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“You’re keeping it?” She laughs, as though the idea of me doing anything with my life is entertaining to her. “What in the hell would possess you to do that? You haven’t lived here for ten years and you all of a sudden you are going to run a track you hated growing up?”

“Who said I hated the track?” My fingers tightening around the glass of bourbon. “The only thing I’ve ever hated in this town isyou.”

And Brooks. . . and Austin, but whatever.

Her dark eyes tighten. “So you’re not going to sell it to me?”

Look at her. She’s having a hard time understanding why I’d say no to her. It’s certainly not a word she hears often.

“Nope.” I shake my head feeling pretty good about my answer. “But thanks for this, Madalyn. Seeing you again only reminded me of how much I hate you and that I’llneverbe anything like you.” I smile and silently wish it was legal to stabherwith the knife on the table.

“Have you forgotten the connections I have in this town, Ridge?” Madalyn glares, her eyes hard. She’s going to pull the clout card. Nice touch.

“No, I haven’t forgotten. I just don’t give a shit, and that kills you. Unfortunately, notliterally.” I wink, downing the remainder of my bourbon and stand, looking down at her. “I’m not selling you the track so you can fucking forget about it.”

I wouldn’t give this woman a goddam thing.