ROCKY ROAD - CHAPTER 7

Tim was zoning in and out of concentration as Mr. Peters rattled on about Native American Indians. School was so boring. The second hand on the clock ticked around bringing his escape closer each time it moved. When the bell rang he hightailed it out of the classroom, flinging his backpack over one shoulder.

The hallway swarmed with students most lost in conversation with their friends. Tim strode towards the cafeteria making his way through the crowd.

He spotted Landry up ahead, followed by Tyra and Seven. It was a gathering of his arch enemies. All they needed was Smash and Lyla to make the meeting complete.

Landry waved when their eyes met. Tyra was quick to push his hand down and turn her disapproving gaze on him as he passed. Seven hadn't said two words to him since trying to take his head off at practice yesterday. Taylor had taken off because of whatever he'd said to her.

If he hoped to avoid being on the receiving end of a fist, he better stay out of the way. Tim passed the corner, entering the school cafeteria. Street was already at the team table so he took a seat beside him.

"You're here?"

"I'm full of surprises."

"I wasn't sure you'd show up after your fight with Saracen."

"I spent the first break in the detention room for not doing that little speech for Coach. Now I'm hungry as hell. It was hardly even a fight, with Seven. Remember that time we got into it with the McGlowski brothers? Now that was a fight."

A crooked grin inched itself onto Streets face, warming Tim's heart. "You saved me from getting a beer bottle to the head that night."

"That's what I'm here for." Tim felt underneath his hair to find the scar on his scalp. "I can still feel those stitches... I think."

"Tim, can we talk?" A sweet familiar voice asked.

His little blonde angel was standing before him, dressed in her usual jeans and skate shoes. "What's up?" He tapped the seat next to him for her to join them. "You know Street?"

She gave Jason a nervous smile.

"What's wrong?" Tim couldn't quite get a read on her face. "Is it your mum?"

"No!" Her tone told him that was private. "I meant, can we talk alone?"

He hoped this meant they were about to get familiar and she was too delicate to admit it. "Later, Jay." He snatched the rest of his friend's burger and followed Julie's lead.

"Not cool, Tim! That's my lunch."

He practically inhaled the last of Streets burger drawing a laugh from Taylor.

Once they were outside the cafeteria, she tugged on his shirt to direct him into a nook of the hallway. A large pillar kept her somewhat obscured from passers-by. "This is awkward, right? It's not just me."

"It doesn't have to be. If you were wanting a repeat of the last time we were together, we might draw a few looks. I know a room that's empty right now..."

"Tim! That's not why I wanted to talk to you and I do mean talk."

He chuckled at her clarification. "What's so important that you couldn't say it in front of Street?"

"Does he know about us?"

"Us? Hold up Taylor, what gave you the idea that I'm looking for a girlfriend?"

She pressed a finger to his lips. "Shut up for a second, you smart-ass. You remember when Matt walked in on us?"

"How could I forget? He ruined my night." Tim reached forward to slowly run a finger across the mark he had left on her neck. Lingering long enough for his touch to be conspicuous.

"Stop, there are people around."

"Good to know that's all that's stopping you?" Her cheeks flushed under his gaze.

"You're distracting me." She lowered her voice and continued, "Matt thinks we're having sex and I'm worried he might say something to my parents."

Shit, her dad. He hadn't even considered Coach Taylor when he mouthed off at Seven. Tim searched for the right words before he answered.

"You don't seem surprised?" He remained tight-lipped, still figuring out the best course of action to take. He didn't want to lie to her, like Tyra and Lyla and too many others to name. "Why aren't you surprised, Tim?"

"I told him we had sex." There it was, the honest answer. He braced himself for the inevitable fallout.

"You what!?" She took a step back from him. He grabbed her hand and interlocked their fingers by the wall.

"Don't freak out on me." He pulled her in a little closer, rubbing his thumb reassuringly on the back of her hand.

"Why would you say that?"

"He was messing with me at practice because he was pissed that we were together at the party. He did his best to insult me, even tried to hit me. I didn't think he had it in him."

"He hit you?"

"He tried to." She let go of his hand and folded her arms across her chest as she digested his reasoning. Tim patiently waited for her to say something. He was used to the women in his life flying off the handle at the drop of a hat, screaming insults in his face. This was almost worse.

He'd disappointed one of the few people who didn't look at him like he was total screw up. Unable to wait any longer he spoke, "I shouldn't have said it... I lost my cool. He still likes you. He probably thinks I'm trying to win the bet..." He hesitated for a moment unsure if he should mention anymore. "When you two were going out, he was talking about getting your v-card."

"The whole team knows?" She whispered. Tim put his hand on her right hip, in comfort.

"Jules..." He waited for her to look at him. "I'm sorry." He'd only ever apologised a handful of times in his life. He rarely cared enough to make the effort. "I'm sorry," he repeated. The words were a little easier to get out the second time.

"Don't spread rumours about me that aren't true… Losing your temper isn't an excuse." She pivoted to leave the conversation. Tim gripped her hip a little tighter.

He didn't want this hanging between them. Her frosty demeanour told him she was still angry. "You don't believe me?"

"Is that why you've been talking to me? Was it all part of some plan?" Her questions were like blows to the face, one after the other. She didn't trust him. "Is that why you came to the party?"

"I don't remember you complaining," he spat without a second thought.

