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A nap cleared Eric’s head. It helped that Oakley was in his arms. Eric kept placing light kisses on his hair, trying not to wake him, but he couldn’t stop. His heart demanded his affection go somewhere. Oakley’s expression as he had confessed everything haunted Eric. The pain and suffering Oakley had hidden from him was way more than Eric anticipated. It broke his heart. Eric had been right here, more than willing to be the rock. He hated Oakley hadn’t trusted more in their relationship. Fast marriage or not, they were strong. They were meant to be. Oakley would never fight alone.

He couldn’t stand to see the dark bruises Oakley sported. Eric knew they probably were only a tiny fraction of the pain Eric couldn’t see. He wanted to make it better. Eric just didn’t know how to help, so he let Oakley sleep.

Oakley’s cellphone rang on the bedside table. Before Eric could silence it, Oakley’s arm shot out. He blindly patted the table until he found the device. Oakley answered and switched the call to speaker.

“Hello?” There was no missing the grogginess in Oakley’s voice.

“Did I wake you?”

Eric didn’t recognize the voice.

“Yeah, but it’s cool. What’s up?”

“A bunch of us have thrown together a softball game at the park. Are you in?”

Oakley scrubbed his face. “Yeah. What time?”

Eric shot him a death glare. He couldn’t believe Oakley planned to play ball feeling like this.

Oakley made a calming gesture.

“We’re meeting in two hours. If your man is coming, tell him to bring a chair. You know how it is. It’s literally just us throwing down some bases in the grass.”

“Yeah. I’ll make sure we bring everything.”

“Cool. See you then.”

The call disconnected and Eric tried hard not to lose his shit. “You’re on the edge of death today and you want to play ball?”

Oakley smiled. It was one of his big, goofy ones Eric couldn’t resist.

Eric wanted to punch him.

“Baby. My doctor has advised me to stay as active as possible. Exercise helps with maintaining balance, range of motion, and energy levels. Plus, it keeps the depression at bay. I’m not ready to give up yet. Okay?”

Fuck. He hated Oakley sounded reasonable. He didn’t want his panic and worry to be the thing that made Oakley worse. Eric knew nothing about Oakley’s instructions from his doctor, since he never told him anything. At least he was invited. Eric could watch over him.

“Okay. I trust you.”

Oakley laughed. “Don’t sound so disappointed about it.”

Now Eric felt guilty. “I’m not. I’m just—”

“Adjusting to a new reality,” Oakley finished for him. “I know. Me too. But I’m not ready to give up yet, so please don’t stop believing in me, okay?”

“Never.” Eric kissed his forehead. “I guess we should get up and moving if we plan to go to the park.” He paused as a thought hit. “Whoever that was didn’t say which park.”

Oakley chuckled. “Don’t worry. I know which park Adley meant. We always go to the same one. He’s an old teammate,” Oakley clarified.

Eric nodded. “I remember meeting him at the wedding.”

Oakley rolled to his side. He draped his leg over Eric’s hip and scooted closer. “We don’t have to get up yet.”

Eric’s body immediately responded. “Are you teasing me?”

An evil-looking smile stretched Oakley’s lips. “Have I ever teased you?”

Eric couldn’t think with Oakley looking at him like that. “I don’t know. I’ll think about it later.”

With a shove, Eric was on his back, with Oakley straddling him. Eric sucked in a breath when Oakley rolled his hips, creating fiction between their cocks. Oakley did it again as he buried his face against the crook of Eric’s neck. He sucked as he rocked against Eric.

Eric groaned. “This would be so much better without underwear between us.”

A wicked chuckle rumbled against Eric’s skin. Oakley kept moving against him, refusing to give him more. Eric stayed still and took it because he was too enthralled to move. His breathing turned ragged despite the clothes between them. It was obvious Oakley fully intended to make Eric come in his underwear. He refused to be alone. Eric grabbed Oakley’s hips and lifted, doing his best to drive Oakley crazy. Oakley made a sound that drove Eric to go harder. He used his strength to move Oakley exactly the way he wanted.

Oakley began to pant.

Eric had no mercy.

When Oakley cried out against Eric’s skin, it sent Eric spinning. He gasped and moaned his way through the ecstasy. Eric hadn’t come in his clothes since he was a teen. Life with Oakley was always unexpected.

“I love you.”

Oakley whispered the words against the shell of Eric’s ear. Eric’s eyes unexpectedly filled with tears. It had been such a rollercoaster day, and he was the happiest he had ever been. Sometimes Eric didn’t know where to go with that. He had never been this scared to lose.

