Page 117 of Reckless Hearts

I rest my head against the edge of his mattress, feeling lighter than I have in years.

Warmth curls in my stomach, and I have to bite back a whimper when his fingers stroke gently through my hair, so soft, so careful, it undoes me completely.

We stay like that, wrapped in a bubble of silence broken only by the slow, steady beep of the monitor.

There’s a soft giggle from the doorway.

A small voice cuts through the quiet. “You two are idiots, you know that, right?”

Both of us whip our heads around, startled.

Colt blinks at her like she’s a hallucination.

I gape at her.

Callie’s standing there, beaming, a tray of coffees balanced in her hands, her copper hair tousled and wild, cheeks still flushed from crying earlier.

“Have you been here this whole time? When did you get back?” Colt croaks, hesitantly hopeful that she didn’t hear everything. It’s embarrassing enough between just the two of us.

Callie grins mischievously. “Maybe,” she teases. “Maybe not.”

“Did you hear everything?” Dropping my head, I grumble into Colt’s arm, my voice muffled.

Callie shrugs, taking a slow sip of her coffee.

“Defineeverything,” she says innocently.

Colt groans, dragging his good hand over his face.

“I hate you,” he mutters weakly.

“No you don’t,” she chirps.

Colt lets out a choked sound, half a wheeze, half a laugh, and clumsily pats my shoulder like I’m the idiot here.

Callie crosses the room, setting the coffee tray on the little table with a soft clatter.

She’s a mess.

Her hair’s pulled up in a lopsided bun, her sweatshirt stretched off one shoulder, her eyes still red-rimmed from crying.

And she’s the most beautiful fucking thing I’ve ever seen.

Colt’s hand tightens on mine briefly.

When I glance up at him, he’s staring at her too, the same awestruck look written all over his battered face.

Yeah.

We’re both so fucking gone for her it’s not even funny anymore.

Chapter 41

Callie

Colt’s grumblingunder his breath, wrestling the blanket off his legs one-handed while the other stays strapped tight across his chest.

Maverick halts mid-pace like he’s physically pained just watching. “You stubborn—” He sighs, crossing the room. “Do you have any idea how exhausting it is trying to keep your ass alive?”

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