A/N: Fanfiction is based on characters and situations created by Peter Berg, Brian Grazer, and David Nivens; owned by NBC Universal.
Friday Night Lights
"After the Ball is Over"
Chapter 1
Tim closed his eyes and briefly wished that he was in bed, already asleep, instead of being stuck in the middle of a damn party in his own house, which is where he was. It was Friday Night, and tonight the lights had included a ceremony, where each of the players was honored at the gym, followed by a sponsored dinner open to the players, coaches and their families and anyone else who wanted to join. It was an old fashioned Texas barbecue, and Buddy and the Boosters club had planned a party that spared no expense on the food or the beer (the Garrity tent was out back and didn't check for ID). He'd hung out there until they'd run out of beer, and had come home to find this.
Billy had decided to throw an after-party. Hell, his old buddies were celebrating their state win all over again too. Everywhere, people were partying, drinking, talking, and dancing. Where had all these people come from anyway? It was slightly disorienting. There was a keg in the kitchen. He didn't know where that had come from either. It was weird, but in a cool way. Tim enjoyed the thought of the party of the year just showing up at his house. All these people, they were people he'd known his whole life. He looked down. Casey Summer had been trying to keep his attention for the last few minutes. He wished he wasn't so tired. He was on such a high but at the same time he was dead tired and it was time for him to crash.
Where was Billy? Tim hadn't seen him in a while. He thought he'd seen him earlier playing pool. He looked over, but Billy was not there. He sighed. He was over all this for right now. He'd had some beers. He'd hung out all week with the players, his friends. He'd gorged earlier that night on ribs, beans, and corn with Billy. Then he'd met up with Smash, Matt and Streets in the beer tent. And now he was having a beer with…..well….everyone.
He looked down again at the ring on his finger. It was beautiful. He smiled. Panthers had won state! He smiled. A dream realized. And it was just beginning! The euphoria and elation was still going strong through the week. Tomorrow there was more…he didn't remember exactly what was going on but he knew he had to be at the gym in polo and dress pants at 11:00. Another reason to get to bed, he reminded himself.
His gaze traveled over the crowd that had literally taken over his living room. There were so many people. Height gave him a slight advantage here. He was looking for Billy. Tim wanted to remind Billy to unlock the master bathroom so he could use it in the morning. He spotted him just outside of the kitchen, pouring beers from a pitcher and talking to this girl Tim had seen him with a few times before. He looked down at Casey Summers.
"Hey, I'll catch ya later. Good to see ya." He said to her as he moved towards Billy.
He was about halfway when he was blocked by a sassy red leather cowboy boot and a long and slim denim clad leg. Hell, when had she gotten here? He grinned slowly as his eyes traveled up her leg, over the curves, up to her lips to meet her sexy green eyes. Damn, did she look good! Wait, no, damn it, she looked pretty pissed off.
One look at her told him he was not going to want to deal with whatever was bothering her right now. He took a bracing swig of beer to prepare himself. Her eyes said it all. She was obviously upset. He could tell by the rigid way she held herself. For a moment, though he just allowed himself to enjoy looking at her. He'd lost count of how many he'd had. Enough, enough that made him think that it might be a good idea to pull her into his arms right then and hug her and swing her around because they'd won state! He'd won state! And here was Tyra, his girl! Well, OK she was not really his girl right now, but she was still his girl. She'd always be his girl. He rubbed his ring. God he was so elated again by the feeling of accomplishment. And he just wanted Tyra to be a part of it. He was imagining spinning her above his head when he reminded himself that she didn't look like she was in the mood to celebrate just then. Instead he took another drink.
"Tim, I need a favor." Not even a hello? He followed her into an unoccupied corner so they could talk without shouting.
He half grinned, remembering the last time she'd asked him for a favor. "Do I get to have any thank you sex or makeup sex out of this deal?" He asked her with a straight face.
She rolled her eyes in his direction and retorted, "What do you think that little reunion was for earlier? Seriously, Tim." He couldn't stop the grin that now stretched across his face.
"Oh come on now, Tyra, you walked right into that one," he laughed. He could see that she was in no mood for teasing, but that didn't stop him.
"Can I get you a drink?" he asked her. Her look should have killed him. It sure looked like she had meant it to.
"And what reunion? Did I miss something?" she shot him another withering glare. "Cause I don't remember a reunion, and I don't think that's something I would forget." He was still grinning from ear to ear.
She glared at him. "Oh really, Mr. 'It's-not-all-about-sex-for-me." She snapped.
"Ok Tyra. I get it." Tim looks down. "You're pissed at me. You have every right to be. I'm sorry," he paused. "I'm sorry." He awkwardly looked up into her face and it was pretty clear to her that he was apologizing for more than just the crappy nosebleed seats he'd given her.
Tyra bit her lip.
"Tim. This isn't about… us." She whispered.
It was then he noticed that in her other hand she carried a suitcase and she had a duffle bag slung across her back. She needed a favor? "Here, Tyra let me get that for you." He offered and relieved her of the heavy bag and suitcase. He took a deep breath and followed her to the bedroom. She didn't pretend not to know the way.
When she opened the door and turned on the overhead light, they were both surprised to see a couple making out. They were all over each other. Tyra couldn't help the snicker that escaped before she lowered her eyes discreetly. "Hey. Get out," was all he said. It was enough. Tim and Tyra waited awkwardly as the couple hurriedly collected themselves and left. They entered the room and he dropped her bags on an empty space on the floor.
Inside, the bedroom was much quieter than the chaos outside in the hallway. She sat down on the edge of the bed and leaned over. Then she turned on the softer bedside table light. Tim crossed the room to turn off the overhead light. Just like clockwork. He licked his lip and drained his beer. He sat down beside her.
It had been one hell of a day. He raked his hand through his hair. He sighed and looked over at Tyra.