695 V2 ch167 (1/2)

Top of the fourth inning started with Kyle, Garret, and myself. We all got our helmets on and grabbed our bats. Brian finished his warmup and Kyle went up.

”Bet he strikes out again.” Bryce announced.

”Shut up.”

”So annoying.”

”Are you jealous?”

Bryce shrugged. ”What? I'm telling the truth. It's a given that the twins suck at batting. It's crazy how often Coach lets them hit even in clutch situations.”

”He'll make contact.” I spoke up.

Bryce grinned and leaned on the fence next to me. ”You really think so?”

I nodded. The twins aren't horrible at batting...it's better to say that they don't attach any importance to it. Especially when facing against one another. ”I think if they try, they can make contact.”

”But not get a hit.” Bryce finished.

James smacked him on the head with his glove. ”Dude, you don't even have a hit yourself. You talk a lot for someone with a strikeout and a walk.”

Bryce pouted. ”I've scored a run! And stolen a base too!”

Kyle really did make contact like I thought he would. But Bryce was also correct to say that he wouldn't get a hit. All he did was hit a pop fly to Julian playing first base. This started another round of mocking from Bryce.

I was happy to leave the dugout and move to the on deck circle. Bryce was looking for a fight and I don't want to get in the middle of it.

Garret, at the plate, followed through on his statement, getting on base again by hitting his second single of the game. He grinned at me from first as I came up to the batter's box.

I guess since it's no longer Dave on the mound, I could try to hit a homerun. Brian isn't family. Plus, he doesn't seem as sensitive as the twins. This can be a learning experience for him.

I just have to aim for the corners. Sean in right and Dave in left. Yep...definitely going to aim for left field. Brian got set and went through his motion, but he just couldn't compare against the seniors. I easily pulled the ball to left field and took off. The ball soared over Dave's head and cleared the short fence for a homerun. Redemption.

I smiled as I rounded the bases behind Garret. Bryce could be heard heckling Brian. The guys were all making comments and shouting out compliments as I tagged home plate.

Garret slapped my back. ”That's the way to do it!”

”Zeke's replacement is here!” Bryce bowed when I entered the dugout.

I laughed nervously, feeling self-conscious with all this attention. ”I'm no Zeke...”

”You're right!” Bryce had his helmet on and bat in hand. ”You're Jake, batting prodigy. You're better than Zeke.” He headed for the on deck circle.

”Hey, don't think so much.” Garret nudged me. ”Ignore Bryce. He's just having some fun today. You should too. There's plenty of time to daydream when school starts again.”

My lips twitched. ”You shouldn't daydream during school.”