Page 54 of Reckless Storm (San Francisco End Game #3)

Reed

H ayley closes the door to her suite and my chest tightens with the soft click. She smiles as she turns, and when our eyes lock…I’m a goner.

I mean, I’ve kind of known that for a while now, but with the way my heart’s flipping out, it’s so much worse than I thought.

I’m in love with her.

And it turns out, I’ve never been in love before.

“Now that we’re alone, I’m so glad you’re here.” She squeals as she takes off in another run, launching herself at me for a second time. “God, you smell good.”

I chuckle as she breathes me in, and I have to admit, she smells amazing herself. Like fancy hotel soap mixed with the floral perfume she always wears, and…home. She smells like home.

“So dancing, huh?” I change the subject, needing to get out of my head.

“Yep.” She bounces her eyebrows. “A few of us found a genuine cowboy bar and we’re going boot scootin’.”

“Please tell me you didn’t call it a ‘genuine cowboy bar’ or say that you were boot scootin’ when you were there.”

“Of course not. I said I was ready to line dance at the boot scootin’ bar.”

“Oh, Hayls.” I huff out a laugh and she grins proudly. “Life is never boring with you.”

“I’m glad you think that, because we’re meeting everyone in an hour.”

“In an hour?” Disappointment fills me but I smile through it. I wanted alone time, though I shouldn’t be surprised. When she gets an idea… “Only my wildcat.” I shake my head and she laughs. “I’m ready. Bring it on.”

An hour and twenty minutes later, we’re in the “cowboy bar” and Hayley’s dancing with her co-stars, lighting up the room as she tries to master the moves from the people around her.

Like always, I watch from the sidelines, keeping my secret for a little while longer, holding back before I dance.

Hiding a smile behind my beer, I stare in amusement as one of the girls spins the wrong way and she and Hayley collide, bringing each other down as they burst out laughing.

My smile breaks free and I feel a sense of something new, finally at peace now that Hayley’s close to me again. And when she finally stops laughing, she winks my way, not so subtly beckoning me over.

Not yet, Hayley Baby.

Raising a finger, I wave my beer, letting her know I’ll be there soon. Then I continue to watch her, the smile never once leaving my face, my heart full and happy.

“Can I buy you a drink?” a stranger asks as she sidles up next to me, her southern accent reminding me of home. “You’ve been sitting here alone for a while now. I figured it was time you had some fun.” Her eyes light up as my gaze flits to hers before settling back on the dance floor.

“I appreciate the offer, but I’m here with friends.”

“Friends? Then where are they?”

I raise my beer, gesturing toward the dancers, and the stranger scoffs.

“Shouldn’t you be out there?”

“I will. I’m just waiting for my moment.” The corners of my lips quirk but it’s not for the girl beside me. I’m thinking of Hayley’s reaction when I show her I can “boot scoot” as well as the rest of them. I’ve been doing it for years.

“Which ones are your friends?” the woman asks, drawing my attention as her eyes scan the crowd.

I follow her gaze, watching as Hayley spins to face the man behind her, my body tensing when he grabs her waist. Her co-star—Cameron, I think his name is—mouths off to the guy and I stand up, ready to go over, even though I’m acutely aware that Hayley can hold her own.

They argue for a second before Cameron shifts his attention to Hayley, and something about his move has my hackles rising, seconds before he pulls her in close, pressing a kiss to her lips.

“The fuck.” I jolt, slamming my glass down on the counter. “Excuse me.”

Abandoning the stranger mid-chat, I push through the crowd just as the first guy storms away. But I no longer care about him. I’ve got my sights set on Hayley’s co-star, and when she sees me, she realizes, rushing forward to stop me.

“Reed.” She waves a hand in front of my face, vying for attention. “He was joking around, trying to get the other guy to back off.”

“He kissed you, Hayls. Knowing you have a boyfriend.”

Her gaze softens and she steps closer. “Technically—”

“Stop. You have a boyfriend . And if he touches you again, even an accidental brush of the hand, he’s going to know about it. Same goes for anyone else.”

