Romeo On and Off the Court

Author's Note: As I was working on this chapter, I couldn't help but listen to a few songs that B & E keep making me think of – Lost in Your Eyes by Debbie Gibson (duet with Joey McIntyre), Set It Off (from Disney's Descendants - Cast), and Did I Mention (from Disney's Descendants). On another note, I start a new job tomorrow, so I might be a little slower posting.

Chapter 23: The Coaches

A person who trains and directs an athlete or a sports team.

Edward

Bella had the Houston-Ohio State game on when I entered my apartment five hours later. I tossed my keys in the dish by the door, smirking when I found Bella's in it. Her keys were on the key ring I gave her. My gaze moved around the living room. The crumpled papers I had tossed on the couch while working on my English paper were gone. The disorder had been organized on the dining room table. Time had gotten away from me Tuesday night, and I hadn't had time to straighten up.

The one person I wanted to see was missing. I thought I would find her studying at the table or curled up on the couch, watching the game. I expected to have to kick Angela out. I moved back toward my bedroom, looking into the kitchen and bathroom as I passed by. Neither of them were in the apartment.

Dropping my bag on the bed, I pulled my phone out of my jacket pocket. A message from Mom was all I'd received. I knew I hadn't left the television on. It was the second clue she was here. Her keys being in the dish proved it. Where was she?

There was more evidence she was here. Her phone was on a wireless charger on the nightstand. The necklace the girls gifted her lay next to it.

Leaving the bedroom, I saw the glass door to the balcony was ajar. How had I missed it?

Bella was sitting on the bench with a blanket around her and a mug in her hands. With stealth, I slipped out the door and sat down next to her.

"Penny for your thoughts," I whispered in her ear before kissing her cheek.

She relaxed back against me, lifting the mug to her lips. After a couple of sips, she lowered it and said, "Nervous about tomorrow night."

"You have nothing to worry about." I slid my arm behind her.

She gave a short laugh. "Right. They're your parents. Judgment central."

"Let me repeat myself, Bella. You have nothing, absolutely nothing, to worry about. You've shown them a good deal about yourself already."

"Right!"

Giving her a little squeeze, I went on. "You have, whether you believe it or not. Honesty goes a long way with my parents. You not only graciously accepted their offer but told them you were uncomfortable with it."

"I did do that," she admitted.

"And you showed you cared about me too."

"Huh?"

Time for a little truth. I knew why Mom and Dad offered to fly Bella to Ohio. We talked to them last night. "I called and talked to my dad when I couldn't get ahold of you after the first game. I told him I was miserable and needed to see you."

Bella sat up and turned to face me. "That's why they offered… because you needed to see me. Edward, we could have talked via FaceTime."

She wasn't seeing what my parents saw, what I saw from the moment I met her. "Sweetheart," I started, taking hold of her left hand, "you didn't know the reason until now. Yet, you accepted. Why?"

There was just enough light coming from inside that I saw her blush. "I called and talked to Jasper. He told me he felt like something was bothering you. That if I decided to come, it might help you. It wasn't until I talked to you, I decided to surprise you."

It was my turn to be confused. I felt my forehead wrinkle. "I talked you into coming?"

She nodded. "In a way. Like I told you, I was concerned when you didn't correct me. You didn't even want to dissect the Utah State game. So, yes, I came."

What did you say to that kind of answer? Leaning forward, I captured her lips in a tender kiss. Much like our first one, her hand came up and rested on my neck.

"I love you," I said against her lips before pulling back and seeing the love shining in her eyes.

Bella

Edward went back inside, bringing out a larger and warmer blanket. It covered both of us as we continued to talk.

"What's really bothering you, Bella?"

We were sitting side-by-side again. His left arm was wrapped around my shoulder while his right caressed my left. My head rested on his shoulder. It was comforting, but I wasn't sure if I could tell him. A sigh left me.

"Angela knew before you did."

"Knew what?"

"She guessed how I feel about you after receiving the e-tickets."

Edward jostled me when he laughed. "It is often through others we see the truth about what we don't want to acknowledge. My dad was the one that got me to own up to loving you. Once I admitted it to myself, a weight was lifted."

Peeking up at him, I took in his profile a moment before he glanced down. "I didn't even realize my heart was yours until she made the statement."

It was midnight by the time we slipped into bed.

~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~

Edward pulled into the driveway of a two-story gray house. A basketball goal sat near the two-car garage, tucked slightly behind the house. I swallowed hard after Edward got out. He and Angela said I had nothing to fear. Coaching myself, I took a deep breath and released it. It helped to settle the butterflies.

It took me a moment to realize Edward was waiting for me. Taking hold of his hand, I slipped out of the car. I was doing this, meeting his parents. He closed the door before reaching for the other hand, facing me.

"Breath," he whispered.

I took another deep breath and released it. With a smile, I nodded.

~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~

"Mom," Edward yelled once we were through the front door.

He helped me off with my jacket, well one of his, and hung it on the coat tree. Mine had mysteriously disappeared and was not to be found. It would show up, I hoped.

"In the kitchen, Edward. I could use your help."

I pointed to the living room. He shook his head as he motioned toward the back of the house. Was he suggesting I go before him? Bringing his hands up to my shoulders, he turned me and urged me forward.

I made a conscious choice to be brave despite the tidal wave of fear coursing through me. Putting one foot in front of the other and remembering what I told Edward Saturday, I moved down the hall.

Entering the kitchen, I asked, "What can I do to help?"

Esme turned shocked eyes on me before they softened. She wiped her hands on her apron and came around the counter. A moment later, she drew me into a hug.

"It's nice to meet you, Bella."

"Nice to meet you too, Esme." Edward had told me his parents were informal, preferring being called by their given names over Mr. and Mrs. Cullen.

"I've heard great things about you from Edward and the girls." Turning to Edward, she asked him to set the table. Once he was busy with the table, she pointed to a chair at the counter. "We are just waiting for Carlisle, then we can eat. He should be here in a half hour."

"Are you sure I can't help?"

"No, dear. I've got everything done."

Esme set a teacup in front of me.

"I'm not one for tea," I said, honestly, as she sat next to me.

She placed a hand on my arm, causing me to look up and over at her. "Good thing it's not tea."

~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~

"I was helping out in the ER today and this guy was brought in via ambulance with burns on his lower extremities. His shoes were charred and the bottoms of his pants were burned away but his skin wasn't bad. The paramedics told me he'd been using a propane-powered heater to heat his garage. He didn't know he knocked it over," Carlisle said. "I smelled alcohol on his breath, so I asked the guy if he had been drinking and he looked me directly in the eye and said, 'Nooooo.' I was getting drunk just standing next to him. It was a once in a lifetime set up and I couldn't help myself. As straight-faced and professionally as possible, I said, 'Sir... liar, liar, pants on fire.' The paramedics all turned at once and ran out of the room they were laughing so hard! The patient just stared at me. He was so drunk it went totally over his head."

I was laughing so hard, I was holding my side. "My dad would have said the same thing before arresting the poor guy for attempted arson."

That got everyone laughing again.

Carlisle and Esme both gave me a hug when Edward and I left.

~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~

Edward walked me to the dorm doors, drawing me into his arms and kissing me. "My parents loved you."

A smile split my face. I couldn't remember why I was nervous. "Once the tournament is over, we'll have to go to Forks."

"Now, I'm nervous," he said with a laugh before kissing me again. "I'll see you tomorrow for lunch. Love you."

"Love you, too."