Page 79 of Should the Sky Fall

“Night.”

His whole body goes limp once he hangs up. Thank fuck that’s done.

The phone goes off again. He groans. If it’s Olivia again—

Dawson bites back a curse when Ellis’ name flashes on the screen. He’d promised he’d update him on Cal since he was getting released today and Ellis is back in Sydney. It completely slipped his mind, but in his defense, Ellis hasn’t tried to get a hold of him.

“Hey, Ellis.” He doesn’t wait for a response. “I’m sorry I forgot to call. Obviously. It’s been full-on.”

Ellis doesn’t sound irritated as Dawson would’ve expected. “It’s fine. I almost forgot what day today was, too.”

“Busy?”

“Fucking crazy,” Ellis corrects. “Driving home now. I need to finish packing.”

Dawson grimaces in sympathy. Although he’s felt uprooted ever since he’d received the call from Ellis that Cal was in an accident, at least he’s not the one who has to leave everything behind and move states.

“So you’ve found a place?”

Ellis grunts an affirmation. “Yeah. Just a rental for now.”

“Have you found a buyer for your apartment? That was quick.”

A pause. “I haven’t put it up yet.”

“Why not?”

“Cal can still get his marbles together and return to work.”

“Yeah, I don’t think that’s going to happen,” he says carefully.

“Why?” Ellis asks, suspicious.

How to put this… “Let’s say the marbles have scattered in all directions.”

“Is he okay?”

Dawson looks towards the bedroom. He doesn’t hear anything now, so Cal must’ve gone to bed. “I don’t think there’s anythingleftof him.And I don’t mean just his memories. I mean…him.I don’t really know how to act around him.”

Ellis sucks in a breath. “Dawson, if you feel unsafe—”

“No,” Dawson tells him. “Not like that.” He’s been tiptoeing around Cal for most of the time they’ve been together. This isn’t like that. Yes, he’s on edge, but it’s different. “I’m just afraid I’m going to mess up. Say something that will confuse him. I don’t know.”

“Dawson, he’s been in a car-crash, had a collapsed lung, and a ruptured spleen. He almost diedtwice.” Technically, he did die once. “You’re fine. You won’t kill him by saying something to him, although I wouldn’t blame you if you were tempted.”

Dawson laughs. “That’s pretty morbid.”

“If the shoe fits.”

“Yeah, okay, I get it. When are you flying in?”

“Tomorrow.”

“I thought it’d be some time next week. Is it falling apart without you here?”

“Something like that.”

Geez. Dawson doesn’t envy him. “We could have dinner if you’d like.”