Page 160 of Reckless Hearts

“I love you too,” Maverick grumbles, and I snort.

Colt flushes bright red and mutters, “Alright, whatever… you too, I guess,”

Maverick leans in to kiss him over my head, all teasing gone. “I love you.”

Colt breathes out like the words knocked the air out of him. “Damn. When you say it like that… I love you too.”

Colt looks between us and exhales, slow and sure. “Come on,” he says softly. “Let’s go home.”

I blink at him. “What about the championship party?”

He squeezes my hand. “They can celebrate without me. I’ve already got everything I want.”

Chapter 53

Callie

The dust is finally startingto settle.

Literally. The last of the bulls have been loaded, the gates dragged closed, and the thrum of post-championship adrenaline has faded to a hum. Most of the riders are packing up their gear, their trailers rumbling over dry gravel as they pull away one by one. The season’s over.

I sit on the tailgate of Colt’s truck, legs swinging, boots tapping together. The metal’s warm under my thighs, sun-baked and steady. Colt’s beside me, one arm looped loosely around my waist, the other balancing a water bottle between his knees. Maverick leans against the open tailgate, sunglasses perched on his nose like he’s hiding from the world, but I know better. He hasn’t stopped watching me since we sat down.

It’s quiet here, but not empty. Just… done. Like we made it to the last page of something that mattered.

Colt nudges my knee with his. “You thinking about running again?” he teases, voice low.

I huff a dry laugh. “Nah. Might just take a minute to believe it’s real.”

Maverick drops his sunglasses down his nose, eyes glinting with amusement. “Better get used to it.”

Behind us, someone whistles. Luke ambles over, tossing a pair of gloves into the bed of his truck and giving Colt a look that’s equal parts fond and exasperated.

“You three look like a damn movie poster,” he mutters. “You planning on riding off into the sunset or just sitting there long enough to make everyone jealous?”

Colt smirks. “Little of both.”

Luke claps him on the back, nods once at me, then tips his hat toward Maverick. “So is it true? You two done?”

“I wouldn’t put it that way. I’d say things are just beginning,” Maverick says, his tone even, but the corner of his mouth twitches.

“Can’t say I’m complaining. I think I’ve finally got a shot next year.” He winks as he walks backward and leaves us with parting words. “Glad to see you finally getting over your bullshit and settling down.”

Just like that, it’s the three of us again. I bite my lip, but Maverick still catches the hint of my smirk.

“Think that’s funny?”

“You guys really were drowning in your own idiocy.”

“That’s only because we didn’t have you.” Colt kisses my temple, then rests his head against mine. “You’re ours now.”

Warmth settles in my stomach, the kind that warms you all the way down to your bones.

The truck bed creaks as I shift, curling my fingers around the edge of the tailgate. The sun’s dipping lower now, stretching golden light across the lot like it’s trying to hold on to the day a little longer.

“I need to go back,” I say quietly.

Colt’s arm stiffens slightly around my waist. Maverick’s head turns, slow and sharp.

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