Chapter 24: On the Edge

Since I'm having major writer's block with this story, I always feel nervous about posting. So, I hope you enjoy it! Please review. :)

"Honey, did you see that? What a fuckin' rush!" my cowboy expresses as he meets up with me.

He's covered in sweat. I smile, knowing he was too excited to see me to even think about showering in the locker rooms. Running, I close the distance between us and throw my arms around him. His hard body crashes against mine and he staggers for a moment before he finds a good grip on me. With my legs wrapped around his waist, I ignore the shocked gasps sounding from around us as I bury my face in his unruly hair.

"I can't believe it! You were glorious, baby!"

He laughs at his and his cheeks nuzzles mine.

"Glorious, eh? I'll remember that. Nobody's ever called me 'glorious' before," he teases me.

"Well, that's what it was… 'glorious,'" I say again, smiling as I feel his breath tickling my neck.

He pulls back far enough to get a good look at me. Despite the dark circles, his green eyes are lively. This is Edward in his element: days of hard training followed by rodeo nights. In the time I have known him, he's never looked happier-never looked more alive. It makes me love him more; it makes me want him more. Seeing him like this, I want him to be mine forever.

"Now, you see why I love it so much. God, doing this… I never want to quit. It's the best feeling in the world. Even if I performed like shit, I'd love this. My worst days doing this are like my best days doing anything else."

I know what he means. If you're doing something you love, even if it's hard and you're making no progress, it's better than doing anything else. My mind drifts and I remember the dreams I once had-the dreams I would like to return to. Maybe giving up my day job and traveling with Edward wouldn't be too bad? Maybe this could be my chance to pursue-I stop, believing giving up everything would be too reckless. Sure, you love him, but what if something happens? You can't just drop everything and run away with him… the reasonable part of my mind tells me. But, maybe I don't want to be reasonable. Being reasonable had caused me to almost marry a man I didn't love. Perhaps it was time to quit being reasonable and follow my heart.

"Where's your mind, Bells?"

"I never know."

He kisses my temple before he lowers me to the ground. "Well, I've gotta go talk to a few people and wash up. Wait for me, okay? After, we can go out and celebrate."

With a cocky grin, he turns on his heel and dashes off toward the stadium. I watch him retreat, captivated like usual. I find a nearby bench and sit down, knowing it will take a hot second for him to gather his earnings and wash up. After a few minutes, I'm able to tune out all the noise around me and every conversation becomes one messy blur. I close my eyes and allow my mind to wander, remembering a time when I was lost in something I was passionate about. Seeing Edward's passion seems to have reignited mine. Come on, Bells, can't never could.

A few years ago, I was on the right track. I thought I had everything figured out. Of course, I had just been some typical teenager with no clue what she was talking about. I wanted greatness, but I didn't want to do the work to get there.

"Come on, daddy. You know I don't want to study that stuff. I've been working too hard to do that. Why can't I-"

"Business isn't 'that stuff,' Isabella. You can't-"

"Why do you always have to 'Isabella' me? You're the one who said I had promise."

"You do have promise, sweetheart. Mama and I both think so. But, you can't put all your eggs in one basket. What if it doesn't work out?"

"Well, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it."

"When you come to it, it may be too late. Why don't you just go and give it a chance. You don't want to live with regrets."

"I won't… I promise."

I stare down at the sketch paid in my lap, noticing the few dots of wetness from my perspiration. It's especially hot today but still, I insisted on sketching up ideas from my favorite spot, my perch next to my window. It gave me a good view of the backyard and the small garden I've been working on with my mom. As I look at the lame sketch I've been working on, I wonder why Dad had to choose now to interrupt me. Couldn't he have chosen one of my finer, artistic moments? A month has passed without the inspiration to paint and I'm starting to wonder if maybe my dad's right. Maybe I shouldn't put all of my eggs in one basket.

"I'll think about it," I finally say, appeasing him.

"That's all I wanted to hear."

He stands to leave and I pick up my HB pencil again.

Dad hovers by the door for a moment before he turns to look at me. "You are talented, sweet heart."

I roll my eyes. Like he could detour me from my passion so quickly.

"Thanks, Dad."

"Thanks for giving it a shot."

I had only lasted two semesters before I decided business wasn't for me. With my parents' disapproval, I dropped out to "find myself." I didn't find myself, but instead, found my ex-fiance. Heavens, was that a trip. I open my eyes and wonder if now really could be my time. If Edward's giving me the option, maybe I should just run with it.

Shaking my head, I try to remember the last time I painted something. It's been months since I worked on a painting and probably over a year since I painted anything good. The last noteworthy painting I've ever did… Heavens, have I ever done anything noteworthy? As time passes, I become more critical of myself. I start to wonder if I've ever been good or if I was just being delusional. Just another reason to get back to it, I guess.

"You ready, honey?"

Edward's voice pulls me from my thoughts and my eyes shoot up to meet his.

"That was quick," I comment, standing up to greet him.

"Yeah, well, I wanted to rush back to you. What were you thinking so hard on?"

"Nothing much," I reply as I wrap my arms around him.

"Nothing much? It looked pretty deep." Kissing my forehead, he continues, "You're cute when you're all perplexed like that."

"Yeah, whatever."

"So, have you been giving my proposal any thought?" Edward questions as he leads me to the main entrance of the stadium.

"What proposal?" I ask as if I wasn't just considering it moments before.

"To come on the road with me… It won't always be perfect, and I'm sure some days will really take it out of us, but we'll be together. I just found you, Bells, I don't want to lose you already."

"You won't lose me."

"So, that's a yes, then?" he questions as his signature cocky smirk tugs on his lips.

"I'll think about it, cowboy. I promise."

"I guess I'll have to really start convincing you, then?"

The sun hits my face as we finally reach the parking lot and Edward picks up his pace, pulling me toward his truck. I barely have time to breathe as we reach it and he presses me against the passenger side door. His breath is hot on my face. I bask in the feeling before he lowers his lips to meet mine. They're soft and perfect. I moan against them before opening my mouth to become even closer to him.

Could I take the leap? Could I follow him?

The kiss becomes all I can focus on and I catalog the question for another time.