540 V2 ch12 (1/2)

Thursday, we followed a strict schedule set by Zeke and their parents. Before school we had to prepare what we would wear for the game. After school, Zeke took us home, where we switched into our A's gear and grabbed a well packed bag of snacks from Mrs. Atkins.

”Keep the music low. Make sure to double check your blind spots before changing lanes. Defensive driving.” Mr. Atkins lectured Zeke, before turning to us. ”Absolutely no fighting in the car. Preferably not at the stadium either, but I know you boys.”

”We'll be good!” Noah announced, getting into the car. ”We all brought our homework and will do it in the car.”

”Dad, we know what to do.” Kyle got in the front passenger seat. ”I'll text you updates and be in charge of navigation. Just relax.”

”We're even separating ourselves.” Dave squeezed into the very back. ”I'll be taking this last row so I can quietly study and prepare for finals.”

Mr. Atkins looked at the packed car, then down at me. ”They're growing up, aren't they?”

I laughed.

I wouldn't say that they were growing up. They just know when to prioritize being on their best behavior in order to go to the ball game.

I was the last to get in, sitting in the middle row with Noah. He already had his math book out and started to work on it.

Mr. Atkins walked to the drivers window Zeke had rolled down. ”Watch out for them. I'll keep my phone on in the meeting just in case an emergency happens. I loaded your debit card with some money besides for dinner just in case something happens.”

Zeke looked at his dad. ”Mom isn't even this worried. I'll text you when we meet up with the team.” He put the car in reverse.

Mr. Atkins stepped away and joined his wife. They watched as we pulled out of the driveway and down the street.

True to their word, the Atkins brothers all stayed relatively silent. Zeke drove as the radio played in the background. The rest of us did our homework, only making noise when we flipped the pages or scribbled down an answer. After an hour and a half drive, they started to show signs of restlessness. It only got worse as the stadium came into sight.

”Finally!” Dave yelled from the back after Zeke paid for parking and drove through a mostly empty lot. It was still over two hours before game time so we got a good spot again.

”I see Garret, Tyler, and Matt!” Kyle announced from the front, naming a few other junior pitchers. ”They must have came together.” He frowned. ”We should have came with them. It would have been the junior pitchers car.”

Dave laughed. ”How lame. I definitely wouldn't have gotten all my homework done if we did that.”

”You're the one who sounds lame.” Kyle shot back.

Zeke parked and turned off the car. He glanced back at us. ”Stay seated a minute while I text Dad.” He pulled his phone out and started to text.

It wasn't just Garret and a few other pitchers, but a lot of the coaches were there too. Mr. Miller peeled away from the group and approached us.

The twins waved, but kept moving on to their classmates. Zeke stopped with Noah and I, just standing feet away from the big group.

”It's an honor to play with you boys this summer.” Mr. Miller smiled. He glanced at Zeke. ”Especially you before you head off to college. Remember us little folks too, okay?” He chuckled.

Zeke's lips upturned. ”Of course. I'll have to have an inside man to make sure my brothers stay out of trouble.”

”He's talking about the twins.” Noah elaborated.

”Sure he is.” Mr. Miller flicked Noah's hat downwards. ”C'mon, I know you, Noah. You can find trouble by just existing.” He grinned at me. ”Ain't that right, Jake?”

I cracked a smiled, but didn't answer.