Romeo On and Off the Court

Chapter 7: Three-Point Free Throw

Fouled while shooting for a three-point goal and they miss their shot.

Edward

Emmett was a genius. He not only got Bella to confide in him, and he still refused to tell me about what. He had managed to become her pseudo-big brother. That told me Bella was possibly an only child, something we had in common if true. The two biggest pieces of information he received were her last name and the resident hall she lived in. I tried to get both from Angela and she wouldn't tell me. She was all for helping me but helping me become a stalker was not one of the ways, not that I wanted to becoming one.

Phase one of my plan was to keep my distance, yet watchful eye on Bella during the party Angela told me Bella was attending. I wasn't sure why I felt it was my job to protect her, but I didn't want anything to happen to Bella. It was different than watching out for my cousin. My feelings for Bella confused the hell out of me. Maybe that was the real reason I wanted to take Bella out, to explore them. How had one tutoring session with her left me this way?

I had arrived early and saw when Bella had entered. When a red solo cup had been handed to her, I had started to worry. The girl who had given it to her could be a friend or a stranger. Anything could have been slipped inside the drink. I couldn't let her drink it and had made my way over. Wincing with her when I had seen her take sip whatever it was.

Bella had been surprised to see me, though I had snuck up behind her. My only intention had been to get the cup in the trash, and I had prayed the single drink she took hadn't been enough to affect her, especially if it was laced. It hadn't been part of my plan, but I hoped my actions had spoken to Bella, shown her I wasn't a snake in the grass.

It had been hard walking away. I still wished I could have stayed and gotten to know her a little. Nope, I put aside what I wanted for Bella's comfort. Selfless not selfish. Jasper had joined me, sharing that Bella had been surprised when I walked away.

It was Saturday, game day, and two days since the party, the last time I saw Bella. I had been watching for her whenever I was walking around campus and as of yet, I hadn't seen her. Which given the size of the campus, wasn't surprising. And going back to the tutoring center was not something I wanted to do yet. I would eventually need another paper proofread, and would only sit with Bella if she was the only English tutor available.

~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~

Since I didn't have to be at the arena until three, I went to a nearby park with Jasper and Emmett along with their girls, Alice and Rosalie. We had a basketball with us and played a couple of games of H-O-R-S-E. Much to my surprise, my shots were hitting, even Emmett's behind the backboard trick shot.

"Not thinking about Bella, huh?" Emmett asked, throwing an arm around my shoulder.

I shrugged him off, he was an idiot. "I wasn't until now. Want to share any details of what you two talked about?"

Emmett was saved from answering when his phone rang. He accepted it from Rosalie. I saw the screen long enough to see it said, Little Sis. Fuck! Bella would talk to him but when he asked if I could talk to her, she said no.

Bella

Jessica, Angela, and I headed to the park Saturday morning. They both were going to the game later and despite Angela saying she would pay for my ticket, I wouldn't go. Of course, Jessica and Angela didn't speak basketball, so I didn't even bother explaining my reason. They only went to have a full college experience and to cheer on the team. They told me repeatedly they didn't care if we won or lost.

I was meeting up with Emmett, needing a big brother talk and he wanted me to meet Rosalie. I hadn't told him I had a step-sister and step-brother, they were both younger than me. Leah was entering high school when I left for college. Seth, was a little brat, and was in the currently in the eight grade.

Angela and Jessica not having anything better to do decided to tag along. Spotting Emmett, I was about to yell at him when Jessica asked, "Is that Edward? Man, he better looking than his picture."

Edward was dribbling a basketball, nothing fancy. What the hell was he doing here? I spun on my heel and pulled my phone out of my pocket, walking a few paces away.

Emmett answered on the third ring or was it the fourth? "Hey, sis. What's up?"

Staying calm, I replied I was fine. In reality, I was pissed and wanted to tell him off, but Edward could have decided to tagalong like Jessica and Angela had. I'd ask him about it later. "I can't make it this morning. Can we meet up around lunchtime instead?"

"No can do, sis. I have plans this afternoon. You going to the game?"

"No. I don't have a ticket."

Angela and Jessica stared at me. Angela lifted her hands in question as if saying, I offered.

"I see. I could get you a ticket."

Not him too. "I'm not going even if I had a ticket."

"Are you sure? It's not a problem. I have a guy who can hook me up. Owes me a favor."

I groaned. "Emmett, I don't want to be seen as a fair-weather fan. I would love to go to a game, but since I can't afford tickets, it would seem that way. Don't ask again."

"Okay, okay, Bella, I won't. Want to meet up after the game at least?"

I chanced a look over my shoulder. His back was still toward me. Edward and Tex were laughing at something. Edward was cradling the ball against his hip and started to turn. I thought about not turning away. Letting him see me. Then I thought better of it, turning back to face Angela and Jessica.

"Will seven work for you?"

"Make it half past seven. Rosie and I will pick you up and will go off-campus for dinner. And there will be no argument on this. It's my treat, Bella."

I resisted the urge to scream. "No," I said, through gritted teeth.

He had the gall to laugh. "Tough. Dinner is on me, sis."

With that, he hung up.

I started walking back to my truck.

"Aren't we meeting Emmett?" Angela said, catching up with me.

I shook my head. "Edward's with him and I don't feel like dealing with him."

"Then go out with him," Angela and Jessica said together.

