Page 6

C hipper: I miss you already.

Chipper: Call me.

Chipper: I thought it would take longer for you to start dodging me again.

Chipper: I really need you to answer my calls. It’s important.

Chipper: I’m in town. You around to talk?

Bandit: Yeah. I’m at Jamestown Field, practicing with a few teammates. Swing by. We’ll be here a while.

Chipper: Thanks, man. I’ll be there in ten.

There had been a hint of worry in the back of Chipper’s mind that Baylor would go right back to his old ways the moment he was out of sight. He had really hoped their one night together would change that. Even though he had known Baylor wasn’t well yet, he hadn’t argued when Baylor said he needed to leave the next morning. It was obvious Baylor needed space to clear his head, and he couldn’t avoid work forever. There had always been a time when Baylor would leave. Chipper had to be realistic on that one. But damn, this totally ignoring him shit drove him up the wall, especially when he had a valid reason to try to reach him. Bandit was his only hope of finding him. If Baylor wouldn’t answer his calls, he would damn well see him. He knew if he sat down with Bandit, Bandit would help him with the situation.

The field where Bandit practiced was a pro field. It was regulation everything, set up to host games of any level. Bandit had said a few teammates, but it looked like the whole team to him. A stack of gym bags filled with gear littered a certain section of seats on the sidelines. That was where Chipper chose to sit and wait. He watched Bandit pass the ball from foot to foot before doing some sort of trick kick toward the net. Without looking to see if he made it, Bandit turned his way and jogged to the sidelines.

He was all smiles as he grabbed the seat next to him. “Hey.” Bandit didn’t sound winded in the least.

Chipper was impressed. “Hey. You look great out there.”

Bandit’s huge grin reminded Chipper of a kid. The guy was tall and skinny with red hair and freckles, but he had somehow ended up with blue eyes. If Baylor was in love with him, Chipper guessed he could see why. He wasn’t bad looking on top of having been by Baylor’s side for years. Chipper liked him. If Baylor chose him, Chipper wasn’t sure he could hate him.

“Don’t you have a fight coming up?”

“In three weeks.”

Bandit stared at the guys on the field as if he looked for weaknesses.

Chipper couldn’t take it anymore. He had to know if this was who made Baylor cry with longing. “What’s the date on Baylor’s back?”

Bandit glanced his way. “His son’s birthday.” He dropped the words so easily—like it should be common knowledge.

“His son?” Chipper sounded as surprised as he was, and he didn’t have time to stop it. A son? That was… not at all what he expected.

For a moment, Bandit simply stared at him with a blank expression. Finally, he blew out a sigh and looked away. “That tracks. I don’t suppose Bay has talked to anyone at all about anything other than weddings since Micah died.”

The knot that had begun to tighten in his stomach at hearing Baylor had a son completely gripped him now, leaving him helpless in the face of that bomb.

Thankfully, Bandit didn’t need Chipper’s encouragement to keep talking. “See, the first thing you have to understand about Bay is he has never had anyone, except me, but I’m just me.” Chipper had no idea what that meant and Bandit didn’t explain. He just kept going.

“Bay was raised by foster parents who were even more abusive than the parents he’d been taken from. The minute he was free to leave, he came to live with my family, but he never had anyone love him who should have. I got picked up by New England and we stuck together. I’ve always tried to be as close to family as I can be. He’s my best friend. I love him. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him. So, when he started working on his event planning business, I was like his one-man hype team. I knew, still know, he can do anything he sets his mind to. He’s pretty amazing.” He looked Chipper’s way just long enough to get Chipper’s nod of agreement before going back to watching his team. Thankfully, he kept talking. Chipper needed to know everything.

“Anyhow, a player on my team was talking to me about wanting to throw a huge party for his son’s first birthday. So I told Freddie about Bay, singing his praises. Then I introduced them.” Bandit stared at nothing and shook his head. A small smile played on his lips.

“I’ve never seen anything like it. They had such an instant connection. Real love at first sight. Freddie had Micah through a surrogate while in a long-term relationship, only to get abandoned before he was born. Bay took one look at Freddie and Micah, and they took one look at him. Boom. They were beautiful. They were married so fast, it nearly spun my head, and Baylor immediately adopted Micah. Freddie was the home and love Baylor always deserved.”

Chipper didn’t know why it took Bandit saying Freddie’s name so many times for it to hit him. Chipper knew everyone. He went to every celebrity wedding trying to get closer to Baylor. But he got invited to those events for a reason. He knew everyone. He had met Freddie Keates years ago, before he had his son. A pain sliced through his chest. Freddie and his three-year-old son were killed in a car accident a few years back. The loss of a famous soccer player and his baby was big news at the time.

