A/N: So here it is! Apologies for the delay, but there was a slight issue of writers block where I couldn't figure out how to to make what I wanted to happen happen!
Also a massive thankyou to Brophy for acting as beta for me! It was much appreciated!
Thankyou to everyone who took the time to review the last chapter, hopefully this chapter will have you pushing that button again! :P
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Chapter 7
It was just past 7 o'clock in the morning when the phone started ringing off the hook with various members of the community demanding to speak to Coach Taylor.
Much like the year before, the annual prank war between Arnett Meade and Dillon Panthers had been brought up by Coach Taylor and he'd issued the same warning to his team as he had the year before.
Do not get involved.
Do not retaliate.
He'd been successful in keeping his boys minds' focused on the upcoming game rather than the pre-rivalry.
Obviously the Coach at Arnett Meade hadn't had the same success, or interest in the matter and the team were still bitter over the loss when they'd had their assess handed to them by the Panthers.
Each one of the signs set out in the front yards with the players detailing their name, number and position had been trashed along with the sign welcoming visitors to Dillon and advertising the fact that Dillon were the State Champions for 2006.
The people of Dillon were up in arms and Coach Taylor was the first one they went to when it came to any football matter.
"Tim, is it alright if you give Julie a lift to school today?" Tami asked the Fullback sitting at the breakfast table drinking coffee.
"Sure, Mrs. Coach."
"Julie!" Tami shouted down the hall to her eldest daughter's bedroom as she continued to feed Gracie. "Hurry up, you're going to be catching a lift with Tim this morning!"
"What?" Julie asked, poking her head from out round her door. "Why?"
"Your Dad and I have a few things that need to be taken care of."
"Mac," Eric said speaking into the phone, "You get all those boys pulled out of class and down on the football field, you hear me? I want them running laps, sprints, steps, blocking practice what ever you can think to throw at them, alright? They're going to be angry, and they'll be feeling restless and reckless, I want them too tired to even think about revenge."
Finishing up his conversation with Mac, Eric refilled his coffee cup as the phone immediately started ringing again.
"I'm expecting you to set an example Riggins." Eric told his Fullback as he ignored the phone for a moment. "Now is not the time to be focusing on revenge. I know you're mad, I get that. I am too. But right now I need you and the other boys to channel that energy onto the field."
Tim grit his teeth, anger surging through him, he wanted to pound the Arnett Meade players that had disrespected their State win, he wanted to tear them apart on the field. He didn't want to wait until Friday when they faced them underneath the bright lights. The team would be frothing at the mouth for pay back regardless of what Coach Taylor said. "Yes Sir." He said, knowing that he had no other choice. As much as he hated to admit it his hands were tied in the matter. He was living with Coach Taylor and he owed the man more than most on the football team. No matter how much it stuck in his gullet he couldn't refuse the man's request. "I understand."
Eric nodded; knowing the conflicted emotions that Tim was feeling. "I know it's difficult son, I know that there will be members of the team looking to you for action. I understand that. But I also know that you can rise about that if you put your mind to it."
A ripple of shame ripped through Tim following Coach Taylor's words of belief in him when moments before he'd been so resentful.
Responding to Coach Taylor's words with a nod, he repeated his earlier words with more conviction. "Yes Sir."
"Julie!" Tami shouted once more with a glance at the clock.
"I'm coming!" Julie hollered back. "God!" She muttered under her breath slamming her bedroom door shut behind her.
She stomped down the hallway with a scowl firmly etched upon her face.
"What's wrong with you this morning?" Eric asked Julie.
Julie's scowl became more pronounced as she glared at her father. "Why do you think there's something wrong with me?" She hissed. "I'm fine!"
Bringing up the coffee mug to hide the smirk threatening to break out over his mouth, Tim took a large mouthful to drain the mug empty of it's contents.
Turning to her Mom before her Dad could comment on her attitude, Julie announced, "We're out of tampons."
The words caught Tim off guard and he choked on the coffee and thumped at his chest as it went down the wrong way.
Julie shot him a dirty look, "Grow up Tim! Tampons, tampons, tampons! All the rally girls and cheerleaders you've slept with use them!"
Preferring to ignore the comment his daughter had made Coach Taylor answered the phone once again instead.
"Julie," Tami said in warning.
She rolled her eyes but let the subject drop, casting another withering look in Tim's direction.
"I'll pick some more up from the store today."
