Run run run run run run run run run run run.
Energizer bunny or something.
Corey's just happily running along with them.
They're doing fielding practice right now.
They did hitting earlier, and I can tell you already that Corey's games are going to be fast.
Nobody can hit.
Well…like 5 kids could hit with any consistency.
Rough stuff.
One thing that made me smile is that Corey was one of them. He might have been the best one.
When we were doing the pitching machines, Kevin and Matt agreed that 20 mph is about the speed Corey would see.
WRONG!
First pitch Corey saw he jumped on it and it rolled to the fence so fast nobody could catch it before it got there.
So he practiced on faster pitching than he'll see in games.
When we got here about 10, Corey bumped into 5 friends, and they're roamed around in a pack all day.
He hasn't really came to me for anything.
The only time I've talked to him was when he wanted water and waved for me to come to the fence.
Cat loaded up a cooler for the boys so we wouldn't have to buy drinks here, which surprise, are extremely overpriced.
Raderade doesn't cost $4.50.
I know they gotta make their money somewhere, but that's too much.
Cat also got some quick snacks if they got hungry. Dinner won't be for another half hour once we get back at 6:30.
We had a long break earlier today to avoid the heat of the day. The lunch break, which I took everyone home was from 1-3.
Cat might be the MVP of the day. She decided that we'd need protein and made BLT's for us.
Great choice.
Ironically, just watching everyone run around makes me tired.
It is hot though. Hit 81 over lunch, which is fitting since today is the first day in forever that I've been outside for a majority of the day.
Right now it's mid 70's, with a bit of a breeze.
Kevin and Matt's tryouts are on some fields across from us.
This is a huge facility. 6 fields overall.
Corey's tryouts has 2 fields, Kevin and Matt's tryouts have two, and some high school kids are in the far 2 fields.
I had to park back there, and they are cranking it. Saw at least 3 home runs.
Didn't tell Kevin that. He'd spend the rest of the day trying to get one.
I've seen a bit of their age groups tryouts, and what I saw was surprising.
This year they'll be the older of the two age groups. The group they're in goes from 11 to 12.
But the 11 year olds are gigantic! There were several of them that were taller than Kevin and Matt!
What have they been feeding them? Jack's magic beans?
If I had to guess, 3 or 4 of them broke the 5 foot mark, which is ridiculous.
THEY'RE ELEVEN!
Kevin and Corey are above average height for their age.
Somethings tells me this is going to be a weird year. Last year the 12 year olds dominated for the most part. Kevin and Matt were some of the few 11 year olds that held their own.
When I've been watching, that group of kids have all been sticking together, and acting really good. Just hanging back, being mature and letting everyone else waste energy.
Kevin already is the star of the show.
I made sure I watched his first hitting session.
The poor coach pitching to him also hung one to him, and Kevin…
He got around on it.
Line drive. Over the fence.
No other 12 year old has hit a jack.
But the freakish 11 year olds have had 5. FIVE!
I know because I hear the harsh sound and turn.
11 year olds have a gray t shirt. 12 year olds have the cooler looking red shirts.
Going back to Corey, his big problem is he doesn't seem to have a position. He doesn't have the arm for third, and he's never played anything consistently.
I probably should have thought of that.
I kinda feel bad.
They're mostly using him at short now, but he's barely getting it there. He'd be better if he took a few steps before throwing it, but he's clearly thinking "THROW IT NOW!" when he gets it.
Something tells me watching his older brother and playing those video games has gotten a bad habit in his head. These aren't good players yet bud.
They're 8.
In general, the play is sloppy and bad. But they're all having a ball, so it's all good.
Judging by how much Corey's diving, I'm going to have to buy him a extra pair of baseball pants.
Last weekend we shopped for cleats for the boys, and each day Kevin and Corey ran around the gated section of the neighborhood, breaking them in.
The last few days Corey asked me to run with him, since he didn't want to go alone and he thought that Kevin and Matt would be mad at him if he tagged along.
He's awful thoughtful for a boy his age.
What really made me smile was that once they saw us, both Kevin and Corey relieved me of duty (and exercise) by insisting that Corey run with them.
So they all broke in their cleats together, and today they're all wearing athletic shorts.
In general, I was with the boys most of the week. Sydney went down to Cat's record by herself Thursday after rehearsals in Pasadena to record a few things.
She has been staying away from me for the most part since Monday. I haven't said more than 3 full sentences other than "Hello", "Goodbye" and "Ok".
I haven't even gotten to talk to her and say sorry for making her cry.
Cat said that she calmed down after I left to get the boys. By the time I got back she was just starting a hour long shower.
Then she ate quietly, and then retreated to her room for the night.
Wash, rinse, repeat for the rest of the week.
The other thing Cat said, was that Syd asked if everything I said was true.
Apparently it shocked her more than she let on.
Cat told me that she explained that it was true, and that she shouldn't worry about how much I sacrificed for her.
That was her sticking point. What I did didn't make sense.
Cat said she explained that I've loved her since she was born, and it's always been like that. The sacrifices hurt, but the end justified the means.
When I talk to her I'll have to pound that into her head.
I wonder what she's been doing today?
I pull out my phone and tap the messaging icon.
"Hey, how are you? What have you girls been up to today?" I send off.
It's 5:30.
Only a hour more of this.
…
More hitting for the boys.
