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"That's his dad," I say, looking down. I try to gather my thoughts. I fight the momentary feeling of panic that tells me to grab Seth and get the hell out of the stadium.
But I know Phil won't do anything. He could care less about us.
Right?
I hear a gasp of recognition from Mrs. Cullen.
"That motherfucker...Bella, hold my shit," Emmett says while removing his watch and ring. "I'm going to fuck him up." I don't reach for his stuff, so he puts it on the seat next to him. I'm still in shock from seeing that deadbeat. I haven't seen him since he signed away his rights over four years ago. And honestly I haven't wanted or needed to see him.
But of course, when things are going nearly perfectly in my life, the shit hits the fan. Or actually, the shit stands by first base. Luckily, Seth has no clue that his "dad" is close enough to touch. He wouldn't even recognize him.
"Emmett," Mrs. Cullen warns, "No."
"Maaa," Emmett whines. "You can afford the bail money."
"I'm telling you not to take the ring off. It'll leave more damage," she says.
Dr. Cullen snorts, breaking the tension. He knows they are kidding. Then I watch Emmett cracking his knuckles and flexing while Mrs. Cullen clenches her fists, so maybe not.
I look over at the boys at the end of the aisle who are cheering on the team and are thankfully oblivious to the situation that's unfolding. I don't really need Seth involved in this drama.
I look back over at Phil who glances over at us before walking back into his dugout. Fucker. How dare he even look at Seth.
"I know this is a tense situation, but we all need to calm down before the boys realize there's something going on," Dr. Cullen says. "And Emmett, yes we can afford bail, as you well know," he raises his eyebrows and Emmett looks sheepish, "but I'd prefer to not turn this into an episode of Cops."
"Sorry Dad, Bella. I just want to beat some sense into him. That asshole signed away his kid! Do you know how hard I had to fight in court for even three days a week with Riley? Fuck!"
"I know, Emmett. But a beating won't make anything better."
"It'll make me feel better," Mrs. Cullen and Emmett mutter at the same time. I can guess that Mrs. Cullen kicked some ass in her day. She does have arms like Madonna, but without the manliness. I remember Edward telling me that she was an elite athlete in college. Not a surprise. The whole family looks like they belong in spandex on the cover of a fitness magazine. Though Edward's junk in spandex would be porn and his bulge would have to be blurred out to be sold in supermarkets.
Big change from the time I thought that the only bulge Edward had was a goiter.
Could I have been more wrong?
Oh yeah...when I thought all baseball players were assholes, and that time I turned Edward down when he wanted to date me. That was major stupidity.
But I did get some swoony notes out of that fuck up.
"You're so feisty, Esme," Carlisle says with a very familiar look on his face. Edward looks at me that way when he's really horny. Which is most days. Oh, Esme is going to get it good later on. He taps her on the ass. Maybe she's going to get it in the car.
And I really should stop thinking about that. I stifle a giggle.
Everyone is now looking at me, and I realize that I haven't spoken aloud in a while. Thankfully, they are not privy to my inner monologue. I probably should diffuse the situation before Emmett - or his mom - puts a fist up Phil's ass.
"As much as he deserves it, I don't want you to beat him up, Emmett. Nothing has changed. He was probably just surprised to see us. I'm sure he'll run out of here so he won't have to see us again."
"Are you sure, Bella? I won't even break a sweat. And my ring will leave a nice ASU imprint on his jaw."
That would be a nice touch.
But Edward would never forgive me if his brother (and probably his mother because she's now cracking her knuckles), ended up in jail.
And I need Edward. For more than just his monster cock and amazing hands. However awesome those are. Gawd...last night his tongue was so...
"Bella?" he interrupts.
Shit. That daydream was getting good.
"Thank you, Emmett, for wanting to protect us. But no violence."
Emmett and his mother both mumble. I think Mrs. Cullen says something about "knowing some people who take care of business," but I could be wrong.
She's a little scary.
