AN: and the next chapter.
It's Edward's point of view again :)

Hope you'll enjoy reading it!

Chapter 5 - Finding Focus

EPOV

I swung the bat a few times to warm up as I focused on the ballmachine in front of me. Batting practice was always a good way to get my mind off things. Although somehow everytime I tried to focus, her face swam in to the forefront of my mind again.

Those piercing brown eyes.

Those full lips.

Her rosy cheeks.

The ball whizzed passed me and I sighed.

'Damn it.' I swore under my breath.

'come on, Cullen. Get your head out of your ass!' Paul yelled form the sideline.

I grit my teeth and forced myself to focus. The machine whirred and the ball shot out and I whipped the bat around, the contact reverberated through my arm and the ball was sent flying into the net.

I blew out a breath, thankful I had hit it hard enough to shut Paul up for a while at least.

When training was over and we were sent to the locker rooms, Jasper caught up to me and slapped me on the back.

'What the hell was that?' he asked.

I shook my head. 'Couldn't focus.' I muttered.

'Well, you better get your head out of your ass, or coach will ride you hard.' He warned.

I groaned. 'yeah, I know.'

'so what's got you so distracted?' he asked as we grabbed our stuff to head into th shower.

I blew out a big breath, debating internally whether I should tell Jasper or not. We'd been friends for a long time, we played ball together in college and by luck ended up here at the cubs two years ago together.

'I met this girl while walking Mike.' I sighed.

He grinned. 'that's great!' he enthused. But I was already frowning. 'or not…' he finished.

'No she's great… really great.' I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck.

'Then what's the roblem?'

'I only know her name… I chickened out asking for her number.' Jasper cracked a smile, but tried to hold in his laughter. I rolled my eyes. 'Fine, let's hear it.'

He started laughing outright. 'Are you kidding me?' he asked between laughs. I shook my head chagrined. 'Man that's priceless. I never would have imagined that. You've always been so confident around girls. Heck back in college all you had to do was smile at them before they'd jump into bed with you.'

I looked down at the ground embarrassedly. I wasn't exactly proud of my player ways. There had been a time when all I'd needed was a smile and the girls would jump for me. But now, I wasn't looking for that anymore. And Bella… well she definitely didn't seem like the type of girl to just jump into bed with someone. She was classy, sophisticated. A woman, in all senses of the word.

I punched Jasper's arm. 'Shut up man. She's different…'

'How?' he asked as he stepped out of the shower and slung a towel around his waist.

I followed suit. 'Well, she's just… so cool and collected and poised all the time. I turn into a bumbling idiot when I try to talk to her and she just stares at me and makes me lose my thoughts even more.'

'Really?' he asked surprised. 'she must be something then... to be able to get you tongue tied.'

I glared at him and he held up his hands in surrender. 'So what are you going to do about it?' he asked.

'I've been going to that damn dog park every single day hoping to run into her, but no luck yet.'

'You don't know anything else about her?' he asked

I shook my head. 'No. nothing. I don't even know where she lives, what she does for a living, or even what kind of car she drives. Heck I don't even know if she's single. It's just her first name.'

'Well fuck' he muttered. 'that's not a lot to go on.'

'no shit.'

I shrugged into my shirt and was about to grab my bag to head out when Paul stepped inside the locker room.

'Cullen.' He barked.

My shoulders sagged. I'd hoped to get away without a lecture, but it seems I wouldn't be that lucky. Jasper gave me a sympathetic pat on the back before he quickly grabbed his bag and fled the locker room.

'yeah coach?' I turned to face Paul.

'What the fuck was that today?'

'I'm sorry, coach, just having an off day.' I crossed my arms over my chest and tried not to get too pissed off at him.

'An off day?' he echoed. I nodded once. He reagarded me coolly for a moment. 'I want you here tomorrow at eight and do an extra hour of batting practice, before joining the regular training.'

I groaned.

'seriously?' I asked incredulous. 'it's the first day back in training, there were others that were worse than I!'

'I don't give a fuck, Cullen. And if you keep talking back I'll add in another hour of laps afterwards.'

