Prince and Knight.
“And I will always protect you,” he finished. “You know that, right?”
I swallowed the baseball-sized lump in my throat. “Sure do,” I managed, trying to smile lightly. “You are my knight, after all.”
That made him smile in return.
I kissed Calvin before walking to the door. “Come on,” I said, clearing my throat. “I’m starving.”
“How’d you manage?” Pop asked as we entered the room.
“There were no Sweeney Todd reenactments,” I answered, going to the cabinets and helping him.
“Charming,” Calvin said from behind me.
My dad snorted and started putting pancakes and bacon on the plates. I carried them to the table near the windows, set them down, and shooed Maggie away. She joined Calvin’s side in the kitchen as he poured coffee for each of us. She sat obediently beside him, leaning lightly against his leg.
“She really likes you,” I said.
Calvin looked down and nodded, then patted her head. “She’s a good girl.”
Pop watched them briefly before accepting the mug Calvin handed him. “Dogs are great for helping with stress.” He gave me a look as he went by and sat at the table.
I had told Dad a little about Calvin’s PTSD. I didn’t know who else to talk to about it, and I needed someone to know because of how much I worried for his mental health. I’m not sure what Pop was thinking, but he had definitely, casually, suggested Calvin get a dog.
Luckily, I don’t think Calvin really noticed the hint. Or at least didn’t catch on as to why. I knew he’d be livid if he found out I was telling people—even if it was my own father—about his scars from war.
Calvin’s cell rang and he paused what he was doing to pull it from his pocket. I watched him hesitate as he stared at the caller ID. His posture seemed to stiffen as he answered.
“Good morning, sir,” he said quietly.
Sir?Maybe it was his sergeant.
Calvin said nothing at first—partaking in a one-sided conversation for a good minute. “Will he be released from the hospital?” he finally asked.
Who?
“I can’t,” Calvin answered. “I’m on a big case—”
I made a face. So definitely not his sergeant. His boss would kind of know what Calvin was doing, after all.
“My boyfriend’s apartment burned down last night,” he said, tone as if he were interrupting the person on the other line. After a beat, Calvin pulled his phone from his ear and stared at the screen. He shook his head and put it away.
I glanced at Pop behind me, who looked just as curious as I felt, before asking, “Wrong number?”
“No.” Calvin turned from the counter and handed me a cup of coffee.
“I jest.”
Calvin didn’t smile. “That was my father.”
I moved in front of him so Calvin couldn’t walk. “Wait. Did he hang up on you? Why the hell did he even bother calling?” To my knowledge, the man hadn’t spoken to Calvin since Christmas. In fact, no father, no mother, no brother or sister. I mean, I knew they had an estranged relationship to begin with, but who the fuck calls their son and thenhangs upon them?
“Because you mentioned me?” I asked.
“Don’t worry about it, sweetie.”
“What did he want?” I tried, still not moving. I couldn’t be faulted for wanting to know.
