Page 34 of Beach Bats

He couldn’t believe that he was doing this. Vin was too damn old to be climbing trees. Hell, he was worried that the branches of the mango tree wouldn’t even hold his weight.

“I can do it,” Gem offered.

“I’m smaller than you. I’ll go,” Zany said.

“I’ll do it. I weigh less,” Robbs declared.

Vin growled. “I’m doing it!” He just wasn’t looking forward to it. He hadn’t climbed a tree…in maybe…ever. Had he ever climbed a tree? Even as a child?

This might be a bad idea. Vin would do it though. He could hear Aries screeching and shrieking and fighting again. Vin needed to get to his boy. Aries could be hurt and that had been Vin’s one job, to keep his little safe, and he had not expected Aries to get stuck in a tree. It would be funny if the boy didn’t sound like he was losing his shit.

Maybe Vin should have taken Gem’s warnings a little more seriously.

He’d just not…expected…this…

Grabbing the lowest branch, Vin lifted himself up. Damn! Maybe they should add tree climbing into the season workouts. This wasn’t as easy as it appeared.

“Careful, Vin,” Evan said.

“This is a really bad idea.” Zany already sounded upset.

Vin looked down. “Leave it to my boy to get stuck up in a tree.” He winked at Zany, hoping that would reassure their precious goalie. Zany really was too sweet for words.

“It’s okay,” Robbs said softly. He pulled Zany under his arm. “Vin’s got this.”

Vin was surprised when Zany didn’t pull away from Robbs. Normally Zany wasn’t touchy-feely with anyone other than Aries. Huh, something to think about later. After this damn rescue mission.

He wouldn’t actually have to climb too high since he was tall. Vin just needed a wide enough branch that he could stand on and still reach Aries. Three thick branches up, Vin peered through the thick leaves and fruit. “Hey, baby.”

Aries gave him a soft sad sound.

“I’ll get you out of there,” Vin promised. Once he knew the boy was safe, they were going to have another long talk about Aries not falling for Nix’s pranks. Yes, the prank had been on Gem, yet it was Aries in need of help.

His boy tried to wiggle his left wing, showing where he was tangled.

“Stay still, baby.” With careful fingers, Vin peeled back the branches and leaves away from Aries’s fragile wings. One stubborn thick limb with a sharp edge was nearly popping through. “Almost got it.”

As soon as Aries was free, he scrambled forward to wrap his wings around Vin’s face. That was not helpful, since Vin couldn’t see now. And they were still up in the fucking tree.

“Okay, okay, little one,” Vin soothed.

Aries shrieked and chattered back.

Peeling Aries off him, he set his baby bat into his shirt then began the descent to the ground. Someone’s hands wrapped around Vin’s ankles to help guide him down. Once his feet were back on solid ground, Vin turned and smiled at Evan. “Thanks.”

Evan nodded. “No problem.” He cut his eyes to Nix. “Now that your little one is safe, I’m going to go have a talk with mine.”

“But, Daddy!” Nix whined. “I didn’t know Aries would get stuck in a tree!”

Evan didn’t reply. He simply picked Nix up and threw the smaller man over his shoulder.

Vin glanced down at the small bat peering up at him with bright blue eyes. “What am I going to do with you?”

Aries chattered in response.

He shook his head. “No matter how many times you try to talk to me in your shifted form, I still do not speak bat.”

With a shriek and more chattering, Aries didn’t sound happy.