"Right…you ready to go Jules?" Tim asked, tentatively unsure of how to treat Julie following her revelation. Him and Tyra had broken up at least once a month throughout their on and off relationship, usually because he'd done something stupid and she'd been suffering from PMS, so apart from her attitude problem it had never come up. It had never been an issue with any of the other girls he hooked up with as well, he wasn't exactly a relationship kind of guy. Street would probably know what to do, but he sure as hell didn't.
"Yeah, I'll see you later," she said to her parents as she picked up her bag and headed for the door, Tim hot on her heels.
He unlocked the passenger side and started walking round to the driver's side when Julie called him back.
Changing direction, Tim motioned for Julie to step out of the way. Knowing that the door had gotten stuck again, he balled his hand into a fist and knocked it against the truck door.
Reaching down for the handle he opened it, and made a note to have a look at it later that evening when he had more time.
Holding the door open for Julie, he waited until she had climbed in before closing it behind her.
Swinging into the driver's seat, he started the engine and reached across for the radio, turning the volume down slightly.
"I've got to get some gas." He told Julie as he pulled away and headed down the road.
"Ok." Julie replied quietly.
Frowning, Tim glanced across at her, taking note of her appearance for the first time now that he wasn't being bombarded by her attitude.
She was looking a little pale, and her eyes were slightly puffy from lack of sleep he figured. Her face was strained, and he couldn't help but notice the odd flicker of discomfort that flitted across her face and the way her hand rubbed back and forth across her stomach.
She sure didn't look good.
"You alright there?"
"I'm fine." Julie remarked while sending a glare in his direction.
"You don't look so good." He commented with all the sense of a thickheaded male.
Her voice dripping with sarcasm, Julie responded, "Gee, that's just what every girl wants to hear! I'm fine!"
Tim glanced doubtfully over at the blonde and then quickly looked away as she scowled at him. Hormonal women were never a good thing.
"You know what really pisses women off?" Julie asked him with a bucket load of attitude. "Men asking what's wrong when we've already told them we're fine!" She informed him without waiting for an answer. "No we're not really fine, but read between the fucking lines where we're shouting loud and clear that we don't want to talk about it! You lot then insisting that you know we're not fine just pisses us off even more! If I say I'm fine it's code for I don't want to talk about it - leave me the fuck alone!"
Swallowing his grin and trying to keep the inappropriate amusement from showing on his face, Tim kept his eyes trained on the road. It sure was funny as hell watching Julie get worked up.
Her eyes flashed, and her cheeks got all red; it was almost worth getting her angry just to see how she'd react.
"I'm just going to get some gas." He drawled unnecessarily as they pulled into the gas station.
Filling his tank, he quickly headed in to pay.
Climbing back into the truck he was greeted by silence, but tried not to let it bother him.
Women were strange creatures, and Julie was stranger than most.
Before long they arrived at school, Tim guiding the truck into the first available spot. Turning off the engine he wasted no time in getting out.
Julie pulled back the handle on the passenger side, but it didn't budge.
Figuring that she would have to scoot across and get out the driver's side, her plans came to a halt as Tim thumped the passenger door in the same manner that he had done earlier and opened it for her.
"Thanks," She muttered, still waiting for the effects of her painkillers to kick in.
"Jules!" Tim called out to her.
She spun around to see what he wanted now, reflectively catching the object he'd tossed in her direction.
She looked down at it, turning it over in her hands. Chocolate. He'd brought her chocolate when he'd paid for the gas she realized.
Running her thumb over the wrapper, Julie was taken back by his actions. It was bent slightly out of shape where it had sat in his pocket, and it was slightly soft from his body heat… but still…
Clutching the chocolate bar in her hand she looked up at him.
He was watching her with a wary expression, obviously unsure of how she was about to react.
Given the way she'd treated him earlier though, that wasn't any surprise.
Stepping up in front of him, Julie didn't stop to think as she wrapped her arms about his waist and buried her face against his chest.
"Thank you." She said, her voice muffled by his T-shirt. "I'm sorry for being such a bitch." Julie apologized.
Stunned, it took a second for Tim to respond and wrap his arms about her. Julie was hugging him. She was hugging him. Sure he was used to girls touching him and stuff, but when they wrapped their arms about his waist or ran their hands down his chest they were after something. Julie wasn't after anything; she was actually giving him a hug for no other reason than she wanted to. "Sure you're ok?"
"No." She replied miserably. "I've got really bad cramps, a massive spot on my chin and I just want to go back to bed, eat chocolate and drool over Mr. Darcy."
"Ah, Jules…" Tim sighed, rubbing his hand up and down her back soothingly in the same way he did with Gracie when she was upset.
