Disclaimer: I don't own FNL.

xxx Sorry it took so long. I was sucked down the rabbit hole of Love Island and Outlander hehe xxx

JohnGreenGirl - Beta reader for this chapter.

Rocky Road – Chapter 5

"I'll see you after school, no later than 3:30. You hear?"

Julie nodded absentmindedly at her father; her eyes were fixed on the black Chevrolet pickup which had entered the school carpark.

"Are you listening...? What are you looking at?" Her dad turned to peer out his window.

Julie's heart raced in fear of being caught gazing at Tim Riggins. Fortunately, he had driven past leaving her father none the wiser.

Over dinner the past weekend, she had told her parents Matt was no longer her boyfriend. The split was a convenient excuse for her 'bad attitude', as they termed it.

Her mother now understood why she had been socialising with The Swede. Her father's brain became intensely fixated on the subject. Hammering her with questions, angry that he was only just hearing about the older lifeguard.

To keep her parents from flipping out Julie chose to omit any mention of Tim and their new-found friendship.

She opened and closed the car door and pulled on her backpack. Julie found herself lost in flashbacks of the night her father sat her down and let her know he would be returning to Dillon.

She was so overwhelmed that she burst into tears. He'd wrapped his arms around her and promised he'd never make the same mistake. His words stuck in her mind 'This family matters more to me than anything in this world'.

"No dawdling." His stern tone had her attention.

"Yes, Dad."

"Well alright then." He pounded his hand on the hood of the car and strode towards the administration.

He was a man on a mission, determined to reclaim his old life. Apparently, Buddy Garrity had been in talks with the principal to get him back as the head coach. Mr Garrity wasn't a man many people said no to. When he wanted something, he got it by any means necessary.

Julie walked towards the school's entrance, passing Tim on the way. He gave her a nod to wait up before stepping out of his truck.

She slowed her pace to allow him to catch up with her.

"What's Coach doing here?" he said slipping her a curious glance.

"You'll see," she replied keeping teasingly tight-lipped on the details. Tim would be pumped when he heard the news, even if he wouldn't show it. It was sweet how much he admired her father.

He studied her face like he would find all of the answers there. She did the same, mesmerized by his long lashes and childlike demeanour.

"Can we talk?" Julie heard Tyra's voice and whirled around to face her. Tim did the same.

Tyra glared at him. It was obvious she still harboured anger against him from their rocky relationship. Julie saw his jaw tighten in Tyra's company.

Tim leant closer to her. His expression softening when he was out of Tyra's line of sight. "We'll catch up later, Taylor."

He stepped away and left them alone to talk.

Tyra wore a smug grin as she watched him leave. "What did Tim want?"

"He was wondering why my Dad's here." Tyra raised an eyebrow asking the same question. "Seems like he'll be the coach of the Panthers again."

"You're not happy about it?" She deduced. The pair started to walk towards the entrance of the main building as they spoke.

"I'm...happy he's home, but it's... It was nice not being off limits."

"Off limits?"

"Being known as the coach's daughter gets old. Guys are too afraid to come near me. Everyone just associates me with football. Admittedly, it didn't help dating Matt."

"I get it. Everyone knows Mindy's a stripper... It sucks sometimes, but she's my sister y'know?"

Julie peeked over at Tim. His black button up shirt accentuated his broad shoulders, making him harder to ignore.

"Don't hate me…" Tyra said tentatively at first. "I have to ask..."

Julie braced herself for what was to come.

"Are you and Tim-"

"We've spoken less than a handful of times in over a year."

Her words weren't technically a lie, only more intentionally misleading. She frequently found herself searching for him in the sea of people between classes. She unhealthily obsessed over their little conversations. She had all the symptoms of a girl with a crush.

Last night he'd even worked his way into her dreams, she couldn't escape him. If she mentioned a word of it to Tyra, she would be on the receiving end of a disapproving lecture.

Julie didn't know how Tim was feeling. He was hard to read at times. She remembered how cosy Rachel and him were in the cafeteria only minutes after he'd left her table.

"Sorry about being AWOL this summer, I can make it up to you."

Julie took a sidelong glance at Tyra, intrigued. "How?"

