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*
Carlisle followed me out of the hospital and we sat on a nearby bench. The idea that I could be sitting next to Bella's uncle was driving me insane. I had so many questions yet no answers to them and I didn't know where to start.
"You excited to be starting next game?" Carlisle asked.
I nodded since words had escaped me. Saying anything about Bella to Carlisle would ruin the relationship we had been starting. I almost saw Carlisle as a father to me. If I could've picked my father, Carlisle would be it. But, wait, then Bella would be my cousin. Never mind. But, you get it.
"It means a lot that you came by, Edward."
I turned to him. "Don't think of it. I know Emmett and I haven't gotten along all that well but he's a member of the team."
"I hope you know I'm here for you, Edward. If you should need anything."
He put an arm on my shoulder and I could sense that he knew something was bothering me. But, now was not the time to vent my frustrations. Carlisle had his son upstairs who was in pain and could no longer play baseball.
"Thank you for that." I stood. "I'll let you get back to your family."
He stood and hugged me. Not a one hand double back slap man hug but a hug the way a father would hug his son to comfort him. It was a soothing feeling. One I remember feeling when I was telling Bella about my troubles growing up. They were alike—Bella and Carlisle. Their compassion for others rang true. I turned and left him with a small wave as I returned to my hotel.
The next game there was a small statement said about Emmett Hale and how baseball will miss him and hope he returns. In the games to follow we were definitely on a winning streak and I was becoming a well-known name. I hit every ball that came at me and I never missed a catch. The Knights were finally gaining recognition again and in a good way.
Newspapers and camera crews always wanted an interview about the superstar who came from nowhere. But, I gave them nothing since there was nothing to tell. I shied from the camera preferring my privacy. Quotes about me were everywhere.
"Home runs, triples, singles...Anything he wants to hit, he hits. I've never seen anything like it. It's incredible!"
"Edward Masen, a shining example to his young fans."
"Though embarrassed by praise and shy of press, Masen is always there to sign an autograph."
My name was plastered everywhere and the team started to believe we could win again. Carlisle came back and Emmett and I started to become really great friends. I introduced him and Rosalie to Jasper and Alice and we all became a great group of friends. Emmett and Jasper were like brothers to me but I always felt like the fifth wheel. They had their wives and I was alone.
One day at practice the boys were fooling around and I even pitched them a few showing once again that I was in my element while playing ball. It was what I loved to do. What I was born to do.
"Hey Masen!" a gangly man with thin hair called out. "Aro wants to see you."
Carlisle tapped my shoulder. "I should go with you."
"I can handle it."
"Hope so."
I walked up into the stadium to his office and was ushered right in. The office was big and rustic with a large maple desk in the center where Aro Volturi sat. He was a tall man with jet black hair that reeked of cigars. He smiled ruefully at my entrance.
"Well, well. Edward Masen, we meet at last."
I reached over the desk and extended my hand to him. "Nice to meet you, sir."
He shook it and gestured for me to sit. "Where you from, Masen?"
"All over really. What about you?"
"That isn't important. You see, I asked you here to pay my compliments for your performance in the field."
I nodded. "I've enjoyed it."
"You've made a great contribution. Stands have been filled, financial stability has been reversed…"
"I hadn't noticed." I interrupted.
He snorted. "Are you not swayed by the almighty dollar, Mr. Masen?"
"Don't give it much thought." I shrugged.
He stood and walked over to the window overlooking the field. "I see, one such as you is above such mundane thoughts."
"I didn't say that. I'm as interested in a buck as the next guy."
His placed his arms behind his back. "And I am not one to let good deeds go unrewarded. How would a new contract interest you?"
"For more money?" I asked. "You wanna pay me more, that's up to you."
"I don't see much gratidude from you, Masen. I am under no legal obligation to pay you more."
Again, I shrugged even though he couldn't see me. "Either way, I play to win."
Aro began to pace. "A young, handsome man like yourself ought to think about your future."
"Let me put this way, Mr. Volturi," I paused to control my voice, "I'm not gonna let you steal this club away from Phil and Carlisle."
"The fact of the matter is they're jinxed men and all the Edward Masens in the world cant change that."
I stood. "It'll be a team effort."
"You're a very imprudent man."
I left his office in a state of anger. He wanted to get me like this that was the purpose of our meeting. To sway me to his side or get me pissed. When I returned to the field I assured Carlisle and decided to go out with the guys from the team. We went to local club that specialized in booze, women, and dancing. I found myself seated at a table with a decent blonde on my lap downing a few.
"What's your name again?"
The blonde laughed. "Jessica Stanley."
