AS REED DROVE us to the restaurant, I was still recovering from my encounter with Jeremy at the rink and struggling to get it off my mind. The way he’d spoken to me today was worryingly similar to the night of the bonfire and when he’d cornered me at school. He didn’t seem to understand why I was done with him. He was convinced it was only a matter of time before I forgave him and came crawling back into his arms.
I hadn’t expected him to hold on to our relationship so tightly, especially once he knew I was with someone else. But seeing me with Reed only seemed to fuel his desire to win me back. Was it because he really cared about me, or was he just too proud to lose me to his nemesis? I just had to hope Reed was right and, by the time our agreement was over, Jeremy would get the message and move on.
“Any news on my car?” I asked, trying to take my mind off Jeremy.
“It’s almost done.” Reed smiled brightly. “You’ll probably get a call from my dad tomorrow.”
“That’s great.” I released a relieved breath. I couldn’t wait to be done relying on other people for rides. “So, how often do you work at your dad’s garage?”
“I was there pretty much every day over the summer break but much less often now school is back.” Reed’s voice was edged with disappointment. He really seemed to love cars.
“Sounds like you really miss it.”
“Yeah, I do,” he said. “If I wasn’t so devoted to hockey, I’d happily follow in my dad’s footsteps and work on cars.”
“Why don’t you then?”
“Because I love hockey just as much,” he replied. “I’m already committed to play for the Ryker Raiders next year. They have one of the top hockey programs in the country, and I’ll have a really good chance of going pro if I do well there. I can always come back to cars in the future. That’s what my dad did.”
“What do you mean?”
“My dad captained the Raiders back when he was in college. He was on track to play in the NHL, but he blew out his knee before he was drafted. It ended his career.”
“That’s horrible.”
‘Yeah, I can’t imagine what he went through. He came to terms with it a long time ago though. He’s happy now, and he loves what he does.”
“So, at what point did your dad turn to a life of organized crime in Minneapolis?”
Reed laughed and rolled his eyes. “Is that your rumor of the day?”
“Uh, sure.” Having met Danny, I was pretty confident I knew this rumor was false already, but I liked hearing Reed talk about his family. Plus, I couldn’t think of another rumor I wanted to ask about. There were so many I was losing track. I should make a list.
“No, my dad has never been involved in organized crime,” he replied, shaking his head in disbelief at the concept. “Although, next time you’re wondering whether someone is the son of a mobster, it’s probably best not to ask them so up front like that.”
“I mean, I didn’t actually believe he was a mobster. Where does a rumor like that even come from?”
“Beats me.” Reed shrugged. “My dad’s never even lived in Minneapolis. He and my mom met in high school, fell in love, and, aside from a few years in college, they’ve been here pretty much ever since.”
Reed’s face seemed to light up as he spoke about his mom and dad. It sounded like he came from such a loving family with parents who cared about each other and siblings who had his back. When I’d first heard about Reed, I would have probably predicted he came from a broken dysfunctional home. However, his was in much better shape than my own. I had my own elite sporting father to blame for that. I hoped Reed would turn out more like his dad than mine once he got to the big leagues.
“That’s so nice,” I said. “And it’s great that you’re still able to follow the same path as your dad by playing for the same team as him.”
“Yeah, it’s become a bit of a family tradition.” Reed’s smile didn’t fade as he spoke. Grayson’s going there next year too, and my uncle played for the Raiders before he went to the NHL. But hopefully I won’t be emulating my dad too closely,” he said. “I happen to like my knee just how it is.”
As we pulled up outside Nino’s, I saw a group of kids our age gathered outside with more seated at tables inside the restaurant. I recognized some of them but not all, so it could have been a mixture of people from Sunshine Prep and Ransom High.
My stomach tightened as I considered what we were about to do. It had been one thing to pretend we were in a relationship at the ice rink in front of Jeremy and Reed’s teammates. But the restaurant felt infinitely more intimate with so many more watchful eyes. We were going to have to make sure we looked like a couple for an entire meal in front of all these people, and I couldn’t work out if I was excited or terrified about that.
When we got out of the truck and started for the entrance, Reed reached out to me. He gave me an encouraging smile as he took my hand. “You don’t have to look quite so nervous.”
