Page 132 of Should Our Hearts Catch Fire

“He thinks Cal is his brother.”

“And they finally get along, unlike before.”

Yeah, Gabe knows. That’s why it would be so hard to tell him the truth. But it would be even harder to keep it from himforever. Gabe would always feel guilty, would always wonder if the good intentions justified the lie.

No, he doesn’t want to live a life with Ellis where this ominous secret will forever hang over their heads like Damocles’ Sword.

“He deserves to know, Dawson.”

Dawson’s eyes become stormy, taking Gabe by surprise. “You want to tell him his brother is dead? And in his place is a reaper? Really?”

Fuck. This really is a lose-lose scenario.

“I want him to know the truth,” Gabe says, dejected. “I know it’s not my place to tell him, so I’m asking you. I just… I love him, Dawson. And I can see myself…”Growing old and wrinkly with him.“Selfishly, I don’t want to spend my life knowing there’s this huge thing I’m keeping from him.”

He feels like a hypocrite. He’s had no problem keeping a secret from his mum. Well, that’s not true. It’s not like it was an easy decision, but not seeing her every day definitely made it easier.

He’s pleasantly surprised when Dawson actually considers it, going quiet for a long moment.

“And you think he’d believe us?”

Believing isn’t the issue. It’s what would come after. He has no idea how Ellis might react.

“He’s more open-minded than you think.”

Dawson gives a curt nod, not looking happy in the slightest. “I’ll talk to Cal. See what he thinks.”

Gabe releases a breath. “Thank you.”

The rest of the walk passes in a quiet manner, at least for Gabe and Dawson. Tension stretches between them, but Gabe can’t find it in himself to break it. He doesn’t blame Dawson for being upset with him. This is hardly a topic you want to bring up on a date.

His heart skips a beat when it’s Ellis who looks back this time, sending Gabe a look that makes a coil of warmth settle in his chest before it moves lower.

“You know,” Dawson breaks the silence. “I might look at Cal like he hung the moon, but you’re looking at Ellis like you’re two seconds away from being arrested for public indecency.”

Gabe doesn’t bother denying it. “What can I say? I snatched the hotter brother.”

Dawson snorts. “No, you didn’t.”

“Did too.”

“You didn’t—” Dawson hesitates, studying the two men in front of them. “I mean…it’s pretty much a tie.”

“Hey.” Gabe slaps his shoulder. “No ogling.”

Dawson raises an amused eyebrow. “I never took you for the possessive type.”

“Me neither. I just have no self-control where Ellis is involved.”

“Find it,” Dawson says, unimpressed. “There are things I do not need to see.”

“Prude.”

Chapter 24

‘If something is too good to be true, it probably is.’

Gabe doesn’t know how many times he’s heard that stupid saying, he just knows he hates it. If things seemtoogood, it doesn’t mean something terrible’s coming, that it’s all just quiet before the storm. It doesn’t mean the other shoe is waiting to drop. It simply means you finally have things you spent your whole life dreaming of. That’s all.