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H e just wasn’t getting better. Chipper paced the floor, fighting against himself. Baylor could be such a pain in the ass, but he needed a doctor. Chipper wasn’t sure he didn’t need a hospital. Baylor seemed to get weaker every day. The doorbell rang and Chipper rushed to answer. Nothing happened as quickly as he needed, and his patience was thin. Relief poured through him at the sight of the tall beauty on the other side of the door. His raven black hair had a gloss of money, and his blue eyes were lined with eyeliner. He had two suitcases with him.

Chipper managed a congenial smile. “You must be Sacha.” He motioned Sacha inside.

A sharp nod met his statement as he dragged the suitcases across the threshold. “I have Baylor’s things. It’s really that bad, then?”

The heavy Ukrainian accent might have caught him off guard if they hadn’t spoken on the phone several times. Chipper nodded. “He’s asleep, which is probably exactly what he needs, but he also needs fluids, and he can’t keep anything down. I know he’ll be pissed, but I’m about to drag his ass to the doctor.”

A wicked-looking smile slowly stretched Sacha’s lips. Evil flashed in his eyes. “I like you. He needs a strong hand. Now,” Sacha straightened his expensive-looking dress shirt, “as far as business goes, everything is completely under control. I know he’s controlling and wants to hover, but I have this until he’s better.” Sacha held his stare. “Make sure he’s actually better before he comes back. I don’t want whatever this mess is. I’m an even worse patient than he is.” His gaze swept down Chipper’s body. “Unless you intend to care for me too.” Before Chipper could think of a comeback, Sacha released a dramatic-sounding sigh. “I know. I know. You are feet over tea kettle for Bay. Or however that saying goes. I’ll leave you to him.”

Chipper shook his head and followed Sacha to the door. He supposed it took a ballsy minx to handle a handful like Baylor. “I’ll keep you posted.”

“Please do.”

After a few more pleasantries, Chipper closed the door, grabbed the suitcases, and headed to face the firing squad. He unpacked the bags first. Chipper wanted to be completely ready for battle. Baylor was too weak to fight, and Chipper wasn’t above forcibly dressing him. He would carry him over his shoulder if he had to. Baylor needed help.

With clothes at the ready, he gently shook Baylor. “Hey, gorgeous. Let’s get you dressed. Time for the doctor.”

Baylor peeked open one eye. “I don’t think I can do it.” Since Baylor didn’t specify what he couldn’t do, Chipper assumed he meant everything.

“That’s okay. I can do it all, if you’re okay with that?”

Baylor’s hands rose and fell.

Chipper assumed that was his surrendering gesture. “Don’t worry. I won’t molest you.”

A weak chuckle vibrated from Baylor, making Chipper smile. “That sounds very boring for you.”

Chipper couldn’t have this conversation while stripping Baylor down to nothing. He’d spent too much time fantasizing over the last year. A thought hit. Maybe Baylor didn’t want him because he already had someone. He never considered there might be someone else. Maybe it was Bandit. Dark clouds gathered in his head, darkening his mood. He was worried and frustrated. Chipper wanted to make Baylor better. He wanted Baylor to want him. Fuck. Holding Baylor every night was screwing with his mind. Now he had Baylor nude, dressing him like he would a child. His head was all over the place. He didn’t know where he fit. The entire thing was dumb as hell because he was nothing but a nurse in Baylor’s eyes. He didn’t even know why he felt so irritated today.

“Why are you angry? It’s okay if you don’t want to help me.”

Chipper fought the demons, trying to swallow him. He managed a small smile. “I’m not mad. You’ve got me worried.”

Baylor didn’t respond.

Chipper got him dressed. “There.” He met Baylor’s beautiful green gaze. Even days of nursing Baylor through a serious illness hadn’t dimmed his desire. “In no reality would you bore me. I promise, no matter the circumstances, I’d blow your mind.”

Baylor didn’t look away. He might have been too weak to bother, but Chipper still savored the moment. By now, Baylor should be more than aware Chipper wanted him. There was no sense in playing coy. Right now wasn’t the time, though.

“We need to go.”

Baylor nodded.

“Do you need me to carry you?”

“That sounds embarrassing.”

Chipper rolled his eyes and scooped him from the bed like he weighed nothing because he did. “How about this? I’ll carry you to the car so you can save your strength to walk inside the doctor’s office.”

“I accept this compromise.”

Chipper hummed, fighting a laugh.

Baylor pinched his nipple, probably because it was within reach. “Don’t laugh at me.”

“I told you, don’t abuse me. I’ll embarrass you. Don’t think I won’t stroll into that doctor’s office, carrying you just like this, with a huge wet spot on my jeans.”

He felt more than heard Baylor’s weak laugh. “You’re such an idiot.”

Maybe, but he was happy again. He locked up the house and got Baylor settled in his truck. It was easier to get Baylor in and out of the larger vehicle. Baylor was silent on the drive. Chipper had a feeling he dozed. The radio played a metal station from his music app. He kept the volume low and worried all the way to the doctor’s.

The office was connected to the hospital, making parking a nightmare. He circled the parking garage several times before someone backed from a space. Baylor shook when he stood. Despite his weak protests, he leaned on Chipper. Chipper held more of Baylor’s weight than he let on. A guy had his pride. Chipper would let Baylor keep his.

