Page 144 of Should the Sky Fall

Dawson makes a disgusted face. “Eww.”

“I mean it. I’m talking full-on Hannibal Lecter shit. I’ll rip his fucking lungs out.”

“And eat them?”

“Don’t test me.”

“You need to stop watching that show.”

“No chance in hell. Mads is fucking hot.”

Dawson raises a challenging eyebrow. “You’re giving me shit but you find a psychopath hot.”

“That’s a completely different situation, so don’t change the subject.”

They both chuckle. It feels like a throwback to Dawson’s teens, when he and Olivia would drive each other crazy and argue about the most ridiculous things. He misses it.

“Guess I’ll get going,” Olivia says, casting a helpless glance around. Then she grabs Dawson and pulls him into a fierce hug, releasing him just as quickly without giving him a chance to reciprocate. She slaps the back of his head. “Pick up your fucking phone next time.”

Dawson rubs his head, even though it barely stung. “I will.”

He walks her to the door, ready to say goodbye.

“He said you wanted to visit,” Olivia says.

“Cal? Uh, yeah. Been thinking about it.”

He hesitated when Cal brought it up because he didn’t know how Olivia would react at seeing them back together. But now that it’s finally done and over with, maybe…

“Well, stop thinking and fucking do it,” she grits out, not quite meeting his eyes.

Dawson has to bite his lip to hide a shit-eating grin. “Yes, ma’am.”

She narrows her eyes, and he takes a step back in case she’s about to smack him again.

Olivia huffs irritably, then pulls him into another hug. “Love you, you insufferable little shit.”

Dawson wraps his arms around her waist, hiding a smile and teary eyes in her nape. “Love you too, you controlling bitch.”

She pulls back and delivers that dreaded smack. “Watch your language.”

Dawson sticks his tongue out, watching her go with a mixture of sadness and relief. Olivia’s acceptance feels more like resignation, but Dawson will have to work with what he has. At least Olivia is willing to try for him, which is more than he could’ve hoped for.

Their whole interaction, while resulting in a positive outcome, has left him drained and emotional. It’s true what they say about family bringing out the worst in you sometimes. As a cherry on top, he can feel pressure starting to build behind his eyes.

Great. Another fucking headache incoming.

Chapter 24

WhenCalcomesbackfrom the walk with Donut, he mentally braces for another confrontation with Olivia and an earful from Dawson for leaving him like that. He takes his shoes off and unleashes Donut, managing to get one stroke of Donut’s spine in before the little terrorist is growling at him. Typical. Donut was snuggling up to him before, and now he’s back to hating Cal’s guts.

“Okay, okay. Hands to myself.”

With a derisive snort, Donut takes off, nails clapping across the floor, probably in search of Dawson. After a few seconds, Cal hears, “Hello, buddy. How was the walk? Were you a good boy?”

Chuckling, Cal follows the sound of Dawson’s voice to the kitchen.

“If by a good boy you mean—” Concern wipes the smile from his face. “What’s wrong?”