Her friend's eyes sparkled in glee. "Wanna go to a party Friday night at Beau's place? He asked if you would come. There'll be free beer."

"He did?" Julie fiddled with her bracelet, trying to remember who Beau was. "He's on the basketball team, right?"

"Tall, tan, athletic, blue eyes. What more could a girl want?"

Tyra barged a mild-mannered, second-string Panthers player aside as she entered the school foyer. "Move it." Julie ducked her head apologetically and followed her brazen friend inside.

"I think I can make it." She smiled up at Tyra who was a little too excited by her answer.

Beau wasn't exactly her type. She didn't really know him. The fact that he had nothing to do with football was a plus.

The bell rang for class. Maybe he could help take her mind off Tim Riggins?

Julie strolled into the Library and returned her books after the last bell for the day. Classes on Monday tended to feel longer. Her teacher's monotone voice during social studies put her into a daydream-like state. She found a few books to help with an assignment and headed for the carpark.

The players and coaching staff were scattered on the field. She checked her watch and with a huff realised she was going to have to wait around. She no longer had the freedom to walk home. She scuffed her shoes along the gravel, headed for the bleachers.

Lauren was adoringly watching Matt from the sidelines. It made her remember a time when she did the same.

Lauren straightened the blue bow which sat atop her ponytail. Julie knew Lauren wasn't the right girl for him. Matt was too good for her. The boy she knew would realise it soon enough.

Familiar laughter, his laughter, the dream invader, drew her in like a magnet. She spotted Tim and a leggy cheerleader deep in conversation by the team's water cooler. A twinge of jealousy struck her when she took the measure of how close they were standing. Everything was back to normal. He was all over the latest pretty face willing to give him some attention.

Bitterness filled her mouth as she fantasised about interrupting the pair.

Today in the cafeteria, Tim had acted as though she was invisible, his eyes never sought to make contact with hers. She thought he had intended to say more to her this morning before Tyra had interrupted them. Maybe he only spoke to her out of a sense of obligation to her dad?

Julie climbed the bleachers and found a spot far away from Tim and his little fan.

She took out a book from her backpack, feeling more dejected than she should about whatever they were to each other. She laid down on the cool bench and reminded herself this was his MO. He wasn't a girlfriend type of guy.

Julie completed a chapter and looked over to see if the practice was over. The players were still on the field. She groaned and inwardly willed her dad to hurry up.

Loud hooting drew her from the page. Her father headed to his office passing Tim who was by the refreshments on this particularly hot Texan afternoon. She was pleased to find there weren't any girls batting their eyelashes at Tim.

With a few pages left she absorbed herself in her book, only to be interrupted minutes later. "Taylor!"

She scanned her surroundings and spotted a player standing on the field below the bleachers. She squinted to make out the man was Tim and he was waving at her.

She returned the wave and went back to her story. The sound of footsteps grew closer.

"Not to brag, but you'll be cheering for me at the games this season."

His body blocked the sun as he towered above her. He was gorgeous. Julie rested her book on her stomach and gawked at Tim, stupefied by his presence.

"You're not quitting the team?"

"Nope and I'll get to play, thanks to your Dad." Tim wore a blinding smile as he purposefully shook his wet hair.

Droplets of water rained down upon her. A few landed on the exposed skin above her scoop neck shirt. They ran towards her neck and she innocently wiped her hand across her chest to spread the cool liquid.

She looked up to find Tim staring down at her with dark eyes. "I'll be there supporting him like I always do."

She sat up, unzipped her backpack and slid her book inside. He took the spot beside her on the bench and watched his teammates siphon off the field into the locker room.

Beep, Beep, Beep.

Julie pulled her phone from her jean pocket. It was a text from Beau. Tyra must have given him her number.

U just made my day babe. Can't wai Friday. We'll have some fun. Beau

Julie felt her face heat up as she read his message.

"Is that the lifeguard?"

She'd forgotten she had an audience.

"You're blushing."

"I don't talk to him anymore."

"You're welcome." Julie playfully punched his arm and he cracked a smile.

"Tyra's giving out my number."

"Of course, she is," Tim said dryly. She sent a reply and placed the phone in her pocket.

