Page 14 of Reckless Storm (San Francisco End Game #3)

Reed

H oly fuck. Who knew this would be torture?

Me. I did.

That’s why I didn’t want to come. Despite having a female best friend, I am not a dress shopping guy. I’m not a shopping guy in general.

“How about you try these next?” The stylist passes Hayley another selection of dresses, and Hayley smiles politely before flashing me a pained expression, begging me to save her.

But all I can do is shrug. This is on her.

I’m not about to tell this woman, this stylist , that her ideas for Hayley suck. Even though they do. The dresses are nice enough, but there’s something about them that just doesn’t work.

And if I can see it, you know you have a problem.

I now understand why she didn’t want anyone knowing Hayley was coming in. We’ve been here for an hour, and if she hasn’t found something for Hayley by now, I doubt she’s going to.

As I wait, my phone buzzes in my pocket, earning me a death stare from the stylist, and I freeze, my hand hovering over my jeans until she disappears into the back room, giving me a chance to relax. She’s a little scary.

Though, apparently she’s one of the best.

What do I know?

I open my messages, expecting it to be from my mom, and my shoulders tense.

If it is her, she’ll be asking again when I’m next coming home, and it kills me not to have an answer for her.

With practice and games, it’s not easy to get home and back in time.

And even if it was, I can’t handle the bullshit that comes along with it, the inevitable hell I’ll get from my brother.

Guilt gnaws at my chest but I shake it off, holding my breath as I check my phone, sighing when it’s not her.

Luke: Beers at my place next Tuesday. 4pm. Think of it as a late Thanksgiving/early Christmas celebration

Taking the distraction from my thoughts, I laugh to myself before any responses come through. It’s not a question. If I know Luke, he expects us to be there, and yet, I have no doubt that Easton’s about to say…

Easton: I’m busy

Right on cue. This chat may be labeled as Easton’s Support Group, but he is not a willing participant, and has tried to leave the chat on multiple occasions. Some might say we’re holding him hostage, but deep down, he loves it and he knows we’re there for him. Especially now.

Luke: Paige can come too

Paige D’Angelo… Our team owner’s daughter.

Who would have thought she was sneaking around with Easton?

Or more to the point, that he was sneaking around with her.

Either way, I’m glad they have each other because they both went through a lot recently and he doesn’t open up easily. It’s good to know he has someone.

Easton: I have a son. Remember him?

Luke: Bring him. We have plenty of spare rooms he can sleep in

Easton: …

Reed: Easton, don’t leave the group. Luke’s joking. And Luke, if he can’t come, he can’t come

I’d usually enjoy their banter, but East doesn't need this right now, even though I know Luke’s coming from a good place.

He was worried when everything went down with Easton last weekend and he’s trying to show that we’re there for him.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he came up with this entire idea for Easton alone.

Luke: You’re no fun. You better be there in his place

I begin to respond but pause. Somehow, without us even discussing it, Tuesday became the day Hayley and I catch up. And if it was Bria, I know she’d be pissed if I ditched her for the guys. I need to at least mention it to Hayls.

Reed: I’ll let you know in five

Luke: Bria got your balls?

Reed: Nope. Not Bria

Dammit. Fuck. I delete my last message but when I see Luke typing, I know I’m too late.

Luke: Where are your balls, Reed? If Bria doesn’t have them, who does?

A throat clears, drawing my attention to find Hayley’s potential stylist tapping her toes as she gives me that death stare she loves.

There is no way I’m hiring her. And at this point, I’m praying Hayley feels the same.

“Miss Jackman will be out soon.” She folds her arms over her chest. “I need you to pay attention. I’m certain she’s about to find the one.”

And I’m certain she’s wrong, but I smile anyway.

She said that about the last lot of outfits and yet here we are. “I’m ready,” I lie.

Hayley walks out in a ruffled off-the-shoulder thing . That’s the best way to describe it. And before I’ve had time to form an opinion in my head, she’s shaking hers.

“I don’t think this is me.” She frowns, much to the stylist’s annoyance. “I need something more…” She trails off but I answer for her.

“Classic but daring,” I muse as all eyes flash my way.

“Am I wrong?” I challenge them. We may only be a couple of months into our friendship but I already know those two words pretty much sum Hayley up.

She’s classically beautiful in every sense of the word and incredibly daring. So why not dress the part?

Jesus . Who the fuck am I?

Hayley pauses for a beat before laughing out loud. “You’re right. That’s it. Evelyn, do you have anything classic but daring?”

