247 The Softball Team 2 (2/2)

Kyle glared down at her. ”What do you mean your level? We're both on varsity as juniors. Are you saying that you're better just because you made varsity as a freshman? Let me ask you, what's the point of being a queen of trash? If there's no competition, of course you'll be on varsity so soon.”

She glared at him, and the rest of the students on the bus started to quiet down. She stood back up, looking ready to take him on. ”That's funny coming from a guy on a team with two starting freshmen. What does that say about your team? That they're non recyclable trash?”

Kyle didn't back down. ”Our freshmen are outstanding, playing on the same level as Zeke. Can you say the same?”

Marie scoffed. ”You always bring up Zeke to save your argument. Too bad he can't boost your individual stats. What did you do last year again? Oh that's right, an ERA of 4.24 and a WHIP of 1.8. The only reason you had as many wins as you did is because of your older brother's batting.”

Kyle clenched his fists. ”Oh yea? I bet my team could do better than yours even without Zeke?”

She gave a look of doubt. ”There's no way your coach would let you guys play without your star.”

”We just won't count his stats.” Kyle declared. ”His hits, RBIs, and runs won't count.”

”Pitching stats?”

”We don't know who's starting just yet.” Kyle frowned.

”If it's you or Dave, then we'll also compare your stats to mine. If not, we'll leave it alone. Wouldn't want to embarrass you all too much.” She shot a look around to the baseball players on the bus, yet no one said anything.

Noah, who had been standing in front of me like a guard, finally spoke up. ”It's on. We'll take the challenge. No matter who is the pitcher. We'll do full stats across the board except for Zeke's.” Marie raised an eyebrow at Noah, looking down at him with contempt. ”But since we'll be a player short, I say we get to count someone else's numbers as double.”

”Greedy little brat, aren't you? Every Atkins is a schemer.” What did that mean?

Noah feigned a look of innocence. ”Just trying to keep it fair. But since you're so worried, we'll only double what Jake does.” He jerked a thumb at me. ”Jake's a freshman like me.”

She let out a laugh. ”You really want to go with the squirt?”

Kyle caught on to Noah's hustle, and nodded in agreement. ”We'll double Jake's numbers.”

”Fine.” She accepted. Then she calmly sat back down. She sent us a glance. ”You still have to sit in the back. Three to a seat.” She repeated.

Noah opened his mouth, probably to object, but he didn't get the chance.

”What's going on here? It's almost time to go.” Zeke arrived. He stood behind us, his head nearing the roof of the bus. ”Why aren't you guys in your seats yet?” He frowned, looking between Kyle and Marie. ”Why are you two so close together? Didn't we agree that you guys should stay a few rows away from one another?”

”We sat down first.” Kyle huffed, plopping down in his seat, next to the oddly silent Dave.

”Bailey chose this seat, and she's my seat mate.” Marie wasn't intimidated by Zeke. ”This is where we'll sit. If they have a problem with it, they can move.” Her eyes drifted to Noah. ”As for your youngest brother, he apparently doesn't know the rules. Underclassmen and newbies get last choice and back of the bus. Three to a seat.”

Zeke looked to us two. I still stood slightly behind Noah, trying to make my presence as small as possible. Noah stood as tall as he could, but couldn't compare to his brother. He looked defiant. ”We won't share with a third.”