Chapter 21:

Tuesday

The next morning Tami and Eric woke up and got GB ready and talked. Eric wondered how today was going to go for Julie. They had both checked on her a few times during the night but she was alright. She was a champ.

Eric kissed Tami and Gracie Belle goodbye and then he focused on Julie. On the kitchen counter he laid out her medicine and got a glass out for some OJ then he decided what to make her for breakfast. Then he went to her room it was just about 8.

He knocked and got no answer. He gently opened the door and entered.

A pillow was on the floor so he picked it up. He noticed Julie was curled on her side hugging some pillows and something yellow and orange.

"Baby?"

No answer.

"Julie?"

"Hmm?" She moaned sleepily.

"Good Morning!"

"Mornin' dad…" She mumbled slightly opening her eyes.

"I'm going to make some egg & cheese burritos… does that sound good?"

Julie's stomach growled.

"I guess so."

"Okay give me about 15 minutes and they'll be ready."

"Kay…" She replied with her eyes already closed again.

15 minutes later Eric plated up 2 burritos and some fruit on her plate and poured her orange juice.

"Jules? Food's ready."

Julie cringed. I just want to sleep. She thought.

She carefully sat up and pulled her arm to her chest. She made her way to the bathroom and then eventually to her stool in the kitchen.

"Thank you for breakfast dad."

"You're welcome sweetie. Take your pills too please." She had an antibiotic and a pain pill.

"Okay."

"What do you want to do today? We could watch movies or play a game or something or anything you want." He asked.

Julie frowned and then turned around.

"Dad… would it be okay if I just slept? It's just my wrist is sore and I'm tired and I feel like that might be best."

"Yeah baby that's fine. I'll get you one of your ice packs after you eat."

"Thanks dad."

Eric frowned. She's supposed to be feeling better not worse. Maybe she came home too soon… sleep isn't a bad thing though.

After breakfast Julie did go back to bed and Eric brought her two ice packs. She put one on her wrist and the other on her ribs. They weren't hurting at the moment but it was only a matter of time.

About 11 Eric called Tami.

"Hello?"

"Hey it's me."

"Hey. What's wrong? Is Julie alright?"

"She's fine… well… she's sleeping. I feel like I'm doing nothing here. I made her breakfast and made sure she took her pills and got her ice but nothing else. She ate and went back to bed."

"Well hun, maybe she's tired. I mean… we did have a busy day yesterday and she was playing games with Tim and moving around. She may just need the day to rest."

"Okay… should I wake her for lunch?"

Tami looked at her clock.

"I'd wait… maybe around 1 if she hasn't gotten up."

"Okay… I can do that. How is Dillon High today?"

"Well… Tyra Collette smacked one of your players this morning. Bradley something… apparently he was talking about JD and Jules."

"Jeez…"

"Yeah… he got off easy though because apparently he called our girl a tease and Tim, Bryan, and even Matt were all three about to beat him to a pulp. Apparently the party was at Bradley's house."

"Good to know. Is Tyra suspended?"

"No. She has an alternative punishment." Tami said with glee in her voice.

"Oh yeah? What's that hun?"

"She has to gather work for Julie and bring it to her each week till she comes back."

"Oh… that's… alright then… you come up with that?"

"Yep. I thought it was pretty good. I mean Eric… she was defending Julie… oh hey, I gotta go a student is here to chat. Bye. Love you."

"Yeah, love you too."

At 1:00 Eric made himself two sandwiches and made Julie one. He put out chips and fruit and a string cheese. He wasn't too sure what she would want.

"Jules?"

She was awake and reading a book.

He smiled at her. He was glad she was awake.

"I made us some lunch."

Julie smiled back and followed him to the kitchen and sat in her chair.

"Thanks dad."

She ate her sandwich and then wondered to the dining table and picked out a muffin.

"mmm" She said biting into the chocolate chip goodness.

Eric was just glad she was eating.

"Julie? How are you feeling today?"

"I'm still tired but I feel a little better. I'm sorry if I'm not being very social."

"No no… I'm just here if you need me." He stuttered out.

"I'm alright. I don't need much. I like resting and reading in my room."

"Okay… um… your mom mentioned something that happened at school. I think you should probably know."

Julie's eyebrows went up.

"She said Tyra smacked Bradley in the face because he was mouthing off about you." He couldn't bring himself to say the rest.

Julie sighed. "Better Tyra than others…"

"Actually mom said Matt, Smash and Tim were about to jump him but Tyra got there first. I already sent a text to Mac because I don't want them trying something at practice for revenge or whatever."

"Dad… if you need to go to practice… you can…"

"Nope. Not today. We called a special practice tomorrow and we have regular practice Thursday. We'll be fine."

"Dad?"

"Yeah hunny?"

"You are okay with Tim spending time with me right?"

