Her eyes were pleading with me. Ever since Renee and I became friends the unknown would put her in panic mode. She said almost the same thing when she started her clothing website. Renee needed assurance I wasn’t going anywhere and we were closer than friends.
“Hell yeah, we are going to kick ass. I’m not going anywhere, Renee. I promise we’ll get through whatever happens.”
Renee smiled before she yawned again. Seeing her yawn brought another one to my face.
“Now shut up and go to sleep. We’re going to have a crazy four-year-old bouncing in here demanding breakfast in a couple of hours.”
We both giggled thinking of Norah and her boundless energy as we drifted off to catch the couple hours of sleep we were going to get.
“Come on, Raine. Stop dragging ass,” Trip yelled as I threw another crazy ball into the fence.
“Yes, Coach,” I muttered, my teeth grinding together.
I was exhausted from staying up all night. Because of the game yesterday we had a half a practice, most of it consisting of the coaching staff going over things we could have done better during the game.
When Trip suggested Claire and I go out and throw a couple of buckets I wanted to bludgeon him with a bat.
I reached into the bucket and realized I only had two more balls left.
You can do this, Kenna.
I threw both balls and gave a weary smile at the satisfying smack each of them made, verifying I hit my target.
“Good job, both of you. Let’s call it for today.”
“I can throw a couple more buckets if you want, Coach,” Claire added, her voice high-pitched as she tossed her hair over her shoulder.
I narrowed my eyes at her blatant attempt at flirting.
“That’s a good idea, Hoffer. Grab a couple more buckets.”
My eyes widened and I hated the jealousy I felt swimming through me.
Claire smiled and gave me a bitchy look as she headed to collect the balls. I turned away and tried not to stomp to the locker room.
“Raine,” Trip called out and I wanted to ignore him.
I stopped, but I didn’t turn.
“Hey, don’t be mad at me,” he said when he caught up to me. “You’re the one who doesn’t want to be my starting pitcher even though you’re better than Hoffer by a long shot.”
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep myself from smiling.
Don’t fall for his southern charm.
“I’m not mad,” I said, finally turning around.
“Are you jealous?” he asked, the side of his mouth pulling up.
Yes.
“No, you’re my coach on the field and friend off. There’s nothing to be jealous of.”
“You’re right.”
Trip stared intently in my eyes as if he was trying to say something else. Before I could figure out if I was hallucinating he turned around and jogged back to Hoffer, leaving me staring at his sculpted ass.