PIIIINGGGGGGGGG!
I whip around and see that another 11 year old has crushed—
"AWWW…" Comes from the field.
It hit the foul pole.
That was a rocket too!
The kid takes a step out of the box, then adjusts his hat backwards and keep hitting.
I roll my eyes and turn back to the 8 year olds.
Swing. Miss.
Swing Miss.
Blink.
"I'm good! Just starting prep for dinner. Beck and Jade are coming over, so you don't have to drive Matt over. Ellie and Sydney went shopping earlier. Don't tell the cops Sydney drove them both ;)"
I smile.
"I hope Syd didn't burn thru her whole allowance." I send back.
Shopping.
Fun I guess.
Someone suddenly tapped my shoulder.
I turn and—
It's Sydney's friend.
The guy.
"Hi." I smile.
"Hi. I'm Austin. Are you…you're Sydney's dad right?" He asked, looking antsy.
"Yeah. And you're Austin the boyfriend."
He laughed quickly.
"That's not my name, but yeah. I'm her boyfriend."
"Congrats." I smile.
"Thanks…she said you guys were happy about it."
"We are. Me and her mom are happy about it." I say.
Suddenly he bit his lip and looked like he was searching for how to say something.
I'll wait for him.
"She…she did tell me about what happened when she got home though…"
"…Okay. Makes sense." I say simply.
"It sounded like you were mad. At least how she said it."
"I haven't talked to her about it. She's been avoiding me." I cop out.
It is true.
"I know. She's been asking me why you could be mad." He said simply.
"But I'm not mad." I laugh once.
He shrugged.
"What'd she tell you about…us?" he asked.
I give him a sideways look.
"Nothing much. She said that you took her to the beach on her birthday, you guys hit it off, and you've gone out a couple of times." I say.
He suddenly looks shocked.
"You're not mad that I took her out of school? You or her mom?" He asked, shocked.
I shake my head. "No…not at all. It's not like we didn't do the same thing. Everybody ditches school. At least you guys did it in a good way. Could be worse."
"Yeah. Guess it could be."
"Believe me, if she was smoking or something, I wouldn't be nearly as friendly."
"Why are you being friendly? She skirted the truth for a while." Austin asked.
"I saw her walk back in last Saturday after your date. She was floating. If you make her feel like that, I sign off."
He smiled.
"Thanks sir."
"No need for sir. It's Robbie." I smile and extend my hand.
He nervously shakes it.
Can't blame the kid.
First time I met him I yelled at the whole class.
"Sorry if we got onto the wrong foot Monday. We all just felt like you guys needed to be shaken up." I say, turning back to Corey's tryout.
Still hitting.
"Nah, it's fine. Was more of a shock than anything." He watched with me.
"How were things Wednesday and Friday?" I ask.
"People had a lot more energy. The mornings were tough, but he understood. The afternoons were the best."
"Good." I grab my water bottle and take a sip.
"Why are you here sir? If you don't mind me asking?"
"I'm here for my son's baseball tryouts. Here and behind us."
I hear him quietly hear him say "Oh yeahhh…"
"Huh?" I say.
"Sydney told me she had two brothers that played baseball. Should have known."
I smile. "It's fine."
"Is this the 8 and 9?"
I nod.
"He's 8. The younger one. Corey I want to say."
"Some one has been paying attention to his girlfriend." I kid, getting him to laugh.
"Not as good with the other one. I can't think of his name." He admits.
"Kevin. Why are you here?" I ask.
"Oh, I play for a team out of Glendale."
"Oh?" I say, surprised. "Glendale?"
"They picked me." He shrugged.
"Picked?" I ask.
"Yeah. Since I go to a school that doesn't have sports, I got to play for a school that does."
"Did you just get out of practice?"
He's in Deka gear. Over shirt, with compression underneath, plus baseballs pants complete with dirt stains and cleats.
He also has a bag over his shoulder.
"Yeah."
"How'd that go?" I ask.
"Ok I guess. Went 0-2. Plus a double play." He said, not sounding pleased.
"Ouch."
He turned to me. "You know about baseball?"
"Not much. I pick up on stuff since the boys play. But not much outside of that." I say.
"But you have a general idea." He says.
"Yeah."
"Has Sydney been asking you about stuff? Because she didn't know what I was talking about before Christmas. But now she knows a ton of stuff."
I smile and laugh.
"Ask the internet. Not me. Didn't get it here."
"Ok. So…you're seriously ok with me dating Sydney?" he asked.
"Yeah. Totally cool with it." I say. "As long as you guys are good, I have no problems with anything. Within reason of course."
He suddenly blushed.
"I…wouldn't…no. Not at ALLL sir—"
"I know." I say simply. "Just putting it out there. I'm not a pushover."
"Didn't think you were." He said.
…
"No need to be so defensive. I'm on you guys' side. Gosh." I smile.
"Sorry. My last girlfriend's family was insane. Her dad hated me."
"Why? What'd you do?"
"Nothing as far as I know. But she was a bi…witch. Sydney is an upgrade."
I smile. "Nice save. So do you guys have any more dates planned?"
He gave me a funny look.
"I just want to make sure I don't get in the way of you guys. Just trying to be thoughtful." I say.
"Thanks. And no. I was going to call her later tonight and ask her to dinner this week after rehearsal."
…
That's a thought.
