Page 19 of Reckless Hearts

His voice is rough and deep, nothing like the boy I remember, and tingles race down my spine, raising goose bumps in their wake.

Women must be falling at his feet… I’m struck by a jealousy so sharp my voice cracks on the next word.

But Colt doesn’t look away.

His blue eyes are locked on mine, piercing into me, holding me in place.

I’m being pulled toward him, like he’s tied a rope to my heart. I’m drifting across a distance I hadn’t realized we still shared.

It’s the way he’s staring that has me holding my breath.

He’s still singing at the top of his lungs but it’s directed at me.

It had always been just fun before, but now, the meaning of the song sinks into me.

A girl too wild to tame, who he aches to ask to stay.

A boy who watches her among wildflowers, knowing he loves her enough to set her free but still hoping she’ll choose him.

It’s a whispered promise and a plea that has blood rushing in my ears.

The emotions rolling through me take over, and I’m frozen, unable to make a sound, my chest tight.

Then, Maverick’s voice joins in.

Strong and steady, wrapping around Colt’s in a way that steals my breath all over again.

The two of them, once so fractured and sharp-edged, are suddenly singing together like they never fell apart at all.

The sound fills the truck, fills my chest, until it’s hard to tell where the music ends and the feeling begins.

It’s everything I missed. Everything I thought was lost.

Unlike Colt, Maverick’s not looking at me but every word feels aimed at my heart.

My eyes sting as everything we’ve left unsaid bubbles up between us.

The guilt that’s been twisting my stomach slowly untangles with every word.

Chances are I’m reading too much into it… but it feels like they’re telling me they understand.

That they don’t hate me for leaving.

I’d been holding that fear deep inside that I’d show up and they’d want nothing to do with me.

And it would’ve been fair.

I walked away.

I broke what we had, and they only know half of my reason.

This isn’t forgiveness.

But it’s a start.

It’sunderstanding.

For the first time in a long time, my breaths come easily.

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