Hayley nibbles her lip while she nods, a fire in her eyes I haven’t seen before.

Stepping closer, she curls her fingers through the loops of my jeans, dragging me forward until our bodies touch.

I release a slow sigh, wrapping my arms around her neck while she snakes hers around to my ass, her palms settling inside my back pockets. She glances up at me, peeking through her long, thick lashes. “You’re the one I want, Reed. Not—”

My phone rings, cutting her off as it vibrates against her hand, and she laughs, pulling it from my pocket. “Here.”

Both our gazes dart to the screen to find Bria’s name staring back at us.

“Bria?” Hayley asks, her eyes narrowed as she steps back. “I didn't think you were talking.”

“We’re not. We haven’t.”

“You better get it then.” She shuffles farther away, her smile fading, and I audibly groan as she turns.

My phone stops ringing and I’ve just reached for Hayley when it incessantly starts up again. “Dammit,” I curse under my breath, my eyes locking with Hayley’s, imploring her to smile.

She nods reassuringly and motions for me to answer, maintaining her gaze as I hesitate.

I’m torn, but when Hayley nods again, I finally answer, seconds before it’s likely to stop. “Hang on. I’m finding somewhere quiet.” If she’d only called once, I would have left it, but calling right back is not something Bria does, unless it’s important.

“Reed?” she responds, an urgency in her tone.

“Yeah, it’s me. One sec.”

I’ve just stepped into the hallway near the restrooms when I register her tears. “Bria? What’s wrong?”

“My dad. He…” She sniffs as she trails off and my heart seizes, thinking the worst. “He had a stroke, Reed. He’s alive but we almost lost him. And I didn’t know who else to call.”

“Christ, Bria. I’m so fucking sorry. How’s your mom? Are you with them?”

“Yeah. I’m at the hospital in LA. Mom’s staying strong but I know she’s about to crumble. Thankfully they’ve brought in a recliner so she can stay tonight.”

I breathe a sigh of relief as Bria fills me in on his condition, letting me know he’s awake and able to communicate, and when she’s finished, she sighs much the same as I did. “Can you come here? I know I’m asking a lot but…” She trails off and… Fuck .

My chest tightens and I hate that I have to let her down. “I’m not home, Bria. I’m in Texas. I—”

“Texas?”

“Yeah. I’m with Hayley.”

“Oh, God. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called. I’ll let you—”

“ Wait . It’s okay. I’m here for you. Things may be different between us, but I’ll always be here if you need me. Just in a different capacity.” She falls silent, her quiet sniffs the only clue that she’s still there. “Bria, I—”

“I knew, you know.” She pauses and I stiffen. “I’m so sorry, but I knew how you felt, and I pretended not to. I couldn’t stand the thought of losing you. I still can’t stand it. But then I did in the end, so my silence was wasted.”

Her words sting even though deep down, I always suspected that. “Thanks for letting me know. I never meant for our friendship to turn out the way it did. I didn’t want to lose you either.”

“But you did. You lost me and you never tried to get me back.”

I massage my temples as my mind whirs. “Is that why you disappeared? So I’d fight for you?”

“A little,” she admits. “I’m not proud of it, but I wanted to find out if you cared for her more than you loved me.”

“And…” I pause, holding back on saying anything else, because if I do, I’m likely to snap at her. I thought she was hurting, not trying to manipulate me.

“And…” She sighs again. “I got my answer.”

“ Bria .” I run a hand down my face, trying to remember that she’s hurting right now and yet… “Can you hear yourself?”

“I know. I’m sorry. But Reed, what if I told you I felt the same? Would that have changed anything?”

“Do you?” I don’t know why I ask, since it doesn’t matter anymore, but when she answers, I’m floored.

“I think I do. I can’t stop thinking about you.

I miss you. I…” She trails off and I wait for the spark in my chest, for happiness at finally getting what I always thought I wanted.

But it doesn't come. Instead, my heart beats for Hayley, for the knowledge that I love her completely, with no doubt in my mind.

