role when it came to ensuring his charges had what they needed to make it in everyday life. Especially if he suspected they were struggling.
“I’m here all day. And I’m sure the staff won’t mind. Anytime is fine.”
“Great. I’ll let him know.” Matt quieted for a moment. “Thanks for doing this. I know it means a lot to Cal, especially after his dad’s visit.”
“Happy to help.” Bull could sympathize. He was still feeling the sting of the Father’s Day dinner from hell.
They disconnected the call and Bull instantly placed a call to housekeeping. Definitely a perk of living in a hotel. If Sam was bringing someone over for an inspection, he had to make sure everything was perfect. Dealing with family drama was painful, but with Ben at his side, Bull had found a way to cope and push through the day. The least he could do was pay it forward.
They stepped onto the back porch of Halfway House and knocked. Bull placed his hand at the small of Ben’s back to settle him. He had been buzzing with excitement since Matt’s mid-week call, informing him of Cal’s furlough approval. Ben had worked extra hours the rest of the week to complete pending orders and had begged Nat to switch their weekends. It hadn’t taken much. Still in apology mode herself, she had quickly agreed and demanded he have fun and stay away until Monday morning.
The door swung open and there stood a scowling Julian. “Finally.”
“What’s going on?”
“Cal’s been pacing for the last thirty minutes. He’s going to wear out my damn floor.”
Ben patted Julian’s shoulder, possibly to soothe his frustration but more likely to get him the hell out of the doorway so he could get to his friend. As soon as Julian stepped aside, Ben darted inside, zeroed in on Cal, and threw his arms around his shoulders in a hug.
Bull watched the two friends, absently smiling at how they passed Ben’s phone back and forth between them in silent conversation.
“He hasn’t smiled like that in weeks. Thanks again for doing this,” Matt said, leaning into Julian’s side, sighing when Julian’s hand landed on his hip and pulled him closer.
Guess Cal’s not the only one getting a break or having fun this weekend.
“You should thank Sam. He made it happen.” Bull chuckled as he watched the guys, still huddled together over Ben’s phone, laughing and smiling like two old conspiring friends. “Anything I need to know for the weekend? Any rules?”
“Two,” Julian said. “Have him back by eight Sunday night and make sure he doesn’t get into trouble.”
“Copy that.” Bull held back a grin at Julian’s bluntness.
“Cal, ready to go?” Matt asked.
Calvin looked up, the smile on his face softening until it faded. “No.” He walked over to Bull and stood in front of him, a few guarded inches away. There was something odd in his expression Bull couldn’t peg. A second later, Cal extended his hand which Bull immediately shook.
“Thanks,” Cal solemnly whispered. After a nod and single pump of their hands, he released Bull and glanced over at Julian and Matt. “Now I’m ready to go. See you Monday.”
“Sunday!” Matt instinctively yelled out.
Cal chuckled. “Just making sure you were paying attention.”
With a playful shove, they were all headed out the door.
The moment they set foot inside their home, Calvin visually swept the entire space, so much so that Bull was certain Cal could write a detailed inventory of everything in each room. After about an hour of more awkwardness and guarded words, Calvin had settled into the guest room, finally admitting he hadn’t ever slept in a place so nice and clean, swearing he would punch them both out if they ever shared that bit of information with Matt or Julian.
It wasn’t lost on Bull that Cal had stressed slept when he spoke, nor had he missed the glint of mischief in his eyes.
Calvin strolled over to Bull’s worktable while Ben picked out a movie to watch, eating another spoonful of the cake-slash-ice-cream dessert Ben had made for each of them. He absently ate as he curiously stared at the plans laid out on the table. “What’s that?”
“Work.”
“You do…like…” He waved his hand in the air. “Security checks. Right?”
“I work with clients to evaluate security vulnerabilities. I also help some of them establish security protocols to stay safe.”
Cal absently nodded. “So you’re paid to keep people like me out of their business?”