"Can you give me a second? I need to call my wife. I'll be right back." I say quickly.
"Ok."
I walk away, and he turns to the 11/12 year old tryout to watch.
I quickly call Cat.
Ring Ring.
…
Ring Ri—
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's me." I say, checking my shoulder.
"Hey! How's it coming?" Cat said cheerfully.
"Good. Is Sydney close by?" I ask.
"No, she and Ellie are in her room. Why?"
"Well, just promise not to scream." I say.
"O…kay?"
"Her boyfriend just approached me here."
"Her…the guy at school?" Cat gasped.
"Yeah. Just came up and introduced himself." I say.
"Wasn't nervous?"
"No, he was nervous. But he is well put together."
"How tall?"
"5'10-ish. He plays baseball too."
"Really? That's great!"
"Anyway, is it crazy if I surprise Syd at dinner with him?"
"I…sure. Fine. Great! Why?"
"To convince him and Syd that I'm on their side. He thinks I'm mad." I explain.
"Oh…I'm fine with it. As I said, Beck and Jade are here. So he wouldn't be the only guest."
"Easy transition." I say.
"Uh huh. I'm still confused why you want him over so suddenly and quick. We just found out about him. We don't even know if he's a good guy!" Cat said.
"I'm sure he is. You can just tell. He's not a bad guy. Reminds me of Beck in a way. Has that natural coolness to him."
"Hmm…interesting."
"Plus you saw how Syd was when she got back from that date." I add on.
Bouncy. Happy.
"Good point. Invite him. Ask him if he likes barbecue. I thought the boys would like it, so we just put it on. Going to be about 7:15, 7:20 when we eat." Cat said.
"Yeah. He'll probably want to change. He just got out of practice."
"What does he play?"
"I don't know. You can ask him later!" I say.
"Okay. Bye! Love you!"
"Love you too. See you soon." I say, then hang up and walk back.
The sun is starting to fall, but we still have plenty of daylight.
"Austin?"
He turns and smiles.
"Yeah?"
"I talked to my wife. Would like to come for dinner? We're having barbecue."
"I…sure! That'd be great. I…does Sydney know?"
"No. I was thinking it'd be a surprise for her."
He suddenly looked at what he was wearing.
"I should probably go home and change and explain it to my mom…" He said.
"No rush. Dinner starts at—"
"Daddy!"
Suddenly a small body crashed into me from behind.
I turn.
"Hey Corey!"
"Hi Daddy! Who are you talking to?"
"Sydney's boyfriend." I say kindly.
Corey looked surprised then looked up at Austin.
"Hey Corey, how's it going?" He bent down to give him a fist pound.
Corey gave him one back in stride.
"You're sissy's guy friend?" He asked.
"He calls her sissy." I explain.
Austin smiled. "Yeah. I am."
"That's nice." Corey smiled shyly.
"How'd it go bud?" I diverted the conversation.
"It went great! I got ranked a 4 star player!"
"Wow. Congratulations." I smile, giving him a high five.
"Whoa. Pretty impressive." Austin smiled.
Corey turned to him. "How do you know?"
"I play baseball too." Austin smiled.
"Cool! Are you good?"
"People say I am." He said modestly.
Corey turned to me. "He's cool. I like him."
I laugh and smile.
"I'm sure that's what Syd was looking for. Your approval bud."
I hear Austin laugh, but quickly cover it up.
"I have to approve. No other way." Corey crossed his arms.
I ruffle his hair and smile.
"I gotta get home sir." Austin said suddenly.
"Ok. Dinner starts around 7:15."
"I'll get there before then. Around 7 so I can help set the table or something." He said.
"That won't be necessary, but thanks." I say.
He nodded. "Cool meeting you man."
Corey smiled back.
"Nice meeting you too Aaron."
"Austin." He corrects him.
"Oh…sorry."
Austin smiled as Corey looked embarrassed.
"It's all good. I'll see you at dinner."
He turned, picked his bag up and walked away.
Revealing that Kevin and Matt were just standing there.
"Hey!" I say.
"Who was he?" Kevin asked.
"Your sister's boyfriend." I say seriously.
He's been giving her a hard time about it.
"Seriously? What's he doing talking to you?" He asked.
"Being polite. He came up and introduced himself to me."
"Why?" Matt asked.
I shrug. "He's a good guy I think. You guys done too?" I ask.
"Yeah." Kevin said with a scowl.
"Let's get home." I say.
"He's eating with us!" Corey smiled.
"Really?" Matt asked curiously.
I led us all to the car. "Yeah. Do not tell your sister."
"Okay!" Matt and Corey chime.
…
"Kevin…" I say.
"What?"
I press the button for the back to rise up.
Everybody put their bag in, and then jumped inside.
Except I grab Kevin by the shoulder.
"What dad?" Kevin asked hotly.
"You need to chill out. Your sister cares a lot about him, so we should be supportive."
He frowned. "We don't know him!"
"We will eventually. You sound like you don't like him already."
"I don't."
"Why?"
"Does it matter? I just do." He frowned.
I smile. "You're defensive. She would be too if you got a girlfriend."
"Well I'm working on that."
…
"Really?" I say.
"I've been thinking of how to tell you guys. I want to go to the mall with her some time."
"You know you can just tell us. Not that hard. I'm happy. See? Smiling."
I smile.
"But everybody is around all the time."
