Chapter 832 - V3 Ch67 (VS Stuart Hall HS 1) (1/2)

I woke up to the room door closing. Rather loudly. I peeked out of the covers and saw Zeke holding two bags of ice. I pulled the covers back up.

Rhys laughed. ”C'mon Jake, it's not that early. I can't imagine what you're like before school.”

”He's usually like a zombie. Just going through the motions.” I heard Noah from afar. He must already be out of bed. ”Zeke, I don't need ice. That's just going to make me as stiff as a board.”

”Mom's getting a heating pad from the store right now.” Zeke replied. ”Ice it now. We'll have brunch. Then you can use the heating pad before we go to the field.”

There was no fighting Zeke on this. I felt the comforter being lifted near my feet. ”Lift the legs, Jake.”

I complied.

Pillows were put under my feet, and then the freezing sensation followed after he put the bag of ice on my ankle. By now, it felt kind of nice. I must have dozed off, because the next sensation I felt was the cool bag being lifted off of me.

”Let's go meet the others downstairs for food.” Zeke said.

Reluctantly, I peeled the sheets and comforter off of me, then let out a full body stretch.

”How's the ankle?” Rhys asked.

I rubbed the sleep from my face. ”It's alright.”

Rhys looked to Noah, who was changing shirts. ”You got pegged pretty good. Doesn't bother you too much?”

Noah looked over his shoulder, unsuccessfully trying to look at the bruise forming on his back. ”Nothing out of the ordinary.”

”You ordinarily get hit with a baseball?” Rhys laughed.

Noah chuckled. ”Hey, I do what I can to get on base.”

”Okay, tough guy.” Rhys laughed some more. ”Don't be putting your body on the line every game. That's some dangerous decision-making.”

”Yea, yea, I know.” Noah waved him off. ”Getting hits is better than getting hit.”

Noah was the first one out the door. Zeke and Rhys followed, while I trailed after them. In the lobby of the hotel, we met with the twins and Mom. We went in the buffet style restaurant and took turns filling up our plates. The twins took the most turns, going back for seconds, thirds, and fourths.

Mom looked concerned by their third plate. ”Isn't that a bit too much? I don't want you boys getting sick from overeating.”

Kyle shrugged. ”I'm not playing today so no worries here.” He raised an eyebrow at Dave. ”Are you trying to throw up on the mound today?”

Dave rolled his eyes. ”I'm hungry. This is breakfast and lunch. Food is fuel. Don't you guys want me to do well today?”

Mom was helpless.

”Mary, they're growing boys.” Dad came just in time to defend the twins. He handed a bag to Noah. ”Your mother got this for you this morning. Make sure to take care of it after using it. And definitely don't forget to pack it.”

”Is that where you've been?” Noah asked, frowning. ”You've already missed most of the meal.”

”If you must know,” Dad rubbed the top of Noah's head. ”I was working on extending our stay an extra night so after the game, we don't have to drive back right away. Stick around, have dinner with Jeremy and Rose. Tomorrow, we'll follow Rhys home and have lunch with his parents. Then we'll go home.” Dad stood back up. ”Now, I'll take some time to get myself something to eat.” He left to go get his own food.

”A simple 'thank you' would have been appreciated.” Mom looked at Noah.

Noah rubbed his nose. ”How was I to know all these plans that you guys make? I'm the youngest! I just go with the flow.”

”Jake's the youngest.” Kyle pointed at me.

”We were born in the same year, we're basically twins.” Noah replied.

”That's not the same at all.” Kyle told him.