Page 60 of Reckless Storm (San Francisco End Game #3)

Reed

I bite back a groan as I walk through the locker room the Wednesday after my Texas trip, my smile bright as all eyes flash my way. I look like I’ve gone a few rounds with Mike Tyson. Actually, no…it looks like Mike Tyson beat the shit out of me and I never even got a punch in.

I thought it was going to be okay, since I only caught a couple of fists to the face, but it’s day five now and the bruising looks worse.

But it’s not even the bruising that has me wanting to groan; it’s my goddamn rib cage.

For a guy half my size, that fucker could throw a punch.

And his aim was on point, hitting me in the same spot every single time.

With that being said, I’d do it all again. In fact, I wish I’d done more after what he was doing to Hayley.

While my teammates have definitely noticed my face, I somehow make it to my locker without question and breathe a sigh of relief, until…

“Am I seeing things or is our golden boy not so golden anymore?” Dammit .

I turn to find Luke and my groan finally releases. “What can I say? Keeping up with Hayley is a full-time job.”

“Damn.” He bounces his eyebrows before stepping closer and leaning in.

“If it’s like this when it’s fake, imagine what it would be like if shit got real.

” His head falls back and he laughs at his own joke while I stare at him deadpan, laughing on the inside.

That’s no joke, my friend. It is as real as it gets. Just you wait.

Luke walks away, still chuckling to himself and I can’t help but smile. I’ll always be golden where it counts, but you better believe I’m going to fight for my girl, especially with fuckers who think it’s okay to follow her around.

The team’s lucky I’m here because right now, the only thing keeping me sane is that Cameron’s been sent back to California and she’s safe in Texas. But until Hayley’s restraining order gets signed off, I’m going to be on edge.

T he next two weeks fly by, and when it’s time to meet Hayley at the airport, I’m not at all ashamed to admit I’m fucking giddy about it. We’ve spoken often, but having her back, and finally in my arms, will put my mind at ease.

We agreed to meet near the baggage carousels, but I can’t wait that long, jogging through the terminal to catch her when she exits the secure area, my heart pounding in my chest.

I arrive just as she moves through the doors, pausing at the threshold when our eyes lock, knowing with certainty that when she smiles, this is real.

Just like she did the last time we’d been apart, she takes off in a run and throws herself into my arms, but this time instead of doing it for the cameras, I wish we were alone.

Catching her easily, I slam my lips to hers, my tongue immediately seeking entry, and we kiss like nobody's watching until I realize they probably are.

Hayley’s grinning when I pull back. “Oops. I’m not sure if that was PG, but God, I missed you.” She presses her lips back to mine before kissing my cheeks and nose. “It should be illegal to be separated from your boyfriend for that long.”

I chuckle as I lower her to the carpet but keep her close in my hold. “We were apart for longer before my visit.”

“Yes, but it wasn’t rea—”

I growl low in my throat, cutting her off. “We’re not playing pretend anymore, Hayls. You know it’s been real for longer than that.”

“I know.” Her lips curl into a smirk and I roll my eyes. “But I love it when you growl.”

“I don’t growl.”

“Yeah, you do. And it makes me want to ride you like a horse.”

“I thought I was the cowboy?”

“So you want to be the one to ride me?”

“You bet your ass I do. But we’re in the middle of the arrivals lounge surrounded by hundreds of people that think they know us.” I step closer and brush the hair away from her ear, making her shiver. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t give me a boner this time.”

She bursts out laughing as I step back, shaking my head. “Does that mean you’re not open to a public romp?”

“I don’t share. Ever . No one gets to see your pleasure but me. Now let’s go.” I point toward the exit before glancing back her way. And when I note her flustered expression, I smile, offering to take her bag.

“I think I’m going to enjoy being your girl, Reed,” she says with a bounce in her step. “I really should have done this sooner. But there’s no time like the present.” She smiles wide before my phone buzzes at the same time hers does.

“I bet it’s the Bennetts,” she says with a grin, pulling her phone from her bag. “Yep. It’s Amelia.”

“Then this will be Luke.” I slide my phone from my pocket, reading my message while Hayley reads hers.

Luke: BACK TO SCHOOL PARTY PEOPLE!! BE THERE OR BE SQUARE

Luke: It’s tomorrow by the way and I’m not taking no for an answer

Hayley laughs, drawing my gaze, but with her eyes locked on her phone, I keep reading my messages.

Easton left the group

Luke added Easton to the group

Luke: I forgot to mention… Amelia already texted the girls. East… future wifey rsvp’d. See you soon. (wink emoji)

I chuckle when the messages stop and lift my gaze to find Hayley staring back at me.

