**CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The twins bickered the entire way to the Riggins' household and they still had hadn't settled the disagreement when Tim appeared at his door in response to Landry's horn.

"I did win, Maddie, admit it. I outsmarted you!" Landry exclaimed.

"No, you tricked me! You didn't outsmart me! You're just... trickier...than me!" Maddie laughed, sliding closer to her brother so Tim to slip in beside her.

"Trickier?! Is that even a word??" Landry laughed in response, before checking the street for traffic and pulling out.

Maddie took the chance to turn to a grinning Tim, smiling as he dropped a quick kiss on her lips. "Of course it's a word," she began again, "the dictionary people said so!"

"Oh, and since wh-" Landry started, before being cut off by Tim.

"Kids, relax, huh? How long have you been fighting?" he asked, slinging his arm along the back of the seat.

Maddie turned to him with a mock frown. "Not long. Why? What are you implying, Mr. Riggins??"

"Yeah, Riggins, what are you implying, hmmm??" Landry joined in.

"Hey, hey, don't start in on me, it's too early for me to be dealing with this..." Tim laughed, holding his hands up in surrender. "Feel free to let me out at the next corner and I'll see y'all later, huh?"

Landry laughed while Maddie turned her attention to the radio. Flicking through the stations, she had to smile at the Dolly Parton song that filled the car, and she began sing along with the music. "A cross between a movie star, and hero in a book. Romeo comes struttin' in, and everybody looks. 'Cause he's just got that special thing, that everybody needs. And everybody wfffts mmmm hwfff affff bfffw affff mmmmm..." Maddie's singing was muffled as Tim's hand clamped over her mouth.

"It's definitely too early for Dolly, Mads," he sighed, nodding his thanks and removing his hand when she turned the radio down. "How's preparations for try-outs goin', Lando?" he asked, glancing over the top of Maddie's head.

"Yeah... well... you know... I'm trying and Matt's helping, but I don't know if it's going to be enough," Landry replied, pulling into the church parking lot.

"Well," Tim said, climbing out of the car, "I can always give you a hand, if you want. Run some plays with you..."

Maddie paused in the car, trying to fight the laughter bubbling in her throat, as she pictured Landry's ecstatic response.

"Really? Oh wow. Yeah, that'd be great! Thanks Tim!" he replied, almost tripping over his words.

Maddie managed to hide her grin, climbing out of the door that Tim was holding open for her. She couldn't hide her surprise, however, when he reached for her hand after closing the door behind her. She slid a glance his way, but his attention was still on her brother. Maddie was surprised. She hadn't really thought about where this was going, whatever this was, but she definitely hadn't expected Tim to be so open about it. Instead of dwelling on it, she just shook her head with a smile and waved to her mother as she spotted them in the parking lot.

"Hello Tim! I'm so glad you decided to come back!" she cried, engulfing his large form in a hug. "You're comin' back to ours for lunch, of course, and feel free to bring you brother too. He's such a lovely boy. Quite taken with my sweet little niece, I might add. They'll be there again, maybe you shou-"

"Mama, can we discuss this later? Everyone's going in..." Maddie interjected, much to Tim's relief.

Her mom turned to confirm that everyone was in fact, entering, before turning back. "Oh yes, yes. Well, it is wonderful to see you Tim!" she smiled before hurrying to catch up with her husband.

"Sorry about that," Maddie whispered, as they made their way into the church. "She gets a little excited with people she likes..."

"Wow," Tim replied with a grin, once again pulling her towards the last pew, "She must really like me then, huh?"

"You have no idea!" Landry laughed as he took his seat beside Maddie.

Their laughter died down as the preacher began, and as the sermon wore on, Maddie noticed how intently Tim was paying attention. 'I wonder what's going on in that head of his', she mused, as he leant forward slightly in his seat.

On another scorching day in Dillon, the church was stifling, and once again, Maddie fanned herself with her booklet, praying for a quick service. Her prayers were answered and as they were making their way towards the doors, Tim and Landry were called to the side by Coach Taylor. Maddie motioned that she would wait for them outside, before stepping out in to what little breeze was blowing. Taking a seat on the wall in the shade, she was lost in her thoughts when Buddy Garrity's booming voice startled her.

"Maddie, sweetheart, how're you doin' these days?" he asked, moping the sweat from his face as she rose to meet him.

"I'm great, Mr. Garrity, how are you?" she replied, dreading the spiel he would no doubt launch into about the car yard or the football team.

