“She’s not going to be able to play the rest of the game,” the paramedic stated after examining Claire’s shin.

Even though I’d already assessed her injury and knew what he was going to say, it didn’t stop me from gritting my teeth at his prognosis.

“Raine, you’re in,” Trip grunted, getting up from his squatting position near Claire and locking his gaze on me.

“Yes, Coach Butler.”

I saw the side of his lip twitch, but he got it under control.

The first inning after Claire’s injury was a struggle. Frustration battered against my sternum and my heart had to fight with it for every beat.

When I mercifully got my last strike to end the inning I fought the urge to curl up in the fetal position and cry. My head wasn’t in the game and it was obvious.

Brian had come back from his away games and Renee and Norah were over at his house constantly. My life was shifting and I had no control over it. It was making me crazy.

I woke up that morning and cooked pancakes all by myself while Pride and Prejudice and Zombies played in the background. It didn’t help that Trip’s rehab was moving along faster than anticipated. He was slowly starting to practice with the Pappies. Change was no longer coming, it was here.

“What the hell is going on with you, Raine?” Trip asked, plopping down on the bench next to me.

His hat was pulled down low and I watched his shadowed lips become a frown. I turned my head and spotted my parents looking worriedly into the dugout. The seats next to them were painfully empty. Renee and Norah were watching Brian practice with the Pappies.

“Nothing, Coach,” I said, realizing the team was watching.

“McKenna.” Trip’s voice was low, also aware of our audience.

The sound of my name on his lips, the lips of Coach Butler and not Trip the friend, almost had me sobbing on the bench. I closed my eyes and recited muscles, refusing to give into my wild emotions. They were hormones and I wasn’t going to let them take control.

The bench groaned as Trip got up and walked away, leaving me with my thoughts. After gaining three runs it was my turn to get back on the field. The game was almost over, I just needed to power through.

My first pitch went wild and missed my catcher by a mile. The fans booed and cheered as I wound up for another pitch. This time I was able to make it near my catcher’s mitt as the umpire yelled for the second ball.

“Time,” Trip’s voice rang out.

He stomped toward me, his hat still obscuring his eyes. I waited, knowing there was nothing he could say to bring the fire into my stomach to finish the game out right.

I kicked the dirt at the mound, not wanting to see his lips when he talked.

“Raine,” Trip sounded exasperated and I figured even he realized there was nothing he could say to get me going.

“I’ll finish the inning, Coach.”

It wasn’t his fault I couldn’t get my head into the game. Well, partially.

“I know you will, Raine. But how close are you going to let the game get? We’re not ahead by much. Are you just trying to give me gray hair?”

“Age will do that for you. You don’t need me for your naturally graying hair.”

I looked up to see Trip’s lips lift at the side.

“There she is. I thought I lost you in all the moping you were doing.”

“I wasn’t moping,” I hissed.

I was totally moping.

“Let’s get this damn game done. It’s the first real game of the season and I’d like a nice big lead at the end.”

“Overcompensating?”

Trip turned and headed off to the side of the diamond. Before he took two steps he jabbed. I waited for it, figuring it would be a puny little tap with no real power behind it. I was wrong.

“The JackholeS are overrated.”

Red.

I saw red. The next three batters didn’t have a chance. How dare he insult the band that had gotten me through my high school years? Their lyrics penetrated deep into my soul, and I knew they understood me without ever meeting them. They were my people. Trip was not my people.

“Good job, honey,” my mom said, hugging me.

“I have to know. What did Trip say to you out there? You looked like you were out for blood when he left the mound.” My dad looked at me, waiting for an answer.

I couldn’t even form the words Trip had uttered.

My dad looked at my face and his eyes widened with surprise. “That good, huh?”

I ground my teeth, still unable to accept Trip’s words.

“We’re going out to eat. Do you want to come with us?” my mom asked.

I could tell she wanted to wheedle what he said to me out. She must have read my face that it wasn’t happening.

“I’m going to pass. There’s an ice bath with my name on it and after that jammies and take-out.”

My parents hugged me and told me to call them if I changed my mind. I limped into the locker room, ready for numbness.

The team was already gone, leaving the locker room blissfully quiet. After the win they left in a loud uproar to get their party on. They asked me to go. I refused. Especially when I caught Claire’s glare. I’d never fit in with them, and I was extremely fine with that.