"That helps." Julie commented, referring to his hand rubbing up and down her back, "It's on par with buying me chocolate."
"Yo! Riggs!"
Tim looked up and glanced over at his teammate. Giving a nod in Bradley's direction to show that he'd been heard, he turned his attention back to Julie.
"Riggins! Getcha ass over here!" Bradley hollered at him.
Sighing, Julie pulled away. "Sounds like you're needed."
His lips twitched as she offered him a small shy smile that he knew was just for him. "I'll see you later, yeah?"
"Yeah." Tim agreed.
"Riggins! Now!"
"I gotta go, there's Emily." Julie told him, motioning to a girl he'd never taken the time to look at before. "Bye."
"Later Jules."
He watched as she crossed the front of the school, calling out for her friend to wait up before he turned around and leisurely made his own way across to his teammates.
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"We're doing it. Tonight."
Tim shook his head. "I'm not gonna be a part of this."
"What?" Bradley hissed venomously.
"I'm not doing this. Coach said to leave it be. That's what I'm gonna do."
"Your part of this team Riggs." Bradley pointed out while a few of the other surrounding players nodded in agreement. "Arnett Meade trashed our State Champion sign and then had the guts to disrespect our property. We can't let that go."
"Don't then. But I'm staying out of this."
"Never bothered you last year." Justin pointed out. "Coach said not to, and as I recall it, it was you dragging Seven out with us to wreck the QB's car."
Tim set his jaw and grit his teeth. Casually, he shrugged. "Yeah, well I'm living with the guy right now, I owe him and he's told us not to get involved. I gotta respect that. I'm not going to get involved. Y'all do what you want to do, that's up to y'all but leave me out of it."
"You owe Coach?" Bradley snorted. "You respect Coach? Pull the other one Riggs it's got bells on it. That's bullshit, cause everyone with eyes in their head, or ears attached to their body can see that you're messin' around with Julie Taylor."
His eye's narrowing in annoyance, Tim glanced at the clock eager for class to finish. "There ain't nothing going on between me and Julie Taylor. But don't you ever bring her name up like that again, y'hear me?" The bell rung, and without waiting for a response Tim slung his back over his shoulder and left his teammates to it.
"We'll just do it without him then." Justin declared. "We don't need Riggins."
"No we don't. But that don't mean that we're not going to do it without him."
Justin looked at Bradley skeptically. "I don't know man…he sounded pretty set."
"Yeah…well we'll make him pretty un-set then won't we?"
Justin frowned and followed Bradley out of the classroom. "How?" He asked. Riggins was known for being a stubborn son of a bitch.
He glanced over at Bradley who wasn't paying attention to him and followed his team mates gaze across the hall.
"Oh."
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"I'll see you later." Julie called out to her parents as she shoved her feet into her shoes.
"Make sure you're back by nine Julie, it's a school night."
Julie sighed, "I know."
"Are you sure you don't want a lift?" Eric asked.
"Dad," Julie replied, trying not to scream with frustration, "Emily lives less than five minutes away by foot. I'll be fine."
Frowning, Eric pursed his lips. "I've never heard you mention this Emily girl before." He commented suspiciously.
Standing up, Julie looked straight at her Dad. "She was my guide the first few days we got here. Then I made friends with Lois and," Julie paused and winced, "pretty much forgot about Emily. But after my fight with Lois, who is still being a total cow by the way, I hung around with Emily today. We were paired for an English project, which is why I'm going round her house tonight."
"Why couldn't she come here?"
"What's the problem with me going over to her house?" Julie asked.
"There isn't one."
"Then why are you giving me the third degree?" Julie snapped. "I'm sixteen, not six for crying out loud! I'm capable of walking to a friends house who lives less than five minutes away!"
"Don't take that tone of voice with me young lady!" Snapped Eric as he glared at his daughter. God, Julie sure as hell knew how to push his buttons at times.
Julie glared back at him. "Mom!" She yelled. "Dad thinks that studying with Emily is code for sneaking out with boys!"
"Eric!" Tami called out from down the hall, "Leave Julie alone. Julie stop winding your Dad up!"
"I'll be back soon." Julie shouted back opening the door. "Bye Dad. Promise not to make out with any football players while I'm gone." She said cheekily, slamming the door shut as she left before her dad could say anything.
Growling, she hurried down the front path out onto the sidewalk, glancing quickly at her watch.
Within a few minutes she was on the quiet stretch of road that she had to cross to get to Emily's house. The houses were slightly larger, with bigger yards and the houses were set further back from the street, often with various plants being used to ensure privacy.
