Page 22 of Fighting Fate

Baylor looked moved… and happy.

He couldn’t resist pointing that out. “For someone who just got life-altering news, you look strangely elated.”

He felt Baylor shrug. “I don’t know why it doesn’t look that daunting right now, but it doesn’t.” Baylor seemed to turn inward for a moment before his gaze locked on Chipper again. “That’s not true. I know why. Meeting you has turned my world upside down in all the best ways. I can’t explain it, but I feel like… It’s stupid.”

“Nothing you say could be stupid.”

Baylor visibly swallowed. “I feel like I won’t ever be alone again.”

That was exactly how they felt to him too. They had something big. Something life-altering. From the outside looking in, it had to look like they were two idiots who didn’t really know each other, but they did. He couldn’t explain it. Maybe it was due to Chipper caring for Baylor through an illness. He didn’t think so, though. They just found something in each other. Something they were both missing.

He kissed Baylor. “You won’t be.” Their kiss was so sweet, it sent a flutter through Chipper’s chest. He held Baylor tighter and savored every second. He had never been so full.

Chapter Nine

Thecrowdwassodamn loud. Chipper couldn’t focus on that, or the nerves would set in. Instead, he let Baylor rule his mind. He fought a smile so he didn’t look like an idiot sitting there smiling like a crazy person. Things had been damn good since Chipper chased him from Bandit’s place. He hadn’t left Chipper’s house or bed. It was like they silently agreed Baylor lived there now. Baylor had started his treatment and passed an ass-ton of work to Sacha. Thankfully, he also hired two additional people so Sacha wouldn’t drown. His one-man operation had quickly become a company supporting employees. Chipper would gladly help pay a few salaries if Baylor would stay home. There was a lot Baylor could still do without personally showing up at every venue. In fact, the only venue he had visited in the past few weeks had been the one they were renting for Eric’s birthday. That was fine since it wasn’t far, and Chipper got to go along. He knew he would have to let Baylor out of his sight eventually. Maverick was right, though. Chipper had some PTSD from the way his mom died.

“It’s time.” Maverick looked serious.

“Is Bay here?”

Maverick gave him a sharp nod. “Right up front. He’s with Zander.”

That was all Chipper needed to hear. With a quick nod, Chipper’s jaw set. He fell into work mode. His mind emptied as he went through final inspections. People chanted his name. All Chipper saw was Baylor. He held Chipper’s stare, looking completely confident. At the cue, Chipper headed inside the cage. At the last second, he looked Baylor’s way again and winked. Baylor’s smile made everything feel lighter.

He listened to the rules. There weren’t many. He stared down the man who wanted this every bit as badly as Chipper did. Chipper got it. He had once been the guy determined to snag the title. There was one thing Chipper had that he didn’t. Baylor waited for him.

The bell rang. His opponent immediately threw a punch. Chipper didn’t think. He reacted. He dodged and then pulled his trick move. Chipper hadn’t planned to try it this early in the match, but the wild swing—likely due to nerves—left the perfect opening. Chipper unleashed a spin kick, landing solidly before the other heel also collided. Before he fully accepted what happened, Chipper’s arm was raised in victory. The crowd was so loud, he couldn’t hear. He blinked at the guy on the mat, being looked over by a medical team. Chipper knew he would be good. They were built to take hits. Then, just as Maverick had described, his gaze automatically sought Baylor. A smile exploded across his face when he saw Baylor cheering for him. Ignoring the officials trying to run through the usual title announcement, he walked to the wire fence separating him from his heart. The announcers screamed into the microphone, trying to keep the crowd pumped so they didn’t feel like they wasted two hundred dollars to watch a fight end in seconds.

Chipper had to yell over the noise. “I choose you.”

Baylor looked confused. “What?”

“I choose you,” he yelled louder.

Baylor didn’t look any less confused, but he yelled back. “I love you too.”

Chipper’s heart stopped for a second. Somehow, his smile got even bigger. He would take it. Chipper would absolutely take those words over any response Baylor could have given if he had understood Chipper’s words.

He let someone pull him away to do what needed to be done. But Chipper walked backward and never looked away from Baylor. Baylor had said he loved him. That was the biggest prize he had ever won in his life. He got it now. Chipper understood what waited for him on the other side of this career. It was love and family. Baylor deserved a happy home and children. Fuck, he wanted everything with Baylor. He didn’t care how long they had known each other. They knew each other. Baylor was the realest thing to ever happen to him. He wasn’t alone anymore, and he wasn’t scared of what would happen next. Chipper had found his home.

Damn. Chipper looked sexy as hell. Larger than life. He only had eyes for Baylor. It was the hottest moment of his life. He could barely breathe while he watched Chipper go through the ceremony of hanging on to his title. Goddamn. That had been hot too. Chipper had landed that trick move perfectly. His opponent had hit the floor so fast, it had taken Baylor a second to realize he had been knocked out. He wondered if this was some sort of record. It was definitely badass. His man had done that. But the way Chipper looked at him now, that was… wow. Chipper had said he loved him in front of thousands of people. The pride he felt couldn’t be contained, but it also had nowhere to go.

After what felt like ages, Chipper stepped from the cage. He expected it would still be a while before they were together. He had ridden to the arena with Zander so they could all leave the arena together. Zander’s driver had dropped off Maverick and Chipper earlier in the day for all the pre-match bullshit that obviously took forever.

“Come on.” Zander took his arm and started the push toward the aisle. “I can get us in the back.”

Baylor practically danced in place with impatience. It turned out he didn’t have to wait. While he had his head down, ensuring he didn’t step on anyone, Chipper appeared from nowhere and snatched him off his feet. His mind had a hard time reconciling, going from trying to get to Chipper to being over Chipper’s shoulder as he made his way to the back of the building. People shouted and cellphone cameras pointed their way. Security stayed tight knit around them. Maverick and Zander followed with what looked to be a private security team. He recognized two of the men. One had driven them to the arena, and the other had ridden in the back with them. Sometimes he forgot Zander was a big deal. Baylor had to focus on anything except his current position. In minutes, photos of him ass up would be all over the internet. At least they had gotten his good side.

Chipper didn’t set him on his feet until they were inside a locker room. It was huge—like it was normally used by the professional hockey team in the area, which made sense since this was their arena. It looked as if it had been reserved for only Chipper.

Baylor bounced in place. “You did it! I’m so proud of you.”

Chipper looked so damn proud. Baylor loved him so much. He didn’t know why they hadn’t admitted it before now. Chipper hugged him so tightly, he couldn’t breathe. He didn’t care. Chipper kept one arm around Baylor while he clapped hands and shook with everyone congratulating him. Maverick and Zander got hugs. The praise seemed never ending, especially for the winning move he had worked so hard to perfect. While Baylor was over-the-top proud and excited, he selfishly couldn’t wait until he had Chipper to himself. Chipper dressed while everyone talked. It looked like it would be a while before they celebrated alone. Baylor got it. Everyone was excited. Maverick had worked his ass off with Chipper, and Zander had sacrificed time with his husband.

“Visitor coming.”

At the loud announcement, Baylor’s gaze snapped to the doorway. Chipper’s opponent strolled inside, already dressed in street clothes. An inner groan ran through Baylor’s head. Baylor thought the guy’s name was Tip. He was all smiles, which confused Baylor.

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