When Trip made his announcement of his eternal bachelorhood, I had the urge to rip his posters down. There I stood, my hand poised on the top of one of my many posters, staring into his bright blue eyes. They were set in determination as he released the ball from his hand, ready to strike out the unsuspecting batter. In the end my hands couldn't go through with tearing his beautiful face from its residence.
I vowed to myself I’d change his mind one day. I was sixteen at the time and he was twenty-three, making his name in ABL. Two years later, I still felt confident of our impending nuptials.
Renee plopped on the bed, leaning on the headrest, a pillow pressed to her stomach. "Baseball players aren't all they're cracked up to be. Trip even says he isn't the type to be monogamous. You’d be better off with a good guy, Kenna. Or no guy at all." She picked at invisible lint on the pillowcase in her lap.
"Is the father a baseball player?" I sat on the edge of the bed, watching her.
She was quiet for so long I assumed she wasn't going to answer. "Yes, but you can't tell anyone." Her eyes connected with mine, drenched with desperation.
"You can trust me, Nene."
She let out a bitter laugh. "I believe you. The sad thing is I think you may be the only one."
"That's not sad. It's kind of cool I have someone to trust me. I'm not really good with people, but I haven't had a real friend in, well, ever. I know you have tons of them, but I'm willing to help you in any way you need."
"They aren't my friends, Kenna."
"Huh?"
"They’re just around me because I'm popular. When I found out I was pregnant I couldn't think of any one of them I could turn to."
"Well, now you've got me."
Renee looked up and provided me with a real smile. "I never thought I’d say this, but I'm glad it's you."
"You should be."
"Well, at least I know I've got you until you convince Trip Butler you're the love of his life."
"Lucky for you, I plan on graduating college before snagging that man in my Kenna web."
Renee chucked her pillow friend at me, giggling.
