"We've got to try!" Noah shook me excitedly as we walked back to the car. We finally escaped the reporters and scouts. "This would be so awesome! Could you imagine?"
I weakly shook my head. I really couldn't imagine.
"Aren't you supposed to be on a travel team and then get scouted?" Dave asked. "Like the travel team has to be good enough to elite tournaments in other states. Even if you guys got on a travel team this summer, I doubt it'll be good enough to get the attention."
"There has to be some identification tryouts and events." Kyle refuted. "They don't necessarily have to be on a travel team."
"This sounds like something Noah can look into if he's really interested." Mom suggested. "It shouldn't interfere with the high school season so maybe research on your own time. I don't think your coach would appreciate the distraction."
"Yea, of course Mom!" Noah was practically bouncing. "I just think this would be a cool opportunity. Something Zeke and the twins haven't done. It's uncharted territory for us." Noah grinned my way. "What do you say, Jake?"
The twins and our parents looked at me.
I shrugged. "I'll do whatever you do."
"What if you make it and Noah doesn't?" Kyle asked.
I shrugged again. "Then I don't go?"
Dave laughed. "You're a real follower, Jake. So easygoing. No ambition."
"Jake isn't like me." Noah said. "He doesn't live and breathe baseball. That's okay. I'll get him to change his ways soon enough."
"I just don't think I would want to do it alone." I told them.
"Jake, you would have to." Noah told me seriously. "Representing the freakin' national team is a once in a lifetime opportunity. You can't just give it up."
"Simmer down there, wild ones." Dave took over. "No need to pressure Jake when you don't even know the first step. How about we first settle dinner? Get cleaned up and start to prepare for tomorrow?"
Ugh. Tomorrow. I frowned and looked up at Dad.
"Don't give me that look, Jake." Dad saw it immediately. "Once we know who the other team is, then you can start worrying."
We got to the car and put everyone's bags in the trunk. Dad drove, Mom was in the passenger seat, the twins sat in the middle row, while Noah and I squeezed in the very back.
"I can't wait until you guys graduate." Noah sighed, trying to get comfortable. "No more third row seating."
"You'll be driving yourself next year? Or make Mom and Dad do it?" Dave asked.
"Of course we're going to try for our licenses." Noah said. "When Jake turns 15.5 in April, we'll go get our permits."
"Shouldn't you already be trying for that now?" Kyle asked. "Otherwise you won't be able to get your license until he turns 16 in October."
"It's better to do things together." Noah answered. "Can't we still drive with our permits?"
"Well only if you have an adult in the car too." Kyle laughed. "Looks like Mom will be driving you guys to school the first couple of months of your junior year."
"No shame." Noah shrugged. "As long as we get qualified before next season so Mom and Dad don't have to drive so much back and forth."
We talked about what next year would look like without the twins until we got back to the hotel. We took turns showering before getting ready for dinner. Kyle selected a steakhouse nearby so we chose to walk as a group. It was after we finished ordering that we got the text from Coach. Our opponent tomorrow will definitely be Eastside College Preparatory.
I wasn't surprised. Just felt a little defeated. I slumped in my chair.
Dad had said on my left. "What will you do, Jake? Play or stay at the hotel?"
"Stay at the hotel?!" Noah repeated after Dad in disbelief. He was on my right. He was stunned at the options. "Jake doesn't want to play?"
"I think it's more like he doesn't want to play what's-his-name." Kyle pointed out.
"His name is Carson." Mom corrected.
"Jake." Noah had put his hand on my shoulder and leaned close to look me in the eyes. "We can't do this without you. You're our core."
I sighed. "I mean, it's not that I don't want to play. And I don't have animosity with Carson. I just..." I swallowed a lump in my throat. "I don't want to run into his dad. It gives me the same sinking feeling as having to see my birth mom." I crossed my arms to cover my stomach. "He didn't do anything."
"How about we see how you feel in the morning?" Mom suggested. "If you don't sleep well, no one will push it." She gave a pointed look at Noah.
Noah let go of me. "Yea, Jake. Sleep on it. No nightmares, then you're good to go. If you do have a rough night...well...try not to throw up on me." He made the twins laugh.
"Why don't we let Jake sleep in our room?" Dad suggested. "Just in case."
"Sure."
"Yea."
"Okay."
Noah started to pull out his phone. "What did Zeke end up doing today in his game?"
"2-4 at the plate. Both doubles. One RBI and one run scored." Dad answered, saving Noah the trouble of looking it up. "I invited him to dinner while you boys showered but he said he was going to stay with his team."
"Partying tonight?" Dave joked.
"No way. I bet they're watching video of the game today." Noah said.
"His game tomorrow is near lunch time so he won't be able to make it to our morning game this time." Kyle pointed out. He looked at Dad. "Will we eat dinner with him tomorrow?"
"Sure. If he's not too busy with homework." Dad nodded.
Throughout the meal the topics of our family conversation shifted from baseball, school, and friends. Mom was the one asking about our classes and especially adamant that the twins don't slack before graduation. Noah really wanted to look up how to represent USA baseball, but Dad didn't want him on his phone too much while we eat. Afterwards, we walked back to the hotel and got settled.
I thought it would take me awhile to fall asleep, but maybe because we played two games, I was wiped. I merely blinked and that was it for me. The next thing I know, Mom was waking me up Sunday morning with a smile.
"Good morning, Jake. Did you sleep okay?"
I nodded and yawned. I stretched out and slowly sat up. Sure enough, some light was coming through the window. I slept. Maybe having that lunchtime breakdown between games had something to do with it.
I put my uniform on and washed my face before going down with her for breakfast. Dad had taken Noah and the twins already, I guess.
In the elevator, Mom surprised me with some information. "Jeremy flew in from Arizona. He took a day off and is already at breakfast with the boys." She gave a reassuring smile. "When he called us this morning, we were also shocked. But we appreciate the effort. He wants to act as a buffer between you and the family that raised him. If your uncle is there, Jeremy will handle it. There will be no confrontation for you to face. Just a game to play."
