661 V2 ch133 (1/2)

I made sure to pick a stall that was between two other empty stalls. I didn't want to be close to others while being naked. I turned the water on, got undressed and hurried through my shower. The shower stalls all had dispensable body wash and shampoo so it made things simple. I wasn't picky and was simply in a rush. I dried off in the stall after turning the water off. Then hurried to put on my pajamas.

I came out of the stall, hair still dripping. I put my towel on my shoulders and headed out. I coincidentally ran into Kenny, who was on his way in.

He gave me a weak smile. ”H-hey, good job out there today.”

”Thanks.” The tension in my shoulders dispersed. I knew Kenny wouldn't be the same as the others. I gripped my towel. ”And...thanks for asking me to warmup with you.”

Kenny smiled. ”Sure. Let's partner up again tomorrow.” He walked into the showers.

Relief washed over me. Tomorrow, I'll have someone on the team to warmup with. Great. I went back to my room with a smile of my own.

Noah was already dozing off, so I turned off the lights and used the light of my phone to get to bed. It was already 11pm. I yawned and got comfy under the covers.

The next morning, I was as stiff as a statue. Everything hurt. My legs. My arms. My abs.

Noah laughed at the way I was moving on our way to the cafeteria for breakfast. ”Don't worry. Once we start playing again and warming up, your muscles won't be so tight.”

”I don't think so.” I groaned, shifting my baseball bag on my shoulders. ”I can't even imagine playing this morning, let alone all day.” I really just want to go back to bed.

”Practice in the morning might be the hard part. Games won't be so bad. It's not like all the ground balls will come at you. And you only bat like three or four times a game.”

”There's also team practice...” I pointed out.

”Oh.” Noah hummed.

We entered the cafeteria, dropped our bags off against the wall, and went to find some food.

”Well, Rhys is there to watch out for you. Plus, the coach can't say much if you want a break.” Noah told me. ”So just do your best until you can't do anymore.” Noah started to pile his plate with eggs, bacon, and hash browns.

I stared at his back. Play until I can't play anymore? What kind of advice is that? I'm not like him, an energizer bunny with unlimited vitality. I followed behind him, loading up my own plate with food.

We both sat at a table with some of the guys we knew. There were a few new faces, but no introductions were made. Everyone was focused on eating.

”Hey, Jake, great game last night!” Dylan spoke to me directly as he sat down at our table. It drew attention from the guys around us.

”Were you in the stands..?” I asked, trying to be polite. I know for sure he wasn't on the other team at least.

I felt the blood rush to my cheeks. ”Thanks.”

”What did Jake do?” Travis asked, sitting down with Landon. ”Hit a homerun or two?” He chuckled, probably remembering my evaluation.

”He got a hit in every at-bat.” Dylan told everyone who was listening. ”He drove in most of the runs. Practically carried his team to a win.”

I shook my head. ”That-”

”Don't be shy!” Someone else said. ”You faces four different pitchers and you didn't struggle for a second.”

A few of the guys who watched the game started to share with the ones who didn't get to see it.

I looked down at my food and tried not to make eye contact with anyone. The guys around me were acquaintances now, but I couldn't tell them that my team was upset with my given playing time.