Jeremy and I spent a couple more minutes alone, with him mostly thinking of what kind of 'first meeting' with our cousins we should have. He was really set on us meeting, which made me feel anxious, but I understood. These cousins, are like the Atkins. It would be rude of me to refuse when Jeremy has made so much effort to get to know the Atkins. It's only fair to return the favor.
After a bit, we walked back to the crowd behind home plate. He made sure I was back with the Atkins before heading back to the dugout.
"Hey, you kids ready to go to your seats?" Rose asked, appearing out of nowhere.
"You just missed Jeremy." Noah pointed out. "He just went to the dugout."
Rose gave a tight smile that looked forced. "I'll see him later. Right now, my job is you guys." She brushed Noah off and started to lead us away from the field.
Noah wiggled his brows at me, but I could only shrug. According to Jeremy, things went well.
"I took some pictures of you and Jeremy." Noah showed me his phone. "Some of them were super awkward, but I got a few where it looked like you guys were having a moment."
"You're such a creep." Kyle snorted.
Noah shrugged. "Jake doesn't have too many pictures. They're good memories to have." He glanced at me. "I'll send them to your phone."
Soon enough, my phone buzzed with a text. Remembering how Noah showed me to save pictures from texts, I did so as we were taken to our seats. They were the same seats from when Jeremy first invited me and the Atkins family to a game.
And just like before, some kind of usher or worker came down as we started to sit down, asking what we wanted to eat and drink. Noah didn't need to be asked twice. He ordered hot dogs, cotton candy, peanuts, soda, and then went the extra mile to order for me as well. The twins followed suit. Zeke went last, pulling out some money and handing it to the man for a tip.
"You don't have to tip." Rose said. "An automatic tip will be charged to Jeremy's account."
"Noah is a lot to handle." Zeke told her. "I feel better doing something to take away some of the guilt."
Rose grinned. "You take good care of your brothers." She glanced at me, then said her goodbyes before going back up the stairs.
"I think she's mad at your brother." Noah told me, watching her go.
I shrugged. "So?"
"So aren't you going to help him?"
"How?" I asked.
Noah shrugged. "I don't know."
"It's better if you don't butt in." Kyle leaned over to tell us. "You guys don't know how relationships work. And what if she isn't mad? That'll just make things awkward."
"I don't think we should take advice from someone who dumps a girl out of the blue." Noah remarked, narrowing his eyes at him.
Kyle looked offended. He tapped Zeke. "Tell them to keep out of it."
Zeke looked at us. "If neither of them asks you, then leave it alone. It's better not to start any drama. A relationship is between the two."
"Fine." Noah shrugged. "It's not like it's a big deal to me."
The food came and we started to eat our fill. Mom and Dad were working today so we were on our own for lunch. With the short amount of time we had after the softball game, all we ate were sandwiches. Hot dogs and all these snacks were a great relief. I finished my soda before the game even started and asked for a new one when the guy came around again.
"This is so nice." Noah said as the game began.
"Yea." Dave said. He nudged Zeke. "You better treat us like this too when you make it to the big leagues."
"Technically we can make it to the pros before him." Kyle pointed out. "If we don't go to college, and get drafted."
Dave made a face. "We would only have a year to beat him there. I think Zeke would make it to the big leagues even if we had a head start."
"It's not a race." Zeke spoke up. "You guys do what's best for you. If you want to go pro right after high school, then go."
Dave rolled his eyes. "Easy for you to say. You were a first round pick. The chances of us being picked in the first round are near impossible."
"Who cares what round it is." Kyle said. "The pay might be less, but most will start in the minors no matter what. I think it's a plausible idea."
"Are you going rogue?" Dave squinted at him. "We just signed up for so many college camps and visits."
Kyle shrugged. "Have to take a look at all my options. I want to commit to a school this fall. And then if I get picked in the draft, I'll revisit my options again."
All this talk about the future made me depressed. Zeke was leaving after this summer. The twins were talking about what would happen after next year. What about when Noah and I graduate high school? Where would we go? What should we do?
"I want to start looking at colleges too!" Noah declared. "I have to get my name out there. I don't want to be left behind." He glanced at me and smiled. "You have such a big head start."
"There's time you guys." Zeke told us, calming down the talks about the future. "Look at me, I changed my mind just over a month ago. You don't need to be so stressed."
"But I'm not as good as you." Kyle sighed. "If I want a scholarship lined up, I need to commit early. Or I'll be stuck at a no name school in the middle of nowhere."
"Talk about it again at the end of summer." Zeke told him, more stern. "For now, let's enjoy the game we get to watch."
With Zeke's words, our attention turned to the game. The A's lost on Wednesday with Jeremy not doing so well, but today was a different story. We got to watch a hit-fest, with both teams just taking in the runs. Jeremy contributed two homeruns, and put the A's on top. We won the game which made the fireworks that much nicer to watch.
Getting home late that night didn't stop Zeke from waking us up early on Sunday morning. We ran, we trained, we ate a big breakfast to celebrate. By now I was completely used to waking early and working out.
Sunday activities included watching the 1pm game of the A's and hear complaints from Noah and the twins as they struggled against the other team's pitcher. They ended up losing. Noah was depressed for a second, but then had the idea we should go play at the park with Julian and Andy. Zeke and the twins agreed to come as well and another game of 'over the line' started once more. It was competitive, but it was fun. I didn't feel so embarrassed when I missed a grounder or when I tripped in the outfield. It was just a good time with a bunch of laughs.