"Then ask your mom and I to go into a room for a second. It'll be fine." I say.
"…Are you sure about him?"
"Yes. He's ok. Now hop in the car."
He reluctantly hops in, and I back out and get on the main lanes.
The boys quick get into a discussion about their tryouts, which gets us home.
"You two might want to change. Your mom brought some clothes I think." I tell Matt.
"Ok."
I told them on the drive over that Beck and Jade were here.
The boys dump their equipment in the garage and walk in.
By the time I'm there, Cat and Jade are already doling out hugs and asking how it went.
Kevin thought he did fine. Matt thought he could have done better.
Corey is still bouncing off the walls.
"Well go change. And put on some deodorant." Cat said.
All three boys go upstairs.
"So you met him." Cat looks dead at me.
"Yeah."
"We didn't tell Syd." Jade said.
"Good."
"What's he like?' Beck asked quietly.
The sound of Kevin talking to Sydney is floating to us thanks to the balcony on the second floor.
"He's cool. Has your type of coolness factor." I say.
Cat looks at me funny.
"Oh you know what I mean. That natural coolness that you just pick up on. He's smooth."
"And you think he's good?"
I nod. "Very nice. Polite. I'm in."
Cat gives me a funny look.
"I thought you'd be more skeptical of her boyfriend, seeing how he got pushed on you." Jade said, sipping a bottle of Corana.
"I was just polite and let him do the work."
The sound of thunder steps coming towards up made us all go quiet.
"Can we play NextBox while we wait for dinner?" Matt asked, flanked by a smiling Corey.
"Sure. Make sure to ask Kevin." I say.
"He's turning it on!" Matt said, then turning and running upstairs.
"No running upstairs!" Beck called out.
We all have that rule.
"Sorry!" Matt replied.
"When's he getting here?" Beck asked.
"He said 7, which surprised me. He said he wanted to come help if he could."
All three look impressed.
"Told you. Where are the girls?"
"Painting their nails and listening to music in Sydney's room." Jade replied.
"Door closed?"
"Yup." Beck said, also sipping a Corana.
"And…can I help?" I ask Cat, who's stirring a pot.
"You can hug me." She smiled.
It's broccoli. Steaming broccoli.
I hug and kiss her.
"Thanks for cooking."
"No problem."
"Can I help you?" I ask Beck.
"Not right now."
OOH!
"Ooh! Before I forget. Kevin is looking at a girl too."
"What?" Jade and Cat jump around to face me.
"I don't have details. He just said there's a girl, and he wants to go to the mall sometime."
"Not even a name?" Beck asked, as Cat is beaming.
"Nope. Just mentioned a girl he had his eye on."
"God they grow up fast." Jade said.
"Yeah, before we know it Ellie will have a boyfriend. Might already." I say.
"Nope." Both Beck and Jade say.
"No?" Cat said.
"I judged the reaction of each guy in there. They all knew I was her dad. Nobody reacted like Sydney's boyfriend did." Beck said, then turning to me.
"What's his name?"
"Austin." I say.
"Last name?" Jade asked, poking at her phone.
"No idea."
"Okay…I'll check Splashface." She said.
"Ooh! Smart!" Cat beamed.
"You think she followed him on there?" Beck asked.
"Yeah. They're dating. I'd be pissed if you didn't follow me back then."
"Good point." I concede.
…
"Harper. Austin Harper. He's the only Austin in here. And he's a hottie."
Cat almost teleported to Jade's side to look at the screen.
(A/N: If you haven't seen the pictures on tumblr, the picture is Austin's picture on tumblr.)
"Oh wow he is…" Cat said quietly.
Beck peered in too.
"Nice tastes."
"So he plays baseball too?" Jade asked.
I nod. "Corey met him too. And he asked the same thing. Austin said people think he's good."
"That means he's really good." Beck read between the lines.
Jade's already looking him up.
"Isn't that a bit creepy?" Cat asked.
"No. I'm surprised you aren't doing the same thing." She replied.
"I saw the picture, that's all I needed."
I roll my eyes and look to Beck.
He has my same look.
Girls.
All appearance.
"MVP of the California AAU tournament…age 12, 13 and 14. Profile page here says he turned 15 in September. One day after Olivia was born." Jade read out.
Beck let out a low whistle.
"Syddo. You got yourself a star."
Suddenly the doorbell rang.
"I got it." I say.
I walk to the door and open it, revealing a totally new guy.
Hair styled up, and dressed in jeans, shoes and a collared shirt.
"You didn't have to dress up." I say.
He smiled.
"Come on in." I say, and then lead him to the kitchen.
He stopped in the entrance.
"So you…all hang out too?" He blurted out, as Beck hopped up.
"Yup. Beck Oliver."
Austin shook his hand.
"Hi Austin." Jade waved at him
Cat's in the pantry looking for something. But Austin can't see her.
Suddenly we hear someone coming downstairs.
"Who was at the do…"Sydney began, wearing Deka shorts and a tank top.
And is frozen mid-sentence looking at her boyfriend.
"Why'd you stop talki—AUSTIN?" Ellie suddenly yelled, getting around the frozen Sydney.
"Hey." He smiled nervously.
"Hellooooooo…Earth to Planet Sydney. Come in Sydney…" Jade said, waving her hand in her face.
"Why…how are you here?" She gasped out.
"I met your dad at the baseball fields. He invited me for dinner."
