Page 147 of Should Our Hearts Catch Fire

Cal was such a dick. So why does Ellis feel like crying whenever something reminds him he’s never going to see him again? Sometimes the reality hits him so hard, he wishes he could have one last argument with Cal. How sad is that? He knows this isn’t healthy. It’s all kinds of fucked up, missing the person who made your life so damn difficult.

“You know what?” he says, resigned. “When I know what the plan is, I’ll let you know if we can make it. That good with you?”

Cal perks up like it’s the best news he’s got all year. “Yes! That’s perfect.”

Ellis sighs. Now he has to buy more presents. Just great.

Once inside his apartment, Ellis sets down the bags filled with dog stuff and unclips Lola’s leash. She takes off like a little orange bullet, instantly exploring everything.

“Just don’t pee anywhere!” he calls after her.

Lola lifts her tiny, fluffy head from her important task of sniffing the sofa, a pair of big, black eyes fixating sharply on Ellis as if to convey:Who the hell do you take me for? I’m a lady!She then proceeds to jump on the sofa—an impressive move given her stature—and make herself comfortable on one of the pillows.

“Nuh-uh.” Ellis wiggles his finger. “Furniture is off limits. Come on. Down, girl.”

Lola, giving no inclination whatsoever to do so, shoots him a look that can only mean:What are you going to do about it?

Ellis answers by picking her up and putting her down. Throwing the dog bed in front of her, he says, “Here. That’s yours.”

Lola looks at the bed. Then at Ellis. She lets out a huff, her nose twitching.

“Go on,” he prompts when she doesn’t move.

Lola does go—on the sofa.

“Fuck’s sake.” Ellis picks her up again, placing her straight on the bed. “That’s yours. This—” He points at the sofa. “Is for people.”

Lola blinks at him, sitting on her haunches but not lying down.

Ellis sighs, turning around to unpack the toys and the food Dawson’s given him. He’s barely taken a step when there’s movement behind him. He spins around to find Lola happily lounging on the sofa again.

He throws up his hands. “You know what? I don’t have time for this. Have it your way.”

What the heck did he get himself into?

He asks the same question when he’s turning in for the night, the sound of claws on the hardwood floor coming closer and closer. He flips on the bedside lamp, unsurprised to see Lola hovering next to his bed. She lets out a high-pitched growl.

“No. Your bed is over there.”

He put the bed outside his room and left the door open so she could see him. He’s read somewhere that pets can get separation anxiety. That being said, Lola doesn’t seem anxious. Just very dissatisfied with her living arrangements. She growls again, stomping her tiny feet.

“No,” Ellis says firmly. Determined to ignore her, he switches the light off and attempts to go to sleep.

The growling continues for a while longer until it finally stops. Just when Ellis is about to celebrate victory, the mattress dips.

Ellis shoots up, flicking the light on again. “Are you kidding me?”

Lola innocently blinks at him from her spot at the foot of the bed.

“Okay, fine. But you’re staying down there.” He casts the room into darkness, too tired to argue with a four-legged bully.

He’s already falling asleep when movement on the bed startles him. Something furry brushes his arm.

“Seriously?”

Lola answers with a whimper, her tiny tongue swiping across Ellis’ hand.

He sighs, lifting the blanket. “Get in, you crazy bitch.”