Page 9 of Fighting Fate

“We met at The Aviator.” Truthfully, Chipper had thought the doctor had known him by his title that night. It seemed the guy had simply wanted to fuck him.

The doctor stiffened. His gaze moved from the laptop where he had been happily tapping along, oblivious to Baylor and Chipper’s childishness. He eyed Chipper. “I don’t recall.”

Chipper nearly laughed.Liar.

He snapped his laptop closed and stood. “I’ll get these orders put in.” His gaze stayed locked on Baylor, pretending Chipper didn’t exist now that his memory had obviously cleared. “Remember what I said. If you get worse, what do you do?”

“Go to the ER,” Baylor repeated back dutifully.

With a sharp nod and completely ignoring Chipper, he left them alone. Chipper probably should have kept his mouth shut. He really wanted the guy to make Baylor better. Thankfully, he seemed like a professional, despite trying to take Chipper home five minutes after his wife left the club.

Baylor ground his back teeth. He didn’t want to be irritated on top of being sick, but goddamn it. For a moment, he had felt a flicker of something growing between them. Even obviously on his deathbed, Chipper made him hot. More than that, he had fucked with Baylor’s heart by holding him all night, every night. Dr. Porter was a stark reminder of why Baylor had avoided Chipper.

“Maybe I should just let them admit me and get out of your hair.”

Chipper’s gaze moved over his face, studying him. “You’re angry with me.”

Before Baylor could lie and deny, the door opened, and a nurse came in, rolling an IV pole. Baylor ground his back teeth while she hooked him up and started the drip.

“This’ll take about forty-five minutes to empty, and Dr. Porter ordered two. So, settle in.” She focused on Chipper, because everyone did. “If you head to the second floor, you can follow the signs to the hospital cafeteria if you need anything.”

Chipper nodded his thanks. “I appreciate the info.”

She flashed a flirtatious smile before heading out.

Baylor rolled his eyes.

Chipper didn’t let their conversation go. The moment the door closed, he was both feet in. “Why are you mad at me?”

Baylor counted to five. He would not sound like a jealous teenager. Baylor was a grown man, and he didn’t even want to be with Chipper. “The doctor? Really?” Fuck it. He felt too bad to hold back. “Have you slept with everyone?”

The way Chipper’s expression closed—so quickly and coldly—made Baylor realize immediately he had been wrong. When Chipper spoke, he sounded different, as if talking to a stranger. Baylor hated it. “No. I haven’t slept with everyone, and I didn’t sleep with your doctor. He’s acting cagey because he tried to get me to go home with him five minutes after his wife left the club. I know it’s hard to believe, but I’m not—” Chipper stopped dead, as if he suddenly realized it wasn’t worth it. He looked away and stood. “Do you want anything from the cafeteria?”

“Please don’t.”

Chipper nodded while still not looking at him. “You’re right. I doubt you could keep it down.” He took a step toward the door.

“That’s not what I meant,” Baylor blurted out. He couldn’t watch Chipper walk away. Baylor was sick and weepy and scared about whatever they said about his kidneys. He felt out of the loop and guilty for hurting Chipper. “I’m sorry. When it comes to work, I’m a genius. Otherwise, I’m pretty bad at life. I didn’t mean to hurt you. That’s not something I’d ever want to do.” He swallowed. “It’s okay if you need to walk away from me for a minute, but please don’t leave. I’m scared, and you’re the only thing holding me together.”

Chipper never once looked his way through his speech. That made it easier for Baylor to be honest. He wasn’t good at being vulnerable. If he wasn’t sick and his defenses weren’t down, he would never.

Chipper changed directions and grabbed the rolling stool. He sat and rolled to Baylor’s side. Baylor was on his side on the hard-ass table, curled into a ball. Chipper took his hand and set his chin on the edge of the table. He held Baylor’s stare, looking like the giant puppy he was.

“I’ve given you plenty of reasons to think the worst of me.”

Baylor shook his head. “You’ve given me more to think the best. I don’t trust people easily.”

Chipper snorted. Even that was hot. “You don’t say?”

Baylor laughed. “Oh, God. Don’t make me laugh. Everything hurts.”

Chipper rubbed his arm. “These fluids should make you feel better. Most of your weakness is probably dehydration.”

“I wish that doctor had explained the kidney stuff before running away.”

Chipper winced. “Sorry. I have a hard time letting cheats act like they’re not, but I shouldn’t have said anything. Looks like, right now, you have thirty-five percent kidney function. As he said, severe dehydration will shut down your kidneys. So, these fluids should bring your numbers back up. Don’t worry.”

Baylor nodded. He didn’t know why he found Chipper so comforting, but if he said everything was okay, then it would be. “I hope I don’t end up giving this to you. This has been awful.”

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