Page 9 of Saul

It was a good thing I’d swallowed, or my fizz would have gone down the wrong way. As it was, I nearly choked on air. Steven just nodded and let his boyfriend drag him to the bar. “You are so bad,” I pronounced.

Ricky sniffed in disdain. “I haven’t forgiven him, and Mr. Botox needs a new moisturizer.” He grinned. “Now, when are you going to change jobs and move to Denver?” It was an oldargument, but now I was on my own. I guess it didn’t matter. I’d stayed in Kansas City because of the foster system, then college, and then I’d met Steven. But I loved my job.

“I’ll think about it.”

Ricky squealed, and in my heart, I knew that was a yes. Maybe a certain gray-green eyed Daddy in an absurdly hot uniform swung my decision.

Saul

“How’s the new client working out?”

I glanced at Chris briefly but didn’t answer. I was too busy staring at that creepy ex of Calvin’s and deciding if I should go over there. I didn’t care what excuse the man had given, but it was clear that he wasn’t over Calvin.

“That’s my stepbrother,” Chris added.

“Yeah, met him in the airport. I wasn’t impressed.”

Chris grunted then sighed. “How was Calvin?”

“I distracted him.”

Chris kept his gaze on me, clearly wanting details. “You know Calvin is like family?”

“I know,” and watched the ex move, then a woman I assumed was a friend came to hug Ricky.

There was another guy with her and my eyes narrowed as he stumbled as he greeted Calvin and Calvin took a step back. How much had the guy been drinking?

“That’s Ricky’s cousin,” Chris said, but I didn’t answer as my feet were already moving. Calvin had put out his hand as Ricky introduced them and the guy had grabbed it and was making a show of kissing the back of it. Calvin was trying to pull it away,then Calvin stumbled as the jerk yanked him forward. In another second, I had the guy by the neck.

“He asked you to let go.” I practically growled out the words.

The guy started backing away and held his arms up in a surrender motion, but he’d clearly hit the open bar some time ago. Chris was behind me in a second and examining Ricky in case he’d gotten himself injured in the three seconds it took me to get over here, even though the creep hadn’t touched him, but my gaze was on Calvin. He wrapped his arms around his middle a little defensively and to be honest, I thought he’d had too long a day, and he needed to get out of here. Steven was looking at him again and I wanted to growl at the creep.

“You need some quiet time,” I said, taking his hand and leading him away from everyone. He didn’t try to pull away and that calmed me a little. I guided him around the corner out of sight and put my arm around him. He was trembling. “How about we go back upstairs? I can put some TV on. You need to eat as well.”

Calvin gazed up at me. “But I’m Ricky’s best man. I can’t.”

“Ricky won’t want you too tired to enjoy tomorrow. He has Chris. He’s not on his own.” Calvin’s lip wobbled and I could have cursed.Way to go, idiot.“Neither are you,” I said softly and texted Chris. “There, I’ve told them.” I kept my arm around Calvin and gently steered him to the elevator. Within moments, we were back in the room. Calvin looked a little lost, and a lot too quiet, and he needed to eat.

I sat Calvin on the bed, then bent down and undid the sneakers with the sparkly laces that completed his outfit. Then I went to his suitcase. I’d caught a glimpse of a teddy when he was unpacking and knew he needed it. I unzipped the case and immediately saw the teddy and a soft blanket. I brought both. “What do you sleep in at home?”

Calvin gaped at the bear, then lunged for it as I held it out. “Jammies,” he whispered in a smaller, higher voice. I’d read that tiredness or stress brought out a Little. Made them slip into the role as a means of coping. I knew Calvin needed to get out of his head.

“Go to the bathroom, then when you get back, we’re going to get comfy on the couch. I’m ordering some food.” I picked up the menu and noted that food was served until nine, so we had plenty of time. Calvin headed for the dresser and pulled out a tee-shirt and a pair of sleep shorts. They were plain, and I was willing to bet not what he normally slept in.

“Is there anything you don’t eat?”

He shook his head. “Not hungry.” He murmured before heading into the bathroom. Yeah, well, that wasn’t happening. I picked up the sign on the table for the Rainbow Key app and scanned it then looked at the menu. Simple, the usual sort of selection, and I was glad. I was starving and I scrolled through all the items, including the children’s ones and, pondering, I picked up the phone.

Calvin appeared, looking a little self-conscious. I’d already changed into a pair of sleep-shorts and a tee myself. I usually slept naked, but I’d brought a couple of pairs of shorts that would do. I was sitting on the couch channel-surfing, but I picked up his blanket and held it out. “Come on,” I instructed, and in a couple of seconds I had him sitting next to me wrapped in the blanket. I glanced down and noticed his bare feet, and knew I had a couple of spare pairs of socks. I grabbed one and came back and lifted his feet into my lap.

“What are you doing?” he whispered.

“Making sure your feet are warm,” I answered calmly as I put the socks on. “The AC can get chilly.”

I was saved further explanation by a knock at the door and went to let in the room service.

“You must be hungry,” Calvin said when all the dishes had been set out. I just nodded as I made him a plate. The chicken nugget dinosaurs came first. A small number of fries and some ketchup. I added a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs, and another bowl of grapes and cut-up melon. I finished with a glass of orange juice and carried it to the small table.

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