After the game, Coach told us to make sure we rest well tonight and tomorrow. We would have practice on Monday and it wouldn't be light even though there was a game on Tuesday.
"Games will be getting closer together, and although next week won't be against teams in the conference, soon it'll be nothing but conference games." Coach explained. "We have to use this time wisely to prepare and help put us in a good position."
"We're already 6-0 in conference." Noah said proudly. "First place is a good position."
Coach frowned at the interruption. Or maybe just in general. "We aren't the only ones still undefeated in league play. We also had it easy with getting two off American Christian Academy. Porterville also wasn't difficult. Just look at our last two, one against Quincy and the OLU game. We barely squeaked by. I don't like it. Not with Servite and Golden West still being undefeated as well." He looked to Zeke. "Anything to add?"
Zeke stood up. "We'll practice hard and do our best regardless the opponent." His words didn't just sound like a command, but also a premonition. A good one.
After the speech, we cleaned up the gear and headed for the bus. Mr. and Mrs. Atkins had already left so they could beat us home, I'm sure. Marie and Kaylee left after a quick chat with Kyle.
The bus ride was a little rowdy as everyone talked about the win and seeing how the season was going, they were happy. Noah, who usually talked my ear off, was busy playing on his phone so I just closed my eyes to rest. I didn't mind the chatter so much now since I was used to it always being loud with the Atkins around.
Back at school, Zeke chauffeured is back to the house where Mrs. Atkins had lunch waiting already.
"You boys can just come and eat. You can shower afterwards." She told us with a smile. "You all did great today."
"Except me." Dave muttered as he took a seat.
"You'll have your moment soon enough." Mr. Atkins told him as the rest of us sat down and started to fill our plates. "A week or two will fly by."
Dave pursed his lips but didn't talk back.
"So Mom, are you guys working an open house this afternoon?" Kyle asked as he finished filling his plate with fruits and two turkey sandwiches.
Mrs. Atkins gave him a funny look. "No…why?"
"Just wondering." Kyle shrugged nonchalantly.
"Yea, just wondering if he can go out with his girlfriend." Noah tacked on, grinning.
"What?" Mrs. Atkins blinked.
"How'd you know?" Kyle glared at Noah.
Noah threw some grapes in his mouth. "Kaylee told me. She said you guys were going to a movie and wanted to know if I was going with Jake."
Me?
"You're not going!" Kyle rolled his eyes. "A date is between two people. Not two plus a bunch of little kids."
"Then you're not going." Mr. Atkins spoke up. "If I recall, you're all grounded until forever."
"Only until Zeke graduates." Noah corrected, still focused on eating.
"Excuse me?"
Noah looked up. "The day after the party, you said we're grounded until Zeke's graduation."
I fought back a smile. I don't believe Mr. Atkins was saying 'excuse me' for clarification.
"It's about to change until your graduation." Mr. Atkins gave his youngest son a stern look.
Noah looked down at his plate. "I'm not the one hiding the date."
"I wasn't hiding it!" Kyle quickly defended. "I was just waiting for a better time to ask."
"When would be a better time?" Mrs. Atkins asked. "When we were away for work? Or would you have let us known after you already went? Or better yet, only when you get caught?"
Kyle quieted down and seemed to shrink in his chair. A silence fell over the table as we ate. No other topic could survive with this atmosphere.
Mary set her fork down and cleared her throat. All of us stopped eating and turned to look at her. "If you really want to go on a date with this girl, I have a suggestion."
"YES!" Kyle jumped out of his chair.
"Sit down." Mr. Atkins ordered. "You haven't heard the suggestion yet."
"No matter what it is, I'll say yes!" Kyle sat back down with a giant smile. Was going on a date such a big deal?
"That's good then." Mrs. Atkins nodded. "You can go ahead and call her. Invite her and her whole family to have dinner with us."
"What. No." Kyle rejected in less than a second.
Noah stifled a laugh. Dave was smiling, looking in better spirits than the start of lunch. Zeke just continued to eat like none of it mattered to him.
"Kyle." Mr. Atkins addressed. "You went from yes to anything to a sudden no. This is why you have to hear what your mother says before jumping in excitement. I agree with her though. It would be good for both families to meet if you want to date this girl. I'm sure her parents will also feel better knowing who you are, and who we are."
"Good? Good for me to be single for the rest of my life?!" Kyle slumped dramatically in his seat. "No girl wants to meet the family on a first date."
"What are you saying?" Mrs. Atkins said. "We met and spoke at the field today. Nothing in great detail though. And doesn't she already know your brothers? And vice versa?" She looked to me and Noah. "You both know Marie and her little sister Kaylee, right?"
"Yep." Noah replied simply. "Slightly mean."
"Mean?" Mrs. Atkins looked surprised.
Thinking about our first meeting, I started to nod in agreement.
"No, no, there was a misunderstanding!" Kyle jumped in. "They both like Marie now, Mom. She's really nice."
"Kaylee is the nice one." Noah stated.
"Not at first." I shivered.
Mrs. Atkins looked even more concerned. "Kyle, you either invite her and her family for dinner or the original ruling stands. Grounded."
Kyle shot daggers with his eyes at Noah and I. This time it was my turn to shrink in my seat.
Zeke slapped him on the back of the head as he stood up. "You're just making things worse. Sit down."
Kyle turned the glare on him but nonetheless, sat down.
"I have a suggestion too. For both parties." Zeke said in a clear voice. "As a neutral party. Do you want to hear it?"
"Go ahead, son." Mr. Atkins nodded.
"As a teen, I know what Kyle is feeling. You both are putting a lot of pressure on him. I'm not saying that's wrong, but why not give in a step or two? Let's all do dinner together like you want, Mom. Then allow the two of them go on a movie date at the mall or something." Zeke picked up his plate. "Okay, I'm done." He walked to the kitchen and put his dish in the sink. As he walked through the dining room again, he lifted a hand in a small, lazy wave. "I'm going to shower now." He headed for the stairs.
"I think that's fair." Mr. Atkins looked at Kyle. "What do you say? Can you do a joint family dinner in exchange for a movie?"
Kyle frowned, but didn't immediately object. "Let me call Marie first. Her family might already have plans."
