I'm not usually one to read or watch entertainment news, but this story about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce (the tight end from the Kansas City Chiefs) is too cute to ignore …
Up next is Bella …
Chapter Two
Settling into the back bedroom on her lavish tour bus, Bella Swan sipped on some chamomile tea. Her voice was a little raw from her last performance. It had rained for most of the open-air concert, and she could feel the beginnings of a cold. She cocooned herself in her mountain of blankets, pulling out her Kindle as the bus began its trek to Kansas City.
"Knock, knock," came the honeyed voice of Bella's best friend and long-time assistant, Rosalie Hale. "You okay, girlie?"
"Nothing a little vocal rest and a two-week vacation in the Maldives couldn't fix," Bella quipped, moving over so her friend could join her in the bed. "Did you hear from my manager?"
"Not yet, but I have no doubt she'll okay the charity event in Chicago," Rose said, waving her hand. "She's all about the publicity." She reached into the pocket of her hoodie, pulling out a familiar bracelet. They were being passed around amongst Bella's fans, building her fanbase, making them feel like one family … a Gaggle of Beautiful Swans. "So, it appears you have a famous fan …"
Bella made a face, wrinkling her nose. Her last 'famous fan' was her long-time boyfriend, Jacob Black. After being together for two years, Jacob wanted different things than Bella. She was eager to settle down, get married and start a family. Jacob was still in the party life, staying out for all hours at the night, crashing during the day. They made the decision to consciously uncouple in early March.
"Don't knock it until you see who it's from, Isabella Marie," Rose quipped, wrapping her fingers around the bracelet. "Jacob, he was good for you while you were together, but you didn't have staying power. If anything, he helped you figure out what you don't want in a long-term partner."
"But, I'm over jumping from one boyfriend to the next. I'm a serial dater. I'm ready for stability," Bella huffed. "As much as I love performing and my music, I want a family. I want children. I want forever." She pursed her lips, glaring at the hidden bracelet in Rose's pocket. "Having a famous fan won't get me forever."
"What happened to my eternally optimistic bestie?" Rose asked, arching a brow.
"Sorry, just feeling the weariness of the tour," Bella said, giving Rose an exhausted grin. "Coupled with feeling chilled to the bone? The optimism is … on vacation."
Rosalie gave Bella an understanding grin. She'd also struggled in the dating scene, but her relationship status was not front-page news like Bella's. "Don't give up hope, Bells." She handed her the bracelet. "This was delivered to me from Edward Cullen."
"Where have I heard that name?" Bella asked.
"You've both attended the Go GALA Campaign fundraiser, but he is the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks," Rose answered. "This is a few photos from the concert with his little sister, Alice."
Bella took the phone, scrolling through the photos of the handsome quarterback, dressed in a sequined vest, and smiling with a tiny teenaged girl with black spiky hair. He also posed with other fans; his arms covered with bracelets from her Gaggle.
"He's one of the good ones, Bells," Rosalie urged. She kissed Bella's cheek. "Get some sleep. We've got a late arrival tomorrow and you'll have a day to rest. Think about calling him."
That's when she picked up the bracelet, seeing a phone number along with his name. Rosalie left the suite, giving Bella an opportunity to ruminate about the possibility. Before she drifted off to sleep, Bella took the opportunity to program Edward's phone number into her cell phone.
She slept hard as the bus traveled to the next city. They arrived at the hotel and Bella was checked into the presidential suite. Bella ordered some room service, snuggled up in the California king bed with more tea and her laptop, mindlessly binge-watching Netflix.
Her cell phone was taunting her. When she wasn't watching Netflix, she did a deep dive on all things Edward Cullen. He was a good man – a handsome man. He was also brilliant and kind, donating his time to sick children and abandoned animals. All while being the sexiest man alive and the number one ranked quarterback.
She picked up her phone, only to throw it back onto her bed.
"Do not be tempted by the sexy quarterback," she rasped, blinking to her computer screen where she had up his photo from People magazine, deliciously shirtless and smiling crookedly at the camera. His eyes were a crystalline green, beckoning her.
As her mother used to say, Edward Cullen was all that and a bag of chips.
She picked up her phone, pulling up Edward's contact information. She tapped for a new text message. She wanted to go for something flirty and cute, but not too forward. Gah, she was known for her romantic songs that made girls swoon and were the unattainable standard for men, but she could not flirt.
With determination, she wrote out a message and hit send before she could chicken out.
Hello, Edward Cullen … I have to say, this is a first. A bracelet as a form of communication? Call me intrigued and call me back. ~ BS
A/N: So, it took some time for the bracelet to make it to Bella. Now, she responded to his adorable first contact … what will happen next?
Leave me your thoughts!