“You okay?” I asked as we stepped out.
She turned to me. “Why did you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Try to take the fall for me.”
I shrugged. “I wasn’t. I told them we’re both idiots. I just happen to be the idiot with less to lose.”
Her brows pulled together. “What does that mean?”
“I don’t need to keep up some squeaky-clean reputation. My career’s already coming to an end. You, on the other hand, already have enough bad media on your plate.”
“You’re not responsible for me.”
“No, but I wasn’t gonna let you crash and burn alone.” I gave her hand a quick squeeze.
She dropped her gaze to the floor. “Still stupid to break in.”
“Incredibly stupid.” I grinned and came to a stop, tipping her chin up. “But you…you looked happy. Really happy. Lighterthan I’ve ever seen you. You carry so much all the time, El. You deserve that—even if it’s for something reckless.”
“Even if it was illegal?”
“Maybe next time, we keep it slightly less illegal.”
I chuckled, but there was a knot in my throat. No matter what, I knew one thing for sure.
I’d do it again.
I’d follow her into every bad idea, every unlocked door, every piece of chaos, because I was already in it. Not just the mystery. Not the adrenaline.
Her.
I was all the way in.
TWENTY-SEVEN
Sawyer
Colt didn’t offerto drive us home out of the goodness of his heart. Nope. He stood there, eyes narrowed as if I’d personally insulted his entire existence.
“Get in the car,” he snapped, like he’d already regretted agreeing to be our designated taxi.
Ellie and I slid into the backseat without a word.
The truck rolled forward. Colt grumbled, muttering about idiots and regretting every single life decision that landed him here. I tuned him out, watching Ellie instead for the entire drive.
He pulled into my driveway, throwing the car in park so hard I half expected the damn thing to explode.
“You’re on your own for getting the truck back,” he said, killing the engine.
“Noted,” I said, my voice flat.
“Try not to get into any more trouble. Please, for my sake.”
Ellie leaned forward, close enough that I caught a hint of her shampoo—something light and clean that made my head spin. “Thanks for the ride, Colt. We owe you.”
“Of course,” he mumbled, then drove off once we slipped out.
