Page 25 of Ride Me Reckless

I wrapped myself in his flannel shirt he'd tossed over a hook by the door. It smelled like him—cedar soap, diesel, sweat, and something warmer I couldn't name. My legs still shook when I stood, so I stayed put, curling up at the far end of the bench, knees hugged tight to my chest.

He pulled a skillet from a cabinet and rummaged through the mini fridge. "Eggs okay?"

"Perfect," I murmured.

I watched him move with practiced ease—cracking eggs, tossing butter in the pan, sliding toast in the little toaster oven like this was just any night.

But it wasn't.

I hadn't eaten a real meal in… hell, days maybe. A gas station taquito in Kentucky. A shared can of chili in Kansas. Half a protein bar yesterday.

The first scent of warm toast hit me, and my stomach actually growled.

Colt glanced over his shoulder, smirking. "Guess that answers that."

I smiled faintly but didn't reply. My chest still ached from earlier—for reasons I couldn't name. Maybe I didn't want to.

He set the plate in front of me and handed me a fork. I dug in like someone might take it away. It wasn't fancy—just scrambled eggs, buttered toast, a couple slices of bacon—but it tasted like a hug.

"Thanks," I said softly. "Really."

He leaned against the counter, arms crossed, watching me. "When's the last time you sat still long enough to eat something hot?"

I swallowed. "Don't ask."

He didn't push. Just waited.

Maybe that's why it all came spilling out.

"We lost Daytona," I said between bites. "Didn't even place. The engine's shot again. We've got just enough left to make it to the next race in Dallas… maybe. If we don't hit weather."

He nodded once, slowly.

I twisted the hem of the flannel shirt between my fingers. "If we don't find a sponsor soon, we'll have to sell the trailer. Use it to pay off the credit cards we've been living on."

Still, he said nothing.

Just listened.

God, I hated how good he was at that.

"I didn't come here for a handout," I added quickly, meeting his eyes. "I didn't even know I was coming until I did, and I’m leaving tomorrow.”

He studied me a moment longer, then walked over and sat beside me, his thigh warm against mine. "I know, Tess."

I nodded. "It's just been hard."

"I never thought it'd be easy for you."

That almost made me laugh. "Funny. I always made it look easy, didn't I?"

"Only to people who weren't paying attention."

The quiet between us was thick, but not uncomfortable. I leaned into his shoulder, still chewing the last bite of toast.

He put his arm around me like it was the most natural thing in the world.

And somehow, it was.