It had been nice hanging out with Emily again. The brunette had been her guide round school the first few days she'd spent at Dillon as she had explained to her Dad.
She'd bumped into Lois and had been accepted into her group of friends, one of the main attractions being that they had confessed to hate football as much as she did.
She'd gotten caught up with her new friends, and she'd over looked Emily. She'd still said hi to the girl in the hallways and if they were in the same class, but she hadn't made an effort to hang out.
Which, looking back now, had been a mistake.
Emily was nice. Sure she was real quiet, but, Julie figured, that was because she was more shy than anything else. Towards the end of the day she'd started to come out of her shell and relax. And while Emily didn't state on a regular basis that she had no time for football players, she didn't treat them any different than anyone else in the school either.
Julie wasn't stupid, she knew that part of her resentment and dislike of football was because it took away so much of her fathers attention and the disruption it had caused in her life each time they moved to a new town with a different football team.
A car was coming down the road from behind her, and Julie glanced over her shoulder to look at it, before looking forward to where she was walking, the matter of no further interest to her.
She recognized the car, it belonged to one of her Dad's football players, and she'd seen enough Rally Girls and Cheerleaders hanging out of it as they were driven around town.
It drew up along side her for a moment and then continued on down the road a few yards.
She paused briefly, and then continued walking.
What was she thinking?
This was Dillon!
Not only that, the player driving that car was in her Dad's football team; they weren't going to try anything.
Maybe he'd pulled over to answer his mobile, or he was waiting outside one of the houses for some girl to come out and if that were the case, Julie thought, the boy had horrible manners.
The front doors of the car opened, and two of her Dad's players got out of the car while leaving the engine running.
She eyed them warily as they walked towards her, and she slowed her pace.
"Hey Taylor." One of them said in greeting. He grinned at her, but something didn't sit right with Julie at the action.
He had short light brown hair, and was wearing a plain white T-shirt devoid of any logos.
His appearance was unusual. She didn't think that she'd ever seen one of the football players decked out in clothing that didn't announce their status within the football team.
Even Tim who spent most of his time in old jeans and checked shirts had numerous panthers t-shirts and hoodies that she'd gotten used to seeing him in.
The other boy with him, who had blonde hair and was slightly shorter and stockier, remained silent, looking slightly uneasy.
"Hey." Julie replied cautiously.
"You need a ride?" The one who'd greeted her earlier asked.
Julie tensed, eyes darting between the pair of them. "No thanks."
"Too bad Taylor, this would have been a lot easier all round if you'd just said yes." He nipped forward and caught hold of her wrists.
"Get off!" Julie demanded, trying to yank herself out of his grasp.
"Quiet down Taylor." The player snapped, transferring her wrists into one of her hands while slapping the other one over her mouth so she couldn't shout out.
Anger and fear zipped through Julie's body, and she lashed out with her feet kicking him in the shins and when that failed, instinctively bringing her knee up between his legs.
She didn't make it; the boy moved the lower half of his body back out of reach and spun her round so that he had hold of her from behind.
He lifted her up off the ground in a move similar to how Tim had done the night before but this time she didn't feel any amusement.
She wriggled; biting at the hand clamped to her mouth that was muffling her cries.
"Shit! You bitch!" He cursed yanking the palm of his hand away from her teeth.
"Hel–" Julie cry for help was cut off as she was abruptly dropped to the ground a large body quickly following her down.
The weight crushing her made it difficult to breathe, and the terror she felt didn't help matters either.
He still had hold of her hands and she tried to kick out with her legs but it didn't make any difference no matter how hard she struggled.
"Bradley…man I told you this wasn't a good idea." Said the blonde who Julie could see from over 'Bradley's' shoulder.
Bradley grunted as Julie got a hand free, managing to hit him across the face although the punch lacked any real strength behind it.
"Stop being such a pussy man!" Bradley ground out. "Settle down Taylor!" He ordered. "We're not going to hurt you."
"Mumph!" Her wriggling intensified.
"Man I told you this was a bad idea!" Justin repeated running a hand through his hair. "We should just let her go – she won't tell nobody."
"We're not letting her go!" Glancing back over his shot, Bradley glared at Justin.
"Riggins is going to kill us." Justin told him. "We should have just let it go…"
"Shut up! Shut up the pair of you!" Bradley barked out, his face becoming red.
"We should go." Justin continued, not paying Bradley any heed. "Before someone comes along.
Ignoring Justin, Bradley focused his attention on the girl beneath him. Coach Taylor would also have his head, not only Riggins. But he'd known that the moment that he'd come up with his scheme.