Sydney whipped to me.
"You met him?"
"Don't blame me." I joke. "He approached me."
Sydney whipped back around, only for Austin to say "This is true."
"I…I'll be right back…" Sydney said, then disappeared upstairs running.
"Good seeing you!" Ellie beamed at him.
"Yeah, thanks."
"I think we surprised her." Beck said, getting us all to laugh.
"Who are you talking to?" Cat asked, turning around and spotting Austin.
"Hi! I'm Sydney's mom." Cat beamed, putting the barbecue sauce down and waving.
Uh oh.
Austin's eyes are huge.
"I…uhh…uhm…uhh…"
Suddenly Sydney reappeared, having completely changed and now wearing shoes.
"Oh! Mom, this is Austin. He's uhm…a huge fan."
Cat lit up. "Great! Thank you!"
Austin looks unbelievably nervous but smiled.
"Yeah." He said quietly.
"Huge fan huh?' I say.
"Yeah. Has every song I'm pretty sure.' Sydney said.
Austin still seems shocked.
Cat giggled, and then went back to the stove.
"Can I help?" He asked.
"No." Cat called out. "Thank you though. You can go have fun. We'll call you when it's ready."
He stood there for half a second, seemingly wanting to say something, but then nodding and turning to follow the girls upstairs.
Jade held back laughter as they walked upstairs.
"What?" Beck asked.
"Did you see how he froze up. The moment he saw it was Cat, you could have put that boy in a museum." She laughed.
"He's stronger than I thought he would be." Cat changed the topic slightly.
"I told you he plays baseball."
"But he wasn't bulky. It's more of a hidden strength." Cat replied.
"He's tall for his age." Beck said.
"5'10 says this website." Jade said.
"You're still looking him up?" Cat yelped.
"Yeah."
"Why?" I ask.
"I don't know. Just something to do while the food cooks."
I hear the boys voices float down, and then a different voice says "Tag that guy!"
Austin.
That'll help him get on Kevin's good side.
"Daddy?" Sydney suddenly asked.
I jump straight up. "Ahh!"
"Whoa! When'd you get here?" Beck asked, turning to see Sydney smiling.
"Just a second ago. What's up."
"Come here."
"okay…" I follow her to Cat and I's bedroom.
"Why'd you bring him without telling me?"
"I thought it'd be nice. I was doing you a favor. Did I mess up?" I ask.
"No…it was just sudden and weird to see him standing in the kitchen like that. Plus he's a huge fan of mom's. You scared him!"
"Sorry sweetie. Just trying to be nice." I smile nervously.
"Thanks. Can we go get ice cream after dinner or something? Just you and me?" She asked.
"Ok. Sure. Why?"
"I wanna talk to you. But after dinner and Austin leaves."
"Fine. Now to visit your boy." I tell her, shooing her off.
"Fine…but I'm grabbing a snack."
"Nope. We're about to eat." I beat her to the punch.
She stared at me for a second, then stuck her tongue at me and left the room.
I walk back into the kitchen to Beck outside at the grill.
Jade's on my pearPad now.
"What'd she say?" Cat asked.
"I'm apparently going for ice cream after dinner."
"Probably to talk about Monday." Jade said without a beat.
"That doesn't make me feel better." I say, as Beck walks back into the house.
"10 minutes max."
"I'll start setting things up." I say, going to the silverware drawer and grabbing stuff.
I put the extension in the table and set 10 places, sans plates.
Everybody will serve themselves at the island.
Cat put various vegetables in dishes and put them on there.
Beck briefly retreated outside to get the brisket, ribs and sausage, but came back in and covered one plate with aluminum foil.
I get out glasses and set them at every place except for the adults.
Cat and I are having wine.
Beck and Jade already have drinks.
"Ooh! Look at this. 14 year old phenom rumored to be going pro at 16." Jade suddenly said, causing everyone to turn.
"Pro?" Beck said.
"Apparently Austin is so good people think he can go to a community college for one year, then become the first pick in some draft."
That sounds like a heartbreaker.
Oh crap.
"It also says here that he's viewed as cocky and overconfident, despite the fact that he backs up his words as the unquestioned star of his high school. Schools around the country have been begging him to ditch school and use themselves as his spring board to the major leagues."
"That's stupid."
Everyone jumped to see Austin and Sydney standing there.
"Which part?"
"The leaving school early part. No. I'm not going. That's blatent speculation and wishing on their part." He said dismissively.
"Doesn't sound like it." Beck said as Austin eyed the food.
"It is. Why would I ditch Hollywood Arts and my family just to go be alone and play baseball? I love it, but it's not worth my whole life."
Behind him, Sydney smiled.
Then the boys started rushing around them.
"Food!" Kevin cheered, advancing on the island.
"No no. Wash your hands upstairs." Jade said.
"But—"
"Go Kevin. You too Corey." Cat said simply, still cooking.
"Corey simply ran up the stairs, leading the other two boys."
Beck quietly sighed.
"What?" Austin said.
"We keep telling them not to run up the stairs. One of these days they'll get hurt." I say.
"What do you want to drink? We have milk and stuff in the fridge, and other drinks in the garage." Cat says, turning and smiling.
"Uhm, garage?" he asked.
"Yeah." Beck said.
"I'll show him." Sydney said.
Austin obediently followed. Leaving a smiling Ellie behind.
