Ship to Wreck

5

And I... oop

***

Hey, I miss you. I'll be home from Atlanta around 6:00 pm, and I have an off day tomorrow before we play the Reds. Come over to my place tonight? I'll get Mexican, and we can watch anything you want. Even The Bachelorette if your brain needs a break from being such a smartypants.

Athena couldn't help but smile at Christian's text as she made herself a pre-gym protein shake. She had yet to see his apartment during the six weeks of their growing friendship, but that's because she knew there were boundaries. She had a long-term, serious boyfriend, and, even though she realized there shouldn't be a problem with a woman having male friends, spending time alone with Christian at his place could be problematic. Kyle might get upset . . . She hated making him upset.

Plus, she worked on Monday morning. She should get to bed early to be well-rested for her kids. They were growing restless as summer break rapidly approached, and that made for long days.

In spite of her best judgment, she found herself almost mindlessly agreeing to Christian's offer.

I miss you too, buddy. I'll be over at 7:00 – just text me your address. Do you need me to bring anything?

Kyle worked a double. He wouldn't be home until 6:00 am. He knew she had a friend named Christian. It was fine. It was perfectly normal to hang out at your friend's place and eat food while watching bad television.

People did it all the time with zero consequences.

***

"What are you so smiley about, Yeli?" Lorenzo Cain asked his friend, gently nudging him with his elbow as the pair ate breakfast in the visiting clubhouse at SunTrust Park.

"Ah, nothing," Christian replied, smirking and pushing his phone away from him indiscreetly.

"Bullshit," Travis Shaw chimed in, taking a seat directly across from him. "It's Athena. He always gets a stupid grin on his face when he talks to Athena."

"Athena? Is that her actual name? Or is that another one of your weird code names for your fuck buddies?" LoCain questioned, genuinely curious.

"It's her real name. She's a teeeeeeeeacher, and Christian loooooooooves her," Travis teased like a third grader giving his best friend shit for having a schoolyard crush.

"Shut it, Shaw," Christian said defensively, face growing slightly red.

"Wait, no, really? She's a real person that he has actual feelings for? This is big," LoCain commented, a genuine smile on his face. "Congrats, man," he added, patting his younger and more immature friend on the back.

"We're just friends. She has a boyfriend . . . a serious boyfriend," Christian clarified, taking a bite of roast beef with an annoyed expression on his long face.

LoCain shrugged. "Maybe a friendship outside of baseball will be good for you. Can't wait to meet her." LoCain gave his friend one more pat on the back before leaving Christian and Travis to their own devices.

"He's right," Travis agreed. "She's probably good for you."

She was good for him. Christian knew that much.

***

"Whatever we do next, it should not involve opening another bottle of wine," Athena laughed and pulled her knees into her chest while comfortably sitting on Christian's couch.

"I can't believe we've already finished two bottles . . . One more glass?" Christian suggested with an eyebrow raised.

"Just one more glass," Athena agreed. "And one more episode of 90 Day Fiancé. Then I should go."