Thanks to my pre-reader and best friend Nati for being so patient and willing to help me with my stories!

Well...it's Wednesday! Enjoy :)

Ch. 6
6 Weeks

"Alright." I clapped my hands. "Let's do this," I mumbled.

I pulled my training kit out of the gator and set it down before going back to grab the portable taping table. I dragged it over to the sidelines, so it would be out of the way. I dumped all the contents out on the grass and chucked the bag back into the back of the gator.

The team wasn't down on the field yet, but it was always good to be ready. You never knew when someone was going to need last minute treatment.

After popping the legs in place, I set my bags on top and threw the red splint bag under the table.

"Hey Bells!"

I turned around and found Billy coming down the stairs leading to the stadium.

"Hey Billy!"

"You got everything set up?"

I nodded, opening the training kit to pull some supplies out. A few rolls of tape, some spray.

"Yeah, go ahead and send 'em down," I grinned. I opened my fanny pack to make sure it was fully stocked.

"Hope you can handle the heat Bells, it's one thing to be in the stands, but this is the sidelines. Things can get intense," Billy chuckled.

I nodded again, clasping my hands in anticipation.

"I think I'll be able to manage."

"Let's do this then." Billy pulled his baseball cap down further down on his head.

I watched as the first wave of players came out on the field. From the press box, pump-up music blared onto the grounds. They reached the field, arranged themselves into a few lines and started throwing back in forth. Most of them were kickers and wide receives, while the rest of the line backers and defense team remained in the locker room.

A few guys made their way over. They're not in full gear yet I noticed, just their under amour and pants.

"Your specialities ankles isn't it, I believe from your soccer days? So how 'bout I handle all the wrists and you can handle the ankles," Billy says walking over to the other half of the table I've erected.

"Sounds like a plan."

"Alright, Eleazar, you first," Billy pointed to an attractive guy with dark hair and a slim build.
I patted the table.

"You got a brace?" I pulled out some power tape and some stretchy black tape.

"No, I usually just wear the wrap. I've been strengthening my ankles with some exercises with Billy so I don't need one in practice, but I wear it for games just to make sure."

"Alright."

Eleazar climbed onto the table. "Toes up," I told him. I started with the black tape covering most of his foot up to the indent below his calf. Then I placed anchors at the top of the tape and the bottom of his foot right next to his toes.

I loved ankle wraps. There were so many steps to it that you could just get lost in the twists and turns it takes to make it absolutely perfect. Just one degree off from a 90 degree angle and you could have one uncomfortable ankle job.

I finished off the tape with a last piece and patted Eleazar's foot. "Feel alright?"

"Yep."

He hopped down from the table and then the guy who I assumed was Garrett took his place. I completed the same routine with his ankle.

"Thanks, Bella." Garrett nodded before putting his sock and cleat back on.

After a few more minutes the team went back up to the locker room.

"Hey, Bella. I heard about last Thursday night. Thanks for picking up Jake," Billy said, standing just a few feet away.

"Of course Billy. You know I didn't mind."

"You're a good girl Bells," Billy ran his fingers across his face. "Look, I know whatever happened between you and Jake-"

"Billy," I said, cutting him off. "I don't know what Jake's told you, if anything, but I think it's better if we leave things the way they are."

I avoided his eyes and focused on putting a few rolls of tape back in my bag.

"Of course."

I met his eyes and they're kind. He grinned to let me know that he wouldn't push me or make me feel uncomfortable. I was grateful. Billy really was a great teacher.

I looked at my watch and studied the stands. The game would be starting soon. The opposing team had arrived and was warming up on their side. Despite, Billy's words concerning Jake, I was still glad that he was by my side.

More music shuffled through the stadium and fans were filing in for a Saturday night game. The energy in the air was practically tangible. I returned to the back of the gator and grabbed some water bottles to fill up for the team. I was kind of restless.

Even before a soccer match, I'd never been this nervous. I was more worried about the pressure of the moment. The only way I could keep myself from thinking about it was by keeping my hands busy. Give myself a purpose and I'd calm down.

I reached for the cap to the water bottle I had just finished filling up.

"Mind if I take a bottle?" A voice said from behind me. The hairs stood up on the back of my neck.

I would know that voice anywhere. It had plagued my mind for the last two days since I started training for this team.

Edward.

"Sure, there are some that are already sitting on the bench," I said, cooly. I didn't want him to know how nervous he made me or how freaking confused I was by his bi-polar behavior.

"Why not this one?" He said. I didn't turn, but I felt Edward shift behind me as he reached and took the bottle from my hands.

"Thanks," he murmured very close to my ear.

I didn't say anything else. I wasn't sure if he'd left or not, but I hoped he had. I whipped around and sure enough he was gone. At least he hadn't been rude this time. I was till confused. What was with this guy.

I breathed out a sigh and went over to the field. I hadn't even realized the entire team had filed onto the field in full gear.