She sucked on my earlobe and even the alcohol wasn't stopping me from hating myself. This girl should be Bella. This girl wishes she was Bella. The second Aro Volturi brought up my future the picture that popped in my head was Bella. Her stomach swollen from carrying our child and us sprawled on a blanket by the beach. The image had been nagging me since I left his office and that was partly the reason I was drowning my sorrows in drinks and Jessica.
"Edward Masen!" a voice called out.
I turned towards it to be met with the bright eyes of Eric Yorkey. "Hello, Eric. Please have a seat. Want to buy me that beer you promised?"
"Sure thing, Mr. Masen."
He waved over the barkeep and order us a round. I shooed away Jessica and told her I'd find her later. In reality I needed a few more beers in me to be ready for that.
"Edward. Call me Edward."
He nodded. "So, Edward, I was thinking. I want to do an Eric Yorkey Exclusive," His hand went up and flashed as he said each word. "The Man Behind the Legend. I don't want the public to get the wrong idea about you. Stories float around, rumors get started, and soon enough you find yourself on the street without a job."
"Let them believe what they want to believe." I drawled.
Eric continued. "My paper can guarantee you five grand for your story. It'll give your fans something."
"All the public is entitled to is my best game of baseball."
Yorkey left. Just then Jessica returned and slurred in my ear, "Baby, I want you to meet Mike Newton."
I shook my head. "Who the hell is Mike Newton?"
"'Who the hell is Mike Newton?'" a male voice imitated, "I'm Mike Newton."
I turned and was met with a guy about my age with dirty blonde hair dressed in a stripped tux. But I didn't stay focused on him for long because clung to him in a deep navy dress was none other than Bella Cullen.
"He's awfully nice." Jessica breathed.
My eyes must've been bulging out of my head at the sight of Bella. The dress was mid thigh and clung to her every curve. Her brown hair was curled and fell down her open back. Bella didn't seem to be as shocked as I was to see her. She was all over this Mike character, licking his jaw and grinding herself against him. I wanted to kick his ass.
"Nice to meet you, Edward."
He sat across from me and Bella sat on his lap. That's it I'm going to kick his ass.
"Wish I could say the same, Mike. But, I don't know who you are."
He and Bella laughed. "I'm a bookie, Masen. A million dollar bookie. How'd it go today, rookie?"
"He did amazing, Mikey!" Jessica giggled.
Mike rubbed his hand along Bella's back. "What do you know? That'll cost me a pretty penny."
"How ya figure?"
He laughed and took a sip of his drink. "I bet against you."
"Against the Knights?" I half-shouted.
He shook his head as Bella kissed his neck. "No, kid. Just against you."
"Didn't know you could do that."
"You can bet against anybody, anything. Strikes, balls, hits, run, errors. Take your pick. I once bet a dime on three pitched balls."
I snorted. "How'd you make out?"
"Didn't. But I ruined a guy with a different deal. Some days you win, some days you don't. Lost with you today, I'll make it up with another bet tomorrow."
I chugged down my beer. "How you gonna do that?"
"When you're not batting so good."
"How will you know when that is?" I laughed.
He pointed to his eyes. "Magic eye sees all."
Bella giggled. "Show him how it works. Go on."
"Alright," He leaned forward. "I bet you I can tell—within a buck either way—how much money you got in your pocket. For a dime."
"Better make it a hundred."
He nodded. "You got 10 bucks."
I went into my pockets and emptied its contents. "Eight dollars. You lose."
"Just a minute. Count the silver."
"A dollar fifty."
He turned to Bella. "Never misses, right Sugar?"
Hearing this guy calling Bella "sugar" was pissing me off. He had no right to have his filthy hands touching her, let alone his mouth giving her pet names. I should be holding her. I should be giving her pet names and kissing her. Lucky in those sixteen years searching for her I picked up some tricks.
"That's pretty good." I stated.
"Forget the money. Someday you'll owe me."
I really hated this son of a bitch. "Don't bet on it."
"Excuse me."
I stood and walked over close to Bella. "I think you overlooked these." I reached behind her ear and pulled out four silver dollars. Bella laughed and Mike starred daggers at me. "What do you say we call it even?"
He stood, bringing Bella up with him. I grabbed her hand once again feeling a spark at our touch. She turned quickly staring first at our joined hands and then into my eyes.
"Yes, Mr. Masen?"
I swallowed and spoke in the smoothest velvet voice. "Would you like to dance?"
Bella smiled beautifully. "I would love to."
"Where you going, Sugar?" Mike grabbed her arm to stop her.
She flipped her hair over her shoulder as she removed his arm. "Let's just say he made me disappear."
And with that she walked with me to the dance floor where I held her in my arms for the first time in sixteen years.
