Reed chuckles softly, but when I look his way, he zips up his lips. “Sorry. But you sound like me.”
“God, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. You don’t have to do this. We don’t have to do this.” I cover my face with my hands again and shake my head. He doesn’t want this. He’s only doing it for me.
The energy around me shifts, and when I uncover my eyes, I find him standing closer than I expected, his gaze soft as he watches me.
“I’m joking, Hayls. I promise I want to do this. For you.”
Tension swarms my chest as I smile up at him. But this, right here, is precisely why we shouldn’t be doing it. He always puts others ahead of himself. It was okay when I was doing it for him, but now… “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Why?”
“Because my reputation needs saving, but what if I bring yours down in the process?”
“Not possible. Haven’t you heard? I’m the golden boy of the NFL.” He winks and my heart jolts.
“Exactly.” I turn away, groaning. I should never have suggested the idea.
“Hayley, stop. I don’t know why they’d ever want you to be someone you’re not. But if you think being in a relationship could help and that we could pull it off, it could benefit us both.”
I almost laugh, seeing through his attempt to make this about him when it’s never about him. “What do you get out of it again?” I ask, subtly calling him out. “Bria?”
Reed lets out a long sigh, his fingers curling around the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable with the change of topic. “I don’t even know,” he admits. “Maybe it would show her that she missed out. That I was standing right in front of her and she fucked up.”
“Really? So if Bria knocked on your door at 4 a.m. the day after we go public, with a tear-soaked face, begging you for forgiveness, asking you to choose her, you’d say ‘suck on that, Bria. Now you know how I felt for all those years. Booyah.’” I fist pump the air and Reed’s jaw falls to the floor.
“Wow.” His eyes light up before he laughs. “I have no words.”
“So… no?”
“Never change, Hayls. You’re perfect exactly as you are. As for me, I have no fucking idea what I’m doing, but if I can help you and help myself in the process, what have I got to lose? Just tell me what I need to do.”
The tightness in my chest dissipates a little, and a sense of calm takes over me. Reed’s a good guy, and I know how to keep things professional, to play a part. Maybe we can do this without it ruining his reputation. But he has to get something out of it too. I have to help with Bria. Somehow.
“Okay,boyfriend.” I smile, ignoring the nervous energy running through me. “Let’s do this.”
Reed smirks at my new name for him, and when my smile widens, he nods. “I’m in. Where do we start?”
“God, I have no idea. I’m going to have to think about it.”
“That’s probably wise. For both of us. But…ah…” Reed glances at the clock on his wall and cringes. “I’m supposed to be meeting Bria in an hour and—”
“Maybe don’t tell her. Not yet. She already knows we’re friends, so you won’t need any buildup. Let’s chat again Tuesday and work it all out.”
“Tuesday sounds perfect.”
“Good. If that’s settled, I’ll head off and let you get ready. I need chocolate and a bath. Stat.”
“Ahh, the little luxuries. Do you do that often?”
“When I’m stressed,” I rush out and instantly regret it. “Wait. This isn’t—”
“I get it.”
“Good. Thanks.” I think about my muscles relaxing and bite back a groan. A bath is definitely needed. If only I had a hot tub. “I’ll see you Tuesday?”
“You will.”
With a smile, I leave Reed to prepare for his time with Bria, but only make it to the bottom step before he jogs out the front door, chasing after me. “You don’t have a car, Hayls. I’m your ride, remember?” he calls out and his panic makes me laugh.
