Page 17 of Home Run

“Did…” Cough. “You…”Cough.“Just say you’re…”Cough.“Pregnant?”

She nodded. “Yes. I did. I’m pregnant.”

“And…and…” I pointed to myself. “Me?”

She nodded again. “Yes. It’s yours.”

I was still wiping my face dry and coughing up the remains of the coffee I’d inhaled to focus too much on what she’d said. Taking a big gulp of water I sat back and tried to gather some semblance of a thought but my mind was blank. Totally blank. I don’t know what Millie was thinking, but when I glanced up at her, tears were pouring silently down her cheeks.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I had antibiotics, and I forgot. I told you I was on birth control…”

“Hey, stop, slow down.” I slid into the booth seat next to her, wrapping my arms around her while she sobbed into my chest. “Millie, breathe.”

While I might come to this diner enough for the owners to know me, and it was close enough to the stadium that the majority of patrons were likely Lions fans, it wasn’t the best idea to be sitting in public comforting a crying female. A pregnant one, no less.

Pregnant.What the actual fuck?

Images of diapers, rubber ducks, and those teeny-tiny baby hats appeared in my vision.

Ever since I’d started having sex, my dad had drilled it into me to always use protection, and when I moved into the MLB, it was drilled into every member of the team to always use protection thatyou’dprovided. It didn’t matter what the girl said or did. Or how many packets of condoms there were.

Unless you’d bought them, you didn’t have sex. And up to six weeks ago I’d lived that code.

Too many stories of guys being trapped into pregnancythe second they hit the big leagues floated around the clubs. Money they’d worked their asses off for rising through the ranks of the minors now had to be shared out because of one stupid decision.

But with Millie, I hadn’t hesitated.

I’d wanted her so badly, that I’d never stopped to think twice.

The sensation of being bare inside her for the first time was an experience I’ll never forget, and even now, sitting here while she sobbed into my chest after telling me she was pregnant, I couldn’t bring myself to regret it. I couldn’t even call myself a dumbass, and for the life of me, I couldn’t stop the smile on my face.

“Every time you see me, I’m crying.” She sniffed, glancing up at me with bloodshot eyes.

“It’s okay.” Picking up a napkin, I dabbed her damp cheeks as she slid away from me slightly along the booth seat. Her warm brown eyes tinged with redness from her crying, and I wondered how long she’d been crying before I showed up. At least I knew why she was awake so early. “So, I guess I should ask how you’re feeling? And, um. You know, when’s it due? Or whatever.” I pushed my hat up and scrubbed a hand through my hair. “Sorry, I guess when did you find out?”

“Yesterday.”

My cheeks puffed out. “Wow.”

“I’m sorry, I know it’s a shock. It’s still a shock to me.”

I frowned at her. “First thing, you’re going to need to stop saying sorry.”

“Sor…” She stopped and offered me a sad smile as Giuseppe arrived back at the table with a plate of breakfast. Heseemed to have taken my request for two breakfasts seriously.

I moved back into my seat. “Sure you don’t want any of this?”

“I’m sure, I feel a bit queasy,” she replied while I bit into a slice of toast and she watched me eat.

Pregnant. Pregnant. Pregnant. I literally couldn’t think of another thing to say. I knew the how and the when. What else was there?

“I don’t know if I’m allowed to ask this…” I started eventually, scooping a mouthful of eggs in, and putting my fork down. “What…um…what’s next?”

“What d’you mean?”

“Well, what do you do when you’re pregnant. Do you get instructions? Do we have to go to the doctor? Do you know what you want to do?” Did I know whatIwanted to do? Nope. I picked up a slice of bacon while she thought about it. “It goes without saying whatever you decide I’ll support you.”

“Does it?”

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