“I know,” I murmured, already feeling better now he was holding my hand. I wasn’t sure what it was about Reed, but despite all the negative things people said about him, he had a way of making me feel at ease with just a single word or the slightest touch even when I was panicking on the inside.
As we entered the restaurant, it felt like everyone turned to look our way. A few tried to hide their shock at seeing Reed and I together, but most just outright gawked at us.
I wasn’t sure why anyone would be surprised. Our kiss had hardly been covert at the bonfire on Saturday night. But I supposed it was one thing to know I’d kissed a Darling Devil and another to actually see us on a date. It seemed his reputation for avoiding girlfriends was widely known, even more so than I had realized. Like Jeremy, most people probably assumed I was just some puck-bunny fling to Reed.
“Everyone’s staring,” I whispered. This was the whole reason we were here—to put on a show. But that didn’t mean I was comfortable with it.
“They’ll get over it.” Reed didn’t appear that bothered as he looked past me to our curious spectators, but as his gaze darkened and turned a little threatening, people began to avert their eyes and became more interested in their food.
It was easy to forget about Reed’s reputation when I was alone with him. But it was all too obvious when he was around anyone he didn’t consider a close friend. I wondered how on earth I’d managed to end up in that category.
A server showed us to a free booth, which was thankfully toward the back of the restaurant and away from prying eyes. Nerves prickled on my skin as I wondered whether Reed might try to cuddle up beside me and continue our act. But, as if he could sense that I was already a little overwhelmed, he slid into the booth across from me.
As the server placed our menus on the table, she leaned in slightly to Reed, batting her false eyelashes at him. “Just let me know if you need anything,” she purred.
I got the impression she was offering things that weren’t on the menu, but Reed barely seemed to notice. He wasn’t even looking at her. It wasn’t until the girl was gone that he relaxed. His dark scowl disappeared and was replaced by a sense of weariness. I couldn’t tell if he was exhausted from his training, faking our relationship, or playing the part of the big, bad Devil people loved to gossip about. It was probably a combination of the three.
“Why do you do that?” I asked him.
“Do what?”
“You know. One minute you’re laughing with me; the next, you’re scowling at everyone.”
“Just giving them what they want.” Reed attempted a half smile and shrugged. “You’ve heard how people talk about me. I’ve got a reputation to live up to.”
“So, is any of it real, or is it all just an act?”
“I…” His expression was thoughtful. “I guess I’d rather be feared than loved.”
His eyes were still distant, and I tried to read the emotion flickering in his gaze. “Really? Why?”
“It’s easier,” he replied. “No one can screw you over if you don’t give them the chance.”
His response hit me square in the chest. It was like Reed had voiced the way I’d been feeling most of my life about my dad abandoning us. It had caused me to write off any guy who seemed even remotely similar to him. Reed appeared be writing off almost everyone but close friends and family, and I wondered what could have caused him to have such a pessimistic view of people. Had he been hurt or betrayed by someone too? Or had he simply been on the bad side of people for so long he’d forgotten they could be good?
“So, you distrust everyone because some of them might disappoint you?” I asked.
“Pretty much,” he replied. “It’s been working for me for a while.” His response appeared flippant, but there was still a flicker of hurt in his eyes. I wished he’d open up to me more, but his expression closed, and I got the feeling he was done with this conversation.
“Well, you don’t scare me, Reed Darling.”
“Good,” he said. “You’re the last person I’d ever want to scare.”
The intimate way he was looking at me caused my cheeks to flush, and I was glad a table separated us. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to hide the way his words had filled my stomach with butterflies if he was sitting right at my side or if his arm was wrapped around me, holding me close.
Thankfully, our server returned to take our order, saving me from having to come up with a coherent response. Instead, I sat there, stunned speechless as Reed listed off the food he wanted. Jeremy had always eaten a lot, but it was nothing compared to what Reed was ordering. It was like he’d requested everything on the menu.
“Are you really going to eat all of that?” I asked as the server walked away.
“Sure, I’m starving.”
“You ordered enough to feed your entire hockey team,” I replied. “And then some.”
