Thanks always to my beta booklover484 and my purer easer Nati for being awesome!

Well lol it's wednesday! Enjoy :)

Chapter 16: Bus Ride

"You think you've made enough ice bags, yet?" Billy chuckled, coming up beside me at the back of the gator as I grabbed another bag and filled it with ice. He eyed the small mountain of bags I'd made and stacked inside the cooler. "Are you planning for the whole team to get hurt?"

My cheeks burned as I closed the lid on the cooler. "No," I said. "I was just doing it to keep busy."

"Well, you gotta do what you gotta do, right?" Billy nodded, giving me his warm smile that made the skin around his eyes crinkle. "I was just stopping by to see how everything's going down here on the field. There never seems to be enough time in the day." Billy looked out at the guys running across the field. Dodging, passing and diving for the ball.

"Thanks, Billy. Everything seems to be fine down here for the moment. I was just getting kind of restless sitting in the Gator watching the guys back and forth. So, I just thought I'd make some ice bags."

"You don't have to explain, Bells. Unless you want to of course. I know you're doing the right thing no matter what it might be. I trust you."

The use of my old nickname reminded me of just how long I'd known Billy. An old friend of my dad's that I'd known since I was baby. He trusted me to do the right thing. I knew I couldn't disappoint him. I was desperately trying to keep myself busy because of a certain team captain and of course, I could never tell Billy that. No matter how hard it was going to be, I was going to stay away from Edward; I wasn't going to put both of our careers in danger.

I became firm and resolute as I gazed out over the field.

The next few weeks, though tough, passed without incident. I stayed away from Edward for the most part and even on the days when he had to come in for treatments, I made sure to keep busy with other athletes so we were never alone. The season officially started and there was hardly enough time in the day. It was all I could do to stay awake and finish my school work, turning papers in on time. The start of the season had also meant the return of Edward to the field.

The last few weeks he'd been allowed to do running exercises and gain his strength back so that he could stay on top of his training. Even when he'd been out, he'd still done upper body training. But his return meant he didn't have an excuse to be in the training room except for smaller injuries. Which was a relief; it made ignoring him so much easier. Despite what I told myself, it was still hard. I wanted to be around Edward, and I wanted to see what we could be, but we couldn't at least not right now.

I tried yet again to dispel thoughts of Edward as I placed my headphones in my ears and leaned my head against the window. The cool glass felt fantastic against my aching forehead. We had just finished loading the bus after a game. We'd won. It had been a great win and everyone was on a high. We still had a four hour drive back home and I was hoping I could sleep on the way back. I was drained from the excitement and intense concentration that accompanied every game. I was looking forward to climbing into bed and sleeping in late the next day.

As a trainer, the team allowed me on the bus first to pick which ever seat I wanted. I always chose one near the front. I was usually settled before the players arrived and they would all sit in the back, almost always loud and obnoxious especially after a win. Most of the team had one or two bags of ice and at least three peanut butter sandwiches to help stave the hunger on the way home.

I closed my eyes and turned my music on blast as the team filed on. A few of them, Seth, Mike and Emmett all made sure to stop and say hello making sure I didn't need anything , i.e. a peanut butter sandwich. They often forgot that I was allergic hence the pounding headache. That was another reason I tended to sit away from the team. After every game, they'd eat PB sandwiches and the smell would give me a headache if the smell was too strong.

"Hey."

My eyes flew open in realization that someone was occupying the chair next to me. Edward. I went into full panic mode. I wasn't prepared to deal with him, especiallywith him being this close. I was tired and vulnerable, my resolve could waver which could result in me just fucking up my career, internship and jump him; it's like killing three birds with one stone.

"Hi, did you need another ice bag?" I managed to ask, lamely, trying to think of anything as I fought to concentrate through my headache. "I'll go make another one," I said, before he could even respond.

"Sit down, Bella. I'm fine. Besides you look like you could use some rest. You look rather pale. Are you okay?" Edward's beautiful face was scrunched up in concern, his green eyes searching mine for signs of the flu or the like.

"I'm fine," I sighed. "It's just the peanut butter. It gives me a major headache."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I'm allergic."

"Why didn't you say something before? We can eat some other kind of sandwich. You shouldn't have to suffer."

"No, it's fine. Really, I'm used to it." I leaned my head against the glass, but moving only made the pounding worse. I let out a sigh. "This one just seems worse than the others, but I'm not sure why. I might just be tired."

"Are you sure you're okay? I don't need to stab you with an Epipen or anything doI?"

"Why are you sitting here?" I ignored his question, rolling my eyes and the Epipenpart.

"Was there someone else sitting here?" He countered.

"No..."

"Well then, what's the problem?" Edward pressed.

I sighed and turned my music back on. I knew fighting with Edward would only complicate matters more and probably add to my headache, so I just let it go. He could sit there as long as he behaved. The bus pulled off and we sped along the highway. The constant lull of the bus would usually put me to sleep, but I couldn't seem to relax between my headache and Edward's presence next to me. I sighed again, for what felt like the hundredth time, frustrated at my inability to get comfortable.

"Bella?" Edward's voice was right in my ear. I opened my eyes and turned to him slightly. "Why don't you lie down? You can rest your head in my lap and my jacket. It'll probably be a lot more comfortable than the window."

I considered it for a moment and then shook my head. "No, I'm fine."

"Seriously, Bella. You look awful. Lie down and try to get some rest. Please?" The thought of being able to lie down was too tempting. I was too tired to even truly consider the ramifications of resting my head in his lap.

"Fine." I huffed. Edward grinned and took his jacket making a pillow on his lap. He patted it for me and I turned so I could lie down.

Edward was right. It was so much better than the window.

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til next Wednesday

-marie