"You okay?

" Kyle was asking Dave after the bullpen guys all rejoined the team.

"We saw you get stepped on and had been helped back to the dugout.

"

Dave rolled his eyes and put his bag on his shoulder.

"I'm fine. Coach is just being overly cautious. What a wasted start. He should have at least let me continue until I gave up a hit or walk or something.

"

Kyle nodded in agreement.

"Yea. That's some kind of bs.

" He looked down at Dave's foot.

"Did you cut it? Did it start bruising already?

"

Dave rolled his eyes and glared at Noah, who just finished packing up his bag.

"Dummy over there had me try to prove that it wasn't bleeding. I had the smallest of cuts. Don't even need a bandaid. Not really bruising either. Coach wants me to have Drew check it out tomorrow. Probably will be your backup in the bullpen on Saturday.

"

"Garret would be good to go on Saturday too.

" Noah added as we joined the pair officially. All four of us headed for the bus.

"Good to have a strong backing, but I think I'll be okay.

" Kyle grinned.

"Is now a bad time to mention that you didn't get the win in either of your starts against them last season?

" Noah casually asked.

Kyle shoved him, knocking him into me. I tripped and fell on my knees.

"Way to go, you idiot.

" Noah stopped to help me up.

Kyle came over too, taking my bag from me.

"Let me get this for you.

" He pretended to dust me off.

"Gotta keep you fresh for Saturday.

"

I wasn't going to fight him for my bag back.

We talked a little more about the game before loading up in the bus. The atmosphere on the bus was a little weird.

I gave Noah a look when we sat down on our bench.

"Why do I feel like the mood on the bus isn't right?

"

Noah got back up.

"Let me go around and see.

" He went down the aisle, further along the bus. I took a glance back and spotted some freshmen that we knew like Andy and Andre. Noah spoke with them a little. Then with some others. He even talked to a couple of sophomores without starting a fight.

"What's wrong?

" Sean boarded the bus and saw me looking back.

"What's Noah doing back there?

"

Bryce was right behind him as they slid onto their seat.

"Does the bus feel extra quiet?

"

Noah came back and whispered.

"The freshmen got mercy-ruled. The JV team lost in a heartbreaker in the bottom of the seventh.

"

Oh. I sat back down, a little less concerned.

"Going to be a long ride back home for them.

" Sean sat down too.

"Not exactly how anyone wants to start league play.

"

"What was the score for the freshmen?

" Bryce asked.

Noah leaned over.

"18-1.

"

"Damnnnn.

"

"Are they that good or are we that bad?

" Sean mumbled.

I turned, interested to know.

Noah shrugged.

"Hard to know since we didn't see. Honestly, I rather be kicked into the ground than lose a close one like JV.

"

.comno

/vel

/

/bi

/n.

/net'

I scoffed.

"You can't stand losing, period.

"

Noah laughed.

"Yea, okay. It's pretty much even for me. But I'm sure it's two different kind of hurts.

"

The coaches boarded the bus and started to find their seats as everyone got settled in as well. The drive home was even more quiet than the ride there. The bus was dark and it was easier for the guys to fall asleep.

I did my usual routine of checking my phone and sending out some texts, telling Jeremy and Zeke how I did and how we won. For Zeke, I also added some comments on Noah and explained what happened with Dave.

By the time we got back to school and Kyle drove us home, it was nearing 10pm. Grampa had dinner ready for all us, making steak salads.

"Couldn't you have added some more meat..?

" Kyle poked around his salad, looking for the good stuff.

"Too much meat before bed is bad for you.

" Grampa shot him down.

"Tomorrow, we should get steak to celebrate the win and prepare for Saturday's game.

" Dave said between bites.

"Tomorrow night, I'm going out with Marie.

" Kyle said.

"We should save that for Saturday night.

"

"You're going out the night before you pitch?

" Noah gave a small shake of his head.

"Risky business.

"

Kyle rolled his eyes.

"Shut up. I'll go to bed at a decent hour and wake up promptly.

" He glanced at Mom.

"She's going to be there on Saturday so maybe save her a seat if you can? You know how pack it gets at Servite.

"

Oh, right.

" Mom nodded.

"I remember. This is the school that we show up early to.

" She looked at Grampa.

"You'll be impressed with how this high school baseball stadium looks and fills up, Dad. Even the boy's home crowds can't compare.

"

"Mommm.

" Noah and Kyle groaned simultaneously.

"If it bugs you, let me pitch instead.

" Dave said to Kyle.

"Ha. You wish.

" Kyle said.

"You should just take it easy.

" Dad told Dave.

"Let your foot recuperate and you'll get another chance to start after midterms.

"

Dave looked disgusted.

"No baseball for a whole week. I think my foot will be just fine.

"

"Hey, it's not like Coach is picking on you.

" Noah pointed out.

"He sat Jake for the last couple of games for his bruise.

" He shrugged.

"Coach just wants you to be good.

"

"Yea, yea, whatever.

" Dave mumbled.

"Use the game to work with Oscar in the bullpen.

" Kyle told Dave.

"Weren't you wanting to work on a split-finger fastball? You could have it ready by spring break.

"

Dave seemed to lighten up a little. He looked to Noah.

"Need some help working out this week since we won't have practice?

"

"Sounds like you're the one that needs help.

" Noah snorted.

"I won't do your catching for free, you know.

"

"Rides to the cages during spring break, whenever you want.

" Dave offered.

"Why not next week?

"

"It's midterms. Mom's not going to let us leave the house to fool around.

"

Noah looked to Mom.

Mom nodded.

"Yea, I would like it if I can keep you boys on a tighter leash during midterms week. I don't want to see anything less than a B.

" She looked at Kyle.

"That includes you even if you aren't going to college.

"

"I've only gotten one C in my life, Mom.

" Kyle rolled his eyes.

"I'll be fine. But-

" He looked between Mom and Dad.

"Is it okay if I go to Marie's to study? Or she can come here? We do share some classes so it would help to review the info together.

"

"You have a twin with the same kind of classes and teachers.

" Noah pointed out.

"Stop trying to get more dates with Marie.

"

"I'll be home so I'll allow it.

" Mom nodded.

"But she has to make sure it's okay with her parents too. I know that they're...very strict.

"

Noah rolled his eyes.

"I'm not a fan of them.

"

I nodded in agreement.

"And that's okay.

" Dad spoke up.

"You don't have to like everyone and everyone doesn't have to like you. But you must treat everyone with respect.

"

"He did good today.

" I spoke up. All eyes went to me.

"He spoke with some sophomores on the bus. No conflict.

" I added the last part in a hurry.

Noah puffed out his chest proudly. Then the conversation shifted to talk about the lower levels losing today.