"Coach Butler is just that, my coach." I pushed the pillow into my stomach and hugged onto it.
"What's going on? You two seemed to be getting along so well when he came over to drop off Dora."
"That's just it. We were getting along fine, and then he just went cold on me. During practice this whole week he helped me with my pitch, but it was different. There’s no joking around anymore."
"Oh, Kenna, I'm sorry I've been so busy with getting this deadline done and with Brian—"
"Stop, it's fine," I cut off her apology. "It's stupid. I think I put too much thought into it because I've been crushing on him so long. The first practice, I don't know, I thought we clicked and it was the same the first time I did his treatment. Even breakfast was so natural."
"But?"
"But when he came in for treatment the next day he barely said a word to me. Even at practice he doesn't talk to me unless he has to. I'm wondering if I was imagining something that wasn't there."
Renee scrunched up her forehead and stared at the wall. I didn't say anything while she thought; it would be useless. Until she figured out what was running around in her head she wouldn’t talk.
"I don't think you were imagining it. I saw the way you two interacted at breakfast. I saw something there too. I know you, and I don't see you pretending to feel something that isn't there. Maybe something happened that he isn't telling you."
"It doesn't matter. He's my coach. It isn't like there can be anything between us anyway. Hell, what am I saying? He's freaking Trip Butler." I hugged the pillow tighter and took a deep breath.
"I'm telling you there's something else going on."
"Yeah, I have a feeling that something else is a beautiful girlfriend who drops him off and picks him up at practice and his PT appointments every day," I grumbled.
“What? You didn’t tell me he had a girlfriend,” she squawked.
“I didn’t know. I saw her pick him up after his second PT appointment and she has been picking him up and dropping him off ever since. Maybe she’s the reason why he isn’t talking to me. Maybe he’s in love with her.” My stomach clenched at the thought.
"Is she going to be here tonight?" Renee asked, glancing at the door as if Trip and the beautiful blonde would walk through in that second.
"I don't think Trip will be here tonight. He hasn't mentioned it and I wasn't going to bring it up at practice, or PT. Can we please drop it? I don't want to think about it anymore. I just want the season to be over with and then I can focus on my career. I don't even know why I'm still on the damn team."
"Because you can't let anyone down. It's not in your blood to disappoint people. You can't say no, which is weird you weren't more popular in high school."
I opened my mouth and Renee put her hand up to stop me.
"Yes, I know your personality is not ingrained in your blood. Please, don't explain it to me. My brain’s tired and I don't need any more thoughts."
I smacked her with the pillow and got off the couch.
"Where are you going?"
"To take down all my Trip posters," I answered her.
“That’s very mature of you,” Renee commented to my back.
"Why are you taking down all your Uncle Trip posters?" Norah asked, lying on her stomach, half watching her tablet while I removed my shrine.
"Because it's time to grow up."
"Are you going to kindergarten with me too?"
"Ha-ha, squish. It's time. Now that I know Trip, I think it's time for me to find another guy to be your uncle. He didn't quite measure up."
"I'm sorry, Aunt Kenna."
Norah's tiny arms wrapped around my middle and held on tight. My nose burned as hot tears crowded my eyes. Her candid show of sympathy caught me off guard.
"No need to be sorry. I know your uncle’s out there somewhere."
