Page 56 of Rival Darling

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.