Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ All Star Dreams (Ver. 3) ❯ Chapter Thirty Five ( Chapter 35 )

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

All-Star Dreams: Chapter Thirty-Five
By Bekka Mouri-Hibiki
© Bekka Mouri-Hibiki 2007




Robert woke with a start, looking around the living room. He got out his phone and checked the time. It was well after eleven o'clock at night. He recalled laying down on the couch after calling everyone on his contacts list with his new number.




He had tried to call Branslav but his phone was off. He figured he would just call him once the game was over and he was sure he was on the bus. He sat up, realizing he had slept through the game and not recorded it like he had promised. He was pretty certain Branslav would be none too happy about that but he had been more tired than he realized.




He dialed Branslav's number but the phone was still off. He wondered if the game had gone into overtime or if Branslav was distracted by something. Those were the only two reasons he could think of for Branslav not to have his phone on. He left a voice message and hung up.





He looked towards Betty's room, hoping she hadn't woke up while he was out. He didn't want her trying to get out of bed on her own for fear she'd fall even though she had been getting around alright. He got up and walked to her door slowly, finding Betty was sitting up with the bedside lamp on as well as the TV. “ You're awake “ He said quietly.





Betty took a sharp breath then sighed, “ Yeah. You scared me. I didn't even see you come up to the door. “




“ Sorry, “ He walked into the room. He motioned towards the TV, “ Did you watch the game? “




“ I saw the last five minutes and I was watching the highlights, “ Betty explained. “ It was a blowout. “




Robert turned to look at the TV as they stats for the game popped up. His jaw dropped open when he saw how many points Branslav had gotten and was also shocked by the amount of points Daniel had racked up. They had each gotten forty-five, combining for ninety points between them. The final score had been one hundred twelve to eighty-five, the rest of the Supernovas' starters and bench players only contributing a total of twenty-two points.




“ Holy shit, “ Robert muttered. “ They shot the lights out tonight pretty much by themselves. I didn't think the two of them had it in them, especially Daniel. “




“ All the commentators can talk about is how Branslav and Daniel are playing like they're possessed, “ Betty said. “ They said they made the majority of the shots. “




“ Branslav must really want to impress someone, “ Robert said. He wasn't sure if it was Betty or the scout. ~It's probably a little from column 'A' and a little from column 'B', ~ He thought to himself.




“ Didn't you say something about a scout? “ Betty looked at Robert.




Robert nodded, “ Yeah. There's one making the rounds. I guess he was at that game tonight. “




“ Or Branslav was serious about playing his best for me to see, “ Betty said.




Robert thought about it and sighed, “ I was just thinking that myself. "




Betty got the remote and turned off the TV, “ I keep thinking about what I'm going to tell him on Saturday... “




“ Tell him the truth, “ Robert cut her off. “ Tell him that you don't think it's going to work because it isn't. “




“ I know but I don't want to hurt his feelings, “ Betty ran a hand through her hair.




“ Well you're going to, “ Robert sighed. “ There's no way around that. Just try to be up front with him. He might keep after you if you don't make him understand “




“ Okay, “ Betty looked at the bed.




“ You need to be strong honey, “ Robert said.




" It's just that I've never had to reject a guy before, " Betty said quietly.




Robert walked over to the bed and sat down. He put his right hand under her chin and eased her head up so she was looking at him. “ I know you can do it baby. Do it for me. Do it for us. “




Betty wanted to melt, the look in Robert's eyes cutting straight to her heart. The indescribable feeling she had that afternoon was back. That powerful attraction she had towards him threatened to consume her once again. When she looked into his beautiful blue eyes, she felt complete and alive.




Robert had to catch his breath, his heart pounding in his ears. He wanted to take Betty's lips in his and kiss her before laying her down to make love to her again. His attraction to her was so deep and strong he felt helpless against it. He had never felt quite the same about anyone else, not even Pauline.




“ So what do we do now? “ Betty asked.




Robert quirked his mouth, “ How about something to eat? I'm starving. I know this place that delivers until one am. “




**





Branslav snapped his phone closed and flung it at the back of the seat in front of him. He had tried to call Robert but found his number had been disabled. After a few moments, he snatched the phone up and flung it again, letting out a frustrated shout. Someone got on the bus and he looked up to find it was Daniel.




