Trent (Season Two: The Ninth Inning #4) (8 page)

We talk or watch TV until
Kaelyn comes running in, alerting us that dinner is ready. Sitting
at their table, my heart aches again. I miss Deborah. I miss having
a full family. Watching Sofia and Caroline with Kaelyn gives me
anxiety. Granny isn't always going to be here either. Kaelyn needs
a woman in her life. God knows, she'll need it once she hits her
teens because there's no way I want to have any kind of girl talk
with her.

Of course, I will, but I'm
not looking forward to it. Not when I know Deborah should be here
giving her those talks. A sigh is on the tip of my tongue, but I
withhold it. The table is all smiles and laughter, and I don’t want
to disrupt that. I do more listening than talking. This is Kaelyn's
show anyway.

After dinner, Kaelyn drags
Caroline and Blake into the living room to play her new game. Sofia
accepts my offer to help clean up. Before we begin to clear the
table, she watches Blake with Kaelyn. Her hand moves to her
stomach, and she smiles before shaking her head. Her mouth parts
when she catches me watching.

“You'll both be fantastic
parents,” I tell her softly.

“Thanks,” she replies with a
smile.

We begin picking up plates,
moving them to the sink, and then I help her load them into the
dishwasher.

“We haven't told anyone yet,”
she says hesitantly.

“Your secret is safe with
me,” I promise.

We're quiet again, until she
speaks. “I keep waiting for him to freak out and panic.”

I chuckle, remembering when I
had my big freak out moment with Deborah's pregnancy. “Just wait
until it's closer for the baby to come and he will.”

Once the dishes are put away
and the kitchen cleaned, we go to the living room to play a couple
more rounds of the board game until I have to drag Kaelyn home. I
give her a bath and get her in bed. I'm exhausted by the time I
fall into my bed. Traveling and this afternoon have worn me out.
And tomorrow will be even worse.

The team is doing a
fundraiser in conjunction with a showing for Zoey's latest artwork.
The money raised benefits families who've had a member murdered. I
really hope I'll be able to make it through the entire event.

***

“EXPLAIN TO ME why am I
dressed up and at an art gallery?” I tug on my little black dress,
which is way too short for the size of my thighs. “And why didn’t
you tell me how short this dress is?”

Macy rolls her eyes. “Will
you shut up? You’re fine, and quit tugging at it.” She slaps my
hand. “We’re here because we were supposed to hang out and because
I’m covering for Mr. Hot Stuff who reports for the Art and Local
section. If you didn't come tonight, who knows when I would've seen
you again?” I want to roll my eyes at how dramatic she's being.

“Mr. Hot Stuff?”

“It’s what I’m calling him
right now. I’m hoping I can snag him into being Mr. Boyfriend
soon.” She winks at me.

“Fine,” I sigh, following her
into the gallery.

I had never been in here
before. In fact, I know nothing about art. I’m only here because
Macy is dragging me. I shouldn’t really complain because if she had
just canceled on me instead, I would be at home drinking wine and
trying to decide if I should talk at Dominic’s sentencing. The
sisterly part of me wants to, but the rational side of me reminds
me he killed a woman for no reason.

Once we walk into the crowded
gallery, we both race to the wine bar. Even though Macy is here on
business, I’m going to enjoy the open bar for a few moments.

“I need to find the artist.
Look around. I’ll find you in a bit.”

Before I can tell her not to
leave me alone, she’s gone into the sea of people. When I find her,
I’m going to yell at her. As kindly as I can, I push through the
people to the side of the gallery where there aren’t too many
people. Of course, I slam right into the back of someone.

Why am I so clumsy?

“I’m sorry.”

A stunning female with long
black hair and bright dark eyes stares back at me. “It’s fine. I’m
searching for my boyfriend before I have a panic attack.”

“Oh dear.” The concern washes
over me and I take her hand. “Just breathe deeply.”

The girl shakes her head and
it’s then I notice the artwork of tattoos on both arms. “I’m not
supposed to be this way, but everyone is staring at my work, and I
can’t find Hector.” She keeps looking all around.

