บท 17: Chapter 17

??I don??t understand.?? Joey rubbed Kevin??s thigh.

It took Kevin a couple of moments to calm down sufficiently to answer. ??I came without permission, please don??t hurt me.?? He then curled himself into a protective ball.

??Permission??? Joey was nonplussed for a few moments before the penny dropped. That fucking bastard, Cal! Battlingto keep a lid on his temper, Joey spoke, ??I??m not Cal. I wanted you to come, I don??t ever want to stop you from coming, so long as it??s me who??s making you do it.?? Joey rubbed Kevin??s scarred back, hoping it would calm his friend. ??I??m not Cal, Pup. Please remember, I??m not Cal.??

The steadiness and reassurance in Joey??s voice must have gotten through, because eventually Kevin began to relax his posture.