Page 79 of Three Reckless Words

I said I wanted answers.

I also hate that something about Rina’s presence brings back the hotheaded young man I used to be in my past life. Back before Colt, when her wildness attracted rather than repulsed me.

Back before I thought it would be anything serious. Back before Iwantedanything serious and only gave in because we made a kid.

That’s not who I am anymore.

I’m better than Old Archer, who wanted to keep playing with fire after his dad died and he saw how short life could be.

I need tobebetter for my son.

That’s the whole-ass reason why I dragged myself away from an epic romp with Winnie Emberly, isn’t it?

“Fine. Talk,” I growl. Rina blinks sadly. Well, that makes two of us. “Should we rehash the facts? You moved to Portland with that art collective and you never came back for him. You never put in effort. Forgive me if I’m skeptical if I think a tigress never changes her stripes.”

Rina takes an angry breath. I think she’s going to bawl me out, but she just releases it then, long and slow.

“We were so young, Archer. We made so many mistakes,” she whispers, sounding genuinely sad. Like she isn’t just saying it for the sake of flapping her mouth.

Can’t disagree with her there.

One of the biggest mistakes was being together in the first place—and that’s a fuckup I would never change since it’s the reason Colt exists.

“We did,” I say. “Look, I won’t deny it. I’ll be thefirstto admit I made mistakes. We both did. But Colt, he’s my son. Our son. I had to figure out my shit and fast to look after him alone.”

And you didn’t.

I don’t say it, but the words hover over us like a sword.

Her fingers braid the knitted shawl she’s wearing over an oversized yellow shirt. “Yeah, you’re right. I know. I kept fucking up after he was born.”

Not just after—basically his entire life.

Thirteenyearsof mistakes.

The biggest was not being there to see how she’d perform as a real mom.

“I want what’s best for Colton. Simple as,” I tell her. “If he wants his mom, I won’t hold him back. But that also means you have tobehis mom, Rina.”

“I know! I’m not stupid.” Agitated, she stands and paces across the floor, her shawl falling to the floor. For the first time, I get a good look at the sleeve of tattoos across her right arm.

And there, smack in the middle, I see the wordColtin cursive script. Bold and decisive. That’s definitely new.

The sight swings a hammer at my heart.

She just had to go and do that shit.

Get her son’s name tattooed on her arm. I’m not against tattoos when I’ve got a few myself, but I’ve always made it a rule to never wear anyone’s name.

People are too transient, fading in and out of life.

If I’d tattooed Rina’s name on my flesh, I would’ve carved it off rather than keep staring at the bitter reminder.

Back when we were together, I know she felt the same way. My name’s nowhere on her body—I can guarantee that.

But now she’s gone and branded herself with Colt’s name permanently.

“You of all people should know how hard it is to swallow your pride and admit you screwed up,” she snaps. “But here I am, doing it. Trying to, anyway. Doesn’t that count?”

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