I started to worry the more nights Tim came home late. He looked guilty every time he walked through the door. I thought it was from the late-night shifts, but the guilt didn't disperse when he'd leave in the morning. Something was wrong.

I stopped Tim one morning by blocking the door. Skeeter's ears perked up, waiting to see if we were going to play. Tim didn't meet my gaze. My guess was correct.

"Tim, something is wrong and I need you to tell me what it is." I crossed my arms. "I've let the look in your eyes go on for way too long. Do you not want to work with Billy anymore?"

"No. I want to keep workin' with him."

"Then what's wrong?"

Tim sighed and turned his back on me. He ran his hand through his hair, looking at his boots. "Billy turned the place into a chop shop."

Skeeter's tags jingled as he laid his head back down.

"You know you can go to prison for that, right?"

"Billy won't listen to me, but I want us to have that land. I'm almost there and once I have it, I'm done." Tim leaned over the sink. "Billy is an idiot."

"Joining him in this isn't the smartest idea you've had."

"I know. But he's my brother."

I wrapped my arms around him. I pressed my cheek to his back. "You're a good brother, Tim, but you don't have to risk prison to get money or help your brother."

"He won't listen to me, pullin' the family card out. I try tellin' him they won't have him if he gets caught... He won't let me talk, thinkin' I'm the same kid he took care of." His voice was strained. "We buried a fuckin' car frame last night, Catherine. People are gettin' nervous about the cops and backin' out. I don't want to help him anymore, but I can't let him keep doin' this alone... I can't for Mindy and his kid."

"Please let me help you with the rest of the money. I can get scholarships to help with school and loans through the government. Please just stop doin' this. We'll get Billy to stop, too. We will."

Tim nodded and went quiet. I felt his body shake in the stillness of the camper. My hold tightened.

The things that we'll do for our family.

Tim and I went to the back the following day with cash in hand. I covered the last little bit he needed and stayed passive as he handed all of it over to the woman there. We walked out with the deed to the land with very heavy hearts.

We went straight to the property, driving through the gate and up the hill a little. Tim parked and we climbed into the back of his truck. I snuggled close to him as we stretched out across the bed. Tim's eyes closed while I glanced up at the clouds.

"When are thinkin' of buildin'?" I rubbed his chest soothingly.

"Soon, I hope." He pulled me closer. "Thank you, Catherine."

I nodded against him. "I'll always be here to help, Tim. I wish you would have told me sooner... Or I would have come to you about it as soon as I noticed something was wrong. I'm sorry, Tim."

"It's not your fault. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

"It's okay. We're gonna fix this. Neither of you will go to prison and you'll get to start buildin'. We'll be okay."

Tim started rubbing my back, making my eyes close in delight. The rustling of fabric, excited birds, and the occasional car passing by were the only sounds we heard. The air settled around us, letting us feel a sense of calm.

Tim took a slow breath. "After I finish the house, would you wanna marry me?"

I shot up to look at Tim properly. He was completely serious. I couldn't find my words as I processed his. Tim Riggins wanted to settle down? With me? It was unfathomable. And the best damn thing he could have asked me.

My lower lip found its place between my teeth as a small smile crept onto my lips. "That's exactly what I want to do, Tim Riggins."

He sat up to kiss me desperately. He grabbed my hair and brought my body closer. His kisses were hungry until he slowed them, taking a passionate turn. He was out of breath when he pulled back.

I met his lips a few more times before following his jawline. I brushed his hair away to kiss his neck, nuzzling my nose at his throat. His hand in my hair tightened. I nibbled on his flesh in response.

We delayed going back home to take care of "business" in his truck since we had all the privacy in the world on that piece of land. It was completely different from any other time we'd been intimate. I didn't think we could surpass love, but it happened. I was still reeling when I crawled into our bed, curling up next to Skeeter.

Tim smiled, leaning over me to kiss my forehead. He hovered over my lips for a breath before I connected us gently.

"Hang on," Tim whispered as he straightened and scrounged around his things.

I watched, using Skeeter as my pillow. I smiled when he came back over and sat down on the edge of the bed.

"I don't have anything else," he said, taking my hand. He placed something heavy in my palm. "It'll have to do until I can get you the real thing."

I stared at Tim's State ring form 2006 when the Panthers won. I remembered how I excited I was during that game and when I went to see him after. We weren't really close then, not like in Mexico. A lot changed after he saved me from the party that evening. It was all for the better.

I clenched my hand around it, sitting up, and kissing his cheek. "Thank you, Tim."

He kissed my lips just as someone knocked on the door. "I'm gonna get that house built overnight at this rate," he muttered, kissing me a second time. Tim stood and peered out of the window. I saw his shoulders slump.

He opened the door. "What, Becks?"

"Wanna watch a movie?" She looked inside at me. "You can come, too."

"As long as I can cuddle with him, I'm down."

Becky grinned. "Of course."

The three of us went to Cheryl's room where the TV was. We used the bed as our couch. Tim laid out between us, wrapping his arms around me when I put my head on his chest. I even put my leg over his waist.

I wasn't too aware of the movie Becky put in. I was too busy playing with Tim's ring, allowing me to study all of its features. I'd need a chain for it, so I could wear it. I let it rest on Tim's chest, my hand flat over his heart.

I peered over at Becky a little way into the film and saw that she fell asleep. I smiled at her peaceful face, glad that we could make her feel comfortable enough to nap in our presence. I glanced up at Tim, running my pointer finger along with his jaw, his lower lip. He smirked and kissed my finger. He brought me closer to his face to kiss me properly.

"What the hell is this?"

We sat up and Becky stirred. Cheryl stood in the doorway livid.

"You," she pointed at Tim. "Two girls in my bed? One being my fucking daughter? You're disgusting."

Tim tried explaining, but she didn't listen. Becky spoke up and was also shut down. I barely got my mouth open before she rounded on me for letting my boyfriend do something with a high school girl. I couldn't tell her she was wrong as she continued shouting.

"Get out of my house. Pack your things and go. Both of you."

I was going to snap back, but Tim took my hand and dragged me out of the house. Cheryl followed. Tim brought me to his truck, getting me inside. He glanced at Cheryl as he climbed into his side. Her arms were crossed and Becky was peeking out through the screen door. Tim backed out of the drive silently.

The two of us went back to my house, dark and lonely up the hill. My parents must have left for their next long trip, once again not telling me when they were leaving. Moving out left us out of contact even more than when I lived with them. As bummed as I was to know they didn't even say goodbye, their trip couldn't have come at a better time.

I hated how quiet Tim was as we walked into my house. I hated that he went straight into my room, stripped down to his underwear, and climbed into my bed. I changed into my sleep clothes, setting his ring on my bedside table, and crawling into bed behind him. I hugged him and left soft kisses on his back and shoulders.

"We'll be okay," I whispered.

Tim only covered my hand and squeezed. Throughout the night, his hand stayed attached to mine. It wasn't until the morning when he had to wake up that he let it go.