Page 11 of Aries (PAHL #1)

Aries

“But the doctor said I was fine,” Aries argued.

“The doctor said you were fine for no touch practice but that you still needed to rest,” Vin corrected.

“But naps suck!” Aries whined.

Vin finished cleaning up their lunch before he turned and raised a brow at his boy.

Immediately, Aries dropped his chin.

A knock sounded at the door and Vin almost cursed out loud. They did not need company, again, when Aries needed rest.

“I’ll get it!” Aries hopped off his stool.

Vin followed behind with every intention of sending away whoever was there. That was when he noticed that Aries didn’t even check the peephole.

“Aries!”

Hand on the door, Aries paused.

“You need to check who’s here. It could be a reporter or a crazed fan.”

Aries rolled his eyes. “We live in a secure building. You have to be on the visitor list or come in from the residential parking with a key to get in.”

“Doesn’t mean people can’t be sneaky,” Vin pointed out. “You need to check first.”

“I can’t even reach the peephole!” Aries pointed out.

Well shit. Vin hadn’t thought about that.

“And if it is a crazed fan or reporter, I’ll just let you scowl at them. That’ll send them running fast.”

He was going to redden his sassy boy’s ass. Vin sighed.

Aries smirked before he pulled open the door. The smile fell from his face.

Vin rushed forward. Was it a real threat?

“Baby!”

Aries was tackle-hugged by someone, a woman his size, and knocked back several feet into the apartment.

Vin tensed but the scent told him that he was about to meet the most important female in Aries’s life. She was squeezing the life out of the boy while talking a mile a minute.

“I was so worried about you. I know you told me and your father not to come but I couldn’t sit at home and worry about you. So, we packed up the car and drove all the way here. Almost eighteen hours on the road but you know that I don’t like to fly. Not that I wouldn't have flown if you’d been hurt worse. You know I would do anything to be where you needed me!”

“Maybe let the boy breathe, honey.” An older man, tall and thin, had followed the woman inside, holding several bags.

“Help!” Aries mouthed.

“Uh, hello,” Vin said politely.

That got the couple’s attention.

“Vin!” The woman released Aries to run at him.

Vin only had a moment to brace himself before the woman threw herself into his arms.

“I’m so happy you’re here. I was going to insist that Aries’s call you so I could thank you in person. You put that Thompson in his place, didn’t you? Not that I wouldn’t like to get my own hands on that awful man. Targeting my babies—”

“Dad! Stop her!” Aries whined.

“Honey.” The older man came up behind the woman and drew her away from Vin. “We talked about you not hugging all the hockey players. They’re not all your sons.”

She sniffed before grinning up at Vin. Aries’s mother was a beautiful woman. Vin could see where the boy’s delicate bone structure came from. “They could be. Tell me, Vin, are you close with your mom? How do you feel about being adopted by a younger woman?”

“Eww! You can’t adopt my boyfriend!” Aries wailed. “That’s weird.”

“Boyfriend?” Aries’s parents repeated.

Aries’s eyes grew wide. “Uh, surprise?”

“You have a boyfriend?” His mom was hugging the stuffing out of Aries again.

“She’ll be like this for a while. Steve.” He offered his hand. “And my lovely wife, Cherry.”

“It’s very nice to meet you,” Vin said sincerely. “I’ll admit that the first time Aries’s said ‘my mama’ I was already halfway enamored by her. Aries speaks with nothing but the upmost respect about both of you.”

“He’s a good boy and the apple of her eye, pun intended, and I’m very lucky they accepted my love for her and them.”

“Would you like a drink? Something to eat? That couldn’t have been an easy drive.”

“I would love some coffee, if there is any. I know Aries doesn’t drink it,” Steve said.

“I brought my machine and stash over. There’s no way I could keep up with him, even injured, under caffeinated.”

Steve nodded as he followed. “You live close then?”

“Across the hall actually,” Vin answered as he prepared a fresh pot of coffee.

“That’s convenient.” Steve laughed as he dropped down on the stool Aries had just been pouting on.

“Of course you can stay here, Mama.” Aries drew his mother to join them. “I have a guest room.”

“We don’t want to be an inconvenience,” Cherry told her son as she shot Vin a wink.

“You were going to stay here but you found out I have a boyfriend and now it’s an inconvenience? That doesn’t even make sense,” Aries argued.

“We just don’t want to be in the way of a newly together couple. I remember those days. Having to sneak away with Steve to—”

“No!” Aries shouted as he plugged his ears. “I don’t hear you! I'm not listening. Lalalalalala!”

Cherry cackled, sounding just like her son.

