Sequel: Love With a Motive
Status: Jan. 25, 2014: I'm reposting this story. Woo hoo!

Maybe Holding Hands Wasn't Such a Good Idea

One Last Performance

I didn’t spend lunch with Matt and his friends today. Instead, Kara and I snuck into the library with our lunches, trying to not get caught by Mrs. Andrews. I asked Kara why she’d told Matt about Coach getting Tyler to use me and she just shrugged. She shrugged like it was no big deal.

“I didn’t think it was a secret. I thought he would have already known,” Kara said. “Considering you two have been spending so much time together and everything.”

I was silent a moment thinking over Kara’s words and her poor attempt at nonchalance. “Are you trying to imply something, K?”

Kara shrugged. “I just thought you would have already told Matt about Tyler since you two have been joined at the lips lately.”

I smothered my smile; Kara was jealous of the time I’d been spending with her brother. “Kara,” I said seriously. “You are my best friend on the entire planet. I always come to you first when I want to talk about anything. I wasn’t sure if I was going to tell Matt about Tyler at all, but you’ve taken the decision out of my hands now.”

Kara looked at me sheepishly. “Sorry. I really thought he knew, otherwise I wouldn’t have mentioned it.”

“Don’t worry about it,” I shrugged. “He knows and that’s it I guess. So why didn’t you call me back last night?”

“I was busy trying to talk Matt out of going over to Tyler’s and kicking his ass,” Kara said with a small smile. “Matt was pretty pissed when I told him about Tyler using you. I’ve never seen him so mad, not even when Tiffany was hanging around outside our house for a week straight.”

I just nodded recalling the way Matt was looking at Tyler earlier this morning. I’d say “pretty pissed” was an understatement.

“I still can’t believe that Tiffany would do that,” Kara said. “After everything else she’s done.”

“That’s exactly why I can believe she’d pull another stunt,” I said bluntly. “I’d been waiting for her to make a move. I just didn’t think it would hurt so much to see her all over Matt like that.”

Kara chuckled softly. “I can’t believe that you didn’t know that you were in love with my brother until Tyler pointed it out to you. Freaking classic.”

I closed my eyes and sighed. “Don’t remind me. The look on his face when he asked me if I loved Matt,” I shook my head. “It sucked.”

“So what are you and Matt going to do now?”

“He’s coming by later tonight so we can talk about it. And before you ask, you’re more than welcome to come too and help us come up with a plan.”

Kara shot me a small smile. “I’ll pass. But thanks for the invite.”

The bell rang overhead and Kara groaned. “Fuck, I forget to do my homework for Jensen’s class.”

I chuckled and rolled my eyes; forgetting to do homework was so typically Kara. “See you later, K, and good luck,” I said as we parted ways outside of the library.

I had just finished my reading for history when the door bell rang. I glanced at the time on my phone and saw that it was only a little before seven. I figured that Matt was just early and went downstairs to open the door.

“Ma-Tyler!” I exclaimed as I opened the door, the familiar smell of Tyler’s cologne meeting my nose harshly. “What are you doing here?” I asked as I stared at Tyler beaming down at me from the doorway. I couldn’t even begin to wonder why I was staring up at the blue eyed boy.

“Can I come in?” He asked hopefully, his smile never fading despite my lack of manners.

“S-sure,” I nodded and stepped aside to let him enter my house.

We stayed near the door.

“Sorry to just stop by without at least calling or anything but I just got some really great news and couldn’t think of anyone else to share it with,” Tyler said quickly.

I could feel his excitement which was almost literally a tangible force radiating off of him, making me smile back at him; his smile was so contagious that I couldn’t help but smile back at him. “So what’s this great news?” I chuckled softly.

“Kevin Davis, you know him right?” Tyler asked. “He’s been acting as starting quarterback for me ever since...”

I nodded, feeling the awkwardness in the air. “Yeah, I know him.”

“Yeah, well anyway, he got hurt today during the first twenty minutes of practice. Since Coach isn’t back yet, Mr. Jensen, the geometry teacher, who’s been acting as head coach instead of assistant coach. Anyway, after Kevin got hurt Jensen had me run the drills and I’m back!” He smiled widely.

