Page 200 of Fierce Storm
Though, I have a feeling I’d get along well with Camilla, if that didn’t add one more awkward connection to our already huge list.
“Are we done with the Keeley and Sal teasing yet?”
“Never,” Hayley announces, complete with overexaggerated hand movements. “I’m kidding. I’m done. Jokes aside, I’m happy for you. We all are.”
“Thank you. I promise I didn’t plan on shaking things up. Actually, I hadn’t planned on love at all. But I guess that’s life. It’s not really something anyone can… Why are you all looking at me like that?”
The girls are all staring at me with the same giddy expression. Their eyes wide, lips parted as though they’re about to say “aww” to a cute kitten.
“What’s going on?”
“You don’t even realize you said it, do you?” Paige asks with a laugh.
“Said what?”
“That you love my dad.”
“What? I never said that.”
“‘I hadn’t planned on love at all.’” Hayley puts on an American accent, trying to be me, and I laugh her off.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Are you sure about that?” She leans back with her arms crossed and her brows raised, staring at me in challenge. And while I can no longer lie to myself, it’s surprisingly easy to lie to my friends.
“I’m not there yet. We’re not there yet. But when we are, you’ll all be the fifth or sixth to know.”
“What? Who the hell is above us?” Hayley scowls while Amelia and Blair laugh, with Paige staring at me with a glint in her eye. Does that mean she wants me to be in love with her dad? Or am I misreading that? Either way, I’m definitely not asking. Not yet.
It takes some convincing, but Hayley eventually moves on, and we continue talking into the night, with the girls not leaving until early hours of the morning.
Since Sal’s likely to be getting up for his day, I send him a text before trying to go to sleep.
KEELEY: I miss you. I hope it went well last night and you were able to get some sleep
He replies immediately and I smile with relief.
SAL: I miss you too. Everything is going to plan.
My head aches when I wake up in the downstairs bedroom, and I grumble as I rise, internally thanking the girls for suggesting I sleep here.Andfor raiding my closet and en suite, to ensure I had everything I needed. I couldn’t imagine navigating the stairs with my head and ankle both throbbing like they are.
I check the time and relax when it’s still relatively early. The Storm has a one p.m. game today and I’m going to be there. While the cats are away, the mice—or mouse in my case—is absolutely going to play.
I take my time, eating breakfast on the patio in my pajamas, and when I’m done, I grab my phone off the charger, ready to start my day.
My hand hovers over the number Sal gave me before he left, and I hit the call button, immediately feeling guilty for what I’m about to do.
“Miss Reynolds?” Jeffrey answers with a question in his tone. “Is everything okay? I was on my way over.”
I know that, which is why I’m calling. “Yes. It’s fine. And please call me Keeley.”
“Thank you, Keeley.”
“I know Sal asked you to check in on me, but I’m actually about to have a long bath. I didn’t want you to be knocking and panicking when I didn’t answer. If you want, I can call and check in later. For now, I’m all good here.”
“Are you sure? Do you need anything from the grocery store?”
“No, thank you. I’m good. But just so you don’t get fired, I’ll tell Sal you stopped by.”
