AN: As promised here's the next chapter, sooner than usual and longer too :D

Hope you'll enjoy it!

Chapter 15 - The start

BPOV

When Edward had walked into the room I wanted the ground to swallow me whole.

It was mortifying.

But then as the evening progressed, I really enjoyed spending time with him.

My first impression of him at the dog park had not been wrong. He is a kind and a wonderfully old soul. There wass not a bad bone in his body and when he said he wanted to be there for me as a friend, I believed him completely. No ulterior motives at all.

He was willing to set exploring a relationship aside to focus on being friends. And I was absolutely thrilled about that.

To have someone this kind in my life seemed like a great idea. I just felt bad I would bring nothing to the friendship other than my baggage.

But hanging out with Edward, Rosalie and Emmett, I didn't feel like I was dumping my baggage on them. Sure they sometimes threw me looks which made me think they were treating me slightly more carefully than they would each other, but then again wasn't that just showing empathy?

I couldn't fault them for that.

And I couldn't remember the last time I'd actually laughed like this, felt genuinly happy like this.

It had been a long time.

Perhaps it had even before I'd gone to Arizona.

Angela was great and I loved her like a sister, but she and I were so similar that we had our own type of fun; a quiet night in with some wine.

Emmett and Rose were my polar opposities, boisterous and loud. That just drew me out of my shell, forced me to leave my thoughts and focus on the here and now. I really hoped we would hang out more often.

The news I'd had for Emmett had really thrown him for a loop. He hadn't expected me to offer it to him at all it seemed and that just made me like him more. Emmett had no bad bone in his body. He was kind and good to his core. There was no sense of entitlement, no sense of superiority, there was only a kind and purehearted man that was elated that I had offered this job to him.

So come Monday he hesitantly knocked on the door of the office.

I looked up and smiled at him, waving him in. He stepped inside, still looking quite uncertain and closed the door behind him.

'Hey' he said. 'I saw you come in.'

It was a little after ten. I had wanted to be here earlier, but Jake had been an absolute nightmare to walk and of course he had decided to roll around in a dead bird, so he had to have a bath before I could leave.

'Yeah, sorry I had wanted to be here earlier.' I apologized.

He shrugged easily. 'No problem. You're the owner after all.' he said winking at me.

I gave him a small smile. It still felt unreal that this club was acutally mine now. 'I guess.'

'So' he said sitting down. 'I'm here.'

'Yes. I'm glad you came.' I told him earnestly. I ruffled around in my desk to search for the mock up contract that we had for the manager position. I finally found it and handed it to him. 'This is the standard contract. It's a five year plan, and after that we'll see what happens of course. Everything is pretty standard, but there are some options open for negotitation. Pay is one of them and so are the benefits.'

Emmett's eyes were bulging out of his head as he picked up the contract and started looking through it. 'You mean it's actually real? You're really offering me this job?'

I smiled. 'yes. I am.'

He looked up at me, emotions swirling across his face before he carefully put the contract down again and stood up.

I frowned, unsure what was going on. But then he stepped around the desk and he opened his arms.

'Can I hug you?'

I was a little taken aback by his request and the way his voice was trembling with emotion.

But I stood up, despite my reservations and before I knew it, his arms wrapped around me in a bear hug and my feet were lifted off the floor as he started twirling us around.

He thanked me repeatedly as he started laughing loudly. He was extremely happy and I couldn't be more pleased.

When he was finally done, he put me down again and the smile on his face was worth it.

'You deserve it Emmett.' I told him. Then I smoothed down my skirt and sat down again. 'Now, about the negotiations. It's not really appropriate for you to do those with me directly, so you'll have to set up a meeting with HR, who then will ask Harry and Harry will then ask me, but you know that's just how it works.'

He nodded.

'Take a few days to look it over and in the meantime I'd like you to already step in and take full respoinsibilty for coaching the boys. You will be back payed of course for the manager salary until your paperwork is fully complete.

He nodded again.

'And I'd also like your input for a new batting coach and assistant manager.' I told him honestly. 'Although Mr Lee has not yet officially resigned or been fired, that's surely where his future is headed. So any input you have for me I'll gladly take a look at.'

'I'll think about it. I have a few college buddies I still keep in contact with that are good guys and know their stuff. I'll see what I can find and email their resumes to you?'

'Yeah that sounds fine.'

We went over a few more details and I asked him to come up with a strategy for improving the team and he promised he would start getting to work on it.

'I gather they're all training right now?' I asked finally.

