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I took a deep breath after he had left. I didn’t know why I felt so guilty about not telling him about my palladium coin. In reality, I had no obligation to tell him anything. But I reminded myself that he had traveled all this way to help me defeat my father. I reasoned that it was as much for his own motives as mine, that he wanted to destroy my father not just to help me but for the greater cause, yet I still couldn’t completely push away the niggling feeling of guilt.
I was still debating internally about what the right thing to do was when the doorknob turned. I tensed in anticipation, but was surprised when I saw Simon’s face instead of Ryan’s. He walked softly over to me and I automatically made room for him in my chair.
“Why didn’t you wake me?” he admonished quietly when he had settled in.
“You need as much sleep as I do,” I said. “And you were just a few feet away if I needed you.”
I was relieved when he didn’t argue. It was comforting to have Simon’s arm around me as I leaned into him, but I couldn’t take my mind off Ryan. I wondered if I could truly trust him and what my dream had been trying to tell me.
Chapter Seven
The next day was pretty much like the day before. Ryan and I went with Grant to his classes, although we had to skip one since the class size was too small for us to go unnoticed, and Simon accompanied Sarah everywhere. I was just happy that it was Friday, although the impending weekend would give me no relief in worrying. I was also looking forward to having Marcus and Jenny over for dinner tonight. I had missed their company and felt guilty for having avoided them, even if it was for their own safety.
Our apartment was feeling a little crowded since we had five people staying there, but I didn’t see any other solution. I was busy making dinner while everyone else was in the living room. I had refused offers for help because I found cooking soothing and I enjoyed having some time to myself. I was just finishing up when I heard the doorbell ring and I went to join the others in the living room.
Marcus and Jenny arrived in a flurry of activity, mostly due to Jenny and her enthusiasm. She hugged each of us with a wide smile and I felt a pang of regret at having neglected our friendship throughout all this.
“Caitlin!” she exclaimed as she enveloped me in a hug. “I feel like it’s been forever since I’ve seen you!”
“Sorry about that,” I said weakly but I returned her hug enthusiastically. I reminded myself of the excuse of being sick. “Things were a little crazy and it didn’t help that we all caught a nasty virus.”
“I’m so happy you’re feeling better,” she said sympathetically, and I tried to not feel like the worst friend in the world.
“I’m not surprised that you caught it too,” Marcus joked as he looked at Grant. “You practically live here.”
Grant shrugged, looking a little embarrassed. “What can I do? The old lady has me on a short leash.”
“Hey!” Sarah looked affronted as she smacked Grant on the arm. Grant’s joke seem to break the tension and it felt like old times, back when we were just a group of friends enjoying the last year of college. Jenny looked curiously at Ryan, who had been standing back just watching while we greeted each other.
“This is Ryan,” I said, continuing the introduction with the lie we had already agreed upon. “He’s a friend of the family that’s staying with me for a little bit.”
I figured the fewer details told the better, and I was relieved when Jenny and Marcus seemed to readily accept my lie, although they would have no reason not to.
“You guys came right on time. Dinner’s ready. We’re having chicken parmigiana tonight.”
“Awesome!” Marcus said with a cheerful smile. I hadn’t had much chance to see Marcus and Jenny as a couple, and it was surprising but endearing to see him with his arm around her shoulders. He also looked much happier than I had ever seen him.
Once we had settled into our seats in the living room, each with a plate piled high with food, I could almost convince myself that this was a normal night where I could relax and enjoy myself. The food caught in my throat when Jenny started to ask Ryan questions about himself.
“What brings you to Rochester, Ryan?”
I listened to Ryan’s excuse about having a job interview in the area, and wanting to check out the town in case he got offered the job. I was amazed at how easily he lied, giving just the right amount of detail to be convincing, but not too much to be conspicuous. He handled all of Jenny’s questions with ease, and I found myself a little unsettled by how convincing he was with his lies. If I didn’t know better, I would have believed everything he was saying.
I was relieved when Jenny seemed satisfied with his answers and switched the topic.
“When are you guys playing at the East End again? Joel has been contacting Marcus non-stop because he says you guys never call him back.” She looked accusingly at Grant and Simon, but it was with no rancor.
“We’ve been getting over the virus,” Grant said with a cheerful smile that looked forced. If Ryan was a consummate liar, Grant was an utter failure at it.
“But you’re not sick anymore,” Marcus said, more a statement than a question. “How about tomorrow?”
“How about next weekend?” Grant looked at Simon helplessly as he answered, unsure if he was making the right decision. Simon seemed to sense his panic and spoke up.
“I think next weekend is a good idea. We’re still getting our energy up, and the last thing we want to do is put on a crappy performance. We haven’t practiced in a while.”
Marcus accepted Simon’s answer, and Grant looked relieved when the topic shifted to how everyone’s Thanksgiving was. I almost choked when I had to say that Thanksgiving had been great, trying to blot out all the awful things that had happened in Connecticut.
The dinner I had so been looking forward to was becoming more of a chore as I realized how hard it was to juggle all the lies. I had been foolish to think that we could just be a regular group of friends enjoying a night in. Too many things h
