"Butler, how did it go?" Coach Mae stepped next to Trip as they walked toward the locker room.
Before going inside, I spotted Trip's sling on the ground where he had thrown it off. Idiot was going to ruin the Pappies’ season by not taking care of himself. I snatched the discarded sling and stomped toward the locker room.
After showering and getting dressed, I grabbed two ice packs out of the medical room and held one on my shoulder. It wasn't going to take away all the pain I’d endure tomorrow, but it would help.
Claire was already in the office when I entered. Trip's eyebrow rose when I tossed his sling on the desk.
God, he’s gorgeous.
I crossed my arms over my chest and stared right back.
"I can give you the percentages for a full recovery if you don't follow your doctor’s orders," I threatened, ready to spew forth knowledge.
"Please, put on the sling, Trip. She can spit statistics out like a machine."
"It's Coach Butler," he added before pulling his sling on. "Better?"
"Not yet," I answered, putting the other ice bag on his shoulder before sitting next to Claire. “Now I am.”
"Aunt Kenna," Norah screamed, running full speed toward me. Her hair was in pigtails and she was wearing her favorite pink softball leggings and a replica of my jersey. The girl owned my heart.
I slung her on my hip on the opposite side of my pitching arm. It was a dull thud and I knew by tomorrow I was going to be hating life.
"Sorry I'm late. Coach Hans is out for the season and the new coach wanted to go over his game plan.” Before Renee could question me I cut her off. “Come on, squishy face, let's go play catch before I have to go to work."
Renee's head tilted to the side as she studied me. My armpits broke out in a sweat. I wasn't sure why I was hiding that Trip Butler was my new coach from her, but it was obvious she knew something was up.
"Did you know giraffes only need five to thirty minutes of sleep within a twenty-four-hour period?" I spouted off.
"Does that mean you're turning into a giraffe?" Norah asked, wiggling down off my hip.
"If you keep waking her up. Her neck does seem a bit longer," Renee replied, the suspicion gone as she teased her daughter.
Norah's eyes widened as she gawked at my neck. "Oh, no. I'll let you sleep longer."
I burst out laughing with Renee as Norah hugged my legs.
