Savior:A Tattered Club Story(52)

Had an early appointment. Didn’t want to wake you. Do you work today?

Ethan stared at the screen. So he hadn’t left without saying good-bye because he’d regretted their night together. The tight grip on his chest eased as he quickly typed.

Work nine to eleven then class until four. The Professor is taking me today.

Ethan checked the time. Shit. It was eight forty-five and he needed to be on time to his new job. He bolted down the steps and ran into the shower, tossing the blanket on the couch on the way.

As he brushed his teeth, he checked the phone.

I’ll pick you up. Want to stay at my place tonight?

As Ethan smiled white foam dripped into the sink.

Sounds good. I have to work at the shop again until seven. Thanks for the ride home. I miss your lips. I love when you kiss me.

He spit into the sink and turned on the knobs in the shower. After a few moments, he stepped into the cold water; he didn’t have time to wait on the water to heat up. A quick wash and rinse and he was out. As he scrubbed the towel over his wet hair, he again checked the phone.

That’s a boyfriend thing to say.

Ethan typed. Erased. Typed again. Did he really want to know the answer?

Are you my boyfriend?

He took the phone back upstairs and tossed it on the bed while he quickly tugged a T-shirt over his head and slid his arms in a black button-up shirt. Running his fingers through his hair was the best he could do.

Checking his phone again, he stuffed the laptop in the backpack by the kitchen counter and grabbed the apartment key. When he stepped onto the landing, he remembered what The Professor had said and turned the knob on the door near the corner of the small space. The door opened revealing a stairway leading to the back of the studio.

When he opened the door at the end of the stairs, the guy who always wore the worn baseball cap looked over and walked away. Ethan wasn’t sure if the man was self-conscious of his scars or just being an asshole. Either way, he was going to steer clear of him.

“About time you got here.” Ethan turned to find Niko sitting in one of the recliners thumbing through a magazine. “Scarlet thought you bugged out and decided to quit.”

Ethan looked at the digits on his phone. The nine was followed by three minutes. “I’m only three minutes late and you never answered my text.” Ethan went still when he heard a deep cough coming from the corner where the water cooler stood. “I mean…I thought you were going to text me to let me know what supplies you need for your appointment this morning. I’ll check the storeroom and make sure you have everything in your room.” Ethan swallowed when he saw the guy standing by the water cooler. His muscles had muscles. “Can I do anything to help you out?”

He took a drink from the tiny paper cup. Ethan could see the corners of his upturned mouth as he took his sweet time with the drink. “Seeing as your friend over there doesn’t have any manners, I’m Seth and no, little man, I’m good. Maybe Niko could help you in the storeroom. You know…” He crumpled the cup and tossed it in the trash can. “Getting supplies off the top shelf. What do you say, Niko?”

Niko stood and flashed his middle finger. Never taking a moment to look at Ethan. “Fuck you.” He headed down the hall.

“He’s got PMS again.” Ethan tried not to stare at the tribal tattoo snaking up his neck all the way to the small gauge earring in his right earlobe. “You okay, little man?”

Ethan coughed, breaking the trance. “I’m good. Thank you for the bed. I really appreciate it.”

“No problem. I have friends who have friends who can get things…anything. Niko said you needed some stuff, and we’re a family here. If you need anything else, let me know. I’m sure Niko will want you to be comfortable up there.”

The fire in Ethan’s cheeks was enough to scorch his veins. “No, it’s not like that. He just…he’s just a friend. I mean, not that he’d be anything else. I’m…I’m gay and he’s not.”

Seth patted his shoulder. “I know.” When he winked, Ethan caught his breath and his throat locked up. Shit, had he said something wrong? Had the big man seen through the text comment? His stomach ached, and it had nothing to do with the lack of breakfast. Niko was going to kill him.

The next two hours were uneventful. Come to find out he did need help to reach the boxes of needles on the top shelf, but the guy with the bruises on his lip stepped in to help. The man didn’t speak much other than to reintroduce himself as Knox.

“Did you make sure all the guys are set up for the afternoon?” Scarlet asked as Ethan swept the area by the glass-front cooler. “If not, no worries. I can finish up.”