I shook my head slightly confused. “Wait, is Kevin okay to play?”

Tyler’s smile faltered a bit. “No, he broke his right wrist.”

“Oh, god,” I said. “That sucks.”

“For Kevin,” Tyler said. “But seeing as how he can’t play anymore, I’m back at starting quarterback.”

“That’s great, Ty,” I said. “I’m just not too thrilled that someone had to get hurt before you got your spot back.”

Tyler just smiled down at me. “I haven’t even told you the best part yet.”

“There’s more?”

“The mental block that I had is gone! I’m back to playing like how I used to before... Well, before homecoming,” his cleared his throat loudly. “Anyway, I just wanted to let you know and I wanted to ask you if you’d come to my game this Friday? I know I shouldn’t ask, but seeing as how we’re trying to be friends and everything, I’d really appreciate if you could come and support me. Please?”

I couldn’t make myself say no when Tyler was smiling at me like that, his blue eyes pleading.

“Sure,” I said. “I’ll definitely be there.”

“Thanks, Liv,” Tyler said as he wrapped me in a tight hug.

The smell of his cologne assaulted my nose with his close proximity. I’d forgotten just how strong it was after not being around it for the past several weeks and now with my nose buried closely in his chest, I couldn’t stop the smell from clogging my nose. I withheld a sigh as I wished that Tyler was Matt and it was his arms I was currently wrapped in instead of Tyler’s.

“I’m happy for you, Tyler, you know despite the circumstances with Kevin and everything,” I said with a small smile.

“Thanks, Liv, you know things finally start to seem like they’re looking up.”

“And when you win this Friday, it’ll be like the past few weeks never happened. It’ll be like Kevin who? Just wait and see.”

Tyler smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling slightly. “And maybe with any luck, people will start to lay off of you at school.”

My smile tightened slightly at his words. “We’ll see,” my tone was unconvincing. I’d have to see that happening before I would allow myself to believe it.

“So, I guess I should get going and tell my parents the good news,” Tyler said slowly as he rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll see you at school tomorrow then.”

I nodded and opened the door for him.

“Oh, wait!” Tyler exclaimed suddenly. “Are you okay? With Sanders and everything, I mean?”

I bit my lip. “I don’t think we should be talking about this, Tyler, considering everything,” I said slowly. “But thanks for asking,” I added gently.

Tyler shot me an understanding smile. “You’re right, it really is none of my business and I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

“See you at school,” I said again.

Tyler walked forward and gave me another hug. “Later, Liv,” he said and then with a small wave left my house.

I closed the door and hoped that Matt wouldn’t see Tyler driving away from my house. Given everything that’s happened in my life lately, I figured the universe owed me that much at the very least. Okay, granted, most of what’s happened to me has been the direct result of my decisions, but still, the universe owes me for throwing Tiffany my way.

Twenty minutes later the doorbell rang again and I opened the door to Matt. “Come on in,” I said. “I suppose Kara didn’t want to come with then.”

Matt shook his head as he shuffled past me inside and I closed the door behind him. “She said to tell you ‘hey’ though,” he said.

I nodded. “Tyler stopped by just now.” I’m not sure why I felt the need to tell Matt that my ex-boyfriend showed up, but the words came out like I was admitting a confession to a priest anyway in hopes of some kind of salvation.

Matt crossed his arms over his chest and raised a straight, dark eyebrow at me. “What did he want?”

“He was just telling me that he’s going to be playing on Friday.” I couldn’t quite meet his gaze as I was talking to him.

Matt snorted.

“And Tyler also asked if I would go watch him play.”

“You said no, right?”

“Actually,” I said meeting Matt’s gaze. “I told him that I would go. For moral support and all that.”

His eyes widened as he stared down at me, his mouth slightly parted in surprise. “Why would you agree to go to his fucking game after he used you for your parents’ money?”

“I really don’t know,” I admitted with a slight shrug. “We’re trying to be friends.”

“Friends?” Matt scoffed sarcastically, a smirk on his lips. “You can’t be friends with some guy who’s still in love with you, Liv.”

My brows furrowed together at the certainty in Matt’s tone. “Yeah, well, we’ll see I guess.”

