Chapter Nine
“She’snot going to be able to play the rest of the game,” the paramedic stated after examining Claire’s shin.
Even though I’d already assessed her injury and knew what he was going to say, it didn’t stop me from gritting my teeth at his prognosis.
“Raine, you’re in,” Trip grunted, getting up from his squatting position near Claire and locking his gaze on me.
“Yes, Coach Butler.”
I saw the side of his lip twitch, but he got it under control.
The first inning after Claire’s injury was a struggle. Frustration battered against my sternum and my heart had to fight with it for every beat.
When I mercifully got my last strike to end the inning I fought the urge to curl up in the fetal position and cry. My head wasn’t in the game and it was obvious.
Brian had come back from his away games and Renee and Norah were over at his house constantly. My life was shifting and I had no control over it. It was making me crazy.
I woke up that morning and cooked pancakes all by myself whilePride and Prejudice and Zombiesplayed in the background. It didn’t help that Trip’s rehab was moving along faster than anticipated. He was slowly starting to practice with the Pappies. Change was no longer coming, it was here.
“What the hell is going on with you, Raine?” Trip asked, plopping down on the bench next to me.
His hat was pulled down low and I watched his shadowed lips become a frown. I turned my head and spotted my parents looking worriedly into the dugout. The seats next to them were painfully empty. Renee and Norah were watching Brian practice with the Pappies.
“Nothing, Coach,” I said, realizing the team was watching.
“McKenna.” Trip’s voice was low, also aware of our audience.
The sound of my name on his lips, the lips of Coach Butler and not Trip the friend, almost had me sobbing on the bench. I closed my eyes and recited muscles, refusing to give into my wild emotions. They were hormones and I wasn’t going to let them take control.
The bench groaned as Trip got up and walked away, leaving me with my thoughts. After gaining three runs it was my turn to get back on the field. The game was almost over, I just needed to power through.
My first pitch went wild and missed my catcher by a mile. The fans booed and cheered as I wound up for another pitch. This time I was able to make it near my catcher’s mitt as the umpire yelled for the second ball.
“Time,” Trip’s voice rang out.
He stomped toward me, his hat still obscuring his eyes. I waited, knowing there was nothing he could say to bring the fire into my stomach to finish the game out right.
I kicked the dirt at the mound, not wanting to see his lips when he talked.
“Raine,” Trip sounded exasperated and I figured even he realized there was nothing he could say to get me going.
“I’ll finish the inning, Coach.”
It wasn’t his fault I couldn’t get my head into the game. Well, partially.
“I know you will, Raine. But how close are you going to let the game get? We’re not ahead by much. Are you just trying to give me gray hair?”
“Age will do that for you. You don’t need me for your naturally graying hair.”
I looked up to see Trip’s lips lift at the side.
“There she is. I thought I lost you in all the moping you were doing.”
“I wasn’t moping,” I hissed.
I was totally moping.
“Let’s get this damn game done. It’s the first real game of the season and I’d like a nice big lead at the end.”