Silence fell between them. He wasn't normally this quiet. Tim appeared sullen as he sat beside her, lunged forward with elbows resting on his knees.

She didn't know what to say.

Her phone chimed again. It was another message. She pulled it from her pocket and Tim swiftly snatched it out of her grasp. "Give it back!" she squealed.

He held it away from her, high in the air. "It's not polite to ignore the person next to you… Who is it?"

"That's none of your business." She was afraid he might read the messages.

"Smash?"

"Funny." She stood up and he pulled her back down to the bench almost onto his lap. She stretched with her free hand across his body to try and grab the phone. Her reach wasn't enough.

"Pretty please?" she begged in a sweet voice. It always worked with her father.

Their faces were inches apart. She felt his breath on her cheek and it made her stomach flutter. His thumb softly stroked the back of her hand.

A gust of wind blew Tim's sweaty odour her way. "You should go shower... you smell."

"Do I?" he challenged.

She caught a cunning glint in his eye as he put her phone beside him on the bench. He lunged at her trying to wrap his arms around her.

"Don't even think about it. Get away Tim."

The subtle upward quirk of his mouth told her he was stifling a laugh as she desperately tried to scoot backward, away from him. Julie used her free hand to push his head away. She felt something wet on the palm of her hand and recoiled from him.

He used that moment to grasp her free wrist and playfully force her down onto the bench sideways. "You're trapped," he remarked triumphantly.

She struggled to break free from under his body, it was futile. She was wedged in place. "Tim!"

"Yes, Taylor?"

She giggled at his proud voice, unable to see his face. "I take it back. You don't smell, YOU STINK!"

His body shook in laughter next to hers.

He pulled her up into a seated position and let go of her wrists. "You really know how to make a guy feel special."

Julie rolled her eyes and held out her hand. She expected him to give her the phone. Instead, he gestured for her to take it. This felt like a trap.

With a plan of her own, she confidently stood in front of him and leant forward placing a hand on his thigh. He frowned down at her hand in confusion. She tucked a lock of hair behind his ear struggling to keep a straight face while he squirmed in discomfort. She huskily whispered by his ear, "I wish we could shower together then I could show you exactly how special you are to me."

She drew back from his shocked face and stole her phone from the bench beside him. "Gotcha!" She exclaimed, skipping around in victory.

Tim took a few moments to visibly relax, letting out a soft laugh.

She sat back down and opened the text she'd received before he pounced on her.

Beep, Beep, Beep.

In the reflection of her screen, she saw his smile fade at the sound of an incoming message.

She felt his weight lift off the bench beside her while she typed. He headed for the showers without a word.

Julie was alone in the bleachers, quiet, amongst the murmurs of those around her with family and friends. Her mother had stayed at home with Gracie. Lois was taunting her with spoiler filled texts of the television series they could've been watching together. She had no self-control.

The familiar scent of freshly cut grass was in the air as she spent another Friday night watching football. It had been relatively smooth sailing at home the last few days. She had been talking to her mother, helping with dinner and her sister. She was no longer retreating to her room, instead choosing to read on the couch while her dad studied old games.

It was like this summer never existed. She had feared it would never feel the same. They were all trying to put it behind them.

At halftime she found herself mesmerized by the swarm of moths that buzzed around the field's floodlights. Before she knew it, the game was back in action and the Panthers had taken the lead.

Julie needed the Panthers to win; otherwise, her father might change his mind about letting her go to Beau's party. She had been sporadically texting Beau throughout the school week and Tyra was going to pick her up after the game finished.

The Panthers took the lead in the final quarter to the delight of the home crowd. Her eyes had been innately drawn to Tim all night. He was playing better than last year. Her dad would be chuffed.

With only a few minutes left in the game, Matt threw a pass to Smash and Tim acted as his bodyguard slamming into anyone in his way. His clearing efforts allowed Smash to score a touchdown. The crowd erupted in applause as the scoreboard timer ran out.

Julie followed the spectators who were fleeing the bleachers in droves. She walked onto the field and hugged her father. "Nice job."

"Thanks, baby girl, I've missed these," he whispered back.

"Me too."