Once they were checked in, they were taken back to a room much faster than Chipper expected. Then again, Baylor looked like hell and they probably didn’t want him spreading his germs. They had given him a mask to wear, but still. Baylor really looked awful.

Chipper’s knee bobbed in his impatience as they waited for the doctor. A nurse came and drew blood and took what looked to be flu and covid samples. Then they waited and waited some more. Luckily, they had at least given Baylor a blanket and he passed out on the exam table. One of them got to sleep through the wait. Finally, the door swung open after a quick, perfunctory knock. A blond male in his mid-forties stepped inside. His white coat was pristine. He stared at a laptop.

“Mr. Keates?”

Baylor opened his eyes.

The doctor smiled. “I’m Dr. Porter. I hear you’ve had a bad fever for a few days. What else do you have going on?”

Baylor’s eyes flickered Chipper’s way.

Chipper took the hint. He was too tired to talk. “He fainted a few times, hasn’t been able to keep anything down, and is extremely weak.”

Dr. Porter held Chipper’s stare and nodded along. When Chipper finished, he grabbed his rolling chair and sat where he could switch his gaze between Baylor and Chipper while he spoke. “Well, both the flu and covid test came back negative.” That surprised Chipper. “But obviously, we have something going on. With this high of a fever that doesn’t seem to want to break, I’d say it’s likely whatever random virus is going around. I can prescribe some anti-viral medication and anti-nausea pills.” He clicked around on his laptop. “With that said, some of these numbers on your bloodwork are a bit concerning.” He kept his gaze locked on the computer, making it impossible for Chipper to get a read on him. “I’d like to get a bag or two of fluids in you before you leave and then draw some more blood.”

“Sounds great.” Chipper was beyond relieved at the idea of an IV.

Dr. Porter looked between them again before focusing on Chipper. “So you are…” He left the inquiry hanging. Chipper had no clue what he meant until Baylor responded.

“He’s my friend. He’s been keeping me alive.”

Chipper smirked at getting called a friend. That was a step up from stalker.

The doctor nodded. His gaze swung back Baylor’s way. “Good. Part of me is leaning toward admitting you. But if your friend is willing to help, then I’m sure you’d be more comfortable at home. However.” He met Chipper’s stare, as if trying to emphasize the importance of his words. “If he worsens in any way, take him to the ER. I could likely give him two full bags today and still not pull up these numbers. Getting dehydrated like this can lead to kidney failure and his GFR is in an iffy place.”

“What’s GFR?” Baylor croaked out.

“It’s your kidney function,” Chipper answered before the doctor could. His gaze never wavered from the doctor. Chipper’s mom had died from kidney disease. “How iffy?”

“Thirty-five.”

Well, fuck. “Maybe you should admit him.”

“Please don’t,” Baylor croaked out. “I trust Chipper to take care of me.”

The doctor’s eyes flickered Baylor’s way before focusing on Chipper again. “Why do you look so familiar to me? Are you one of my patients?”

“No.”

“He’s the MMA light heavyweight world champion.” Baylor smirked as he said the words, knowing he had likely doomed Chipper to taking selfies with everyone in the damn building before they got out of there.

Chipper leveled a look at him.

Dr. Porter dismissed the news. “I don’t follow sports. It must be something else.”

Chipper shot Baylor a triumphant smile before pulling a face and sticking his tongue out at him, childishly enjoying his win. He wouldn’t be taking selfies after all. Still, he chose to put the doctor out of his misery.

“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.”

A gorgeous smile stretched Chipper’s lips. “Will you take care of me if you do?”

“I can’t carry you around.”

“And you don’t want to miss more work,” Chipper tacked on.

Baylor wouldn’t confirm that. He knew he was a bad person, but he probably wouldn’t miss work. “Have I kept you from anything?”

Chipper shrugged. “I got a fight coming up, but I can train at home.”

“How do you usually train?” While Baylor mostly asked questions so he could have something else to focus on, he genuinely wanted to know. He wanted to know everything about Chipper.

“My buddy, Maverick, he’s won heavyweight champion too many times for me to count. He helps me. We spar and whatnot.”

“I should let you get back to that, and get some work done too. Our careers shouldn’t suffer because of a virus.”

Chipper’s gaze moved over Baylor’s face. He didn’t fuss the way he normally did when Baylor mentioned getting back to work. When he spoke, he sounded curious. “If you were getting married, who would you want to plan your wedding?”

“Me.”

Chipper rolled his eyes. “I mean, if you were forced to hire someone else, who would you hire?”

“Sacha,” Baylor answered without thinking about it. He had trained Sacha, and he was the best.

Chipper nodded. “Then why in the hell are you acting like Sacha can’t handle things while you heal?”

The question made him look too hard at himself, and Baylor never liked what he saw when he did that. “Maybe I’m a control freak.” The way Chipper stared at him—like he saw Baylor to his core broke him. “Or maybe, if I stop, all I have is me and who wants to be around that guy?” He chuckled, making light of his true feelings. Baylor couldn’t help it. All the therapy in the world couldn’t fix some things. It couldn’t change the past.

“Me.”

Baylor’s breath caught at the surety in Chipper’s voice. He meant it. Before he could think of a way to respond, the door opened. The nurse returned to change out the bag. Baylor hadn’t realized how long they had been talking. There was one thing he had realized, though. He didn’t want to lose Chipper when he got well. No one other than Bandit saw him the way Chipper did. He didn’t want that to go away.