Page 150 of Reckless Storm
“I’m waiting…” She taps her foot impatiently.
“None,” I blurt out honestly. “She’s got none.”
Mom nods before a small smirk pulls at her lips. “And Hayley?”
Fuck.Digging my palms into my eyes, I let out a groan before slowly lifting my tee, pointing to the paw print on my left pec muscle, close to my heart. A cat’s paw to be precise.My wildcat.
Mom’s eyes light up as she smiles. “That’s what I thought. Mothers always know.”
Linking my arm again, she walks toward the front door without waiting for me to respond, perhaps giving me the respite I so desperately need.How the hell didn’t I make that connection?
I got that tattoo after our wakeboard park adventure, when we became close, but I didn’t have feelings for her then, and yet, I never got one for Bria.Never.What the fuck does that mean?
The second I’m inside, Mom’s friend pounces on me, asking me a million questions about my famous girlfriend—as though I’m not famous myself—and it pulls me out of my head, forcingme to move on and not think too deeply about my new revelation.
But when I’m in bed that night, and a vision of Hayley takes over my mind, I have no choice but to face it head-on.
And the truth becomes clear. I’ve definitely fallen for my best friend.Again. Only now I’m wondering…Did Ireallydo that the first time around?
“Then you pulled your pants down and proceeded to dance around the yard because you thought it would bring on the rain.” Mom has tears in her eyes as she regales us with stories, reminding me of the many things I did as a kid in the name of making her happy.
“That’s what TJ said would work.” I shrug. “His parents always had the greenest grass. I had no reason to doubt him.”
“Except that TJ’s parents had fake turf.” Dad gets his two cents in, glancing up with a smirk from behind his newspaper.
“I know thatnow.” I fake an eye roll, letting them continue their laughter at my expense. After all, that’s why I’m here. To lift my mom’s mood. Even if it’s fleeting.
“What was the story you were telling me the other day?” Mom asks my dad, drawing my attention. “It was a good one.” She turns my way with a giddy smile and my stomach sinks. “He reminded me about the time you tried to wash your own sheets when you were sick, because you didn’t want us to have to worry. Only you flooded the laundry room.”
“All the bottles of liquid look similar. I didn’t know I was putting in the wrong soap. To me soap was soap.”
I laugh at myself while inside I’m crumbling. Did Dad mention that story to cheer her up? Is that what he does when I’m not around?
Mom brings up another couple of stories before moving the topic on to their night in the city. And the energy shifts in the room, the joy obvious in her expression. Imagine how happy they’d be if they’d gone on the full vacation I gave them.
I’d do anything to convince them to take off and enjoy themselves. But for now, I’ll settle for this weekend.
It’s safe to say Mom hasn’t stopped smiling since I arrived. I even got a few rare smiles out of Dad.
Mission accomplished.
But come Sunday night when it’s time to leave, the mood changes, and it breaks my heart to think about what’s next.
“I wish you’d visit more often,” Dad says as he pats my back, his tired eyes flashing toward my mom. I force a smile and tell him I’ll try, though we both know it’s not that easy.
Guilt gnaws away at me, destroying me from the inside out, but I push through it. Succumbing to their sadness helps no one, and I promised to always be their light. I can’t give up now.
“Maybe next time we’ll see Hayley with you? We’d love to meet her. I don’t think I’ve ever met an Australian.”
For a short glimpse, Mom’s happiness returns until her gaze drops to my bag and she frowns. “I’m going to miss you, Reed. It’s not enough to only see you a handful of times each year.”
“I know. And the offer still stands for you to move to San Francisco. We can find you a house near the beach. You always said you wanted that.”
Dad straightens. “I’ve been trying to convince her but—”
“What if you get traded, or retire and move to Australia to raise babies? Your father and I will be alone in another state. We’d miss our friends. Dad won’t have any work there.”
“I know, Mom. It’s a lot. But I can promise you I amnotmoving to Australia. America will always be my home.”
