Ch. 3: Part 5

I trudged through the mud out to the road, hands shoved in my pockets and head down. I tried to be as inconspicuous as possible. Tried.
"Hey, Leo, ya sure about Larry's?" Abel called over to me from over at the time clock. I tried to act like I hadn't heard him. I squeezed my eyes shut and sighed as I heard his cheerful jog behind me.
"Hey, Leo. Ya sure you won't take me up on my offer? I'll buy." He wore a smile but I could tell he already knew what I was going to say.
"No. Thanks, anyway. You have fun with the other guys."
His eyebrows came together and his face transformed into the most pathetic expression.
"That's just the trouble. None of the other guys are going. I don't wanna go by myself."
I was a little surprised at that. I wasn't expecting him to want to hang out with just me. Even if I was his backup. But that didn't change anything and neither did his pleading expression. There was no way I was stepping one foot into Larry's. Way too many people jammed together and none of them on their best behavior. I tried not to think of the other reason.
"Uh. Larry's just isn't my thing." I said with an uncomfortable expression. I shrugged and began to start my walk home again.
"We don't have to go to Larry's if you don't want to. We could just grab a couple of beers from Ted's."
I turned around to face him again. He had his eyebrows raised with a half grin.
Two guys and a couple of beers didn't really sound that bad. And I didn't really have any more reasons for refusing and from the grin, I think Abel knew it. I had no idea how anyone could say no to Abel. I briefly took pity on any unsuspecting victim of the female gender. If it worked this well on me, think what that welcoming smile and those innocent eyes could do to any girl of his choosing.
A slight snicker escaped my lips. His eyes turned quizzical at my sudden amusement.
"Well, I guess you won't let me say no." I smirked.
His eyebrows lifted and his face turned into an expression of excitement.
"The hell I am." He said with a grin.