The Hitting Zone

Everyone started to come into the dining room at once. Dave and Kyle carried in dishes full with food and laid them out, while Noah and Zeke came down the stairs. Mrs. Atkins sat down at the other end of the table and directed the twins on where to set down the dishes. Noah sat beside me, while Dave squeezed on the end next to Mrs. Atkins. Zeke quietly sat down next to Jeremy and Kyle took the last empty seat.

Everyone filled up their plate and started to eat.

"The A's are looking really good so far." Dave said. "I really think we'll be making the playoffs this year."

"Without a doubt!" Noah agreed easily. "Maberry will be back in action after the all-star break too." He looked at Jeremy. "Do you know how he's doing?"

Jeremy nodded. "He comes to every home game. I heard he'll be starting some rehab with our athletic training staff."

"Would he bat before you or after you?" Noah asked.

Jeremy shrugged. "That's a decision for the manager."

"But, what would you prefer?" Noah pressed.

"Whatever helps the team win." Jeremy answered.

Noah nodded. "Good, happy to hear it."

Jeremy seemed to relax a little thanks to Noah's talking. He tried to start a conversation. "So tell me a little more about this softball team..? How many games a week?"

Noah lit up, smiling. "We just picked out a team name: Hustlers. The league is only six weeks long, but the old man in charge said three games a week, starting next week. Tuesday and Thursday nights. And Saturday mornings." Once Jeremy got Noah going, there was no stopping him. He rambled on about how we completed the roster with the help of some baseball and softball friends. How his parents covered the fee and will be paying for the shirts.

"If you need help with that, I can cover it." Jeremy offered.

"No need." Mr. Atkins told him in a friendly manner. "We know someone that can help, and would appreciate our business. I'll put in the order for the shirts tonight when Noah has answers from his friends."

"Oh. Okay." He glanced around. Focusing on the twins at the end, he asked, "Are you two not participating on the softball team?"

"Pshh, no."

"Most definitely not."

Dave and Kyle told him.

Kyle explained. "We're pitchers. Playing in a softball league sounds fun, but we're also preparing for college visits and focusing on our training."

"We'll be busy most of the summer, going to a few select camps too." Dave added.

Jeremy turned to me. "You don't want to go to any camps instead? I can help you find a few to participate in this summer. It would help you more than a softball league would."

An awkward silence fell upon us.

"No thanks." I told him. "I rather stay home."

Jeremy frowned.

"We are going to Stanford for a week for their baseball camp." Noah spoke up.

"Stanford..?" Jeremy's frown slowly dissipated. "Why that one?"

"Zeke will be there." Noah explained. "That's the school he committed to so we've met some of their players. Plus, we have our high school camp in August. We have quite a packed summer when you put it together."

Jeremy nodded, realization covering his face. He started to understand the summer plans a bit. "Well, like I told Jake, if you guys have free time, you can come to some more A's games."

I could feel the stares of excitement from a couple of boys at the table.

Noah poked me. "You didn't tell everyone this!"

I scratched my nose. "Ah, I forgot. I was going to ask first to make sure it was okay." I glanced at Mr. Atkins and then to Mrs. Atkins. "Is it okay?"

Mrs. Atkins looked at me. "We have a bit of work and travel to do this summer. If you want to go to some games, I'm okay with it, but we have to know beforehand."

"And you'll need to make sure you plan it well with Jeremy and Zeke." Mr. Atkins added. "After all, Zeke would be in charge of driving you boys. A lot of coordination has to go into this, understand?"

I nodded obediently.

"It's okay, Rose gave me her number yesterday so we can contact her any time we visit now." Noah spoke up.

Jeremy froze.

Mrs. Atkins nodded. "That's good. She was a nice girl. If she's watching out for you boys during the games, I can relax a little more."

"When did you get her number?" Kyle asked.

Noah smirked. "At last night's game! You really missed out this time. Rhys's dad gave us tickets behind the dugout. The best seats I've ever gotten to sit in! You could see the sweat coming off the players; that's how close we were!" Noah started to tell him all about yesterday: going to see Rhys, look at his new bullpen, going to the game, and even watching the fireworks.

I noticed Jeremy's strange expression throughout. He looked like he wanted to interrupt, but never got a chance with Noah in charge of the conversation. Most of the dinner conversation was dominated by Noah, but you couldn't tell by the look of his plate. He was still able to eat two servings of everything before excusing himself.

The twins did the same, taking their dishes to the kitchen sink before going upstairs to do their homework. It didn't take long for the rest of the Atkins to leave the table, making sure it was just me and Jeremy.

I was about to get up so I could get my notebook full of questions, but Jeremy stopped me by repeating an earlier question. "You saw Rose yesterday?"

I sat back down and got comfortable. I nodded. "For a little bit."

"What did you guys talk about?" He asked.

"Hmm. Baseball. You. She gave Noah her number." I shrugged. "She's nice."

"She is." He was quiet for awhile.

Seeing the opening, I spoke up calmly. "So you guys are dating..?"

"What?!" He blurted out. Then calmed down. "What makes you say that?"

Noah came in the room, flat out laughing. "You and Rose had the same exact reaction. That's pretty cool. Are you both so worried about people finding out?" Noah handed me my notebook. "Hey, I thought you might need this. But it looks like you already have something to talk about." He turned to go.

"Wait." Jeremy held him back. "What did you mean by same reaction? In a good way? Bad way? Was she offended when you asked?"

Noah grinned and laid a hand on my shoulder. "I didn't ask. Jake did. Just caught her by surprise."

Jeremy focused back on me, looking me in the eyes. "You asked? How did you know?"

I shrugged and told him the same thing I told Rose. "Chuck asked me about it. I think a lot of people that work with you two, might know."

Jeremy looked a little shy. "So...what did she tell you about us?"

I looked up at Noah for help.

He gladly took over. "That you're not really dating yet, more like just seeing one another. Casually." Jeremy frowned, and Noah continued. "And that you're not at the stage of meeting families. That's kind of why she didn't tell you about our presence. We had mentioned that we saw you with your family so she didn't want to go over."

Jeremy's jaw dropped.