540 V2 ch12 (2/2)

Noah nudged me. ”Hey. You're supposed to deny it.”

I looked at him. ”It's not good to lie.”

Mr. Miller laughed at Noah's offended expression.

”Glad you boys made it safely.” Coach joined our small group. He shook Zeke's hand. ”Good to see you, son. Looks like you've been keeping up with your workouts.”

Zeke nodded. ”Yes, sir.” He glanced to Noah and I. ”I've tried to get these two to join me, but you know how kids are.”

Coach laughed. ”Yes, I have a good idea of what's on Noah's mind.”

Noah gave Zeke a shove. ”We're teenagers just like you. Don't act like an old man just because you're preparing for college. You haven't even graduated high school yet.”

”Just a few more weeks to go.” Coach smiled. ”We're proud of you Zeke. You have done this program justice and really made it shine.”

”Hey!” Noah complained. ”Shouldn't you be saying that to me and Jake? We won CIF too. It's not like he did it without us. He was practically useless in the championship game.”

Coach chuckled. ”Zeke put in four years of work to get here. He molded you and the twins, making you three competitive before you got to high school. Really, I should thank your parents for living in our school district. And thank our lucky stars that Jake came to us.”

”That one you have to thank me for.” Noah stated. ”Jake wouldn't have even played if it wasn't for me.”

Coach grinned. ”Seems like someone is feeling under-appreciated.”

Noah nodded. ”Now you can tell me.”

Coach gave Noah a pat on the head. ”You have three more years before I thank you.” He turned his focus on me. ”But, I'll give thanks to Jake right now.”

”What?! Why? So unfair!” Noah groaned.

Coach looked me in the eyes. ”I know your relationship with Jeremy is complicated. It probably weighs on your mind more than any normal teen your age. I appreciate you giving the team a chance at this special opportunity. It probably matters more than you know.” He slowly patted my shoulder.

I just stood there, awkward as always, unable to say anything in return. Honestly, I didn't understand what he was saying. At least...not until Zeke got the special admission tickets from the Will Call window and started to pass them out. The whole team was filled with a special kind of energy as we went through security.

It only amplified when we were escorted to the special entrance to get to the field.

”I can't believe this!”

”Amazing!”

”The grass is so perfect!”

”Do you think we can get some autographs?”

There was over thirty of us between players and parents taking up the space behind home plate where the opposing team were doing their batting practice. Some of the A's players were taking pictures with other fans behind the rope and signing autographs on miscellaneous items.

”Jake!” A friendly voice called out.