Page 148 of Should the Sky Fall

“I found out by accident.”

“So did I.”

A pause. “How?”

“I found the divorce papers in his nightstand. I wasn’t going through his stuff,” he adds when he realizes how it must’ve sounded. He throws the papers on the coffee table and drops down on the sofa. “I don’t understand, Ellis. I thought… He seems happy with me. And just now, he…” He takes a deep breath, his eyes stinging. “He asked me to hold him. He was in pain and needed sleep, and he asked me to hold him.”

“Cal,” Ellis says, sounding pained. “I don’t know what to tell you. I’m sorry.”

“You knew,” Cal reminds him, anger and betrayal simmering under his skin. “So you must know the reason.”

“I do,” he admits. “But it’s not mine to tell. You need to talk to Dawson.”

Cal grinds his teeth. “Thanks.” He’s about to hang up, but Ellis stops him. “What?”

“Just… Whatever he tells you, keep an open mind. You’re a different person than you were before, but Dawson remembers both of you. It might be hard for you, but it’s harder for him.”

If that was supposed to help him, it didn’t. It just made him feel worse. What kind of personhadhe been?

And why will no one tell him?

Hoping to find answers in the papers, Cal goes through the pages one by one. He doesn’t understand all the legal talk, but everything is there, already prefilled, his and Dawson’s personal details, employment and income information, the date of their marriage, their address.

And then there’s a page calledfinancial settlement.A page stating that everything they have belongs to Cal, and Dawson doesn’t have a right to any of it.

He contemplates burning the papers, but that would achieve nothing. It wouldn’t change the fact that Dawson wanted to get away from him—maybe he still does.

Cal’s eyes roam around the apartment, the space that used to feel cold and uninviting but which they’ve turned into a home. It’s filled with beautiful memories, moments Cal will cherish forever. It’s filled with Dawson’s paintings and their photos. Finally, they have photos.

Has it all been a lie? A fantasy? And why has Dawson been playing along?

An unidentifiable time later, the bedroom door opens and a disheveled-looking Dawson steps out. His eyes are barely open, adjusting to the light, and Cal takes the opportunity to grab the papers and shove them between himself and the back of the sofa.

“Hey, you,” Dawson says when he sees him. “I was wondering where you’d gone off to.”

“Sorry. I needed to…” He has no idea how to finish that sentence. “How are you feeling?”

“Like a million bucks,” Dawson exaggerates, crossing the living room towards Cal and sitting down next to him. “I’m fine, actually. The pills and the massage worked like a charm.” He gives Cal a soft smile and starts to lean in.

A swell of panic rises inside Cal, freezing his body in place, no matter how much he wants to feel Dawson’s lips on his. Thankfully, Dawson’s stomach chooses that moment to grumble loud enough to be heard on another floor.

He chuckles sheepishly. “I might be a little hungry.”

They should talk. Cal knows that. It’s easier said than done, though.

“Go back to bed. I’ll make you something. What would you like?”

Dawson gives him a sunny smile that nearly splits Cal’s heart in half. “A smoothie.”

Cal nods. “Smoothie it is.” That’s easy enough that he won’t mess it up even in his current state.

“Thank you,” Dawson says, surging forward to kiss Cal’s cheek. Then he disappears back into the bedroom, completely oblivious.

Cal makes the smoothie on autopilot, wondering if it’s the last time he’s making something for Dawson. Is everything going to change after they talk? Will Dawson want him to leave?

The papers in one hand and a glass in the other, Cal has to concentrate not to spill the smoothie as he carries it to the bedroom. He pushes the door open, the room bright again because Dawson opened the blinds, but he’s not there. Cal can hear the shower running, then switch off. He sits on the bed, the papers hidden behind him.

Dawson emerges shortly, dressed in low-slung gray joggers and a red t-shirt, his hair wet and tousled. A big smile appears on his face when he notices Cal.