The Hitting Zone
Chapter 17: Trouble (2)

"What the fuck. You think this brat can do better? We play varsity for our high school, not some pick up ball in the park." The bald guy didn't sound happy at all. I'm surprised he didn't just start throwing a punch at Noah's smug face.

"Yea? So what? We do too!" Noah pulled me closer.

We what? No, no, no. I shook my head, trying to claim innocence. I've never played on a team before, let alone played in a game.

Noah glanced at me. "No need to hide it, Jake. We got this." Got what! I don't understand this kid at all. He can obviously see my discomfort, but he keeps trying to pick a fight.

"Oh? Want to make a wager then?" The guy was smirking like we were easy prey.

"Sure. I hope you're good sports after eating a loss." Noah had no intentions to back down. I kept shaking my head so much, I started to feel dizzy.

"Seems like your friend is wimping out to me." He laughed.

Noah gave my shoulder a squeeze. "He just doesn't like taking on bets since people will think that we're hustling them."

My jaw dropped. Damn. This kid.

"No problem here. Just sounds like boasting me. Ten dollars on who can connect on more pitches." The guy proposed.

"Fifty." Noah countered.

"A kid like you has fifty on him?" He asked, doubtful.

Noah shrugged. "Nope, not on me. But, I have that much faith in my buddy here." Who exactly is your buddy??

"You bet what you have. There's no credit on a gamble." He stated firmly through clenched teeth.

Noah took his arm off me and slung his bag in front of him. He started to pull out what money he could. A few dollars here and there. "I've got 12."

The guy whipped out a leather wallet and pulled out the same amount. "Deal. Let's go. Your friend versus mine." He abruptly turned and went back to his group.

I frowned at Noah as he put his backpack back on.

Noah just grinned. "This is great. Easy money. He's basically throwing it at us."

I shook my head. Sounds more like the guy wants to take revenge on Noah for his trash talking. "We should just go." I mumbled.

"It's too late to back out now. I don't want to just hand over my last 12 dollars without even trying. Come on, just this once. We'll leave right after so we can avoid them. Pleaseeee?"

I rolled my eyes at his pleading. "Fine."

Noah laughed, cheerfully, and started to drag me to the four guys. "I knew I could count on you Jake. You've already proven you could do 85mph so it'll be easygoing."

"Easy?" The bald one scoffed. "I didn't say we would do the 85. We should obviously do the most challenging at 100. My friend, Tyler, will be going for us. He's our cleanup hitter so it's only natural that he would represent our school." He nodded towards a slender but lean man on his left. He had short brown hair and a sharp cheek bones.

I looked at Noah, worried. 100 mph? I've never consecutively hit that. Ever.

Noah's face twitched, fighting off a scowl. "We never agreed to 100mph. We came from the 85 cage and you guys are standing in front of said cage. It's only reasonable we stick to where we're at." I nodded. Finally, this kid is talking sense.

"I didn't do the 85 cage." Tyler smirked. "Why should we do the speed your friend is already accustomed to?"

"We only agreed to whoever makes the most contact." Baldy followed up. "You're the one talking smack, so I pick the speed."