Page 71 of Reckless Storm
Hell, no. I’d probably still be pissed if I hadn’t gone home to find Hayley in my apartment, lifting my mood. Like she always does. Even when we’re having a serious conversation.
But even so, Bria and I need to talk it through. “About—”
“I’m sorry again,” she cuts in, anticipating the topic change. “Can things go back to the way they werebeforeit got weird between us? Go back to this.” She gestures between us and I force a grin. “The two of us, hanging out, no behind-the-scenes bullshit causing tension.”
While I’d love that more than anything, I don’t think it’s possible. Even now it feels awkward. “I think we need to find a new normal,” I say instead, trying to focus on my words ratherthan the sad expression she’s giving me. “You’re dating more and I’ve—”
“Got Hayley?”
Fuck. Now would be the perfect time to segue into my new relationship, but we said we’d wait.
“Having other people in our lives doesn’t mean our friendship is any less meaningful. It means we have to make more of an effort to keep in touch. It won’t be as easy, and—”
“You’re right.” She cuts me off, though I knew it was coming. She’s never been great at handling conflict, and I’m usually the one that helps her through it, not the one she’s conflicting with. “I shouldn’t have sent that text,” she adds and I nod in agreement.
“No, you shouldn’t have. But I get it.” Sort of. A little bit.
“Do you forgive me?” She smiles. She knows my answer. Ialwaysforgive her. But I’m starting to question why. She’s been a constant comfort for me since we met, and it’s hard to shake that. She was the first person I connected with after moving thousands of miles away for college. She supported me when my brother took off with his girlfriend, going MIA for three fucking months while I traveled home to be with my parents. She gave me sound advice when my college roommate got addicted to performance enhancing drugs and I spent sleepless nights helping him through the detox. She came to the funeral when my last surviving grandparent died.
She was there for me. Always.
And now our friendship is turning to shit.
“Reed?” Bria interrupts my thoughts, her voice hesitant. She knows she fucked up. Just like she knew last time. But how many fuckups do I have to endure before I stop letting her off the hook?
It was never like this between us, and other than me deciding I wanted to get over my feelings for her, I don’t know what’s changed.
I sigh but force a grin. “You know my answer, Bria. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to be. But how about you make it up to me and come to my game tomorrow?” I’m not sure why I continue to ask, but I do. You never know. One day she might surprise me.
“Ugh. I wish I could. I do.”
But that day isn’t today.
“All good. Maybe next time.”
“Yes. Definitely. Thank you for forgiving me, Reed. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Anytime.” I smile and for the first time, it feels like a lie.
With seconds to go in our game against Miami, Thomas launches the ball eighty yards toward the end zone and my heart stops. If we don’t score now, we lose. This is our last shot. Zane sprints forward, his eyes locked on the ball as he dives across the line, securing it in his grasp seconds before he hits the ground.
And the crowd roars.
We did it. We fucking did it. Again. And I didn’t suck. In fact, I was on fire.
After my abysmal practice yesterday, I wasn’t so sure of myself, but catching up with Bria in the afternoon helped—a little—though it was Hayley’s texts that really pulled me out of my head.
Hayley: Kick some ass today, boyfriend. I only accept the best from my man
It was such a typical Hayley message, and yet, it was like a punch to the chest. I’ll put my money on her knowing I needed it. Her little moments of comedic gold are always well timed. And in this case, it couldn’t have been more perfect.
While I’m lost in thought, Luke jumps onto my back, cheering in my ear.
“We fucking did it,” he yells and he’s right. We’re all so in sync, some would say it’s sickening.
“The Super Bowl is in our sights.” He slaps my abs before waving to the crowd and jumping off me, landing not so gently on the ground. “If I was a betting man, I’d be placing my bets now.”
“The cocky Luke is back, I see.”
