Chapter 35

EPOV

I was nervous as fuck as I left for the club the following day. The press hadn't found out where I lived yet, so they weren't stalking my place as they did Bella's, but they were sure to be stalking the club.

Now I'd had my fair share of paps in my face, but that was usually when out to the club, where they were cordoned off to a side. They weren't going to be restrained today, and there was no telling what they would be shouting to get a rise out of me me.

But I couldn't let them rile me up. Smashing their camera's, although probably extremely satisfying, would earn them a fortune. I couldn't do that. Leah had called this morning to drill that into my head. I couldn't do anything. Not if I wanted to make this go away for Bella. And she warned me they would be vile.

I heaved a sigh but started the car anyway and drove off.

I did hope they would leave before the day was over, I didn't want anyone following me and finding out where I lived. If that happened, then the weekly dinners with Bella would be off the table. We didn't have underground parking, Bella would be vulnerable, too vulnerable to come over, and that was the last thing I wanted.
I gripped the steering wheel nervously the entire drive to the stadium, my thoughts going a mile a minute coming up with all types of ways the press could rile me up, and what I could do to ignore it.

As I neared the stadium my stomach rolled. I was glad I hadn't eaten much yet, so there wouldn't be any embarrassing photos of me throwing up my breakfast in the parking lot.

I sucked in a sharp breath as I drove up. There was a mass of black at the entrance, bodies cramming together to get a shot of me or Bella, or probably me and Bella. I groaned as the flashes were already blinding me and I wasn't even near them yet.

The security was beefed up and they were trying their hardest to keep them out, but there were too many of them. Especially when they caught sight of me through the windows of my car.

I could hear them clamoring and yelling for me. Security quickly waved me through, while trying to keep the paps away.

I headed to the staff parking lot, but sadly there wasn't much more reprieve there. the paps had broken through the security at the gate and were actually running after my car. I quickly drove into the cordoned off area and was thankful there was more security coming, just in time to keep those vultures off the actual lot.

'Fuck' I hissed as I navigated my car carefully past them, they'd better not scratch it. I cursed again when the only open spot left was near the vultures. I parked the car and took a deep breath before quickly grabbing my bag and getting out. The noise was deafening and for a moment I was overwhelmed and couldn't do anything but stare at them, slackjawed.

Then I started hearing what they were saying. My jaw snapped shut and I clenched my teeth. Fucking assholes.

'Edward! Did you sleep your way onto the team?'

'Edward tell us what's she's like in bed!'

'is it true you got your dad the job?'

'Over here, Edward, give us a smile.'

I wanted to give them something alright, but it wasn't a smile. I quickly turned away before I could give in to my more intrusive thoughts and slugged one of them in the face. I headed to the employee entrance and scanned my badge. The door clicked and I breathed a sigh of relief.

Though it was short lived.

'There you are, Cullen.' Laurent sneered at me.

I glanced up at him and immediately scowled. What the fuck was Hunter doing here?

'Heard you had an exciting weekend with the boss.'

'Fuck off, Laurent.' I grunted at him, acutely aware of Hunter standing next to him. One wrong word and I would be making headlines again… not what I wanted, and something Leah had explicitly told me not to do. 'press isn't allowed here.' I pointedly told them.

Hunter gave me a slimy grin. 'I'm on a visitor badge today, Cullen.'

I grunted and shoved my way past them. But of course Laurent was heading the same way. We both had training. Thankfully hunter stayed behind.

'So is it true you slept your way onto the team then?' Laurent asked, his tone smug.

'Fuck off, Laurent. You know that isn't true.' I snapped at him.

'Oh touchy. Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed? Or rather the wrong bed?'

I ignored his baiting.

'Or is it that you just wish you had woken up in her bed?'

My eyes snapped to him with a glare, he just grinned back smugly. He wanted to get a rise out of me. The fucker.

I clenched my jaw. 'Bella and I are just friends.' I said through gritted teeth.

Laurent snorted. 'Yeah, looked that way.'

Before I could respond, or rather break his jaw like I wanted to, Emmett was opening the lockerroom door and ordering us both inside.

We were late.

The team was already dressed and ready to go. All eyes were on me as I mechanically sat down and started putting on my gear. The silence was deafning.

'Alright, assholes.' Emmett finally burst out when he couldn't take it anyore. 'This shit stops now. Nothing has changed. The press got some photographs which they used to spin a story. Each and every one of you has had something like that done to you. So how about we stop with the petty games and just get on with it.'

'This isn't some story about being coked up or taking a girl home.' Tyler snapped. 'He's been linked to the boss. I think we all deserve to know if they're sleeping together.'