"What's so funny?" Jade asked.
"He follows her around so much. It just makes me laugh."
"He's happy. Can't blame him." I say.
"I was like that with your mom."
"No you weren't." Cat and I both say.
"Yeah I was." Beck said.
"No, you weren't. You and Jade led the rest of us along." Cat said.
"Really?" Ellie asked, as the boys thundered downstairs.
"Yeah. And whoaaa!" Jade stuck out her leg and stopped the boys again.
"What Mom?" Matt asked.
"Food!" Corey piped up.
"Stop running down th stairs. You'll get hurt and I'll be very mad when I have to drive you to the ER." Cat frowned at them.
"We won't get hurt. They're just stairs." Kevin said.
"Yeah, and they're very friendly once you start falling down them/" Jade frowned
Matt made a "Psssh." Sound.
"That won't happen." Kevin said.
"Better not. Get drinks. Glasses are already out." Cat said, as Syd and Austin walk back in.
Kevin and Matt quickly get drinks, then start dishing out food.
Ellie slipped behind them and got some of the salad.
Austin's hesitating.
I wave him to the food, and he motioned for Sydney to go first.
She did, and he followed her.
He towers over her.
Huge height difference.
Beck and Jade wait for him o get his stuff, then proceed.
That's not enough food.
He's either not hungry or doesn't want to take too much.
We cooked enough for leftovers. Too much isn't a problem.
I let Cat get dinner first, then get mine.
By the time everybody is seated, the boys are already eating.
I see Jade glance at them, slightly disapproving and telling them to slow down.
Only Corey listened.
Cat's at one end. Followed by Corey, Kevin, Matt and Beck.
Syd, Austin and Jade are on other side.
I'm bookending them.
"So Austin, the internet says you're a good baseball player." Jade says.
"Oh. Yeah." He smiles, then eats.
Boy is seriously tense.
The contrast between him and Kevin is hilarious. Kevin is relaxed.
"MVP of a lot of tournaments, people wanting you to go pro...impressive." Beck said.
"Why are you at Hollywood Arts?" Cat asked.
"I like being on stage. I feel as comfortable there as I am playing baseball." He said.
"Hmm. Does anybody else you know go to school with you?" I ask.
"No. They give me a hard time about it, especially since they don't do sports. But they'll forget about it once we start playing." He said dismissively.
"Why? Sounds like a nice taunt to me." Jade said.
"It's a bad idea to taunt me." Austin said darkly.
I look up, wine glass halfway to my mouth.
"Why's that?" I ask.
"Well, I've been taunted 4 times. 3 of those I've hit home runs in that some at bat."
Jade whistles and Beck said "Wow. Impressive."
But Kevin is looking at him funny. "What about the forth time?"
"He…threw at my head. So I charged the mound." He looked embarrassed.
"Charged?" Cat said.
"Ran out to beat him up. He'd been trying to hurt guys all day. My team was way ahead, so he just started head hunting."
"And you tried to stop him." Beck said.
"I did stop him. Both of us got kicked out."
"Why?" Matt said, mouth full.
Jade snapped her finger at him.
"I punched him! I should have gotten kicked out!" He said.
"Did any land?" Ellie asked.
Oh no they could be a tag team.
Syd might have a thing for violence.
"All of them."
"Did you get in trouble?" Cat asked, then taking a bite.
"My mom yelled at me, but that wasn't the worst part."
"What was the worst part?" Corey asked.
Oh Corey…
"I broke my hand." He said, then flexing his left hand.
"Ouch." Beck said and Cat and I cringe.
"Yeah. Missed about a third of the season. Then got bounced in the playoffs championship game when I was on deck as the winning run."
This time all the guys cringe.
"What?" Sydney asked.
"I would have won us the game if I would have gotten up to bat. Brace and all, I still would have won."
"Brace?" Jade said.
"Yeah. The doctor didn't want me to play, since it hand't healed yet. But I didn't listen, got a brace and toughed it out."
"And how'd that go?" Beck asked.
"Bad. Played bad, got hit by pitches twice on it, and we lost. So basically a collective failure."
"Did you fix it later?" Ellie asked.
"Yeah. Hand my hand in a cast all last semester. That's why I couldn't try out for any big parts." He said to Sydney.
Syd said "Oh."
"Did you try this time?" Jade asked.
He gulped and said "Yeah."
Then Kevin shot up. "Mom we're done."
The boys' plates are empty.
"Wash them and your hands, then go do something quietly please." Cat said.
Everyone at the table at quietly as the boys followed Cat's request.
Then they ran back upstairs. Causing Jade and Cat to groan again.
"It's like they can't hear." Cat said.
"Are you still hungry?" Jade looked at Austin.
His plate is polished off.
"Yeah, but I—"
"Food's in there. Go." Cat pointed.
He seemed to understand that resistance was futile, and got more.
Sydney rose to get more milk.
"I can get that." He said softly.
"That's ok." Sydney said.
But Austin simply reached over her and grabbed the milk before she could.
"Hey! Austin!"
Cat is biting back a laugh.
Austin proceeded to pour her more milk, then say "You're welcome."
Sydney was so embarrassed she just walked back.
"So, back to this fight thing. Do people talk about it often?" Jade asked Austin once he sat down.
JADE!
"yeah, but it comes with the territory. Since it's online everyone's seen it."
