Behind Enemy Lines

Chapter Twenty-Three

That night as I lay in the guest room that the Swan's were gracious enough to offer me, Bella came in with two mugs of hot chocolate. "Thought you might need this," she said, handing me one.

I took the mug gratefully, wrapping my hands around its warmth. "Thanks."

Bella sat on the edge of the bed, her own mug steaming. "So. Want to talk about what happened?"

I laughed, but it was a hollow sound. "Which part? My mom kicking me out? Edward's manipulation? The werewolf drama? Take your pick."

She took a sip of her hot chocolate. "Start wherever feels right."

And so I did. I told her everything—about Paul's transformations, about Sam and Emily, about how Edward had orchestrated this entire situation. How he'd used Alice's visions and my mom's fears to drive a wedge between me and my family.

"He thinks he's protecting everyone," I said finally. "But he's just controlling them."

Bella was quiet for a moment. "Sounds familiar," she said softly.

We both knew she was talking about Edward's protective instincts toward her.

"What am I going to do?" I asked, not really expecting an answer.

Bella reached out and squeezed my hand. "You're going to survive. Just like I am."

Outside, the Washington rain started to fall, a soft rhythm against the window—a reminder that some things, at least, remained constant.

"Listen, your family is playing baseball tomorrow and Edward invited me to go. I'd love to not be the only human on the field if that's okay with you?" She asked me. I wanted to say no as soon as the words left her mouth, but I didn't.

"Okay," I said quietly. "I could use a distraction."

The truth was, I needed something to take my mind off everything that had happened. My family was in pieces, I was staying with Bella, and the supernatural world seemed to be closing in around me. A vampire baseball game might be exactly what I needed to feel somewhat normal again.

Bella smiled, understanding more than she let on. "Trust me, it's not your typical baseball game."

"Don't worry, it won't be my first game." I told her trying not to laugh.

The next day, we drove to the Cullens' clearing. Despite everything that had happened, despite the hurt and betrayal I felt, a part of me still felt a connection to this family. As we approached, I could see them already assembled—Alice setting up bases, Emmett warming up his pitch, Carlisle organizing teams.

Edward was conspicuously positioned far from the main group.

"Ready?" Bella asked, sensing my hesitation.

I took a deep breath. "As I'll ever be."

My parents noticed my arrival instantly. Emmett's eyes lit up with a mixture of hope and pain, while Rosalie stood frozen, her golden eyes locked on me with an intensity that made the air feel electric.

"Snow," Emmett said softly, taking a step forward. But Rosalie's hand on his arm stopped him.

Alice appeared beside me instantly, her tiny frame radiating protective energy. "You're here," she said, more a statement of relief than a question.

Bella squeezed my hand, a silent show of support. The rest of the Cullens watched our interaction with a mixture of curiosity and tension, the unspoken family drama hanging in the air like a heavy mist.

"Let's play ball," Alice announced suddenly, breaking the silence. Her cheerful tone was clearly designed to diffuse the emotional minefield we were standing in.