Page 67 of Reckless Storm (San Francisco End Game #3)

Hayley

P lease wake up. Please, Reed. I need you.

I wake with a start, again, my eyes instantly flashing to Reed’s lifeless-looking body. After letting out a shaky breath and getting my bearings, I try to ignore my stomach when it growls. But when a throat clears behind me, I know I’ve been busted.

“You need to eat, Hayley.” Luke takes his brotherly love one step further, drawing my attention to where he stands by the door. “When was the last time you left the room?”

I haven’t, but I’m not about to admit that. “I’m fine. But if you want to get me some food, I won’t say no.”

“Not going to happen, Jackman. But I’ll happily go with you.”

“Luke,” I groan out his name but he stands firm, folding his arms over his chest. “Ugh, fine. But we’re walking quickly.”

"Of course. Let’s go.”

I swear I’m only gone fifteen minutes but when I get back, Reed’s breathing tubes are missing. With a gasp, I frantically rush to his side, cursing Luke for taking me away. “Reed, baby,” I whisper, my heart picking up speed. “Are you awake?”

“Not yet.” A voice comes from behind me and I freeze before spinning around.

I’m not alone.

“God, I’m sorry,” the woman says as she clings to a man beside her.

“Who—” I begin to question them but pause when recognition hits me. “Mr. and Mrs. Coombs?”

“That’s us.” Reed’s mum smiles softly but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. Understandably. Her son’s currently lying in the hospital with a stab wound to his side. “We’ve been here about ten minutes or so,” she continues. “I thought you saw us when you walked in.”

Nope. I did not. “God. I’m sorry. I’m in my own world. I didn’t mean to interrupt your time with Reed. I’ll leave you alone.” I hurry over to the chair and grab my bag from the floor, smiling awkwardly. “I’ll be out—”

“Wait, Hayley.” She reaches her hand out but stays by her husband’s side. “You don’t have to go. Reed would want you here.”

I frown at her use of my name until I remember they’ve seen my movie and have likely seen photos of the two of us doing the rounds. They know who I am. Just like everyone else. I’m the reason Reed’s here to begin with. “Thank you, but—”

“Please,” she cuts me off again, her eyes pleading with me to stay. And since I’d like nothing more than to never leave his side again, I drop my bag and nod.

“Thank you.” Mrs. Coombs sighs in relief and I force a grin, my gaze drifting back to Reed.

“Do you know how long ago they took the tubes out?” I ask, studying his features.

When I glance back at her, Mrs. Coombs frowns. “We weren’t here but the doctor said he started breathing on his own just before we arrived.”

“Did he wake up?”

“Not fully.”

“Not fully? But he’s okay? Right? That means he’s okay?”

“It does.” She smiles and for the first time, Reed’s dad speaks.

“He had us worried. I don’t know what we’d do without him.”

I offer him a warm smile until I think about his home life and an unsolicited anger wells up inside me.

I bite my tongue, holding back from saying something I shouldn’t.

Reed wouldn’t want me to get involved. Everything he does is to make their lives easier.

What I want to say would have the opposite effect.

“What was he thinking?” he continues on, and I wish he’d never opened his mouth. “The doctors didn’t say much except that he got in a fight and the other guy stabbed him in between his ribs, damaging his spleen. But Reed doesn’t fight.”

His gaze meets mine, and for the briefest of seconds I register the blame in his eyes until he schools his features. “Were you there?”

“I was.”

“What happened?”

“Exactly what you said. Reed was stabbed during a fight.”

“Why was he fighting?” There’s accusation in his tone and I don’t like it. “He’s always been so…”

He trails off but I answer for him. “Good? Is that what you were going to say?” I don’t wait for him to respond before continuing on, ready to give them a piece of my mind. “Reed is good. He’s inherently good. And that will never change. But he’s so much more than that.”

I pause for a beat, sensing Reed’s mom wanting to speak, but now that I’ve opened the gates, I can’t hold back the flood of words ready to be released.

Words they should have heard years ago. “There is so much to Reed that you don’t see.

But I see it. All of it. And while God knows I should be trying to impress you, I can’t bring myself to care because I’m so mad at you both.

You don’t know what you’d do without him?

Well, join the club. But how about you treat him right while you do have him.

You should know…I’m in love with your son, so bloody in love with him that I can’t see straight.

But I never told him that and I could have missed my chance.

” My voice cracks but I keep going, needing to get it all off my chest.

“You’re here now, sure. But you’ve been missing out on a fulfilling life with your amazing son, all over an asshole that treats you like the dirt he kicks in your faces.

I don’t want to hurt you—I know you’re both hurting enough—but Reed deserves better than that.

Hell, he deserves better than all of us.

He wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for me.

And I will never forgive myself for that.

But I love him and I’m trying to be good enough.

I will always be trying. Which is why I will never understand you . ”

I walk over to Reed’s bedside and take in his peaceful expression now that the breathing tubes have gone.

“I can’t deny you’ve raised an incredible human, but he’s so much more than just the guy you use to make yourselves feel better when your other son fucks up.

Excuse my language. But it’s true. You should be cheering him on at his games and witnessing how talented he is.

You should be visiting him at his home, and basking in his warmth when he welcomes you into his sanctuary.

You should want to spend time with him because he’s hilarious and kind and sexy…

sorry—ignore that one. You should want to spend time with him because he’s a light in this otherwise dark world.

But he’s not a light for our benefit. He’s a light because he has one of the most beautiful souls that has ever existed and he chooses to be that way.

Every day, he wakes up and chooses to be a decent human being.

Better than you or I could ever be. And despite being in the hospital, he’s going to do the same today.

