Page 4 of Beach Bats

Strolling out of the bathroom while drying off his hair, Evan frowned. “Stop yelling.”

“Daddy!” Nix stomped his foot. He was not yelling. Nix was expressing his concern about them being late loudly. There was a difference. And he wouldn’t have to be loud if his Daddy was dressed. “Why aren’t you ready?”

“Because the car won’t be here to pick us up for another forty-five minutes,” Evan said.

Nix rolled his eyes. Stupid logic. “You said we could get to the arena early.”

“An hour and half will be early.” Evan pointed at the bed. “Sit.”

“I don’t want to sit!” Nix had way too much energy inside him. His little brother, okay by a few minutes but still, Aries was playing in game seven of the PAHL championship game. This was it. Vegas and Dallas. Winner takes all.

“Boy,” Evan growled. “Now.”

Shuffling and sliding his feet on the carpet, Nix dragged himself across the room to sit on the end of the bed. He shoved his hands under him to keep himself from getting into any more trouble. That had been the voice his Daddy used when he wasn’t playing around.

Dang! Nix might have gotten overexcited.

Evan tossed the towel he’d been using on his hair to the mattress before standing in front of Nix. With two fingers under Nix’s chin, Evan forced his eyes up.

Nix peered back, trying to keep himself calm.

“I know this is hard for you,” Evan said. “You’re excited for your brother and friends. But you also need to behave.”

“I’m sorry.” Nix pushed out his bottom lip. He was like…thirty percent sorry. The other seventy percent of him was definitely anxious.

“You need to pace yourself. It’s a big night. Not only are your brother and friends taking center stage, but the cameras will be panning up to us in the suite with Gem, Luka, your parents, and everyone else. A lot of attention will be directed toward us all night.”

Nix huffed. His Daddy was right.

“We also leave early tomorrow for our flight.”

Yep, they had a very long plane ride the next day. Now that Nix was not looking forward to. Flying sucked unless it was in his fruit bat form. Usually Evan kept Nix entertained when they were headed to an away game so Nix didn’t drive his teammates crazy.

“That’s better.” Evan cupped his face gently. “Good boy.”

Hearing the praise, Nix closed his eyes and breathed deeply. The calmness that came from being close to his Daddy filled him. He’d been so disappointed when their team had been eliminated in the first round of playoffs. Florida had tried but it just hadn’t been in the cards for them.

Too many injuries had plagued the team at the end of the season and going into the playoffs.

And then Boston, Gem’s team, had been taken out in the second round.

Aries with Vegas had gone all the way. Even though Nix gave Aries a hard time, he was proud of him. Nix loved teasing Aries but he wanted to show his support. Nix couldn’t wait to see Aries on the ice.

“Good.” Evan’s voice dropped to that sexy timbre that made Nix shiver.

Nix opened his eyes, already feeling so much better. There was one thing guaranteed to keep him calm. To help him push aside the part of him that always had to be the one making sure everyone else was happy and had what they needed. Evan allowed Nix to just…be.

“What do you need, baby?” Evan asked.

Lifting his hands up together, Nix made his request. “Will you hold me? Tight?”

Evan wrapped his fingers around both of Nix’s wrists.

“Tighter?” Nix requested.

“Do you want me to leave my mark?”

“Yes please.” Nix didn’t just want it. He needed it.