CHAPTER 10

Tim had been told by numerous school principals he was suspended for this that and the other, sometimes he regretted his actions, other times even with hindsight, he wouldn't change a thing. This was one of those times; he knew how great it felt to wipe the smirk off of Beau's face.

Tim changed the television channels with his remote as he sat on the couch, bored out of his mind. Normally he relished getting suspended. It meant he could sleep in and lay on the couch all day drinking and watching television. So far, he'd served three days of this suspension and each one felt longer than the last.

Tim dialled Taylor's number for the second time today. It went straight to voicemail. He regretted mouthing off at Seven during practice. God knows what she was hearing at school about the fight. Tim wanted to convince her she could trust him. He knew a suspension had shot him in the foot.

Having Billy around all the time did nothing to appease his self-loathing.

Yesterday, Billy had dragged Tim to the grocery store to get him out of the house and into the fresh air. It wasn't like Billy was much of an example; he'd been lying about instead of looking for another job. Tim bet the real reason they were going into town was to buy more alcohol.

At the grocery store, they ran into Street's mother, Wendy. She'd asked if Tim could pick her son up from school tomorrow.

Since Street's injury on the field, Tim rarely spent time at their house. There were periods of his life in which he practically lived there, taking shelter when his world was crumbling.

Tim agreed to pick up his best friend and Wendy showed how grateful she was by inviting him over for dinner. Whatever food they were having was sure to be nicer than anything Billy could scrape together.

Tim gave her a hug and she radiated happiness as she walked away from them down the aisle. "Sucker," Billy had uttered smacking Tim on the back of the head. He wasn't one to help someone out unless there was something in it for him.

Tim looked up at the clock and switched off the television. He pried himself off the couch and grabbed his truck keys. Street would be finishing up practice soon.

Tim left his house and drove his truck through Dillon until he reached the High School. He pulled into the car park and killed the engine.

Players began to stream out of the locker room building within minutes of his arrival, freshly showered and dressed. Street soon appeared, searching the car park for his mother. Tim waved to get his friends attention. Street started wheeling himself towards Tim's truck once he spotted him.

Tim stepped outside of his truck, meeting Jason at the passenger's side door. "How come you're picking me up?"

"Your mum bailed, she had better things to do than drive your sorry ass around."

"Anyone ever tell you, you're a smart ass?"

"Hmm, sounds vaguely familiar," Tim said before laughing with Street.

"Coach would love to drive me home," Street remarked searching behind him.

Tim swung the truck door open and leant on it. "Shut up and get in, or I won't get a home cooked meal."

"It's all making much more sense." Street threw the backpack that sat in his lap onto Tim's truck bed. "She's making wings; I saw them marinating this morning."

"With the honey sauce?" Tim salivated at the thought. Street's mother was a great cook.

"Yep."

Tim bent down and scooped Street up out of his wheelchair and onto the front seat. "No more wings for you," he heaved lumping his friend in place.

Street corked Tim on the upper arm. "I'm gonna start eating twice as much from now on." Tim burst into laughter as he rubbed his arm. He began to fold up Street's wheelchair and set it on the truck bed when he finished. Tim walked over to the driver's side, opening the truck door. As he climbed inside and put his key in the ignition, Coach exited the building.

Tim's eyes darted around hoping to spot Taylor somewhere nearby. "She wasn't at school today," Street offered. Tim started the engine without a word.

"How was practice?" They slowly drove out of the car park, Tim was careful to keep his eyes averted from Coach who was parked a few spots away from the exit. He'd made his feelings pretty clear, he didn't want Tim anywhere near his daughter.

"I've been working with Santiago, the kid Mr. Garrity brought to town."

Tim kept his eyes on the road, recalling Coaches offer for him to train Santiago. "Is he any good?"

"He could be, but he's never had any proper training."

"Lyla said he's been in juvie and foster homes most of his life. Before she hit you up, she was trying to convince me to train him. I told her I wasn't interested. Why bother?"

"Coach will come around," Street offered reassuringly.

Tim could see Street looking his way in his peripheral vision. He gave his friend a sidelong glance. "To the idea of me, dating his daughter?"

