Hey guys! I know I haven't updated in like forever but ya know life is life. You got stuff to do and places to go and people to. Anyway, I actually had to read my first two chapters again to re-learn what exactly my story was about. Funny and sad I know but I got it back. So… here is chapter 3.

And worse it got. Now I'm not talking about it got worse over a long period of time I'm talking about how it got worse over the course of tonight.

After talking, or yelling, at Nathan in the bathroom I stalked back outside to the bar. There I saw not just Lucas, but Brian, James, my dad, and Nathan's dad. All forming a line behind the bar and equally glaring at a thoroughly confused looking Justin.

To say that now I was beyond pissed would have been an understatement. I think I actually had to grip the side of the wall in order to stay upright, that's how mad I was. I saw Justin look the length of The Pack line from right to left and finally land on me.

He gave me this pleadingly frightened look and I was pulled forward into action. I had just met this guy and already he was being scared away. I was tired of this bullshit. Justin was cute and sweet as far as I could tell. I was 18 and an adult. I should be able to make my own decisions and my own mistakes, just as long as they were mine and mine alone.

I didn't need all of this protection, although they all thought I was still six years old and needed help from the bully that lived next door. How was I ever going to experience life if they wouldn't let me?

A thought crossed quickly across my head, 'I'm going to end up like old Ms. Jenson. The one that lived at the end of the street and always smelled like lint and handed out little bags of cat food at Halloween.' No. I was not going to continue to live like this.

This was my new life and it was going to start right now, with Justin. Just as soon as I can get the wolves away.

I made my way carefully to the bar and sandwiched my way in front of Brian holding a basket of wings that I jacked from the kitchen. I placed it in front of Justin, smiled like the good waitress that I am. Said, "Here ya go." Moved away gracefully to the beer tap, filled two new mugs and walked back to the stunned looking guys. I handed one beer to my dad and one to Brian.

Then I walked to the end of the bar and grabbed the broom. As I started sweeping I hit a rather large and long obstacle. Looking up I saw, as expected, the shoe of my brother
Lucas. They hadn't moved an inch. Typical. To remain standing there with baffled looks on there faces.

They saw what happened. They understood what I did. I had blatantly ignored cute Justin and was my usual if not overly joyful self. Certainly not what they were expecting. I made an 'excuse me' gesture and waited for them to start moving but nothing happened. I sighed and hoped that this would go as easily as I had planned.

"Ugh guys could you maybe like move out from behind the bar? I have to sweep and then get back to the customers."

Again nothing happened. Finally my dad cleared his throat and pushed Dan, Nathan's dad, forward. This motion then pushed the boys forward and they all moved in an army line out from behind the bar and back to the pool tables.

On the outside I was keeping up the pretense that I was just sweeping and then going back to work, like I said I was. Inside, though, I was gearing up for part two of my genius plan.

Part two: Get mom and Deb, Nathan's mom, involved and on my side.

There may be 6 of them but with both moms approval I could trump all of their rejections.

I continued sweeping with the broom while making my own eye sweeps to see, if Justin was still here, if the boys were still watching, if my mom and Nathan's mom were still together, and if Nathan had come out of the kitchen.

All were good and I was doing a happy dance on the inside. This was all working. Now, to put my plan into action.

I finished sweeping and replaced the broom. I filled peoples orders and finally returned to Justin. He looked deflated and confused. I would hopefully get to turn that frown upside down really soon.

I noticed that the basket of wings was empty which gave me the perfect opener. Draping my rag over my shoulder I tilted the basket toward him and said, "All finished?" With a small head lift and a quick shake I removed the paper filling and bone scraps, throwing them out and placed the basket in a bus tub.

I glanced at his still full glass and asked, "Need a re-fill?" He looked up confused and I sent him a quick wink and small smile and moved on. I couldn't stay to long and make it look suspicious to my still looking boys.

I saw Justin's smile widen and I knew that he understood and that I was still interested.

Now, to engage part two. I scanned the bar and landed on my two favorite women. My mom was staring at me and I knew immediately that she caught my wink and hoped that the boys hadn't. I guess something close to a terrified look came over my face because my mom slightly shook her head and a relieved one soon took its place. Her eyes quickly darted between me and Justin and I could see her putting two and two together.

A small smile graced her features and I knew that I was quickly winning the mom war. I continued to service all the while keeping an eye on the moms as well as Justin who was having fun it seemed, watching me work. I worked extra hard not to blush at his attention and give myself away.

However, like always, I can't hide from my mom. I saw her grip Deb's arm, always partners in crime, and start moving towards me and the bar.

When they arrived I moved to stand closer to Justin so that I could subtly introduce them. But it seemed, like always, that my mother was one step ahead. She bypassed me completely and seated herself right next to him.

"Now, I have worked in this bar for a long time and I think I would have remembered such a cute boy." She said to Justin who looked down, then to me, then back to my mom with that charming smile.

"Hi, I'm Justin Sanford. I'm actually new here."

God! He could make any women swoon with that voice. My mom just smiled warmly and introduced herself like always.

"I'm Karen James, and this is Deb Scott. It looks like you already met Haley."

The conversation ran smoothly and before we knew it we were laughing as if we had known each other for years. Justin and I were flirting like crazy and I could tell that The Moms were totally on my side. Woo Hoo!!! Happy Dance all around.

"So, Justin, are you going to school around her or are you going out of state?"

My heart sunk a little. I hadn't even thought about whether or not he was going to be here for us to get to know each other more. Of course something like this would happen to me.

But he just keeps on getting better. "Actually I'm going to Caroline State for, like two years before I decide what I really want to do. I know that I want to work in the school system, I just haven't figured out where exactly."

Swooning. I am officially a pile of goo at this gods feet. Could he get any better?

My mom is quick to help me find out. "Really? Haley is hoping to teach elementary students. Maybe you two could get together and talk about what you're going to do in the future?"

Oh how I love my mother.

"Yeah that sounds great. It would be a lot of help too. Hopefully set me on the right path. How about it Haley?

It took me a few seconds to realize that he had just basically asked me out. I was so freakin' happy that nothing could tear me down.

"Sure," I replied, "That sounds cool. Why don't we trade numbers and we can figure out a day, place and time that we could meet to talk."

"Sounds great!" Oh that smile of his. Gets me every time.

I grabbed a napkin and two pens. I ripped the napkin in half and handed one off. I started writing my cell number down and when we were both finished, we swapped.

All hell broke loose after that.