Page 31 of Reckless Storm (San Francisco End Game #3)
Shaking off my thoughts, I get my ass out of there and find Thomas at the bar, two waters in his hand as he chats with our new assistant coach, Brad, and I pray to anyone that will listen that one of them is able to distract me.
“And you really think he’s pulling the pin?” Thomas asks Brad, immediately drawing my attention.
“Yep. There’s something going on, but I haven’t been included in the conversations yet.”
Brad started with the team at the beginning of this season, around the same time our general manager “resigned”—was forced to leave—and the timing sucked.
From day one, Brad’s name was thrown around as part of the controversy with our exiting GM, and it was hard to watch.
Brad didn’t deserve that. He’s a great guy and a talented coach.
Now it sounds like something else is going on.
Which I guessed based on D’Angelo and Keeley’s little interaction the other week.
“Fuck.” Thomas runs his hand through his hair, finally noticing me. “Reed, my man. How much did you hear?”
“Not enough for you to worry, but if you want to fill me in, you know I’m a vault.”
“I do. But I don’t want to stress you out. I’m doing enough of that for the both of us.”
Yeah, too late for that. “I already had a feeling something was going on. I saw D’Angelo shoot Keeley a strange look after his big speech the other week.”
“You caught that too?”
“Yep.”
Thomas sighs. “We think our new General Manager’s going to resign.”
“What?” Jesus . I did not see that coming. “He just started.”
That’s all we need. Another GM controversy. It took them long enough to find this guy. Mind you, he hasn’t really proven himself yet.
“Think you can convince Wes this time?” I perk up. I wasn’t around when Wes Johnson played for Storm but we all know who he is. He was an incredible player before he had to retire due to injury. He’s now married to Lucy, our ex-teammate Dylan’s sister, and Thomas knows him well.
Thomas laughs at my comment. “I’m sure as hell going to try.
And this time it might involve begging. Or maybe I’ll get Lucy on my side.
I know Carter’s already giving him hell.
” Carter is our teammate and Wes’s close friend.
“That aside, the team’s got enough going on without another fucking controversy.
The media only just stopped talking about that goddamn TV show. ”
“It doesn’t help that Zane keeps bringing it up.”
“No, it doesn’t, but I’m going to give him a pass.” He frowns and my eyes widen.
“Do you know something I don’t?”
“I might.” He chuckles though it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “I see a little of myself in him. Not myself now , but when I was younger. I think he’s self-destructing.”
While I don’t know a lot about Thomas’s private life, he’s been extremely open about his struggles with alcohol and depression. If he’s seeing something in Zane, I trust him completely.
“I’m only telling you this because I know you’re a good guy and one of the only guys that hasn’t written him off yet. There may come a time when he needs his friends and he’s going to realize he doesn’t have many.”
A feeling of déjà vu hits me. I’ve thought the same thing many times before. “I’ll be there,” I say truthfully.
“I know, man. Thanks.” He pats me on the back and smiles at Brad. “I better get this to Lainey.” He holds up one of the drinks in his hand. “She hasn’t left the dance floor all night.”
He turns to walk away but his gaze flits back to mine. “Shit, I keep forgetting to ask… How’s the mentoring with Landon? He mentioned you’ve been checking in on him.”
“Yeah, I think he’s onto me. But I don’t think he’d mind having an official mentor. He’s eager to learn and responsive to suggestions.”
“I thought that might be the case. And he’s in the right hands.”
“What can I say, I’m trying.” I shrug and Thomas laughs, though I’m not really joking.
I’m trying because while Landon’s eager to learn, I’m conscious of not making him feel like he needs a mentor more than anyone else on the team.
We have a mentoring program—that he’s a part of—but it focuses purely on the game.
What I’m doing with Landon is more than that.
I’m trying to build his confidence and integrate him better into the team.
And deep down, I know that’s what Thomas really meant. Otherwise he wouldn’t have asked me .
“Thanks, Reed.” Thomas nods, his warm knowing smile flashing my way before he disappears and Brad turns his attention to me, changing the topic.
“So…you and Riley, huh?”
“What?” Riley ? Oh… “You’ve read Jaded Beginnings ?”
