733 V2 ch205 (1/2)

He chuckled. ”I'm not going anywhere.”

I turned red. ”I know. It's just surreal to see you here.”

He nodded. ”I thought it would be cool to get a better look at your school. See where you spend most of your time. Last time I was here, I-” He stopped abruptly.

Last time was more of a confrontation between us. He thought I was after him and his money. He wanted a DNA test. He...wasn't himself. Now, I know him better. And the same should go for him.

He scratched the back of his head, looking a little anxious. ”I made a mistake in the beginning. A lot of mistakes.”

”Water under a bridge.” I said generously.

”Soo...” He looked around and spotted the Atkins at a big table with the usual suspects. ”That's quite a group.”

I nodded. ”Kyle's girlfriend is Marie. She's a senior on the varsity softball team. Really great pitcher. Her little sister is Kaylee. She might come off a little...mean, but she's nice. And then the one not in uniform is Alisha, she's going to be the manager of our baseball team.”

”Oh.” He smiled. ”Yes, I remember the name Alisha. How does Noah feel about that?”

I shrugged. ”Seems cool with it. Nothing has changed.”

”Ah.” He nodded in understanding.

We reached the table and sat on the ends of each bench, facing one another. Zeke had really brought homemade burgers and all kinds of toppings. He passed out plates with buns before walking around with a container of burgers. He used tongs to place one on everyone's plate and then let everyone help themselves to lettuce, tomato, onions, and condiments.

”It's weird.” Kaylee stated. She was right next to me, with Alisha on the other side of her. Then Noah and Dave. The other side was Jeremy in front of me, Zeke, Kyle, then Marie.

”What? Sitting with Jeremy Patterson?” Kyle asked. ”Because I feel pretty used to it now.”

Kaylee shook her head, then squinted at Jeremy. ”No. He just looks so much like Jake.”

”Well they are blood-related.” Dave let out a small laugh.

”Meh.” She glanced at me. ”I don't like it.”

”Oh.” I shrugged, unsure of what to say.

”You guys should focus on eating.” Zeke reminded us. ”You don't even have an hour to eat. Then digest.” He opened another bag full of fruit. ”Mom sent me with a bag of mixed fruit. Make sure to eat a banana at least.”

I obediently took a banana and ate it before getting to work on my hamburger. With Zeke's reminder, no one wasted any time. We cleaned off all the food on our plates. Dave and Noah both asked for seconds.

”You're staying for the scrimmages?” Dave asked Jeremy, drawing attention to him again.

Jeremy nodded. ”Yes. Today is our off day so I thought I would just take this opportunity to see as much as I can.”

”Wow. Good for you.” Jeremy told me with a smile. ”I remember the bomb you hit in the championship game. Keep that up and you'll be joining me in the majors right after high school.”

”I haven't faced any of the varsity pitchers yet.” I said quietly.

”Joey almost counts.” Noah spoke up from the end of the bench. ”He's the best from JV. Good possibility of making the varsity team.”

I wasn't convinced. ”He's nowhere near the twins or Garret.” I thought about it. ”Even Brian looked better than him.” I had faced Brian in that fun scrimmage last weekend and I would definitely put him before Joey.

”Are you going to stick around too?” Noah looked at Zeke.

Zeke nodded. ”Yes. Probably sit in the stands with Jeremy just in case he attracts too much attention.”

”You think anyone would come to see him?” Kaylee asked.

”Probably.” Noah was the one to answer. ”He is a star player. On a playoff-bound team. Anyone in shouting distance would come. Either for an autograph, picture, or something.”

As it neared time to go back to the fields, we cleaned up and got moving.

Zeke lifted the empty containers and the bags of remaining food. ”I'll take these to the car then meet you at the fields.”

Marie and Kyle split off next. ”I'm going to take Marie to her field first.”

Kaylee started to follow after them. She suddenly stopped at looked directly at me. ”You got a second, Jake?”

I was stunned. ”Me?”

She rolled her eyes.

”I'll take your bag for you.” Jeremy took my bag off my shoulder again. ”Noah, you want to lead the way? How do you guys know which field you'll be playing on?”