“You’re so stubborn,” Matt shook his head at me with a small smile. “So, what did you want to show me?”

“Come on,” I jerked my head toward the stairs. “It’s in my room.” Matt followed behind me to my room silently. I entered first and reached for the manila folder that was resting on my bed. “Read this,” I said as I handed the folder to Matt.

He took it from me and sat on my bed and started reading. I was watching his face as he read through the folder. Shock and anger were the only emotions on his face that I could make out clearly before he looked back up at me, the question plain on his face.

“I called my lawyer, Seth Franklin, and asked him to do a background check on Tiffany last night. That’s what he sent over,” I nodded toward the folder that was still in Matt’s hands.

“She’s fucking nuts,” Matt breathed out. “I mean, I knew she was crazy, but I never thought she was that psychotic.”

I nodded with sympathetic agreement. “I’ve never been so happy to not have a dog in my entire life.”

“So you think all of this is true then?” Matt asked after a moment. “That her ex’s were all involved in freaky accidents with no witnesses after they broke it off with her?”

I nodded. “Franklin is very good at research and for the price he charged me, there’s no way he would have messed up. And from what I read, the only reason she’s controlling herself now with us is because she already has a record, one more screw up and she’s in big trouble. Thankfully though, no one was seriously injured but it’s still scary anyway.”

“I can see why you didn’t want to talk about this at school,” Matt said as he closed the folder and tossed it onto my bed.

“Well, I didn’t think it was the best place especially after our weird fight this morning and then trying to keep you from punching Tyler,” I said dryly.

Matt chuckled softly. “Today has been a little crazy,” he acquiesced. “Jimmy missed you at lunch.”

“I know,” I smiled. “He walked me to history and told me as much after hugging the life out of me.”

“So what did you want to do about us?” Matt finally asked the million dollar question.

“I have an idea. But I’m not so sure about how it will work.”

“What do we have to do?”

“Well, to start off, we won’t talk to each other for the rest of the week at school or get together during the weekend, which means Kara will spend the Friday night here instead of me going to your house for our weekly movie marathon. Then sometime next week...”

As Matt and I discussed, we didn’t talk to each other at school for the rest of the week. From the glimpses I’d caught of Tiffany walking around with a smile that would rival the Cheshire cat’s, I’d say she was more than ecstatic with the way things were currently going for me and Matt.

There were several times when I wanted to say something to wipe the smile off of Tiffany’s face but remembered the information that Franklin had uncovered about her and held my tongue. Being away from Matt was harder than I thought it was going to be. Without him by my side, walking me to class, or holding my hand throughout the day, I felt alone. I had to endure the stares, whispers and rude remarks, which had gone down considerably after Tyler and I talked amicably the following day in the middle of the hallway in front of many witnesses including a miffed Sandy Duncan, on my own. When Matt was with me it was a little easier to ignore all the crap that people were saying about me.

Tyler and I spoke a few times during the rest of week and earned plenty of curious stares. As far as Tyler was concerned, none of the attention bothered him and shouldn’t bother me. If only it was as easy for me as it was for him. He let me know that his practices were going better than ever and that he’d gotten his “mojo” back. Tommy the water boy stopped glaring at me venomously once Tyler told him that we were friends; he still didn’t trust me fully though, still clearly upset with me because I “cheated” on Tyler.

As promised, I was at Tyler’s game on Friday night and despite offering to cook my stir fry for Kara every day until graduation, she refused to sit through another football game with me. So I sat with Tyler’s parents, I don’t think I’d truly understood the definition of “awkward” until then. Sitting with your ex-boyfriend’s parents wasn’t exactly the most wonderful thing in the world. But as I’d predicted, Tyler was able to lead the football team to an amazing win. After the game, Tyler walked up to me and his parents; they congratulated him on the game and left us to talk. Tyler hugged me and then kissed me quickly before realizing what he had done.

I waved off his apologies and what he said about “old habits being hard to break” with a small, understanding smile. Half an hour after the mistaken kiss, I was at home and making a late dinner with Carver and Kara.

