Romeo On and Off the Court

Chapter 13: Winning Streak

An uninterrupted sequence of success in games or competitions.

Bella

The arena was clearing out and I wanted to go. I wasn't ready to leave. It was more that I wanted to find the locker room and wait outside for Edward. To see if he had any plans. It didn't even dawn on me I was acting like his girlfriend. I about screamed when Angela grabbed my arm and dragged me off in the opposite direction I was heading.

"You want to catch Edward, right?"

"Yes." I was surprised she was able to read me.

"Then you might not want to head toward the visitors' side. Stick with me and I'll get you through security."

There were lots of girls in Cullen number eight jerseys in the hall Angela was leading me down. As we pushed through, I looked around. The girl, who stopped me after Edward's and my first date, was standing there. She was telling everyone who would listen that she was close to getting back together with Edward.

"Don't listen to her, Bella. Edward has never and will never go out with her."

I wanted to wave at Tanya after Angela showed the security guard our passes and we were let through, but that would just cause me and possibly Edward trouble.

~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~

There were not so many people waiting outside the locker room, and they pretty much ignored Angela and me. They did say hi, but other than that, we all waited for the players to start coming out.

I leaned against the wall and before I could pull out my phone, Angela called out to me. Her camera flashed. "Smile," she instructed before another flash went off.

"Seriously," I laughed.

After she snapped a few more, she was typing away on her phone. My phone beeped after a couple of seconds. She had air-dropped me some pictures. A few of Edward and me during the game. And one or two of me that she just took. I couldn't believe she got some great action shots of Edward with her iPhone. I set the one of him taking a three-point shot as my phone's wallpaper.

I looked up to thank her, but she still had her eyes on her phone, texting away.

Pulling up my texts, I saw one from Dad. I'd read it after sending one to Edward. I reread my message to him after hitting send. And groaned. He was going to be confused. Deciding not to send him another, I opened Dad's text. There was an image of me. Nothing else.

"Ang, did you send my dad any pictures or post to Facebook?"

She looked up at me. "No. Why?"

"How long do you think we have before they start coming out?" I asked.

"Another five minutes or so," a guy answered.

~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~

Walking down the hall, I called my dad. "Finally saw my text," he answered.

"Yeah. Where did the picture come from?"

"When have you known me to miss a Huskies game, Bells."

Dad had met Mom at UW when they were students.

"Sue thought she saw you in the stands and had me rewind and paused it. How did you get those seats?"

I sighed, looking back toward the locker room. Angela was still standing there and would direct Edward over to me.

"Edward, the guy I'm sort of dating, is the starting point guard for the team. He hooked me up with tickets."

Dad's smile could be heard through the phone. "Was it my advice or the Thunder tickets that had you giving him a chance?"

Ah, man! I couldn't tell Dad it was the tickets. "A little of both," I answered. "You gave me the nudge I needed to go out with him. Edward took me out to dinner, and we met for lunch the next day where he surprised me with tickets for today's game. He asked me to come and watch the team play."

"I see. So, tell me about him."

Angela was waving me over. Emmett was standing with her.

"Later, Dad. Angela managed to get me outside the locker rooms. I'll explain how later too."

"Okay, kiddo. Talk to you later."

I rejoined Angela.

Emmett wrapped an arm around me. "Hey, sis. Enjoy the game?"

I nodded. "Wish I could've been at more games."

He eyed me. "I offered to get you tickets for the last home game," he reminded. "How did Edward talk you into letting him get you tickets?"

I snorted. "He didn't offer for one. He presented me with the tickets and asked me to come."

Emmett threw up his hands. "Why didn't I think of that? He's good."

"Who's good?"

I turned around and found Tex standing behind me.

"Edward, man. Catch up. Where's your girl?"

"Where's yours?" Tex countered.

"Oh, come on, Jasper. You know Rosie had an art show today. It started at the same time as the game."

"And Alice was part of it too." Jasper turned to me. "Edward will be out soon, Bella."

"Thanks."

Jasper grabbed Emmett by the back of the neck and dragged him away, throwing over his shoulder, "We've got to go support our girlfriends. Catch you later, Bella."

Arms wrapped around me and a kiss was pressed to my cheek. I went ridged and looked at Angela wide-eyed.

Edward

I followed Jasper and Ben out of the locker room, my duffle slung over my shoulder with the game ball inside. Standing back, I listened to the banter between Bella and Emmett. They acted like they really were brother and sister. I still wished Emmett would tell me what he and Bella talked about. I had to trust that as Bella got to know me, she would share with me, too.

After Jasper and Emmett left, I slipped behind Bella, wrapping my arms around her. She stiffened in my arms, staring at Angela.

"Hey, Edward," Angela said.

Bella looked over her shoulder and up at me, relaxing against me as she smiled. I smiled down at her before leaning down and pecking her lips.

"Angela, put your dang phone away or I'm taking it away," I said, not taking my eyes off Bella.

"See you two later," she said.

Bella's eyes hadn't left mine and couldn't resist kissing her again.

"Nice jersey," I whispered. "Out of all the girls I've seen in them, you are by far the loveliest in it."

Her lovely blush appeared.

"Thank you," she whispered back. "It was a gift from your mom."

The smile fell from my face. "I told Mom not to approach you and Angela."

"She didn't. Angela went to get us drinks before the game started and ran into your mom. I didn't even know Ang had left until she got back and handed me a bag."

I laughed. Mom figured out a way to give Bella a gift. "Let's get out of here. You got plans?"

Bella shook my head. "I was going to ask you that. When do you have to be home?"

"Not until two. How about we go back to my apartment, order a pizza, and watch a movie?"

"OK."

I took hold of her hand, taking my normal path out of the arena, through the security checkpoint.

"Edward, you may not want to go this way."

"And why is that?" I asked, looking over at her.

Bella had her lip sucked into her mouth. "I saw the blog about you and Tanya. She's out there, waiting."

"I never dated her, and I have no interest in her. It's you I want to get to know." In my mind, I added, it's you I want to be my girlfriend. It was too early in our relationship to ask her to be just that.

A shy smile appeared on her lips. "So, Emmett and Angela both told me. I just thought you would want to avoid her."

I was touched Bella wanted to protect me. "Between you being with me and security, she'll keep her distance. At least, I hope she will."

Bella

Edward didn't seem bothered by the idea of Tanya waiting to see him. And he had apologized for all the girls bothering me after our first date. We hadn't discussed how to handle things if a girl started flirting with him in front of me and vice versa. I didn't think I was the jealous sort until I saw Tanya still standing on the other side of the barrier. It was irrational to be jealous.

I pulled Edward to a stop and stepped in front of me. He tilted his head quizzically as he gazed down at me.

Drawing on every ounce of courage I possessed, I stepped closer and placed my hands on his chest.

"What are you doing?" he whispered in my ear, as my hands moved up his chest and around his neck.

"Taking care of Tanya once and for all."

Raising up on my tiptoes, I captured my name as I kissed him. This one was in no way sweet or innocent. It was claiming, toe-curling. And the best part was his arms came around me when I dipped my tongue into his mouth to dance with his. It was one I didn't want to end, but I found the strength to pull away.

Edward tightened his hold on me when I made to step away. "Not yet," he whisper-panted. "Tanya's in a rage and security is escorting her out. I think you just made an enemy."

She wouldn't be the first, I thought. Aloud, I said, "Good thing I carry pepper spray."

He threw his head back and laughed. "You also have me, Jasper, and Emmett to protect you."