Page 18 of Nix
But who had given Nix what he had needed?
“I’ve played the role that my family needed of me,” Nix said quietly. “Being here, I’m not sure what role I’m supposed to play anymore.”
“Nix—” Evan reached for him.
Nix laughed as he backed away. “Anyway! You don’t have to worry about my babies out here. They will be just fine. Now I’m starving. And I could use another beer.”
He remained quiet as Nix led the way back inside. Evan watched Nix closely as he thought about how to make Nix smile again. A real smile. He ached to make the boy truly happy, even as he wondered if Nix knew how to be happy on his own. Nix had said it himself, he’d been playing a role, but that didn’t mean that was all Nix was. Evan sat, vowing to keep an eye on the boy. It was official. Evan was intrigued by the little shifter. And one trait about dragons was that they could easily become obsessive. Evan could already feel it happening.
* * * * *
Nix
Snickering, Nix glanced at Mules from the corner of his eye. He’d picked the most ridiculous movie that had been available to stream just to see how the goalie would react.
Leaning forward, Mules set his cartoon of food on the coffee table. “A toxic six-headed shark. This…this is so bad.”
“I know!” Nix shoved the last bite of food into his mouth. “Isn’t it great?”
“No,” Evan groaned. “It’s terrible. This is the worst movie that I’ve ever tried to watch.”
Leaning against the couch, Nix grinned as he tilted his head toward the cushion. He’d chosen to sit on the floor, using the coffee table for his dinner with his back to the couch as Mules remained sitting in the corner.
Mules shook his head. “I feel like I’ve lost at least two IQ points.”
“Nah.” Nix rubbed his stomach. He’d eaten too much. A common problem. But the food had been so good! “This is entertainment at its finest.”
“Nix,” Evan said. “I’m truly worried about your choices in movies. Brain rot is a real issue.”
Nix’s phone chimed and he picked it up. Another message from Aries.
“Everything okay?” Mules asked.
“Aries,” Nix answered as he typed out his reply. He was really getting concerned by the one and only topic that Aries messaged about. Nix wasn’t there to watch over his little brother and…wait! He snapped his head to Mules. “Hey!”
Mules cut his eyes from the screen. “Yes?”
“You’re old!” Nix winced as Mules scowled. “I mean you’re…”
“Do not say old again,” Mules warned.
Nix shivered at that tone. It was pure dominant. Fucking sexy! He turned, placing his arm on the couch cushion. It was so much better to ignore his body’s reaction to being so close to Evan and concentrate on the problem at hand. “You played for the NHL.”
“I did.” Evan reached out and picked up the remote before pausing the movie.
“You know Vin? The vampire defenseman from Vegas?” Nix asked.
Mules lifted a brow. “Yes, we are friends.”
“Friends?” Was that good or bad? Nix was already calculating how to get hold of the vampire. He had plenty of good threats that had worked over the years. Vin was a little intimidating though so he needed insight.
“Good friends,” Mules replied.
Shit! Mules probably wouldn’t help him.
“Why are you asking about Vin?”
Nix considered how to respond.
