Page 6 of Reckless Storm (San Francisco End Game #3)

Hayley

I wake seconds before my alarm early the next morning and I instantly regret not changing it. It’s my first day off in over a month. I should be taking advantage.

After switching off the incessant beeping, I roll over and pull the covers up, tucking the doona—or as Amelia so often points out, the comforter —under my chin.

I’ve been living here for well over a year now and I still struggle with some of the word differences, while others I’ve easily embraced.

Like garbage instead of rubbish—unless I’m using the term rubbish as a replacement for cursing—and a parking lot instead of a car park.

I’ve even embraced the term “mall.” But comforter over doona—nope.

And a bathing suit over bathers—no way. Some things just can’t be changed.

I toss and turn for God knows how long until it’s apparent my mind and body are not in sync. And when I check the time, I groan. Six a.m.

What. The. Fudge.

I’ve slept later than this on filming days.

Don’t tell me this is my life now, with my body clock set to the ass crack of dawn. That’s not cool.

Reluctantly getting up, I make myself a coffee and sink into the comfy chair on my balcony. I may not live in the most amazing area, but this balcony is my sanctuary, and if I listen carefully, I can hear the sound of the waves crashing against the shoreline, reminding me of home.

A place I’ve been neglecting lately—not that my parents have mentioned it.

They’re not the type to worry—or communicate, for that matter.

They’re caring parents but they’ve never been the hands-on type.

I think me being here is actually easier on them, as they don’t feel guilty if time passes and they haven’t called.

In their mind, they know I love Australia but that I want to establish myself here before visiting home, so they’re doing me a favor by giving me space.

But what they don’t know is that I can sometimes be the worrying type, at least when it comes to my future, and I’m scared that if I leave, I won’t have the same luck I’ve had when I get back.

Because make no mistake, my life is one snake-eye dice roll away from falling apart.

I’ve been rolling sixes for the past few months, and I have a feeling my luck is about to run out.

And I’ve never been a big gambler.

When I’ve finished my coffee, I push my concerns aside and jump in the shower, standing under the water for way longer than I should, exactly like I always do when I’m hungover. But today, I’m surprisingly good.

My memory is a little patchy but I’m fresh. God, maybe it’s not alcohol that gives me a foggy head the next morning. Maybe it’s the fact that I usually continue to party in other ways until the early hours of the morning.

More often than not, after a party, I’d only just be going to sleep now. But thanks to my knight in shining armour, I was home at a reasonable time last night. Which reminds me. I should thank him.

Grabbing my phone, I shoot off a text to Amelia asking if she has Reed’s number and raid the fridge as I wait for a response, discovering I’m in desperate need of more food.

Being on set every day has its bonuses—namely with craft service providing my main meals. It sucks to think I now have to fend for myself until the next one.

The next one.

My stomach knots as I think about auditioning again.

Auditioning here is a lot different from auditioning in Australia where the industry is a hell of a lot smaller and everyone knows everyone else's business. Over here, I could go for hundreds of auditions and never meet the same casting director twice. It’s exciting to think about the opportunities available for me, but equally nerve-racking to think I have to prove myself time and time again.

At least until Jaded Beginnings releases. I’m told the first official teaser is almost ready for release and they’re planning to launch it next week. My life is about to change, and God, I’m hoping that’s a good thing.

No…screw that. It is a good thing. I’m going to be a star. A household name. The next big thing. And I can’t freaking wait.

I’m halfway through a sandwich for breakfast when Amelia texts me back.

Amelia: Gotta love him. And yeah, I do. I’ll share it with you

She sends me Reed’s number, no questions asked—for now, though I have no doubt they’ll come later—and I don’t waste any time texting him.

Hayley: It’s Hayley. Your new bestie. Thanks for looking after me last night

The message turns to read almost immediately and a smile lights up my face.

Reed: Happy to be of service. Anytime

Reed: But I have a question… What does being Hayley Jackman’s bestie entail? And is Amelia going to come at me? I don’t want to get on her bad side

I snort out a laugh and head over to the couch, falling back into the cushions, kicking my feet up and making myself comfortable.

