“Yeah, that asshole,” Jayden basically growled, but he looked relieved. “Mom said you almost fought him.”
Benji looked at Lucy, who was seated at the end of the table, her eyes on Angie before she glanced back at Benji. Her eyes were so sad, so tired. She needed to go home and go to sleep. “He had one more chance to say something shitty about her and I would have.”
Jayden nodded as Lucy looked away. “She’s pissed.”
Benji let out a long breath. “Apparently, that was wrong.”
“No, from what my mom said, Rick is trying to get their parenting plan changed. She’s stressed. It isn’t you.”
When Benji gazed back across the table, Lucy looked over at him and then back at the food she hadn’t even touched. “What do I do?”
Jayden shook his head as he met his eyes. “I don’t know. Short of killing the dude, is there anything we can do but be there for her?”
“Will she let us?”
Jayden scoffed. “Nope. But we will try anyway.”
It was clear that Benji was a part of that we, and it made him feel good. But did Lucy still see him that way? She wouldn’t even really look at him, and it was killing him.
He didn’t know what to do.
When they were done with lunch, they walked out as a group, Baylor limping behind, and Benji slowed to walk with her.
“When’s the surgery?” he asked and Baylor shook her head.
“End of the month.”
“When you hitting the ice again?”
Biting her lip, she shrugged. “I don’t know if I will. Professionally, at least.”
His brows came together. “Really?”
“Yeah, they don’t know if I’ll play ever again to my full potential.”
Benji nodded slowly, thinking that over. “Do you believe that?”
Baylor met his gaze and held it for a second before shaking her head. “I don’t.”
Smiling, Benji cupped her shoulder. “Don’t give up.”
She smiled, the curve of her lips brightening her whole face before she nodded. “Thanks.”
“Anytime,” he said, squeezing her shoulder as Angie squealed.
She was up on River’s shoulders when she declared, “Mommy! River is gonna take me stick shopping.”
Lucy shook her head, though, her brows coming together. “No, she has a stick. She’s fine.”
“She has Jayden’s old stick. She needs her own.”
“She’s fine,” Lucy tried, but Autumn was already waving her off.
“We want to take her out, spend some time with her. We miss her.”
“Mom, you guys see her all the time. Stop spoiling her.”
“No, you go on. We’ll bring her by Jayden’s later,” Autumn insisted, and River nodded while Angie pleaded with Lucy with her eyes.
“Yeah, Mom, go for a ride with Benji. Maybe he’ll break up with his girlfriend and take you on a date if you’re nice,” she sang, and Benji chuckled as Lucy glared.
“Angela,” she warned, but Angie was giggling with Autumn. “That’s enough.”
“She’s right,” Autumn whispered while Jayden and Baylor snickered behind Lucy.
“Mother, enough,” she demanded and then let out a long breath. “Fine, y’all go. Text me later. I’m gonna head to the apartment and start packing.”
“I thought we were doing all that tomorrow and Monday?” Autumn asked and Benji’s ears perked up. She hadn’t told him about this.
“Monday is my office, tomorrow is the apartment. I’m gonna get a head start since you guys are taking my daughter.”
“So instead of going out with Benji, you’re gonna pack?” her mother deadpanned and even Angie made a face.
“Bye, guys,” she said, turning on her heel. “Be good, Angie. Love you. Come on, Benji,” she called over her shoulder and Autumn set him with a look.
“Take her out.”
“Yeah, to Chuck E. Cheese!” Angie said then and Benji chuckled.
“See you guys later. Good game, Angie.”
“Thanks! But really, she loves Chuck E. Cheese,” she stressed and Benji had to fight his grin as he ran off to catch up with Lucy. She was almost to the truck when he finally fell into step with her.
“Apparently, you like Chuck E. Cheese. You didn’t tell me that.”
She cut him a sideways glance. “I hate that place.”
“Angie thinks otherwise.”
She just shook her head as he reached for the handle to open the door. “They’re all insane.”
Stepping in front of her before she could get in, he held his arms out. “Time to cash in that rain check. Bring it in.”
Sucking in a deep breath, she shook her head. “Not now.”
But he wasn’t taking no for an answer. Wrapping his arms around her, pulling her to him, he kissed the top of her head. Thankfully, she didn’t fight him. “Yes, now,” he whispered against her hair, and when her arms came around his waist, his eyes fell shut.
Nuzzling her nose in his chest, she drew in a deep breath and then let it out, holding him tightly. “Dealing with Rick just sucks ass,” she whispered, squeezing her eyes shut, and he nodded.
“He’s a dick, for sure.”
Pulling back, she looked up at him and nodded. “I’m just so tired.”