The Baseball Card Boyfriend (Starrycard Creek Bachelors #3)

Chapter 5

Chapter

Five

MAGGIE

Maggie’s heart pounded. It drowned out the other sounds as the world grew blurrier by the second. She gripped Christian’s T-shirt, desperate for grounding. And thank God for the man. In the storm raging inside her, he was her anchor.

She stared at the sheet. Scores of numbers jumped out at her like a swarm of angry wasps. She raised her gaze and read the words again.

Medical billing payment plan.

They were words. Only words.

Just as she was about to be swallowed by darkness, Christian snapped the paper from her hand and shoved it into his pocket. He wrapped his arm around her and held her close. “Maggie, look at me.”

Trembling, she lifted her chin and locked on to his gaze.

“I’m taking care of your bills. I’ve already spoken with the hospital administrator.”

“Christian—” she said on a pained exhale.

He sharpened his gaze, assessing her. “Breathe. I know what you’re feeling. It’s a panic attack. Listen to me. The storm always passes. You’re safe. I’ve got you.”

The storm always passes.

She clung to the words. The imagery of dark clouds parting and sunlight kissing her face pulled her back from the brink.

Steadying herself, she shook her head. “I can’t allow you to pay my bills.”

His gaze sharpened. The sheer force of his drive and focus left her speechless. “I’m not asking your permission to do this. It’s done. You don’t have to worry about medical debt.” He shifted his attention to the man with a stack of papers. “Your name is Bob, right?”

The short man swallowed hard. “Yes, yes, sir. I’m Bob. Officially Robert Kramer, but yes, I’m Bob.”

“This is a mistake, Bob. Call someone. Check your piles. Do whatever you need to do, but confirm it’s a mistake for Maggie’s peace of mind.” His voice was calm, but there was an unshakable firmness beneath it that made it clear he meant business.

Bob wiped the sweat from his upper lip. “Um…” he began nervously, “my shift just started, and this billing sheet was on the top of my stack.” He shuffled through the pages and zeroed in on another sheet. “Yikes, yes, it is a mistake. I’m sorry, ma’am. Sorry, Mr. Starrycard, I didn’t see the updated patient invoice record.”

Still holding on to Christian’s shirt, she nodded to the man.

“Mistakes happen,” Christian said, forgetting the billing guy and holding her gaze. “Storms always pass, right?”

“Storms always pass,” she repeated, and the pressure in her chest eased.

Christian turned to the man. “Are we good to go, Bob? I’d like to get Maggie home.”

“Yes, you’re free to leave. But…”

“Yes?” Christian replied, commanding tone still in place.

Bob shifted his stance. “I wanted to say that it’s awful what happened to you—your shoulder injury and losing your spot on the Rattlers. I’ve been a fan of yours since you played college ball for the RMU Mountain Lions.”

Christian pulled her in a fraction closer and tensed. It was a slight movement. The billing guy didn’t appear to notice, but she felt it. He’d protected her. Now, it was her turn to be the strong one. She rested her hand on his hammering heart. He turned to her and covered her hand with his left hand. Still bound in the sling, it trembled against her.

Her heart hurt for him. He hid it well, but this man was in pain.

“You were on track to be one of the great ones,” Bob continued, oblivious to Christian’s discomfort. “Number eleven. Power hitter one-one. You would walk up to the plate, and the entire stadium would hold its breath, wondering how far you would hit it this time. You could have been up there with the greatest players ever. It’s heartbreaking your career’s over. You were truly in your prime.”

How often did he have to endure conversations like this?

“I appreciate your kind words,” Christian replied, putting on a brave face, but anguish rolled off him in silent waves. “We should be going. Thank you for clearing up the billing issue, Bob. We appreciate it,” he said and guided her out of the room and down the hallway.

She wrapped her arm around him as they walked. His pain was still palpable. And more than anything, she wanted to help him like he’d helped her.

“Christian, stop, please.”

He stilled, his gaze trained ahead.

“Are you okay?” she asked, making slow circles on his back like he’d done for her. “I didn’t realize your injury was life-changing. I have the feeling I might be the only person who doesn’t know what happened to you. I’m so sorry you’re hurting.”

He watched her, again looking at her like they were connected beyond that train encounter. “I try not to think about it. I’ve been trying not to think at all lately. You’ve helped me.”

“How could I have helped you?”

“Your…your touch…back there. It helped because…” he stammered, then peered at his injured arm.

“You can tell me.”

He shook his head. “It’s nothing. I’m good. How are you? You were on the cusp of a panic attack.”

“I don’t understand why that happened. The billing guy was doing his job. He wasn’t rude or pushy.”

“Sometimes our bodies know things our minds don’t or…” He offered her the teasing whisper of a grin. “Maybe Maggie without amnesia really hates guys named Bob.”

She chuckled. “I don’t recall any Bobs, but who knows. Screw the Bobs,” she said with a pinch of gusto.

“That’s the spirit,” he replied, the color returning to his cheeks. “Bobs can go to hell. Fuck Bob.”

“Fuck Bob! Every Bob can take a long walk off a short pier,” she added, enjoying slipping back into this playful dance.

His expression softened. “I’m sorry about that guy. I didn’t want you to have to concern yourself with any of that.” He took her wrist in his hand and applied gentle pressure. “Your pulse is still elevated, but it’s slowing. That’s a good sign.”

“The storm does pass.” She glanced down the hallway, her body aching to leave. “But can we keep moving? Every cell in my body is screaming for me to get out of here. Evidently, I really don’t like hospitals. It seems like you’re not crazy about them either.”

