Page 95 of Should the Sky Fall

“Well, you’re being funny.”

“I like seeing you smile. Hearing your laugh,” Cal says. “You always look so sad when you think I’m not looking.”

Dawson’s gaze snaps to him, a little shocked. “I’m not sad. Why would I be sad?”

Cal doesn’t miss how his pace quickens, but the long walks have paid off. Cal catches up to him without much struggle, speaking again once they enter the lobby of their building.

“Maybe because you miss your husband?” He wants to take the words back once they’ve left his mouth. “Sorry, I know you don’t want to talk about it. And I know I’m not like him.”

Dawson calls for the lift, the silence between them heavy as they wait for it to arrive. “No, you’re not,” he agrees. Before Cal can apologize again, he says, “And I don’t want you to be. I like you, just the way you are. And I’m not sad, just…overwhelmed.”

“Overwhelmed,” Cal repeats. “Because of me.”

“Partially,” Dawson admits.

The lift arrives and they step in.

Dawson waits until the doors are closed before speaking again. “Look, I’m not gonna stand here and tell you that this whole situation is not at all messed up. But just because it’s messed up doesn’t mean it’s all bad. We simply need to learn how to navigate stuff from here. Probably start doing things differently.”

He’s right. It’s not bad. Difficult, yes, but not bad.

“And we can start with decorating our place,” Cal challenges, giving Dawson a pointed look.

Dawson lets out a groan. “I swear to God…” Then, “Fine. Have it your way.”

Cal couldn’t wipe the stupidly excited grin from his face if he tried. He hovers around Dawson when they’re back at the apartment.

“What?” Dawson asks suspiciously.

“Can I see the paintings?”

Chapter 16

Sofuckingstubborn.Dawsonbites back a smile, despite feeling a little irritated now. And also nervous because Cal saw these paintings before and…well, he didn’t love them.

“Just…give me a second.” He disappears into the storage room, eyes zeroing in on one of the boxes in the corner

It was a lie when Dawson said there might be some paintings in the storage room. He knows they’re there. All of them. Despite giving up on art, he never had the heart to get rid of them completely.

He drags the box into the living room, brushing off dust, before flipping open the top. His heart starts to pound when he sees the edges of several paintings sitting inside.

“So, um…I painted these a long time ago…”

Cal is oblivious to his internal panic. He steps forward, looking into the box, lighting up when he sees how many there are. “Let me see.” Before Dawson can do anything, he reaches for one.

Dawson holds his breath, his anxiety spiking when Cal doesn’t make a sound, just looks at the painting, his eyes wide as he takes it in.

“Dawson, this is…”

“…ludicrous. You can’t seriously want to sell these.”

“I thought… You said you liked my art.”

“Jesus. Yeah, sure, your…artis fine if you want to hang it up in your room or give it to your beloved sister. It’s not something to present to the public. And it definitely isn’t something people will pay for.”

“Why are you paying my tuition then? If you’ve been thinking this the whole time, why bother?”

“What, like you can do something else? You want to study business? Law? Why don’t you go straight for med school, Dawson? And don’t give me that look. Without me, you’d still be flipping burgers at Macca’s. Be my guest if that’s what you want to do.”