Love Story

Chapter Five

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 ...

Video chat is up next ... I'd love for them to meet face-to-face, but they're both busy people.

Chapter Five

Edward was sitting in his hotel room, idly looking over the playbook for his upcoming game against the Minnesota Vikings. They were the favorites to win, but he always got nervous when they were the visiting team.

He was also nervous about his first video call with Bella.

They'd traded flirty texts, long emails, and numerous pictures for the week she'd been recuperating from her vocal issues. She received some steroids in Tampa, and she bounced back, able to sing for short periods. She'd have to modify her set list to allow more rest while performing, but at least she was able to perform.

There was a knock on the door of his hotel room. Edward tossed the playbook onto the side table, padding to the door. Unlatching the locks, he opened it up. Emmett and a few other guys were standing in the hallway. "What's up?"

"We're going to get something to eat. Want to come with us?" Emmett asked.

"I already have room service ordered and I'm going to stay in. The trainers were concerned about my arm," Edward said. He didn't want them to know that he had a video date with Bella Swan. He already got enough shit for his unconventional way of flirting. Hell, they'd all filled his locker with pervy versions of the friendship bracelets that were shared at Bella's concerts.

Assholes.

Emmett arched a brow, twisting his lips. "I call bullshit."

"You can call whatever you want, I'm not going," Edward retorted. "Have fun and don't forget curfew." With a sarcastic grin, he closed the door on Emmett's face. "Note to self, check the peephole." He walked back to the bed, picking up the playbook from the side table and mentally going through the game.

An hour later, Edward finished his meal and was waiting impatiently to call Bella. She had an interview with a local newspaper and would be available after four. His cell phone chimed from its place on the nightstand.

I've got ten more minutes in this interview and then I'll be done. I can't wait to see your face, Edward. ~ B xoxo

Looking forward to it, sweet girl. ~ E

I like that ... *blushes* ~ B

Like what? ~ E

Sweet girl ... anyway, I've got to go. Call me in fifteen? ~ B

Counting the minutes, sweet girl ~ E

He settled on the bed with his laptop. He sipped his water, watching the clock tick down. He knew he was acting like a love-struck teenager, but he hadn't felt this way about a woman since his first girlfriend, Emily, in high school. And, with that, it was the feeling of new emotions, new sensations.

Actually, he felt more about Bella than he did about Emily. They hadn't met, face-to-face, but they'd connected through words, texts, emails, and phone calls. His heart jumped when he got a new text or an email. She was as genuine and kind, not to mention smart and funny.

Blinking down to his computer, he grinned as he opened up FaceTime on his laptop. He clicked on her number and waited impatiently for her to pick up. A few moments later, Bella's face filled the screen. "Edward," she said in a raspy voice. "You are a sight for sore eyes."

"I sent you a bunch of pictures," he chuckled. "How's your voice?"

"I'm raspy and weak, but it's better than a week ago. I couldn't speak at all," she replied. "The steroids helped along with complete vocal rest. Rose bought me a white board for me to communicate. I also spent a lot of time in the sauna and working with an SLP."

"SLP?" Edward asked, his brow furrowing.

"Speech, language pathologist," she answered. "I was overcompensating for my vocal weakness, and it was causing more damage. How are you? You ready to play the Vikings?"

"The team is in a good place, but the trainers are concerned about my throwing arm. I tweaked it last week in that last play. It was bent funny," he answered, wrinkling his nose. He maneuvered to show the kinesiotape supporting his shoulder. "I'm still slated to start up the game, but the backup quarterback practiced a lot today. It's all up in the air, at the moment." He blinked at her, grinning crookedly. "It's so nice to speak to you like this. We're getting closer to actually meeting."

"When we finally do meet, for real, what will you do first? Or, what would you want to do?" Bella asked, sipping some water.

"Probably hug you," Edward answered, his ears turning pink. "I'd love to kiss you, but we haven't been on a date yet."

"You don't consider this a date?" Bella quipped, giving him a coy smile.

"A little bit, but I'm old fashioned. I'm partial to picking up my date, opening the doors for her and doing the whole gallant thing," he said. "Get you flowers."

"You already got me flowers," she whispered, maneuvering her computer to display the colorful bouquet of flowers he'd sent her once she got settled in the rental in Tampa. "They're beautiful."

"They pale in comparison to you, sweet girl," he said softly. "What about you? What will you do when we meet for the first time?"

"Fuck all decorum ... I'm kissing you," she smirked with a sexy look in her eyes.

"You're making it really hard to be a gentleman, Isabella," Edward chided, his voice taking on a growl. He blew out a breath. "Our situation is different than most people, Bella. What we do? It's splattered all over magazines, tabloids, and the internet. You are under more scrutiny than me ..."

"If that's the one thing that I hate about my chosen career, it's the scrutiny I have to deal with," she huffed. "When I was with Jacob, every other week, I was either pregnant with his child or cheating on him with my head of security. Now that we're single? I'm being linked to every man I'm photographed with. One of those gossip rags tried to say that I was in a May/December romance with my own father. I mean, really? I look exactly like him, minus the mustache." She blew out a breath. "Sorry about ranting."

"You have every reason to rant, Bella," Edward said quietly. "I'm sorry that those gossip tabloids seem to fixate on you."

"If we become a thing, they'll fixate on you, too," she muttered. "Are you sure you want that?"

"I want you," he said, staring into her deep brown eyes. "That's steadfast. You ... you make me smile. Knowing that you feel the same way? Do you feel the same way?"

"More than you can possibly imagine, Edward," she breathed, wanting nothing more than to jump through the screen and snuggle in his arms.

"Would you be willing to meet up? Watch one of my games?" he asked. "You're going to be near Seattle in two weeks."

"Boise," she smiled. "The show is on Friday and then I've got some time to get to my next stop in Vancouver." She blinked at him, smiling widely. "I love it! I want to do it! I'll get Rose on making arrangements for it."

"She can handle the flights, but let me take care of the tickets for the game. The team has a box and I've already secured it for my family. My parents, sister and her boyfriend and a few other Seahawks bigwigs," he explained. "You can bring Rose and your security, if you'd like. Your dad, too."

"Just me for now," Bella said. "And Demetri. Where I go, he goes ... except the bathroom and shower. Not like he'd look ... you're more his type than I am."

Edward laughed, shaking his head. "Done, sweet girl."

A/N: So, they had a face-to-face conversation via FaceTime. Up next, they'll meet up after Bella's performance in Boise. Leave me your thoughts! Thanks for reading!