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My high school crush is back in town. But he won't get a warm welcome from me.
It’s been ten years since his ego left for the big leagues. Now he’s back home after being forced into early retirement.
Dylan Sky’s bad-boy attitude helped propel him to professional baseball glory. Now it’s become his downfall.
He thinks his former fame still pulls strings around here. That's where he's wrong.
As mayor, I run this town now and his past grip on me is history. Those chestnut eyes no longer make me swoon.
Dylan should prepare for a fight when he comes to me with a request. Even if he wants to use his wealth to help our town, I won’t give in easily.
Because he’s the same self-centered guy that broke my heart. Nothing about him has changed.
He’ll never change…right? If I could only convince myself that’s still true.
Click here to grab my free novellaFrom Foe to Flame.
Chapter 1
Dylan
I can’t believe I’m back here.
My hometown gave me a hero's sendoff when I got drafted for baseball ten years ago. But what will they think now that I'm only returning because I've been kicked out of the pros.
I’ve been handed a lifelong ban from the league for hitting an official. This is a retirement scenario far from my initial plans. If there’s a silver lining – it brought me to see my parents for the first time in many, many years.
My engine purrs to a stop as I park my car in the familiar driveway. The scent of damp earth and distant memories fill the air. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for my parents’ reaction to my unexpected arrival.
The car door creaks open. I step out onto the gravel, the cold air biting my skin, awakening my senses to the nostalgia of this area. Maple Grove is nestled against a backdrop of rollinghills. Our picturesque town exudes a timeless charm, especially during the fall season.
Right now, trees surrounding my childhood home are a brilliant mix of oranges, reds and yellows. I take a moment to enjoy the beauty, before going inside to face the ugliness of my failures.
Climbing the porch steps, I glimpse a sleek, navy-blue car with a license plate that simply reads, "MAYOR." It’s out of place for this neighborhood and an unexpected choice for someone paying a visit to my parents.
The door swings open, and the warmth of the house greets me. I step into the entryway, where family photographs line the walls, dominated by baseball pictures of me starting in elementary school and leading up until draft day.
Floorboards creek under my weight and echoes fill the hallway. I can't help but feel a rush of excitement mixed with anxiety.
Voices resonate through the house, along with the enticing aroma of home-cooked food. I follow the sounds toward the dining room, heart pounding in anticipation. The air is charged with a mix of laughter and conversation. As I round the corner, I'm greeted by the sight of my parents, immersed in animated chatter.
But it's the mysterious woman, wearing a beautiful blue dress, who captures my attention. She moves gracefully, setting plates on the table. There’s an air of familiarity about her. As she moves, blonde hair cascades down the flow of her neck.
When she spins on her heels, we lock eyes. That face. I would recognize it anywhere. Jessie Peterson. What was she doing in my house?
We haven’t spoken since I ditched her at our senior prom. What can I say? When the hottest cheerleader in school wants you to come to her party, you can’t say no.
Jessie paid me back by egging my motorcycle. I’ve never forgotten that.
"It seems we have a visitor," she says, smirking. She also clearly remembers our last encounter.
My parents follow her gaze. They both scream and rush me.
"Wow, Dylan!" Mom crushes me with her hug.
Dad grabs my shoulders, "You didn't tell us you were coming."
"I wanted to surprise you guys."