Edward

We won against UCLA 69-55. And I had a great game, scoring fifteen points. Somehow I had managed to push Bella from my mind and focus on the game.

My parents had come to the game, not that they weren't at every game, and were waiting outside the locker room for me. We were going out to dinner.

~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~

"So, how are classes?" Mom asked after the waiter went to put our order in.

"Good. I got an A on my history paper and the professor was impressed with my use of a speech from Shakespeare's Henry the Fifth. I never would have considered using it if it hadn't been for Bella."

Dad leaned forward from his spot across from me. "Bella?"

I bobbed my head as I set my glass of water back on the table. "One of the English tutors available to help students. She read through my paper a couple of weeks ago and made the suggestion."

"Uh-oh," Mom said knowingly. "What happened?"

"I asked her out thinking she would say yes. She turned me down."

Dad threw back his head and laughed. "Edward, son, you always hope for the best and are heartbroken when things don't go your way," he said after he calmed.

"I know," I muttered. "It was embarrassing more than anything. We were in Mary Gates Hall, several students around, and I grabbed her hand to stop her. I felt she hadn't heard the first time and asked her again. She stepped close to me and whispered her response."

"That doesn't sound bad," Dad remarked as the server set our salads in front of us.

"Angela witnessed it."

Dad shared a confused look with Mom.

"She is Bella's best friend."

That got a reaction from Mom. "Oh, dear. That's bad. Have you asked Angela from help?"

I nodded. "Angela told me some of Bella's likes. I was thinking of giving Bella a little temptation."

"Like," Mom prodded.

As Dad said, "Edward."

Holding up my hands, I went on. "I'm not going to trick her into a date, Dad. She will have the choice."

Dad pressed his lips together, and I knew he was holding his tongue. He would reserve saying more until he heard what I wanted to do.

"Like I said, Angela told me some things she hopes would help me. And I learned Bella is a huge Oklahoma City Thunder fan. They play Portland at the end of the month. Could I have those tickets?"

Dad's hand moved from where it rested on the table to his chin. "Huh!" He was silent. "What do you think, Esme?"

Mom reached into her purse, pulling out the wallet I knew held their season tickets. "I like this idea, but you need to be careful with your wording in the card. No strings attached. Tell her you are willing to go with her, if she can't find someone else."

Card? "I thought I would show up at her room with Angela and hand them to her."

"Not a good idea, son. You don't want Bella to feel pressured. I feel that's what will happen if you do it face-to-face. This will be something she will need to think about. Go with your mom's suggestion of them being a gift. A thank you for helping you get an A."

Bella

My RA called me into her room as I walked by her open door.

"Yes, Sarah," I said, leaning against the doorjamb.

She pointed to the flowers on her desk. "Those came for you and the box next to it. I was picking up my mail when the delivery guy came. For some reason, he had my name."

"That doesn't make sense."

She shrugged. "Your name is on the card in the flowers and on the box."

"Thanks."

~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~

Once in my room, I pulled the card from the flowers. Like Sarah said my name was on it – Isabella Swan. What had Dad sent me along with the flowers?

I pulled the card out of its envelope and was greeted by Snoopy looking up at a heart about to land on his nose. The words "Just because…" floated in the sky above him. This was not Dad's typical card. Maybe Sue or Leah picked it out. It was sweet they were thinking of me. Opening the card, something fell out. Whatever it was could wait. The inside would have been blank had it not been for the graceful script carefully written inside. My eyes moved to the signature. I blinked. Surely I read the true sender's name wrong. Edward?

I swallowed and read his message.

Isabella, is that all right? I hope so, it's a beautiful name as are you.

Flattery would only get him so far, I thought, blushing.

Please accept the flowers and chocolates as thank you for helping me. As you predicted, I received an A on my history paper. My professor loved that I used the Shakespeare quote you suggested. So, thank you for that too.

I would still like to take you out and to use a tennis term, the ball is in your court. I'm hoping the tickets I sent you will have you saying yes. If not, enjoy the game. Though, to be honest, I would like to be your escort. No pressure. It's your choice.

Edward

Tickets? Looking down, there were two ticket-sized rectangles laying facedown on my desk. I reached down and picked one up, flipping it over in my hand. I dropped it before picking it up again – Portland Trail Blazers vs Oklahoma City Thunder on March 26 at the Moda Center in Portland. Portland was a three-and-a-half-hour train ride away. I could borrow money from Angela for the train ticket and dip into my savings for little money for McDonalds.

I was sitting on the floor staring at the ticket and card when Jessica entered the room with Angela. They asked me what was wrong. I couldn't find my voice, so handed Jessica the card and one ticket, pointing out the flowers, box, and other ticket above my head on my desk.

"Don't just sit there, Bella. See what kind of chocolates he sent you," Jessica said.

With them on either side of me, I opened the box. Inside were twelve chocolate-covered strawberries and eight Godiva chocolates in a ballotin box.

"If this doesn't change your mind about giving Edward one date, then I going out with him," Jessica said.

Angela was mute. She usually had something to say about the attention guys gave me. When I turned to face her, she was grinning, as if saying "see the attention you get."

"Neither of you are helping," I muttered, sliding the strawberries into the mini-frig. "Take care of the dry ice."

I retrieved my cell phone from my bag and snatched the card with Edward's number from Jessica. I walked out of the room.