The Hitting Zone

The car ride home was rather quiet. I could tell Jeremy was thinking about my scars and future treatment. He had a very pensive look on his face like his head was full of thoughts. Thoughts he didn't say aloud. Either because of how awkward it would be or how guilty he might feel when he hears the answers. It wasn't my goal to make him feel bad. I just wanted him to know what my week was going to look like.

He pulled up to the house, parking in the driveway. I thought he was just going to drop me off, but instead he helped me grabbed my bag from the trunk and walked me to the front door.

Noah opened the door from the other side. "You're back! Finally! Mom said we couldn't touch the cookies until you got home."

I grinned. "Were you watching the driveway the whole time?"

"Of course not." He snorted.

"No." Dave showed up behind him. "He was just casually checking every ten minutes." He looked at Jeremy. "Hey, did you want to come in?"

"Yea, just for a minute." Jeremy walked through the doorway. He glanced at me. "Where does your bag go?"

"Oh. Upstairs." I told him. "I can take it up though."

"It's fine. I don't mind. I'd like to see your room too." He gestured for me to take the lead.

"I'll go let Mom know that you're back." Dave excused himself and headed to the downstairs office.

I went up the stairs first with Jeremy and Noah following me. The room wasn't anything too special. Just a couple of beds, a desk and dresser. A closet that was now used to hold all my bats.

Jeremy was shocked to see how many I now had. He looked them over and nodded. "Looks used, but you're taking really good care of them."

"I rotate between them so no particular one is used more than the other." I told him.

"What about the bat I gave you?" He asked.

I turned a little red, feeling embarrassed. "I don't want to break it. Especially now that I have all these other bats."

He smiled and patted me on the head. "It's okay if you do break it. I'd get you a new one." He looked it over. "But I guess you don't need any for quite awhile."

"Jake can never have too many." Noah spoke up. "You saw him today. An almost perfect swing, but the bat still broke. It's a rough life for someone using a wood bat. Don't you understand, as a pro?"

Jeremy laughed. "Okay, I know. I have a few laying around my place, I'm sure."

"With all that money you're getting, are you going to buy a house?" Noah asked.

Jeremy looked a little sheepish. "Well. Maybe."

"What are you waiting for?" Noah asked.

I looked up at him too.

Jeremy pretended to be offended. "Where I live now is just fine."

"He's probably waiting for Rose." Noah told me, grinning. "Thinking about proposing any time soon?"

Jeremy shook his head. "It's too soon for that. I have other plans I need to straighten out before making such a big purchase."

"Oh." Noah shrugged. "That makes sense. You don't want to be one of those athletes that are still broke after a long career."

Jeremy froze for a second, then nodded along. "Yea. One of my first paychecks is going to a financial advisor this time."

"This time? What happened last time?" Noah asked.

Jeremy pursed his lips.

"Don't ask." I mumbled, poking Noah.

"No, it's fine." Jeremy sighed. He looked at Noah. "I made the mistake of giving a big portion of my rookie contract to my uncle. He had made some not-so-smart decisions. It might actually make the news these next couple of days."

"Oh." Noah was stunned, completely caught off guard like I was. "That sucks. I'm sorry." He looked a little embarrassed. "Does this mean we have to start paying for our own A's tickets? I don't want to leech off of you to the point where you're living on the streets."

Good point. The A's tickets weren't necessarily free. Jeremy just always footed the bill because he was the player and got a good discount. I looked up at him, worried.

Jeremy laughed. "You're thinking too much. I'm okay now. Got a new contract that's going to pay me a whole lot more. I can still afford a few game tickets." He grinned. "In fact, on Saturday, why don't you invite your little girlfriend? I sat with her during the scrimmage. She seems nice."

Noah rolled his eyes. "She's not my girlfriend." Then he grinned, with a hint of evil in his eyes. "But since you say you're okay, I'll invite quite a few people. Alisha is just one extra. I'm sure Kyle will want to invite Marie. And if we take Marie, then we have to bring Kaylee. There's also Rhys."

Jeremy shook his head, but was still smiling. "Okay, sounds like you guys will have quite the group on Saturday. Make sure to send me a headcount tomorrow so I know how many tickets to leave with Rose."

"Sure, sure." Noah nodded. "I'll ask tomorrow who all can come, and then text Rose myself."

Jeremy rolled his eyes and turned to exit our room. "Jake, don't let him do that. You text me, okay?"

I felt a little torn between the two.

Noah laughed. "I was just kidding."

I sighed with relief.

The three of us went back downstairs, where Mom and Dad were both waiting just at the bottom. They exchanged greetings with Jeremy then excused me and Noah to go eat cookies in the kitchen.

Jeremy put his hand on my shoulder as he looked me in the eye. "I'll see you Saturday. Text me later, okay?"

I nodded. "I will."

"Come on." Noah dragged me away, making a beeline for the kitchen.

The twins were already at the table with the cookies. They even had prepared milk for themselves. Noah hurried to get us cups too, filling both with milk. I could only eat a few after such a big dinner. I left the three of them there, rinsed my cup, and headed for the hallway.

Oddly, the front door was open. I went to it and could overhear Dad talking. He must have walked Jeremy back to his car. I started to close the door, but then heard my name. I knew it was wrong, but I decided to listen in. After all, my name was said. It was about me. This shouldn't count as eavesdropping.

"Don't worry about the cost, Jeremy." I could hear Dad say. "This responsibility falls on us."

"I can afford it." Jeremy said.

"It's not a matter of whether you could afford it." Dad said. "You already do more than your share, letting Jake and the boys go to games as much as they want. But financially, and medically, we're responsible for Jake. We've got this."

"But-"

"No buts." Dad cut him off. "This is what parents do. We have Jake covered. I appreciate the thought and concerns you have, but really, this is our duty."

"Well, let me know if you guys ever need help." Jeremy sighed.