Chapter 11

Tim was more than upset as he drove home, he pulled into his yard and got out of the truck slamming the car door. He walked up to the door and opened it finding Billy sitting in the recliner watching ESPN. Tim walked in and went straight to the fridge taking out a beer and sitting on the couch. Billy looked over at Tim and watched him for awhile until he spoke:

Billy: Wow what do I owe this pleasure? What happened?

Tim: (taking a sip of beer) I don't wanna talk about it?

Billy: (sits back in his chair) Okay! Well whatever it is, you should get the hell over it and get your ass over there and be a father to your son.

Tim: Shut up Billy!

Billy: Why? You wanna be just like dad or mom! (Looking Tim in the face) Look around Timmy we don't have parents. They walked out on us when we were ten and eighteen . I can't remember a time they were actually there for us.

Tim: Come on Billy, I can remember Dad being here for us at sometime.

Billy: Yea Tim I remember him drunk and yelling at us all the time! Coming home finding you alone while he's passed out on the floor. Hell I was the teenager I was supposed to be the one getting wasted all the damn time. Not wiping your nose and taking you to practice.

Tim: (getting up for another beer) well sorry I ruined your life Billy!

Billy: (gets up and grabs the beer from him) Dammit Tim! It's not that you ruined my life, I mean mom and dad had already screwed me up. So hell, the best thing for me was having to raise you, I mean if I didn't have you I don't know where I would be. (Slamming the fridge) And Lyla's been good for you, having that kid has been the best thing to happen to you (opening the beer). So whatever you gotta do to stay in that kids life do it! (Drinking the beer) Don't be like mom and dad! (Walks away back to the chair).

Tim is standing at the fridge looking dumbfounded he had no words for what Billy just said to him. Billy was after all not thrilled when Tim told him they were having a baby, he was so stressed out about money and how Tim was ever gonna finish school. Ever since Billy saw his brother hold his baby for the first time and he could see in his eyes how much Tim loved his son. Billy decided he would do everything possible to help Tim be a good father.

Tim lay in his bed looking up at his ceiling as the fan went round and round. He was rolling a football around his hands. He was trying his hardest to keep busy but all he could think about was Lyla and Cameron. He kept getting aggravated till he finally just got up and left, he walked right out the door and got in his truck. He rode down the rode and kept riding, after driving a while he ended up at Tyra's. He pulled into the yard and got out walking up to the door, he hadn't even reached the door yet and Tyra immediately opened the door leaning in the doorway and said:

Tyra: What are you doing here Tim

Tim: (walked straight up to her looked her in the eyes) Can I come in.

Tyra: (with crossed arms) shouldn't you be at home with your kid.

Tim: Please!

Tyra: (moves to the side) might as well come on in, the way things are going between your brother and my sister we'll b family soon enough.

Tim: (sat down on the couch and looked around) where's everybody?

Tyra: Mom out with her new beau (going to the fridge picking up two beers) Mindy's working tonight.

Tim: (taking the beer from Tyra) still can't believe Billy and Mindy fell in love.

Tyra: (takes a sip) yea still waiting on that to hit the fan! So… what brings you here Tim, shouldn't you be at Lyla's changing diapers and getting spit up on.

Tim: (laughing) I see how you think babies are all gross but mine is actually really cute. He's my little fullback.

Tyra: How could I not know he would be a football star before he's ready! So.. Why you here and not there tonight.

Tim: (gulping his beer) Lyla doesn't want me there, which is convenient because her father hates me anyway.

Tyra: Oh come on Tim Buddy Garrity loves you! (Laughing) You're like god of Football, full….back (Tim shakes his head) Tail… (Tyra looks at him for confirmation)

Tim: Running back (finishing the beer). Do you watch any of the games or listen.

Tyra: I listened long enough when were dating and we're not dating anymore! Besides Lyla's like your dream girl she knows all there is to know about football.

Tim: Yea she's beautiful, and smart.

Tyra: And she had your kid.

