Chasing Shadows (Shadows 2)

Although Grant knew about my visions and the existence of vardogers, neither Simon nor I had told him about what really happened in Connecticut, and I had sworn Sarah to secrecy. When we first came back to Maxwell, I had told Grant that I wanted to concentrate on building my life back up, not on shadows and death. Grant had immediately agreed and had never brought up the subject. It was as if he wanted to forget what he had seen, pretend like it had never happened. Sarah told me he never even broached the subject with her and she believed that he was blocking it out because it was too hard to fathom. I didn't blame him.

I decided to tell Grant the story I had told Neal. "He's someone I met during one of your shows. He seems like a nice guy so I invited him over for dinner."

Grant raised his eyebrows. "Does Simon know?"

I sighed. Maybe I was the dense one. I didn't have much experience dating and everyone seemed to think it was odd to invite Neal over for dinner.

"Yes, he knows. He was standing right next to me when I invited him."

Grant shrugged at my answer and Sarah distracted him by pulling him into the kitchen to get something to drink. I tensed when the doorbell rang, but I was relieved when Simon just smiled at me when I opened the door as he and Kendra stepped in, leaning down to kiss me hello. He seemed to have shaken his earlier bad mood and I was grateful that it was one less thing I had to deal with tonight.

Kendra was her usual ball of energy, talking a mile a minute about what she had bought today with Sarah and the tour of campus Simon had apparently given her before dinner.

"Jenny and Marcus can't make it, but Grant's in the kitchen with Sarah."

"Where's the guest of honor?"

"Simon, don't start."

Simon held up his hands innocently. "Just joking."

The doorbell rang again as Grant and Sarah walked back into the living room carrying bottles of beer. I was still right next to the door so I opened it, preparing myself for seeing Neal.

I gulped when I saw him. Not because of the flashbacks of my vision that were rushing through my mind. It was because he was standing there holding a single rose, looking at me warmly. I suddenly got a very bad feeling.

"Hi, Neal," I said weakly, stepping back. "Come on in."

Everyone's eyes seemed to immediately hone in on the flower Neal was holding, but he didn't seem to notice. He held it out to me with a sweet smile.

"Just a small token to thank you for inviting me over."

That was all it was. A token of gratitude. I tried to clear my mind of misgivings as I reached out to take the rose. "Thanks. That was really sweet of you." I suddenly felt a heavy arm settle around my shoulders. I didn't have to look up to know who it was.

"Hi, Neal." Simon's tone sounded far from friendly, but it didn't seem to affect Neal's sunny disposition.

"Hey, Simon. Good to see you again." He held up a bottle of wine that he had been holding in his other hand. I had been so focused on the flower that I hadn't even seen him holding it. "What should I do with this?"

Sarah was suddenly beside me and she grabbed the bottle. "I'll take that. I'm Sarah, Caitlin's roommate."

Sarah took over the introductions, smoothing over the awkwardness. Grant was friendly and Kendra was her bubbly self, but Simon was boring holes into Neal with his eyes. He glanced down at me, scowling at the rose in my hand.

"I need to go check on the food. I'll be right back." I grabbed Simon's sleeve, pulling him along with me. "Why don't you help me?"

Simon allowed me to drag him into the kitchen, although he shook off my hand when we got there.

"Simon, please," I whispered fiercely, dropping the flower on the counter. "Don't go all caveman on me tonight. I'll make it clear to Neal that I'm not available, but I can't alienate him either."

"This is bullshit. Some asshole is drooling all over my girlfriend, bringing her goddamned flowers, and I'm supposed to just take it?"

I placed my hands on his chest, trying to soothe him. "Remember what this is all about. His vardoger is after him. I need to help him. Simon, I need to save his life. After I succeed, I'll never have to see him again."

Simon stared at me for a few moments, and then he closed his eyes. I could see the tension on his face and I reached up, running my hand across his jaw and kissing him gently. "Simon, I love you. Only you."

Simon groaned, deepening the kiss. When he finally pulled back, he gave me a grim smile. "I'll go along with it, but don't think I won't be there every step of the way, reminding him that you're off limits."

"Okay, okay." I pushed Simon out of the kitchen. "Now, play nice."

I grabbed a wine opener and glasses before joining everyone in the living room. Grant and Sarah were sitting on the couch along with Neal, who was chatting with them. Kendra was sitting on the floor, interjecting comments into the conversation every so often, and Simon was just standing there, watching them.