At the end of practice on Friday, Coach gathered us for a short chat.
“The first round of our first tournament has been announced.” He stated. “As returning champions of the Tulare Invitational, we got someone who had been knocked out early last year. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, but at the very least, we’ve seen and played this team before.”
“Don’t keep us in suspense, Coach.” Bryce said with a smile. “Who’s the first victim this year?”
Coach smiled back and didn’t say anything about Bryce interrupting. “Katella.”
I turned to Noah for help. I don’t remember Katella. I wasn’t the only one either. About half the team was turning to one another. It must have not been a very memorable game.
Noah adjusted his hat on his head, looking a little embarrassed. “Oh. Them.” He caught me looking at him and knew what I wanted to ask. He let out a strange cough. “You might not remember them so well because we were on the bench for that one.”
Oh. I started to feel embarrassed too.
“Hey! I think I remember this one!” Dave slapped his twin on the back, making Kyle stumble forward. “Wasn’t there some guy that asked Zeke for an autograph afterwards? The pitcher!”
Kyle glared back at him. “Yea, yea. I remember, but you didn’t have to hit me like that.”
“It’s not my fault I’m getting stronger.” Dave flexed his bicep to show off some growth.
I didn’t pay too much attention to their bickering; I was still trying to recall why I was benched. I had some impression of a player asking Zeke for an autograph early in the season. I think…it was near the incident with Golladay. I grimaced at the thought of the former school counselor. Thankfully Dr. Moore came in and took on the extra work here after that. I’m sure more kids than myself appreciate him.
“Garret handled them last time with ease.” Noah spoke up, getting the team’s attention. He was looking at Coach though. “Will he start us off for this tournament again?”
Coach looked around at all of us. “You kids know me. I like to come out with our best when it comes to tournaments. There are no do-overs if we lose.”
“No disrespect, Coach, but I think any of our pitchers can take on Katella.” Garret was the one to step forward. “I’m not trying to be arrogant, but when it comes to this particular tournament, we crushed it last year. Though we have some new guys on the roster, we still have a good chunk of last year’s players.”
Coach hummed, not exactly objecting or accepting his statement. His eyes drifted to the twins. “What do you two think?”
“I’ll do it.” Kyle stood ramrod straight. “You may think Garret is our best, Coach. But I don’t think I’m any worse than him.”
Coach looked at Dave. “And you?”
“Save me for the finals, Coach.” Dave grinned. If Kyle was as stiff as a board, then Dave was as loose as a goose. “I have confidence we’ll be there again this year.”
Coach took a minute before slowly nodding. “Okay. Fine. Kyle gets the start for game one.” He looked at Garret. “Any requests from the captain?”
Garret shrugged. “Let’s get through game one first.”
Coach nodded, satisfied with his answer. He let us go home after that.
“Brett McCauley.” Noah said a name out loud as he was looking at his phone on the way home. “That was the guy.”
“Are you really looking up the game from last year?” Kyle asked, turning to look back at us from the front passenger seat. “What was the score?”
“We won 5-0.” Noah answered.
Kyle smirked. “What ‘we’? You were on the bench, remember?”
Noah glanced at me before glaring at Kyle. “Don’t you know when to keep comments to yourself? I’m not bugged by it, but Jake might be.”
Kyle took a second before looking at me sheepishly. “Sorry, Jake. I…” He couldn’t finish his sentence.
I didn’t know what he wanted to say, but it was okay. “I’m fine.” As long as I don’t think about why I had to be on the bench for that game.
Surprisingly when we got home, Jeremy’s car was parked out on the street. He and Grampa were casually watching a hockey game on tv; Dad and Mom were not in sight.
“Hey, how was practice?” Jeremy asked.
“Good.” Noah looked around. “Did you bring Zeke home again? Is he upstairs?”
“Uh, no.” Jeremy said, stunned.
“Can’t he visit without Zeke?” Grampa asked Noah with a sharp look.
“Of course!” Noah nodded, correcting his attitude. “Absolutely. I just thought…since he brought him last time…”
“Zeke is immersed in preparing for his own season.” Jeremy explained. “I called him earlier today to see if he could get away for the weekend, but from what I understand, they’re having a scrimmage tomorrow. You guys didn’t know?”
All of us shook our heads.
“His schedule doesn’t list any scrimmages.” Noah complained. “If I knew, I would-” He stopped mid-sentence and started to grin at Jeremy.
Jeremy raised an eyebrow. “You’re smile is a bit creepy, kid.”
“Since you’re already here…can’t we go home with you tonight?” Noah asked, inching closer to Jeremy before getting down on his knees to be eye-level. “Don’t you want to show us your new house?”
“Count me in!” Dave raised his hand. “I want to see a pro’s house. And Zeke’s scrimmage of course.” He added in a hurry.
Jeremy looked at me. “What do you think? Want to spend the weekend at my place? I can talk to your parents and bring you guys home with me and then bring you back Sunday.”
I nodded. Sounded like a good plan to me.
“Kyle?” Jeremy asked, looking directly at him.
Kyle looked to be struggling to make a decision. “I want to…but…”
“You already have plans with Marie.” Dave finished for him. He patted his twin’s shoulder, lighter this time. “Sucks to suck.”
Kyle rolled his eyes. “Whatever. Go. Have fun without me. Unlike you losers, I have a date tonight and need to shower.” He turned on his heel and left.
“What about you, Gramps?” Jeremy turned to ask, surprising all of us. “You up for a drive to see your eldest grandson play in college?”
Grampa hesitated.
“Come on, Grampa.” Noah encouraged. “It’ll be fun. We can show you where Zeke goes to school and whatnot. You’re always cooped up in the house. And it’ll be quiet here with us gone. You know Mom and Dad will just have to work the whole weekend. And then they’ll feel guilty that you were home alone the whole time.”
That did the trick.
“Heck, why not?” Grampa nodded. “I don’t know how much longer I’ve got. Better take this chance to see Zeke play while I’m still around.”
Noah laughed. “That’s the spirit.”
Jeremy looked at me, sharing some concern. I gave him a small smile so he could tell it wasn’t a big deal. That’s just how Grampa talked.
The evening started to pass faster as we rushed to take showers and pack an overnight bag. Mom and Dad were stunned by the suddenness of it all but once they heard Zeke had a scrimmage and Grampa wanted to see, they gave us the official green light to go after dinner.
