Page 10 of Reckless Storm (San Francisco End Game #3)

Hayley

I knock back another shot of whiskey and shake as the liquid warms my soul. “Do you think we should sneak out to the garden?” I ask, my eyes flashing to Reed’s.

The balcony we’re on overlooks a beautiful rose garden that’s marked as a look-don’t-touch situation. But really, what damage could we do?

When I grin, Reed’s head drops back as he laughs. “It’s the signs, right? You don’t like being told you can’t do something.”

Yes. Ugh. This man gets me. “Why have a garden if people can’t explore it? That’s just crazy.”

“And how do you suppose we get down there?”

Ooh, he’s not saying no. I knew I liked him. “Easy. We jump the railing.” I shrug and Reed laughs even louder.

“Easy for me, maybe. But in that dress.” He motions to my outfit. “I can’t see it happening.”

I glance down at my skintight number. Oh, Reed, you have no idea . Hitching the silk up to my waist, I spin before he can look down, knowing his long jacket will hide my ass, then I climb. I’m two rails up when strong palms wrap around my waist, pulling me down before I’m pressed into the woodwork.

“Whatcha—”

“Act like you’re watching the stars,” Reed’s deep voice rasps in my ear and I shiver at the sound.

“Why?” I ask, swallowing a lump in my throat, distracting myself so I don’t picture him whispering sweet nothings instead.

“If you don’t, you’re about to get busted.”

I giggle but do as he asked, pointing to a random constellation. “And there you have the flying running back next to the wildcat.”

Reed chuckles, giving my waist a squeeze. “That’s a new one but I can totally see it.”

“Right? I’m impressed with the way the stars highlight his generous muscles. He’s hot.”

“Are you sure you’re not looking in a mirror? That’s definitely me.”

Leaning back against his chest, I stare up at him with fake confusion. “You’re a running back? I had no idea.”

“Sure you didn’t.” He smirks. “I’m the running back and you’re the wildcat,” he muses. “You can’t fool me.”

“What?” My confusion turns real. I hadn’t actually meant for that to be me, but it’s not far off base. “You’re—”

“We’re closing the balcony in ten minutes,” a voice echoes through the night, halting the comeback that was about to fly out of my mouth. “If you need fresh air, there’s a porch at the front of the building.”

“What?” I whisper. “No fair.”

“To think, if we’d jumped the railing we may have been locked out here.”

Spinning around, my eyes widen at the prospect. “That would have made it so much more exciting. She’s going back inside. Let’s—” I reach for the railing but Reed grabs me again, securing me tightly in his arms.

“I think it’s time we went inside.”

My lips form a pout of their own accord even though he’s right. “Okay, fine.” I move around him to walk toward the door, but he grabs my wrist and spins me to face him, making my heart jolt in excitement. I never pictured Reed as the wrist-grabbing type.

“Lower the dress, Hayls.” His voice strains as he closes his eyes, and I don’t miss the demand in his tone.

“Oops.” My skin heats. I’d definitely forgotten my panties were on show. Reed releases his grip, and I fix my dress before removing his jacket from my shoulders.

“You can look now. I’m decent.”

“Thank you.”

“Here’s your jacket.”

“Keep it. It’s—”

“Secret friends, remember?” Tossing it over his shoulder, I push him back slightly, grinning when his brows rise, ignoring the sharp pang I get from his protectiveness. “Wait five minutes before you come inside. I’m heading back to the dance floor.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He nods with a smirk and a giggle bursts out of me.

“Thank you. Have a good night.”

“You too.” He glances away as I turn, but not before flashing me the most genuine smile I think I’ve ever experienced, and my chest tightens. I’ve never met a guy like Reed, and something tells me I’m lucky I did.

As soon as I walk inside, I find Amelia and my new friend, Paige D’Angelo, busting moves on the dance floor, and that’s where I’m meant to be. Shaking my hips, I sidle up to them and grin.

“What have I missed?”

“Nothing much.” Paige shrugs. “I think Dad’s going to do his grand speech soon, but otherwise this is it.”

“Well, I happen to love this.”

Paige and I became fast friends when we met at the guys’ game a few weeks back.

I wasn’t ashamed to admit I’ve been stalking her for a few years on social media, and lucky for me, she didn’t mind.

She often posts about her charity work, and tonight, she’s proven it’s not just for show, putting on an amazing event for the team.

Amelia glances around, her eyes narrowed, and I have no doubt she’s trying to work out where I came from. “Where have you been?” she asks, right on cue. “What did I miss?” She raises her eyebrows.

“Just talking to a friend.”

“A friend?” She sucks her lips into her mouth, but it’s impossible to miss her knowing smile. Busted. I’m going to have to add Amelia to my Reed bubble.

Shaking my head, I change the subject, moving the attention back to Paige. “Any guys take your fancy, Paige?”

“Huh?” She frowns as though in a few short seconds her mind had drifted elsewhere.

“Never mind.” I think she just answered my question, but who has she found?

“Where’s that man of yours, Amelia? He owes me a—”

“Jack-O’-Lantern. You’re back.” Enter the man of the hour, Luke. Never too far from his wife's side.

“I’m back. And you owe me a shot.”

