668 V2 ch140 (1/2)

After dinner, everyone went back to their rooms with their bags. Some wanted to nap, rest, stretch, wash up, or just relax. We have been working out and playing baseball more than normal. Our bodies were stiff and worn out. I couldn't imagine how I would feel by the end of the week.

After putting our bags down in our room, Noah looked at me with an ear-to-ear grin. His excitement automatically made me nervous.

”Let's get some ice cream from the bookstore!” He exclaimed. He found his wallet and put it into his back pocket of his baseball pants. ”C'mon, we'll have plenty of time before our next practice.”

”Okay...” I agreed. ”As long as Zeke doesn't catch us.”

We left the room and headed downstairs. In the common area, there was a tv playing a movie and a few guys playing on the ping pong table.

”We should try out ping pong tomorrow.” Noah decided on his own.

”But I've never played before.” I told him.

He rolled his eyes. ”It's for fun. You don't have to be good at it.”

I scoffed. I bet Noah will try to win every game even if it's just for fun.

We made our way to the bookstore that we had been to during Zeke's visit a few months back. It was rather dead besides a student or two, but that was a good thing for us. We each picked out an ice cream, Noah paid, then we headed back outside.

Noah got his ice cream opened first and tossed the wrapper in a nearby trash can. ”This is the life. Baseball all day. I can't wait to graduate.”

”Do you think college is like this?” I asked, putting my trash in the trash can too.

”No way!” Noah shook his head. ”You still have classes in college. You would have to worry about homework, quizzes, tests, and all that other school stuff. That's why I want to go pro immediately. Give me nothing but days of baseball.”

”I don't think Mom would like that very much.” I told him.

Noah laughed. ”Well, she already convinced Zeke to try the college route. And it looks like the twins are thinking college too. Somebody has to ge different so why not me?” He looked at me. ”What do you think?”

I shrugged. ”I'm not sure.”

Noah didn't push me. He just nodded. ”Yea...graduation is a bit far from now. Three more years.” He sighed. ”Only one more year left playing with the twins. Sometimes I wish I could go back to the beginning of this season and soak it all up again.”

”I'm happy that I got to join you guys.” I told him. It was the first and probably only time Noah would get to play on the same team with his three big brothers. I was lucky to join them this year.

”Do you ever think about playing with Jeremy?” Noah asked.

I shook my head. ”Not at all.” Hasn't even crossed my mind.

For the evening, we split up. Noah found his teammates to head to practice with, while Rhys picked me up in front of the dormitory.

Our game was at the practice field tonight so it didn't have the same energy as last night. It actually felt laidback as we gathered in the dugout.

The group of pitchers had their bags outside the dugout, ready to head to the bullpen.

”Hey, Jake!”

”Jake, come here for a second!”

”Jake!”

The pitchers called out for me.

I glanced up at Rhys, unsure of what was happening.

Rhys nodded towards them. ”Go. I'm going to go speak with Coach Nate for a minute. You'll be fine with them, right?”

I shrugged. ”I guess so.” The ones from this afternoon were nice. After setting my bag down, I went over to the group, all on my own. ”What's up?” I shifted from foot to foot, uncomfortable with all their eyes on me.

”I was telling the guys how you only played one season of baseball.” Nic explained. ”None of them believe me!”

I scratched my cheek. ”Well...it's true.”

”Crazy!” Some of them yelled out.

”I believe it.” Someone laughed. ”No other batter would look so bad at baserunning besides one without any experience.”

They laughed as I pouted.

”I went on a long run yesterday.” I complained.