Page 38 of Wild Hearts

“Is that everything?” Shane asks from behind me, I turn around and see her leaning against the doorframe.

I hold out my hand, and she walks to me. I pull her between my knees, resting my head on her chest. Shane runs her fingers through my hair.

“I left you my hoodie,” I murmur.

“Does that mean we’re going steady now?” she teases.

I tickle her sides, making her laugh. “Very funny.”

Once she calms down, she sighs. “Thank you. I have a feeling I will be wearing it a lot between now and when you come back.”

“I’ll be back in no time, I promise.”

“I know,” she sighs.

“I’ll call every chance I get. I’ll write to you if I can’t call. I know you’re worried, but I promise I’ll be thinking about you every second of every day.”

She gives me a small smile. “I mean, that’s romantic and all, but, like, if you’re in the middle of a shootout or something, I want you to think about staying alive.”

I smirk. “I will be. I’ll be thinking about staying alive so I can make it back here to you, baby girl.”

“Can you even help the romantic things you say?” Her eyes are sparkling with joy.

“Not when it comes to you. It comes naturally whenever you’re around. You should see me normally. Without you, I’m a bumbling idiot who offends more than compliments.”

“Lies. I don’t believe you could ever bumble.”

“Believe it, baby. Without you, I’m just a shell.”

She rolls her eyes. “Come on, let’s go do something fun before I have to drop you guys off at the airstrip.”

I push Shane back a little and stand up. With one hand, I grab on to hers and with the other, I grab my bag. We head out of the room and down the stairs, dropping my bag once we reach the bottom. We walk into the kitchen and see Striker leaning against the counter, drinking a bottle of water.

“You ready to go?” he asks me, making Shane flinch.

I step behind her, pulling her back to my front, rubbing her arms. “Yeah, bag’s packed by the stairs.”

“Sweet.” He nods. “What do you two want to do today?”

“Up to you,” I tell Shane.

“Honestly, you guys only have about three hours before I have to drop you off to meet Grant. We could just head into town, grab lunch. See if Jake and Kaylee can meet us.” She shrugs.

“Make the call,” I tell her, Striker nodding in agreement.

* * *

Shane

I knowMick says he will be back as soon as he can, but I’ve heard that before. He’s had a life out in California for years, and that’s not something I can really compete with. Mick has a killer job offer that if he were anyone else, I would be screaming at him to take it, but I don’t. I want him here with me. Call me selfish. I don’t care. My heart claimed him and wants him no matter what.

For the first time since I was a teen, I think about leaving this place. I love my home, but if it came down to it, would I leave it?

For Mick, I would. I would give up my family’s land and business. I would move across the world. Hell, I would eat pig shit if it meant that Mick would be mine forever.

“You okay?” Kaylee whispers low, giving my hand a squeeze.

“I’m good,” I say with a small smile.

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