188 Game Two: Durham Preparatory 1 (1/2)

After lunch, we went back to the tournament area and sat at an empty bleacher, and just relaxed. Some of the guys laid their heads down on their bags, and put their headphones in to listen to music. Some pulled out their phones to play some games or go on social media. Even Zeke pulled out his phone.

I curiously studied him, wondering what he could be playing.

”Zeke's probably searching for info on the next opponent.” Noah caught me staring. ”Zeke is always thinking baseball. More than anyone I know.”

”You're all about baseball too.” I replied.

Noah smiled at me. ”Of course! I want to play for the rest of my life! All throughout high school, college, work my way through the minor league and then become a professional.”

”But, can't you be drafted right after high school? You guys talked about it before...that Zeke could be drafted to a pro team if he entered into the draft.”

Noah nodded. He looked around to make sure no one was paying attention to us as we sat off to the side. ”The draft is in early June before graduation. About three months from today actually. Zeke is getting tight on time on making a decision.”

”He didn't strike me as the indecisive type?” I pointed out.

Noah shrugged helplessly. ”Who knows what Zeke's thinking? He's not exactly an open book. But, it's definitely on his mind. No college has grabbed enough of his attention to make him drop the idea of going pro right away. That's even with scholarship offers being thrown out.” He peeked over at his eldest brother, who was still studying the info in his phone. ”He has a lot of choices, that's for sure.”

I nodded in agreement. ”What would you do?”

Noah grinned as he looked back at me. ”Of course I'd play a year in college just to show off at the College World Series before entering the draft. What about you? What do you think you would do?”

I thought about it, and came up with an answer. ”I would follow you.”

Noah laughed right away. He reached to put me in his fake chokehold, but I dodge. ”C'mon Jake! Let me show you some brotherly love.”

”Keep it to yourself.” I rolled out of his reach, then jumped to my feet.

Noah didn't give up. He hopped up as well and followed me down the bleachers. ”Jake! Come back! I promise I wasn't going to hurt you. It's just for fun.”

I snorted. Fun for who? I sped down and reached the bottom. Just as I started to pick up speed and try to find a hiding spot, I felt a heavy weight on my back just before falling on my face.

Noah sat on top of me. ”No doubt you're getting a little faster, but you're no match for me.” He started to tickle my rib cage.

I let out a few laughs, but then started to gasp for air. It's not very easy to breathe when someone is sitting on you AND tickling you.

”20 laps. Each.” A stern voice was close. I peeked up and saw Zeke towering over us as we rolled on the ground. ”Why are you trying to tire yourselves out before the game?”

Noah slowly got off me, and then helped me up. He readjusted his cap. ”We were just having some fun.”

”There are times when it's okay to have fun, and then there are times when you need to focus on relaxing. Are you trying to tell me that you don't want to play in this next game?” Zeke seemed like he was getting angrier by the second.

”No, I just-” Noah started to defend us.

But I cut him off, and apologized for the both of us. ”Sorry. We shouldn't have been wasting energy.” I toed at the ground, a little scared to look up.

”Jake, don't apologize.” Noah said, getting a little bit louder. ”Zeke just has a stick up his butt and doesn't know that this is a form of relaxing too.”