"We haven't seen it." Ellie, Sydney, plus all of us parents say.
"Well, please don't be offended if I pass on it. I don't plan on seeing it."
"You haven't watched it?" Beck asked, as Jade is already getting the pearPad.
"No. Don't plan on it. I already apologized to his family, and he threatened not to miss this season. So when I see him the season, I plan on hitting one out on him." Austin said confidently.
Meanwhile, everyone is crowding around Jade.
She's typed in "14 year old baseball fight."
Sure enough, Austin Harper's name is in the first video.
It's pretty bad quality…
"Whoa." Everyone said.
This is before the fight.
He just threw it behind Austin, who jumped across the plate.
Sparse booing can be heard from the background.
Then he gets hit, and someone screams.
Austin sprinted out at him, and was on him in an instant.
Bang bang bang!
Body shot, body shot, uppercut.
Down goes the pitcher!
"OOH!" Beck and Jade are riveted.
Sydney is shocked.
Then what looks like the whole other team grabbed Austin and started pounding on him.
"That's not fair!" Ellie said.
The video abruptly cut out.
"Eh. I won." Austin shrugged, still eating.
"When do you play him?" Jade asked.
"Sounds like pay per view entertainment to me." Ellie said.
"No." Sydney said sternly. "No fighting."
"If he throws at me again I have to do something." Austin said to her. "I can't let him push me around. He's a bully. A bully on the baseball field."
"And what are you? Superman?" Syd shot back.
Jade and Cat look surprised.
"Not exactly. But I'll make him pay."
"Good." Beck said.
I check his plate, and it's empty.
"I'll go ahead and wash it. Thank you very much. It was delicious." He smiled.
"No problem. Glad you liked it." Cat smiled.
Soon after Ellie and Sydney got up.
"Austin…" Sydney groaned.
"Thanks!" Ellie smiled.
"Shh…" He said to Syd.
"But I can do my own stuff…"
"I know. Just being nice."
I'm not looking, but I'm sure he's smiling.
They talk briefly in low voices, then Syd spoke up.
"I'm going to show Austin the basement, then e'll be right back."
"Okay." I say.
Sydney POV
Plop plop plop plop.
"Whoa. Another huge room." He says.
He keeps on saying this house is enormous.
I don't know about that. We have stuff everywhere.
"Did you get enough to eat?" I turn and ask him.
"Yeah. It was awesome. Thank you." He smiled.
"Don't thank me. Thank my mom."
"Yeah, if I can talk to her."
I smile and come to hug him.
He pulled me close and I let myself relax for a second.
Ahh…
My boyfriend Austin.
I like the sound of that. My boyfriend.
"You'll get better. She and dad are cool. He already likes you." I say.
"I know. Hopefully it won't be as awkward." He adds on.
"It's not awkward. Just nervous tension." I say to make him feel better.
"Yeah, that's better." He jokes, getting me to laugh.
Then he smiled at me.
"Please don't be mad at me. I had to fight him."
I collapse back into a hug and wrap my arms around him.
"Just don't do it again. I don't want to see you get hurt."
He laughed lightly.
"I won't. Now why'd you bring me down here?"
"I wanted to show you something. You're always saying how my mom is all famous. So I came to show you proof." I say.
If Mom being normal doesn't loosen him up, maybe her hardware will.
He followed me until we rounded a corner and the trophy case popped out.
"Whoa! Holy crap!" He yelped.
I smile.
He immediately was drawn to it. "All these awards…she doesn't keep them close to her?"
"No." I shrug. "She doesn't care really. This is just stuff she's done in the past."
I hear him quietly say "Incredible…"
…
"You're not mad I'm here right?" he asked.
"No! No." I smile shyly. "It was just a shock. I don't have makeup or anything on."
He smiled. "You're prettier that way."
I blush furiously and smile shyly. "Thanks."
"No problem. But I really gotta go. Mom wanted me back as soon as I can."
Dang it.
"Ok. I'll walk you to your—"
He cut me off by quickly kissing me.
Then he smiled. "Can't do that when everyone's around."
I smile and smack his stomach.
"Easy. I'm full." He said, starting up the stairs.
"Not that full." I counter.
"Yeah, I am." We got back onto the ground floor to see Mom, Dad plus Aunt Jade and Uncle Beck and Corey looking at the pearPad.
"That got crushed!" Uncle Beck said.
"That's animal cruelty or something." Aunt Jade shook her head.
Austin laughed, causing everyone to turn.
"We were just watching you hit." Corey smiled.
"Oh yeah? What'd you think?" Austin smiled at him.
"You're really good!"
"Thanks Corey."
"You headed home?' Aunt Jade asked.
"Yeah…my mom wanted me back quickly. But thank you very much for dinner. It was great meeting you all." Austin smiled.
"Nice meeting you too Austin." Uncle Beck smiled.
"Yeah." Mom smiled.
"Bye Aaron!" Corey smiled.
"Austin!" dad and I both correct him.
"Oh. Sorry Austin." He said meekly.
"No problem man. Nice meeting you too." Austin smiled, then stepped forward for a high five.
Corey happily slapped his hand.
"I better go."
"Bye Austin." Dad smiled.
Then mom quickly hugged him and said "it was nice having you."
"Thanks. Bye."
I quickly follow him out.
"She hugged me."
I laugh. "I told you she's normal."
