Prequel

"I'm not going" Tim Riggins said out of nowhere. He was cuddled up on the couch, enjoying a beer and watching an old cowboy's game with Lyla Garrity.

"You have to go Tim, they're expecting you." Lyla responded as she twisted so she was looking up him and gazed into his green eyes.

"I'm not leaving you here, please, come with me?" He pleaded as he took her hands in his.

She got up on her knees and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek. "I can't go with you and you know that. I have to stay and help my Dad out with the dealership; it's not doing too well. Besides you're going to be really busy with classes and football, Texas State is a great school."

Tim opened his mouth ready with a witty remark but Lyla shot him a look saying 'don't test me.' With that the conversation was over, he was leaving tomorrow and Lyla wasn't going with him. They both returned their attention back to the game and neither said another word on the subject.

As time passed the two finally got up off the couch and stood facing each other. She soaked in his features, fearing it would be the last time she would see them. She would miss his shaggy brown hair that fell into his green eyes, and his cheek bones. Mostly, she would miss him; he was the one constant she had in her life. He was there for her when her Dad went through money troubles, and when she realized she couldn't go to Vanderbilt.

Tim pulled her into him and she breathed in his familiar musky smell, the one that made her feel at home. He was looking down at her and she stood on her tippy toes to give him a quick kiss. He then gently lifted her chin so his lips met with hers and this time he didn't let her go so quickly. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck as she felt him tighten his arms around her back.

After what felt like an eternity Tim reached down and picked her up so her legs were wrapped around his waist. He carried her into the bedroom and laid her down on the bed and he climbed on top of her, kissing her neck and finding his way back to her lips.


Tim awoke suddenly from the light pouring into his bedroom, he turned his head over and the clock hanging on the wall read 8:00. It was late in July, meaning the sun was already high in the sky. He turned back to the woman who was lying on his chest, she was still asleep and her brown curls were casted across her face. She stirred slightly and slowly opened her eyes and stared up at him. He lowered his head and gave her a kiss on her forehead and wrapped his arms around her and squeezed tightly.

She sighed as she relaxed into him; he realized he never wanted this moment to end. He was lost in her chocolate, brown eyes and was already regretting his choice to leave. The room grew lighter as the sun rose in the sky but neither made an effort to move.

A half hour later, Lyla made the first move. She peeled herself from him as she held the sheet close to her naked body. Tim smiled to himself as he caught sight of her back and wanted to trace her spine with his finger. He resisted the urge but instead watched her get dressed

"Billy's going to be here soon to take you to school, you should start getting ready." Lyla said as she pulled up her jeans.

Tim inched himself to the end of the bed and grabbed her wrists and pulled her back onto his bare chest. "Relax, Garrity. Since when is Billy ever on time?" he replied as he kissed her lips softly. Lyla resisted at first, knowing Tim too well to know that he was stalling. Lyla finally gave in deepening the kiss.

"Timmy, time to get this show on the road!" yelled Billy as he walked into the house. With that Lyla shot back and hurried out into the living room to greet Tim's brother, leaving Tim to get ready by himself.

Tim slowly rolled out of bed and proceeded to get dressed as he heard his girl and brother talking and laughing in the other room. The truck was already packed with his stuff, he just needed to pack a duffle bag of clothes and he was set to leave. He finished shoving his closet into his bag and headed out into the living room to join the conversation.

"Look what the cat finally dragged out of bed" Billy said as Tim entered the room. Tim just shrugged off the sarcastic comment as he walked over to his girl and wrapped his arms around her from behind.

"Will you give us a second, Billy?" Tim asked his older brother.

"I'll be in the truck" Billy replied as he gave his brother a quick wink and headed out of the house to the truck.

"Come with me" Tim whispered into her ear before he turned her around. "Please"

"Tim, don't." Lyla said as she looked up at him. He could see the pain etched onto her flawless face. "You're gunna do great Tim Riggins, you are going to be a big star at Texas State." Lyla wiped a tear that began to fall down her face.

Tim cupped her head in his hands and gave her a kiss on her forehead. "I love you, Lyla Garrity." He said as he lowered his chin so it rested on top of her head. She tightened her arms around him and squeezed tight.

"I love you, too. Don't forget about me when you become a big college football player" She whimpered, fighting back tears. With that she let go and grabbed his hand, leaned up and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Lyla led him out of his house to the passenger side of Billy's truck. "Goodbye, Tim."

"Goodbye, Lyla." He leaned down and gave her one last kiss on the forehead and opened the door to the truck. Tim squeezed her hand and finally let go as he climbed into the cab.

Lyla closed the door and leaned over the open window "Take care of him, Billy." Lyla said to the older brother and he gave a curt nod in reply. She backed away from the truck, allowing Billy to reverse the truck out of the driveway. Lyla waved them goodbye as they turned onto the road and headed out of Dillon. Tim knew that what he needed to get out of town, he just wished he didn't have to leave Lyla there.