“ What's wrong? I heard you shout from out there. Everyone did, “ Daniel lamely jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “ Coach wanted me to check on you. “




Branslav snatched the phone up again, “ Robert's number is disabled. I wanted to check on Betty and see if she watched the game... “




“ Let me see, “ Daniel put his hand out for the phone. He flipped it open then held it out for Branslav, “ Did you check your messages? “




Branslav furrowed his brow, realizing he hadn't. “ Oh, “ He said and dialed the number to retrieve his messages. He listened to a message Robert had left fifteen minutes before about having to change his number because of Pauline. “ Oops. It was one of the calls I missed. “




Daniel looked around to make sure they were still alone, “ Look man. I know you're dying to get back to Reno but you need to settle down. If you keep tripping like this, it's going to affect your game. “




“ It won't affect my game, “ Branslav leaned his head against the seat.




“ It had better not, “ Martin's voice startled them both.




Daniel turned around, “ You scared me man! “




“ Man? “ Martin arched an eyebrow.




“ I'm sorry, “ Daniel backpedaled. “ You scared me sir. “




Martin gave him a terse smile, “ That's better. “




“ What do you want? “ Branslav narrowed his eyes.




Martin narrowed his eyes in return, “ What is with the glare? “




“ You interrupted a private conversation, “ Branslav continued the look.




“ Ah. Well, “ Martin said. “ I didn't mean to. I was just coming to congratulate you both on having such a successful night tonight. Not many players in the prep league and pull off a forty-five point night and here the both of you managed to do it. “




“ Because we're determined to get out of this slump we're in, “ Branslav sat back. “ I'm tired of losing. “




“ As are we all, “ Martin nodded. “ But we are a team. You need to distribute the ball more. “




Branslav arched an eyebrow, “ We passed to the other guys. “




“ But you and Daniel made most of the shots. Let the others shoot it once in a while, “ Martin said. “ Perhaps at Saturday's game you can show the scout you know how to share the ball and not show-off quite so much. “




“ Saturday? “ Branslav furrowed his brow. “ I thought tonight was the last night the scout was going to watch us play. “




“ It was but he's going to be in Reno on Saturday to watch the Turquoise play. I heard a rumor that the big league has taken an interest in Hughes and a few boys on his team, “ Martin leaned on the seat to his left a little.




Branslav's eyes went wide, “ What? “




“ I heard they're more interested in Hughes than anyone else actually, “ Martin looked at the floor. “ Including you. “




“ But he can't play. His hands, “ Branslav started.




“ For your sake you'd better hope he doesn't, “ Martin frowned. “ And if he does, I want you to crush his team. “




Branslav looked at Daniel then at Martin, “ We'll try. “




“ Don't try. Do it, “ Martin said as his cell phone started to ring. He pulled it out of his jacket pocket and looked at the caller ID, “ I have to take this. Good evening gentlemen. “




Branslav and Daniel watched as Martin got off the bus and walk out of sight. Daniel looked down at Branslav, “ Do you think Robert knows about the scout? “




“ Probably, “ Branslav frowned.




“ We couldn't beat them last time and he didn't even play, “ Daniel said. “ How are we supposed to beat them if HE does play? “




Branslav gave Daniel a serious look, “ We got them last season. “




“ Yeah but we also had that seven foot eight Swedish guy that just had to put his hand up and stick the ball in the basket, “ Daniel said.




Branslav frowned, “ Oh yeah. Sven. Whatever happened to him anyway? I came in one day and he was gone. “




Daniel shrugged, “ After his girlfriend lost the baby, he took off and no one ever saw him again. He went home to Amsterdam and started smoking dope from what I heard. “




“ I know he abandoned us right before the final game last year, “ Branslav nodded. “ I just didn't know why. It was like he was there one day and gone the next. “




“ Oh yeah. His girlfriend was pregnant but she miscarried. I guess not many people knew because he kept to himself so much, “ Daniel took a sharp breath and looked down at Branslav. “ You don't think? “




Branslav furrowed his brow , “ I don't think what? “




Daniel rolled his eyes, “ Sven. Do you think he's the one? “




Branslav thought about it then looked at Daniel, “ He did leave about that time. “




“ Do you think he came back to blackmail Martin? “ Daniel asked.





