630 V2 ch102 (1/2)

Noah didn't have to pull me in a wagon on Saturday morning. Instead, we were both woken up at dawn and told to load up the car.

”Are we going to the park already..?” Noah yawned.

”Yes.” Zeke answered.

”What about the girls?” Noah got in the front.

I got in the back and propped my leg up.

Zeke had put a grocery bag beside me and got in the driver's seat. ”Julian said he would do it for me this morning. But in exchange, we're going to pick up Andy.” He started to drive.

We made our first stop at Julian's to pick up Andy. He showed his usual serious face as he took in the look of my leg. ”Will you be fine?”

I nodded. ”Just a bruise.”

He nodded. ”Good. When do you think you can play again?”

I shrugged. ”A week or two.”

”He probably take two weeks off.” Zeke told him. ”Just to be sure. Rushing back to play softball is a foolish decision.”

”Agreed.” Andy nodded again. He glanced at me. ”My brother told me that the high school baseball camp is considered the first tryout. If you don't perform well, you can't even join the program. If you can't join the program, you can't make it on any team.”

”...” I looked at him blankly. Am I still asleep?

”There are exceptions to every rule.” Noah mumbled from the front. ”The camp is mostly for the incoming freshmen. Jake came in right before the season started and was abled to get a tryout with the varsity team immediately. Don't be so uptight.”

Andy considered what he said as we arrived at the field. ”I see.”

Zeke parked and we started to get out of the car. We  went to a grassy area of the park, where some lines for a small soccer field were set up. Zeke laid a blanket out and gestured for me to sit. He then opened up the grocery bag and started to pass out apples, oranges, and bananas. ”Eat a bit, and then we'll begin.”

Noah didn't need to be told twice. He ate two bananas and an apple in the time it took me to peel and orange. Andy also ate a banana and apple before looking to Zeke for further instructions.

Zeke finished eating as well. ”Let's start with a jog. Jake, do some ab exercises.”

I looked up at him. ”I don't get to sit around?”

Zeke grinned. ”You are sitting.”

I wanted to cry.

My only solace was that Noah and Andy were working harder. Instead of the usual long distance run, Zeke had them doing sprints after a short warmup. It definitely made my ab workout pale in comparison. We kept it up until Julian arrived with the girls, along with some more food.

Noah and Andy stuffed their faces as the girls asked about my leg injury.

”You hit a foul ball into your own leg?” Kaylee asked, squatting next to me. ”You?! But...how?”