"Jax, this place is sick," said cousin Ashton, sitting at the bar with his uncle Don and Grant.

Jaxon was behind the bar, getting them all a beer. Despite it being a weeknight, the place was packed as usual.

"Thanks, man," he humbly handed them their beers.

"Man, I proud of you guys," Jaxon put a hand on Grant's back. "Grant's got his tattoo shop, Jax the bar. Uncle Don's car business is going great. I'm glad life is going well for you guys."

Despite being truly happy for his family, it was evident that Ashton was having a hard time getting over his breakup.

"We're sorry about your engagement, son," Don clasped him on the shoulder.

"It's alright," Ashton shrugged. "At least I think it'll be now that I'm here. My mom has been driving me nuts."

"Trust me, we can imagine," said Jaxon as they erupted in boisterous laughter. "Look, we just want you to know that we're here for you, and you can stay here as long as you need."

"Thanks," Ashton was appreciated. "If you guys don't mind, I'd like a job."

Grant chuckled, taking a swig of his beer. "What does a rich boy like you need a job for? You staying here is like a paid vacation."

"True," Ashton nodded. "But just laying around won't help me much. I need to be doing something - anything. And a job is a better distraction than women or too much drinking. I've already done some of that back home."

"Well, then you're welcome to work with any of us," his uncle offered.

"I don't mean to brag," Jaxon held his hands up. "But working at the bar is your best bet."

"And the hell is that?" Grant asked his little brother, offended.

"We're closed for most of the day and open at night. Workers get free liquor, you get to see a lot of women - you get tips. Good music. Watch the game -"

"And sold," Ashton shook his hand. "You got yourself a new employee."

"Cheap date, aren't you, son?" joked Don.

"What can I say?" Ashton chuckled.

They went into typical male conversation while drinking beers and watching sports on the big screens. For a minute, Jaxon felt relieved and at peace.

Being with his family made him forget that he had planned to break it off with Michelle and that Addison was mad at him.

Life felt great until his brother had notified him that Michelle had just entered the bar.

Jaxon gulped when they locked eyes. She didn't look as angry as he thought she would, but that didn't make him any less nervous.

"Oh shit," cursed Grant as the blonde made her way to the bar.

"Who's she?" Ashton didn't know what was going on.

"Jax's soon-to-be ex-girlfriend."

"Soon-to-be-ex," repeated Ashton. "Why what happened?"

"We'll explain later," Grant whispered as Michelle approached.

"How ya doin' Michelle?" Don greeted her with a nod.

"I'm good, thanks," she nodded at him, Grant, and Ashton. She looks at Jaxon. "Your office?"

Before he could answer, she was already going to the back of the bar.

Sucking in a breath, Jaxon tapped his knuckles on the bar top as if to give himself good luck and went to the office.

Looking agitated at best, Michelle stood with her arms crossed over her chest as he closed the door.

"Look, Michelle -"

"We need to break up," she said bluntly.

With furrowed eyebrows, Jaxon turned to face her. That was supposed to be his line.

"I don't know why you've been ignorin' me," Michelle scoffed. "We knew that this was temporary when we start goin' out. You are in love with Addy, and I was lonely."

"Was?" Jaxon questioned.

"I'm better than I was when I first came back to town. You've been there for me, you gave me this job, and I appreciate it. You know me, okay? I'm not like other girls who agree to have somethin' with a guy while expectin' it to turn into what I really want it to be. I knew you were still in love with Addy, and eventually, she would come home. I don't want any drama with the Barretts, okay?"

"Yeah," Jax nodded understandingly. "Yeah, of course."

After the Barrett sister's brother Nathan died, she and her parents moved away. It wasn't a secret that she used to date Nathan, and his death caused tensions between her and his sisters due to her infidelity before his passing.

Michelle returned to Saxondale without our parents, fearing that the past would still follow her.

It was Jaxon who helped her settle back into her hometown. He was there for her, and she was there for him, filling his longing and absence for Addison.

