Page 10

The plane ride was rough as hell.

Baylor held himself together by sheer will alone.

Since he rented a car for the last leg of his journey, Baylor was free to fall apart a little.

Chipper planned to retire to be with him.

He knew that wasn’t the whole of it, but their relationship had been the thing that tipped the scales.

Chipper planned to officially give their relationship his all.

He deserved the same energy. Baylor didn’t know how to do that if he couldn’t make peace with the past. That was why Baylor had to try.

He sat in his rental, staring at nothing for much longer than necessary.

Only the knowledge he had to do this made him step from the car.

It was the first time since their funeral that Baylor had come here, but he still knew exactly where to find their graves among the countless headstones.

Bandit had paid to put a concrete bench next to them.

Baylor guessed Bandit thought he was braver than he was and would visit all the time.

This place was his personal hell.

He didn’t want to be here.

Still, Baylor found the bench and sat.

Despite his best efforts, his gaze wouldn’t meet his babies’ names carved forever in stone.

Baylor blew out a breath.

He wasn’t sure he would ever stop feeling like he would die.

The pain was that big.

But he truly had fallen in love again with a good man who deserved to have as much of him as possible.

“God, I miss you. You were so easy to talk to. Before I met you, I don’t think I’d ever taken a full breath. I walked on the eggshells of a terrible childhood. You were everything I’d never known. You gave me a beautiful child.” Baylor’s voice shook. He had to take a few breaths before trying again.

“Losing you two just proved every belief I ever had that I didn’t deserve love, but now there’s this guy.” An unexpected bark of laughter burst from him.

“I guess you know that, though.” Baylor swiped the tears from his cheeks.

“Did you do this?” He whispered the question, feeling crazy.

“Did you send him to me? You two are so much alike. He’s big and goofy as hell. I guess you knew that too since you two have met.” Baylor sat in silence for a moment, trying to find the words he needed so badly to say before starting again.

“There will never come a day when I don’t miss you both.” Another shaky breath escaped him.

“But I have to move on before this hole in my chest kills me. I’m pretty sure it almost happened not that long ago, but Chipper pulled me away from the edge. Now I can’t stop thinking about how he’s where I belong now.” He leaned over, getting close to Freddie’s grave. Baylor lowered his voice to a whisper again.

“You know me. I’m about to do something really crazy that’ll make everyone question my sanity. But following my heart gave me the best years of my life with you two. Now I have to see if I can create a few more.” He kissed his fingers and touched the ground.

“I love you guys.”

Baylor walked away. He still had a few things he wanted to do while he was in town before he flew home. Home. He hadn’t had one of those in a long time. Chipper had given that back to him. Baylor had to do the same for him. He just didn’t know yet if he could

Baylor drove aimlessly for a while, trying to decide if he felt better or worse. Finally, he stopped at a tiny cafe Freddie would take him to when they were in town. They didn’t have a huge menu, but Baylor ordered something. He was beginning to learn his triggers for flare-ups and not eating was one. Baylor didn’t want to feel any worse than he already did. As he waited for the order, Baylor sat in a booth and went back to staring after nothing. His mind raced too hard for him to keep up.

“Baylor!”

Baylor turned his head at the sound of the child’s voice in just enough time to have a body launched at him. A smile exploded across his face as Rhorey’s tiny arms wrapped around his neck. “Oh. Hey, sweetie. Where did you come from?”

“Rhorey. Oh my God. I’m so sorry. You must remind him of someone.”

Rhorey took up the spot next to him, obviously having no interest in leaving.

Baylor focused on the man apologizing. His brain lagged, making him slow to explain because, goddamn. The guy was hands down the most beautiful man Baylor had ever seen. He was the definition of stunning. He fucking stunned words right out of Baylor. A blond Adonis. Fuck.

Thankfully, Rhorey had him. “It’s Baylor, Dada. We met at Uncle Zander’s.”

Relief washed over his face. “Oh. Thank God. It’s nice to meet you. Rhorey talked about you for days after you two met.”

Baylor smiled. How could anyone not while in his presence? “Please have a seat. You must be Corey’s husband.”

They shook hands. “Rhett.” Rhett sat across from him.

“Oh. How cute. Rhett and Corey, Rhorey.”

Rhett was all smiles like sunshine in a bottle. He offset Corey’s serious nature perfectly. Damn. Corey had torn himself away from this to help Baylor. He was twice as grateful now.