Branslav shook his head, “ I don't think he was that smart to begin with. “




Daniel frowned, “ No. Not really. “




Just then, the other players started getting on the bus. Branslav looked up at Daniel with a serious expression, “ We'll talk about it later. “




Daniel nodded and checked his watch, “ I just thought of something. “




“ Huh? “ Branslav asked.




“ We're going to get into Carson City about two or so, “ Daniel said.




“ Yes, “ Branslav nodded. “ What are you thinking? “




“ Do you think Martin's going to let us stay in a hotel? I mean, the game isn't until Thursday. We'll have a whole day before we play. “




“ I plan on having a good practice so don't get any ideas about goofing off, “ Coach Sweet said. He had slipped up behind Daniel, startling him.




“ Damn. Is tonight 'Scare Daniel' night or something? “ Daniel said sharply.




Coach Sweet ignored the comment, “ We're going to sleep in the arena when we get there. The overnight security will be opening the door for us when we get there and we'll have practice at ten sharp. Don't stray off like you did today. Is that understood? “




Branslav sighed, “ Yes sir. “




Daniel frowned, “ Yeah. “




Coach Sweet started to turn to walk away then stopped, “ Oh yeah. Good game tonight you two. “




Branslav nodded, “ Thank you. We did our best. “




Coach Sweet shrugged, “ I guess so. “




Branslav furrowed his brow but didn't say anything as Coach Sweet headed back to the front of the bus.





**






Robe rt sat on the couch, watching Betty as she dusted and straightened things up. He had ordered pizza and she had insisted on cleaning up a bit as they waited for it to be delivered. He was perched on the edge, ready to spring into action in case she tripped.




He admired her spirit and the fact she hated laying around for too long. He smiled a little as he watched her, finding her movements graceful in spite of the crutch. He couldn't imagine her ever getting her deft hands dirty working on go-carts then he thought of something. She had said she had worked at the hotel since she was sixteen but she also said that she had worked at the go-cart track before that and things weren't adding up.




“ Baby? “ He was curious so he got her attention.




“ Yes? “ Betty turned to face him.




“ I was wondering about something, “ Robert said. “ You said you worked at the go-cart track before you went to work at the hotel. “




Betty nodded, “ Yes. “




“ How long? “ Robert asked. " I was just thinking that you would have had to be younger than when you started at the hotel when you worked there. "




Betty smirked, “ I started when I was fifteen. They legally couldn't hire me so they paid me daily. They kept it off the books. "




“ Oh. I gotcha. I thought maybe you were... “ Robert started.




“ Older? “ Betty smiled. “ Nah. I'm twenty-nine. I'll be thirty on New Year's Eve. “




Robert smiled, “ Really now? “




“ Why? “ Betty was puzzled by the grin Robert had on his lips.




“ That's my birthday too, “ Robert said. “ Well, four years after yours but still. “




Betty giggled at that, “ When are these coincidences going to end? “




“ I hope they don't, “ Robert said. He looked at his watch, “ The pizza should be here before too long. Why don't you sit down until it gets here? “




“ Oh okay, “ Betty said. “ I guess I should. “




“ Of course you should, “ Robert tried to sound stern. “ You've done enough for now anyway. “




Betty crutched over and sat down, scooting closer to Robert after she put her crutch on the floor. “ I just can't stand a dirty house. “




Robert shook his head, “ It wasn't that dirty. “




“ But there was some dust, “ Betty said, letting her voice trail off when Robert cocked his head to the side. “ What's wrong? “




“ So you like to clean? “ Robert asked.




Betty nodded, “ Yeah. “




Robert looked at the floor and nodded, biting his tongue. He didn't want to say anything about how lazy Pauline was when it came to housework. In his mind, he was comparing Betty to her but he tried his best not to compare them out loud. “ That's great, “ He finally said.




“ Do you like to clean? “ Betty asked.




