Page 16 of Catching Him

Eric laughed. “I think Chipper could use a little humbling.”

That was true. “Meh. I’m sure the same has been said of me at some point.”

“And how does that make you feel?” Eric asked in his most professional voice, making Oakley laugh.

“I don’t give a fuck. Cockiness won me the most amazing husband in the world, and a fuck ton of baseball games, but those are nowhere near as important.”

Eric’s smile never dimmed. “I suppose it was pretty bold of you to dump a drink in my lap.”

“Did I ever apologize for that? Legitimately, I mean.”

Eric didn’t respond until after the doorman opened the door to their apartment building for them. “Are you sorry?”

Oakley reached past him and hit the button to call the elevator. “Not really, no. You never would have looked my way without that drink.”

As the elevator carried them to their floor, Eric leaned his shoulder against the wall and held Oakley’s stare. “Oh. I don’t know. We’re pretty damn meant to be. I think we would’ve found each other no matter what.”

Before Oakley could respond, his phone chirped. He dug it out and checked his messages. Seeing what he had been waiting for, Oakley opened his emails and found the one he just got. He passed the phone to Eric. “Pick out our new house in California.”

Eric froze with his fingers wrapped around Oakley’s phone. He didn’t take it. “What do you mean?”

A grin stretched Oakley’s lips. He loved getting the drop on Eric. Oakley wanted to give him everything, especially happiness. “Your mom is in California, so are a bunch of top MS specialists. I don’t know when, but eventually, this city will be too hard for me to navigate. So, pick out our house.” He made Eric take the phone. “I texted a realtor friend of mine and asked her to send me a list of places that are close to your mom, the doctors I need, and not too far from the beach. Choose.”

Eric didn’t look at the phone. He stared at Oakley in disbelief. “We’re moving to California?”

The doors slid open, freeing them from the elevator. Oakley shuffled Eric into their apartment. “Come on. Sit down. Let’s see our choices.”

“You’re really being serious.”

Oakley didn’t know what Eric had a hard time grasping. “Why are you this shocked? You know I love you. You heard my reasoning.”

Eric didn’t respond until they were settled on the couch. “Because I was more than ready to live out my life with you here, and I know how much you love New York.”

He held Eric’s stare. “I found something I love more.”

Eric truly looked ready to cry.

Oakley took the phone from him and cuddled close, forcing Eric to hold him. “Come on. Let’s pick a few choices together. We can let Khloe know and fly out tomorrow to look at them.” Rather than wait for Eric to complain some more, he started clicking links. It didn’t take long for Eric to get into the spirit and give his input. Oakley was oddly excited to open a new chapter in his life. He couldn’t wait to give Eric a better life than he had ever known.

Chapter Ten

It was somewhat strangeto be back, living in California again. He tried to stay out of the movers’ way while still pointing out where everything went. The travel and stress had worn on Oakley. Eric had made sure the bedroom was done first and sent Oakley to bed.

“Knock. Knock.”

Eric glanced toward the door.

Chipper stood in the doorway, smiling like an idiot. “Your door was open. I came by with a housewarming gift.”

Eric accepted the present Chipper held. He didn’t open it. Eric was too stunned to see the guy. “Where in the hell do you actually live? You turn up everywhere.”

A soft laugh rumbled from Chipper. “I don’t like to sit still, but I actually live here. Not here, here, but about forty miles south of here. Originally, I’m from Nevada, but I moved to California some years back to train with the best: Maverick Kapra.”

When Eric stared at him with zero recognition, Chipper expounded. “He’s won heavyweight champion like a gazillion times.”

“Oh.” Eric didn’t follow MMA. “That sounds amazing. Thank you for this, by the way,” he said, motioning toward the box he held.

“You’re welcome. It’s a personalized cheese board. This is a nice place.” He turned in a circle, eyeing everything.

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