“I see where he gets it from,” Vin commented with a grin.

Steve rolled his eyes. “Just wait until Nix is in the picture. Gem and I suffer constantly. It’ll be nice to have someone else on our side.”

“Gem.” Cherry sighed dramatically. “My smart but boring son.”

“I’m gonna tell him you said that!” Aries pointed a finger at her.

“You do that, I might forget how to make that apple cobbler you love,” Cherry teased.

“Huh?” Aries said. “I don’t even remember what we were talking about.”

Cherry patted Aries’s shoulder. “Good boy.” She peered into the apple bowl in the middle of the island where they sat. “We’ll have to go shopping. You’re almost out of apples. How many have you eaten? Didn’t you just go to the farmers market?”

Aries blushed red as he squirmed. “No. I still have plenty.”

Cherry glanced around.

“They’re over at my place across the hall,” Vin informed her. “Easier to keep track of how many he eats.”

Cherry beamed before she grabbed a hold of Vin again and began to pepper kisses all over his cheek.

“Stop kissing my boyfriend!” Aries groused.

“But he’s so perfect for you!” Cherry argued. She kept an arm around Vin’s waist.

“Dad!” Aries tried.

“You really did pick a good partner. Of course, your mama is going to smother him.”

“How long are you staying for?” Aries asked.

Cherry laughed. “Long enough to get to know your man. And make sure you're all healed up. What did the doctor say?”

As Aries started to fill his parents in about their doctor’s visit earlier, Vin leaned against the counter to watch the tight family unit. He missed this. Having family. People that loved and supported him. He shouldn’t. Vin had been on his own for a very long time.

Back when paranormal creatures were still hiding, it was common for vampires to stay with their makers for only long enough to learn how to survive. Vin’s human family had died off from old age mostly, a few accidents, a war or two. But his vampire brethren hadn’t been people he’d been close to. His sire was still out there somewhere in the world, but Vin had no idea where. Vin wasn’t hard to find since he played a very public sport, so if his sire wanted to find him, he would have.

He’d found the connection with his old teammates, but they had been ripped away from him as well.

The NHL had ruthlessly tossed aside the paranormal members of the teams.

Vin had men that he’d shared blood, sweat, and tears with turn on him and call him names like abominations and monster. There were few of his old human teammates that Vin kept in touch with even when the PAHL was formed.

A few of the older paranormals like him, Robbs, and Mules still hung around, but Vin had been gun-shy of forming a bond with anyone again. Until the little fruit bat shifter had come along and changed his entire world. Reminded Vin that while life could be unfair, he had a lot to be thankful for. That even at his age there was more to look forward to.

Watching Aries with his parents made Vin feel the same way he did when he heard Aries talking with one of his brothers. The longing hit so sharply he nearly lost his breath.

Little arms wrapped around his waist and he glanced down.

“Where did your parents go?” Vin looked around frantically. He hadn’t meant to get lost in his head.

“They’re settling into the guest room.” Aries hugged him hard. “You’re not mad that they’re here, are you? I shouldn't even be surprised.”

“I’m happy they came,” Vin said sincerely. “Your mom is just like you.”

“She’s awesome, isn’t she?” Aries beamed. “Don’t let my dad fool you. He may be cool and collected but he’s fierce when it comes to us boys too. He never let anyone be mean to us where he could hear.”

“I’m glad you have a good family.”

“You didn’t?” Aries asked quietly.

“I did actually. My human family. It gets harder and harder to remember them. As the years pass. Sometimes I find it hard to even remember their faces.”

“You don’t have any pictures?”

“Pictures like we have now didn’t exist. I had a painting commissioned once but it’s been in storage since I joined the PAHL.”

“Well, you could always take it out of storage. I’m pretty sure you’ll be in Vegas for a while. And I’d like to hear stories of your family. To help you remember them.”

Vin snapped his head down at his boy. He hadn’t thought about that. That was a wonderful idea. “I would like to share stories with you. Thank you for offering. I wouldn’t have thought about that.”

“See!” Aries poked him in the side. “You can teach an old dog new tricks.”

Vin snorted. “I approve the use of that saying for Robbs. Not me.”

Aries cocked his head.

“Robbs,” Vin repeated. “Hellhound.”

Aries gulped audibly. “He’s a what now?”

“Hellhound.” Vin pinched the bridge of his nose. “He’s on your line, baby. You should know that. You should know what everyone on your team is.”

“It seemed rude to ask!”

“It’s part of our stats, baby. You could just look it up,” Vin pointed out.

Aries mouth formed a perfect O.

