I turned a little, wanting to see how he was going to get out of the predicament he put himself in.
“And?” I pushed my lips to the side.
“I may have spoken too hastily. I’m thinking I’m going to need to watch the next movie to make sure I didn’t judge it too harshly.”
“No.”
“What do you mean no? Come on, Raine.”
“What are you two talking about?” my mom interrupted.
“What did you do to piss her off, Trip?” My dad smiled and winked at me, letting me know he was on my side.
“He told me that my Harry was childish.”
The gasp around the table and the offended looks thrown at Trip made it almost worth it.
“Why would you say something like that?” Renee asked, her hand now over her heart.
Trip’s eyes narrowed at me before he turned to address the table. “Now before you get out your wands to vanquish me, I said it when we had one more inning left and we were only ahead by one. If y’all remember, Raine pulled through and pitched one hell of a last inning, bringing us to victory.”
“That’s what you’re doing when you go and talk to her on the pitching mound?” My dad let out a belly laugh causing the whole table to snicker with him.
“We were wondering,” my mom added, wiping the tears from her eyes.
“I always wanted to ask what you were saying to her to make her eyes squint at your back as you walked away,” my dad added when he got his laughter under control.
“You give me a dirty look when I’m walking away?” Trip looked at me with feigned shock.
“Yes, and I don’t take any of them back. You say mean things to me when you’re walking away and it’s the only way I can fight back.”
“But it gets you to pitch one hell of a game,” my dad said.
“Because I picture Trip’s head where the catcher’s mitt is.” I smiled my most innocent smile at him.
“Aunt Kenna, that’s not nice,” Norah admonished.
“Hush, squish, or you get no more bread forever.”
Norah’s eyes went wide and she clutched her remaining bite. Trip laughed and launched a piece on Norah’s plate.
“Thanks, Uncle Trip,” Norah said before biting off a huge chunk and chewing it.
“Oh, so it’s Uncle Trip now?” I asked as my parents, Renee, and Brian sent each other knowing looks.
“Yeah, even if you don’t get married I’m still going to call him Uncle Trip.”
My mom choked on the drink she just took and my dad patted her on the back as he chuckled under his breath.
“I’m honored to be your Uncle Trip.”
I snatched my plate and went to the kitchen, not wanting to see what face Trip was making at the moment, or really anyone else’s face at the table.
“Hey.” Renee came up behind me and helped me put the dishes in the dishwasher.
“What are you doing in here? Get out there and spend time with your man. He’s leaving for two weeks. I’ve got these.”
Renee sagged against the counter and her eyes started to fill. I dried my hands on my butt and hugged her. She clung to me as she sighed deeply into my shoulder.
