Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Game Of Love

By Momma2Fan

Chapter 03:

Changes and Chances

EPOV

I quietly stood back and watched Bella as she smashed ball after ball to the back of the cages. I knew she could hit, but I had never seen her in action. Ball after ball flew toward her at speeds that would freak out most girls, but not Bella. She had incredible form, her stance was perfectly aligned to give the ball better distance. I chuckled silently as she shimmied a little when she got back in place after smacking yet another ball to the back wall.

“Damn, Bella. Have you missed yet this morning?” I asked as I approached her.

She turned and grinned, “Not yet. What are you doing here, Edward?”

“Well, I was gonna work on my swing, but I didn’t want to distract you.” 

“You don’t need the practice. You’re batting .250. I think you’re doing fine.”

“Yeah, well, I still want to get back in practice. Spring training begins in about three weeks. It’s never too early to start.”

“Tell that to Newton, Yorkie and Crowley. As a matter of fact, I think I may have Sam call a batting practice before you guys head to Arizona. That is if he takes the job, of course.”

I watched the wheels in her head start to turn. She was beautiful when she was planning. She looked down at her watch and then switched off the machine.

“Don’t leave on my account.” I said, trying to prolong my time with her.

She looked up at me and smiled. “I’m not. I have to go change and then your Dad and I are meeting with Sam. Keep your fingers crossed he’ll take the job. He was the only one who would come in for an interview.”

“You’ll be fine, Bella. Dad will be there to help if you need anything.” I brushed a loose piece of hair from her face behind her ear. I couldn’t help but let my fingers linger in the silky strands. Bella hitched a breath at my touch and then blushed. Maybe this isn’t as one sided as I thought. I wasn’t going to test that theory now though.

She backed from me slowly. “I’ve gotta go. See you around, Cullen.”

My chest ached as I watched her walk away from me. This just fucking sucks. In love with the boss. Now what?

BPOV

Turning around and walking away from Edward was hard for me to do. When his hand had brushed my hair away, his fingers had lightly caressed my skin and I would swear I felt a spark. A tiny jolt of electricity that hummed between our bodies. Dammit!

Once the elevator stopped I got out and made my way to my office. I needed to change and get everything ready to meet with Sam Uley. Hopefully, by the end of the day, we would have a new team manager.

“Good afternoon, Miss Swan.” Shelly Cope said from her desk.

“Mrs. Cope, you have known me for eight years, I think you can call me Bella.” I said with a smile.

“Honey, I never called your Daddy anything but Mr. Swan. I will show you the same respect I showed him.” She explained.

I just smiled and nodded before opening the door to my office. I stepped in and locked the door behind me so I could get changed. I headed straight for the attached bathroom, started the shower and stripped. I stepped in under the hot spray and let it wash over me. I washed with my favorite strawberry scented body wash and shampoo and got out once the water ran clear.

I padded over to the small closet and pulled out the black pencil skirt. It fell to my knees and was very business appropriate. I paired it with a lavender silk blouse. I pulled my hair into a chignon and left my makeup light before adding simple jewelry. I slipped into my black peep-toe heels and walked out to the office. I called Mrs. Cope to have her call Carlisle and send him on up. I had about fifteen minutes before Sam showed up.

I crossed the room and unlocked the door and left it slightly ajar. Carlisle stepped in about five minutes later.

“Hey, Bella. Wow, look at you, all grown up.” Carlisle said when he saw me.

I looked down at my outfit. “Is it too much?”

Carlisle chuckled, “No, sweetie, you look fine. Very professional.”

The intercom buzzed. “Miss Swan, Mr. Uley is here.”

I leaned over and pressed a button. “Please, send him in.”

Shelley peeked her head around the door and entered swiftly. A large, russet colored man followed behind her. I walked forward and held out my hand.

“Mr. Uley, thank you for coming. I’m Bella Swan, I’m sure you know Dr. Cullen.”

He took my hand in his large one and gave it a good shake. “It’s Sam and thank you for thinking of me. How are you, Carlisle?”

“I’m well, Sam. You? How is Emily?”

Sam just nodded. “She’s fine.”

“Have a seat, Sam. Would you like anything? Coffee, tea, water?” I asked.

Sam shook his head. I turned and nodded at Mrs. Cope, dismissing her. I walked behind my desk and indicated for Sam and Carlisle to have a seat as I sat myself down.

