CHAPTER 15
"Want something to drink?"
"It's my house. I can get it." Lucas scoffed and followed Lois into the kitchen a little too eagerly. They'd been sneaking off all night.
Julie picked up a nearby couch cushion and screamed into it. She'd never been a third wheel before. It was awful watching them flirt and share awkward one-liners as they played video games. Julie wished Tim would hurry up, she'd bought a new off the shoulder lilac jumper dress for tonight and wanted to get reacquainted with his mouth.
Every day for the past week, she had been sneaking out of class to hook up with Tim in the school restrooms. It was difficult to concentrate on her schoolwork when all she could think about was their next meetup. Julie was level headed and measured most of the time but Tim made her reckless, willing to throw caution to the wind.
There was a knock on the front door. "I'll get it," Julie volunteered, practically falling off the couch as she raced to answer the front door in her thigh high white socks. Through the stained glass cut out, she saw Tim standing on the other side in jeans and a black hoodie. Her heart pounded in her chest. She flung open the door, the rush of air blowing her hair around. The corners of his eyes crinkled when he saw her. "I'm so glad you came!"
"You in need of savin Taylor?" His eyes raked over her outfit in approval. Julie wrapped her arms around him in a hug. Tim kissed the top of her head, holding her close against his broad shoulders. They stumbled inside Lois's house without taking their hands off one another. Tim's eyes widened as he took a moment to inspect the grand interior of her friends' home.
"She's not a snob, I swear but her parents are a tiny bit. Lucky for us they're not here." The familiar feel of his lips made her melt. "They're in the lounge room," she whispered as his lips left hers.
"We could sneak out?" He suggested pressing her between himself and the foyer wall.
"You were right, being the third wheel sucks."
"Julie!" Lois called. "Has Tim arrived?" Tim pressed his lips against hers sensing their alone time was ending. Julie parted her mouth deepening their kisses. Tim's hand began to nudge the hem of her dress up her thigh. She pushed his chest back and tilted her head towards the direction of the incoming footsteps. He understood and put some distance between them.
Lois appeared in the foyer seconds later. She was wearing the short black bandeau dress Julie had suggested she buy when they went shopping. Julie had crimped Lois's hair for her date and surprisingly it was holding well. "Why didn't you answer me?"
Julie gazed up at Tim. "We didn't hear you." She hoped her ability to lie had improved.
"Hey Tim, come on in, you can meet Lucas." Lois turned and walked into the lounge room.
Tim dropped his head to rest on Julie's bare shoulder. "Do we have to make small talk?" He groaned.
She stroked his hair cradling his head. The scent of his aftershave was in the air. "He's not that bad," she whispered.
"What a ringing endorsement..." She giggled and stood on her tiptoes to place a kiss on his cheek. Tim took her hand in his gazing into her eyes long enough to make her feel self-conscious.
"What?"
"Nothing. Let's get this double date started." Julie felt like she was floating. Tim was considering it a double date - their first real date.
She led Tim into the lounge room. Lois and Lucas were sat on the carpet in front of the couch with controllers in their hands focused on the television screen. Julie and Tim stood there awkwardly waiting for a greeting. Tim squeezed her hand calming her nerves. "We got this," he whispered by her ear. Julie stood a little closer to him comforted by the warmth of his body next to hers.
"I'm not a dick but I'm right in the middle of a race here."
"He can't face the shame of losing three times in a row to a girl," Lois joked as Lucas ran his spacecraft into the wall.
"Damn it!"
Julie and Tim watched as Lucas straightened his craft and sped off. "They're playing Wipeout," Julie explained to Tim. "Have you played it before?" She asked. Tim shook his head. "It's really hard."
"I was hoping you'd teach me." Tim leant down and kissed her neck seductively.
"I can teach you," Lois offered. Tim straightened, checking if Julie was okay with the idea.
"You should probably teach all of us," Lucas admitted getting Julie's attention.
"You could use it," Tim teased as Lucas's craft spun and ricocheted off another wall.
"Laugh it up Buddy, wait until it's your turn. It's not as easy as it looks and I'm a gamer. I've dedicated my childhood to playing video games."
Tim directed an 'I told you so' look at Julie. He already thought Lucas was a nerd, he wasn't doing himself any favours. The Donkey Kong shirt he was wearing would only reinforce Tim's beliefs when he saw it. "Sit down you two," Lois said.
Tim tugged on Julie's hand and led her over to the couch. He pulled her down next to him. "I didn't peg you as a video game guy," Lucas called back to Tim.