Riggins owed it to the team.
"Listen to me Taylor! Listen!"
Julie's wriggling abated, giving him a chance to try and catch his breath.
"Ain't nothin' gonna happen to you." He told her, fighting to keep his voice calm and even. "Riggs just needs a little persuasion to join us on our trip this evening, and you happen to be it."
Julie tensed, ready to resume fighting but held back as Bradley's words sank in.
"That's it." Hesitantly Bradley lifted some of his weight off of her, making it easier for Julie to breathe. "You're just gonna come for a little ride with us, and as soon as Riggs has done his part, you can go home safe and sound. Nothin' more than that."
She was still scared, but the fear was rapidly being replaced with anger as she processed their plans.
Obviously Tim had stuck to his guns and refused to have anything to do with the pay back that the Dillon Panthers were planning on dishing out to Arnett Mead.
"What we're going to do right now, is get up, make our way over to my car. You're going to stay quiet, be co-operative and get in. You understand me?"
Julie gave a small nod of her head.
"Good."
"Brad–" Justin began.
"Shut the fuck up Justin!" Bradley growled at him. "You don't wanna be a part of this then fine! Make your own goddamn way home! I've got things that need doing."
Bradley got to his feet, unceremoniously hauling Julie to her own at the same time. One of his hands was still clamped around her wrist to make sure that she wouldn't try anything funny.
"My bag." Julie protested as he lead her towards the car, her eyes fastened on the small bag that held all her essentials which had been lost in the scuffle.
"Justin." Jerking his head towards the handbag, Bradley indicated that his teammate was to get it.
Hurrying over to the bag, Justin picked it and shoved it into Julie's hands as soon as he was able.
"In." Bradley demanded; the hand clamped around her shoulder pushing her down into the backseat of the car.
As soon as she'd swung her feet into the car, Bradley swung the door shut, scowling at her in warning should she decide to try and do anything stupid.
He headed round to the driver's side, just about to slide in before he looked across at Justin standing on the sidewalk with his hands in his pocket.
"What are you waiting for?" He asked. "Get in, let's go do this."
"I don't know man…" Justin replied slowly as he scuffed his shoes on the curb. "Riggins…"
Bradley sneered at him. "Stop being such a pussy man. You're either in or you're out. Which is it?"
"I'm just saying…"
"Bullshit." Swore Bradley, his eyes darting down to check on Julie where she sat in the backseat of his car, bag clutched to her chest, head bowed. He looked up and glared at Justin. "Whatever man. Fuck you."
Ignoring his teammate, Bradley got inside the car and started the engine, peeling away from the sidewalk in a hurry without a backward glance.
The car was silent except for the sound of the engine, and the crunch of the gear stick as Bradley drove through Dillon and then took the highway heading in the direct of Arnett Meade.
Julie was stuck in the back, desperately trying not to give into the shakes she was experiencing.
The anger she was feeling was starting to overpower the fear that had raced through her body when she didn't know what was happening. It had incapacitated her in a way that hadn't seemed possible before. She fought Bradley on instinct alone, and it was scary to think that if he'd wanted to do her serious harm then she wouldn't have been able to prevent him.
She was still scared, especially after the experience, but tried to reassure herself that nothing was going to happen to her.
Tim would come and take her home and that would be an end to it.
They'd been driving for about ten minutes before the numbness that had frozen her began to give way.
Gradually the hands that had been clenched about her bag so tight that her knuckles had turned white began to loosen their grip. The bag was lowered to her lap, and though she still clutched it as though it was a lifeline, some of the tension dissipated.
Her thoughts turned to Justin and why he wasn't in the car.
It was obvious that he was a follower, but it was apparent that he feared what Riggins would do to him far more than what Bradley could do.
Why Tim would be so mad, she didn't know.
She guessed he wouldn't be happy about the fact that essentially he'd been blackmailed into going against her Dad and attending the payback prank that the Panthers had planned against their rivals Arnett Meade.
Although why they would choose her of all people was beyond her. Except, perhaps it as because she was Coach Taylor's daughter or something and since Tim was living with them, Bradley felt that Tim would probably feel responsible for her.
And no doubt to a point he did.
After all, hadn't he dragged her along to the football practice, and brought her chocolate in an attempt to make her feel better?
He'd looked after her at the store as well, and he'd been real cool about her sleepwalking too.
They were…sort of…friends, weren't they?
That had been what she'd told her Mom.
As soon as Tim arrived she'd relax, but until then she knew she wouldn't be able to let her guard down.
