“I’m good, man,” Reid answered, breaking the silence.
“Did you hear the news?” Greer asked, throwing his arm around Chloe’s neck. When Drew lifted his brows in question, Greer smirked. “Chloe has finally accepted that we’re meant to be and up and moved to LA.”
“Shut the fuck up,” Drew laughed, his eyes wide.
“He’s half right,” Reid said, his tone flat. “While we were on break, Chloe packed up and moved to LA.”
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Drew exhaled. “You shoulda told us. We could have helped you unpack or something. Where did you get a place?”
“It’s okay. I wasn’t really sure if I was going to do it until the movers showed up at my door. And I’m renting my friend Josie’s house since she moved in with her boyfriend.” Chloe could feel the heat of Reid’s gaze burning into her skin, but she couldn’t force herself to look at him. He didn’t get to make her feel bad about second-guessing her move when he’d fallen off the wagon.
“You realize Greer is going to drive you batshit crazy about your friend and her boyfriend,” Drew said with a chuckle.
“That’s right,” Greer boasted. “My girl’s got the hookup!”
“Well, if you’re finished with your ‘never gonna happen’ fantasy,” Reid ground out, the hard edge to his voice causing everyone’s eyes to snap in his direction. “I’d like to explain why we’re all here.”
“Jesus,” Greer laughed, the sound harsh and lacking even a trace of humor. “So much for you working your shit out while we were on break. You’re still the same asshole I left in Devon.”
Chloe’s eyes widened and she moved away from where Reid and Greer now stood face-to-face. The tension in the air was stifling. If someone didn’t do something, the situation had the potential to explode.
“Come on, guys,” Drew said with a sigh.
Reid clenched his jaw, his eyes locked with Greer’s. “Do you have a fucking problem with me?”
“Are you kidding me?” Greer threw his arms out wide. “I’m so beyond having a problem with you. I’m sick to fucking death of your shit.”
Chloe sucked in a sharp breath. “You boys have fun,” she snapped, loud and mocking. “I didn’t come here for this shit. The last time I was around a fight, I ended up with an elbow to the face. I have no interest in caking on makeup to cover up bruises a second time. Call me when you guys are ready to rehearse.”
The moment the words left her mouth, she could feel the tension deflate from the room. She didn’t dare look at Reid or Greer as she angrily grabbed her case. It was a low blow to bring up that night. She knew they felt terrible about what happened, but it was the only thing she could think of that would defuse the situation.
“Chloe,” Greer called, apologetic.
Chloe ignored him and continued into the hall. She felt like a drama queen, but it seemed the only way to get their attention was to act like a bigger baby than they were. Reid swore under his breath before she heard his hurried steps catching up to her.
“Hey,” he murmured, the tips of his fingers resting on her shoulder, coaxing her to a stop. When she felt the warmth of his touch, her skin tingled. Until that very moment, she’d been in complete denial about how much she’d missed him. It only angered her more.
“What?” she barked, spinning around and pinning him with an angry glare full of the warring emotions simmering just below the surface.
Reid flinched, his expression anguished. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry. You know I’d never do anything to hurt you.” He reached toward Chloe’s face, the slight tremble of his hand making Chloe’s eyes burn with unshed tears.
“Not intentionally,” she answered with a slight shake of her head.
With a featherlight touch, Reid pushed the hair that had fallen from her ponytail behind her ear. The look in his eyes, the way they begged for something they could not voice, the way they swam with emotions he could not express caused Chloe’s heart to ache.
“It’s good to see you.” He dropped his eyes to her lips then slowly dragged his gaze back to hers. Each second felt like an eternity in hell. “I missed you.”
Chloe tensed. “Don’t do this. Don’t make me regret coming here.”
Reid dropped his hand as if she’d burned him and took a step back. He shoved his hands in his pockets and dropped his chin to his chest. “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”
“Good,” she sniffed, not feeling the relief she should.
“Will you please come back inside? I swear we’ll cut the shit. Greer and I are just . . .” Reid exhaled and raked his hand through his hair. “There are some things I need to tell you.”