Chapter Seventeen
Brianshowed up after practice without Trip.
“It smells delicious in here,” he said, kissing Renee and Norah.
“There are still hot leftovers in the kitchen. You’re welcome to them if you want them,” my mom told him.
Brian headed toward the kitchen before my mom could finish her sentence. He came out holding the to-go box and fork, leaning on the wall.
“Where’s lover boy?” he asked between bites.
“I don’t know. I figured he was still at practice,” I answered, checking my phone to see if I missed a call from Trip.
Brian frowned and grabbed his phone to check. “Huh, he left before I did. I assumed he’d be here before me.” Brian shrugged and went back to his leftovers. “Too bad for him. I got all the food.” Brian laughed and choked on a noodle.
Renee smacked him on the back. “Serves you right.”
“I’m going to call him and tell him to eat first if he’s coming over.”
Trip’s phone went straight to voicemail and I frowned as I ended the call.
“Don’t start thinking stupid shit,” Renee said, coming up behind me.
“I’m not.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Okay, I’m trying not to. It would be easier if he answered his phone and not sent me directly to voicemail,” I muttered.
“Love isn’t easy. It’s messy, and if you let your head trick you with stupid worries it gets even messier,” Renee added.
“Kind of like thinking your fiancé’s cheating on you when he’s trying to adopt your daughter?” I countered.
“Exactly, asshole.”
Throughout the night, I tried Trip’s number, each time getting his voicemail.
Norah yawned and snuggled in my mom’s lap.
“I think it’s time to get her home,” Renee said, getting up to collect her daughter.
“Can she stay the night? We have clothes at our house and I’ll take her to school,” my mom asked, stroking Norah’s hair.
“Yes,” Brian and Renee answered quickly, making me laugh.
“Shut up, just wait until you have kids and someone offers to give you a night off,” Renee said, pushing my shoulder.
When I climbed into bed, I tried Trip’s phone one more time and clenched my teeth when his voicemail picked up.
My mind was on the edge of sleep when a loud banging sounded on my door. I struggled to sit up and bounced off the walls of the hallway as I moved to the door.
Through the peephole Trip moved to bang on the door again. I opened it and ducked as his fist came hurtling toward me, only stopping when he realized the door was no longer in front of him.
“Hey, slugger, watch it.”
Trip shook his head and pulled me into his chest.
“I’ve been wanting to hold you all day. I called to tell you to unlock the door, but you must not have heard me.”
