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"Bella, it's time to go! I want to see them warm up," Seth says as I finish putting on my makeup.
"Is that Edward's jersey?" he asks, staring at my back where it says "Cullen."
"It's my jersey. He got it for me. His jersey would be too big." I don't tell him that I know that because I'm always slipping into Edward's shirts after...well, he slips out of me. Yeah, that's not sisterly talk. I also don't tell him about the night Edward gave me the jersey when he proceeded to "give it to me" from behind until I was incoherent.
Mmm...all I wore was that jersey and Edward's sweat all night.
I'm getting all hot thinking about it when Seth interrupts my perving by saying something about wearing his team jersey and meeting Riley. I go stand under the air vent until I'm not flushed anymore. I seem to need cooling off much more often since I met Edward.
I grab our small cooler with our drinks and snacks and we're out the door. Seth is almost as anxious as me to see Edward's first game, though I'm sure not for the same reasons. He loves baseball, and I love Edward. He's going to watch every put out in the game, and I'm going to "put out" for Edward after the game.
So kinda the same...but not.
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We meet Emmett and Riley at the gate. He has our tickets that Edward got for us. The two boys quickly run to the fence to try and catch foul balls. Emmett and I walk over to our seats, which are right on the third base line. When Edward comes out, I'll have a great view. I place my purse and cooler on the empty seats beside me.
"So...It seems to be going very well between you and Edward?" Emmett asks. "My ma has been dying to meet you. They really love Seth. They've met him a few times already."
I feel a little guilty that I haven't gone to meet their parents. Edward has asked me a few times to go to dinner at their house, but I've resisted. I'm not sure why. I guess I'm still waiting for something to go wrong. So far Edward has been perfect. And that just doesn't compute with my usual luck.
I'm waiting for the disaster to occur. You know - like unexpected pregnancy, abandonment, or death. That's my experience so far.
"Things are great, Emmett. I just want to be sure..." My voice trails off. I don't know how to finish that statement. He looks at me with some concern.
"You know not everything is one hundred percent for sure going to work out. Even when you are completely in love," he says quietly. His face is pained. "Rose and I didn't work out and I have lots of regrets, but we had Riley and I can't regret that. But you have to be all in. I know he is. Just don't quit on him."
"Thanks, Emmett. I'm just scared. I've never...felt this way before."
He smiles and shakes his head. "Neither has he. And Bella...Edward has learned from my mistakes. He's not going to fuck it up like I did."
I reach over and hug him in thanks. He laughs when we hear a shrill whistle. Edward is looking at the both of us with a WTF look on his face. I start giggling when I see his expression. I turn around and show him my jersey with his name on it. I put a little wiggle into my hip action just for him.
Edward waves and tips his hat to me. I try not to lick my lips. He's so hot in his uniform. It's hard not to ogle his ass too much, and it's a struggle not to drool. Between the tight pants and muscles and the messy hair peeking out from his cap, I'm a mess. A snort from Emmett and a poke in the side lets me know I'm very unsuccessful in hiding my casual glances. Or eye-fucking. Whatever.
"You look like you want to eat him for lunch, Bella," Emmett says.
"He is delicious," I reply with a laugh. Emmett groans and covers his ears.
I'm not ashamed. I'm a total whore for him.
"I don't want to hear about my baby brother getting it on the regular while I'm dating my hand." He's trying to joke, but I can tell it hurts him.
"Are you sure it's over, Emmett? You obviously still love her."
"It's done. Riley said she's been going out with some guy. He hasn't met him, but..." He curses softly. It makes me want to curse her out, even though I don't know the whole story.
"I'm sorry," I whisper. "I wish I could help."
"You have any friends, little sis?" he asks with a weak smile.
"My only friend is with Jasper," I reply. "And she's committed."
Emmett mutters something about Jasper needing to be committed which makes me laugh.
"But any woman would be lucky to have you. You're a great guy, and you're really hot...speaking as a little sister who is madly in love with your brother."
Emmett grins. "Thanks, Bella. I needed that."
"Just come by the quad one day. There are a multitude of whores that will fawn all over you if you need some ego boosting."
He laughs. "Maybe I'll take you up on that."
Seth and Riley come back to the seats crowing about how cool all the players are. They are so excited for the first pitch. But not so excited that they can't eat. Emmett takes them to the snack bar before the game starts. Apparently the entire cooler of stuff wasn't enough for these two.
My phone pings in my purse. I read the text message Alice sent me: Flash Edward for luck!
Classy. I'm sure my little brother would be so proud to see that.
Me: Hoor. That's something you would do.
Alice: Hell yes. I'm flashing Jasper right now...and he's definitely getting lucky.