“I thought you lived in California.”

Baylor nodded. His throat swelled. “I do. This was my husband’s hometown. He and my son are buried here. I came to see them.”

The genuine hurt that touched Rhett’s features nearly made Baylor burst into tears. He took Baylor’s hand. “I’m so sorry. We almost lost Rhorey. I can’t even imagine.”

He never knew what to say when people told him how sorry they were, but he was thankful for Rhett, nonetheless. While Rhett might not have lost his son, Baylor gathered he had gotten close enough to understand in a way most people didn’t.

“He’s not here.”

Baylor took his hand back from Rhett and put his arm around Rhorey. “Who’s not here, honey?”

“Micah.” He made a wild motion with his hand, as if drawing a picture he saw in his mind. “He went somewhere else.” He returned to the coloring book he had pulled out while Baylor had been talking to Rhett. Rhorey didn’t look his way. “When I died, I went away too. I was happy and didn’t want to come back. Not until I heard Dada’s voice.”

While Baylor wasn’t sure if any of this was true, he was fascinated.

Then Rhorey turned his head. His blue eyes were so serious, Baylor knew he never made up stories. It was as if life had made him too mature for that nonsense. He held Baylor’s stare. “He doesn’t want you to be sad.”

Baylor swallowed. Tears slipped down his cheeks and there was no stopping it. He swiped at them, trying to show some self-control in front of a child who should never shoulder an adult’s trauma.

“It would hurt.” Rhorey touched his chest. “Right here, if my dads cried. He doesn’t want that.”

Baylor took a breath and tried to pull himself under control. “Okay. I’ll try.”

With a nod, Rhorey returned to coloring. His gaze automatically swung Rhett’s way. He didn’t look surprised.

He gave Baylor a sweet smile. “Listen to the boy. He got Corey’s genius.”

Baylor chuckled. “And his compassion from you, I’m betting. Would you like to join me for dinner? I already ordered, but I’d love the company.”

“Sure. Corey is in the car, giving night orders to his nursing staff. He’ll be in as soon as he’s done. I’m sure he’d love to see you.”

Rhorey took his hand under the table and held it. A peace settled over Baylor he hadn’t felt in years. When Rhorey had first appeared at his table, he had mused over how small the world was. Now he saw the truth. Too many blatant signs pointed him toward this new path. Baylor was doing the right thing. He could go home now.

Chipper hated sleeping without Baylor. He tossed and turned, beating the pillow next to him, attempting to make it more Baylor-like. Nothing worked. He was miserable. At two a.m., he gave up and got up. He headed for the kitchen. Chipper would eat another slice of the amazing cake Baylor had gotten him. He got one bite in and heard the front door chirp, then the beep of the alarm being reset. Chipper picked up his plate and headed for the living room. He wasn’t too worried. Anyone who knew his alarm code wasn’t likely set on killing him. His heart soared at the sight of Baylor parking his suitcase against the wall.

“Hey, baby.”

Baylor jumped, and then bent at the waist, sucking air. “Holy shit, Chipper. You scared the shit out of me. Why are you up?”

“Couldn’t sleep.” He couldn’t stop smiling. “Sorry about scaring you. I didn’t think you’d be home for a couple of days.”

Baylor straightened and gave him a sweet smile. “I couldn’t stay away. I missed our bed.” His gaze lowered to Chipper’s plate. “But I see you found a way to entertain yourself.”

Chipper looked down at the humongous slice of cake on his plate. “What? My bout is over. I don’t have to restrict myself anymore.” He cocked his head and thought it over. “Maybe I should still watch it, though. You’re naturally a small guy. I don’t think you’d like it if I got fat.”

Baylor chuckled as he crossed the room. “First off, you as a bear daddy. Mmm. Yum. Secondly, I don’t know that I’m naturally small as much as I was just starved as a kid.” He stole a kiss.

Chipper had learned Baylor didn’t say things, digging for pity. He was just straightforward. “Do you want a piece of cake too? I’d never let you go hungry.”

Baylor eyed his plate. “Can I just have a bite of yours?”

Chipper huffed. “You know damn well you want more than one bite.”

Baylor’s serious expression never wavered. It was like this was an important decision for him. “Can I have yours if I fix you another slice?”

He had no clue why it mattered, but he didn’t care. Chipper shrugged. “Sure.”

They headed for the kitchen.