Emmett grinned and nodded. He glanced at his watch. 'Yeah they should be on the field by now. Batting practice ended a few minutes ago.'

'Great. I'd like to observe today.'

'That's great.' Emmett enthused and he launched into a story when Charlie had visted training.

He'd tried to make it a regular thing, usually averages once a week so he kept abrest of the team's progress. We headed down to the field together and I smiled at Emmett's spirit as he started recounting wild stories from away games. Or times when the media had pushed the players too far and there'd been scuffles. I was hooping to avoid that in the future though.

'When was the last time you came to a training session?' Emmett asked

'Probably right before I left for Arizona.' I mused.

'Why didn't you come back for holidays?' he asked. Then turned slightly pink. 'I mean.. if you don't mind me asking…'

'Charlie would visit me down in Arizona. He'd not been back there since we'd lost mom either… so it was good for him too.' I answered honestly, pressing my lips together at the pain that beat dully in my chest and in my head. I missed them both.

'That makes sense. Well, I'm sure the boys will be thrilled to have you be here at practice, they always liked it when Charlie came.' He tried to change the subject again.

I nodded. 'I just kind of want to know what we're dealing with. I know it's mostly your cup of tea to train them and such, but I would like to get us to the world series.'

'You and me both, and the boys too.' Emmett grinned at me.

We headed out of the tunnel and onto the field. I stopped short as I was met with a group of about forty men running bases shirtless in the warming spring sun.

Emmett gave me a sly look and I quickly threw my elbow into his side.

'Don't even.' I warned him.

He held up his hands innocently and then gestured for me to go sit on the bench in the dugout where I could observe.

He blew his whistle and the boys came over to the mount where Emmett had stepped up. My eyes scanned the men, some were chugging water, some were wiping their faces with a towel others were donning their shirts again.

They were in good shape, but then again they were pro athletes so I shouldn't have been surprised. If I had known they exercised shirtless I probably would have come home more often just to see this sight. It was enough to make me painly aware that it had been a long time since I'd had any action.

Emmett quickly told the boys what to do and training started. It was then that my eyes fell on the best view they had ever seen.

Edward. Running. Shirtless.

My bottom lip slipped between my teeth without my conscious thought. Now that was a picture that I was going to remember for later.

His toned stomach was mouthwatering even from this distance. His chest was firm and broad. He was lean but very very muscular and the way those tight white pants clung to his backside was phenomenal. His bronze hair was a wild mess on his head, and just as I watched his arms reached up and pulled a baseball cap over it.

He started running to the outfield together with a few of the others and I struggled to move my eyes along as Emmett called out to do some practice hits. The pitcher, Jasper Whitlock stepped up and the catcher Eric Yorkie was already in place. First baseman was a young new trade named Seth Clearwater. He was a rookie, but Charlie had believed in him. he was the last to be traded by Charlie.

I felt a small pang in my chest as that thought passed through my head.

I shook myself and forced myself to focus. Jasper was warming up his throwing arm, and Eric was signalling to him. Emmett came over to stand next to me, his eyes sharp and on his people. A few were off to the side, clear of where the ball could go and doing squats and lunges. Others were lined up on the other side of Emmett, getting warmed up for batting as well. The ones in the infield were making themselves limber, warming up while keeping an eye on the pitcher and catcher. The outfield was mostly busying themselves with placement. Finding the right spot to train themselves into finding the ball as fast as possible.

They started practicing and my eyes couldn't help but be drawn to Edward. The moment the ball hit, he turned and started running, then twisted his body around again, his face towards the sky to find the ball. More often than not it landed in his glove with a resounding thwack. He jumped, leaped, climbed the boards… it was amazing to see him so in his element.

I bit my lip as he jumped up as the ball flew over his head. It seemed impossible but once again he caught it as if it was nothing. His teammates cheered and clapped his back as he threw it back to Jasper. After all the batters had gone up, Emmett blew the whistle and called for a place switch.

Although not all players held multiple positions, some were expected to be just as good at other positions as they were in their preferred one. And everyone needed to bat. Although Jasper had a designated hitter. The positions changed except for Jasper and Eric and the game started over again. I kept my eyes on the field this time, trying to find any weak spots in our set up or in the players.

I spotted a few that I made a mental note of. I also noted that many of the players had not been keeping up with their fitness. It was only an hour into practice and some were panting extremely hard. When Edward stepped up to bat I even spotted on outfielder lying on his back. Emmett noticed not long after me and blew his whistle to stop Jasper from throwing. It was Tyler Crowley who was lying on the grass.

'Crowley, move your ass!' Emmett bellowed across the field.

