First of all, a big shout out to my team of pre-readers and beta: NimNimBonjangles, bevey99, and Fran. Thank you so much for all the help with this story.
Also, a huge thank you to all of you who've read, fav'ed, followed, and reviewed this. It means a lot to me.
[Edward]
The Friday before the last game of the season was usually hectic.
"Are you sure about not coming home to eat something before hitting the road?" Esme asked, concerned, placing another sausage next to my omelet.
"Stop. Coach won't allow me to play again if you get me fat," I joked.
"This is your last game in high school." Carlisle's words made a lump form in my throat. "Do you plan on getting on the basketball team at Cornell?"
I shrugged, unable to speak momentarily. This was going to be the last time I'd play as a Spartan. I hoped like hell I wouldn't disappoint Black.
We'd been working all week on the best strategy to win this game. Swan joined our discussion several times, giving her suggestions. They were basic ideas, any idiot with some notion of basketball would think of, but it was admirable she knew as much. Coach explained to me the other day, before she joined us, that she liked basketball.
I tried not to show that whatever game she and Coach were playing about pretending to date upset me because, to the trained eye, it was hilarious to see them fake kissing. However, some of the female teachers were downright livid. The way The Math Vulture watched Swan, as if she were ready to strangle her, gave me an irrational impulse to protect her. So, I made sure to be extra bratty in math, which nearly earned me detention. Thankfully, Whitlock had mercy when I'd been dragged to his office by the blond witch.
Actually, Whitlock had been entertained when she couldn't accuse me of anything in particular. Once she'd left us alone, Whitlock had wished me luck on the game, telling me to tread carefully until Friday evening.
That would suck – being stuck in detention while everyone was on the road to Seattle. I couldn't say no to detention with Swan, though, if that were to happen.
Carlisle and Esme wouldn't be able to come to my game. It was unfortunate that Carlisle had a conference in Dallas this Saturday, and Esme had to meet potential new clients interested in redecorating their home. I told them I knew they supported me, and I didn't need them physically there to prove it.
When I arrived at school, I was a mass of nerves. I hadn't been this nervous in ages. Thankfully, there was no one around to see my walls crumbling.
It had been Carlisle's words that cut right home. High school was almost over.
I'd been looking forward to Cornell from the moment I read one of Carlisle's medical tomes, sitting around on the coffee table. Everything in there sounded alien to me back then, but I was intrigued. I wanted to do something important. I wanted to save lives.
I was aware I would never be an ER doctor or a surgeon like Carlisle because fainting upon seeing a bloody patient, was frowned upon by hospitals. No, I'd chosen my area. I knew exactly what I wanted to do. Viruses were intriguing, and I was ready to learn about them and find antidotes for various illnesses.
"You're early," Swan's soft voice said from behind, scaring the shit out of me.
"Jesus. Make some noise." I spun around to see her leaning against the hood of her car, grinning. Today's attire consisted of a short black skirt and a soft-looking green blouse. The cleavage was deep, but the material fell in a way that covered her boobs.
"My eyes are up here."
I dragged my eyes to her brown ones. She beamed, wetting her lips.
Kill me, why don't you?
I'd have given anything to push her back against the hood of her car and fuck her senseless.
"Ready for tomorrow?"
"Huh?" I focused on her red lips, not making sense of her words. I wanted to taste her sweet mouth again. I'd been dreaming of kissing her, feeling her small body pressed against mine.
"Tomorrow…the last game," she insisted, a smile playing on her lips.
The tease knew exactly what she was doing. "Yeah, I'm looking forward to the long drive to Seattle with Emmett and Rosalie in the back seat making out. Not," I added loudly.
"Oh, I figured they were taking Mr. McCarty's car."
"Have you seen that thing? His folks aren't rolling in money to pay for the atrocious gas mileage it gets. A trip to Seattle and back in the Jeep will be their salary for a year, probably."
She laughed, shaking her head. "You're exaggerating, but I see why you offered to carpool."
"I didn't. He invited himself. I wouldn't have minded just him, but now he's dating that cunt…"
"Hey, she's your teammate!"
"For twenty-four more hours, like Carlisle kindly reminded me over breakfast. Finally, I'm getting closer to the end of this freak show that high school is." I lifted a brow, hoping she caught on.