I cleared my throat and began my first ever interview. “Sam, I’ve looked over your resumé and I must say I am impressed. You had a hell of a start before you were injured. Judging from that, I would say you would make a great manager for this ball club. My main concern is whether or not you would be able to work for me, a woman and one who is only nineteen. How does this make you feel?”

Sam cleared his throat before he answered. “Look, I know there is going to be a lot of speculation this season as to whether a woman of your age can run this club, but I’m not one to speculate. Do I think the press is going to watch this team closer? Sure. It will also help ticket sales. Do I think the team can perform under such intense scrutiny? I’m not sure. I’ve never watched them practice. I’m only familiar with one player personally, so I don’t know how they will handle the pressure. I would like the opportunity to try. So no, Miss Swan, your gender and age mean nothing to me.”

I sat back and looked at Carlisle, he smiled and nodded to me. “Well, alright then. I would like to offer you the position of manager for the Seattle Mariners. Do you need to discuss this with your wife or are you good to sign a contract now?”

“Emily and I discussed it before I came in. I can sign now.” Sam replied with a smile.

“Great, give me a moment and I will have everything brought in. I’m assuming you’re going to want to bring in your own coaching staff, correct?”

“Yes. I’ll keep the current pitching coach, but I have someone that can help me with the other aspects and I know Jacob would be glad to come here with me.”

“Okay, just have him come in and I will have something drawn up for…Jacob?”

“Yes, Jacob Black.”

I nodded and walked out to Shelly’s desk, retrieving the file I had left there earlier. I really hoped this was a turning point for me and the ball club. I turned and went back to the office. The two men were laughing and talking like old friends. They turned when I came in the room. I opened the file and placed it in front of Sam, explaining the salary and other perks to being a part of the team. I also explained all the obligations that would be expected. He nodded and agreed with all of the specifications. I watched as he signed on the bottom line. I then handed the pen to Carlisle so he could act as witness. My signature soon joined theirs. We shook hands, then Carlisle took Sam on a tour of the property, as well as the location of his office.

When the two men left, I slumped down in my seat and breathed a huge sigh of relief. My next call I knew would have to be Rosalie and Alice. They were the public relations and press agents for the club and two of my closest friends. They also happen to be dating Emmett McCarty and Jasper Whitlock, Mariners catcher and pitcher.

I picked up the phone and dialed the familiar number. Rosalie answered on the second ring. “Brandon and Hale Representatives, how may I help you?”

“Have you resorted to answering your own phones now? Where’s Lauren?” I asked giggling.

“Fuck you bitch! She hasn’t shown up today, I don’t know where the fuck she is. What do you want, chick?”

I laughed at her. “Well, we hired the new manager today and I need a press release as well as photo spread, the works.”

“You got it, Bells. Let me make some calls. When did you want the press release?”

“I want a speech, Rosie. I want to talk to the press myself. I want to let them know they aren’t going to break me.”

“Good for you, Bella. I’ll get Ali on it today. I’ll call the vultures and tell them the day and time. Do you have a preference?”

“No. Just make sure Jess is there. She’ll make it easier if I see one familiar face. Gotta go, Rose. Love you!”

“Love you too, Bells.”

I decided to head home after I hung up, so I slipped on my coat and grabbed my keys. I told Shelly to go home and hit the down button for the elevator. I stepped in hit the button and was lost in my own little world. When the door opened, I go out and ran into a solid wall.

“Umpf!” I exclaimed as I felt strong arms catch me before I could fall over. I looked up into the emerald orbs of Edward.

“You okay, Bella?” Edward asked.

“Mmmhmm.” I couldn’t speak, from the electrical shocks that were running through me where his hands were on my body. I was lost in his eyes and was hardly aware of him speaking to me. I snapped out of it when I felt his hand cup my cheek. I blinked and looked at him. “What are you doing, Edward?”

His thumb stroked across my cheek causing goosebumps to pop up all over. “Nothing. How did it go with Sam?”

“Fine. I hired him and Carlisle gave him a tour. I called Rose and she and Alice are going to write up a press release and get the photos taken care of before you guys head to Arizona. Listen, I have to go. I…ah…yeah.” I moved around him and headed toward my car. When I was sure he wasn’t looking at me, I placed my hand against my cheek, and sure enough it was still warm.

Dammit!