Her eyes flashed a hint of pain before her face contorted into a look of disgust. He'd seen that look numerous times but never from her. She shoved his hand off of her hip. "Stay. Away. From. Me," her voice wavered slightly as she spoke. All too quickly he stumbled backward and she fled down the hall disappearing into a sea of students.

Tim slammed his hand against the nearby wall ignoring the stares of his peers. The bell rang for class. He'd had about all the schooling he could handle today. Tim strode towards the exit of the building. An afternoon of beer golf would be better than any science class. In actuality, he didn't need the golf club or the ball, just the beer.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Eric Taylor was heading back to his office when he saw his daughter and Tim Riggins standing particularly close in the hallway. Intrigued, he slunk back behind the corner to remain hidden while watching their exchange. The only time she had acknowledged Tim's presence was after a strong talking to from her mother before the Riggins family came over for dinner last year.

Unable to make out what was being said he kept an eye on their body language. The moment Riggins put his hand on his daughter's hip, he wanted to wrap his hand around the boy's neck and never let go. He expected his daughter to slap him, walk away, do something. She didn't react at all when he touched her. Eric had a bad feeling, the lifeguard wasn't the only boy he'd missed hearing about while he was away.

Julie stormed off in an all too familiar huff, leaving a frustrated fullback in her wake.

Eric glanced at his watch, he had to go otherwise he'd be late for a meeting with the support coaches. He forced himself to walk away. Julie had a good head on her shoulders, she was smart enough to not get involved with a boy like Tim. Wasn't she? He was going to have a little conversation with his fullback at practice.

The supporting staff including Jason were waiting outside his office when he got there. "Sorry, I'm running late." Eric unlocked the door and led everyone inside to take a seat.

Throughout the meeting, he struggled to focus. His mind was far too creative, imagining how Tim Riggins had made his move on his vulnerable daughter. Was she in the library studying when it happened? Was it at the pool? Was it in his car? If he'd taken her anywhere in his car. Eric ran his hands through his hair and let out a heavy sigh. God, knows the boy had no supervision.

"I believe that sounds like a good strategy for next week's game."

The gentlemen were nodding and Eric had no idea what they'd been talking about.

"We can test it out at practice this afternoon," Jason suggested. He wasn't normally in attendance, he only came when he had free periods.

"How about you lead this practice?" Eric proposed to save face.

"Are you sure?" Jason asked.

"Yeah, go ahead, you know what to do."

At the sound of the school bell, Eric shot out of his chair, bustling past his colleagues to get to the locker rooms first. He scanned the room, with no sight of Tim. He eyed the players as they arrived. The only person missing was Riggins. He strolled over to Jason. "Where's Riggins?"

He shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine."

"Everyone suit up and be ready for drills in five."

With Jason by his side, they followed the players out onto the field. "Thanks, Coach... for putting me in charge."

"I know you'll make me proud." Jason eagerly gathered the players and began the drills. He was a really good kid. He wished Julie was dating someone like him not hanging around Tim. He wasn't a bad seed, but to say he had a lot of problems was an understatement. He didn't want his daughter getting sucked into his chaotic world.

Matt was sitting on the bench looking in the opposite direction. He wondered if his daughter was the reason he'd attacked Tim. It was so out of character for the mild-mannered boy.

After practice was finished Eric followed his quarterback inside the locker rooms. "Clean up and meet me in my office." If anyone would give him the answers he needed it was Matt.

"Yes, Coach."

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Eric was seated behind his desk. Knock, Knock. Matt opened the door, peering inside. "You wanted to see me?"

He waved him inside. "Take a seat." Matt entered the room closing the door behind him and sat opposite the desk. "I was hoping you'd be able to tell me why you were in a fight with Riggins yesterday..." Matt rolled his eyes and gazed at the stack of folders on the bookcase. Eric deduced he was trying to come up with a plausible lie. "I'd expect that from some of the other players but I can usually rely on you to be level-headed."

"It was... just the heat of the moment... and he said a few stupid things like he does and I… It won't happen again. I didn't mean to hit you. Being on this team means so much to me and my grandma."

"You should know a man can walk away from any situation." Matt nodded to acknowledge he was listening. His leg jigged about breaking the illusion of composure he was trying to exude. It had been a while since they had a heart to heart, a few weeks before Eric stepped down as Coach of the Dillon Panthers if his memory served him correctly. He wheeled his chair forward, resting both arms on the desk. "I was sorry to hear you and Julie aren't together anymore."

Matt grumbled something inaudible.

"Do you know where Riggins is?"

"I saw him at lunch."

"You've been in my home. I've trusted you with my daughter. I need you to level with me. This isn't your Coach asking, man to man, what happened while I was away?"

Matt met his gaze, a frown on his face. Eric went for the direct approach. "Why was my daughter having a conversation with Tim Riggins today?"

Matt's eyes widened from the initial shock. "How should I know? Maybe you should ask her?"

"Nice try. I get the feeling you're more likely to give me the straight answer. They were too friendly for complete strangers." Eric kept his stare directed at the boy, willing him to divulge any secrets he was keeping.

"They've been eating lunch together. That's all I know. I really don't want to talk about your daughter, she's..." Eric cleared his throat as a warning for Matt to choose his next words carefully. "Can I go if it's not about football?"

"No more fights." Matt nodded, stood up and left the office.

Tim Riggins and his daughter had been having lunch together. What could they possibly have to talk about? He prayed that was all they were doing.