He laughed. “I’m pretty sure every guy on my team would eat at least that much at Nino’s, especially after a hard training session. Besides, pizza’s my favorite.”
“Yeah, me too.”
We shared a smile, but Reed’s brow began to crinkle as he looked up from our table. Where the server had stood just moments ago, there were now two large guys at the edge of our booth. They were both dressed in sweats that had the Ransom Devils logo across the front. While I didn’t recognize them, I was guessing they were on Reed’s hockey team.
“Got room for a couple more?” one of them asked.
“Kinda on a date here, Matt,” Reed replied.
“Dude, you’re just saying that because you’re scared we’ll embarrass you. And you’d be right, but you can’t hide Violet from us forever.” Matt was grinning as he held out his hand to me. “I’m Matt Cleaver. Reed’s best friend.”
“Violet,” I replied, taking his hand.
“And this is my brother, Owen.” Matt waved at the guy standing next to him. “We’re on the team with Reed.”
“Hey,” Owen said. He greeted me with a warm smile, but his eyes betrayed a hint of nerves as he glanced at Reed. “I hope we’re not interrupting.”
“Don’t worry.” Matt brushed off his brother’s concern and didn’t give anyone a chance to respond as he slid into the booth beside Reed, gesturing for him to scoot farther around the circular booth to make space.
With a begrudging sigh, Reed started to shuffle toward me. Given the size of the two guys joining us at the table, Reed ended up pressed right against me.
“Is this okay?” he murmured softly in my ear so the other two wouldn’t hear.
“It’s fine,” I replied, trying to give him a smile. He was talking about the fact his friends had crashed our dinner, but I was much more concerned about his sudden proximity. Those butterflies were still fluttering wildly, and my skin tingled from his closeness. It made me shift uneasily in my seat as I tried to forget the feeling, but that only made me more worried he’d notice. That his friends would notice. Reed and I were supposed to be in a relationship, so I couldn’t let myself turn into a quivering mess just because he sat next to me.
I wasn’t even sure why I was feeling this way. This was a fake relationship with an expiry date. There was no flirting and no kissing, and of course, we had the golden rule: no feelings allowed. Anything sweet that Reed said to me or any intimate looks he flashed my way were all just part of the act. None of it was real. Once I remembered that, I started to calm, and the fluttering in my stomach eased.
Before the butterflies could return, I quickly turned my focus back to Matt and Owen. “So, guys, I was promised some embarrassment?” I said to Reed’s friends.
Matt’s eyes lit up while Reed started to groan. “One wrong word from either of you, and you’re getting booted from the table,” he warned.
Matt’s playful smile only grew wider. “You know that bad-temper shit doesn’t work on us,” he replied before speaking to me. “Did you know Reed used to bring an apple for our kindergarten teacher every day?”
‘Aww.” I smiled in Reed’s direction. “That’s really sweet.”
The look Reed was giving his friend was downright terrifying.
Matt hardly noticed. “Sweet?” he repeated. “Okay, clearly, I need to dig a little deeper here… How about the time you called our teacher mom?”
“I was seven, and it was clearly an accident,” Reed growled.
“There was that time you fell off a treadmill?”
“And you just stood there and laughed. Truly a terrible friend.”
“Oh, I’ve got one.” Matt’s eyes lit up. “Remember the day you showed up to English to do your book report and pulled one of your mom’s dirty books from your bag.”
“Hey, that wasn’t my fault. Parker was playing a prank.”
“Sure, it was Parker.”
Anyone else would have been cowering under Reed’s glare, but it didn’t deter Matt, and even Owen, who seemed a lot quieter, was laughing along. It appeared his friends knew Reed was all bark and no bite. And the more I got to know him, the more I too was realizing his tough exterior was just a façade.
“I think I prefer these stories to the others I’ve been told about you, Reed,” I said.
Matt chuckled. “Heard a few of the rumors, have you?”
“Kinda hard not to,” I replied.
“Well, I’m impressed you were willing to give him a chance seeing as he spends his summers fighting bears in cages.”
“It is pretty impressive that he can bench press over four hundred pounds,” Owen added with a sarcastic smirk.
“Bullshit,” Matt laughed. “That one definitely isn’t true. Reed can barely lift his own arm.”
