Page 15 of Reckless Storm (San Francisco End Game #3)
Hayley
I smile as the Storm players run off the field at halftime, revved up with their eight-point lead.
When they disappear through the tunnel, the girls—otherwise known as the wives and girlfriends of the players—immediately turn my way. “Show me the dress. Now .” Amelia stamps her foot with demand and it’s so adorable it makes me laugh.
“The photos do not do it justice,” I explain with an awe to my voice that I completely own. I love that dress. “I wasn’t even supposed to take photos.”
Before her mouth even opens, my eyes flash to Amelia, ready for her to sass me and she does, right on cue. “Who took the photo, Hayls?” she asks, knowing full well it was Reed, trying to get me to spill.
“Another guest,” I lie.
“Mm-hmm. That was lucky. Now show me.”
“Jesus. You’re keen.” With a giggle, I jokingly shake my head until her entire demeanor changes.
“I’m still disappointed I couldn’t be there. I hate letting you down.”
“Me too,” Paige adds with a bummed expression. “I’m sorry you had to go alone.” A layer of guilt settles around my middle but I smile through it. I should tell Paige about Reed. After all, she told me about Easton before anyone else. But now is not the time.
Lainey wanders over and I move on, grabbing my phone.
“I don’t want any of you to feel bad. I’m all good, and you have lives . Important lives.”
“You’re—”
“I know, I’m important too. Trust me. I don’t feel neglected. I’m good. I promise.”
“Okay. Good.” Amelia smiles but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes until the moment I show them my new favorite dress.
“Holy shit.” Paige is the first to speak while Amelia gasps.
“It’s stunning, Hayley,” Lainey smiles, taking my phone from Amelia.
“Right?”
“So right.” Paige stares in awe. “You look delicious. Are you taking a date?”
“Nope.” I pop the p as all eyes flash my way.
“Why the hell not?” Paige’s jaw drops, making me smile. “We need to find you a date.”
“Or…” I hesitate for dramatic effect. “I could find one on the night?”
Paige laughs as the girls nod. “I have no doubt about that. Guys will go wild with you in this dress. And it’s giving me Riley vibes.”
My eyes widen as that realization hits me. “I hadn’t even thought of that.” Though I do know about the guys going wild. I still have Reed’s restrained hunger at the forefront of my mind from when he saw me in the dress. “It just gets better and better.”
As the girls run through possible scenarios for my night, Paige pulls me aside, her expression serious. “Sorry to interrupt the gushing, but I wanted to run something past you.”
“Of course. Shoot.”
“I was brainstorming ideas for the next Storm charity event, needing to get my mind off everything else going on in my life, and you popped into mind.”
“Me?” My brows rise high on my forehead as I grin.
“Yes,” Paige giggles. “Keeley was telling me about the Thanksgiving party last year and mentioned that you were playing football with the guys.”
“God, that was fun,” I reminisce, my eyes glazing over as the memories come rushing back to me, until Paige continues, cutting them off.
“What do you think about the team hosting an Aussie Rules charity game during the offseason?”
“For real?”
“Yes, for real.” Her head drops back and she laughs while my mind goes wild with possibilities.
“I love that. I actually know a guy that could show them the ropes. He used to play in Australia but moved here when his son was accepted into an Ivy League college as a kicker.”
“No way? I was hoping you’d know a few things or at least point me in the right direction, but a contact, here in the US? Amazing.”
We chat through ideas until the teams are back on the field and then I’m in the moment again, staring intently, pretending I have a man in the action, just like the rest of them.
Although, I suppose I do. I have Reed to watch.
And watch, I do.
He’s hard to look away from.
The team’s amazing. They gel. They’re a force to be reckoned with.
But Reed. He has a presence that demands your gaze. And it’s not just his muscles that draw the attention. He’s strong but incredibly fast, he’s—
“Yes! Go. Go.” I lose my train of thought as Reed secures the ball from Zane and rushes forward, dodging the opposition to make it to the end zone.
“Yeah, baby,” I call out and no one pays me any mind except Amelia, giving me a sideways glance.
But whatever, I’m allowed to cheer on the team.
Subtly rolling my eyes, I continue my support through the second half and we finish the game with another win.
Hands in the air, I cheer out loud, drawing attention from the crowd below, but I don’t care about their annoyed expressions.
I’m too excited. “Another win!” I cheer louder to be obnoxious.
“The guys are on fire. Are we heading out to celebrate, ladies?” I smile wide until one by one they hit me with excuses.
Excuses I understand, but ones that still leave me without a much-needed wingwoman.