Buddy slapped him on the back in congratulations and she felt her father's grip loosen. The people of Dillon had swarmed around them to welcome him home. They liked the new coach but they loved her father.

Julie slunk backward away from the crowd.

She spotted Tyra in the distance, leaning against her car with folded arms. The image made her chuckle. Tyra hated Friday night football. She hated living in Dillon.

Julie hastily headed for the carpark, passing Tim on the way. He removed his helmet and winked at her. She kept walking and let a smile grace her lips at his attempt to charm her with a wink. "Tyra's waiting," she offered as a way of explanation for her behaviour.

Tim opened his mouth to respond. He was cut off as his brother leapt on him.

Tim was the star of the game and there was no doubt in her mind that he would be batting off numerous female admirers tonight.

She reached Tyra's car a little out of breath. "What took you so long?"

"I practically ran over here when the game finished."

"Can't wait to see Beau?" Tyra probed.

"I know you have no patience," Julie sassed with a little smirk.

"Get in." She laughed at her friend's lack of a comeback and opened the car door to climb inside.

Julie wound down her window when she was buckled in, to shamelessly scour the crowd as Tyra drove them towards the exit of the carpark.

Rachel was standing alongside Tim and Billy. She scolded herself internally for caring.

He could no longer see Taylor; his viewpoint had been spun by Billy. His brother's arms had engulfed him and wouldn't let go.

Billy was only supportive when the team won, otherwise he handed out his usual onslaught of put-downs. When he released Tim from his clutches, he began to cast an eye over the crowd for Taylor.

Rachel approached them amid his search.

In the distance, he spotted her walking into the carpark. He wondered where she was off to in such a hurry with Tyra.

"Will you be at Beau's tonight?" Rachel said wistfully. The hand on his bicep clarified what she was hoping for, a piece of him.

"Nah," he answered, not swayed in the slightest by her pouting lips.

"I'll make it worth your while."

Tim felt his skin crawl, tired of meaningless hook-ups. "I'll pass. I've got other plans."

"Tim!" Billy's face was a mixture of emotions mainly shock and anger.

"What? I'm not going."

"You're an idiot, little brother. Take it while you can, while it's... perky." Billy leered at Rachel.

Tim rubbed his forehead in embarrassment. Billy was more of a screw-up than he was sometimes. If he touched the girl he'd end up in jail, not that it would stop him. "She's fifteen, Billy!"

He shrugged. "A guy can't look?"

Rachel giggled, coyly.

Disgusted by the pair, Tim headed for the locker room. He could head out to the cliffs.

These were the nights he used to enjoy celebrating at the lake with Street. His best friend hadn't shown up to the game. He was understandably having a hard time. The win was bittersweet. The glory reminded Tim of everything Street had lost.

In the locker room, he took off his sweat-stained pads. The smell brought back memories of his playfight with Taylor. He'd struggled to keep his thoughts pure after she'd given him an eyeful down her scoop neck top that day. She seemed completely oblivious to his advances.

After showering, Tim dressed and began packing his duffel bag.

Seven was by his locker a few down from Tim's. He had a smear of red lipstick on his neck.

Tim was grateful Julie's lips would never grace Seven's skin again. Landry had joined Seven's side.

"Are you and Lauren coming to Beau's party tonight?"

"Maybe… I guess you're going with Tyra?" Seven said.

"Yeah, she wants to meet there. As your best friend I should tell you, she's bringing Julie."

"Julie's going?" Tim could hear the ache in Seven's voice at the mention of his ex.

"You're dating Lauren now," Landry said.

He'd heard it too.

"I know. We'll come after we get some food."

Beau's party was suddenly a lot more appealing. Someone had to keep an eye on Taylor and Tim was the man for the job.

He shut his locker door, alerting Seven to his presence. In return, a scowl was directed his way. Unfazed, he zipped up his bag and strolled out of the locker room.

On the way to his truck, he thought about how often he'd seen her smiling at that damn phone. Taylor wasn't normally a party goer. He bet the guy she had been texting would be there.

The idea of her moving on with someone other than him was enough to keep him awake at night.

Tyra kept her focus on the road ahead as she spoke. "I brought you a top to change into. It's in the bag on the back seat."