I inched into the ice bath. My teeth were gritted together as I eased into the hellish heaven. Every muscle protested at the agony I was forcing upon them until I went numb. Delightfully numb.

I leaned my head back and stared at the pocked ceiling, allowing the icy pain to remove my thoughts. The quiet was euphoric. Even pitching in a red haze of anger, my thoughts pounded against the back of my head, waiting to pounce after I annihilated the inning. The ice bath was doing something I wasn’t able to do since I woke up and ate my lonely breakfast with brain eating zombies. It shut everything out.

“Hey, Raine.” Trip’s voice infiltrated my numb bubble and I couldn’t help but frown. “Your parents said I’d find you here.”

I felt the energy of his nearness bring to life my frozen nerve endings. His masculine smell penetrated my nostrils. I squeezed my eyelids together, hoping to return to my peaceful state of mind.

“McKenna, what’s wrong?”

Damn it, he had to use my name again. I opened my eyes and slowly turned my head. Trip’s hat was off and his blue eyes roamed over my face as if trying to get a read on me.

“The JackholeS are not overrated,” I blurted out, and to my horror my eyes filled with tears.

“McKenna, I was just trying to light a fire under you. I was afraid it wouldn’t work, because everyone knows the JackholeS are amazing. I can’t believe you actually listened to me.”

Tears streamed down my face and my arms refused to move so I could swipe them away. Trip frowned, and before I knew his intention, he was hauling me out of the icy water. I let him. My limbs weren’t functioning even if I wanted to push him away.

Trip sat crossed legged on the concrete floor with me cuddled into him. My cold body sucked up the heat he was creating, while his clothes soaked up the water clinging to me.

“What’s the matter? Darlin’, I need you to talk to me. I can’t make it better if I don’t know what’s bothering you.”

I buried my face into his shoulder and sobbed. His calloused hand made its way up and down my spine. Trip’s movement brought back sensation to my muscles, reminding me I was only wearing a sports bra and sports shorts.

“Come on, Raine. I was kidding about the JackholeS. I’ll take you to a concert if you want. I’ll sing every song and fangirl out right next to you.”

“Everything’s changing,” I said, stopping Trip’s rambling.

“The music?”

I took my face from his shoulder, wanting to see him when I explained. “No, not the music. The JackholeS’ music will always be epic. I meant life. Renee and Norah are always over at Brian’s house. We haven’t had a family dinner this week. I ate pancakes all by myself this morning. And now you’re practicing with the Pappies, and you’re going to leave me too. Even after you forced your friendship on me.”

My bottom lip quivered as I thought about how lonely I’d be without Trip coming over and watching movies on the couch with me. There were times he was the only company I had, especially with Renee and Brian’s relationship getting more serious.

Trip’s hand ghosted over my face, pushing the wet strands of hair off my cheek.

“I’m sorry,” he said in a whisper. His fingers brushed the bottom of my tangled hair.

“I don’t like change. I’m scared I’m losing everyone I love.” Big tears raced down my cheeks.

Trip grabbed my neck and pulled my head back into his shoulder.

“Shhhh, baby. You’re not losing anyone. You’re too amazing of a friend. Nobody wants to lose you.”

Did he just call me baby?

“I’m not used to being by myself. I lived with my parents and then Renee and Norah. It’s so quiet.”

“What can I do to make it better?” His hand tightened around my shoulder before continuing down my spine.

“Can I call you Alfred?” I asked, not wanting to miss an opportunity.

“No, but I can start coming over more.”

“You don’t have to. I know you’re getting back into the swing of things with your team. You don’t need to come over and keep me company. You go and be Trip Butler, baseball star extraordinaire.”

“I don’t want to be Trip Butler, baseball star extraordinaire. I want to be Trip Butler, McKenna’s friend. Besides, two nights a week isn’t enough to get all the facts stored in your brain.” Trip tapped the side of my head. “I feel like I’m missing out. And what are friends for?”

“Really?” I lifted my head and felt a real smile form.

“Of course. Come on, let’s get take-out and go to your place to watch TV. I saw Coach Mae lurking around here, so you go get dressed and I’ll get the food and meet you at your house.”

