Romeo On and Off the Court
Chapter 16: Penalty Box
An enclosure alongside the hockey rink where players who have been assessed penalties must remain while they serve out their penalties.
Edward
After driving Bella to campus in time for her first class, I finally got around to reading Tanya's post. Her post was slanderous to both Bella and I. Livid didn't even cover what I was. I wanted to hunt her down and beat some sense into her. But I was raised to never raised a hand to a woman. To never raise my voice in anger. I could count on one hand my father had yelled at my mother. Once. He had stormed out of the house and hours later he came home with a dozen roses, apologizing. I couldn't recall what the argument had been about, but I did remember the lesson.
Instead, I made my way to the security office. From Angela, Bella and I learned the two students who were caught on the security footage wouldn't say where they got the photo. Tanya was the only one who could have given it to them, and her blog was proof.
I filed a formal compliant with security against Tanya. In it, I provided the link to Tanya's defamatory blog.
"Thank you, Mr. Cullen, for coming in and filing this. I've looked at the blog and will forward your compliant on to the university. I wish there was more I could do for you and your girlfriend."
"I understand."
~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~
Coach was in rare form during practice today. The PAC-12 tournament started Wednesday, and he worked us hard. Since we were the number one seed, we advanced automatically to the quarterfinals. We would leave Wednesday morning for Las Vegas. The whole team was pumped and raring to win.
Bella wasn't going to be a problem. She had told me on our first date, I needed to focus on the game, especially in the tournament. I've thought it before and I'll think it again, Bella was some girl. The girls I dated in high school didn't understand my schedule of practice, games, and studying. They wanted to be seen on my arm and when I couldn't take them to this or that party, they kicked me to the curb. They were the past, and Bella was the present.
Emmett slapped me on the back as we were leaving the arena. "Have you told Bella when we leave?"
I nodded, continuing to my SUV. I threw my gym bag in and grabbed my bookbag. "She told me to focus on the game and she would see me when we got back."
"And you didn't like that."
Leaning again my vehicle, I looked up at the sky. "Not one bit. I want to spend time with her. Especially with what Tanya wrote."
He lifted his hand. "Have you talked to Bella about it."
"We went for a walk on Sunday. During it, I told Bella I feared what Tanya would do to her in retaliation for her kissing me."
Emmett's jaw dropped. "She kissed you!"
Both my hands went up to my face, rubbing my eyes. "Not the point, but yes. Right at the security barrier. Tanya was standing there, witnessed the whole thing."
"That makes when Tanya wrote even worse, man."
Didn't I know it. "Bella's not worried. She has pepper spray and is not afraid to use it."
Bella
When I went back to the dorm for different shoes, Tanya turned from getting her mail. She leered at me and I hoped she wouldn't make a scene.
"Excuse me, miss."
I turned and found a security guard and a Seattle PD officer behind me.
"Yes."
"Do you know a student by the name of Tanya Denali?" the officer asked.
Looking over at my shoulder, I saw the only Tanya I knew of stalking toward me. With a smile, I turned back to the officer. "I don't recognize the name. Maybe, the student walking over knows her."
As the elevator doors slid close, I heard Tanya screech. "Why am I under arrest?"
~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~
When Angela widened with fries halfway to her mouth, I was concerned and turned, looking over my shoulder. I did a double take as Edward approached where she and I were sitting. A smile spread across my lips.
"Was he meeting you for lunch?" I asked, facing Angela again.
"No," she replied, shaking her head. "We met up for the occasional dinner, but never for lunch. He must be looking for you."
My gaze went back over my shoulder. Edward was still a few tables away. I haven't seen him since he brought me back to campus this morning. He beamed back at me.
"You think, Ang?"
She laughed. "He's never smiled at me that way before. So, yes, I'm sure you're the reason."
It wasn't much long before Edward took the seat next to me and leaned toward me. "My next class isn't until two. When is yours?," he whispered, as if we had been dating for months instead of days, before kissing my cheek.
Lifting my wrist, I pretended to glare at an invisible watch. "In a half hour. Then a three o'clock."
He rubbed his chin. "Have to work?"
I shook my head. "Just got off before lunch. Don't you have to study?"
Oh, who was I kidding? I didn't want him to leave. Yes, I wanted him to focus on preparing for the PAC-12 tourney, but I wouldn't tell him to keep his distance until after it. Then there was the possibility of a NCAA tournament bid.
Angela laughed. "Edward will have plenty of time to study between games and practice."
Edward and I both turned to glare at her.
"Don't you have a class or study group, Ang?" Edward queried.
Angela giggled and got up. "No. I do have to get to the library and do a little research for a paper. See you both later."
Edward reached across the table and pulled the tray Angela had abandoned toward him. He cut what was left of the burger down and took a bite. "How's your day going?"
"Good. I ran to my dorm to get something and Tanya was there."
"What?!"
I nodded as he retrieved a water bottle from his bag. "Yes, she lives on an upper floor. Anyway, Seattle PD along with campus security were looking for her. I don't know what she did, but she was arrested."
"For what?" he asked.
"No idea. The elevator doors closed before I heard more."
Edward
Did I tell Bella about Tanya's blog? Another had been posted after I filed my report. I wasn't sure if she had seen the last one. Bella did tell me she had seen the one where Tanya called it off with me.
The latest one contained a threat. It had to be the reason Tanya was arrested, and it sure as hell was why I tracked down Bella. Emmett, god love him, knew where I would possibly find her. I started with the dining hall in her dorm. Sarah had seen me and wave me over, telling me Bella wasn't there. Emmett's next suggestion was the HUB. It was packed, but I soon spotted Angela and made my way over. If Bella wasn't with my cousin, then I would text her.
The smile Bella gave me when she saw me lit up her entire face. I didn't want to be the cause of why it left. Saturday night was hard, seeing and hearing her cry. No, I wouldn't tell her, at least not yet.
"Did Tanya say or do anything to you?"
"I had my pepper spray ready."
Her answer didn't help me.
"Edward," she passed her hand on my forearm, "I would have texted or called you had she said anything to me. Done anything to me."
Not knowing how to respond to that, I lifted my hand and brushed the back of my fingers along her cheek before tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She swallowed as I moved closer to her, capturing her lower lip between mine and sucking gently on it. When I pulled back, I knocked my forehead against hers. "May I walk you to your next class?"
She smiled before nodded her head.
Author's Note: Okay readers, don't be mad at me about Tanya. She will be back, and you will learn why she was arrested. 'til next time. ~Swervin35