Julie snuggled tightly next to Tim. "What can I say?" Tim's fingers tickled the bare skin between her thigh highs and dress hem. "I'm easily persuaded."
"You probably play a lot more now that you're off the football team." Tim tensed beside Julie and Lois elbowed Lucas for the comment. "I didn't mean to rub any salt in," he added.
"It's all good," Tim uttered willing to shake it off in the spirit of keeping the peace.
Lois threw her controller down, squealing in joy. She stood up, celebrating her win. Lucas finished not long after. Julie chuckled at the sight of Lois dancing around the room in glee.
"We're playing Tekken next," Lucas declared.
"But I've never played that," Lois whined stopping her obnoxious dancing.
Lucas stood up with a beaming smile. "It'll be a fairer game then." Lucas glanced at Tim and headed his way. "I'm Lucas, but I'm sure Julie's filled you in." He held his hand out ready for Tim to shake.
Tim leant forward on the couch causing Julie to shift away. He shook Lucas's hand. "Yeah, I guess you know who I am," Tim muttered uneasily. Julie ran her fingers along his lower back in support.
"Just your name." Tim sank back onto the couch, tugging Julie next to him again.
Lucas stretched his back and legs. "You need to get wireless controllers."
Lois poked her tongue out at him. "Only my little brother plays it. Why don't you play Tim while Julie and I put some food in the oven?" Lois suggested.
"I'm happy to play Julie again," Lucas teased.
"You've already beaten me twice," Julie replied, she didn't like losing. She whispered in Tim's ear, "Lois wants to talk about him, I won't be long. Kick his ass!" Julie loudly added the end phrase.
"I heard that," Lucas deadpanned.
"That was the point," she replied making Tim laugh. Julie and Lois slunk out of the lounge room. She glanced back over her shoulder to see Tim joining Lucas on the carpet. Lucas was handing him a controller.
Lois yanked on Julie's jumper dress. "They'll be fine." Julie followed her friend into the kitchen feeling guilty for leaving Tim on his own.
Lois opened the freezer pulling out sausage rolls and party pies. Julie walked over to the oven and retrieved a tray. Lois opened the cardboard boxes and started placing the frozen food items onto the tray. Julie sat on a stool by the counter waiting for her friend to start talking. Lois opened the oven door and slid the tray onto the rack. She closed the door and turned it on. She grabbed the empty boxes and stuffed them in the recycling bin before joining Julie.
"So, what do you think of him?"
Julie was honest. "He seems nice. He's putting up with your poor sportsmanship like a true gentleman."
Lois laughed as she set the timer for the food. "Should I tone it down?"
"He should see the real you. I happen to know you and think you're pretty awesome."
"Thanks for coming tonight. I bet it was horrible before Tim got here."
"No, I barely noticed." The white lies we told our friends.
"You and Tim look cosy... anything you forgot to tell your best friend?"
Julie's cheeks warmed under her friend's suspicious gaze. "This is our first date."
Lois's mouth dropped. "I cannot believe you are dating TIM RIGGINS!" She quickly wrapped her arms around Julie in an excited hug.
Julie considered her friend's reaction, it was one of shock, the twilight zone, similar to her exes minus the anger. "Me, either..." When her family first moved to Dillon, she never would have guessed she'd be falling for Tim. She didn't want other people raining on their parade. "Can you ask Lucas not to tell his friends?"
"Of course," Lois replied before blurting out, "He invited me to his house for dinner."
They were moving quickly. "You're meeting the family already?"
"It's a little scary. I've never met a boyfriend's parents before. Were you scared when you met Matt's family?"
"Not really, but he only has his grandma around," Julie recalled her initial awkward encounters with Matt and the reveal of his grandmother's condition.
"That's sad," Lois said.
For a split-second, Julie wondered how Tim would fare at a family dinner in the Taylor household. She scurried away from the thought just as quickly, imagining her dad chasing him out of the house.
"Sorry, for bringing up Matt. I've bummed you out."
"No. It's okay. It was for the best our break up. He has Lauren and I have Tim."
"If I was dating Tim, I would be all Matt who too!" Tim was gorgeous, but there was more to him. "What do you guys talk about? Do you even talk?"
"Yes, we talk!" A flare of irritation shot through her.
"Okay, calm down... We better check on the guys." Julie begrudgingly followed her friend out of the kitchen. Tim and Lucas were racing, Tim was in the lead. Julie placed a hand on Tim's shoulder. Lois's remark had left a bad taste in her mouth. How dare she insinuate that they couldn't hold a conversation. Tim tilted his head back and winked at her, removing any doubt that their relationship was a mistake.