Hayley: Amelia will be fine. She needs to be able to share me with someone else. I’m a lot for one person to take on

Reed: Nah… I don’t believe that. You’re you

I smile, but the memories of being told I’m “full-on” or “out of control” are never too far from my mind. I own it. And I don’t plan on ever changing. But it still stings a little. Reed’s just too decent of a guy to point it out.

Hayley: Have you ever said a bad word about anyone?

I’m sure he’ll say yes, but I have no doubt he’ll be lying.

Reed: Plenty

Hayley: Care to enlighten me?

Reed: Nope. I’m too nice for that (wink emoji)

I laugh again and take another bite of my peanut butter goodness, a giddy feeling running through me.

Other than Amelia, I don’t have many close friends, and I crave them.

Back home, I was one of the guys until I got my first acting role and was forced into a life of solitude.

Not because my friends ditched me, but because of the hours I had to work and travel.

I moved to Sydney on my own the day I turned eighteen and life changed.

I loved it, but it was a huge shock to the system.

And I didn’t realise I was missing that close bond until I found Amelia, and now, I’m excited by the prospect of another close friend. If it works out that way.

Reed and I text back and forth for the next couple of hours, until I remember I’m due at Amelia and Luke’s in thirty minutes, and I technically don’t have a legal licence since I’m no longer on a holiday visa.

After quickly booking an Uber, I throw my bathers into my bag and smile. I’m a water baby, and it’s been too long since I had time in a pool.

Reed texts me again on my way down the stairs, and I’m still laughing when my building concierge waves to get my attention. “You’ve got mail today, Miss Jackman,” Bill says, excitement in his tone. “A little boy hand delivered it. I think you have a fan.”

“Ooh, that’s cute. Does he live in the building?” I glance around, but when my eyes meet his again, he shakes his head.

“I haven’t seen him before. But maybe he saw you come in here.”

“It’s a shame I missed him. I could have said hi.”

With a lopsided grin, Bill hands me the envelope and a single red rose, and I slide the note into my bag, asking him to hold on to the rose until I get back, since I’m already running late.

“You’re a gem, Bill. Have a lovely afternoon.”

He nods shyly. “You too, Miss Jackman. See you later.”

Smiling, I fight not to cringe. Every time he calls me Miss Jackman a shiver runs through me, but I have to get used to it because I’m getting it a lot more often these days. In Australia, I was Hayley or Hayls, Jacko or Little J, but I was never Miss Jackman. It sounds formal, and that’s not me.

My Uber’s waiting when I step outside, and I continue to text Reed during the short fifteen-minute drive, only pocketing my phone when I get to Amelia’s front door, entering without knocking.

“Ames. I’m here,” I call out, announcing my arrival like I normally do.

I hear a shush before Luke pops his head out of the nursery. “I just got Juliet to sleep. If you wake her, she’s your responsibility.”

“That’s not the negative you think it is,” I say with a grin, taking a step toward her room. “I love Juliet's cuddles.”

“Please don’t wake her,” he pleads and I can’t help but giggle…quietly.

Raising my hands in the air, I give him a nod and gesture toward the kitchen. “Yes,” Luke mouths. “Amelia’s that way.”

“Thank you,” I mouth back and he rolls his eyes. He loves me. We both know it. But he also loves to act like he doesn’t. And the feeling is mutual. He was on my shit list for a while but he managed to prove his worth.

When I enter the kitchen, I find Amelia by the fridge, pulling out a bottle of cider as I lean in for an air kiss. “Hey, babe.”

“Hey, you. Here.” She passes me the bottle and I lick my lips.

“Thank you. This is exactly what I need.”

“It’s Australian.”

“All the best things are.”

Luke scoffs from behind me, but when I turn around he’s grinning.

“Don’t even pretend you don’t love the slang I’ve been teaching you.” I roll my eyes. “Amelia told me you’ve used some of my words.”

“ One good thing then. I don’t know about ‘ all. ’” He uses quote fingers.

“Okay… What about Margot Robbie, AC/DC, Tim Tams, Heath Ledger, The Hemsworth Brothers, Pavlova—”

“Isn’t that from New Zealand?”

“Blasphemy.” I gasp audibly, shocked at his response. “You did not just say that.”

“Why? It’s true. Next thing you’ll be trying to add Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe to the list.”

