Savior:A Tattered Club Story(55)
Waiting in the bathroom for a text for several minutes, he decided Niko wasn’t going to show up. He understood. The hottest tattoo artist in the city always had a booked schedule. Turning on the cold faucet, he set his bag on the floor and waited for the water to get cold. Splashing a few handfuls on his face took out part of the fire building in his jaw and eyelid. He needed to get to his apartment and soak his face in a bowl of ice. The dull throb in his head wouldn’t let up.
He pulled the sweatshirt hood over his head and dipped his chin before heading out the door. If he hurried, he could walk to the train and get back to the shop in time to get to his apartment and clean up for work.
His phone rang. Niko’s name popped up on the screen. “Hey.” He tried to sound as calm as possible.
“Meet me in ten minutes. You safe?”
The deep timbre of Niko’s voice soothed the ache in his temples. “Yeah,” he lied. “I’m okay. Just want to get home.” Ethan walked past the nursing building, looking over his shoulder every few seconds to make sure he wasn’t being followed.
“What happened? What about your classes? I’m here.”
“I’m almost there. See you in a minute.”
The moment he spotted Niko’s Nova, he wanted to sprint to the curb but didn’t want to draw attention. He stuffed the phone in his pocket and switched the backpack over his other shoulder. Taking a deep breath, he stepped off the sidewalk and reached for the handle on the door. Keeping his face straight, he sat down on the passenger seat.
“Do you need something to—what the fuck, Ethan? Jesus Christ.” When he tugged on the hood, Ethan snagged it out of his grip and put it back on his head. “Don’t you fucking do that. Don’t hide from me. Who did this? Was it one of Charles’s guys? Ethan, look at me.”
Hot tears scorched his cheeks as he fought not to huff in an all-out crying fit. “It’s not as bad as it looks. Some guy jumped me on campus. He wanted my laptop.”
Niko tugged the hood down again. “Your laptop’s in your bag. Try again. Was it Charles?”
Ethan peered over, his right eye tight as he blinked. “I told you it was a guy on campus. Can we please not talk about this? I just want to get home and go to work.”
Niko pulled the car into gear and drove out of the parking lot. “Like hell you’re going to work. Your ass is staying at my place tonight.”
Slapping his hand on his thigh, the rage grew tangible in his gut. “You can’t tell me what to do. Charles can’t either! You’re not even my boyfriend. Just take me home! I can take care of myself.”
When Niko reached over and palmed the back of his neck, he wanted to melt into the warmth but refused to let Niko see his fear. He wasn’t as weak as everyone thought. He’d endured sexual humiliation, routine slaps, some with a belt and some with a hand. He’d survived rejection, and he was going to survive this and he’d be damned if he’d let his mistakes take down Niko and the shop.
“Don’t do that. Don’t pull away from me. I know. I look like a fucking dick, but taking care of you is a priority and I’m doing it whether your pride takes a hit or not.” Niko lifted his hand and dialed his cell. “Ethan can’t be there to finish his shift…Yeah, he’s good… No, he texted me to let you guys know. He’ll be there tomorrow… Got it.” When he set the phone on the console, he looked over. “Taken care of.”
Panic gripped Ethan, making each breath feel like a million tons of bricks had been tossed onto his chest. “I can’t…breathe. I can’t. Shit… I can’t breathe.”
Niko pulled the car against the curb. They were almost to the theater. Embarrassment shoved Ethan’s pride to the side as he pushed his head against the seat. His lungs locked and wouldn’t let him pull in any air.
Ethan heard the click of a seat belt and realized it was his own. “Put your head down.” Niko’s voice sounded like a distant murmur in a tunnel. “Ethan, put your head down.” Gentle pressure on the back of his skull helped him to bend at the waist. “That’s good. Inhale and hold your breath then exhale. Good job. Breathe.” Niko’s soft, rumbly voice sifted through his ear as the air came in a little easier. “You’re in control, Ethan. I just want to keep you safe.”
When he straightened up, Niko sat back in the driver’s seat and pulled onto the street.
“Sorry about that. Sometimes I get nervous.”
“You need to eat.” Niko parked in a small gravel lot behind the theater. “Listen, I know you don’t want to talk about this and, hell, I’m probably the last guy you want hovering over you, but I’ve had my share of fights and it never felt good to be alone after.”