Covert Affairs

by Rhonda Laurel

  “No spoiling, remember?” Charisma shook her head.

  “Too late.” He smiled at his sister’s remark. “How was your chat with Derek?”

  “He’s fine. Everything is going good,” Charisma said.

  “Uncle Trev. Daddy said hi,” Alexis told him.

  “He’s taking retirement really well.”

  “He’s been too busy with his new business venture to lament about being a former hockey star. He said to tell you he hopes you’ll stick around long enough to have a beer with him.”

  “I think I can stick around long enough to catch up with my favorite brother-in-law.”

  “Back to the matter at hand. Theresa is going to kill you.” Charisma wagged a finger at him. “It’s bad enough you sporadically drop in and out of town, but now you’re interfering with her home repairs.”

  Grandma Reed gave him a knowing look. “Trevor, Theresa’s going to be the tour guide on my cruise to the Caribbean, and I don’t want you upsetting her.”

  “Grandma, you’re going on a cruise?”

  “Yes, I am.” She put her hand on her hip. “A group of us from the senior center are going. Theresa planned it and will be joining us.”

  “A cruise ship is pretty big. Do you think you’ll be able to get around? Is anyone from the family going with you?”

  Charisma gave him a warning look to keep quiet.

  “I’ve been getting physical therapy for my hips the last six months and I take yoga at the center,” Grandma said. “I can also keep up with Alexis and Harper without a problem, and I don’t need a chaperone.”

  “I just worry about you.”

  “I know.” She gave him a pat on the cheek. “But I’m fine. In fact I’m better than fine.”

  “OK.”

  “Can you and your sister set the dining room table while Alexis and I whip up some chocolate icing for the cake? Put in the extra table leaf to make sure everyone will fit around the table. I don’t want any kitchen eaters today.”

  “Can I lick the bowl when you’re done?”

  “Yes, now get the good plates out of the hutch.”

  “Come on, sis.” He put his arm around Charisma. “Let’s set the table.”

  “Grandma, don’t let Alexis have any icing.”

  “Nonsense, a little sweet treat before lunch won’t hurt.” Grandma Reed pulled the step stool up to the counter and helped Alexis climb up so she could see the bowl.

  They went into the dining room and started rifling through the drawers for the table linen and silverware.

  “Do you think going on a cruise without a family member is a good idea?” Trevor said in a low tone.

  Charisma spread the table cloth, and he grabbed the corners on his end of the cloth. “Grandma’s going with her friends from the senior center and Theresa. I offered to go with her, but she said she wanted to cut loose. Whatever that means. Besides, I trust Theresa to keep an eye on Grandma, don’t you?”

  “I trust her with my life,” he fired back, a little too quickly by the look on his sister’s face.

  The doorbell rang.

  “I’ll get it.” He darted out of the room. As he got close to the entrance, he saw the multiple silhouettes through the door’s frosted glass window.

  “The gang’s all here,” Trevor said as he opened the door.

  “We’re glad to see you’re still here.” Robert laughed. “I bet Jared ten bucks you’d be gone.”

  “Nah. I told you I’ll be around for a while.” Trevor ushered everyone into the house. There were a few more people than last night, and he was happy to see them too. It seemed like he’d been holding the door forever when he saw Theresa and Trina coming up the walkway. He went out onto the porch to greet them. “Hello, ladies.”

  “Hey, cuz.” Trina gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I thought for sure you’d have bolted by now.”

  “Ha ha. I hope you didn’t wager on that.”

  “Yeah. I did.” Trina rolled her eyes. “I owe Dana a foot massage.”

  He turned to Theresa. “You look beautiful.” He’d had smoother lines, but he didn’t want to risk fumbling over his words. Could she have dressed up for him? He reached for the dishes in her hand. “Let me take that for you.”

  “You look like you’ve been sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong,” she huffed.

  Trina took the dishes from Trevor. “Why don’t I just take this stuff into the kitchen?”

  “Reese. I can explain.”

  “I don’t want to hear it.” She pushed past him.