“Nicole is an Aussie. She may not have been born in Australia, but she’s an Aussie. Just ask her.”

“Sure, okay. I’ll give her a call now.”

“Do it. I bet—”

“You two are like siblings,” Amelia cuts in, shaking her head. “Do I have to separate you?”

“Honestly, I think that’s for the best,” I say with a shrug. “Let’s retreat to the gazebo.”

“Hang on.” Luke grabs Amelia’s arm and hits me with a fake scowl. “Why do you get Amelia? She’s my wife.”

“That’s why. She needs a break.”

Luke laughs and I throw a wink his way before reaching for Amelia’s hand, dragging her through the house and out to the pool. They recently had their yard remodeled and I love it here, though it’s been a while since I’ve come.

Given the chance, I could spend hours by the water, listening to the waves crash behind their fence. Much louder than it is from my balcony.

My phone vibrates when I sit down, and when I see Reed’s name, I smile preemptively, anticipating his message.

“Who’s that?” Amelia asks.

“Nobody.”

“Nobody?” she deadpans, her arms crossed over her chest, her expression calling bullshit. “Not a certain football player that looked after you last night?”

“Definitely not.” The lie slips easily from my lips, knowing that Amelia will see right through it.

“Well, ‘nobody’ has my approval for making you smile like that.”

I throw my phone in my bag without reading the message and give Amelia my full attention.

Since I started working on Jaded Beginnings , I’ve been busier than ever, and while Amelia has never once complained, I feel like I've been neglecting our relationship a little.

Though I will say I feel better about doing that now that she has Luke by her side.

“So…” Amelia gets comfortable, tucking her knees up under herself and turning to face me, her expression beaming. “What are you and not Reed talking about?”

“Everything and nothing. I think we might be friends.”

“Ooh, I can definitely see that. You’re different but I think you’d get along well. He has a cheeky side that he hides away under all that seriousness. Not to mention his protective nature. Plus , I think the world of both of you so it makes sense.”

“Wow.” I pause for a beat as though lost for words. “It sure seems like you’ve given this thought.”

“Maybe.” She shrugs, ignoring my teasing. “I just worry about his friendship with Bria. I don’t know her at all so I can’t judge. But if all of us can see that he likes her, how could she possibly miss it?”

“Sometimes when you’re that close to something it’s not so clear.”

Amelia frowns, a deep furrow appearing on her brow. “I hope you’re right. Because the alternative is that she’s stringing him along.”

I internally wince. I’ll admit my mind has gone there a few times, but I also want to believe that Reed wouldn’t let that happen. Though again, sometimes when you’re close to something it’s not so clear. That sentiment works on both sides.

“What does Luke think?” I ask curiously.

“Luke thinks I should stop wasting so much energy on things that don’t concern me.”

“Oh, okay.” I bite back a smirk. “And yet, he still has that group chat for Easton.” One of his teammates.

“Shhhh,” Amelia shushes me as she laughs. “You’re not supposed to know about that.”

“Oh, but I do. And I wish I could read the messages. I bet Easton hates it.” I haven't had much to do with Easton since he’s not all that talkative and I love a chat, but I don’t have to talk to him to know that I like him.

He protected Amelia from her asshole colleague when he barely knew her, so he’s all right in my books.

“Easton is hating it.” Amelia briefly smiles until her concern takes over. “But I hope they help him. I can’t even imagine going through what he is.” She frowns and I know it’s because she empathises with Easton, comparing their situations.

Easton’s going through a bad breakup with his ex, and they have a son together.

Amelia and Luke weren’t even friends when they initially found out she was pregnant with his baby, so things had the potential to get messy.

Amelia would love to do more to help Easton, but she’s smart enough to know that her help wouldn’t be welcome.

He can be an asshole at times. At least on the surface. I’m sure he’s a different guy when you get to know him.

“Have I ever told you that I’m glad you and Luke worked things out?” I say, moving the conversation on. “Custody battles suck.”

“Me too, Hayls. I’m not sure I would have had the strength to get through that.”

“Bullshit.” I shake my head. “You’re one of the strongest women I know.” Not a lie. She’s been through so much and I truly admire her for it.

Amelia smiles before reaching out to pat my arm. “Right back at you, Hayls. Don’t ever change.”