And sure enough, he didn't disappoint. It was a good fifteen minutes later, when having sensed Maddie's distress, Lyla came to her rescue. "Dad, Mr. Morgan is looking for you. Something about the new Chevi coming out?"

"What? Oh right. Thanks, baby. Maddie, it's been a pleasure talkin' to you, darlin'. Be sure to say hello to your folks for me," he said, preparing to leave.

"Will do, Mr. Garrity. You take care, now," she replied with a small wave, before turning to the brunette with a smile. "Thanks Lyla. Your dad sure likes talking about the team, doesn't he??"

"You have no idea!" Lyla laughed, "I'm just sorry I didn't get here sooner. You poor thing!"

Maddie couldn't help but grin. "No, no, it was fine. I'm always interested in learning the stats for the surrounding counties!"

They were still laughing as Landry and Tim finally escaped the church, Landry stripping off his tie in dramatic fashion. "Man, I thought he was gonna keep yappin' forever!" he exclaimed, to the Tim, not realising that the latter's attention was on the scene before him.

"Yeah, I didn't' think we'd ever get out of there," he replied absentmindedly. His focus was on the two girls standing in the shade of a nearby tree. Lyla could be saying anything to Maddie! Well, whatever she was saying, it couldn't have been too bad, for Maddie burst out laughing.

"What are you staring at?" Landry asked, following Tim's line of sight. "Oh. Uh...huh. Bad news for you, huh, man?" he grinned, before making a hasty escape from the larger boy's glare. "Miss Lyla Garrity, it's a pleasure to see you," he greeted, as he reached the two girls.

"And hello to you, Landry. It's nice to see you too," she smiled in response. Her smile faltered as Tim joined the group, coming to a halt just behind Maddie. "Oh, hello Tim. This is a surprise."

"Garrity," he replied with a small nod of his head.

"So," Maddie piped up, hoping to dispel the tension, "are you coming to the bonfire tonight, Lyla?" She could feel Tim tense slightly behind her.

"Yeah. I haven't been to one in awhile, so it should be fun!" Lyla replied, her eyes flicking to Tim, but not quick enough for Maddie to miss it.

"Oh, there's mom," Landry interjected, "Well, Ms. Garrity, it was lovely to see you. No doubt we'll bump into each other tonight."

"Definitely," she replied, he glance sliding to Tim again, as they left her with a wave.

"Well," Landry exclaimed once they were safely out of hearing distance, "that was suitably awkward."

Neither Tim nor Maddie responded, each lost in their own thoughts. Everyone knew about what had happened between Tim and Lyla while Jason was still in the hospital, and from the way Lyla had been looking at Tim, Maddie was worried that there were some unresolved feelings still there. And Tim's silence wasn't helping matters.

"Oh, there you are!" their mom exclaimed, fighting through the crowd of people. "We're heading back to the house now. The Miller's are coming to lunch this week, instead of dinner. Tim, you're coming aren't you?" He replied with a nod and a big smile. "Good. And invite your brother too. Angie will be there, and they were getting along so well last week!"

"Mom..." Maddie warned, before being interrupted by Tim.

"I'm sure he'll jump at the chance, Mrs. Clarke. Landry and Maddie are dropping me off to pick up my car, but I'll swing past home and grab Billy," he grinned.

"Good. Oh! And be sure you grab your swimmers too," she called out as they turned away from her.

"Will do," he replied as they made their way towards the car.

The ride to Jonesy's was relatively quiet, the silence only broken by Tim's directions to Landry. He turned to Maddie once they pulled up in front of the house. "You want to come with me? I wont be long..."

"Oh," she replied, snapping from her thoughts, "I think I should just head home. Mom's going to need a hand to prepare lunch. I'll see you soon, though?"

"Yeah," he sighed, planting a quick kiss on her mouth before climbing out of the car.

They waited while he spoke to his friend and once they received the thumbs-up, Landry pulled onto the road. "What's goin' on Maddie? You've been quiet since we said spoke to Lyla. You're not thinkin' too much about that, are you?"

She sighed, turning to face her brother. He almost always knew exactly what she was thinking. "You didn't see the way she looked at him. There's still something there..."

Her brother shot her a dirty look before turning his attention back to the road. "Are you kidding me? I may not have seen the way she looked at him, but I see the way he looks at you. Her feelings or not, you've got nothing to worry about, Maddie!"

"I don't know, Landry," she sighed again, turning her head to watch the passing scenery. He barely heard her soft, "I'm no Lyla Garrity....".

.