Page 69 of Reckless Storm (San Francisco End Game #3)

Reed

T wo by two, our friends and my teammates pop in to say hello ahead of their chartered flight home, and I spend the entire time in awe of how amazing they are. I’m the guy that always checks in on the people I care about, and I’ve never held anyone else to that standard.

So to find out that they’re still here—for me—has me floored.

Keeley’s the last to visit and when she’s gone, I draw in a breath and smile. “We really do have incredible friends,” I say, my heart full as I turn back to Hayley.

“That we do. On top of everyone here, I’ve had Amelia and Paige blowing up my phone. And I texted Bria. She—”

“What?” I do a double take as Hayley cringes. “How?”

“Did you know face recognition works when your eyes are closed?” She cringes again while I frown. “Are you mad?”

“Mad? No. I’m in awe of you.”

Bria and I haven’t spoken since I visited her dad in the hospital, waiting until she was gone so we didn’t cross paths.

After Hayley asked me to kiss her, I decided to distance myself a little.

Not that I told Hayley that. She would have felt guilty when she shouldn’t have.

But still, letting Bria know I was in the hospital and unconscious was the right thing to do.

“Thank you. We may not speak anymore, but I would have wanted to know if roles were reversed.”

“Oh, good. We’ve texted a few times but I can’t see us being the best of friends anytime soon.”

“Good. Because you’re my best friend, Hayls. Don’t make me get jealous.”

“God, you’re corny sometimes.”

“You love it.”

“Anyway…moving on.” She bites back a smile and I laugh, holding my ribs so it doesn’t hurt. “Lots of people care. Even my parents have called checking in on you. I thought I should fill them in, especially considering it was only a matter of time before the media got ahold of the story.”

“Let me guess; it’s already out there?”

Hayley’s nose scrunches and I have my answer. Another scandal for the San Francisco Storm. As if Zane doesn’t have enough to think about.

“Knock, knock.” As though I conjured him, Zane’s voice echoes through the room as he raps his knuckles on the open door. “Mind if I come in?”

“Of course.” I try to sit up but Hayley gently pushes me back down wearing a loving smile. I’m about to argue, but when I don’t feel any pain, I quietly thank her.

“How are you?” she asks, turning to give Zane her full attention.

“I’m fine. I don’t know why they even kept me here overnight, to be honest. It was barely a scratch.” He lifts his tee to show off his wound dressing, and when I try to sit up again, I cringe, making him chuckle. “I should be asking how you are,” he says to me.

“I’m fine.” I answer the same way he did. “But I don’t think Hayley was referring to the physical pain.”

“Right. I knew that, but…” he trails off and both Hayley and I frown.

“I’m sorry, Zane.” Hayley walks forward and lightly grips his arm, her expression broken. “I’m grateful but sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry.” Zane pats Hayley’s hand before stepping out of her reach as though he doesn’t deserve the comfort. “I did what anyone would have done in my situation.”

“That may be true for some of it. But I don’t think I would have coped if not for you.”

“Nah. I don’t believe that. You would have stayed strong for Reed. You didn’t even notice you’d been cut until the medic asked you about it. You only had eyes for Reed. Speaking of, it’s good to see you awake, man. You had us all worried.”

“Believe me, I would have woken sooner if I’d known. Thank you for waiting around. I appreciate it.”

“Ah, no worries. I had to take a few days off practice anyway, so where else was I going to go?” He laughs off my thanks but fails to hide the vulnerability in his eyes.

And it’s at that moment that Thomas’s words come back to me.

I think he’s self-destructing. If Thomas is right, then what if Landon’s accident is the thing that breaks him?

We’re all going to need to be there for him, ready for if that happens.

Zane tells us he’s hoping to be cleared to play next week, and I try hard to conceal the jealousy I feel with a few more tests needed before I’ll know my own future.

Barely a few minutes pass before his eyes flash to the door, clearly uncomfortable. But I can’t let him go without mentioning Landon.

“Zane, wait. I know you’re going to brush me off, but I need to say this.

You are not to blame for what happened. I’m not sure how much you’ve been told, but he was stalking Hayley, following her around and taking pictures.

He knew where she lived, he…” I trail off when our beach day comes to mind.

Jesus . Landon acted shocked to see us but he was there.

At the exact time we were. Nowhere near his apartment. “He knew a lot about her.”

“About us,” Hayley adds.

