“What did you say?” I sighed, realizing I hadn’t heard my mother properly. I inspected the chipped paint on my nails as Rachel replied.
“I said I’m nervous. I’ve never met a football star before.”
What a crock. “You’ve met Reed plenty of times, mother. We went to high school together.”
“Well, I can’t remember him. Why would I remember a high school teenager?”
She had a point. “I introduced you to him at your wedding anniversary party that time.”
My mother was still drawing a blank.
“Anyway,” I began, picking at my nails. “He’s just a normal person, like any other. And you’ve met celebrities before.”
“Yes, but not as hot as Reed,the gunslingerPrescott. He can get aggressive with me anytime.” OMG! I think I was a bit sick in my mouth. I knew my mother was crushing on the guy, but to hear it said out loud made me want to hurl. Not country club etiquette, you understand.
Ever since my mother learned of my dad’s infidelity and that the consequences of that had resulted in Phoenix, they had drifted apart. They were together forappearances only now, and it still broke my heart. Rachel Summers had gradually turned into a carbon copy of her friends. A socialite with nothing to say for herself who spent her husband's money with gusto, having jacked in her job as a once-respected interior designer. That’s why I had made the deal about pursuing a career for myself. I knew I was spoiled and selfish in school, just like my mom now and her circle of friends, and I refused to become one of them. When they got together, it was like a scene from that old movie The Stepford Wives.
“Just be cool and don’t embarrass me,” I replied, finishing off the rest of my champagne. We were waiting for the boys to join us so we could order.
My heart was beating so fast in my chest, I was approaching a full-on meltdown at the thought of seeing Reed again, and in the company of my family and Jasper.
Before she could reprimand me for my comment, they appeared at the top of the steps from the green, an entourage of people behind them. From the looks on their faces, Phoenix and Reed had won the doubles game. My father appeared full of beans, patting Reed on the back and introducing him to a couple of guys he used to work with when he was in office. Jasper’s face was pulled taut. Nix was talking to him, possibly discussing golfing techniques, and he looked like he was listening, but I knew better. I had seen his pissed,active listeningface many times.
If Reed and Nix had thrashed my father and Jasper, that would make my day.
Sally Prendergast, one of our usual waitresses who spent most time ogling the men of the club, appeared to take our order, yet again. Even though we’d explained that we were waiting for people to join us. We were sitting at a table for six with four empty places. Do the fucking maths. I hated incompetence. Her sister was also horrible to me during college, another bugbear against her. I could have had her fired had I been the old Storm when she’d spilled cranberry juice down my dress one brunch. On purpose! The new Storm was much more tolerant.
As my eyes roamed towards the men, Rachel followed the direction of my gaze as she waved Sally away.
“Here they come,” she cooed. “Ooh, isn’t he a dish?”
Kill me. Kill me now.
We both stood as the men joined us. Their faces were flushed, well, my father and Jasper's were. Nix and Reed just looked normal. If you can call the sexy motherfucker that was Reed Prescott that. He wore cream pants and a Ralph Lauren top with the sleeves rolled up, and looked like sin. His aviator Ray-Bans were pushed up onto his head. As his eyes met mine, they creased at the corners as he shot me a smile. I felt that all the way down to my womb and shyly gave him one back.
I didn’t miss Jasper's glance between us.
The guys bustled over, all talking over each other about the game, and we greeted each other in the usual way.
Air kisses and handshakes ensued. I thought I heard one of my mother’s ovaries burst as Reed kissed her hand like a proper gentleman. Smooth.
As he rounded the table towards me, there was a moment of awkwardness. Phoenix was complimenting his stepmother on her dress, and my father and Jasper were taking their seats. Jasper was right next to me, which meant Reed would have to sit across the table.
“Storm, long time. You look good,” he said as he pulled me in for a hug and kissed my cheek. Restless heat was knotted inside of me.
Everyone knew we were at school together, and so his behavior didn’t seem odd. Not to anyone else anyway, Nix had a massive grin on his face as he called Sally over. My mother and father just did their usual bickering thing.
“You too,” I managed to reply. Of course, Jasper didn’t know that I had been asked to counsel Reed. He’d brought it up at dinner once he’d found out about Reed’s transfer, but I’d explained that I doubted they would assign him to me due to our history. Yet another lie. Plus, a client's details were confidential.
We all then took our seats. Sally and one of the other waiters came over, and between the usual bursts of banter, there was a toast to Phoenix and Reed for their victory. They won the friendly Match Play game by scoring the highest. We then placed our food orders, and as I was looking at the menu, I felt both Jasper andReed’s eyes on me. Why I even bothered with food was beyond me; my stomach was wound tight that I doubted I’d be able to keep anything down.
And when I didn’t think it could get any worse, my mother started flirting. She was laughing so hard at what Reed was saying, I was surprised she didn’t give herself a hernia.
I knew I needed to push on through the cringe, but it was tough. As I mentioned earlier, kill me, kill me now.
REED
She looked like a fucking angel. Storm's tits were pressed against the golf dress she wore, begging for my hands. Her hair was also in a ponytail again, bringing back steamy images of how I would wrap it around my fist while she sucked me off.
