What the hell did I do?
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
Reed
Iflinch as Hayley runs my hand under the cold water, a forced laugh escaping her. And while it’s devoid of her usual lightness, I offer her a tight-lipped smile, at least grateful to finally be back at the hotel.
“I can’t believe you did that,” Hayley curses me for the tenth time, her voice reflective. “I have every reason to end this charade right now,” she jokes but there’s a little bite to her tone. “I onlyjustturned my reputation around, and—”
Ouch. “Let’s not play pretend, Hayley,” I cut her off. “You’re not annoyed because I hurtyourreputation. You’re annoyed I damagedmine.”
She stares at me for a beat before stamping her foot like a child, and fuck, it’s adorable. “Damn straight. That’s exactly what I’m pissed about. You’re the league’s golden boy. Squeaky clean. The sweetest guy in football. And I’ll be damned before I ruin that image of you.”
She’s trying to be cute, but I’m still in a mood, my mind whirring from our useless police interview. Of course, the fuckerdenied it all. Now we have to wait for them to speak with the San Francisco police in the morning. But that’s not the issue right now. Right now, I need to settle this argument with Hayley.
“I don’t give a shit about my image, Hayls,” I tell her honestly. “This is who I am. I’m not trying to be someone the media paints me to be. They’ve created that narrative because Iamthat guy. But another thing about me is that I won’t stand for people hurting my friends. You more than anyone else. If you hadn't screamed, I would have done more. I—”
“Why do you think I screamed?”
My shoulders drop and I suck in a breath.What a fucking night.I need to calm the fuck down. “Do you want me to thank you?” I deadpan and her brows furrow until I lighten the mood with a smile.
“Ha. You’re so funny.”
“I know. Believe it or not, I’m more than just the sweet guy you think I am.”
“Reed.” She frowns, stepping forward to brush her finger under the cut next to my eye. “I’m currently debating whether or not I need to take you to the hospital for stitches. Trust me, Ibelieveyou.”
“Told you, I can be—”
“But,” she cuts me off, wagging her finger in my face, “your intentions were sweet. You were protecting me.”
“Damn. Can’t catch a break, can I?”
“Nope.” She shakes her head, releasing a soft laugh. “You’ll always be golden to me.”
“Is that another challenge? I bet I can prove that I’m not.”
“What? What aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing at all, Hayley Baby. Nothing at all.”
“Two truths and a lie.” She folds her arms over her chest, her brow raised in challenge.
“Me or you?”
“You.”
“Okay. Easy. One, I think my face is broken. Two, I’ve been to that bar before. And three…” I pause knowing this has the power to changeeverything. “I want to fuck your brains out.”
Hayley’s wide eyes make me smile until her breath hitches and she shakes off her thoughts, grinning when she seemingly realizes I was paraphrasing her first ever response to me. “Very funny.”
“Who’s joking?”
“You’re drunk.”
“I only had three beers and that was hours ago.”
“Delirious from being punched in the face?”