'And what makes you think that you deserve to know that?' a voice whipped out, smooth and ice cold.

I turned around along with the rest of the team to face the door.

Bella.

Tyler's mouth opened a few times like a gaping fish.

'well?' Bella asked when he didn't respond.

'Ms Swan asked you a question, Tyler.' Emmett groused.

Tyler swallowed. 'I just… I think we should know if there's any unfair advantage going on.'

'Unfair advantage?' Bella repeated. 'and what would that be? A prime center field position? A multi million dollar contract? Like the exact same one as every one else in this room?'

Tyler didn't respond.

'I will not dignify rumors with answers.' She addressed all of us. 'Mr Cullen and Dr cullen were hired by my father when I was still in Arizona. I trust that will put this all to rest. Now, there has been a breach of security here, the photo's that were leaked were taken inside the club. I've addressed the issue with Harry, but if any of you see any press where they shouldn't please report it to Emmett or Harry. That was all.'

She nodded to Emmett who turned to us and barked at us to get our asses onto the field. They quietly talked for a moment as the rest started filing out and I hurried to get my cleats on my feet. Bella left then and Emmett stayed behind for a moment.

As the rest of the players left the locker room he sat down next to me on the bench as I tied my laces. I quickly filled him in on Hunter being here on a visitor's badge. He didn't like that at all.

'I don't like this.' He muttered.

'neither do I. Do you think Laurent could have taken the photos?' I wondered.

Emmett's eyes widened. 'would he really?'

I shrugged. 'I don't know. But it's fishy.'

Emmett nodded in agreement, promising to take it to Harry later today. We headed down to the field together and Emmett quickly called everyone together to start training.

He was hard on us today. Drilling us, making the guys run laps if they were making mistakes. We were all feeling the pressure of the looming start of the season. It was getting closer and we all needed to get our head in the game.

I threw myself into training, wanting to prove to the rest that I got here on my own merits, not based on rumors. But it was hard to do when the guys were all giving me side eye. Tension was thick among the crew, which honestly was ridiculous. They'd known me longer than we'd all collectively known Bella, but somehow everyone seemed to have forgotten that fact.

When it was my turn up to bat my frustrations were reaching a boiling point. Tyler was standing in outfield, a smirk on his face as he was talking with Laurent. Both of them making crude gestures my way, they wanted me to know they were talking about me.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Where were we? High school?

This was just ridiculous.

Jasper wound up and let the ball soar out of his hand, a fast ball. It soared towards me and I swung the bat, putting all my might behind it. The ball connected with my bat with a resounding thwack. The impact jarred up my arm.

The ball flew into outfield just like I wanted it to, heading straight for Laurent and Tyler, who were both not paying attention.

I threw the bat downd and ran for first base. Seth who was on second set off at a sprint as well, noticing the distraction in the outfield. The ball was heading for Laurent and Tyler, who were still giggling like schoolchildren. At the last possible moment they both seemed to realize that there was a play going on. They both looked up and with comical looks of shock on their faces they desperately tried to get their gloves up to catch the ball that was rapidly heading towards them.

They didn't manage it in time and I soared past them as they fumbled together, nearly fighting each other to get to the ball that had fallen to the ground between them. Seth seeing me coming made a break for home and I was hot on his heels. The rest of the outfielders were screaming at Tyler and Laurent to get their shit together, but it was too late. Seth was already safe and I was almost there, then I was sliding home.

The ball finally made it's way home, a full minute after I'd been safe.

The entire field quieted down as Emmett grabbed the ball from the catcher. He was red in the face, his jaw working furiously.

No one could believe this had actually happened.

We were weeks away from the start of the season and two of our outfielders had just fumbled a ball so badly that they'd allowed two players home. Honestly it was a disgrace.

I couldn't quite hide my smirk. Neither could Seth as he stood beside me and fist bumped me.

'LAURENT AND TYLER! Get your asses over here NOW!' Emmett thundered across the field. They both jumped and then made their way over dejectedly. Emmett didn't even wait for them to be next to him before he ripped into them, as soon as they were close enough he started yelling.

'Sorry they're being dicks.' Seth whispered to me.

I shrugged. 'It's fine.'

'no it isn't. I hope they'll get their head out of their asses, before the opening game. Otherwise we'll never win the world championship. We won't even qualify.'

'you never know, Emmett might backbench them permanently for this.'

Seth grinned at me and I smiled back. Emmett was still keeping up a steady stream of yelling, so I decided to chance a bit more conversation.

'Is the entire team doubting me now?' I asked him curiously.

Seth shook his head. 'No, it's mostly tyler and Laurent, they're trying to get others to join them, but so far they aren't getting that much luck. There is some doubt here and there, but nothing like those two.'

