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know that supply of earplugs he keeps on the shelf for when he’s using the table saw? He keeps a stash in his jacket pocket too, for when we go out to the bands.”
    Luke plugged in his guitar. “Why do you have to practice all the time anyway?” Jake asked.
    â€œI’m not practicing, dude. I’m playing.”

Chapter Twelve
    Friday, the team met at Cedar Grove again. Jake was ready to go and jogged off toward the trees where they’d done the warm-ups the last time, but the guys remained standing in a circle in the parking lot. Dave was leaning against the fence, talking to them. Jake ran back to join them. He didn’t want to miss any of the strategy talk, although he was developing his own strategy about how to take on Sam. Stick to him like a shadow the whole way and then slide past him at the finish.
    Jake joined the group. They weren’t talking strategy. They weren’t even talking about running. Tony was talking about his twin sisters and the birthday party they were going to have that weekend. They were turning four. “Way too much giggling and screaming,” complained Tony. “My mom wants me to help, but I don’t know if I’ll survive.” Everyone laughed.
    Paul had a music recital that evening. He played the trombone. Shawn talked about a new video game he wanted to try.
    â€œWhat about you, Sam? What’s going on with you?” asked Dave. Sam shrugged slightly and smiled. Paul jumped in and told them how Sam had competed in the Math Olympics at school.
    â€œAnd?” asked Dave.
    Sam grinned and unzipped his jacket to show off a gold medal. Jake knew it. Sam liked to win.
    â€œSam does fractions for fun,” Shawn joked as they all gave Sam a high five. “How about you, Jake?”
    â€œHuh? Oh, I…” He paused. “I run.”
    â€œNo gaming?” asked Shawn.
    â€œNot much.”
    â€œNo long division?” Sam added. Everyone laughed.
    â€œNo little sisters?” asked Tony.
    â€œNo music lessons?” asked Paul at the same time.
    â€œNo, but I have a brother who plays music all day.”
    â€œWhat kind?”
    â€œLoud.”
    The guys smiled. “Well,” said Dave, “I don’t know much about making music, but I guess we should make some tracks. Let’s go.”
    Jake was still smiling as he walked out of the parking lot. These guys are okay, he thought. When they started their warm-up run through the woods, though, a familiar hard knot started to form in his stomach. What causes that? he wondered. Again, Jake followed just behind Sam. He knew he could pass him when the time came. After the warm-up, Dave met them in the parking lot and had them take off their spikes and put their regular running shoes back on. What now? thought Jake.
    â€œNo wind sprints today?” he asked.
    â€œNo, that’s Wind Sprint Wednesday,” answered Shawn. “Today is Far Out Friday.”
    Far Out Friday? Jake winced. Again, he felt a little like he was in kindergarten. “Did Dave come up with those names?”
    â€œNo, we did.”
    â€œWhat’s Monday then?”
    â€œMixed-up Monday. You never know what Dave will come up with. A little bit of anything.”
    It turned out that Far Out Friday meant they went for a long run across the city. The guys waved at everyone as they jogged by. Jake got the impression they took this route often and had gotten to know certain people as regulars. The lady walking four dogs. The delivery man dropping off boxes at the market. When they passed Ben’s Bakery, they all banged on the front window. “What’s that all about?” asked Jake.
    â€œBen’s our sponsor,” huffed Paul. “He bought us the shirts and stuff.”
    Jake quickly scanned the front of his jersey and each sleeve. “How come his name isn’t on them?”
    â€œI guess he’s not into that. Just wants to help out. So we say thanks