Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ All Star Dreams (Ver. 3) ❯ Chapter Twenty Nine ( Chapter 29 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

All-Star Dreams: Chapter Twenty-Nine
By Bekka Mouri-Hibiki
© Bekka Mouri-Hibiki 2007





Daniel and Branslav were tying their shoes when they heard someone come into the locker room. The whole team looked up to find it was Martin. He walked past everyone, zeroing in on Branslav and Daniel. “ Gentlemen. May I have a word with you out in the hall? “




Branslav got up and Daniel followed, “ What about? “




“ Come to the hall, “ Martin said.




Branslav and Daniel followed Martin out and down the hall away from the locker room. When Martin stopped, Branslav asked “ Now what is it that is so important? “




Martin frowned, “ I want to discuss these plays you two came up with. “




“ They're good ones, “ Branslav started. In fact, the rest of the team agreed and went along with the ideas. Branslav and Daniel thought about the strengths and weaknesses of the whole team to utilize each member effectively. In practice, the plays had worked well enough to convince the others to go along for the one game.




“ You didn't ask me for my approval though, “ Martin cut him off.




Branslav furrowed his brow, “ What? Why would you need to approve of them? “




“ Because tonight is very important or did you forget about the scout? “ Martin arched an eyebrow. “ You can wait and do your own thing on a night that isn't so important. “




Branslav frowned, “ But they work and the other guys like them a lot. Just let us do it tonight. They're just as good as anything Coach Sweet could come up with. “




“ Yeah, “ Daniel offered. “ They worked well in practice so let us just try them. “




Martin looked at Daniel with narrowed eyes, “ Fine then. If you lose tonight with your game plans, you won't be going on the rest of the trip with us. You'll be going back to Reno to pack for home. “




Branslav and Daniel watched as Martin strode towards the arena. Daniel looked at Branslav, his eyes filled with worry. “ Did you hear that? “




Branslav nodded, “ Yeah. We'll get it done though. “




“ What if we really do blow it in front of the scout? “ Daniel was starting to get nervous.




“ We won't, “ Branslav said. “ There's nothing to worry about. It's not like Coach Sweet's plans would have got us anywhere. “




Daniel thought about it and nodded, “ Well yeah. His game plans are what got us into this mess. “




Branslav nodded, “ Right. Now, let's go out for the shoot around. The other guys will be behind us in a few minutes. “




**


Branslav looked up at the arena clock. It was fifteen minutes until game time. There was enough time for him to go back to the locker room and call Robert to make sure Betty was going to watch the game. He knew his friend had promised to make her but he was nervous.




He was nervous because he would be playing in front of the scout, he would be trying new plays the team had never used before and he was playing for Betty. He wanted her to see him win for once instead of lose like the first two times. He knew she would be happy for him if he won and might even kiss him. Even if it was on the cheek, it would still be a step forward for them.




He started walking towards the locker room when Coach Sweet stopped him. “ Where are you going Korbel? “




“ I need to make a phone call, “ Branslav said. “ It'll only take a minute. “




“ It had better, “ Coach Sweet growled and walked away.




Branslav approached the locker room but stopped when he heard someone in there. It sounded like Martin. Branslav furrowed his brow as he pressed his ear to the door and listened. Martin was having a very heated conversation with someone.




“ I said I will get you the money as soon as we get back to Reno. How am I supposed to deliver cash if I am not even in town? “ Martin shouted. “ You had better hold up you end of the deal. If you give that information over to the league after I pay you off, you will be very sorry. “




Branslav retreated a little bit. He was sure he wasn't supposed to her the conversation. He had to make a getaway before Martin came out and caught him. He would just have to hope Betty would be watching the game.




Branslav walked back towards the arena, wondering again what Martin had done...




**




Robert sat on the porch swing, staring out across Betty's front yard as the sun started to set. He couldn't believe he had been so stupid to try to kiss Betty again. He knew she didn't want him by the way she reacted after he had. He mentally kicked himself, knowing he was seriously screwing everything up with such stunts.




He hadn't wanted to interfere with things between her and Branslav but it was killing him keeping it inside. He shut his eyes and leaned his head back, not knowing what to do next. He was going to be with her for three more days and was pretty sure they'd be tense. They couldn't help but be after what had happened in the bathroom.



He leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees and his thumbs under his chin. He took a deep breath and let it out, unable to see how he could continue to care for Betty after what had happened and how he felt about her. He was pretty certain his kiss had left her unsettled and possibly scared of him. She had been wary of him after his attempt to kiss her the first time.



