Chapter Eight
Logan
Everything’s a blur. Everything but those two guys ahead of me. I can’t believe Reid freaking passed me on that stream crossing. Dexter never balks at water. Absolutely never. Until the damn Derby, and then he just froze up. I nearly lost my seat and went over his head. But I hung on and managed to steer him left to a shallower crossing. Then, we loped through the stream rather than jumping it, which cost me valuable seconds.
And Sal…he just came out of nowhere. I’m convinced he left the course midway, only to pop out at the end by taking the shortcut through the right field, but I have no way of proving it. All I can do is pass him and beat the cheater fair and square.
I urge Dexter on, but he doesn’t need me telling him anything. He’s pissed off now, too. Sal’s horse is as untrustworthy as he is—kicked Dad in the arm a couple of years ago and nearly broke a bone. And Reid’s horse could rival my brother in a Who’s Cockiest contest.
“Come on, boy,” I say to Dexter. “We’ve got this.”
Macey’s waiting for me at the finish line. And I can’t wait to see her face light up when I win.
* * *
Macey
I stand up straight and lift my head just as Logan catches up to Sal on the hill and blows by him like Sal’s standing still.
Now Dave and Ginny are screaming.
Only Reid is between Logan and first place. Reid has quite a lead, and I don’t know if Logan can catch him…
But Logan and his horse have other ideas. Dexter kicks into another gear, and Reid’s horse is clearly winded. He’s tiring, and he’s still got about a hundred yards to go. Logan’s gaining on him.
As they get closer to the finish line, I catch a glimpse of Logan’s expression.
And I nearly swoon.
The determined set to his jaw.
The fiery look in his eyes.
The “no way am I losing this fucking thing” scowl.
I cheer as loudly as I can, calling out his name over and over.
Dexter surges forward, dirt exploding into the air behind him.
Now Logan pulls even with Reid.
They’re neck and neck, two brothers who couldn’t be less alike.
I can’t breathe.
Logan and his horse inch ahead. By a literal nose.
The noise is deafening. The finish line is right there and—
Logan crosses it first.
Everyone around me erupts in cheers as Logan punches his fist in the air in victory.
Holy.
Wow.
That finish was hot.
