28. Callie
Chapter 28
Callie
Full from breakfast, I sit on top of the picnic table outside the motel while the boys load the truck. The sun is warm on my skin, but all I can feel is the slow unraveling happening inside me.
It’s impossible not to watch them—the sweat gathering at the napes of their necks, their T-shirts pulling tight across their shoulders with every easy movement. Every little touch from them last night has branded itself onto my skin. I still feel the ghost of their hands, the weight of Colt inside me, the rasp of Maverick’s voice telling me what to do.
I don’t know if remembering it is a form of torture or salvation.
When I came here, I thought I could handle it, thought the crush I had faded with time. That I could be near them and still keep my heart safe. That friendship would be enough.
I came here to soak them in. To memorize every look, every laugh, every brush of their shoulders. I came to collect pieces of them I could take with me. To live off the memories when I go back to my real life.
I told myself I’d be fine. That I had to be.
Because I know I’ll never feel this way about anyone else.
I don’t remember the exact moment the crush turned into love. Maybe it always was love, and I was just too young to understand. Everyone always said we were too close, too intertwined. My parents tried to pull me away. Said it wasn’t healthy. That I needed other friends.
But I always found my way back to them.
My phone buzzes beside me, rattling against the sun-warmed wood of the picnic table. I don’t need to check who it is. I already know.
It’s from the city.
From the job waiting for me.
From the life I promised I’d go back to.
Without looking, I flip it face down.
They’ve followed up a few times now calls, emails, increasingly eager messages with phrases like final offer and looking forward to having you on board. It’s all perfectly polite. Enthusiastic, even. The kind of attention someone would kill for.
It’s everything I worked toward. Everything I fought for.
And I’m still going.
That hasn’t changed.
But I’m not ready to face it. Not today. Not while the sun’s still warm on my skin and Colt’s laugh is cutting across the parking lot. Not while I can still feel Maverick’s voice in my ear, low and possessive.
I’ll answer them eventually. I’ll pack my bags. I’ll get on that plane and return to the version of me I had to become after everything fell apart.
Just… not yet.
Because this little pocket of time, this quiet, golden before , is all I have left. And I’m not ready to break the spell just yet.
There’s a sharp ache in my chest, like my heart’s clenched in a fist and twisted tight. Every part of me is screaming not to go. Screaming that this , they are where I belong. That no matter where I live, no matter what title is under my name, this is the only place that’s ever truly felt like home.
I don’t look away from them.
I just watch.
I memorize the curve of Colt’s jaw as he laughs at something Maverick says. The way Maverick’s eyes squint against the sun. The ease in their bodies. The peace between them that finally feels almost healed.
It’s hard to breathe knowing I only have a little time left before I walk away.
Colt’s shoulder bumps Maverick’s in a playful, easy way. They’re joking while they work, and for a second, it’s like I’ve been thrown into a time machine. All they need is dirt on their faces, and they’d look exactly like they did as kids.
Maverick’s laugh booms out, splitting the air, and something torn inside me stitches itself back together. My heart aches, but at least, at least they’ll have each other.
Luke appears beside me, settling on the table and handing me a cold soda. Condensation beads along the can, and the ice-cold metal feels like heaven in my hand. I take a sip, and it soothes the tightness in my throat.
I tip the can toward him with a quiet smile. “Thanks. I needed this.”
“Thank you ,” he says, nodding toward where the boys are still working, smiling, laughing, shoulders looser than I’ve seen in days. “I think this is the happiest I’ve ever seen them. Hell, I didn’t even know Maverick could laugh like that.”
“I can’t take the credit,” I say, watching them. “This is how they always should’ve been. I just gave them a little nudge.”
Luke raises a brow. “I’m not sure about all that. These two wouldn’t have come back together if you hadn’t shown up.”
I smirk. “All right. Maybe I’ll take some of the credit.”
His tone shifts, quiet and serious. “They’re both in love with you. You know that, right?”
My chest tightens, like someone just handed me wings and broke my ribs in the same breath. I don’t know if I want to fly or fall apart.
Luke studies me, really studies me like he’s trying to read the pieces I haven’t laid bare.
“You don’t look as happy as I thought you’d be,” he says gently.
I let out a breath of a laugh. “Easy to read, am I?”
“Easy? No. But I can tell you’ve got some secrets.” He leans back, palms pressed behind him for support. “I’ve been told I’m a good listener. If you want to talk.”
It’s tempting. If I wasn’t sure I’d fall apart right here and now, I might take him up on it.
“Wouldn’t make a difference,” I say quietly.
That gets his attention. “Wouldn’t it? Those two seem to think something’s changed.”
I curl my fingers into the fabric of my dress, not exactly sure what to say. I’ve never lied to Maverick or Colt. Not once. I told them from the beginning that I was leaving after the season.
But I can see why they think something’s changed. Why they think maybe, just maybe, I might stay.
All they know is that I left because my dad died… that it broke me.
They don’t know that I left because of them .
Because I couldn’t watch them chase the same fate that took him.
In the city, I’ve gotten good at keeping my distance from all of this. The bull riding, rodeos, the risk, the glory. Once I’m back, I’ll rebuild that wall. Pretend I don’t know what they’re doing. Pretend I don’t still love them.
Bull riders don’t just love the ride. They love the high. The rush. The roar of the crowd. That’s not something you walk away from. Not for anyone.
And I love them too much to ask them to try.
That’s the reason I’m leaving. That’s why I have to.
Luke pulls off his hat and groans up at the sky. “Fuck. You’re going to break both their hearts, aren’t you?”
Not as badly as I’m going to break my own.
“They’ll be okay,” I say, eyes still on them. “Now they have each other.”
Luke looks doubtful. “I’m not so sure about that. But I’m not about to get into other people’s business.”
Grateful he lets it go, I take another sip, letting the cold drink burn its way down.
I’m the one who’s going to be alone.
So I have to believe they’ll be okay.
Because that’s what I’ll survive on, knowing they’re together, even when I’m gone.
Luke throws a wink over his shoulder as he heads for the motel.
“Better hurry up, Lawson. Pretty sure Kane’s stealing your stuff again.”
I shake my head, watching my boys disappear up the stairs to their room, already arguing.