A/N Your responses to the last chapter astounded me. I've never gotten such heartfelt, wonderful reviews before. Thank you so much for sharing your personal battles and brushes with cancer. I wish you all health and happiness, always. I don't have the power to give it, of course, but I wish it for you anyway. I won't keep you hanging. More below.

First & Ten Chapter 34

BPOV

It hadn't been the best weekend of our lives that was for sure. I'd never been more scared than when Edward called me and told me he needed me at home. His voice had been all kinds of wrong and it hadn't even occurred to me to make him wait. I'd told Roger Goodell that I had a family emergency and had to go. He'd been more than understanding and I'd left the restaurant and come home as fast as I could. Finding Edward looking totally wrecked, hearing about Esme and seeing him come apart had shaken me to my core.

I hadn't known what the hell to say or do when they'd shown up at the door, Jasper having buzzed them in. But of course, they'd been their usual selves, full of hugs and smiles despite the circumstances. Dinner had been a bit tense. I knew Edward was still mad at his father for not telling him what was going on, but he put it aside for his mother and we'd had a pleasant enough evening.

He'd stuck to his routine, practice and meetings and studying game film, but his heart clearly wasn't in it. I'd sat and tried to discuss game strategy with him and he'd given me rote answers that didn't show his passion or interest in the game. It made me sad, but I didn't know what I could do for him. I just let him hold me at night and told him I was here if he wanted to talk. It felt like we were in a holding pattern until Monday and this was the longest weekend of our lives.

Edward was up and out on Sunday morning before I was really awake, giving me a kiss on the cheek and a "see you later" before he slipped out the door. I slept for another hour so, though it had been intermittent sleep, interrupted by nightmares of Edward pulling away from me. I woke feeling sick to my stomach. He'd needed me so much on Friday, but he'd been distant since then, except at night, when he held onto me tightly as he slept. He'd had no interest in sex, which was understandable under the circumstances, but it felt strange to have my horny boyfriend be so hands off.

On top of that, Jasper and Emmett knew something was up, which meant the girls knew something was up, and they'd all been trying to get at what was going on. To my knowledge, Edward hadn't told them and I'd told them that Edward would tell them when he was ready. Thankfully, they left it at that, but I knew they were wondering and it was really weird for me to shut Alice in particular out. But this wasn't my story to tell and hopefully there was nothing to tell all tomorrow. I was holding out hope that would be the case.

I got ready for the game, putting on a navy skirt and blazer, along with a red blouse. It was my little bit of support for my Edward. I hoped this game was a little less awkward than last week against the 9ers. Now that our commercial was out, I'd been getting recognized right and left, including at the grocery store that I'd banned Edward from attending. Some asshole had hit on me in the fruit section and a lady had squealed about me being Edward Cullen's girlfriend. She'd asked for my autograph, which was weird.

Kate Turner, Edward's new publicist, was constantly calling me, passing on inquiries for potential interviews. Playboy called yet again, which was ridiculous. Kate had suggested hiring an agent because apparently there were some other advertisers that were interested in me after the commercial. It was all very disconcerting and something I couldn't begin to deal with right now. I'd begged Alice and she'd agreed to become my official handler and she and Kate were fending people off for now.

I'd been teased mercilessly at work and at the game, which was better than being shunned I guess. Paul had made a big show of spritzing himself with First & Ten when I walked by at work and the whole place had exploded in laughter, minus Seth of course. Ronnie had dubbed me the Supermodel Slayer in the press box last week after some teasing from the other co-workers. It wasn't bad, per se, just different. At least Dan wasn't around to harass me anymore. There were still some jealous looks and comments but for the most part it was okay.

"Hey, Bella." Ronnie smiled up at me as I slipped into my seat next to him, putting down my bag and sliding out my laptop and getting situated.

"Hi, Ronnie. How are you today?"

"Right as rain. I visited Buddy yesterday. He's looking great." I felt guilt gnaw at me. I hadn't been to see him in over a week. I'd have to go sometime this week.

