Page 13 of Reckless Hearts

Callie Harper could tempt the devil with her smile.

Chapter 4

Callie

The air ishot and thick, warm bodies brushing against mine as Colt leads me through the crush of people to the middle of the dance floor. The wood beneath our boots vibrates with the low hum of the music. Everything smells like beer and sweat and cheap cologne, but for once, I don’t care.

The beat kicks up, a slow twang with no real structure, and I sway along, loose and easy. The alcohol has smoothed every edge. I’m floaty, grinning for no reason.

Colt leans in close, tipping his head to mine. “Don’t think too hard. Just move.”

I shoot him a look. “Are you saying I’m bad at this?”

“Never said that.” He nudges me with his hip. “You just… think too much. You always did.”

“Gee, thanks,” I deadpan. But I can’t hold the glare. Not with him smiling like that, all boyish charm and dimples I didn’t stand a chance against back then.

The song fades out, and a familiar chord progression cuts through the noise, one that makes the whole crowd comealive. Whoops and cheers erupt around us as people break into formation.

I feel it before I even think it, my feet falling into step like they never forgot. It’s all still in me. Years of bonfire parties and backroad get-togethers carved this dance into my bones, and suddenly, I’m twelve again, giddy and free.

We fall into place, Colt at my side, and my limbs move without thinking. It’s fast, a little clumsy, but fun. All around us, boots stomp and bodies twist. It’s a mess, but it’s a beautiful mess.

Colt calls over the music, breathless from the steps. “You’ve still got it.”

“I was born with it,” I yell back, flashing him a grin.

“Modest as ever.”

I open my mouth to respond, but a shooter girl appears with a tray. “Y’all want a round?”

“Yes,” I say, maybe too fast. I grab one, knock it back, and grab another for good measure. It burns sweet and smooth.

Colt watches me with a crooked smile. “So this is how tonight’s gonna go?”

“You didn’t know?” I shoot back, teasing. I twirl back into place, dizzy but high on laughter, and bump right into Maverick.

He steadies me with both hands on my waist, expression suspicious. “You planning to dance me under the table?”

I flash him a grin. “Please. I already know you know all the steps.”

He groans. “Don’t bring up the ‘Cotton Eye Joe’ incident.”

“Oh, I’m bringing it up. Seventh grade gym class. You went all in.”

“I blacked that out for a reason.”

“Too bad. C’mon. One dance.”

And despite his protests, he follows me into formation anyway. Because no matter how much time has passed, Maverick Kane has always had a soft spot when it comes to me.

I steal a look between them. Colt, bouncing along like this is his natural habitat, and Maverick, biting back a smile as he falls in line. This is exactly what I wanted. Not the dancing, not the drinking, not even the shots. Just this.

All of us together. Like nothing ever changed.

We were always like this touchy, tangled up. Colt used to drape himself across the couch with his feet in my lap, and Mav would braid my hair just to pass the time. It was just… us. A mess of limbs and laughter and loyalty.

And being here with them again, feeling all of that click back into place, it hits somewhere deep.

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