"Then why are you hanging out in the parking lot? Is your car not starting? The Viper isn't on a recall list and its performance index rating is fantastic."
"My shoulder hurts and I don't think I can shift it."
"Oh, uhm. Here, take my car." I shoved my keys in his hand.
His face twisted in horror when he looked at the pink softball and adorable turtle hanging from them.
"No." He pushed them back into my hand.
"Why? Are you afraid driving a car beneath you will ruin your bad boy reputation?"
My shoulders rose and my eyes narrowed. Nobody, not even my future husband could make me feel bad about my car.
"The car that drove me to every t-ball practice all the way to high school was an Explorer. Don't get high and mighty on me, Raine. It doesn't look good on you."
"Then take my car." I thrust my keys back in his hand and settled into his car, starting the engine.
"Do you know how to drive a stick?" He leaned into the open door, his scowl present.
"Yes, I know how to drive stick. I'm part of the eighteen percent of people in the US who can."
Trip's mouth looked odd as if he was trying to keep frowning, but fighting a smile at the same time.
"So many buckets tomorrow."
"You're welcome, Coach. See you tomorrow."
Trip walked to my car, his head shaking, and I was pretty sure his mouth was moving.
"Norah Grace, don't answer that door," I hissed, not wanting to wake up Renee.
"Hi, Uncle Trip. Are you here to marry Aunt Kenna?"
I needed to look up the probability of having a sink hole develop under me. Norah Grace was so close to turning five. It was a shame she wasn't going to make it.
With dread I walked over to see Norah ushering Trip and his Pappies’ teammate Brian Wright into our apartment. Brian and Trip had been named the dream team over five years ago. As Trip’s catcher, the two of them acted as if they had a telepathic connection between them. Watching them play was magical.
Trip smiled when he noticed my scowl as I studied him and Brian casually standing in my living room with Norah chattering away.
"So you've just heard of me in passing?" he asked as Brian laughed next to him.
“She calls everyone uncle, and I was telling her you were my new coach,” I explained, hoping Norah would keep her mouth shut.
Norah cocked her head to the side with confusion.
"Kenna, I need you. My piece of feces sewing machine doesn't realize I have a deadline and is acting like a flaccid phallus," Renee yelled, storming into the living room, her hair wild around her head.
Renee's eyes grew wide when she realized we weren't alone. She tugged on her wrinkled tank top, trying to cover her skimpy shorts. "What are you doing here?"
"He's here—"
I cut Norah off before she could remind Trip of our upcoming nuptials. "He took over Coach Hans’ spot. He's my new coach," I finished lamely.
“Okay, but what are they doing here?”
"I brought back her car," Trip added while Brian stared at Renee with shock on his face.
"Why do you have Dora?" Norah asked, her tiny little face focused on Trip.
