Page 140 of Should Our Hearts Catch Fire

Of course he knows. Ellis might struggle to sayI love youwith words, but he’s said it in other ways, so many times. He’s said it with his actions and his body. Each time was louder and clearer than if he shouted it into a megaphone.

Gabe doesn’t need words. He just needs Ellis, exactly as he is.

Ellis releases a shaky breath, swaying forward until their foreheads touch. “Stay?”

Gabe kisses him. “Always.”

Wild horses couldn’t drag him away.

On Sunday morning, Gabe wakes first and just watches Ellis. His mouth is half-open, leaving a wet spot on the pillow, but his face is serene and worry free. Finally, after the night he had.

He’d managed to doze off for a bit before jolting awake and making a run—a stumble, really—for the bathroom. Gabe had knelt by his side and wiped sweat off his forehead and neck with a damp washcloth. He’d rubbed his back in soothing circles as Ellis’ body purged the poisonous crap he’d ingested, promising everything would be okay. He’d helped Ellis brush his teeth, forced him to drink a glass of water, and half-carried him back to bed where he held him until he fell asleep.

Knowing Ellis will feel like a truck went over him when he wakes up, Gabe embarks on a search for a hangover breakfast. He’s unimpressed, yet unsurprised, when he opens the fridge only to discover it completely deserted. Unless cans of gin and tonic and a bottle of sriracha sauce count.

Gabe closes the fridge with a huff. Shopping time it is.

Ellis stumbles into the kitchen, looking like death warmed over, just as Gabe’s plating up scrambled eggs. He blinks at Gabe blearily, like he’s never seen him in his life.

“Wow,” Gabe says. “How are you still so cute when you look like crap?”

Ellis peels his eyes open. “A backhanded compliment like that… Did you wake up and choose violence?”

Gabe laughs. “Take a seat.” He adds a slice of toast and some avocado to the plate, then carries it over to Ellis. “Do you feel like eating? I know they say something greasy like bacon or a burger is good for hangovers, but I don’t think your arteries would be happy with that choice. Is this okay?”

“I…”

“What?” He starts to worry when Ellis only continues to stare at the plate.

“You made me breakfast.”

“Obviously.” He plates up for himself and takes a seat next to Ellis. “Hey, what’s the big deal? I’ve made you lunch before.”

“Yeah, I know. I just…” Ellis shakes his head, a small smile appearing on his lips. “Thank you.” He kisses Gabe’s cheek.

Gabe’s smile is probably bigger than the situation calls for, but he doesn’t give a damn. “How are you feeling? Still nauseous?”

Ellis puts on a thoughtful expression, chewing on a piece of egg. “Actually, no. My head feels like an over-inflated balloon, but it’s not too bad.” He pauses with the fork halfway to his mouth. “Did you do something?”

Gabe lets out a pleased sound. “I was hoping it would work. I haven’t experimented much, so I didn’t know if it would help at all.”

“You used your mojo on me?”

“Yup.”

“Huh. Wait.” He fixes Gabe with a worried look. “Didn’t it drain you?”

Gabe grins. “Yeah, but I slept it off.”

Ellis doesn’t look convinced. “You shouldn’t have done that.”

“It was a one-off. It’s not like I’m planning to do it on the regular.”

“You shouldn’t have wasted your energy on me.”

“Ellis,” Gabe says, getting exasperated. “I’m ass over tits in love with you. Do you really think I won’t do whatever it takes to make you feel better?”

Ellis gapes at him, cheeks flushed and his emotions all over the place, ranging from embarrassed to happy to panicked.