Page 23 of Reckless Storm
I am so fucking confused.
“Do you want the room to yourself, Bria?”Is that what she’s alluding too?“All you have to do is as—”
“No,” she cuts me off. “That’s not… Never mind. I just wanted you to know I’d be okay.”
“Okay.” I nod, but since I’m not really sure what I’m nodding about, I change the subject. “I’m going to the bar. Do you want something?” I definitelyneedsomething and I think it’s best I step away from this conversation for a second.
“I’ll come.” Bria smiles, grabbing my arm and… God, I’m getting whiplash. What does she want?
After knocking back a shot each, we chat with a few of my teammates before checking out the auction items. Together. Bria doesn’t leave my side. But when the lights dim and the music gets louder, she’s the first one on the dance floor, immediately grabbing my teammate Wyatt as she passes him, not even bothering to ask me.
I let out an exasperated sigh, catching Luke’s inquisitive gaze before he mouths something that looks a lot like “are you okay?”
I’m not.
But I’m not about to tell him that, so instead, I give him a thumbs-up and grin.
While Bria dances the night away, I seek out Hayley, meeting her eyes a few times as I chat with various people, making sure I do my bit to keep potential donors happy, hoping they give to the cause.
I’m finishing up a conversation with Thomas and his wife, Lainey, when Hayley walks outside, and I immediately decide to follow her. We’ve been sneaking glances all night, but haven’t had the chance to talk.
And I really want to talk to her.
I manage a single step before a hand wraps around my bicep and I stumble to a halt.
“Where are you going?” Bria asks innocently, but I don’t miss the way her eyes flash to the door Hayley disappeared through.
“I’m catching up with a friend. I thought you were dancing.”
“I was but I’ve had enough for the moment. Want to find somewhere quiet to sit?”
Fuck. I internally wince, torn between my options. On one hand, Bria’s been flirting with my teammates for most of the night so I should walk away, but on the other, she’s here now and…nope.Dammit.
“I’ll come and find you in a little bit, okay?”
“What?” Her eyes practically bulge out of her head.
“I told you, I’m going to chat with a friend. There’s a lounge area through that door. I think Amelia went that way.”
“I barely know her.”
“Since when has that bothered you?” I snap before reeling it in. “What I mean is that you’ve been chatting with random people all night.”
“Is that a problem?”
“No. I’m just stating a fact. I’ll come and find you when I’m done.”
Bria pouts and when I ignore it, she huffs as I turn to walk away, glancing back to find her pissed-off expression.
I can’t win tonight. She tells me she’s fine on her own but then gets angry when I leave her.
Talk about mixed signals.
Taking a deep breath, I continue on my way and head for the balcony, finally relaxing when I make it outside, my eyes immediately locking with Hayley’s.
We share a smile and I take her in, noting her arms wrapped tightly around herself as she leans back against the railing, watching me.
A gust of wind blows her hair across her face when she steps forward to meet me and I frown.
