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“Just don’t show us your ass,” Tammy said. “But Jade’s right. No need to hold a grudge as long as you’re with us now.”

“As sweet as this all is,” Mollie said as she checked her watch, “Hugh might want to move. It should be starting any second.”

Hugh nodded and I helped him down. We all returned to suffering in the crowd until the door opened and Toby walked in. At the sight of everyone, he nearly stumbled.

“O-oh, hello.”

We all glared in response.

“Such a big crowd.” He laughed awkwardly.

“We all need to talk!” Tammy yelled. The rest of us cheered.

Toby sighed and cursed under his breath.

I couldn’t help but smirk. This was perfect. It was exactly what I needed.

Then someone else walked in. Time seemed to slow as the door opened. I saw a fancy dress shoe, followed by a suit.

That was when I recognized who was walking in.

It was the man who’d hit on me. Who’d wanted to change me. The one I’d punched in the face.

Gabriel had called him Kevin.

“What the fuck?” I asked.

Mollie turned. “Do you know him?”

I couldn’t answer. It felt like there was a ball of cotton in my throat.

Today, Kevin had a folder in hand. I stared him down as he walked to the podium. He cleared his throat and addressed us all.

“Hello, I’m here on account of CDI Developers. We’re looking to rezone the acreage recently sold to us to commercial.”

“For what?” Dale yelled.

“We’re looking to build a data center.”

“No the hell you’re not!” Tammy yelled.

“I heard those things are loud!”

“They also add to electricity and water costs!” Mollie added.

“I have reviewed this myself,” Toby said. “The town is affluent enough to afford it.”

“And we plan to use the local spring there,” Kevin added. “It can provide the water.”

The crowd exploded again.

I thought I might kill him myself.

Of course he was a piece of shit. I wanted to slam my fist into his face again.

He was unbothered. “Settle down, everyone. This will be good for you.”

“It’ll put a strain on our community!” Kerry yelled. “We don’t want that!”