by Joy Eileen
“Uncle Trip.” A tiny little rocket barreled down on us.
Trip dropped his bag just in time to catch the child projectile.
“Hey, buddy. Are you ready to play?”
“Yeppers, I’ve been practicing with Grandpa and my dad. Just like you told me.”
“Good for you. Bruce, this is my friend McKenna. She’s going to help us warm up.”
“Hi,” Bruce said shyly, wiggling out from his uncle’s arms.
“Hi, Bruce. Can you introduce me to the rest of the team?”
Bruce’s shyness vanished as he grabbed my index finger and led me toward the team.
“Come on, Raine. You can’t be out of breath?” Trip nudged me with his shoulder and smiled.
“How do they have so much energy?” I gasped.
Trip let me lead the kids in warm up and stretching and it was like herding a group of Tasmanian devils. In the end Trip convinced them to attack. With a war cry I’m sure all of San Diego heard, nine tiny missiles tackled me to the ground.
After crying mercy Trip finally called them off, telling them to go get a drink of water before the game started.
“Those little fingers are perfect for tickling,” I said, slugging Trip lightly in the shoulder. “You’re going to pay, Alfred.”
Trip’s eyes went wide as he searched around to make sure nobody heard me call him by his real name.
“You have grass in your hair.”
My hand instinctively went to my scalp and when I didn’t feel anything I started running my hands through my ponytail.
Trip smiled and plucked at the blade of grass.
“Wait, I got you something.” Trip jogged to his bag and pulled out a Pappies’ hat with his name on the back.
I pulled my ponytail through the back and set it on my head, smiling at him. “How do I look?”
Trip’s eyes roamed over my face and he took a step closer. I inhaled sharply as his body heat seared into me.
“Trip, I’m so excited. This is going to do wonders for your reputation.”
Trip frowned and pulled the bill of my hat down a little before turning and breaking the spell we were under.
“I’m glad to do it, Gwen. Even if it didn’t help my reputation, I would have done this for my nephew.”
Gwen wobbled toward us in bright blue pumps as they kept sinking into the grass. Her platinum hair was pulled back into a sophisticated bun and her flowered summer dress made me feel lacking in all areas female.
“You must be Trip’s sister, Harley.” Gwen reached out her manicured hand.
“Actually, this is my friend, McKenna. She’s the pitcher for San Diego state.”
I shook her hand and she let it go swiftly.
“She’s a player on the team you coach?”
I wasn’t able to see her eyes behind her huge glasses, but her tone was enough to show she disapproved.
“Trip, we’re trying to fix your reputation not ruin it.”
“She’s my friend, Gwen. You should be thanking her. It’s because of her I haven’t been getting into trouble. She’s a good friend and she’s good for me.”
“We’ll talk about this later. I have an idea that will pull you out of the mess you made so fast it polishes you as you go.”
Gwen sniffed and turned awkwardly, making her way back to the bleachers.
“Do you want to stay in the dugout?” Trip asked.
“No, I’ll be fine.” My words sounded hollow.
“McKenna, I want you here. Don’t listen to her. She’s paid to be a bitch.”
“Trip, I’ll be fine. I’m mad at you, though.”
“Why?”
“How could you not tell me your sister’s name is Harley and you have a nephew named Bruce? It’s like you’re living in Gotham.”
Trip laughed loudly just as the team came running up to him. He jiggled the bill of my hat and turned away, trying to get his team in order.
I made my way toward the bleachers, looking for a spot far away from Gwen. An arm snaked its way through mine and I stopped.
“Just keep walking. Please don’t make me sit with the pretties.”
A woman’s southern accent I’d never heard before whispered next to me. Her arm tightened even more around mine.
“Harley?” I asked, cutting my eyes to the side so I could see her profile.
I’d stalked Trip enough in the past to know what his whole family looked like. It bugged me that I never knew her name until now, but I guess it didn’t matter until I knew what Trip’s was.
“Yep, and if you just play along I’ll love you forever.”
“I’ll keep you away from the pretties if you keep me away from Trip’s new PR lady, Gwen.”
“I haven’t met her yet, but you have a deal. My parents are running late, and if I was alone they’d descend on me like the last piece of gluten free cake.”
“I’m afraid to ask, but what constitutes a pretty?”
Harley nodded her head over to a set of bleachers and I instantly knew who she was talking about. Four women dressed in the same fashion as Gwen lined the bleachers. Every one of them had their eyes set on Trip.
