The Hitting Zone

Zeke picked a local restaurant for dinner. The drive there, Dave was staring at Kyle like he couldn't recognize him. Meanwhile, the news didn't even faze Zeke.

After getting a table and putting our order in, Mr. Atkins started to question Kyle. Kyle gave the same old answer, that he wanted to focus on baseball.

Dave snorted. "You didn't feel that way after Servite's game when you weren't your best. I think you're just salty on missing out in yesterday's game. You can't handle not being the center of attention."

"Dave-" Mrs. Atkins started.

But was quickly cut off by Kyle. "You're right. I didn't think it was a big deal. I liked having other things to worry about besides baseball. I liked hanging out with Marie. But you know what, I don't love those things. Or her. I love baseball. I want to continue baseball. Being left out yesterday was a rude awakening. You couldn't earn a strikeout to save your life, but Coach still stuck with you. That blew my mind."

I swallowed, feeling a bit uneasy with this confrontation.

Good thing Mr. Atkins was quick to interfere. "That doesn't mean you have to make such decisive choices, Kyle."

"Dad." He looked his father in the eye. "It's just a teen relationship. Most of the time they don't work out anyways. This is my choice. Why waste her time and mine?"

"As long as you're okay with it, so are we." Mr. Atkins gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder.

"I'm not!" Dave protested. "I'm the one that set them up. What if Marie comes to look for me to settle the score? Are you okay with me getting my butt kicked? Or are you expecting me to fight off a girl?"

Noah giggled. I also started to smile, realizing what Dave was freaking out about this whole time. Marie did have a bad reputation after all so it only makes sense.

Kyle shrugged. "Sounds like a you problem, not a me problem."

"Daddddd." Dave groaned, making his complaints known.

Mr. Atkins gave Kyle a warning look. "I hope you made it clear to her that this was your choice. It's not nice to take a girl's feelings for granted. If she comes looking for your brother, we all will have to listen to him complain. And if I have to listen to his moaning and groaning, then we'll both pay Marie a visit. Understand?"

Kyle lowered his head. "Don't worry so much. I made it clear. We had a long, thorough talk." He looked up at Dave, showing a crooked smile. "I promise she won't come looking for you. I know what I'm doing, okay? Let's stop talking about that and start talking about the summer."

"Mm." Mrs. Atkins hummed. "Stop right there. Your father and I will talk about how much we're willing to spend first. You and Dave can come up with a list of schools you want to visit. If it's an official visit, and they're paying, note it down. Unofficial visits will need more planning."

"Are you guys planning on going to the same school?" I spoke up.

Kyle glanced at Dave. "It depends."

Dave raised an eyebrow. "We'll see if there are any similarities between the coaches talking to us. I don't want to go somewhere that decides that we're a buy one, get one free deal."

"Wouldn't it be better if you guys follow Zeke to Stanford?"Noah asked.

"And be stuck behind Rhys?" Kyle rolled his eyes. Dave snorted in agreement. "We've played with Zeke for years, it wouldn't be so bad to find a school that plays against him."

"Agreed." Dave commented.

Zeke cracked a smile. "You guys really think you can take on me and Rhys?"

"What a show off."

"So conceited."

Finally some of the tension left the table as they started to talk about baseball.

"So, you've decided to play college ball for sure?" Mrs. Atkins asked, smiling happily.

"For at least two years." Zeke nodded. "Rhys says he's going." He looked at his mom. "I'm still going to watch the draft though. A signing bonus in the first round is millions of dollars. The boys could go to any camps they want. It would take a load off you two."

"No. Absolutely not." Mrs. Atkins refused. "We won't take a dime from you. If you want to go pro, it shouldn't have anything to do with our finances. You boys should continue to be boys. Let us be the adults."

"But you did say my camp was too expensive." Kyle pointed out.

"Even if we had the money ready, we wouldn't indulge your wishes so easily or you guys won't have any concept of money." She lectured. "We'll come up with a budget. You guys select the camps you want to attend. Along with schools." She looked towards me and Noah. "You two as well."

Noah sighed. "It'd be better if I could just play summer ball. Jake would be a good addition to the team too. We'd be amazing. Just crushing other teams and winning."

Mrs. Atkins looked to her husband. Mr. Atkins cleared his throat. "New experiences are good Noah."

Noah scrunched up his face in displeasure. "Yea, yea, I know. I'm just sad that some things changed. I also prefer being on a team versus participating in camps."

"Well, maybe Zeke can help you look for something like that." Mr. Atkins suggested and Zeke nodded. "And Jake, if there's anything you want to do this summer, don't forget to tell us too."

I nodded.

The food arrived and dinner officially began. We ate, mostly talking about baseball. How the team will change without Zeke and the other seniors. How the College World Series would start right after Zeke's graduation day. How the A's were looking so far. It was nothing but baseball.

Mr. Atkins received a call near the end, excusing himself and stepping outside to answer the phone. Mrs. Atkins paid for the meal and we all went out together to join Mr. Atkins. He hung up and saw us coming out.

"Who was it?" Mrs. Atkins asked, frowning.

Mr. Atkins looked at me, making me shiver. "It was Jeremy. He was looking for you, Jake."

"For me?" I asked.

"What did he want?" Noah asked, narrowing his eyes.

Mr. Atkins started to tap his phone subconsciously. "He has an off day on Thursday as they prepare to play a home series this weekend. He wanted to know if he can take Jake for the afternoon and maybe even dinner."

I shifted foot to foot, unsure of what to say or do.

"You don't have to if you don't want to, Jake." Mrs. Atkins comforted me.

"Do I have to go alone..?" I asked.

Mr. Atkins smiled. "No, not at all. Jeremy didn't have anything planned so he's leaving it up to you to decide."

"You're really going to go see him?" Kyle asked.

I shrugged weakly. "I said, I would try. If he tries." I looked at Noah. "Do you mind going with me?"

Noah folded his arms across his chest. "Don't worry. With me there, he won't have a chance to annoy you. Or upset you."

"What an obedient, little, bodyguard you are!" Dave laughed, messing up Noah's hair with his hand. He smiled at me. "We're here too if you need us."

I relaxed, smiling at all the care and concern that surrounded me. Nothing feels better than this.