“No.”
Cal holds his gaze. “I was there when he drove into that street sign. I was at the hospital when you and Kieran came in. And the next day you came by yourself, before Caledon died.”
Dawson’s eyes turn hollow, his shoulders slumping as if all the strength left him.
“I can’t do this,” he says, voice small and weak. “I can’t be around you right now.”
He stalks past Cal towards their bedroom. A minute later, he walks out with a backpack slung over his shoulder.
“I’m staying with Kieran,” he informs Cal, striding towards the front door. He stops halfway, turning around. “Donut, come here.”
Donut, who’s been sitting at Cal’s feet the whole time, doesn’t move.
A muscle in Dawson’s cheek jumps. “Donut,” he says, sounding desperate. “Leg.”
Donut lets out a whine, looking up at Cal. Blinking back tears, Cal crouches down to pet him.
“It’s alright, little one. Go to your dad.” He nudges Donut towards Dawson, but he refuses to move, licking Cal’s hand. “Go.”
Donut whines pitifully, but finally starts in Dawson’s direction. He stops several times, turning to look at Cal before continuing to walk. Dawson clips the leash to his collar, giving Cal an unreadable look.
“Don’t forget to take your pills,” he says—always thinking about others no matter how mad or scared he is—and opens the door.
“Dawson.”
Dawson stops but doesn’t look at him.
“Whatever you decide,wheneveryou decide, I’ll be here.”
Dawson leaves without saying a word.
Chapter 31
“Wouldyoufinallytellme what the fuck happened?”
Kieran was frantic when Dawson showed up on his doorstep, a backpack in one hand and Donut’s leash in the other, unable to form full sentences.
“I told you.”
Kieran demanded Dawson tell him what’s wrong, then picked up his baseball bat and threatened to ‘kill the fucker’ when Dawson wouldn’t tell him. So he spilled. Kinda.
Kieran didn’t say a word when Dawson climbed into his bed like it belonged to him and hid under the covers, sobbing into Donut’s soft fur.
That was three hours ago. And Kieran is pissed.
“You told me he remembered. But what did he do? He must’ve done something, or you wouldn’t be freaking out like this. You always knew that him getting his memories back was a possibility.”
But that was back when Dawson was scared of him, when he planned to stay only until Cal got on his feet, then pack his shit and leave.
That was before he fell in love.
“He remembered, and then he tried to make excuses for how he’d treated me.” He doesn’t give Kieran details. No need to repeat the ridiculous story.
Where did it all go wrong? Cal was so apologetic, so miserable when Dawson told him why he’d wanted to file for divorce. He felt so guilty he would’ve left if that’s what Dawson wanted. He promised Dawson to spend the rest of their lives making it up to him.
Dawson should’ve known it was just lip service. He’s always been so fucking gullible, and he only has himself to blame.
“Jesus Christ,” Kieran expels a breath. “What a dick.”
