Page 91 of Should the Sky Fall

Guilt slams into Dawson. Has he been giving Cal the cold shoulder or something? That wasn’t his intention. He’s just tired.

“I’m not upset, Cal. I was worried. You just got out of the hospital.”

“But I feel okay.” He chuckles when the word leaves his lips. “Honestly, I feel okay. A little sore, but I’m recovering much quicker than the doctors told me I would.”

“They did say it’s different for everybody, but I prefer to err on the side of caution.”

“I understand.” His smile has Dawson’s breath catching. “I won’t worry you anymore. But you can’t baby me all the time.”

“I’m not babying you,” Dawson mumbles, shoveling food into his mouth.

“Yes, you are.”

“Fine. Then you can change your bandages yourself.”

Predictably, Cal pouts, frowning at his food. “I can. The nurses taught me how to do it.”

“Okay, then.”

“Okay.”

“Okay.”

Dawson bites the inside of his cheek. “Stop saying okay.”

“You said it first.”

“You repeated it.”

“So did you!”

“Okay.” Dawson holds his hands in the air, laughing. Then he reaches one arm across the table. “Truce?”

Cal eyes his hand for a second, then shakes it. “Truce.”

Dawson smiles. “Okay.”

“Hey!”

“I’m sorry! It’s a reflex.”

Cal huffs, but doesn’t say anything.

“So, apart from you almost fainting—”

“I did not—”

“—did you like it today?”

Cal nods enthusiastically. “Lots. Thank you for taking me with you.” He presses his lips together, pushing his food around. “I’d like to volunteer with you when I get better.”

That brings Dawson up short. “Really?” Cal nods, and Dawson needs a moment to come up with a response. He definitely didn’t see this coming. “Well, we’d have to give you proper training first, but…yeah. If you’re sure.”

Cal gives him a brilliant smile. “I am.”

Dawson mumbles something incoherent. He’s struggling to imagine what working with Cal at the shelter would be like. It’s just so…strange. But what’s stranger is how much he likes the idea.

Dawson keeps his promise and takes Cal to the beach later that afternoon. Thankfully, Cal’s more than happy to just sit in the shade and watch the ocean, so Dawson doesn’t have to worry about pushing his limits.