  Trevor couldn’t help but smile as he closed the door. It was good to be home.

  * * *

  “Reese can you pass the pepper?”

  Theresa thought about throwing the pepper shaker at Trevor, who was sitting across the table from her, but thought she’d be setting a bad example for Alexis and Harper. She decided to table her rage over his interference in favor of having a nice afternoon with the Reeds, especially since he’d made sure they weren’t alone before they sat down to eat. And he kept calling her Reese. It used to make her feel good whenever she heard him say it but no more. He’d managed to dodge her in the kitchen, living room, and back porch so she gave up on reading him the riot act for now. The elaborate game of hide and seek was tiring, and she realized she was letting him get under her skin. So she grabbed a glass of wine and chatted with the Reed ladies. Truth be told, it brought back a lot of fond memories.

  “Here you go.” She passed him the pepper. He was sitting there all relaxed and happy, chatting with his family, knowing full well he was keeping secrets from them. The fact that he didn’t seem to care drove her nuts.

  “This arroz con pollo is delicious,” he said.

  “Thanks.”

  “You should try her shrimp scampi,” Trina chimed in. “It’s awesome.”

  “I’ve had her shrimp scampi before. You remember that time you almost burned down your mom’s kitchen trying to bake a pineapple upside down cake?”

  She shot him a look. “I’ve gotten considerably better.” She turned her attention to Grandma Reed. “Mrs. Reed, do you have everything you need for the cruise? We only have a week and a half until our voyage.”

  “Yes. I looked up the ship on the cruise line’s website, and they have zip lining. I can’t wait to try that.”

  Trevor looked startled. “Grandma, do you really think you should be doing something like that? It’s kind of dangerous.”

  “I’ll be in a harness and wearing a helmet. You worry too much.” She wagged a finger at him.

  “Trevor,” Autumn said, “your grandma is an adventurer. She tested an indoor skydiving chamber at my company that’s a prototype for a new game. She was awesome.”

  Trevor gave Jared a look.

  “Not my idea.” Jared bounced Harper on his knee while trying to get him to eat whipped sweet potatoes. “But they had a good time, and no one got hurt.”

  “I think the cruise ship has a few more engaging activities as well. Hopefully we can get a group to join in on the fun.”

  “We can have our own fun.” Grandma Reed beamed. “I can’t wait to see the view. Trevor, honey, I have a balcony suite, and I’m right next door to Theresa.”

  “Well, that’s a relief,” Trevor admitted.

  After they finished eating, the family was watching a college football game. Theresa headed into the kitchen to help tidy up a bit.

  She turned around from scraping a plate to see Trevor leaning against the door frame. “Are you going to stay mad at me forever?”

  “Maybe.” She tore off some aluminum foil and placed it on what was left of the roast.

  “I did a good thing for you.”

  “You don’t get it, do you?” she said. “It’s not what you did, it’s how you did it. Lurking in the shadows, making things happen, and the rest of the world is none the wiser. If Greg hadn’t been so scared of you and rattled on like a puppy with a nervous bladder, I would’ve never known that you stood up for me and
made sure I wasn’t being robbed blind.”

  He rubbed his jaw. “I still don’t get it. That sounds like a good thing.”

  She moved closer to him. “Maybe I’d rather have you in my life instead of watching me from afar.”

  “It’s been for the safety of everyone I love that I stay at a distance. It’s the nature of my job.” His eyes sparkled with passion…and regret.

  Safety? What did he mean by that? He took photos for a living, for heaven’s sake. With the exception of getting too close to a lion or a rhino, what could be so dangerous? Well, he probably went to places that weren’t exactly tourist spots, but still. She had a feeling that if she asked, he’d get vague again.

  “Who knew being a photojournalist was such a dangerous job. You are still a photojournalist, right?”

  “Yes.” He folded his arms across his chest. “It’s complicated.”

  “No, you’re complicated. You’ve been a human Rubik’s Cube all your life.” She moved back. “I never could solve those damn puzzles.”