“ I like for things to be clean but I usually don't clean up unless I have to, “ Robert sighed. “ Pa... um, we had a maid service come in twice a week once I got on the Turquoise so I really didn't need to clean. “




“ Pauline didn't clean? “ Betty blurted it out without thinking. She put her hand over her mouth, “ Sorry. I didn't mean to mention her. “




Robert chuckled, “ It's okay. I almost did. No, she didn't. She thought she was above it. “




Betty scoffed, “ No one is above cleaning up after themselves. “




Robert looked at her and smiled, “ Thank you. “




Betty looked confused, “ For what? “




“ Saying what I was thinking, “ Robert reached over and flicked his right thumb along her jaw quickly. “ That's exactly how I feel about it. “




Betty laughed then shook her head, “ I think we should just stop talking. “




“ How come? “ Robert was puzzled.





“ We already know we're going to agree no matter what the other says, “ Betty smiled.




Robert nodded, “ Yeah. True. “




There was a knock at the front door then someone said, “ Uh. Pizza. “




“ Dinner's here, “ Robert smirked. “ Don't go anywhere. “




“ I won't, “ Betty said.




Robert got up and headed for the door when his cell phone started to ring. He growled and got it out as he opened the front door. “ How much? “ He asked the delivery guy.




“ Twenty, “ The delivery guy replied.




Robert got the money out as he answered the phone, “ Hold on a second Branslav. "




Betty frowned slightly at the mention of Branslav's name. At least she could tell him she had seen the game and that she was happy they had won. She watched as Robert took the pizza and shut the front door. He came back to the couch and started talking to Branslav.





" You called right as I was paying for dinner, “ Robert explained then listened. “ Yeah, she watched it. She woke up and caught the last five minutes. “




Robert then sighed, " I'm sorry. I passed out on the couch. I haven't been sleeping well and I was tired. I'll ask her if she can talk to you. "




Betty put her hand out for the phone, knowing what Robert was going to ask. “ I'll talk to him, “ She said as she took the phone. She put it on speaker phone, “ Hello. “





“ Robert said you only saw the last five minutes, “ Branslav sounded unhappy. “ I asked him to record it for you. “




“ I know but we were tired, “ Betty glanced at Robert or at least where he had been standing. He had vanished, most likely to go to the kitchen.





“ Oh, “ Branslav sighed.




“ I got to see the highlight reel though. They showed all the good stuff, “ Betty offered.




Branslav sighed again, “ It's not the same as watching the whole game. “




“ But it was what I could see, “ Betty replied. “ Just be happy with that, okay? “




“ Okay, “ Branslav still sounded disappointed. “ Oh hey. “





“ Huh? “ Betty said.




“ Do you mind if I come see you Friday? “ Branslav's voice was quiet as he asked.




Betty furrowed her brow, “ Why would you need to come see me then? “




“ To give you your ticket, “ Branslav said.




“ I'll get my own, “ Betty said. “ I don't want you asking Martin for the ticket. “




“ I'm not. I'll get it on my own, “ Branslav replied. He paused, “ Besides, I want to see you before the game, just not at it. “




Betty felt her stomach sink. She didn't want to be alone with him when she told him she didn't think it would work but she didn't think she could play along to pacify him either. She looked up as Robert came back into the room, “ I want to rest Friday. “





“ We won't do anything except talk so I don't see how you can get tired just talking, “ Branslav countered.




“ But I can't sleep and talk, “ Betty said.




Robert came back from the kitchen, his brow furrowed. He wasn't liking the way the conversation was going and was about to say something about it. Betty put her hand up as Branslav said, “ I can come over for a little while then you can sleep. I just want to see you. “




“ Branslav, “ Betty sighed. “ Please let me rest. I promise I'll come to the game Saturday but I can't if I don't get to rest Friday. “




Robert rolled his eyes, “ Give me the phone. I'll handle him. “




Betty nodded and handed the phone to Robert before Branslav could reply. She felt frustrated that she couldn't get through to him and hoped she would be able to when she told him it wouldn't work. She was about to cry, unable to think of anything else to say when Robert put his right hand on her left shoulder, rubbing it to comfort her. “ Can't I even see you for thirty minutes? “ Branslav asked, unaware the phone had changed hands.