Lately, there hadn't been much talking but they could if they wanted to. It was hard when their alone time was limited. It was impossible when his hands were wandering across her skin. Julie picked up her phone from the coffee table and sat down behind Tim on the couch. She browsed the internet while they raced.
A few minutes later, Lucas declared, "It's Tekken time, I'm done with this game." Julie glanced up to find Tim smirking triumphantly because he'd won the race. "Have you played Tekken?" Lucas asked Tim.
"No, but I'd never played Wipeout," Tim replied. "I've never owned a game station."
"I'm gonna show you all up with my skills. I'll go grab the disc from my car."
"I'll help you," Lois added running after her boyfriend.
Tim turned his attention to Julie. He stood up and sat on the couch next to her. "I thought you lost your phone?"
"Santiago had it, he got it working again."
"How nice of him," Tim's voice conveyed his insincerity.
"He gave it back to me at school the other day." Tim was quiet looking over at the television. Julie cupped his face in her hand forcing him to look at her. "You kicked Lucas's ass." Tim closed the distance between them and stole a kiss.
"I insulted him when you were in the kitchen," he admitted. "He was prying, wanted to know how long we'd been dating and made a comment that you weren't my type." Saddened by the words, she dropped her hand from Tim's face. "I told him; a computer seems more his type."
Julie chuckled at Tim's lack of restraint. "He didn't leave because of you. They've been making excuses to sneak off and be alone before you arrived."
"We're alone right now..." His grin was contagious as they both closed the gap between them. Tim slid his hand along her thigh as they made out, angling her down onto the couch never breaking their lip contact. Julie couldn't remember how she survived without his touch. His light stubble brushed against her chin.
"They're coming back," she uttered in panic. He groaned but sat up on the couch, pulling her up with him. Julie straightened her clothes and hair while Tim left his tussled.
Lucas and Lois entered the lounge room. Lucas raced straight over to the game station. He opened the disc tray, removing Wipeout and putting in Tekken. Tim shot Julie a pained look. He was sweet, hanging out with her friend and boyfriend. She took his hand in hers and stood up from the couch leading him down onto the carpet.
She sat down first and Tim sat behind her letting his legs crowd either side of her. She turned around and he tapped his chest. She picked up a controller and nestled her back against him. "We can play together," he offered as an explanation.
"Tim and I versus you and Lois?" Julie suggested. Lois nodded sitting down next to Lucas on the carpet. He navigated the menu and Tim followed his lead. Julie selected a player and Lucas picked the arena.
They played Tekken for about 20 minutes, each winning several matches. Lois and Lucas were the tournament winners.
"Do you want anything to drink?" Julie asked Tim as she stretched. He shrugged nonchalantly. "We're going to get something to drink," Julie announced standing up. Tim followed close behind as she filed into the kitchen.
Julie opened the refrigerator and retrieved two soft drink cans. She handed one to Tim and placed hers on the counter. She jumped up and sat on the stone countertop. She was now eye level with Tim. "Are you having fun?"
"Beats being at home," Tim replied.
"I've never been suspended-"
"That doesn't surprise me." Julie playfully kicked Tim.
"It's probably boring. I never would have guessed that Tim Riggins would be happy to go to school and learn?" Tim moved closer, sliding her legs forward and wedging himself between them.
"I didn't say anything about learning. Being home 24/7 gets old and you're not at my house."
"Do you miss football?"
"Sometimes... I'll be back on the team soon. You keep me busy."
"Do I?" She cooed pleased with herself. Tim kissed her exposed right shoulder and began moving along her collarbone. The timer Lois set buzzed beside them. Tim paused with a frown and looked at Julie. "The food's ready." He kissed higher on her neck; it was torture.
Julie grabbed his face and directed his lips up to hers. Tim wrapped her legs tightly around his waist. Julie sighed into the kiss knowing she could stay like this forever, in her own world with him.
/\/\/\/\/\/\
"Gross guys!" Tim and Julie broke apart, turning their heads to find Lois standing in the doorway of the kitchen. "Can't you smell the food burning?"
Julie hadn't smelt anything other than Tim's aftershave. She tried to catch her breath, processing how it looked to Lois. Tim held her thighs making it impossible for her to unwrap her legs from his body. "Tim!" She scolded as Lois opened the oven door to retrieve the tray of food. His proud smirk assured her he wasn't budging.