Kara and I were able to watch exactly one movie before she fell asleep. I left her alone in my room, crashed out on the couch and spent some time chatting with Carver. He told me that my mom had called him earlier to let him know that she and my dad were going out of town in a couple of days on Sunday and that they’d be gone for two weeks.

I tried to avoid Carver’s questions about what was going on between me and Matt and me and Tyler, but he was pretty persistent, downright relentless really, and dragged the truth out of me. He said he knew that I would end up falling for Matt again and wore a smug smile for the rest of the night. He also agreed with Matt about me and Tyler not being able to be friends because of Tyler’s feeling for me.

At school on Monday and Tuesday no one seemed to spare me a second glance, there were no harsh words or crude comments tossed my way; everyone seemed to not care about me anymore now that Tyler’s mojo was back and he was once again king of the school and the football field.

A few people even went as far as to say hello to me when I was talking to Tyler between fourth and fifth periods; they were completely sincere, no animosity in their tones or faces at all. Tyler couldn’t help but point out that he knew it was going to happen and I just waved him off with a casual wave of my hand and continued on to class.

Both Matt and I continued with the plan, we hadn’t said a word to each other all weekend or on Monday and Tuesday. We’d pass each other in the hallways between classes exchange some looks but never words.

Finally, the day had come where Matt and I were going to put our plan into action. I was honestly kind of anxious about how this was day was going to go. Our plan wouldn’t take place until lunch, where we’d have the most eyes on us.

After exiting the cafeteria with Kara at my side, a tight grip on my lunch tray, we walked by the table out in the courtyard where Matt usually sat with his friends every day. With every step I took, the more nervous I got. Finally just as Kara and I were about to pass Matt and his friends, he called my name loudly, ensuring not only my attention but the attention of anyone in a thirty foot radius, making me freeze in place.

“Liv, stop! Please talk to me. We can’t be over just like that.” There was a trace of heartache in his voice. “I miss you.”

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Time to put on the best act of your life, Liv, I told myself before turning around to face Matt. I noticed several pairs of eyes on us glancing from me to Matt and then back again.

My lips turned down in a sad frown and I stared back at him.

Matt walked toward me and took my lunch tray out of my hands and placed it on his table, he clasped my hands in his. “Just give me one more chance and I promise that I won’t screw up again. This past week has sucked for me. I can barely eat or sleep. I love you, Liv, and I’m not giving up on us.”

Even though I knew Matt didn’t mean the words he was saying, I still couldn’t stop my heart from pounding thunderously in my chest when he said he loved me. My stomach fluttered and my eyes welled with tears. I smiled at him and Matt slowly smiled back at me. “I love you, too, Matt,” my voice was breathless as I made my very true declaration.

He crushed me in his arms quickly; his lips captured mine in a breathtaking kiss. After a few long moments he pulled away from me but kept one arm around my waist while his dug into his pocket with the other.

Matt took one step away from me and then got down on one knee and held up a small silver ring to me, a loud collective gasp was emitted from the on-looking crowd. I felt my cheeks flush as he stared up at me. “Liv, will you—”

“Nooooooooooo!” The loud blood curdling screech interrupted Matt mid-question.

The next instant I felt some tackle me to the ground and begin hitting every inch of me that they could, pulling at my hair, screaming obscenities at me as they clawed at my skin.

I felt the weight of the person being lifted off of me a few moments later and I sat up and pushed the hair back from my face to see three security guards restraining a red-faced Tiffany. She was glaring daggers at me.

“You bitch! You fucking whore! I’ll kill you! He’s mine! I hope you burn in hell!” She shouted at me as the security guards escorted her away from the courtyard, her threats dying as they took her away from the courtyard.

“Miss,” another security guard addressed me.

“Yes?” I asked as Matt helped me off of the floor.

“We’re going to need you to come down to the principal’s office so we can get this sorted out. You, too,” he said to Matt.

We both nodded and followed him to the main office.

“Do you think Liv can see the nurse first?” Matt asked sarcastically. “Don’t want her dripping blood all over Mr. Smith’s office.”

Matt of course had been exaggerating; Tiffany hadn’t actually hurt me enough to draw any blood as she attacked me in a blind rage.

“Uh, oh yeah, sure,” the security guard said, a sheepish smile on his lips as he glanced at me.

