“I’m sorry he did that to you. He can be an asshole sometimes, I know.” I sit next to Max, my heart feeling heavy that I’ve been keeping things from him about Trip. “If I tell you something, promise not to yell at me?”

He tilts his head. “When have I ever yelled at you?”

I laugh. “Okay, maybe you don’t yell, but you certainly like to try and change my mind when you think I’m doing something bad.”

“I only do that because I love you, Holl. And, yes, I firmly believe if you would take my advice more often where men are concerned you’d be happier.”

I sigh. “I know, which is why I need your advice now.”

Max twists his lips. “I’m all ears.”

I clutch my hands together in my lap. “Trip and I aren’t actually dating.”

His brow furrows. “What do you mean? You told me last week Jackson and Trip got into it because Jackson is jealous you’re dating Trip. I don’t understand.”

I take a deep breath. “I know that’s what I said, but the truth is, we’ve sort of been pretending to be an item.”

Max leans his head back and groans. “Oh no. Tell me you didn’t rope Trip into making Jackson jealous.”

I grimace. “It was his idea.”

“And you thought it was a good one? When did you make this little deal?”

“The day after we met him at the bar.”

“So after you kissed him?”

I nod. “Yes.” Max laughs and I smack his leg. “Why is that so funny?”

“You honestly think you two can pretend to like each other without real emotions getting involved?” I open my mouth to answer, but he cuts me off. “I saw you two at the bar, remember. That’s attraction, babe, and you can only fight that for so long. This is going to blow up in your face.”

“So you think what Trip and I are doing is a mistake?”

He shakes his head. “No. I think trying to win Jackson back is a mistake. Trip seems to be really into you. I’d rather you see where that leads.”

“Where is this coming from? Aren’t you the one who warned me off of him a couple weeks ago?”

“I was, but that was before I saw the two of you together.”

“Even if I think I might have feelings for Trip, he’s leaving, so they won’t matter. I don’t want to develop feelings for a guy that’s not even going to stick around.”

“You don’t know that. He might be willing to leave everything behind to move out here if things work out.”

“That’s crazy talk, Max. I only know the very basics about him. I know he’s from Kentucky, has a twin brother, and his parents are still married. Other than that, I don’t know a thing about him. I don’t even know if he has a real job.”

“Well, why don’t you ask him?”

“You think it’s that simple?”

“Yes. Yes, I do. Trip should be the one you’re going out on a date with tonight, not Jackson. You like him. Admit it and get to know him.”

“I told you, this isn’t a date with Jackson. He has a way to help the track, so this is a business dinner.”

Max rubs his chin. “Then why didn’t he tell you to bring your dad along?”

I have no answer to that, really. That’s a great question. “I don’t know. Maybe he feels more comfortable just talking to me about it first?”

He raises his eyebrow. “He’s known your dad just as long as he’s been coming to this track. Face it. Jackson is a spoiled toddler who doesn’t like to share his toys. If he really loved you, Holly, it wouldn’t take another man showing an interest in you to make him remember that. People want what they can’t have. It’d be smart of you to remember that.”

What he says makes perfect sense, yet the curiosity to see how Jackson thinks we can save the track wins out. “You’re probably right, but I still need to go.”

Max reaches over and holds my hand in his lap. “Just be careful, would you? I don’t want to get my ass kicked when I try and go beat those two jerks up over hurting you. Believe it or not, I’m delicate.”

I laugh and pat his hand. “You’re such a good friend.”

He grins. “That’s what a best friend is for.”

After I double check myself in the mirror, Max and I head downstairs. The heavenly aroma of sizzling steak fills the lower level of the house. Dad is fast asleep, curled up under a blanket in his recliner while Trip is busy in the kitchen, cooking. I study my father, he looks so much older than he did even five years ago. It makes me sad he doesn’t take better care of himself. He’s all I have left and I wish he would at least make an effort to get well for me.

“You two are just in time. The food is nearly done. Hope you guys like your steaks medium, if not I can leave them on a little longer,” Trip says as he glances over his shoulder. “Can you grab me a plate for these, Holly?”

My heels click against the wood floor as I walk to the cabinet. I hand him the plate. “This is so sweet of you.”

Trip shrugs. “We’re celebrating.”

I raise an eyebrow because my curiosity is killing me. “Oh? What might that be?”

He slaps the steaks on the plate and smiles. “Mountain Time Speed Track has an investor.”

“Really?!” I squeal and throw my around his neck. “That’s amazing news!”