Chapter 42.

~.~.~ Two years later ~.~.~

I'm back in Ogden to help run the spring team trials, to select our rookies for the next school year.

My last year of school.

So many things have changed since that first summer. I'll be a senior now. I've moved into the lake house. I'm getting paid for running the tryouts and then for attending the summer session to help train all the rookies.

I just bought my mom a brand new car, paid outright. I have at least fifteen regular privates that I train weekly, Sammy included, plus a few others intermittently. I can't possibly accept any more. But I'm making good money. My days working at Subway are long over.

I have two sponsors now, too, and a full scholarship. I still work my ass off, splitting my time between classes, practice, and my coaching commitments. But I get to save money now. I get to help my mom more.

I have everything I ever thought I wanted that summer three years ago, when I first came here as a rookie.

Well, almost everything.

I'm at the top of my game. I'm in peak physical shape. I am convinced this will be our year to win the NCA championship.

Everyone seems agitated when I make it to the gym. I greet a few of my teammates, old and new. At first, I think I hear her name, but I write it off as someone probably talking about something else.

Then, I hear it again.

And again.

She's coming back.

It's what everyone is talking about.

I don't know when, or how, or fucking why, but she's coming back.

It's been just over two years since I've seen her face to face. Since I've touched her or felt her in my arms. Since I've kissed her or told her that I loved her.

Two fucking years.

Nothing lasts forever. I certainly didn't expect it. Not forever, no. But a good chunk of time? Sure. I just didn't see it coming. That she'd be ripped away from me so suddenly and completely. That she would just go on with her life as if I never existed, as if I meant nothing to her. No, I never expected that.

The truth is, the most unexpected thing of all is how much it still fucking hurts.

I'm pretty much stunned in place when Rosalie enters the gym, the heels of her boots clicking on the floor as she walks straight to me.

"You got a second?" she asks.

Fuck. It's true.

"Sure…" I follow behind her to the back of the gym, through the hallway, and then to her office.

She doesn't sit. Instead, she leans with her backside on her desk, looking at me and crossing her arms over her chest.

Then, she sighs. "Have you heard?" she asks tentatively, her lips pursed in hesitation.

"So, it's true."

Rose uncrosses her arms and places her hands on her hips. "Now, she's just coming to try out for the team," she says defensively.

"Is she here already?" I look over my shoulder, expecting Bella to appear from the back or some shit.

"Not yet." Rose adds softly, "Jasper is picking her up at the airport."

Fuck me. Fuck this.

Why is she here?

Why now?

I scrub a hand down my face, my good mood ruined. My high expectations for my last year in school are suddenly deflated.

"Listen." Rose's voice softens as she walks closer to me. "I'm not going to deny her a tryout, but if this is going to be a problem for you, I won't take her back."

"What?" I peek at her from behind my hands, not hiding my surprise.

"I won't take her back if you'll be uncomfortable having her on the team." Rose's tone is easy, casual, as if she means it.

"Why would you do that?" I pace in front of her, trying to gather my thoughts. "She'd be a great asset to our team."

"So are you." She stops me with a hand on my arm.

"Right." I scoff.

"It's the truth. You're a crucial part of my plans for this team, Edward. Our team—our program—has grown so much in the last two years, thanks to you."

"We haven't won shit." I laugh sarcastically. It's been one thing or another, but we haven't won a title yet.

I pace back and forth in Rosalie's office. Why would she put this on me? Whether Bella comes back to our team or not can't come down to me.

Fuck.

"Winning isn't everything." Rose gestures down to her shirt. Dream Big Camp. Our Dream Big Camp. "What we have going here I value so much more."

Two years ago, after my first failure at a competition, and well, life—and love—I went back to Fort Collins and got back to work immediately. Admittedly, I used training and coaching to distract myself from everything else that was wrong.

But that's when I met Bree.

And meeting Bree completely changed my life.

Usually, the siblings of my trainees do their own thing during my sessions. But not Bree. Bree wanted to learn, too. Bree's mom was surprised when I asked to train her. I've never worked with anyone like Bree.

I won't deny it—it was challenging, but without a doubt, my most rewarding training session ever. Bree's smile sort of pumps you up with life. It's the type of purely genuine joy only people with an extra chromosome can have.

Since that moment, I decided my teaching would be more inclusive. I switched my major to Adapted Physical Education. And after a quick chat with Rose and Emmett, the Dream Big Camp was born. It runs from May to June. After tryouts, before the summer session. Fifty-eight special needs kids signed up for this year.

Fifty-eight.

I've never been prouder of anything else in my life.

I breathe out. Rose is still looking expectantly at me.

So, what if Bella comes back?

I've done good. I've been well.

Sure, in the beginning, I had hope. That after her dad got to her. That after she got better. That she'd be back. That she'd reach out to me. That we'd work things out.

But as days passed, then months, my hope diminished.

She moved to Texas and joined Volterra College. Shortly after that, the Netflix documentary was announced. Bella's popularity skyrocketed.

Not that I stalk her or anything, but no one ever shuts up about her.

And Phil got everything he wanted out of her.

There's only one person I don't want anywhere near me or my Dream Big Camp.

"Is Phil going to have his nose all in our team's business again?"

"No," Rose says quickly. "Phil is not involved anymore."

Yeah, right. I scoff.

"Trust me," Rose insists. "This is all Bella."

Well, fuck.

"Why does she want to come here?" I don't know why that matters. What she wants shouldn't matter to me anymore.

"She's won everything in the junior college division with Volterra." Rose shrugs. "Everything but the partner stunt. And she wants to move up to the university level again."

"Is that the only reason?" I'm not particularly fishing for info, but if Bella has talked to Rose about me, I think I would like to know. Maybe I shouldn't want to know.

"I don't know. She's trying out for Kentucky as well," Rose explains, and my eyes widen.

Meyer University in Lexington, Kentucky. Our top rivals. The ones who have won NCA Nationals for the past three years.

Anyone would be insane to deny Bella Swan a spot on their team.

Kentucky will take her in a heartbeat if we don't, and we will lose against them again.

I will lose again, but this time, against Bella.

Fuck that.

"We can't let that happen," I say to Rose, crossing my arms over my chest.

Rose nods, seemingly relieved.

"But if Phill's involved—at all—I'm out."

"He won't be anywhere near us," Rose says, inching closer to pat my arm. "Or Bella."

I take a deep breath, puffing my cheeks as I exhale, while I feel my stomach turn with anticipation.

"You sure it's okay?" Rose's hand lingers on my shoulder, and when my eyes find hers, there's nothing but compassion in them.

"It's been two years," I say to her and to myself. "I'm fine."

Easier said than done.

Halfway through practice, Jasper shows up with Bella Swan in tow. She stands in front of the doors, the sun shining behind her, like some angels are going to break into chorus at any second, before the doors swing closed.

She looks different. Healthier. But still as beautiful as ever.

More beautiful even, if that's possible or fucking fair to anyone.

Her hair is shorter—wavy, too—ending at shoulder level. She takes in the gym and a wistful smile spreads on her face.

Her eyes find me, catching as I watch her from across the gym, so I look away quickly, unwilling to hold her gaze. I wipe the sweat from my face and neck with my towel, turning to Seth, one of our potential rookies, who still looks a bit lost.

I repeat my instructions to him, but he stares up at me dumbfounded.

"That's Bella Swan," he whispers, starstruck.

"I know." I groan, stepping in front of him so my back is to Bella.

"She's walking toward us," Seth says shakily. "Do you know her?"

I brace myself for what's coming, taking a deep breath. "Not anymore."