“I have no idea what he wanted that night, but he hurt Hayley and he had a knife. Please don’t let his current situation weigh on your mind.”

Zane curses under his breath. “I swear I knew something was off with him. But I couldn’t figure it out. I’m sorry you went through all that. Don’t worry about me. Just look after yourselves.”

Not possible, Zane. Especially after that response.

A nurse pops her head in, and Zane’s eyes flash her way before he frowns and uses her arrival as his excuse to head off.

“You’re going to worry, right?” Hayley asks after the nurse finishes her checkup, and we’re alone again, bringing a smile to my face.

“God, I love you, Hayls. I don’t even think you realize how amazing you are.”

Her gaze softens and she hits me with the most beautiful grin. “I’ve always been confident, but you make me see a different side of myself, and I like the person I am in your eyes.”

“Good. But I love every side of you. And I always will.”

I t’s another few days before the doctors clear me to fly home but only after delivering another blow.

“I’ll send your files over to your doctor in San Francisco, but you should be prepared for a long recovery.

You were lucky; the rupture could have been much worse, but it’s still going to take time.

Most people return to fitness training within 6-12 weeks after surgery, but to get back to your level of performance, it could be longer. ”

My initial thought was that at least they didn’t rule out football altogether, but when I walk through my door at home, dumping my bag near the entry, my reality sinks in. Twelve weeks is almost the entire season.

“Fuuuck. What am I going to do with myself? You’re going to regret loving me.”

A twinge of guilt settles in my chest for being worried about this when we still don’t have news about Landon, but I push it from my mind when Hayley bites back a grin. She’s safe. And that’s what matters right now.

“I’ll admit, you being home all the time does raise concerns. I bet you’re insufferable when you’re not playing football. We need to get you a hobby.”

I huff out a laugh, pulling her into my arms.

She’s safe.

“What hobby would you suggest?”

“Solitaire? Reading? Worshipping your girlfriend?”

“Hmmm.” I tap my chin as I peer away, lost in thought. “All great options but one of them stands out… I think I was born to play solitaire.”

Hayley lightly shoves me away as her beautiful laugh sweetens the air. “That’s too bad,” she sasses. “I was really looking forward to you becoming a reader. Especially if you need glasses. I could get used to coming home and finding you shirtless and curled up with a book.”

“Why would I be shirtless?”

“Why wouldn’t you be?”

I chuckle at her crazy but my mind drifts back to something else she said. “If you’re coming home—here—I’ll be waiting however you want me to wait.”

“Are you asking me to move in?” She raises an eyebrow but otherwise keeps the emotion off her face.

“Would you say yes?”

“I’m not sure. Ask and find out.”

“Hayley Jackman, baby, will you move in with me?”

She scrunches her nose and glances away in thought just like I did. And after the longest thirty seconds of my life, she responds with a smile. “No, thanks.”

“You’re cute.” I bop her nose. “Looks like I’m moving in with you.”

“What?”

“I almost died, Hayley. But worse than that…someone I thought I knew, someone I brought into your life, tried to hurt you.”

“So, why not get me a bodyguard?”

“No need. I’m never letting you out of my sight.”

“You know that sounds a little bit stalkerish.”

“Fuck, Hayls.”

“Too soon?”

“That will always be too soon. So what will it be…your place or mine?”

Hayley’s eyes bounce around the kitchen before she walks into the hallway and surveys from one end of my house to the other, staring longingly out my back door. “Fine. I guess I’ll choose yours. If I have to.”

Without a word, I stride her way, cupping her face in my hands when I reach her, capturing her lips in a bruising kiss. She moans against my mouth, her hands gently curling around my waist before she grips on for dear life. We’ve barely begun when my phone buzzes incessantly.

I try to ignore it, but Hayley pulls back. “Group chat?”

“Most likely, but they can wait.” I grab her face again but she shoves me away, careful not to hurt me.

“They’re probably checking in now that you’re home. They deserve a response.”

“Fine. But we are only pausing this. Be ready to pick up where we left off.”

“Don’t expect more than a kiss. You heard the doctor; you need to take it easy.”

I groan. Loudly. Another reason to curse this damn injury.

Hayley slips out of my hold and grabs my phone, passing it over. Like she said, I expect to find welcome home messages, but when I open the chat, I’m floored by what I see.