As he searched his mind for a way to face Betty again, he heard a dull thumping noise coming from the house. As he listened, he recognized the sound as that of crutches on hardwood floor. He turned just as the front door opened and Betty pushed the screen open. She had her robe on and a slipper on her good foot.




Robert stood up, " Betty. Why are you up? "




She looked at the porch beneath her feet, " I needed some air too. I can't stay in bed all the time you know. "




" Oh, " Robert said. " Did you have any trouble getting up? "




" Not really, " Betty crutched over to a wicker patio chair and lowered herself into it. She put her crutches down on the porch and glanced at Robert, " You can sit back down. I'll be okay. "




" It's going to get cold soon, " Robert started.




" We can go in when it gets cold, " Betty cut him off. " Right now, it's tolerable. "




Robert nodded once and retook his seat. He glanced her way and saw she wasn't looking at him, her eyes fixed on the yard. He looked at the ground, trying to think of something to say. He sighed, " About what happened in there... after the shower... "




" I was wondering about that, " Betty said but didn't look at him. " How long? "




" What? " Robert furrowed his brow.




" How long have you liked me Robert? " Betty sounded like it was taking a lot of effort to ask the question.




" You know I like you? " Robert asked.




Betty nodded, " It's pretty obvious. Tell me when you started liking me. Was it the first time you kissed me? "




Robert had to stop and think. He knew he hadn't liked her nearly as long as Branslav had. With him, it had come long after their first meeting. Branslav had fallen for her at first sight but he hadn't.




" I don't know when it happened, " He finally sighed. " I guess it was after I met you again and got to know you better. "




" Oh, " Betty said quietly.




" I shouldn't have tried to kiss you then " Robert shut his eyes. " I don't know what I was thinking. "




Betty was silent then said, " So what do we do now? "




" Nothing I guess, " Robert shook his head. " I mean, you're trying to get with Branslav and he's trying to get with you. I don't fit in anywhere. "




" But if Branslav weren't in the picture, " Betty said. " What would we do? "




Robert opened his eyes and looked at her, " That would depend on how you feel about me. "




" I guess it would, " Betty replied quietly. She looked agitated, like something was bothering her but Robert figured it had been the awkwardness of the day they had gone through.




The sun was dropping ever lower, the chill in the air becoming more pronounced with each passing silent minute. Robert knew Betty had to be cold in just her robe and night clothes so he stood up and walked to her right side. " Let's get you inside before it gets really cold. I don't want you getting sick on me. "




Betty looked up at him, " Okay. "




Robert watched her as she slowly lifted herself out of the chair then grabbed up her crutches so she could mount them. Once she was on them, she looked him in the eyes. He looked into hers as well, unable to look away. He watched as she wet her lips and leaned into him, kissing him lightly.




Betty pulled back, a blush infusing her cheeks as she looked at the porch. " Thank you for caring for me. "




Robert was still in shock from her timid kiss, unsure if he was dreaming. Her shy kiss had sent a wave of heat through him, the slight contact making his heart pound in his ears. He brought his left hand up, hooking his index finger under her chin and urging her gaze back to him. Her eyes locked with his and he succumbed to the overwhelming urge to kiss her again.




Betty took a sharp breath as their lips touched, trembling more than slightly as he kissed her slowly. He eased his hand to her throat as he sucked at her lips, waiting to see if she would reciprocate. He was about to pull away when she returned, mimicking the way he had kissed her. She pulled back after a few moments and whispered, " I'm sorry. "




" Sorry for what? " Robert replied. He felt his heart sink a little, sure she was going to say something about Branslav.




" I know I'm probably confusing you, " Betty started. She sighed, " It's just that I don't know what to do. "




" Do about what? " Robert did feel a bit confused. Perhaps she was attracted to him and too afraid to admit it.




" About any of this, " Betty whispered.




Robert kissed her again then pulled back, " Then I'll help you figure it out. "




Betty took a sharp breath as he put his right had on the sash of her robe. He untied the loose knot with little difficulty, pushing the fabric to the side. She shivered as he slipped the hand under her pajama top, resting it on her waist. He gently urged her closer until there was no space between them.




She scanned his face, her eyes looking a little apprehensive as he eased his hand to the back of her head to cradle it. She let out a heavy sigh as she shut her eyes and let her crutches fall to the porch before slipping her arms around him. Robert took her lips in his once more with every intention of doing so much more than kissing her...




