Chapter 789 - V3 ch24 (2/2)

”It'll be like ripping off a bandaid.” Dave sighed. ”Some suspense though. Will they take the lead in the series? Or give it up?”

Noah pursed his lips. ”At least they have to go to game six. No shut out here.”

The trip back went much smoother. Noah had the headphones already plugged into my phone and we waited to board last. I kept my eyes closed until falling asleep. Dad woke me up as we started the descent.

Noah was turning on his phone to check the score just as we touched down on the runway. Dad gave him a look but it was no use. Noah's attention was all on the A's. He grinned immediately. ”They won! We have the lead in the series! One more to go!” He pumped his fist.

The A's had another blowout win, 7-1. Maberry and Jeremy did it again. They're a good combo. Plus, the pitching has really stepped up this past weekend, holding the Nationals to one run a game. The A's potentially winning the World Series is all the boys could talk about on our way back home.

We dropped Rhys and Zeke off first, sending them straight to their dormitory a couple hours before dinner. The goodbyes were getting easier knowing that we would probably see them again soon.

By the time we got home, it was time for dinner. Dad drove us through a drive-thru and we ordered freely. Mom didn't even say anything when Noah put in an order for some chocolate chip cookies. We got back to the house, took everything inside, then settled at the dining room table.

Halfway through dinner, Mom disappeared to the kitchen, then came back with a small circular cake in hand. Fifteen candles were lit after she placed it in front of me. Dad turned off the lights and the singing started. I was incredibly shy as the family of four sung 'happy birthday'.

”Make a wish!” Noah yelled after they finished singing.

I stared at the small flames. A wish...I didn't have any wishes in mind. This was everything I ever wanted. I glanced at Noah, helpless.

”Wish for the A's to win the World Series.” He whispered.

Dad slapped the back of his head lightly. ”Don't tell Jake what to wish for.” He smiled at me. ”Make a wish for you.”

I thought about it before blowing out the candles.

”What did you choose?” Noah asked.

Dave snorted. ”If he says, then it won't come true.”

I laughed as they argued over the legitimacy of birthday wishes. I wouldn't tell them just in case, but I wished for things to stay like this. A happy family. A warm home. Food on the table every day. There's nothing else I need.

The A's traveled back to Oakland Sunday night. I only knew this because Jeremy called me before his plane took off. Even though they had Monday off, they wanted to be back to look over film and prepare for Tuesday's game six. Jeremy also told me that he had another bat for me.

I laughed. ”At this rate, you really are going to give me a bat every game.”

He chuckled. ”Only for the World Series games. At most, there should be four. For four wins. Enough to win the series. I don't want to give you any bats that have lost a game.”

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. ”You're as baseball crazy as Noah.”

He laughed. ”You're heading there too. Its addicting, isn't it?”

I thought it over. ”Yea...it is.”