"Yeah, he's doing great. They doctor won't let him come back for another month though."

"That's what he said. He's none too pleased about it."

I laughed a little. "No. Did you know that he ate every single one of those cookies I brought him? They were heart healthy but he loved them anyway."

He grinned. "I think he was just pleased they weren't carrots. Carol tried to force him to have some more yesterday. I thought he was going to throw them at her."

"He was pissed that he can't come to the game, not because he's missing the job, but because it's the one place she couldn't watch him." Though I had no doubt that Carol would ask me to watch him if we worked the games together. I still didn't really know what was going to happen when Buddy came back to work. I was just looking forward to seeing him back in the office again. He made everything more fun.

Ronnie shook his head. "She already told me I'm not allowed to let him eat game crap, as she dubbed it."

I giggled. "You mean you're on Buddy watch? Thank God! I thought I would be. You can piss him off." He poked my side and I wiggled away.

"We'll both piss him off. I'm not doing it alone."

"Oh no, Carol asked you. I'm free and clear."

"I'll remember that the next time people are teasing you, Perfume Goddess."

I stifled a laugh. "Okay, okay, I'll help you. It'll probably take both of us to hold him away from the concession stand anyway." Too bad Emmett would be down on the field. He was probably the only person I knew who could take Buddy.

"That's more like it. Is your man ready for the game today?"

The humor I'd been feeling evaporated. Was he ready? He'd done everything he was supposed to do to prepare, but how much he'd absorbed I couldn't say. "Yeah, he's ready."

Ronnie looked at me closely. "Trouble in paradise?"

I shook my head quickly. "No. We're great, really." The words sounded hollow to my own ears and Ronnie heard, of course. Why did he have to be so sharp?

He touched my arm. "You know, Bella, things are bound to get tense from time to time in a high profile relationship like you're having. I can't even imagine the stuff you two have to deal with. Just keep talking to one another and everything will be okay. Cullen would be a fool to give you up."

I smiled and patted his hand. "I'm actually not worried about that. We've had some stuff to deal with but it's not really about our relationship."

Ronnie nodded. "That's good then. Whatever it is, you'll get through it."

We would. I just hoped that Esme was alright, not just for Edward's sake, but for mine as well. I loved her, crazy though she may be, and I couldn't begin to imagine life without her. I couldn't imagine Edward or Carlisle without her. She was the rock of that family.

The Cardinals took the field and the crowd roared. I watched as Edward appeared on the Jumbotron and shook my head. His expression was all wrong. The fire that was usually in his eyes wasn't there. I'd hoped he'd be able to get hyped up before the game, but that apparently hadn't happened. He walked over to talk to his offensive coordinator, like always. Then he threw a couple of balls to Jasper, as usual. His actions were normal, but I could tell he was off. Jasper jogged over and said something to him. Edward shook his head and went back to the coach. That was odd.

The Giants won the toss and went on offense first, driving the ball down the field quickly and efficiently, with Eli Manning throwing short passes to Nicks and Manningham. They mixed in some hard runs by Brandon Jacobs and were in the end zone with a three yard scamper up the middle. The crowd groaned, as did I as I took notes.

Lawrence Tynes kicked the ball through the end zone for a touchback and Edward took the field at his own 20. He barked orders and then handed off to Crowley for a gain of two. On the next snap, he took a three step drop and threw the ball toward Cheney, but it sailed over his head into the sidelines. On third down, Edward took a five step drop and threw the ball to Jasper, who had the safety and corner all over him. Jasper got a hand on it and batted it out of Aaron Ross' hands, turning into a corner and saving Edward from throwing an interception.

"That was an ugly series," Ronnie murmured. I nodded my head but didn't say anything. Something was off, alright. It was my boyfriend. He went to the sidelines and took off his helmet. His coach said something to him and he just shrugged his shoulders and started gesturing. Shit, this wasn't good.

The Giants were stopped around midfield and punted the ball to the fourteen. Edward came back onto the field and dropped back to pass. He never looked off Fitzgerald and let the ball go as he sidestepped Osi Umenyiora. Terrell Thomas stepped in front of Fitzgerald and caught the pass, running untouched into the end zone for the pick six. The groans were even more audible in the press box this time.