Julie was worried Lucas might enter the kitchen at any second.
Lois placed the hot tray on the stove top. She opened a nearby cupboard to pull out plates. Tim kept his hold on Julie's thighs. "I hate you right now," she mouthed to him. He scoffed, making Lois look their way as she dispersed the food onto plates.
"Bring the plates out, when you two are finished." Lois left the kitchen purposefully eyeing Julie.
She turned to Tim once her friend was gone. "Why did you do that?"
"I didn't wanna take my hands off you. Is that a crime?" Tim let go of her, stepping away so she could jump down from the counter.
"She's going to chew my ear off later, she already thinks we have nothing in common."
"Who cares what she thinks? She doesn't even know me."
"She doesn't need to know you to judge you." Julie handed Tim a plate to carry and an apologetic look for snapping at him. He took the plate and moseyed back into the lounge room. Julie followed with a plate in her hand.
Lucas was putting in a movie. Julie was relieved to learn the game portion of the night was over.
Tim put his plate of food on the coffee table and sat down on the couch leaving a gap for her on the end. Julie sat next to him and he lifted her legs up to rest across his. Julie was conscious of Lucas's stare, pulling down the hem of her dress. He quickly turned his attention to Lois, wandering over to her and taking a seat.
The movie started and the title 'Heavyweights' emerged. It was one of Julie's favourites, a childhood classic. She was in the mood to laugh.
Tim's laughter throughout the film warmed her heart. His hands softly trailed up and down her legs in the less action-packed scenes making her wish they were alone.
At some point during the movie, Julie removed her legs from Tim's lap and snuggled against his side.
When the fat camp teacher lost it and began smashing glasses and standing on them, she burst into laughter. She knew it was coming, but it got her every time.
As the credits rolled Tim moved in for a sneaky kiss. The lounge room lights flicked on and they quickly parted.
Lois and Lucas were over by the switch. "You were right, it was good," Lucas said to Lois. She kissed his lips and he hugged her close. Julie snickered as Tim rolled his eyes. "Sorry to be a killjoy, but I gotta head off, my parents run a tight ship," Lucas announced to the room. Lois pouted and took his hand in hers. "It was nice to meet you guys."
"Yeah, you two," Tim said.
"Bye Lucas," Julie chimed. He waved goodbye and walked out with Lois.
"I should take off to," Tim said.
"Are you making excuses to leave? I know your parents aren't waiting..." Julie gasped, realising what she'd said. "I was trying to make a joke."
"I get it. You don't have to walk on eggshells around me."
"I know. I'm sorry. I would be sensitive if I was in your shoes... I've been a mess; you've seen it first-hand."
"You're beautiful, caring and sweet - never a mess." Julie kissed Tim; grateful she'd found him.
She stood up from the couch and helped Tim up. "See you at school?"
"I want to see you outside of school," he admitted.
"The school restrooms aren't enough for you?"
Tim wrapped her in his arms. "Hell, no. Come to my place after school, Billy won't be there."
Desire radiated between them as they gazed into each other's eyes. The invitation made her a little dizzy. "I have homework during the week and my parents keep a close eye on me." He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear shooting her puppy dog eyes. "I really do have homework."
"You care about your grades, I get it. I can keep my hands to myself. Can you?" Tim's mischievous grin made her doubt them both.
The front door closed and Lois entered the lounge room not long after. "Thanks for coming Tim, you made her night."
"Hey!" Julie blurted; Lois was spilling her secrets.
"I'm gonna take a shower. See you at school Tim." Tim raised his head back as a goodbye. Lois trod up the internal staircase.
"Did I make your night?"
"Maybe..." Julie took his hand and Tim squeezed hers in return. They strolled outside to his truck, parting at the last possible moment with one last kiss.
Tim opened the driver's door and climbed inside. Julie bent forward and pulled up her thigh socks that were slipping down. When she finished, she found Tim's eyes scouring over her body. He'd wound down his window. "What are you doing to me, Taylor? Don't wear them to study if you want me to be good."
Julie crossed her arms in the cool breeze. "I'll see you at school," she replied, shaking her head at his antics before turning and skipping away as he started his truck.
Faint wolf whistles echoed through the quiet street as he pulled out of the driveway.
She entered Lois's house and pressed her back against the closed door. He was adorable, and he was all hers.
AN: Reading over old chapters, I noticed timeline went a bit wonky hehe. So can everyone please look at this cylindrical I'm holding. Look directly into the red eye. Thank you, until next time.