“At which of his fictional jobs?” This is so awkward it hurts. To make matters worse, Ryan’s family has plenty of money; he’s never needed to work. They’re against it, focused on him getting good grades and participating fully in high school in order to get the best possible start. They’ve been looking at college brochures at the McKenna house since Ryan was fourteen.
Her pained gaze sparks with humor. “The one at the credit union.”
“So he was a bank teller in his secret life?”
I wonder why she never went to see him at work. It seems like there would’ve been some natural moment in the last year where it all fell apart. Can it be that easy to live a double life? I mean, obviously I’ve heard about men who manage to have two wives, two families, but it sounds like an awful lot of effort. But if anyone could make it work, Ryan could. He’s diabolically smart; I just never expected him to use his brain for evil.
“That’s what he told me.”
“I don’t mean to be rude, but … why are you here? I’m guessing not just for a trim.”
Cassie shrugs, looking upset and angry at the same time. “I told myself I’d just come in for a haircut—that I wouldn’t even tell you who I was.”
“Why did you?” In a way, I wish she hadn’t.
“Because you’re not like I thought you’d be.”
I’m confused now. “Did he tell you something about me when he…”
“Broke up with me? Yes, he said he had feelings for you. That things between us hadn’t been right in a while.” She sighs softly. “And I knew that. I thought he might be cheating on me, or that the relationship was just dying from lack of time. I’m at the daycare center from nine to five, and then I work midnights at the pharmacy.”
“Wow. You don’t get much sleep, huh?”
“I usually pass out between six and eleven. Ryan and I were lucky to see each other once every couple of weeks. We’d Skype in between, send texts, but it wasn’t the same.”
“No.” That explains why she never stopped to see him at work, however. No time. And really, if you trust someone, it never occurs to you that they could be inventing their whole life.
“I know he’s a liar, but … did he cheat on me, too? It probably shouldn’t matter, as I could do jail time for being with him, but I swear I didn’t know.” Tears stand in her big eyes, and I feel a fierce pang of pity for her.
“Hey, he lied, not you. You thought he was a bit younger, but not jailbait. It would’ve been weird if you’d carded him.”
“I will, going forward,” she mutters.
“And to answer you, no. He didn’t cheat. At least, not with me. If there’s someone else, I don’t know about her.”
“Where would he find the time?”
I laugh. “I have no idea. Learning about you shocked me, that’s for sure.”
“It’s none of my business, but … are you … will you…” Cassie trails off, obviously embarrassed that she still cares about the jackass.
“No. Ryan can’t have everything he wants, and that includes me.”
She actually smiles. “I’m a bad person, but that makes me happy.”
“Yeah, well. Nobody wants to break up with someone and then find out he’s with somebody else a day later.”
Grace calls, “Are you about done? It’s time to lock up.”
“Yes, she’s squared away,” I answer. Then dropping my voice, I ask, “Aren’t you?”
She nods. “Thanks for your time. You’re not like I thought you’d be.”
I raise a brow as I gather up my belongings. “How’s that?”
“Big hair, bright red lipstick, lots of spandex. Classic man stealer.”
This is so far from the truth that I laugh. “I don’t know any high school girls who look like that.”
“I wasn’t in a rational mood.”
“Night!” I call to Grace.
Cassie walks out with me as the stylist turns out the lights behind us. My bike is chained to the rack nearby. There are only a few cars parked at the meters, as the businesses downtown close pretty early. I assume one of them belongs to her. With a smile in parting, I dig into my backpack and start taping my sleeves, so I will annoy as many drivers as possible on the way home.