Ronnie nudged me. "Whatever it is, he'll get it together." I hoped so. There was still a quarter to go before halftime and Edward had thrown three bad balls. His mind, his heart, weren't in the game today. I couldn't blame him, but I didn't know what to do for him either.

Breaston returned the kickoff to the thirty three and Edward completed a pass to Cheney for a gain of five. Tyler gained three on a run to the left side and it was third and two from the 41. Edward tried a quick out to Cheney but the throw was low and hit the ground harmlessly. I watched as he walked over to the sidelines, looking dejected already.

The Giants led 17-0 at the half and I could feel the eyes on me in the press box as reporters worked on their story. Plenty of "what's wrong with Cullen?" questions were bandied about the room.

"Did you dump him?" I turned and glared at Rick from Sports Illustrated.

"No, we're very much together," I responded hotly. Ronnie came back to his seat and handed me a Coke and a hot dog.

"You heard her, Rick. Buzz off." Rick just laughed and walked off.

"Thanks, Ronnie." I didn't know if I was thanking him for the food or the help. Probably both. He smiled.

"Everyone has a bad game, Bella. Your boy's not perfect, even if those ads make it seem so."

"He's pretty close," I told him. He was perfect for me and that was all that really mattered.

Ronnie chuckled. "I'll take your word for it. Got a whole half left. Maybe he'll turn it around."

I hoped he was right. I hated seeing Edward play so badly. "Maybe."

But he didn't. The first possession ended on a fumbled snap. Edward took his hands away too soon and the ball fell on the ground. Umenyiora recovered and the Giants were in the end zone three plays later on a 15 yard pass from Manning to Nicks. 24-0 and the rout was on.

Edward sent Jasper on a sprint down the sideline, but he underthrew and was picked off by Thomas. The ball was returned to midfield and the Giants ended up getting a field goal. Edward managed to put together a drive after Breaston got the ball to the Giants 48, picking up enough to get into field goal range for Rackers.

Heading into the 4th quarter, it was 27-3. After the Cards failed to do anything, with five minutes left in the game Edward was pulled and Anderson came in. Edward slammed his helmet on the bench and I wasn't sure if he was pissed off about coming out of the game or just how badly he'd played. Most likely both. I wanted to go to him but I couldn't. I took notes for the rest of the game and then got up with Ronnie to go to the press conference.

Edward was there, looking sweaty and disheveled. His eyes found mine and he gave me a tiny nod before looking down at the table in front of him.

"What happened out there today, Edward?" Rick from SI sounded entirely too amused and I glared at his back. Edward didn't show an ounce of temper, though, which worried me.

"The Giants are a tough team. They showed me some things I wasn't expecting and I didn't react well. The loss is on me." He sounded resigned and disinterested as he answered each question in pretty much the same way.

"Why'd you try to force that pass to Whitlock when he was clearly covered?" another nameless reporter asked.

"I have all the faith in the world that Jasper can catch anything. If I'd thrown it a second faster, he would have had it. He bailed me out of a pick, on that play anyway." On and on it went and Edward answered each question with the same disinterested tone. The crowd dwindled and he went back into the locker room. Ronnie tapped me on my shoulder and I turned to face him.

"Whatever it is, he's got you and he'll be okay." I gave him a smile and packed up my things to head to the locker room. I got there and found Emmett leaning against the wall, his usual smile missing.

"Hey, Em."

"Look, I don't know what's going on, but are you two okay? Because I've never seen my boy like that before and if he's done something to fuck things up, you just tell me and I'll go beat him until he makes it right."

I laughed and shook my head. "We're fine. It's got nothing to do with me."

He pushed off the wall and took my hands in his giant ones. "You promise? Because he's been brooding and quiet and it's really uncool. I'd rather he be yelling at me and losing his shit out on the field than acting like a zombie. I glued a picture of him in a bra to his locker today and he didn't even care."