Tim: Plus I love her. (They both looked at each other)

Tyra: Then why are you here Tim

He knew that was exactly what he needed to say over and over again to himself. He continued drinking with Tyra until they both fell asleep on the couch drunk. He awoke to Mindy tapping leg as she lay on top of him saying "Timmy, Timmy" He opened his eyes and said "hi" she kissed his face and said "ooh did you and Tyra have sex?" Tim looked down at his pants that were still on and smiled saying "nope." Mindy slid off him and got up walking into the kitchen she was wearing her stripper panties and tank top shirt. Tim sat up and looked around looking for Tyra who finally entered dressed and ready for school, she looked at him and said "better get a move on, gotta get to school" Mindy standing at the counter eating strawberries immediately said "Oh Billy knows you stayed the night so…" He got up buttoning his pants and fixing his shirt saying "sure like he cares but thanks." He touched his pants looking for his phone but he couldn't find it anywhere till Mindy was waving it around saying "you looking for this, when did you get so fancy. Hell even I don't have one of those touch screen." Tim walked over and took it out of her hands saying "Yea, I'm still getting the hang of it myself" he slid the screen to try to turn it off but appeared to be dead, looking at the time on microwave and seeing it was rather late, he quickly hurried to put on his boots and head for the door. Right before he exited the door he ran over to Tyra and kissed her cheek saying "thanks a bunch, see you at school." As he gets in his truck and drove he had realized that he was late, for seeing Lyla and Cameron. He was supposed to be there this morning but after his late night up drinking and chatting with Tyra he had forgotten about it this morning. He was sure Lyla probably texted and calls him this morning. He thought about going to Lyla's but he knew going over there hung-over would only make things worse, so he went home and showered quickly getting ready for the pep rally.

Arriving at school he looked all over for Lyla, he needed to explain, he needed to see her and be around her and Cameron. He walked through the halls with his eyes wandering for Lyla, and he couldn't find her all he could think about was how mad she must be at him. Finally the pep rally came and he knew that Lyla would be there as he waited to lead the Panthers onto floor to be cheered on by the school he looked out in the crowd and he was able to Lyla finally. She was standing out in the bleachers clapping until her eyes met his and she turned her head away. Walking out onto the court Tim took the microphone:

Tim: Are ya'll ready for Panther Football! (With everyone cheering and screaming) I know ya'll all are wondering how we're gonna get it done without 22 Smash. (Everyone sighs) But I myself and Matt Saracen will personally make sure that the Panthers bring home a victory. (Everyone begins clapping and screaming, he begins to see Lyla leaving and passes the microphone to Matt while he heads for the nearest exit door.)Lyla is walking down the hall quickly till she gets outside and hears Tim calling her name:

Tim: Lyla! Lyla! Lyla Garrity!

Lyla: (finally stops and turns around) you stop yelling my name like you actually care about me!

Tim: I know I was supposed to be there this morning. My phone died and…..

Lyla: And you forgot about your two month old son! It's not me Tim your disappointing, it's Cameron.

Tim: You're the one who's pushing me out his life (Lyla upset starts trying to walk away with Tim behind her still talking) So be honest with yourself Lyla your pushing me away because you don't think I can do this!

Lyla: (opening her car door) you know what Tim…. (She started to cry a bit) right now, I don't! (She got in her car and drove away).

