Waking Up! – Chapter 10

Julie stood outside Tim's front door waiting for him to answer. She could hear voices inside so she knew he and Billy were at least awake. She felt badly about Tim being so uncomfortable at dinner last night, but had to laugh at the thought of her dad practically crushing his teeth to bits from how tightly his jaw was clenched through the whole thing. At least she and Tim had managed to pass the test. Both of her parents thought they were a couple and by their reaction hadn't heard about their little romp in the back of Tim's truck. There was no way he would have made it out of her house alive if they had known.

Raising her hand to knock again, Julie was taken aback by the door swinging open.

"Whoa there, Taylor. No need to punch me." Tim said as he ducked.

"Ha, ha. I was going to knock again, but don't tempt me." She teased.

They stood there looking at each other for a few seconds before Julie raised her eyebrows at him expectantly.

"Can I come in?"

"Oh, yeah. Sorry. Come in." Tim said moving out of the doorway.

"Hi Billy." Julie waved at the older Riggins.

"Morning, Julie. Come here to let Tim know his execution date?" He chuckled.

"No, actually last night went pretty well." Julie assumed Billy knew what was happening, but she was confident their secret relationship would be safe with him, "Right, Tim?"

"Yeah?" Tim asked surprised. "You think?"

"Well, as good as can be expected. I mean they believe we're dating, so I'm satisfied. I actually came over to tell you I think we might be able to end this sham fairly soon. We aren't the hot story anymore."

"What do you mean?"

"I guess the baseball team had a party last night and someone had a camera phone. Think 'Girls Gone Wild'."

"Really?" Both Riggins boys said excitedly at once.



Julie laughed. "Typical. Check your email. I'm sure you got them too. Anyway, Tim, I know pretending to be my boyfriend wasn't the easiest thing to do, but take comfort in the fact you will be able to return to your life of debauchery within the week. I know you must be dying to."

Julie looked over at Billy as he tried to stifle a laugh.

"Nah, it's cool. Really." Tim said throwing a empty beer can in Billy's direction. "I don't mind if we have to stretch this out a little longer. I mean, a break-up too soon might seem weird."

Julie looked at Tim skeptically. She was trying hard to seem as unemotional as possible about all of this. Her growing feelings for Tim were something she really didn't want to think about. He was going to be leaving for some school god knows where to play football and that would be the end of her knowing him. She had one more year in Dillon and then she was out of here herself. The fewer complications the better and getting involved with Tim Riggins for real was definitely a complication she didn't need. She wanted out of this 'relationship' before she decided that maybe he was worth all the trouble.

"Uh, yeah, we'll have to plan the break-up to be low key for sure, but I don't think I'll need any more of your 'dating services'." She laughed nervously.

"About that, I, uh, I was thinking since your dad said we would only be allowed to go out on weekends, we should probably hang out tonight. I mean they might think something was wrong if we didn't, you know?"

"Another fake date?"

Julie saw him getting kind of flustered and when he looked up at her with his shocking green eyes she knew she could be in trouble.

"Well it could be a..."

"Wow, you're getting brave." Julie cut him off. "Three fake dates in one week? You feeling OK?" She joked trying to lighten the tension that had developed.

"I'm growing, what can I say?" He quipped.

"I'm gonna puke." Billy said, laughing as he walked out of the room and shut the door to his bedroom.

Julie looked at Tim, "What's with him?"



"He's an asshole. Ignore him. Hey, you want to sit down?" He asked, clearing a pile of papers off the couch.

Julie nodded and took a seat. Tim sat down next to her and a jolt of electricity passed through her body as his leg brushed hers. She scooted toward the arm of the couch and tried not to think about how his shirt was stretched tight over his chest and shoulders.

They were playfully leaning into each other as they talked in Tyra's kitchen and she egged him on to drink the shot. Then they were kissing. She was sitting on the counter and he was between her legs. She felt herself wrap them around his waist as she ran her hand through his long hair. She thought how differently it felt compared to Matt's. It was so silky, the way it slid through her fingers like water. Then they were in the back of his truck. She wanted him badly. She hadn't felt this way before, not even with Matt. She thought sleeping with him was something to just do and get over with and her attraction to The Swede, that seemed so minor in comparison to what she was feeling with Tim. Almost animalistic. His body was just so amazing. Her hands trailed down his muscular back and she quivered. The strength she felt when he lifted her only increased the desire she felt. She knew he would be great and she wanted to know what that felt like.