I clenched my jaw to keep from saying anything else. 'fine. I'll be here at eight.'

'good.' He said, then turned around and left the room in a huff.

I sighed and gathered my things, finally heading out as well. I bumped into Emmett, the assistant coach, in the hallway. He might have been a coach, but he was also my friend. He and his girlfriend Rosalie lived in the same building as me and we often hung out together, sometimes along with Jasper.

He clapped my shoulder. 'he lay into you?'

I nodded once. 'douche.' I muttered.

Emmett grinned. 'I agree. But he's the boss. I tried to tell him that Tyler needed way more work than you, but he wouldn't listen. Like always.'

'yeah, I tried to tell him that too, nearly earned myself an hour of laps.'

Emmett laughed and shook his head. 'you coming over tonight?' he asked.

'yeah sure. I'll bring some beer.' I nodded.

'great, see ya!' he said waving at me as he walked off.

I quickly headed home, changed into some slacks and a shirt before grabbing Mike and heading to the park. I was later than usual this time because of Paul and I hoped that I hadn't missed her. If she even was there, of course. It had almost been a week since I'd last seen her and I was starting to lose hope.

I let Mike out the car and started the usual route. I kept my eye out for her, but there were no giant dogs running around today. again she was a no show.

I tried not to let it get me down too much. I had only spoken to her a handful of minutes after all. I shouldn't be getting this obsessed over a girl I didn't even know. But still, something kept drawing me to her. I wanted to get to know her.

As we finished our lap around the park there was still no sign of her, so I loaded Mike back in the car and headed back home. He didn't seem to mind the repeated trips to the park. He put his head on my shoulder as I drove back downtown. I pet him softly and scratched his ear as he panted and drooled.

I chuckled. 'Sorry bud, no Jake around today, huh.' I said softly to him. He whined as if he understood what I was saying. 'who knows, perhaps tomorrow.' I muttered. though I wasn't really sure anymore.

Still, tomorrow was Saturday, perhaps she only went during the weekends.

I headed into the building with Mike by my side and punched the fourth floor for Emmet's place. I rang the bell and waited for the door to open. Mike was already wagging his tail. He enjoyed going with me to places. And he definitely enjoyed the attention he would get, once there.

'Hey Ed, come in.' Emmett said, opening the door. 'Hi Mikey boy.' He greeted the dog and gave him a rub.

Mike bounded into the house and I heard Rosalie's squeal from the living room. I quickly stepped inside and took the beer Emmett was offering me. I sat my own six pack down on the kitchen counter.

'heard Paul was a real dick.' Rose said as I rounded the corner.

I nodded. 'have to go in an hour early tomorrow.'

She shook her head. 'he's a dick. I don't get why they hired him. you should have been head coach.' That last bit was directed to Emmett. it was a statement I wholly agreed with.

Emmett just shook his head. 'It was Harry's call. And you know that means it was really Mr Swan's.'

'Rhat's bullshit. Mr Swan would never in his right mind chose Paul over you. Harry took advantage of him being sick.'

'Rose.' Emmett cautioned.

'I don't think Harry would do that.' I agreed. 'he's a good guy.'

'Yeah, but come on, Paul is his nephew. It just screams nepotism.'

'I know, okay? but what's done is done. I can still do enough as assistant coach.' Emmett stated.

We were silent for a beat as Rose seethed in silece. Then Emmett turned to me and changed the subject.

'So jazz told me it was a girl that got you all riled up today.'

I groaned. And just like that I was the focus of attention again.

The night passed quickly, as we talked and made merry. Before I knew it it was eleven and I stood up.

'Well guys, it's been a blast. But I have to get up early.' I groused.

Emmett chuckled. 'I'll be there too, just not at eight.'

Rose chuckled and I rolled my eyes at both of them.

'can one of you guys walk Mike tomorrow morning?' I asked. 'I won't make it in time if I have to walk him.'

'Sure, no problem' Emmett agreed.

I thanked them and wished them goodnight before heading up to my own appartment with Mike in tow.