“You’re cranky in the morning. Grab your stuff. I still don’t think you need to be working all day.”
Ethan swung the backpack over his shoulder. “You’re not my mom, Niko. You’re my boyfriend. That doesn’t mean you get to dictate everything I do.”
“Again,” Niko smacked his ass as he walked by. “Cranky in the morning. I’m not trying to run your life. I want you to rest. And, keep the boyfriend thing on the down low today, okay? I know it bothers you, but you have to give me some time. This is all fucking crazy in my head.”
When Ethan rolled his eyes, Niko fought the urge to spin the kid around and smack his tight ass again.
“Thank God you’re a good kisser or I’d kick you to the curb.”
“You think I’m a good kisser?” Niko set a fresh bowl of water on Casper’s food mat.
“Seriously?” Ethan followed him out into the shades of muted red and blue on the landing floor. The stained glass yawned above them like a church steeple. “For being so badass and tattooed, you’re such a girl sometimes.”
The moment Niko clicked the lock, he stuffed the ring of keys in his pocket and lifted Ethan to roll over his shoulder.
“Niko! I’m not a sack of potatoes!”
“Do girls do this?” He snapped Ethan’s wiggling butt and headed down the metal stairs.
He stopped fighting and Niko held him snug against his neck. He needed to prove a point. He wasn’t a pussy and yeah…he loved being close to his man.
The moment they walked through the back door of the shop, Ethan dipped his chin when Ben sat down in one of the leather loungers. He clicked the remote and the news flicked on the screen. “Hey, Scarlet said your nine o’clock was a little early. My guy’s taking a smoke break. It’s always the big biker dudes who flinch like babies when you hit the elbow. Jesus, Ethan, what in the hell happened?”
Niko, without thinking, rested his hand on Ethan’s lower back. “I’m good. Someone jumped me on campus yesterday.”
“I hope you gave as good as you got. Did he steal anything?”
Ethan shook his head and when he started to rub his palms over his thighs, Niko stepped in. “The fucker is going to man up when I see him. If not, I’ll break his legs anyway.”
Ben snapped his eyes at Niko. Shit. “Sounds like you’ve got his back.”
Niko gently squeezed his fingertips, massaging the part of Ethan’s back Ben couldn’t see. “Put your stuff upstairs and find Scarlet.” Ethan nodded and, with pleading eyes, looked away. Niko needed to pull him into his arms as much as Ethan needed to feel their closeness.
Ben and Niko watched Ethan unlock the door leading upstairs. When he disappeared, Ben looked over. “You two good?”
Niko was closest to Ben. He made sure the other two, even The Professor and Scarlet were taken care of, but Ben could read his face like no one else. For a split second, he was pissed. The situation had gotten out of control and he figured if Ben could tell then it was a matter of time before everyone else knew. Including the tattoo community.
“Hey.” Ben patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t look so scared. I’ve never seen you look like you wanted to jump out of your skin. Your life is your own and you’re my brother no matter who you care about. Remember the first day I walked through the door?”
Hell yes, Niko did. The scars had shocked the shit out of him, but after about three hours with the guy he couldn’t imagine Ben without them. They were just organic.
“You didn’t treat me like a leper. You looked at me like a man and even though you were a cocky bastard, you still showed me respect. Now, I’m showing you the same. I can’t change my scars and you can’t change this. He’s a good kid. A little young.” He balled up his fist and tapped Niko’s shoulder. “But, hey, he’s a nice guy.”
Without thought, Niko blurted out, “He turns twenty next week.”
“Well, see, you’re no longer robbing the cradle then.”
Niko didn’t know whether to laugh, yell, or punch the wall. “You…got this right?”
Ben nodded. “I got this. It’s your story to tell, brother.”
Ethan walked through the door and halted. “What? Are you going to yell at me?” He frantically looked between them. “I didn’t tell. I swear. I didn’t say anything, Niko.”
The guy had kept his promise and even though it was heartbreaking at times, he’d not betrayed Niko. “Go find Scarlet. I’ll find you later.”
Ethan wrapped his arms around his waist and never made eye contact as he left the room. “We need to find the bastard who roughed him up.” Ben grabbed a doughnut from the table.