Street smirked and shook his head. "That... I'm not so sure about."

His waning hopes disintegrated. Maybe he was being unrealistic dreaming of a life with a girl like Julie Taylor?

Tim focused on the road ahead and they settled into a comfortable silence.

Minutes later, he pulled into Streets driveway and parked the truck. Tim walked around the back of the vehicle and lifted the wheelchair out from the truck bed. Once he had it ready for Street, he opened the passenger's door and scooped his friend into his arms. Tim placed him in his wheelchair and closed the truck door.

He followed Street up to his house and down the hallway to his bedroom. "Video games?" Tim suggested plonking himself on the edge of the bed.

"I never did get my rematch. This time I pick the track." Street turned on his game station and searched for the Need for Speed Underground 2 disc.

Tim picked up a nearby football and fell back onto Street's bed. He started tossing the football towards the ceiling and catching it on the way down. "How was she?" He hesitantly asked, tossing the football again. A weight had settled on him since he last spoke to Taylor. She took him seriously, she saw him in a different light. He didn't want to lose that but he didn't know how to keep it either.

"I wondered how long it would take for you to ask about her." His amused tone matched the bright smile he shot Tim's way. Street opened the game case on his lap and set the disc in the Xbox. "I went to her house because Coach invited me. Your girl was there looking all cute in her white sundress."

Tim missed the way her eyes delved into his soul. "She's not my girl."

"So, I can ask her out?"

Panic temporarily shot through Tim's body, easing when he saw Streets crinkled eyes. "Do it and you're dead," Tim chastised.

"Or I end up with a face like Beaus. You definitely walked away as the victor from that fight."

"Was there ever any doubt?" Tim boasted.

"I told her you had been calling, most likely to apologise and that she should call you."

"And?" Tim was hanging on his every word.

"I take it she hasn't called?" The Need for Speed theme music cut through the room, prompting Street to look at the menu screen on the television. "You two were getting along from what I've seen. What changed?"

"I screwed up like I always do… I told Seven a lie and she made it clear she doesn't trust me."

"Here." Street handed Tim a controller. He sat up on the bed, dropping the football. "Was that why he was gunning for you at practice?"

"Yeah, but that's not the only reason." A raised eyebrow let Tim know he wanted to hear more. "He walked in on us at a party."

"You and Julie?" Tim nodded in confirmation. "Tim, if her dad finds out-"

"Yeah, I know… Coach has already told me to back off." Tim gazed outside the window. "I was so off base with her. When Billy and I went to the Taylor's house for dinner I thought she was stuck up." Tim recalled the times they'd spent together since then, unable to keep a wistful smile off his face.

"To be honest I never thought I'd see this day." Tim jerked his head towards Street, curiously. "You're falling for her, aren't you?"

"It's stupid, right?" Tim lowered his gaze burning with humiliation.

"My best advice is to lay low and give her time, she's nothing like Tyra. If she doesn't call, you'll see her at school anyway, if you can find her. When we were talking at dinner, she mentioned she'd been hiding from you. She didn't know you were suspended."

Tim threw a nearby football at his friend who elbowed it away from his torso. "I could go to her house."

"That would be a bad idea."

"What if I…" Street's open palm cut him short. "You're right, you're always right. Let's talk about something else, you're bumming me out. Do you wanna go for a drive, after dinner?" They selected the multiplayer option and began modifying their vehicles.

"Sounds like a plan. I've been itching to spend a night outside of this bedroom. It feels like a prison sometimes."

"At least Billy's not here," Tim admitted unfavourably.

"Has he found a job?"

"Unless he's becoming a stripper, I'd say no." They both laughed at the disaster that was Billy Riggins.

"Sorry, man. If you need anything, you only have to ask." Tim finished modifying his car and waited for Street to finish. "I mean it."

Tim was often floored by his friend's ability to remain in his corner. Jay was always there for him, even after the wedge Lyla and he created. "What are we a pair of ladies?"

"You sound like Billy." He was the last person Tim wanted to emulate.

"Hurry up and pick a car. I want to taste victory before I eat." Street chose a car, making minor modifications and a track.

"3, 2, 1, GO!" Boomed the television.