She did because she rolled her eyes. "You have a one-track mind."
"I'm eighteen; cut me some slack." I leaned closer since people had started arriving and they were walking too close. "You're the hottest thing besides the sun."
Her cheeks turned red. "Shhh!"
The sound was drowned by Coach's bike parking next to us.
"Waiting for me?" he asked, taking off his helmet.
"Yeah." We answered at the same time.
Coach chuckled. "It's always nice knowing everyone wants me."
"It can wait," we said again, at the same time.
"Stop," Swan moaned, slapping my shoulder.
"You stop." I pushed her shoulder with a finger. Apparently, I had the maturity level of Newton all of a sudden.
"Okay, okay." Coach placed his helmet in the trunk, meeting my eyes. "Can it wait until lunch?"
"Sure," I mumbled. "We can even talk tonight when we get to Seattle – with the whole team."
"That's a good idea. I've got some things to do at lunch, anyway." He hooked his arm under Swan's elbow, escorting her toward the front door. "How are you this fine morning?" I heard him asking.
Seriously, whatever game they were playing, it was getting old. If she wanted to make me jealous, it was working. But I knew their show was for everyone who believed in the rumors about them dating.
I arrived on time for English, slumping in my seat at the back of the room. Another subject that bored me to death. Maybe all teachers had to share their insights on teaching.
Aside from the fact that I liked Swan more than any other teacher, she was the best one we had. She and Coach actually gave a shit about whether or not we understood the subject they taught. Ms. Brandon too, which reminded me how much I missed her Art class. I should have dropped out of History and taken Art again. It wasn't like I needed extra credits, but she'd made me like drawing. Besides, she usually allowed me inside the music room. I hadn't been there in forever.
Maybe now that basketball season was over, I could skip gym and spend my last period with the piano.
Esme and Carlisle had wanted to buy me a piano some years ago, but I flat out refused. It was opulent and a waste of space. True, I loved playing, but I couldn't see myself playing at home.
Not many of my friends knew about this hobby, and having them come over to see the piano there, would be a terrible idea. That was what my fourteen-year-old self had thought, but now, I somewhat regretted not accepting their gift.
The way the human mind works was fascinating, especially when I had myself as a lab rat.
Things that used to embarrass me not long ago, I didn't give a shit about them now. I still disliked it when Esme smothered me with kisses and hugs, but I loved how close we were. I didn't care anymore what others thought of me. Swan was right, of course. But at the same time, she'd clearly forgotten how high school cliques worked.
"Hi." I focused on Vera's wary face. She was leaning against my desk. She hadn't spoken to me since the incident.
"Hi," I replied.
"I wanted…to say…good luck tomorrow," she stuttered.
"Thanks." I frowned, not sure where this was headed. Did she think she stood another chance?
"Whoever she is…she's one lucky woman," she said quietly, returning to her desk at the front of the room.
My blood ran cold when she said 'woman,' not 'girl.' Did she know? Could she tell? Could anyone tell?
It wasn't like I made a big secret of the way I stepped on Swan's toes in her class. If someone looked too closely, they could see through the cracks.
I barely paid attention in my classes. At lunch, I barely tasted the food.
Since Coach was fucking nowhere, I had to watch Swan creating order among some mouthy sophomores. She was hotter than hell taking over the situation and putting them in their place. When one of them wolf-called, curling his fingers in a claw, I was on the edge of my seat, ready to punch that fucker.
Emmett grabbed my shoulder. "We need you there tomorrow. Besides, Ms. Swan has it under control."
And she did. Whatever she told him made that idiot turn red and sink further into his seat while his friends laughed.
"I wonder where Black is," Emmett commented, taking his hand off me when he was sure I wouldn't spring out of my chair.
"He said he had some shit to do," I muttered.
When I arrived in her class, there were still a few more minutes until the bell rang. Swan was in my seat, talking with Weber. I dumped my bag on the desk, clearing my throat.
"Do we switch roles today?" I joked.
Swan shot me an incredulous look before standing. "In your dreams."
I smirked, taking my seat. "My dreams are pretty wild, Ms. Swan."
Since my feet were still facing the small aisle between the desks, she made sure to step on my left foot with all her might. I yelped, pulling my foot away.