“ No you can't. She needs to rest, Branslav. Don't you understand that? “ Robert said sharply after he shut of the speaker phone.




“ Why did you take the phone back? I wasn't finished talking to her, “ Branslav sounded confused and angry.




“ I'm going to explain this one more time, Branslav. She's hurt and she needs to take it easy. She could be like this for a while. Pauline was affected for six weeks after her concussion, “ Robert was trying not to get angry.




“ But I can't... “ Branslav's voice trailed off like he almost said something he wasn't supposed to.




“ You can't what? “ Robert asked sharply.




“ Never mind, “ Branslav shot back.




Robert glanced down at Betty and took the phone off of speaker before muting it. He pointed at it then pointed towards the front door. “ I need to take this outside. Can you give me a few minutes? “




Betty nodded, “ Yeah. “




“ Thanks baby, “ Robert gave her a gentle smile then leaned down, pressing his lips to her forehead. “ Don't start without me. “




“ I won't, “ Betty nodded.




Robert went to the front door, opening it and walking out onto the porch before shutting it again. He walked down the path as he unmuted the phone, “ Are you still there? “




“ Yes, “ Branslav said. “ I was wondering if you had hung up on me. “




“ As much as I want to I didn't, “ Robert replied. “ I didn't want to ask you this in front of Betty. You have her upset enough as it is. “




“ How have I upset her? “ Branslav was puzzled.




“ You keep wanting her to spend time with you when she keeps telling you she can't, “ Robert said.




“ I need to see her though, “ Branslav said. “ I have to see her. “




“ Why is it so fucking urgent Branslav? “ Robert had reached his limit. He couldn't take Branslav's selfishness any longer. “ Just tell me damn it. “




Branslav sighed then paused. Robert could hear Coach Sweet in the background threatening to take Branslav's phone away if he didn't hang up. Branslav growled before saying, “ I have to go. “




“ I figured but the next time you call, you'd better tell me what's going on. Do you hear me? “ Robert said.




“ Then I guess I won't be calling you again, “ Branslav replied.




“ Fine. Be that way. If I see you number on my phone again, I won't even pick up, “ Robert shot back.




“ Then I guess this is goodbye for good eh? “ Branslav growled.




“ I guess it is, “ Robert growled back. “ Goodbye. “




Branslav didn't say anything as he hung up. Robert snapped his phone closed and drew his arm back to throw it at the ground before thinking better of it. He looked back towards the house, knowing Betty was waiting on him. He took a few deep breaths to compose himself and headed back up the path.




Robert walked back into the house, Betty noting he looked a little troubled. “ Is everything okay? “ She asked as he stood next to the couch, his hands on his hips.




Robert sighed, “ Yeah. Branslav's just being Branslav. “




“ Stubborn? “ Betty arched an eyebrow.




“ Yeah. He was being adamant about coming to see you Friday but I tried to talk him out of it. I don't think I made much headway though, “ Robert stopped short of telling her they decided never to speak to each other again. She didn't need to know that and he didn't want to upset her.




“ He's a hard headed boy, “ Betty sighed. She looked at the floor, “ That's why I'm so scared of... “




“ Don't be scared, “ Robert sat down. “ You can't let him go on thinking that he's got a chance. It'll just hurt both of you when things get rough. Let him off easy before you get in too deep. “




Betty shut her eyes, “ I guess you're right. “




“ I am, “ Robert said. “ I've seen what happens when you try to make things work. If it's going to work then it'll work. If not, don't try to make it. “




Betty nodded, “ Yeah. I know. My mom tried for years to get it to work with dad but it was all in vain. She stayed married to him even though he wasn't around much. “




“ See? You've seen it too, “ Robert pointed out.




Betty sighed, “ I just hope he doesn't take it too hard when I tell him. “




“ He will but he'll get over it, “ Robert said.




“ I hope so, “ Betty said.




“ He will, “ Robert said firmly. “ Now, let's eat so I can get you back to bed. We have an early morning tomorrow. “




Betty nodded, “ That we do. “