We didn't get to see Jeremy after the game, but I sent him a text, congratulating him on such a good game and thanking him for the experience in the suite. His reply came in just as we pulled back up to our house, almost over two hours later. He was just thanking me and telling me his schedule. He had a day game tomorrow, then they would hit the road that night for a couple of away games. He would have another off day on Thursday when he gets back.

I hesitated to reply. Tuesday I would have my procedure on my scars. Dr. Griffiths already said that I would have to rest a few days and stay out of the sun. I don't know if Jeremy would mind coming over and just hang out inside on his one day off. It'd be better for him to spend the day with Rose.

I left him on read and got ready for bed. It was late after sending everyone home and I was mentally drained from the social gathering.

Sunday morning, Noah woke me up.

"C'mon. Let's go for a run.

"

I opened one eye.

"Go with Zeke.

" We stayed up way too late to go running this morning. It's inhumane.

"Zeke and Dad went to the hardware store to get the stuff to change our closet. C'mon. Please?

" Noah pleaded.

"The twins can't go..?

" I mumbled, still unwilling to get up.

"They're already throwing the ball outside. Dad said he would grab them some catcher's gear on his way back with Zeke.

"

"And you didn't go with them?

"

"With Zeke and Dad? Nah. I only wanted to go to the sports store with Dad alone. I rather let Zeke have some one on one time before he goes off to college.

" He paused.

"Will you get up now??

"

I groaned.

"We can go to The Cages later.

"

I stopped moving.

"Are you sure?

"

"Yes!

" Noah said confidently.

"I'll get someone to take us. No matter what. Mom. Dad. Zeke. Or the twins. I promise I'll get someone no matter what the cost.

"

I laughed and slowly moved out from under my sheets.

"Okay. I'm sold.

" He left me alone so I could get dressed and then I met him downstairs.

"No bananas.

" Noah said, throwing me a granola bar.

"We can have cereal after.

"

I ate the bar, still feeling full from last night. A glance through the back sliding door revealed the two identical twins doing an identical stretch. From the back, I couldn't even tell who was who. Maybe if they didn't have their baseball hats on.

Noah and I left the house together and started to jog. I thought he would leave me behind, but we stayed in pace with one another. He would speed up, but I still kept up.

Two blocks away from the house, he turned to me and said with ease.

"Sprint home on three. One, two, three!

" He took off.

I ran after him, but my pace was noticeably slower. I was already breathing hard when we were together; I had to push myself to the limits in the last two blocks. Noah waited for me on the front porch, stretching.

I joined him, putting my hands on my head, focusing on taking deep breaths.

"You're doing great, Jake.

" Noah grinned.

"I really think you can reach my speed in just a couple months if you start training for it.

"

I just panted as I looked at him skeptically.

"Really.

" Noah said sincerely.

"You and I are almost built the same. You should work on your speed and practice stealing bases. We've got at least six more months until the season starts.

"

I thought about how many times I was walked in Friday's scrimmage. It's a very real possibility that I might be walked a lot in the future, and stealing bases is a good goal to set.

"Let's work on it after I recover from my procedure.

"

"Yea...

" He nodded in agreement.

We stretched a little more before going inside to have breakfast. As we were eating, Zeke and Dad came home, walking in through the garage door. Dad came over to greet us while Zeke called for the twins to get the gear from the car. Soon, all of them were on the move. The twins got their much-wanted catcher's gear and took it to the backyard to open up. Zeke and Dad got to work in the garage, moving pieces of wood around and talking about our closet measurements.

"You know Jake...

" Noah smiled at me.

"I'm really glad you came to our family. I would be lonely without you.

"

I nodded.

"Same.

"

He laughed.

"It's not the same. I'm sure if you went somewhere else, you would make friends. For me...we usually have little kids around for fostering. They're nice and cute, but it's not the same as having someone my age around to get along with. This is how things normally are. Dad and Zeke. Dave and Kyle.

" He kept saying 'it's not the same' and I agreed.

"I don't think it's the same either. You're special Noah. One of a kind. I don't think I can make friends with just anyone.

" I finished my breakfast.

"Look at me now. All my friends are thanks to you.

"

Noah turned red and got up immediately.

"I'll go shower first.

" He hurried and left me.

I laughed at the irony of how he didn't want to be alone and now he left me here alone.

I showered after him, then we sacrificed our room to Dad and Zeke, watching them take the planks of wood up there. Tools of all kinds were brought up and spread out.

Staying out of their way, Noah and I went to the backyard to watch the twins.

"Do you think they'll finish today?

" I asked Noah about the work going on in our room.

"If they don't, Mom is going to make them finish it tomorrow.

" He chuckled.

"Ouch!

" Dave exclaimed after taking a pitch off the face mask. He jumped up and took the mask off, and pointed at Kyle.

"Is your accuracy complete trash now?

"

Kyle waved his glove around.

"It's not my fault that your reflexes suck. Maybe you should practice a little more. Not everyone could be as talented as me.

"

"Talented? Bro, where?

" Dave snorted.

"You couldn't even hit the spot where I wanted you to throw.

"

"It was close.

" Kyle shrugged.

"Stop being a baby about it and get into position.

"

"No, I think it's my turn.

" Dave refused.

Noah laughed.

"You guys are ridiculous. You're wasting valuable practice time. Tell you what...I'll be catcher for you guys.

"

"What's in it for you?

" Kyle squinted.

Dave put his hands on his h.i.p.s.

"And why would we need you? We can take turns just fine.

"

Noah stood up.

"Won't it be better for you to do different exercises as I catch? Plus, all I need is a ride to The Cages later with Jake. Preferably after lunch.

"

Dave started to take off his gear.

"Deal.

"

"We aren't going to talk about this?

" Kyle asked him.

"Do you want to catch?

" Dave asked.

"You just hit me in the head.

"

"You had a mask.

" Kyle shrugged.

Dave rolled his eyes and finished taking off the gear.