539 V2 ch11 (1/2)

Dinner on Wednesday night was rather silent. The twins had to go to a classmate's house for a group project due Friday. And since they were busy after school tomorrow, they only had today. Mr. and Mrs. Atkins were working on their proposal for their work meeting tomorrow so they had taken their dinner to their shared office.

It was just Noah, Zeke, and me at the table. Zeke was always silent so that was nothing new. Noah's silence on the other hand, was unusual. He peacefully ate his food, but his eyes were glued on his phone. Not even looking at an article or an ongoing game, but was waiting for a text back.

As we finished eating, his phone beeped.

Noah held his breath as he opened the text message. Then he jumped up and shouted, making me flinch. ”He found someone! He found someone!” He beamed proudly at Zeke. ”Ten people! We have ten!”

Zeke smiled. ”I'll fill out the roster on Friday when we have everyone's release form.”

I was about to ask about the girls, when Mrs. Atkins came out holding her cell phone. ”Noah...I just got a call from Alisha's mom?”

Noah ran over to her. ”Did she say yes??”

”What are you doing exactly? I thought you were putting together a team of players..?” She frowned. ”Her mom told me that she hasn't played since she was little. Is this what you want to do?”

”Don't worry, Mom.” Noah straightened up. ”We're playing for fun. Alisha knew I was struggling finding players so she said she would join. She's not the only girl either. Kaylee said she and her friend would join.”

”Might join.” I corrected.

Noah shot me a look. I picked up my plate and took it to the kitchen sink as Noah talked with his mom. By the time I came back, she was already back on the phone with Alisha's mom and headed back for the office.

Noah grinned. ”Alisha is in.” He picked his phone up again. ”I have to check in with Kaylee. She hasn't sent anything yet.”

”How about making sure you do your homework?” Zeke suggested.

”Already done.” Noah didn't look up.

Zeke looked skeptical.

”We do it all right when we get home.” I spoke up for Noah. We practically did our homework as soon as we got home out of habit. Because it used to be practice, dinner, homework then bed. Now it's homework and dinner. Then Noah will usually watch a baseball game and I follow along.

”You know, you guys can join me on my runs and workouts.” Zeke said.

That made Noah put down his phone. ”Look at the time. The A's should be playing. Let's go, Jake.” He made his exit and I was right behind him.

We went to the living room and turned on the tv. Noah put on the A's game and we watched in silence. Zeke joined us after cleaning up.

”Jeremy has been doing well with the A's.” Noah commented, glancing my way.

I shrugged. ”If you say so.”

I shrugged again.

”Give up, Noah. It doesn't matter to Jake, how well Jeremy does.” Zeke spoke up, his eyes remaining on the tv screen.

”I wouldn't say that.” I told them. They both looked at me in surprise. ”I wouldn't want him to do bad. I just feel...a little disconnected from it. He's a pro. But, he's also someone who had left me behind. It just feels fake.” I found the words to describe what I was feeling. With that, I got an idea. I pulled out my phone. One that was hardly used.

”Are you going to text Jeremy that? Right now?” Noah was stunned. ”The day before we have to see him?”

I rolled my eyes. ”No. Of course not. What I'm feeling...isn't completely his fault. I'm texting Dr. Moore to find out if he'll be at school tomorrow.”