Steven's Pov:

A week, actually a week and one day since Eric and I have had a real conversation. After that stupid argument after his clubbing escapade he kind of froze me out.

I still have him for three classes a day and then track practice and even our pair running every other day. But in class he tunes me out completely, he hasn't even pulled any pranks or tried to mess things up.

He's been polite but distant, basically the way he is with all his other teachers. In track practice he works out efficiently but alone. On our pair runs he listens to his Ipod and honestly doesn't even acknowledge me except for the cursory head nod before he starts running.

I don't like it, even if he doesn't feel anything for me romantically we were definitely on our way to becoming friends and I know technically I might have overstepped when I ragged on him about his stupid drunken night but hey friends worry about friends right? Especially when they do something so out of character that could potentially cause them problems right? Yep I think so.

Well whatever, I'm not going another school week with him ignoring me or whatever.

The bell rang to release second period and we had a few minutes before my third period freshmen showed up. Might as well try to smooth things over.

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Eric's Pov:

I looked up when the bell rang and gave an internal groan. John rolled his eyes and mouthed 'talk to him' to me as he walked out the door but I stubbornly shook my head.

I'm doing this as a self preservation tactic. John's taunts about me not just lusting after Steven really shook me up. Especially after our run when he bitched at me about drinking and random club hook ups.

Of course his concern was because he's my teacher/trainer maybe even friend but it was just too damn easy for me to pretend he was jealous. That is a dangerous road. I cannot get hung up on a straight guy.

Plus if I'm being honest with myself his reaction to me having casual drunk sex made me feel sleazy. Like I could see the 'whore' label in his eyes and I did not like it. I mean who the hell was he to get me being all self conscious about what I do?

Not to mention the fact that all the random sex that night did nothing to get me to stop wanting Steven.

"Eric look this has gone on long enough. We spend several hours a day together and let's be honest, it sucks that we're giving each other the cold shoulder. I prefer you smarting off and acting an ass to you giving me the silent treatment. I didn't mean to overstep or offend you and I'm sorry if it came off like I was berating or judging you because I wasn't. I consider you a friend and as a normal reaction to a friend doing something out of character that could have come back to stir up a shit storm I was worried. You're young and young people have a tendency to do things without looking at how it'll affect them past the present tense. I made a lot of mistakes when I was your age and I just don't want you to have to go through that. Plus I know how upset you were when the stories in the paper came out and I don't want you to have to go through that again just because some prick thought he'd cash in his fifteen minutes of fame. Friends again?"

I made the mistake of looking at him when he spoke and FML he could probably get me to do just about anything when he gave me that pleading look and spoke with true honest concern so evident in his voice.

I rolled my eyes but nodded.

"On the stipulation that we never mention that weekend again and you understand that I'm 18. Yes I realize I'm still young but I am an adult and though I appreciate your concern about the consequences I may face for mistakes I make, that's part of growing up. You make mistakes and you learn from them."

He stuck his hand out for me to shake and I rolled my eyes. "Dude you're 24 not 50, fist bumps are what we young adults do." I waited for him to make a fist and I bumped it to mine.

The freshies started filing in and Steven sent me a dazzling smile. "Alright get your TA duties on and please bring me a cup of coffee. Three sugars two creams and no spit. Thank you."

I laughed and shook my head in mock shock. "So that's what the apology was for.. Hmmm just for that you get a extra helping of my spit." I teased walking to his desk and dropping my crap in his chair.

He waited for the tardy bell to finish ringing before he turned away from his students.

"Damn and here I thought I was really slick about my motives. Oh well, the extra spit will just add more flavor." He quietly joked and made a shooing motion for me to go get his coffee while he began picking up homework.

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John's Pov:

"Naw aren't they cute. I told you that those two got it bad for each other. Look how happy they look. They finally made up and now we need to get them together. Everyone in?" KT asked staring at the track field.

Eric was telling Steven something. Steven laughed but leaned a little closer to say something back that had Eric grinning from ear to ear.

"You know I'm down. I already got a few ideas on how to move this shit along. So Daniel what about you?" I asked looking away from the cute almost, to be couple.

He leaned onto the fence and shook his head. "I dunno dude. I mean aside from the fact that he's a teacher, he's also straight and us trying to play matchmaker is just gonna blow up in our faces and crush Eric when we give him false hope. I think we should leave things alone and let Eric get over it."

KT finally turned to Daniel with hands on her hips and a fierce glare trying to burn holes in Daniel.

"You would say something like that cause you're a blind idiot! They are totally in love with each other and we want Eric happy and Steven would make him happy. He never said he was straight, we just assumed. They love each other and so what if he's a teacher. He's sweet, funny, fucking hot and he's good to our boy. You cant help who you fall in love with, believe me! I'm a walking testament to that shit! So if you're not gonna help then you better stay the hell out of my way or so help me god I will run your ass over!" She stormed off.

