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Chapter 7: Tim

Since returning from Norway practices have been going really well. As much as I think my dad went too far the night of the Herbies I have to admit his plan worked. The guys seem as close as any team I have ever been around. In fact Jack and I went on a double date with Mac and his girlfriend the other night. If I didn't know any better I would take that as a sign of Armageddon.

Jack and I have been doing well too. He is so different from what I had originally thought. Sure he is cocky and loud, but he is also kind and really protective. I have heard that women fall for men who are similar to their (the women's) father. I never believed that until now. Jack is a lot like my dad. Surprisingly, I find that to be a good thing.

The whole team is also doing a good job in keeping our little secret. I am pretty confident that dad, or anyone else for that matter, has no idea that Jack and I are dating. In fact all the sneaking around has kind of been fun. Part of me wishes we didn't have too, but my dad would freak and I don't know what he would do to Jack. Plus when you really think about it the only time we are being sneaky is at practice. When we go out at night we are totally open.

I look up from the paperwork I am supposed to be doing. The guys are warming up in a circle. I don't how much warming up is actually being done, but they are all smiling. Jack looks up at me and smiles. I still blush every time he does that. I then look over to my dad, hoping he didn't just see that. No worries he and Coach Patrick are talking. I see them wave over some guy in hockey gear. Who the hell is he? I move down closer to the ice so I can hear what is being said. I hear something about Tom no Tim, I can't make out the last name. What is my dad doing? He can't possibly be bringing this kid in now. The will blow all the work the team has done to bond right out of the water. I look over at Jack. He does not look too happy. He is looking at me for an answer. All I can give him is a shoulder shrug. I don't know a damn thing.

The rest of practice was....for lack of a better word....tense. No one liked the idea of the new kid. Even Jim; and he was in no danger of losing his spot to this Tim guy. I could hear the guys cursing under their breaths as they went into the locker room and Jack didn't even look at me as he went thru the doors. I still waited, because that is what I always do and there is no way he can be mad at me for this.

If practice was tense then our walk back to the dorms was....indescribable. Jack barely looked at me and the only speaking he would do was the occasional grunt. When we reached his room I snapped.

"I am not my father. I had no idea he was planning this."

He didn't even look at me. He just opened his door. I followed him in and slammed the door.

"You blame for this?"

Still nothing. So I grab him and turn him around.

"Look at me when I talk to you! You have to know I knew nothing about this. I was just as surprised as everyone else."

"Yeah right. He is your father. You have known about everything Herb has planned."

"What are you talking about?"

"Come on. I'm not stupid. You knew who he was going to pick, you knew the right answer to the infamous question. You probably knew about the Herbies. And you know, I was fine with that. You didn't want to betray your dad, but this, this Tim guy. How could you not tell me?"

"I didn't know! I didn't really know about any of it! And your right the stuff I did know....it wasn't my place to tell you!"

We were both basically screaming now. I was so mad. How dare he blame me!

"I don't even know why he brought him here. For the first time in a long time I have no idea what he is thinking. Do you believe me?"

No answer. I waited for what felt like forever and I finally decided to leave. I was half way down the hall when I could hear him coming after me.

"Tara! Tara! Come back....I'm sorry...please just come back inside so we can talk about this."

I turn around to face him.

"Please, just come back inside."

I nod and we head back into his room.

"I'm sorry Tara."

"Are you only dating me to guarantee you a spot?"

"What?"

"Are you only dating...."

"I heard you the first time. How could you think that?"

"That's what it sounded like tonight. It is not fair for you to ask me to choose."

We are both sort of pacing around each other and the room.

"I would never ask you to do that and I'm sorry if I made you feel that way."

"Good. Because I don't know how I ever could choose between my dad and the man I love. It would...."

"What did you say?"

Shit! Did I say that out loud? Cover....think fast.

"You can't ask me to choose."

He comes over to me, grasps my shoulders and looks straight into my eyes.

"No what did you just say?"

I can't cover. Looking into his eyes I want to tell him how I feel. I guess there is no time like the present.

"I love you."

I am looking into his eyes for some type of response. I can't tell what he is thinking and then he kisses me.

"I love you too."

Just as he says it I can hear applause coming from outside his door. We both look at each other and smile. Jack opens the door and there, all looking very guilty, are the rest of the guys.

"Hey fellas. Can we help you?"

"Uh. No OC we were just um....um....."

"What Johnson here is trying to say is that we were just playing a game of jacks and we got a little carried away. We didn't interrupt anything did we?"

"Jacks. Really? Then where are they?"

"Where are what?"

"You guys are horrible liars, it's a miracle my dad hasn't found out about Jack and I yet."

There was a moment of awkward silence.

"Well if that is all for the evening I am going to close my door and you guys can go back to your rooms."

Still no movement.

"Guys is there something you want?"

"We hoping we could talk to you guys for a minute; about Tim."

Jack looks over at me for approval.

"Yeah you guys can come in."

Jack and I sit on the bed as the guys filter in. Once we are all settled the questions start.

"Why is he here?"

"Is coach really going to keep him?"

"That's not fair?"

And then the question I had been dreading.

"What do you think Tara?"

All eyes were on me. Jack wraps his arm around me.

"Guys it is not fair to ask her that. Coach is her dad."

"No, its ok. I understand why you guys are upset. I honestly don't know why Tim is here. But if you guys are really upset about it you should tell my dad. I know that's a little scary, but it may be the only way for you to get any answers."

We all talked a little longer and it was decided that Jack, Rizzo, Johnson and Mac would talk to my dad. I had to laugh at the combo. Two guys from Boston and two from the mid-west. Who would have thought that would ever happen.

By the time the last guy filtered out of the room it was late and I was exhausted.

"You look tired?"

"I am. It's been a draining day."

"I am really sorry about before. I was just...."

I stop him with two fingers on his lips.

"Shh....it's over. Just promise me that the next time you get mad at my dad you will not take it out on me."

"I promise. I meant what I said before. I love you."

"Good because I love you too."

The smile. I'm melting.