515 Jeremy’s Visit 2 (1/2)

As soon as Noah left to go inside one of the batting cages, Jeremy turned to me. \”Do you ever fear that Noah and the Atkins might be exploiting you to get to me?\”

Faced with the sudden accusation, I paused. Then let out a short laugh.

Jeremy was taken aback by my sudden reaction.

\”No...I don't have that fear.\” I told him. \”The Atkins took me in before we knew who you were.\”

\”But, what about now?\” He pressed. \”They know now. I know we aren't close, but if I want that to change, I have to know what they're like.\”

Noah's turn was coming to an end.

\”I'm not worried that they're using me.\” I glanced up at him. \”You're the only one being used here.\” I grabbed a token from the cup. \”Who needs so many tokens for the two of us? We couldn't possibly spend all of these in one afternoon. And there's no refunds.\”

\”I'll just let you keep them for another time.\”

I let out a smile as Noah came out of the cage. \”Yea, I think he already planned that.\”

Jeremy looked surprised.

I went in the cage with a helmet on and my new bat in hand. I decided to work on my right side since that was the way I had hit the homerun. It would be nice to give it some more practice. I was meticulous in my movements, concentrating on lifting the ball with a purpose.

I came out when my pitches were done. I found a smiling Noah and an uncomfortable looking Jeremy. Yea...I wasn't scared of being exploited at all. Noah and the Atkins always put me first. Even at the cost of themselves.

Noah moved up to the 70's and waved after getting a token out.

\”Did he give you a hard time?\” I asked Jeremy, wanting to know what Noah said to make him look so uncomfortable.

\”He's very protective of you.\” Jeremy said, looking a little sad.

\”Yea...\” I nodded and watched as Noah hit a few pitches. \”He's my best friend. My first friend really.\” I looked up at Jeremy. \”He'll make sure that you're on the losing end every time we interact. Is that going to be a problem.\”

Jeremy cracked a smile. \”I can't imagine that it'll cost me much.\” He continued. \”He kind of reminds me of my, I mean, our cousin. Uncle Jack has a son and two daughters. Did you know that?\”

I frowned and looked away from him. \”Yea. I heard you say it.\” How could I forget? He didn't even want to admit to having a brother like me. He said his cousins were his only siblings.

\”Jake-\” He reached out for me, but I shied away.

\”Don't touch Jake!\” Noah was back. \”Didn't you listen to me at all?? He doesn't like to be touched. Especially by strangers.\” Noah looked me over. \”What'd he do? What'd he say?\”

Noah's overreaction made me realize how much he babies me. My lips twitched. \”We were talking about Jack and his kids.\”