Chapter 469 - First Encounter (1) (2/2)

”Monday, 5pm.” Zeke answered. ”I think they're having it at some community college near the beach.”

”Do you know your opponent yet?” Mr. Atkins asked.

He shook his head. ”We'll find out tomorrow night. The other quarterfinal game is in the late afternoon.”

”Did you want to go watch it?” Mr. Atkins asked.

”No can do, Dad.” Dave shook his head. ”We have practice.”

”I'm sure Coach will have one of the assistants watching or even recording.” Zeke added.

”Good. Focus on your practicing.” Mr. Atkins said before looking to me. ”How did the arm feel throughout the game?”

”Not bad.” I told him. ”Coach said to let it breathe and then we'll decide what to do tomorrow.”

”Be sure to listen to him and Drew.” Mrs. Atkins told me. ”I don't want you reinjuring yourself.” She looked to Dave. ”You be careful too. You've been a little injury-prone these last couple of months and that worries me.”

”Got it, Mom.” Dave nodded.

Soon the conversation shifted to shower times and what homework needed to be done before bed. The night closed out quickly with morning appearing after a good sleep.

Getting out of bed, my arm felt itchy and I fought off the urge to give in and scratch.

”Man, today feels like a Saturday.” Noah yawned as we made our way through the halls of school after rushing through the morning routine.

I nodded in agreement.

Luckily, there were more test to take than actual learning to be done. It made the day fly by.

At practice, Drew examined my arm and came to the conclusion that I shouldn't push it. It really was going to be a running practice for me. I could only watch from the outer edges as the team put in work for the last practice before the weekend and the next game.

Afterwards, Coach gave a short speech on what to expect on Monday and how Kyle would get the start on the mound. He also shared that we would get an email about our next opponents so to be sure to check it out over the weekend.

”That was brutal.” Noah groaned as the five of us left the field with our bags. His three brothers followed behind, talking about some pitching practice for tomorrow.

”At least you didn't have to run the whole time.” I patted my quads. ”I wonder if I should take an ice bath tonight or tomorrow.”

”Ew.” Noah cringed. ”You're such a weirdo.”

”But it feels so good.” I argued.

”You're a weirdo.” Dave echoed Noah from behind us.

I rolled my eyes, but in doing so, I saw something in the corner of my eyes. Or, to be more precise, someone. My feet stopped.

”Jake?” Noah asked.

I slowly turned my head away from him and looked to the man standing beside the bleachers. I could recognize him easily and that's what made me feel more unsure. What was he doing here..?

”Is that..?” Noah stepped up beside me.

I nodded.

The man was watching me. Seeing that I paused, his feet started to move and my breathing picked up. He was coming towards me.

”Hey. He's coming.” Noah whispered. ”What do we do?”

”Let's see what he wants.” Zeke said in a low voice, reminding me that he and the twins were right there.

The man stopped five feet away, and glanced down at me. Jeremy Patterson. He was here. At my school. At my baseball field. Right in front of me.

My heart started to pound and my breathing became more shallow. ”Hi.” I blurted out. Because...what else could I say?