Page 20 of Reckless Hearts

Colt’s smiling at me now, his grin wide, laughter in his voice, and it calls me back to life.

Maverick too, singing beside him.

Their voices mix, reaching for me.

Calling me home.

I catch the final chorus, singing my heart out, laughter bubbling up until I’m breathless, my chest light and full.

I didn’t know how badly I needed this.

But somehow,theydid.

Being read this easily should be terrifying.

But with them?

I don’t want to waste a single second on misunderstandings.

I’m still riding the high when Maverick pulls into a familiar-looking motel.

A carbon copy of the one we were just in.

The entire parking lot is jammed with pickup trucks, all bearing some version of a bull-riding logo.

A laugh bubbles out of me, half disbelief, half wonder. This is my life now, dust and grit and a million battered trucks. Rough men with rougher dreams. A world built out of eight seconds and broken bones. And somehow, I fit here. I belong here again.

Colt and Maverick unload our bags, back to acting like the other doesn’t exist, even while working together.

Maverick brings my bag over but doesn’t hand it over when I reach for it.

“Come on. Let’s get you checked in.”

Nerves twist in my gut, not knowing how this is going to play out.

I’d been a little too excited when I flew in… “Yeah, about that?—”

“Woah, you made it alive,” Luke says, coming up to us looking mischievous.

“Thought for sure one of you would kill the other.”

He circles Colt, who shoves him lightly.

“Holy shit… not even a bruise.”

“Get the hell out of here,” Colt mutters, but there’s a red tint at the back of his neck, and I don’t miss the way he glances at me.

He knows damn well I don’t like them fighting but I’m not naive.

They’ve made their distaste for each other loud and clear.

Luke examines the three of us and nods like he’s figured it all out.

“It’s because of you,” he says.

“Tell me, how did you get these two whipped so fast? Do you know how long I’ve been trying to get them to get along? Do you have any idea how awkward it is to have my two friends hate each other?”

He says it in a way that’s half joke, half truth.

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