Page 60 of Nix
“And then I came along and you felt like it wasn’t fair,” Nix guessed.
Marlin’s gaze flicked toward where Evan was on the phone in the corner across from them.
“Oh!” Nix whispered. Marlin had a thing for Evan?
“Shh,” Marlin hissed. “No one else knows!”
“Your secret is safe with me,” Nix vowed. “As long as you get that he’s mine now. I don’t share.”
“Neither would he,” Marlin said with a grin. “It was hard to watch him fall for you. He tried to fight it, I could tell that, but he really liked you.”
“I like him too,” Nix said. “And we could totally be friends. You obviously have good taste in men. I could totally help find you someone of your own.”
“I think I’ll pass on the offer to help hook me up but,” Marlin grinned, “we could be friends.”
“Cool!” Nix wished he could celebrate adding Marlin as a new friend but not knowing if Aries was okay was killing him.
Evan stalked across the room as he disconnected his call. The room grew quiet as their teammates, friends, watched.
Crouching in front of Nix, he grabbed Nix’s knees.
“Is it bad news?” Nix asked quietly.
“He will be fine,” Evan told him. “He has a concussion and some bruises but he will be fine. Vin is taking him home and staying with him.”
Nix grabbed Evan’s collar and yanked him forward. “You swear?”
“Yes, they gave him something to help him sleep so he’ll heal.”
Marlin patted his back before he rose and left him and Evan alone. Or as alone as they could be with a room full of teammates. It was a big room but not that big.
“They all just wanted to make sure you were okay. Show their support,” Evan said quietly.
Nix rubbed his forehead where an ache was forming.
“I’ll get rid of them,” Evan whispered. “Maybe a hot bath and massage and then we’ll try to call your brother or Vin.”
“Thanks.” Nix normally loved being with his friends—he loved large groups. But he was wiped out. Honestly, he still felt like crying.
Nix rose. As each teammate made their way to their door, they offered Nix a word of encouragement, a fist bump, or a small smile. By the time Laney closed the door behind them all, the tears had welled up in his eyes.
Evan crossed the room to take Nix back into his arms.
He wrapped his arms around Evan’s waist while burying his face in Evan’s chest. Nix allowed the tears to flow as his Daddy rubbed up and down Nix’s back. And Evan was now his Daddy. Nix could feel the difference in Evan. Evan’s demeanor was always dominant but when he pampered and doted on Nix, there was also a softness.
“It’s okay,” Evan murmured. “Let it all out. I know how scared you’ve been.”
He’d been terrified. They were shifters. There wasn’t much that could seriously hurt or kill them. Even being small shifters, they were paranormal and that came with abilities. It didn’t make watching his brother fly through the air and crash through glass any easier.
Nix lifted his head, letting Evan clean his face with a tissue. Where Evan got the tissue Nix had no idea, but that wasn’t for him to worry about. Not when he was here with Evan like this.
The team had to know now that they were together. More than teammates or friends. It made him happy that they wouldn’t have to hide. At least one good thing came from the night.
His cell rang from the dresser and Nix stiffened. Was it bad news? Aries might be hurt more than Evan had thought.
“Answer it,” Evan said. “I’ll be right here with you.”
“Okay.” Nix hurried across the room and grabbed his cell. “It’s Shawn, Aries best friend and linemate. We all went to college together so hopefully he has a better update.”
