What would happen if Keeley and Talon hadn't switched phones that fateful night at the fair? Well, you're about to find out...

***

"What do you want to do now?" Keeley Brewer asked as she stepped off the Ferris wheel. She looked over her shoulder to her best friend, Nicky. "We still have time to do something before the park closes." Tonight was the last night of the county fair and they were trying to pack in as much as possible.

Nicky fell into step beside her. "I could go for some cotton candy."

"Didn't we just eat?"

Nicky shrugged. "And your point is...?" When Keeley rolled her eyes, she added, "I don't know why you're surprised. After twelve years of friendship you'd think you'd know my eating habits by now."

"You told me it's because of growth spurts! And I hate to break it to you, but you haven't grown an inch since seventh grade."

"That's not true, I—"

Keeley cut her off. "Don't even think of bringing up that time in PE class. I know you put lifts in your shoes to appear taller."

Gasping, Nicky pressed a hand to her heart. "I did that for you. Mr. Piedmont was breaking everyone into volleyball teams based off height and we know what would've happened if I wasn't there to block the ball."

Images of a bloody nose and the inside of the nurse's office flashed through her mind. She wasn't exactly the most athletic individual at school—not like her brother, Zach. Quarterback and co-captain of the football team, her twin was the epitome of power and speed.

"Wow," Nicky continued. "I do that out of the kindness of my heart and this is how you repay me? With glares and accusations?" Puckering up her lips, she shook her head. "I'm deeply hurt."

Keeley narrowed her eyes and looked down at Nicky who was a couple inches shorter than her. "Don't pretend you're completely altruistic. Let's not forget Brian Davis was on my team."

Nicky pretended to flick a brown curl off her shoulder. "Who's that?"

"Oh, I don't know...maybe the boy you were obsessed with all last year?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," she sniffed.

Keeley gave her a knowing look and glanced over at the cotton candy cart. "Alright, let's get you some sugar. I don't want to be the cause of stunted growth."

"You just noticed the cotton candy is by the carnival games, didn't you?"

Smirking, she parroted Nicky's answer, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Nicky laughed and linked their arms together. "Sugar high, here we come!"

After buying several flavors—blue raspberry being the favorite—the girls headed over to the balloon and dart table. There was a cute stuffed animal Keeley was dying to win. She paid the employee and planted her feet behind the red line drawn in the grass.

"Rules are simple," the employee told her as he handed her four darts. "You have four chances to pop a balloon. Each balloon has a piece of paper inside with a number. The higher the number, the bigger the prize. Got it?"

Nodding, she eyed the colorful wall. There were at least thirty balloons pinned on it. She had to hit at least one...right?

"You can do it, Keeley," Nicky shouted, her mouth stained blue.

She squared her shoulders. Nicky was right. She could do it. So what if she fell down while running? And who cared if it took her a year to finally ride her bike without training wheels? She was older now, better than that. She could conquer this game!

She lined her hand up with the board and drew back. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and let it fly.

Thunk.

A deep chuckle came from behind her. "Well, that's one way to get a prize."

Her eyes popped open. She searched for the dart expecting to see it on the board, but there was nothing.

"Higher," the voice said.

Sure enough the dart was lodged into one of the stuffed animals hanging from the booth ceiling.

How the hell—

"How the hell did you get it up there?" Nicky asked, reading her mind.

"My guess?" the stranger interjected. "A severe lack of coordination. Plus, I don't think closing the eyes helped."

The haughtiness in his tone rankled. Mouth tightening, she whirled around, ready to set him straight, but stopped short.

A pair of electric blue eyes stared back at her, so vivid they seemed to shimmer.

An eyebrow arched. "Have something to say, baby doll?"

The slow drawl was enough to pull her out of her stupor. Hand on hip, she said, "You think you can do better?"

Nicky snorted so hard she started choking. Even the employee had a hard time keeping quiet.

"Do you really want me to answer that?" he asked.

Realizing what she said, she bit out an angry, "No," and started pounding Nicky's back when she began gasping for air.

"You sure? I bet I can show you a few things." A blonde strand fell across his forehead as he winked.

Internally, she groaned. Guys like him were a dime dozen. Big boasts with even bigger egos. Funny how their words never seemed to live up to the expectation.

"I got it," she told him, sending a fake smile. "That was just my practice throw. I have to be warmed up."

One corner of his mouth twitched. "Of course. Well, by all means, show us how amazing you are now that you're properly prepared." He grabbed the second dart and held it out to her.

A wave of nerves hit. Swallowing hard, she picked up the dart with her thumb and pointer finger, jiggling the plastic piece. Sending her a knowing look, the boy stepped back and ushered her to the red line.

Setting the cotton candy down, Nicky braced her hands on her thighs and started coaching. "Imagine yourself as the dart, Keeley. Be the dart. You are the dart."

"I am the dart," she murmured as she lined up her arm and aimed for a green balloon in the center of the wall.

Thunk.

"Well...." the boy said after a pause, "at least you kept your eyes open this time." He stared at the dart sticking out of the grass two feet away. "Although, I don't know if that's something you want to admit."

A rosy hue dusted her cheeks. At least she struck something green.

"Here," the boy said, "let me show you."