Reed sighed and lowered his head into his hands, but his two friends just laughed harder. It was difficult not to get caught up and smile along with them. Considering how deliberately Reed shut out most people, moments like these made me feel privileged he let his guard down around me.
“It sounds like you guys have been friends a while,” I said.
“Yep, best friends since our first day of school,” Matt replied. “We both had the same Spider-Man lunchboxes, and I simply can’t ignore a sign from fate.”
“How cute,” I said.
“Not cute. Manly. Totally manly,” Matt replied, making me laugh. Even Reed had managed to break into a slight smile.
“What about you, Violet?” Owen asked. “You’re new to the area, right?”
I’d been briefly distracted while we were chatting and joking about Reed, but now they were all focused on me, I felt slightly nervous again. These boys were all very big and very good-looking. It was a little overwhelming to have their full attention on me.
“Where are you from originally?” Matt asked.
“California, and I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to the cold.”
“Oh yeah, I imagine it must be brutal if you grew up in California,” Owen said. “How’d you end up in Minnesota?”
“Uh.” I hesitated. Generally, I liked to avoid getting into that sob story. I gave the quickest explanation I could. “My mom’s working overseas this year,” I explained. “I came up here to live with my uncle. Well, I was dropped off up here.”
I couldn’t help but sound bitter and twisted about the whole thing. I guessed that was because I was bitter and twisted about the whole thing. Reed’s face was serious now as he looked at me with concern in his eyes.
“Well,” Matt said, breaking the silence. “It won’t be long before you’ve got ice in your veins like the rest of us.”
I was only too grateful that the pizza arrived, and the boys turned their attention to the food. I didn’t feel like unloading about my mom to these guys. I’d been doing so well at keeping my feelings of disappointment and abandonment all bottled up since I arrived in Sunshine Hills. They were always there though, lurking beneath the surface. Even Mia didn’t truly know how I felt. She was my cousin, and I didn’t want her to think I wasn’t grateful to be living with her this year—because I was. I guessed, sometimes, it was easier to talk to strangers about these things.
Reed was still watching me closely, and I wondered if perhaps he could see that I was still thinking about my mom. I quickly turned to my own food. “This looks great.”
“It is,” Reed replied before he quickly swatted Matt’s hand away. “Hands off.”
Reed started to eat his pizza in a rush, and I wasn’t sure if it was because he was trying to make sure his friends didn’t steal his food, if he was desperate to get me out of there, or if that was simply how he ate.
We were both finished before his friends’ food arrived, and Reed excused us from the table. “We should probably head out,” he said, glancing at me to check I was okay with it.
I gave him a small nod before turning to Matt and Owen. “It was nice to meet you guys.”
“You too,” they replied.
Reed insisted on paying for our meal, and as much as I wanted to object, I knew I probably couldn’t protest too much in front of his friends. I waited until we were back in his truck before I said anything.
“I can transfer you the money for dinner,” I said.
“Don’t be silly. It’s the least I can do after my friends gate-crashed our date.”
“Fake date,” I corrected. “And I didn’t mind. Your friends are nice.”
“They’re okay.” It sounded as though he was struggling to agree right now. “Owen can be a bit quiet around new people, and Matt’s great when he’s not trying to embarrass me.”
“Well, I don’t think he was trying too hard. He was hardly spilling terrible, dark secrets from your past.”
“For now,” he grumbled.
As he went to turn on the ignition, I reached out and rested my hand on his arm. “Thanks again for tonight, Reed.”
“Seriously, it’s fine,” he said. “I’m glad I got to introduce you to Nino’s. And, I guess, Matt and Owen too.”
I laughed. “No, I don’t mean that. Thank you again for being there when Jeremy confronted me. I really appreciate it.”
“It’s no problem,” he replied. “I’m just doing my job.”
“Right.” Of course. I gave a quick shake of my head, feeling silly for thinking there had been anything more behind his actions than that. When I was around Reed, it was easy to get caught up in the moment and forget this wasn’t a normal situation. I guessed he was just better than me at playing the part of a doting partner.
He’d done exactly what I needed from him. What I wanted. So why did a part of me feel disappointed?