At least until Storm’s media liaison, Keeley, walks in, tucking her auburn hair behind her ears as her eyes scour the space. When her gaze finds mine, I shoot her a bright smile and rush over, sidling up to her when she’s filled in on my predicament.
“What about you, Keeley? You’re single. Can I convince you?”
A brief moment of uncertainty mars her otherwise poised expression before she schools her features, replacing it with a determined grin. “I’m in.” Her smile finally reaches her eyes. “Just let me grab my purse.”
My eyes follow her as she disappears back through the door, and the second she’s gone, I spin around, ready to ask if anyone else caught her strange reaction. And sure enough, Paige’s knowing—or perhaps unknowing—smile meets mine.
“What was that?” she questions, her eyes flashing to the door where Keeley just exited. “I think Keeley and I need to have a chat.”
“I can’t believe you don’t know already. She is your sister-in-law.”
“Easton and I aren’t married.”
“Not yet.” I wink and she laughs. “Either way, it’s your job to get the gossip. Is Keeley keeping a secret? Is it a new guy?”
“Leave her alone,” Amelia scolds, her voice lacking conviction. “Everyone keeps secrets, Hayls. Including you .”
Whoops. Touché . “You’re right.” And for now, I’m keeping it that way. It’s been nice having Reed to myself.
When the suite clears out, I follow the girls to where they’re meeting their men and wait for Keeley, my gaze searching through the sea of bodies, admiring the goods until I find Reed.
I have to say, the Storm men are fine, but Reed is something else entirely.
With his attention elsewhere, I let my gaze linger longer than it should, taking in the way his stylish dress suit molds perfectly to his body and his collared shirt brings out the brightness of his blue eyes.
I can’t say how long I’ve been perving when he catches me, but as if being busted himself, he glances away, a small smile tugging at his lips before he disappears into the crowd.
“Where’s the party tonight?” I ask when Luke greets us, always the first out so he can see his girl, his signature cocky grin perfectly in place. As it should be. He played a hell of a game.
“We're heading to the Westerly Hotel,” he’s quick to respond. “Are you in?”
The Westerly? “ Again ? You always go there now.” Not that it’s a bad place, but I was in the mood for something new, something different.
“What’s the matter, Jack Jack?” Luke smirks at his next nickname for me while I mockingly roll my eyes. “Have you already been through the men there?”
“Luke,” Amelia scolds, but I brush her off. This is how we roll.
“Actually, Lukey Boy, I haven’t . So I’m in. I just didn’t realize you were predictable and boring.”
“I’m not.” He pouts until Amelia laughs.
“Seriously, you two.” She blows out a raspberry but her lips twitch as she holds back her smile.
“You love it, Ace.” Luke kisses her cheek just as the noise level increases and the last of the guys file out, celebrating as they make their way through the halls.
“Are we going to the Westerly?” Keeley asks, wrapping her arm around my shoulder while I search for Reed again.
“I guess we are. You ready?”
“I sure am. Let’s go.”
K eeley laughs when I’m dipped back, my dance partner’s grip on me tightening as he pulls me up into his broad chest. “Smooth.” I giggle, letting the dark-eyed stranger spin me away before he reels me back in, his intense gaze never once leaving mine.
We’ve been dancing for the better part of an hour, and I’m having a blast. Maybe the Westerly isn’t so bad.
“So, you know the team?” he asks, his gaze bouncing around the various players littering the dance floor.
“I know some.” I shrug.
“Is one of them your man?”
An image of Reed comes to mind as I nibble my bottom lip, drawing my dance partner’s gaze. “Not tonight,” I tell him. “But I never say never.”
The guy, whose name I never bothered to catch, laughs, letting his head drop back before he shakes it to and fro. “Something tells me you keep men on their toes.”
“I’ve heard that a bit. But you’re doing okay.”
Another laugh rumbles from his lips and I smile at the sound, moving out of the way as someone walks past with a tray of drinks. On the dance floor. “Are you thirsty?” my dance partner asks, his eyes on the tray as it moves through the masses.
“I’m good for now. But you should get one.”
He nods as he takes off toward the bar, leaving me alone with hundreds of people surrounding me.
And it’s nice to have a break.
“Keeley,” I call out, waving my arms to get her attention over the loud music. “I’m going to the bathroom.” I motion toward the restrooms and she nods, making her way over.
“Want to get some air when you’re done?” she asks, her freckled hand fanning her face.
“ God , yes.” It’s like she read my mind. “The garden?”
“Perfect. I’m dying here.” She shakes out her shirt next before tossing her long, auburn hair over her shoulder and releasing a sigh. “I bet they’re over capacity. There must be a couple of hundred people here tonight.”