Title: Natural
Summary: An unknown batter named Edward Masen takes a losing baseball team to the top of the league. Edward lives out his fame but can't seem to shake the idea of the mysterious woman he meets on the train.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. No profit is being made from this work.
A/N: Thank you to my amazing mind soulmate and awbffe, LoveBadBoyVamps, for beta reading this chapter. *muah*
I sat in the locker room about to place Wonderboy in his case. The case was what one might see being used for instruments and it had a velvet interior. It was a bit much but I had to have the bat protected. It was my lifeline. My way to greatness. I looked around for the bat but it was nowhere to be found.
"Guys, has anyone seen my bat?" I called out.
Emmett rounded the corner. "Maybe someone broke you're bat like you broke that ball, Grandpa."
He chuckled and headed for the showers. I searched all through the locker without luck. I sat there with my head in my hands thinking all was lost.
"Mr. Masen?" a small voice spoke.
I looked up and was met with the dark eyes of Seth Clearwater holding out Wonderboy.
"Thank you, Seth! Where did you find it?"
He blushed. "It was with the practice bats. The guys must've put it there as a prank. They do that to welcome the new guys."
"Well, thanks." I nodded and placed the bat in the casing immediately locking it up.
"That's a nice bat."
I looked down at him. "You like it?"
"I wonder if I'll ever get to make my own bat. I'm not very handy like that."
I smiled. Seth really was a sweet kid. There was something so honest about him and he truly enjoyed baseball and helping us guys out. If he wanted to make a bat, I was going to teach him.
"Tell you what. Go down to the lumber yard, pick yourself out a piece of wood about this big," I motioned my hands to the right size, "and we'll work on it together."
"Really?" His face lit up.
"Really."
A huge smile took up his face. "That would be awesome! Thanks, Mr. Masen."
"Call me Edward."
He nodded. "Okay, Edward. See you."
"Bye, Seth."
I watched Seth walk away and I began to pack up. Placing my hat atop my head, I was met with the familiar face of Eric Yorkey. Seeing his face brought up memories of Bella rushing towards me, her blue dress blowing in the wind and wrapping her arms around my neck. That was our first kiss.
"Hey Edward Masen, is it?" I nodded. "I'm Eric Yorkey. Sports-writer."
I shook his outstretched hand. "Nice to meet you."
"That's an interesting way to mistreat a baseball."
"Sort of just happened, I guess." I shrugged.
"Say, can I buy you a beer. We can chat a little."
"Sorry, I'm kind of in a hurry."
I started walking out of the locker room. The last thing I wanted to do was spend the day with
Eric Yorkey and talk about the day my life changed. When I turned to say goodbye, Eric was staring at me strangely.
"Have we met before? You're face looks familiar."
I shook my head.
"You sure look familiar. Where you from, Masen?"
"Nowhere special."
He slapped his hands. "Dammit. It'll come to me. I've got a terrific memory."
I said goodbye to him and made my way out of the locker room. All things seemed to lead back to Bella in this town and I didn't like it. I put up with sixteen years of trying to find her, or at least get her off my mind and wasn't met with any such luck.
As I turned a corner, I heard voices in the hallway.
"Hey, Uncle Carlisle." A female voice called out. The voice sounded familiar but I couldn't place it.
"Hi, honey." He answered. "You meeting Emmett?"
"Yepp, he's supposed to be out here by now."
Carlisle chuckled. "You know Em. Always runs by his own schedule."
"Always." She giggled. "How's that new player working out for you?"
"Just started today. I like him but he's fighting for Em's position."
"Well, we can't play favorites." She giggled again and I swore I knew her.
"No, that we can't." Carlisle laughed.
I heard heavy footsteps and the sound of the girl giggling. When I turned the corner all I could see was shadows as a big figure—I assumed to be Emmett—spun the girl around. He finally placed her down and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
"Come on, kids." Carlisle spoke. "I'll walk you out."
They walked out the door and as I got closer I saw a petite woman dressed in a light grey skirt and a white blouse. Her brown curls were peeking out from under her white hat as she entered a cab. It couldn't be? Was it possible that I spent all these years looking for her and she was just mere feet away from me now? That voice and laugh sounded so familiar.
I watched as Carlisle waved as the cab sped off. He continued to stare with a sad expression as it disappeared around the corner. I opened the door and he turned towards me immediately changing his features.
"Edward! Great game today!"
I nodded. "Thanks, sir. If you don't mind me asking, was that Rosalie with Emmett?"
"Oh, no!" he shook his head. "Trust me you'd know that blonde bombshell. That was my niece."
He didn't offer a name so I didn't overstep my boundaries and ask him for one. Carlisle had put a lot of trust in me by things he told me but I knew his family was important to him and if Bella was somehow related to him I don't know how he'd take me calling her a mistake. Even if I didn't truly mean it.
x-x-x-x
A couple of days later we were in Boston. The team was getting better and was more alert during their playing. While I was not playing in the field, I had been pinch-hitting for Emmett. He didn't seem entirely happy about that but at least he was starting to wake up. Gone was the lazy Emmett who talked back to Phil and didn't do his job in the outfield. In today's game, he hadn't missed a ball yet. Even with his massive build he was running like his life depended on it. Which in a way it probably did.
Before the game Phil gave us one of the best speeches I'd ever heard.
