Page 20 of Reckless Storm (San Francisco End Game #3)

Reed

“ I ’m sorry…” I trail off because Hayley’s staring at me with a glint in her eyes and it’s hard to say no to her.

But I have to be strong. “I don’t think this is a good idea.

” Hayley frowns and I can’t tell if it’s real or fake, but either way, I feel the need to clarify.

“I’ll rephrase. Us fake dating is a bad idea.

It’s crazy.” Unable to meet her stare, I look away, catching a glimpse of her smile.

“I thought you loved my brand of crazy?”

Her question draws my gaze, and I glance back to find her grinning my way, her brows raised in challenge. And she’s not wrong.

“I do. But if you’ll recall, I don’t usually get involved.”

“Sure you do. You’ve never missed one. Just because you don’t participate… Admit it, you still have a great time.”

She’s got me there. “I do. There’s nothing better than watching you unapologetically live life to the fullest.”

Hayley’s expression turns serious for a beat before she schools her features and smiles. “Exactly. So…”

“Give me three good reasons.”

“What?”

“It's like two truths and a lie but they’re all truths. I’m sure you can handle that.”

“I know what it is, Reed, but I want three reasons from you as to why you don’t want to do it. I think that’s a better angle.”

“I thought you were supposed to be convincing me.”

“This is part of that. I don’t believe you have three reasons.” She stares at me confidently until I nod.

“Okay, fine. Three reasons.”

“Good. I’m waiting.”

She makes herself comfortable, leaning back into the cushions, locking her hands behind her head. I mimic her moves, the movement making my muscles bulge, drawing Hayley’s gaze, just like I knew it would.

“Hey!” She fakes a gasp. “You did that on purpose,” she accuses, biting back her smile.

“Did what?” I lie unconvincingly, subtly shaking my head as I trap my smile between my teeth, laughing when she squeezes her eyes shut.

“That’s not going to work, Reed. I still want your three reasons.”

Damn . Well, I tried.

Taking a deep breath, I rack my brain for three good reasons and find it harder than I thought.

In reality, I don’t actually have to do this.

If I looked Hayley in the eyes and straight up told her my answer was no, she’d instantly back off.

I think. But she knows me well enough to see that there’s something about the idea that intrigues me a little. If anything, it could be fun.

But, it’s Hayley. We have a friendship I never saw coming, and I’m not prepared to risk that. She means too much to me.

I take another deep breath and when I don’t speak, Hayley raises an eyebrow, making me laugh. But on closer inspection, there’s uncertainty in her expression, almost like she’s about to take it all back and agree with me now that it appears as though I’m struggling.

“I’m ready.” I cut in before she can speak.

“For one… I’ve got a few away games coming up and then I’ll be busy with the playoffs.

It will make it hard for us to play pretend enough for Bria to notice.

Two—and I mentioned this before—I can’t act, but more than that, what do I know about being a boyfriend, fake or otherwise? ”

Hayley reserves her reactions and nods blankly instead, holding her judgment until I’m finished, and I’m grateful for that because my reasons are weak. At least they are until I remember one vital piece of information.

“Three… I don’t want to.”

Her face drops, and I hate that I’m the reason. I offer a sad smile, hoping it softens the blow. “Well, damn .” She cringes. “I can’t argue with that.”

Shit . “You’re taking it the wrong way.” I smile, grabbing her hand. “I don’t mean it to sound harsh. I like our relationship as is and don’t want it to change.”

“But…since it’s all fake, it wouldn’t have to change. Right? At least not behind the scenes.”

My stomach knots and I internally grimace. If I’m not careful, this conversation alone might change things between us and I can’t afford that. Adding another layer to the friendship is bound to mess it up.

“Of course it would change,” I say, trying not to be too expressive when I want to shake some sense into her.

“We’d have to make it real. Believable. And that would mean affection and kissing.

One kiss and you’re bound to fall in love with me,” I joke to hide my concern and Hayley laughs, momentarily easing my mind.

“I’ve seen the way you ogle my body when you think I’m not looking. ”

“Oh, Reed. If you think there’s anyone out there that can resist your body, you are not paying attention.”

