Holden Justice is an ex-cop injured on duty, a criminal justice professor, and a podcaster. He has good friends, but is lonely. He is an extrovert and often uses humor as a shield or to distract from his wheelchair. He is charming, caring, protective, patient, and enjoys being a caretaker sometimes. But he can also be mouthy and likes control. 

Cal Phillips is an ex-Navy SEAL diver in town to help with a cold case that is important to Holden and his friends. He is prickly, quiet, antisocial, and has up defenses. He still feels the repercussions from losses in his past and struggles to keep his diving operation afloat. And while in Safe Harbor, things go from bad to worse and he ends up stuck. He hates charity or having to rely on anyone. 

Holden invites him to stay and is persistent about it.  It seems like a win-win. These guys are both just kind of lonely. And they begin to form a camaraderie, understanding, attraction, and balance each other out in the home. As they find trust, safety, and acceptance it increases their vulnerability and willingness to share those deep pains that have hurt them. And also lets them explore more fun pursuits and a bit of kink.

This is a grumpy-sunshine, forced proximity, hurt-comfort, roommates-to-lovers story about trust, self-worth, acceptance, and finding your own safe harbor. I felt like the disability rep was handled well both from physical and mental issues. I also liked that there was pansexual and demisexual representation.

I loved these guys together. They are strong, intelligent, determined, and fiercely independent and they try not to be limited by their issues and just find their own ways to cope. But together they do such a wonderful job of really seeing beneath the other's veneer down to how they are really feeling and being a support if needed. And their preferences in the bedroom balance perfectly and they provide a safe space for exploration. 

But Holden has deep roots and Cal has been a wanderer with no real home and a traveling business he finds personally rewarding. He is also used to always wearing out his welcome. They are also sometimes afraid to say just what needs to be said or ask tough questions. What would it take to make him stay?

There are cameos from other characters and I am looking forward to Sam and Worth's story next.