“I remember Freddie. He came to one of my matches years ago and introduced himself afterward.”

Bandit turned his head and met Chipper’s stare. There was something dark in Bandit’s eyes. “He was on his way to Bay. That night, when they died,” he clarified unnecessarily. “Bay’s business had more than taken off by then, and Freddie traveled for games. It was hard, but they actively worked at it every day. I’ve never seen a stronger marriage. Freddie and Bay were supposed to meet halfway that night so they could have one night together as a family. Then Micah was supposed to stay with Bay so Freddie could head to Colorado for a game.” Bandit looked away again. “As you know, they never made it, and you see what’s left of Bay. He shoved everything in storage except for the barest necessities and lost himself in work.” He shook his head. “For the past three years, I’ve told myself this was better than the alternative. He would be dead without that outlet.” Bandit’s gaze swung Chipper’s way again, and it hit Chipper. He knew he recognized the pain in Bandit’s eyes. It was what he saw every time he looked at Baylor. Bandit held his stare. “The thing is, he might be alive, but he doesn’t want it. He’ll work until he drops dead, then be thankful for it. If you hadn’t saved him when you did, and nursed him back to health, he would’ve accepted that fate. He has nothing. That business means nothing. I mean nothing. This whole world could fuck off. He died alongside the only people who ever loved him exactly the way he needs. If you saw that tattoo, then you’ve been closer to him than anyone has since they passed. If you don’t save him, no one can, and just like me, you’ll have to accept he’s not long for this world. I’ve been waiting on that call for a long time.”

Chipper looked away and focused on the field. “I’m trying, but he keeps running. I don’t even know where he is.”

Bandit stood and grabbed a nearby bag of gear. He dug through it and came out with a set of keys. “He’s at my place. Good luck.”

Hope surged through Chipper as his fingers wrapped around the keys. He knew what he was up against now and Chipper didn’t know how to quit. “I’ve got this.”

Bandit smiled. “I know.”

The person closest to Baylor believed. Chipper couldn’t lose.

Depression lived heavily on Baylor’s chest all hours of the day. While that was a familiar state, this was different. Work wasn’t saving him anymore. Chipper had kicked the door open, reminding him how love felt, and he couldn’t shut it out. Feelings bombarded him. He listened to Chipper’s voicemails over and over, hearing the desperation in his voice and guilt ate at him. Baylor didn’t know if it was for betraying Freddie or ignoring Chipper. It was ridiculous how bad he still felt after his illness, and that added another layer to his inability to think straight. He had honestly believed coming to stay with Bandit would help. It always had in the past. Nothing soothed him now. Nothing distracted him. It was just Baylor and reality, and the reality was, he had feelings for Chipper.

He heard Bandit’s keys turn in the door. Baylor tried to hide his emotions. Bandit had dealt with his issues their entire lives. He had to be so exhausted by Baylor.

The door swung open, and Chipper stepped inside. Baylor’s heart stopped and then soared. The way he felt at the sight of Chipper said so much more than all the overthinking in the world. He couldn’t hide from this.

Chipper’s gaze landed on Baylor. His hard expression was new and didn’t give Baylor hope. It looked like he was done with Baylor’s bullshit and that was completely fair. Baylor was tired too. Chipper didn’t bother saying hello.

“You don’t know how to answer a damn phone?” He sliced his hand through the air, silencing Baylor before he even had time to respond. “Obviously, you forgot you have an appointment to check your kidney function tomorrow. FYI, my mom died when her kidneys shut down because she was too stubborn to accept she was sick, and you’re not doing that shit to me too. So, stand up, get your shit, and get in the damn car so we can fly back home. You have exactly five minutes, or so help me, I will carry your ass out of here. Do you understand?”

He hadn’t known about Chipper’s mom. Now he had a new guilt to add to the list. “You’re right. I forgot.”

“Four and half minutes.”

Damn. He really was mad. A tiny part of Baylor wanted to call his bluff, except Baylor knew Chipper didn’t play like that. Baylor stood. Luckily, he was still mostly packed. It didn’t take much to gather his things. Chipper followed on his heels, blatantly supervising, as if scared Baylor might sneak out a window. He deserved that.

Chipper picked up his prescription bottles and checked them. “At least you’ve taken your meds.”

It was easy to remember two more pills when he already took all the crazy drugs. He imagined that was his biggest problem right now. Baylor hadn’t taken his meds while he stayed with Chipper. He had been so sick; it hadn’t even occurred to him until his mental health took a dive. Now he had to get the happy pills pumping through his system again before he stepped into traffic.

Chipper helped gather his things.