While he waited on his turn to bat, Chipper eyed the nymph on the sidelines—deep in conversation with Eric. Goddamn. He was adorable. Chipper could put the guy in his pocket. They had crossed paths a few times. All Chipper knew was Baylor was a highly sought after wedding planner and he seemed to hate Chipper for some odd reason. This was new territory for Chipper. Everyone liked him. But every time Chipper tried to approach Baylor, the guy ran. At first, it had been cute. Baylor was all put together and adorable. Chipper just thought he made the guy nervous. Now he wasn’t as sure that was the reason, and Chipper was obsessed.

“Why do you keep watching Eric and Baylor? You only look this intense when you’re in the cage. While I’m a thousand percent sure you can take me, I’ll definitely try holding my own if you’re about to attack my husband.”

Chipper tried rearranging his features at Oakley’s lecture. He realized how harsh he probably looked. “Sorry. No. It’s Baylor. Why doesn’t the guy like me? I haven’t done shit to him.”

Oakley snorted. “Dude, you hit on the guy like he’s a cheap whore every time you cross paths with him. Maybe you should try talking to him like a normal person.” Oakley brightened. “From what I understand, he handles more than weddings. You should try to hire him to put together something for you.”

“Like what?” Even Chipper heard the annoyance in his voice. He didn’t like being interested in someone who made him work.

Oakley shrugged. “I don’t know. When’s your next big fight? You could have him plan your victory celebration, or your mom’s birthday. Use your imagination.”

“When is your man’s next birthday? We could plan him a huge surprise party.”

Oakley shook his head. “For such a talented fighter, you’re looking very chicken shit right now, but fine. If you need me to help, I’m in.”

A huge grin split Chipper’s face. “Since you’re helping, I’ll let the chicken shit comment slide.”

Without waiting to learn any details about Eric’s birthday, Chipper let out a loud whistle. “Yo, Baylor.”

Baylor’s entire body stiffened. A sexy and annoyed looking green gaze swung his way. Damn. He would be fire in bed. “Wait for me after the game. It’s business related.”

Baylor gave him a sharp nod and went back to talking to Eric.

A wicked chuckle rumbled under Chipper’s breath. He had the guy now. Baylor just didn’t know it yet.

Nothing had changed really, but Oakley felt differently about life today. He was still headed down the same difficult path, but he knew he wasn’t alone anymore. What had once felt unbearable and insurmountable now looked a little less bleak. That was Eric and his beautiful heart. Oakley was well aware he didn’t deserve him. He wouldn’t change a damn thing about them.

Chipper’s suggestion about a party for Eric had started—in Oakley’s mind—as just helping himself while helping a friend. As the game had gone on, the idea grew. Eric deserved to be celebrated. He deserved everything. Oakley grabbed his phone from his ball bag and shot off an email and a few texts. He would make sure Eric got the whole world. Oakley would start the moment he finished this game.

After saying a bunch of goodbyes, Oakley slung the bag over one shoulder and Eric’s collapsible camping chair over the other.

Eric huffed. “Let me carry those.”

“No.” Oakley chuckled at Eric’s irritation as he walked away.

Giving up, Eric fell into step beside him. “Did you have fun?”

“I need the exercise and it’s always good to see the guys.”

Oakley fell back a hair. He wrapped his arms around Eric and walked in step with him to the apartment. Eric laughed at his playfulness but didn’t try to get away. Oakley kissed his ear.

“I love you.”

He saw Eric’s cheek curve with a smile. “I love you too.”

“Thank you for coming today. I liked having you there. You seemed to enjoy your time with Baylor.”

Eric glanced over his shoulder. “I like watching you play. As for Baylor, it seems he’s in town because he’s best friends with someone named Bandit. So he got dragged along, but he’s actually really nice. I thought he was kind of stiff when he planned our wedding. He was a lot more laid back today.”

Oakley decided to give Eric a little breathing room and took his hand instead. “Yeah. I’ve never been sure if Bandit’s real name is Bandit, but he’s that red-haired guy who plays soccer for New England.”

Eric nodded. “That makes sense. Baylor said he was actually from Vermont, but he’s done so many celebrity weddings from simply word of mouth that he doesn’t even have a permanent residence any longer. He goes where the money is, and then crashes with Bandit when he has time off. Apparently, they went to high school together.”

“The guy is seriously wrecking Chipper’s ego.” Oakley threw the words out there in case Eric had gotten any insight.

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.