I laughed and hugged Emmett, who wrapped his arms around me. "I promise. He'll be okay. He's working through something but hopefully it'll blow over soon."

Emmett pulled back and narrowed his eyes at me. "He's pissed at his father for something, isn't he?" I didn't say anything and he nodded. "Yeah, he's been avoiding him and we all saw him running away from him on Friday. Tell me Doc didn't cheat on Mom." He paused and shook his head. "That's not possible, is it? I know those two and he couldn't…"

"Of course he couldn't. Jeez, Emmett, I told you they were going at it in the kitchen on Thanksgiving." He shuddered but then smiled.

"Okay, I'm gonna trust that whatever it is will blow over. But if you need someone to knock some sense into him, you call me."

"I will." He hugged me again.

"You can go in. I gotta get home to Rosie. I'll talk to you soon, Rachel Nichols." I laughed as he wandered off and pushed open the locker room door. It was silent in there and I wound through the lockers and found Edward sitting on the trainer's table. He was wearing jeans and nothing else. I stopped to admire how beautiful he was and Carlisle came out of the office.

"I really wish you'd let me look at your elbow."

"It's fine," Edward replied, jerking his arm away from his father.

"Edward, I know you're pissed at me but it's my job to make sure you're alright."

"I'm not pissed at you and I'm fine." Edward's tone indicated that he wasn't telling the truth but Carlisle sighed and stopped trying to look at his arm. There was a moment of awkward silence and I couldn't stand it anymore.

"Hi," I murmured. Edward's head snapped up and he gave me a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. He held out a hand to me and I walked forward to take it since only Carlisle was around.

"Hi, Bella." Carlisle gave me that same smile. "I'm going to get going. Call me if there's anything…" he broke off and looked at his son. "Just call me." I watched him walk away with his shoulders slumped before turning back to Edward.

"Are you okay?"

He sighed and rested his forehead against my shoulder. I stroked his hair and felt him relax against me. "I played like shit."

I opened my mouth to deny it but what could I say? He knew the truth. "Everybody has off games."

He laughed bitterly. "This was more than off game. It was like an implosion. I couldn't do anything right."

"Your mind wasn't in the game. It's understandable."

He pulled back and looked at me. "It's not. It's my job to put all that shit aside and play football. I was a failure today."

"You had one bad game, Edward. You've got too much on your mind. After tomorrow…"

"After tomorrow? What if she's got cancer?" His beautiful, sad eyes pled with me for answers that I didn't have.

"If she has it, we'll deal with it. She'll deal with it. And she'll be pissed at you if you don't play your best, week in and week out. That's why she didn't tell you, remember? You'll only be proving her right if you don't put aside and play like you know you can."

His eyes sparked angrily. "That's easy for you to say, but you're mother isn't the one who might be dying. Do you honestly think you could shove it aside and play well?"

I didn't know. It wouldn't be easy, that was for sure. "I'd try."

He laughed bitterly. "I tried too and clearly I failed."

This wasn't like him. "Edward, it was one game. Next week…"

"We're tied with the Bears now for the playoff seeding."

"And you own the tie breaker because you beat them head to head," I reminded him.

"One more loss and that won't be the case."

I stroked his cheek and he let me, closing his eyes and leaning into my hand. I was relieved. I'd been afraid he was going to push me away when he got angry.

"Next week, you won't have this hanging over your head." His eyes opened and I traced his cheekbone. "Good or bad, you'll know what you're dealing with. I think you'll handle that better than the unknown." He nodded slowly.

"You're probably right." He pulled away from my touch and took my hand, bringing it to his lips for a quick kiss on my knuckles. "Did you have any questions?"

I had plenty, but they really didn't have to do with the game. I knew why he'd played the way he did, but what I didn't know what how I was going to write about it. Several times I'd found myself starting paragraphs with things like, "It was clear Cullen's mind was not in the game." That was speculation. It was the truth, yes, but it wasn't anything I could print. I wanted to make excuses for him, but that wasn't my job.

