Erase This Now
Chapter 7
EmPOV
Bella and I have been out several times now and she and I have fallen into a routine.
We're up every day at 5am and drink our protein shakes, go for our now morning runs, come back and stretch then do some strength training followed by a swim and make out session in the sauna.
I never expected Bella to be so relaxed around me, especially when she's still so skittish around others in public.
Her parents couldn't be happier and I don't even think about drinking or drugs anymore, in a way, Bella has become my new addiction. I've kept up my meetings with my PO officer and the drug counselors and therapists, they're all surprised at how well I'm doing. I tell them I owe it all to my girlfriend.
When the coach, owner, my agent and my publicist flew out to talk about everything with Carlisle and Edward and to see how my treatment was going, they were surprised to see what good shape I was in.
"I owe it all to Bella. We work out every day, she keeps me in line with healthy foods and her caring about me and taking a chance with me keeps me walking the straight and narrow." I smiled.
"Bella Cullen as in the kidnap victim from around the time of your accident?" my publicist asked.
"Yes." Edward stated before I could. "Is there a problem with that?" he snapped.
"No. I think it'd make a wonderful story for Emmett's comeback." She smiled.
"NO!" Edward and I both yelled at once.
"Why not? It sounds like a great idea. You both saved each other." Coach shrugged.
"You will NOT drag Bella through the mud for ANY type of personal gain." I snapped. "She's been through enough."
"Emmett, call down." Alec told me.
"No. I won't even entertain the idea of using Bella. I don't even want our relationship public. NO one knows about us and I want it that way." I told everyone in the room.
"Are you ashamed of her?" my publicist asked.
"You know what Jane, you're fired. I've had enough." I sighed.
"You can't do that." She screeched.
"Yes he can. And you signed a confidentiality clause. If any of this gets out, you'll be fined and sued. You'll never work again." Edward spoke firmly, yet deadly. "All of Emmett's files need to be sent to me by the end of the week, if I find out something is missing, it will be a break in the clause and the same rules apply." Edward warned and dismissed her.
She stomped out of the room.
"Anyone else?" he asked.
"Actually, I'd like to talk too just Alec and you." I told Edward.
Everyone else got up and left for a coffee break.
"What's on your mind Emmett?" Alec asked.
"I want to be traded." I shrugged.
"What?" he shouted.
"I didn't stutter. I'd like to be traded to the Seattle Seahawks. Can we make that happen?" I asked.
"Does this have anything to do with my sister?" Edward asked.
"It has EVERYTHING to do with Bella. She's determined to go back to the U of W and I'll be damned if she's going to go there alone." I slammed my fist on the table.
"Whoa! I just asked a simple question." Edward held his hands up.
"Sorry, I'm just really protective of her and she keeps talking about starting next year and I'm not letting her go back to Seattle without me. I'll quit playing if I can't get traded." I said seriously.
"Emmett, don't talk all crazy." Alec sighed.
"I'll see what I can do. Put out some feelers, we've got time." He reminded me.
"No we don't I need to know soon. I've got to find a place for us to live and make plans." I looked at Edward.
"Plans?" Edward narrowed his eyes.
"Yes." I nodded.
"OK. Let's bring in the owner and the coach and talk about your contract and where you stand now." Alec said.
We sat there for the next hour and went back and forth over incentives to keep me in Miami.
They tried everything from buying me an oceanfront mansion and a new car, to paying Bella's college tuition.
"Sorry, I'm not taking her that far away from her family. It's just not feasible. And I really miss it here." I told them. "Besides, when I was a fuck up, you were willing to write me off in a heartbeat. But here I am, making a comeback and you welcome me back with open arms, after I've spent my entire career with you." I shook my head.
"We'll release you, but we're going to put it's due to your knee injury." The owner said.
"That's fine, I know I can prove myself." I smiled.
We agreed it would be publicly released in 6 weeks and Alec was allowed to contact the Seahawks.
When we arrived home that evening I went to seek out Bella, I craved her. It'd been too many hours since I'd seen her and I need to be near her.
BPOV
Edward and Emmett came home just as mom and I were setting the table for dinner.
Emmett came in and swept me up into a hug and kiss.
"I've missed you so much today." He kissed my head before sitting me on my feet.
"Want to come down to my apartment later so we can talk?" Emmett asked me.
"Um, it's not too dark down there is it?" I asked all nervous.
"No. Your mom did a great job renovating it. It has a lot of light." Emmett smiled.
"OK. Good. After dinner then." I nodded.
I was nervous all through dinner. Emmett kept smiling at me and I'd get lost in his eyes when we'd stare at each other.
I caught my mom smiling a few times and my dad and Edward had to clear their throats more than once to get our attention.
"Bella, you and Emmett take your dessert and go downstairs. Edward and dad can take care of clean-up tonight." My mom smiled.
"How'd I get voluntold?" Edward laughed.
"Because Emmett and Bella need some quiet time." My mom winked at me and shooed us away.
Once we were in the apartment, I could see what Emmett meant by how light it was. The wall that used to be along the back of the house and only had a small door to go outside, now housed beautiful French doors to let in more light.
"Hey, you OK?" Emmett asked after he sat our cake on the coffee table.
"Yeah, I love what my mom did in here. I remember it was all brick wall." I shrugged.
"She said it was a bitch to put these in, but the extra cost was worth it." He smiled as he hugged me.
"This makes me feel so safe. Like I can actually breathe again." I tell him.
"What does? The doors?" he chuckled turning me to face him.
"No, you. Being in your arms." I pulled his face towards me.
"Bella, I want you to know, I'm all in. This isn't some fling for me. I want all of you. Forever." He cupped my face in his hands and stared into my eyes.
"Isn't forever a really long time?" I looked down. "I'm damaged…" he didn't let me finish as he kissed me with all the passion he had in his body.
"Did that feel damaged?" he asked.
I shook my head.
"Bella, what happened to you wasn't your fault. Please, come sit on the couch with me and let's talk." He pulled me towards the couch. "You want some coffee or tea?" he asked.
"Coffee please." I smiled.
"I want to get this out right away. I want to see you exclusively and I know when you're ready you want to go back to Seattle to go to school. But I don't want you to go alone." He rushed out.
"What are you saying?" I asked skeptically.
"I'm saying I'd like us to move to Seattle together. I've asked to be traded to the Seattle Seahawks and if it goes through, I'll start next season. I guess. Alec is contacting them this week and the Dolphins released me this week." He shrugged. "I just want to be wherever you are." He said honestly.
"What if I can't give you what you need?" I whispered.
"Bella, you're all I need. I promise. We can work on everything else as we go, I promise. I won't push for more than you're willing to give." He held my hands.
"OK. Let's give it a try." I smiled shyly.
He leaned forward and kissed me again promising to always take care of me and never push for more than I was willing to give.
I was nervous for this step we were about to take, but excited as well.
Emmett was my second chance, as I was his.
AN:
Next chapter is a jump in time…
Sorry for the delay…
Computer was giving me problems and then I was having a bad migraine…
I apologize…
Hope you enjoy!
Reviews=Love