Swallowing, Julie lifted her eyes to look at Bradley. He wasn't paying any attention to her; his eyes fixed on the highway in front of them as he drove the car.
As inconspicuously as possible she unzipped her bag, highly aware of the small amount of noise she made as she did so. Tentatively she ran her fingers over the bags contents, trying to search for her phone.
Her fingers had just located it when her body was jerked to the side as Bradley yanked down hard on the steering wheel sending the car careering off the side of the road.
"Give that to me!" He demanded as he twisted round in his seat to confront her.
"No!" Julie spat, leaning back as far as the backseat would allow as she tried to evade his hands. "I need to call Emily," She protested, her mind working furiously. "When I don't turn up at her house, she'll call home to find out where I am and my Dad will find out I'm with you!"
"Christ Taylor!" Unclipping his seat belt, Bradley leant over the front seat and yanked the bag from her grasp.
"No!" Julie cried out as he retreated to the front of the car, she loosened her own belt and leant forward trying to reach get it back, but was roughly shoved back.
Pulling out Julie's phone, Bradley tossed her bag back to her. "Don't be trying anything stupid Taylor. I warned ya."
Scrolling through Julie's menu, he quickly typed in a text, added a few kisses to the end for good measure as most girls did and then hit the send button. "Done." He said while switching off the phone and chucking it into the glove box out of reach.
"Where's Riggins at?"
Julie scowled at him but didn't refuse to answer. "With Jason." She bit out.
"Street?"
"Duh!"
Bradley's eyes narrowed as he glared at her. "Keep your mouth shut Taylor, I ain't having any of your lip."
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With a satisfied grunt, Tim pushed the empty plate away from in front of him and finished off the last of his drink.
He remained silent as Jason finished the last of his burger, his eyes surveying the students milling about Applebee's during the weeknight.
A few of the team were missing, Bradley was one of them, and Tim knew exactly where his teammate was. He didn't know what the plan for payback was though, after he'd refused to take part in the prank against Arnett Meade those that were taking part had firmly kept their mouths shut around him.
Not that it mattered though, probably best he didn't know. At least that way he could answer with a clear conscience should Coach ask him anything about the matter.
For all his faults, lying wasn't one of them, and he didn't want to start now; but he didn't want to be kicked out of the Taylor household either.
Coach had been up front about his reasons why they shouldn't retaliate against Arnett Meade, and the man had done too much for him to refuse that one request.
"Surprised that you're not out planning revenge against Arnett Meade." Street commented, finally bringing up the subject they'd been dancing around all evening like a pair of girls.
Furrowing his brow, Tim glanced down at the table. "I said I wasn't going to be a part of it."
Jason looked at his friend in amazement. "Why?" He questioned, "No offense Tim, but you ain't exactly one for thinking things through."
Shrugging, Tim met Jason's eyes. "Coach."
"Oh." Jason said softly, taking a sip of his soda.
"Figured it wasn't a good idea, y'know? What with me livin' with the guy an' all." Tim said awkwardly.
"There's stuff going round school." Jason said after a long moment. "About you and Julie Taylor."
"I'm just keeping an eye out for her is all." Tim replied impassively but Jason didn't miss the wary glint in his friend's eye.
They'd known each other for so long that he'd gotten real good at reading between the lines when it came to the Fullback. He didn't say anything.
"She's going through a tough time. That's all there is to it." Growled Tim at Jason's lack of response.
"All right." Jason said holding his hands up trying to placate Tim.
A phone rang, and Tim sat back, waiting for Jason to answer it. He sure as hell didn't own one of the damn things.
"Uh…yeah…sure…" His brow creased in confusion, Jason held the phone out to Tim. "It's for you. Bradley."
"Bradley? What does he want?" Tim asked making no attempt to take the phone.
"I don't know." Jason stated rolling his eye. Pulling his hand back, he put the cell phone up to his ear once again. "He wants to know what you want."
Judging by the sudden paleness of Jason's face and his friend's hard swallow, Tim knew it couldn't be good.
"Right…we'll be there." Hanging up the phone, Jason motioned for the bill as a passing waitress caught his eye. Pulling out his wallet, he pulled out enough bills to cover both their meals.
"What's going on?"
"I'll explain in a minute." Jason said, not knowing how Tim was going to react to what he was about to say, but knowing instinctively that it wasn't going to be a pretty sight and it was best that they got away from as many people as possible.
Without glancing at the total of the bill, Jason handed the waitress enough to cover their tab and giving her a hefty tip in the process. "We need to go." Maneuvering his wheel chair back from the table, he didn't bother to wait for Tim as he rolled towards the exit and pushed the door open and proceeded to head straight for Tim's truck.
