Ellis seems to choke on air, and he pulls in a few gasping breaths before he speaks. “Uh, no? Ask your husband. You’re on the same team.”
“Team?”
Closing his eyes as if in pain, Ellis says, “Gay, Cal. You’re both gay.”
“Oh. There are teams for that?”
If Ellis’ reaction is anything to go by, that wasn’t the right thing to ask. He mumbles something about marbles. “Let’s talk about something else before I lose my mind.”
“Okay. How is the new apartment? Have you settled in yet?” When he talked to him a few weeks ago, Ellis was moving again.
Ellis relaxes after that, telling Cal about his newplace—which he bought this time, since Cal had made it clear that he has no intention of going back to work—and complaining about how everything on the Coast is pretentious and snail-paced. They don’t get to talk about much else, because Ellis checks his watch and swears, getting up in haste.
Not wanting to get him in trouble, Cal lets him go, albeit reluctantly. All this time he’s been focused on Dawson and repairing their relationship, but now he thinks that he could do more. Maybe he can still save the relationship with his brother. Or, more accurately, actually have one for the first time.
Cal checks the clock. He still has time before Dawson gets home, and now that he’s not under strict supervision, he might sneak some hot chocolate and a donut in.
He orders an Uber toLost and Ground. It’s still lunchtime, so the place is busy, but Gabe waves at him excitedly when he spots him approaching the counter. The line is quite long but moves quickly, and soon it’s Cal’s turn.
“Look who the cat dragged in.” Gabe gives him a sunny smile. “Where’s your better half?”
“Working.”Better half. He likes that expression.
“Ah, I see.” Gabe waggles his eyebrows. “Thought you’d sneak out and get a dose when he’s not keeping a tight leash on you, huh?”
Cal smiles sheepishly. “Yeah, but I didn’t come straight here, I was with my brother. Ellis is now running the company, so I don’t have to.” He feels really selfish for dumping everything on him, even if Ellis said it was okay. He seemed stressed today. True, he always does, but having to move interstate and find a new home definitely added to it.
Cal must have said something strange, because Gabe looks at him with slightly wide eyes.
“Ellis,” he repeats slowly. “Tall, dark, and broody?”
Cal chuckles at the description. “Um, yes? That would be my brother.”
Gabe lets out a small groan and laughs. “I should’ve known. You’re practically twins.”
“Not really…” They do have the same hair and eyes, almost the same height, but Ellis’ features are a little sharper, his face slimmer, and he shaves. Works out more, too, if his shoulders are anything to go by. Cal definitely needs to start exercising more. “You’ve met him?”
Stupid question, but Gabe, the saint, doesn’t point it out. “He’s popped in for a coffee a time or two.”
That shouldn’t be surprising. Ellis mentioned his apartment is nearby; it makes sense he’d find the cafe at some point.
“Anyway, what are you after?” Gabe holds up a finger. “Wait. One hot chocky and one donut?”
“Yes, please.” He’s really predictable, isn’t he?
“To have here?”
Cal looks around, the place swarming with people. He doesn’t like people. “I’ll take it away.” The weather is nice. He might walk home instead of calling for a ride again. Stay on the beach for a bit.
“Sure thing.”
Gabe grabs his donut, then scribbles his order on a takeaway cup, passing it along to Zeke.
Once he’s paid and got his items, Cal moves out of the way so he doesn’t hold up the line. He exchanges a few words with Zeke, who’s too busy pumping out drinks to chit-chat.
Once Cal has his hot chocolate and donut, he waves goodbye to Gabe and Zeke as he walks out. Adjusting the takeaway cup to take a sip, a black scribble catches his attention, and he smiles. Gabe left him a message! He’s never done that before.
If you don’t like your story, rewrite it.
