Off the Record (Off #3)(33)

She follows me into the kitchen and I pour her a glass of wine. She takes an appreciative sip and sighs. I get to work on finishing up dinner, which is just a simple, seared salmon and a salad. I’ll keep Ever’s in the warming pan for her.

“So, where is she?”

I look at Renner in surprise. “Where’s who?”

“The reporter that you’ve chained to your hip.”

“How in the hell do you know about that?”

She grins at me. “Nix tattled on you. Sent me an email. Thought I’d get a laugh out of it, which I did. Flattering article, by the way.”

I grit my teeth slightly, because yeah, that article still stings. “Well, hopefully she’ll get it right the second time around.”

“I’m assuming you’re on your best behavior?”

I plate up the salmon and salad, and set it in front of her. I top off her wine. Fixing my own, I set down across the counter from her. “I’m on my only behavior, Ren. I’m not going to be different. I want her to report on the true me.”

“But doesn’t the real you include getting into women’s panties?”

I wince. That’s true. “Yeah, but not to the extent she had me painted. Geez...she made it sound like I was with multiple women in one night. I mean...I’m good, but I’m not that good.”

Renner laughs. “Well, if she needs stories...I can tell her about all the times in high school that you struck out, pathetic loser that you are.”

I pick up a cucumber out of my salad and throw it at her. “You are still such a brat.”

We eat in companionable silence for a few minutes. We have that type of relationship where we can chat like crazy about anything and everything, or we can just be quiet with our own thoughts.

Finally I pipe up. “So, are you still seeing that Irish pilot? What’s his name?”

A sound comes out of her mouth that is a cross between a curse and a snort. “Cormac is his name, and no. Just this past weekend I found out the * is married.”

“Ouch. I’m sorry.” I watch as Renner pushes her salad around on her plate. She looks so sad. “Do I need to go kick his ass for you? I mean, just for having a name like Cormac, he deserves an ass kicking.”

She gives me a bitter smile. “No. More like kick my ass. Why do I always manage to get involved with such losers? What’s wrong me with me?”

The pain in her voice tears at my heart. Renner is one of the most beautiful people I know, inside and out. She doesn’t deserve this hurt.

“Hey,” I say, as I reach across the counter and take her hand. She looks up at me. “You are an amazing woman, Renner. You are beautiful, strong, sexy and smart as hell. I’m lucky just to be sitting in your presence.”

Before she can respond, I hear a crash and we both look to the kitchen doorway. Ever is standing there. I give her a welcoming smile as I pull back from Renner.

“Sorry,” she says as she bends down to pick up the car keys she dropped. “I didn’t mean to intrude. Here’s your keys back. Thanks for letting me borrow your car.”

I release Renner’s hand and take the keys. “No problem. Do you want some dinner? I made you some salmon.”

She glances between me and Renner. “Ummmm. No thanks. I ate a bit earlier.”

“Are you sure? You’re more than welcome to join us.”

Ever’s face turns red. “No, I’m sure. You two enjoy. I’m just going to head to my room and get some work done.”

“Okay,” I say hesitantly. “This is Renner, by the way.” I point over at my cousin.

Ren gives Ever a huge smile. “Nice to meet you.”

Ever just stares for a moment but doesn’t return the smile. She does sort of nod her head and says, “Likewise. Well, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Are you up for a run in the morning?” I ask.

“Sure.” She turns around and jets out of the kitchen.

I look at the doorway, long after she is gone. She was certainly acting weird and bordering on slightly rude to Renner.

“Oh, man...you two are a mess.”

I snap my eyes from the doorway to look at Renner. “What?”

“You didn’t tell her I was coming over, did you?”

“No. You and I made plans at the last minute. I didn’t get a chance to.”

Renner just shakes her head at me like I’m some poor, dumb, schmuck. “She’s jealous that I’m sitting here. You should have told her I was your cousin. She thinks I’m tonight’s conquest.”

“No way,” I say emphatically. “She would know better than that. Not after...” I trail off, because I’m not about to tell Renner about that amazing night in Oklahoma.

“Not after what?” she asks.

“Not after ‘none of your damn business’. Let’s just say she has no reason to believe I would bring another woman here while she’s staying in my home.”

Renner shrugs her shoulders. “If you say so, but I know what I saw. She’s probably in her room right now, writing some really bad shit about you banging some flight attendant.”

“You’re full of crap, Ren. Besides, it’s not true and she knows better than to write something about me without checking her facts.”