Page 115 of Should the Sky Fall

“Oh my god.” Dawson covers his face. “That’s horrible.”

Cal grins. “It is.” He runs his thumb over the screen reverently. “Can we print it out and frame it?”

And damn, he looks so hopeful Dawson doesn’t have it in his heart to say ‘no fucking way’.

“Yeah, we can do that.”

Frame shopping it is.

Chapter 18

Thenexttimetheygo to the shelter, they bring along the pink towels. Cal was skeptical when Dawson told him they’ll make use of them at the shelter, thinking Dawson was just trying to make him feel better, but one look at Aubrey’s face when they drop the bag with the towels in front of her changes his mind.

It also plants an idea in his head.

He waits until they finish at the shelter and Dawson is driving them home before he asks.

“Is there another way to help? If not, I’m more than happy to ruin as many towels as needed.”

Dawson laughs. It’s a beautiful sound, his whole face transforming with it. Cal loves making him laugh.

“Several. Of course, money donations are always welcome.”

“Don’t we already do that?” Cal’s confused. He was under the impression they were already donating money, since Dawson’s volunteered there for so many years.

Dawson glances at him sideways. “Um, no?”

“We should do that.”

“Really?”

“We have a lot of money, no?”

“Technically, you do.”

“You’re my husband. It’s your money too.”

“I mean, yeah but…” Dawson shrugs. “I didn’t earn any of it.”

“I haven’t worked in weeks, so, technically, I haven’t earned any of it in that time either.”

“You own the company, Cal. It will bring you profit whether you actively work or not.”

Dawson has said that before, but it doesn’t change the fact that Cal’s been a couch potato for several weeks now.

“Marriage is the same. In that analogy, I’m like a company.”

Dawson gives him a mildly horrified look. “That’s a horrible analogy. You’re not a cash-cow, Cal.”

Cal doesn’t understand that term, but the tightness in Dawson’s voice is unmistakable.

“I upset you.”

Dawson sighs. “I just don’t want you to think I married you for your money.”

That thought had never even crossed his mind. “I’d never think that. You’re too kind and selfless to take advantage of people.” He’s been taking care of Cal this whole time, even though he didn’t have to.

Dawson doesn’t say anything to that, so Cal stays silent, not wanting to say something else that could upset him.