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JASPER AND I WALKED PUT TO HIS CAR, THE SLY ALREADY HEAVY WITH CLOUDS.He opens the door for me, ever the gentleman, his hand lingering just long enough to steady me before I get in.
Once he's behind the wheel, the car hums to life, and the forest starts to blur past us.
After a moment of silence, Jasper glances at me, his tone quiet and thoughtful. "Your dad's got mixed feelings about me," he says with a faint, knowing smile.
I laugh softly. "He'll warm up to you. I promise."
Jasper hums a low, warm sound and focuses on the road. His hand taps the steering wheel in rhythm with the rain that's just beginning to fall.
I glance into the back seat and spot a baseball bat. "Since when do vampires play baseball?"
That little grin of his returns. "Well... it's the American pastime," he drawls. "And there's a storm rollin' in. That's the only time we can play. You'll see why."
By the time we pull up, the clouds have thickened, bruised purple and gray. The field spreads out before us a rough diamond carved into the middle of a clearing, framed by the towering Olympic peaks.
Esme and Emmett walk up to greet us, Esme's smile bright despite the shadows. "Good thing you're here, sweetheart," she says kindly. "We could use another umpire."
Behind her, I catch sight of Bella standing with Edward.
"She thinks we cheat," Emmett says with that mischievous grin of his.
"I know you cheat," Bella laughs.
Esme chuckles. "Call it fair, girls. It's more fun that way."
"Time to play!" Alice calls out just as thunder rumbles deep in the forest.
And then the game begins.
It's wild and extraordinary lightning speed and thunderous sound. Alice pitches, the ball cracking through the air faster than I can see. Esme crouches like a pro behind home plate while Rosalie takes the bat.
The aluminum cracks like thunder when she swings, and real thunder follows seconds later.
"Now I see why you need the storm," I murmur to Esme, who gives me a knowing smile.
The ball rockets into the trees. Edward vanishes after it like a streak of light, but Rosalie is already rounding the bases. She's a blur of blonde and speed.
Before she reaches home, Edward bursts out of the forest, throwing the ball to Esme, who catches it clean.
"You're out," Bella says, grinning.
Rosalie freezes mid-step, eyes flashing. I touch her arm lightly. "You'll get the next one," I say softly.
Her expression softens. "Thanks," she says, almost shyly, before walking off.
