Chapter Three: The Good Days Are Coming To An End

Julie took a long deep breath and rested her head against Matt's shoulder. After a long day at school, and after what felt like a lifetime at dinner, Julie just wanted to relax and end her birthday on a good note. And of course, Matt was there every step of the way, making sure she got what she deserved.

"This is nice," she said to him.

"This is. Did you have a good day?"

"It was a very good day." Julie moved around on Matt's bed and wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you. I'm glad things worked out with your mom. I can't wait to meet her."

Matt kissed the top of Julie's head and rested his hand on her waist.

"I know. It's going to be nice to have her here. I don't think she'll stay long. There's something about this place that she doesn't like. I just wish I knew what it was."

"You should bring it up. Ask her why she doesn't come here more often, or even move here so she can be in your life more. I'm sure she'd like that idea."

"I don't know. I'd like to think that she would, but I just don't know."

Matt leaned his head against Julie's and slowly kissed her, letting his worries about his mom just disappear. Having her in his life again was exactly what he wanted, and needed. He knew she'd be there to help him out when his mom came. He knew everyone would be there for him. But this was something he needed to do by himself.

"We should get dressed so I can drive you home. Your dad will kill me if I don't get you home on time."

Julie laughed and slowly got herself out of bed.

"You need to stop believing that already. He isn't going to do anything."

"Oh really? What's he going to do once he finds out what we've been doing all night?"

"He's not going to do anything, because he isn't going to find out. That simple."

Matt looked at Julie and rolled his eyes. Whether he knew or not, Coach will still probably hate him for being with his daughter again.

Coach lied in bed and sneezed into his hands several times. His wife began laughing at she lied down next to him, moving her hand across his hair.

"You sound terrible honey."

"You've said that a couple of times today." He sneezed again.

"Think you should go to the doctor? You might have the flu or some kind of sinus infection."

"No, no. I'm not doing that. I just have a cold. I'll take this damn medicine and I'll be fine tomorrow."

Tami turned over and turned the light off, lying down next to her husband and hearing Julie walk in the front door.

"Julie, you're late," Coach yelled out.

"By a minute!" Julie screamed as she made her way to her bedroom.

"Honey, stop that. It's her birthday. And don't yell like that, you're going to wake Gracie up."

"Sorry. Goodnight Julie."

"'Night dad!"

"Let me guess, you're going to have another Matt Chat aren't you?" Tami asked, with a little laugh in her voice.

"No. I'll let this slide for now."

Coach sneezed again before falling asleep.

Up and down, and up and down. The same motion, only a little faster as time went by. Landry was used to it by now. Use to the feeling of Tyra's hands across his back, use to her soft, wet clit, even if it drove him crazy every time he felt it, whether with his hands or his dick. And even though he was used to it, the feeling never got old. Every smile Tyra would give him afterwards made him love her even more than before. Made him want to brush the hair away from her face and kiss her senseless.

"We have to stop sneaking around like this. It makes me feel uncomfortable that my parents are right down the hall, with no idea what we're doing."

"Landry, we've been dating for months, if they still think we haven't done it yet, they're crazy. No offense. Stop stressing yourself over it."

"Yeah, you're right. I'll stop." Landry leaned in and kissed her. "I love you."

Tyra laughed and kissed him back.

"I know." She paused for a moment. "I love you too."

"You do?" Landry teased.

"Yes. I love you Landry Clarke."

"You love me more than Matt loves Julie?"

Tyra laughed and smacked Landry's chest.

"You know you actually said that out loud, you didn't just think it?" She kept laughing. "Don't push it."

"Well for what's its worth, you're way hotter than Julie."

"Okay, that's enough flattery for one night. I'm tired."

"Alright, alright, I'll stop." He gave her another kiss before resting his head against his pillow. "Goodnight Tyra."

"Goodnight. Love you."

6 days later… February 27, 2008

"Seven… Eight… come one, two more… Nine… Ten. Good job buddy. I'm telling ya, you keep this up you're going to be looking like one seriously tough mother fucker."

