Page 32 of Nix
Crowly’s head flew back as he growled. “Now you’re in for it, little shifter!” He dropped his stick and gloves as Nix had done before fisting Nix’s jersey tight.
He yanked Nix around while drawing his fist back.
Nix wasn’t dumb and was not going to stand there to be beat up. He punched Crowly in the stomach.
Crowly tried to hit him, but Nix ducked.
Fury filled him as behind Crowly’s back, Evan was getting helped to his feet.
He saw red!
Nix began to wail on Crowly.
There was no missing that Crowly was hitting him back. Nix’s mouth was bleeding and his vision dimmed after a vicious punch to the eye. Nix didn’t feel any of it. Not riding the wave of adrenaline and pure anger.
Nix fought back with everything that was inside him.
They ended up on the ice. Nix on top of Crowly, delivering blow after blow.
He was yanked back off Crowly and fought the arms around him.
“It’s okay, Nix.” Evan’s warm breath was against his ear. “Stop now.”
On his knees he turned and clung to Evan’s jersey. “Are you hurt? He did that on purpose. I saw him!”
Evan nodded. “I’m fine, I promise. You're the one bleeding all over the ice.”
Nix wiped his mouth with the back of his hand then looked down at the blood. “Oh!” That was gross.
Crowly was shouting at him. Cursing him.
Nix turned his head to bare his teeth. Damn asshole! That was all Crowly was. A big bully, a prick, and Nix was glad Crowly was bleeding.
“They’re throwing you out of the game,” Evan said. “Wait for me in the locker room.”
“K.” Nix allowed Evan to pull him to his feet. That sounded like a good plan. Thank goodness Evan was telling him what to do. This had never happened to him before. Nix was at a loss. His stomach felt weird too.
Evan pulled Nix in close.
Nix had to hold on to him to remain on his skates.
“Good boy,” Evan whispered into his ear.
Nix gasped and almost fell. The ref was waving at him.
“Go!” Evan pushed Nix toward the ref.
“Yeah.” Nix shook his head. The ref grabbed his arm to escort him off the ice.
As he passed his bench, his teammates shouted for him while banging their sticks on the ice.
Holy shit! Nix was getting thrown out of a game for fighting. His mom was going to be so mad at him! And Gem, Gem was going to lecture him for hours. This was not good.
Still, as Nix made the long walk up the tunnel toward the locker room with only the trainer following behind, he couldn’t help the smile on his face. Evan had been proud of him. Had called Nix a good boy.
Nix was a good boy.
He had defended his goalie!