Daniel watched her leave with a lost look. "What the hell was that all about? She's been weird all week. That's like the fourth time in three days that she's screamed at me and what the hell did she mean by 'she knew you cant help who you love? Is she with someone?"

I rolled my eyes and popped him on the back off the head. "She's right, you're a blind idiot and she is too." I shook my head and turned back to watch the track team's practice.

"What do you know?" He asked leaning back on the fence next to me.

"All kinds of shit. Buuuuuuuuut I'm only playing cupid to one friend at a time and I honestly think if you gave it some serious thought you'd figure it out. Anyway why are you so against Eric and Mr B? Doesn't our friend deserve to be happy and find love and all that mushy shit?"

He rolled his eyes. "I'm not against them being together. If they get together it's whatever but I don't see it happening. I see Mr Becker treating Eric the same way we do. Friends, that's it and I think if we tried playing matchmaker it could mess up their friendship and Eric would be even more crushed because he wouldn't even have a friendship with him when everything went ape shit. Ya know what I mean? I just don't want to give him hope only to have it dashed. So I say let it all play out naturally. If there is something between them eventually they'll figure it out on their own."

Practise was finishing up so we walked to the parking lot and leaned against my car.

"I get where you're coming from but I don't think it would blow up in our faces. See KT has been harping on and on about them having a thing for each other since they all went shopping together for Eric's apartment. I'll admit I didn't believe it but I paid attention to the way they interacted, to what Eric said about Mr B. Then Eric had his melt down and went totally whore at the club to get over Mr B and you know the next morning I opened the door in my boxers and for just a spit second all of Mr B's feelings were clear as day until he cleared his expression. I think he cares about Eric just as much, if not more then Eric does him."

"Or you could have misinterpreted his facial expressions since you were hungover and half asleep."

"See I thought that too so I climbed into bed with Eric and watched the entire time and I'm telling you every now and then I'd get a glimpse of jealousy and yeah even hurt from Mr B. Then Eric canceled their run but me being the nice guy I was, texted Mr B from our boy's phone and rescheduled the run, which Mr B agreed to immediately. So Eric had enough time to clean himself up but not clear out the hang over and we all know how bitchy he is with a hang over."

Daniel crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. "Are you trying to tell me you set it up purposely so they would argue? What the hell did that accomplish?"

"Duh dumbass. If Mr B only viewed Eric as a student or even just a pal he would have dropped the issue but he obviously didn't and from what Eric told me he sounded pretty pissed that Eric hooked up. You don't fight and then give each other the silent treatment for a week unless there are some serious feelings going on. We saw how it effected Eric and at first I thought Mr B wasn't affected by it but the closer I looked the more I noticed it did. He's just a lot better at hiding what he's thinking and feeling then our boy is. So I'm gonna be a kick ass cupid and help them cut through all the bullshit."

"I'm not saying I believe all that but IF that's all true and they do get together if anyone becomes suspicious all kinds of hell is gonna break loose. Eric will be kicked out and Mr Becker will definitely lose his job. Any smart ideas about that?"

I nodded and smirked. "You seem to forget I'm a politicain's son and grandson. It's in my blood to get ahead of any crisis and spin it so everything is all sunshine and lollipops. I've got contingency plans for just about any scenario you can come up with and will make damn sure our boy and his man come out smelling like roses. Plus we're gonna be so smooth about hooking them up neither of them are gonna realize what's happening. I already have the next couple of parts of my plan set up. So if you're not down, you better keep it quiet."

He rolled his eyes. "You know I'm down. Just let me know what I have to do AND I reserve the right to punch you and tell you 'I told you so' if all this blows up in our faces."

I mock punched him in the arm. "And since you're being such a good friend, I'll help ya out with the KT situation. She's stupid because it's fucking obvious as shit that you're in love with her. Me and Eric figured it out a looooooooong time ago and you're dumb as a box of fuckin rocks cause the crazy bitch loves you too and sooooooooo you need to get in your truck and shag ass over to her house and declare your undying love for her."

"If you're just fuckin around you know I'll kick your ass right?" He called already walking to his truck.

"Make sure it's sweet and sappy and shit! Oh and wear a condom! I'm too young to be an uncle!" I yelled after him and laughed when he stuck his arm out of his window to flip me off as he sped out of the parking lot.

Ahhh I like playing cupid and I happen to think I'm pretty bad ass at it. One couple down just one more to go and they're already half way there.

I gave a self satisfied sigh. How should I celebrate my awesome Cupid-ness? Ooooh yeah it's feeling like a Flaming Banana kind of a night. I wonder if that manager hottie's gonna be there tonight. He gives great head and his tight little ass is very vocal and damn if that doesn't turn me on something severe.

Plus I could pump him for more information on the clubs new stricter rules. I was a little preoccupied when he was telling me about it the other day and I could definitely use that in the next part of my plan. Plus hello the sex was off the charts! Yep it's gonna be a good night.