It took me fifteen minutes for each mile . A whole half hour of running at a pathetically slow pace . I didn't even make it back to the dugout . As soon as we got in through the fence, I fell to the ground, and sprawled out, trying to catch my breath .
"Jake? You still alive?" Noah looked over me . "You're like really red right now . Should I go get the trainer?"
Trainer? Like someone who gets other people into shape? I could use that another day, maybe . Right now I just want to rest . I closed my eyes .
"What's wrong?" I heard Zeke asked . He must have came over once he saw me collapse to the ground .
Advertisement"Is he playing dead?" Kyle suggested .
"He probably is dead . " Dave retorted . "This is his first varsity practice . Don't you remember those days?"
"I'm telling mom . " Noah declared . "You pushed him too hard and now look . I told you, you shouldn't have made us run ten laps . "
"Relax . " Mr . Millers voice joined the fray . "The kid is just tired and out of shape . He's never played in a game, so he's probably never been on a team or done a real practice before . Try to do three hours of hitting, running, and fielding for your first official practice . It won't be easy . "
I opened my eyes and found the lot of them standing around me . I pointed at Mr . Miller .
The grumpy man nodded at my response . "See . I'm right . " He grabbed my arm and pulled me to my feet . "Don't lay on the grass after running like that . Put your hands on your head to open up your lungs . "
I did as I was told .
"That'll be it for you today . " Mr . Miller stated . "I'll tell Wilcox . This week we'll work on you getting into shape, and focus on your synergy with the little Atkins . Your batting doesn't look like it needs adjusting so we can leave it be . You won't participate in hitting practice . " He nodded at his own plans, then walked back to the head coach who was speaking with the team .
"We'll go home early today . " Zeke said out of nowhere . The three other brothers stated at him in shock . He cleared his throat . "Go grab your stuff . Meet at the car . I'll tell coach . " He followed Mr . Miller's footsteps and left just as suddenly .
Dave and Kyle looked at one another, then at me . "Wow . Who knew you would be so handy, Jake?" Dave was the first to say something . "Losing that bet doesn't feel so bad right now . "
"That's right! You owe ten laps . " Noah smirked . "And Kyle will have to give up his sweets during lunch for the week . AND Zeke will give us his for the month . " Noah smiled happily . "And we're going home early . And mom and dad will probably take us out to celebrate . This is the best Monday I've ever had in my life . "
"Do you think they'll really take us out to eat?" Kyle smiled at the thought .
"They did when we each made varsity . " Noah reasoned . "They'll want to do it for Jake too . " He waved his hand . "C'mon Jake, lets pack it up . We'll do a whole day of practice tomorrow . Tonight we'll celebrate . Oh, and I can pull up some of the greatest double-play-duos in the history of the MLB . "
I nodded eagerly and followed .
"He's just like a dog . " I heard Dave say to Kyle .
"More like a puppy . " Kyle replied . "Noah calls to him and he follows . "
"Noah never followed us like that when we called him . What a non-cute little brother . "
Noah waited until we were far enough before saying, "The only times they asked me to follow them along was so that they could torture me . Tickle torture . I would pee my pants and it traumatized me . " I nodded . I've seen them in action . Although Noah didn't pee his pants last night, it didn't look like fun . "But for the record, I don't think of you as my puppy or dog . Just my younger brother . I've gotta do my best to protect you from the other three . " He declared and started to pack up our gear .
Noah didn't notice how his words affect me . I felt really touched at the thought of having a brother that wanted to protect me . Even though we haven't known each other for a whole week, he felt more like a brother than the one I had .
Chapter end
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