Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Game Of Love

By Momma2Fan

Chapter 10:

Discussions and Decisions

BPOV

I was still sitting stunned on my couch a few hours later. I never made it back to the stadium for the game. As the owner I know I should have been there, but I couldn’t break out of my stupor. Edward wanted to live together. I kept repeating the idea in my head, wondering if I would get used to it.

Nope. I didn’t think I was ready, in fact I knew I wasn’t. I was so distraught, I called for reinforcements and shot off a quick text to Rose.

Need to talk. Come soon! ~B

What’s wrong? ~R

Please, just come. ~B

On our way. C u in twenty! ~R

I breathed in a sigh and went upstairs to change into some comfortable clothes. I slipped out of my school attire and into a pair of yoga pants and a tank top. I pulled my hair into a messy bun and washed my face free of makeup.

I went down to the kitchen and threw a pizza in the oven and grabbed the box of Wheat Thins out of the pantry. While the pizza cooked, I munched on the little crackers. I couldn’t get the idea out of my head. I didn’t want to lose Edward, but I have no experience with men and I wasn’t ready to live with one at this point.

I heard the front door open and Rosalie call for me. “Bella?”

“In the kitchen,” I called back.

Rosalie sprinted into the kitchen with Alice hot on her heels. “What’s wrong, Bella?”

“Yeah, you weren’t at the game and Edward is playing like shit.”

“What!” I ran to the living room and turned on the television. I flipped it over to the game and watched as Edward stepped up to bat, where he proceeded to strike out. Apparently he has been 0 for 3 tonight. “Shit, now I’m fucking with his game.”

“Bells, what is going on?” Alice asked.

I sat down and told my friends about how Edward and I were drifting apart and his suggestion to mend that rift. “He wants us to live together.”

“Okay, I’m not seeing how this is a problem. You love him right?” Rose asked.

“Yeah, but…”

“But what?” Alice piped in.

“Come on guys, you know I have no experience whatsoever. I can’t just jump into living with someone. What do I do here? I don’t want to lose him. What about the press? They would have a field day. Technically, Edward’s and my relationship is against the rules. I need your advice, please.” I begged.

Rose and Alice looked at each other and then back at me. “Bella, you can’t let fear rule your life. If you love him, then you have to trust him. Edward would never hurt you.”

Alice looked at me. “Bells, what are you really afraid of?”

“I don’t want to disappoint him. He isn’t exactly a monk. I know he has slept with women. What if I’m not up to par?”

“Oh, Bella,” Alice said shaking her head.

Rose looked at me. “Bella, the difference will be the feelings he has for you. I’m sure Edward never loved those women. He loves you so there will be more. There will be nothing and no one to compare you to.”

“Trust us, Bella. It’s different when you love the one you’re with.” Alice explained.

I nodded and turned to watch the game. Alice went and got the pizza when the timer went off. I watched as Edward missed an easy catch and allowed a single to turn into a double. I didn’t have to be down on the field to know he was cursing himself. I got up from the couch and grabbed my phone. I sent Esme a quick message.

Are u at the game? ~B

Yes. Do u know what is wrong with E? ~Es

Yea, me. ~B

What happened? ~Es

I’ll xplain ltr. Just tell him I luv him, pls. ~B

Ok, will do. ~Es

I sighed, put my phone down and turned back to the game. It was the bottom of the eighth and we were down 6-1. I wondered if we would be able to pull this one out.

EPOV

Dammit! I can’t believe I missed that throw. I need to get my head in the game or Sam is going to bench me. I just can’t help thinking of the shock on Bella’s face when I suggested we live together. She looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

I shook my head to shake off those thoughts and concentrated on the batter. Jasper threw a fastball that slid across the plate. Strike three. Finally, we got out of this inning. I trudged my way back to the dugout and waited for the firestorm.

“Cullen, what the fuck is wrong with you? Get your head in the game or get off the field!” Sam bellowed as I came off the field. I nodded and sat down, not saying a word.

“Edward.” I looked up at my name and saw my mother leaning over the railing.

I walked over to her, “What’s up.”

“Bella just texted me, she’s worried about you. She said to tell you she loves you.”

I nodded. “Thanks, Mom.”

“Edward, whatever it is, put it away until after the game. I’m sure the two if you will work it out.”

I just stared at her, “Let me see your phone, please.” She handed it to me and I sent a message to Bella.

Love u, too. I’ll be by after game. ~E

I handed the phone back to my mom and went back to the bench. Emmett asked if I was okay. I nodded and looked out at the field. Paul was up to bat, I watched as he swung and smacked the ball deep into right field. Caius waved him around to second base. He made it to third where Jacob stopped him just as the ball made it to the infield.