I heard Weber asking if I was okay.
"I have a game tomorrow. Thanks for breaking my foot," I muttered.
"Oh, don't be a baby," Swan cooed, patting my shoulder.
If Weber wasn't there…
Fuck, the things I'd have done to her.
"Have you seen the bricks you're wearing?" I shot back.
"They impressed Thomas earlier." She winked.
I was about to ask who the fuck Thomas was when I realized she was talking about the sophomore kid. "Oh? That was faster than Coach ever stopped a fight about to start," I commented.
She glanced at Weber before leaning closer. Her elbows were on my desk as if we were discussing the subject, but we weren't. I hastily pulled out my biology textbook, opening it at a random page. She grinned, playing with the corners. Her long red nails would be my undoing.
"I might have used some unethical methods," she whispered, her cheeks blooming with color.
"You, unethical?" I teased.
She pursed her lips. "I won't tell you if you act up."
"I'm curious," I begged, playing along.
"I told him my heels are longer than his dick."
"What?" I choked on my spit, feeling my cock hardening at the naughty words she spoke.
"No." Swan shook her head. "I just told him he didn't want me dragging him out by the ear like Jacob did. It would look funny how I towered over him."
"You're good," I snorted, impressed. "You're also probably right." I leaned sideways to study her heels. They easily looked five inches high.
"It was rude of me to mock his height, but it worked."
"I mean…your heels are definitely longer than his prick."
"Edward!" she gasped.
"What? I thought you women had some rule about dating a guy whose dick was longer than your heels."
"Stop," she hissed, glancing at Weber. "Be careful," she warned me, straightening and heading to her desk.
After her class ended, I made a personal effort to attend gym. I fucking hated that shit because we didn't do much that actually helped the team. Black's rule was practice was different from gym class. And he wondered why I skipped his class like it was my worst nightmare coming to life.
I was standing next to Emmett, away from the mindless chatter. We were talking about how I would be the one driving, and under no circumstances he'd get behind the wheel of my precious car.
Black strolled into the gym, blowing his whistle loudly. It happened that I was right next to him. He winced apologetically when I stuck a finger in my ear.
Asshole.
"I've got the best news," he announced. "I managed to get one of the buses, so we'll make this trip a little more special."
"We're taking the school bus?" I asked, hoping my ears were deceiving me due to his whistling.
"Yes. It's going to be fun."
I seemed to be the only one not happy about that.
"Of course, only the team gets on the bus, so don't get ideas. I don't care if your boyfriend is on the team; you're taking your car to Seattle," Black continued.
"The perks of being on the team with my boyfriend," Hale sneered, looking superior. I hoped one of those girls was going to punch her. None of them moved.
Losers.
"Team, I need a word. Everyone else, please be quiet."
Most of the important players on the team were seniors, which made me wonder what would happen to the Spartans next year. We had a long chat about the strategies we'd come up with during lunch this past week.
When the bell finally rang, I went to grab my duffle bag from the trunk of my car.
The yellow monstrosity was parked in the middle of the lot, looking ostentatious. Everyone on the team lined up near the bus. Coach was at the front chatting with the driver and Whitlock.
"Cheer up! It's going to be fun," Emmett said, clapping my back.
"The level of immaturity in our teammates will sky-rocket."
"Because you're the picture of maturity," Rosalie snorted.
I huffed, turning my back to them. I wasn't going to sit in the back with everyone else. Instead, I planned on staying with Black in the front.
My mouth dried out when I spotted Swan's car maneuvering in her usual spot. She had changed out of her clothes from earlier. She was wearing skinny jeans and a hoodie paired with sneakers. The backpack on her shoulder was proof she was coming to Seattle.
But why wasn't she taking her car there? Why was she coming on the bus?
For the love of all things holy…NO! I was going to die.
She stopped next to the adults assembled at the front of the bus. Then the driver opened the door before opening the large trunk in the middle of the bus. I threw my duffle bag in before hurrying up the steps, scoring the second-row seats.
I ignored everyone's odd looks as they passed me. They could think I didn't do well on bus trips, and I got motion sickness. I didn't give a fuck.
Black hovered over my bench. "Take the one behind you. This one is Bella's. She's riding with us."
