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There was truth to his words, I hadn’t left him much of an option.

The memory of the words sting, even now. He cared. He did. I just didn’t give him a chance to make a difference. I was angry and blamed him for something that was out of his control. If anything, I should have thanked him for constantly sticking up for me when he didn’t have to.

“I can’t believe you did this,” he said, closing his eyes.

“She fucking deserved it!”

“I know you’re mad at your mother, but this wasn’t the answer, Ridge. It wasn’t. I love you, but you’ve gone too far this time. It’s time you go see your uncle for a while.”

I remember closing my eyes, remember the way my stomach burned with pent-up frustration and guilt over the decisions Madalyn, my mother, had made without me in mind. Even then I knew what I’d done was wrong. “If I leave, I’m not coming back here.”

He swallowed, his eyes glossy and indecisive. He didn’t want to send me away.“It’s for the best, son.”

That night, I left Calistoga for Santa Barbara to live with my Uncle Vic.

Throwing a leg over my bike, I steady my feet on the ground and kick start my 1931 Indian Scout motorcycle before giving the track one last look.

Looking to my right as I pull out of the fairgrounds, I glance down Oak street. I know what’s down that way. Her house. Even after ten years, I hadn’t forgotten about her. You don’t forget a girl like Aly.

I knew she was still here in Calistoga. I knew she was married and had two kids. Sure, I’d come home with the intention of signing the rights of the track over to Glen and Helena.

And to see Aly again.

After everything I put her through, does it make me a bad person for wanting to see her again? Probably.

Do I care? Not even one bit.

The moment she sees I’m back in town, it won’t matter. I know this girl, and I know exactly what her reaction is going to be when she sees me.

She wasn’t part of the reason why I’m back. Sheisthe reason. I could have signed over the rights to the track and hired someone to deal with my dad’s estate.

I came back to find Aly.