"But…I…she hugged me." He said quietly.
And now we're at his car.
NO!
Don't cry. You can't cry.
Then he suddenly hugged me.
I don't want him to go.
My day was made just by him coming.
"It's ok. I'll text you later. I'll even call if you want." He said into my ear.
I simply put my head in his chest and squeeze him.
Then he grabbed me and kissed me.
…
"You want to go out for dinner Friday night? I'll make sure my mom doesn't call halfway thru this time."
I can't stop a giggle.
"That'd be nice."
He hugged me and put his head on my shoulder.
"I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you more." I say.
I'm the one that's about to cry here.
"That isn't possible."
I squeeze him, wishing he could never leave.
"I better go. Good luck talking to your dad. Text me. I'll call around 10." He smiled, letting me go.
"Ok."
"Bye Sydney."
I smile and wave as he hopped in, then backed out.
I start back inside before he turned to leave.
I can't watch that.
I open the door and thankfully see that everybody is still in the kitchen talking.
I quickly put myself together and walk in there.
Dad popped to his feet. "You ready to go?"
I nod and smile.
"We'll be right back." He smiled at Mom, who kissed him.
"Later Sydney!" Beck and Jade waved.
I wave back, then lead dad outside.
I hop in the front seat of the Escalade and he gets in and backs out.
"Sorry he had to go so fast." Dad said quietly.
"It's…it's ok."
Crap that didn't sound ok.
It sounded like how I feel.
Still near tears.
"There's tissues behind you if you need them."
"No…I'm ok. I'll be fine."
"I may be old, but I know that's not the truth." He said simply.
He doesn't sound mad.
"I just didn't want him to go." I admit, then wipe my eyes.
"Sorry, I meant for it to be a good thing. He's a good guy."
"It was! Don't…sorry I'm a mess." I say.
"It's fine. You're good Syddo."
He pulled into the ice cream shop and parked.
It's a nice place. A bit like Fro-Yo. You dispense it by pulling on a lever. Extra stuff is at the counter.
A new wave of tears threatens to pool over.
Last time I was here Austin bought mine.
I quickly get my vanilla and chocolate combo, then put sprinkles and four gummy bears on it.
I usually have 3, but Austin put a 4th on "for good luck".
Dad got cookies and cream, and nothing extra, and then paid.
We walked back to the car, and he pulled across the street to Woodland Park.
Back where we began the week.
He popped the back, and I jumped onto the tailgate, still eating my ice cream.
"So…you mad at me?" he asked.
"No. Why would I be?"
"You've been avoiding me all week. That suggests that you're mad."
I lean onto his shoulder and smile.
"I'm not mad. I…I don't know."
"I put it in the wrong way, and asked at a bad time. I should have known better." He said.
"It's ok daddy." I smile.
He rubbed my leg affectionately.
"I know…but…it was jus treally important for me to be honest with you. And like it or not, you did lie to me. I get why, but you can tell me anything. We can get thru anything."
I put down my ice cream and crawl into his lap.
"I didn't mean to hurt you. I love you daddy." I squeeze him.
"Love you too Syddo. I've always done everything I can to make sure you're happy. Don't think because you're 16 and all boyfriended up means I'll change my ways." He joked.
I giggle and smile.
"Mom told me to look up myself and see what happened back then."
He has a odd look.
"And?"
"CMZ was a pain in the butt. They broke a lot of those stories."
"Still are a pain. They just have laid low in your mother's presence. They know she hates them." Dad said.
"Because they broke all those intrusive stories about them sleeping together." I say.
Makes me want to scream.
Why'd he put up with him?!
I don't care if he went on to be a famous musician and artist! He's a jerk!
Dad gives me an awkward look and took a bite of his ice cream.
"Why'd you let Mom sleep with him and do all that stuff Dad? Surely it bothered you." I say.
He froze, thought for a second then put his ice cream to the side.
"It did, but remember that I didn't like your mother yet. I just didn't like it because he's a dou—dummy. I didn't have any power other than you, and I wasn't going to use you as a wedge. So I kept my head down."
"Is that why Mom refused to do his show last year?" I ask.
Dad nodded. "She hasn't spoken to him since. He put her name on that concert without her permission, and she told him no, and that she wouldn't show. So he got the egg on his face."
"So that jail sentence and ban from the US?" I ask.
"Expired 5 years ago. We have a restraining order so that he can't come within 200 feet of you."
"Why?"
"He's unstable. I don't want him anywhere near you. You shouldn't have to deal with guys like him. Just stick to Austin and you'll be fine."
"I…I didn't know about that baseball draft stuff." I tell him.
"Did he have a reason to tell you?"
I shake my head.
"Then don't worry. I don't think he'll go. He's got too much keeping him here." Dad smiled.
"Not really."
"Did you see how he looked at you? I'm wiping the security camera in the basement. I don't wanna see anything I shouldn't." he cracked a smile.
"Dad! I…Nothing happened!" I blush.
"That's a lie and you know it."
"Whatever…are you still mad?" I ask, looking up at him.
"No…I wasn't mad. That's not the right word. Just trust me. If you need something, just tell me. If you don't want me to tell your mom like the music stuff, I won't."
…
"Ok." I smile, then hug his side.
"Okay! Let's go home. I'm sure Ellie is dying for you to tell her about you and Austin."
"Dad!"