Chapter 1216: V4 ch64 July (3)
Mom and Dad weren’t totally on board with the ’go to every A’s home game for the rest of the month’ idea. There was still a lot to do. Dave and I had to finish our college algebra course before we left town. And he was leaving a couple days ahead of time. Plus, Noah and I had a few more driving training lessons with Alisha and the instructor. Those couldn’t be put off.
The final decision came down, allowing us to go to six games with Dave in charge. We had to pay for our own food, not letting Jeremy pick up the tab. Which they had to be lenient on, because sometimes Jeremy got us good seats with service and would get the bill straight from them. We couldn’t do anything about that. But Dad said he would make a call to Jeremy the next day to tell him to not go out of his way to get us good seats or even good deals. We would take the minimum.
Dave looked to Noah. "Parking is on you since this was your idea."
Noah shrugged. "Sure. I don’t mind. But gas is on you since it’s your car."
Dave was taken aback. "No way, that also falls under your idea."
"Good lord, tonight’s dinner was also my idea and you don’t see Mom and Dad making me pay." Noah rolled his eyes.
I fought back a laugh.
"They’re your parents; they have to provide for you. They’re responsible for you." Dave said, exasperated. "I’m your brother. I don’t have the same responsibilities."
Noah looked to Mom. "Dave said he won’t be responsible for us. Should we have someone else take us? Maybe ask Alisha’s parents?"
"Looks like you’re in tight spot, Dave." Mom smiled. "It’s up to you. Do you want to go to the games with your brothers? If not, you don’t have to worry about gas."
Dave’s eyelid was visibly twitching. He sighed. "I can’t believe you guys want to take money from a future poor college student."
"Have you already spent what your grandmother left you?" Grampa asked, squinting at Dave like he was suspicious.
Dave immediately shook his head. "No. No way. I just wanted to save it. You know, I want to have that cushion."
"Then it’s decided. You pay for gas." Grampa declared. He looked towards me and Noah and winked. "You kids save up your own cushion."
"Blatant favoritism." Dave muttered under his breath.
"I think I need my grill cleaned." Grampa looked back at Dave.
Dave looked up at the ceiling. "I’m being bullied at my own home. My status has fallen so low."
I couldn’t help but laugh this time. But at least Noah’s laugh was louder than mine.
Luckily Dave didn’t hold a grudge. Every day he had to drive us to and from the game, he filled up his own gas tank. He didn’t complain when Noah and Alisha would constantly reach out to change the radio station. He nodded in agreement when Kaylee complained about Marie. And when it was my turn to sit up front, he would talk about driving like he was giving me lessons.
I was bit nervous with the idea about driving in the city where there were a lot more cars and a lot of different situations to consider, but Dave just said to be patient. There wasn’t any rush, and even if there was somewhere I had to be, it’s okay to be late.
Jeremy and Rose still tried to help take care of us during our time at the stadium. We did a lot of pregame activities like seeing the clubhouse and being on the field during batting practice. And even though we had ideas and plans to pay for our own food and parking, Jeremy immediately took care of both. For everyone, even the girls.
At the fourth game, Kaylee shared how she felt about that. "It kind of feels like we’re using him. Like, man, I didn’t realize how much we would all be for tickets and food. We’re totally running up a bill into the thousands."
"Without a doubt." Noah said, cracking a peanut open. "But it’s Jeremy. To him, this isn’t much. It’s like if I bought you a candy bar every day."
"Don’t expect any empathy from Noah." Dave laughed. "The kid doesn’t care as long as someone else is footing the bill. He has no shame."
"Nope. I don’t." Noah answered with ease. "Jeremy feels guilty. I don’t mind cashing in on that."
"He doesn’t feel guilty towards you, idiot." Dave flight Noah’s ear.
Noah smacked his hand away. "Yea, but it’ll ease his guilt that he can give Jake a good time with his friends."
Kaylee looked to me. "And how do you feel about that?"
I shrugged. "I’m used to it."
Noah and Dave laughed.
I felt my face heat up. "I mean...this is what Jeremy wants to do. I appreciate it, but I also wouldn’t be upset if it stopped. But if it makes him feel better, then I respect that."
"You don’t want anything else from him though? Like more time together?" Kaylee asked.
I shrugged. "He comes over when he has the time. This is also like we’re visiting him."
"Jake doesn’t want to spend every second of the day with him." Noah said. "Just being included occasionally is good. Brothers aren’t so calculating like sisters are. If we can hang out, cool. If not, I’ll get you next time."
"I remember someone being very anti-Jeremy a year and a half ago." Kaylee squinted at Noah.
Noah grinned. "If he makes Jake upset then you already know whose side I’m on. Jeremy and I are cool...but if Jake decides that he’s in the wrong, then I’ll be the first to tell him."
"What if Jake is in the wrong?" She asked.
"Have you met Jake?" Noah asked her back, sarcastically. "The guy wouldn’t say boo to a goose. What could he possibly do to upset Jeremy?"
"Good point." Kaylee nodded.
Dave nudged me. "Are you just going to let them talk about you like that?"
I shrugged. "It’s fine."
Dave laughed. "You’re like a buddha, just unfazed and unbothered."
I shrugged again, helpless. "Why would I be?"
"It’s better than if he was skittish and worried." Alisha defended me. "I hope Jake stays this peaceful. When it’s baseball season, he clearly is more on edge."
"That’s purely because he puts the pressure on himself." Dave told her. "Now what would be interesting is if Jeremy and Jake played on a team together. I bet Jake wouldn’t be able to make eye contact with him. He’d would stress over every word he has to say."
"I wonder if Jeremy would baby him on the team or become impatient." Noah mused. He glanced at me. "How would you feel about playing with him?"
"I like what I’m used to." I swallowed. "But everything has been new to me at least once before. So I think I could handle it."
"You’re literally shaking in your seat at the thought." Dave pointed out and laughed. "But I bet, if Noah was on the same team as you two, it would be nothing new to you. He’s like your emotional support animal. He’s there and you’re calm."
Kaylee sighed. "That sounds like he’s your crutch. You can’t lean on him forever."