“Hey, how would you feel about being Alfred Butler, friend to McKenna Raine who may or may not be Batman?”

Trip shook his head as he placed his finger over his lips to keep me quiet. For a brief moment I wished my lips could replace his finger.

Trip took off after giving me a thumbs-up indicating we were in the clear with Coach Mae. I threw on a hoodie and raced to my car, wanting to get home and changed before Trip showed up.

Trip must have some type of wizard blood in him. My breakdown was forgotten as I relaxed on the couch, my feet in his lap. We watched a comedy and the sound of Trip’s belly laughs made my body feel light.

My eyes got heavy, and I snuggled further into the couch.

Trip’s arms gathered me up and before I could register what was happening he was tucking me into my bed.

“Get some sleep, Raine.”

“Night, Alfred.”

I dreamed of his lips ghosting over my forehead as I drifted off to sleep.

 

“Rise and shine, Raine.”

I grabbed the covers and groaned at the amount of effort it took to pull them over my head. Clearly I should have stayed in the ice bath longer.

“What are you doing here?” I grumbled from under my blanket protection.

“I brought you breakfast, grumpy.”

I flipped the covers down, surprised at his answer. His hair was styled in a messy sexy way as his blue eyes sparkled. He waived a brown paper bag in front of my face.

“You brought me breakfast?” I asked dumbly, wondering if I was still dreaming.

“I did. And you need to hurry up and eat.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m coaching my nephew’s t-ball team and we have our first game today.”

“Oh.” I couldn’t hide the disappointment that he’d only be staying for breakfast before I was alone again.

“Oh, is that all I get? Hurry up and eat, Raine, so you can get dressed. Your hair will scare the kids. Or maybe don’t get ready, we can use you to make the other team lose focus for an easy win.”

I smiled broadly. He wanted me to go to the game with him. He smirked, just like he did last night when I donned my Pappies sweatpants and hoodie when I scrambled out of bed.

“Maybe you shouldn’t change. You look good with my number on your back.”

Trip turned and walked out as I tried to get my cheeks from overheating. I was going to have to install a radiator to keep my body homeostatic when Trip was around.

I climbed in Trip’s Explorer and went immediately to his radio.

“What are you listening to?” I asked as my finger touched the playlist.

“Hey, nobody touches Diego’s controls but me.”

“You named your Explorer Diego? As in, the animal rescuer and Dora’s cousin?”

“Well, it was either Diego or Boots,” Trip grumbled, moving his hand so he could drive.

A thrill went through me when I noticed the playlist he was currently listening to. “The JackholeS, huh? Overrated, huh?”

“I told you I was just trying to get you out of your funk so you’d pitch like I knew you could.”

Trip pushed his hat down on his head and refused to look at me. I smiled and sat back in the seat, listening to the JackholeS while Trip Butler drove me to his nephew’s game. Life was becoming more and more peculiar.

I startled from the seat. “Wait, this is your nephew’s game?” I could hear the panic in my voice.

Trip glanced at me before putting his eyes back on the road. “Yes.”

“Does that mean your family’s going to be there?”

“Yes, my sister, my nephew’s mom will be there. Her husband’s working. I don’t know about my parents.” Trip frowned.

“I’m not good with people, Trip. You should take me back. When I get nervous I start spouting off weird facts and normally fall or drop something.”

I rubbed my sweaty hands on my legs and groaned.

“McKenna, it will be fine.”

Trip’s hand covered one of mine to still it, but it didn’t work.

“I’m wearing shorts and a JackholeS tank top, Trip.” I gestured with the hand that wasn’t captured by his.

“I’m very aware of what you’re wearing, Raine.” Trip’s jaw clenched and his hand squeezed mine again.

“I can’t meet people wearing this.” I decided to try one more time.

“McKenna, it’s a four-year-old’s t-ball game. It’s warm outside. Most people will be wearing something similar to you. My sister isn’t going to bite you. You’re getting all worked up for nothing. My parents most likely won’t be there, and if they are they won’t bite you either.”

“Can you just take me home, please?”

“Can’t, we’re here, and I see some of the team already.”

Trip squeezed my hand before climbing out and pulling his equipment bag out of the back of the Explorer.

“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 his 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.