“You’re the artist?” What was
her name? Zene?

“Yeah,” she gives me a weak,
nervous smile. “I’m Zoey Reyes.”

Zoey! “I’m sure it’s great.
I’m sorry to say I haven’t seen anything yet because people are
everywhere, but that’s a good sign.”

Zoey is still clinging to me.
“I guess. You must think I’m a nut case.”

I smile. “No, I don’t. Should
I help you look for your boyfriend?” Why would I ask a dumb
question like that? I don’t even know her boyfriend.

“He and his teammates were
supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago.”

Teammates?

“Zoey.” We both turn at the
sound of her name and Hector Rodriguez appears next to us.

Of course, her boyfriend is
part of the Memphis Angels.

They talk among themselves as
I take a few steps back.

“Wait.” Zoey reaches for me.
“Thank you for letting me go crazy on you...um…”

“Scarlett,” I fill in for
her. “It’s no problem.” I nod to them both and turn to leave.

It’s then I notice almost the
entire Angels team is here. I throw my wine back in one gulp and
grab another glass. When I find Macy, she isn’t going to like me at
all. Why would she bring me to this? I’m their enemy. Well,
technically, I’m Trent’s enemy, but he still doesn’t know who my
brother is or who I am. I find Macy and glide my way over to her
before I lose her again. When I do, I yank at her arm.

“Why is the Angels team
here?”

“Right.” Macy nods her head
up and down. “It’s not just a showing for Zoey. It’s a fundraiser
for the Memphis Angels. This year, they are raising funds for a
charity for families of murder victims.”

My mouth drops. “What the
hell were you thinking?”

“I'm sorry. I didn't know the
full details until after I asked you to come with me. I figured the
open bar would help.” She points over to it.

I cover my face with my hand.
I can’t be here. This is the worst place for me to be. I need to
leave as quickly as I can before—

“Scarlett.”

Good Lord, please take me
now,
I pray as I hear Trent’s voice. I look up at Macy and she
mouths
I'm sorry
.

“Trent, Hi.” What else is
there to say?

“What are you doing
here?”

“Macy invited me. She’s
covering it for the paper.” I nod over my shoulder to the empty
space where Macy was standing a second ago. “I haven’t seen you at
the gym.”

“Away games. We’ve been gone
almost two weeks.”

“Oh, right. I forgot.” I look
around, hoping the ground swallows me up. “Macy tells me this is
helping out a charity.”

Trent nods and his face
drops. “Yes, it’s a good cause this year.”

Good job, Scarlett, bring
up victims of murdered families.
“How’s your daughter?”

“Perfect.” This topic brings
Trent’s smile back. “She’s doing so well in school. She’s very
smart.”

“That’s wonderful to hear.” I
look around as even more people come streaming in. “I think I’m
going to step out for some fresh air.” I head toward the door, only
to realize he’s following me.
This is so bad.
“Trent, you
don’t have to come with me. I’m sure people want to see you.”

He looks kind of embarrassed
and uncomfortable surrounded by the crowd of people. “I know. It’s
why I followed you out here. How bad is it that I wish I was at
home?”

“Me too. I’ve never been one
for parties and large crowds. Whatever happened to quiet
get-togethers?”

He chuckles. “This is quiet,
sort of. I think I automatically feel like it’s quiet whenever
Kaelyn isn’t around. Not that she’s too loud or always talking, but
she’s a kid, so…”

“I know what you mean. I took
on three-year-old twins this week. They talk all the time. It’s the
most random things, too. None of it makes sense to me, but they
think they’re hilarious.” A smile spreads across my face.

He shakes his head with a
smile still placed on his face. “I don’t think I could handle two
of Kaelyn. She’s a handful all on her own. I like her more the
older she gets, which feels kind of backward, but I like talking to
her and her understanding most of what I’m saying.”

