Romeo On and Off the Court

Author's Note: Someone pointed out, in a roundabout way, that I was misspelling a name. Tonya should be Tanya. I will be going back and correcting a few instances. ~Swervin35

Chapter 15: The Gloves are Off

To start fighting or competing hard in order to achieve something.

Edward

As soon as Alice and Rosalie arrived, they pulled Bella into their arms and disappeared into my room. They'd been in there for a half hour, not that I minded. It gave me time to think.

"Did Jessica or Sarah show you what Bella found?"

They both nodded.

"Campus security was there when we arrived. I think they were talking to Sarah. We overheard her telling them Bella wasn't there," Jasper said. "I gave them your address and phone number."

I hung my head between my legs like I had after the coach pulled me when I got my fourth foul. "Do you think Tanya could have done it?"

"And any other girl who wants a chance with you," Emmett said. "But given the blog post, yeah, Tanya could have or one of her crew. Have you read it yet?"

My head snapped up, and I glared at Emmett. "No. Give me the highlights. And please, Emmett, tell me what Bella confided in you about Nathan."

My eyes stayed on Emmett as he lifted his hand and scrubbed his jaw. "Tanya said much of the same things as the single sentence with the picture but with more explicit language aimed at Bella. The same picture was used. There was also a picture of Bella in the stands during the game. Red horns were drawn on her."

I raised my hand and pinched the bridge of my nose. "Was Bella mentioned by name?"

"No," Alice answered, making her presence known. "Could I make Bella another cider?"

"Mi casa es su casa."

My gaze moved down the hall and saw my bedroom door was closed.

"And what do you know of Nathan?"

"Not breaking Bella's trust," Emmett said. "How'd you hear the name?"

"From Angela. She thought I should know what the kid did to Bella, the rumor he started, and the fallout."

"Rumor?" Jasper asked.

Did he know too? Was I the only one on the outside?

"I'm as much in the dark as you, Edward," he added when I turned my head to take him in.

Did I share? It wasn't like Bella told me. "He eluded to her being cold and not willing to put out. Got expelled for starting it."

"What else did Angela tell you?" Emmett asked, his eyes following Alice back to my room.

I shared and watched as Emmett leaned back, a smile on his face. "And I didn't even have to break my promise to Bella. Guess your cousin is not as loyal as we thought."

Lifting my hand up, I said, "Angela, unlike you, thought I needed to know to help Bella."

~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~

I woke the next morning, finding Bella had slipped out from under my arm. Where she had been laying was still warm. She had been sound asleep when I returned. Coach had not been pleased he had to call me twice. When I explained what happened after the game and that I was making sure my girl was tucked safely in my bed, his tone changed. He sounded proud I stepped up off the court.

Stretching my hands over my head, I got up and headed into the bathroom. There were a few of Bella's personal items – her toothbrush and brush – on the counter near the sink. I grinned, pleased to see she didn't try to hide she stayed the night.

I was drawing a shirt over my head when I walked out of the bedroom. Something smelled good. Following my nose, I found Bella standing in front of the stove. Earbuds were in her ears and she was swinging her hips to whatever she was listening to. The scene made me happy as did the fact that she made herself at home.

Not wanting to scare her, I called out to her. She removed her earbuds as she turned.

"Morning," I said. "How are you feeling?"

"Better. Thanks for letting me stay here. I thought I would make you breakfast in thanks."

"I can see that." I took a step into the kitchen. Two plates were on the counter with scrambled eggs, two toast corners, and a folded stack of paper towels. Bacon was sizzling in the skillet. When had Mom stocked me up again?

Bella turned back to the stove. I stepped behind her and my hands found her hips, watching as she used a fork to flip the bacon.

~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~

Once breakfast was over and the kitchen cleaned, her cell rang.

"My dad," she said apologetically as she answered.

After pressing my lips to her cheek, I left her to speak with him.

Bella

I hated that Edward felt he had to leave. It was his place. The soft click of his bedroom door told me where I could find him.

"Hi, Dad."

"Bells, Angela and Jessica both called me. Told me what happened. Are you okay?"

I had good friends. They took care of me. "Yes. Last night, not so much." Pausing, I took a deep breath. What was I going to tell Dad? I wasn't sure how he would react to hearing the truth, but I went with it. "Edward took me to his apartment and took care of me all night."

He harrumphed. "It sounds like he's a good guy. And I'm glad he is there for you."

Dad's words surprised me. "What no lecture?"

"No, Bells. Do I like that you stayed with Edward? Not one bit, but you are a grown woman with a good head on your shoulders. You wouldn't have stayed if you didn't trust him."

"Thanks."

"Now, any idea who is harassing you?"

He stepped out of dad mode and right into being a cop.

"I have an idea, but no proof. And there was no way the person could have gotten back to the dorm before me. They must have friends helping them."

"I see. Campus security on it."

"Yes. I haven't talked to them yet. Jessica texted and said they have security footage of two students taping the papers up. They might not need to talk to me."

"And what are you going to do?"

Dad was back with that question.

When I awoke in Edward's arms this morning, I thought about that. And continued thinking as I made breakfast, as I ate. "I'm not going to let malicious comments get to me. The only opinions that matter are my friends and Edward's." I sighed. "I'm not blind to the fact that it's not over. My gloves are off and my claws are out. I refuse to feel like I did in high school again."

"That's my girl." I could hear the pride in his voice. "Would you like me to come for a visit?"

"I'm good, and I'll be home for Spring Break soon. Thanks for asking."

~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~

I didn't want to bother Edward if he was studying and sent him a text. Curling up on his couch, I opened my sociology textbook and started reading the next section. I'd only gotten a few paragraphs in when the book was pulled from my hands. "No studying right now."

"Uh, why?" I asked, peering up at him.

He offered me his hand, helping me up. A nice, warm jacket was wrapped around me. "We are getting out of here. I usually go for a run on Sundays–"

"Then go. I'll be fine here."

Edward shook his head. "I'm forgoing it so I can spend time with you. I thought we could go for a walk."