“That I do. A bet is a bet. But…” He trails off and I roll my eyes. I bet Luke that he couldn’t walk past a mirror without checking himself out, and it took him all of three minutes to fail. “In fairness, I didn’t realize the mirror was there.”

“It was in our hallway, Luke,” Amelia points out, taking my side.

“Yes, but it’s the one you put up last week. Sue me for forgetting.”

“Either way.” I raise my empty hands and signal toward the bar, making Amelia laugh.

Luke huffs in fake amusement before he reluctantly darts off to the bar, looking as grumpy as Easton—like the drinks aren’t all free—and when he returns, he has shots for everyone, and he’s brought friends.

“Ladies, this is our newest rookie, Landon. And you know the other guys.” He gestures to Rhett and Carter, who I spent a lot of time with at my wrap party.

“And East—” Before he’s even finished his name, Easton wanders away, adding to the proof that he’s not a social guy.

With a shrug of his shoulders, Luke moves his attention back to the rookie. “Landon, this is my beautiful wife, Amelia,” he introduces her. “And these are her friends.” He shrugs and Amelia lightly punches his arm, beating me to it.

“It’s lovely to meet you, Landon,” Amelia says sweetly. “This is Hayley, and this is your owner’s daughter, Paige. She’s responsible for this amazing event.”

“Nice to meet you all. And Paige, you’ve done a great job. For my first big fundraiser, it’s a memorable one.”

“Thank you, Landon.”

His eyes flash to mine and he smiles shyly, prompting me to wink before I turn to Rhett. “Want to dance?” I ask, already holding out my hand.

“You betcha.” He spins me into his hold and I let out a squeal as my gaze finds Reed walking toward the group. He shakes his head with a grin and I smile back, our eyes locked until Bria rushes to catch up with him, dragging his attention away.

“How many dances do I get?” Rhett asks, drawing my gaze back to his. “Because if it’s just one, let me request something.”

“You can have as many dances as you want, Rhett. I’m not going anywhere.”

Rhett and I dance until Paige’s dad calls us to attention, giving his grand speech, and when he’s done, the masses head toward the exit.

But I’m not ready to call it a night.

And I know I’m not the only one.

“Think we can keep this party going?” I ask Paige when she returns from outside. “There are still quite a few people milling around.”

“I’m game. I’ve got the venue until two a.m. and we’re paying the DJ by the hour.”

“Perfect. I think these guests still have heavy pockets. It’s time we lightened them.”

Paige’s eyes widen before she laughs. “Do your worst, Hayley. Or should I say best?”

I wink before spinning around to face the DJ, giving him the thumbs-up. “Get ready for a record night of donations, Paige. Keep the drinks flowing.”

“I’m on it.”

She walks away as the dance music starts up again, prompting a few guests to pause at the threshold and come back inside.

I hit the dance floor as I search for Reed, curious if he’s staying.

But when I find him, he’s walking away with Bria, her hands flapping rapidly while his shoulders tense.

I cringe on his behalf. I would hate to be him right now.

She does not look happy. Talk about high maintenance.

“I’m here.” Carter cuts into my thoughts, his hand out for me to take. “Are you ready for that dance?”

I spin on my heel and smile. “I sure am. And I appreciate you staying. We need these people to keep drinking and spending. The night’s still young.”

Carter nods and his next words break my heart. “My aunt had Parkinson’s too. I’ll do anything for this cause.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, Carter, but I’m happy you can help. Paige needs us.”

“Let’s get this party started. I mean…let’s kick it off again and dance the night away.”

M y head throbs when I wake up and my throat aches like I’ve been traipsing through the desert. I groan as I pat the bedside table in search of some water. But all I can feel is the night mask that I forgot to put on and my phone. Both useless in my current condition.

My eyes stick like they’re glued shut when I try to open them, but that’s not such a bad thing, I’m not ready for it to be morning. Just the sliver of light peeking through my lids has me cringing.

What a night.

I didn’t think I had that much to drink, but I forgot about the bottle I shared with Reed. It was going down so easily and… I’m an idiot.

Thinking back on the night, I remember everything up until Paige’s dad left and then things got out of hand. At least they did for me. Having said that, my memory’s sketchy from that point on.

Though I do remember someone walking me to my door.

Or did they come in?

Patting the bed next to me, I expect to find it occupied and sigh in relief when I come up empty. Only that means I’ll have to get up and get myself a drink.

Blowing out a breath, I force my eyes open and find the room bathed in a bright yellow glow and my dress from last night pulled up around my waist. Again . Who would have thought I’d be in this position twice, flashing my panties, and still not get any action? I’ve lost my touch.

Rolling to the edge of the bed, I grab my phone and find a glass of water and a Tylenol on the other side, just past the point of where my fingers could reach. And I know I didn’t put them there. I’m not that prepared.

“Ames?” I call out. “Are you here?”

I’m met with silence and giggle to myself. She left hours before me and she has a daughter. Gone are the days of our sleepovers.

Checking the time, I find a message from Reed and smile.

REED: If you’re looking for your shoes, I left them on the other side of your bed so you wouldn’t trip over them. And I want to state for the record that I did not pull your dress up. That was all you

I snort so loud that I cover my mouth until a thought hits me… Reed was here? He came back to the event? For me?

The idea of that warms my heart.

I’m a lucky girl. My knight in shining armour strikes again.