Rolling my eyes, I threw myself on the opposite bench, behind the driver, still in the second row. He shook his head but didn't make me move again. He then walked toward the back, whistling loudly.
Oh, God. Let him not blow that thing for the whole trip. I would personally kick whoever was noisy out of the moving bus, only so I wouldn't hear the goddamn whistle again.
Swan finally climbed on the bus. Her eyes widened when she spotted me so close to the front, away from the rest of the team. She placed her handbag on the seat next to her, sliding to the window seat.
I put my feet up on the empty seat next to me, leaning my back against the window, staring at her.
Coach's looming body obscured my view. He whistled several times in short bursts. "Feet down."
I glared at him, wanting nothing more than to shove his whistle up his ass. If I heard it during the game, it had a meaning. But Black loved the sound of it. He probably got off on the sound.
I let my feet fall to the floor, turning my head to look out the window.
Black started a long speech about the upcoming road trip and safety in the bus. Then, he patted Earl's shoulder as he'd introduced the driver, telling him to hit the road.
We were barely out of Forks when Black stormed to the back of the bus, shouting at the team to sit down.
I pulled a notebook from my bag, aimlessly doodling while listening to the music playing in my earbuds. I kept glancing at Swan. She looked lost in the book on her lap.
An overwhelming inspiration hit me. I hadn't felt compelled to write music for over three years. I'd written Esme a little song to show her how much I loved and appreciated her. It had been my winning piece at a recital.
I was so focused on drawing the correct notes that I didn't notice Emmett bending over me. I closed the notebook when his hand flicked an earbud out of my ear.
"What the hell? Come back there with us."
"No." I grabbed the earbud, ready to shove it back into place. "Leave me alone."
"Why are you so upset?"
"I'm not," I groaned. "I'm stressed. Just go back there."
He hovered for a moment before returning to the others.
I noticed Swan looking my way, and I put the earbud in my ear, going back to my little song.
I could ignore her if that was what she wanted. I was a master at ignoring people. Ignoring her had proved not to be difficult in the past week, even though I'd rather do all kinds of sinful things to her.
At some point during the long-ass trip, I managed to doze off. What woke me was her soft floral scent surrounding my senses. I cracked an eye open, startled to see her so close.
She was hovering between the seats, leaning close to me. One of her hands was on my shoulder.
"Wake up. We arrived."
"Yeah," I croaked out, sitting up straight. My notebook was on the seat next to me. Did I put it there? Did she look at my personal stuff?
I was trying to stay awake when Coach blew his whistle loudly, standing at the front of the bus. He ran us over the rules about how we were going to be roomed, and that under no circumstances were we to drink anything alcohol or pick fights.
Once he was satisfied with our answers, we got off the bus. He told Swan to go and check if our room keys were ready while we unloaded our luggage.
"You tired?" Black checked with me as we went to the entrance of the hotel.
"I didn't sleep well last night," I mumbled.
It wasn't even a real lie. My nights had been plagued with the wildest fantasies regarding Swan. They kept me up until the early hours of the morning, usually with my hand glued to my aching dick.
"I hope you'll get a good night's sleep tonight. I need you at your best tomorrow."
"Don't worry."
"Jake, can you come here for a second?" Swan called from the reception desk. She didn't look particularly happy.
I hoped everything was sorted because all I wanted was to dump my bag in the room and find something to eat. Esme had been right; of course, I was famished by the time we reached Seattle.
"I know why you stayed away from us," Emmett commented, joining me.
"Why's that?" I asked, amused.
"You wanted to show Coach how mature you are, not associating with our antics." He clapped my back, grinning.
"That's clearly not the case, but sure…whatever." I frowned at the way Swan and Black started arguing with the receptionist.
"Think we don't have the rooms booked?" Emmett wondered, looking that way, too.
"I sure as fuck hope they sort it out soon. I'm so hungry right now."
"Yeah, I feel you, bro. Rosie and I shared a bag of chips on the way."
"Chips, Emmett?" I groaned. "Don't let Coach hear that."
"We only have tomorrow's game. So chill, will you?"
At that moment, Black waved us closer. "Since half of Forks is coming here, they overlapped some bookings. This means you'll have to share rooms with more than one of your classmates. If the room doesn't offer a couch, cots will be installed. It is what it is. It's for two nights. I don't want to hear whining or fighting over who gets which bed."
