Page 19 of Reckless Storm (San Francisco End Game #3)
And I lose it.
A laugh bursts out of me at the same moment he grabs the bottle.
“The fuck?” Reed huffs out a chuckle, spinning around to face me. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing.” I try to calm myself but it’s no use.
“Hayley?”
“Okay, fine.” I laugh again. “Amelia—”
“Goddammit.” Reed cuts me off, his expression pained. “Luke and his big mouth. How much do you know?”
“Only that you got drunk and passed out on their outdoor couch. Both of you. By ten p.m.” I can’t control my giggles and Reed rolls his eyes.
I’m about to apologize when his words hit me. “Wait. Is there more to know?”
“Nope. That’s it.”
“Are you sure?” Now it's my turn to give him a look. One that says, “I’m on to you.”
“As sure as I can be.”
“Are you being cryptic?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Reed!”
“Come on. It’s movie time. Do you really want whiskey and The Hangover ?”
“Yes, I really want the whiskey.” I need it. “And The Hangover still works. It saves me from having to think of something else.”
“Done. Make yourself comfortable. I’ll set up.”
He grabs the remote from the coffee table and pauses midair before spinning around, his wide eyes flashing my way. “Fuck.”
“What? Is it broken?”
“No, I didn’t ask about your audition.” Dammit . I was hoping he’d forget—wishful thinking on my part. “How did it go? I was going to text you but wanted to talk to you in person and then you distracted me.”
“It was fine. They still had others to see, so I won’t know for a few days.”
“Fine?”
“Yes.”
His shoulders drop. “What happened?”
I mimic his stance before falling to the couch and covering my face with my hands. “It wasn’t great. But I didn’t get a good vibe from the director anyway so it’s for the best.”
“Oh, Hayls—”
“Nope. It’s one audition. There will be plenty of others.”
“But you—”
“Please, Reed.” I hit him with a pleading stare and he reluctantly nods before sitting down beside me.
“I’m here if you want to talk.”
“I know. And I appreciate that. But I’ll be fine. My agent already has another script for me to read.”
“Okay, good. That’s great.”
“Exactly, so let’s go. This movie won’t watch itself.”
Reed’s quiet for the first ten minutes until I start laughing out loud, clearly enjoying myself, and his mood lightens. It’s hard to be down when you're watching easy comedy gold. And I thank the universe that I made this choice.
We’re about halfway through when Reed’s phone buzzes across the coffee table, drawing our attention. He leans forward to check the screen and groans as a sarcastic laugh escapes him.
“What happened?”
“Nothing.” He shoves the phone face down next to him and turns back to the TV, faking amusement at something that’s clearly not that funny.
“Reed?”
“Shhh,” he snaps jokingly before grinning. “I’m trying to watch.”
I’m about to argue when my phone buzzes, and I snort when I read the message.
Amelia changed the group to “Reed’s Support Group.”
I found out a few months back that Reed, Luke, Dylan, and surprisingly, Easton have a group chat together. I thought nothing of it, only using it to tease the guys without them knowing, until Paige needed us. Then I created one for the girls. It was previously named Paige’s Support Group.
If Amelia’s changing it then—
Amelia: So… Luke tells me Reed needs our help. He’s fed up with the friend zone
Amelia’s message cuts off my speculation and a laugh bursts out of me. “Nothing happened, huh?”
“What?” Reed’s eyes flash to mine before he glances down at my phone. “Dammit. Luke, right?”
“Nope. Why would you say that?” I fake innocence and he rolls his eyes just as more messages come through, telling us all that Reed needs our help with his love life.
What did he say when he was drunk?
This is exactly the type of distraction I need.
I read my messages privately as Reed gets bombarded with his own, but when Keeley suggests fake dating as an option, I finally show him my screen.
“You need to shut it down. Now.” Reed forces a laugh, running his hands down his face. “I wish I’d never said anything to Luke. He’s taken my words way out of context.”