“I’m really sorry about your dad, Bria. I’ll see if I can change my flight on Monday to include a layover in LA. That way I can stop past the hospital before heading home. In the meantime, let me know if I can help from afar.”

I purposely don't respond to her admission, and the shock in her voice is obvious. “Oh. Ah. Thanks… Thank you. I will.”

Everything is screaming at me to do more, but her dad’s okay, and for once, I need to put myself first. “Please pass on my well wishes to your dad. I’m sorry again.”

“I will. Thank you, Reed.”

She hangs up and I sink my face into my hands, letting out an obnoxious grunt. Fuck . I did not see any of that coming.

Taking a deep breath, I groan again, letting out my frustration before composing myself and heading back to the main room, searching for Hayley.

When I find her, she’s hugging her friend, instantly making me panic.

“What happened?” I rush over, grabbing her hand when they part.

“What happened with you?” she asks, her gaze dropping to my phone.

“Bria’s dad had a stroke. She needed to talk to someone that knew him, I guess. Actually, no… She needed to talk to me.”

“Oh, fuck.” Hayley’s shoulders drop as she frowns. “Is she okay? Is he?”

“They’ll both be okay. It’s just going to take time. He’ll need rehab and may not be able to work anymore.”

“ Jesus . Do you need to go home? To San Francisco?”

“No, Hayls. There’s nothing I can do. And I don’t think that’s a good idea right now. They’re in LA, but I’ll visit the hospital on Monday, before I go home.”

“Okay. Let me know if I can help in any way.” She smiles sympathetically, squeezing my hand, and my heart swells. She’s been wary of Bria from the very beginning, but when Bria’s hurting, she cares.

“Thank you, Hayls. But you just did. Now what happened here?”

Hayley sighs and the same sympathetic gaze shifts to her co-star. “Brooklyn just found out her boyfriend cheated on her, and Cameron’s drunk ass decided to say something insensitive.”

“He clearly wants an ass kicking.” My gaze flits over to where he’s dancing a few feet behind Hayley, never too far away. “We should go,” I announce. Before I give him one.

“Ignore him.” Hayley waves off my concern. “Brooklyn’s fine now. I promised her we’d dance. And I haven’t seen your moves yet.”

“ Hayley.”

“Please,” she begs, her gaze boring into mine. “You’re only here for two days. Dance with me?”

My eyes shift to find Cameron again, my fists clenching when I catch him watching us.

“Unless, of course, you can’t?” Hayley taunts, drawing my gaze back to hers.

“Did you just challenge me, Jackman?”

“Depends. Do you accept?”

I hesitate, but deep down I know I’m going to give in. I once made a promise, and I never break promises.

Hayley frowns, her expression comparable to a sad little puppy dog. “Shame.” She jokingly turns to walk away but I grab her wrist, pulling her into me, my palm gliding around her waist.

I lean in, brushing the hair away from her eyes, my lips meeting her ear. “I’ll dance but I want you to promise me something.”

“Yeah?” Her voice comes out breathy and I almost pull back to look at her.

“Promise me you’ll come to me if you ever need to talk about anything. And if that dick makes you uncomfortable…” I trail off and Hayley shakes her head, standing on her toes so I can hear her.

“He’s harmless. I promise.”

“Either way, I’m here for you. Okay?”

Slipping a hand between us, Hayley pushes me back, her gaze locked on mine, her eyes full of emotion—a mix between vulnerability and acceptance. She blinks a few times before a soft laugh escapes her. “I think I understand Bria a little bit better now.”

“Bria?” My brows furrow in confusion, noting the sadness in her eyes. “How?”

“I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready to lose you. And yet, when all this is over and we’re no longer playing pretend, I will.”

“Hayley, I—”

She lightly slaps my chest, cutting off my words before she’s playful again, her confidence back in full force. Or maybe veil is a better choice of word. She’s hiding behind something.

“Let’s go, big guy.” She tugs my hand as she moves back toward the dance floor. “Show me what you’ve got.”