I turned so my head rested on the window, making it less obvious I was talking to him. It was a wasted effort since the team was at the front of the bus loudly celebrating their win.
“Are we not listening to the book?” Trip asked, his finger poking in my ear and finding it ear bud free.
“I didn’t think you’d want to listen to it. Since it’s childish and all.” I cringed at how juvenile I sounded even to my own ears.
Trip chuckled and it boggled my mind how even his chuckle had a southern accent.
“I said that about the movies. I was very specific to mention the movies not the book.”
I turned so my right eye was able to see him. He leaned forward the only thing between us was the back of my seat.
“Does that means you don’t want to watch the movies with me?” I countered.
“I wouldn’t go that far. I know you enjoy them, so I won’t deprive you of them.”
“Such a noble gesture.”
Trip smirked and I huffed a little as I pulled out my ear buds and passed him one. He stuck it in his ear and winked again, relaxing against the window.
“I know. You’re lucky to have such a self-sacrificing friend, Raine.”
I rolled my eyes, refusing to allow his charm to wash over me. I needed to build a wall, and soon if I was going to survive this friendship with my heart intact.
“Aunt Kenna, can I have more bread?” Norah asked, batting her way too long eyelashes.
“Didn’t your mommy say you had to eat another piece of chicken?” I asked, already getting her one.
She batted her eyelashes for heaven’s sake, like I was going to say no to her.
“Give that baby some bread,” my mom stated, putting a piece on Norah’s plate and kissing the top of her head.
“Mom,” Renee hissed, trying to act like she wasn’t about to give into her daughter’s whims.
I mean, the kid had super ridiculously long lashes and she was freaking adorable.
“I told her she had to eat her chicken.” Renee glanced at me and almost smiled.
It was the first time I’d seen her in somewhat good spirits this week. The Pappies had two away games. After tonight Brian would be gone for two weeks. Renee was trying to act like she didn’t care, but her lack of smile was a telling sign.
“So, Brian, what time are you leaving tomorrow?” my dad asked, shooting Renee an apologetic look.
Brian’s eyes also wandered to Renee. His forehead creased and my heart went out to him. Just watching his body language it was glaringly obvious he was head over baseball cleats in love with her.
Brian and my dad talked while Norah happily munched away on her bread. My mom and Renee talked about some material she thought would work for her newest line of leggings.
“So are you still mad at me?” Trip leaned his shoulder into mine.
I fought my smile with a valiant attempt at keeping it at bay. It was a hard battle, but Trip’s southern drawl was the kicker in getting it to shine.
“Yes.”
“What if I give you a piece of bread?”
A laugh burst from me and I turned to see Trip batting his own baby blues at me.
“I forgive you for making me pitch last week, but I don’t forgive you for saying a certain wizarding movie is childish.”
Trip’s smile deepened as he put his hand over his heart. “Now I was thinking about that.”
