I didn't know what I was expecting when they say they would honor our win on the field before game time, but it exceeded all of my expectations.
Rose and her coworkers organized everyone and when it was time to head out, she lead the pack. Our team was somewhere in the middle, which turned out to be a great spot to be in. The line of teams walked from the outfield entrance all the way to the infield. Without stepping on the dirt, the line bent around, staying in our team clumps.
"This is crazy!" Noah said with awe when we stopped just about in the center, right behind second base. The jumbotron was showing all the teams at once and the crowd was applauding.
The rest of the team was just like Noah, unable to believe that we were on a professional baseball field.
For me...I was more overwhelmed by the fans. They didn't even know us, yet they were still applauding as the announcer introduced each team over the loudspeaker and made comments on our CIF Championships.
Rose walked backed along the line with a cameraman, who was doing up close shots of the teams when they were called out. Just as I was thinking about hiding towards the back, Noah threw his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close, waving at the camera.
"C'mon, Jake, smile and wave!" Noah yelled.
I lifted a hand and tried my best to smile naturally.
Rose gave us two thumbs up behind the cameraman and they moved onto the next team.
"That wasn't so bad." Noah let go of me. He turned to the team. "If anyone's parents were able to get pictures of us, send me some! I want to show my Mom and Dad."
"I'm sure my Mom was able to take a thousand shots." Brian laughed. "She's attached to her camera."
"Awesome." Noah grinned.
"You'll have to wait a couple days though." Brian explained. "It's a real camera so she'll have to download the pictures to our computer and then I can get it to you."
"I don't mind!" Noah chatted happily.
The whole team was excited, taking selfies and waving at the crowd in the stands. It made me happy to see everyone so happy. It was a long season and I even joined in late. I couldn't imagine how they felt, putting in all that work all year and got to this moment. The seniors especially.
"Jake! Smile!" Noah pointed his phone at me and took some pictures, resembling his mom. He was quick to change it to selfies, including me in the background.
Dave joined in, disregarding Zeke's earlier command about keeping his distance. Kyle was right behind, trying to fit in the background. It wasn't just them either. Slowly, more and more of our teammates tried to fit in.
Noah complained. "My arms aren't long enough!"
"How about I take the picture for you guys?" Jeremy volunteered. He apparently came jogging over while our focus was on taking pictures.
"Yea! Thanks!" Noah handed his phone over and got into position next to me. "Guys! Jeremy said he'll take a group shot of us. Squeeze in!"
This time everyone, including Zeke and the coaches, got in and smiled as Jeremy snapped the pictures with Noah's phone. He even took a selfie from further away so he could include himself in our group shot. He came back to the group and handed Noah his phone. "I took as many as I could. You might have to delete the blurry shots."
"That's not a problem." Noah said. "Thanks."
Jeremy smiled. "No biggie. I have to make sure Jake doesn't forget such a special experience."
Noah stiffened. "We'll be here again."
Jeremy looked unsure of what to say. "It's hard to duplicate. Especially in a sport like baseball."
Noah narrowed his eyes. "Same can be said about the MLB, but teams can make it to the World Series in back to back seasons, with different players."
Jeremy laughed. "Alright. It's not impossible. I'll be hoping to see you guys here next year then."
Noah's eyes widened. "Does that mean.."
I thought about Jeremy's contract and what Rose has said about keeping him near. "Will you stay with the A's?" I asked.
Jeremy gave a small nod after making sure my other teammates weren't eavesdropping. "The contract negotiations have been going on, but nothing official yet."
"Why?" Noah raised an eyebrow. "Are you trying to get more money out of it?"
Jeremy shook his head. "Money isn't a deal breaker to me. I have sponsors and advertisement money. What I'm looking for is long term and hopefully a no trade clause." He got silent as he saw Rose coming back this way. "Looks like your time on the field is up."
I thought about the dating question, but decided now wasn't the time to ask. Instead, I had another question. "When's your next off day?"
Jeremy was surprised. "Next Thursday, but it's during a road trip in New York. So I won't have an off day here for a couple more weeks."
"Oh." Then when exactly would we get together..?
"No need to get sad." Jeremy rushed to say. "Sunday is a day game so if you don't mind, I can come by for a late dinner."
"I'll have to ask." I thought about it. Sunday night was still a school night and it was the week before finals.
"Mom and Dad should be okay with it." Noah shrugged.
"Great. Just let me know, okay?" Jeremy said, looking right at me.
I nodded. "Okay."
Rose finally reached us and directed our team to follow the other teams back the way we came. "C'mon boys, time to go." She grinned when she saw me and Jeremy together. "Jake, are you already asking Jeremy to stick around?"
"It'd be cool if he did." I glanced back at Jeremy. "Good luck."
"Try to put on a show for us!" Noah waved as we followed our team out. As we got further from them, Noah spoke up again. "I think he's loosening up a bit."
"Yea?"
"Yea. Just last week, he was super awkward, but now it's tolerable." Noah nudged me. "And he wants to stick around. That's a good sign. Not just because I like the A's, but this way you have a better chance at having a somewhat normal brother relationship."
Normal? I laughed. "There's nothing normal about this. You're the only one who would think this is normal."
Noah grinned. "Hey, it could be worse."
"Yea..." I agreed. "It really could be." I grinned at Noah. "I'm glad I got placed with your family. This is probably the closest I'll get to normal."
"Soon you'll be one of us too!" Noah threw his arm around me like normal and we followed our team as someone led the way to our seats in the stands. "Do you think you'll change your last name to ours?"
Stunned, I stopped moving, forcing Noah to stop too.
He looked worried. "What? Do you not want to?"
"I do." My voice cracked so I cleared my throat. "Do you really think you're parents will let me change my last name to Atkins?"
"I don't see why not..." Noah smiled. "It'd be weird if my brother had a different last name than me."
I relaxed, happy that Noah sounded positive that his parents would tell me I could take their last name. It didn't even occur to me, until much later, that I would still have a different last name than my brother. No matter which way I chose to go.