I turn around. I can't look anymore. I've been watching long enough to know what happens next. How could I have been so stupid to think that Jaxson really wanted to be with me tonight? How could I fall for his cheesy come ons and fake charm? 'You're pretty.' Ugh. I feel like a fool.

"I have to go," I blurt out to Kelly.

She stares at me blankly, waiting for an explanation.

"I'm not going inside. I have to go home."

"What happened? Are you okay?" She can tell by the look on my face that I am definitely far from okay. I'm on the verge of tears.

Kelly reaches into her purse and tosses me the keys, "get to the car. I'll be right behind you."

I take them and quickly weave my way to the gate and out to the street. I don't make eye contact with anyone. I head straight for the car. I click the alarm and get in. Kelly joins me a minute later.

"I'm so sorry, Kel. You didn't have to leave. I just had to go."

"I wasn't about to let you go home alone looking like that. What happened?"

"I saw Jaxson with Janie Pearson."

"What were they doing?"

"They were about to make out."

"About to? How do you know?"

"He had his arms wrapped around her and she was snuggled up against him. It was pretty fucking obvious."

"What a bitch!"

"It's not her fault. You know she's not a bitch."

"I know. It's just...what a dick! At least you found out before you guys hooked up."

I sigh, "I already knew. He just proved it. I can't believe I fell for his stupid lines like an idiot. I think he just officially ended my crush."

"Fuck him, Syd. You deserve better."

"Thanks."

I'm lucky to have such a good friend. Kelly could have tossed me the keys and sent me on my way, but here she is, by my side. I know she feels bad for me, but I feel worse that I ruined her night.

"I hope I didn't screw things up with Griffin." I look at her with big eyes, "you could have stayed."

She smiles, "come on, you know me better than that. I wasn't going to let you leave alone. I also told him I would meet him in an hour - if you're okay by then."

"Of course. I'm already fine. I'm not surprised. I told you I wasn't going to find love in Mesquite - especially not with a guy like that."

Chapter 2.

SYDNEY.

How did I let Kelly talk me into this?

Everyone in this dive is either drunk on cheap beer, or catching a buzz from the excitement. Everyone but me, that is.

Judging by the way people are acting, you would think Jaxson James is the president. I guess when you're the best - no, make that only - big thing to come out of this small town, it is kind of a big deal.

Maybe I would be more excited if I was into football - although I'm sure most of the females in here aren't really fans of the game. Looking at the way they're dressed and watching them fawn over Jaxson, they're more than likely trying to win his affections - even if it's just for tonight. I mean, that's his 'thing' according to the rumors.

Jaxson James - God's gift to football and women. That's what they say, anyway. I happen to think he's a total douchebag. I try not to be judgmental, but since I had the pleasure of knowing him in high school, it's fair to say he probably hasn't changed, only gotten worse. Like his football career, his cocky attitude and reputation as a man-whore have gone from amateur to pro.

I'm basing my opinion on facts, of course. We all know the media does what it can to play up any story, but with Jaxson, they don't have to do much at all. Newspapers, magazines, and social media have been plastered with stories and photos of his escapades. I wonder sometimes what made him more famous - the length of his passes or the length of his dick - both of which have been photographed and discussed in detail. Neither of which has made him humble.

Now, here he is, in the flesh. Everyone in Mesquite is in attendance to welcome him with open arms. Our home town hero, back from the big leagues. Here to help coach his high school alma mater team to victory - the very same school where I teach. There's no way he's doing this out of the kindness of his heart. He has to have an ulterior motive - although, it appears I'm the only one who thinks so.

I watch from across the bar as three women crowd around him. They don't seem to mind one another. Apparently, they would rather share Jaxson than lose an opportunity to be with him. With his muscular arms spread around all three, he doesn't look like he minds either. I take a sip of my beer, thankful to see Kelly headed back this way.

"Do you believe how crowded this place is?" she yells over the noise, "it took me forever to get to the ladies room."

"I noticed," I reply dryly.

"Come on, Syd, let's have some fun. We never go out."

"There's a reason for that." I roll my eyes.

"How are you ever going to meet someone if you don't put yourself out there?"

I sigh, but Kelly doesn't notice. "I will, but I surely won't meet anyone in a place like this - not that I would want to."

Mesquite is a small town outside of Phoenix. It's the kind of town where everyone knows everyone - and their business. I would never date anyone from here. Not again anyway. I like to think of my last relationship as a lesson learned the hard way, instead of a huge mistake or waste of time - which is exactly what it was.

I'm happy to see Kelly's boyfriend, Tim, heading our way. Now that he's here, I can leave without feeling guilty.

"Hey, baby," Kelly greets him with a kiss.

"Hey, lover."

"Someone is in a frisky mood. Has seeing Jaxson James in the flesh got you all hot?"

Kelly laughs, "I only have eyes for you, baby."

"And that's my cue," I say. I finish my beer and place the empty bottle on the table.

"Come on, Syd, the night's barely even begun," Kelly pleads with big eyes.