"Jules."

"Um...yeah?" Julie was brought back to reality and prayed she wasn't blushing at the thought of them that night.

"So I'll pick you up around 7:00?"

"You're serious?"

"Yeah. I mean, thanks to your rules I don't have anything else to do."

Julie smiled at his attempt. "You're so funny."

The pair locked eyes and Julie felt a the rush of blood flow through her body. She knew she was beginning to like the way he was looking at her too much and that was not part of her plan, but she couldn't bring herself to turn down his offer. "Um, sure. 7:00's fine, but, uh, I gotta go. See you later."

Julie hurried out of the house and into her car, driving away as fast as she could. As soon as she got down the block she pulled over. Her heart was racing. She put her head back against the seat and closed her eyes.

What am I doing? She thought. This was crazy. She couldn't help but feel excited about her plans with Tim.



It's not a real date. He doesn't like you like that. Get a hold of yourself.

Opening her eyes she shook off her thoughts and headed home.

oOoOoOo

"He's picking you up?" Eric Taylor asked, leaning on the frame of Julie's bedroom door.

"Yes, Dad. In like an hour." She sighed as she flipped through her clothes hanging in her closet.

"And what are your plans?"

"I don't know. Probably dinner and a movie or something. You know, what people usually do on a date."

"Well let's talk about what you won't be doing on this date."

"God, Dad. Really..."

"You won't be drinking. You won't be getting physical with that boy."

"Dad!" She yelled. "Mom! Can you please tell him to stop?"

Tami Taylor walked by and replied over her shoulder, "Listen to your father, Julie."

"OH! You guys, just stop, OK? Tim's a good guy. He'll have me home by curfew and everything will be fine. Can you just give it a rest?"

Julie saw her dad give her a long, examining look. "You really like this boy, don't you?"

"He has a name, Dad. Tim. You can say it and yeah...I do."

She wasn't surprised she actually felt that way, but she was shocked that she admitted it to her dad.

"Can I just get ready, please?"

Eric nodded and shut the door behind him leaving Julie standing alone. She was so confused. Picking of her cell she called Tyra. She needed help.

"Hey, how'd the dinner go?" Her friend asked.

"Fine." Julie said, completely deflated.



"What's wrong? What did he do? Do you need me to kick his ass?"

Julie smiled at Tyra's willingness to inflict pain. "No. It's nothing like that, but I am in trouble. I think I really like him."

"You think? Julie, come on, this is Tim Riggins. I hate to say it, sweetie, but you're just another notch on one very carved up bedpost. The guy is incapable of feeling. Seriously, he's very fucked up."

"I know, but..."

"No. No, Julie. Don't do this to yourself. Look, you'll find a way out soon. Oh my god, speaking of, did you check your email? Who's dumb enough to flash a camera on a cell phone? Seriously."

"Yeah..."

"Oh, Julie. Look, do you want to do something when I get off tonight? We can drink a few beers and curse all men. It will be fun."

"I can't. I'm actually going on a date with Tim."

"Another fake date? Why?"

"Um, I'm not so sure it's fake."

oOoOoOo

Julie stood before her mirror and put on her last coat of lip gloss. She had worn a white tank that hugged her curves, but wasn't completely slutty and her favorite pair of jeans, the ones that fit her at her hips and her dad hated. She finished off with a cute pair of wedge sandals so that she had a little more height and didn't feel so short next to Tim. Hearing his truck pull into her drive she grabbed her olive green jacket in case they went to the movies and she got cold. Although she momentarily thought about leaving it so Tim would have to put his arm around her, but quickly decided she couldn't be that desperate.

"Julie." Her mom called out. "Tim's here."

"Yeah, Mom. Thanks."

She ran her hands through her curled hair and took a deep breath.

Knock. Knock.



Author's Note: A million apologies for how tardy this chapter is. It's all my fault! I hope it doesn't disappoint. I beg you now for reviews. xoxo Scarlett