"Which one?" Julie reached around behind her chair and grabbed the bag.

"It's a new one."

She opened it and pulled out a red singlet top with lace detailing. "This isn't your style?"

"I got it for you, to say sorry for this summer."

"You didn't have to." Julie removed her long sleeve shirt and pulled on the singlet top. It accentuated her bust and cleavage.

"Is it too much?" There was no way her parents would let her out of the house wearing it.

Tyra glanced over at her. "Never, you want him right in the palm of your hand."

Julie shook her head. She didn't know what she wanted from Beau. Truthfully, she wasn't sure if she wanted him at all. "What's the plan tonight?"

"To get you and Beau together."

"Tyra!" Julie had a feeling Tyra just wanted her away from Tim.

"I'll stay with you for a bit, relax. Landry is coming later tonight."

"I can't believe you're dating Landry." They were definitely an odd pairing.

"I know." Julie snorted at her friend's shame.

"I've never dated someone like him… He actually gives a damn about me. I'm not used to it. How messed up is that?"

Landry wasn't Julie's biggest fan and nor was she his. Tyra deserved someone who wouldn't cheat on her and Landry worshipped the ground she walked on. It was sweet to see them together. It kept a little ember of hope burning that against all odds maybe Tim and her could work too.

"You're my ride tonight, so don't run off with Landry, no matter what he says."

"I'm not going anywhere. Try to have some fun, okay?"

"Yes, Mum."

Tyra parked her car and they walked hand in hand towards Beau's house. Intoxicated youth were crammed inside traipsing on the blue and red cups covering the floor. They were fashionably late to the party. Dillon's basketball players didn't value Friday night football.

"Let's get you a drink." Tyra led her into the kitchen and filled two disposable cups with beer from the keg. Judging by the way she navigated the house, she must have been to Beau's before.

Julie saw Beau sporting a backward baseball cap, playing beer pong in the dining room. The small crowd cheered as he dramatically celebrated nailing his shot. His actions had her reconsidering their date. Did he think that little dance was cool?

When he noticed her, he rubbed his hands together in delight and gestured for her to join him.

"That's my cue," Tyra said letting go of Julie's hand.

"Not yet," Julie replied, panicked, turning to her friend. Tyra was already gone, metres away, waving at a guy in the lounge room.

"You made it." Julie found Beau standing next to her.

He was definitely tall. That was surely a requirement to be on the basketball team. "I said... I was... coming," she stammered nervously.

"Have you played beer pong before?"

"Nope."

"I'll show you how it's done." He held out his hand for her.

She gingerly took it and followed him through the crowd. He pushed to the front of the table. It was his party, he could do that. Not that anyone would pick a fight with him, he could technically be a giant.

Julie stood beside Beau and watched his friends 'Skeeter' and 'The D Meister' repeatedly fail their shots. Beau casually draped an arm over her shoulder and tucked her in close to his side as laughter bellowed out of him.

He had the crowd part when it was his turn. "Watch this." His ball bounced on the table, then hit the wall and rebounded into a cup.

His two sidekicks pounded their chests together and started the crowd chant, "B-dog, B-dog, B-dog."

"My mouth was getting a little dry," sarcastically replied the boy who lost the point. Beau was good at the game, he didn't miss a shot. Her guess was he played a lot. He seemed competitive like her father when they played table tennis in the garage.

Beau paused mid-play. "Do you want a turn?"

"I'm okay, you go." Julie didn't want to humiliate herself.

Beau decided to join her and let his two pals play. This also meant he could drink. With each mouthful he took, he grew more brazen.

It started with a hand on her hip followed by a quick kiss on her shoulder. Matt happened to walk by, his eyes widening briefly as Beau planted the kiss.

After a long hour of watching drunken boys try to land ridiculous shots from across the room off of various pieces of furniture, she was certain she'd never watch anyone play beer pong again.

"You okay?"

"Mm." She doubted her forced smile was convincing. Her mind drifted to thoughts of Tim. She wondered if he was at the party.

"Come on." Beau moved them to the lounge room.

He sat down in an armchair and pulled her onto his lap. He rested a hand on her thigh. "Is that better?"