  “I know you think I talk in riddles.” He caught her wrist in a light grasp. “You don’t know how hard it is for me, but it needs to be done.”

  “No. I understand. You’re so busy being self-deprecating that you don’t think the people who love you might be missing having you in their lives too.”

  “I’m working on that.”

  “Good because…” She couldn’t get caught up in having feelings for him again. “The people in that room love and miss you.” Her cell phone rang, saving her from having to say more. She looked at the display. It was a text from Lawrence saying he was on his way. “I have to go.”

  “No. Don’t go.”

  “I have to. I have a date.”

  Trina came into the kitchen with an empty bowl in her hand. “That’s right. What’s his name? Lawrence? He’s an investment banker at the—”

  “Trina,” she interrupted. “We’ll talk about it later.”

  “OK. But I want details.”

  “I’ll walk you to the door,” Trevor said.

  Theresa continued into the family room, gave Grandma Reed a hug, and informed everyone she had to go. She didn’t want Trevor walking her to the door, but he did it anyway. She could see Lawrence’s SUV pulling up to her house. Trevor kept in step with her, so she stopped.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m walking you home.”

  “No, you’re being nosey.”

  “I know you’re not that enthused about my presence right now, but I was raised to be a gentleman. I want to make sure you get home OK.”

  She squinted at him. “Next door?”

  “Theresa,” Lawrence called out as he exited his vehicle.

  Trevor rubbed the back of his neck. “So where’s Larry taking you?”

  “Lawrence is taking me somewhere fun.”

  “By all means, I’d like to meet Mr. Fun Times.” Trevor marched toward him.

  “Lawrence.” She quickened her steps and passed Trevor to greet her date first so Trevor wouldn’t have time to say something crazy to him. “I was just visiting with my next door neighbor and time got away from me. I’ll be ready in five minutes.”

  Trevor’s jaw ticked. “I’ll keep Lawrence company while you get your purse and lock up the house.”

  “That’s really not necessary.” She grimaced. “Besides, I think I hear Alexis calling you.”

  “I didn’t hear anything.” He gave her a challenging look. “I insist. Take your time, Reese.”

  She gave him a challenging look right back. “There better not be any problems. Or I’m holding you responsible.”

  He gave her one of his charming smiles. “No problems.”

  This was bad, and she knew it. She glanced at her date. “Lawrence, I’ll just be a few minutes.”

  He nodded. “Reese? I like that name.”

  “I’m the only one who calls her Reese,” Trevor announced.

  Theresa stopped in her tracks. This wasn’t going well. She threw a glare over her shoulder at Trevor as she went up the pathway to her front steps.

  “Really?” Lawrence said to Trevor. “Maybe there’s room for two people to call her Reese.”

  “I don’t think so. And don’t forget to take your allergy pills.” He called after her, then turned back to give Lawrence a dirty look. “She’s allergic to tacky cologne.”

  She hurried into the house, hoping it wouldn’t turn into even more of a pissing contest. She switched her sweater for a leather jacket, grabbed her purse and keys, and shut the door. The two men were still in a combative stance and their voices were raised. They were talking about her nickname like it was a code word to get into the Pentagon. The pissing contest had turned into a pissing tournament.

  “Lawrence,” she interrupted. “Reese is a childhood nickname. Trevor and I have known each other for a long time. He calls me Reese. I call him Pita. It’s our thing, that’s why he seems so sensitive about it.”

  “We were close. Real close.” Trevor rose up on his toes and rocked back. “Still close.”

  “Ah.” Lawrence let out a dry laugh. “How long have you been in the friend zone?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “If you’re still close, then how did I get a date with her? I’m the one who’s taking her out to dinner.”

  “How are you going to eat if all your teeth are knocked out?” Trevor moved closer to him and balled up his fist.

  Theresa stepped between them. “Lawrence, can you give us a moment?”

  He looked Trevor up and down. “Sure.”

  She waited until Lawrence was by his SUV before she lit into Trevor. “You need to dial it down, Pita. I don’t want you looking him up on the Internet or trying to interrogate Trina about him. Are we clear?”