Chipper sat while Baylor moved around the kitchen, getting out a second plate.

“Do you plan to tell me where you went?”

“I went to see Freddie and Micah.”

Chipper assumed he meant their graves. “Okay. You could’ve just said that. I would’ve understood.”

Baylor worked with his back to Chipper. “I know, but I needed to talk to them. Work some things out in my head.”

Chipper wasn’t so sure he wanted any more cake. They were back to him, feeling inferior. His appetite vanished. He would never let Baylor see that. It wasn’t Baylor’s fault he felt insecure. Chipper had known the score going in. “Did it help you work things out?”

“No. Rhorey did, though.”

Chipper’s eyebrows shot up. It was taking Baylor forever to slice a single piece of cake. Chipper wanted him to sit down and talk to him. “Rhorey? Where in the hell did you see Rhorey?”

Baylor laughed. “I know. The world is small as hell. When Corey said he lived in Florida, I had no idea he meant the same small-ass town Freddie was born in. That’s where he’s buried,” Baylor explained unnecessarily. He turned with a plate in hand and swapped plates with Chipper. “Oh. It gets better. It turns out Rhett’s first year of teaching at the high school, Freddie was in his class.”

“Damn. You met the pretty boy, huh?”

Baylor blinked, as if he had no idea what Chipper meant.

Chipper pulled a disbelieving face. “Come on, now. I’ve seen the guy. You don’t have to hold back.”

A smile exploded across Chipper’s face as Baylor broke. “Holy hell. Why is he so pretty? It’s unnatural. I can’t even imagine Corey meeting him. Not that I don’t think Corey could get someone like him. It’s just Corey is so serious.”

“He’s autistic.”

“Oh.” Baylor looked thoughtful for a second. “That explains a lot, actually. But still, Corey must’ve been fucking dying inside when Rhett looked his way.”

Chipper knew this story. He didn’t mind regaling Baylor with the tea. “Well, see…” Chipper’s voice died as he dropped his gaze to his plate to take a bite. It had a ring sticking out of the top. His chin lifted. His brain refused to work.

Baylor stood and moved to his side. He dropped to one knee. “Will you marry me? People will think we’re nuts, but I learned a very important lesson three years ago. Life can be ripped away from you at any moment. Waiting when you really want something is stupid. It might not be there tomorrow. So what do you say? Want to do something completely crazy with me and get married?”

Chipper couldn’t fucking believe it. He definitely thought he would have to beg for years to convince Baylor to take that big of a risk on him. He was blown away. Chipper wanted to ask if he was fucking with him, but he wasn’t that dumb. He knew Baylor would never do this unless he was a hundred percent sure. “Yeah. I want that more than anything.” He snatched Baylor off the floor and stood, squeezing him and stealing kisses. Baylor wrapped his legs around him and held on every bit as tightly.

“I love you.” He kissed Baylor hard. “Goddamn. I love you so fucking much.”

“I love you too.” Baylor forced him to soften, leading him into a sweet kiss. When Chipper couldn’t handle it anymore, he threw Baylor over his shoulder.

“Hey. I actually wanted that cake.”

Chipper put his ring in his mouth and sucked it clean as he grabbed his plate with the bigger piece and headed down the hall. He would personally feed his soon-to-be husband. Fuck. He hoped Baylor wanted all the bells and whistles. Chipper wanted the whole world to know Baylor was his. He tossed Baylor on the bed and set the cake on the bedside table. With his hands free, he took the ring from his mouth and tried it on. It was a little snug, but he gave no fucks. Baylor wanted to marry him.

His throat suddenly swelled. Someone wanted to keep him. Forever. He couldn’t breathe.

Baylor sat up and wrapped his arms around Chipper’s waist. He buried his face against his stomach. “I know. Every day, I woke up with that same emptiness and took it to bed every night. I’ll never let you feel that way again.”

Baylor got him in a way no one else ever had. He held the back of Baylor’s head. “I should’ve known you would be the one to ask and save me. You already shocked the hell out of me by telling me you love me first.”

Baylor jerked back. “What?” He looked adorably outraged. “You said it first.”

Chipper shook his head as he crawled onto the bed, forcing Baylor onto his back. “Nope. I yelled that I chose you because I decided at that moment to retire. You yelled back that you love me.”

Baylor looked dumbfounded. “No.” The horror in his voice was hilarious. “Go back in time and say it first. You’re already too cocky.”