She wasn't exactly sure what he was referring to. Skeeter and The D Meister had unfortunately followed them to the lounge room. Beau slid his hand a little higher on her thigh. She caught him out the corner of her eye winking at the snickering pair.

"How's school?"

"Good I guess?... How's school for you?"

"Boring, basketballs better. Have you seen me play?"

"I've never watched a basketball game."

He scrunched up his face in loathing. "That's right, you like football."

She wouldn't describe herself as someone who liked football. It was the only sport besides dance she knew anything about. "I like to dance."

"You're a dancer. That means you're flexible?"

Ick. He was definitely better in texts.

Her opinion of him did not improve as they made idle small talk between songs.

Beau put his hand around her waist and pulled her closer to him. She felt uneasy surrounded by more of his gawking teammates. The group was sitting a couple metres away egging him on each time he made a move on her like she was a piece of meat. She had to get away from him and his party.

She innocently took a quick look around the room praying for Tyra to materialise and rescue her.

With no such luck, she had another method of escape planned. "I need to go to the bathroom."

"I'll come with you and show you where it is," he offered. That wasn't part of the plan.

On the way to the toilet, Beau cornered her. His hand slid up the back of her singlet top while the other squeezed her behind. It was too much.

"Wanna go upstairs? I can show you my trophies."

There was no way she was going to his bedroom.

"Come on... I don't bite," he pled trying to sweet talk her. He moved his hand to the front of her stomach as if to entice her, peeling her singlet up a little higher.

"Beau, stop!" Julie pulled her top back down. She hoped no one around them saw him pawing at her.

"Don't be a tease. I've seen you hanging with 33. You can't tell me you're not giving it up to him?"

She stiffened and stood a little straighter. Was that what everyone thought? Was that why he'd asked her there? "I'm never going upstairs with you!"

He abruptly shoved her back against the wall and stepped back. "I knew you were a stuck-up little bitch!" he spat, drawing attention from bystanders. "No one wants the football team's scraps anyway."

Julie fought the urge to slap him. Instead, she fled the hallway to keep a little dignity before she burst into tears. Matt had never been like that with her. No boy had ever spoken to her so disrespectfully.

It was a mistake coming to the party. She should have trusted her instincts.

Why did she think Beau was going to be any different? Basketball players, football players, it was all the same. She had a rule for a reason.

Tim was lounging by the swimming pool in Beau's backyard waiting to spot Taylor. He had the perfect vantage point if she entered the backyard.

He was a few beers down when he saw her blonde hair.

His eyes bugged at the sight of her. He felt his pulse pick up, she was looking fine tonight. Her red top had her on display to all the ogling males. Tyra's influence he figured; she wasn't one to be modest.

Anger crashed through him at the thought of some guy's hands all over her, enjoying everything under that top.

Her eyes darted around the yard never meeting his. She was frantically searching for someone. Her shoulders slumped and she went back inside the house empty-handed.

"I knew you'd miss me," a familiar voice said.

Tim turned around to find Rachel, glistening under the fairy lights, as water dripped from her bikini covered body.

"Wanna come for a swim? Clothing's optional." She seductively untied the string on the side of her bikini bottom.

"I need another beer," Tim muttered. He swiftly shot upward from his pool chair and stalked towards Beau's house. He had to find Taylor before some chump decided to make a move.

The house was buzzing with activity. Cigarette smoke had created a slight haze. Tim grabbed another beer and spotted her through the crowd.

"Taylor!"

He wasn't sure if she heard him over the music. She entered the laundry room and closed the door behind her. What was she doing in there?

To remain unnoticed, he walked over to the laundry room a few minutes later. He turned the door handle to find it was locked. "Let me in."

"Tim?" she said quietly.

"Let me in."

"Go back to the party." Her voice was louder now.

He spotted Rachel entering the hallway. "Come on Taylor, open the door… Rachel's found me."

He heard the door unlock and entered to find her facing the wall.

"You know this is a laundry?" She didn't answer. "Why are you in here?"

"Why are you hiding from Rachel?" She deflected his question and kept her back to him.

He placed his open beer down on the vacant benchtop by the sink. The liquid courage in his veins had him ready to soften her up. "I'd rather hang out with you. I don't see you at lunch anymore."