Eric paused and put what was left of his sandwich on his plate. Then looked at Julie.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean… well… I trust him and I feel safe when he is with me and I've asked him to come over after practice to keep me company and he said yes. I just wanted to make sure you were okay with it. You like Tim right?"

Eric's brain was confused.

"Yes. I like Tim and he is allowed to come over, yes I am okay with that Julie."

She beamed.

"Jules?"

"Yes?"

"Do you… I mean… aw hell… do you want to invite anyone else over? Maybe Matt?"

"No. Not Matt. Dad, we are not getting back together. I don't want him and he has moved on. I might invite Tyra over though. And maybe Lois. I just…"

"What hun?"

"I'm still a little nervous about seeing people. Tim… he knows everything… I mean he saw most of it and heard the rest in my statement I don't have to hide anything with him. Everyone else has heard rumors or made their own assumptions it's just a little nerve wracking for me."

"Oh." That's right Tim knows everything she went through… and he stuck around… of course she trusts him. I would too… hell, I do.

"Okay Julie… well you can have people over if you want when you want. It's up to you just let me or mom know."

"Okay dad but for now I just asked Tim."

"Tim is welcome anytime Julie. I mean hell, he lived here for a bit last year."

She smiled again and kissed his cheek.

"Thanks dad." She said on her way to her bedroom.

Julie had a few texts from Tyra and one for Lois. She attempted to text back and got frustrated. Even with auto correct it wasn't going well. She decided to read another chapter and then take a nap. Her body was really tired.

At 5:30 her dad came in to her room. Tami was playing with GB and he planned to grill some burgers for dinner in a little while.

"Julie… It's 5:30."

Julie sat up and rubbed her eyes. Football practice was from 3:30 – 5:30. SO she knew Tim would shower and then come over.

"Hey baby. Mom and Gracie Belle are home. I'm gonna grill some burgers for dinner. Sound good?"

"Yeah, that sounds good." Julie sat up in bed and pulled her book out to read some more.

A little before 6 Tim knocked on the door and Eric let him in.

"Hey son, Julie's just in her room reading."

"Oh um…"

"Just go on back." Eric said.

Tim nodded and headed to her door.

He knocked.

"Come in." She said closing her book.

They both smiled when they saw each other.

"Hey"

"Hi"

Tim shut the door and moved in close to kiss her.

She leaned into the kiss.

Eventually they pulled back to breathe. She rested her forehead against his.

"I missed you today."

He smiled.

"Me too Jules. Kinda crazy how attached I got to hearing you snoring all day."

She pulled back. "I… I snore?" She asked concerned.

"Yes." He kissed her again. "It's cute."

"Well I slept mostly all day so I guess Jake got to hear it."

Tim looked around and saw Jake by her pillow.

"Yeah? You cuddled?"

She blushed.

"Well my other cuddle buddy was otherwise occupied."

He smirked.

"I'm available now."

"Mmm… you are but like I said I slept mostly all day."

"Oh so what would you rather we do?"

She blushed.

He moved in and kissed her again. This time he slid his tongue along her bottom lip and she parted them and his tongue slid in deepening the kiss.

A loud noise pulled them instantly apart but when they investigated, it turned out to just be her father who had dropped the bag that held all his grilling utensils.

They returned to Julie's room with the door open. Julie asked about his day and he told her about the rumors he heard, the insane questions, a rowdy rally girl, Tyra's slap and an eventful practice.

When he finished he noticed how beautiful she looked, listening and nodding in all the right places.

Julie really listens. I like that. She's kind of amazing. Oh jeez… I'm thinking too much.

He asked about her day and she went into detail about her book. It was all she had to share.

After eating dinner, Tim helped Julie get comfortable on the couch and they turned on a movie. She put her legs in his lap and he covered them up with a throw blanket. He tenderly held her left hand under the blanket. It felt like a real date to both of them.

Tami and Eric watched their own movie in their room with GB.

After their movie was over Tim said he should go and they walked to the door.

Julie pouted.

"I wish you still lived here."

Tim smirked.

"I like that you don't want me to go."

She kissed him.

"I don't want you to go." She said honestly.

He sighed.

"I'll come back tomorrow. I have some sort of special football practice but I'll come after."

"Okay. I might ask Tyra to visit tomorrow after school."

"Oh so you don't want me?"

"No. I'll ask if she can come at 3:30. Then you come whenever you're done. Actually I should tell you. I talked to my dad about you visiting."

"What? Okay… what did he say?" Tim was suddenly nervous.

She smiled. "He said and I quote, "Tim is welcome anytime." He respects you and knows you are awesome."

Tim swallowed. Will he still feel that way when he finds out how much I like kissing his daughter?

"I'll come over tomorrow then." He said placing a kiss on her forehead and turning for the door.

"Hey…" She pulled him back around and planted a hot sexy kiss on his lips.

"Damn Jules." He said pulling back.

She smirked. "Have a good night. See you tomorrow!"

He just shook his head and made his way to his truck. A good night indeed.