"Look, Jax," Michelle pushed her hair behind her ears, visibly desperate. "I will explain that what we had wasn't serious to Addy, but I just need this job, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah," Jax nodded. "Of course. I wouldn't just fire you."

"Well, I got scared when you wouldn't answer my calls. You know you can talk to me about anything, and you have."

"I know," Jax sighed, feeling like an idiot. "I know that we knew this wasn't forever, but I didn't want you to think that I didn't care about you. That know that Addy's back, what we had was just . . . nothing."

"Hey, don't worry. I know you, Jax, you don't do anything without your heart." She stood on her toes, kissing him on the cheek. "I'm gonna get to work."

Jax silently nodded as she headed for the door.

"Hey, Michelle," he turned to her.

"Yeah?"

"Don't worry about talking to Addy. I'll figure it out."

Michelle only nods, leaving him in the office to think.

^^^^^^^^^^

For the first time since she's been home, Addison actually woke up on time. She had stable duty with her father. Though it was a chore, it felt more like bonding. She realized that she hadn't had one on one time with her parents since getting back.

"You know, daddy, Valentine's Day is comin' up," she started up a conversation as she brushed their beautiful male Andalusian.

"Yeah, it is," said Roy brushing their growing Fresian in the next stable.

"Well, what are you gonna do for mama? Flowers? Candy?" Addison gasped. "You should take a trip. Take her to Sydney, Australia. I went there on tour. You know it's beautiful there around this time."

"Hm," was Roy's way of saying there was no chance in hell he was getting on a plane out of the country.

Roy was a patriot at heart and loved himself some U.S.A. Not to mention he loved his town and his house with his beer and large screen TV.

"I'm just sayin' daddy," Addison kept on. "You're not gettin' any younger, and if you want to keep mama interested, you gotta spice things up. If there's anythin' I learned bein' on tour is that the world is so much bigger. So many different people out there. Food and fashion - there's more than this town as much as I love it."

When Roy didn't respond, Addison's shoulders slouched.

"Daddy, are you -"

Roy was staring at her.

"What?" she blushed.

"Nothin' you just . . . you sound like you again. The accent, I mean."

Addison smiled, "I feel like me again."

"Glad to hear," Roy kept brushing the horse.

With a lingering smile, Addison resumed. "At least think about Australia, okay?"

"Okay," Roy kept in a sigh.

"You promise?"

"You got my word, sweetheart."

Addison nodded in contentment.

Soon, it was time for a break, and breakfast was ready.

They returned to the house where the table was already set, hands were washed, and time to eat.

As Addison chewed on a slice of bacon, she watched her family quietly. Everyone was talking, laughing in such a good mood—even Sage.

It took a month, but she finally felt like she had settled into being back home, especially after the yard sale. Selling some of her things felt like she let go of the past and turning over a new leaf.

She was looking forward to the things to come.

As she poured herself a glass of orange juice, the doorbell rang.

Everyone froze and exchange glances.

Typically no one visited the Barrett this early in the morning. At least not without calling because Roy was not one for surprise visits.

"Anybody expectin' someone?" asked Whitney.

All the girls shook their heads, and all eyes went to Roy.

"Honey?"

He thoughts for a moment, and then it suddenly hit him.

"Oh, damn, I forgot. That must be the new farmhand I hired."

"Farmhand?" Jolene's scoffed. "You hired a fireman with six of us here?"

"Hell, less work for me," shrugged Grace, drinking some of her orange juice.

"You didn't think to run it by us at least?" Jolene was already standing up to get to the door.

"It must have slipped my mind," Roy didn't know how he'd forgotten.

The impromptu yard sale had taken all of his attention.

Jolene enters the foyer where Daisy was already barking and excited to get the knocking guest in her sights.

"Sit," Jolene instructed, and she did.

Jolene opens the door, and her eyes widened at the sight of Connor Griffin.

While she was surprised to see him, he was happy to see her.

They pointed to one another, "you . . ."

****

I know it's been a long time. So if you're still interested in this story just let me know. From now on I'm gonna try and write a complete episode to make it easier for you guys to remember what happens since so many characters are involved.

I hope you enjoyed it! More to come.

 xx