Romeo On and Off the Field
Chapter 9: Pregame Warm-up
A period before a sports match.
Edward
I was exhausted after practice and was glad I didn't have any classes this evening. I hated late afternoon practices, but Coach like to mix it up so we could take classes and not have to chose between playing for the Huskies and a class. Skipping the shower in the locker room, I collected my street clothes and stuffed them into my gym bag. Slipping my cell out of my bag, I checked for messages. I had one from any unknown caller. It was probably a spam call. I listened to messaged the caller left.
"Hey, Edward. It's Bella. Thanks for the tickets."
I held my breath as I continued listening.
"I need to be honest…" she paused and sighed. "You giving them to me made me question your intentions. I called my dad for advice. He made me realize something as we talked. I've been unfair to you. Letting something from my past sway me in how I treated you. Please forgive me."
My eyes moved to Emmett. I had been right. Bella's past was the reason she turned me down. I wonder if that was what she had told Emmett.
Her sigh brought me back to her message. "How you found out the Thunder is my favorite NBA team is not important. Curious, but not important." She laughed. "So, and I can't believe I'm going to say this… yes, you come with me."
I pumped my fist in the air, causing several of my teammates to give me strange looks.
Bella's message didn't end there.
"What do you say to meeting for dinner so we don't have an awkward silence of the way to Portland in a few weeks? Give me a call."
She ended her message there. No reciting her number, not that she needed to. I stored her name and number.
And her dinner suggestion was perfect. It was as if she was a part of my thought process. Now, I would have to convince her to let me pay. Emmett had filled me in on her reluctance to let him pay for her dinner a week ago.
~~ Romeo On and Off the Field ~~
Emmett and Jasper joined me as I walked to my car.
"How's the Bella situation going?" Jasper asked.
What he was really asking was if I stopped pining after her. I side-eyed him as I thought about not answering. But I was pretty sure either he or Emmett saw my display in the locker room.
"Good. She finally agreed to go out with me. At least two dates."
"Two?" Emmett asked, scratching his head.
I grinned like a fool. "Dinner some time soon and the Trail Blazer-Thunder game at the end of the month."
"Damn, man. How'd you convince your parents to fork over the tickets?"
Jasper knew me too well.
"I told them the truth. The girl I want to take out who is Thunder fan. They didn't ask questions and gave me the tickets."
Jasper whistled. "Wish I was going. Courtside seats are hard to get unless you know someone."
"Especially ones behind the visitors' bench," I added. "I don't think Bella knows that."
Emmett's jaw dropped and it took him a minute to pick it up. "She's gonna be yours, dude."
That was what I was hoping. I slipped into my SUV without a word.
~~ Romeo On and Off the Field ~~
My shower was far superior than the one in the locker room. And after it, I dialed Bella.
"Hello?"
I chuckled. "Didn't save my number in your phone, did you?" I teased.
"Oh. Edward." I heard her muffled voice. She must have checked who was calling. "I didn't look at my caller id. I was expecting Angela to call me right back." She sounded flustered.
Playing it cool, I said, "Your suggestion about dinner is a good idea. Are you free tonight?"
Bella spluttered on the other end of the line. "Tonight?"
I gave her a few more moments and heard pages flip, as if she was consulting her calendar. It didn't matter if she was or not.
"Sure. Where can I meet you?"
Again, I pumped my fist in the air. "The lobby of your building. Which one? I know you live on West Campus, but not the building." I was fibbing but she didn't need to that. Just like she didn't know I was the one who delivered the gifts to her RA. After I told her RA the story, she was more than willing to help me out. "And what will you absolutely not eat?"
"Lander Hall. Anchovies and onions. Other than that, I'm opened to anything. Why?"
A smile split my face. "I'll pick you up at 6:30 and dress nice."
"Okay. See you then."
I pulled up the restaurant's, The Pink Door, website and made a reservation.
My next call was to Angela. I had a feeling she would be the one Bella asked for help getting ready.
"Make it quick, Edward. I have to go help Bella. Two hours is really not long to get ready. And dress nice is not enough information."
"And that's why I called. No jeans. There's a dress code where I'm taking her."
"And where is that?" my dear cousin asked.
I sighed. "No telling you where. I will tell you it is a nice Italian restaurant."
She hmm'd. "That's Bella's favorite cuisine. Wear the tie you have to wear for away games." With that she hung up.
Bella
What the in the world I had just agreed to? I thought he would want to meet at the student union or one of the restaurants on campus or a dining hall. But from the conversation, it sounded like he was going to take me off-campus. Panic welled up in me. Dress nice he told me. What was nice? Jeans and a polo top? I had no idea what to wear, and Jessica was in class until nine.
My eyes moved to my alarm clock. I had two hours to get ready. Picking up my phone, I called Angela.
"Help!" I said as soon as she answered.
