“What happened? You look terrible.” Trip kneeled so we were face to face.
“Sorry, I didn’t eat breakfast,” I mumbled.
Both Trip and Coach Mae gave each other skeptical looks at my weak excuse.
“Are you sick?” Trip asked, his hand coming to my forehead to check the temp.
I shook his hand off, unable to look either of them in the eye. It was stupid, but I felt betrayed. Even though neither of them knew the role Coach Rutching played in my life they could have at least given me a heads-up. Seeing Coach Rutching walk into the locker room was one of the biggest shocks I’d ever experienced, and the two people in front of me were responsible for it.
“Are you pregnant?” Coach Mae asked, snapping her mouth shut when I glanced at Trip.
Trip’s eyes narrowed and his gaze dropped down my body. I used my other arm to cover my stomach and finally made eye contact with Coach Mae.
“No, I’m not pregnant. Maybe I’m getting sick. I didn’t feel like eating breakfast today.”
Coach Mae nodded, accepting my excuse. “Skip practice today, Raine. You deserve it with the shutout you pitched last week. Get some rest and we’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Get your stuff and I’ll walk you to your car,” Trip added.
“I’m fine, Coach Butler.”
“Raine, you looked like you were about to pass out. You’re my starting pitcher, and I’m still your coach. Get your stuff. I’m walking you out.”
I nodded and moved to the locker room with my head floating above me. Some of the girls asked if I was okay and I stuck with my not feeling well excuse. As the team went toward the field, I went out of the locker room, happy I wouldn’t have to see Coach Rutching again.
Trip leaned against the wall outside of the locker room with his arms crossed and a frown. His frown deepened as he took my bag from me and led me out toward the parking lot.
“Are you okay, McKenna?” Trip asked when Dora moved in sight.
“I’m fine, Trip. I just want to go home and rest.”
“You work too hard. The team, work, school, and studying for your PT exam. I worry about you.”
Trip looked around to make sure there was nobody around before enveloping me. I wrapped my arms around him, letting him hold me up. His embrace was soothing and I wished I could stay in it all day.
On some level I wanted to tell him about Coach Rutching, knowing he’d help me figure out what I needed to do, but I refused to betray Renee. I finally broke away and climbed in my car.
“I have practice with the Pappies later. I’ll call you when I’m done.”
I nodded, my brain already obsessing over Coach Rutching. Trip waited until I pulled out of the parking lot before heading toward the field.
By the time I made it to my apartment I’d come to the conclusion I needed to quit the team. I couldn’t let Renee find out about Coach Rutching. She was finally moving on and I refused to let him tarnish her happiness.
I changed into my sweats and a tank top and lounged on the couch, my mind still racing.
“Aunt Kenna, are you naked?” Norah yelled when Renee opened the door to our apartment.
“Squish,” I cried, jumping off the couch and grabbing my favorite four-year-old in the whole wide world.
“What are you doing home? Don’t you have practice?” Renee asked, hugging me around her daughter.
“We had an early practice,” I lied.
“I’m glad. I miss you so much. And I have so much to do. I need your help, Kenna. Hold on, let me get my bag.”
The mischievous sparkle in her eyes had me hesitant. Renee ran outside and came back lugging a small rolling suitcase behind her.
“Are you moving back in?” I asked, sticking a straw in Norah’s juice box.
