725 V2 ch197 (1/2)

Kyle laughed when he noticed. ”Hey, hey, be calm. Don't be like me. It's fine. It's over with. I made a mistake and made up for it.”

”I'm sorry.” I said.

He laughed again. ”Nothing you have to apologize for. If anything, it's Austin that owes you an apology.”

”I don't even know what he said.” I looked up at him, waiting.

Kyle pushed my hat down over my eyes. ”You don't need to know. Jerks like him don't need your attention. Just keep doing you.”

I fixed my hat. I couldn't understand Kyle. Saying things like I shouldn't care or pay attention, but he was the one who lost his cool. If he can get mad on my behalf, why can't I also be mad?

”Coach spoke to him.” Kyle added out of nowhere. ”If he even looks at you the wrong way, let me know. Go straight to coach. Just stay away from a douchebag like him.”

I nodded obediently.

He stopped just as we got to the top of the hill. ”Jake?”

I paused and looked back at him.

”I'm sorry if you ever felt unwanted due to my attitude. You are wanted. You are loved. By me. By us. You belong to our family.” He said, catching me by surprise.

”I know, Kyle.” I smiled. I had already accepted his apology a few months ago; I didn't need another one. ”In a couple of weeks, you'll be stuck with me for good.” I referred to my court date.

He laughed, letting go of a lot of tension from within. ”Like Zeke said before, we don't need a paper to make it official. I will always treat you like a brother. Whether you like it or not.” He caught up to me in two steps and pulled me into a playful headlock. With his arm around me, he practically dragged me to where the bags and water were.

Dave and Noah were taking off their cleats when we showed up.

”Hey! Hurry up!” Dave told us. ”Zeke sent a text that he was already here. He's near the cafeteria, waiting.”

We separated and started to change out of our cleats as well.

”Were you running the whole time?” Noah asked Kyle, frowning.

”Running is very important to pitchers. Working on my endurance, okay?” Kyle finished the switch and hurried to put his bag on his shoulder. ”I'm going to go get Marie and Kaylee. We'll find you guys near the caf.” He left.

Noah shook his head as we watched him go. ”Ridiculous. I wanted to tell him that I don't need him fighting my fights for me. Now I'm going to tell Zeke.”

”No, don't do that.” I told him.

Noah looked to me. ”You walked up here with him. Do you know why he did it?”

Dave straightened up. ”What did he say?”

I shrugged. ”He wouldn't say.” The three of us started to walk from the field, almost the last to leave besides a couple of players and coaches. ”I think it must have gotten under his skin though, because he started to apologize to me again.”

”He must feel guilty.” Noah nodded.

Dave frowned. ”Did he tell Coach what Austin said at least? I don't think it's fair that he's getting away with this when he's partly at fault.”

”You can't just hit anyone who says something mean.” Noah said. ”You have to be less obvious.”

My lips twitched. ”Please don't retaliate. Kyle spoke to Coach. And Coach spoke to Austin. So that should be enough.”

”Tskk.” Noah wasn't satisfied. ”It's never enough. We had problems with him last semester. This summer we didn't get to play club ball because of his dad. Now this upcoming semester we have to be wary around him? Coach should have done more.”