The Hitting Zone

By the time we got home Wednesday night, it was hurry up and shower and get to bed. We still had to physically be at school Thursday morning. Luckily it would be a half day, so we'd be home in time for lunch.

I didn't notice anything off with Kyle until we met at the car after school. He threw Dave the keys, catching us all by surprise considering how much he liked to be in control. Even more so when it's his car.

"Jitters getting to you?" Dave raised an eyebrow. He unlocked the doors and we got in.

"Shaking with excitement." Kyle held his hand up so we could see the little tremors. He relaxed into the front passenger seat. "Why don't we go get ice cream for lunch?"

"What about Grampa?" I quickly asked so they wouldn't forget that he was waiting for us at home with lunch.

"I bet he grilled some steaks." Dave said, starting the car and sparing a glance at his twin.

Kyle shrugged. "Yea. That's better. Way more fulfilling."

"I'd still be down to get ice cream after." Noah added. "We'll have a couple of hours until it's time." He leaned forward. "You going to hook up your laptop to the tv?"

"There's not much to actually watch. The rest of the rounds aren't really televised." Kyle said.

"Yea, but it's good to keep track and see when you're coming up." Dave said. "Kind of like a countdown until you get picked." He paused. "You're not feeling sorry for yourself because you didn't go day one like Garret and Zeke had done, right?"

Kyle rolled his eyes. "I'm not the sulking type."

Noah burst out into laughter. "Okayyyy. Sureeee." He was totally sarcastic.

Usually Kyle would have something to quip back with, but he just stayed quiet for the rest of the ride home. He pulled out his phone, looking to send a few texts.

Unexpectedly, Mom and Dad were home, helping Grampa set the table. Steaks like Dave predicted and my favorite veggie skewers.

I couldn't resist and grabbed one right away.

"Jake." Mom squinted at me. "Did you wash your hands?"

I paused.

"It's not like he's touching the food with his hands." Noah answered for me, reaching out for a veggie skewer too. "I'm with Jake. We're starving."

"I told you to take a snack to school." Mom began to lecture.

"You wouldn't let me bring anything sweet!" Noah shot back.

We took turns at the kitchen sink, washing hands before going to sit down at the table. It was full of extra placemats and glasses.

"Uh, is Jeremy coming over early to eat too?" Dave asked, eyeing the extra seats. He started to count. "And is he bringing Rose? Who else? It can't be Zeke! He has a big series that start tomorrow. He's probably doing extra time in the cages or something."

"It's Ryan." Dad was the one to answer, naming Kyle's agent. "Him, Rose, and Jeremy are all riding together and should be here any minute." He walked out the back door to help Grampa with the grill.

Almost as if on cue, the doorbell went off followed by a knock knock at the front door.

A few pairs of eyes looked to me. I stopped eating my skewer, confused. I looked to Noah.

Noah looked to Kyle. "They're here for you, dude. You go answer it."

Kyle straightened up and took long strides to the door.

Dave laughed as he squeezed between me and Noah. "That was cruel. You chose food over your own brother."

"Like you don't." Noah scoffed. He reached out for another skewer.

As did I. "I think it makes more sense for Kyle to get them. He's also more talkative than I am. And, I don't want to be caught not knowing the answer to any of their questions. Like how is Kyle feeling? Because I don't know."

"It's not test, Jake." Dave laughed again. "If you don't know, you don't know. Honestly, I don't know what he's feeling either. Excited, definitely. Nervous, probably. All I know is how I'm feeling."

"Which is what?" Noah asked curiously.

"You three look cozy." Jeremy said as he walked in, followed by Rose. Ryan and Kyle could be heard talking in the entryway still.

"You'll be just as tight on that side of the table." Noah told them, gesturing. "We should really invest in an expanding table for occasions like this."

Jeremy looked to Rose. "How do you feel about one of those? I think it would be a good idea."

Rose scrunched up her nose. "I guess it would be more practical than just having a giant table going unused most of the time."

"You guys shopping for the house before holding the wedding?" Noah asked. "Isn't it supposed to be the opposite way?"

"Not if they're already living together." Dave pointed out.

Jeremy's face started to turn red.

"The wedding planning is all under control." Rose claimed with a small smile. She took Jeremy's hand and led him to the other side to sit across from us.

"Gotta be in the offseason clearly." Dave noted. "Are we all getting invites? Or are you guys just doing something small?" His eyes widened. "No. I have to go! There's going to be so many pros there!"

Jeremy let out a small laugh. "Yes, everyone is invited. I don't think there's going to be as many pros as you think. I'm only close to a few guys on the team."

"Maberry has got to be there, right?" Dave pushed.

"He's invited, yes." Jeremy nodded.

"You didn't make him your best man? What about Jake? Is he going to be a groomsman?" Dave continued asking.

"No, I picked a friend from my time in the minors." He answered. "He's still in double A, but won't be playing offseason ball." He looked at me. "Sorry, Jake. I didn't think of you for a groomsman…you're kind of young. I just picked a few guys I know from baseball."

"He's better off without the attention." Noah said. "How many of your groomsmen are players?"

"All of them." Jeremy looked oddly embarrassed. He scratched the upper corner of his cheek. "I probably wouldn't have asked as many as I did if Rose didn't have so many bridesmaids. Gotta keep it even somehow."

Dave and Noah laughed.

Kyle came in with Ryan; they both sat on the same side as Jeremy and Rose. Mom and Dad came in, setting out the rest of the sides and drink choices. Grampa came in last, holding a giant platter of steaks.

"Kyle gets to pick first." He declared, handing over the tongs to Kyle. Kyle made his choice of steaks and passed the tongs to Ryan. Ryan looked embarrassed to go before so many of us and tried to hand it off.

"Don't bother. They're all equally good." Dave assured him.

The tongs and Grampa made his way around. From Ryan to Rose to Jeremy. Dad at the head of the table. Me, Dave, and Noah. Grampa then let Mom picked before placing one on his own plate. Lunch got underway as everyone started to add some sides to their plates.