Baylor didn’t argue. The truth was, he belonged with Chipper. He knew that now because it felt like he packed to go home. Things were a little more tense than he liked, though. Chipper didn’t really speak, and that wasn’t like him.

Bandit came through the door as Chipper dragged his bags outside. He watched Chipper go before focusing on Baylor. “Good. You’ve come to your senses.”

Baylor smiled despite himself. Bandit never pulled any punches. “I forgot I have a doctor’s appointment in California tomorrow, but I’ll see you again soon. You know I can’t stay away.”

Bandit hugged him and kissed the top of his head. “I know. That’s who we are. We’re twin flames or whatever the fuck that street psychic yelled at us that one time.”

Baylor laughed against Bandit’s chest, but it was true. Sometimes a person’s other half was a friend. Bandit was irreplaceable. He gave Bandit a final squeeze. “I love you.”

“I love you too, babe. Now go before Chipper throws you over his shoulder.”

With a laugh, Baylor headed for the door. He knew Chipper would do exactly that if he didn’t move his ass. Chipper stood next to an unfamiliar SUV, holding open the passenger door. Baylor assumed it was a rental. He climbed inside and put on his seatbelt like a good boy.

Chipper didn’t speak to him again until they were halfway to the airport and Baylor couldn’t leap from the car. “Why did you lie to me about the date on your back?”

He supposed this conversation had always been inevitable. “I didn’t lie. I bet every ounce of myself on love and lost.”

“I knew Freddie. He seemed like a great guy.”

Baylor smiled. Of course, Chipper knew Freddie. Chipper never sat still and knew everyone. Baylor realized he was smiling. Chipper had said Freddie’s name and all he felt was grateful two of the best men he had ever known knew each other. Chipper was exactly the kind of guy Freddie would have adored. They were a lot alike.

“He was a huge goofball. I’d never had anyone in my life like him before we met. It was a refreshing change from getting my ass kicked every day. I don’t think anyone can understand that unless they’ve been there.”

“You’re allowed to say things like that to me.”

Baylor chuckled. There was no humor in the sound. “I don’t think you listened when I told you not to take my mental instability personally.” He motioned toward his head even though Chipper watched the road. “This is a mess. I’ve done all the therapy and taken all the meds. Some things are unfixable. I want to talk about them, but the words choke me.” He ran his hand down Chipper’s arm and linked fingers with him. Chipper cast him a quick glance and Baylor didn’t let go. “If I could talk to anyone, it would be you. You make me feel things and that’s terrifying. When you kissed me that first time, I felt like I betrayed them. You’re the only person I’ve let touch me since they died.” Baylor dropped his gaze to his lap, but he didn’t release Chipper’s hand. It seemed he had more to say than he realized. He had to stop before he cried again. The tears were so bottomless. He was so exhausted.

Chipper kissed his hand.

Baylor smiled to himself. He closed his eyes and savored Chipper’s lips on his skin. Freddie would have wanted this for him. He would never want Baylor to cry like this and spend his life alone. In fact, he felt like Freddie had handpicked Chipper. Chipper was the kind of guy Freddie respected. It was Baylor who couldn’t let go.

“I don’t know why I haven’t been able to stay away from you. This is the first time I’ve made a complete ass of myself to be close to someone. The party you’re throwing for Eric started as only a way to see you. On my end, of course. Obviously, Oakley wants to throw a huge party for Eric, but I just wanted to see you. Tell me why you haven’t let anyone else touch you since Freddie, and I’ve never felt like this about anyone. Is that only a coincidence?”

Chipper was this huge child who kicked people’s ass for a living, but he was also a goddamn adult. He communicated. It was a good thing he was strong because Baylor was weak as hell. Chipper’s solid personality made him braver. “No. I don’t think it’s a coincidence.”

Chipper kissed Baylor’s hand again. “Okay. I’ll keep fighting for this, then, as long as you’ll fight a little for me too.”

Baylor tugged Chipper’s arm to his side of the car and hugged it. He kissed his bicep. “I’m sorry I panicked and didn’t answer your texts or calls.”

Chipper looked his way and winked. “Don’t worry. I have a reason to spank you now.”

Baylor laughed, but he felt way more than simple humor. He wished he could vocalize the growing emotions crushing him. Chipper deserved to hear how he felt. He had to start somewhere. “This feels a hell of a lot like fate, so yeah. Whatever is left of me will fight for that.”

Chipper gave a sharp nod. “Okay. We have a plan, sort of.”

A laugh burst from Baylor. They were such a mess. He didn’t think either of them knew what the hell they were doing. They would do it, nonetheless. What they had was too rare, at least on Baylor’s end. He just had to be a little brave. Baylor knew Chipper would take care of the rest.