“I’m the same way. I
shouldn’t have favorites, but the kids between seven and nine are
probably my favorites. They’re old enough to understand me but are
still young enough that you can direct them into school and sports
and not drugs and gangs. I hate it when any of my kids to end up in
jail.” I try not to sound sad, but I can hear it in my tone.

“That’s why you try to direct
them and help them get a good head on their shoulders. I’m sure you
do your best. At the end of the day, it’s all that matters
sometimes.”

“I’m not sure. I’m trying to
be a good person, but right now, with my brother’s issues, it’s
hard.” I want to tell him so badly. I can't bear for him to find
out from someone other than me. "His sentencing is coming up soon
and his lawyer wants me to talk on his behalf, but I don’t think I
can. I mean, he’s my brother, but I think he needs to be in
prison.” I look at Trent to see if he gets the hint. Maybe he'll
figure it out on his own.

“I’m probably not the best
person to give advice on this kind of thing. Some people might
deserve for someone like you to speak on their behalf, but some
people should rot in prison. If you don’t think you can or should,
then you probably shouldn’t.”

At that very moment, I open
my mouth to tell him everything, but this isn't the time or place.
“You’re probably right. This time, he did something unforgivable
and I don’t think I can help him out. I’m sure this is a touchy
subject for you; I’m sorry I’m ruining our night.”

“You’re not ruining it.
Honestly, I almost didn’t come, and you’ve helped make me glad I
did.”

“Well, I was forced here
against my will, but its bit better now.”

He smiles. “Do you want to
check out Zoey’s art with me and then grab some coffee? I should
probably look around some. Hector raves about Zoey’s work, but he
could be biased, at least a little bit.”

I should leave him right
where he stands, because nothing can come of this. However, it’s
just an art gallery. Nothing will happen. “I would like to. Yes.
Sure. Great.” I try not to be nervous, but I am.

Hector has every right to be
biased; Zoey is amazing. Most of her work is landscapes, and
everyone is stuck on the one of the Angels stadium. It's almost as
if you were standing there.

I find Macy and tell her I am
going for coffee. She doesn’t have to say anything; she looks
confused and seems to wants to tell me to be careful, but she only
hugs me.

“I don’t think I’ve been to
this place before. Do you come here because it’s close to the
stadium?” I ask as we walk into the small coffee shop.

“Yeah. Usually, I forget to
make one at the house, so I always stop here on my way. Convenience
is necessary when dealing with Kaelyn in the morning. She’s like
Deborah, taking her sweet time in the mornings just to leave me
rushing later.”

“She sounds perfect. Do you
mind me asking how you met your wife?” We take a seat at a table
and the waitress takes our order. Trent is quiet until our coffees
come. I start to think he isn’t going to say anything.

“We met in college. I guess
the short version is, we walked past one another every day one
semester and I always noticed her. I finally stopped to talk to her
one day because she looked upset. She was, but over her then
boyfriend. They broke up shortly after and we started talking.”

“Wow. Sounds like a romance
movie.” I smile. “It’s a wonderful story to tell Kaelyn when she’s
older.”

“Yeah, I’m looking forward to
it and dreading it all at the same. What about you? I feel like I
hog the conversation. Where’s your Mr. Right?”

“Well, he is nowhere. I mean
there is no one in my life. I only have a long line of
ex-boyfriends and bad relationships. My job keeps me so busy; a lot
of guys don’t deal well with the hectic schedules.” I take a sip of
my latte.

“I’ve never really understood
that. There’s more to making a relationship work than a measly
schedule, but then, maybe I don’t understand because I’ve always
been with someone who never minded. At least tell me you have some
good stories to come out of the bad relationships?”

“I shouldn’t make it sound
like there were a
ton
of men. However, I’ve learned a little
bit from each guy. I try to find someone who is funny, caring, and
likes his job because I can’t stand someone who complains a lot.” I
pause to think about my last relationship. “I thought I had that
with the last guy, but my brother kept breaking into my house and
always calling me for money, and....well, he couldn’t take it. So,
he left. Now, I’m single and have been for about a year.”