Page 4 of Fighting Fate

“Don’t worry. I ordered the soup. You don’t want my cooking.”

“I have a bad feeling I won’t keep it down either way.”

Chipper set the tray next to the bed. “It’s okay. I’ll take care of you no matter what happens. Now, hand it over.”

The guilt that passed over Baylor’s features was priceless. He still tried to act innocent. “What?”

Chipper wiggled his fingers in a silent demand to give up the phone.

With an eye roll, Baylor’s arm appeared from the beneath the covers with the phone. “I didn’t call anyone. I just wanted to check my emails.”

“Mhmm.” Chipper didn’t believe it for a minute. He stuffed the device in his pocket. “Come on. Let’s sit you up and get something in you.” He smirked.

The innuendo earned him another eye roll. “How do you know I’m not a top?”

Chipper chuckled. He loved directness as much as playing. “I feel confident I could take it.” He grabbed the bowl and spoon and sat on the edge of the bed. “Now, here comes the airplane.”

The droll look he received made his ridiculous act worthwhile. “I can feed myself.”

“Can you?” He held out the empty spoon. “Show me.”

The spoon shook uncontrollably the moment Baylor touched it.

Chipper took it back. “That’s what I thought.” He dipped the spoon in the soup. “I’ve had this before. It’s not bad.” He scooped up some chicken along with the broth.

Baylor dutifully opened and wrapped his lips around the spoon.

Chipper was fascinated and hard. So fucking hard. God. He had never wanted anyone the way he did Baylor. Sick or not. Chipper couldn’t explain it. There was something here. He just didn’t know how to get Baylor to see it. There had to be a reason he kept rearranging his life for Baylor.

“I can’t see you eating this. It seems too lightweight. I don’t know what I’m trying to say. Hopefully, you know what I mean.”

Chipper nodded. “You’ve obviously never gotten your teeth knocked down your throat. Soup is all that’s going down after that.”

“Actually, I have.”

The rage struck hard and fast, forcing Chipper to take a steadying breath. “Who?” It was all Chipper could manage.

A sad smile passed over Baylor’s lips. “It doesn’t matter.” He managed a few more bites before the shaking set in again. “I have to stop.”

Chipper set the bowl aside. He didn’t like the way Baylor didn’t seem to be getting any better. “Do I need to take you to a doctor or the ER or something?”

Baylor shook his head. “I’m just tired.” His teeth chattered. “And cold.”

“Do I need to share my warmth again?” Chipper fought hard to hide his hope.

Baylor must have felt terrible because he nodded. “If you don’t mind?”

Chipper stood and helped Baylor scoot over. “Mind? I fucking love to cuddle. It doesn’t happen often.”

Despite the fact he seemed to be going downhill fast, Baylor kept the conversation going. “I don’t believe that for a second.”

After climbing beneath the covers, Chipper hauled Baylor into arms and used his size to warm as much of him as possible. “Why? Do I look like I cuddle complete strangers on the street or something?”

“It’s not that,” Baylor said against his chest. “I doubt your bed is ever empty. I’m probably cramping your style right now.”

For a minute, Chipper stared at nothing over the top of Baylor’s head before shaking off the disappointment. “Yeah. I suppose that’s what everybody sees when they look at me.”

Silence grew between them. He thought Baylor dozed. It startled him a little when Baylor spoke again. “I’m sorry. If anyone knows you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, it’s me. You’ve been amazing. I don’t know what would’ve happened to me if you hadn’t been there.”

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