"The mind is a strange thing, men. We must begin by asking it, 'What is losing?' Well men, losing is a disease. A contagious disease. It attacks one but effects all. But do not lose hope, men. It is curable. Just imagine it and you'll do it. Don't lose hope, men, because I'm not losing hope in you."
It was the greatest talk he'd ever given us and even Carlisle was impressed. Maybe Phil wasn't that bad of a coach as he was made out to be.
Emmett made another great save, diving and catching the ball with his outstretched arm, and the crowd erupted into huge applause. Like I was saying, the team was finally catching a break.
"Looks like your talk to Emmett is paying off." Carlisle mused as he stared after his son.
Phil nodded. "I gotta believe you're right."
I watched as our pitcher checked the guy on second and sent him back to the bag. We truly were on top of our game. The pitcher turned back to the batter and wound up sending it right to his waiting bat.
The ball went way out into deep right field, which sent Emmett running towards the wall. Emmett's eyes never left the ball as he ran with all his might to beat the ball. He must've stopped paying attention to where he was going because soon enough Emmett was going through the wall as the ball ricochet off it.
We all waited but Emmett didn't reappear. Suddenly, our whole team was running to where Emmett went through. When I got there, I looked on as Carlisle stood over his son who lay there unmoving.
"Emmett!" he yelled. "Emmett, God dammit wake up!"
Men carrying a stretcher pushed us out of the way as they walked over to Emmett. One of them checked his vitals indicating that he had a heartbeat. We all breathed in relief. But, why wasn't he waking up?
The men lifted him on the stretcher, noting that his leg appeared to be broken. They carried him off as the entire stadium watched on. Not a person was sitting. Emmett Hale, although recently in a slump, was one of the greatest players who ever played.
x-x-x-x
Phil called me into his office when the game ended. I had never had a one-on-one meeting with Phil, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. What could he possibly have to say to me? I knocked and was told to come in. Phil's office was very different from Carlisle's. Where Carlisle's office had a homey feel with various pictures and news clipping, Phil's office was scattered. Papers were all over his desk and you could barely see any object in the room.
"You wanted to see me, sir?"
He waved his hand. "Yes, yes. Sit down."
I found a chair across from him and sat in it, pushing away the papers that were on top of it. He quickly dialed a number and talked quickly mumbling responses as I waited patiently for him to finish. When he did he crossed his arms over his chest and stared at me.
"Emmett has broken his leg and will be unable to participate for the rest of the season. Actually, this may permanent. With that being said, you'll be taking his position at right field."
"Thank you, sir."
He grunted. "Well you're better than any player I've ever had. And you're the best God damn hitter I ever saw."
I nodded but otherwise said nothing. This was the best compliment Phil had ever given me. As far as I knew, I was an issue that had to be dealt with. No matter how well I played.
"I don't know what sidetracked you the last time you went to play but it better not happen again. I need you, Masen. We need to win this pennant."
"I know."
He eyed me. "How much has Carlisle told you?"
My eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me, sir?"
"Look, I don't know what Carlisle told you but I don't have a gambling problem. I went into a little debt and lost my share of the team but I've never bet against this team. I don't bet, period."
I held my hands up. "Coach, he really said nothing to me of the sort. Just told me that I better not cross you two or there will be hell to pay… or something like that."
"Alright. Alright." He swiveled in his chair. "Don't you go repeating what I just said to no one, alright?"
"I won't."
He waved his hand in dismissal. "You're excused. See you at practice."
I stood and made my way out of the room as Phil picked up the phone again. Once in the locker room, I packed my bag thinking about all Coach had told me. Had the team really thought he had a gambling problem? Was that the reason they hated him? I thought these over and made my way out of the room. I was thinking of making my way to the hospital or to try Carlisle at his house. He'd been nothing but a mentor to me and I felt it was best to show my respect. I decided to try the hospital first after making a quick stop.
When I arrived I asked the nurses' station for an Emmett Hale and they directed me to the proper room. I walked in there and saw Emmett with a cast on his right leg and arm. His leg was suspended in the air and a tall blonde was fluffing his pillow. Carlisle was behind Esme who was seated. They all looked up at my entrance.
"How you feeling, Em?"
He snorted. "I've been better. Thanks for visiting, Edward."
"No problem." I reached into my pocket and pulled out a bag handing them to him. "I bought these for you."
"No way! Gummy bears! Babe, do you see?" He quickly opened the bag and popped one in his mouth. "They're like heaven. How did you know?"
"I called up Seth and asked." I shrugged. "Glad you like them."
"Thanks. By the way, you know Carlisle and Esme, but this… this is my Rosie." He beamed as he presented her and I had to admit she was a looker. Voluptuous and blonde she fully demanded a room when she entered. She shook my hand and kissed my cheek before returning to Emmett's side.
The phone rang and Emmett picked it up. "Hello... Oh! Hey, Bells! You'll never guess what I'm eating... Yepp! Edward got them for me…. Edward Masen, the new right fielder… I'm a bit bummed but now I get more time with Rose… I'm thinking I'll work in a Gummy Bears factory… You're a riot, Bells… I'll tell them you said 'Hi.'… Love you, too." He hung up the phone. "That was Bella. She sends her love."
I swear if I was hooked up to that machine, I think the room would've heard my heart stop.