“A pretty is a woman who only signed her kid up so they could try and get a hold of my brother. I have a feeling a couple of them may have been able to get their claws into him for one night, before the accident. I’m assuming that’s why he brought you along.”
“As kind of a skank away?”
Harley laughed and settled us down on a set of bleachers far away from the pretties.
“I’m McKenna, by the way.”
Harley shot me a weird look before putting her sunglasses over her eyes. “I know who you are, McKenna.”
“You do?”
A tiny thrill went through me as I thought of Trip telling his family about me.
“Of course. I’ve been watching your games online ever since my brother started coaching.”
And the thrill was gone.
“I may have also threatened to leak his real name to the press if he didn’t tell me where he was going two nights a week.”
I giggled, liking Harley even more. Trip looked up and waved at us before going back to the team.
“I might have to use that threat.”
“Wait, you know his name?”
“I’m treating his injuries at my PT office. It was in his file.”
“Oh, I bet he hated that.”
“You have no idea.”
“There are my parents.” Harley stood up and waved to get an older couple’s attention.
The mom noticed her first and pointed Harley out to her husband. The closer they got to us, the more my hands sweated. I was rubbing them up and down my legs when they reached us.
“Hey, sweetie.” Trip’s mom leaned over and kissed Harley on the cheek before setting up her bleacher seat.
“Hi. Mom, Dad, this is McKenna. She’s the San Diego state pitcher.”
I shook both their hands and wished I could be as composed as the other women around me.
“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Butler.”
“Please call me, Selina and my husband Al.”
“Did you know Catwoman’s alias is Selina?” I spouted off and Harley cracked up next to me.
“I wasn’t aware,” Selina said, sitting down and patting the seat next to her for her husband.
He gave me a frown before settling down next to his wife. The game started and I was too busy laughing to wonder about Trip’s dad’s odd attitude.
“Mr. and Mrs. Butler?” Gwen asked, walking up the steps. Or more like glided up.
I looked down at my flip-flops and tucked them further back.
Trip’s parents stood and introduced themselves, asking Gwen to also call them by their real name. Harley introduced herself and then scooted over so she could see her son running for the ball around Gwen’s figure.
“I was hired by the Pappies to help salvage Trip’s reputation.”
Trip’s dad’s frown deepened as he shook h
is head, staring at his son.
“Well, you seem to be doing an excellent job. I have seen a huge difference in my son lately,” Selina stated, nudging her husband.
He peeled his eyes away from Trip and tried to wipe the frown off his face.
“Yes, well he has been easy to deal with. I have an idea that should solidify him back into everyone’s hearts.”
“And what would that be?” Harley asked, going rigid next to me.
“I can’t discuss the specifics as of yet but know it will be in the best interest for your brother.” Gwen pushed her sunglasses up on her face and turned away from Harley to address me. “I don’t think it’s in his best interest to have you here, though.”
Harley opened her mouth to argue, but I put my hand on her forearm to stop her.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Trip’s dad finally spoke up.
“Dad.”
“Al.”
Harley’s and Selina’s voices hissed.
“Think about it. She’s one of his players. Coach Mae stuck her neck out to get Trip that coaching job instead of community service for the damage he did in the accident. It was also to help repair the damage he did to his image. I was there when Coach Mae gave him the contract saying he wouldn’t have any dalliances with the players on the team.”
“We’re just friends,” I stated, feeling the need to stick up for myself.
“If you’re his friend you’d see how bad it is for you to be here. Anyone could take this out of proportion and it would damage his fragile reputation.”
“And you’re risking quite a lot yourself for being his friend. You could be kicked off the team and have other consequences, right?” Al added as Gwen nodded.
“I didn’t mean to cause trouble. I’m really just his friend. And I do want the best for him. Can you please tell Trip something came up, and I had to leave? Tell Bruce I said he did terrific today.”
“McKenna, wait.” Harley put her hand on my leg to stop me from getting up.
“It’s okay, Harley. It was nice meeting you all.”
I slunk around the back so Trip wouldn’t witness my escape. My tears didn’t fall until the Uber dropped me off in front of my empty apartment.
Trip’s phone number flashed across my screen, but I sent it to voicemail. When it rang again I knew he wasn’t going to give up.
“Raine, what happened?”
