Chapter Five
"Goodpractice, Raine."
Trip's deep melodic voice hit the back of my neck, making the hairs stand on end. My shoulder ached, radiating pain throughout every muscle, only ending when it reached the tip of my toes. I hadn't realized how out of shape I allowed myself to become when I stopped being the starting pitcher. Thankfully Trip was there to remind me.
"Thanks, Coach," I muttered, not slowing down on my way to the locker room.
A quick shower and a bag of ice on my way to work was all I could focus on. I had a feeling this was the only thing keeping Trip alive.
"I really feel like I improved my curve today, don't you, Coach?" Claire's flirty voice broke into my thoughts of hot water and ice.
"It's getting there. I don't think we’ll use it Saturday at the scrimage but there was definitely some improvement," Trip answered.
"I was thinking maybe you could come to practice early tomorrow and we could work on it. I've already accepted a pitching position overseas and I’d really like to have the curve down before I graduate and go over."
"Let's do it Monday next week. I don't want to get your arm too sore before the game on Saturday."
"Oh, okay," Claire responded.
I slipped through the locker door so I couldn't hear what her next excuse would be to get more one-on-one Trip time. She had been trying every practice to get him to meet her forhelp.
"Just stay where I put you," I muttered, smacking the ice back on my shoulder.
"I've always found when I yell at my ice it responds better when I yell at it in its native language, Eskimo." Trip emerged out of his office just as I walked past it, a smirk on his face.
"I didn't realize you were fluent in Aleut."
Trip let out a loud belly laugh, causing my insides to flip around. "Only you, Raine."
"I'm positive I'm not the only person in this world who knows what Eskimos speak. It's probably even been an answer on Jeopardy."
"You're right. My apologies. Are you headed to work?"
"I am. I have a patient who’s in desperate need of torture."
Trip laughed again and this time I couldn't stop the smile forming on my face.
"Coach Butler, Raine. How are you tonight?" Coach Mae walked out. Her arms crossed over her chest as she surveyed the two of us.
"I'm good. We were discussing the native tongue of the Eskimos."
Trip nudged me with his shoulder before I could continue babbling.
My face flamed red and I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from rambling. Guilt and embarrassment surged through me, feeling like a swarm of angry bees. Even though I hadn’t done anything wrong.
Coach Mae was aware of my crush on Trip. When she mentioned she used to be his coach I bombarded her with questions about what he was like when he was younger. My obsession was well-known on the team, and I was grateful they hadn't revealed it to Trip. Yet.
"Ahh, yes, the native tongue of Eskimos." Coach Mae rolled her eyes and faced Trip. "I told you she’s full of facts."
"You sure did. But you didn't tell me what a good pitcher she was, though." Trip's voice was full of amusement.
"Okay, well, I have to get to work. I’ll see you tomorrow at practice."
I waved over my shoulder with my good arm then quickly slapped my hand down on the ice to keep it from sliding off, booking it to my car.
"Trip's in room three for you."
I jumped at Jessica's hostile voice. She must’ve been waiting for me to walk out of my last patient’s room just so she could talk about him. Jessica lingered and I knew she wanted me to ask her to assist.