Matt sat up after his last set of bench presses and wiped the sweat off his face.

"Yeah, you wish. It's too bad I can't be your personal body guard after this. I was really looking forward to it."

Brett laughed before he switched places with Matt.

"You know, I never really thought of that. But that sounds like one hell of an idea."

"Everything sounds like a good idea in your head, Brett. Now go."

Brett began his own set of bench presses, more focused on the conversation than working on his muscle mass.

"I know. But on a serious note, when is your mom coming to town? You must be excited about that one."

"She's coming tomorrow. I think I'm more nervous than excited."

"What are you nervous for?" Brett finished his set and sat up, grabbing his water bottle. "It's not like she's some stranger who you have to impress to get her to like you. She's your mom. It'll be fine. Trust me."

"That's easy for you to say. But I need to get going. I got a lot of stuff to do at home before she gets here." Matt walked back to the locker room and grabbed his bags before heading for the door.

"You're not gonna hit the showers first? Dude, you're dripping in sweat. I don't think your grandma's gonna like that one."

"I can't stick around here all day; I have too much stuff to do. And I don't think my grandma will really care that much. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bye. Don't get too much sweat on the floor."

Lyla walked out of the convenience store, holding a few items for dinner at her father's house that evening when she saw Tim coming right towards her. She cringed a little and kept walking, ignoring his pleads to talk to her just like she's always done.

"Lyla, stop."

"What do you want Tim?"

"I just wanted to see how you were doing? You alright?"

"I'm great Tim. Thank you for asking." She stopped, knowing that he was going to bring it up, knowing she had to be a "good Christian girl".

"We broke up a few weeks ago. There, you satisfied?"

"What happened with that? I thought you two were getting along great?"

"What happened between us is none of your business. Now if you excuse me, I have to get going."

Lyla began to walk away before Tim grabbed her lightly on her shoulder. She turned around and stared at him, while he stood there and stared right back at her. He had no idea what to say that would make her think of him differently. I love you? Never worked before. So what now?

She laughed a little when he never responded. Maybe... maybe now he finally got a clue. And even if he didn't, he would now.

"Let me guess… you're going to tell me how much you love me and want to be with me? Am I right? I mean, why am I even asking that question, since I already know you're going to say it?"

"Lyla, wait, just --"

"No, Tim. I am done with this. I don't love you. I don't feel what you feel for me. And I never have. What happened between us after Jason got hurt was a mistake. And still, a year and a half later, that fact has never gotten through your head. I can't take this anymore. How I can trust you to be faithful to me when all you ever do is sleep around? How can I trust you to be there to take care of me when I need someone when you can hardly take care of yourself? All you ever are is drunk. You're probably drunk right now, since I can smell the alcohol in your breath. You can't even wash your hair on a daily basis for crying out loud. You need to take a good look in the mirror and figure out why no one ever wants to be with you, or why no one ever takes you seriously. Because I can't keep doing it for you."

Lyla watched as Tim looked as if he was going to go into some speech where he would beg and plead with her, that he would change for the better. And any other time, she would have believed him. But now, well, that time is long gone.

"This is over. I have other things to deal with right now. And you're not one of them. I hope you can understand that, and maybe you'll find someone who will care. Goodbye Tim."

She turned around and walked away. She felt guilty for ripping him apart like that, but she had to do it. She didn't have any other choice.

16 Days Later… March 14, 2008

She stood near the front of the church, looking back and watching those close to him carrying the casket up the aisle. She could feel the tears pouring down her face but she didn't lift one finger to wipe them away.

All she kept saying to herself was "how." And she couldn't help but put herself at fault for this happening. It was there, right in front of her face, and she ignored it.

As the casket came closer and closer, she felt a familiar hand touch her shoulder and it became all too real. Everything was closing in on her. It was too much for her to handle.

She walked towards the side of the church and headed for the door.