Chapter 20

EPOV

I sat on the PT table swinging my legs like a child as I waited for my dad to return. He said he had to get something from his car, but that had been half an hour ago by now. I sighed and rubbed my face tiredly.

Carlisle didn't usually come to the club to see me, but he'd been in the neigbourhood and wanted to check out the facilities before we went to lunch together.

But he was taking quite long now. I was getting slightly annoyed. He probably buped into someone and started chatting. He was like that, easy to talk to and always interested in everyone around him and what they were doing. It's what made him a great doctor and father, but it also meant a lot of standing around and waiting for him.

I was about to get off the table and start looking for him when the door opened and he came back in.

He looked over at me with a small smile on his face.

I frowned at it. 'What took you so long?' I asked a of my annoyance creeping into my voice. I couldn't help it, I was hungry.

He cocked a brow at my tone and I rolled my eyes at him.

'I bumped into Ms Swan in the hallway when I was heading out.' he said, but his tone was thoughtful and he looked slightly weary. I was immediately on alert. Something was wrong.

'What happened?' I asked.

Carlisle frowned and sat down on the rolling swivel chair. 'I'm not sure.'

'What do you mean?'

'She thought she saw someone creeping along the corridors. At first I thought it was probably nothing, because I hadn't seen anything as I came through the hallway. But I figured a call to security couldn't hurt. But security actually found a door propped open. They're investigating it now.'

'What?' I was shocked. They were really strict with security around here, there were a lot of club secrets that needed to be protected and high profile people were often walking these halls. Security had to be good for that reason alone.

'Is Bella okay?' were the next words out of my mouth, eliciting a knowing smile from Carlisle.

'So you do know her.' he remarked.

I spluttered and backtracked quickly, trying to make it seem like I just knew her in passing. But Carlisle continued to just smile and look at me.

'Fine.' I finally huffed. 'Yes, we know each other, just as friends though. How did you know?'

'I invited her to dinner and she mentioned we were probably used to Mike.'

I smiled and shook my head. 'yeah, we met at the dog park.' I confessed to my dad.

'And you like her?' he asked his eyes warm, and kind. There was no judgement there at all.

'I do. I really do. But she's dealing with so much that we've decided to just be friends for now.'

Carlisle nodded. 'That's good. She really does need all the support she can get right now.' he sighed and a faraway look was in his eyes. But he shook himself out of it quickly. 'anyway, I've invited her over for dinner on Saturday.'

'Mom will be happy.' I remarked. She loved doting on people, having Bella to fawn over would sent her over the moon.

Carlisle nodded. 'Yeah, I think so too. I did tell her you wouldn't be there though.'

I frowned. 'why not?'

'She asked if you would be there, because she needs to lie low for the press and being seen with you would make them all crazy.'

'yeah, she's been pretty aware of the press situation. She doesn't want to let anyone down.'

'it must be hard for her.'

I nodded. 'Make sure mom really spoils her. I think she could use that.'

'I will. Shall we head out to lunch?' He asked. I nodded and we gathered our things and headed out to lunch. though I felt quite unsettled just leaving the club with a possible security breach and Bella unattended. But I pushed those feelings aside. security was investigating. I was sure it would turn out to be nothing.

When I got home later that day I scrolled through my phone, my finger scrolling through my contacts. I wanted to call Bella to see how she was doing after the day she'd had. But as I scrolled through the names, I realized I actually didn't have her number.

Fuck.

I'd given her my number but she hadn't used it yet. We usually just ran into each other at the club or over at Rose and Emmett's. I hadn't asked for her number.

Cursing quietly i scrolled through my contacts again seeing who would possibly have her number that would be willing to give it to me, without too many questions. SAdly I would only come up with Emmett or Rose. Rose would definitly give me shit... probably threathen to cut my balls off too if I hurt her... Emmett would probably give me grief... perhaps use it against me for a while. but his attention span was short.

I took a deep rbeath and dialled Emmett, figuring I would take my chances and hope he didn't remember this for too long to hold against me. He picked up on the second ring.

'Dude!' he yelled down the line. 'Miss me already?'

I rolled my eyes. 'yeah I just can't get enough of you.' I deadpanned.

He laughed and I heard Rose's laugh in the background. 'I knew it, Rose you have competition!'

