

"He never showed," Elizabeth said, hugging her bare arms.

"Well, I'm sure he has a good reason," Enid assured her. "I mean, it's Todd."

"I know. But then why hasn't he called me?" Elizabeth asked, annoyed.

"Maybe he'll go straight to the Caravan," George suggested, sauntering over with Enid's jacket. "Do you want a ride?"

"No thanks. I'm going with Jessica and Brian." Elizabeth glanced around the room and saw no sign of her sister. "She's probably just in the bathroom with Cara and Lila, primping. I'll meet you guys there."

"Okay," Enid said, giving Liz a quick hug.

As her friend walked out of the room with George's arm around her shoulders, Elizabeth felt an acute pang of jealousy. Why couldn't her boyfriend be there? No one was four hours late for a party. Something had to be wrong. And if something wasn't wrong, she was going to have to kill him.

Suddenly, her cell phone trilled. Heart in her throat, Elizabeth yanked it from her bag and was relieved to see Todd's face smiling at her from the screen. Relieved one second, and livid the next.

"Todd! Where are you?" she demanded by way of greeting.

"Liz, I am so, so, so, so sorry," Todd began. "There was something I had to do and I really didn't think it would take this long."

"Oh really? What did you have to do on the night of my best friend's sweet sixteen?" Elizabeth asked. "You promised her you'd be here!"

"I know. I suck," Todd said. "I really am sorry. But I actually think you're going to be happy when you find out."

"Find out what?" Elizabeth demanded, gripping the phone.

"It's a surprise," Todd told her with a smile in his voice.

It was all Elizabeth could do to keep from hurling the phone across the room. He was happy right now? Happy?

"Todd, you have to tell me where you've been all night," she said. "I've been freaking out over here."

"Look, I'm on my way," Todd said. "I'll be there in a few and I'll explain everything. Bye!"

Todd hung up before Elizabeth had a chance to ask him if he even knew what time it was--if he knew that everyone had already left for the Caravan. She tried to call him back, but again it went directly to voice mail. He was avoiding her call. All she could do was hope that when he said he'd be right there, he meant the country club and not the Caravan.

"I am so going to kill him," Elizabeth said under her breath as she stormed across the ballroom toward the door.

But at least now she knew he was all right. That took a load off her mind. She no longer had to be worried and angry. Just angry.

For the second time that night, Elizabeth found herself waiting outside. Pretty much everyone had cleared out, and it was now obvious that Jessica had forgotten about her and had already taken off with Brian. She left her sister a message, telling her to get her butt back to the country club and pick her up; then she stood there with clenched teeth, wondering if there was anyone in Sweet Valley she could trust anymore. At least her wait was a short one this time. Less than ten minutes after he'd called, Todd roared up the drive on his motorcycle. He pulled his helmet off and Elizabeth was once again struck by how cute he was. Annoyingly cute.

"Everyone gone?" he asked.

"Looks that way," Elizabeth said coolly.

"How're you getting to the Caravan?" he asked, swinging his leg over his bike as Elizabeth slowly descended the stairs.

"Jessica is coming back for me," she said, with more confidence than she felt.

Todd smirked. "She's got Brian all to herself right now and you expect her to come back for you?"

Elizabeth shrugged, even though he had a point. "Whatever. Enid's mom said she'd drive me after the cleanup if Jessica didn't come through. So, what's the deal, Todd? Where have you been all night?"

Todd's expression grew serious. "Well, I've been thinking a lot about us, and about the bike, and I've come to a decision," he said. "But before I say anything, I just think you should know that this was the toughest decision I've ever had to make."

He looked her in the eye and Elizabeth's heart hit her toes. Holy crap. He's breaking up with me! He's breaking up with me over his stupid bike! That must have been his reason for bailing on the party. He didn't want to have to act all lovey-dovey all night when he knew he was going to dump her at the end of it.

"What is it?" Elizabeth asked, trying to hold her chin up. All she really wanted to do was burst into tears. Or punch him in the face. Or both. "Just say it."

"Okay, I guess I should just say it," he said, nervously shifting his feet.

I don't believe this. I don't believe he's doing this.

"I'm selling my bike."

Elizabeth almost fell over from shock. "What?"

"I'm getting rid of it," Todd said. "And don't try to change my mind."

"I.. . I..."

"That's where I've been all night. I made a deal with Crunch McAllister. I would have been here sooner, but he insisted on celebrating. Kept pouring me sodas while he chugged beer. That guy can really drink, man."

"You're selling the bike?" Elizabeth asked, just catching up.

"I told you, don't try to talk me out of it," Todd said.

Elizabeth stepped forward and hugged Todd so hard she nearly knocked them both off their feet.

"Are you okay?" he asked, brushing a stray lock of hair away from her face.

"I thought you were breaking up with me!" Elizabeth exclaimed.

Todd's face went slack. "What? No. Liz, come on. You've gotta be kidding me. No. I just... I can't stand having to meet you places and I can't stand watching you go home with other people. Not to mention you having to depend on Jessica of all people, which clearly isn't working out," he added, looking back at the empty driveway. "It just isn't worth it. I want to be with you, even if it is in my crappy car."

Elizabeth laughed. She was clutching his jacket at the sides. "But you always dreamed of having a bike."

"I know. I know. I always thought if I got one of these, it would be the best thing that ever happened to me," Todd said, turning to the side so that they could both see the Ducati. "But you know what? You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. I'm not going to let some stupid bike get in the way of that."

Elizabeth giggled happily. "You're such a dork."

"I know," he replied with a shrug. "But it's your fault. I was way cooler before you turned me to mush."

Looking up into his brown eyes, Elizabeth was overwhelmed by her feelings for him. She couldn't believe he was actually going to give up his dream bike for her. She felt as if they had just taken their relationship to a whole new level. Clearly, Todd would do anything for her, and she felt at that moment that she would do anything for him, too.

"I love you; you know that?" she said.

Todd smiled slowly. "I love you, too."

Elizabeth was about to pull Todd in for a kiss when she heard footsteps behind her. She turned to find Enid's mother walking toward them.

"Sorry to interrupt, dear, but it looks like I won't be able to give you a ride after all," Ms. Rollins said. "I'm going to be here much longer than I thought. Is there someone you can call?"

"Sure, Ms. Rollins. Don't worry about it," Elizabeth told her. "I'll figure something out."

"All right, then," Enid's mother said. She hurried back inside, looking hassled.

"Who're you gonna call?" Todd asked, pulling his phone from his pocket. "Want me to get Ken to come back? Or Winston?"

Elizabeth looked past Todd at the motorcycle. Soon it would no longer be part of Todd's life, or hers. And suddenly, knowing that, she didn't think it looked quite so menacing. For the first time since Todd had bought the bike, Elizabeth pictured herself on the back of it, the wind whipping through her hair, her arms wound tightly around her boyfriend. Enid had thought her ride was fun, and perfectly safe. And Todd always handled the bike with care....

Could she? This might be her only opportunity to find out what it was really like, to experience it for herself. Wasn't that what writers were supposed to do? Experience things?

"Liz?" Todd asked.

"Why don't you take me?" Elizabeth blurted out, holding her breath.