"Oh, don't give me that," Caleb says when he feels that indignation — because he can feel the amusement underneath, and he knows that the teasing got to him, too. He grins, though, when Neil mentions the shoulder rub, and he holds his hands up, this time in innocence.

"Okay, okay, turn around."

When Neil does, Caleb starts in. First, he just smooths the palms of his hands up and down his back. On the second or third pass, he lets his thumbs bear in gently, feeling for tension. Then he starts in earnest, gently but firmly working out whatever tension he finds.