I know it. You should be grateful he’s touched your lives in any shape or form, not taking him for granted. ”

I squeeze Reed’s hand before walking over to the table, needing water. “We could have lost him,” I whisper to myself as much as to them. “We almost did. It’s time to be better.”

Silence fills the room and my heart aches. God, what am I doing? Taking a deep breath, I turn to Reed’s parents and grimace. “I—”

“Wow,” Reed croaks from behind me and I freeze, my words trapped in my throat. “That was some speech. I want to meet that guy.”

My eyes fill with tears and I spin around to find Reed’s smiling face staring back at me, his happy expression falling when our eyes lock. “Hayley, Baby.” He lifts a hand in my direction. “Why the tears? I’m okay.”

“You’re—” I snap out of my shock and race toward him, grabbing his outstretched hand, immediately intertwining our fingers. “You’re awake.” I let the tears fall, not even trying to stop them. “Thank God, you’re awake.”

Reed’s mom lets out a wail, and Reed turns her way as he pulls me closer, his eyes widening in shock. “How long have I been out for?”

“Almost thirty-seven hours.”

“That’s specific.” He chuckles, his smiling eyes meeting mine again.

“What can I say; I’ve been counting.” I finally smile and Reed’s laughter deepens until his face scrunches and he groans.

“Damn. That hurts. But anyway… I guess that explains it.” He tugs at my hand, pulling it toward his face, pressing a kiss to my knuckles.

“Explains what?” I ask curiously. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. It explains why I miss you so much.”

“Shut up.” I shake my head with a grin. “You were asleep the whole time, and your parents are here. Less of the corny, please.”

Reed smirks and the sight of it hits me in the chest. “I can see that.” He winks my way before turning his gaze to his parents. “Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad. So…that big speech was for you, huh?”

I cringe and lean over the bed, burying my face in the pillow beside his head, mumbling that I’m sorry. How much did he hear? “I—”

“Don’t be sorry,” Reed’s mom responds and I straighten, my eyes anxiously wide as I glance her way. “You clearly needed to get that off your chest.”

My thoughts exactly, but I can’t tell if she’s pissed off or processing what I said. “Reed, honey.” She walks slowly to the other side of the bed, cautiously reaching for his other hand as though suddenly looking at him in a new light. “I’m sorry. We’ll be better. We—”

“It’s okay, I—”

“No, Hayley’s right. We almost lost you, and I never would have forgiven myself if we had. We’ll be better.”

Reed’s dad joins his wife's side, and I feel awkward hanging around. “I’m going to let the others know you’re awake.” I pull my hand from Reed's grasp, but he’s faster than I am and grabs me again, holding me tightly.

“Don’t go. Not yet.”

“I promise I’ll be right back.” I shake myself free before excusing myself and darting to the door, hearing Reed’s mom cry as I softly pull it shut behind me.

Instead of heading to find the others like I said I would, the second I’m in the hallway, I catch a glimpse of Zane’s room down the hall, and I’m overcome with emotion, collapsing to the floor as my chest heaves. Reed’s okay. He’s okay. But I almost lost him and—

The door opens to Zane’s room, drawing my attention as one of Reed’s nurses walks out, her hand covering her mouth, visibly upset. My heart seizes before the first tear falls. I’m not equipped for this. I fake emotion. I can’t handle the real deal.

“Hayley. Fuck.” Luke’s voice enters my consciousness and I glance up to see him running toward me. “I just left you. What happened?” He drops to the ground beside me, pulling me into his arms. “Is—”

“Reed’s awake.” I wipe under my eyes. “He’s okay.”

“Jesus, fuck. You gave me a heart attack.”

I cringe as the nurse passes by. “Sorry. I guess I’m not used to these heavy emotions.”

Luke nods because he gets me, but at the same time, I can tell he’s not entirely sure what to say. “If he’s okay, why are you out here?”

“He’s with his parents.”

“And they kicked you out?” He balks and the look of disgust makes me snort.

“No, I left to give them space, and to find you, to tell you that he’s good.”

“Well, you did a great job at that.” He bumps his shoulder to mine teasingly and I actually laugh.

“Thanks, Luke. I needed that. No offense, but I wish Amelia was here.”

“You and me both, Hayls. You and me both.”

We fall silent, and I sigh as my mind drifts to the events that brought us all here.

“Have you seen Zane?” I ask, my gaze shifting to his room again. “I tried to visit yesterday but he was asleep.”

Luke nods. “They cleared him to leave last night.”

“He’s gone?” I’m not sure why but panic runs through me.

“Nah, he’s around.” Luke eases my mind. “He’s been waiting for Reed to wake up. Just like the rest of us.” My heart jolts as Zane’s words come rushing back to me. “Shh. It’s okay. Shh.”

“He’s a better guy than we all realised, huh?”

“Yep. It turns out, he’s not so bad. He just made some bad decisions.”

“And some good ones.”

I fall silent again, and after another deep breath, I shake off my sadness and jump up, dragging Luke with me. “Should we go and see Zane and the others?”

His mind elsewhere, Luke frowns at something over my shoulder, grabbing my hand. “The police are coming this way. Do you want me to stay?”

I glance behind me to see two officers walking in my direction and suck in a breath. “No, that's okay. You tell the others. I’ve got this.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

“Hayley Jackman?” one of the officers asks, even though he knows the answer. I can see the recognition in his gaze.

“Yes.” I nod, taking a second to breathe before I straighten. “How can I help?”

“Mind if we ask you a few questions?”

“Sure.” I nod again, swallowing a lump in my throat. “I’m ready to tell you everything.”

Ready as I’ll ever be .