I huff out a laugh as my cheeks heat. But embarrassment aside, I love that we’ve settled back into our easy banter. “I—”

Hayley’s phone buzzes, cutting me off, and when she checks the screen, she giggles. “Gotta love Amelia.” She smirks.

“Why does it feel like I’m not going to like this?”

Hayley angles the phone my way and I groan.

AMELIA: You should put your hand up to date Reed. It’s perfect. You get along so well and no one knows that you’re friends

Hayley laughs again but I refuse to look at her. “She’s got a point,” she says with a new happiness in her tone. And we can’t have that.

Grabbing the phone out of her hand, I hold it above my head as I stand up and move to the other side of the couch, typing out a message.

HAYLEY: I don’t think that’s a good idea. We’ll have to come up with another plan

“Hey.” She rushes around to catch me, trying to get to her phone, but I’m too tall for her to reach it.

“You are not making me out to be the bad guy. I’m not ruining their fun.”

Another idea comes to mind and I duck around her, running off to type another message.

HAYLEY: Actually Reed thinks it’s a great idea but he’s way out of my league. No one would believe it

I show Hayley the message and a snort escapes her as she shakes her head. “Speaking of not believing… Amelia is never going to believe that .”

“Why not?”

“Because I do not think you’re out of my league.”

“Sure you do. You always tell me I’m too nice for the likes of you.”

Her expression wavers before she hides it with another smile. Fuck. I open my mouth to tell her I’m joking but her phone buzzes in my hand.

AMELIA: Ha. You’re hilarious. What’s the real reason?

Hayley’s eyes flash to mine, waiting with anticipation. “I’m sorry, Hayls. But I’m only saying no because I don’t want to ruin our friendship over a lost cause like Bria. I honestly don’t think it will work.”

Hayley’s face falls again, but this time, I know it’s for me. She feels sorry for me and I hate that. I want to get back to us. The happy-go-lucky friends.

“How about we watch the rest of the movie?” Hayley asks, beating me to it.

“Works for me.” We settle back onto the couch, but before I press play, I turn to Hayley with a smile. “Thank you. You mean the world to me.”

Her lips pull into a grin and she squeezes my arm. “Anytime.”

I understand she just wants to help. I do. But what if it changes everything? I have to hold strong. Don’t I?

H ayley’s sound asleep when my alarm goes off the next morning.

So after tiptoeing around the house, trying not to wake her—not an easy feat when you’re my size—I write her a quick note and sneak out just after six.

It takes everything in my power not to wake her to ask if she’s okay.

She drank herself into an alcohol coma after our fake dating fiasco, and while she claims she was just enjoying herself, I’m certain the drinking had nothing to do with our dating conversation and everything to do with her audition.

I’d love for her to talk to me about it, but I’m smart enough to know that waking her up at five thirty in the morning to ask is not the way to make that happen. For anyone. But especially Hayley. She’ll tell me when she’s ready.

After a short drive, I pull up in the Storm parking lot to find Landon on the phone near the entrance, making me smile as I think about how much he’s changed since I first started mentoring him not too long ago.

He’s not a cocky rookie like we’ve seen in the past, namely with Zane, but he’s also not the shy guy he once was, and that’s progress.

I wave as I approach and he hangs up from his call, grinning my way. “Morning.” He holds his hand out for a fist bump—like I often do—and I smile as I return it.

“How are you, Landon? Ready for a big game tomorrow?”

“I’m ready to watch.” He laughs and it brings about my own.

“You’ll be game ready before you know it. Coach has been watching you more and more. Don’t pretend you haven’t noticed.”

“Oh, I’ve definitely noticed. He’s always the first to let me know when I fuck something up.”

“That’s better than the alternative. At least he knows you exist.” I pat him on the back as he opens the door for us both. “I bet you’ll be a starter in no time.”

I walk in ahead of him and he jogs to catch up with me. “I know what you’re doing, Reed. And I appreciate it.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I lie, biting back my smile. “I’m just being honest.”

“Well, thanks anyway. For not mentoring me or whatever. I’ll take all the help I can get.”

“Anytime, man. I’m happy to help. You just have to ask.”