  “Crystal.” He stuffed his hands into his pockets. “I’ll just use my powers of deduction to hone in on Larry’s proclivities.”

  “Just stop it. Go back to your family.”

  He furrowed his eyebrows. “Uh, Pita? What was that all about?”

  “PITA. Pain In The Ass.” She stuck her tongue out at him, but he only laughed.

  She walked back to Lawrence. “I’m ready to go.” She took his outstretched arm. “Goodnight, Trevor.”

  Theresa didn’t bother looking back after she got in the vehicle and Lawrence pulled off. She knew Trevor was there looking at them. He just couldn’t help himself, sticking his nose in and cross-examining people as if she still belonged to him. He’d given up that right a long time ago.

  Trevor whipped out his cell phone and took a photo of Lawrence’s license plate. He turned around and started back to his grandmother's house when he saw Jared and Robert on the porch watching him.

  “What are you two doing outside?”

  “Half time,” Jared said.

  Robert smirked. “We thought we’d check out the spectacle you’d be causing with Theresa and her date. We were right. You could be a little more discreet.”

  “And we wanted to make sure you hadn’t dashed off again,” Jared added. “But mostly were being nosey.”

  He didn’t remember getting this much grief the last time he’d come home. “I gave Grandma my word, and I promised to spend some time with you guys. I won’t disappear.”

  “Good to know.” Robert nodded. “But I knew you’d stay when you found out Theresa had moved in next door. Don’t bother denying it.”

  “I don’t like that guy.” He took the steps two by two. “He seems shifty.”

  “Theresa seems to like him.” Jared snickered. “But then again she liked you too. Maybe she has questionable taste.”

  He ignored that. “What do we know about this guy? Except that he’s an investment banker.”

  As if in answer to his prayers, Trina opened the door. “Grandma said come inside so she can she serve dessert before the next period starts.”

  “Trina, my favorite cousin.” Trevor put his arm around her. “Have I told you how proud I am of your sing
ing career? I listen to your music, and you have a great set of chops.”

  “Thanks.” She sounded wary.

  “And I’m definitely going to see your performance at the Slap Shot.”

  “Great.” She squinted at him.

  “Are you cold? I can go in the house and get you a sweater? I wouldn’t want you to get sick from this crisp autumn air.”

  “You can stop buttering the bread.” She folded her arms across her chest. “What do you want?”

  “What do you know about fake-Italian-loafer-wearing Lawrence?”

  “I know that Theresa wouldn’t want me blabbing her personal business to an ex-boyfriend.”

  Jared laughed. “You, keep a secret?”

  “Trina, one of the reasons we love you is because you’re a valuable source of information.” Trevor flashed a playful grin. “Besides, I’m more than just an ex-boyfriend, I’m your cousin. Anything I ask is out of genuine concern for Reese. Nothing more.”

  “You didn’t like me gossiping when we were kids. What did you all used to call me? Tattling Trina?”

  “Yep,” Robert replied. “You were also voted most likely to turn in a relative to the police for the reward money.”

  “Well, I’ve turned over a new leaf. Theresa and I are friends. I can’t go around spilling the beans about her social life because you’re mad that she has a date.”

  “I’m not mad she has a date.” But he wasn’t thrilled either. “I’m genuinely concerned. Theresa is like family. I’d do the same due diligence for her that I would for any family member.”

  “Don’t remind me. It’s hard to date when you have monstrous cousins skulking about.” She glared at Robert and Jared, then turned back to Trevor. “You’re no better.”

  “Come on. Tell me about Lawrence. I just want to make sure he’s not some kind of predator.”

  “All I know is that he’s an investment banker she met a party last month. He seems nice and hits all the dating bullet points.”

  “Which are?”

  “Good-looking. Successful. Financially secure. He’s recently divorced.”

  “Ah ha!”

  “Being divorced is not a crime. I was once divorced,” Jared said. “But it does depend on how long he’s been divorced. He could be looking for a rebound.”