Page 88 of Should the Sky Fall

“Please.”

Cal’s phone pings with a notification a few seconds later. He pulls it out, that soft smile in a full bloom now.

Beginning to feel antsy and restless, Dawson stands up, brushing sand off his clothes. “We should go.”

It’s a small relief when Cal doesn’t protest.

“Are you sure there’s nothing I can do?” Cal asks for the fifth time since arriving at the shelter.

Before Dawson can repeat, for the fifth time, that it’s too early for Cal to do anything strenuous, Aubrey cuts in.

“You could play with the dogs. We take them to the playground when it’s time to clean the kennels.”

Cal turns hopeful eyes to Dawson, making him feel like an ass for shaking his head.

“They get excited. I don’t want them to jump on you or anything.”

“Maybe take them for a walk?” Aubrey suggests. She’s purposefully choosing activities that don’t really require prior training.

“He can’t walk too much just yet.”

“I can walk almost half an hour. And I can take breaks,” Cal tries to argue, looking like one of the dogs when they’re begging for a treat. Realizing he’s outnumbered, Dawson admits defeat.

“Okay, let me introduce you,” Aubrey announces excitedly. “Or do you want to do it?”

Dawson might as well. No reason to pull Aubrey away from the pile of work she has to do. “Sure.”

They make their way around the kennels, a few already vacated. There are labels with the dogs’ names and a brief description on each kennel, but Dawson introduces everyone to Cal, telling him a little something about each dog. While he loves all of them, he can’t deny he has his favorites.

He grins when Donut is already waiting for him, his tail wagging and one of his paws stuck outside the door.

“I want you to meet someone.” He kneels in front of the kennel and reaches inside with two fingers to scratch his head. “This is Donut.”

“Donut?” Cal says with amusement.

“I know, right?” He knew Cal would like it. “But please don’t eat him.”

“I’ll try very hard not to,” Cal retorts, very dryly.

Donut’s been here longer than the other dogs, so it’s only natural Dawson became attached. While he loves coming here to see Donut, it breaks his heart that no one wants to adopt him. People normally go crazy for Frenchies—Dawson has opinions on that—but clearly having a pet who requires a little extra care due to a mild health issue is way too inconvenient. Fucking figures.

A few more scratches, and then they move onto the last kennel containing a feisty Pomeranian.

“Cal, meet Lola.” Lola growls, shaking on her skinny legs. “Unlike the others, she’s a bit of a bitch, so if she snaps at you, it’s not personal.” Her eyes are sharp and aimed at Dawson, as if she can tell he’s badmouthing her. “Wanna walk her?”

“What?” Cal takes a big step back when Lola lets out a high-pitched bark. “She doesn’t seem to like me.”

“She doesn’t like anybody.” Taking a leash from the compartment attached to the kennel, Dawson unlocks the cage. He opens it a crack, using his body as a barrier so Lola doesn’t escape. “Come on, you little shit,” he says affectionately. “Walk time.”

At the word ‘walk’, Lola’s tiny ears twitch. She cocks her fluffy head, then walks into Dawson’s arms. He rewards her by rubbing her back, chuckling when she licks his hand. Standing up, he hands the leash to Cal who looks at it like it’s a snake.

“Don’t look so spooked. I promise she has more bark than bite.” When Cal doesn’t move, Dawson takes his hand, loops the leash around it. “Scream if you need rescuing.”

Judging by Cal’s expression, he’s considering screaming right now.

Biting back a smile, Dawson shoos him away, reminding him to take breaks and to call if he starts feeling even a little off.

As Cal takes off with a growling Lola in tow, Dawson gets to work, hosing down the empty kennels and making sure everything is clean for the fur babies. For the time being, he forgets about the hospital, and Cal’s amnesia, and even the conversation with Kieran, the familiar physical activity soothing his whirling thoughts. He loves doing this, and, strangely enough, he’s glad that he can do this for free. He knows the only reason he can afford to do this unpaid is thanks to Cal’s assets, but for once he’s glad for it.