"No, I don't have any questions, other than what do you want for dinner tonight?"

He smiled softly and kissed my hand again. "I don't think I'm going to be home for dinner." I opened my mouth to protest and he shook his head. "I need to be alone for awhile, to go over tape and figure out what the hell I did wrong today. I didn't even see those guys, Bella." He ran his free hand through his hair, agitated. "I just focused on my guy and didn't notice anything else. I know better, but that's what I did."

"Are you sure? We can just veg out and watch a movie or something, take your mind off football?"

He laughed. "My mind is going to be on football or my mother and I'd just assume make it be football since I clearly wasn't focusing on it today. You have to go home and write." He frowned. "That'll be fun, huh? Writing about me fucking up?"

I felt my heart stutter at his words. "No, it won't be fun. I don't want to write it but…"

"You have to," he finished for me, squeezing my hand before letting it go. "I know you do. Go ahead and do your thing, sweetheart. I understand." I could see that he did, but I really hated my job in this moment. What made me think I could possibly handle writing objectively about the man I loved?

"Go do your job, Bella. I'll be fine." He smiled and I leaned down to kiss him. He pulled me close and I held him tightly, delighting in the feel of that bare skin beneath my hands. He loved me and I loved him and we'd get through this.

"I'll see you at home?" I asked.

Edward nodded. "It might be late. I've clearly got a lot of film study to do." I sighed and he kissed me again. "If I don't see you before you go to bed, I'll see you in the morning. I love you."

"I love you, too." I kissed him one last time before gathering up my things and heading home. Letting myself into the empty condo felt lonely and depressing for the first time since I'd gotten a key. I took my laptop into the bedroom and took off my clothes, taking a quick shower before changing into a t-shirt and shorts and climbing into our bed and opening my computer. I had to have my article into Ted within the hour and I had some polishing to do.

The stats and facts were easy enough. Edward had thrown for a measly 118 yards, with two interceptions and a fumble. What was hard was tempering down on my urge to make excuses for him. I knew why he'd played badly. I knew why his mind wasn't on the game. But it wasn't my place to tell people why. My job was to state the facts, to analyze only what went on down on the field, not use what was going on off the field to justify poor play.

I angrily deleted a whole paragraph where I'd done just that and tried again. Cullen hasn't played this poorly since his rookie year, when he went 3-13 in relief for Anderson against the Rams. His passes lacked their usual zip and he telegraphed his throws time and time again. While he only threw two interceptions today, his receivers bailed him out of at least three more by going on the defensive. The hope is that this game is anomaly as the team gears up for the playoffs, one of those bad bounces that many teams inevitably have on the road to victory. If it's not, then the Cardinals won't be long for the post season. Next week should give us an idea if the ship can be righted, or if it's sinking fast.

My stomach fell as I read and reread my closing paragraph. I tried to take my emotion out of it. If I were writing about Drew Brees, would I say anything differently? No, I wouldn't. But still, I felt terrible putting those words onto the screen about the man I loved. He'd told me to go ahead and do it and I had no choice, but I felt disloyal, like I doubted him. I knew he'd play well next week. He'd have something to prove after a game like this. But I couldn't put that in my article.

I ran the cursor over my paragraph, debating deleting it and trying again. But when it came down to it, that's what I would say about any game, any team. I couldn't let my feelings get in the way of my work. I'd promised Ted that I wouldn't. I had to earn the faith that Buddy had shown in me. I sighed and saved my document before emailing it off to Ted. It was done. I hoped Edward understood.

I made myself a chicken salad sandwich and watched the Ravens pound the Browns on Sunday night football. My eyes were getting heavy by halftime and there'd been no word from Edward yet. I went into the bedroom and got into bed, sending him a quick text.

Are you still watching film?

A minute later I got a response. Yeah, I'll be home in about an hour.

I'm going to bed. I love you.

Love you too, sweetheart. Goodnight.

I went to bed alone, holding onto a pillow instead of Edward. I didn't like it, but I knew he needed some time to himself.

