Page 174 of Reckless Storm
“Exactly.”
A splash draws our attention, finding Luke in the water, his phone raised above his head as Thomas laughs from the edge. “We’ve got a game in a week, Bennett. You need to work on your balance.”
“You pushed me, asshole,” Luke retorts.
“You were arguing with my wife.”
“She’s my sister.”
“Either way, it shouldn’t have been that easy to push you in. You need to be better. It’s my last season and I’ve got another Super Bowl to win.”
“What?” All eyes turn to Thomas while mine flash to Lainey, catching her surprised expression.
“I thought you weren’t going to announce it yet,” she says, her head shaking as she rolls her eyes.
“I changed my mind.” Thomas shrugs like it’s no big deal.
Luke pushes up out of the pool, and as the shock wears off, the questions start firing from around the yard. I listen to Thomas’s answers, but when Hayley giggles, my attention shifts to her.
“Now I wish I’d gone in,” she says, her eyes on the pool. “It looks nice in there.”
I smile in response, my gaze locked on her lips as they quirk into a grin. God, I love her.
“Stop staring. It’s creepy,” she says without looking my way, her smile turning coy. “I’ve already got a stalker.”
“Hayls.” I groan, tugging her hand until she faces me. “That’s nothing to joke about.”
“I have to joke or I’ll never stop thinking about it. I still get the feeling I’m being watched.”
Fuck, I hate this for her. Despite the fact that she finally got a restraining order, I’m still pissed off that asshole denied almost everything.
The police department has tried to make a connection, but unless we find more evidence, they’ve got nothing to go on. And it has me on edge. “It’s going to feel like that until that fucker is charged, but I promise you, I will always be there to protect you. And if I’m not, one of our friends will.”
Hayley releases a slow breath as she smiles. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have joked about it.” She pouts and it’s so fucking adorable my lips twitch.
“It’s fine.” I wave her off. “But let me promise you this. If he ever breaks the rules of that restraining order, I’ll kill him.”
I don’t even think I’m kidding. Just because her job is in the public eye doesn’t give people the right to try and forcefully enter her life, or make her feel scared to be out in the world.
Hayley’s eyes widen but before she can comment, Amelia drags her away to help with Juliet.
I move to join the rest of the group when my phone buzzes with a text, and I curse when I see that it’s Dad.
Dad: Any chance you can come back before your birthday and bring your girl? Things are not great around here
My heart seizes as I put on a smile, pretending I’m okay, and as the day turns to night and the drinking kicks up a notch, I ignore my family for the first time in forever, letting myself off the hook.
Drinking my troubles away.
Living in the moment. I’m surrounded by friends, the season’s about to start, and I’ve got the girl.It’s about time I focused on my happiness instead of everyone else’s.
Hayley throws her hands over her head as she dances with Paige, her hair illuminated by the glow of the moon, reminding me of our night on the beach.
And I know exactly what I want—or need—right now. It’s her.
As if sensing my thoughts, she raises a brow before twisting her fingers, summoning me over. And like the good boy I am, I go, pulling her into my arms when I reach her.
“Has anyone ever told you how perfect you are when you dance?”