Easton added Zane to the group

Wow. What did I miss? I‘m glad Zane’s been added since I want the chance to support him. But for Easton to add him… I didn’t see that coming.

Unless…

I pause, waiting for Easton to leave the group, but he surprises me for a second time.

Easton: Welcome to the group, Zane

My jaw drops, but I can’t help but chuckle when he adds…

Easton: Or what I like to call… Hell

My amusement draws Hayley’s attention and she looks up from her phone. “What’s so funny?” Her interest is piqued and I love the way her eyes light up.

“Easton called the group chat ‘Hell.’”

“That sounds like him.” She grins wide.

“And he added Zane to the group.”

“What?” She freezes, her gaze darting to mine. “That does not sound like Easton at all.”

“That’s what I was thinking.”

“Actually, I guess it makes sense. Zane was discharged from the hospital but stayed with the group to make sure you were okay. And from what Luke said, he was really worried about you.”

Another message comes through, and Hayley tucks herself into my good side, reading it with me.

Zane: With that introduction, I’m not sure I want to be here

Luke: You’re going to love it

Zane: I thought you hated me

Luke: People change. Feelings change

Easton: That’s funny coming from you, Luke

“And he’s chatty. What is going on?” While I know this is a good thing, my brows still crease in confusion.

“They bonded over your unfortunate mishap.” Hayley shrugs and I scoff.

“Mishap?”

“You know what I mean.”

“Sure.” I let out a soft chuckle before finally joining the chat.

Reed: It’s great to have you in the group, Zane. I always knew this day would come

Zane: Thanks

Luke: You better get ready for Reed. You’ll never escape him now

Zane: I don’t think this group is for me. I’m out

Hayley snorts so hard, it makes me chuckle.

“Wow.” I shake my head.

“What? That was funny.”

Luke: You know, Zane… If you hadn’t slept with his GF, you and East could have been great friends. You’re more alike than you realize

“Huh. I always thought Zane was more like Luke, but maybe he’s a mix,” Hayley points out.

“Or maybe he’s his own person?” I wink and Hayley laughs again.

“Yeah, yeah. You always had faith in him, didn’t you?”

“Not always. But I wish I had, and I wish he wasn’t caught up in our mess.”

Hayley ponders that for a second before shaking her head. “I don’t. Things might have ended differently if he hadn’t come back.”

“Maybe so, but I can’t get his defeated look out of my mind. When we first saw him sitting on the steps. I’m guessing he already has a lot going on in his life, and now he has Landon’s uncertainty to deal with.”

“It was an accident.”

“I know. But it doesn’t stop me from feeling guilty. I can’t imagine what he’s thinking.”

Hayley frowns again before grabbing my phone and tossing it onto my bag.

Linking our fingers, she drags me into the living room and directs me to sit on the couch.

“I feel guilty too, but we can’t let it get to us.

And neither can Zane. I’m glad he’s been added to your group chat, but even if he wasn’t, I know you’ll be there for him. ”

“I’ll certainly try. And so will the guys. All in their own ways.”

“Are you going to change the group chat name?” Hayley raises her eyebrow with the hint of a smile.

“Nah. Not yet. But Easton adding him to the group was pretty much the same thing. It’s Zane’s support group now.”

“I really hope he’s okay.” Hayley curls into me, a soft sigh passing through her lips.

“Me too. Just like I hope you’re okay.” I readjust my position so I can wrap an arm around her.

“Me?” She glances up at me. “I was the only one not hospitalised.”

“I don’t mean physically.”

“I’m good.” She stares at me pointedly. “I promise. And I’ve got you.”

“You do have me. Always.”

“Always.” She bites back a grin. “That’s a big commitment.”

“I’m a big commitment kind of guy. None of this half-assed bullshit.”

“Then I’d say it’s lucky for you that I’m no quitter. You’re stuck with me now.” She places her hand on my heart and burrows herself into my chest, once again careful of my wound.

“I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

“Then it’s meant to be.”

I sigh in contentment, and just when I think we’re going to rest here for a while, Hayley shifts out of my hold, positioning herself on her knees beside me, her eyes ablaze with excitement. “So…what should we do now?”

I know that look. Something just came to mind.

“We plan an adventure?” I wager a guess.

“I don’t plan.” She waves me off. “But I’ve got an idea.”

And just like that, we begin our new life together. I’ll follow her anywhere.

Even if I do just sit back and watch her shine.