Page 154 of Reckless
A tear spills down my cheek, and I reach up, nodding as I swipe it away. He’s right. That night changed the world.
Our world.
“That night I realized I’d never get over you. Time, distance, none of it mattered. That night, I knew there would be no one like you for me. I was so sure of it. I could feel it in my bones. I still do.”
I can’t keep up with the tears anymore, so I just let them fall. Accepting this isn’t some disease I have.
It’s happiness.
I drop to my knees, wanting to look into this man’s face. The one who never treated me like I needed saving but saved me all the same. I cup his cheek and he presses a kiss into my palm before forging ahead.
“That night we were reckless.” His voice cracks. “But god, I’d be reckless with you over and over again if it means ending up here.”
That sentiment. This man. It’s like there was something missing inside me. Like I wasn’t whole, until he came along.
“Yes.” I reach for the ring.
“I haven’t even asked yet.” His corresponding laugh is thick. Tearful too.
“You don’t need to. The answer is yes.”
He drops the box and slides the ring onto my finger with shaking hands.
We stare at my hand for a moment. Just the two of us.
“Winter Hamilton, will you marry me?”
I smile through the tears. “Would hate to make a liar out of you after how long you’ve been telling people you’re going to marry me.”
He winks at me. “When you know, you know.”
And this time I don’t roll my eyes. I kiss him.
I kiss him until there’s nothing else but his lips on mine, his hands in my hair, and his ring on my finger.
Epilogue
Theo
“Where’s Vivi?”
Winter and I walk out of the dressing room, side by side. It’s the final night of the WBRF championships.
The crown jewel I’ve chased my entire career. The one I’ve always fallen short of. The one I’ve clawed my way back from injury to make a run at this year.
“In the stands with your mom and everyone else.” She glances down at her clipboard, all business tonight.
“Doctor Hamilton?” one of the guys calls to her from a bench as we walk past. When we turn, he holds his hand up. His thumb is pointing in the wrong direction. “You think I should go to the hospital? Or can we patch this up here?”
“Well, Jude, I think your thumb is broken and you’re probably going to need surgery.”
“I don’t wanna miss the last rides though. Gotta see our boy here take it all.” He grins at me like the maniac he is.
Winter sighs, checking her watch. “You fucking bull riders are nuts,” she mutters before glancing at me. “I’ll be out right away.”
I smirk and shoot her a wink. “Sure thing, Doc.”
I catch the tail end of her eye roll as she turns back to Jude, speaking in a matter-of-fact way about ligament damage, splints, and painkillers.
