Page 89 of Should the Sky Fall

He wishes he could contribute to the shelter more, especially financially, but he can’t just go around spending Cal’s money. But maybe if he asked him now…

Shit, he doesn’t want to take advantage. He really doesn’t. But Cal’s been pretty laid back about, well, everything since he woke up, so if Dawson brought it up…

He shuts the idea down before it gets out of control.

“So, that’s your hubby, huh?” Aubrey says from behind him, opening Donut’s kennel to take him outside. “Shame you never brought him here before.”

Dawson thinks what to say. Aubrey’s nice; she’s great, actually, but the two of them aren’t close. She knows about the crash and the surgery, but Dawson doesn’t feel like sharing anything else with her.

“Yeah, well. He’s busy with work and stuff. He needs to take it slow now after the surgery, but he gets bored at home.” He shrugs. “It was his idea to come with me.”

“Hmm. He sure is nice to look at.”

Dawson snorts. “He’s gay.”

Aubrey rolls her eyes. “And married, yes. But I’m only human.”

Huffing out a laugh, Dawson focuses on cleaning.

Cal’s always been a head-turner, and not even Dawson was immune, duh. But that was a long time ago. He knows better now.

“What kind of surgery was it?”

“I can’t remember the medical term. He had a collapsed lung, which was quite easy to treat, but then he started bleeding inside and they had to open him up. It’s…going to take a while before he’s back to normal.” He doesn’t say anything about the memories.

“Shit,” Aubrey breathes. “You must have been scared for him.”

Dawson’s hands still, his stomach hollowing out. For a second, he’s back at the hospital, standing outside Cal’s room while the doctors and nurses are rushing in, the machines going off. “Yeah,” he says. “Scared.”

Aubrey lets him be after that. By the time Cal returns, Dawson has composed himself. Cal, on the other hand, looks a little worse for wear and is watching Lola like he’s expecting her to attack any second.

Dawson brushes dirt off his knees and goes to take Lola from him. “You survived!”

Cal visibly relaxes once the leash is in Dawson’s hand. “She’s planning my murder, I’m sure of it.”

Dawson giggles, crouching down to ruffle Lola’s fur. “You’re not planning Cal’s murder, are you? Tell him you’re not.” When Lola just pants happily, lifting her head so Dawson can scratch the juncture of her neck, Dawson laughs. “See? No homicidal thoughts.”

Cal’s skeptical. “I’ll stay away, just in case.”

Dawson laughs. “Before you do that, could you take her to the playground? I haven’t done her kennel yet.”

Cal reluctantly takes the leash back. “What should I do next?”

“Rest.”

“But—”

“Take a break. A long one. And then you can walk another dog, how’s that sound?”

Pursing his lips in thought, Cal nods at last.

“It’s settled then.” Dawson grabs the hose, pausing when Cal keeps standing there. “Yes?”

“Do you need help?”

Dawson manages not to groan. “No, I don’t need help. But you need to sit down. Now, Cal,” he says firmly when Cal wants to argue.

Putting on that ridiculous pout, Cal finally wanders off.