What's the Matter with Megan? – Chapter Two (Commission)

Thanks as always to Samantha for sponsoring this next installment!

***

"So, umm… sure you don't want to come along? There's room for you in Dan's car-"

If I hadn't been around her for a few weeks already, I'd have been hurt by the cold glance of irritated indifference Anya gives me. By now, however, I know it's her typical response to anything. "Nope," she mutters, with a disinterested glance over my summery shorts and crop top. "Can't stand those Marvel movies. But hey, don't let me stop you. Go have fun or whatever…"

And so it is that I five minutes later, I find myself tucked into the back of Dan's car, third-wheeling it with him and Megan on our way to the theater.

"Ooh, look! Natalie, did you see this? Buy two get one free on Starbucks drinks!" My bestie's a fiend for anything with coffee, I know full well – and even before Dan and I weigh in, I know we're going to end up there regardless. "Oh, I get it. You need some caffeine to stay awake in the movie, huh?" he teases her once we've parked and are making our way inside – but she just tosses her auburn locks and shrugs. "Can't hurt," she maintains, gazing up at the menu in evident concentration. "Hmm, but it is already 3. Maybe just a small frap…"

"Babe, if it's free or a cow, milk it," Dan rumbles with a grin. "Gotta get your money's worth, right?" And, so despite one little protest from her, he steps forward and places the order – for three Venti frappuccinos. Of course I too could protest that, with that much caffeine, I'll never be able to sleep tonight. But when he's buying… well, why look a gift horse in the mouth, right?

So less than twenty minutes later, the three of us are filing into the darkened theater, drinks in hand. Megan of course sits in the middle, with Dan on her left and me on her right. Of course, I can't deny that Megan hasn't been exactly forthcoming about all the details of her and Dan. But I'm sure they want to hold hands or whatever… which is fine. None of my business. All I really want to do right now is kick back, relax, and enjoy some fun explosions together with my bestie.

Even if I do have to share her with someone else.

***

Though that enjoying part gets a wee bit harder when you're having to hold your bladder!

Honestly, why do film makers do this? Why do they so consistently time the drama of their films so that an hour and a half in – precisely when most audiences need potty breaks – it becomes literally impossible to slip away for even five minutes without missing a crucial detail that will leave you lost for the rest of the film?

I know this from experience. Which is why I sit here for a good while, mentally regretting the massive, now-empty cup beside me, and shifting in place as discreetly as possible. Ugh, really? Maybe I can dash out for just a minute… But no, the villain's lair is in sight now – the team of heroes are closing in – the showdown's about to begin…

Goddammit, guys, get your asses in gear! I've got somewhere to be, after all: somewhere on a porcelain throne, relaxing and getting rid of what feels like this entire stupid drink…

At least I'm not the only one in this boat, I console myself. For a quick look to my left shows me Megan, her hand locked fast in Dan's, squirming visibly in her seat. She's glancing up at him, leaning up to whisper something in his ear – and although I can't see her face, I can easily imagine what she's saying. Babe, sorry, but I'm gonna run to the bathroom. Be right back…

Yet… she doesn't. All she does is lean closer while he whispers something back. And she settles back, a weird little blush on her face… to commence squirming once more.

But just then the action kicks into high gear before us. The subwoofers are shaking the seats, the music is blaring, and we're hanging on for the ride of our lives as the villain unleashes her secret weapon. All other thoughts flit away for the moment, and I let the ensuing, glorious cocktail of adrenaline and cheesy humor and CGI explosions sweep me away. Who cares about stupid bladders when there's all this to be enjoyed?

When it finally subsides and we catch our breath in relief, I finally recollect my senses – and feeling the returning twinge in my bladder, find myself looking over once more at Megan to see how she's faring. She's staring intently ahead, eyes fixed on the glowing screen before us, her entire body still and drawn visibly rigid. Wait… is she okay? I know she's not a huge adrenaline junkie. Surely that didn't scare her too bad? But I guess there was that one guy whose head got blown off…

But hey, whatever. Dan's with her now. He can take care of her, right?

***

"Ahhh…" It's with a guttural sigh of relief that I finally settle onto the cool porcelain of a theater toilet and let the pent-up flood escape. God, that feels so good! I made it through without missing a bit of the film – which is a pretty big achievement, I must say. Sure, my walk may have been closer to a sprint on our way out of the theater. I may even have left Dan and Megan behind a bit. But all's well that ends well, right? And damn, that was one fun movie…

When I finally emerge, Megan and Dan are huddled close outside the bathroom, tucked away into an inconspicuous corner. She's looking down, and on her face is an expression I've very rarely seen on anyone: a combination of what I can only read as embarrassment and quiet pleading. "But- but-" I hear her falter, and now, as I step closer, I catch sight of Dan's gorgeous, strong hand slipping underneath her knee-length skirt. "Dan, please! I- I really couldn't help it-"

Well, shit. Making out in the lobby, huh? Talk about making me feel more than ever like the third wheel. And wait… didn't Megan have to run to the bathroom just as badly as I did?

"Hmm," he rumbles in that velvety voice of his, and I swear I'm not imagining the movement beneath her skirt that betrays his fingers working and massaging whatever lies beneath. "Oh, baby – you really can't, can you? Such a sweet little thing! But listen: you lost the bet, fair and square-"

"Natalie!" she bursts out upon suddenly catching sight of me – and her cheeks are flaming almost as bright as her hair as she pulls away. "Oh, um- you, you're ready? To go, I mean? We were… just waiting-" "Uh-huh," I reply drily, for as simultaneously amused and jealous as I am right now, it's all I can offer. "Yeah, I'm ready…"

And then – for some reason unknown even to myself – the words slip from my mouth. "Having a good time here, Dan? I heard something about a bet?"

Megan looks like she's about to melt with embarrassment, for some reason – but Dan simply wraps one strong arm around her and chuckles. "Oh, don't worry about it! Everything's fine, I promise." His blue eyes are so intense, and the shiver-inducing gaze he steadily directs my way is so stomach-fluttering, that I find myself nodding in mindless agreement as he continues. "All I'll say," he smiles, "Is that things are going to get very interesting tonight."

Well, fuck me. What is a best friend supposed to say to that?

***

I'm still mulling it over hours later, as I shuffle my way into the shower. It's just me here tonight, after all. Anya's away, god knows where. And Megan… well, turns out that she's staying over at Dan's place. For the entire night.

Damn, I can't help but muse as I glance around our little bathroom. It must have been one heck of a last-minute decision, surely. Megan's always been pretty good at planning ahead. Yet there's her toothbrush. And here's her Frozen 2 hairbrush. Her pajamas are still on her bed, and her laptop as well. Frick, she doesn't even have a fresh pair of underwear with her!

Though I guess… well, whatever. Is it wrong of me to imagine that clean panties are the last thing she's going to need tonight? Because judging by Dan's expression, I'd be surprised if either of them needed anything more than a couple of condoms and a bit of lube. God, the way he'd said it – about things getting interesting tonight – uggghhhhhmmm…

Dammit, what are those two even up to? And why, oh why, does my best friend's guy have to be so hot?

(To be continued!)