I sighed and nodded. 'Thanks.'

He nodded. 'Look, I know it's none of my business. But if you two are dating… I think it would be better to just come out with it. secrecy about this stuff always blows up in your faces.'

I smiled at him. 'I'll keep that in mind. But there's honestly nothing going on.' I couldn't stop the sigh that escaped after that sentence.

'But you want there to be?' Seth guessed.

I give him a crooked smile. 'yeah, I kinda do.'

'I don't blame you. She's something.'

'Don't I know it.'

'I hope it works out for you.' Seth said softly.

'Me too, man. Me too.' I muttered just as Emmett was finishing up his rant.

'You are done this session. You will report after training in Ms Swan's office.'

Both of their mouth's hung open at that order. 'What?' Tyler asked looking slightly pale.

'You heard me! Now get your asses into the locker room.'

Both of them trudged off the field and Emmett barked at us to start batting practice with the machines and if you weren't a batter to start pitching practice. Then he turned around and jogged off the field as well. I didn't envy those two at all right now. but there was a little sense of enjoyment watching them get their dues. If only it would stick this time and they'd stop annoying both me and Bella, that would be great.

Seth and I headed to the batting cages and Jasper joined us, though he had a designated hitter, he liked to hit a few balls in the cages every now and then. We continued training until Emmett returned and called us to call it a day for general practice, warning us to ice our muscles and with any complaints to stop by the PT office who was in session today. any other gym practice was to our own discretion. As long as we were able to move again tomorrow for another field training.

We all headed our own way then and I headed to the weight room to try and work off some frustration by lifting some weights and doing some cardio. I also hoped if I could train long enough I might wait out the press that I was sure was still waiting for me. So as most of the guys headed to the showers and home, I grabbed some tape and changed into work out clothes and headed into the gym.

I wasn't surprised to find Emmett there already, beating the hell out of a punching bag.

'You okay?' he asked as he spotted me coming in.

I shrugged in response.

'Let me know if they keep this shit up.'

I sat down on the weight bench, choosing my weights to do some curls. 'Emmett, you know I'm not going to do that. I can handle myself.'

He blew out a breath and after punching the bag once more, turned to face me. 'I hate that I don't know who took those photos.'

'you and me both.' I snorted, I switched arms and did another set of curls.

'What did Leah say?' he asked, as he started up the treadmill for himself.

'Just the basics; no comment to everything and make yourself scarce. And above all, do not be seen with her again.'

'Fuck. That's rough.' He muttered.

'Tell me about it.'

I set the weights down and was about to get a heavier set when Emmett stopped his treadmill. I frowned at him. he seemed deep in thought and he finally came over to the bench and sat next to me.

'Can I ask you something?'

I nodded, wondering what was going to come out of his mouth next.

'do you care about her?' he asked.

I frowned. 'What kind of question is that? Of course I care.'

'No, I mean… do you like her?'

'Emmett.' I warned.

'I know… I just… I see how you look at her. I saw the way she calmed down when you held her in your arms after those paps tried to run her off the road. I see the way she looks at you when you enter the room.'

'There's nothing going on between us Emmett.' I snapped.

'I know that.' He assured me. 'But what if there could be?'

'Emmett' I groaned. 'She's made it clear. She won't date someone from her team.'

'But what if she would?'

I sighed. 'it's a moot point. I can't force her to date me. she said she didn't want to. End of story.'

'but the worst case scenario of you two dating has already happened. Couldn't you try again?'

'Emmett, please stop.'

'I just don't like seeing you hurt like this. You care about her, and it's like you're living for her, but if nothing can come from it…' he paused. 'I don't want you to get hurt.'

I was touched by his words. 'I can't make her change her mind. I won't try to. If something were ever to happen between us, it needs to be her choice.' I put my hand on his shoulder. 'Thanks for caring Emmett, but I'll be fine eventually. I just want to be there for her, and when she's better… she'll move on and then I'll be able to as well.'

He sighed heavily. 'If you're sure.'

I nodded.

We both finished our work outs, switching to lighter topics to talk about, like Rosalie's new project; a vintage mustang. She was doing it up for a rich high society snob, who was going to display it somewhere, which according to both Emmett and Rosalie was the biggest waste of a car ever. When we left the club it was nearly dinnertime and we both let out relieved sighs when the parking lot was empty.

There were no paps in sight. We headed home following after each other, and said our goodbyes for the night.

I promised him I'd be there tomorrow though, for our weekly dinner.

I had survived the first day. The paps hadn't gotten anymore incriminating photos they could use against me. The team had been put in their place. Yet somehow I had a feeling that this was only the beginning.