"You and me, bro." Emmett elbowed me. "And Rosie, of course," he added, grinning.
Fuck my life. I was curious if I could get a single, far away from the madness.
Swan and Black walked around us, handing us key cards, telling us who would be our roommates. Of course, I ended up with Emmett and his girl. Swan gave me the key, but then I noticed she handed another one to Emmett. Maybe she thought he'd need a separate one because he might go out with Hale. It was very considerate of her.
While everyone shoved around to get to the elevators, I took the stairs. It was only five flights until I reached our floor. I checked the number on the card – 507. I could have sworn I'd seen a 2 on Emmett's card. Whatever.
I used the card just as the elevator dinged loudly and the hallway flooded with some of my team. Emmett and Hale were among them. But instead of coming my way, they went in the opposite direction.
I already had the door open and was contemplating shouting after them that they were going the wrong way when I saw the inside of the room.
My heart lurched in my chest. It had only one bed.
Holy shit! Swan scored me a room just for myself!
I quickly stepped inside before anyone could see me and get extra jealous.
My phone rang as I threw myself on the bed. It wasn't the best mattress, but it would have to do.
"Yeah?" I said, answering Emmett's call.
"Where the hell are you?"
"Uh, I got a different room. I don't mind, though." I grinned at the ceiling. I wouldn't have to listen to them fucking and pretend to sleep.
"With who?" he asked, just as the door of the room opened.
Shit. It had been too good to be true. But when I spotted my roommate, I choked on my spit.
"I have to go," I blurted out to Emmett, ending the call.
Swan was standing in the small entry hallway. Her cheeks were a deep red, and she was chewing on her lips.
"Fuck. Tell me this is not a mix-up," I begged, covering the distance between us.
"For all intents and purposes, you're roomed with Mr. McCarty. I played the chaos down there to our advantage."
"What happened to waiting until the end of school?"
She pushed away from the door, coming to me and grabbing my shirt. "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."
I laughed, crushing her to my chest. I had to somehow convince Emmett to tell everyone we were roommates without telling him who I was actually sharing a room with.
She looked up at me through her dark lashes, and I forgot how to breathe. At that moment, she wasn't my teacher; she wasn't a decade older than me, and she was all I wanted.
I leaned closer, this time searching her huge brown eyes before I pressed my lips to hers. The last time, I'd attacked her like a rabid dog. She moaned softly, making my dick twitch. She definitely felt that against her stomach, but I wasn't going to worry about it. She knew how much I wanted her.
We kissed for what felt like hours. I couldn't get enough of her sweet mouth, the way her slender fingers felt in my hair, the little sounds she made when I nipped at her bottom lip. I was ready to throw her on the bed when my phone rang again.
"Fuck," I spat. It was Emmett's ringtone.
Swan pulled away, wiping her thumb over my lips, smiling softly.
I fell on the edge of the bed, breathing harshly, as I answered. "What now?"
"Coach is here to check on us. He said, you're with us. What room did you get?"
Swan's plan had a huge flaw: Inspector Coach Black.
"Black," I mouthed to her. She held a finger up, getting her phone and calling him.
"Aww, I was hoping this wasn't a mix-up," I lamented to Emmett. Then I heard a phone ringing on his end of the line.
"Well, we're in 512. Want us to wait for you before we head out to grab something to eat?"
"Nah. Go."
I dropped the phone next to me.
Swan produced the actual key card for 512. "You'll tell Jake how I gave you my key by mistake. Now we switched them."
I frowned, not sure I understood. "So, I have to go to Emmett?"
"If only for show," she whispered. "You have my key, too."
"I guess that makes better sense than me actually staying here," I admitted. "It was worth a shot."
There was a knock on the door, and she hurried to answer.
Black huffed, coming inside. "What the hell is this?"
"I gave him my key by mistake. When I realized, he was already here," Swan explained. "Now, he has the correct key for his room."
Black rolled his eyes. "Thought you'd get a room all to yourself, Cullen?"
"It was too good to be true," I admitted. "I'll head to my actual room now."
dum dum dum . . . I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Edward has Bella's room key.
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