“No.” He shakes his head. “My girlfriend has and she’s obsessed. She made me watch the trailer. At least fifty times. No exaggeration.”
“I bet she’s excited for the release.”
“She wants to go to the midnight screening.” He rolls his eyes jokingly and my heart jumps as a warmth takes over me.
“Hayley will love hearing that. Is your girlfriend here?”
“She just left.” He cringes, a sadness in his eyes. “She has to work early tomorrow.”
“Oh, shame. Remind me next time we’re all together, and I’ll introduce her to Hayley.”
“Bullshit. Really? That would earn me brownie points for a lifetime. She barely took her eyes off Hayley all night. She was definitely fan-girling.”
I laugh until a thought hits me… That explains Hayley’s feelings about someone watching her. Her intuition was right. Only it wasn’t Bria like she guessed.
“Next time, you should bring her over. Hayley would love to meet a fan.”
“Thanks, man. I will.”
He walks away smiling and I order my drink, grabbing Hayley a water while I’m there.
Then, like Brad’s girlfriend, I’m drawn to Hayley, unable to take my eyes off her as she owns the dance floor, letting herself go, completely in the moment.
She says she’s the type to do what she wants and never hold back, and it’s true—she’s exactly like that.
But here, now, there’s something free about her, something deeper. And it’s beautiful to watch.
Her eyes flicker open, and just like the first time I saw her dancing, her gaze locks on mine, and the most breathtaking smile graces her lips.
My breath catches and I’m taken back to the moment our lips first touched, the first time we kissed.
To the spark that shot through me. To the way her breath hitched as my tongue caressed hers.
I have never felt as close to anyone as I did in that moment. And while at the time, I refused to believe that it meant anything, now, I’m not so sure.
Hayley nibbles at her bottom lip, bringing me back to the present, her eyes lighting up with mischief. With a wink, she pretends to cast a fishing line my way, reeling it in, hoping I’ll follow.
When I don’t move at first, she gasps, her hand flying to her mouth as she shakes her head, pointing at me sternly.
“You,” she mouths, motioning to the spot on the floor in front of her.
“Here now,” she mouths again. At least I think she does.
Either way, I let this play out for a little while longer.
She pouts, seemingly giving up with a shrug of her almost bare shoulders. But I know better than that. Once she has her mind on something, there’s no going back.
She points again, this time to something behind me, and when I turn to look, confusion mars my features until familiar arms circle around my waist.
“You didn’t think I’d give up that easily, did you?” She lifts to her toes, whisper-yelling in my ear as I spin back around. “Are you playing hard to get?”
“Nope.” I chuckle, circling my arms around her neck. “I’m just waiting for the right song.”
“Austin” by Dasha comes on next and Hayley’s eyes light up before she immediately starts dancing, waggling her eyebrows as she moves. She mouths the words to the song, curling her finger, motioning for me to join her.
I have to admit, it’s a good song. Not my favorite but I like it, which means, I’m fresh out of excuses.
Nodding a little, I watch her closely, tapping my hand against my leg, pretending that’s all I can do.
Melting into the sea of bodies, she shakes her head with a smile and rolls her eyes, turning away from me.
In a move I’ve memorized, she raises her hands above her head, and her dress lifts higher up her thighs.
I try to resist, wanting to tease her a little more, but when the guys around her all dance a little closer, I groan, losing my restraint as I stride forward, shocking us both when I grab her waist, spinning her to face me.
“ Yes .” She lets out a squeal, stepping back, giving me the space to show off my moves.
But I want her close. Touching me.
So instead, I sway my hips, holding back from giving her everything I’ve got. We’ve got time for that later.
Hayley shoots me a knowing smirk but she has no idea , and for now, I like it that way.
Grabbing her hands, we dance around, laughing and smiling, full of life. And when the song ends and another comes on––some techno shit I don’t understand––I continue to dance. Because who am I to fuck with Hayley’s beaming state of happiness?
It’s infectious.
She’s infectious.
And I’m choosing not to process that thought right now. I’m taking a page out of Hayley’s book, and living in the moment.
It’s time to party with my girl.