A few of his teammates started yelling at him as well. Tyler got up with huge difficulty.

'Get off the field!' Emmett yelled out. 'And get your ass over here now!'

Tyler looked angry, although I couldn't phantom why. He was slacking, getting a lecture was completely fair, and he should know it. He had been in the MBL long enough now.

Emmett signalled Jasper to throw the ball when Tyler was away from the outfield and he didn't waste any time, probably hoping to catch Edward off guard. He threw a fast ball, hard and impossibly fast. I was certain it would be a strike, but Edward swung his bat in a savage arc. His muscles standing out with the strain and his entire body leaning into the swing. It connected.

A deafning crack sounded and I watched in amazement as the ball soared high into the sky and flew right over the outfield far into the stands.

A homerun. Damn. What couldn't this guy do?

Edward gave a crooked grin to Jasper and then turned around to face Emmet, giving him a smirk. When his eyes landed on me however, he seemed to startle. Hadn't he seen me before? He quickly shook himself and winked at me before leisurely walking off to first base, then second base, then third, and finally back home again, running two other teammates home.

As he passed home again Emmett clapped him on the back.

'Nice jub Cullen.' He said smiling. 'Now do that when there's an actual game, alright?'

'Sure thing, coach.' Edward grinned at him then threw me another look, before disappearing into the other dugout and away from my view.

Training finished up a few hours later and the guys were beat. They headed down the tunnel to the locker rooms and Emmett turned to me.

'So what did you think?'

I stood up from my bench and walked over to him. 'They're good, for how early it is in the season. Spring training has only just begun, so that's a good sign.'

Emmett nodded in agreement.

'Do we have any pilates or yoga training in their schedules?' I asked

Emmett cocked a brow in disbelief. 'Pilates?'

I crossed my arms. 'yes. You heard me.'

He shook his head. 'The guys won't really go for something like that… you know.'

'The guys should grow some balls then and learn about the benefits of strengthening your core muscles.' I scoffed. What was it with guys and thinking that yoga and pilates were girl sports?

'You're right..' Ememtt quickly backpedalled, sensing he'd struck a nerve. 'it's just... Paul and Lee were old school guys you know.'

'And are you?' I asked cocking a brow at him. if I'd made a mistake in hiring him then I needed to know now. I had gotten a good impression form Emmett and I would hate for that to be proven wrong.

But Emmett seemed to be mulling it over. 'It has never really come across my mind. My own training was also mostly old school. But I can see how it works. Tyler would definitely benefit from something like that.'

'I'll talk to Harry about adding a pilates instructor to the team.' I said, deciding that it could definitely benefit all of them.

Emmett nodded. 'I'll make sure the team is on board.'

I grinned. 'don't worry. I can handle a few boisterous boys that think their balls entitle them to think they're better than others.'

Emmett let out a laugh. 'Oh I think you can handle just about anything, Swan.' He said, bumping my shoulder with his. 'I'm heading in to tell off Tyler. Do you want to join?'

I shook my head. 'No. I'll head to the office to finish up some things and then I'll be heading home.'

Emmett nodded. 'Alright. Let me know if you want some company tonight.'

I nodded and waved him off. He turned and headed down the tunnel. His steps tense. I did not envy Tyler for the tongue lashing he was about to receive. Although Emmett was jovial and kind, I wouldn't be surprised that once you got on his bad side, there was a whole other side to him.

I headed up the stairs again and when I got to my office I was surprised to see a man standing in front of my office. A badge clipped on his breastpocket, signalled he was part of the press that had been invited to interview the players for their first week back training. They were supposed to be in the media room, waiting for the players.

I frowned. But decided to hold up my head and simply march past without acknowledging him.

'Ms Swan!' he exclaimed when he spotted me.

I didn't say anything.

'Ms Swan, just a moment of your time please.'

Again, I said nothing. But this dude didn't seem to want to get it. He placed himself in front of the office door, cutting off my escape.

'James Hunter. Channel 5. How does it feel to take over you daddy's place?' he sneered.

I tried hard to keep my face neutral, but couldn't help the stab of pain that shot through me at his words.

'No comment' I muttered.

'How about off the record?' he offered.

I lifted my head with a frown to look at him for the first time. He was a creep. He had a long pony tail of filthy blond hair. There was an unpleasant grin on his face and his eyes were definitely fixed on my cleavage.

'It must be hard for a young pretty thing like you to handle all of this pressure all alone.' He murmured to my breasts.

That ticked me off. He wasn't even supposed to be in this area and now he thought he could harass me? In my own club? Fuck that.

