Only in Your Dreams

Mack got out of the bed slowly, taking in his surroundings. 'Where am I?' he wondered. 'How did I get here?'

He left the bedroom, padding down the short hallway to a combination kitchen/living room. The TV was a good brand and fairly large-he had money. Well, he'd always had money. But Mack had never paid much attention to the Hartford fortune.

Shaking his head, Mack continued into the kitchen. The refrigerator was well stocked with his favorite foods, as were the cabinets. He used the coffee maker, deciding that it would be best to be fully alert while he tried to figure things out.

The coffee helped. Mack studied the room, looking for any small clue as to who he was now. In one corner of the living room was a desk with a computer on it. Mack walked over to the desk, frowning slightly. He rummaged through the other items-bills, catalogues, a photograph of the team.

Hanging over the desk was a calendar. Perfect. The month was May, the year 2014.

He was twenty-five.

Twenty-five. When he'd gone to sleep, he'd been eighteen and afraid to tell the woman who'd stolen his heart how he felt.

Rose. How did she fit into his life? Were they friends, dating, married? Did…did she hate him? Were they even close like they'd been at eighteen?

It was safe to say they weren't married-there was no ring on his finger. But he knew nothing could ever break apart their friendship. He'd find her number and give her a call. Rose would make everything normal again. She always did.

Mack was spared from trying to find his cell phone by the sudden noise coming from what he supposed was his bedroom. The phone was ringing to the familiar tune of his favorite song. The caller ID read Ronny.

"Hello?"

"Hey Mack. You're still coming to Rose's party, right? I know you just got back from Guatemala or something, but I think she's really looking forward to seeing you. We all are. It's been ages since the whole team's been together."

"Rose's party?" He suddenly remembered Rose's birthday was May 29th. "For her birthday?" Mack hoped desperately that Ronny would think he had some sort of jet lag.

"Yes, for her birthday," Ronny said slowly. "Why else? She hates parties. The only reason she's having this one is because we wouldn't leave her alone until she agreed. Anyway, Ruby's crying and I think one of the boys just made a mess, so I have to go. See you tonight!"

Ruby? Boys? Her children-Ronny had children? Were they Will's? But before he could ask, the line had gone dead. Mack shook his head and began to fiddle with the phone until he found the address book feature. He scrolled through the names.

Aston House…Dad…Dax…Home…Jessica-his father's Jessica? What was the deal with that now?-…Lo House…Ronny…Rose…Ty & Vella…Will. These familiar names were intermingled with less familiar ones like Landon and Vicky. Who were they?

The phone rang again, the screen reading Vicky in neat block letters. He had no clue who this person was and decided to let them leave a message. The phone beeped a moment later, indicating that he had voice mail.

Mack followed the instructions and got to the message a minute later. He winced at the perky voice.

"Hey baby. I guess you're still sleeping. That's OK. Listen, I know we had a lunch date, but something came up and I won't be able to make it. But I can still come to Rose's party, so pick me up at six, alright? Love you!"

Apparently, this Vicky woman was his girlfriend.

It was safe to say he had never told Rose how he truly felt.