Page 9 of Reckless Storm
Since Amelia and Luke got together, I’ve been spending a lot of time with the two of them, getting to know Luke properly, and in turn, I’ve spent time with Lainey—Luke’s sister—and Thomas, her new husband. I’ve also been attending games and getting to know some of the wives and girlfriends in the suite. Tagging along as though I belong there.
It’s been fun.
“Hello, boys.” I smile, unabashedly checking them all out. “Thanks for helping me celebrate. I bet you’re allhugefans of fantasy romance.” I wink.
“I’ve been known to read fantasy every now and then,” Wyatt offers and I nod, impressed until Luke scoffs.
“She’s not referring toThe Hobbit, Langham,” Luke tells him. “But nice try.”
“There’s nothing wrong withThe Hobbit.” I smile and the laughter continues at Wyatt’s expense, especially when I add,“This isn’t really that, though. But I do appreciate you all coming. There’s a tab on the bar, a rockin’ dance floor behind me, and a few makeup artists dying to meet you. Who’s ready for a big night?”
I don’t wait for them to answer, spinning on the tip of my stilettos and beelining for said bar, ordering another vodka and soda with a round of shots for the guys, except Thomas—giving him a water, his go-to choice.
After handing out the drinks, the guys make their way over to a table, and I watch them leave as Luke wraps an arm around my shoulder. “Congratulations, Jack Rabbit,” he says with a genuine warmth. “You did it. You proved usallwrong.” He stares at me deadpan and I giggle.
It didn’t take long for Luke and me to form a brother/sister type relationship and I kind of love it. I never had siblings growing up, but I get the feeling he’d take on that protective role if I needed him to. “I’m hearing big things, J bird,” he continues as we walk toward the guys. “The Jackman name is going to behugein Hollywood.” He winks and though it’s notthatfunny, a laugh bursts out of me. Maybe I’m more tipsy than I thought.
“In all seriousness”—his cocky expression softens—“I’m excited to say that I know you.” He pulls me into a brotherly hug and I wait for his inevitable link back to Amelia. He’s obsessed with her and I love it. “So tell me, when are you and my talented wife going to make magic together? It won’t be long before she’s directing again.” His expression morphs to reflect his awe, and a proud smile lights his face.
“You know I’d work with Ames any day. She just has to ask.”
Amelia first introduced me to the San Francisco Storm players when she was directing a TV show about the team. The directing gig didn’t end well, but her life wouldn’t be the same without it. After all, it brought her and Luke closer together when they were forced to work with each other.
“I’ve been telling her that. Trust me, I’m not at all subtle about it.”
“Oh, I know.” He grins, his expression mischievous. “She complains about it all the time.”
“Shut up.” I shove him back as I step out of his hold. “She does not. She loves me and my crazy.”
Luke rolls his eyes as though that itself is crazy. “That she does. God knows why.”
Shaking my head, I glance away and spot Lucian already watching us. He winks before not so subtly dancing over, immediately insisting I introduce him around.
When I’m finally done, it’s not just the makeup team that I’ve introduced, but a few of my new friends too. The guys met Cameron, who played one of the angels inJaded Beginnings, Araya and Olivia from our wardrobe department, and Evan, my leading man, who I quickly discovered is a huge football fan…but a die-hard Miami supporter. Something he had no qualms about mentioning to the guys.
“You know they sucked last year, right?” Carter reminds Evan, making the group crack up laughing. Evan’s a good guy, if not a little full of himself. But I guess a lot of us are in the world of movies. We have to be. How else could we put ourselves out there, time and time again, allowing ourselves to be judged playing pretend?
Evan feigns shock at Carter’s revelation and my amusement thickens. “You know you’re talking to a Super Bowl winner, right?” I add, attempting Carter’s accent, anticipating that to be the next words coming out of his mouth. And when he laughs, I know I’m right.
“Think you’ll get there again?” Evan asks and I lean in with intrigue, wanting the answer myself. Luke always says yes, but I’ve never met a cockier man in my life, so I’d love a second opinion.
“We fucking better,” Carter says, his tone deep and serious, leaving no room for argument. “I’m retiring this year and I want another win.”
“What about you, Reed?” I turn his way, locking eyes with the gentle giant from across the table where I’m perched between Carter and Wyatt. “You’ve been a little quiet,” I add, though that’s not entirely true. He’s been in conversations with the guys; I just haven’t been able to hear him. And I do love the smooth, deep quality of his voice. There’s something a little country about it. A far cry from the accents we have back home.
Reed raises an eyebrow and I grin. “Of course we’re going to win. No doubt about it.” The guys cheer and Reed winks, making me giggle uncontrollably.
It’s safe to say I have a crush on that man. A crush in the sense that I want him to throw me over his shoulder, caveman style, toss me on a bed, and fuck me like nobody has before him.
A pipe dream. One I’d say is less achievable than winning an Oscar.
Not only is he head over heels for his best friend—something I learned within hours of first meeting him—but he’s also too nice for that. True that he’s built like a freight truck with muscle on top of muscle, and tattoos that tell a million tales while making a girl's panties wet, but there’s still something innocent about him. Something pure.
He doesn’t need me or anyone else corrupting him.
He deserves to be preserved.
Kept for the woman that wins his heart. A woman worthy of that kind of decency.
