Trip waved a muffin in his hand before taking a big bite out of it.
“Thanks for telling me, but I’ll skip this time. I’m allergic to blueberries. My eyes swell up and my throat gets scratchy.”
The three of us were quiet and the awkwardness of it all broke me.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Coach Rutching. I have to get to work.” I jumped from my seat and ran to Dora, not breathing until I was safely out of the parking lot.
I had just taken a huge bite of my peanut butter and jelly sandwich when a loud banging shook the door. Taking a deep breath, I opened it, not bothering to check the peephole, to let Trip storm in.
“Hey, Trip. Fancy seeing you here. Do you want a peanut butter and jelly?” I asked awkwardly.
This was the first time I’d seen Trip angry and I didn’t know how to deal with it.
“Cut the shit, McKenna. What kind of game are you playing with Rutching?”
I collapsed on the couch and Trip sat next to me, his leg pressed against mine, not letting me get away.
“I can’t tell you. I promised I’d never say a word.”
“He’s Norah’s father.”
I jerked up and stared at him with my mouth wide-open. How could he have known that? Did Brian mention it to him?
“Don’t act so surprised. The first time I was over here I offered to make Norah blueberry waffles. She has the same allergic reaction to them as Rutching.”
I slapped my forehead. I’d completely forgotten Trip offering to make Norah blueberry waffles all those months ago.
“You can’t say anything. We aren’t even sure Rutching ever realized Renee was pregnant with his baby.”
“I’m not going to say anything, but I want you to stop whatever it is you’re planning to do.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t.”
“Why? If he doesn’t know Norah’s his, there’s no reason to do something stupid. And I may not know what you’re planning, but I guarantee it’s not going to end the way you want it to.”
“You don’t know that. You don’t know any of that. Renee and I planted a story saying she got pregnant by her marine boyfriend and he broke up with her when he found out. We graduated a couple weeks after she announced it, and then we laid low during summer. I don’t even know if Coach Rutching bought it or not, but I refuse to let him ruin Renee’s happiness when she just found it.”
“What are you going to do?”
I shook my head, unable to talk with my throat closed up from unshed tears.
“Please, tell me, McKenna. I can help you.”
“I need you to trust me on this, Trip. I know what I’m doing.”
“What about your spot on the team? You could be banned from walking at graduation. What about your job?”
Trip stood up and paced the living room, only stopping to stand in front of me, waiting for an answer.
“I care about Renee and Norah more than any of those things. I told you before I would’ve been fine never pitching again, and as for graduation it’s no big deal.”
“And your job?”
“It will be fine. Please don’t say anything,” I pleaded with him, afraid he’d blow everything up.
I wasn’t sure exactly how, but my plan was to get Coach Rutching off the team and far away without Renee ever knowing.
“McKenna, I’m begging you to let me help you. We can find a way to get him back without putting your future in jeopardy.”
