Page 60 of Should the Sky Fall

Gabe grins. “I take it as a compliment.”

“You should. Your stuff is amazing. Right, Cal?”

“Yeah,” Cal says, still reeling from what happened. “Amazing.”

They wave Gabe and Zeke goodbye and head back to the car.

“I probably don’t have to ask, but what did you think?” Dawson asks.

“I liked it. The cafe, and Gabe and Zeke.”

“Saw you and Gabe talking when I was leaving the loo.”

“Yeah, he’s…easy to talk to.”

“I know, right? Makes you want to reveal your soul.”

That’s literally what it felt like. “You two talk a lot?”

“Nota lot,but we always chat when I stop by. I always feel better after spending some time there.” He chuckles. “I swear, the place is magical. Or at least that’s what Gabe and Zeke say, but there really is something to it.”

Cal smiles, Dawson’s affection for the place emanating from him. “It’s lovely.”

“Yeah. That place and the beach are my favorite spots.”

They’ve already left the streets and are back on the gravel path. Looking over at the ocean, Cal asks, “Do you want to stay for a bit?”

“You want to?” Dawson says, surprised. “Well, I guess you could use some sun after being a vampire for two weeks.”

Instead of continuing on the path, they take the stairs to the beach.

“You might want to take off your shoes,” Dawson says, tugging at his own shoelaces.

Holding onto the railing, Cal manages to take off his shoes one-handed, though it takes him twice as long. Dawson offers to help, but Cal declines, wanting to be more independent. He can’t have Dawson hold his hand for every little task, as nice as it sounds.

They walk along the beach for a few minutes before Cal’s breath starts getting a little labored and Dawson decides to take a spot in the shade and sit down.

“If I knew we’d be doing this I’d have brought a blanket or something,” he comments, but Cal doesn’t mind. The feeling of the sand under his body and slipping through his toes and fingers is strangely comforting.

“Next time.”

Dawson nods, looking pleased. “Next time.” They sit in silence for a while, overlooking the ocean and watching the waves rise and fall, changing size and speed. It looks dangerous, but a reckless part of Cal wants to jump in and find out what it feels like to be swept in one.

“I can’t believe you hated the coffee,” Dawson says, shaking his head with a smile. “You’re usually unbearable without at least a cup a day.”

“But it’s disgusting!” Cal protests, making Dawson laugh. “You like it?”

“I did when I could still drink it.”

“Why can’t you?”

“Because it’s one of the triggers for my migraines.”

“What’s a migraine?”

Startled, Dawson turns to him. “Oh. Well, it’s like a really bad headache. It can last for days, make you want to throw yourself off a bridge.” His face contorts in a grimace, as though the mere thought invokes the painful sensation. “Everything irritates you; sounds, light, smells.”

“That sounds horrible.” Cal had a headache the day he woke up and it left him grumpy and snappy. He was tempted to gouge his eyes out. He can’t imagine how much worse it can get. “I’m sorry you have to go through that. Is there anything that helps?”