Ship to Wreck

24

Athena placed one hand lovingly on Christian's arm and another securely on her growing bump. Gio's hand was placed gently over hers on her stomach. Despite her painful rejection of him, there was still so much love there. She felt it.

Everything happened so quickly, and Athena still couldn't stabilize her breathing; the panic and the tears were overwhelming. "You have to take some deep breaths, Athena," Gio said softly, trying to find her eyes.

But her eyes were entirely focused on Christian, who was staring straight ahead, still shellshocked, his large hand covering his jaw. "Christian, are you okay?" she asked Christian over and over again while Gio asked her the same question.

"I'm fine," he whispered, unable to look at the concerned woman. It was nice she cared for once, but she caused more agony than a bruised jaw possibly could. He could live with a contusion, but he couldn't carry on being hurt by her. She had compared him to Kyle. She had basically called him the worst sort of monster, even though he would never hurt a woman the way Kyle had broken Athena.

The security staff had helped them move to a private area, and now Christian was being urged to go see the doctor. "Just get looked at Yeli," Gio encouraged. Craig Counsell entered the room a moment later. "Let's head over to Dr. Young," Craig said, looking at Christian and validating Gio's request.

"It's just a bruise, skip," Christian said, his voice still quiet.

"He blacked out," Athena clarified, looking at Craig with terrified eyes.

"I'm scratching you from the lineup. Get looked at and have Athena take you home," Craig asserted. "Even if you don't have a concussion, you should rest. A lot just happened, and you need time to process it."

Christian resisted the urge to roll his eyes before standing up. Athena stood up with him. "You don't have to come with me." He still couldn't meet her eyes, and it was killing her inside.

But she knew she deserved it. She deserved to feel like nothing.

"Thank you," she mouthed to Gio with grateful eyes, leaving him to his upcoming game, as she followed Christian and Craig to the team physician's office.

"Can I come in with you?" she asked Christian almost pleadingly. Christian just nodded his head once and walked through the door. He still couldn't say no to her, even when he wanted to. He wanted to be strong enough to say no.

While Christian described what happened to the doctor, Athena moved a hand up and down his arm, tears still rolling down her cheeks. She wanted to lock hands with him. She wanted to cuddle into his side. But she knew the damage she had already inflicted. She was surprised he was even letting her touch him at all.

"Can you check the baby?" Christian asked Dr. Young while Dr. Young checked for a concussion; there was so much fear in his voice. "My baby might be hurt. He had hands on her and . . ."

"The baby is okay. She's okay. I can feel her," Athena attempted to comfort him, her hand covering his now. God, he loves this baby so much, she thought to herself. She ruined a man who wanted nothing more than to raise a baby with her. Two men who wanted to raise a baby with her. In her mind, she was absolute trash.

"Athena, you should make an appointment with your OBGYN just to be sure.What you experienced is extremely traumatic, and it could impact yours and the baby's health," Dr. Young advised. "Christian, there's no concussion or break, but this is going to bruise severely. Have Athena take you home once she calms down a bit. You're not playing baseball tonight; you can continue the series tomorrow."

Dr. Young finished up the appointment and left Athena and Christian alone in the room – neither knowing what to say, or if there was anything left to be said. "I'm so sorry," Athena broke the silence – his hand completely in hers now. Why wasn't he pushing her away? "There is no part of you that's like Kyle. You are the least Kyle person I have ever met," she muttered, using her free hand to wipe tears away. "I can't believe I said that. I'm so fucking stupid."