We are all distracted by the sound of cheering. Everyone around us is standing and yelling. I look over at the game which obviously didn't stop while my soap opera of a life was unfolding. Edward has just hit a home run. Walk off. And I didn't even see it. Judging by the expletives pouring from the rest of the Cullens' mouths, neither did they. He is rounding third when I make eye contact. He touches his cap as he looks at me with a beaming smile. The team piles on him at home plate.
"I'm so sorry you all missed that because of me," I say over the din of the crowd.
"Oh, sweetheart. He'll hit more. He averages thirty a season. I'm more worried about you and Seth," Mrs. Cullen says, hugging me. She really is the best mom. I make her miss a great moment in her son's life, and she's comforting me and treating me better than my own mother ever did. Renee never cared about me or Seth more than she did herself.
"Bella! Did you see Edward?" Seth yells, running toward me. "Aww, you don't have to cry about it," He says when he sees me sniffling and hugging Edward's mom.
"I'm not crying. I'm just happy."
"Edward is the best ever!"
"Naw. My dad is," Riley argues. "He's bigger." They continue to bicker as we gather all of our things together.
Seth is blissfully unaware of all that has transpired, which makes me feel so much better. I haven't had to worry about this in so long. I breathe a sigh of relief for that and the fact that I see Edward walking toward the field fence. He motions me over to him and almost pulls me over the rail as he kisses me deep and hard. He tastes like mint and sunshine - which should be an ice cream flavor.
"Fuck." I try to catch my breath. He always sucks it right out of me like a sexy vacuum. We stand there, foreheads touching, just breathing each other in. He's sweaty and dirty and hot...and it's the best thing ever.
"Later. That'll be my reward."
"Can I lick your sweat as my reward?"
"Dirty girl. You can lick m-"
"Ahem. Can I get a hello too? Though I'll wait for the tongue and ass grab until your father gives it to me, dear."
Edward laughs and pulls me to his side and faces his mother.
"Hi, Mom. Perfect timing as usual. I see you couldn't wait to meet Bella."
"Yes, well, you wouldn't bring her to us." She leans over and kisses his cheek. I slide over a bit to make room. "And someone has to be here to keep you boys out of trouble."
"Trouble? I'm just kissing my girlfriend. And what's Emmett up to?"
"Just a little unwanted attention. Bella will tell you all about it."
"Bella?" He looks at me. My eyes look down. "Did some guy try to hit on you? Fuck. I can't even leave your side without some douchebag coming up to you..."
"Edward, wait. There's no douchebag...well, I mean there is one, but it's not what you think."
"And on that note, I'll be going. Your father and I expect you and Bella for brunch tomorrow." She hugs both of us goodbye before leaving. The boys come over and fist bump Edward, gushing about his home run before they leave with Emmett. After everyone leaves we continue our talk.
"So...the douchebag?" he presses.
"It was nothing, really. I just saw someone I haven't seen in a long time. And I was worried that he might do something to make a scene. But it's not going to be a problem."
"You still haven't said who this guy is, Bella," he replies. I can tell he's getting agitated and isn't going to let this go. I smooth the strands of hair that have escaped from his cap out of his eyes and look straight at him.
"I saw Phil. He was the first base coach for Arizona. And he was staring over here."
"That motherfucker was looking at you...I'm going to beat his-" he turns around quickly to look at the opposing dugout.
I interrupt him before he starts cracking his knuckles.
"Whoa, Slugger. Your mom and Emmett had the same reaction. Like exactly the same. Your mom might even be hiring a mob assassin as we speak."
"Yeah? Good." He sighs deeply. I ignore the fact that his mother's violent tendencies don't faze him. "So what does he want?"
I shake my head but don't answer.
Because someone else does.
"I want to see my son."
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A/N:
Look. A new chap in only like two weeks.
Many thanks to Team Goiterward: twilover76, les16, and Rtgirl. They correct my mistakes with love and hardly ever mock me.
Cosmogirl reads everything and then calls me a cliffy whore. But she likes my nipples.