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I nod. Jackson has an idea to help save the track, so I m meeting him for dinner to talk about it.
His lips pull into a tight line. Call and cancel. You don t need his help anymore.
Trip& I can t do that. Your investor friend signing on is great, but we need ways to drum up
business. I have to hear what Jackson has to say. We need all the help we can get around here. Trip
opens his mouth, but quickly closes it when a horn honks twice outside. That s him. We ll talk more
tonight.
I lean up and kiss his cheek before running out the door and hoping in Jackson s car.
The familiar scent of leather and woodsy cologne assaults my nose as soon as I close the door,
locking myself in with Jackson. I used to love this smell. Sitting in here now reminds me of a time
when being with Jackson was very comforting, instead of the tension I feel being next to him now. I
can t help but wonder how many other women he has had in this very seat behind my back, and a
mixture of sadness and anger wash over my heart.
Wow! That s some dress, Holl. It s tight in all the right places, Jackson says, his eyes
appraising my outfit.
Typically that kind of compliment would have had me giggling like an idiot, but now it rubs me
the wrong way, like all he s interested in is my body. I remember those kinds of remarks being a lot
sweeter. That is before I found out he was using them on every other girl around here.
I tug the hem of the dress down to cover my thighs a little better. Thanks, I think.
Jackson backs out of the parking lot and then turns in the direction of downtown Tucson before
reaching over and taking my hand in his. I m so glad you decided to come out with me tonight.
Things are going to be good this time, Holly. I promise.
I withdraw my hand from his. I only agreed to come out with you for the track, Jackson. This is
just business.
He readjusts in his seat, staring straight ahead. Business it is, then.
Neither of us says another word during the ride. Tension rolls around us, but I won t be the one
to break it. He asked me to come out with him. He knows we aren t together, and it s unfair of him to
think I would just give in and be an easy lay.
Once we re seated at the small table in the restaurant, Jackson says, This is awkward. Maybe
this was a mistake. We can leave.
Panic washes through me as I realize he might not help unless I give in a little. Let s start over.
I d like us to be friends.
Jackson toys with the fork in front of him. Friends, huh? You know, that night in your room, I
was hoping we could part as friends, so I could move on without a guilty conscience, but when I hear
you say it it stings.
I sigh. Jackson& you chose to end things.
I know, and I m here to say I made a mistake. I want you to take me back, Holly. You know
we re good together. Things could go back to how they were and I can help you set up a motocross
competition to draw a crowd to the track.
I shake my head. I don t want things to go back to how they were.
His brow pulls in. Don t you want to get back together?
This is the moment I ve been wanting for Jackson to come crawling back, admitting he was
wrong so why don t I feel excited? I take a deep breath and Trip s face pops into my head, which
puzzles me. Why would I be thinking of him at a time like this?
As if Jackson is poking around in my brain, he asks, Is it because of Trip?
My eyes widen at his forwardness. No. Well, I mean, a little, yes, but the main reason I don t
want to take you back has to do with you.
Me? he asks with a surprised face. I admitted I made a mistake by fooling around on you, and
I m sorry. Can t we just move past that?
I shake my head. You don t get it, do you? It s not just the fact that you cheated that s just one
of the reasons. You lied to me. I bet it went on a lot longer than you lead me to believe. You probably
just got tired of hiding it all the time. He opens his mouth to argue, but I don t give him the
opportunity, and the reasons I don t want him back flow freely from my mouth. You never supported
the idea of me going away to college, even though I had my heart set on it. And I don t like how you
treat Max.
His eyes narrow. What do you mean?
I don t like you harassing my friend. Max told me you threatened him if he didn t tell you why
Trip was here.
I only did that because I was worried about the guy s intentions. I don t like to see you get
hurt.
I laugh sarcastically. That s rich. You can hurt me but no one else can.
Jackson s jaw muscle flexes under his skin. You know what, Holly, I m done.
You re done? What does that even mean?
It means that I lost my mind believing that I wanted you back. Tell Trip he won and he can have
your bitchy ass. He rises from the table.
Where are you going?
I m leaving. Find your own way home. Jackson throws a twenty on the table. That should
cover your meal.
My mouth drops open as I watch him turn and leave the restaurant. I can t believe that asshole
just left me stranded here. Max was right. I m beginning to question my own judgment on what I ever
saw in that guy.
The petite, blonde waitress approaches the table. Would you like to order your drinks now, or
are we waiting on someone else?
I dig in my purse and hand her my fake ID. It s just me, and I would like to start with something
from the bar.
TRIP
The way Holly tore out of here made my heart sink. I know her goal is getting Jackson back, and
I m a dumbass for beginning to care about a girl who loves someone else, but I wish she would
reconsider that asshole. The idea that he could be kissing those sweet lips of hers right now makes my
blood boil. I ve tasted those lips, and all I ve done over the past week is thought about doing it again.
I stab the steak in front of me with my fork and vigorously begin cutting it, while picturing
Jackson s smug face.
Whoa. What did that thing ever do to you? Max asks.
I shrug. Nothing. I was just thinking.
About Holly and Jackson, Max prods before taking a bite.
My eyes flick to his, but I don t answer. I don t need him knowing my business.
Max takes a drink of water and then sets his glass down. I never did like the guy.
Why? I ask and then take another bite before glancing over at Bill, who is still asleep in the
recliner. I thought you all were friends or something.
Or something& Max says. Jackson Cruze is a narrow-minded homophobe who talks with his
fists.
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