Page 146 of Should Our Hearts Catch Fire

Chapter 27

“I just want tosay how much I love that you’re doing this,” Dawson says. He sounds just as enthused as he did on the phone yesterday, when his ecstatic shriek almost pierced Ellis’ eardrum.

After much agonizing and weighing the pros and cons, Ellis had finally made the decision to adopt Lola. To be frank, the cons list was much longer, but whenever he thought of discarding the idea, a cloud of longing fell over him. He couldn’t stop thinking about Teddy, his childhood dog who had, for many years, been Ellis’ only friend. Ellis was 19 when Teddy died, but he’s never cried as much as he did that day. He never wanted to go through that again.

Yet, here he is.

“Good on you. You’ll be walking her a lot,” he tells Dawson.

That reminds him he needs to get another copy of his keys done. The idea of anyone other than Gabriel in his apartmentdoesn’t thrill him, but he’s brought this upon himself with this sudden need for company. Even if the company in question is a mentally unstable furry creature.

“You think I’ll complain?” Dawson says with a snort. “Oh, by the way, we’ve brought a bunch of stuff to get you started.” He gestures at his car, where Cal is silently hovering. “Some of Donut’s toys that he never warmed up to, and a dog bed. And dry food he refuses to eat.”

“Doesn’t he need his bed?”

“He never sleeps in it. Likes to cuddle.”

“Uh-huh. Thanks.” That’s not gonna happen with Ellis. No dog hair in his bed.

“Don’t mention it.” Dawson casts a nervous glance at Cal, then gives Ellis a tight-lipped smile. “I’ll go get Aubrey. Get all the paperwork sorted.”

Which means it will be just Ellis and Cal for a while. Yay.

“Okay. Thank you.”

As expected, awkward, tense silence permeates the air. It makes Ellis roll his eyes—at himself, mainly. What is he, five? He sure acts like it, all sulky and broody. What is he even sulking about? Cal didn’t evendoanything other than try to maintain a connection with him.

And taking over your brother’s body after reaping his soul.

Right. Almost forgot that little detail.

To be fair, Cal’s given him plenty of space to sort out his thoughts. He’s not even taking advantage of them being aloneright now, leaving the ball in Ellis’ court. It’s not his fault Ellis is too emotionally constipated to work through his feelings.

With an irritated huff, Ellis walks over to Cal. “Hey,” he says awkwardly.

Cal looks shocked to have been addressed, but his face lights right up. “Hi.” A nervous smile curves his lips. “How are you?”

“Hanging in there,” Ellis says truthfully. No reason to sugarcoat it.

Cal nods in understanding. “That’s…good. Um…” He helplessly looks in the direction Dawson has disappeared in. “Dawson wanted to ask you, but was worried it would upset you…”

“What?”

“Would you and Gabe like to come over for Christmas? Or rather, Boxing Day? We’re going to Dawson’s sister’s place for Christmas, but we could have a second Christmas together.”

A second Christmas? Ellis doesn’t even know if he can have one. He’s both scared and excited to spend his first real Christmas with Gabriel and Carrie, not really knowing what to expect. How do normal people celebrate?

When he was growing up, Christmas was one big sham. Stiff, emotionless dinners and expensive, meaningless gifts. He hated the whole charade. And now he’s supposed to play happy families again?

“Thanks for the invitation, but Gabriel’s mum is coming to spend Christmas with us, and I have no idea how long she’s planning to stay.” He wouldn’t be surprised if Carrie announced she’s staying until the New Year.

Cal’s hopeful expression shutters. “Oh. Well, she can come too. I’m sure Dawson would love it.”

“Yeah, I…I don’t know.”

“Oh.” Cal’s shoulders sink. “That’s alright. I understand it might be too much.”

For fuck’s sake. Cal’s really killing that kicked puppy look. Now that Ellis thinks about it, it’s a mystery he hadn’t figured out on his own that his brother is long gone. Amnesia or not, his brother would’ve never pulled this off. He’d just rage and throw tantrums if he didn’t get his way.