The Hitting Zone
chapter-558

"You're just joking about the running right..?" Noah asked as we got back to our seats. He sat down next to Zeke, then me, then Dave. Rhys was on the other side of Zeke. "We still have to turn in all the release forms for softball after all."

"No." Zeke answered flatly, glancing down. "I told you ten minutes."

"That's not my fault though!" He objected. "Why didn't you just call me?"

"I'll return that question to you; why didn't you call or send a text?" Zeke frowned. "You're about to turn 15, why can't you show some more maturity and responsibility?" He glanced at me, making me shrink in my seat. "Don't think you're off the hook either. You forgot your phone. You should at least have reminded Noah to send me a message. What if something happened to you two?"

"Sorry." I mumbled.

Noah glared at Zeke. "Are you happy now? Making Jake feel bad?"

Zeke didn't waver. "That's not my intention. I just want you guys to learn from this."

"And we will!" Noah answered.

"But maybe some physical punishment will reinforce it." Zeke looked over at me. "Any objections?"

I shook my head.

"I absolutely object!" Noah raised his hand.

Zeke pulled out his phone and showed it to Noah. "Let me remind you that I know how much peanuts cost. You can't fool me."

Noah immediately became docile. "What-What do you mean? They must have overcharged us."

Zeke smirked. "Too young, too naive. Double running tomorrow. You keep fighting it and it'll be nothing but running. We have until Tuesday to turn in our roster and paperwork."

Noah straightened up.

"So what did you guys say to Rose? Is she going to tell Jeremy that you're here?" Dave asked, wanting to know what had happened while we were out.

Noah leaned over, getting closer to me so he could gossip with Dave. I felt a little awkward at first, but I cracked a smile and laughed a little as Noah recapped on what we learned.

It was even more dramatic with Dave as the listening party. He would occasionally gasp or laugh or his eyes would go wide as if he couldn't believe it.

"Oh geez! So awkward. For everyone." Dave laughed at the end. "Rose knows that you're here and that his family is here. You know that his family is here and that Rose knows. While Jeremy and his family know nothing and are living in bliss." He laughed some more. "I wonder how Rose will act around him later. Or will we see him before her when he comes over tomorrow?"

"I'm surprised you don't watch reality tv." Rhys laughed at Dave's exaggerated reactions. "You seem really into this."

"This is something out of daytime soap operas, not reality tv." Dave corrected. "Too bad Kyle is missing all this."

Noah scoffed. "He got to go camping with Dad, by himself. I'd say it's about even."

"Do you think...that Kyle will...be better?" Dave asked, turning unsure.

"Be better?" Noah repeated. "It's not like he's sick."

"I do." I spoke up before Noah could start ranting about Kyle some more. "Your dad knows how to make me feel better. I don't see why he won't be able to get through to Kyle."

Dave sighed with relief.

Noah snorted. I get that he was defensive on my behalf, but Kyle isn't purposely being mean. I thought about that conversation he had with Zeke on the ride home. He's probably stressed. It's been a lot of little things piling up, and he's now bowing down to the pressure.

The game soon got everyone's attention off Kyle as it began. The starting lineups were announced and Noah wrote the players names down along with their positions. We stood for the national anthem and then got comfortable as the game got going. Noah spent most of the time teaching me how to fill in the scorecard as we went down the lineups and switched innings.

Halfway through, Rhys and Zeke went to get food and drinks using the vouchers. It was a fun evening, just hanging out and watching baseball. For a minute, I even almost forget that I was related to a player on the field. At least, until the seventh inning stretch.

The crowd was standing up together and singing "Take me out to the ballgame" and a cameraman was flashing different groups. Surprisingly, our section made it to the big screen and Noah went crazy. He threw his arm around me and waved the other.

After it ended, I noticed that Jeremy was on deck, looking our way. As we made eye contact, he lifted his bat and rested it on his shoulder, using the other hand to touch the edge of his helmet.

"He's saying 'hi'." Noah told me.

I lamely lifted a hand for a small wave. Then quickly put it back down.

Bottom of the seventh, the batter before Jeremy got walked. As Jeremy went up to the batter's box, he glanced at me one more time before focusing. The pitcher was only so-so, according to Noah. He was a relief pitcher just put in to get through this inning as the score was tied at two.

He didn't stand a chance against Jeremy. Jeremy took a couple of pitches before launching one out to left field. We were so close that we could see him smile as he started to run the bases. He knew it was long gone. Home run. 4-2.

As he rounded third, his eyes found mine. He touched the tip of his helmet again as a greeting. It was hard not to smile at him.

Noah happily filled in the scorecard and explained what a homerun looked like on paper.

The game ended with the score of 4-2 and some of the crowd started to leave. Just a few though; most were staying for the firework show. Including us. We had great seats to see the fireworks come out from behind center field. I had never seen anything like it. Music blared as bright colors filled the night sky. It was like a celebration that summer was here. A new season for growth.