“Let me guess. Party tomorrow?” She shows me her screen and I smile.

Amelia: Back to school party at our place tomorrow

Amelia: And yes… that’s what Luke’s calling it. This didn’t come from me

Paige: We’ll be there. I’ll drag Easton by the ear if I have to

I show Hayley my screen next and she laughs out loud, and while I smile at her happiness, a thought hits me.

“Are you ready to make our official debut?” I ask, a mischievous joy taking over me.

“I sure am. But let’s have some fun with it.” Hayley winks, linking her arm through mine.

“Anything for you, Baby. Anytime.”

H ayley’s on the pool deck when I arrive at Luke’s, her long, blonde hair pulled away from her flawless cheeks, her smile radiant as she chats with Amelia.

And just like always, my heart jolts. It’s safe to say she gets more beautiful every time I see her, and right now, in her see-through dress over her scarlet bikini, I’ve never loved her more.

It doesn’t matter that she hasn’t said it back. She doesn’t need to. If keeping those three little words close to her chest helps her feel protected, she can keep them to herself for the rest of her life. Because I don’t need her to say it. I can feel it.

She loves me just like I love her.

And I’ve never been happier.

I watch her for a moment, her face alight with excitement, and it’s not until she glances up, her gaze locking with mine, that I finally make my way over.

“You’re here!” Hayley lights up in excitement and, in a move we’ve mastered, throws herself into my arms before pressing her lips to mine, molding our mouths in a deep kiss reminiscent of our moment in the airport.

And just like then, we have an audience, only this time, our audience makes themselves known.

“Get a room,” Luke whines behind me. “My daughter does not need to see that.”

“She’s napping inside, Luke,” Lainey scolds. “Leave them alone.”

I chuckle against Hayley’s lips before pulling back with a smile. “Hey, Baby. I missed you.” I wink, loving it when she giggles. “It’s been too long,” I tell her, even though it hasn’t—she woke up in my arms this morning—but I can’t get enough of her.

“What’s going on here?” Amelia interrupts, her eyes bouncing between mine and Hayley’s, her expression suspicious. “Something’s different.”

“Nope. Just kissing my girlfriend.” I shrug like it’s no big deal while Hayley bites back a grin.

“Your girlfriend or your girlfriend ?”

“Aren’t they the same?” I tease.

“No, they’re very different and… Oh my God,” Amelia squeals and I never pictured her as a squealer. “You’re together. You're together together.”

“Well, that didn’t take long.” I jokingly check my watch. “It’s barely been five minutes.”

“Amelia’s very perceptive,” Hayley notes, reaching forward to squeeze Amelia’s hand.

“That and the fact that Reed just mauled you as though you’re the air that he breathes.”

That makes sense, because she is. “What can I say? We’re a cliché. Just like the movies. The fake became real.”

“Oh. My. God.” Amelia squeals again before dragging Hayley as close as she can and whispering in her ear.

I let them have their girl time, while I head off to talk to the guys, ignoring Luke when he bounces his eyebrows.

“So it’s official?” he asks, pulling his phone from his pocket. “I think that means Dylan wins fifty bucks.”

“What?” My eyes flash to Dylan’s and he grins proudly.

“I saw it coming a mile away.” He gloats while I fake a groan.

“Why are you even here?” I joke. “You’re retired.”

“Can’t help myself; I miss being a part of the action. Plus, I’m still on the group chat.”

“A group chat I don’t really need anymore,” I say as Easton appears out of nowhere, as if that talk of the group chat summoned him.

“Guess there’s no point in having it now,” he’s quick to say. “May as well shut it down.”

“No chance, Wilder.” Luke grins, clapping him on the back. “You’re with us until you die.”

“Or you do?” Easton raises an eyebrow conspiratorially, and I chuckle.

“East,”—Luke steps forward, cupping Easton on the shoulder—“I can promise that you’ll never escape me. I’ll take pride in haunting you for the rest of your days.”

“So, no different to now?” Easton chuckles as he jokingly massages his temples, his out of character behavior drawing attention.

“Did Easton just laugh?” Keeley calls out and Luke smirks gloatingly.

“Of course he did.” Luke waves her off. “I’m a funny man.” Amelia snorts at the same time Hayley erupts with giggles, both of them choosing that moment to join us.

“He’s got a good laugh, right?” Luke adds, clearly a little tipsy. “Maybe if we all told him that, he’d laugh more.” He nudges Easton in the stomach, and Easton’s smile fades.