Xoxoxoxox

When I woke in the morning, the smell of coffee permeated the condo. I was in bed alone, but Edward had been here. His side of the bed was rumpled. I got up and padded out to the kitchen, pouring a cup of coffee before peeking into the living room. He wasn't there. I went into the office but he wasn't there either. I walked into the dining room and saw the paper. My heart fell as I picked it up. Sure enough, the sports section was right on top with the headline of "Cardinals Fumble Away Lead" with a picture of Edward dropping the snap and my byline.

He hadn't waited for me to get up to read this one together. That was understandable though. Usually we read and relived each play as I'd written about it and he soaked up the words I wrote about him. There was nothing to celebrate today. I took the paper and dropped it in the recycling bin by the front door. There was a note on the table where Edward usually put his keys, which weren't there. I snatched it up.

Decided to go in early to get in some more film study and work out before my meetings. See you tonight. Love, Edward

So much for spending time with me this morning. Then again, why would he want to after I'd said what I said about him in the paper? He was probably upset with me and didn't want to see me right now. I couldn't really blame him. Actually, yes I could, because he'd told me to go do my job and that's what I was doing. He hadn't done his, that wasn't my fault. Why was he mad at me when I'd done nothing wrong?

I stomped into the living room and turned on the TV. Cardinals highlights, or lowlights, such as they were, were on and I flipped away and settled on some shopping channel instead. I sipped my coffee and tried to calm down. I didn't know for a fact that Edward was mad at me. He'd woken up at his normal time and gone to work. Yes, usually he had breakfast with me the day after a game before heading off, but then, he'd never had his ass kicked quite the way since we'd been together. So it wasn't like I had a pattern to work from here.

I grabbed my phone and tried calling him but I went straight to voicemail, which meant his phone was off. That made sense if he was in the gym. I had no clue if he was mad or if he wasn't and it was pretty unsettling. I took a shower and got ready for work before trying him again. Still with the voicemail. That irritated me further so I sent him a text.

Are you alright?

Short and sweet. I headed into work and ignored Paul's questions about what happened to my man, losing myself in stats about the Vikings, our next opponent. I almost smiled when I realized that Emmett was going to be on the same field as Brett Favre. He would be overcome with joy by the time Sunday rolled around. I wasn't so thrilled about going to Minnesota in December, but hopefully it'd be warm in the dome.

My phone rang and I looked at the caller ID. Esme. Holy shit. I answered quickly. "Hello?"

"Hi, Bella, dear, how are you?"

I rolled my eyes. Like I was important right now? "I'm fine, Esme. How are you?"

"I'm just wonderful, dear. The tests came back negative. I'm healthy as a horse, just like I told you all."

Relief flooded my body and I sank back into my seat. Thank God. Edward would be thrilled. "Have you called him?"

She laughed lightly. "I tried but got his voicemail. You know what a snit that boy gets into when he plays badly. I sent Carlisle into the office to tell him." That was good. It wasn't just me he was avoiding then.

"I'm so glad you're alright! I knew you would be. You had to be."

Esme snorted. "Of course. It was all a lot of nothing. This is why I didn't want to tell him. He had a horrible game yesterday and it was all because he was worrying about me." Her voice sounded sad now.

"Hey, it's not your fault. He overheard something he wasn't supposed to and it took it to heart, as he tends to do. You can't blame him for worrying about you."

She sighed. "I know, but I know what it does to him when he has a bad game. Don't you let him shut you out."

I drummed my fingers on the desktop. "Did you read the paper this morning?"

Esme laughed. "Of course I did. That must have been hard for you."

"It was. So hard. I wanted to tell the world while he played so badly, but it wasn't my place."

"Now, now, dear, he'll have bad games now and then no matter what. Pittsburgh killed him earlier this year, remember?" Of course I did. "He's dealt with losses before and now that he knows I'm alright, he'll be raring to kick some ass next week. I can't wait to see it!"