Me: Gross. Please don't text me while topless.
Alice: Bottomless too. And Jasper is now typing because my hands are busy. Gotta go. My mouth will be busy too.
Ack. I toss my phone in my purse. Those two are so nasty. I really need Purell for my eyes.
I'm laughing out loud when I hear someone clearing their throat.
"Excuse us," a deep, masculine voice says, interrupting my weirdness. I look up to see a very attractive older man and a beautiful lady. They look very familiar...shit!
Bronze hair, green eyes, perfect face. It must be Edward's mom. The man has blond hair, blue eyes, and a chiseled jaw. Emmett got his looks from Dr. Hot. No one else could have produced the genetic perfection that is the Cullen brothers.
"You must be Bella," his mom says, looking at my jersey. "We've wanted to meet you for so long."
His parents are talking to me, and I'm sitting here like an idiot laughing to myself and ignoring them. I know my mouth is hanging open. Then I emit a very ungraceful snort.
The hysterical laughter dies in my throat when she leans over and hugs me. It's a mother's hug. I've forgotten what that was like.
"Mom," I croak, before I can stop myself. "I'm...oh my god...I'm sorry Mrs. Cullen, Dr. Cullen." I want to crawl up into the fetal position and have Jasper vanish me with a spell. Maybe I can help him work on his Time Turner idea so I can rewind this moment and change everything. "I-I'm so pleased to meet you."
"It's fine, dear. I don't mind, really." She squeezes my hand in reassurance. "We're just happy to finally see you."
I get up and let them by. Dr. Cullen gives me a quick hug and sits down next to his wife. They share a glance and look back to me. I probably have the crazy eyes right now. Like the guy from Pretty in Pink. My mom loved that movie. It's one of my few pleasant memories of her.
I take a deep breath and smile, trying to salvage what dignity I have left. They begin a polite conversation about my major and my future plans. They immediately make me feel comfortable. We're discussing Dr. Cullen's interest in chemistry when the boys come back.
"Grandpa! Grandma!" Riley shouts. He rushes by me into their arms. I glance at Seth, who is standing in the aisle looking at his friend and his grandparents. Seth doesn't know what that's like. I blink angry tears away, feeling sorry for the both of us.
"Come here, Seth, sweetie," Mrs. Cullen calls out. Seth blows past me and into her embrace. I watch her kiss him on top of his head, and Mr. Cullen tickle him in the side with obvious affection.
And I fall a little more in love with Edward's parents.
"We can't wait to see your game! We came back from our vacation early just to see Uncle Edward play and your game on Tuesday," she says to the boys.
"Hey Ma, Dad," Emmett calls out, interrupting their discussion of baseball. "You're back early."
"Hi, Sweetheart. We missed all of you handsome men so much we had to come back."
"Aww, Ma," Emmett says, smiling and looking down.
I beam. The Cullens are such a loving family. And I am lucky enough to be loved by one of them.
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We all cheer on Edward and his team. I can't help staring at Edward every second I can. He's amazing. I'm not just talking about his skill on the field, though he's pretty awesome at that. Every sexy look he sends my way makes me hotter and hotter. I'm almost embarrassed to be so turned on in front of his family. Almost. The sight of his muscled forearms flicking the ball to first counteracts any embarrassment.
I am so going to rock his world later. I have some moves I've been saving up for a special occasion. Thank you, Emmett, for offering to take Seth for the night.
"Hey little sis, do you know the first base coach for the wildcats? He's...sort of staring at you. Should I kick his ass? Just give me the word."
"Emmett," his mother scolds him, "Bella is a beautiful girl. Of course men will stare at her. You don't need to resort to violence, dear. Unless he touches her. Then you can bring the pain."
I laugh out loud. Until I look over at the coach standing near first base. My laughter dies abruptly when I recognize him. He is looking over here. And at the person sitting a few seats down happily eating cotton candy.
"Fucker is still staring. Wait until I find out his name," Emmett mutters.
"It's okay, Emmett. I...I know his name." I look over at the "Dwyer" written on the back of his jersey.
Everyone looks at me.
"That's his dad."
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A/N: Okay. I know I'm a lying liar who lies. I said I would be done by the new year. Obviously I'm fail. I won't make any promises about the next chapter. But we are in the home stretch. I think there'll be five more chapters. Don't quote me. You know I'm unreliable.
Thanks to everyone who reads this. And thanks to those who voted for my other story, Once Again, for FotW over at TLS.
Much love to my prereaders Twilover76, les16, and rtgirl.
Cosmogirl reads this mess even when she's had a long day at work because she loves me. She's all Celine Dion like that.