That brought up Emmett. Although his average wasn’t great, he was a powerhouse with a bat. The first pitch was low and inside, the next pretty much the same. Emmett was actually walked and took his place on first. Seth was on deck so he walked to the plate and took his position. He gave a few practice swings, and then readied for the pitch. I wasn’t looking until I heard the crack and the crowd go wild. Seth had homered, bringing in Paul and Emmett. We were now down by only two runs.

With no outs in the top of the ninth, Jared stepped up to the plate. After four balls, he took his place on first. I nervously stepped up to the plate and gave a few practice swings. I was having one of the worst nights of my career and knew I needed a hit. The first strike flew by me. The next one I got a piece of. The third and fourth pitches were balls. Finally, I saw the perfect pitch coming to me. I timed my swing perfectly and felt the familiar crack and vibrations up my arms. The crowd cheered as the ball sailed over the left field wall. I breathed a sigh of relief and took off around the bases. The minute I touched home my teammates surrounded me. We were tied and still had no outs.

The Rangers pulled their pitcher after my homer and the new pitcher put us away, still tied going into the bottom of the ninth. After Jasper struck out their first two batters he ended up loading the bases with two hits and a walk. Sam and Emmett met him on the mound and had a conference. Jasper handed over the ball and took a seat as Sam signaled for Quil Ateara. After a few warm up pitches we were underway again.

We ended up in extra innings. The Rangers finally beat us by one run and our record went to 17-19. We had lost two games to the Texas team. We had one more game in this series and then it was on to the Angels.

I stood under the hot spray after Sam’s speech and let the game wash away. I needed to get to Bella. I had to make sure we were still okay.

BPOV

I was curled up on the couch when I heard my doorbell ring. I looked at the clock and saw it was almost one in the morning and couldn’t imagine who it could be. Edward had said he would come by after the game, but that was hours ago. I assume he had gone home to get some sleep.

I padded over to the door and looked out the window. I smiled when I saw Edward standing there. I unlocked the door and pulled it open. I looked into those emerald eyes and felt at peace.

“Hey.” 

“Hi, come on in.” I opened the door wider and stepped to the side. Edward walked past me into the hall. No sooner had I closed and locked the door, I was in his arms. No words were said, we just held each other.

I finally pulled away and led him to the living room and settled on the couch. I waited for him to speak, not sure where to start myself.

He brushed a loose piece of hair behind my ear, “You didn’t come to the game.”

“I know, I was thinking. I texted your mom and told her to talk to you. Rose and Alice came over and I was talking to them.”

“Mom, told me. I’m sorry, Bella. I know I haven’t been attentive lately.”

I placed my fingers over his lips. “Stop, we’ve both been busy. I know how demanding this sport can be. Don’t forget, I grew up around baseball. We just need to figure out a way we can see each other that can work for both of us.”

“So, I guess that’s a no to us living together.” Edward said solemnly.

“It’s not no, it’s not right now.” I explained. I looked into his eyes and wanted to erase the hurt I saw there. “Edward, I love you, but I’m not ready for that yet.”

“I get it.” He got up from the couch and made to leave.

“Where are you going?”

He turned to me and I saw something flash in his eyes, hurt and anger. “Home, there’s no reason to stay.”

“Edward!” I went after him.

“What, Bella, what do you want me to say? That I’m happy about this? I’m not. I love you, I want to be able to hold you at night. I want to make love to you. I get you’re not ready for that, but I can wait. I just want to be with you, I thought you wanted that too.”

“When did I say I didn’t? Edward, you threw living together at me like it was a casual thing and it’s anything but. I told you how I felt about it. You say you love me, but you’re acting like a child.”

He rounded on me, “I’m acting like a child?”

“Yes! You’re acting like a little kid who didn’t get his way and is now going to go sulk in the corner. If you want to be like that, don’t let me stop you. But I’ll be damned if I am going to stand here and be made to feel like shit just because I’m not ready to let you move in. Just go, Edward. Maybe when you feel like being an adult and understanding where I am coming from, we can talk.”

Edward didn’t say a word. He looked at me, turned and walked out. Unbelievable! I went back to the living room and plopped onto the couch. I called the only other person I could talk to.

“He left, Rose. I told him how I felt and he left.”

“I’m on my way.”

I hung up and lay on the couch running the conversation over in my head. I didn’t say anything that would warrant his behavior, so how did it go so wrong?