“I had to go to the office. One of the girls called in and Doctor Bert needed me to fill in.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, sounding suspicious.
“Yeah, I have to go. My patient is here.”
“Do you want me to come by later?”
“Let me text you when I’m done. I don’t know how late I’ll be stuck at the office.”
“All right. I’m going out to lunch with my family and Bruce.”
“Have fun.” I clicked the phone off and snuggled under my blankets, wanting to sleep the rest of the day away. Wishing Renee were here so I could vent.
Chapter Ten
Something was up. It was obvious when everything went quiet when I walked into the locker room. The whole team turned toward me like they were auditioning for an exorcist remake.
The different facial expressions made everything even more curious. Some of the girls wore looks of pity, while others were confused. Yet the majority were downright mean.
Claire smiled widely, showing off her perfectly aligned teeth, and my muscles tensed. Whatever was going on was bad.
“So I guess we know why Raine’s getting so much playing time.” Claire’s sharp words caused most of the team to snicker.
“What are you talking about?” I asked, already done with her little production.
“Like you don’t know. Did you have to get on your knees or spread your legs to overthrow me for starter?”
My mouth unhinged. I glanced around the locker room, hoping to get some idea as to what was going on. It clearly involved Trip, but other than that I had no other context clues to pull from.
“Can you just tell me what you think you know? I still need to get my cleats on and I really don’t have time for this.”
To prove my point I sat down on the bench in the middle of the lockers and pulled off my shoes. I noticed some of the team was moving away from Claire while a couple of her lackeys moved in closer to show their support.
My phone binged next to me. Needing a distraction, I reached for it desperately. Renee texted me a link and my stomach dropped as the first image pulled up. A picture of Trip pulling grass out of my hair while we both grinned at each other was damning enough.
The headline just amped up the intensity.
Trip’s mysterious new love interest.
Is this the reason he has been MIA?
Under the headline was another picture of Trip pulling the hat he gave me down on my head. His eyes were focused on me as if I were the only thing in the world that mattered.
I closed the article, refusing to see any more of the rude comments about how I wasn’t pretty enough for Trip, or who he should really be with.
“I never thought you were a suck your way to the top girl. You pretend to be such a goodie-two-shoes. Hell, you even had me fooled.” Claire shrugged her shoulders. “I wonder if Coach Butler would let me get my position back if I—”
“Enough,” Coach Mae yelled, stopping Claire from finishing her thought.
“Coach, did you see the article?” Claire held her phone out in front of Coach Mae’s face as if the headline itself would allow her to continue to make lewd accusations.
“Yes, Hoffer, I saw the article. In fact, I’m pretty sure it was your number that texted me the link this morning.”
“It’s unfair. I was the starter until Raine started hooking up with Trip.”
“It’s Coach Butler, Hoffer.” Trip’s southern drawl was low and menacing as he stepped next to Coach Mae.
“Are you going to stand there and let him protect her?” Claire yelled. The three girls standing behind her nodded quickly.
“I’m not protecting her. There’s nothing to protect. Raine and I are friends. She was at my nephew’s t-ball game and the pictures were completely taken out of context. Raine hasn’t done anything wrong, and neither have I.” Trip’s face was void of emotion and he refused to look at me.
“What about my starting position? My team overseas wants to know why I’m not pitching. I don’t want to lose my spot.” Claire’s voice was desperate, but her body language remained calm as she crossed her arms under her boobs so they rose up.
“Your starting position is there whenever you want it.” Trip put up his hand when Claire opened her mouth. “As soon as I see you pitching like a starter, that is. Don’t disrespect your team and your players by accusing one of them of sleeping to get to the top.
“Raine deserves her pitching position and she proves it every time she gets on the mound. And if any of you doubt I’d be more than happy to go over the last few game films where Raine brought the whole team to victory. As for your place on your overseas team, that’s on you to start showing your worth.”
Coach Mae nodded and stared the team down. She made eye contact with every one of them until they relented and nodded in agreement. Coach Mae’s silence made it abundantly clear she only worked with the team as a whole. There were no individuals, and she was ensuring the team was united.
“Coach Butler’s right. Raine has done nothing but pitch her heart out every time she’s on the mound. She hasn’t done anything wrong.”
“What about hanging out with Coach Butler? Isn’t that against the rules?” Lisa, the team’s second string catcher and one of Claire’s biggest supporters, chimed in.
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.