Reed's Reckoning Read Online Free PDF Page A

Liquor bottles are strewn across my countertops and four girls are dancing around my living room. One of those girls is Alex Fucking Moore.
    When she sees me, she stops and smiles seductively. I roll my eyes at her and turn down the radio. Cara stops singing and looks at me.
    “What the fuck? I was in the shower for half an hour?”
    “I’d already asked Alex and her friends to come over. They got here right after you went into the bathroom.”
    “What’s the deal with all the booze?”
    “Oh, Reed, It’s just a pre-party.”
    “I don’t want a fucking pre-party. I’m not even sure I’m going to a real party!” I scream and each girl stares at me. “Cara, my room now!”
    I turn and wait for her to follow me. When she comes in, I slam the door and run my hands through my hair.
    “What the fuck are you thinking? Inviting a bunch of girls to my apartment to get drunk?”
    She starts crying. “How dare you? You just embarrassed the shit out of me! These girls are in the best sorority on campus and Alex basically guaranteed me a spot on the pledge list.”
    “Do you know what will happen if anyone finds out a bunch of girls got drunk at my apartment before a Greek party? Are all of them even legal? I just busted my ass at Combine in front of scouts for the fucking NFL draft. My name needs to stay squeaky fucking clean! Not dredged through the mud around campus as a drunk playboy. Not to mention I have A. Fucking. Girlfriend!”
    “I-I-I didn’t think about that, I’m so sorry. I wanted to fit in and they said you are like the coolest guy on campus. I thought it would help my reputation.”
    My temper simmers a little thinking about my softhearted little sister and her will to always fit in. That’s what led her to Mitch, who broke her heart. I wrap my arms around her and let her cry into my chest until she starts to hiccup.
    “Care Bear, you need to be careful of people like her. She’s selfish, controlling, and manipulated you before you even drove into town today. I’m nowhere close to the coolest guy on campus. I’m just a football player and student. I work out, go to class, and hang out. Lately, I’ve been hanging with just Ari. I don’t party, I don’t drink that much, and I definitely don’t let four sorority girls come to my place to get drunk.”
    “Please don’t be mad at me. I want to start off on the right foot. I’ll ask them to leave and tell them we’ll meet them later okay? Maybe Ari can introduce me to some of her friends this week too.”
    “Yeah, that’d be good. I have a few calls to make and I want to eat too. I have to be at the gym early tomorrow.” I hug her lightly and reach for my bag to find my phone.
    I’m surprised to find my phone off and an envelope on top of my clothes. The writing looks like Ari’s, and a feeling of dread washes over me. With shaky fingers, I open the letter and fall back on my bed.
    Reed,
    I want you to know the last few months have been a blast. I’ve really enjoyed our time together, but reality is here. You want me to follow you around the country to wherever the NFL takes you, but I’ve decided that isn’t what I want. Your dreams and mine aren’t the same anymore. Being the wife of a famous football player is against all I have worked for in my life. I don’t expect you to understand and at the same time, I can’t ask you to change.
    I don’t want to see you anymore. I think it’s best for a clean break. We both have a lot to concentrate on these last few weeks and need no distractions. It’s best if we just leave this as what it was, a fling.
    Good luck to you and thank you again for an awesome few months.
    Sincerely,
    Arianna
    I remember that fucking note like it’s tattooed into my skin. After I called her phone and it was disconnected, I went to find her. Her roommate looked at me like I was crazy and told me she was staying with Luke for a while. Then I saw them on campus the next week hugging and her nuzzling into his neck.