Savior:A Tattered Club Story(22)

“Niko, that feels—”

The feather-like caress detached, instantly making Ethan feel more exposed than ever. The fact he was gay had never been a secret, however he figured once Niko realized students were buzzing by and possibly saw his big hand caressing a man’s back, he’d probably flip him the middle finger and stomp out of the place.

Ethan grinned when Niko’s jaw tightened. “I’ll follow you.”

They dodged several cackling girls. “Down here.” Ethan headed downstairs. “It’s okay, you know.”

Ethan curled his hands when a young woman walked by gave Niko a too-slow once over. “What’s okay?” he asked, not noticing the woman giving him an eye fuck.

“That you want me.” Ethan flashed a smile when Niko almost tripped down the last two steps.

“What the hell, Ethan? I don’t want you. I’m not gay.”

“Hey, Ethan, what’s up?” Michael stopped at the edge of the stairs with the strap of a leather bag flung over his chest.

“Nothing, just came by to…to get some notes for lit class.”

His stomach trembled when Niko closed the space and brushed his arm against Ethan’s shoulder. Surprised, but grateful for Niko’s subtle gesture, he leaned in to steal the moment.

“So,” Michael said, a bit more cautiously than he had earlier in the car. “You want to get something to eat tonight? I can pick you up.” Michael’s gaze drifted to Niko and by the look on his pale face, he decided not to glance in that direction again.

Ethan knew it was wrong to push Niko, but damn if he wasn’t ready to see what his tattooed protector would do. “Sure, that sounds—”

“He can’t,” Niko said, pulling away as quickly as he’d leaned in. “He’s got plans, and he needs to rest. Come on.” Niko moved so fast, Michael stood motionless, obviously unsure of how to react.

“Sorry.” Ethan looked over his shoulder at Michael as he started to catch up to Niko. “You didn’t have to be rude.” Confusion didn’t cover half of what weaved through his head. Hot and cold, Niko road more ups and downs than a rollercoaster. “He’s just a friend.”

“I get that. You’re gay and having dinner is code for let’s have a fuck. I wasn’t running my mouth for nothing. You don’t need that shit right now. You need to get some real fucking sleep and eat some real food. The last thing you need to worry about is getting with some guy who doesn’t mean shit to you and won’t even take you out to breakfast after. So, forget it. Let’s get your shit and head home.”

Home. This was going to be his first time to have a place of his own. The butterflies in his stomach revved into overdrive with the thoughts of sleeping in a bed and not having to worry about what would happen when he came home from school. He’d get to eat when he wanted and walk around in his underwear. If he could take a shower at two in the afternoon without a man staring at him while he washed his balls, he would be a happy camper.

He’d be free. The heat from the ink on his side seemed like a medal of honor. Survival was his ticket to independence and finally living his life on his own terms.

“My birthday’s next month.”

Niko stopped and glanced over. “Okay?”

Despite knowing what was unhealthy, like getting his hopes up that a guy like Niko would even be remotely interested in a young college kid, he said the stupidest crap. “I don’t know why I told you that.”

Niko looked to his left. “Which way do we go?”

God, he was a loser. This wasn’t anything personal, just a guy helping another guy out. “Down here.” They walked for a few minutes and made a couple more turns until he spotted the two small plastic tubs shoved under one of the corner desks.

He leaned down and pulled them into the narrow path. There were only a handful of students in the study wing. It was musty and lit with shadowed lamps. The creative writing majors and gamers mostly met down here to discuss whatever it was those brilliant kinds of people discussed.

Ethan stacked one tub on top of the other and hoisted them against his chest. He started down the hall. “Are you coming?”

If Niko wasn’t going for the boyfriend scout badge then Ethan wasn’t as gay as a Pride parade. The hundreds of students scattered at desks, hiding behind laptop screens, took notice as Niko strolled by as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

Two men walking together that looked like they did offered the contrast of a skyscraper looming over the lapping surface of the ocean. Niko, the skyscraper, tats scrolling along both arms, forearms roped with veins, carried the boxes with ease.