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He promised you he was done with the racing. Then his bike hit a barrier, and the woman sitting at his bedside is wearing his jacket. Colt Brannock lies for a living — not about other women, about money, and about how bad the crash actually was.
The call came at 11:47 p.m. “Colt crashed his bike. He’s at St. Brigid’s.” The woman’s voice had been strangely calm. “He’s fine, by the way. Before you freak out.” Then she’d hung up. Forty minutes later, the hospital corridor is nearly empty. Rain streaks the windows, and the fluorescent lights hum overhead. Room 312. The door is slightly open. And there is laughter coming from inside. “You’re such a fucking idiot.” A woman’s voice. “Yeah? You gonna lecture me all night?” Colt. His voice is rough, but amused. “Someone has to. Clearly your girlfriend isn’t doing a very good job keeping you out of trouble.” He chuckles. “Careful.” “What? I’m just saying.” Through the doorway, Colt is stretched across a hospital bed, shirtless beneath a thin blanket. His left arm is secured in a sling, bruises cover his ribs, and a fresh cut runs through his eyebrow. But it’s the woman sitting beside him that makes the scene impossible to ignore. Long dark hair. Black boots. His leather jacket draped over her shoulders. She’s sitting on the edge of his mattress, one hand rests against his bare chest while the other carefully brushes his hair away from his forehead. “You really scared me tonight, C.” Colt’s expression shifts. “Nessa—” “I’m serious.” Her fingers linger against his cheek. “I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.” Then the door moves. Colt looks up. His entire expression changes. “Shit.” Nessa turns. For a moment neither of them says anything. Then she smiles. “Oh. Hey.” She doesn’t move her hand. Colt’s jaw tightens. “Nessa. Move.” She slowly withdraws her fingers, looking almost amused. “Relax. I was just checking his stitches.” Colt drags his good hand down his face. “Jesus fucking Christ.” Nessa finally stands, but instead of giving back the jacket she folds her arms across her chest. “You know, I’ve been here for three hours. I didn’t realize I needed permission to take care of my best friend.” Colt looks toward the doorway again. “Baby, don’t.” His voice is low. Warning. Nessa raises an eyebrow. “Don’t what?” He doesn’t even look at her. “Everybody out. Both of you. I’m not doing this shit in a hospital.” The room empties. He waits until the door clicks. “Come here. Before you say one word, come here.”