Ship to Wreck

29

Christian could barely spare Gio a second glance on the mound when the defining crack of a well-struck ball was heard in the stadium.

Fuck. That was coming towards him. As he tracked the ball, he realized that this was gonna be a play. He tracked it to the fence and hooked his cleat in the links to give him leverage.

Extend, extend. He thought to himself, extending his arm out as far as it went and squeezing his glove around the ball. The force of the ball wanting to continue pulled him even further across the fence, knocking the wind out of him as his tender torso was once again assaulted.

Christian could see Lorenzo running over to him as he fell back to the grass and he held up his glove, ball still captured, to signify that he still had it.

"Shit, CY. You okay?" Lorenzo asked, a bright grin on his face. Christian could see the worry in his eyes and he nodded, accepting his help up. He immediately doubled over, hands shaking as he tried to breathe through the throbbing pain.

Jesus fuck.

"C'mon, bud," Lorenzo sighed, helping him to the dugout and handing him a cup of water. "You're alright, bud. Just take some deep breaths," he said softly.

"I'm good," Christian smiled a bit, downing the water. "Saved three runs. Lead off next inning," he said quietly. It was the bottom of the 7th. One more at bat. Two more innings.

He'd be fine.

***

"I'm gonna help you into your place, bud. Your adrenaline is gone and I know you're feeling it," Lorenzo said sternly, taking on the big-brother role immediately.

"I'm good, Lo. I'm fine," Christian said through gritted teeth, trying to stabilize himself on the car.

"Bullshit. You got sucker punched in the gut and then rammed the same place into a fence. I know how much that part hurts. Stop trying to be macho," Lorenzo laughed, hooking his arm around Christian's waist and helping him into the apartment.

"Oh my god," Athena gasped, immediately rushing over to Christian when she saw his pallid features. "What happened, Lo?"

"I ran into the fence. I'm okay, Thenes. Please sit," Christian said softly and went over to her, guiding the distraught woman to the couch.

She had been far more emotional as of late, and Christian knew that telling her the truth would just exacerbate the stress she was feeling.

"Are you okay?" Athena whispered, squeezing his hands and looking into his eyes. Christian's heart broke at the tears sparkling in her green eyes, and he sat next to her.

"I'm okay, beautiful," he whispered and kissed her forehead.

"Let me see," she whispered, moving to pull up his hoodie before he could respond.

"Thenes..."

"Oh my god. Lorenzo, is this normal?" Athena looked up at Lorenzo, anger brimming in her eyes. She could tell Christian was hiding something.

"For a wall grab? No. For the sucker punch your ex laid on him plus the wall grab? Yeah, probably," Lorenzo spilled, glaring at Christian. He knew the younger man wouldn't tell her.

"What? A sucker punch? Kyle again?" Athena asked, terrified and confused. She didn't know how Kyle would've gotten to him. Miller Park security knew his face.

"Other ex, Athena. The one that sees Christian every day," Lorenzo sighed, grabbing a bag of frozen peas for his friend.

"Gio? Gio doesn't have a violent bone in his body. It isn't fair to lie, Lorenzo," Athena glared, gently laying the frozen vegetables on Christian's torso. Her heart broke at the pained hiss that escaped his lips.