“What time is it?” I asked, not bothering to find my phone.
“It’s almost two in the morning,” Brian answered.
My head went to the side as I caught Renee’s eyes. Her face turned a slight shade of pink.
“Did you two have fun?” I teased and Trip snickered next to me.
“We did. I have an early call, so I need to get going,” Brian said, squeezing Renee’s hand. “I’ll call you tomorrow.” He kissed Renee lightly on the lips.
“I should get going too,” Trip said, getting up from the couch.
I stood up after him and immediately wished I’d remained sitting. Now I was standing next to him awkwardly.
Trip didn’t seem to have any of the awkwardness that always accompanied me. He hugged me to him and I went willingly, sad when he let go.
“See you tomorrow, Raine.”
Renee and I watched the two of them walk out the door. We turned off the lights and locked everything up silently.
In the hallway at my door Renee lingered.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I knew my friend and her need to purge.
“Yes.” Renee ran to her room and changed into her jammies as I settled in bed.
She crawled under the covers and hugged the majority to her.
“Where did you guys go?” I grabbed my emergency Renee blanket at the bottom of the bed.
“We went and got massages and then went back to his house.”
“Oh yeah.” I wiggled my eyebrows, knowing she couldn’t see me.
She snorted and I could almost hear her eyes roll. “It was amazing. He gave me some of his sweats and one of his hoodies while he cooked dinner. We ate on the couch and talked for hours. It was the most relaxing night I’ve had in a long time. It was like he knew going out and partying wasn’t my thing. I asked him why we didn’t go anywhere, and he said he wanted me to have the night off.” Renee sighed as I smiled widely at her in the dark.
“I’m glad you had a good time and were able to relax. You don’t do it enough.”
“So what was Trip doing here?” she asked, her voice getting sleepy.
“Mom and Dad showed up to grill me about why I didn’t tell them I was pitching and about Trip being my new coach. Trip just happened to show up with ice cream. You should have seen it. Mom and Dad went super fangirl.”
We giggled.
“Why did he bring ice cream?”
“He said he wanted my forgiveness for making me pitch, and then he stayed to watch the movie. I guess we fell asleep.”
We talked more about our nights as light started to shine through the window.
“I missed this. It’s been a long time since we stayed up all night talking,” Renee said with a yawn.
“I missed this too.”
“Things are changing, aren’t they?” Renee’s voice sounded sad.
I nodded my head, feeling the melancholy mood her sentiment brought.
“I’m glad you’re with me through this. Remember, Kenna, whatever happens, you’re my family. You’re my sister and we’re going to kick this life thing’s ass.”
