Page 81 of Should the Sky Fall

“The mattress is so comfortable. It was like sleeping on a cloud,” Cal says dreamily. After sleeping in a hospital bed for weeks, it’s no wonder. “Did you sleep well?”

He didn’t sleep for shit, tossing and turning while his thoughts wreaked havoc in his mind. It wasn’t until three or four that he finally started to drift.

“I slept fine.”

He takes a quick, cold shower to wake himself up, brushes his teeth, and slides into a pair of well-worn joggers and an old t-shirt with a small hole around the collar.

“Should I change?” Cal questions when he sees what Dawson is wearing. Cal put on a pair of jeans and a nice dark blue t-shirt

“Nah, you’re fine. You’re not going to get your hands dirty like me.”

Two small lines appear between Cal’s brows. “It sounds like hard work.”

Dawson still remembers how achy he was after the first couple of shifts when he started two years ago. His back was so sore he couldn’t find a comfortable sleeping position and didn’t even feel like going for a run. These days, he doesn’t even notice the soreness.

“You get used to it.”

“You like doing it for free?” Cal asks, but not in that incredulous kind of way that people usually do, and which annoys Dawson to no end. But Cal asks like he’s genuinely curious.

“Yeah. I love dogs. All animals, really, but especially dogs,” he admits, feeling a smile forming on his lips. A pang of sadness passes through him. He’d love to have a dog, something to cuddle and take care of, something that would be happy to see him when he comes home. “You might get bored there. Are you sure you wanna come with?”

Cal makes a point of looking around the living room and shrugs. “I’d be bored here too.”

“You could watch something. Read a book.”

By the face he makes, Cal doesn’t find the idea appealing. “I’d rather be with you,” he says, so freaking casual. “And this is obviously important to you. I want to be a part of it.” He acts like he doesn’t know he just threw Dawson for a huge fucking loop.

Then again, Cal’s been saying things like that since Dawson began visiting him at the hospital. Just a small thing here and there that no one would think about twice—except for Dawson. At first, he kind of suspected Cal was taking the piss, enjoying making Dawson flustered and confused. It wouldn’t be the first time.

But no, that’s not it. Dawson knows what Cal is like when he’s in a manipulative mood. He knows the signs; the dark glint in his eye and the authoritative power oozing from him.

There’s none of that here. Cal’s expression is open and so earnest it’s fucking with Dawson’s head.

Who is this man? This man who likes Dawson’s cooking and hates coffee. Who watches animated movies and enjoys walks on the beach. Who has an obsession with donuts and insists on going to the shelter with Dawson just so he can be with him.

What. The. Actual. Fuck?

“If you’re sure,” Dawson says when he finally finds words. After yet another confirmation from Cal that yes, he’s indeed sure, they make their way to the garage and head to the cafe.

Since it’s not rush hour, there are only two people waiting at the counter and they’re served quickly.

Gabe’s ever-present smile widens when he spots them.

“Hey! Two days in a row. You weren’t kidding.”

Dawson points an accusatory finger at Cal. “That’s on him.”

Cal ignores him, his nose practically plastered to the glass of the pastry cabinet.

“Hey, no complaints here.” Gabe holds up his hands. “It’s good for business.”

“Right.” Dawson looks around. “Where’s Zeke?”

“He texted me last night, saying he’s not feeling well. I told him to sleep it off.”

“You look rather perky for someone who’ll be flying solo during rush hour.”

Gabe waves his hand at that. “Been there, done that. Plus, I’m charming, and even if there’s a long wait, the customers always forgive me.”