Page 68 of Reckless Storm (San Francisco End Game #3)

Reed

A fter a visit from my doctor—telling me I’m lucky to be alive and freaking the fuck out of my parents—Mom delivers her own emotionally charged speech before she and Dad leave with the promise to come back later today.

And to be better.

When I was younger, I used to beg Mom to listen, and so did Dad, but it was always futile. Hayley calls them out once and she’s changed? As much as I love Hayley and think the world of her and her incredible speech, I’ll believe it when I see it.

The second I’m alone, I watch the door expectantly, waiting for my beautiful girl to waltz back in so I can finally tell her I love her again.

Only she’s nowhere to be seen.

And the next time the door opens, the smile drops from my face.

“Reed Coombs?” a police officer asks, his expression somber as his eyes bounce around the room.

“That’s me.”

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m alive, so that’s something.” I force a smile but get nothing in return.

“Yes, you’re lucky on that front. Do you mind if we ask you a few questions?”

“Of course. Go ahead.” I try to sit up, but when a sharp pain shoots through my side, I think better of it. “Hope you don’t mind me lying down.” I cringe awkwardly and the younger officer smiles.

“We won’t be long.”

The officers run through the standard questions I was expecting, and I answer as best I can, but for the life of me, I can’t think of any reason as to why Landon would have had a knife. Or why he’d pull it on Hayls. Or me. I’m not even sure who his anger was aimed at.

“I wish I knew. I wish I’d seen something.

Did he mention I was mentoring him? He was kind of shy, but other than that, he was like any other player on the team.

I just wanted him to break out of his shell.

I never once saw him display any anger; I never even saw him upset.

He’s a good guy. I never would have expected this. ”

“Hayley mentioned you charged him after she told you to call the police.”

“She said charged?” I raise a brow in question. I highly doubt that. “I dialed the police and raced to her aid, pinning him against a wall so he couldn’t hurt her. She thought she was hiding it, but I could see the fear in her eyes when he was dragging her away.”

“Okay. And the knife?”

“He pulled that out seconds before Hayley stepped between us. I’m ashamed to say, I hadn’t even noticed his hand in his pocket.”

“Thank you. Do you remember where you were when Zane arrived?”

“Zane?”

“Yes. He heard Hayley scream and came back to help. He’s the one that stopped Landon from attacking Hayley after you fell.”

“Fuuck. Shit . Sorry. I had no idea.” I rack my brain for any moments that feature Zane, but I can’t recall any. “Honestly, I can’t recall much after getting stabbed. The last thing I remember is Hayley dropping down beside me. Is Zane okay?”

“So you don’t remember him tackling Landon?” the older officer asks without answering my question.

“No.” I glance away, my face scrunched as I try to focus, but I can’t remember. Hayley stepped in front of me, I saw the knife and pushed her out of the way, and in the next second I was shaking and my head started to spin. But… “Did you catch him? Landon, I mean?”

The officers’ eyes meet and a silent exchange takes place.

“Landon suffered a head injury when he hit the concrete. He was brought into the hospital with a suspected concussion but has since been put on life support.”

“He what?” I stare at the officers as a thick fog overwhelms me. “That… I… Are you sure?”

They both nod.

“Jesus.” I struggle to take in air as my chest tightens.

I wanted to hurt him for scaring Hayley, but life support?

A thought hits me and I panic, sending my machines into a melodic chaos.

“Is Zane okay?” I repeat my earlier question, only this time, I’m wondering why I’m really being questioned.

If Landon dies…from Zane’s tackle. God, I can’t imagine what he’s going through right now.

A nurse comes rushing into the room to check on me before anyone can answer, but after seeing I’m okay, he disappears quickly. “Well?” I ask again, needing answers.

“He’s been released from the hospital.”

That doesn’t answer my question. “Are you charging him?”

The officers glance at each other again before finally filling me in. “Not at this stage.”

“Thank God.” I release a long, drawn-out breath and cover my face with my hand.

Or is that only because Landon’s still alive?

Before I can ask, the officer continues.

“We may need to ask you a few more questions once we get further into our investigation, but it looks like Landon was stalking both you and Hayley. We found images of the two of you on his phone and notes regarding your whereabouts. We’re working with the San Francisco PD to run a search of his home and will speak to his family and friends.

We’ll have to wait and see what happens with Landon before closing the case.

But with both Zane and Hayley’s statements matching up, and the camera footage from the hotel, we’ve got a fair idea of what went on. ”

“Thank you,” I say as my pulse finally starts to slow.

“Thank you for your time. Next time you’re here we’d appreciate it if—”

“I stay out of trouble?”

“No, you lose the game.”

The younger officer smirks and I laugh. “Not a chance.” But fuck, I hope I’ll be playing next time.

After they leave, I stare at the wall while racking my brain to remember more. And I’m still staring when Hayley returns, bringing a smile to my face the second I see her.

“Hey you.” She grins from the threshold, her stunning blue eyes easing my gut-wrenching pain. “Want some company?” Her face scrunches and I roll my eyes.

“Get your ass in here, Hayls. I don’t want you. I need you.”

She shuts the door behind her and skips to the end of my bed but doesn’t come any closer, confusing me until she pouts. “I should be mad at you,” she scolds, her cute little button nose scrunching again.

“Oh, yeah? And why is that?”

“Because you were supposed to stay away. I begged you and you ignored me.” Her expression turns serious, but I can’t be serious right now. I need to keep things light or I’m likely to fall apart.

“That I did.” I nod. “And I stand by that decision.”