'As if, you're a boob guy Emmett.' I heard faintly making Emmett crack up again.

'True! And no one can beat yours!' there was a squeal and I pulled the phone away from my ear for a moment, pinching the brigde of my nose with one hand. These two really were something sometimes. Still though, it was nice to see them so happy after being together for as long as they had. Their love was really inspiring to watch, and a little painful at times when I remained alone.

I quickly shook my head at that thought trying to dispel it.

'Alright, alright, settle down before I puke up my dinner.' I grumbled.

'Sure sure. What's up?' he asked.

'I was hoping you'd give me Bella's number.'

It was silent for a moment. 'You still don't have her number?' he asked incredulous.

'I gave her mine, but she hasn't used it yet' I muttered defensively.

He sighed heavily. 'really, you two…' he said wistfully.

'Can you just give it to me?' I snapped, a little out of patience.

He laughed again but then finally agreed. He started calling out the numbers and I quickly jotted them down. I thanked him and quickly hung up again when he started laughing at me again.

I took a deep breath as I keyed in the numbers and added her name to my contacts. With a shaking hand I pressed the call button. The line rang. I started drumming my fingers on the countertop anxiously.

The line continued ringing.

I glanced at the clock. It was seven at night… perhaps she was eating? Or walking Jake? Or taking a bath?

Fuck, nope. Don't think about Bella taking a bath.

I was still trying to dispel that mental image when the line finally clicked. It was silent for a beat before her voice came over the line.

'Hello?' it was soft and hitched slightly at the end, followed by a sniff.

'Bella?' I asked gently, my heart hurt as I heard the fragility of her voice.

'Edward?' she asked.

'Yeah.' I muttered.

She sniffed and cleared her throat. 'Hi!' she forced out cheerily. She was putting on a front.

'Bella? Are you okay?'

'Yeah! Yes, of course.' She said, too quickly.

'Are you sure?' I asked carefeully.

'Uh huh.' She confirmed, but I could hear her voice cracking again.

I hesitated debating whether to press the issue, but then decided to leave it for now. I didn't want to push her if she didn't want to talk about it. And she clearly was doing everything in her power to make me believe she was okay.

'My dad told me you had an eventful day.' I said, hoping this avenue would get her to open up to me.

'Yeah, I ran into him today. he's a really great guy.' Her voice wavered a little but was getting stronger.

'That he is.' I agreed. 'But what happened? He said you saw someone?'

'I thought I saw that reporter creep from channel 5'

'Hunter?' I asked. He'd always given me the creeps too.

'Yes, him. He's cornered me before near my office so when I saw long blonde hair going around the corner I just immediately thought it was him and I got a bad feeling.' She let out a little shuddering breath. 'I went around the corner but then bumped into your dad. He called security and they couldn't find him, but they did find a door propped open so the entire floor had been accessible to anyone who was inside, from tourists to support staff.

'Jesus.' I muttered. 'That's bad.'

'Yeah, tell me about it.' She muttered.

'Did they find anything yet?'

'No' she sighed. 'Not yet.'

'You think it really was Hunter?'

'I think it's possible.'

'What does he want?' I mused out loud.

'I'm not sure.' Bella's voice had grown quiet again. I waited. 'every time…' her breath hitched and I waited again, though it was incredibly difficult. 'every time I think I get a handle on things, something else pops up and I'm thrown for a loop again. Everyone is just waiting for me to make a mistake. And I don't know what to do.' She admitted softly, before a small sob excaped her lips.

My heart broke a little. 'Bella.' I whispered, tears forming in my own eyes.

'I just don't know what to do Edward.' Her voice broke. 'I don't even know what James wants from me, but now I'm paranoid as hell I've got someone following my every move on top of everything else.'

'I'm so sorry Bella, that you have to go through this.' I took a deep breath. 'I'm even more sorry that I don't have any solutions for you.' I admitted, hanging my head in hand. 'I want to help you so badly, but I don't know how.'

'I don't either.' She whispered. I could her her stifling her sobs.

'But I do know that you have the support of the entire team, and that of Emmett and Harry. We're with you Bella and there is nothing you could do that would ever change that. I just know you're going to help us get better and win the world series. I just know you will.'

