“Sorry, McKenna. When it comes to being on this field I’m the coach. You aren’t my friend, you’re my player, and I’m going to do what I know is right.”
“What you think is right,” I countered.
“You can say it whichever way you want. It won’t change that if I think you’re the one who’s going to win the game you’re the one who will be on the field. Now go get your stuff. I need to help Coach Mae check in the players before we leave.”
My mouth hung open as Trip walked away from me. This time I didn’t even look at his ass. Okay, maybe I peeked for a second, but I didn’t enjoy it.
That much.
The team buzzed with excitement when I climbed into the bus. I was the last one to check in as I stomped to the back.
Yes, I was stomping. Trip drove me insane and made me act completely out of character.
I was the levelheaded one. Yet there was something about Trip that made my system go haywire and caused me to act abnormally. When I got home I needed to research pheromones or something that would cause this reaction.
“Raine, come up here with us,” Heather Cheeks, our catcher, yelled when I continued toward the back of the bus.
“I’m going to sprawl out and ice my shoulder. You guys celebrate. I’m beat.”
Claire rolled her eyes as the team booed for half a second before returning to their celebration. I wasn’t lying when I told them I was beat. Everything I had went into winning. In the four innings I played I only allowed three hits.
Trip pulling Claire and pushing me out onto the field lit a fire inside my belly I hadn’t felt in a long time when it came to softball. I thought the thrill of the game had died when I turned down the opportunity to play overseas, but Trip was right, there was still a little bit left. Not that I’d tell him that.
The fire really didn’t have to do with competition, but because I didn’t want to let Trip down. He’d put his trust in me when he put me in, and I wanted to show him I could do it. Also, as his friend I wanted him to win as well.
With slow deliberate movements which caused my legs to scream I settled down into the seat. I kneaded the ice packs I snatched from the locker room and slapped them on my shoulder, letting the icy numbness carry the pain away.
My eyes were closed when I felt someone sit down in the seat behind me. The masculine smell of Trip wafted through my nostrils, making them flare at the goodness it brought. I refused to acknowledge him, not wanting to be in the presence of Coach Butler instead of my friend Trip.
Trip was not going to be ignored. He reached around the seat and popped out one of my ear buds. I waited for him to say something sarcastic about the fact that I was listening to a book about a certain boy who was about to embark on an adventure into the wonderful world of witchcraft and wizardry.
When he remained quiet, I broke and cracked open an eye, turning my head to look at him. Trip’s eyes were closed and he had the stolen ear bud pushed in his ear. A small smile played around his lips and the son of a bitch was adorable.
Removing one of the ice bags from my shoulder, I passed it behind me. He nodded his head before tossing it on his shoulder and going back to his relaxed state.
I closed my eyes. If I didn’t I’d get lost memorizing his face. I was sure my teammates were already gossiping about Trip sitting in the back of the bus near me. There was no way I was going to give them any more ammunition.
I pressed pause on my phone to stop the audio book, when the bus arrived back at school. Trip handed me the ear bud he’d taken hostage and moved to the front of the bus, shuffling out with everyone else.
You can do this, McKenna. You’ll be his friend and be there when he needs you. He asked for your help and you’re going to give it to him.
“Whoa, Coach Butler, is that your new ride?” one of the girls from the team asked.
“It is.” I heard Trip answer.
“I miss the sports car,” Claire whined when my feet hit the pavement outside.
“It looks like Raine’s car,” Heather said, walking over to Trip’s new explorer.
“It looks nothing like Raine’s car,” Claire’s bitchy voice rang out.
“No, Dora looks way better than his.” I stuck up for my baby as I gawked at Trip’s new Explorer.
“My mom used to drive me all over in one of these when I was younger. My parents actually gave it to me when I got my license and I drove it around until I was signed to the ABL,” Trip explained.
“All right, girls, let’s stop drooling over Coach Butler’s car and get out of here. I’m proud of all of you. It was a good game to fire us up for the season. See you tomorrow at practice.” Coach Mae clapped her hands and the team dispersed.
I opened my mouth to say something to Trip, but I stopped. Even though the girls were moving to their cars they were doing it slowly. As if they were waiting for some type of exchange between us. I tried to ignore their sideways stares when we were on the bus. Even though Trip was behind me and they were unaware we were sharing a magical story together it was still suspicious and enough to start the rumor mill.
