The Hitting Zone

Sure enough, Jeremy sat a big table with the rest of them. He saw me approaching with Mom, and he looked more nervous than how I felt at the moment.

"Hey there, sleeping beauty." Dave patted an empty spot next to him. "Take a seat, I'll get you your food."

I squinted at him, suspicious.

Dave laughed as he got up. He guided me to the seat, pulled it out, and forced me to sit down. He gave my shoulders a short massage. "Don't be so skeptical. I'm just showing care and concern for my littlest brother. You have a game to focus on. I can be a runner for you and get the food." He left for the buffet.

"I...didn't even tell him what I want..." I watched him walk away and then looked to Noah.

Noah waved his fork casually in the air. "Don't mind him. He's just too excited for a game he can't play in." Noah raised his eyebrows. "Want to know a fun fact? Jeremy doesn't think we can win today."

Before I could even digest that 'fun fact', Jeremy started to refute. "For the last time, that isn't what I said." He looked at me, slightly twitching like he was anxious. "I just said that Eastside was a good private school. We've been contenders since before I even went there. The coach has been there for decades and built a very steady program. It's tough to beat."

Noah shrugged. "All I know is that University Prep won CIF for division one in the Northern Section last year. And we won division three. And just yesterday, we beat them." He smirked. "Remind me where Eastside was in all this?"

"We-" Jeremy wanted to explain some more.

"We? You aren't on their team anymore." Kyle cut him off rudely. "I think you need some more practice on how to be neutral."

"Kyle." Dad used his strict voice to warn him. He turned to Jeremy. "Don't mind them Jeremy. The twins both pitched yesterday and won't be able to do anything today. That always puts them in a mood. We appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to be here today." He looked around at the rest of us.

"Yea."

"Sure."

Noah and Kyle mumbled after getting the final look from Dad.

I looked at Jeremy. "Do you know if he'll be there?"

Jeremy straightened up. "I've been in contact with Aunt Ilene. She said they would all be there today. She and I have shared the location services on our phones so we'll be sure to keep an eye on one another. She personally told Uncle Jack that you don't want contact with him. No confrontation." He looked a little sheepish. "I also reached out to Carson. He said he would treat you like any other player."

I kind of relaxed, settling in my chair.

Dave came back with a big pile of food on the plate and set it in front of me. "Fuel up, Bambi. We need you to crush it today. A couple of homers will do the trick."

My lips twitched. On two accounts. The amount of food he got was too ridiculous and then the homer request. "I'll try my best."

"That's the spirit." Noah slapped me on the shoulder. "You're already strong enough to get out of bed this morning, Jake. Let's make the finals this year!"

I smiled at his excitement and started to eat. It was reassuring to know that Jeremy was here to run interference in case we saw his family. Maybe he would even sit and stay with them instead. That was okay. My biggest concern was trying not to run into Uncle Jack.

We finished breakfast, gathered up the bags and got in the car. Jeremy drove himself, intending to meet up with Aunt Ilene. Presumably with the two girl cousins: Gabby and Makenna. Maybe Uncle Jack too.

"I just feel like he doesn't expect us to win." Noah explained as we drove to the fields too. "He came off like we're the underdogs."

"He's not wrong." Dad replied. "Your team is the visitors for a reason. Lower seeding."

"What a scam. We got a higher seed than last year but keep running into the better teams. It screams conspiracy if you ask me." Kyle huffed.

"There's just no other upsets at the moment." Dad said.

"Who cares about batting first or last anyways?" Dave sighed. "We'll be on the bench, sadly."

"Do you have a preference, Jake?" Noah asked me.

I yawned first before answering. "I think I used to like batting in the second half of the inning, but now I'm leaning towards the top half."

"You like being the visitor?" Noah couldn't believe it.

I shrugged. "If we're winning, we still get to bat all seven innings. If we're the home team and winning, you only bat for six. I like more chances to bat."

The twins laughed.

"Can't argue with that logic."

"Especially with him tearing it up at the plate this year."

We parked in a less crowded lot and grabbed our bags. The twins couldn't pitch today, but since they were on the roster, it was only right of them to bring their gear. They still have to warm up. Maybe throw the ball around. And in an emergency they could be used as a position player. It would have to be a really bad emergency though.

We walked together, looking for our teammates and coaches. Everyone started to show up in two's and three's.

"Yo, was that Jeremy I saw?" Garret asked me, jerking his thumb in a general direction.

I couldn't specifically see Jeremy, but seeing some reporters trying to get closer to someone was kind of a dead giveaway. "He is here. He's going to be a buffer between me and his family."

"His family is your family." Garret knew a good part of the drama that followed my blood family. I'm sure they twins told him a lot of details too. "You can't avoid them forever."

Noah stuck his tongue out. "We didn't say forever. At least today. This game. We need to guard Jake so he can contribute to our win."

Garret grinned and pushed down Noah's hat over his eyes. "You don't have to worry. I think a lot of us here will be watching out for him. The twins can be in the dugout for backup despite how annoying they are."

"Hey!" The twins said simultaneously. The three started to fool around and only called it truce when Coach cleared his throat from behind them.

"I made the lineup." Coach announced and everyone got quiet, giving him their undivided attention. "Leading off, Bryce. In center field."

Everyone was surprised on some level.

"Bryce won't be available out of the bullpen, nor do I plan to utilize him on the mound." Coach expanded. "Eastside is very similar to University. Good pitching, and good bats. Bryce can handle the fielding, but I'm really choosing him for his speed. Speaking of speed, Noah will bat second, play at short. Jake bats third, plays at second. Garret will cleanup. Jason at first. Korrey in right. Expect a lot of work out there today." Coach added, looking at Korrey. He was surprised but nodded in response. "Jesse at third. Watch that line. Tanner in left. Mitchell behind the plate."

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