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"How's everyone's breakfast?"
"Great!" I said, and everyone chimed in agreement. Maxine seemed pleased at our enthusiasm but then she glanced over at Kendra. "Oh, you don't have your cranberry juice. I'll go get it."
Kendra shook her head, getting up from the table. "It's okay, I'll get it. You've already slaved over all this food." Despite her earlier protestations about having to fend for herself most mornings, Kendra jumped up to get her juice so that Maxine wouldn't have to. I realized she was a lot like Simon in many ways.
The breakfast conversation flowed easily as Kendra peppered everyone with questions. She wanted to know how Simon liked Maxwell University, what his new band was like, when she could come to visit, where Sarah and I were from, and a dozen other questions.
We were almost done with breakfast when Grant stumbled in, still looking sleepy.
"Glad to see you're finally joining us," Simon said dryly.
Grant yawned, scratching his stomach. "That bed is too damn comfortable." He grinned as Kendra mauled him with a hug. "Hey there, short stuff. Happy Birthday."
"Thanks! Come sit and eat and tell me about your band. Simon already told me a little about it but you know him. He never gives details." That statement surprised me since it seemed as if Simon was an open book, willing to share everything.
Simon looked over at me and Sarah. "Why don't I show you girls around. There's some game rooms and stuff. It's a little cold but I could show you the grounds outside too."
"It would be nice to get some fresh air." I glanced at Sarah. "Let's grab our coats."
Sarah nodded in agreement and started to stand when Grant looked up at her. "Don't go with them. Keep me company or else Kendra will talk me to death."
Kendra made a disgruntled sound at Grant's accusation, but then she looked thoughtfully from Grant to Sarah, smiling slowl
y. I could practically see the wheels turning in her head as she assessed them. Yes, she was definitely like Simon in more ways than one.
Sarah hesitated and Grant look surprised at her reluctance to stay. "Well, I actually would love to see the rest of the house and outside. It's amazing."
The corners of Grant's mouth dipped down. He studied Sarah for a beat and then smiled imploringly. "I'll show you around after I finish breakfast. I practically grew up in this house so I'll be as good of a guide as Simon."
"Well," Sarah said, drawing the word out, still not looking sure. I was as surprised as Grant at her hesitation. I was used to her jumping at any opportunity to spend time with Grant, especially at his request. I wondered what had changed. "I guess so."
Grant frowned, looking grumpy. "Don't sound so excited by the prospect."
Sarah laughed at his expression. "Relax. Fine, I'd love for you to be my tour guide. I could go for another helping of that blueberry bread anyways."
Grant's face cleared and he smiled. "Yeah, that stuff is like crack."
"Grant," Simon warned, shooting a glance at Kendra. He seemed disapproving of Grant's choice of words in front of his younger sister.
Kendra rolled her eyes. "I know what crack is, Simon." He looked alarmed at her admission and she laughed. "As in, I've seen it on TV. Don't worry, I'm not snorting it. Or shooting it. Or whatever you do with crack." Simon seemed relieved at her admission and I wondered if he was actually worried about her doing drugs. Although I had just met Kendra, she didn't seem to be the type to do drugs. I wondered if it was a temptation that came along with a life of privilege.
Simon and I left the dining room and headed upstairs to grab our coats. I walked into my room and expected him to continue on to his own but he just waited for me by the doorway.
"Why don't you grab your coat and just meet me back here?"
"I'll wait," Simon replied. "We can go to my room together."
I was secretly thrilled at the chance to see his room but I tried not to show it as I grabbed my coat and walked beside him down the hall. Simon stopped in front of a door not too far from mine, but it was far enough that I wondered how he had heard me the night before when Sarah hadn't.
He opened the door and stepped aside, letting me walk in first. I was too busy soaking up every detail of Simon's room to notice him closing the door behind us.
Simon's room looked more like a small apartment. There was an area for his bed along with all the regular bedroom furniture, like a dresser and desk, but then there was a separate area that looked like a living room, complete with a couch and TV. The bathroom door was open and I could see his toiletries scattered on the counter.
The room was decorated in dark colors and, except for its size, looked like any typical male bedroom. There were pictures tacked to a board beside his desk and I leaned closer, studying them. A younger, more youthful Simon looked back at me, laughing and smiling with his friends. I saw there were a fair number of girls in the pictures and tried not to read too much into it. At least there were no photos of him alone with a girl. They were all group photos so I comforted myself with the fact that they were probably all just friends. Not that it mattered. They looked like pictures from high school and Simon hadn't even known me then. There was no point getting jealous about girls he had known before we had met.
His room was neat but there were a few clothes scattered about. I turned around and saw Simon leaning against the closed door, his arms folded across his chest. Watching me.
I swallowed as his eyes met mine. He was looking at me in a way that made heat shoot up inside me. I gave him a weak smile. "Aren't you getting your coat? We should get going."
