Chapter 5:

In Julie's room, Tim was rolling again and getting frustrated. Every single time he got comfortable he would accidentally stretch or roll on his back and it would instantly hurt his ribs or the scratches and he'd wake up.

Finally when the alarm clock on Julie's dresser said 5:55 he sat up. He knew it would go off at 6:00 like it did every morning and then Julie would take her shower and Mrs. Coach would make breakfast and coach would get ready and get Grace ready. Then at 6:35 when Julie rushed out, If it wasn't a practice day, Tim normally would pop in the shower for 5 minutes or so and then they'd all head to the school before 7. Today he didn't know if things were normal for him so he figured while Julie showered he would talk to Mrs. Coach and Coach. He was hoping they said he could just stay here and sleep but he would do whatever they wanted. He was pretty sure he wasn't having practice though so he would at least not have to deal with that.

Having stitches didn't bother Tim. He'd had them before… maybe not 33 at once but it was for a good cause. Julie was safe. Tim let out a deep breath and thought about that. He knew he was glad she was safe and it was his instinct to cover her up and keep her safe, but he was a little curious about her thoughts and dare he think it… feelings. He could tell she was having some last night during their chat. Plus she did kiss him in the grocery store…. But he wondered if that was in the heat of the moment. But then she did keep holding his hand… although could twice be a pattern? He let out another breath and decided to just let it play out. Ball is in her court as they say. God, he never thought this much before… maybe living at the Taylor's was turning him into a gal.

Tim pushed his hair back and looked at Julie's clock. 5:59… any second now…. BEEP BEEP BEEP. He turned it off and went to the bathroom.

He wondered into the living room and noticed Julie was asleep. The light was on in her parents' room but the door was closed.

Then he heard Julie speak.

"Tim?" She asked in a small voice.

He assumed she saw him.

"Yeah?"

She didn't answer.

Tim got a little closer and sat on the coffee table. Her eyes were closed and she was breathing heavily. She was having another nightmare. He frowned. She was having a nightmare about him.

"No. No. No. Don't die Tim. NO!"

Oh shit… She's dreaming about me dying. Tim thought… She's really getting agitated.

Tim put his hand on her shoulder and she bolted up.

"Oh Tim." She cried and then flung her arms around his neck.

He rubbed her back.

"Calm down, Jules. Everything is okay. Shhh. Just another nightmare."

She nodded but he could feel her hot wet tears.

He pulled her back and put his hands on her cheeks.

"Julie. It's okay. I'm okay. You're okay. Okay?"

She swallowed and nodded.

"You're okay. I'm okay." She repeated, hugging him.

Just then Tami came out to start breakfast.

"Is everything okay?" She asked curiously.

"Julie was having a nightmare…" Tim said slowly.

Julie nodded.

"Another one? Oh hunny." Her mother sat on the couch and pulled Julie into a hug.

"I'm sorry." Julie said trying to catch her breath.

"Don't be sorry for dreams. You can't help them." Tim said.

Tami agreed. "Julie, I talked to dad and you can stay home today with Tim but you'll have to help him and I made a medicine log so we can all keep track. Can you do that?"

"Oh Mrs. Coach. I'm fine, I can prolly handle it." Tim said.

"No Tim, I'll help you. Thanks mom, I'm going to need some more sleep."

"Okay kids, I'm gonna start breakfast. Eggs, bacon and maybe even a waffle or two."

Tim smiled. Mrs. T made awesome food and it was usually homemade. No frozen waffles here.

Tami went to the kitchen. Tim grabbed a comfy panthers shirt, some football shorts and a change of underwear and went to the bathroom to change. When he came back he sat on the couch on Julie's left and turned on the TV. The news was talking about Laribee High School being damaged.

Coach came out on the phone. He was unhappy and flustered. He gave Gracie Belle to Julie and continued to pace while on the phone.

"Ugh. That was our fearless principal. He's decided that since Laribee is damaged they are going to bus the sports kids to Dillon for a few weeks for practices and trainings. The actual students at Laribee will be out of school for inclement weather but they don't want the athletes having an unfair disadvantage."

"Well hun… that's true and very nice."

"Ugh. I have to go and talk to the other coaches and figure out how to make this work."

"Bye" Julie said.

Eric kissed Julie's head and Gracie's and slapped Tim on the back.

Tim immediately winced and his eyes watered and he made some sort of uhhh noise.

"OH shit son."

"DAD!"

"HUN!"

"Tim, are you okay?"

Tim swallowed and nodded.

"Yeah… um… maybe don't do that for a few days coach."

"Yeah… shit. I'm sorry Tim. I wasn't thinking. Are you sure you're okay. "

Julie could feel how tense he was sitting next to her. His hands were clenched in fists at his sides.

"Yeah I'm okay… it's okay coach."

Eric felt like a complete dick.

"Breakfast!" Tami called. Eric left.

Julie put Gracie in her little seat.

Tim carefully slid onto a stool in front of a plate with about 3 scrambled eggs. 4 slices of bacon and a waffle. The syrup was in between his and Julie's plate. Her plate had eggs and a waffle.

"Mrs. T. Do you…. Uh… I mean… um… could I have a pain pill now?" Tim asked.

"oh sure hun." She then showed Tim and Julie where the medicine log was and told them about the 3 medicines he would have. 1 for pain, 1 antibiotic and a muscle relaxer if he needed it.

She also explained that Tim had a note to stay home for the rest of the week (3 days) and he would go back to school Monday. Tim then asked about football and workouts and Tami sighed and told him it depended on his ribs. He was not to attend any practice or workouts this week or play in the game. He could go and watch if he wanted or even sit/stand with the team on the sidelines but he would not be playing. Tim understood but was frustrated. He hoped he would be allowed to practice next week.

After breakfast the plan was for Julie and Tim both to get some much needed rest. However just after Tami and Grace left Shelly came out to tell them she was leaving for Dallas and would be back tomorrow. Maybe.

"You're what?" Julie asked shocked.

"I've been looking for a house for a while Julie… I just got a call that I have a few options but I need to look at them. Plus I'm gonna stay with some girlfriends tonight. Bye!"

And she left.

Julie didn't know what to think.

Tim's only thought was. Damn, now I'm home alone with Julie with no adults.

Julie looked at Tim and noticed he had a funny look on his face.

"You okay?"

"Oh yeah… I'm fine just… uh… thinking about going back to sleep."

"Yeah. Me too." She said jumping down on the couch.

Tim pushed his hair back. "Ya know… you could sleep in your bed. If you want…"

Julie's eyes popped.

"Together?"

Tim smirked.

"Not what I was thinking. I could stay on the couch. But yeah… together is fine with me too."

Julie licked her lips and was thinking of what to say. Tim noticed she was a little flustered.

"Jules… two things, first, I can control myself in a bed with a gal even though no one thinks I can. And second, even if I wanted to try something I'm not really in the best shape to have a good time and I just need some sleep. And so do you."

Julie was now blushing a fire engine red color.

"Tim… I didn't mean to… Um… I'll just stay on the couch. You go rest."

"Okay…"

After Tim walked away Julie fixated on one specific part of his speech. "even if I wanted to" so… I guess that means he doesn't want to… Then she frowned. Do I want to? She wondered. Then it hit her. Oh shit. I think I might like Tim. She knew she found him attractive… I mean who wouldn't but now the more she thought about it she realized she had actual feelings too.

She sunk into the couch and covered herself with the blanket. Oh shit Julie. This isn't how you are supposed to feel. Crapppp! She fell asleep contemplating her feelings.

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