"And hello to you too, Bella. What do you need help with?"
I didn't know what all to tell her. "I have a date with Edward. He told me to dress nice and will be here in two hours."
She laughed. "So he did break you down."
"Yes," I answered sarcastically. "I suggested dinner. He called and asked if I was free tonight. I had to check when my paper was due before answering."
Again, she laughed. "I'm on my way. Go shower. I bring you something to wear. And nice usually means no jeans."
~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~
With Angela's help, I was wearing a deep purple dress whose skirt brushed the top of my knees. She said the color brought out my brown eyes as she applied two different shades of purple eyeshadow to my lids and accented it with a gold.
The whole time she was coaching me on dating dos and don'ts. I made as many mental notes as I could, but there was no way I was going to remember everything she was telling me.
I stepped off the elevator five minutes late. Angela said I needed to make Edward wait for me. I didn't understand why, but I was so nervous I didn't ask her to explain. I made a mental note to asked her or Jessica later.
Edward was leaning against a column with his legs kicked out in front of him and ankles crossed, his hands were buried in his pockets. The grin he gave me made my heart flutter. My eyes moved down, taking in what he was wearing – white dress shirt, a tie with the university's "W" logo, and black dress slacks.
The girls studying in the common area were staring at him, and it seemed he didn't care or notice. One of my assumptions, proven wrong. He pushed off the column, making his way over to me.
"Shall we, Isabella," he whispered.
I witnessed as all jaws dropped when he offered me his left arm. Most of the girls had saw me around the hall, but not my name. The whispers started not long after. Not that I could hear what they were saying.
With only a moment's hesitation, that I hoped Edward didn't sense, I slipped my right hand through the triangle he created between his body and his arm. My hand rested on his forearm, making me feel like Daphne Bridgerton on the arm of Duke of Hastings. It was swoon-worthy moment, and I had to coach myself to breath.
We walked out of the residents hall in silence, and Edward guided me over to the SUV parked at the curb. A no-no I was surprised he got away with. He opened the passenger-side door for me, making me feel again like Daphne, as he helped me in.
I had a brief moment of solitude before he slid behind the wheel.
Edward
"I thought we would head off-campus," I said, breaking the silence as I moved into the line that would take us to WA-520 W.
"Where were you thinking?"
I chanced a brief look at Bella. She had her fingers knotted together and understood her nervousness. I'd have to see what I could do to get her to relax. "I made a reservation at The Pink Door," I supplied, moving my eyes back to the road.
"Oh! Am I dress appropriately?"
I hadn't even noticed what Bella was wearing, well I had but her eyes drew me to them. They sparkled from the moment she saw me. I had shivered when they slid down, taking me in.
I reached over and touched her left hand. "You look lovely. I should have told you that as we were leaving."
As much as I wanted encase her hand in mine, I removed it and took hold of the steering wheel again. Keeping her safe tonight was my responsibility and driving one-handed was a bad idea.
~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~
Twenty minutes later, I pulled into a parking spot in the Pike Place Public Market garage.
"Wait, Bella, I'll help you out," I said when her hand moved to the door handle.
Slipping out, I opened the rear passenger door and pulled out my dinner jacket. Taking a moment to don it before rounding the SUV and helping Bella out.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome." Like earlier, I offered her my arm, holding my breath until she once again took it.
Bella
The enigmatic entrance – no sign, just a pink door off Post Alley – opened to décor that made me feel like I was stepping into a Parisian flea market. I looked around in awe noticing the dripping chandeliers and the burlesque cabaret that, if one timed it right, would send the trapeze performer soaring over my head. I was so entranced, I missed Edward addressing the hostess. Her sweet "follow me" broke me free of the spell the restaurant placed on me.
The hostess should us to a table set for two. Edward held out my chair and slid it under me as I sat. A candle flickered at the edge of the table nearest the window. The ambiance was romantic. What had possessed Edward to bring me here on a first date? He picked up a menu and handled it to me.
"Order whatever you like, Bella. Dinner is on me."
Angela had coached me, telling me it was common practice for the guy to pickup the check on a first date. Smiling my thanks, I opened the menu. I held back the gasp that threatened when I saw the prices, but my mouth watered as I read. Everything sounded so decadent.
The sound of Edward's voice drew me away from my study of the menu. I was torn by two selections.
"What's the white fish today?"
"Halibut," the waiter replied.
"And the northwest fish."
"Sockeye, sir."
"Bella, are you ready to order?" Edward asked.
I nodded.
"Then by all means," he said, motioning to the waiter.
Making a snap decision, I ordered the Lasagna Pink Door with the Pink Door mocktail. Edward order the halibut and whatever was the seasonal vegetable, a glass of water with lemon, and the with the same mocktail.
"What's your major?" Edward asked as the server left.