She started to step aside, but he grabbed her arm and positioned her in front of him. Placing a hand on her waist, he pulled her till her back was flush against his chest. "I find the best way to learn is to do," he whispered.

Taken back by his forwardness, she jerked away. "Hands off, Casanova."

"I was just trying to help," he insisted, though his eyes said otherwise.

"I don't need your help."

"Ten bucks says you do."

She wanted to wipe that cocky look off his face. Just because she was bad at darts didn't mean she needed a savior. Especially a pushy one. "You're on."

"Good, I—Wait...what?"

She almost laughed at his expression. "Ten bucks says I can hit more balloons than you."

"Uh...Keeley?" Nicky interjected.

"What do you say?" she challenged, ignoring her friend. She knew Nicky was concerned, but she had this.

The boy smirked. "You're on."

Taking a step back, she watched him throw three darts in quick succession each hitting a balloon. "Try topping that," he said, tossing her a smug look.

Time to take him down, she thought to herself as she approached the employee. Leaning in, she whispered, "How would you like to make ten bucks?" and proceeded to tell him her plan.

He looked over her shoulder and grinned. "Consider this on the house."

"What's going on? What are you two conspiring about?" the boy demanded to know as he stepped between them.

He looked so bothered being left out she was tempted to continue, but instead she pushed past. The employee held open the booth door and she stepped inside. Sidling up to the balloons, she raised her palm and—

Pop.

"Hey! Wait a second!"

A wide smile spread across her face. She found one of his darts and popped the balloon next to it.

"You can't do this. It's cheating!"

"I said whoever hits the most balloons wins. I never said how it had to be done." She slapped a third one.

"But...but...you can't be back there. Employees only. Isn't that some kind of rule?" He flung the last part at the employee who whistled and looked away.

Her hand hovered a fourth balloon—the one that would give her the win. "Maybe next time you should pay more attention to your own game instead of butting into mine." She smacked the last balloon and it gave a satisfying pop.

The sweet sound of victory.

She made her way over to the boy. Hand out, palm up, she said, "I think someone owes me. Pay up."

"Sneaky," he grumbled, but there was respect in his tone. Taking out his wallet, the boy slapped a ten-dollar bill in her palm, which she handed over to the employee. He looked like he was going to refuse, but she insisted. She couldn't have won without him. "You're not even going to keep it?" the boy asked. "Then what the hell was the point of this?"

That was easy. "Beating you."

His disbelief turned into amusement and soon he was studying her with those intense baby blues. She tried to decipher his thoughts, but his expression gave nothing away. Cocking his head to the side, he suddenly asked, "What's your number?"

She didn't want to be, but she was flattered. It was hard not to be when an attractive boy showed interest in her. But there was much more to a person than looks. "Do you really think I'm going to give a stranger my number? I know nothing about you. I don't even know your name."

"I'm—" He clamped his mouth shut.

"You're...?" Keeley asked when he didn't continue.

Indecision flickered in his eyes. "I'm—"

"Yo Harrington!" a voice called out. "You ready to grab some grub?"

The boy—whom she assumed was Harrington—whipped around and raised an arm in acknowledgement. "Give me a minute. I'm busy."

Keeley paused. Harrington. Why did that name seem so familiar?

When he turned back his expression gentled. "Listen, how about I give you my number first. Would that be better?"

"Why would you do that?"

"Because if we don't exchange numbers how are we going to see each other again?" he teased, his eyes dancing.

It suddenly clicked.

Harrington.

Football.

Crosswell.

"No worries," she said, realizing the irony of it all. "I'll see you again. I'm positive."

He stilled. "You know who I am."

"You're JT Harrington. Crosswell's quarterback."

At her words, his expression shuttered. All warmth disappeared. "Guess I'm not a stranger after all. How about you stop with the games and give me your number?" He pulled out his phone. "Although, I'm flattered you went through all that trouble to get my attention."

"I didn't do that! You're the one who approached me, remember?"

"Whatever you say."

Annoyed, she explained, "I recognized you because of my brother. He plays football too...for Edgewood."

Surprise, then unease flashed across his face. "What's his name?"

Keeley hesitated. She knew this was going to change everything. There was no going back. Taking a deep breath, she said, "Zach Brewer."

His posture stiffened and he looked away. "I see. I—um..." He gave a sharp shake of the head and forced his body to relax. "I have to go. My friends are waiting."

"You're going to leave just like that?" she asked, the words out of her mouth before she could even think.

"Yeah. I'm going to leave. Just like that." Giving her a long look, he pursed his lips and said, "For both our sakes." She had to strain to hear the last part. His voice a whisper.

Something welled up inside of her as he turned and walked. A hand touched her shoulder and she jumped. Whirling around, she saw Nicky.

"You okay?" she asked.

"I'm fine." But she wasn't. A bitter taste entered her mouth as she watched him slip into the crowd and disappear from sight.

"You sure? Because you don't look like it."

"I just wish..." No, it was stupid to wish. Nothing was ever going to happen between them. They were doomed from the start.

***

A/N What do you guys think? Personally, I don't believe Keeley and Talon would've gotten together if they hadn't swapped phones. The anonymity allowed them to explore their feelings without prejudice or preconceived notions. Let me know your thoughts and thank you for reading my story!