We had ten minutes until the game was supposed to start. I slung my fanny kit onto my shoulder and walked around the field making sure all the players were hydrated before heading back. I made sure to avoid Edward. It was probably best I kept contact limited. I had no idea what could trigger his bad mood again.

"Bella, I want you to meet our orthopedic who will be working with us, Dr. Alistair," Billy gestured to the man I'd noticed he'd been talking to over on the side.

"Hi, nice to meet you, Isabella Swan," I said, extending my hand.

"Nice to meet you. Hopefully, you won't be needing me tonight, but like I told Billy, I'm here if you need me. The paramedics are also here, of course."

"Alright, looks like the games about to start," Billy and I both stood in position on the side of the team. Emmett caught my eye and winked before the kick off team took the field.

The game got off to a good start and we were ahead by 2 points when the first quarter ended. Nobody had gotten too hurt just a few scrapes but nothing Billy and I couldn't handle.

"Come on," I yelled as Edward ran to score a touchdown. He made it.

"Woohoo," I yelled. The catcalls from the team drowned out my own hollers, though.

We started the next play. I couldn't keep my eyes off Edward as the other team tried to move the ball up the field.

He glided up the field, yards disappearing under his feet. Fast as a cheetah.

Edward intercepted and just as he was about to turn, a huge linebacker from the other team slammed into him. He fell to the ground and at least seven other guys hopped on. I wasn't sure what the point of a pile up even was. It just seemed like it was compacting the problem, but the guys seemed to enjoy it.

Slowly, one by one, the players crawled off. And then there was only one. And this one didn't get up.

I knew it was Edward. And he wasn't getting up. He was rolling back and forth on the ground clutching his leg.

Billy spotted it the same time I did and we both ran out on the field.

Edward wasn't saying anything when we reached him. He was just clutching his knee; his face scrunched up in pain.

I bent down and went into rescue mode. I zoned out everything else in the world. Like the fact that Edward probably hated me or my lapse in professionalism with Jake before. I threw all of that out the window and focused on the injured player lying before me.

Billy started the questioning.

"Edward, what's wrong? Is it your knee?"

"Yeah, not sure what I did, but it hurts like crap." He growled.

"Alright, I'm going to ask you let go of your leg," Billy instructed him. "Bella's going to examine you and test it out to. See what's wrong."

I nodded. I took hold of his leg and stabilized it with my hands, so he could remove his.

Once his hands were out of the way, I straightened Edward's leg out. He groaned as I moved it up and down. I pressed down on his knee cap making sure I had my thumb and pointer finger firmly on either side.

When I pressed on it, I could feel fluid building up and I knew there would be swelling. There could be quite a bit of things that could have happened. I wouldn't know exactly what, until we could get some X-rays and some more tests.

"Do you think you can get up?"

"Yeah," he muttered.

"Alright, on three, Billy and I will help support your weight. One, two, three." Billy and I worked together and got him up on one foot. The whole stadium clapped as the three of us hobbled off the field to the sidelines.

Dr. Allistair was there waiting for us. "How does it look?" He questioned as we set Edward down on the table.

"I'm not sure, it's hard to tell. It seems to be his knee. I'm just not sure if he dislocated it and popped it back in or it he tore something else." I explained.

Allistair began performing his own tests. Let's get this propped up and get some ice on it too. The more we keep it from swelling, the better."

"I'll grab some," I told Allistair.

I walked over to the bench and the injury ice and grabbed the cooler and wrap. I filled up two bags and sucked the air out so that they were flat. Maximum area coverage was key. I walked back over to Allistair and placed one bag under Edward's knee and the other above it. I pulled out an ibuprofen packet as well.

"Thought this might help with the pain," I said, holding the small packet out to Edward. He took it, but his expression seemed reluctant.

"It doesn't hurt that much, but It'll help with the swelling right?" He scoffed, before popping the pills and swallowing them both dry.

"Yeah," I agree. "Allistair, Billy, I'm going to go and keep and eye on the game and the rest of the team. Don't need anyone else getting hurt."

I give them both a small smile.

"Alright Bella, will fill you in if we feel anything more," Allistair said, nodding. "I'm not sure, but at this point, Edward may need surgery."

Edward's face turned pale.

"Based on your evaluation and mine, I think he dislocated his kneecap."

"Okay, how long do you estimate healing time?" Edward hissed.

"I think you know the answer to that, don't you, Bella? Remember Ben did the same during soccer season," Billy said.

I exhaled. Of course I remembered. "At the very least 6 weeks," I breathed.

I looked up at Edward's face and his eyes bored into mine.

I couldn't turn away from his mesmerizing green eyes that blazed with anger and dread at my diagnosis.

Those eyes were going to be the death of me.

Thanks so much for reading! Please leave me a bit of review love! I'd love to hear what your thoughts are.

See you next Wednesday!

Prayers to to all those who are being affected by Winter Storm Pax! I'm enjoying all the snow though :)

-marie