It took me a moment to comprehend Edward was talking to me. "I'm double majoring. Psychology and criminal justice. I'll have to get a doctorate as I'm hoping to become a forensic psychologist," I replied.
"I'm studying criminal justice, too. Maybe we'll be in a class together next semester." He paused a moment, beaming at me. "I see myself working in a crime lab if my first career path doesn't work out."
I was confused. "First career path?"
His smile faded. "You can't tell me you don't know."
More confusion washed over me. "Know what?" I inquired. Was I supposed to know something about Edward? Hard to have Dad run a background check without knowing his last name.
He stared at me wide-eyed, as if he was shocked by my lack of comprehension. Leaning toward me, he lowered his voice. "I'm the star point guard for the Huskies."
Now, it was my turn to stared at him wide-eyed. Angela had not coached me on how to react to this kind of information. "Though I am a basketball fan, I've not been to any of the games. Dawg Pack tickets are not in my budget," I answered, sadly. I loved watching basketball games and live and in-person was the best. Dad and I were at every home high school game.
Edward
Bella had been smiling and it faded with her admission. The last home game of the season was this coming Thursday and then the PAC-12 tournament began. Followed by the NCAA tournament, if we got in. Selection Sunday was a stressful day. I could get tickets for Bella, so she and her roommate could attend the last home game, but the other games were out of state.
"I do keep up on the game stats. I just couldn't give you any players names or individual stats." She reached for the water the waiter provided her. "Although, with the season you guys are having, an NCAA tournament bid is a surety."
"That's my hope too." I picked up my water and took a sip, covering my amazement of her knowledge of the Huskies chances. "Do you have any evening classes?" I asked, needing to know before I did anything about getting her Huskies tickets.
"Luckily, no. I've only had to only take one and only because it was the only way to fit it into my schedule. My latest class starts at three."
That was good. The game was at eight.
"Why do you want to know?"
Reaching for my water again, I took a sip and thought about how to answer. "Honesty, I wouldn't like knowing you were walking back to your dorm at night alone or with a group, even if there is sufficient lighting and other safety measures in place."
"Can I ask you something?" Bella asked as I set my water glass back on the table.
"Isn't that the point of a date?"
"Oh hush," she admonished, blushing as our meal was placed in front of us.
Bella seemed more relaxed than she had been on the drive.
"How did you find out I was a Thunder fan?"
I flinched at the question. It was a logical one to asked but I didn't want to get Angela in trouble. But Angela told me to be honest. "Your best friend, Angela Weber, is my cousin."
Bella shook her head and laughed. "One degree of separation," she said, laughing.
"What's that mean?"
Bella picked up her fork and cut into her lasagna before explaining. "There is a theory that states all people are related by six or less connections. A friend of a friend chain, in simpler terms. Angela is our common connection," she said with a shrug. "So why criminal justice as a fallback?"
"I love science and working in a crime lab appeals."
"And your afraid the NBA won't draft you?"
I sat back and chewed, swallowing before answering. "Let me answer this way. I was committed to UCLA and then suffered a knee injury in the state finals my senior year of high school."
She reached across and covered my hand with hers. "I'm sorry. UCLA would have helped you achieve your dream."
Flipping my hand over, I laced my fingers through hers. "Thank you. The NBA is still my dream. Anyway, once UCLA found out and learned my recovery time, they withdraw their offer and scholarship. That opened me back up to other schools. Funny thing is, my recovery time wasn't as long as predicted. UCLA is waiting for me to enter the transfer portal."
"Are you thinking of transferring?"
"Pardon my language, but fuck no. I love playing for the Huskies and Coach Grouch, while tough, is one of the best coaches I've had since my dad."
~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~
Before I knew it, we where driving back to campus. If it wasn't for my eleven o'clock curfew, I would have spent more time getting to know Bella. We talked throughout dinner, getting to know each a little.
I walked her to the doors of her building. "I would like to take you out again, Bella."
"I would like that. With the PAC-12 tournament fast approaching and the possibility of a NCAA tourney bid, you'll need to focus on the game."
I smiled at how right she was. "Still, I don't want to wait until after. How about lunch tomorrow in the student union?"
She sucked her bottom lip into her mouth. "Would noon work for you? I have a class at one-thirty and then work until the center closes at six."
"Met me at the doors near HUB lawn."
"OK," she said, brushing her hair behind her ear. "I've got to go. Early class in the morning."
"So do I."
Leaning in, I made to kiss her cheek instead I was met with her soft, silken lips. Before I could jump back, I felt her hand on the back of my neck. My left hand found her waist as I kept the kiss sweet and innocent, pulling away and knocking my forehead against hers. "I'll see you tomorrow, Bella."
Once she was safely inside, I walked away with a lightness in my step that hadn't been there in long while.
Bella was some girl. I was glad she was giving me a chance.
Sliding back into my SUV, I pulled out my phone and sent her a quick text.