Page 27 of Should Our Hearts Catch Fire

Ellis has to close his eyes and pull in a steadying breath. “Gay, Cal. You’re both gay.”

“Oh. There are teams for that?”

Ellis screams internally. What the hell is his life?

Chapter 6

“Would you stop?”

Gabe unwillingly tears his gaze away from the entrance to glare at Zeke. “What?”

“You’re like a puppy waiting for his human to come home.”

Gabe sputters, a rush of heat flowing to his face. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh, nothing. Just that you’ve had your eyes glued to the door waiting for Mr. Asshole to come through for the past week.”

“I have not—”

“And I’m pretty sure that spot you’ve been cleaning for fifteen minutes is as shiny as it gets.”

Gabe drops the cleaning cloth he’s been running over the whole counter, not just one spot, thank you very much. “Fuck you, Zeke.”

“Aww, I’m flattered, but we both know I’m not the one you want. Although I’m a much better catch.”

Gabe is saved from being charged for very voluntary manslaughter by a customer coming in. He plasters on a smile which widens when he sees Cal.

“Look who the cat dragged in.” He glances behind Cal, puzzled not to see anyone with him. He and Dawson are attached at the hip these days. “Where’s your better half?”

“Working.”

Cal’s face takes on that ridiculously smitten expression all lovebirds tend to get when someone mentions their SO. His energy becomes so sweet Gabe feels the urge to cough. And that’s saying something, considering he lives for sugar!

“Ah, I see.” He waggles his brows. “Thought you’d sneak out and get a dose when he’s not keeping a tight leash on you, huh?” Cal’s donut obsession is honestly adorable. A little worrying, sure. But adorable. Also, very flattering to Gabe, who actually bakes all the stuff in the café.

Cal smiles sheepishly. “Yeah, but I didn’t come straight here. I was with my brother. Ellis is now running the company, so I don’t have to.” His smile vanishes then, expression falling. Gabe is about to ask what’s up when something else registers in his under-caffeinated brain.

“Ellis,” he repeats slowly, licking his lips. “Tall, dark, and broody?”

Cal chuckles at the description. “Um, yes? That would be my brother.”

What are the odds? Then again, he shouldn’t be so surprised. How had he not seen it before? He’s sure Dawson mentioned his brother-in-law at some point when Cal had his accident and Ellis had to fly up here; possibly another time after that. Has Ellis’ name ever dropped? He can’t remember.

“I should’ve known. You’re practically twins.” That’s stretching it a little, but similarities are undeniably there, just not very obvious unless you’re looking.

“Not really…” Cal says dubiously, making Gabe laugh.

Sure, Cal’s features might be different under the scruff, but their hair and eyes are the same—though in Gabe’s very unbiased opinion, Ellis’ eyes are prettier. Deeper. They’re almost the same height, and if Cal hits the gym a little more after he’s healed, his frame will fill out to match Ellis’.

“You’ve met him?”

Not wanting to give away how bummed he is that Ellis has only visited a couple of times, Gabe puts on a mask of indifference. “He’s popped in for a coffee a time or two. Anyway, what are you after? Wait. One hot chocky and one donut?” he asks before his resolve crumbles and he starts interrogating Cal for information.

Cal ducks his chin, like he’s embarrassed for being so predictable. “Yes, please.”

“To have here?”

Cal looks around, scrunching his nose when he spots the few occupied tables. “I’ll take it away.”