n

n

n

n

nWith Mrs. Atkins in charge, we were all sent upstairs to get ready for bed. I still had to shower, making sure to take care of my stitches. I didn't want to give the adults any reason to bench me.

nBack in the room, I was hoping to talk with Noah a little more on what could happen with people knowing who my brother is, but he had fallen asleep by the time I was done. He had a long day after all.

nHe definitely had one of his best games against one of the best teams in our league. He deserved a good rest, so I let him sleep and climbed into my own bed.

nHonestly, I don't feel like it was too important. Who would really care that I was related to a professional baseball player?

n...I soon found out...that a lot of people cared.

nLiving with the Atkins and sharing a room with Noah, I've become accustomed to waking up with some kind of noise. Very rarely it would be so quiet.

nI slowly got out of bed and looked for Noah. He wasn't in the room...maybe he was in the bathroom already..? Seeing as I had the room to myself, I made sure the door was shut and quickly changed. Out in the hall, I heard nothing. Not even the twins bickering or Zeke's scolding or Mrs. Atkins yelling that breakfast was ready. Odd.

nThe bathroom in the hall that I shared with Noah was empty. I took care of my usual morning needs, making sure I was ready for school. Then I grabbed my backpack from our room after being sure that Noah's bag was missing. I went downstairs, still trying to figure out where everyone was.

n

"They're demanding an answer. An explanation.

" Some man said. It took me a second to realize that it was Mr. Duncan. He was here. And it didn't sound like he was here for breakfast.

"I don't like it anymore than you guys, but it's out of my hands now. This whole thing is out of control.

"

n

"But this was your fault you begin with.

" I heard Dave say, sounding grumpy.

"You guys had the leak. We were just playing baseball.

"

nMr. Duncan sighed.

nI stepped in the doorway to the dining room.

nEveryone was seated around the table. And I mean, everyone. Mr. Duncan. Mr. and Mrs. Atkins. All four boys. Dr. Moore. Coach. And someone that looked familiar...when he looked me in the eyes, I realized he was the lawyer, Mr. George Pickens. The last time I saw him was during the Golladay problem.

nI gulped. This doesn't look good.

n

"Jake.

" Mrs. Atkins said.

"Good morning.

"

n

"What's so good about it?

" Noah scoffed, looking angry. He glared at the adults around the table.

"Who's going to tell him?

"

nAll of the adults shifted in their seats and eyes were darting across the table, as if an unspoken conversation was going on.

n

"Let me get you something to eat first.

" Mrs. Atkins got up and went to the kitchen, dabbing the corner of her eyes. She looked upset too.

n

"Jake, put your bag down and come have a seat.

" Mr. Atkins patted the empty spot between him and Noah.

"Did you have a good rest? You slept very soundly and we were about to wake you.

"

nSlept soundly? I looked around.

"Did I sleep in?

" Is that why so many people were here?

nMr. Atkins cleared his throat.

"We let you. You and the boys...we didn't think...that the news would come out so soon after Mr. Cameron's warning.

"

n

"Oh.

" I plopped down in my seat.

"So...everyone knows?

"

n

"The whole country!

" Kyle answered.

"We watched a few of the news channels and sportscenter...everyone is covering the story. You're famous.

"

n

"I don't want to be.

" I felt stifled.

n

"We know.

" Kyle looked sheepish.

"I was just trying to lighten things up. Make a joke.

"

n

"I'm not laughing.

" Noah said, sounding more irritable than ever. He caught me looking at him.

"You should have just stayed in bed today and refused to come out.

"

n

"Noah James.

" Mrs. Atkins came back with a plate of food. She placed it in front of me.

"Eat something first and then we'll talk.

"

nThe atmosphere was awkward and uncomfortable. No one looked me directly in the eye and more than half looked upset. Mrs. Atkins and Noah were the most emotional with glistening eyes.

nMy stomach turned.

"You know what...I'm not feeling very hungry.

" I pushed the plate of food away.

n

"Jake.

" Mr. Atkins sighed.

"Please.

"

nI shook my head in defiance. Who could possibly eat with so many looks of pity focused on them?

nI looked to Noah, someone I trusted blindly. Someone who was always there for me despite the circumstances.

"What's going on?

"

nNoah glanced around.

"If you guys don't say it, then I will. And I'll be more blunt about it.

"

n

"How about I take over?

" Dr. Moore asked, pushing his glasses up. The other adults nodded in agreement. Dr. Moore sat across from me. I haven't seen him in awhile. With him here, there was some comfort, but it was dissipating fast.

"Jake, I'm going to give you an outline of what is happening right now, okay?

" I nodded.

"There'll be some stuff you don't want to hear, but you have to be strong and stay focused.

"

nI swallowed hard, not feeling any better.

"Alright.

"

n

"A few of the news stations have obtained the news that you're related to Jeremy Patterson.

" He started.

"We thought, with his stance already known, that this wouldn't be a huge deal and we would be able to handle it.

"

nI could feel a 'but' coming.

n

"But, it hasn't worked out that way.

" Dr. Moore stated.

"Early this morning, some of the reporters reached out to Jeremy, informing him of what they know and asking for exclusives. He denied.

"

nOkayyyy..?

n

"Unexpectedly, he reached out to social services and was put in touch with Mr. Duncan.

" Dr. Moore glanced at Mr. Duncan, indicating that he should take over.

nMr. Duncan cleared his throat, not expecting for the buck to be passed so quickly.

"Yes. Him and his attorney. Your uncle was also in on the conference call with my boss and a couple of colleagues. They...

" He frowned.

"They believe that we released this information in attempt to getting some money out of them. Which is not our intention at all!

" He quickly defended.

"We explained what had happened with the leak and how we're still looking, but they aren't exactly open-minded right now.

"

n

"...

" I didn't know what to say.

n

"That's not everything.

" Noah expanded, sending a glare in Mr. Duncan's direction.

"Is it, Mr. Duncan?

"

n

"Noah, please, he's just doing his job.

" Mr. Atkins sounded exasperated.

nMr. Duncan gave a grim smile.

"It's okay, I get this kind of hostility a lot.

" He took a deep breath and looked me in the eye.

"I have to remove you from the Atkins home.

"

nSilence. So thick. It could almost blur my vision. Or maybe that was the tears in my eyes.

n

"Why?

" I croaked out, my voice sounding strange.

n

"It's complicated.

" Mr. Duncan answered.

"The Atkins are trying to adopt you so they can no longer be objective in your case. Your uncle and brother have requested a formal meeting with us and you. From there, we'll know our next step, whatever it may be.

"

n

"Whatever it may be??!

" Noah banged the table with his hands, standing up.

"He didn't even want him! They refuse to acknowledge him, yet they get to take him as they pleased?! How is this fair?

"

n

"Noah.

" Mr. Atkins scolded him.

"If you can't control your temper, you can go sit in your room. This is hard enough as it is.

" He looked to Mr. Duncan.

"But my son is right, this isn't fair.

"

nMr. Duncan shrugged, looking helpless.

n