591 V2 ch63 (1/2)

”Woah, hold on just a minute.” Mom came out with a plate of fresh fruit, overhearing their talk about going to the park to play. ”Jake and Noah still have Alisha's party in a couple of hours. Will you be done by then?”

”Or course!” Noah said confidently.

She looked at him, skeptical.

”Zeke is there too. He'll keep an eye on the time. It'll be fine.” Noah assured her.

She looked to Zeke for confirmation.

Zeke gave a nod. ”I'll make sure they're back in time even if the game isn't over.”

”Make sure they wear decent clothes.” Mom told him. ”And make sure they brush their hair. And warn them about underage drinking. And be on their best behavior. And-”

”And we're right here, Mom.” Noah cut her off. ”Stop treating us like babies.”

Mom looked at him. Looked at me. Then looked at Zeke. ”Zeke?”

”I'll remind them.” Zeke told her.

She nodded. ”Okay, well say goodbye to your grandparents before you kids go.” She looked at Noah directly. ”Try to say a few more words to get them to move here.”

”Sure thing, Mom!” Noah told her. ”You can count on me.”

”We'll say something too.” Kyle said.

”Don't bother.” Noah told him. ”I already have a plan.” He turned to smile at me.

”I'll go make sure they're packed up and ready to go. Come inside in about five minutes.” Mom left us teens in the backyard, going inside alone.

”What's the plan?” Dave asked.

Noah pointed at me. ”Jake is the plan.”

My eyes widened. ”Me? But...I hardly know them.”

”Yea, how does this make sense?” Kyle prodded.

”Think about it.” Noah told us. ”Gramps wanted him to call him 'Grampa' right away. He welcomed him into the family immediately. Plus, he was more lively on this trip than others. Who knows if that's because he's nearing death or maybe he has a soft spot for Jake.”

”So what should I do?” I asked.

”Just talk more about having them as grandparents like you did in the car yesterday.” Noah told me. ”You've never had grandparents so they might feel sorry for you. We have to use the sympathy card.”

”Good thinking.” Dave gave two thumbs up.

”You guys better get moving.” Zeke spoke up. He turned to Julian. ”We'll be back. You guys help yourself to all the food you want.”

Noah frowned. ”Not alllll the food though.”

Julian smiled. ”We won't. Go say your goodbyes. We'll wait.”

Noah nodded and grabbed me by the shirt. ”Let's go Jake. We're counting on you. Mom's counting on you.” He dragged me inside, but then paused. He looked around. ”Coast is clear. Sorry in advance.”

What? Sorry?

”Ow!” I exclaimed after a sharp and painful pinch from Noah. I rubbed my arm and glared at him as my eyes started to water.

”Good. Now you look more sincere.” Noah grinned.

”Keep those tears in your eyes.” Noah whispered as we moved as a group to the living room. ”Cry in front of them if you can. I can help by pinching you again in secret.”