Broken and Screwed by Tijan Page A

to stay away.”
                  Eric stiffened. His eyes skirted from her to me and he gave us a sheepish look. “Uh, yeah, but I didn’t. Was that not the right thing to do?”
                  “No.” Angie’s hands found her hips and she turned to scan the room. “You’re doing the right thing. Where’s my boyfriend? I’ve got something different to unleash on him.”
                  I couldn’t hold back a grin as she winked at me when she headed out. Those two would be long gone within minutes, so I glanced at Ben.
    His eyes looked ready to pop out as he was still in his chair. Beads of sweat had formed on his forehead. He lifted a handkerchief to wipe them away. I knew he’d been sweating since we got into the gym. With all the hot bodies and dancing, it was on the verge of a sauna.
    “Did you have fun?”
    He nodded, still speechless.
    I chuckled. My hand slipped into Eric’s. “I think it’s time we call it a night.”
    Eric grasped my hand. A smile lit up his face.
    Ben jerked his head in a nod. His second chin wobbled from the movement and then he struggled to his feet. “I’ll see you guys. See you at work tomorrow morning.”
    We watched him go. His shoulders drooped. No one said goodbye to him and he collected his coat in silence.
    My heart swelled for him. In some ways, I felt like my life was similar to Ben’s, but in others I knew I was lucky to still have Angie as my friend.
    Eric watched beside me. “He’s a nice guy. Junior, right?”
    “He’s a senior with us.”
    “He is? I don’t remember him in any of our classes.”
    That was Ben’s problem. He was always there, but in the background. And before I started getting sad again, I whirled around with a bright smile. I slipped both of my arms around Eric’s waist underneath his tuxedo coat. “Are you hungry?”
    Eric’s eyes darkened. His smile softened as he stared down at me. “Starving.”
    “Me, too.”
    My heart skipped a beat. We stared at each other for a second and I didn’t think either of us breathed. The moment was suspended in time. I didn’t know what it was or what it meant, but it felt right. I felt that everything would be okay right then and I wanted to keep feeling like that.
    “Come on.” Eric’s voice dropped to a husky murmur and he led me outside with his hand in mine. As I waited by the door, he went back for our coats. I left my bag of clothes in my locker. I didn’t have the energy to leave and grab it. There was nothing in there that I needed, so I waited for him. Shivers of anticipation came over me. What did this mean?
    “Here you go.” But he was back already.
    My arms went behind me and he slid my coat over them. He rounded and pulled it the rest of the way and made sure that it was comfortable on me. He tucked all the corners in the right spot before he pulled me close for another hug.
    It was delicious.
    I closed my eyes and burrowed my head against his shoulder. He brushed back some strands of my hair. The feel of his fingers against my skin gave me a loving feeling. He touched me tenderly, so softly that I could feel the yearning from him. Or maybe that was me. Did I yearn for his touch? I never had before, but as I moved away a step and held his gaze, I was cold.
    He chuckled as he took my hand again. “Come on. I thought you said you were hungry.”
    “I am.”
    “What do you think? Burgers? Tacos?”
    “A big fat cheeseburger, please.” I felt giddy in that moment. I was breaking some rule that I didn’t know yet.
    “Sounds perfect.” Eric’s smile softened again. He pulled me close and placed his arm around my shoulders as we walked to his truck. The cold air blasted me awake. I was jerked out of the fairytale reverie I’d been in. When he helped me inside and rounded the truck for his door, I paused. What were we doing?
    But then he was inside and it wasn’t long before the heat warmed me and dulled my thoughts once again.
    Eric was a