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B aylor had no idea how 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.

“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.”

Without thinking, Chipper kissed the top of Baylor’s head. “Don’t sweat it. It’s not like I haven’t earned that reputation. I just wish…” He didn’t bother to finish. No one cared.

“What do you wish?” Baylor asked so quietly, it was like he tried not to spook Chipper.

He didn’t know why, but Chipper found himself being honest. “I wish just one person would see me for real. I guess that’s a lot to ask.”

A light kiss brushed his neck.

Chipper closed his eyes and savored the sweet moment. It meant nothing. Baylor was sick and Chipper was his nurse. The guy would never want him. Several minutes passed. The shaking stopped. Baylor’s breathing evened. Chipper closed his eyes and dreamed. He had no clue how much time passed before he felt Baylor’s fingers sneak into his pocket.

“You’d better be reaching for my dick because I know you’re not trying to get your phone.”

Baylor huffed.

A huge grin split Chipper’s face. This was the life he wanted. Obviously, in his dream, Baylor wasn’t sick, but still. Holding Baylor like this and feeling this happiness in his chest, that was what he fought to find. His smile fell. He wished it wasn’t temporary. His arms tightened around Baylor. It didn’t matter. He would take what he could get. Happiness didn’t find him often.