“Didn’t think of that, did you?”

Aries shook his head.

“Guess I’m not the only one learning new tricks,” Vin teased.

Aries smirked. “What else are you gonna teach me?”

Leaning down, Vin nipped Aries’s earlobe. “Nothing with your parents in the next room.”

Aries groaned as he slammed his head against Vin’s chest. “They could go to a hotel.”

“They’re not going to a hotel,” Vin corrected. “You’ll just have to be a good boy for me.”

“So not fair!” Aries whined. “Oh!” Aries popped his head up. “Dragons!”

“Dragons?”

“Nix said his goalie is a dragon!” Aries said. “Is that true or are they just messing with him?”

“Mules is a dragon shifter. One of the last of his kind,” Vin told him.

“It’s really true? A freaking dragon!”

Vin scowled. “It’s not that exciting.”

Aries laughed. “He’s not cooler than you. Don’t worry. Even if Nix says he is very bendy.”

“I’ll show you bendy,” Vin mumbled.

* * * * *

Aries

Having his mama at the arena for practice should have been humiliating but he and Shawn were sitting on their bench laughing at all the big rough and tough hockey players practically bowing and simpering at the tiny woman’s heels.

“Ha! Here comes Robbs again.” Shawn nudged him.

Aries bit into his juicy apple while he watched in enjoyment as Robbs spotted Aries’s mama heading in his direction and immediately turned tail. He even hid behind Zany! Zany was already in love with Aries’s mama, just like everyone else in the locker room, so he didn’t seem to mind the extra hug as Cherry got distracted from getting to Robbs. She was going to catch the hellhound and Aries hoped he was around to witness it.

Stepping out of the gym, wiping his face with a towel, Vin paused in the doorway as he took in the scene. Amusement flashed over his face before he looked around. Aries waited until his boyfriend spotted him.

Lifting that single eyebrow at Aries as sweat rolled down his hard tattooed chest had Aries nearly choking on his apple bite.

Crap! He wasn’t supposed to be eating an apple. This time it was Zany who had snuck it to him. Quickly he hid his hand holding the snack.

Shaking his head, Vin strode across the room like a man on a mission.

Dang it!

Vin stopped in front of him and held out his hand. Aries gently placed the apple in his palm, already missing the sweet fruit. It had been a good apple.

“How many have you had?” Vin demanded.

“That was my first one!”

Vin scowled at Shawn.

“Wasn’t me!” Shawn held his hands up. “Swear!”

“Where are the others?” Vin asked.

Aries slumped. “In my insulated bag.”

Vin pulled the bag from the hook in Aries’s cubby before he handed back the half-eaten apple.

Aries perked up.

“No more until after lunch,” Vin ordered.

“Okay. We’re still going to eat with Mama and Dad? And some of the team?”

“As soon as I’m done showering,” Vin replied.

Aries let his gaze drag down Vin’s sweaty body. Showering was good. Important for good hygiene and all that.

“Eyes up here, boy.” Vin snapped his fingers in front of Aries’s face.

Shawn snorted.

Aries blushed and glanced away.

“Give me twenty minutes and then we’ll try to rein in your mom,” Vin said with a smirk.

Aries flashed Vin a thumbs-up.

Vin grunted as he turned to head to the showers.

“Guess I know who’s feeling much more comfortable with his boyfriend,” Shawn said with a nudge to Aries’s arm.

“There’s always been something about Vin I found comfortable,” Aries corrected. “I’m not sure why. Or what it means.”

Shawn leaned harder against his side. “Do you really need to question it?”

“I…I’m not sure,” Aries confessed quietly. He liked where he was in his relationship with Vin. Looked forward to what they planned on exploring together. Vin helped Aries feel settled, happy. Aries side-eyed his best friend. Would Shawn think Aries being a little was weird?

“You’re thinking too hard,” Shawn told him. “If you’re happy and Vin treats you good, that’s all that matters.”

Aries knew Shawn was right but there was so much more going on besides just being boyfriends. Vin wanted to be his Daddy. Aries shuddered. Just thinking about that word made him hot.

Aries was sexual when he had an actual connection that was returned. He’d had sex before, so it wasn’t like he was a virgin or anything. He’d just never wanted anyone like he did Vin. He craved Vin’s attention. Wanted to be in the vampire’s presence at all times.

“Seriously.” Shawn bumped him again. “You need to stop worrying.”

He did.

There was a screech and Aries looked up in time to see that his mama had finally cornered Robbs. Literally caught him in the corner of the room and had her arms wrapped around his waist as she peered up, babbling a mile a minute.

