Page 3 of Fighting Fate

Baylor might have been sick, but that didn’t stop him from pinching him.

Chipper laughed. “Don’t abuse me. I’ll come.”

Baylor chuckled. It was deep and sounded like it hurt. “We’re still not friends.”

Chipper couldn’t stop smiling. “God, no. Who could like you?”

Baylor shook with silent laughter.

Without thinking, Chipper pressed his lips against Baylor’s head. He didn’t pull away. “Go to sleep. I’ve got you.”

He did. Sick patient or not, it was nice to not be alone. There was no pressure to be on the whole time. He just got to enjoy the sound of someone else’s breathing. Too many people took that for granted.

Chapter Two

Baylorhadnoideahow much time passed. He woke up and went right back to sleep. Sometimes, Chipper was there, holding him. Others, he was alone, or Chipper tried pouring water down his throat. This time, light peeked through the gap in the curtains. He considered trying to get up, but his body just wouldn’t budge. It was like he was paralyzed. Weakness owned him.

Chipper strolled into the room, moving like the fighter he was. Baylor couldn’t explain that thought. He had simply met countless athletes over the years. Each sport seemed to have players developing a specific walk. Hell, maybe it was just confidence. He sat on the edge of the bed. “Hey. You’re awake. You’ll be happy to know, Sacha, who I expected to be a girl for whatever reason, is covering your appointments. According to Bandit, Sacha has been with you long enough to take care of your business until you’re well. So you can chill and heal.”

“You talked to Bandit?” Baylor couldn’t explain why that tidbit soothed him. But if Bandit said everything was taken care of, then it would be. Bandit was the only person on earth who had never let him down. People were huge disappointments.

“Yes. He said to tell you to rest and get better because he would hate to have to come here and spank you in my presence.”

Baylor rolled his eyes. “He would say that.”

Chipper smirked. “I told him there was no need. I would spank you in his stead.”

Thank god his body was half dead. Otherwise, he would’ve gone hard right then. Apparently, a man who took great care of him was his kink. Chipper had never looked sexier. In an attempt to hide his desire, Baylor released a loud, put-upon sigh. “Bed it is, I guess.”

Chipper gave him a sharp nod and stood. He moved across the room. “For now, take something for the fever.” He bent and grabbed water from a wine fridge. Baylor enjoyed the show. He came back and handed the bottle to Baylor before shaking out two ibuprofens. “I gave you Tylenol last, so take these.”

Baylor accepted the pills. “When did I take Tylenol?”

Chipper glanced toward the clock. “A little over four hours ago.”

“I don’t even remember that.”

A heart-stopping smile flashed his way. “I’m not surprised. You said I have pretty eyes.”

He wanted to die.

“You’d never say that if you were fully awake.”

Well, at least Chipper understood that.

“Anyhow. I need a shower. Sit tight and I’ll bring you some soup when I get out.”

Baylor’s stomach churned. “That’s okay. I don’t think I can eat.”

“I wasn’t asking.” Damn. That bossiness got him hot. Please let that be the fever. He couldn’t keep finding things he liked about Chipper. “You’re weak enough as it is. You’ll never get better if you don’t try to keep up your strength. Any allergies?”

Baylor knew he was sick because the question made him tear up. He cleared his throat. “Just sweet potatoes. Thank you.” Fuck. No one would ever understand how badly he hated that Chipper was the one who showed up when he was at his worst.

Chipper winked and headed for the shower. Baylor watched him go with his heart in his throat. Why was he perfect? It had to be a ploy. No one except Bandit worried about him or cared about him. That was reality. He didn’t know Chipper’s game, but he knew it had to be just that: a game.

Chipper rushed through his shower, trying not to think about the way Baylor’s eyes had filled with tears when he asked about allergies. He wished he could call Bandit back and ask him what in the hell that was about. Chipper doubted Bandit would spill. On the other hand, Bandit had been suspiciously relieved Chipper had taken Baylor in—almost as if he thought Baylor would simply fall over and die without him. Chipper had a bad feeling he would. First off, he had passed out in a parking lot. If Chipper hadn’t been there, anything could have happened. He couldn’t imagine how long Baylor had refused to acknowledge his symptoms before things came to that. Baylor was so fucking stubborn. He would work himself to death.

He was slightly surprised to see Baylor still in bed when he left the bathroom. His eyes were closed, so Chipper sneaked past and headed for the kitchen. A bark of laughter escaped him when his gaze landed on the kitchen counter. Baylor’s phone was gone. Chipper had plugged it up to charge. With a shake of his head, he grabbed the soup from the fridge he had ordered earlier. He popped it in the microwave. It didn’t take long for him to have a tray ready to go. He tried to be quiet, hoping he would bust Baylor on his phone. Instead, he found him looking like he wanted to curl up and die.

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