Page 30 of Reckless Storm
The idea of that warms my heart.
I’m a lucky girl.My knight in shining armour strikes again.
CHAPTER NINE
Reed
My back aches when I wake up and as I try to roll over, I realize I fell asleep on my belt. Groaning, I open my eyes and startle, coming face-to-face with Bria staring down at me.
“What are you doing?” I rasp, clearing my throat as I sit up.
“You came back?” Her lips pull into a smile.
“I did.”
Despite telling me she’d be fine on her own, Bria wasn’t all that thrilled with me ditching her for the hour I spent with Hayley last night. But she was at least nice enough to wait until the speeches were over before causing a scene.
Before that, she’d been her usual self, and I don’t know if it’s because I’m not equipped to handle the whiplash, or it’s something else entirely, but for the first time…I didn’t apologize. And I’m still not sure if I should, though I’m certain she’ll expect it.
“Bria, I have no idea—”
“I’m sorry.”
“What?”I didn’t see that coming.
She sighs as she shoves my legs over and sits down. “I was a brat last night.” I nod subtly in the hope that it will cause less trouble than agreeing with her. But I do agree… she was. Holding my breath, I wait for her response, but when she laughs, I relax.
“What happened?”
“The guy I’ve been seeing kind of screwed me over,” she admits. “And I didn’t handle it as well as I should have. Instead of talking to you about it, I reacted poorly. I’m not making excuses, but I was stuck between feeling vulnerable and wanting to say a big fuck you to love. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”
Love? Jesus Christ. She barely knew that guy.
“And by love,” she continues as though answering my unspoken question, “I don’t mean that I lovedhimso you can wipe the disgust from your face.” She raises a brow and I force a grin.
“Sorry, I was worried for a second. I thought you were smarter than that.”
“I am. I don’t fall in love that easily. What I mean is that I wanted to flirt and have fun, but I also selfishly wanted my friend.”
For fuck’s sake. I smile through my heartache and reach for her hand. “I’m good, but I’m not a mind reader. Next time, just tell me what you want and I’ll be there for you. Like always.”
“I will. And I know. So… Hayley Jackman, huh?” Bria waggles her eyebrows and the ache in my chest deepens.What the fuck am I doing?Bria and I are friends. And that’s all we’ll ever be. I wanted answers this weekend and I got them.
It’s time to move the fuck on.
“I still don’t know her that well, but we had a good chat last night.”
“And…” She smiles in anticipation.
“And that’s it.” I shrug because I’m not lying. We chatted and nothing more. Unless you consider the fact that I went back to the venue to check on her and found her blind drunk as she danced with one of my teammates. Thankfully, she picked a good one. Or at least, she picked one that was too young and naive to ever believe he had a shot with her. He even moved aside graciously when he saw me coming.
I doubt she’ll even remember I was there or that I took her home, until she reads my text. Did I cockblock her for a second time? Possibly. But again, I couldn’t leave. And it didn’t take much convincing on my part when I offered.
“I think she’s pretty,” Bria adds, her wide smile stabbing me in the chest.
“She’s definitely something. But if anything, we’re just friends.”
“For now.” She winks before her face turns serious again. “Am I forgiven?”