"I promised I would stay for one drink, and I did. Now, I'm going home," I reply with a satisfied smile, "you kids have fun, looks like the party's just getting started."

Kelly and Tim follow my gaze. One of the girl's from the threesome is now straddling Jaxson and throwing her arm around like she's trying to lasso a calf. She looks like a fool, but she obviously couldn't care less.

I give each of them a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay for one more drink?" Kelly asks.

"Positive." I glance over at the scene across the room again. Jaxson is standing up - probably so the women can get at him from all angles. "Get home safe, you two."

"I'll tell you all about what you missed when I get home."

I laugh and give a little wave as I walk away. I twist and turn my way through the crowded room. As I near the exit, I get shoved from behind. I turn to see what's happening and lose my balance. I stumble, but instead of falling to the ground, I face plant into something solid. I warm pair of hands grab onto my waist, helping me steady myself.

When I look up, I realize that the something solid that broke my fall was a chest. It happens to belong to the same person as the strong hands that are still wrapped around my sides - Jaxson James.

"Um, thanks," I say. I have to look up to talk to him. He towers over my small frame.

"No problem, baby. I'm used to having women throw themselves at me."

Jaxson's lips curl into a cocky grin. His eyes light up with what he thinks is a humorous comment. I quickly come to my senses and loosen myself from his grip.

"Wow, you really are an ass."

"Is that any way to treat the man who just saved your life?"

I huff, "I'm pretty sure I would have lived."

"Either way, how about you repay the favor by joining me for a drink?"

Jaxson stares at me. He has a crooked smile on his face and his eyes bore right through me. The way he's looking at me make me feel like I'm the only woman in the room. For a split second, I contemplate taking him up on his offer - then I snap back into reality.

"You're kidding, right?"

He raises his eyebrows, "do I look like I'm kidding?"

I glance over to where Jaxson had been sitting. Another woman has joined his fan club. They're watching our exchange, impatiently waiting for him to return.

"I'm actually leaving now, but thanks anyway. I'm pretty sure you'll have no problem finding someone else to have a drink with."

"True, but you would have been my first choice."

"I'm sure a lot of women would be flattered by that statement."

"Maybe. I'm not sure, I haven't said it too many times."

My face reddens from a combination of embarrassment and anger. I don't think he remembers me at all. "Well, good luck."

"Thanks," Jaxson says flashing the same crooked smile, "I didn't get your name." He holds out his hand in an effort to be polite when he asks.

"No, you didn't."

I turn my back to him and make a beeline for the door, silently congratulating myself on winning in a battle of wits with Jaxson James. He's so full of himself. I'm sure he expected me to melt into his arms when he caught me.

Well, I'm immune to his charms. He doesn't recall who I am at all - not even a flash of recognition. When he flirted with me ten years ago, it only took him five minutes to forget about me. I shouldn't be surprised.

I exit the bar and walk out into the night air. I take a deep breath expecting to inhale fresh air but instead, I inhale cigarette smoke. I cough from the unexpected smell and turn to see a woman putting her butt out on her shoe. She looks familiar.

"Sydney?" she asks.

"Yes," I reply hesitantly, "do I know you?"

"I hope so! Janie. Janie Pearson." She walks over and gives me a hug. I'm not a hugger to begin with, and this one is especially awkward.

"Janie! Hi! I knew you looked familiar."

"Yeah, well, it's been a while. What are you up to these days?"

"I'm a teacher - here in Mesquite. You?"

"Wow, still here, huh? I couldn't wait to get out. I was in LA for a while, but I recently moved back to Phoenix."

"I guess you're here to pay homage to the great Jaxson James," I say sarcastically.

"Kind of. I just wanted to see him. It's been a long time." She looks down.

I can't stop my eyes from rolling. Of course she wants to see him. She had feelings for him at one time. I know - I saw it for myself. Janie must sense my disgust for Jaxson by the tone of my voice.

She responds in his defense, "I know everyone always thought Jaxson was a scumbag, but he's not - at least - he wasn't. He may not show it very often, but he has a big heart. I know that first hand."

"That's definitely something I've never heard about him before."

"Of course not. The good things never make the rumor mill." Janie lights another cigarette. "You know, I never told anyone until after high school, but Jaxson saved me one night."

"Saved you?" I ask, wondering if it was anything like how he just 'saved' me at the bar.

"Yeah. We were at a party, the last one of the summer after senior year. I was friendly with everyone back then. That's why I didn't think anything of it when Brett Mitchell asked if we could talk - alone. I won't get into details, but Jaxson must have heard the struggle and threw Brett out on his ass."

I listen in awe. I know exactly the night she is referring to. But does it mean Jaxson has a big heart or that he was just flexing his muscles?

"He literally threw Brett out of the party and didn't leave my side the rest of the night. He held me until I stopped shaking and then drove me home. I swore him to secrecy - I didn't want to tell anyone. He must have known I would need someone because he checked in on me for weeks to make sure I was okay."

Wow.

"That really was nice of him."