The team waited for Coach Mae’s answer, wanting to know what she would say, and I was one of them.
“I was aware of Coach Butler and Raine’s friendship. Both of them have explained there’s nothing going on between them except a friendship,” Coach Mae explained directly toward me.
“And you believe them?” Claire threw her arms up.
“Yes, she believes us because there’s nothing going on between me and Raine. If you must know, I’m seeing someone right now and we’re exclusive. Raine is a friend and will always be just a friend.” Trip glanced at me when he declared he had a girlfriend and my stomach sank.
“Is there anything else? I suggest getting everything settled right now. I refuse to revisit this after we leave this locker room and get out on the field.” Coach Mae waited.
When nobody spoke up she clapped her hands together. “That’s the end of this then. Get on the field.”
I shoved my bag in my locker and made my way out to the field, trying hard not to think about what Trip had just said.
Impossible.
Did he just say he has a girlfriend to protect me? Does he have a girlfriend? Why does it have to hurt so bad that he’d never see me as anything but a friend?
Practice was brutal. Coach Mae had us sprinting throughout the whole practice. I was drenched in sweat by the time she dismissed us to the locker room. We dragged getting out of the locker room, too tired to speak, which I was sure was Coach Mae’s intention.
A muffled groan rippled over my chapped lips when I climbed out of Dora and walked into work. I had three patients today, Trip being one of them. My nervous system was shaky when I thought of seeing him so soon.
Practice was so busy I didn’t have a chance to talk to him about the tabloid with its spiteful comments, or his new love interest. Having him in a PT room by himself, there was no way to avoid the topic.
“McKenna, please come into my office,” Dr. Bert called to me as soon as I walked in.
Jessica gave me a conniving smile and I felt like I’d been transported right back into this morning’s locker room.
Dr. Bert frowned when I walked in as he motioned for me to take a seat. I twisted my ponytail around my finger, worried for what was about to come.
“I take it you’re aware of the article published this morning regarding you and our patient Mr. Butler.”
I nodded, too afraid to speak. Dr. Bert had been nothing but kind to me since the day I started interning at his office, but today his face was stern and not inviting. Dr. Bert and my dad had been golf buddies for as long as I could remember, and never had I seen him look so serious.
“As you know this does not put you in a good light.”
“We’re just friends. I was at his nephew’s t-ball game. I didn’t do anything wrong.” My throat gradually opened up, allowing me to defend myself.
I truly hadn’t done anything wrong. We really were just friends, and I shouldn’t be reprimanded for something innocent. Why couldn’t anyone see that?
“I understand he’s also your college softball coach.”
“He is, and I never hid that fact from you.”
“McKenna, I’m not sure what’s going on here. I’m very disappointed in you to say the least. You’ve always conducted yourself in a mature manner and made the right decisions. That alone is the reason I want to leave my practice to you when I retire. You’ve always upheld a moral ground most people can never reach. Especially at your age.”
“I’m still the same person. Trip’s a friend and nothing else. The photographer was able to get a couple shots making things seem different than what they were. I even left the game early because I didn’t want anyone to get the wrong impression.”
Dr. Bert frowned as he tapped his fingers on his huge mahogany desk. My shoulders pulled back and I held my head up high. Disappointing anyone, let alone someone I respected like Dr. Bert, was something I never wanted to do, but I refused to shrink into a puddle of guilt when I was innocent.
“I believe you, McKenna. You’ve done nothing for me to doubt you or your behavior. I will say I do hope to see you stay out of the tabloids from now on. You’re a part of this office and your reputation reflects on your job here.”
“I understand. I appreciate you believing me.”
Dr. Bert gave me a weak smile. “I want you to think long and hard tonight when you go home on what you want the public to see. I need to know you’re committed to this office and its reputation. After your two patients I suggest truly assessing your life decisions.”
“I thought I had three patients today.” I refused to acknowledge Dr. Bert’s reprimand.
As it was, I was biting my tongue to keep from blowing up at him. He was treating me like a child. A child who was incapable of making the correct choice. The only thing stopping me from going off on him was the respect I had for him. This was the first and hopefully last time he addressed me as he was.
