Ryder explains by giving me the recipe. Like I'm gonna cook! He barely had time for me, let alone cook anything. After my comment he promises to do a little for me to try.
We had a conversation about the club and its sumptuous dances. All planned by my mother.
- My brothers and I are partners there. - Mel says with enthusiasm. - My niece Viola is also a regular and usually goes to dances, accompanied by Ryder.
Ryder chokes on the wine and I give him a debauched smile. I was amazed to learn that Ryder was attending my mother's country club and the disturbing image of him in a tuxedo populates my thoughts.
- Didn't you know you liked the dances? - I whisper as I blink to try to push away the image that came to my mind.
- Actually, I don't like it! - Ryder answers in a dry voice. - I'm going more to accompany my cousin and on account of my mother's frequent exhibitions. She'll be exhibiting at the MET in a few days!
- That's great! - I say smiling. - I never stayed at the club until the end of one, because I find the events organized by my mother very superb. I'd be happy to go to the MET. When will it be?
- Next week, baby! - she says. - If you wish, I can arrange invitations for you and your parents.
- No. - I mean frowning. - I'd rather go alone. Besides, my parents are in London.
- I see! - she says looking at Ryder. - I know a lot of people who love to attend my shows, alone too.
Ryder makes a face.
- I've explained the reason, Mom. - he says without patience. - I hope I don't have to do that again.
While Ryder was talking, I kept watching his expressions. There was something familiar about the way he spoke seriously.
- Wait! Your father's not Charles Cavanaugh, is he?
Ryder's eyes widen and he stops talking the instant those words come out of my mouth. It's a mixture of panic and surprise that makes me intrigued. He doesn't say anything, he just gets paralyzed in place while I evaluate him. He seemed to have heard the name of a ghost.
- Well, can we go? - Ryder says all of a sudden, shutting it down. His deep voice sounded frightening and serious. - Can we leave the meeting later for another day? I need to go somewhere with my mom and I don't want to put it off until later.
Mel frown on Ryder like she's confused. Maybe he wanted to surprise his mother by taking her somewhere special.
- Sure! - I answer without understanding his mood swings, but accepting his proposal.
I make a point of paying the bill, but Ryder's faster, getting the book in front of me. I keep grumbling with my arms crossed while he smiles. Even though his good mood came back, Ryder was still a mystery.
What had made him so upset that he wanted to leave?
I'm thinking all the way back to your apartment. I look at my watch when I get home and see Jane snoring in her bed. It was past two and thanks to Ryder's cancellation, I would have plenty of time to rest before going to the club sooner. After I put all the bags in the closet, I take a shower and go to bed. I'm so tired that my eyes close less than two minutes after I lay down. Then I fall into a deep, heavy sleep.
***
The night was quiet for a Saturday. I was happy to have opted for the new boots that were very comfortable. I decided not to wear any of the new clothes yet, so I opted for a pair of black leather pants I had put away and one of my white cotton shirts. I left my hair loose and put a pair of rings on it. He wore a pair of leather bracelets, which matched his boots. I made a soft and casual makeup, as always, highlighting my eyes. To avoid accidents, I had put my contact lenses on. That would be the first night without the glasses.
- Wow, you're very popular tonight! - Jane says she's giving me a piece of paper. - I love your boots!
Smiling, I open the paper to make sure it was another phone number and the trash game. It was the tenth that night.
- Thank God, I'm closed to swing! - I say sighing. - I don't even want to know about dating anybody anytime soon.
Jane makes a face.
- Fuck you! - ...she says by shrugging her shoulders. - I still have the fraternities!
That makes me laugh.
- Look who's here! - Jane hums pointing to a corner near the bar.
I follow Jane's gaze and see Ryder talking to a brunette who was leaning against a wall, almost melting all over him.
- But what's he doing here? - I whisper without taking my eyes off him. - So that's why he cancelled our trip to the library?
He snorted by putting his hands on his waist.
- I don't know, but Ryder never comes to Six! - says Jane shrugging her shoulders. - At least we've never seen him around here.
- That asshole! - rosno. - It's already started very badly!
Jane sighs, making a dramatic face.
- I still can't believe you're on a study project with him. - she says in a tone of regret. - Which I wouldn't give for a few hours of study with him. Preferably biology.
Jane
