Savior:A Tattered Club Story(41)
Ethan, with bare chest and flat belly, came bouncing down the stairs. “I’m starving. Will you please let me give you money for—”
Niko turned and gripped his slender arm so tight he was sure his mark was going to be left for everyone to see. “Don’t you ever do that again. I know that guy. His brother and I—” Ethan’s surprised expression, eyes moist and cheeks blushing, made Niko loosen this hand. “Christ, you’re gonna kill me. Is that your goal?”
The muscle in Ethan’s arm slackened. “No. I promised you I’d keep this a secret. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that, but I don’t want this. I mean, I want this.” He pressed his palm to Niko’s chest, the warmth seeping deep into this muscles making his grip slacken even more. Niko rolled the pad of his thumb back and forth, letting the smooth sensation of Ethan’s skin calm his nerves. “But, not when it’s going to cost me everything in the end. It took me a long time to recover from the last guy who didn’t want to been seen with me, then I screwed up and thought selling my soul wouldn’t be any big deal. I’ve been wrong about a lot, Niko, but I’m right about his.” He lifted his hand and Niko instantly knew what Ethan was going to say. “We’re both going to get hurt in the end.”
The key turned again and the lock closed. The jackhammers stopped and Niko let go of Ethan’s arm. “Get something to eat. The Professor wants to talk to you tomorrow. If you need anything, you’ve got my number.”
Niko headed back up the stairs, taking the steps two at a time. He needed to get home to feed Casper. There were so many other places he needed to be instead of standing in his—whatever in the hell Ethan had become to him—apartment and waiting for a kiss that should never come again.
Ethan was waiting at the bottom of the stairs. “Please don’t go. You need to eat as much as I do.”
Niko snagged a slice off Ethan’s plate and took a bite. “I’m good.” He tossed the T-shirt over his shoulder. “Get some sleep.”
Ethan dropped his chin. “Thanks for everything.”
“No problem.” Niko fished in his pocket and dangling the glittery heart key chain. “You’re going to need this.”
“Thanks, I mean it. You’ve been really great.” Ethan took the key.
“Yeah, well,” Niko said as he opened the door. “I’m the guy who can get anything done.” He didn’t wait to hear another thank you. He wanted to spend the night. He wanted to wake up and fix Ethan pancakes tomorrow morning.
He wanted to stop being a pussy.
He wanted a damn drink.
*****
“Will that work for you?” The Professor sat in the chair across from the large desk. “If you want to keep your current job I understand and you can still keep the apartment. We could use the help, but you have to do what’s going to be best for you.”
Ethan ran his fingers through his hair. “So, you want me to clean up the rooms and help Scarlet with paperwork and stuff?”
The Professor leaned back in the worn leather chair, the cream-colored sleeves of his dress shirt neatly rolled up, revealing a faded mermaid tattoo on his forearm. “Yes, among some other duties. Deliveries come on Tuesdays and right now Scarlet is doing most of the work. The artists are booked and barely have time to eat during the day. I’ve got commitments. She’s wanting to enroll in some kind of salsa dance class and with your help she can do that. What do you say?”
Taking the offer would mean he’d have money for food and a phone. Charles had always covered his cell bill. The service was going to be shut off any day if he didn’t get online and pay. With The Professor only charging one hundred dollars a month for rent, he’d be able to afford next semester’s books. “What about school? I have three classes. Two are in the morning and one in the afternoon. I can skip a couple of the study sessions. Next semester starts in a few months. I can take online courses and that’ll free me up to work more.”
“School is important. We can certainly work around your classes. Niko said you don’t have a car so you can catch rides with me.” The lightbulb in Ethan’s brain flickered. Ah, The Professor! He’s a teacher at the university! Ethan sighed with relief. “You look a little more at ease. I assume that would really help you out.”
He had no idea. “That would be great. I’ll give you gas money.”
The Professor leaned his spider web tattooed elbows on the desk. “That won’t be necessary. Now, do you have everything you need up there?”