I don’t bother hiding my smirk as I think about his drunkenness. It just gets better and better. “According to Amelia, you told Luke your ‘love life was fucked’ and that you ‘needed to fix it.’”
Reed closes his eyes as his head falls back, the annoyance clear in his expression. “So what you’re saying is that everyone’s taking Luke’s word for it, because I was too drunk to remember?”
“Yep.”
“Meaning…you’re not shutting it down?”
“Nope.” We lock eyes again and I hold my stare, brushing a loose strand of hair away from my face.
He matches my intensity but doesn’t respond until I raise an eyebrow in challenge, instantly regretting it when something new crosses his features.
As though an amusing thought hit him, he bites back his smile, but the corners of his lips are bursting at the seams. “What’s that look about?” I ask, almost afraid of the answer.
“I’ve come up with a plan.”
“Oh, yeah?” My nose scrunches and he smirks. He went from a pained expression to beaming with excitement, and it doesn’t take a genius to know that plan includes me.
“Instead of this fake dating nonsense, I’m going to tell Bria I have a thing for you and we’ll see how she reacts.”
What? I burst out laughing. “Oh, Reed.” I pat his leg with a smile. “If only it was that easy. It won’t work unless she believes she’s going to lose you.”
“It’s worth a shot though, right?” He comically cringes while I shake my head with a smile.
I feel bad but he’s… “Wrong.” Although, there might be something in that. I wave him off as my smile widens. “Lucky for you, now I have an idea. You’re going to love it.”
Reed forces a smile and I snort before proudly sitting up straighter. This is brilliant.
“I’m going to be your fake girlfriend.”
“You’re what now?” His eyes widen and he almost does a double take.
“I’m volunteering.” Obviously. “I’m an actress; it makes sense for your new girlfriend to be me.”
“Ahh, no. That’s insane and you know it. Plus—”
“I disagree,” I cut him off, excitement coursing through me.
“It makes perfect sense. I’m single. You’re single.
I’m hot. You’re insanely gorgeous and you can’t deny we’d make a stunning couple.
” I pause just long enough to wink and he rolls his eyes.
“It’s a no-brainer, Reed. We get along. We have fun.
Give me one good reason why it shouldn’t be me? ”
“Maybe because I don’t think it’s a good idea to begin with. Fake dating is crazy. Come on, Hayls. Think about it.”
“Reed.” I stare at him deadpan. He’s the one acting crazy here.
“Hayley.” He stares back at me, copying my moves as I cross my arms over my chest and fake a pout.
“Are you saying I couldn’t pull it off?” I’m teasing and it’s not exactly fair, but now that the idea’s in my head, I’m not going to be able to shake it.
“Hayley Jackman from down under,” Reed begins and I smile. “You know I think you’re brilliant. And while I’m sure this could be the acting role of your life, you’re forgetting one major plot hole.” He pauses as I wait patiently, knowing he won't convince me. “I can’t act.”
“But—”
“Or lie,” he adds as though I don’t already know that. But luckily…
“There are ways around that, Reed. Trust me, I’ve worked on some pretty amateur productions and people still loved them.” And I’ve worked on some pretty huge productions that people didn’t love. Dammit . This is supposed to be taking my mind off that.
Reed’s silence draws my attention and I rid myself of my thoughts.
“For someone that thought I was insane, you’re sure taking a long time to say no.”
“I didn’t say you were insane, Hayls. The idea is just…” He releases an overexaggerated sigh, but before I can argue he continues on. “It’s not the craziest idea I’ve heard come out of your mouth. But I’m going to need to think about it. I’m still not convinced.”
Yes, I almost have him. “I’ll take it.” I squeeze his leg and bounce around in excitement. “For now, anyway. I have no doubt I’ll change your mind.”
His expression turns serious and for the briefest of moments, I consider letting him off the hook. But it’s a good idea. And with the way Bria’s already been responding to our friendship, I’m sure it will give him the answers he needs.