200 Pregame: University Preparatory High School 1 (1/2)
As the family loaded up the car and drove to the hotel, Zeke made the call.
”Hello Coach.”
”My dad asked me to visit the athletic trainer on site.”
”No, it's not anything too serious. Just a contusion.”
”Yes, I was going to tell you that it was recommended that I sit and rest. My dad helped me come to terms that tomorrow's game isn't as important as the season overall.”
”...I didn't give anyone a hard time.”
”We're heading to the hotel now. We'll shower at meet everyone in the restaurant at the hotel.”
”Yes. I'll let them know.”
”Okay, see you at dinner.”
Zeke hung up and put his cellphone away. He looked at his dad, who was driving. ”Coach said everyone will meet for dinner at 7pm at the restaurant in our hotel. He sent you a list of players that'll be staying with us tonight.”
”What did he say about your injury?” Mrs. Atkins turned her head to look back from the front passenger seat.
”That it's best to rest one game instead of missing league games later on.” Zeke said, sounding like Mr. Atkins from earlier too.
”Tomorrow is going to be tough.” Kyle sighed. ”I don't envy you guys at all.”
Dave snorted. ”This afternoon was tough. Down by six no thanks to you.”
”What do you mean by that?!” Kyle glared at him. ”We were only down by two when I left the game.”
”Yea..the first time we were down this season..”
”At least I didn't get ejected. You can't even sit in the dugout tomorrow.”
”I didn't give up any runs though.” Dave shot back. ”You were shaking like a leaf up there.”
”We should make the seventh inning runs your fault.” Kyle argued. ”We wouldn't have been put in that situation if it wasn't for you getting kicked out.”
”Well I-”
”ENOUGH.” Mrs. Atkins raised her voice, making me jump in my seat.
Noah raised an eyebrow at me, but didn't say anything.
”No more fighting today.” Mrs. Atkins declared. ”I swear, you boys can never just get along.”
”We get along.” Dave rolled his eyes.
”Yea, all the time.” Kyle agreed.
My jaw dropped at their blatant lies. I shook my head in disbelief.
”The best of friends and the worst of enemies.” Noah leaned in to whisper in my ear. ”Don't even bother.” He leaned back and spoke up. ”Hey, Mom, can you read coach's text to dad to find out who'll be staying with us tonight?”
”Yes, hold on.” She grabbed her husband's cell from the cup holder and started to use it. ”It says we'll be hosting three extra boys for the night. It's some of the seniors since they drove themselves and don't want to drive home and back. Which I agree; It's too long of a drive for kids. Let's see...Mahki, James, and Ryan.”
”How are we going to do the bed arrangements?” Noah asked.
”There's an extra bed in our room. You and Jake can have it. The twins will take the couch bed. And the seniors can split the beds.”
”Mommm.” The twins groaned in sync.
”Don't 'mom' me.” She said back. ”Neither of you will be playing tomorrow. Kyle you're on three day rest and Dave...I don't even know if we'll be able to sneak you into the stands. Your comfort is not my priority.”
”Zeke won't be playing tomorrow either.” Dave poked Zeke in the cheek.
Kyle joined in and poked his other cheek. ”Yea. He's just on the injured list.”
”And because I'm injured, I need to have the most comfortable spot.” Zeke grabbed each of their fingers to force them to stop. ”Touch me again, and you won't be pitching for the rest of the season.”
The twins didn't take the threat seriously and just laughed simultaneously.