Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Game Of Love

By Momma2Fan

Chapter 09:

Trials

BPOV

I sat in my office and waited for Marcus to show up. I replayed the events of last night in my head again and shuddered. I couldn’t believe the nerve of that guy. I just hoped I had enough to fire him, although I seriously doubted it.

“Miss Swan, Mr. Decimus is here.” Mrs. Cope announced.

“Send him in please.” Mrs. Cope led Marcus into the office and then shut the door behind her.

“Bella, what’s going on dear?”

I sighed and ran my hands down my face. “I don’t even know, Marcus. Last night after the game, things were a little weird.”

Marcus leaned forward and placed his elbows on his knees. “Why don’t you just tell me what happened.”

So I explained what had transpired and how I reacted. I left nothing out and he didn’t speak until I was done. “Listen, Marcus, this isn’t the first time Jacob has done or said something that has made me uncomfortable. What I need to know from you is can I fire him?”

“I’m sorry you have to deal with this Bella, especially your first year. Having said that, I’m afraid you can’t fire him. He hasn’t violated his contract, not completely. You can, however, place him on probation and inform him if his inappropriate behavior continues he will be terminated.”

I nodded my head in agreement and thanked him for coming in on a Saturday. He left and I walked out to Mrs. Cope’s desk. “I need a favor and then you can go home.”

“What can I do for you?” She asked.

“I need to see Sam Uley and Jacob Black in my office as soon as possible. Could you also ask Carlisle to come in?” She nodded her head and turned to make the necessary calls as I turned and went back into my office.

I read some emails and responded to the ones from my professors. That killed all of ten minutes. I sat back and waited and thought about what I was going to say. I didn’t have long to think, because twenty minutes later there was a knock at my door. Mrs. Cope peaked around the corner.

“Miss Swan, Mr. Uley, Mr. Black and Dr. Cullen are here.” I nodded and she let them in.

“Thanks, Mrs. Cope. Go home and enjoy the rest of your weekend. See you on Monday.” She nodded her head and left.

I turned and faced the three men in my office. Sam and Carlisle had curious looks on their faces, while Jacob’s face was hard and angry. “Gentleman, please have a seat.” I waited until they were all sitting before I sat down.

“What’s up, Bella, you know we have a game in a few hours.” Jacob asked snidely.

I met his eyes and watched as he dared me to say something. He only strengthened my resolve. “Mr. Black, due to your behavior and blatant disrespect toward me last evening, I am placing you on probation for ninety days.”

“Excuse me? Who the fuck do you think you are?” Jacob exclaimed.

“Jacob!” Sam hissed. “Bella, what happened?”

“Mr. Black came into my office last night, uninvited, and placed his hands on my person. He then proceeded to make suggestive remarks. When I asked him to leave, he refused. He made some more remarks and only left when two players opened the door upon hearing me telling him to leave. Actually I do believe I was yelling.”

“This is bullshit. You know you asked me to meet you up here.”

Sam rounded on him before I could. “Shut up, Jacob. I can’t believe we are doing this again. What is wrong with you? I thought after the last time you had gotten the help you needed. Why else were you in therapy? How can you keep doing this to Leah? You make me sick.”

Carlisle and I looked at each other and then back at the two men who were arguing.

“Sam, I’m telling you, she wanted me up here. She’s lying.” Jacob insisted.

Sam turned and faced me. “Bella, I’m sorry. I had no idea when you hired me and I brought Jacob in he would fixate on you. He has a problem, one I thought he had a handle on. Please, if you need to fire him, it’s fine.”

“I appreciate that, Sam, but legally I can’t fire him…yet. However, if you violate your probation in any way, Mr. Black, I will fire you so fast your head will spin. Are we clear?” Jacob nodded. “I said are we clear?”

“Crystal!” He replied snidely.

I shook my head. “Thank you for coming in gentleman. Please go warm up our boys.” Everyone left except Carlisle.

“Bella does Edward know what happened?” He asked, concern lacing his voice.

“Yes. He and Emmett are the players that caught the tail end of the conversation, confrontation, whatever. Can you do me a favor and tell him about this meeting. Discreetly, of course.”

He chuckled, “Of course. I’ll talk to you later, Bella.” I nodded and he left leaving me to my thoughts. Perfect, I had someone on my staff with a mental or sexual issue. Fabulous!

~~GoL~~

The season had been going great. We were now into the middle of May and getting ready to start a three game series against the Texas Rangers with a record of 17-17 and I was cramming for my finals. Things between Edward and I were on hold as well. There just wasn’t enough time in the day for me to put forth the effort and I knew he was growing frustrated with me. To tell the truth, I was frustrated too.

Monday, May twenty-first, found me on the U-dub campus taking my first final of the week. I had four more after this. One on Tuesday, another on Wednesday afternoon, which meant I would miss the game, and then two more on Friday. I would be happy when I was done.

My phone chimed with a text halfway through my test and I ignored it. I’m sure it was from Edward. Finally, an hour later, I handed in my paper and left the class. As I made it to the quad, my phone chimed again.

Where the hell are you? ~E

I just got done with my final. What’s wrong? ~B

Nothing. U didn’t answer the first text, I was worried. ~E

I was in the middle of a test. Chill. ~B

Well, so sorry for being concerned. Won’t happen again. ~E

Y are u acting like this? ~B

I got no response, so I tried again. When he still didn’t answer, I tried to call but it went straight to voicemail. “Dammit!”

I left the campus and went back to my house so I could get changed and head over to the ball field. I couldn’t believe Edward was acting like this. Was I supposed to answer him immediately even in the middle of something? I didn’t bother him while he was practicing. I was starting to wonder if he was regretting us. I surely hoped not.

When I pulled into my driveway, there was a car sitting there. I knew immediately it was Edward. I parked, got out and headed to the front door, knowing he was already inside. I sighed as I opened the door and went in to face the firing squad.

EPOV

I waited in Bella’s living room for her to get home. When she had told me to chill that really had pissed me off. We had been growing apart these last few weeks and I just wanted to make sure we were okay.

When I heard the door open I sat on the arm of the chair and waited for her to turn the corner. When she did my heart skipped a beat. She looked worn out, yet beautiful.

“Hey.” She said.

“Hey.” I replied.

Bella ran her hands through her hair and plopped down on the couch. I could tell she had something to say, so I sat in the chair to wait her out. After what seemed like hours, but was merely minutes, she broke the silence.

“What’s happening to us, Edward?”

“I don’t know, we’ve both been so busy.” I watched as she turned her head to look at me and a tear slipped down her cheek. I was up and at her side in no time. “Baby, don’t cry.” I pulled her to me and tucked her head beneath my chin.

“There are busy couples everywhere and they still make time to see each other. We’ve barely seen each other in a month. I love you, Edward, but we can’t keep going like this.”

“I know, Bella. I love you too and these past weeks have been killing me, but I don’t know what else to do. I have to play and practice. You’ve had to study. I’m not sure what else to do, short of moving in together.” I said.

Bella lifted her head in shock. What had I just said? Did I really suggest we live together? We haven’t even slept together. She must think I’m nuts, but the idea intrigued me.

“Edward, I…” She started.

“Bella, just listen. I know we aren’t there yet in our relationship, but it’s the only way I can think of for us to see each other all the time. I think it could be good for us. Why don’t you think about it. I have to head to the stadium for practice and warm ups. I’ll see you there later?”

She just nodded her head. I leaned down and kissed her goodbye and told her I would see her later. “I love you, Bella.

She nodded, still in shock. “I love you too.”

I chuckled as I walked out the door. I wondered what it would be like to live with her. Were we even ready?