Within a few minutes they were both strapped in, and Tim was pulling out of the parking, lot none the wiser to what was going on and beginning to get impatient.
"What's he done Street?"
"Well…uh, you know he wasn't too happy about you refusing to be a part of the whole prank against Arnett Meade?"
"I know, I also know that you're beginning to piss me off by trying to avoid telling me what the fuck is going on. I can tell by your face none of it's good." Tim warned him.
He wasn't too sure how to broach this. Tim was nothing but unpredictable. "Well, see, here's the thing–"
"Spit it out Street."
"Bradley had the stupidity to believe that he could use some kind of leverage against you to make sure that you'd take part."
Fire dancing in his eyes and a cold feeling burning in the pit of his stomach, Tim glared at Jason. "What's he done?"
"He's at Arnett Meade now along with some of the other players." Jason said, still hedging.
Rubbing at the back of neck Jason glanced over at his friend and then away again. "He took his leverage with him."
"And his leverage would be?" Tim drawled softly.
Too softly, thought Jason. Quietly he admitted, "Julie Taylor."
"What?" Said Tim sharply. "Julie wouldn't go with him."
The itch on Jason's neck intensified. Did he or did he not say whether she'd been given any choice?
In all honesty he knew that he didn't need to say anything, Tim already knew that Julie hadn't gone with Bradley through choice.
Tim cursed while his foot came down harder on the gas as they made their way to Arnett Meade.
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From past experience, Tim knew the lone backstretch of road that they would be meeting in at Arnett Meade.
With his foot heavy on the throttle, he cut down the time it usually took to arrive.
The truck came to a skidding stop, dust flying about them and coating the windscreen and paintwork.
"Wait here." Tim said to Jason without a glance in his direction. "I won't be long." He cut the engine, but left the lights on.
There were several other trucks parked along the side of the road, with the drivers and their passengers milling around and sitting against the tailgates.
"Riggins!"
"Hey Riggs!"
"Thirty-three; thought you weren't comin' man."
Ignoring the various greetings he headed straight for Bradley's car.
"Tim!" Julie called out, relief spreading across her features as she banged her fists on the back window as she caught sight of him.
Before he could get too close to the car, Bradley stepped in front of him, halting his progress. "Riggins. Nice of you to join us."
The other players gathered around them to watch the showdown, anticipation coloring their faces.
"Get her out. Now."
"As soon as you've done your part in substituting the plant feed used on the football field for weed killer you can have her. Until then she stays right where she is."
Grabbing hold of Bradley's shirt, Tim yanked the player forward so they were face to face. "Give me the keys. Now."
"She ain't going anywhere with anyone till you do your part Riggs." Bradley replied brazenly.
"I ain't gonna argue with you. Last chance, unlock the car."
Bradley sneered at him, "No."
"That's fine, real fine." Tim drawled softly. Releasing Bradley, he turned on his heel and headed back for his truck. Reaching over into the bed of the truck, he pulled out a wrench.
The players parted before him, none of them willing to take the chance and get in his way.
He marched up to the car, and as if reading his mind, Julie turned her back on him and covered her face with her hands.
"Riggs? Wha–"
Pulling his right arm back, Tim brought the wrench down onto the driver's window. On the first hit the glass cracked, and on the second it shattered.
"Fuck man!" Bradley screamed. "What the hell are you doing?! Are you crazy?"
Spinning around as his teammate put a hand on his shoulder, Tim's fist connected solidly with Bradley's face, blood spurting from his nose.
Ignoring the groaning coming from behind him, Tim shoved his hand through the hole created and unlocked the car from the inside. Opening the backdoor he reached in side and grabbed hold of Julie's hand as she shuffled across the backseat towards him.
While her face was clear of any tears, dried or otherwise, her hands and knees were stained with mud and grass stains. "Where did you get those from?" He asked quietly before she could leave the vehicle.
Julie hesitated, her eyes flickering across to Bradley as she debated whether or not to say anything.
"He hurt you?"
"N-not really. Scared me. I didn't want to get in the car and–" Her voice trembled and Julie stopped before it broke altogether.
"Stay there." Tim ordered thrusting the wrench into her hands.
"You're fucking crazy Riggs!" Bradley shouted at him, his hands cupping his nose as he tried to stop the bleeding.
Knocking Bradley's hands away, Tim brought his right fist up again, catching the linebacker square across the jaw, his state ring catching on his face and leaving a gash behind. His left hand followed swiftly in an upper cross and then his right fist returned once again.
