Page 94 of Ride Me Reckless

She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. “That’s because I moved in with a real man.”

My grin didn’t falter—but something inside me did.

“Right. Matt, the manager.” The words tasted sour coming out.

She didn’t respond right away. Just sipped her tea like it had something stronger in it.

“How’s that working out for you?” I asked, tone easy, but eyes locked on hers.

She gave me a tight smile that didn’t impress me as sincere. “Peachy. Now, if you’ll excuse me…”

And just like that, she turned and walked away, hips swinging, jaw set like steel.

I didn’t move. Just stood there watching her disappear through the screen door, wondering how deep the lie went.

Callie Hart might be stubborn, but I’m patient. And damn persistent.

If Matt were the real man she thought he was, she wouldn’t be hiding behind half-smiles and fake laughs. And if he wasn’t…well, then that bastard was gonna learn the hard way not to screw over someone Rhett Callahan gave a damn about.

I drained the last of my beer, and the glass bottle thudded against the metal trash can when I threw it in.

Yeah. Trouble was coming.

And for once, I wasn’t the one who started it.

The sky had turned that late-summer gold, all hazy edges and slow-fading heat, when Colt ambled up beside me with two glasses of something brown and strong. He handed me one without saying a word, then leaned against the porch post like he wasn’t still walking around in his happily-ever-after.

We both watched the yard in comfortable silence. Tessa swayed on the porch swing, holding baby Charlie in her arms. Dalia smiled beside Callie, who rocked side-to-side holding Wyatt with a burp cloth over her shoulder.

Colt took a sip and finally spoke. “She still stringing you along?”

I smirked, swirling the ice in my glass. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

He huffed out a laugh. “Ain’t said it was easy. Just said it’s worth it.”

I nodded once, letting his words settle in. The truth was, I’d never minded the chase. But Callie Hart wasn’t just another beautiful distraction. She was whip-smart and battle-tested. She’d been burned before—still smelled the smoke. And I had a feeling that manager of hers was about to fan those flames.

I’d be damned if I stood by and let her get singed again.

“You chased your girl,” I said, tilting my glass toward the swing. “Now it’s my turn.”

Colt followed my gaze, then clinked his glass against mine with a knowing grin. “Better bring a fire extinguisher.”

I chuckled. “Hell, I am the fire.”

He rolled his eyes and walked off to claim one of his squirming kids, leaving me alone again with the hum of crickets and the growing dark.

I took one last look at Callie, laughing now with Dalia, her smile softer… but her shoulders still too tight.

Some bets you take just for the thrill. Others you place because something deep down tells you it’s worth it.

Callie Hart?

She was the kind of gamble I’d spend the rest of my life trying to win.