'But what if I can't?' she asked in a small voice.

'Bella, I know we've not known each other for long, but I know that you are amazing at what you do. You charm every one you meet. You are firm when you need to be and most of all; you know what you're talking about. You have a vision for us Bella and you have the knowledge to pull it off. And even if you falter along the way – which is totally fine, just know that I will always have your back. No one expects you to be perfect at this… there is no perfect. There is only your vision for your club. And Emmett, Rose and I will be with you every step of the way.' I tried to soothe her.

Her breath hitched again. It was quiet for a moment.

'Thank you.' her soft voice came over the line.

'You know everything I said is true right?' I asked. 'I'm here for you.'

It was silent again and I figured Bella had reached her limit. So I decided to change the subject. 'I heard you're going to my parent's for dinner Saturday.'

'Yeah.' She said, a smile in her voice. 'Carlisle invited me over. You don't mind do you?'

I scoffed and laughed. 'of course not Bella. Why would I?'

'I don't know… isn't it weird?'

'No, you're eating with one of your new employees. He just happens to be my father. Nothing weird about that.'

'If you're sure.'

'Of course I am. I just want to warn you that my mother will probably buy twenty toys and chew bones for Jake and smother you with cookies and desserts until you have to be rolled to your car at the end of the night.'

She giggled and I smiled.

'Really?' she asked with slight disbelief.

'Definitely. Esme loves mothering people. she just has this love to give and she does so quite freely.'

'that sounds wonderful.' Bella sighed.

'Yeah, being adopted by Carlisle and Esme was the best thing that ever could have happened to me.' I said wistfully.

'You were adopted?' she asked in suprise.

I cleared my throat, I hadn't meant to tell her like this – over the phone. 'uh yeah. When I was six. Esme is my aunt from my mother's side. When I was six my parents got in a car accident. They were hit by a drunk driver. My dad was killed instantly, my mom hung on a bit longer. But her injuries were too severe. She died too.' I said softly.

'I'm so sorry, Edward.' She said quietly.

'It was a long time ago.' I assured her. 'and Esme and Carlisle took me in immediately. Although I was a handful they loved me unconditionally.'

'That's wonderful.'

'Yeah, they're just great people. but you'll see that for yourself on Saturday.'

'Will you be there?' she asked hesitantly. Did she want me to be there?

'I wasn't planning on it.' I hedged. 'didn't you ask my father that I not be there?'

It was silent for a moment. 'well… I wouldn't want to keep you from seeing your own family.'

'What about the press?' I asked. Though i was mentally kicking myself for doing so. She just asked if I would be there. I would give anything to be there and see her interact with my family, but I couldn't... no I wouldn't put her in a position that could compromise her.

She sighed. 'Yeah, you're probably right. a dinner with Carlisle I can explain. A family dinner with one of my players… not so much.'

I sighed too. 'Why don't you go alone this Saturday, but once things quiet down we'll do it again and I'll be there.'

'that sounds really nice.'

I smiled. 'good. Then it's settled.' It was quiet again for a moment. 'are you feeling better?' I asked finally.

She gave a small laugh. 'yeah, actually. I do feel a bit better.'

'Good. That's good.' I responded.

'Thank you, Edward.' She said.

'What for?' I asked confused.

'For calling… for listening… for everything you said. Just… thank you for everything, Edward.'

'You don't need to thank me for that Bella. I told you I was here for you.'

'I know… but still it meant a lot that you called tonight.'

'I'm glad I could help you. I wish you would have called me though…' I admitted. 'I gave you my number for you to use it, you know.' I told her playfully. 'I had to go ask Emmett for your number because I still didn't have it.'

'Oh god, I'm sorry!' she said with a groan.

I laughed. 'I didn't mean it as a reproach Bella. I just want you to use my number the next time you feel like you need to vent or want to talk, okay? I'm here for you.'

'Thank you, that means so much.'

We said goodbye and for a moment I just held the phone to my chest as I laid on the couch staring at the ceiling. I really hoped she would call me next time she felt like she needed to talk. I was so rpoud of her for how she was handeling everything. And though I couldn't take away her pain, or fix her problems for her... I could be there for her in any way she needed me. And I would gladly do so if it helped her liek it did today.