Page 28 of Beach Bats

“Nothing.” Nix’s words were full of sugary lies.

Gem knew that when Nix sounded like that, they were in for some of his chaos and antics. “Don’t give me that. Spill!”

Nix sighed as Gem slid into a chair next to Luka.

Evan grabbed the back of Nix’s neck. “What did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything,” Nix drawled. “I’m just hoping that since Marlin and Lithis will be in close quarters…they might hit it off.”

Evan groaned.

“If that doesn’t work out, maybe Thomas will like one of them,” Nix offered.

“This isn’t Love Island,” Gem replied. Really, he had to hand it to his brother. Nix always wanted the best for his friends and family. A little matchmaking was right up his alley.

“I thought that you wanted Marlin and Angel together?” Aries piped up.

“Who’s Angel, again?” Vin asked.

“The ex-figure skater and new mascot for Florida,” Aries said. “He’s awesome. I watched his videos online. He’s so talented. If he hadn’t injured his knee and had to stop competing, he’d win another gold medal.”

“Yes,” Nix hissed. “But Marlin still hasn’t made up for his asshole behavior. I don’t think Angel is going to forgive him. That’s why I’m hoping that Lithis or Thomas like him.”

“Did you ask Gem if he wanted to be set up with someone?” Gem asked.

“He doesn’t know what he wants,” Nix responded with a smile. “That’s why he needs a friend like me.”

“Well,” Evan said as he tried to hide his smile. “Let the fun begin.”

Nix

“Look at me! I can do a handstand in the water!” Nix didn’t wait to see if anyone was actually looking in his direction before bending over and kicking his legs up.

“Yay! Good job, Nix!” Aries called from the sand.

Nix began to walk forward on his hands. “Thanks, buddy.” The youngest triplet was always the best cheerleader. Heading closer to him, Nix glanced around to see what everyone else was doing.

Gem and Luka were still making out in the water. Damn! They’d literally been kissing and touching and hanging on each other the entire time they’d all been on the beach. Nix had told them to get a room but Gem had just replied that they had one. Then went back to making out with his boyfriend. Like yuck! Nix didn’t need to see that. It was only cool when Nix made out with his boyfriend.

Aries was busy building a sandcastle, again, and wouldn’t even race Nix in the water. Like he was no fun at all! Sandcastle building was only fun in theory. It shouldn’t be so hard! Ugh!

And Vin and Evan? They were even more boring than everyone else. Vin and Evan were sitting under an umbrella while drinking beer and talking. “Oh, hey, Vin,” Nix called out.

“Yes?” Vin already sounded amused.

Maybe it was because Nix was still walking on his hands. He was just that awesome. “So, how long can you hang out in the sun before you like explode and stuff?” Nix asked.

“And why exactly would I explode?” Vin questioned.

“Hey! Don’t be mean to my Daddy.”

Nix wondered if he could stand on just one hand. “I’m not being mean. I’m just making sure that your Daddy doesn’t explode in the sun.”

“I don’t get it,” Vin admitted.

“Vampire,” Nix drawled. The duh was implied.

“My Daddy wouldn’t explode!” Aries declared, jumping to his feet. As he passed Nix, who had just decided to try the one-handed handstand, Aries pushed Nix’s legs.