14. Basketball for vampires

They both agreed to play, and we were right outside the big house on the full court of our driveway with two hoops and lines.

"Ok, so Tiff and Nessie on one team, and me and Jacob here on the other. Hope you little girls aren't afraid of the rugid champions who will beat you today."

"You wish!" Tiff and I both shared and then laughed.

Me and Tiff almost always played at least Emmett and someone else when she came over, and it was mostly a tie between winners. That just meant that we were as good as anybody else.

For starters I was guarding Emmett while Tiff guarded Jake, and they were both pretty good friends, but Tiff had fun with anyone in the house.

Tiff and Jake jumped ball, and then I was off on Emmett, secretly reading his mind so I knew exactly what he would do next, but in regular school games, I tried to use my power as less as possible and Edward was very proud of that.

Emmett grabbed the ball and tried to fast break down to shoot, only to be blocked by Tiffany, and a long pass to me in which I got and scored an easy lay-up. Jake was down with the three of them, trying to help Emmett and get Tiff.

Tiff and I yelled a big Whot, and other family members started pouring out of the house to watch.

"Jake, man you were supposed to be on Nessie!" Emmett complained.

"Sorry dude I was trying to help you by getting to Tiff before she could stop you." He explained.

Rosalie and Alice came out and Rosalie burst into laughter at the sight of her macho-vampire man getting beaten at basketball by two 14 year old girls.

And to that Emmett ran up the deck stairs and ran into Rosalie and pulled her up over his head and put her down, and kissed her briefly. To Tiffany, there were no small secrets; she knew almost everything about my family.

I sighed.

It would be so much easier if she just knew.

But luckily Tiff did know something…I convinced her a few years ago that Alice was a physic, so whenever Alice made that weird face to predict the future…it was no news to Tiff.

"Come on Emmett, none of that lets see Rose keep on laughing when we keep on beating you." I said

Tiffany laughed and I went to go high-five her, while Emmett came back down and went to huddle with Jake for a new plan.

Suddenly they called down Rose, Alice, Jasper, and Edward down to the court to play.

"Alight, seeing as though Bella will obviously be watching with mom and dad, it'll still be girls vs. guys…ok?" Emmett said

"Ok well you guys are still going down!" said Alice, and she came to stand next to me, and we both eyed Edward, as we would obviously be using our gifts.

It was really a showdown. Edward, Jasper, Jake, and Emmett, all huddled, as well as Tiff, Rose, Alice and I too.

"Ok, we need to come up with a game plan, Alice will be able to tell us if they pull any funny business." I started

"Ok well Nessie will have to be on Edward, since they match up with speed. Tiff, you'll try to guard Emmett again, sorry Rose. And Rose, you and I will get Jasper and Jake together and keep switching."

We all nodded and put are hands in together and yelled, "Go Girls!" and went to face the guys. Of course Edward already knew what I'd be up to, and was trying to hide back a smile…like he didn't already know what we were doing!

Tiff jumped ball with Jake again, and I kept my eyes on my father…but Bella was cheering for my team.

The ball went up and right to me. I quickly ran across the court only to be stopped by Edward and Jasper, and I fell to the ground.

"Damn." I muttered, and the game quickly pressed on.

It was only 8 minutes into the game after half time, (we played real long games) and the guys were winning by 10 points. Carlisle and Esme eventually came to watch, and Bella was getting really frustrated by us losing.

I called a time out to Emmett, and huddled with the girls again.

"Ok I think our game plan isn't working so far." I said

"Right I got a great idea!" said Tiff, we all looked at her.

"Ok so Alice, Rose, and I will be triple teaming whoever has the ball and try to get it out of their hands, then Nessie, you'll be down court in case we get so we can pass it off to you, or if the guys steel it, so you're there to guard them. Ok?"

"Great idea," I said, and Rose and Alice agreed too.

We broke off our small cheer and went to play the final quarter with the guys, down 10 points.

Jake took out the ball, and Jasper and Emmett were both wondering why I wasn't on the other side of the court guarding them. Suddenly Jacob passed the ball to Edward…perfect, he'd know what we were up to and pass it I thought.

And he did, Alice, Rose, and Tiff all went on him and tried to get the ball out of his hands, but he passed the ball to Emmett, and I was there to catch him.

I read his mind, he was going to go for another lay-up, and he was almost there when I tripped him in his tracks, and ran back down court with the ball, and shot a 3 pointer before anyone could blink.

Bella and my team cheered and ran over to high five me, but we weren't done yet. This time Edward threw the ball in and gave it to Emmett, who passed to Jasper, who fast, but gracefully, shot the ball from half-court.

It was sooo close, to close, but luckily Jasper missed Tiff got the rebound and passed it to Alice, who shot an easy lay-up.

Only 5 more points I thought.

Edward than got the ball and dribbled down the court very fast, but I easily kept up with him, Rose and Tiff stopped him in his tracks and he dropped the ball! Not something I would expect from a vampire.

Rose picked it up and gave the ball to me down by the basket, and I shot an easy shot by the free-throw line.

Another 3 pointer and we win! I thought again.

Carlisle was our timer, and there was only 20 seconds left. Emmett had his team another huddle and so did mine, Bella cheering for us frantically, and Esme with treats for all of us soon.

"Ok guys one 3 pointer and we win!" I said excited

"We can do this guys, I know it." said Alice and with that we all had to laugh.

Finally, 20 seconds left, Jake taking the ball out, and passing it to Jasper. He tried another 3 pointer, but missed. I got the rebound, but then Emmett, Edward, and Jasper were all triple teaming me, trying to stop me shooting or passing it.

"Thanks a lot," I thought to Edward

"No problem," he thought and laughed a hard laugh amongst the shouting.

I thought it was the end, only 10 seconds left, but then there was a clear opening between Edward and Emmett, and I threw the ball to Tiffany.

Jake was right on her tail, when she shot from behind the 3-point line, and made the final basket!

We had won the game, and girls were truly better than guys (vampires, werewolves, and humans alike).

Bella screamed and came down to congratulate us (as well as tripping down the last step, with Edward to catch her); Tiff got a lot of hugs and a thanks from Alice. Emmett was swearing and the rest of the guys looked upset, blaming Edward.

Carlisle and Esme treated us with cupcakes, and that Tiff would be able to sleep over tonight.

"Wow what a great time," Tiff said while we were watching TV in the living room.

"Amazing," I said.