Robert woke with a start when he heard the screen door open. He looked around, not sure what was going on. He had gone for a walk after putting Betty to bed then returned to her porch, unable to go inside. Instead, he had sat down on the porch swing and shut his eyes so he could think about how he would face Betty, probably dozing off while he thought.




He realized he was cold, the sky just beginning to twinkle with stars. He took a sharp breath when Betty said his name. He turned to look at her, finding her in the doorway. She looked at him, her brow furrowed with concern.




" Baby, " He said quietly. " Why are you out of bed? "




" You didn't come back for so long, I got worried. I watched the first half of the game then decided to see if you took the car, " Betty explained.




Robert nodded. He wasn't aware he had been asleep for so long, " Oh. Sorry. I guess I was more tired than I thought. "




" It's okay. I woke up on my own when the game started, " Betty said quietly as she looked down at the porch. " Why don't you come in? It's getting cold out here. I don't need you getting sick on me. "




Robert nodded, " Yeah. That wouldn't be good. "




Betty watched as Robert stood up then stepped aside so he could come inside. She glanced towards the bedroom, " The game's going well. The Supernovas are ten ahead right now. "




Robert quirked his mouth, " Ten huh? That's great but there's still another half to go. "




" I know but they're good for now, " Betty replied then crutched over to the thermostat, " Let me turn the heat up so you can get warmed up. "




" I'll be fine now I'm in, " Robert shoved his hands in his front pockets. He looked towards the kitchen, " Why don't you go back to bed and I'll get some snacks? I picked up some while I was out earlier. "




" I heard you take the car. Where'd you go? " Betty asked.




Robert sighed, " The store. I needed to pick up a few things and you were sleeping so I went. I put gas in the car too. "




" You didn't have to, " Betty replied.




" I wanted to, " Robert shrugged. " It was no big deal. "




" But you haven't got anything but your cash since the credit card is canceled. You didn't have to short yourself, " Betty sighed. " How much was the gas? "




Robert put his right hand up, " I said don't worry about it. "




Betty crutched over to her purse and opened it. She pulled out her wallet, and started to slide out two twenties, " Here. This should help cover the gas, groceries and dinner last night as well that pizza. "




Robert didn't look at the money, " I don't want it. "




Betty blinked then slid the money back in her wallet, " Okay then. "




Robert looked at the floor, " So what do you want? "




" What? " Betty asked.




" To snack on, " Robert looked towards the kitchen again. " I got chips, popcorn and some soda. "




" Bring whatever you want. I'm going back to my room, " Betty said.




" Okay, " Robert said. " I'll be there in a little bit. "




" Sure, " Betty responded then turned towards her room. " I'll be there. "




Robert listened as she crutched back to her room then headed for the kitchen...




**


Branslav sat in the locker room, drinking some water and resting up for the second half. The first half had gone quite well and he was itching to get back on the floor for the third quarter. The Supernovas were shooting the lights out with the plays he and Daniel had concocted, taking the Presidios by total surprise. It was obvious the team had expected them to use the same tired plays they were used to.




He eyed his gym bag, wondering if he could get a quick call into Betty and find out what she thought so far. As he reached for the bag, Coach Sweet walked over. " So Korbel. Your plans are working well so far. "




Branslav nodded, " Yes. I told you they would. "




" And I stand corrected. Keep it up and we may just win tonight, " Coach Sweet gave him a cold smile.




" There's no might to it, " Branslav glanced at the clock on the wall. The team would have to be back on the floor in less than five minutes. If Coach Sweet wasted any more of his time, he wouldn't be able to call Betty.




Coach Sweet obviously noticed Branslav's attention wasn't exactly on him, " Need to do something Korbel? "




" I was just thinking, " Branslav said.




Coach Sweet cocked his head to the side, " How's your little girlfriend doing? Have you checked on her tonight? "




" It's not your business if I have or if I haven't, " Branslav narrowed his eyes.




Coach Sweet frowned, " Well you haven't got time to check on her right now. You need to get back out there soon. "




Branslav growled, " I know. But if you'll just give me a minute... "




" No. You need to stay focused on the game. You can call her afterwards. She's not going anywhere. "




Branslav growled again then shut his eyes, " True. But I'm calling her as soon as we win this thing. "




Coach Sweet shook head, " Whatever you say Korbel. Now head out. The others will be behind you. "




Branslav got up, gave Coach Sweet a dirty look and headed back out to the court...