Chapter 44, enjoy!

As Jason drove down the familiar highway that led into Dillon, the old welcome sign still stood. The 2006 State Champion board that Tim Riggins and Matt Saracen had nailed on so many years ago was showing some age, but still there. A 2011 State Champion board had been added below. The Texas sun was just beginning to set behind the sign, making a beautiful landscape to welcome to pair back to their old home town.

"We're back," Jason announced, waking Julie from her slumber in the passenger seat.

"Looks just the same," Julie stated as they drove through town.

"With a little age. It's about dinner time, what do you say we get something to eat?"

"That sounds good. What were you thinking? Alamo Freeze? Buddy's? Applebee's?"

"I was thinking Buddy's, surely he will be there and I can get his insight on the team for you dad. Tim works there, so I can catch up with him and heard his side of the season too. If that's ok with you?"

"Yeah, that's fine." Jason made the turn towards Buddy's Bar and Grill. He pulled into one of the few empty parking spots.

"This place is packed for a Thursday evening," Jason stated ad he looked around the packed parking lot.

"Yeah it is."

Julie got out of the pickup and stretched to wake herself up while Jason retrieved and sat up his wheelchair. They made their way inside the building where there were little to no open seats.

Figuring Tim would be working the bar, that was their first stop.

"Timmy!" Jason greeted.

"J Street!" Tim replied making his way to Jason's side of the bar and giving his old buddy a handshake. "Julie, wow!" He exclaimed causing Julie to touch her now short, brown locks that she had finally gotten used to. "I almost didn't recognize you."

"Yeah, it was time for a change," She replied.

"I'm going to get Sarah to cover for me, I want to catch up," Tim told his friends before asking a woman to cover the bar for him. Tim led Julie and Jason to an empty table where they all took a seat.

"So what're you doing in town?" Tim asked. "Both of you."

"You want the juicy details or the summary?"

"Juicy details," Tim laughed.

"I'm using my parent's lawyer to file for divorce."

"You and Erin are getting a divorce?"

"Yeah. It turns out Noah wasn't my son and she knew it all along, but she choose to lie to me because Noah's dad didn't want to support them and I was gullible enough to believe I had this miracle son."

"Wow," Tim sighed, letting the information soak into his brain.

"I'm also scouting out the football team for Coach Taylor," Jason added.

"You need to talk to Buddy about that matter."

"I was planning on going to the game tomorrow to see for myself, and talk to you and Buddy and some other people. Coach Taylor wants me to get all the insight, all sides of the story."

"Well, I think they will all agree it's not good. What about you Julie?"

"I just kind of came along for the ride," She answered.

"And you and Matt aren't together anymore, right?"

"No, we aren't. How did you know?"

"Landry's band is playing here every night this week, that's why it's so packed. Anyways, Matt had been here every night and he let it slip to me when he got pretty drunk two nights ago."

"Yeah, thinks weren't good between us." Jason, sensing how uncomfortable Julie was getting, decided to change the subject back to football.

"So is Buddy here tonight?" He asked.

"No, Lyla's got him on a schedule. Every Thursday she and her kids have dinner with him, no exceptions. He is here every night, except Friday and Thursday."

"Lyla has kids?" Julie asked.

"Yeah, two of them."

"I thought she was living in Tennessee," Jason stated.

"She was, but moved back about a year ago when her husband died in a plane crash. It's been good for Buddy to have her and the kids around."

"Tonight we are proud to welcome back Crucifictorious," A woman announced over the microphone. Tim, Julie, and Jason all turned to the stage where a familiar face from their high school years took the stage with his band. They began their first song, and the three turned back to their table to order their food when another familiar person approached their table.

"Julie, is that you? What are you doing here?"

"Matt?" She asked, turning towards the voice.

Dun... Dun... DUN...Sorry I'm gonna make ya'll wait!