Without a second thought I shoved him back with both hands. 'First of all, my eyes are up here.' I snapped. 'Second of all, who the fuck do you think you are?' he hissed at him. 'I suggest you leave my sight immediately or I'm calling security.'

'It doesn't have to be like that, baby.' He tried to sound persuasive, but just came off as creepy.

'I'm actually quite certain it does.' I snapped, corssing my arms over my chest. Sadly that drew his attention back down again.

Just as I was about to yell at him again. Harry rounded the corner.

'The fuck?' he yelled. 'Press isn't allowed back here.'

He stepped in front of me instantly and crowded James' personal space, forcing him to back up a few more steps.

Now that ther was another man here, James seemed to finally back down and lick his wounds. 'I... uh.. must have gotten lost finding the bathroom.' he muttered pathetically

I scoffed.

'Bella, was this man harassing you?' Harry asked, turning to me with a concerned look in his eyes.

I didn't want to give James the satisfaction to say he'd been bothering me. I had a feeling this guy got off on the reactions others had to him.

'Nothing I couldn't handle.' I said in a curt tone.

Harry looked me over for a moment, assessing my mood. When he found me no more annoyed than any other time I'd had to deal with baseless sexism he nodded and turned back to James.

'Alright, back down the hall and I'll give security your name and picture so they'll make sure you won't be able to pull something like this again. One step over the line and we pull your clearance, got it?' he threatened.

James nodded and without another look my way he slunk away. That must have hurt his ego.

I sighed tiredly and headed into the office without waiting for Harry.

He was hot on my heels anyway.

'I'm sorry Bella, I don't know how he got here.'

'It's fine. I dealt with it and he's gone now.'

'You didn't say anything yet did you?'

'No, although he did ask how I felt taking over the business. So perhaps it's already leaked.' I sighed, sitting down heavily in the desk chair.

Harry sat down on the couch with a frown. 'I'll look into it. And I'll move up the pressconference to tomorrow if you're okay with that.'

I nodded. 'better to get it over with.'

'Good. How did you find practice?'

'it was good. The guys are in better shape than I'd thought. But I want to take on a pilates instructor to work with all of them on a regular basis. It will really help their core and get their game to the next level.'

Harry regarded me with a cocked brow. 'Lee is never going to go for that.'

'Well thankfully, Lee won't be with us much longer.' Harry cocked a brow. 'I asked him to resign.'

Harry nodded slowly. 'good. That old bat was doing more harm than good.'

I sighed and pressed my hands to my tempels. Even though Harry was agreeing with me and encouraging, it was also a bit annoying that he seemed to agree with me at every turn yet had done nothing these past months, or years even to make any changes. It seemed he had grown complacent and that kind of pissed me off.

'Harry… if you knew Lee was an old bat why didn't you fucking fire him yourself?' I asked, a bit more snappy than I'd intended. I didn't want to insult Harry, he'd been a good friend and I desperately wanted him to stay on and help me through this.

When I looked up after a beat of silence I saw him looking away from me, embarrassed. I groaned. That couldn't be good.

'What is it?' I asked.

'I… I got in some trouble.'

'Fucking hell, Harry.' I sighed, my headache that had just been a dull ache now beating painfully against my temples. 'what did you do?'

'I… I uh.. got into some shady gambling…' he was blushing and pulling at his collar. 'I… got in too deep and got addicted…'

I groaned. 'Okay. I get the picture.' I said holding up my hand. So Harry had been losing a lot of money to shady people. 'And Lee and Paul knew?' I guessed.

He nodded. 'They promised me if I helped them they'd keep it to themselves.'

I shook my head. 'Harry why would you do this?'

'It was a moment of weakness.'

'I hope you haven't had any more of those. I don't want any other undeserved favours being called in. or finding the club at the mercy of blackmail.'

'No, I can assure you I cleaned up my act since then. I paid off all my debts and sought help. I haven't gambled in a year. I know I screwed up, trust me.' He admitted shamefully.

I shook my head. 'Damn Harry, you really messed up. I'd hate to have to do this without you, but I need to be able to trust you.' I said, my voice getting smaller as I admitted this to him. 'You're the only one I have left.'

He stood up and came around the desk to hug me into his arms. 'I'll always help you, Bella.' He assured me. 'I'll be here to help you every step of the way. I may have been lost for a little bit, but I promised your father I would help you and I promise I won't do anything to jeopardize your position or the position of this club ever again.'

I sighed and nodded against his chest as I let myself relax and feel safe in his fatherly embrace.