Page 141 of Should Our Hearts Catch Fire

Gabe takes pity on him, changing the subject. “By the way, we really need to have a talk about your eating habits. The state of your fridge? A family of penguins could live there.”

Ellis has the decency to look sheepish. “I usually eat out.”

Gabe rolls his eyes.

“You went out to buy food? What time did you wake up?”

“Eight-ish, I think. I borrowed your keys. Hope it’s okay.”

“Of course,” Ellis says quickly, getting Gabe’s stomach all fluttery. “In fact…”

“Wha?” Gabe asks through a mouthful of toast.

Ellis bites back a smile. “Be right back.” He disappears into his room, coming back with what looks and sounds like keys.

Gabe almost chokes on his food. Is Ellis seriously going to—

“I have a spare set,” Ellis offers redundantly. He takes Gabe’s free hand, lowering the keys into his open palm. “I want you to have it.”

Gabe tries to stop his lower lip from wobbling. “Really? But…this is your safe place.” He already knew Ellis trusts him, but this is his apartment. The one place he can be at peace when life gets too overwhelming. To give Gabe access like that…

“No.” Ellis closes Gabe’s fingers around the keys and kisses his knuckles. “Youare my safe place.”

Fuck. This is like a scene from a freaking rom-com. Thank god Gabe is already sitting, or he’d be swooning right now.

He surges forward, surprising Ellis with a greedy kiss. His grip tightens around the keys until they dig into his skin, the blast of pain grounding him, reminding him this is real.

Just yesterday, a part of him was sure it was over, that he’d lost everything and hurt the person he loves the most in the process.

Instead, he’s got everything he never even dared to hope for. The other shoe has dropped, but they’ve come out even stronger on the other side.

If only he could make sure Ellis is never hurt again.

All things considered, today has been perfect. They’ve spent the day lazing around, eating pizza for lunch (and dinner), and binging half a season ofGilmore Girls.

Ellis is nice and relaxed, his head resting in Gabe’s lap as Gabe plays with his hair, when his phone chimes.

Gabe can guess who the sender is by the way Ellis’ whole body grows rigid.

“It’s Cal,” Ellis confirms without prompting.

“What’s he saying?”

Ellis heaves himself into a seated position. “That he’ll be there when—and if—I’m ready to talk.”

“That’s nice of him,” Gabe says diplomatically.

“Yeah.” Ellis gives a bitter laugh. “My brother was never nice.”

Yeah, Gabe can imagine. “Do you miss him?”

Ellis laughs again. It’s a broken sound, its sharp edges digging into Gabe’s heart. “Pretty fucked up, isn’t it?”

“No.” He strokes Ellis’ hair. “Not at all.”

“I’m never going to get closure,” Ellis says, leaning into the touch. “Not with my mum. Not with my dad. Not even Cal. I thought I did. After the car accident, we talked a lot. We…connected. I thought we got another shot at being a family. For real, this time.”

“You still can be.”