He tentatively caressed her shoulder.

"You see me at lunch every day. We all eat in the cafeteria."

He crept closer and put one arm around her waist pulling her flush against his chest. "I can't touch you with all those eyes on us." He kissed her shoulder and trailed his fingers across her skin as he slowly slid her singlet strap down. "Now I've got you alone."

"Tim, we shouldn't..." Her protest was weak as goosebumps appeared on her arm. She pulled her singlet strap back into place. "You're drunk."

"I'm not, I'm celebrating a win." He lifted her hair to the side and blew cool air on the back of her neck sending a shiver down her spine. He followed this up by planting a soft kiss in the same spot.

She removed his arm from her waist and put distance between them by turning around with a hand outstretched.

Tim saw her smudged makeup and fresh tear tracks.

"My night's crappy... I was just called a bitch for not wanting to have sex with a guy I just met."

This guy had made her cry.

"He saw me with you at school and assumed I was easy."

He didn't want her to catch any flack for his reputation. He wrapped his arms around her in a hug. She gave into his embrace, resting her face on his chest. He softly stroked her hair as he held her close.

"Sorry, you don't want to hear about it," she said shrugging out of the hug when she was composed.

Tim wiped her cheeks dry with his thumb. He cupped her face in the palms of his hands keeping her gaze on him. "Don't be. If we hang out, people are going to talk."

Tim edged closer wanting to kiss her, hesitating a few inches away. Desire percolated between them as she bit down on her lower lip. He closed his eyes in anticipation. At the last moment, he felt her pull away from him.

He opened his eyes to see she had grabbed his beer from the benchtop and was guzzling what was left of it.

"Easy, your folks will never let you out of the house again if you come home drunk."

A smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "True... that's why I'm no fun. I shouldn't have come here tonight. It's the last time I let Tyra fix me up."

He took the empty bottle from her grip and placed it in the sink. "You're fun... I have a feeling you're trouble..." Tim bowed his head trying to appear unperturbed. "Who was it?"

She frowned in confusion.

"The guy, was that who you've been texting all week?"

"It doesn't matter. As soon as I find Tyra, we're leaving."

His eyes shot to hers and he loomed closer intertwining their fingers. "You don't have to go, we could hang out."

"Hang out…" She studied him and giggled. "That sounds... PG."

He wanted her. There was nothing innocent about it. "Nobody will see us if that's what you're worried about?" Like a predator, he started walking her backward until her back bumped into the wall.

"You want to hang out? With me?" He wet his lips in anticipation, amazed she was clueless to the effect she had on him.

"We never have to leave," he joked.

She looked unconvinced. With more sincerity in his voice, he told her, "You're the only reason I came tonight."

Recognition dawned on her face after hearing his words and he felt her fingers squeeze his. "I had to keep an eye on you. It's not smart to let Tyra take charge."

"Tyra's not my boss."

Tim scrutinized her top or lack thereof questioningly. In return, she hit him with their joined hands.

"I don't need every guy here to see how sexy you are. It gives them ideas." Tim knew he should be playing it cool, instead, he wore his goofy grin with pride.

He lowered his head so his lips could trail down her neck. He found the perfect spot. One she would struggle to cover and proceeded to suck with bruising intensity on the sensitive skin below his lips. He wanted everyone to know she was his.

"You were pretty awesome tonight, on the field," she whispered in a breathy voice letting go of his hands.

He stopped marking her neck to look at her face. "You think?"

She nodded and he felt her grip the bottom of his hoodie.

He placed his hands over hers impeding her movement. "How much have you had to drink tonight?"

She glowered at him and folded her arms across her chest.

He leant back and lifted his hoodie up over his head. He placed a quick kiss on her cheek. "I'm joking."

She returned the favour pressing a kiss to his bare chest. "I don't want to fight this anymore."

His heart melted at her candid admission. Their eyes locked while her hands explored his abs. "How are things at home?"

"Better, now that Dad's back."

She warmly stroked his cheek. He turned his head and kissed her hand. "Good."

Although Tim had never been close with his own parents, he could see how much she had missed hers. He glanced down at her mouth.

