Here is Chapter 15! Enjoy!

Friday

"Number 33 for the Dillon Panthers is Tim Riggins. Tim is the son of Nancy and Walt Riggins. Standing with him tonight is Mrs. Tami Taylor," The commentator in the press box announced as Tim handed Tami the bouquet of flowers and stood beside her. Everyone knew Tim's parents had abandoned him, it was a small town and word spread fast. Tim had asked Tami to stand with him on Senior night a couple weeks back. Coach and Mrs. Taylor were more like parents to him than his biological parents. Tami was honored when Tim had asked her, a few tears of happiness sparkled in her eyes. The announcer moved on to introduce the next senior football player and their parents.

The stands were packed tonight, everyone wanted to witness the undefeated Panthers punch their ticket to the playoffs.

At the start of the second half, the game was tied at 14-14. It had been back and forth all night. About the middle of the 3rd quarter, the Warriors intercepted a pass from JD intended for Tim. Tim took a big hit on the Warrior's player who was lucky enough to intercept the pass. The player remained on the ground holding his knee as Tim took off towards the Panther's end zone. When Tim scored the inevitable touchdown, the Westcott coach called a time out and replaced his injured player. The injured player had been playing on both offense and defense, this would become a turning point in the game.

By the end of the game, the score was 27-14 the Dillon Panthers getting the win. Julie - beaming with pride - located her boyfriend as he was leaving the field house after the game.

"You played so good!" Julie gushed. Tim thanked her for the compliment and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"They think that kid tore his ACL," Tim added with a hint of remorse for hitting that kid with that much power and force.

"Hey, don't beat yourself up. It's just part of the game," Julie comforted him, returning his kiss. "Let's go have dinner." She added with a smile.

Later at the traditional after-game dinner at Applebee's, Tim was awarded Player of the Game. As he was eating his dinner with Landry, Matt, Tyra, and Julie, he was pulled away from the table of friends by Joe McCoy.

"Tim, you got a second?" Joe asked placing his hand on Tim's shoulder and guiding him up from the table. "How do you feel about Arkansas?" Joe left no time for Tim to respond before introducing him to the scout from Arkansas State University.

"That was a great game tonight Tim. We would love to have you talk to our coaches, what do you say?" The scout said.

"Can I think about it?" Tim asked, trying politely reject the offer.

"Yes, of course. Here is my contact information - call me anytime," The scout handed him his business card and they exchanged a hand shake. Tim returned back to the table he had been sitting in and flopped down into the chair with a loud sigh.

"Was that a scout?" Julie asked, no one else in the group was brave enough to question the fullback about the conversation he had just been a part of.

"Yeah, from Arkansas State," Tim replied running his hands through his long, brown locks.

Coach Taylor had caught a glimpse of Tim, Joe McCoy, and the Arkansas State University scout having a conversation out of the corner of his eye. He was fuming with anger, Would they just let me do my damn job! I should be the one talking with players and scouts, not Joe McCoy! Eric thought. After finishing his meal, Coach found the table the boosters were eating at and asked to speak with Joe. The men went out to the patio of the restaurant to have their conversation.

"I thought I asked you to leave the college recruiting to me?" Eric glared at Joe.

"The Arkansas State scout was begging me to introduce him to Tim Riggins," Joe responded.

"I will handle any college offers or inquires concerning any Dillon Panther from now on, do you understand?" Eric steamed.

"You know, if Tim Riggins got my daughter pregnant, I'd ship him off to the first school that wanted him. Instead you are protecting him from these colleges that are begging for him. Arkansas wants to offer him a full ride if he will go meet with their coaches," Joe smirked, which only cause Eric to fume even more. How dare he bring Julie into this!

"My family's life is no concern to you, and I'm not protecting Tim from any offers, he will be informed about all of them. I am trying to keep my fullback's head on straight so we can make it to state. The only thing Tim needs to be worried about right now is state and being there for his girlfriend and unborn child. Also, did it ever cross your mind that Tim doesn't want to play in college?" Eric vented. After dinner with the Taylor's and what Tami had said, Tim decided to tell Coach his stance on playing in college: that he didn't want to.

Tim pulled his truck uo to the curb in front of the Taylor house putting it in park.

"Hey I wanted you to know, that I um... I kinda told that scout I wasn't interested," Tim admitted.

"You did?" Julie inquired.

"Well I told him I'd think about meeting their coaches, and I threw his card away," Tim responded with a chuckle. "Julie, I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and this little munchkin," Tim added with his sweet smile. Julie returned his smile, leaning into a kiss.

"I love you Tim, but I better get going," Julie responded sadly, she wished she could spend more time with him tonight. "Oh, and uh you made my mom's day by asking her to stand with you tonight," Julie added with a smile.

Whew, that was pretty fun to write. Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed!