Zeke didn't keep everyone around after the game for a talk or anything. I found it odd for a second, just to say goodbye and leave, but Noah explained his thoughts on the matter.

"He probably wants everyone to come up with their own ideas on how to be prepared.

" Noah told me as we walked back to the car, following the others.

"For me...I have an idea already.

" He grinned.

"What is it?

" I asked, blinking. I didn't realize we were supposed to come up with tactics on our own. I know next to nothing about baseball strategies.

Noah smirked and lifted a brow.

"Secret.

"

I frowned. I looked to the others for help, but it looked like Bryce and Brian were already talking to Dave about pitching. They weren't top picks for the upcoming game, but even they had came up with an idea.

What could I do better? I tilted my head and thought some more until we loaded up the car and headed back.

Noah poked me.

"You have an answer yet?

"

I scratched my forehead, unsure.

"I keep coming back to the same idea...for me, my biggest weakness is fielding. And, decision making.

"

"Fielding is so generic.

" Noah rolled his eyes and leaned back.

"Why don't you tell me your idea then?

" I asked.

"You won't be able to pull it off.

" Noah said.

I pouted.

"Working on your fielding isn't a bad idea.

" Zeke said from the drivers seat. I could see him glancing back at me, using the rear view mirror.

"Servite has more lefties than other teams.

"

I nodded.

"I thought so too. Last time we played them, the ball came to me more than normal.

" I thought about some more before coming to a decision.

"I won't go to the cages tomorrow. I rather work on my fielding some more.

"

Noah's jaw dropped.

"But you love going to the cages.

"

I shrugged, helpless in the matter.

"But that isn't what I need to do. It's what I want to do. Since it looks like Sanchez will be pitching, then I feel pretty comfortable in that aspect.

"

Noah folded his arms across his chest.

"I don't want to go alone.

"

"Don't go.

" I told him.

"Help me with fielding. We could practice turning double plays too, so I don't get hurt.

" I reminded him of the end of the Golden West game.

That worked.

"Okay.

" Noah agreed easily.

We weren't the only ones making plans. When dropping off the two sophomores, Dave waved and said,

"See you two tomorrow at the house, okay?

"

They agreed and went their own ways as we headed home.

"Are they going to come over to play in the backyard?

" Noah asked.

Dave nodded.

"Yea, why not, ya know?

"

I didn't. I didn't know. Pitching is a lost cause on me. I don't see the appeal.

We came home to an empty house. Kyle must still be out with Marie.

Dave rolled his eyes in annoyance and went to the kitchen to find the liquid that his parents had bought that helped with blisters. He had been using it every day religiously, trying to return to pitching. He wasn't allowed to even throw normally just in case. The liquid in the blister had gone away and now he was just waiting on his skin hardening so it wouldn't be so vulnerable.

Zeke went to the garage to lift some weights, while Noah and I sat down in the living room to relax. He had turned on the tv and found the A's were playing, but he quickly changed it.

"Hey..

" I stared at him.

"What?

" He asked.

"You don't want to watch the A's game..?

" I asked.

"You do??

" He asked incredously.

I shrugged.

"I told you...I'm not bothered. Besides, they'll be talking about the game and not so much him.

" I looked him in the eyes.

"I'm good Noah. He's just a person.

"

Noah stared at me for an extra minute, but he was finally convinced that I would be okay. It's funny to see him more worried about this than I am. He turned the channel back to the A's game.

Like I predicted, the announcers were focused on the game overall and only went into details and fun facts when a certain player was up.

I felt very...indifferent on the matter. I had the Atkins now. The Atkins wanted me to be a part of their family so why do I need some random person to notice me. Sure, I still held some resentment on why he never came back for me or why he didn't check up on me; but that's not his responsibility. In the end, he was just a kid himself.

"Patterson up to bat.

" One of the announcers caught my attention.

"He's been having a game out there today.

"

"This young man is showing the focus no one knew he had.

" The other guy replied. I leaned forward to get a better look at the 'young man' at the plate. He's a righty. Tall, big, and strong. He looked full grown; only young in the face and maybe in the heart.

"I'll tell you, Vince, him showing up today and putting up these numbers...it's hard to believe he's having some off the field drama.

"

Vince chuckled.

"Maybe it's like his uncle said, they're so unrelated to that side of the family that they can't possibly be held responsible for not knowing what had happened.

"

"It's a sad story.

" The man said.

"I hope the injured party has had a quick recovery and I'm glad that he's somewhere safe.

"

I nodded subconsciously. I'm glad that I'm somewhere safe too.

"How annoying.

" Noah grunted.

"Times like this make me wish you could step forward and set the record straight. Tell him, them, and everyone how long it has taken you to recover. I don't like how they think it's a simple hospital visit and then you're okay again.

"

"It's okay.

" I told him, trying to pacify his anger.

"I've come to terms with this. He can live his life. And I'll live mine.

"

"Yea?

" He kicked his feet up on the couch.

"What about this uncle you have? The one that only chose to take away Jeremy and not you? I don't like his vibe. Him taking Jeremy already kind of shows that he knew something was wrong with your mom. They had an estranged relationship even though she's the birth mom of the kid he took.

"

I sighed.

"I don't know. I don't know him. And I don't want to know him. Out of sight, out of mind.

"

Noah scrunched up his nose.

"I'd feel a lot better if Mom and Dad can adopt you sooner. I don't like the idea of your uncle being around and I'm not a fan of his attitude.

"

I laughed a little.

"Noah, you saw it too. To him, I'm unrelated.

"

"True.

" He nodded, lightening up a little bit. He frowned as Jeremy's at-bat continued and finally relaxed when he popped out to the shortstop stop.

"Serves him right.

"

My lips tugged are the corners. It didn't seem appropriate to remind Noah that Jeremy was already having a spectacular game so that out was insignificant. We watched as the game wrapped up with the A's winning.

Surprisingly the star of the offense, Jeremy, didn't participate in the postgame interview. Instead they chose the closer who earned a save with a clean sheet. Maybe they didn't want any repeat issues until the topic of me, died down.