"Do you really want to talk about my parents now?"

"Hell no!"

"Me either." She put her other hand on his lower back and pulled him against her.

Tim leant forward without hesitation and pressed his lips to hers. They were plump and soft like her skin, it was exactly like he'd imagined.

He drew back to check her reaction.

She linked her arms around his neck and gave him a wink. He affectionately smiled back and kissed her again.

This time her lips parted allowing his tongue to meld with hers. Their kisses became more heated and frantic as they gave into their mutual attraction.

He wanted to devour her right there in the laundry room. Her roaming hands and probing tongue told him she felt the same.

His body throbbed with need as he felt her fingers scrunch his hair, eager to keep him close. He struggled to get a breath of air. She was a good kisser.

He slid his hands down over her behind and lifted her up off the ground. She wrapped her legs around his hips and he pinned her hard against the wall.

He ground his body into hers and a pleasurable gasp escaped her lips.

He eased his body off hers to see if she was okay with this kind of touching. She moaned in protest at the separation and ran a finger across his lips.

She pulled him back to her and Tim starting to rhythmically grind against her. Taylor's legs squeezed tighter around his waist.

"Ah, Tim." She threw her head back in ecstasy with closed eyes.

He planted kisses along her jawline and down her hickey marked neck, followed by the tops of her breasts. Her fingernails dug into his bare back each time he pressed against her.

"Mm," she purred releasing her heavy breath near his ear.

"Jules," he groaned in a raspy voice knowing she could feel every inch of his excitement. With one hand on the wall, he used the other to knead her breast over her bra and singlet, not wanting to push his luck.

He heard a faint creak and chose to ignore it, busy discovering the beauty before him.

Clink.

He definitely heard the door.

"We should stop."

Her words hit him like a bucket of cold water.

His body screamed no. She was enjoying herself a few seconds ago. "Who was it?"

"I'm pretty sure it was Matt."

His body surrendered knowing the moment was lost. "Seven?... Of all the people who could walk in."

"That's my luck lately." She rested her head on his shoulder for a few seconds and planted a little kiss on his neck. "That was-"

"Fun?" They both laughed nervously.

"I was going to say unexpected."

Tim let her down from the wall despite how much it pained him. He watched as she straightened her clothes and tied her hair up. She walked to the door and then paused.

"You can keep celebrating. Tyra will take me home."

How was he meant to do that unless she was going to finish what they started? He picked up his hoodie from the floor and pulled it back on. "My night was just getting interesting," he shamelessly said.

She faced him and her cheeks reddened when her eye line dropped below his waist, taking in his prominent bulge. Her reaction told him Seven hadn't gotten very far when they'd dated.

"Come home with me?" He blurted out loud.

"Tim-"

"I don't know why I said that. You don't have to explain, it's too soon."

She walked towards him and straightened out his hair. "I've started enough rumours tonight."

She wiped her lip gloss off his neck before shyly asking, "How do I look?"

With a coy smile, he drawled, "Like trouble… no one would suspect a little temptress."

Her wicked grin took his breath away. She was his angel and he was at her mercy.

Tim hadn't planned on getting so hot and heavy with Taylor. She had been sending him mixed signals. Now he found himself holed up in the laundry room after she left, waiting for his body to calm down.

He exited Beau's house and managed to escape the clutches of any girls, most notably Rachel. He climbed into his car and closed the door behind him. Oncoming headlights shone towards him as he checked his rear-view mirror. A fleck of glitter shimmered on his cheek reminding him of her.

The sensation of Taylor's lips and the feeling of her warm body against his were vivid in his mind. Winning another football championship would pale in comparison.

He wished for nothing more than to hear his name fall from her lips again. If tonight was anything to go by, for whatever reason, she craved him too.

Julie couldn't sleep that night after Tyra dropped her home, too exhilarated by her encounter with Tim. She had given in, gone after what she wanted. It was like the weight of the world had been lifted off of her shoulders.

Julie was astonished at how quickly they'd been all over each other. She'd never felt that kind of all-consuming passion with anyone. He felt like breathing, so natural, part of her even wanted to go home with him.

Tonight, he had made it clear he was attracted to her. He didn't want Rachel or anyone else.