I laughed at her enthusiasm. "You're right, he will be. I just haven't seen him since he read the article and I'm…"

"Worried that he's sulking about it? He didn't do his job. You did yours. He knows that, fundamentally. Let him pound the hell out of his teammates today and he'll be right as rain tomorrow."

I laughed. "I'll do that. Thank you for calling me and telling me you were alright."

"Well of course, dear! You're my daughter. Well, soon to be anyway. I love you and I'm very glad my son has you. Thank you for taking care of him this weekend, when I couldn't."

"I didn't really do anything…"

"Yes you did. It was you he came to when he was mad at his father and upset with me. My son tends to internalize things, but this time he turned to you. That tells me everything I need to know. Now, you go do your work and I'll see you soon. If my husband and stubborn son don't patch things up on their own, we'll have to knock their heads together later this week, okay?"

I laughed. "Of course."

"Good. Will you two come over for dinner Thursday night, before you head to Minnesota on Friday?"

"I'll have to ask Edward, but it should be great."

"He'll come. See you soon, Bella. Love you."

"Love you too, Esme." I hung up the phone feeling much lighter than I had before. I tried calling Edward but like Esme had said, went straight to voicemail. I sent him another text telling him I'd talked to his mother and was very happy to hear all was well and got back to work.

The entire day went by without a word from Edward and I was pissed off when I started to pack up to head home. If he thought he could avoid me all day, just because I'd been a little critical about him in my article, he had another think coming. I waved goodbye to Ted, who had been very pleased with my article, unlike some people with the last name Cullen, first name Edward, and went down to my car. My cell rang just as I got in and I grabbed it quickly but a look at my caller ID and the pang of hope I'd felt faded and was replaced by panic

"Jasper?"

"Hi, Bella."

"What's wrong? Why are you calling me? Why isn't Edward?"

Jasper huffed. "Because he's too busy throwing his arm off to be bothered to pick up a phone. Look, I don't know what's going on, but I do know Edward's pissed at his dad for some reason. They talked earlier and I thought everything was cool, but Edward's still giving him the cold shoulder this afternoon." Damn it, why was he being such a child? Everything was fine now.

"He hasn't called me all day."

"I guessed as much. He's been in meeting after meeting and then he was studying tape and now he's back out on the practice field. Coach told him to knock it off and left for the day but he's still out there and I'm getting worried. Emmett's threatening to carry him off the field and throw him into the sauna but I thought maybe you could come and talk to him."

I sighed. Did he want to see me? Maybe he was pissed at his dad and me. "I don't know if he wants to see me."

Jasper laughed. "Of course he wants to see you. I'm pretty sure you're the only person he wants to see."

"Even after what I wrote about him?"

"Even then, silly. Darnell gave him some shit about it and he told him to fuck off, that you'd written nothing but the truth." I felt better when Jasper told me that. "Will you come down here and save my quarterback before he renders himself unable to throw this weekend?"

Damn right I would. I started my car. "On my way."

A/N Well it seems Esme's just fine, but her son's pride mighta been a little pricked. We'll have to see what Bella has to do or say about that. I know I cliffied you, but I need to show you his head space before I reunite our lovers. I promise the reunion will be the worth the wait!

Soooo who watched Rob on Kimmel last week? And who can calculate the odds for me of Rob mentioning MC Hammer just a week after I wrote about him in my chapter? Ladies and gentleman, this is fate! That or he's a reader and giving me a special shout out. I will accept no other explanations of coincidences and whatnot. MC Hammer just does not come up in random conversations. Hehehe Let me have my delusions!

Busy week for me updatewise! I have a chapter of Words with Friends going this week as well as another chapter of Sideline Collision ready to go. Cockyback is back! I'm absurdly excited about it, too! So be on the lookout for way too much from me. I'm nuts.

Thanks so much to those of you who played our 80's Lyrics Challenge on Twitter this past weekend. It was a total blast and we'll do it again next month. I'll keep you posted!

Okay, enough from me for now! It's draft weekend, which is usually my joy in life, but the NFL keeps annoying me so it's a little hard to get up for it. I'll still be watching though. Who do you want your team to draft? Thanks for reading!