“You could have died, Reed.”

“Better me than you, Hayls. And that will always be the case.”

“But I can’t live in a world you don’t exist in.”

“Luckily, you don’t have to.” My mind drifts to Landon but I shake off my thoughts. I was protecting Hayley, and Zane was protecting us both. There’s nothing more to it. “Come here.” I beckon Hayley over but she shakes her head no.

“Hayls,” I scold jokingly but when her eyes water, my heart aches for her. “Now, Hayls.” I try the tough love approach, knowing she loves that. “I can’t come to you and I need you in my arms.”

She takes a couple of steps closer but stops just out of reach. “Two truths and a lie?” she rasps and I huff out a laugh, sitting up until a pain shoots through me. Why do I keep doing that?

“Okay, Hayls.” I bite back a groan. “Two truths and a lie. Me or you?”

“Me,” she responds quickly and I nod as she takes a deep breath.

“One… I’ve never been more terrified of anything in my life than when you bled out all over me.

” The tension in my chest tightens and I suck in a breath, quietly staving off tears.

“Two… I’m sorry I told your parents off; I was out of line.

” A laugh bursts out of me and I cringe from the pain.

I can’t tell if I’m laughing because it’s funny or because of how fucked up this entire situation is.

“And three?” I croak out.

“Three… I have something important to tell you.” She sucks in a breath just like I did and I put on a grin.

“The second one’s a lie. You’re not sorry. And if you are, you shouldn’t be.”

The smallest of smiles pulls at Hayley’s lips before she releases a breathy laugh. “You’re right. I’m not sorry.”

I chuckle softly so I don’t hurt myself again, but when I think of her truths, the laughter fades. “I’m sorry I scared you, Hayls. I’m not sorry I pushed you away and ended up in the hospital, but I’m sorry for what you had to go through.”

“Oh, Reed.” She finally takes the last few steps to settle at my side, intertwining our fingers.

“You saved me. You have nothing to be sorry about. I’m sorry.

Sorry I didn’t see the signs sooner. Sorry I never recognised Landon when he was following me around.

The police said it was him, you know? He was the stalker.

He had photos on his phone. But not just me. Of both of us.”

I frown even though it’s not news to me. “None of this is your fault, Hayls. And while I’m still coming to terms with Landon’s condition, I’m thankful we’re okay.”

“Thankful? Reed, you’re not okay. You—”

“I am okay, Hayls. I survived.”

“You survived, yes, but you were unconscious. I’ve been here for almost two days, desperate for you to wake up.” Her eyes water again, and I wish more than anything that I could stand up and hug her.

“I know,” I whisper. “And if I could change that part of it, so you didn’t have to worry, I would.” I squeeze her hand before gently tugging her toward me, thankful when she lets me get her close enough that I can cup her face. “I’m sorry, Hayls. I am. But I’m okay because it was me and not you.”

“Here’s the thing. I love that you want to take care of everyone and be the guy people can count on, but who’s taking care of you ? Who’s out there protecting you when you don’t look after yourself?”

“You don’t know?”

“ No .”

“ You, Hayls. I never asked you to and I never would have agreed to it if you’d suggested being my protector, but you’ve been looking out for me for months, maybe even years. And it turns out I have Zane too. And Luke and Thomas and Dylan. Hell, probably even East.”

“ Reed .” She pulls her hand away and when it takes me a second to let go, she subtly flinches.

“Are you hurt?” My pulse spikes as I assess her. “Did you get hurt?”

“It’s just a cut, I promise. I’m fine.”

“Show me.”

She lifts her sleeve to show me a small dressing on her upper arm. “See, just a cut.”

I hate that he hurt her, but I’m certain the emotional pain is worse.

“Are you sure it’s not more than you’re telling me?”

“I promise.”

“Thank God. Good. Can we talk about your next truth now? I’m particularly interested in that one.” And I need to hear something positive.

“You are?” Hayley’s brows furrow as she glances away, but when she rests her hand back in mine, I relax a little.

“I am.” I nod. I have a memory of her saying she’s in love with me, but I know that’s never happened. It makes me wonder if she said it while I was unconscious.

Hayley nods back at me but doesn’t continue for a beat, clearly nervous. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. I know the last couple of days have been hard on you and—”

“I love you, Reed,” she blurts out, and my heart races as my entire body heats. I always knew I’d like it when I heard those three little words, but nothing could prepare me for the euphoric happiness consuming me.

I knew how she felt. I knew . But this is everything.

“Actually… That’s not enough for how I’m feeling. I’m in love with you. And it turns out that I’ve been in love with you for a while.” She laughs to herself and my smile widens, but I work hard not to let it turn cocky. “You can gloat.” She playfully rolls her eyes. “You knew, didn’t you?”

“I had a feeling.” I glance away to hide said gloating, but she sees it.

“Of course you had a feeling. I’m not mad about it. I love the way you can read me and the way you see me better than anyone ever has. I love the way you deal with my crazy, never making me feel like I’m hard work. And I love the way you make me laugh. I just love you . Period.”

“Fuuck. I may have known, but God, I love hearing that. Say it again.”

“I love you.”

“Again.”

“I love you.”

“Aga—”

“Now you’re making it less meaningful.”

I want to laugh but think better of it, squeezing her hand before lifting myself up the bed, forcing myself to sit up. The pain’s excruciating but I endure it. I have to, because… “I love you too, Hayls, and I’m gonna need you to kiss me. Since I can’t fucking do it for myself.”

And I’ve never needed to kiss her more than I do right now.