No one said anything as Matt pushed his way into the nurse’s office as well and waited with me as I got cleaned up. A few scrapes on my arms from Tiffany trying to scratch at my face, a few tangles in my hair, but other than that I was pretty okay.

“I should have never let you talk me into that,” Matt said sternly when we were left alone for a moment outside of the principal’s office. “She could have really hurt you, Liv.”

I smiled over at him. “It worked though didn’t it? She did what we needed her to do.”

“Still,” Matt said grimly as he stared down at the red marks on my arms, an unreadable expression on his face. “Fuck, I thought she was going to kill you.”

I shrugged and winced, my shoulder was bruised yet again from my impact to the ground when Tiffany tackled me. “I’m fine, Matt. And the nurse said I don’t have a concussion, so no real harm done.”

Matt and I spent the next couple of hours in the office talking to the principal. I filed a report with the police saying that I wanted a restraining order against Tiffany because I feared for my safety. The cops took a look at the security footage from the courtyard as all the evidence they needed. Carver was called down to the school because my parents were out of town. Caver talked with the principal and the cops. He’d also brought my lawyer, Seth Franklin, with him so that he would know that everything was being done to prevent me from being attacked again.

Matt and I had the perfect view from the principal’s window as the cops hauled Tiffany away in handcuffs and stuffed her in the backseat of a police cruiser. We could see her yelling at the cops escorting her and thrashing around the entire way.

Since our school had a zero tolerance policy toward violence committed on school grounds, Tiffany was also expelled from school.

The last bell finally rang but Matt and I weren’t allowed to leave the principal’s office for another hour. Once we were able to leave, Matt exchanged a few words with Patty and Margie before walking with me toward the student parking lot.

“I guess that’s it then,” I said feeling a hollowness settle into my chest.

Matt nodded and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Yeah, I guess so. Kinda crazy, huh? I never thought that this was how things were going to end with Tiffany. Thanks, Liv,” he said as he stopped walking as we reached the parking lot. “You have been beyond amazing throughout this whole thing and its way more than I deserve. I mean, you stuck around with me, got dumped by your boyfriend for me, had the whole school hate you for me, and then managed to get rid of Tiffany for me. I don’t think I’ll ever find a way to repay for everything you’ve done for me.”

I felt a blush rise to my cheeks as Matt stared at me with those piercing hazel eyes of his. “Mention how awesome I am in your CD jacket thank yous one day when you record an album and I’ll call it even,” I said smiling playfully.

Matt rolled his eyes at me before wrapping me up in a tight hug. “Anything for you, Liv,” he whispered against my hair. He stepped back from me and placed a light kiss on my forehead. “So, do you need a ride home?”

“No, James is parked right there,” I pointed out the black sedan with a small smile.

“Alright, then,” he said. “So, I’ll see you later then?”

I nodded. “Yeah, see you around, Matt.” I couldn’t help but feel like Matt and I were saying goodbye to each other. The hollowness in my chest was getting larger with every step Matt took away from me.

I shook my head in hopes of getting rid of the stupid feeling and walked toward James’s car. I settled myself in and said hello to James.

“Wow. Carver was right,” James said after he glanced at me.

“About what?” I asked as he started to drive out of the parking lot and toward my house.

“You’re really in love with that kid.”

I didn’t bother with a response and the rest of the drive was quiet. As soon as I got home, my phone vibrated twice. I checked my texts and saw that both Tyler and Kara had texted me. I didn’t text them back straight away, instead opting to take a shower first. As soon as I was out of the shower and feeling more relaxed I texted them back.

Tyler was curious about what had happened and asked me if Matt and I were really engaged. I told him that we weren’t and that we were still broken up.

Kara wanted to know how I was feeling after being attacked by the psycho. I told her that aside from some soreness and scratches that I was perfectly okay.

So are you and my brother done with the whole pretend dating thing now? She asked me.

Yup.
♠ ♠ ♠
Ding, dong, the bitch is gone!

One chapter left, the epilogue.

I will be posting the short Brian and Kara story if you're interested in reading it starting on Friday, my time. :) Hope your weeks have been going well.

xo, marriah