The look of pure terror on the hellhound’s face had the entire locker room cracking up with laughter.

Aries sighed as he rose. He needed to save his tortured teammate from his mama so they could get ready for lunch. He was hungry. And he had more thinking to do.

* * * * *

Aries

“It’s perfect!” Aries bounced on the tips of his toes as he peered around his newly redecorated living room. After lunch with his parents and teammates, a group of them had gone downtown to the art walk. Aries’s mama had been as excited as him to purchase art from local vendors to fill his apartment.

“I should have come down when you moved in. I never should have suggested you hire a decorator,” his mama said.

Aries wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “It was a good thought. If it had been completely left up to me, my apartment would probably be empty except for a bed.”

“And apples,” his mama added.

“And apples,” Aries agreed. Because apples were the best!

His mama turned to face him. “And you’re happy here? Settled? I’ve been so worried about you.”

Guilt filled him. Aries didn’t like being the one that everyone worried over. “I’m really okay. Happy, healthy, and full of apples!”

His mama laughed, just like Aries had wanted.

“And maybe a little in love?” she teased.

“Love?” Aries nearly choked on the spit in his mouth. “No one said anything about love.”

She cupped his face. “I know my sons,” she said. “It might take you longer to be interested in someone, but you care deeply when you do. It hasn’t been easy for you, but I think it happened when it was meant to. That you found your person when your heart was open and you were ready for more.”

Closing his fingers around her wrists, he squeezed gently. “I want to believe that so much.”

“Then believe it, baby. Sometimes things work out better than we could have ever imagined.”

“Thanks, Mama.”

“Gem already likes him,” his mama said. “Nix is being a little cagier but I think he has his own love life to worry about.”

Aries cackled. “It’s awesome. I saw a video of him following his goalie around. He deserves to have to work for it.”

“I won’t disagree with you,” she replied. “I just want my boys to be happy.”

“We are, Mama,” Aries assured her.

“Good. And where are our men with dinner? Did they go to California to get it?” she complained.

“Vin knows all the best spots to eat.” Aries drew his mama to the couch so they could sit. He loved how the natural colors and textures around his place brought the homeyness that had been missing. It wasn’t the house that he grew up in, but it was his. Or his and Vin’s as the vampire’s touch was sprinkled around Aries’s apartment as well.

“I overheard him mention to Steve about finding vegetables you’ll eat.”

Dang it! Aries just knew that his cheeks were glowing pink.

“It’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” his mama scolded gently. “Sometimes we need a little help in life.”

He was totally going to ignore the fact that his mama just used the word little. “I’m an adult. I should be able to take care of myself,” he mumbled instead.

“Baby, you’re twenty-two. You have a man who has centuries more experience than you. It’s okay to lean on him. But be a partner to him as well. Listen to his concerns and worries. Help when he’s struggling.”

“I want to do that for him. Vin is amazing. I thought he was just this grumpy vampire that got saddled with protecting me on ice but now I think there’s more to how unhappy he was,” Aries shared. “He was lonely.”

“And no one could ever be lonely with you around.” She beamed at him.

“Exactly!” Aries bounced in his seat. “I bring sunshine and smiles everywhere I go!”

The door opened as Aries made that last declaration.

“You mean you bring chaos and trouble,” Vin said as he entered, carrying three large bags.

“Food!” Aries jumped off the couch. “I’m starving. You were gone forever!”

Vin shook his head as he headed for the kitchen island. His dad followed, carrying a drink holder. “Traffic.”

“It’s always traffic,” Aries whined. He climbed up on the stool closest to the food. “What did you get?”

“Vegetables,” Vin replied with a wink.

Aries knew he wasn’t kidding.

“You have a game in two days,” Vin pointed out.

“But not just vegetables,” Aries argued. “Because that’s not a balanced meal.”

“It’s not?” Vin crossed his arms over his chest. “Are you sure?”

Aries bobbed his head. “Hundred percent.”

Giggling, his mama sat next to him. “What about vegetarians or vegans? Are you saying that they don’t eat balanced meals?”

Aries gasped. “There’s not tofu in there, is there? Yuck!”

Vin laughed. “There just might be.”

“You two are evil,” Steve said as he began to pass out drinks.

Aries was glad that at least someone was on his side. His mama always thought vegetables were important but it was like Vin was obsessed. And not even obsessed with something yummy like apples…no, Vin was obsessed with vegetables.

“You just don’t tell Aries what he’s eating until after he’s done. I’ve been doing it for years,” Steve finished.

Wait! Scratch that. Aries was surrounded by big ol’ meanies.