The force of the blows knocked Bradley to the floor but no one made any move to help him, the other players standing in a loose circle of horrified shock.
Tim scowled at them. "Coach wins us State and this is how you repay him?"
Stalking back to Julie, Tim grabbed hold of her hand once again and hauled her out of the car, towing her along behind him, conscious of how close she remained to him.
Taking the wrench from her hands, he tossed in back into the bed of the truck and then boosted her up into the cab of the truck.
Julie paused seeing Jason already there, but quickly got hold of herself and shuffled over into the middle seat.
Tim followed up behind her, slamming the door shut behind them moments before firing up the engine.
It wasn't until they were headed back out on the highway, on their way home to Dillon that anyone of them spoke.
"Jules, you alright?"
Nodding, Julie rubbed at her collarbone. "Y-yeah."
Immediately catching the tremor in Julie's voice, Tim jumped all over it. "You don't sound alright."
"I'm just a bit shaken up that's all." Julie said trying to reassure him.
Not buying it, Tim opened his mouth to speak once again but Jason beat him to it.
"Tim." He said in warning.
"Stay out of it Jay. This is between me and Jules, nothin' you need to be worrying about." Tim growled in return as he shot a venomous look at Six.
"You, Julie and the rest of the dam-darn school when this story gets round." Jason rebutted. "Please excuse my language." He apologized to Julie just like his Momma had taught him.
Jason's apology caught Tim off guard, and pissed him off as well.
It reminded him of all the times he'd used such language in front of Julie without a second thought. Not that she minded; he'd heard her curse on occasion and he'd heard words come out of Julie's mouth that he didn't think possible.
But it hit him hard, Jason apologizing. Managed to highlight the differences between them. Street had good manners, came from a good home and knew how to treat a girl of Julie's standard. He didn't.
"No-one's going to be saying anything." Julie pointed out reasonably, unconsciously shifting a little closer to Tim. "They'll all be in big trouble if word gets round to my Dad, and they won't take the chance that they could possibly be kicked off the football team for it. Especially after he told them that they weren't to retaliate."
"See." Tim snarled obstinately at Jason, his feelings still tainted by his earlier anger but there was a warmth there building as well. It had started the moment Julie had sided with him.
"Where did they get you?" Tim asked Julie, his eyes leaving the road and glancing over at her for a split second.
Her teeth nibbling on her lower lip, Julie released the reddened flesh and took a deep breath. "While I was walking to Emily's. I was supposed to be meeting her so we could work on our project together."
"That's where Coach thinks you are?"
"Yeah."
His eyes flickered across to the dashboard and Tim cursed. "You've got to be back by nine tonight, right?"
Julie sighed as she caught sight of the small dashboard light. "Yeah. We're not going to be back in time are we?"
Tim shook his head. "Nope."
Julie let out a bitter laugh, forgetting that Jason was sitting in the truck with them for a moment. "You know, I had an argument with Dad before I left tonight because I wanted to walk to Emily's house, that it was pointless him dropping me off when it was less than five minutes by foot. I actually told my Mom that Dad thought going to Emily's to study was code for sneaking out with boys." Her head thumped back against the headrest of the truck. "God, all this could have been avoided if I'd just let him drop me off there."
"It's not your fault Julie." Jason said in a comforting tone. "Bradley was determined that Tim was going to help with the prank against Arnett Meade. Even if he'd not got you he would have just come up with something else."
Julie felt her face burn as Jason spoke, embarrassment flooding her body as realized that he'd been there throughout her little speech which as far as she'd been concerned had been for Tim's ears only.
"Thanks." She replied quietly, knowing that Jason was only trying to make her feel better and that there wasn't any malicious intent behind his words. He probably didn't even realize that she'd been speaking to Tim and not to him.
Understanding Julie's discomfort, Tim deflected the attention off of her as much as he was able. "In a bit," he told her, "you'll need to call home and tell Coach that you've caught a ride with me rather than walking but I have to drop Street back and then we'll be straight back."
"Do you think he'll buy it?"
Tim looked across at Julie. "I hope so. 'Cause otherwise we're both fucked." He said bluntly.
"Tim!" Jason exclaimed in protest at his friend's language.
Julie refrained from saying anything, but couldn't hold back her heavy sigh as she let her head drop down against Tim's shoulder while she stared unseeingly at the road in front of them.
"Me an' you, right?" Tim murmured softly against the crown of her head.
She nodded. "Me and you."
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A/N: So what did you think? Bit of a twist for you?