They walked downstairs and into the kitchen, Calvin refusing to leave his side.
Ben scowled when Calvin took his phone, anger swelling his body at another invasion of his space. Calvin swiped his finger across the screen and typed out a message, turning the display toward Ben to read.
Realization—and gratitude—barreled in like a freight train, with the start of Calvin’s message.
I thought your phone would be easier for you to read right now. Matt called the cops and a friend of his. He wants David out of the house and back in prison. He’s talking to Sam now.
After Ben’s nod, Calvin typed out another message.
We’re going to hang out here until all that happens. Okay?
Ben glanced up and nodded. Calvin pointed to Ben’s bloodied knuckles, then opened his hand, palm side up, curling his fingers in a gimme gesture. Hesitantly, Ben placed his hand in Calvin’s, surprised by how carefully the larger man took his hand and turned it, inspecting his injured fingers. He released Ben’s hand and pulled out one of the chairs from the dining table, pointing at Ben and then at the empty chair. Ben took a seat as Calvin walked over to the corner cabinet and fished out a first aid kit from the top drawer along with a plastic zip bag. Tossing the kit onto the table, Calvin then filled the bag with ice from the freezer, slapping it a few times to flatten it out. He then took the roll of paper towels out from the holder before returning to Ben’s side and pulling out the seat next to him at the table.
Calvin handed the bagged ice to Ben and pointed to his head.
The ice to his forehead numbed the throb. He took a deep breath, the steadiest one he had taken in the last few minutes. Calvin set out the paper towels on the table and began to work on Ben’s hand, wiping his knuckles with some peroxide-doused gauze from the kit. Ben pulled his hands away and typed out a message on his phone, feeling the ache of every character he typed. You’ve done this before.
A sad smile spread across Calvin’s face. He nodded. “Can you read my lips or do you need me to type?”
Ben nodded and pointed to his mouth, his mind clearer and more focused on interpreting Calvin’s lip movements.
“You fought back. That was good. A kick to the balls or the kneecap usually hurts. Always go for either as the target. Jabbing the throat works too. Got it?”
Ben nodded. He didn’t want to think about what had just happened. He pointed to the last note typed on his phone and then to Calvin.
“Got in a few fights growing up and had a dad that didn’t always agree that half was fair.”
Ben cocked his head. He must have gotten that last part wrong.
Calvin shrugged. “Where do you think I learned how to steal? My pops taught me. It’s how we covered the rent most times when I was growing up. But other times, when he used up his share on his vice of the week, he got greedy and tried to beat my half out of me. I couldn’t let him do that. Best day of my life was when I left.” He glanced up at Ben for a moment before returning his attention to wiping Ben’s knuckles. “Let’s just say I know how to clean up scrapes and hide bruises.”
Sometime later, police officers had escorted David out of the house. Aidan and Sam had arrived and had a discussion with Julian and Matt. Ben sensed the tension and anger, but he couldn’t bring himself to attempt to read anyone’s lips. Instead, he remained in the kitchen, sitting at the dining table while Calvin remained vigilant at his side.
Ben ducked his head and swallowed heavily, battling with the guilt of the chaos he had caused, yet eternally grateful at how each of these men were there to shield him from what had happened. A tap on his shoulder drew his attention. Lost in thought, he hadn’t noticed when Sam or Aidan had left or when the discussion in the living room had ended.
“You need to get some rest,” Julian said as he signed. “I’ll call Natalie—”
Ben shook his head.
“But you need to—”
“I want to go to work,” he signed, wincing as pain jolted through his fingers and up his arm. “Please.”
Julian glanced to the ceiling as if seeking some answer from the heavens while Matt