Evelyn smiles at Hayley, but when her eyes flash my way I can tell that she’s pissed. And after a nod and forced agreement, she spins on her heels and disappears into another room.

Hayley bites her bottom lip, and when I open my mouth to speak, she shushes me. “She’s coming,” she mouths as the devil woman walks back in.

“Try these two. They’re perfect.”

I want to say “we’ll be the judge of that” but zip my lips. I need to be positive. One of these is going to be it.

With a wave, Hayley heads back to the changing room and I jump back into the group text, having forgotten about Luke’s teasing until I reread the message.

That’s right. He’s looking for my balls.

Which I’m pretty certain are currently in Hayley’s handbag.

Why else would I agree to go dress shopping?

Reed: (Eye roll emoji) I just remembered I’m busy. Sorry Luke

Easton: You sound like me. I’m waiting for the notification to say Reed has left the group

Luke: Easton!! My man. I was going to say the same thing. Also… that reply took a while, Reed. Does that someone have your balls now?

Reed: My balls are none of your concern. But they’re accounted for

Sort of.

Luke: Good. I’ll see you Tuesday. And all the days in between since I can’t get away from you

Luke: Did I mention I’ve got beer? Just bring your annoying selves. Dylan, I’m including you. I know Summer will be out with the girls. Thomas mentioned it

Dylan: I’m there

Luke: Good. East, there’s still time to change your mind. You know you want to hear Reed’s gossip

Easton: I really don't. And on that note. It’s about time we changed the name of the group, right?

I look at the group name—Easton’s support group—and chuckle before glancing up to make sure I haven’t been busted. And thankfully, I’m good.

Easton may be with Paige now, but knowing Luke, he’ll have some reason to keep the name the same. And instead of hating Luke for it, Easton will turn on me. After all, I’m the one that started the group when Luke needed us.

Luke: Not yet

I knew it.

Luke: I’ll change it if you come over for beers

Easton left the group

Luke added Easton to the group

I bark out a laugh and freeze when Evelyn scowls. Oops. Cringing, I pocket my phone and glance up with a smile, my timing perfect as the door to the changing room opens.

As I wait, Hayley appears slowly, her eyes watery, her gaze locked on mine.

And I do a double take.

“Christ, Hayls.” I swallow a lump in my throat as my eyes drop to her legs, my gaze roaming as I take her all in. And she steals my fucking breath. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone look more beautiful.

A giddy smile graces her lips as relief overwhelms me. She found something. No, she didn’t just find something. She found the one. It couldn’t be more perfect.

Giving me a spin, she shows off the gleaming silver dress with plunging neckline and open back, gently holding the flowing skirt. I smile until a flash of skin highlights the split reaching her upper thigh, making me my throat dry.

“It’s… You… I don’t have the words,” I rasp.

She releases the skirt and the material pools at her feet while I can’t take my fucking eyes off her. “No words,” I repeat like a fool.

“But you like it?” she questions, her expression confident while I fight to form a proper sentence.

“I was here to say hot or not, right?” I ask, ignoring the cracking in my voice.

“Right.” Hayley giggles before trapping her lip between her teeth.

“You’re a fucking knockout,” I whisper in awe, unable to hide how I feel.

“That’s what I was after.”

Evelyn finally smiles and I laugh because of it. “I’ll leave you two alone for a minute to decide, but it’s perfect, Hayley. And you look beautiful.”

“Don’t I?”

Hayley turns again until I’m looking at her back and glances over her shoulder, gathering her hair up to show off her neck.

“With my hair up, you’ll see the detail on the back, and I’m thinking a drop necklace.

” She turns to face me again and clutches her neck before letting her hand drop to where the necklace would fall between her cleavage.

“Maybe even a simple white gold bracelet?”

I grumble low in the back of my throat and shift my gaze back to her eyes, forcing a smile when she doesn’t notice how affected I am. “It all sounds perfect to me.”

“Thank you.”

“Seriously, you look incredible, Hayls. I wish I had the right words.”

“You don’t need them. Your expression says it all.”

“Fuck.” My nose scrunches as I run a hand through my hair. “I’m guessing that means you know my thoughts on all the other dresses?”

“I sure do.” She laughs when I wince.

“Don’t worry about my opinion. She’s great.” I fake another smile, but my tone gives me away.

“You don’t have to be nice all the time, Reed. She’s a bitch .” She mouths bitch and I have to agree with her.

“So…you’re not going to hire her,” I whisper back and Hayley shakes her head.

“I’m not. But I am definitely wearing this dress.”

I nod, my eyes raking over her again, imagining the reaction of the crowds as tension fills my chest. “I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.”