n

n

n

nCoach made Thursday's practice tough with the excuse that we'll go light tomorrow. No one else on the team tried to talk to me about the end of Tuesday's game and that was perfect for me. It's enough to have a therapist to talk to. I didn't want to tell everyone every little thing that was wrong with me.

nOne thing I didn't expect was Joey coming up to me at the beginning of practice, holding out his fist.

nFeeling confused, I still took the hint and bumped his closed fist.

n

"Never really got to tell you good game on Tuesday.

" He grinned.

"Like you said, we got the mercy rule and I got the complete game shutout.

"

nOh! I hurried to nod.

"Yes, you pitched well. And you also had that home run in the third. Keep it up.

"

nHe grinned and swaggered away, passing the twins with a smirk.

nDave rolled his eyes.

"Bro, you ain't ** yet. It was only five innings.

"

n

"It only had to be five innings.

" Joey lifted his chin.

"I'm just happy to join the club of having a shutout.

"

n

"When we were juniors, we had no hitters and even a perfect game.

" Kyle shot back.

n

"How many pitchers did a shutout and hit a homerun?

" He kept grinning.

"I'll wait.

"

n

"I have plenty of homers and plenty of shutouts.

" Garret joined in.

"What matters the most in the championship.

" He patted Joey on the shoulder.

"Stay on this level and maybe you can get a ring at the end of the season too.

"

n

"Tch.

" Joey dropped the smile and started to get ready for practice properly.

n

"You know,

" Noah turned to me as I tied the laces of my cleats.

"We're the only ones with a chance for four rings.

"

n

"It'll be a bit harder next year without Garret and the twins.

" I whispered, trying not to be overheard.

nNoah grinned and slapped me on the shoulder.

"So you're saying you're a believer this year. Good! Glad to hear it!

"

nPractice was brutal, running drills and sprints. Diving and sliding. The twins obviously didn't have it the same way. Their preparation for the weekend made the two sweaty, but nowhere near as dirty as me and Noah.

n

"Hey, Noah, since you're already so dirty, do you want to catch for me a little in the backyard?

" Dave asked.

n

"No, I should be the one to get some extra work in today.

" Kyle butted in before Noah could answer. He was the one driving us home.

n

"No way. You should be on relaxed mode.

" Dave corrected.

"You keep it light tomorrow and be ready for Saturday.

"

n

"You don't think you'll pitch Saturday?

" I asked.

nDave shook his head while smiling.

"Nah. Unless Kyle does bad early on.

"

n

"Shut up.

" Kyle rolled his eyes.

nDave looked back at Noah.

"Well?

"

nNoah thought about it.

"Yea. Why not? I don't have much homework to do.

" He looked at me.

"Want to come out and watch?

"

nI shook my head. There's no point in me doing that.

nWe got home and split up. Dave and Noah went straight to the backyard while Kyle and I went upstairs to the room.

nI dumped my backpack off and pulled out my phone.

n

"You want to shower first?

" Kyle asked.

nI looked up at him, feeling a little embarrassed.

"Uh, I was going to do an ab workout before showering. So you can go first.

"

nKyle nodded.

"Alright. I'll be done in a bit.

" He pointed his finger at me.

"Don't do too much. It won't make much of a difference before Saturday. I don't want you hurting yourself.

"

nI nodded obediently.

nHe grabbed a change of clothes and went into the attached bathroom. I pulled a video up on my phone to follow, laid down on the floor, and got some exercise in. When Kyle came out, down with his shower, I called it quits and took my turn in the shower.

nI came out, combing my hair, thinking about what to bring this weekend for schoolwork.

nKyle abruptly stood up from his bed.

"Jake! You're taller!!

"

n

"Huh?

" I looked up at him, confused.

nHe came over, grabbed my wrists, and lifted them over my head.

"Look! The shirt is getting short on you. For real this time.

"

nMy lips twitched at that last part. Makes it sound like he was previously comforting me on getting taller by lying. He let go of me and moved to his dresser.

"Come. I'll pass you some shirts that are a little smaller on me.

"

nI followed along.

nHe grabbed out four shirts and handed them over. Then he hesitated.

"By the way, I don't know if it matters, but I couldn't see any scars. You know. When you lifted your shirt.

"

nI froze. But only for a second. I scratched my cheek.

"Thanks. They have been looking better.

"

n

"Maybe you'll try swimming this summer.

" He went to lay back down on his bed, picking up his phone.

nI shrugged.

"Maybe.

"

n

"Are you and Noah going to try out for the travel team this year? I'm sure they'll be happy to have you now.

"

nI shrugged again.

n

"You don't always have to do what he does.

" Kyle pointed out.

"If you like going to the camps, do that. If you like playing in games, try travel ball.

"

nI put my new shirts away.

"I don't know. I didn't have options before.

"

n

"And now you have so many.

" He laughed.

"Yea, I can see how that's overwhelming.

"

nWe were called down to dinner soon after. Meeting up with Dave, Mom, and Dad. And a very smelly Noah. I slowly shifted away from him as I loaded my plate.

nMom started to talk about the plan tomorrow. Quick showers after practice. Make sure to pack tonight so we're prepared. Traffic would be brutal, but we would have a chance to catch the end of Zeke's game. He had a home series and would play Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

n

"No offense, but I hope we only see him tomorrow.

" Noah said with a grin.

n

"We understand.

" Dad said.

"But you have to also understand that if you lose game one- Don't give me that look Noah.

" He continued.

"If you guys lose early, we're going to Zeke's game Saturday afternoon. And if you guys win and have conflicting schedules, your mom and I will split up.

"

nNoah looked to Grampa.

"And you're just flat out not coming?

"

nGrampa coughed.

"I go to the home games. You can text me updates after you win.

"

nNoah pointed at him.

"That's the support we need. Confidence in us winning.

" He looked to Kyle.

"You're not nervous at all, right?

"

nKyle rolled his eyes.

"Why would I be nervous? They didn't beat me last year. Even if they would have, I'm a new guy on the mound.

" He waved his fork around.

"Hopefully Coach knows not to put Bryce in for relief at all against them. He's got some psychological shadow.

"

n

"Realistically, if we need a relief, it'll probably be Garret. Unless we're getting our butts kicked.

" Dave said.

nNoah laughed.

"No way. We have Jake. No butt kicking here.

" He nudged me.

"You have to start us out strong.

"

nI scooted away from him.

"Yea, I know. Don't touch me though. I don't want to have to shower again.

"

nNoah let out a very exaggerated gasp.

"Jake! How dare you! Don't tell me I disgust you.

" He leaned over.

n

"Noah James.

" Mom warned.

nNoah laughed and went back to his space.

"Kidding, Mom.

"

n

n