Page 20 of Nix
Between warmups and getting ready for the game, Nix hadn’t gotten to connect with Aries before.
“Nix!”
Nix turned as Aries ran at him. He opened his arms and not a second later had Aries clinging to him. Closing his eyes, Nix held Aries as tight as he could. It had been too long. Even though they were barely a month into the season, Nix missed his brothers. It was so hard being without them.
“I missed you!” Aries sobbed into his neck.
“I miss you too. So much.” Nix kissed the side of Aries’s head before hugging him harder. Playing against Aries was exciting and educational. Aries was good. Better than even a few months ago when they’d still been practicing together. No wonder he’d been drafted as number one. Some of Nix’s anxiety was relieved as he’d watched Vin go out of his way to protect Aries all night.
Pulling back, Nix cupped his little brother’s face. “You looked good out there.”
“You too. It was almost like old times.” Aries blinked but he was still tearing up.
“Except much bigger opponents,” Nix pointed out. “And I’m not there to protect you.”
“You shouldn’t be protecting anyone,” Aries told him. “You should be scoring goals.”
“I will always protect you.” Nix pulled Aries back into a hug. With a limited amount of time, he just wanted to hold his little bro.
Aries wrapped his arms around Nix’s waist. “I would protect you too. If you needed it.” He started to cry again.
“Just worry about yourself. I’m fine.” His heart broke with Aries trembling in his arms.
He heard a scuff on the tile and looked up, prepared to force whoever was invading on their time away. His gaze met Vin’s and Nix was surprised to see a soft look in the vampire’s eyes. Vin held up both hands, palms facing him, and Nix nodded.
Vin slowly backed away to disappear around the corner.
Once again Nix pulled back. “I love you, little brother.”
“I love you too.” Aries wiped his eyes. “Sorry I cried.”
“Don’t ever stop being you,” Nix ordered softly.
“There you are!” Vin announced loudly, like he hadn’t just seen the two of them.
Nix was impressed. It was pretty smooth of the vampire.
Aries turned and his smile was so bright as he looked at the vampire that Nix knew. Something huge was happening between Aries and Vin. Protectiveness coursed through him. How could he get a minute alone with Vin?
“Hey, Vin,” Aries said and waved back at him. “This is Nix.”
Vin nodded to him. “Nice to meet you. Aries talks about you all the time.”
Nix didn’t want to like the guy, but Vin was looking at Aries like he hung the moon. It was hard to hate someone who appeared smitten with his brother. Needing time to process, Nix fell back to joking and being a clown. “Of course he does.” Nix gave his cockiest grin. “I’m the best.”
“That’s not what the scoreboard said.” Aries poked him in the stomach.
Damn it, Nix knew his brother would get around to the smack talking. Still Aries had played a fantastic game. “I swear you got faster. Not even sure how that could be possible.”
“Good food,” Aries replied. “I've put on weight and gotten faster. More energy.”
Aries had filled out. Nix laughed. “You don't need more energy!”
“Do too,” Aries argued like the brat he was. “Vin said more balanced meals would help with my stamina on ice and it has!”
Oh, really? Nix narrowed his eyes at the vampire. Was Vin just concerned about Aries’s stamina on ice or was there already something more going on? “Vin said, did he?”
Vin closed the remaining distance before bending down to speak in Aries’s ear. “We need to get ready to leave.”