Lyla drove letting her tears fall from her face she knew in her heart he was exactly right, because in a way she always knew someday she would have to do this alone. She got to her house and got out and went inside since it was still early but they had a pep rally she was able to come home and be with Cam. Sitting in her room in a rocking chair, as she rocked her baby boy patting his butt and humming all she thought about was Tim. She knew she could keep Tim away from Cameron but just how long could she keep Cameron away from Tim. All she could think about was Tim, every time she looked at her sons beautiful face she saw Tim. When Cam, had fallen asleep she pulled out her phone and texted Tim: Please come over? So we can talk. Sitting watching Cam sleep on her bed she waited for his reply, she received the message saying: As soon as practice ends I will be there. When Lyla's dad came home he heard his grandson wailing because Lyla was giving him a bath. He came in saying "hey, hey, hey what's all that noise about" as he walked over near them and watched Lyla lift him out the water. Her dad held the towel in his arms a wrapped him tight, she looked at him saying "o—kay there we go all clean for daddy." Buddy looked in his daughters eyes and said "ooh is coming by tonight, because I didn't seem him last night." She took the baby from him and walked past saying "Well Yea! I asked him to not to." Buddy followed behind her into the bedroom as he continued to rant about how she can do better than Tim Riggins. She moisturized her baby and put him on his pajamas listening to every word her father said. As she wrapped him in his blanket and held him close she turned to her father and said, "Daddy I understand how much this whole situation with Tim is hard for you but he is Cameron's father and I want him to be in his life." Buddy takes his grandson from her and says "How about you study or relax whatever it is you need to do and I will feed my little panther." He kisses Lyla on the cheek and walks into the living room. Lyla sat on her bed and waited for the text message from Tim saying he was on his way over.

Tim was just getting out of practice when he saw Smash on the field working out. He started to keep walking but he soon turned around, and walked toward the field. He watched as Smash shucked and jive throughout cones. He was moving pretty good for having a repaired acl. He finally called out to him:

Tim: Lookin good 22.

Smash: (stops) Yea I know you like these moves baby. Keep watching and maybe you will learn something.

Tim: How about you use those moves on a warm body (he hops the fence and walks on the field)

Smash: Come on Riggs! Don't you got a baby to get home to. I mean that's your new position right playing DADDY!

Tim: Don't you worry about that. (They notice Matt coming from the field house and callout to him) Seven!

Smash: Mattie! Come play ball with us.

Matt: I don't know if I can I got a go me Landry.

Tim: Seven get over here!

Matt: (runs on the field and drops his bag) okay I guess for a little while. I mean it's not that late.

They begin playing and Coach Taylor watches them because this was just the push Smash needed to get him back into Football. They were laughing and having fun as they all played around, Tim had forgotten all about going to Lyla's even though he only meant to stay awhile. By the time they finished he had realized that he was offly late to see them and he drove over hoping for the best. He arrived at her house and decided against just going through the window because of Cam sleeping. He walked around to the front and knocked on the door of the apartment and knocked. He heard someone coming to the door:

Buddy: (opened the door) Tim! Do you know what time it is?

Tim: Yes sir! And if I can just speak to Lyla.

Buddy: I don't think so, she's just spent the last few hours waiting for you.

Tim: And I'm real sorry about that, if I could just talk to Lyla.

Buddy: Let's get something straight. I don't like you with my daughter! But for that beautiful little boy, my grandson I'm trying very hard even when his father keeps hurting my little girl. So you tell me what I'm supposed to do. (Lyla comes to the door holding Cameron on her shoulder with a blanket).

Lyla: Daddy! Can I talk to Tim alone please! (Patting Cameron's back) Thank you. It's okay daddy I got him.

Tim: (looking Lyla in the face) I'm so sorry Lyla! I had to help out a friend.

Lyla: (bouncing Cam on her shoulder she speaks softly to him) Yes, I know baby! (Looks at Tim) Are you ready for this Tim? Because everyone is telling me that this isn't going to work. But I know their wrong, I know you Tim, They don't get to see what I see when we're together. I tell them you're a good guy! (Cam moves a little on her shoulder, and she soothes him by rubbing his back saying "shhhhh shhhhh") I mean you a good guy right?

Tim: Yea I am (speaking softly)! (Lyla slowly takes Cam off her shoulder and hands him to Tim) There's my little fullback.

Lyla: (steps closer to Tim and rubs his face) Please don't disappoint him again.

Tim: (holding the baby looks Lyla right in the eyes) I promise you I won't (she leans in and kisses him and Tim whispers) I love you!