60 The Weekend 5 (1/2)

I looked at Noah for help. Noah was already on it though. ”How are we supposed to know that about your imaginary runners if you don't say so beforehand?”

”You'll have to observe the situation beforehand.”

”What does that even mean?” Noah rolled his eyes. ”The runners aren't real. We can't see them. Can't judge them. Can't see if they're leading off or not. I vote that Jake doesn't have to run the lap.” My savior!

Zeke glanced at Garret. He shrugged. ”Just a bit unfair. I'd let it slide until coach puts him in a game, but then double the punishment then.” He sent me a thousand megawatt smile, yet it felt anything but friendly.

”He must be bitter about losing to you last Monday.” Noah mumbled to me. I nodded in agreement. Garret didn't seem like an evil guy but looks can be really deceiving.

”Okay. In this upcoming tournament, when you play, for every error you commit, you'll have to run a mile the following practice.” And sometimes you get what exactly is advertised. Zeke looked mean and scary, and his words definitely confirmed initial impressions.

”Isn't that too much?” Noah pouted. ”Sounds like you're abusing your power.”

Zeke smiled at Noah. Making us both shiver. ”If that's what you think, then as his 'mentor' you'll help him run his laps. Half a mile for each of you for each error.”

I don't know about Noah, but I felt better about it.

”We can discuss more with Coach during practice.” Zeke added. ”Let's get back to fielding now. Any more disagreements and you'll be running home.” Noah and I got back into our spots, without argument. ”Next play. Runner on first and second. No outs.” He smacked a hard grounder to Noah's right side. He dove, using his glove on the backside, then use that momentum to keep turning right, throwing me the ball. I caught it while touching second and quickly threw to first.

I smiled at Noah and gave him a thumbs up, even thinking about saying something about how well he fielded that.

Only, Zeke spoke first. ”Fail.”

We looked at him, confused on what we missed now.

He looked at me, ”You're going to get wiped if you play like that.”