669 V2 ch141 (1/2)
The next morning, Noah stood over my phone at the desk, eager for me to call. He got up early and was already dressed for the day. He bounced in place as I got dressed for another day of baseball.
After putting on my hat, I sat down and clicked Jeremy's name on my contact list. I clicked speakerphone so Noah could hear as the phone started to ring. And ring. And ring. Just when I thought it was going to voicemail, he answered.
”Uh, hey Jake.” Jeremy didn't sound right over the phone. ”What's up?”
I looked at Noah, not sure what I'm supposed to say anymore. Noah pointed at the phone and mouthed, 'slump'.
”Jake? You there?” Jeremy sounded worried.
I cleared my throat. ”Yea, yea, I'm here.”
He sighed with relief. ”What's up?” He repeated.
”Nothing much. Just playing baseball at the camp.” I leaned forward over the phone. ”Anything new with you?”
Another sigh, but this time it sounded heavy. ”Uh, not really new. Just the same: playing baseball.”
”You don't sound the same.” I pointed out. ”Are you sure everything is okay? Some of the guys told me that you're in a slump.”
Jeremy let out a weak laugh. ”Well, they aren't wrong. This is definitely what you call a slump, but you don't have to worry.”
”I'm not worried about your slump.” I frowned. ”I'm worried about you. Noah said it's not like you to go this long without a hit. And you haven't gotten a hit since you had something crop up last week. So...what happened?”
He sighed again. ”Nothing you have to worry about. I'm fine, everything is fine. I'm just stuck in my head a little bit right now.”
”Really?”
”Really. It's actually not a real problem. Slight inconvenience, honestly.”
”You don't get a hit for almost a week over a slight inconvenience?” Noah scoffed.
”Oh, hi Noah.” Jeremy said, ignoring his comment. ”How's the camp? Are you guys liking it?”
My lips thinned. ”I do like it. Same with Noah.” I paused. ”Are you really not going to tell me what's going on? Is everything okay with your family? With Rose?”
Jeremy let out another small laugh. ”Really, Jake, don't worry. There's nothing you can do so just leave it to me. I can handle my own problems. You should just relax and enjoy your camp. Have some fun. Learn something.”
I looked at Noah, feeling a little helpless.
Noah leaned in to speak. ”If you want Jake to stop worrying, then you have to snap out of it. If you don't do better, then we're going to think something is really wrong. What could possibly be taking all your attention away from baseball? Do I need to call Rose to find out?”
Jeremy outright laughed. ”Okay, okay. Tonight will be different. I'll take some extra batting practice and will try to get back on track. Don't be calling my girlfriend. Get one of your own.”
I cracked a smile. ”Want me to tell Alisha that?”
Noah gave me a light shove. ”Shut up. You know I don't believe in dating in high school. That crap doesn't last.”
”That's not always true.” Jeremy spoke up. ”I know a few guys on the team who married their high school sweethearts.”
Noah got quiet.
”Hey, isn't it still early on the west coast?” Jeremy asked. ”Did you guys just wake up?”
”Yea, got dressed too.” I told him.
”We wanted to tell you to get your life together. It's so embarrassing to tell others that Jake is related to you.” Noah laughed. ”All Jake heard yesterday was that you were in a slump. That's why he's so worried.”
”You told them about me?” Jeremy sounded surprised.
”Jake kind of stands out.” Noah explained. ”It didn't take long for someone to look him up and then find the connection to you.”