“Yeah, I’m no fan. Let’s get out of here, but first, we need an exit plan.” He released her to pull his cap lower, shielding his eyes.

Exit plan? What was he talking about?

“Can’t we walk out the door?” she asked, watching the stress return to his expression.

“It’s not that simple.” He surveyed the empty hallway. “There might be people recording us or taking pictures as we leave. It doesn’t happen as much in town, but people from all over the region come to Creek County Hospital. It’s happened a few times since I’ve been here. I’m always polite, but we’ll keep walking, okay?”

What a life. On top of enduring strangers bringing up his most soul-crushing moment, he had to be perpetually ready for the spotlight.

With the thought of every pair of eyes on them, she glanced at her outfit. “Do I look all right?”

His expression warmed. “You’re beautiful—straight out of my dreams.”

She watched him closely and homed in on one word. Dreams. He’d likened her to something out of his dreams at least a couple of times in the short time since she’d awoken.

He cursed under his breath. “There I go, sounding like a class-A creeper. I meant to say that you look like a normal woman wearing mundane women’s clothing.” He shook his head. “There’s nothing mundane about you or your clothes. You’re un-mundane . Dammit, that’s not a word.” He exhaled a pained breath. “You’re the only one who can get me tongue-tied.”

Again, she couldn’t shake the feeling that he knew her beyond their train encounter.

“Why are you doing this for me, Christian? I’m nobody to you.”

He winced, as if her words cut him to the bone. “I’m doing this because I can,” he said and offered her his hand.

Not sure what to do, she took it. And like everything else with him, the action felt both new and practiced.

“What’s the plan?”

He gestured with his chin. “The elevator is at the end of the hall. We’ll head down and make a straight shot through the lobby. My car is parked right outside. It’s a little after seven, and things usually quiet down at the hospital around this time.”

“Sounds easy enough.”

They entered the elevator without encountering a soul—a positive start. A few seconds later, a pleasant pair of pings announced their arrival to the lobby. The doors opened, and Christian laced his fingers with hers, tightening his grip as they walked. The man’s presence was unmistakable, even with his hat shading his face. There were a dozen people in the lobby. Each one they passed couldn’t resist a glance, some murmuring to each other. Christian nodded to a man who called his name. A few cell phones came out, and she did her best to look away.

“Almost there,” he whispered as the exit came into view.

The automatic doors parted, and they cleared the building’s threshold.

She exhaled, not realizing she’d been holding her breath. “That was quite an experience.”

“That was pretty tame,” he replied, relief coating his words as they slowed to a leisurely stroll.

She squeezed his hand. “Hold on. I need to stop.”

“Are you feeling dizzy?” he asked, releasing her hand to cup her cheek.

His hand radiated warmth against her skin as the crisp breeze enveloped her. She inhaled deeply. The air was rich with the earthy scent of pine, fallen leaves, and a faint trace of minerals. She felt an extraordinary stillness, like the tranquil aftermath of a thunderstorm. Her heartbeat slowed, syncing with the serene environment as she listened to the rustling of leaves and the gentle whisper of the wind.

“Maggie?” he said, searching her face.

She exhaled, the tension draining from her body. “I’m the opposite of dizzy. My life is a complete mystery, but I’ve never felt so grounded.”

Beneath the golden glow of the exterior lights, Christian’s features softened. His eyes shined with warmth and what looked a whole lot like adoration. The lines of stress and fatigue at the corners of his eyes disappeared, revealing the boyish charm beneath, and her heart fluttered—positively fluttered—captivated by his attention.

She locked onto his gaze. “We made it out. We’re free. What should we do first?”

He stroked her cheek with his thumb, and her body came alive beneath his touch.

Was he about to kiss her? Was she about to let him?

“Maggie,” he said, his voice a low rasp.

His eyes burned with a mixture of uncertainty and desire. In the space of a breath, this man—this stranger—had become her entire world. His presence overwhelmed her senses. Were they floating? Were they on the ground, or had they joined the stars twinkling in the night sky? He leaned in, and their breath mingled in the space between them like some force was at work, drawing them together.

“Christian,” she whispered, the only word she could produce.

Wonder shined in his eyes. “It’s wild to hear you say my name,” he whispered, and it sounded more like a confession than a statement.

She drew her tongue across her lips, and his gaze darkened with an unmistakable hunger.

Being seconds away from engaging in a lip-lock session with a stranger was hardly appropriate behavior for someone with no recollection of her past, but it seemed like the natural choice. Calm and centered, her thoughts weren’t clouded with worries, and her actions were in harmony. She moved seamlessly, pressing up to her tiptoes as he lowered and came toward her.

Her gaze flickered between Christian’s eyes and his lips. Every nerve tingled with anticipation. Time slowed as she waited, her body steady, her heart open, anticipation building for that singular moment when his lips met hers.

Ping, ping, ping!

Like a jarring alarm pulling her from slumber, she gasped and stumbled back.

Christian caught her, keeping her upright, but the longing in his gaze had turned to agitation. “That’s my cell,” he mumbled and removed the chiming device from his pocket.

She smoothed her skirt, feeling her cheeks heat as she tried to understand what almost happened.

She could not kiss this man.

What was happening to her? Did her bump on the head leave her perma-horny?

Perma-horny? What was going on inside her amnesia brain?

She twisted the tail of her braid and watched as he eyed the screen and groaned.

“What is it?”

His jaw tightened, the muscles flickering beneath the skin like they were straining to hold back his frustration. “We’re not free yet, and…we’ve got company.”