I went back to the plate; this time, getting into the righty's box. I could feel Ethan looking up to me, but I kept my focus on Bryce, trying not to give anything away. After the pitch was decided, Bryce got set, checked on Noah, then started his motion. Just before the ball left his hand, I showed bunt.
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Noah taking off. I could also tell that Ethan was moving. Moving too early. I pulled my bat back as the ball crossed the plate.
"Oof." I heard Ethan gasped shortly after a thud. I looked and saw that the baseball bounced off of him, then into the dirt.
Noah slid into second before Ethan even had a chance. Noah got up on his feet and faked going to third. Ethan rushed his throw to Bryce. Bryce stood on the mound, looking back at Noah. Noah went back to second base obediently.
I glanced back to the umpire.
"That was a strike." He said.
Tsk. What a liar.
"Don't make that face." He told me.
