Feinstein - The triple threat. 03: the DH

I won.

Matt Gordons grin was so wide as he put his lunch tray down that he didnt even really need to say the words. Alex Myers knew exactly why he was grinning, but none of the others at the tableJonas Ellington, Christine Whitford, and Max Bellottihad a clue. That was because Matt hadnt told his secret to anyone in school except Alex.

Won what? Jonas asked.

The appeal of my suspension, Matt said. Im eligible again. Im out of purgatory.

You mean you can play football next fall? Christine said.

Matt nodded. Yup.And I can play baseball right now. He looked at Alex. You ready to be the number two pitcher on the team, Myers?

Alex smiled, but he raised an eyebrow. That comment was very un-Matt. Like Alex, Matt Gordon was an outstanding athlete. He had been the starting quarterback for the Chester Heights football team and would have been an all-state player if he hadnt been suspended during the state playoffs for taking steroids. Alex was a big part of the reason Matt had resorted to steroid use: When Alex showed up as the teams third-string quarterback, Matt recognized that Alexjust a freshmanwas better than he was. He had panicked, and had resorted to taking the drugs that cost him the chance to play for the state title.

The suspension handed down by the Pennsylvania High School Athletic Association was for one year. Now Matt filled everyone in on what had been going on since then.

I appealed on the grounds that the penalty was too harsh, that Id never actually tested positive, I came forward on my own, and since then Ive tested clean on eleven random drug tests. He shrugged and grinned some more. I won. The arbitration board voted two to one in my favor. So, to quote Schwarzenegger, Im back.

He said, Ill be back, Max said, teasing.

Whatever, Matt replied. Ill be at baseball practice this afternoon.

Everyone congratulated him, but Alex noticed Christine frowning the way she did when something was bothering her.

Look, Matt, Im happy for you, she said. But Im confused. You did test positiveyou just didnt get caught because Jake switched your blood sample for Alexs.

Alex broke in. Christine, it doesnt matter, he said. All that matters is Matt won the appeal.

Alex didnt really want to relive what had happened four months earlier: At the behest of Matts fatherfootball coach Matthew GordonJake Bilney had switched Alexs blood test for Matts to make it look as if Alex, not Matt, was the one taking steroids. Matt had come forward and admitted his guilt the week of the state championship game. Coach Gordon had been fired, and Bilney had transferred.

Alex really wanted to move on.

Matt waved a hand. Its okay, Alex, he said. Youre right, Christine. But legally, once the tests were compromised by the label switching, they couldnt be used against me. The board had to base its decision on my tests since then.

Christine tipped her head, considering. Okay. Wellthats good for you. She stood up. Theres still time for me to get a story into this weeks Roar. Ill go see Coach Hillier right now.

Tom Hillier was the advisor for the student newspaper, the Weekly Roar. Hed also become the football coach after Matthew Gordon was fired.

She walked away, drawing looks from most of the boys in the cafeteria. In Alexs opinion, Christine was the prettiest girl in the school. He was biased because she was his girlfriend. Clearly, though, he wasnt the only one who thought she was pretty.

She seems a little miffed, Matt said. Whats that about?

Nah, she just wants to get the story in, Alex said.

You sure thats all? Matt asked.

Totally, Alex said, hoping he sounded more convinced than he felt. Hed picked up a weird vibe from Christine too.

He watched Christine stop to talk to Patton Gormley, one of his teammates from the basketball team. The basketball season had ended the previous Friday, with Chester Heights losing to West Philadelphia in the second round of the sectional playoffs. The Speedboys had beaten the Lions by thirty points in a regular-season game, so the 7265 loss to them in the playoffs had been disappointing but also a sign of how far the team had come.

Basketball season might have just finished, but Alex was so ready for baseball. He was an excellent quarterback and a very good point guard, but he thought baseball might someday be his best sport. He had been almost unhittable as a Little League pitcher. He knew high school would be different, but he was still confident.

And now Matt Gordon was going to be his teammate again. Hed been a great teammate in footballAlexs biggest supporter, even though they played the same position. Maybe