Note: Please read Chapter 1 to get up to speed with the story so far. Most of you enjoyed the story so thanks for your votes and feedback. There is not a lot of sex in this chapter. All rights reserved.
*
Tammy tried to concentrate on what the teachers were saying that day but couldn't stop thinking about Brad. She heard the whispering and saw the stares but kept her head down. Since she was open during the fourth period she headed to the library to get some privacy.
"Hi," Brad's voice said from behind her. "Can I sit next to you?" He didn't wait for an answer.
"I'm not going to talk to you," she said firmly feeling excited being so close to him.
"I shouldn't have said I love you. But you see I'm feeling something different...something I've never felt before. You know who I really am and we grew up like brother and sister."
She turned. "And you love me like a sister?"
"Partly...at least that's what I've always thought you were to me. Until the other night when...when we kissed. I felt something wonderful...something I've never felt with another girl before. Can't we work this out? I know you are committed to studying and being number one and I have to concentrate on the team. There has to be a middle ground where we can both get what we want....and be together."
"I can't concentrate either. I'm just afraid that it will overwhelm me...us. Neither of my parents went to college and we don't have enough money for me to go without a scholarship." She fought back the tears.
He reached to take her hand under the table and was surprised that she let him. "Think about the time you need for school and I'll do the same for football and school. At least if I know that I can see you one day per week I think I can..."
She rubbed her soft thumb over the back of his large right hand. "OK....we only see each other on Friday and Saturday nights. No phone calls until after 10PM."
"Everyone in the school is wondering if we are going out? Will you go out with me?" He asked.
She smiled knowing he didn't know how long she had waited to hear those words. "Yes." She looked around to make sure they were alone and leaned over to kiss him. It was a soft lip rub at first that quickly grew into open mouths and tongues mixing together. "Now leave so I can prepare for my advanced Physics class."
"Oh yeah....uh I had to have another math class and they signed me up for Algebra II. Maybe you can help me with it?"
She rolled her eyes since she had Algebra II in the sixth grade. "Sure."
*
Gina was sitting alone in the lunchroom eating a PB&J sandwich when she noticed someone sitting next to her. She turned and saw Tammy. "I thought we were not friends anymore."
"If I lose you as a friend I'll lose all my friends," Tammy said noticing that the other students were looking over at her. "I have some news."
"You're pregnant."
"Shhhh," Tammy gushed quickly. "That's one rumor I don't want to get out."
"What is it?'
"Brad asked me to go out with him."
"And?"
Tammy lifted her eyebrows and smiled.
"I'm jealous...but am glad to get my BFF back." They heard some louder whispering and turned to see Brad walk in. He stopped and looked around until he saw them and walked their way carrying his lunch tray.
"May I sit with my girlfriend?" He said it loud enough for others sitting nearby to hear it.
"Do you want me to leave?" Gina asked.
"No stay," Tammy smiled as Brad sit next to her and leaned over to kiss her. This time the kiss was slightly more than a peck but it was enough to seal the deal that they were going out. Half way through lunch Amy tossed away her trash and moved into the seat across from Tammy and Brad.
"I'm glad you two are going out."
Tammy waited for the "but". It never came. "Thanks Amy and if you still want to be roommates at Rutgers it will be great."
"I thought I was going to be your roommate." Gina frowned.
"Uh...you are going to Seton Hall," Tammy laughed. "And we all know the Scarlet Knights hate the Pirates."
Tammy stayed late in the Physic's lab getting her senior project started. Now that she was going out with Brad and knew she would spend time with him on the weekends she could concentrate again on her classes. Brad told her that he had football practice until it got dark and would be doing homework afterwards.
*
Emily Tate was warming up Tammy's dinner when her daughter walked into the kitchen and kissed her on the cheek. It was something she had never done. "What's the occasion?"
"Nothing," Tammy lied. She tried to hold back a smile but couldn't.
"Did you get a good grade on something?"
"Nope." She reached into the refrigerator and pulled out a carrot. "Is Dad upstairs?"
"Yes, he has to got to work early tomorrow." She noticed that her daughter was still smiling. "OK...what's going on?"
"I'm going out with someone."
"My god...praise the lord," her mother exclaimed.
"Hey...you've never bugged me before about dating anyone."
"Bradley's mom stopped by this morning and told me that you two were dating and I thought she was crazy. What happened...wait..do I want to know what happened?"
"Nothing....much...well not what you are worried about anyway."
"Honey..are you sure about this? I mean he's got a reputation for going out with a lot of girls. You really don't have any experience and I don't want to see you get hurt."
"I turned him down at first until we set some rules about studying and dating. Nether of us will have time during the week. I do need your help on something."
Her mother knew what it was before she said anything. "I'll help you. I'll set up an appointment with my gynecologist for after school this week. Just promise me that you will be careful. This will be your real first boyfriend."
"He's been my boyfriend since we were five," Tammy giggled. "We just took a break."
*
Brad had his best practice in over a week. Even the coaches stopped him and patted his back. "I'll be ready for the City Scrimmage," Brad told his head coach Mark Dillon.
"You better be. As reigning state champs we will have a target on our backs and you will probably have the biggest one. I can't afford for you to get hurt and have to play a sophomore. Also, the head coach from Tennessee is going to be at the scrimmage. Since you haven't signed a letter of intent he's hoping you will switch to his school."
"I gave my verbal to Rutgers. It's my word and...and I have friends going there."
"Yeah, I heard. My 14-year old daughter checks the School's Facebook page. Sounds like you went for the brains this time."
Brad laughed. "Are you saying my other girlfriends were bimbos?"
"Whoa...don't be putting any words in my mouth. I don't need a pack of cheerleaders after me."