Page 126 of Reckless Storm
“Hayley, this is my sister-in-law, Megan. Megan, this is my girlfriend, Hayley.”
Megan judges me again before her callous eyes widen. “You’re that actress.”
“I am.” I fake a grin, remembering that this woman and her husband are the only two people in the world that Reed can’t stand. Which means I can’t stand them on principle.
Reed hits me with a tight-lipped apologetic grin and I smile back, turning to the woman whose name I’ve already forgotten. “No offence, but were you leaving? I want some alone time with my man.”
She scoffs again before calling out for “Jace,” her voice whiny as another giant of a man steps into view. A guy that looks a hell of a lot like Reed, but also doesn’t. He’s more like the discount version of the great specimen standing before me.
“You’re not ready to go yet, are you, honey?” the bitch asks Reed’s brother, folding her arms over her chest as she grins my way.
“I said what I needed to say,” Reed cuts in before his brother can answer. “I’m not going to change your mind. Why bother staying?”
“Aww.” The woman fakes a pout and a little part of me wants to slap it off her face. “We were just getting started.”
Oh, hell no.Who does she think she is?“Sweetie,”—I put on my most innocent voice, gently squeezing her arm—“you say that like your opinion matters, and yet, you were the one that answered the door, all while the conversation continued without you.” I’m making baseless assumptions, but I roll with it, hoping she’s insecure enough to believe me. “In fact, judging by your man’s bored expression, I’d say he’s not happy you called out just now. It’s men’s business. Am I right?”
“Fuck off,” Jace says, moving quickly down the hall to reach us. “Don’t talk to her like that. You little—”
“Get the fuck out of my house.” Reed’s booming voice echoes through the room and all eyes dart his way. Silence ensues as he points to the door, and I smile proudly, watching as Jace and his wife pick their jaws up off the floor. I think it’s safe to assume Reed usually keeps the peace. “You are not welcome here anymore,” he continues, and this is yet another version of him that impresses me. “I don’t give a fuck about your opinions. I will be civil to you in front of our parents, but otherwise you are dead to me, and I wish they felt the same. Get out.”
Reed’s sister-in-law gasps while his brother scoffs, but before he can respond, Reed grabs his bag and tosses it outside, motioning for them to follow.
“Goodbye. Hope you have a safe trip.”
A laugh wants to burst out of me but I bite my lip to stifle it, holding my breath as I wait to see what they do.
And it catches me off guard when they do as he asked, sulking as they leave.
I step farther inside as they pass, and when they’re out of the way, Reed slams the door shut before stumbling back into the wall, his face in his hands.
“Fuck. I’m so sorry about that.”
“Sorry? That was beautiful.”
“What?” He huffs out an incredulous laugh and stands tall, his ashen expression lifting.
“How long have you wanted to stand up to them?”
“Forever.”
“How many times have you done it?”
“Just this once.” He lets out a grunt as he curses himself. “He gets me so worked up all the time and then… the way he spoke to you and… Fuck. I’m going to regret that.”
“Don’t. He deserved it.”
“I know.” He runs a hand through his hair, clearly worried. “Fuck. I know. But he’ll take it out on my parents.”
Shit. My stomach sinks as guilt consumes me. I didn’t think about that. “I’m so sorry. I should have kept my mouth shut. That’s never been my strong suit and—”
Reed steps forward, covering my mouth to silence me, pulling me into a hug. “What you said was perfect. I wanted them gone and they’re gone. I’ll make it up to my parents. They’re desperate to meet you, so maybe that will work.”
I smile at his reassurance, but can’t shake the pit forming in my stomach. I really need to stay out of other people’s business.
Starting tomorrow.
I’m already invested now.