Chipper snorted. He nuzzled Baylor’s neck. “Nope. It’s too late. You have to suck it up and live with it. I did all the psycho chasing. You can handle being the first to admit this is love. It’s only fair.”

Baylor sniffed as obnoxiously as possible. “I suppose I can handle people hearing I was first, as long as they also know you kidnapped me.”

Chipper laughed so hard, no sound emerged. He kissed Baylor’s neck. “He loveeees me,” Chipper sang, teasing him.

Baylor cupped his head and lifted his hips as if seeking relief. “He really does.”

The mood changed. Chipper kissed a path down Baylor’s body while tearing open the front of his jeans. He needed Baylor’s dick in his mouth. Chipper barely set Baylor’s erection free before he swallowed it. This man intended to marry Chipper. Chipper would never let him regret it. He followed the sounds Baylor made, giving him all the pleasure he could want. Chipper also used the distraction to peel the pants off his body. He felt around blindly for the lube. Between the lube and his spit, he got Baylor as wet as possible. He fingered him, stretching and toying with the hot button he knew Baylor loved. The moment Baylor tensed, Chipper shot upward and shoved his way inside. He had to feel Baylor’s orgasm on his dick. Chipper finished him with his hand and savored the sensation of Baylor’s body milking him. This body now belonged to him. He was scared as hell to watch this slip away. Chipper was completely in his feelings as he pumped inside Baylor.

“Blow for me, sexy. Fill me with cum. You’re so fucking hot when you come.”

He was so close. Chipper had to taste Baylor’s tongue. He sucked it as his body tensed. He strained so hard, he expected his mind to snap. Instead, he saw the future as so much ecstasy raced through him he nearly passed out. They would have a beautiful life. A wedding and kids. Chipper thought he would make an amazing stay-at-home dad while Baylor kept his business going…at a much slower pace. They would travel the world. Chipper would homeschool so they were never trapped to a schedule. The desperation he felt for that life was next level. He couldn’t stop kissing Baylor and trying to will it all to be true.

Cum leaked from Baylor as Chipper pulled out. He had gotten carried away and forgotten a condom. Baylor had begged for his cum, so he wouldn’t sweat it. Not to mention, they’d had the whole been tested conversation already. And they were getting fucking married. He wanted to scream it from the rooftops.

“I’ll have a family.” Even Chipper heard the wonder in his voice.

“Me too.”

Until Baylor said the words, he hadn’t fully considered that aspect. He didn’t know why he hadn’t thought about what Baylor would gain. Maybe he had been too focused on what Baylor had lost. Either way, they would fill each other’s lives with love.

Chipper rolled to his side and pulled Baylor as close as possible, snuggling him.

“Zander has close ties to some sort of adoption agency. It deals in kids coming from the worst circumstances—like Rhorey. In fact, that’s how Corey and Rhett ended up with him. Maybe, when you’re ready, we can—”

Chipper found himself underneath Baylor. Baylor’s tongue fought with his. By the time Baylor pulled away, Chipper felt like he had run a marathon. His chest heaved, fighting for breath through the love and lust.

Baylor rested his forehead against Chipper’s. He stared into Chipper’s eyes. “You’re perfect. I’d love to fill our house with kids. But maybe let’s wait until we’ve had a little time alone.”

Chipper squeezed Baylor’s ass. “All right. I do like having you alone.”

Baylor sat back on his heels and peeled off his shirt, making Chipper realize he still wore half his clothes. He had been beyond desperate to get inside Baylor.

“You always have me rushing to have you. One of these days, I might get to make love to you slowly, torturing you.”

Baylor settled on his chest. “Maybe. I mean, we have the rest of our lives. It has to happen eventually, right?”

Damn. They really did. Chipper would get to love Baylor in every way he ever fantasized. He would get to hold him every night. “I can’t wait to marry you.”

Baylor’s sexy green eyes flipped upward and met his stare. “Same.”

They shared a heated look. Before meeting Baylor, he hadn’t realized people just knew when they met their other half. There was no doubt. Every moment together felt comfortable and right—like they had known each other forever. He had zero doubt it would always be this way between them. Chipper would hold Baylor just like this for the rest of his life. They would talk about their day. Share their dreams and then help each other achieve them. Chipper knew now what he had been missing his entire life. Now that he found it, Chipper would never let Baylor go.